Chapter XIII: Captive Honor

Quote of the month: "He doesn't have the cutest look, but the things he does make him the cutest man on the

                              face of the earth".

Songs of the month: Bon Jovi - Living On A Prayer

                               Megadeth - Trust
                               Guns N' Roses - Don't Cry

                               

  

      Good morning everyone, how are you all doing? Today I managed to make this new chapter in record time, since it wasn't too rich in stories and it was mostly consisted by the exam session. So to keep you busy, I will structure this chapter in an exclusive way. First part will be all about 25 of my best friends from last year, most of which I told you countless stories about, the second will be a usual TWMVTIMTM, and the last part will cover my what's been going on this month (just the important stuff). So without further ado, let's begin!

Part I: Who are they?

This year I have 25 of my best friends with a ranking based on influence, enjoyment, experience, inspiration, level of fun, memories, and hugs. It will probably be controversial to some people, but meh, these are my final picks for 2012. So...Who are they?

#25 - Adelina Ade - A good friend that would not waste a second in seeing me without hugging me and ask if I'm alright or if not, to tell her what's the big issue. A very caring girl that I found very adorable (and started to like her even more after she dyed her head from being a redhead).

#24 - Cosmin Pavel - Ex-benchmate from 8th grade that helped rejoice those fun and dull moments after some stints at the Amsterlypse, that made this common joy. He was a guy I would always like to share a conversation no matter what subject it would be. Also instrumental in helping me meet someone who is just like me.

#23 - Bianca Pavel - Sister of Cosmin with the same ressurgence like his brother, only that here was more about honesty and hugs. I liked her everytime she would act like the innocent redhead, so I could make her laugh without remorse.

#22 - Alina Mihaela Colta - Arguably my best (female) ex-colleague I would love sharing some great memories. Some of them were so lame we just couldn't stop laughing at them. A girl that ultimately earned my respect for admiting she's wronged me when it was her fault. A girl I would never stop from cheering up or hug her, no matter how much she would wine.

#21 - Cristina Preda - A very peculiar girl, but she would always try to give me a sincere advice when it came to moral decisions. I really enjoyed spending time with her and not bugging her with any of my complex views concerning diverse subjects. 

#20 - Claudia Alexia - This is a person we would at first laugh at each others faces, then become friends. A very caring girl that I liked sharing some hard stuff going on my mind, and never relent from making her roll on the floor laughing to some gossip.

#19 - Marius Grigore Stefan - The mutual obsession for IT, video games, disgusting language, rock music, and boobs, would still keep this connection alive. He is one of the veterans I always liked, and I'm happy to know that this didn't changed even after such a long time. Whenever he would be home, I was always eager to go out and have a good memorable time with this guy.

#18 - Flavius Stefanescu (Flyvius) - Drinks, drinks and manele. But also a true guy that would still care about the past class and call me first for hanging around outside. Like #12, he was one of the best guys I liked to drink with, and actually laugh at people like we wouldn't give a f**k.

#17 - Iustin Alex Popescu - A very energetic dude, that would never stop from entertaining me. He was the kind of guy who would propose a lot of innovative stuff and ideas for having fun. A guy I always liked for the fun we had like he was on cocaine.

#16 - Adriana Simona Mihalache - Although we've gone out for just 1/365 days this year, that day would mark a highlight reel about everything we talked prior to that meeting. She is a very intelligent human being that I've grown to admire, an expert in mindgames and explanations, and a very good friend that I always liked to spend time talking no matter how far we were from each other (God bless Facebook chat/Y! Messenger).

#15 - Alexandra Pana & Irina Dumitru (sorry I can't split them in separate places) - 2 of my first meditation mates I've met in the 12th grade. The odd bond between us was so strong, we often meet for a coffee, a drinking night, or a disco place (some of them really awful like Recea, but anyway). I was blessed with a great link with these 2 girls, and meet them a lot more often then my ex-colleagues, something I really don't want to change, because those moments spent with them were..."well" nice.

