User talk:Aldwinok

Aldwinok is Aldwin Fajardo, a Filipino journalist based in Los Gatos, California. A self-confessed dork and a proud anti-social, Aldwin started writing at age 7 then went on to become his high school's student paper editor for two consecutive years and a staff member of The Catalyst. Writing is probably the only almost-talent he possesses. He loves to sing but he is tone-deaf; likes to dance but he's got a body stiffer than an oak tree. He is formerly a reporter of major dailies in the Philippines such as the fearless MALAYA and the fierce MANILA STANDARD.

At age 28, Aldwin became the youngest chief editor of the Saipan Tribune, a daily newspaper headquartered in the US Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands before migrating to California with the fervent hope to become an accomplished kitchen helper or critically-acclaimed car-wash boy. He failed. He never got to wash cars or dishes but diversified his career options to include clinical records auditing, corporate communications, community relations, projects management, and college administration. He has also been an occasional bum. He wrote for a Capitola, California weekly but had to leave for a much-better employment that included frequent trips between California and the Philippines.

While on business trip in the US Island of Saipan in April 2009, his best bug-friend Capone died of liver cancer in their Santa Cruz Mountains cabin. Heart-broken and feeling guilty about not being there with Capone during the last moments of his life, Aldwin wrote his best pug-friend this letter:

I never thought I’d be writing this letter for you. Not because I have nothing to say to you but because I didn’t think this time would come — at least not the way that it did and certainly not today.

We were supposed to spend many more years together; years that are filled with countless happy moments cuddled up on the couch or small walks at the park and on the beach. Didn’t we talk about moving to a nicer place — a place where both you and Martini can freely fool around?

I still remember the first time we met. It was love at first sight. You came running toward me and sat by my side. It was supposedly just a “swing-by” but you ended up not leaving. I didn’t want you to. You knew you could have me at hello. And boy you did!

We became inseparable since then. Wherever I go, you go. You would even watch me take a dump or wait for me outside the bathroom door every time I shower. You follow me to the laundry room, watch TV the whole day every day with me, hang around my workstation with me, and practically sleep next to me. You freak out whenever you lose sight of me.

There were times when I thought that you were being a bothersome, and there were many times when I asked you to stay away. I was a fool because I didn’t realize you were just being the best friend to me and that you follow me around simply because you don’t want to miss a thing.

I wasn’t always pleased about the attention you’re giving me but you didn’t stop giving. I wasn’t always appreciative of the love you’re showing me but you didn’t stop loving. You personify what loyalty and unconditional love truly are. No one else will love me that way ever again.

A few hours earlier today, you once again showed me how much I mean to you by refusing to “go” — despite your throbbing pains — until you heard me say it was OK with me for you to finally “live” in peace.

I didn’t really want you to go but seeing you try to tolerate the excruciating pain was more agonizing. I know you wanted me to be with you to the end and you know that I want the same thing but it just kills me to see you suffer. It hurts — and it will continue hurting for a very long while — but I love you enough to let go.

And then peacefully you went.

Gone is the tail that wags every time I come home. Gone is that special happy yelp you make that cheers me up. You’re no longer here to warm up my feet on a cold winter night. Summer walks on the beach will never be the same again.

You’ve now gone to a better place where you can live in peace — knowing that you truly and unconditionally loved and that you were truly and unconditionally loved back.

My dear Capone, you know I truly deeply love you although sometimes it didn’t seem so. 

'''In memory of Capone, Aldwin launched PUGTASTIC -- a collection of t-shirts with alternative cusses to include: What the Pug?!, Shut the Pug Up!, Pug Off! and more. ''' Aldwinok (talk) 10:25, 23 April 2009 (UTC)