just minishorts.

I have this bad aggression towards the whole concept of 'settling in'. You know, it's crossed the honeymoon, and things are falling into, what Ed aptly calls 'routine'.

Now don't mind me falling into another set of rants. (I do this from time to time yeah, bear with me).

The Pre-Honeymoon Pre-Relationship Period. Trust me, women, at their very core, love being single. It is the time of absolute freedom, when they can proudly be admired by as many men as possible, and have their pick. The power of choice is quite a fantastic one. Unfortunately for many, (yours truly included), there will be one or two stuck-out sore thumbs who profess and swear to pluck the moon out of the sky and make the mermaids in the sea sing songs of wonder for you. Then the hit comes. The, 'Will you go out with me?'

Or 'Can I hold your hand?'

Some take a few days. Others a few years. The normal is about 3-5 months I believe. Phenomenal ones happen in weeks. And everything is like a huge blast of fireworks that never wants to end.

But… but but but… fireworks are expensive, yes and THEY WILL END. Welcome to The Honeymoon. Its nice. Its sweet. Its the first blossoms of spring and life is so beautiful. Seems like its going to be like this forever. Every day its 'Honey Pie Puff' and 'Sugar Baby', 'I love you so much' and 'you taste yummy' … In the mornings he offers to take you to the office, she offers to cook dinner. At nights he calls to say good night, and she says, 'I love you so much.' It's bliss. Never-ending. They promise that they will never fall into complacency and this feeling will never end because they will work at it.

Alas, promises are made to be broken. Honeymoons are destined to end. Routine thuds into the picture. And, oh, what a dreary picture is painted. A fictional example, for example.

Guy goes on one-day business trip. Morning of trip, girl calls guy.

'Be careful.'
'I will.'
'Call me when you get there.'
'I will sms you. Expensive lah.'

First thud. Last time call and talk for 3-4 hours also never mind. My ear want to split already still must hear him talk. NOW? SMS only. Because expensive to call.

Evening of guy's absence, girl sits watching whatever's on TV while reading papers. Waiting for promised call. 11.30 strikes. At least, he calls.

They talk for a while, then he says, 'I need to take a shower. I'll call you back.'

She waits. 12.30 a.m. 1.00 a.m. Second thud. The call-her-back-after-the-shower oath has been forgotten. So she plods into bed. Tired.

Early the next day. End of guy's business trip. Morning. Girl misses guy. Girl calls guy.

'Hi dear.'
'Oh hi dear. I'm still at the hotel.'
'When are you coming home?'
'Maybe around 3. 4. Or earlier. I'll call you. I miss you.'
'I miss you too.'

Routine 'miss-you's. Well, they're NECESSARY anyway.

Time passes. No calls from the guy. It's 4.30. 5 p.m. Girl gets worried. Girl calls guy.

'Hi honey.'
'Hi.'
'You're still there?'
'Oh we're nearing Rawang.
'Oh. Reaching soon?'
'Yeah. Should be in about an hour.'
'Don't drive so fast just to beat the traffic.'
'I won't.'
'Will you be heading home straight or…'
'Well, I'll be dropping off my partner at his house… and then I think I'll head off to the pool bar to play a game with my colleagues.'

Third thud. Where's the necessary 'I miss you'???

Girl says, 'Oh.'

Thud.

'After that we might go for a drink.'

Thud.

'Ah.'

Thud.

'I'll talk to you later lah. Bye bye.'

BIG THUD. It sinks in. The horrible 'settling in' has finally arrived.

Well. I've decided that things are like this.

In the beginning, the guy is interested, the girl is uninterested. He promises the world to her. She is uninterested. She plays cool. Then he promises his time and his heart, and she weakens. Then she agrees. Then they are happy. It is bliss.

And then…

The girl feels guilty. She feels overloved. She feels it is time to do something in return. So she decides to express more of her feeling. After all, they are together now, they must do things for each other. And… alas… the guy decides to play cool.

And you thought girls were possessive? Think again. It's a vicious cycle. Gawd, when will we ever learn?

I've made this a Sticky post. Scroll down for the latest. And do mail me for details regarding the Charity Walkhunt. Am looking forward to seeing you there!

Not-So-Uncle Belacan has posted an ad about my alumni's most ambitious fund-raising project to date and here I am, earnestly fishing for more generous philanthropists who would like to have some fun while doing charity. Details as follows:

Date : 15th May 2005
Time : 8.00am – 3.00pm
Venue : INTI College, Subang Jaya (Briefing); Sunway Pyramid (Hunt)
Hunt Duration: 2 hours

Other details of course include:

You must form a team.
Your team must be of about 2 to 3 members.
You pay only RM100 for the whole team.
If you sign up earlier, before the 23rd of April, you pay only RM85.

AND…. teng teng teng, the prizes are fuiyoh very impressive… not including the very yummy goodie bag that you'll receive.

1st Place — RM1,000.00
2nd Place — RM500.00
3rd Place — RM250.00
4th–13th Place — Consolation prize

It's a fund-raising project, peeps, so all proceeds go to Sri Shenbagavali Asram, an orphanage located in Sungai Besi.

We're only accepting 150 teams, so places are limited. Need to ask more? Got contacts here.

Wai Sheong - 012-3075 798
Gladys - 012-3358 559
Mohan - 012-3758 244
Vincent - vincentck@pd.jaring.my (012-3262 878)
Minishorts - minishorts@gmail.com

Now, OTHER reasons you should join.

Belacan promised to be there.

I will also be there because, urm, I'm part of the organizing committee, if you didn't notice already.

And the coolest part, and the most unabashed self-indulging promo that I've ever done :oops:…

If you join AND pay up, you get to meet ME and get my personal phone number as well.

So. Go. Go. Download the form here, or read about the facts here.