Drive Away: My Tribute to my Nokia 2730 Classic

Still one sexy classy phone. Even in Magenta.

In my entire existence, I've only used four phones. The first one was a Nokia 5110. It was around grade school and cellphones were slowly becoming a big thing. Technically speaking I didn't own the phone. It was originally from my dad issued to him from his office. But when he was issued a new phone, he gave us the phone so we can text and contact him any time. And since I was the more techy person in the family, I get to use it a lot, almost mine already. I could remember the time when I suddenly pin blocked the sim card and I just shitted in my pants because back then, sim cards where quite expensive. It wasn't long when I was given my own cellphone. When I graduated grade school, my graduation gift was a Nokia 3310. Now, the 3310 was very famous back then. The 5110 was big and heavy, but the 3310 was small and very stylish at that time. It had comfortable keypads and best of all, it had Space Impact, the coolest game ever invited for the cellphone, at that time. It was such a great device that even kindergarten students have one. It was so cool that my classmate even stole it. We got it back but since then, I couldn't remember why I wasn't able to use that phone anymore.

Three years after that, my parents gave me an advance high school gift in a form of the Nokia 6610i. Now around this time, there have been a lot of phones released. Nokia phones were getting rampant and even other cellphone brands were coming out such as Samsung, LG and Sony Erickson. At that time, life was really simple and there was no need for text messaging. Everyone can still live a life without a cellphone, unlike today. But with the sudden ramp of cellphones, and the fact that communication is much more easier with it, everyone was slowly owning one. The coolest things that could be included on a phone on that time is a colored screen and a camera. I like to think back then that as long I have these two combination in my phone, I'm living the current trend no matter what phone it is. At that time, I was a very rpoud owner. It had a camera which means I can take pictures anywhere. On top of that, I can play colored games, which really sucks now but was cool back then. It was a basic stylish phone and I had it until 4th year college. But through out durng college, my 6610i went to a lot of damages. Sure, it still functions now, but the screen has a purple spot and after using that phone for four years, I felt like I need a new one.

Throughout college, technology in cellphones was becoming too advance. Cellphones were getting much more rampant and the sudden rise of "smartphones" emerge. Touch screens were becoming in and as everyone knows, the iPhone was born and rocked the cellphone industry. But with all the advance technology coming out, I was never relly drawn out to own one. As long as I could text and call, there was no need to own one. But I needed an upgrade. My mother decided it's time to own a new phone. Now, my mother's budget was just arond 500 pesos (around $13) so smartphones was heavily out of the question. Not that I mind about it, but I wanted to own a latest phone. It was hard to choose from all the phones available, but one phone caught my attention. It was just recently released and it looked classy and sexy for a very basic phone. It had all the classic features of a phone but re-profiled with new features for the current times. It was the Nokia 2730 Classic, and from there on, I knew what phone I wanted for Christmas.

Now, I do my research to things that I don't have an idea about, so I made a little bit research about the phone. I watched a lot of reviews in YouTube, read reviews and comparisons to different gadget sites. I know it would be hard to judge something without having to try it first, but after countless reviews, I decided that it was it. No more questions ask, that was the phone I wanted. I an still recall the day when I bought it, the Nokia store we went through, the manager that assisted me, it was such a great day. It was just a cellphone, but it was a cellphone that I have anticipated for such a long time I couldn't contain my excitement. When I finally had it, there was nothing on that phone that I didn't explore and utilize. From messaging, music, games, videos and surfing the web, I used that phone to the full capacity. That phone was almost like my brother, we did a lot of things together. It knows all the messages that I have sent and the messages I have kept. I didn't use it as a camera but some of my well made pictures was taken from that phone. And I may not have a PSP, but I filled it with a tons of games. Best of all, I was able to log-in to Facebook there anytime. Throughout my dramatic moments, that phone was with me and I've always felt that I will have that phone for a very long time. That change just a few nights ago.

It was just a typical night. Another night shift, another workday. Now, I was on my bluetooth listening to some music when I realized I was near my workplace already. The jeepney stopped, went out and I was crossing the street. Suddenly, the music disappeared. I reached out to my pocket and I realized that my pone wasn't there anymore. I quickly checked the jeepney and it wasn't there anymore. I checked the other side of the street and maybe I just dropped it and with no luck, it wasn't there anymore. I tried to think about the moment I went out of the jeep and I could swear I checked before I went out. With a little time left before my shift starts, I called my tita to inform my sister and aprents that to call or text my phone to wanr the driver o any passengers and blasted in Facebook to text and call my phone as well. I get replies saying that it only rings. Once I got home after my shift, I checked it myself and there it was, just ringing. I knew that I didn't had that much time left as the phone will be low in battery. From that there on, I was so disappointed with myself that deep inside I knew I could have done something to retrieve my phone. I could have chased the jeep, it was slightly raining that time but I knew I could have chase it. But its too late, the phone cannot be reached anymore whenever I try to call it. It was a good thing that I still have my 6610i phone. Bought a new sim card, which is very cheap these days and started to collect numbers again. Whenever I try to remember my phone, it breaks my heart. It wasn't no iPhone, HTC or whatever smartphone, but that phone meant a lot to me, especially the memories that I have kept there. It is a shame, but just like any death in the family, you move on.

