The Odd Number

1217713

For the longest time, I've been try to comfort myself with the "fact" that heroes from most stories start out with their pre-written lives having bad luck. And as their stories progress, their luck shifts from bad to good. That is very common, especially with Filipino movies. And I've exploited this idea for some time now, such that I had developed it into a joke (I'm not sure if it's originally mine though). Anyway, as I've said, it's often the case with most stories except one I'm sure of, a tragedy. Having mentioned all these, I would like to borrow a line from the movie Stranger Than Fiction.

"I think I'm in a tragedy."

1217713

I figured.

And this time, it's slightly more complicated, considering our position.

1217713

At me, with me, whatever.

 I think I was a jester in my previous life. That justifies it I suppose.

1217713

Recently, d_ P____ (in the grand tradition of how he used to write my name in his entries) asked me a favor: to pray for his dad. Now there's an impossible request.

See, a great deal of time had passed since I last prayed and I'm afraid I am not capable of it anymore. To be consistent with the title, I should say I don't remember how to do so. I mean,  I still know the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and most of the formula prayers but I don't really pray from the heart anymore. That is, assuming I used to. Actually, I could only recall this one time when I managed that, and that was when my dad got into an accident.

Anyway, when I received d_ P____'s text message, I knew I couldn't grant his request. I mean, even if I did remember how to pray, there'd be no one I could pray to. That's really not my fault (or is it?). I know how difficult it is to lose a father, especially when you know he's still at his prime. So, instead of praying, I could only wish. That will be all.

1217713

Unfair. Really. Fucking unfair.

I had 10 units of load at the start of the term. That much was clear. Those 10 units were mine. Last week, I was a bit disappointed to find out that two of those were taken from me by a full-time faculty member and that I'm currently just substituting for him until he comes back. That would've been fine had I been informed about it ahead of time but I wasn't. Still I let that go. I had to. I didn't have any say on the matter.

And now this. Even more fucking bad news. It seems I worked for the past 15 days or so for close to nothing; Payroll deducted three units' worth of salary that I got for my first two paychecks. Three fucking units instead of only two! Man, that was not even basic Math! That was less than basic! Anyway, it was pointed out to me that I would still get my salary for the substitution I made for the prof who took my subject. At least I would still be paid for the times I attended that class.

And here's the best part. I'm not an Accounting expert but they deducted three units from me, right? Hence, my salary for this pay date amounted to a little more than what you need to buy a Grande Iced Coffee with White Mocha at Starbucks, plus a few sticks of cigs, and the fare for a jeepney ride home. Yes, that much was taken from me. And I'm not even earning oodles of cash at present. So, unless I'm mistaken, isn't it fucking unfair to take the whole "overpaid" amount from me when they already had deducted tax from that before? Talk about double black eye.

This time, I'm not gonna let go of this so easily. I will fight for what should have been mine. I know I'm no Caesar but still I must be given what I'm due.

1217713

It's very, very ironic that it is only now when I am already teaching that I have become very hungry for knowledge. In fact, I think it's no exaggeration that I have done more studying for the past few months as a professor than I have ever had in my five years as a college student.

I mean, I'm practically studying every night.

And here comes regret.

1217713

I have moved a step up.

The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Fifth Level of Hell!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels: