If I Were You, I'd Hit On Me Too

I just had a real life Marshmallow test. And I'm glad I passed.

Been working out a lot lately, and I've been noticing some improvements. Not enough to land me a cover gig, but from where I was before, it's a definite step up. So, I was really tempted to post a photo of me shirtless.

BUT I realized, posting a photo of me shirtless now would lessen the impact of me posting the results when it's more drastic. I want to go for drastic, it's more dramatic. So I hold it off, arguing with myself that it's gonna be more impactful in a few more weeks if I work hard, work harder, work hardest even.

Which led me into think about other solutions. Like digital enhancement. I have a friend who's amazing with Photoshops. But that got me into thinking: digitally enhancing my photos means I'm giving up. It would mean that I've accepted that I do not have control over my reality, so I digitally alter it. I can't have that, I can't accept that.

Look, it's more than vanity, beyond narcissism. When men post shirtless photos of themselves, it's not because we're vain. It's because we feel good about the sense of accomplishment that our hard work. Looking good is the pay off, we don't show off the struggle.

You have to understand where I'm coming from. I wasn't born with good genes, I have so little to work with. For me to actually be noticed and appreciated for my looks is a big deal because I wasn't born into it. It's like how people who suddenly find themselves in the possession of an insane amount of fortune can't help but bask in the goldshine of it all.

Officially Entering Hot Territory

I think I've finally entered the category of Hot.

Last Wednesday, I was at the gym, when two teenage Korean boys felt me up.

Backtrack: they came in, and did their sets. They were lithe, nubile, and very slender. One of them looked like a doll, the other looked like one of those androgynous Japanese rockers. They were lifting very, very light weights, and they kept giggling. 8 reps a set, followed by 30-seconds of giggling. It was all very amusing, and uplifting, considering my other option for live entertainment was a chubby, sweaty guy who kept making weird noises. I think, I'll sign up for the giggling effeminate foreigners.

So, when they're done with their work out, they hang out outside, by the bench, smoking. I passed by the door to get my bag (the shelves are near the exit), and they waved at me to join them. So, I did.

That's when they started feeling me me up. "How long have you been working out?" said the one who looks like a Japanese crossdressing rock band vocalist. "Oh, this is really good." He was squeezing my chest.

I'm pretty sure it was devoid of malice, and they were probably just looking out for an achievable goal to set their eyes on. But whatever it was, it felt good to be felt up by strangers. The last time I was felt up by a total stranger was in the MRT, and I'm not entirely sure if it actually happened or I imagined it, having issues with my personal space and all.

Now, I have a new motivation. To work out harder, bulk up, and maybe, the next time someone feels me up in public, I'll get to charge a fee for it or something.

Celebrity Ako, Yata

Recently, I gained a new Twitter follower: http://twitter.com/#!/ANTIChRISTYferm

Being a digital and social media guru, I was curious to find out who are these people interested in following my 140-characters-long ramblings. My modest following of 400-or-so are mostly people I know: friends, friends I've worked with, readers of my book.

Thus it is with such joy that I discovered my new Twitter follower to be a celebrity hater.

With a quick survey of his/her tweets, you'll know that the twitter account was made primarily to troll on celebrities, often giving snarky comments and replies to tweets by celebs.

And thus, being one of the few people he/she is following, I am flattered by this miscalculation of my influence. Certainly, I'm far from being as influential as the rest of the people on his/her list!

But

But what if I am?

What if this is that point in my life when people start noticing that I do have some considerable degree of influence? That with a simple tweet, I can sway a good number of people to make certain choices?

Oh, but these thoughts are too taxing. I think I'm going to rest now and eat DORITOS with PEPSI on my bed, as I think of ways to raise money so I an buy a new SAMSUNG GALAXY ACE.