Back from jalan-jalan at the center. Had money changed. Bought that extension cord, two chandelier bulbs, and two detail brushes for oil painting. Saw three things I want to come back for and buy. A banana split before walking home.

It was a windy afternoon in Cubao. The wind was strong enough to blow my cap off. Some other thing was strange, though. People, complete strangers, were oversolicitous toward me today. On my way out a mall, a young woman exited, saw me about to exit, and ran back to hold the glass door open for me. After serving me my banana split at the window, the DQ sales person ran out and escorted me to find an outdoor table and seat. The place was full, and I chose a table and seat out in the mellow sunshine. Then two women at the table beside me insisted that I sit with them at their table and eat my banana split in the shade. What was it about me today? The Tomas Nazaire medallion? The AGLA medallion? The stainless steel facsimile of Ferdinand Marcos's talisman? Elizabeth Taylor's Passion? The bright aura I exude whenever I am about to finish a painting?