#14 - Cristian Iordache - He is one of the most oldest friends that I always liked to talk with. A very smart man that I always admired no matter how dull he would get, Cris is the kind of guy from who I would always learn something new or enjoy any crazy moment and laugh at it without any regret.

#13 - Ciprian Fugaru (Vegas) - One of the last members of the fellowship, he was the kind of the guy who would always try and do the right thing whenever there was a tough decision. He was always straight-forward, and would tell from a mile what would happen if I was going to do something bad. A guy who I would help grow into a better guy, and aid him whenever he would need me (knowing that he would return the favor, one way or another).

#12 - Tedy Rotaru - An ex-classmate that I spent the most time with. Of everyone in the ex-class, he was the first guy to call whenever a drinking game would start, and lately discuss some personal issues like we were family. He is a real friend that would always trust me and my advice, and a surreal protector from any bad thing that would get in my way.

#11 - Sabin Costache (Szb) - After 11 years, we would still be in touch. The first people to call each other outside for a walk, and gossip about a lot of stuff. That underground background that covered us for so many years would never foreshadow anything, not even the vices. He will always be that heartful human being with a very strong personality, that I won't stop from encouraging to be better and better as days pass by. More than all, he is one of my best friends.

========================TOP 10========================

#10 - Alexandra Dobrica (Duda) and her kin (Andreea, Patricia, Anca, Andreea Bobe) - Sister of Diana that would calmly approach that level of actually getting in touch with each other. Duda has shown to have similar tastes in manipulation and psychology that I have. Not to mention the credibility between the 2 of us growing tremendously over the past 12 months, and all her other friends from childhood that grew up together now future hot babes being so open with me. I am happy to bump her and all of her beautiful "sisters" into the final 10 (even though it's more than 1 person in a slot but meh, again they all have the same degree).

#9 - Radu Bud (Ray Runno) - Similar tastes in cartoons, music, animations and the "Worms" game brought us here. Even after almost 8-9 years, we are still very close brothers one to another. This could only make me happier. To keep in touch with someone like Radu, was amazing, even after all these years of being far away from each other, we would still come back and say "Bro, I missed you so much!". Nothing but respect for this man, and the kind of person I will always trust when it comes to have a great nostalgic time.

#8 - Alex Dogaru (Africanu') - This guy and I started from the very bottom, until we saw a great man in each other's eyes. From simple meditation mates we descended into rivals, then we buried the hatchet to dominate the rest of the idiots in our group, then we became hilarious goofs when it came to making fun of people, and after a long war with the exams and achieving our respective dreams to college, we stayed to be trustful and great close friends. In the end, the meditation era was the best damn year for the both of us, and it was literally "Bros before Pros".

#7 - Laura Nețoi (Chinese) - Although she was shy at first, I shown to her that I just like her, can listen and care, whenever those qualities may be required in certain times (and in these days it's really hard to find those kind of people). We never had a fight, and she stuck to her thing to be that good girl who wants to have some eccentric fun, or just scare her when she would least expect it. In the end those teases would make her one of my favorite of those 5 girls I really liked to spend time with this year, and very proud to pay homage to her unique look, and render a very unique "Scorpion Hug".

#6 - Alexandru Marinescu - Longtime friend and mentor, this man taught me everything about people, psychology, and moral decisions. Outstanding memories and outrageously hilarious moments couldn't slow down this link, and even though he's had a pretty rough year, I didn't stopped believing in him and stayed loyal even now. He will always have a special place in my mind and my heart for everything he's done, for teaching me all sorts of stuff, and for helping me whenever I would really need it.

--------------------------------------------FINAL 5--------------------------------------------

#5 - Andra Sorina Morariu (Turtu .) - A girl with whom I had the pleasure to share some amazing and inspirational memories, the one that would help me kick off this amazing year with big momentum then still end it one a good tone, and so far the first and only person to make me break character. Throughout this whole year, a simple friendship would turn into a twisted love story between 2 opposite human beings. We had ups and downs, shocking and heartless events, regrets and longings, chocolate and other sweets, faking stories and reality checks, but most of all endless hugs and kisses. Sudden events may have almost killed this whole storyline, but the fire between these "Sunny buddies" still burns on.

