I REFUSE to go down...

18 May 2009
Monday


I don't want to be feeling like this for so long... I want to get this done and be over with.

I want my life back. I don't want her to be a part of me any longer. She's beyond redemption.

Just.

want.

to.

move.

on.

Damn... that hurts!

14 November 2008
Friday

I haven't been at work for the past two days.

Something about my stomach... nope, not my intestines though for a while I've been squirting out light cappuccino where the sun doesn't shine (ugh, I know... gross).

Like muscle spasms in my tummy that rips you once in a while. I'll see my doctor tomorrow and I hope it ain't nothing to worry about.

A Weekend with Highschool Buddies

26 October 2008
Sunday

Interestingly, this weekend was spent catching up with friends from long time ago. Spent the morning at the driving range with Bubuy, a classmate/ of mine from nursery to college. At the range, I bumped into a fraternity brod whom I haven't seen for a long time.

Guys, I'm going to hone up my golfing skills then we can hit the fairways at Malarayat. As of now, I'll settle with mini-golf. HAHAHAHA! Rico, my trainer, says I've got a good grip and form. I have to practice on the footwork then prepare for the use of the driver... Hmmm... I've got the feeling that I'll get addicted to the sport and pay less attention to females. Harharharhar!!!

Evening was spent catching up with a couple of close friends from high school too. Jason and Tints are back in the Phils and it has been a long time. We rounded up with a couple more barkadas and had a few rounds of golp-golp at Jerry's Grill in Libis. Started at around 8.30pm and closed the place at around 1.40am. Drunk? For some reasons we weren't and it wasn't that much drink to begin with. It must be true then about buckets of San Mig Light... mahaba-habang usapan.

Yup, age has slowed us somehow. No more bragging of drinking prowess here. It was great reminiscing old times.

What makes it all the more fun is that we started out in elementary then highschool, then college. You can say that we practically grew up together.

Good times, good times.

Deaths in recent days...

3 August 2008
- Sunday -

Been awhile since my last blog. Interesting to note that July was practically zilch. Too much work so little time. With whatever free time is given me, I'd rather spend it staying at home and play with my ps2 to distress me. I would have loved a few rounds of driving at the nearest golf driving range, but the weather isn't that cooperative.

Anyhoots...

... I just got to watch "The Bucket List" starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman with my old folks and brothers. Funny, entertaining, sentimental. Nicholson and Freeman are a force to reckon with. I love their tandem. Both were able to hold on their own without even trying to upstage the other. It's so like when Robert de Niro and Al Pacino worked together in "Heat."

It's basically about two men with cancer and how they would spend their remaining days before they kick the bucket. Good twist in the end. Love the soundtrack too.

Just last week I had consecutive news of deaths of people who are familiar to me.

My brod, Speedy, and a batchmate of my Dad when both joined the frat in 1964, died alone in his apartment. Estranged from his wife and with the kids in the U.S., he practically had no one living with him. I am not that close to him, but we spent a number of times together since we are both into the business of language teaching to non-native speakers. Just like me, he is also a board member of our Frat's alumni organization. The circumstances surrounding his death and life situation hit a cord inside me.

I don't want to live alone, much less die "alone."

Speedy's body was cremated immediately by his kin the day after he was found by the security guard inside his apartment. All of a sudden it was just like that. No time to mourn it seems for his relatives. They didn't even think that his wife and children would have wanted to see him. Must have been that bad.

Well, Speedy, rest assured that the Brods will be remembering you as we gather together for a memorial service in your honor. Our round of drinks will be toasts with your name mentioned. Hail thee, Argonaut. You have made your last voyage in the Argo.

Meanwhile, a highschool batchmate died recently because of cancer. Such a young person since we are not even in our forties.

Makes me realize that sooner or later we will kick the bucket too.

Morbid thinking I know.

Mea culpa.

Another Blast From the Past

14 June 2008
Saturday

She's back... at least through YM.

Initiated contacted she did, and well, I was just trying my darnest best to be civil about it. Cute pic she had. Nice smile.

And those eyes...

...still took my breath away.

But I know it's over now. I don't want to see her again even if I told her I would meet up if my sched is willing.

What a Choke!

14 June 2008
Saturday

I'm still reeling from the Lakers' 97-91 loss to the Celtics in Game 4 of the 2008 NBA Finals. Damn, what a total meltdown...

Finally got my phone!

11 May 2008
Sunday

I just got my Treo 680 last Wednesday. Feels great to have a smartphone that would actually help in my line of work. I know it's not the latest model. I was contemplating on getting the new model, the Palm Centro, but it looks like it's packaged for the female managers.

So I have to settle for the 680.

Nifty.

Great.

The only downside for me is that I have to charge it everyday...

...oh well, one can't have it all.

Take On Me by A-ha

26 April 2008
Saturday

Undoubtedly the best video for me by far. Great music, the quintessential 80's music that blended well with new wave and mainstream.

And yes, I remember having this humongous crush on the babe back then.

Check out the hair of the dudes... don't mind having Morten's hair myself. Hahahaha!

Ink and Paper - Modern English

26 April 2008
Saturday

What is it with music from the past that makes you shed a tear or two? Just like the previous music, I still get the quivers whenever I get to listen to it.

I Melt With You - Modern English

26 April 2008
Saturday

It took me quite some time to get a hold of this video. Glad I found it. Brings me back of memories of my glorious youthful past as an awkward tweener hobbit...

