City Hall and R.H. Blyth

Today, I turned over my measly life savings to City Hall.

After being quiet for the past 15 years, City Hall sent a tax delinquency notice. It came kindly with an ”option for auction” if we couldn’t pay.

Having wiped out my bank account, I planned to blow up City Hall (remembering a scene from Fight Club and an old clip of the first atom bomb test) but a kindly but strict tax collector foiled my plans. Zacharias in the jungles of quezon city hall she was. It almost made paying seem like the most responsible thing to do. But only almost, I resented. Anyway, I diffuse my napalm. Magi said Zacharias of city hall reminded her of Abraham’s plea to God: save Sodom and Gomorrah for the just souls. No, I am no Abraham, I would’ve blown up city hall for all the just souls clogging the sewer.

Christ said give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, so to Caesar went my worldy wealth. My mother made me. 

In the throes of poverty I decided to spring an emergency upper — splurge on the gift check my boss gave me for Christmas. I was saving it for a rainy day and today the day was pouring. One of my Lolos or Lolas owned a four volume R.H. Blyth. As ballast. The collection somehow got lost when we transferred houses and I’ve been pining ever since. The volume eloped with the vinyl records never to be found again. 

Scouring Fully Booked, not really hoping, ‘found a book with no author indicated on the fornt cover. I slash off the well-taped plastic covering, my heart racing. Could it be love at last? Yes. 

Haiku. Everyman’s Library Pocket Poets featuring the translations by R. H. Blyth.

Other uppers found:

Penguin edition of Noli Mi Tangere, translated by Harold Augenbraum. Yes, I never read the greatest Filipino novel. I am a colonial dupe who read the comics version to make the grade (barely making it). Magi recommends the Guererro translation. There wasn’t any. Both Noli and Fili by Guererro are now available as a two-in-one for 300++ pesos. But currently out of stock.

Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman. Collection of his short fictions. André had a hard bound copy when we were in college. Mighty expensive at that time. Sweet man photocopied it for me (after much hounding and I suspect he was afraid I’d dirty his book). Me own copy at last, laddies!

Finally got my ID too, lifetime membership (if I behave) to the Integrated Pub of Scroundrels, Wiseasses and Hot Mommas. 

A few weeks back ‘had wanted to post a whine and hope for all the things lost (vinyls, books etc.) and then a wish list, a lost and found ad. Someone knows the exact number of your hair.

 

A swallow

Flew out of the nose

Of the great Buddha.

- Issa

 

  

 

 

 

Music: The Remedy , Jason Mraz

Mood: Pleasantly cured. Faith edified.

~ by amats on February 11, 2008.