#4 - Diana Elena Dobrica (Dde) - This year will be marked as the 4th since we first met, and just like the next contender, even though she couldn't top it this year, Diana is a girl with top priority, who I could always count on. Even if we would have a big bad fight, even if we would tease each other, and even if we never been, neither will be together, we would still respect each other, and just  be pure friends. Maybe that’s what makes her so special, and I don’t think I would ever wish something more than that from "ma dawg". She is just one of a kind, and in present time I am blessed to have a friend like her after such a long time.

#3 - Alex Mihai Taifas (0) - Not much to say about this man. He is a person I know for almost 14 years and still have that fire to call him a real blood brother. No matter what moral problems we would have, no matter what trouble we would get in, and no matter what lifechanging decision would need to be discussed, he was the main man for the talk. And even though he can't be #1 now, I can say he will always have that special slot of a 0 priority that can top anyone in present. 

And the best (girl)friend this year is....................

#2 - Roxana Elena Costea - The seemingly shocking relationship between the 2 of us emerged once we started learning about each other in a rough time space, and realize that we are the same person, only that she's a girl and her name ends in "-Xana". This bond was and is so strong between the 2 of us, no matter how much time we are given to spend together, because every second spent would make us turn off the conscience, leave the world outside, because nothing at all that would ever make us feel, like everything's real, was turned into gold. And all that because of our similarities, our shared taste in sugar, sarcasm and hate for people, our sincerity in caring about any of us 2 whenever someone is feeling bad or let down, our unconditional love, and most of all the last minute "Condolence hugs" that would literally make us want to hold on to Heaven. That inspirational "I'll be there for you" attitude we shared will probably keep it that way in the near future. Proud to say that even though we met late, and got to know each other in late 2012, this year she was my best (girl)friend. 

And the last, but the best this year is none other than.............

#1 - Alex Iordache (Almic) - There's really not much to tell here. There isn't a person with whom I could laugh my ass off, talked about sports, wrestle, botch, learn from each other, or just hang outside more than this one boy evolve into a real man. Whenever it was time to have some insane fun, he was the first to call. Most proud of this wild road we had in the last 3 years, and even proud to say that he of all people, is in my eyes, top of all, best of the best, undisputed, deserving, and still standing best friend after 10 long years.

Part II: That Weekly Music Video That Inspired Me This Month #5

          I will now give to you TWMVTIMTM #5 in a classic portrayal of my past relationships that failed due to either lies, or unfaithfulness, with neither side coming to an agree of who's fault was. A very catchy tune with rich storytelling,"Trust" is the first song on American thrash metal band Megadeth's seventh studio album Cryptic Writings. It was released on May 8, 1997 in both English and Spanish language versions. The song had significant airplay and MTV rotation and reached #5 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, making it Megadeth's most successful single to date followed by "Breadline" and "Crush 'Em" from their follow-up album Risk, both of which reached #6 in the same charts. It was later included on the three compilation albums, Capitol Punishment, Back to the Start and Anthology: Set the World Afire, and the box set Warchest.

The song tells the story of relationships that have failed due to mutual dishonesty.


The song was nominated for a Grammy award in January 1998 for best heavy metal performance.

A "Spanish" version of the song was used as a bonus track on the Latin American edition of Cryptic Writings and later on the international remaster of the album. However only the chorus is in Spanish. The song is otherwise identical to its album counterpart in verse. Mustaine would record a Spanish version of The World Needs A Hero song Promises a few years later, which also appeared on the Latin American version of its parent album.