Young Manhood by the Wild Swans

22 March 2008
Saturday

Another one of my faves from the Wild Swans. Take note that Paul Simpson was both the vocals of the Wild Swans and The Care.

Bringing Home the Ashes by The Wild Swans

22 March 2008
Saturday

One of my fave bands and songs! Goodness, I remember those days of 102.7XB.

Whatever Possessed You by The Care

22 March 2008
Saturday

You just got to love the intro and guitars... damn. It feels like highschool all over again.

80's Music: A Toast to the Blokes from Liverpool

22 March 2008
Saturday

No, I'm not referring to the most famous Fab Four. After all, they are more of the 60's and 70's.

I'm talking about the laddies from the old English county of Merseyside, particularly those from the '80's. There is something about Liverpool that produces a significant number of great musicians during the New Romantics era, more popularly known in the Philippines as New Wave. I suppose coming from an area noted for its poets and great poetry, I guess you can say that these artists are a step ahead of the others. Too bad I can't say the same of today's pop culture and stupid rap music --- I have yet to appreciate that kind of noise.

What comes to mind are the following bands:

1. The Wild Swans
2. The Care (not the Cure)
3. China Crisis
4. Echo and the Bunnymen
5. Flock of Seagulls
6. Icicle Works
7. Lightning Seeds
8. Lotus Eaters
9. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD)
10. The Pale Fountains

Take a ride with me down memory lane for those of you who are children of the '80's as I post later some of my favorite songs from a number of my fave bands.

Voltes V (the theme song)

22 March 2008
Saturday

Okay, since I already posted the end song of this all-time favorite anime of mine, I might as well post the theme song.

The Japanese version:

        Tatoe arashi ga hukou tomo
      Tatoe oonami areru tomo
      Kogidasou tatakai no umi he
      Tobikomou tatakai no uzu he
      Mitsumeau hitomi to hitomi
      Nukumori wo shinjiau
      Go nin no nakama

      BORUTESU FAIBU ni
      subete wo kakete
      Yaruzo chikara no tsukiru made
      Chikyuu no yoake ha
      mou chikai

      Tatoe ikazuchi hurou tomo
      Tatoe daichi ga yureru tomo
      Tobidasou tatakai no sora he
      Mamorou yo tatakai no niwa wo

      Nigiri au tagai no te to te
      Magokoro wo shinjiau
      Go nin no nakama

      BORUTESU FAIBU ni
      inochi wo kakete
      Yuku zo shouri wo tsukamu made
      Uchuu no yoake ha
      mou chikai

      Tatoe kemono ga hoeru tomo
      Tatoe yukute wo husagu tomo
      Utaou yo tatakai no uta wo
      Katarou yo tatakai no michi wo

      Ashinami wo soroete yukou
      Otagai wo shinjiau
      Go nin no nakama

      BORUTESU FAIBU ni
      Azuketa inochi
      Tobu ze uchuu no hate made mo
      Minna no egao mo
      mou chikai

Here's the English version (as heard in Philippine TV):

       Someday the sons of light shall
      fill all the earth
      The morning of justice shall have
      come to its birth
      So we'll all wave our banners
      high and free through the air
      For the love and glory
      we then all shall share

      Soldiers boldly unite to fight
      and fight for peace
      Hand in hand like eagles
      through the breeze
      Over lands and over seas

      Voltes V we come to you
      Flashing through with wings of steel
      Fates of foes are what we seal
      With swords of laser light
      And over lands and over seas
      Onwards victory / Voltes V!

Voltes V (the end song, "Looking for Father")

22 March 2008
Saturday

This cartoon brings back old memories so close to my heart. The song's message, even the context involving three brothers and their father smacks straight at home.

Here are the lyrics both in Japanese and English:

Chichi wo motomete (Looking for Father)

Oya ni hagureta
hinadori mo
Itsuka wa yasashii
hutokoro ni
Kaeru ashita mo aru darou
Danoni naze meguri aenu
chichi no kage

Naku mono ka
Boku wa otoko da
Shinjiteru shinjiteru
Sono hi no koto wo
Kono te de chichi wo
Daki shimeru hi no koto wo

English translation:

Even a chick that got lost
from its parents
has a tomorrow
to return someday
to the tender breast again
But why couldn't I find
my father's figure?

I won't cry
I'm a man
I believe, I believe
in the day
I will hold
my father in my arms.

Back in 1979, there were only three of us (ages 9, 8, and 3). I was Steve, Jing would be Big Bert, and Jay would be Little Jon. Our youngest, Jojo, wasn't born yet at that time. Dad has been away for a very long time, and yes, he was in Japan for both work and further studies in the field of Geothermal Energy.

Anyway, every time I watch and listen to this song, I can't help but quietly shed a tear, reminiscing of those times when we missed Dad really bad and wished he was home soon. When he finally arrived he gave us one of the best "material" presents we ever got --- an original die-cast complete set of Voltes V.

A Little Retrospect... think Fashion...

16 March 2008
Sunday

...the '80's...

... the Decade that Taste Forgot!

And to think that I thought that my taste in fashion back then was cool. HAHAHAHAHA!!!

However, be that as it may, the 80's music is definitely one of the best there is... bar none? Maybe the 60's people would beg to differ.

And yeah, though off topic, I had to heave a huge sigh of relief that Pacquiao won today. It could have ended both ways since Marquez had a real good fight despite the third round knockdown.

38 Years of Meaningful Partnership.

7 March 2008
Friday

Dearest Dad and Mom...

Happy 38th Wedding Anniversary!!!

Love you.