I Am Buraot

I grew up traveling, never staying in one place too long.

Being with parents whose work leads them from one place to the next, I practically grew up on the streets. And there’s only one way you can survive there.

You have to adapt. You have to learn the art of transforming yourself to different sets of pieces. Each mutating part easily retractable at will.

They say a kid should always have a home whose land he could grow his roots on. A solid ground that would become the foundation to make his bearings firm. And a kid who never had a permanent home or a place he could call one would always end up becoming a traveler all his life. Continue Reading…

I wanted to look away. Away from her lovely gaze. Forget all the things she did and put it away, no matter how wonderful, no matter how magical.

Unnecessary complications were the only thing I have with my too complicated pathetic life, and the last thing I can offer her in return.

I could give nothing except misery and unpredictability. Not even a fresh new accord would lift the burden away from my ragged heart and listless body. I was emotionally and physically unfit…. nevertheless, I looked back. Continue Reading…

Being homeless at all is no feat. That’s why I was surprised why anyone would choose to go homeless when he has a home he could go to.

The streets are not safe and oftentimes mean. You could get mugged anytime, killed if you’re unlucky.

But Sarge, like some homeless veterans, has a more serious problem than  just being homeless. He is suffering from a post-war syndrome.

I don’t know exactly the technicalities and other issues about it, but a lot of them had that seemingly unreal perception on things. Continue Reading…

Venice Beach, Los Angeles. Almost always it is a very calm, quiet and peaceful place. Contrary to the eclectic impressions a tourist might have during the day, the nights have a small-town feel to it.

On any given day you will find lots of characters along the speedway by the beach. Artists both new and old hand displaying their latest work and willing to do your portrait for a fee.

Street performers showing their talents for a chunk of change, well-tanned bodybuilders showing off their enormous muscles, surfer kids waiting for a swell, skater boys challenging each other for new moves, and some simply enjoying the shows and whatever the place has free to offer.

In Venice, everyday is a day on the beach. Continue Reading…

I am traveling back to the outer edges of the Milky Way.

As ancient as I had been, the century-old warp speed is no longer working. The real Spock who had the audacity to create such have gone and came back to Vulcan.

And the parallel universe I have come to confused myself with is now on the verge of redefining itself as one.

Instead, with an outdated ion propeller I’m blazing leisurely at turtle speed. Every second in this new journey would come as months, and every day years. But I would rather do this than go light speed.

No, no wormholes today, thank you. Continue Reading…

I was driving on this road to nowhere. I was passing through more than just the places and faces of people I met, oftentimes I get lucky enough to know them, to be with them, be them.

I was born from the country. Small town, big family, rough life. You know the story, short in riches but big in dreams. It was typical.

As for me, I just dreamt of a road trip. I wished for the chance to steer my own life, using my own means, to wherever I intended it to go. I wanted my own life to lead.

Even at an early age, I sensed adventure… a life-long adventure. Continue Reading…

Looking from the inside of my comfortable hotel room, I could sense the North American winter cold. I gazed at a few snowflakes stacked in the window pane and tried to imagine a million different kinds.

I couldn’t quite place where the west meets the east. Except perhaps that I do know that it is daytime, I couldn’t see where the sun was.

I decidedly went out the balcony to enjoy the skyline and lit a cigar. On the roof of the next building I saw a lone bird sitting on top of what looked like a mechanized chimney. I thought it was a bit funny because most birds do hang out together. I guess this one’s a loner.

Being a night owl myself, I hate the desert heat but I do welcome the winter cold. But not the winter freeze. So my coming here in Vancouver on perhaps the coldest time of the year was both a relief and a curse. Continue Reading…