Part III: The Captive Honor

           Ah, finally, we get to this month review. As I said earlier, nothing very special happened, aside from the last stuff going on in Slutina and the departure to Cluj to begin the exam-session

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            As I mentioned, in the last chapter, 2012 was arguably the best damn year of my life, and I wished for 2013 to be the same. It actually started off pretty good. Just like last year, as promised, a returning Andra would come back to my life, followed by her best friend Laura, both anxious to see each other again. One strange thing I noticed about this reunion is that Andra had a lot of stuff to relate to me and Laura, which made me automatically realize that these 2 were also separated somewhere in the time l was away from Andra. It was later confirmed by Laura that they fought over a stupid subject and that drove their friendship to pause as well (no surprise here). Anyway, the first sight between me and Andra seemed long-awaited after 3 long months. An imminent hug was the final nail on our past problems' coffin, and the continuation to this rich book of stories in present. She started telling me and Laura everything that happened to her while she was gone, about her even more dyslexic love life, her focus on an acting career, and some past funny incidents she past through. It was cool to hear her again and even cooler to drive Laura nuts with last month's stalker characteristics. Then I told her about how it sucks to be an engineering student, and some of my past occurrences in the last 3 months with my friends. Very wonderful of her to pass by and lust over some missed love for each other, we both really needed.

She missed me a lot, I missed her a lot, it's been some time, so we had to renew this link we always had.

           The next day I completed the Top 25 from Part I and uploaded it as a note on my Facebook. It had very positive feedback, and most of the people were very happy with their positions, others just happy to see their even in the Top 25. One of those people was my dead-ex. Alright... I'm gonna finally reveal her. My dead-ex I kept rambling for like an year is <drum roll> ..... #22! My ex-classmate Alina! I managed to reach her calls after the New Year's Day, and invited her to a little reunion at the Old Hound Pub from Slutina for a juice. She gracefully accepted, and once we met, we started talking (A LOT), and once we reached the OHP, we started arguing over some stupid subjects like we always did. Then it hit me. I told Alina the same thing. We have a very unique way of being such close friends, and that is, we never get along over any argument made by the opposite. She realized the same thing, and for the first time since I probably know her, we finally found a common agreement. It was just amazing..... After that we argued a little more over some other stuff, then I told her that I am glad to stick her in the Top 25. She thought that was weird because we didn't really got along too well last year (recalling from Chapter 4, the moment when I cut the friendship with her, because she lied to me). Then I told to her, that I don't care what happened, because we fought each other so much we are now great friends we trust. And that's the most important thing about us right now, the present and the future. She was happy to hear this and jumped for a hug because of the relief. 

           I had a great evening with her, then something even more wonderful happened, as I met 0 and suggested me to check the feedback for the Top 25 after leaving Alina. My best (girl)friend Roxana commented she was happy to the point of crying that I put her at the #2 spot. No time for questions, and no time for games, I called her and summoned her to me. It was another feel good moment to see her in 2013, all alive and well, and happy to see each other again. The real world once again disconnected, and we had an amazing time for the rest of the night. It was sad to hear from her that she won't there to wish me farewell because she was needed to go to the village for her family. I said there's no problem, we can do it right now, because I don't want her to be there for me, and I don't want her to cry anymore, I will be there for her, always. It was very emotional from both parties, but in the end it just raised the bar even higher and higher. I even dedicated a riddle to her called "I'll be there for you" to assure her I'll keep it like that.

Followed by those usual goodbyes I had to give to everyone from home, I began the trip back to Cluj, with the realization that this ranking I made at the beginning of this month, left me drooling over some friends I really wanted to see a lot more often, and didn't had the time because of time constraints. And also because of the exam session that makes me feel like I'm a Captive Honor. But I will fight my way out of this hellish period for a student, and welcome everyone back in these arms the next month, when it's all over.

Thank you everyone for watching this unique post and let me know what you think about it. Next month will be covered by Chapter XIV: 10 Steps To Someone's Heart, and it will mark the return of the motivational speech about a very emotional love story I encountered. The play is called "Promises", so see you tomorrow, and have cool until next time. Peace!

Photo of the month: