Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Please interview Sharon Stone about the US Economy
It would be interesting to hear Sharon Stone's views on the US Economy. Remember that she attributed a natural phenomenon in China to karma.
Dreaming of a Simple Life
Call me a prisoner of career progression.
A year ago I was not even certain that I would make it. I don't feel favored, I don't kiss ass. And I certainly don't fit the mold. I'm too opinionated and too radical to be part of the elite management group. So I was actually surprised that I got promoted this year.
It took me a considerable amount of time before I signed the contract. I was basically selling my soul to get the monetary and loads of non-monetary rewards of my new position. At that point, it was too late to back-out.
I still have my soul. I just feel hostaged.
A year ago I was not even certain that I would make it. I don't feel favored, I don't kiss ass. And I certainly don't fit the mold. I'm too opinionated and too radical to be part of the elite management group. So I was actually surprised that I got promoted this year.
It took me a considerable amount of time before I signed the contract. I was basically selling my soul to get the monetary and loads of non-monetary rewards of my new position. At that point, it was too late to back-out.
I still have my soul. I just feel hostaged.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Manong and Mariah
I was excited to log-on Billboard recently coming out of their 50-year charts.
The Twist? Come on. Any Beatles song or even Elvis's would have saved them from any embarassment. It is just disappointing that Billboard would chose to self-validate itself, namingthe song they claim to be the first Rock Song as the no.1 song of all-time.
As if it couldn't get any worse, their top artist of the past 50 years - Mariah Carey. So my least favorite singer is their no.1 great. That was the last time I logged on their site. Actually, I'm not sure which one I find worst: Mariah, Celine, Groban or The Corrs.
Until my cab-ride from Glorietta. I do not remember how our conversation led to Mariah Carey. Maybe about celebrities Manong has rendered services for. It is common knowledge that insider information is best known from taxi drivers. So we started speaking about a local newscaster who on her younger days in her career, gave manong the primadonna attitude. Can you imagine asking a taxi driver to open her door? Worse, according to manong, her language was surprisingly crass and demeaning. I actually was not surprised. Remember the issue about the household help? I didn't believe it then, but am starting to believe it now.
Manong spoke about the famous 90's TF star who frequents the casino. Well, not to gamble money but rather to trade her other assets. Then I asked her about more pleasant encounters. In less than a second, she said Mariah Carey. I do not remember her being in Manila, though. Manong used to work for a car rental company. He would not admit to be one of the better drivers in his company to be given the assignment.
He said she was his nicest passenger local or foreign. Manong said, Mariah just sang and sang thru Manila traffic, while engaging conversations with him. She showed interest with manong asking about his family, his work hours. "Ay hindi, sincere siya", was his answer to my impish question alluding to her being patronizing.
After her concert and on her way to the airport, Mariah surprised manong with a bag of food. Apparently, she asked for an extra packed lunch at the hotel for manong. She made manong wait for hours as she had to sign autographs in the hotel. Thus her small act of gratitude. But this small act deeply impacted manong. I can feel it in his voice.
I will still not buy her CDs nor watch her MTVs don't get me wrong. But for now, Mariah is off my worst artist list.
The Twist? Come on. Any Beatles song or even Elvis's would have saved them from any embarassment. It is just disappointing that Billboard would chose to self-validate itself, namingthe song they claim to be the first Rock Song as the no.1 song of all-time.
As if it couldn't get any worse, their top artist of the past 50 years - Mariah Carey. So my least favorite singer is their no.1 great. That was the last time I logged on their site. Actually, I'm not sure which one I find worst: Mariah, Celine, Groban or The Corrs.
Until my cab-ride from Glorietta. I do not remember how our conversation led to Mariah Carey. Maybe about celebrities Manong has rendered services for. It is common knowledge that insider information is best known from taxi drivers. So we started speaking about a local newscaster who on her younger days in her career, gave manong the primadonna attitude. Can you imagine asking a taxi driver to open her door? Worse, according to manong, her language was surprisingly crass and demeaning. I actually was not surprised. Remember the issue about the household help? I didn't believe it then, but am starting to believe it now.
Manong spoke about the famous 90's TF star who frequents the casino. Well, not to gamble money but rather to trade her other assets. Then I asked her about more pleasant encounters. In less than a second, she said Mariah Carey. I do not remember her being in Manila, though. Manong used to work for a car rental company. He would not admit to be one of the better drivers in his company to be given the assignment.
He said she was his nicest passenger local or foreign. Manong said, Mariah just sang and sang thru Manila traffic, while engaging conversations with him. She showed interest with manong asking about his family, his work hours. "Ay hindi, sincere siya", was his answer to my impish question alluding to her being patronizing.
After her concert and on her way to the airport, Mariah surprised manong with a bag of food. Apparently, she asked for an extra packed lunch at the hotel for manong. She made manong wait for hours as she had to sign autographs in the hotel. Thus her small act of gratitude. But this small act deeply impacted manong. I can feel it in his voice.
