Summer sun says get out more…

This year’s Holy Week was spent on an impulsive beach trip with three other friends.

I swear I am now ten times better at playing pusoy. We did nothing but play cards and drink and play more cards, eat and play more.

Aisa, looking like a real hustler.

Me, trying to finish a book but I didn’t. I ended up finishing that Mark Haddon book back at home.

Tyrone, our dear chef. He was in charge of all the food and cooked everything.

Doty was our designated DJ for the trip. We drained her iPod and phone just so we can listen to music while wasting the day away by the shore.

March: How You Took My Money Away

Every time I check this blog, I am always surprised by how many people still visit this site given the lack of updates in here. I account this to two main reasons: first, me being too lazy to write anything and second, I just don’t know how to write anymore. (In fact, here I am, writing this and fully aware of how much this sucks because I cannot find a way to make this entry interesting).

Anyway, the point of this post is to let you know of what has been happening to me in the past two months that I failed to post anything here. Totally skipping over the personal details of my life, let’s just say everything was beautiful and nothing hurt. One great band after the other played and I knew I have to catch them because now I can afford it. Heh.

First, Death Cab For Cutie.

The first concert I was really excited for the year. I was so excited that together with a couple of friends, we bought tickets a full month before the concert. Then we got tired of waiting for it, the excitement all sucked out of us. So we sold our tickets. Poor life decision, I know.

Next up, The Used and Dashboard Confessional

I’ve seen Dashboard Confessional the first they were here and I was left in awe so I decided to see Chris Carrabba live again because he is so worth the money. I couldn’t care less for the other bands playing also. I don’t even know them. What sealed the deal for me though was The Used. I was really into them, back when I was younger, angrier and pimplier. Besides, I’ve always wondered how Bert McCracken is at a live show. Though I don’t have photos of this night, it was just fun to be part of a crowd and sing along with people you knew were associating the songs with memories of their younger selves. Also, Chris Carrabba was just amazing. He is probably the most talented singer I’ve seen live. He also has this way of singing that makes you feel each line. I guess that what those America Idol judges mean when they say “Sing from the heart.”

And then there was Toe.

There are no words for how awesome this band is. I remember asking the Mogwaiters to let my iPod play at the bar so my friends and I can listen to Toe while drinking. We’ve had conversations about what we would do and parts of our bodies we are willing to sell if ever they come here just so we can watch their concert. And so they did and we were all blown away. I even thought that the stage would give in because of all the energy each band member displayed throughout their performance. One thing is for sure: I would definitely see them again if they come back here.

Krish and I after the mayhem. I was pretty sure everyone around The Fort felt how intense the concert was.

SAY YES SAY YES SAY YES TO TAKING BACK SUNDAY

Last but definitely not the least: Taking Back Sunday. I really wasn’t planning to go because the weekend before the concert, I already spent a good deal of money on a beach trip. I was okay with the idea of not seeing them live and to settle with friends’ stories about how the concert was. Then, Nikki texted me and offered me gold tickets for a thousand pesos less and I said yes. Too bad we we’re on the wrong side of the stage. I couldn’t see John Nolan from where we were.

TBS Class of 2012

Best Wedding Ever!

My friends Pao and Domeng finally got married last March 10 after seven years of being together.
I really don’t have much to say about the event except that it was the most beautiful wedding I’ve ever been to. This was such a beautiful day to be with friends and share all the excitement with them. Everyone was in such high spirits and we we’re all just very happy for the two of them because we’ve seen their relationship bloom right from college.

I teared up a bit during Pao’s wedding vows. It was simple and heartfelt. But I promised myself I’ll have better vows than her when I get married. Ha!

We raped Blow Up Babies' photobooth.

Matt, who also got married late last year, and Migs

Grace and Kuya Sep. I also hear wedding bells in the future for these two.

Narrowly escaping a very embarrassing situation

Emil, Nojo, Kuya Sep and Grace all did a good job that night.

I LOVE YOU BOTH AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOUR BABIES!

 

Like A Bunny Over The Moon: On Meeting Tara McPherson

Last Wednesday, February 8, I finally got to meet Tara McPherson. It was her second visit to the country and I was just over the moon to finally have the chance of meeting one of the artists I look up to. The first time she was here, I came too late to VinylOnVinyl and wasn’t able to have a book signed. Not to mention that I was dead broke so I couldn’t afford any Tara McPherson merchandise that was on sale.

This time around, I came prepared (financially speaking) and made sure that I got into the venue right on time. I bought this beautiful Tara McPherson print and had Chi’s book, Lonely Heart, in tow. We had to wait in line for more than an hour but it was all worth it. When it was my time to sit down beside her and have my things signed, I noticed that she was already tired which is understandable considering she just came from a talk prior to the event at B-Side. Not to mention she’s pregnant so I didn’t took it against her. She still managed a smile and was nice overall.

My first ever Tara McPherson print!

Hello, my 15-year-old self.

I’ve been going to gigs since I was 15. To others, it may seem late but I was glad to be a part of a time when the Pinoy music scene was so vibrant and gritty at the same time. I don’t have pictures of my almost-nightly trips to bars. There was no Facebook back then so we weren’t ‘obligated’ to post pictures of us getting drunk and wasted while watching our favorite bands. We were just fine with sitting in a corner with a beer in hand and not worrying whether we’ll be tagged in a photo we will soon regret being in it.

Going to gigs has served as my crash course on being on a crowd and trying to get a semblance of whatever social skills I may have in me.There were a lot of times where I would be so awfully awkward to be in a sea of people and not know a single face. The few times I’ve been successful, I made two or more acquaintances along the way and lost them eventually.

It was also a time of comparing myself endlessly with the people I see. Of course the scene was full of cool kids and I kept thinking that I wanted to be like them. It was nice to be in constant awe sometimes. You get to aspire for a better version of yourself. What I know about music and movies and art and pop culture has been greatly influenced by the people I surrounded myself with during that time in my life.

Right now, I’m just glad to be friends with the type of people I looked up to when I was barely an adult. I’m surrounded by amazing people who excel in the arts, the music scene and I even know someone who would be flying to Berlin next month to showcase her movies. Looking back, I must say I pretty much did it all. Partied hard, experimented, gave in to peer pressure, said no a couple of times and just had a pretty amazing early run in my life.

Looking at myself now and thinking of the times I wished I was somebody a lot cooler, I turned out fine, I guess. Not that I’m saying that I am cool or whatever. Just, you know, I think I’m a better version of what I expected myself to be.