. . . . . . . . . .

Right now I am in the mode again to scout new phones. The difference right now compared to then is that I have a job now. I can set my own budget. And with technology these days, a smartphone is surely on my mind as of now. But there was really nothing like compared my 2730. It had the looks, the features that any guy could just need. It meant a lot to me. It's a shame it wasn't with me for two tears. That phone was with me through my ups and downs. It's just a shame that I lost it. You may find it funny for me to create a tribute to my phone, an inanimate object, but for me it was like brother. I'll never forget that Magenta-colored Nokia 2730 Classic. Thank you for being a useful reliable phone for almost two years. I don't know if I should still buy the same model or find a better replacement, but deep inside you will always be special. Wherever that phone is right now, I hope that it is in good hands. Losing that phone taught me that maybe there are things in life that I must move on too. I lost special saved messages and lost contacts. The important thing is, I have the chance now to create a new beginning. Life would have still been better if I still had that phone, but just like any disappointing thing to occur in life, God always has a purpose and reason. My Nokia 2730 Classic, it was stylish, classy, elegant and simple. Thank you for being with me through my greatest moments and failures. Thank you for taking my best pictures even in 2 Megapixel. Thank you for keeping my most valuable messages. Thank you for being a great phone. You will never be forgotten.

It Was Just Some Party: How I failed my Thanksgiving Party

When Eminem released his 6th album Relapse back in 2009, the hip-hop world was in excitement as Eminem started rapping again. It was well anticipated to hear Em' rap after a long hiatus. I kept on listening to Eminem songs from his old albums that I didn't notice that he hasn't made a song ever for quite some time. Everyone anticipated the album and once it was released, it sold a million records after a few weeks and even won two Grammy and other awards. It didn't had the feel of his old albums but every Eminem album is well-made so as I fan I can't really complain. A few months and Eminem released a new single for his Recovery album entitled Not Afraid. Everyone knows that is a dope song, full of emotion and inspiration. But one line really caught my attention when Em spit out "In fact, let's be honest/ That last Relapse CD was 'ehh'/ Perhaps I ran them accents into the ground/ Relax, I ain't going back to that now". Despite the success that Relapse got, Eminem himself felt that it wasn't really that much good. I researched about it and I found out that for Mr. Mathers, the Relapse CD was just a bunch of rap records. At that time, I realized that even if you get to release or produce something, it may not satisfy you in the end.

Same way I felt when my Thanksgiving Party ended.

A few weeks ago, the results of the July 2011 Nursing Board Exam came out. Thank God, I was finally in the list of passers. At that time, I just want to celebrate and have fun. A couple of drinks with friends, maybe a small dinner with the family, but to be honest, having a Thanksgiving Party was out of the question. I just passed. Sure, I only attended final coaching, but it was already my 2nd take. And to be frank, I just hit the passing mark. I was proud of myself, but not impressed. I felt that I didn't do anything that much, it was all God's will. But of course, I was being selfish and I wasn't thinking that my victory meant more to others than to myself. I already promised to some of my friends that I will have a party and to just wait for my call or text. It took a while for me to set-up a date, but I finally got to set it up for a September 3 date. I only had a week to prepare for it but it was enough in every sense. But of course, like Eminem, I am a bit of a perfectionist as well. It felt like I wanted to make the greatest-party-of-the-year. Of course I know I can't but I wanted to have an awesome party, in the terms I have promised to my friends, to be "barbaric". In retrospective, not all my friends pulled-off a thanksgiving party, so there was no need to pressure myself. But sometimes you just want to go things the right way, it sometimes end up short of your expectations.

