Ink Drips: Rationalizing Break-ups

(not based on real events but based on the emotions of the writer at his moment)

He took his strides as deliberately as the way his hair fell on his cheeks. His hair on his cheeks – another one of the things Mark wanted him to change. He mused at his own reflection on the black Mazda parked outside his favourite tea shop. He knew he wasn’t perfect, but he always thought he was good-looking, regardless. But Mark kept on pointing out things he wanted him to change.

He pushed his face closer to the tinted car window, trying to get a better view of his nose – the nose that Mark never really liked, he recalled. Slowly he saw a face materialize besides his. He made a quick twist to look at who it was but the fates had never been kind to him and that moment they were the cruellest. Let’s just say everything was resolved with a bloodied nose, apologies served and numbers exchanged with a guy who owned a black Mazda, who liked milk tea, who didn’t mind his nose, who didn’t want his hair cut, who thought he was cute as hell and who felt like a guy like him shouldn’t be let alone bumping other guys and giving them a good bruising.

He was never the type of guy who cheated on the boy he dated. Justin wasn’t that person. He was loving. He tried to understand every single thing Mark did. He loved Mark. But lately, the boy he fell inlove with more than a year ago, was changing. But these he still understood. The changes, he intellectualized. He analyzed ever little detail of change as just him going through a phase. He was in love. And love, usually blinds you.

He still liked tea though, so every day since that moment with black Mazda guy, he would go to the tea shop, and casually wait for him to come around. The guy never did though. But that moment helped him realize so many things about his self – about how he felt about himself.

He wasn’t inlove anymore. And he knew he shouldn’t be made to stay in a relationship with someone he didn’t love enough. So it ended. It ended with  a phone call and a lame excuse for a breakup. It wasn’t Justin’s fault. It was no ones, but he still blamed himself. He still had the guy’s number, but he never called him. As for the sad Mark, he carried on and found love elsewhere. Mark found love even before Justin.

Justin new he made a mistake. But it was one of those mistakes that you never really regret. He was in love. And it is always better to love and lost and not to have loved at all.

You see, this isn’t a story of broken hearts. This is a story of winning – of break-ups and of choices, good ones.

The Wanderer's Review: Dipolog's Chill-out Spots

Dipolog City isn’t really known for its night life, for sure. It isn’t really known for anything really. Being a guy who’s spent much of his adolescent/teen life away from Dipolog, I was pleasantly surprised at what welcomed my permanent return.

I was bugging my old high school friends to take me out to celebrate my return. After much begging and classic Marky theatrics, they yielded to my request

The following is my top three CHILL SPOTS of Dipolog, and coincidentally, the first bars, my friendsies brought me to.

3^rd “Bar Street” (besides Bianos Pizzeria, near Dipolog BLVD)

Now, if you really want chill, and a zero fuss evening. Then the Jamaican, kalye (street) themed “Bar Street” is the place for you. Drinks are cheap, food is cheap, the crowd is in their casual slip-ons and shorts – no hassle, really. Open air, with small tents, the place reeks of old school “kanto-boy” (street kid) vibe. The music tends to loop, and sometimes drift away from the theme of the place. There isn’t really any definitye sectioning in the place so it would seem like one whole party. Which is not so cool if there are people you don’t want to rub elbows with.  Although there are tables a bit more secluded from the rest, they’re usually filled up early in the night. 

Again, the crowd is usually very chill, and they go there for chill, specifically. That said, you have to think twice I you want to pick up people.

RULES: Don’t go alone or in pairs * Don’t pick up people * Don’t dress fancy

TIPS: Try the BLUE OCEAN... certified killer. lol

For me, 6/10

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2^nd “Sights ‘n’ Sounds” (near Dipolog Blvd in front of Blvd Official Marker Plate)

If you’re game to walk up a flight of really steep stairs with weird lighting, then SS is good for you. There’s an AC room and an open air balcony thingy. The bar is pretty complete, and the kitchen is good. It’s also quite chill. There’s a karaoke machine in the AC room, so it’s pretty cool if you just want a no fuss night out with friends. Downstairs are a bunch of “grill” type restos too. So if you ever get major munchies, you won’t have to obliterate your beer food, you just slide down the stairs and order up some really good ‘inasal’ (grilled chicken on skewers).
Bar stools are everywhere and we all know what that means, right? It’s a cruisin’ zone. Yes, If you’re keen enough, you can pick up a couple of cutesies. That is, remember to always double check. Dipolog isn’t like other cities, where quick advances are acceptable. You have to do the eye dance more extensively (and this goes for anywhere in Dipolog).

RULES: Good for any size group or even solo flights * Do extensive flirting before any attempts of picking up someone * dress neat: slippers are fine, shorts are fine but it has to look sharp and/or expensive

TIPS: Order Calamares. Try their Boracay (I know it's such a common drink nowadays, but their version is actually really good). Don't go for the beer tower/table keg, just order a bucket/set of beers instead.

For me, 7.5/10

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1^st “BRB” or less commonly known as, “Balai Resto Bar” (Tomas Claudio St.  near the crossing where the SDA church is at)

It’s a pretty chill place to go to. Perfect for just chugging down some beer or having a round of some cocktail. They have “Payags” or bamboo huts out the back – lots of them where you can just kick back with friends and chill out. The music is pretty inconsistent, but at least the volume is just right.
The tables/huts are actually quite spacious and are good for your basic 6-10 person party. So going solo isn’t really cool. The vibe is very laid back, but the people tend to dress up. I guess this is because of the how it’s a favorite hub for college kids.

RULES:  No solos or pairs * Do extensive flirting before any attempts of picking up someone * dress neat: slippers are fine, shorts are fine but it has to look sharp and/or expensive

TIPS: Try the MILKY WAY! It's a really good drink that sneaks up on you after a few glasses. Steer clear of their SCREWDRIVER.

For me, 7.6/10

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If you know the owners of the places i mentioned, tell them about my review, and drop me a message or just comment below.

If you want me to do a review on a bar you really like, then comment below too!