Back On The Road

Today I drove Angelino for the first time in three weeks. Ever since Mama & Candy left I didn't feel like getting in the car alone.

I imagine it will be bittersweet remembering the times we were always on the go. It's nice to remember but it also hurts, specially that I will not be able to go on the carpool lane anymore. :D!

Not having driven Angelino for three weeks also means I have not gone grocery shopping in that amount of time. I subsisted on cafeteria food which is decent and healthy anyway.

I washed and waxed him a week prior. He was pretty dirty and dusty you can actually scribble on any of his surface. My camera batteries ran out on me so, too bad, no pictures. He looked mighty handsome afterwards. :)

My life's pretty much back on track as well. I've been able to attend to matters put on hold and realigned my routines to solo mode with a good amount of social diversions thrown in for good measure.

Home Alone Again

Airports are one of the places that make me feel happy and excited. Luggage in tow, tickets and ID ready, people walking to and fro gleaming hallways bursting with activity. The spirit of adventure waiting in the wings pervade the atmosphere.

Airports are also one of the places that make me feel sad. Sending friends off, bidding relatives farewell, and kissing loved ones goodbye with the hope, no matter how uncertain, that you will meet again sometime in the future.

Mama, youngest sis Candy, and I spent forty memorable days together in Los Angeles. Their stay seems quite long, yet short just the same. No matter how many days you spend with family, it never seems enough by the time you part ways.

Mama is returning to San Francisco where she stays most of the year. Candy will be going back to the Philippines a week after. We exchanged kisses as well as tears as we said our goodbyes at LAX, my voice breaking when I thanked them both for the time they shared.

I sheltered inside Angelino in the airport parking lot and waited until the plane departed. Once I arrived home I stayed in the car for a while and thought about driving solo from hereon. With a deep breath, I stepped out and tapped Angelino’s roof to bid him good night, “No more car pool lanes, G. It’s just you and me now, buddy.”


When I got into my apartment, I took a good look around and let reality sink in. It’s just me again. It’s the same gnawing feeling whenever I find myself home alone after being with loved ones for quite a while.

There will be no one to share meals with. No more waiting in line for the bathroom. No elbows to hit in the cramped kitchen. Nor small chatter at night that put us all to sleep. I won’t be hearing “Makaon na!” (Let’s eat) or “Gudnayt” for a long time.

I reread "Malungkot" and "Glad to be Sad" to help me remember and help appease the loneliness. I also started to get busy with leftover chores to keep my mind off things.

By late evening, I rekindle my relationship with my blog.

And I find myself.

Angelino's First Fuel Fill

Today I brought Angelino to a gas station to have his very first fill after about 500 miles. His preferred mix is unleaded with an octane rating of 87 or higher.

A hybrid car still needs gas to run efficiently and should never run out of it, otherwise the hybrid system will suffer damages.

I didn't take a picture since I wasn't sure it was safe. Why not? Same reason why motorists are advised to turn off their cellphones while at a gas station.

Gas at Costco today cost 1.999. With a capacity of 11.9 gallons, Angelino gobbled up 9.491.

Hybrid Hibernation: Angelino's First Home Alone Holiday

I will be flying to Seattle and leaving Angelino for a week or two. Separation anxiety is setting in. But I’ve prepared Gino for his first “home alone” holiday.

He got his third and last car wash for the year this morning.

While still relishing the gifts I gave him for Thanksgiving - clear floor mats and a cargo net - he’s delighted anew with Christmas gifts I’m going to leave him with.

One is a rear bumper protector which will help avoid any blemish on his back particularly when loading stuff.

And then, a most fitting gift, which fits him perfectly I should say, is a sturdy car cover to protect him from winter elements in SoCal.

I’m particularly amused by the antenna pocket which spikes up like a shark's fin.

When I get back next year, I’ll be giving him his New Year's gift which caps the holiday presents he’s thus far received - leather seats!

See you next year, buddy.
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Photos in this post are author's property.

Angelino's First Scratch

"Nooooooooo!"