I want to be clear, I enjoyed my party. I'm happy I pulled it off. It just that I felt that I could have done something better. Just like Eminem, looking back at his Relapse CD, it was just some rap record for him. For me, it was just some party. People had something to eat, had something to eat, but I don't think they have something to talk about after. I felt that I set a high expectation to my guest that I failed them. Most importantly, I failed myself. I just want to have a bombastic party that I was full of myself. I was kidding myself and I felt that I ran that party to the ground. I know my friends enjoyed it, my family had a good time, but I can just feel that in their minds, I know they have a couple of "Noel could have done better if he...". It took me the entire weekend to think about what I missed and what I could have done better, and here are the three things that I wished I could have fixed:

1. Budget - There have been a lot of parties held in our house. Not once did I ever have to share some money. I've been the crew person, the dishwasher, the maintenance boy, but never did I sponsored money, not even to my previous birthday parties. So I only have a small idea how much a party will cost. And the fact that I am already employed, I am obliged to take responsibility of the expenses for my birthday. To be honest, when it comes to money, I'm sometimes a Scrooge. I don't really want to give money that much. As much as possible, I like to spend less. But of course, I know I have to shed some money if I want my party to be a "parteh". I did take out half of my remaining money. It was already enough, but when I look back at the party, I wished I took out a little bit more cash. It would have meant more food, more drinks, and more drinks. I promised a barbaric party and as much as the food and drinks was enough, enough simply isn't barbaric. Well, despite my Tito and his friends took some food and some drinks, something unforeseen, I felt that I still didn't had the "barbaric"budget to have a shitload of drinks. It's better to have more than to have less. The feeling that the you can't consume all drinks is quite convincing that you had a much wicked party compared to going home dry as a camel in the desert.

2. Preparation - I can't really complain on this one that much. My parents were already able to budget the foods they needed to prepare and the drinks that they needed to buy. I had a long stern discussion with my mom with this because I wanted to invite everyone of my classmates and friends in college but at the same time I was hoping not all can come. I will need a hotel if I that is the case. I just know not all will come and no one really cares about me that much but anything could really happen. That's why I wanted to plan the party scientifically by zeroing-out any possible mishaps. I wanted to have Plan B, C or maybe even a D. I ain't no scientist but at the time, I felt my party would be without that much mishaps. Turns out, it went well, but not without any miscalculations. My mother wanted to start at 6PM as some of my relatives were already there but I informed my friends it would start at 7PM. I know they will be late but at least the party will start at 7. It's a good thing my friend and his girlfriend arrived early so at least I had guest friends already when we started. Slowly my friends were coming but the problem is, my Lechon (roasted pig) was already half-consumed. Other viands were fine but the main course was already gone and majority of my friends haven't arrive yet. Luckily it was enough but just to be on the safe side, I asked my sister to buy extra roasted chicken in case the food may not be enough. On the drinks side, when the session began, it was great as I have a huge icebox of beers in it. But after an unforeseen circumstances, I need to go to the nearest Convenience Store to buy more drinks. If you notice the trend here, I had to but extra food and drinks just so I won't run the party dry. It was just a small mishap but something I wished didn't happen if I only planned it well. And also, I took the responsbility of crown control that I seem to have stressed out myself taking care of everything. Even host have assistants too, I ran the show by myself.

3. Documentation - I guess the main part or the main reason why I felt my party sucked was that it lacked "documentation" or it lacked pictures. I keep bashing my sister for borrowing my camera on her school events and just taking few pictures that I hate myself for only taking few pictures in my own party. My camera ain't no DSLR, but it is one cool camera, top of the line digicam of today. So when I woke up Sunday morning to look at the pics, I just felt that I didn't had enough memories to post in Facebook. I could have taken more pictures of my family and friends. I could have taken pictures with each of my guests. I could have created lots of creativity in my pictures that night that I don't know what happened as the camera spend most of its time inside my pocket. I asked a friend about this and for her the only thing that lacked in my party was really pictures. By the look of my album, the people didn't have that much to talk about since there weren't that much evidences there. Damn I sometimes hate myself for owning a camera. I was used to have someone take my pictures, not me taking pictures. Ugh, it disappoints me big time.

Woooo. There. Sometimes it takes a critic to really teach you a lesson. And I'm a huge critic of myself. I criticize myself for not having a better party. By in any standards, I had a decent party. But I raised the expectations a little bit that when it was all said and done, I wasn't really satisfied. But just like Em' on his line, "Relax, I ain't going back to that now", I ain't going back on this one anymore. It happened. Sure, I wasn't completely satisfied, but I'm happy I pulled it off. I did something that others didn't even bother to do anymore. I could wished a lot of things to change, but it is what it is. For everyone that came, I am thankful that you were there present to celebrate my thanksgiving of becoming a registered nurse. Sometimes you just have to ignore the "What ifs" and be glad to "What happened". At the end of the day, people got something to eat, had something to drink and most importantly had a good time. Couldn't say they really really had a great time, but hey, would they stay up in the morning if they didn't? Hmm, a guy like me is already thankful of that even if it wasn't the greatest-party-of-the-year, it was still a party nevertheless. I'll try to make it up and be barbaric on Christmas.