Taste Asia Blogger Party II
Posted by Lauren | Under Awkward Moments, New Media Events with 184 views Friday Aug 24, 2007Apparently, PMS also makes me a social retard. I experienced a brief flash of social claustrophobia not unlike the one I felt during the Blog Parteeh early this year. The first Taste Asia gathering was small, intimate, and had a chocolate fountain, so I expected this one to turn out the same. But nooo. There were so many people in such a small space, and nobody I could really cling to because it seemed like everyone I knew was hopping from one social circle to another. Suddenly, reading about the rise and fall of civilizations seemed like a more enjoyable way to spend the evening than going through the whole social dance of meeting new people.
Whatta ho
After spending the first half hour smoking and trying to look like I always spend social events being a wallflower by choice, I grew sick of feeling like a total loser. So I started randomly approaching people and asking for their signatures for the human bingo thing. It took a lot of effort, but soon I was getting into the swing of things and smiling and talking like I normally would. Wearing my Wordpress shirt definitely made it easier for other people to start conversations with me. But the social retardation was still there and I couldn’t come up with anything else to say after explaining that my cooler-than-me mom bought me the shirt from the Wordpress shop.
I didn’t drink anything ma, I swear!
It seems as though like-minded people attract each other because soon I was hanging out with passive socializers AJ and Rocky. Nicest people on earth, didn’t pretend to not know me when I drank my beer too quickly, talked a little too loudly, and semi-danced while standing at the buffet line. I don’t know if it was the beer or the company that put me at ease but in any case, I was back to my normal sociable self. Talking to other people took a lot less effort and I was actually having fun. I even offered to beat up the chick that stood Jayvee up, totally free of charge, but I think he believes in a non-violent form of staying away from failed dates. Oh wells.
Why are my parents cooler than me?
I was hoping that my dad would win the trip to Malaysia because if he wins, then I win too! I’m sure my parents would rather have a nice vacation without the kids bugging them to buy me this and buy me that. But I have a feeling that they want to take me and Marielle along because I’ll probably stay out all night if they’re not around, and my younger sister would hate to be stuck at home babysitting me. In any case, my dad won the DVD player which is all good. That only means the parents will be buying a nice HDTV to go along with it. And due to the lack of space, they’ll have no choice but to put the DVD player and the HDTV in my room. I’ll have to go through the trouble of rearranging the furniture and all that but hey, I’ll gladly take one for the family.
Beer face + red shirt = I’m melting into the background!
All in all, it was an awesome evening of beer drinking, hanging out and talking to awesome bloggers, and Cliquebooth camwhoring. Never mind that I spent almost four hours standing up because all the seats were occupied. (Which made me wonder — how many of those in attendance were bloggers and how many were guests of bloggers?) My parents may be cool but unfortunately, they’re not cool enough to let me stay out late on a school work night. Which makes me even more uncool. My mom practically had to drag me away, and during the walk to the parking lot we were both bitching like teenagers because our feet were killing us and the parking lot was so damn far. The radio played hiphop music during the drive home. It was very strange.
Lesson learned from the evening: beer cures all social anxieties if you approach people and talk too much, they don’t really have much of a choice but to stand there and listen to you, making you look like you have lots and lots of friends and therefore, uber-popular and cool.
Where art thou, oh Blogger Crush?
The only disappointment of the evening was that I didn’t get to talk to my Blogger Crush. Tonight was now or never because I don’t know if we’ll ever get a chance to be in the same social event again. I did say hi to him once and smiled like an idiot every time he looked at my direction, but I just couldn’t bring myself to approach him and start a conversation. AJ and Rocky even helped me think of several pick-up lines I could potentially use:
“Hi.” *holds out the human bingo paper* “Would you like to…sign me?”
“Hey. My dad just won a DVD player. Do you wanna come over and…watch DVDs?”
“Hey you. Wanna link-ex? Or would you like to exchange…something else?”
Unfortunately, my hohobagging instincts never kick in during crucial moments like this. No amount of beer could give me the liquid courage to say anything to him other than the initial “Hey!” I totally fail at life. 
So this is the part where I say hi to everyone who acknowledged my existence last night so I can look liek, REALLY POPULER. Except I lost the paper where I had everyone’s signatures, so the new people I met aren’t listed here. I know, I suck.
Ade
Adam
Aileen
AJ
Anton
Benj
Chris
Gail
Jayvee
Juned
Karlo
Marc
Mike Abundo
Mike Villar
Rico
Riz
Rocky
Sasha
Shari
Sharms
Sorsi
We at the Man Blog were trying to talk to you, but you just kept on disappearing. Awesome shirt though. Hope to talk to you without getting starstruck next time.
[…] Taste Asia Blogger Party II […]
You? A loser. Hardly. Everyone knew who you were
You have an intimidating air about you.
cool shirt! saan galing?
okay. i’m still bangag. i was not able to read the text about the shirt.