What kind of fate could one suffer so as to ululate the proverbial, most simple and single-syllabled cry of denial with utmost urgency?

When my friends got word of my new role as a proud daddy of a hybrid baby, they have warned me that it will come - a dent, a scratch, a chip, a crack - and with myriad factors to cause it.

Another car door swung open in wanton abandon. Something sharp in someone's accessory brushing against the pristine coat. An ill-conceived prank tantamount to property damage.

In preparation, I have conditioned myself that, indeed, come it inevitably will. And so it did today!

"Nooooooooo!"

I was parking Gino (a nickname I use when I baby him) head first and did not see the pavement was too high for his front. A loud creak and screech sent signals to my brain and down my spine that my baby is hurt. And it's his first!

"Nooooooooo!"

I immediately reversed, ran to Gino's front and assessed the damage. The black hard plastic underneath took the beating. "Gino, nasugatan ka!" I said in shock and remorse. Darn pavement! :)



Oh, well. The consolation is that at least it was I who caused it. I'd go ballistic if it was someone else. I'm sure it will heal with an appropriate cleaner and conditioner.

Oh, man!
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Photos in this post are author's property.

Angelino's First Guest

From the moment I was ensconced on Angelino's driver seat, I have always wondered who will have the honor of being the first person to take the passenger seat.

That question was answered today. My friend from work, Gladys, and I went to the Music Center to catch the final show of "Spring Awakening" in L.A.

Though I wanted Angelino to be fully accessorized before meeting anyone up close, today was an exception since "Spring Awakening" is a must-go-to thing and carpooling with a hybrid makes more environmental sense. Also, there are only a handful of people in my immediate circle that are into the arts scene.

Too bad I didn't bring my camera so no picture of Gladys & Angelino. I'll get them together some time for a photo shoot and add a late entry image.

Angelino's First Bath

Just less than a week and G (that's how I call him) is grimy and dirty already! That's what he and I have to contend with with open parking.

If you have a hybrid car and you want to wash it yourself, a self-serve car wash makes perfect environmental sense.

Rinse water and accompanying contaminants (oil, grease, gasoline, car shampoo) that run into ordinary drain systems end up in open water, untreated.

In self-serve car wash shops, these are recycled and sent to the sewage system for treatment before going to the environment.

I had a 3-minute crash course in self-serve car wash on the Internet. Hands-on training was on site.

The shop had three sections: vacuum, washing, drying. I needn't use the first as G is still spick and span in the inside.

The wash system is user-friendly operated by quarters. There's a coin change booth or you can bring your own.

One nozzle sprays out water, soap, and wax at different intervals depending on where the user puts the dial. A foaming brush is on hand for scrubbing the car. Both are on a boom and will swivel with you as you go around your car.

It cost me about $6 for a sparkling clean. I spent the most time drying G out. And you have to bring your own towels. It's also up to you to bring your own glass cleaner, tire protectant and trim conditioner.

After his first bath, I also let G have his first taste of the freeway. We cruised up I-5 and down I-10. I was a bit anxious but he enjoyed it. Traffic was not bad considering it's a holiday weekend.

Introducing Angelino: The Path to my First Car, Part 8

Everyone,

I'd like you to meet
my very first car in my entire life.

A brand new 2009
Package 2 Toyota Prius
in sparkling
Silver Pine Mica.




And I call him...


Angelino!
Why "Angelino"?
Why, he's an Angeleno! LOL!
He's gonna grow up right here in the heart of Downtown L.A.

Pardon the redundant photos for I feel like a big daddy with a new baby.

When I took possession of him,
I had a brief moment of denial.

I stood still and took a good look
at the beautiful feat of engineering that seemed to smile right back at me.


I have a car.


I have a car?


Oh, my goodness,
I have a car!
My very first car
in my life.
And not just any car.
It's a Preeeyuuus!

We had a good start getting to know each other, and I can say he and I are relationship material.

I can't wait to read all the booklets that came with him to help me get to know him better.

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Photos in this post are author's property.