I will still not buy her CDs nor watch her MTVs don't get me wrong. But for now, Mariah is off my worst artist list.
Worst OPM Bands
They will not be in the list yet, but what's up with ChicoSci's last CD? Far far less inferior than any of their previous CDs. Is MTV distracting them, concentrating on how they look that how they sound? Compare Paris in 2003 and Last Look this year, you know what I am talking about.
Urbandub's USL is also a disappointment. But the band members are individually artistic and collectively superb. Call it a Senior Year Slip.
Bamboo will not be in the list. I do not like them, but at least they are true to form. They have not compromised their music style (yet). I just wish they release better materials.
Hale is no.6.
5. Kenyo
What a waste of momentum. I totally don't understand the rush. Why release an absolute unartistic CD after 3 critically acclaimed work? OK, cover CDs are hardly artistic. But I can't believe that these artistics lads is capable of bastardizing songs. I think Kuya has distracted this band's focus. I am scared of their sophomore CD, I heard it will be of original songs.
4. Itchyworms
I don't mind pop bands. Just admit you are a pop band, don't pretend. It is in the same manner that Itchyworms is in this list. Noontime Show is a good technical album, but the hypocrisy of what is supposed to be a concept CD transcends artistry. In 2000, critics called grunge bands pretentious. I did not get it.
But Noontime Show is pretentious, and you should totally get it. Artists expanding influence to back-up their advocacies is commendable. So if you are dissing noontime shows or TV in general, that is OK. But what the heck are you doing on a noontime show to promote your CD??? Did they realize that a 1-song performance in between TakTaks could mean their CD turning gold? And what's with the video featuring noontime show regulars?
3. 6CycleMind
I have to confess enjoying Permission to Shine, singing along jamming session or even in Los Banos overnights.
Now I am not sure. Was it money and popularity that enticed them to go mainstream? Or was Permission the exception? They have to thank their sponsor, no matter how bad their new release sounds they get played every hour, every day as the song of the hour. Or maybe, blame their sponsor. Just by principle, I drink Red Horse and absolved myself from drinking local rhum.
2. Callalily
I was smitten by the intro of Stars. I did put a tab to buy their CD. Until they released their 2nd and 3rd song. Wow! I am OK with pop bands, but I detest fake rockers, and sadly this is Callalily at its best.
I am surprised that Magbalik did not hit no.1 in Myx, when all their previous releases made no.1. Was there actually a difference with their songs? Maybe this is a sign that Myx viewers are starting to acquire better taste.
1. Cueshe
Unbelievable that such band with zero talent could last this long. When you are in a good mood, try to listen to their songs from any of their CDs. You will realize that there is not much difference. Always the same forced dramatic intro, the husky pleading screaming vocals, and the recycled chorus of Silver Chair and of Simple Plan. Imagine, bastardizing a recent bastard song! How stupid.
This band deprives talented artists the right exposure.
Urbandub's USL is also a disappointment. But the band members are individually artistic and collectively superb. Call it a Senior Year Slip.
Bamboo will not be in the list. I do not like them, but at least they are true to form. They have not compromised their music style (yet). I just wish they release better materials.
Hale is no.6.
5. Kenyo
What a waste of momentum. I totally don't understand the rush. Why release an absolute unartistic CD after 3 critically acclaimed work? OK, cover CDs are hardly artistic. But I can't believe that these artistics lads is capable of bastardizing songs. I think Kuya has distracted this band's focus. I am scared of their sophomore CD, I heard it will be of original songs.
4. Itchyworms
I don't mind pop bands. Just admit you are a pop band, don't pretend. It is in the same manner that Itchyworms is in this list. Noontime Show is a good technical album, but the hypocrisy of what is supposed to be a concept CD transcends artistry. In 2000, critics called grunge bands pretentious. I did not get it.
But Noontime Show is pretentious, and you should totally get it. Artists expanding influence to back-up their advocacies is commendable. So if you are dissing noontime shows or TV in general, that is OK. But what the heck are you doing on a noontime show to promote your CD??? Did they realize that a 1-song performance in between TakTaks could mean their CD turning gold? And what's with the video featuring noontime show regulars?
3. 6CycleMind
I have to confess enjoying Permission to Shine, singing along jamming session or even in Los Banos overnights.
Now I am not sure. Was it money and popularity that enticed them to go mainstream? Or was Permission the exception? They have to thank their sponsor, no matter how bad their new release sounds they get played every hour, every day as the song of the hour. Or maybe, blame their sponsor. Just by principle, I drink Red Horse and absolved myself from drinking local rhum.
2. Callalily
I was smitten by the intro of Stars. I did put a tab to buy their CD. Until they released their 2nd and 3rd song. Wow! I am OK with pop bands, but I detest fake rockers, and sadly this is Callalily at its best.