I would’ve said hi if you weren’t wearing the red WP shirt (I shook yer mum’s hand, but the shirt was too intimidating)
I like the skirt you wore!!! Nice, nice!
[…] Taste Asia Blogger Party II by Lauren Dado Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. […]
Cool party…
Cool attire…
Cool folks…
Cool friends…
Must be like freezing out there…
Ha ha, people are intimidated by you! That’s awesome!
My eyes were drawn to the shoes!! I luuurve it! (Duh, that was the only line i ever said to you the whole night! haha!) Sasha should do you another Style Manila sighting for that winner outfit last night
Who would have thought a Wordpress shirt could look so sexy?
[…] YES, my entry, Sexy Mom’s Romance with SM Hyermarket was one of the winning articles. Am sharing some pictures with you. Other reads: Paul’s Blog Touched by an Angel Pinoy Food Photoblog Laurganism Bakla Ako, May Reklamo Manuel Viloria The Lonely Vampire Chronicles (live blog) The Lonely Vampire Chronicles (retrospective) Geeky Guide to Nearly Everything Takbo! (sa wakas ng pagkatuliro) Macuha.com Utakgago Magikel Dax’s Site Ganns Deen Roaming Around with Romela Cliquebooth Real People / Real Style (girls) Real People / Real Style (boys) Pinoy Moms Network Teacher Julie Atheista.net Abuggedlife.com Justwandering.org Jehzlau Concepts Prudence and Madness Refineme.org Scrooch Chronicles AnitoKid […]
[…] Laurganism […]
[…] Other Taste Asia attendees are: An Apple a Day Paul’s Blog Touched by an Angel Pinoy Food Photoblog Laurganism Bakla Ako, May Reklamo Manuel Viloria The Lonely Vampire Chronicles (live blog) The Lonely Vampire Chronicles (retrospective) Geeky Guide to Nearly Everything Takbo! (sa wakas ng pagkatuliro) Macuha.com Utakgago Magikel Dax’s Site Ganns Deen Roaming Around with Romela Cliquebooth Real People / Real Style (girls) Real People / Real Style (boys) Pinoy Moms Network Teacher Julie Atheista.net Abuggedlife.com Jehzlau Concepts Prudence and Madness Refineme.org Scrooch Chronicles AnitoKid […]
“I even offered to beat up the chick that stood Jayvee up, totally free of charge, but I think he believes in a non-violent form of staying away from failed dates. Oh wells.”
I LOVES YOU Laurenzz!!!!!!
[…] Bakla, in his backless shirt (yes, backless yun!) met a lot more bloggers (thanks to the game sheet!) during and after the party. As always, the shy alter ego of Bakla overpowered initially. Had fun hanging out and talking about whatnots and pick-up lines with the uber-cool Lauren (who was clad in a red Wordpress shirt that most everyone envied), and Rocky. (We were quite sociable, we three, weren’t we?). See how sociable we were: […]
It’s always fun hanging out with you! And yes, beer does cure social anxieties! hahaha. Also, I concede, yours na lang that guy in red who was with the lost “moroccan” group.
The only disappointment of the evening was that I didn’t get to talk to my Blogger Crush.
Well we DID talk. Briefly though.
Nagfeeling!
@Ade I wanted to approach you guys but I was shy lolz. And what is with this starstruck thing? I’m about as ordinary as it gets. Except my Wordpress shirt is teh awesomez0rz.
@Tiff Whaaat? No way! I’m just really shy. Seriously.
@Dhonjason It was great meeting you too! Wonderful photos BTW.
@Jeff But the Wordpress shirt is supposed to be a conversation starter, not a people-repellant.
@Aileen Haha thanks!
@Derek It’s quite surprising actually. Seriously, I never pegged myself for the intimidating type. Socially retarded, yes. But not intimidating
@Riz Aww thanks. They’re horribly uncomfortable though after you’ve stood in them for like four hours!
@Jonathan lol thanks!!
@Jayvee Awww I know ya do.
@AJ Aww thanks, you are awesome.
Yayz Morroccan dude you are miiine.
@Mikey ANG FEELING MO.
OMG you’re marielle’s sister! i KNEW you looked familiar!
[…] Paul’s Blog Touched by an Angel Pinoy Food Photoblog Laurganism Bakla Ako, May Reklamo Manuel Viloria The Lonely Vampire Chronicles (live blog) The Lonely Vampire Chronicles (retrospective) Geeky Guide to Nearly Everything Takbo! (sa wakas ng pagkatuliro) Macuha.com Utakgago Magikel Dax’s Site Ganns Deen Roaming Around with Romela Cliquebooth Real People / Real Style (girls) Real People / Real Style (boys) Pinoy Moms Network Teacher Julie Atheista.net Abuggedlife.com Justwandering.org Jehzlau Concepts Prudence and Madness Refineme.org Scrooch Chronicles AnitoKid Mike Villar: Rising Internet Star TJ Cafuir Loida de Vera Mon’s World The Four Eyed Journal The Disastrous Urban Primadonna Pinoymoneytalk.com Pinoy Blog Machine SM Hypermarket Byahilo Tainted Song Bababa ba? Half the World Away Noisy Noisy Man Chickenmafia.com Penny for Your Thoughts Lastleaf.org […]
Congratulations to your dad!
