Back in third year college (S.Y. 1995-96), I had this longing to write a journal of my daily activities. This was sparked upon learning how our National Hero, Jose Rizal, despite of his busy routines, would spend some of his time jotting down how he fared through the day. However, said desire remained only in my thoughts. I spent no effort to perform what I wished to do. It has long been overdue and so I begin.
Setneconi gave me a badminton racket as a gift for my 27th birthday. We happened to see some people playing the game in our office gym and perhaps after having expressed my desire to play, she decided to give me the racket. However, it took two months before we started playing. On February 6 2004, I remember well how my buddy (CoolSaint), Setneconi and I scrambled aimlessly through the court on our first time. But I wasn’t ashamed. I know that in due time I’ll be able to become acquainted with it.
A week later, it happened that CoolSaint and I found only two players on the court. It was an unusual sight to see. Usually at least 30 people would be there to play. We got acquainted with Kason and Gat J and began playing. How tired I was after the game! My partner and I got to taste our first drop shots and hard smashes. We scrambled towards the shuttlecock in unison almost banging to each other. It was then that we decided to play every other day so that this shameful event won't happen again.
Gat J didn’t play almost a month after that game. When he returned, he informed me of the badminton group where which he was a member. That was the first time I’ve heard of BADDICTS. He gave me the web address and invited me to join. However, I prefered to delay my membership acknowledging the fact that I was a still a newbie to the game that time.
Then I purchased my Yonex Armortec 700 from Gat J. Many officemates were in disbelief that I spent such amount on a racket. But it was my dream to buy one. It may appear luxurious for some but it was my way of overcoming the angst of my failed college dream of being a badminton trainee due to the unavailability of funds to support my training.
Then sometime in June or July 2004, through Gat J, I met MEG in JVJ Badminton Center. ( I still remained not listed in the roster of BADDICTS members during that time. ) But JVJ was only a two-week affair for me and my buddy. After that, Gat J said that the gang no longer plays in the said court. And so, left without a choice, we played back again in our office gym.
After tiring out playing with the same faces, I opted to join BADDICTS. But it took a long time before I got to see MEG again. It took longer before I was able to even speak with her.
On September 9, 2004, after getting sick, I managed to get her YM ID while I dilly-dallied my time over the internet browsing through the Baddicts forums. We exchanged messages and it was the beginning of being acquainted with her much further.
Amongst our chats, she told me to visit her site. After browsing through her journals, my desire to write my own journal was again rekindled. I revealed to her my intention of creating my own journal and she advised me of what to do. And this is where her instructions led me to.
Thank you MEG. You’re a big part of this dream come true…