I am surprised that Magbalik did not hit no.1 in Myx, when all their previous releases made no.1. Was there actually a difference with their songs? Maybe this is a sign that Myx viewers are starting to acquire better taste.
1. Cueshe
Unbelievable that such band with zero talent could last this long. When you are in a good mood, try to listen to their songs from any of their CDs. You will realize that there is not much difference. Always the same forced dramatic intro, the husky pleading screaming vocals, and the recycled chorus of Silver Chair and of Simple Plan. Imagine, bastardizing a recent bastard song! How stupid.
This band deprives talented artists the right exposure.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Moving on
I praise, I do not reproach, [nihilism's] arrival. I believe it is one of the greatest crises, a moment of the deepest self-reflection of humanity. Whether man recovers from it, whether he becomes master of this crisis, is a question of his strength!
– Friedrich Nietzsche, Complete Works Vol. 13
So I moved again...
I am taking self-reflection and randomness to a new level. I am moving for the third time in as many months. To my defense, who would have thought that my conservative company would promote a nihilistic rebel? I am and will stick to my guns, and we'll see how it figures in our next big meeting.
Let's say this is my new home for the time being.
– Friedrich Nietzsche, Complete Works Vol. 13
So I moved again...
I am taking self-reflection and randomness to a new level. I am moving for the third time in as many months. To my defense, who would have thought that my conservative company would promote a nihilistic rebel? I am and will stick to my guns, and we'll see how it figures in our next big meeting.
Let's say this is my new home for the time being.
Infidelity #2
Fleeting - 2003
Must I feign to find solace
In the fullness of the moon
Gleaming across this transient space
Creating silhouettes of bodies
Of fleeting pleasures
From a soul that burns but yearns
Loving, pretending
Pretending to love
Amidst the brightness of the room
Wishing you were someone else
Must I feign to find solace
In the fullness of the moon
Gleaming across this transient space
Creating silhouettes of bodies
Of fleeting pleasures
From a soul that burns but yearns
Loving, pretending
Pretending to love
Amidst the brightness of the room
Wishing you were someone else
Infidelity #1
Tall No Whip Mocha Frapuccino at 6750 - 2006
Full moon conversations
And Anxiety of what you might infer
Of nothing more than friendship
As I long for company
That we both share
Delving in an empty and almost
Deceitful and one-directional
Relationship of oatmeal cookies
And stale frappucinos
Without whipped cream
Without meaning
With the sole intent
Of passing time and forgetting
Finding satisfaction in
Fake affections
And bad coffee
Full moon conversations
And Anxiety of what you might infer
Of nothing more than friendship
As I long for company
That we both share
Delving in an empty and almost
Deceitful and one-directional
Relationship of oatmeal cookies
And stale frappucinos
Without whipped cream
Without meaning
With the sole intent
Of passing time and forgetting
Finding satisfaction in
Fake affections
And bad coffee
Serendipity
It only took 1 blog email to shake me for 2 weeks and to bring down a blog. I still am shaken.
1) I should have listened and learned to get closure with relationships. I never did. I hated goodbyes. Maybe a little cowardice, or just utterly disliking the awkwardness of a dramatic separation.
2) I should have listened and believed that not living the awkwardness of a separation will become a more severe level of awkwardness that could haunt you. Sharing the elevator with my ex-girlfriend (probably girlfriend since we never broke up), with her new boyfriend. Or seeing an ex in the lounge at the Tokyo airport. Or blind dating an ex-girlfriend.
3) I should have listened and trusted my parents. At least my excuse for doing something really stupid is that I was really young then. We were both young and felt we were in control of our own lives. Too idealistic young and stupid people who were very much in love. I cannot apologize for that. That was 20 years ago. The difficulty of writing back and asking the question is getting either answer. Yes would be a life-changing event and could heavily damage the status quo. No should have been the answer I wish for.
But maybe deep inside me I am wishing the answer is yes. Which is probably why I cannot even say hi for fear of getting the answer to my question.
1) I should have listened and learned to get closure with relationships. I never did. I hated goodbyes. Maybe a little cowardice, or just utterly disliking the awkwardness of a dramatic separation.
2) I should have listened and believed that not living the awkwardness of a separation will become a more severe level of awkwardness that could haunt you. Sharing the elevator with my ex-girlfriend (probably girlfriend since we never broke up), with her new boyfriend. Or seeing an ex in the lounge at the Tokyo airport. Or blind dating an ex-girlfriend.
3) I should have listened and trusted my parents. At least my excuse for doing something really stupid is that I was really young then. We were both young and felt we were in control of our own lives. Too idealistic young and stupid people who were very much in love. I cannot apologize for that. That was 20 years ago. The difficulty of writing back and asking the question is getting either answer. Yes would be a life-changing event and could heavily damage the status quo. No should have been the answer I wish for.
But maybe deep inside me I am wishing the answer is yes. Which is probably why I cannot even say hi for fear of getting the answer to my question.
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