Hi ,
Wow parang connect - connect lang. You know AJ pala.
He was my batchmate sa old work ko. Waves to AJ fashionista ka pa din.
Lauren, super nice shirt.
@Sugar
Hmmm… saan tayo batchmates? iisa lang ang pinagtrabahuhan kong may batchmates eh. heheh.
twas nice to see you again, i guess we all had a great time. till next meet.
[…] Thanks to Aileen for organizing the event. Thanks to my friends Jhoana, Au and Oye for accompanying me. Marc and I had a great time at the party. Link love to these people: Riz, Elymar, Jayvee, Sasha, Rico, Lauren, Noemi, Gail, Marc V., Juned, TJ, Mikey. Mike A., Sorsi, Markku, Jenny, Joni, Jomar, and a lot more. […]
[…] Paul’s Blog Touched by an Angel Pinoy Food Photoblog Laurganism Bakla Ako, May Reklamo Manuel Viloria The Lonely Vampire Chronicles (live blog) The Lonely Vampire Chronicles (retrospective) Geeky Guide to Nearly Everything Takbo! (sa wakas ng pagkatuliro) Macuha.com Utakgago Magikel Dax’s Site Ganns Deen Roaming Around with Romela Cliquebooth Real People / Real Style (girls) Real People / Real Style (boys) Pinoy Moms Network Teacher Julie Atheista.net Abuggedlife.com Justwandering.org Jehzlau Concepts Prudence and Madness Refineme.org Scrooch Chronicles AnitoKid Mike Villar: Rising Internet Star TJ Cafuir Loida de Vera Mon’s World The Four Eyed Journal The Disastrous Urban Primadonna Pinoymoneytalk.com Pinoy Blog Machine SM Hypermarket Byahilo Tainted Song Bababa ba? Half the World Away Noisy Noisy Man Chickenmafia.com Penny for Your Thoughts Lastleaf.org Baratillo.net Angel’s Sentiments I. Am. Chef. iMom The Parody Sexy Nomad Fritzified.com Our Awesome Planet […]
[…] Paul’s BlogTouched by an AngelPinoy Food PhotoblogLaurganismBakla Ako, May ReklamoManuel ViloriaThe Lonely Vampire Chronicles (live blog)The Lonely Vampire Chronicles (retrospective)Geeky Guide to Nearly EverythingTakbo! (sa wakas ng pagkatuliro)Macuha.comUtakgagoMagikelDax’s SiteGanns DeenRoaming Around with RomelaCliqueboothReal People / Real Style (girls)Real People / Real Style (boys)Pinoy Moms NetworkTeacher JulieAtheista.netAbuggedlife.comJustwandering.orgJehzlau ConceptsPrudence and MadnessRefineme.orgScrooch ChroniclesAnitoKidMike Villar: Rising Internet StarTJ CafuirLoida de VeraMon’s WorldThe Four Eyed JournalThe Disastrous Urban PrimadonnaPinoymoneytalk.comPinoy Blog MachineSM HypermarketByahiloTainted SongBababa ba?Half the World AwayNoisy Noisy ManChickenmafia.comPenny for Your ThoughtsLastleaf.orgBaratillo.netAngel’s SentimentsI. Am. Chef.iMomThe ParodySexy NomadFritzified.comOur Awesome Planet […]
I love how you wore that shirt with a skirt and a belt around it. So creative.
Lucky You!I like the Wordpress Shirt. Just droppin’ by.
Hi, Lauren:
When I was reading your entry, I was smiling because I do remember bringing you to a networking event at the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco — and it had to be an early evening event with Filipino politicians, or does your memory fail you now? I recall this because when I mentioned who your uncle was (you know, the one in South America, where we should be partying), his friends came forward to chat with you.
Hon, you’re a natural networker… and I hate to bring this up: you certainly didn’t look like you were “flailing at life” then. You were 19 years old then… and you were wondering how soon you would turn 21 years old so you could go inside a bar, remember?
To the point, now: Here’s a tip your Tita will give you about someone who doesn’t carry a business card. Always carry a small black book (not that kind of book!).
I actually let the person write on it. Then, I tell this new business prospect that I will give him or her a phone call or e-mail them.
What am I doing? Here, let’s make this easier. Click and review: http://radiantview.com/blog/2006/06/27/shana%e2%80%99s-crash-course-in-networking-101/
Take care, and I know what to give you for pasalubong!
love,
Tita Lorna