I remember the time when I posted a similarly-themed entry a few months back, it worked out fine for me. I believe in luck and all that so I might as well go for this.

I’m really not happy with my current work. Pay’s fine. Position’s great. Work’s challenging, theoretically. I’ve been with this company for three months and, as Striker put it, I’m like in Netopia, surfing for 9 hours but instead of me paying for the computer rental, it is I who gets paid to do all this shit. It sucks.

But you know what’s shittier? Being surrounded by people whom I couldn’t care less about. I may sound obnoxious and arrogant but I don’t care. It’s like I’m working with a bunch of employees who are inefficient , uninspired, unmotivated and unprofessional. No wonder the attrition rate for the early part of 2008 exceeded 100%, which is an absolute impossibility if you think about it. However, that’s not what I’m supposed to talk about.

My ex-colleagues and I went out for coffee this afternoon. I found out from MA that there was an opening for a Singapore-based Assistant Controller position in my previous company, and the new person in charge is thinking of re-hiring me for that post. Oh my God! That’s like the best news I’ve had since the release of Mariah’s new album. I hope that they’re serious about it.

Anyway, I still have another interview with a multinational manufacturing company on Thursday. I am a bit hesitant about this because I don’t like the position title. And the building on which the company’s office is located. God, I’m choosy. But if they’re willing to give my asking salary, I might give in. LOL.

But I’m actually more excited about tomorrow’s interview. Since I have so much idle time on my hands, I thought that I’d rather spend it on something worthwhile. And what’s more worthwhile than being a Barista. LOL. I’m betting that it will provide a nice contrast to my day job - the crowd, the work, the pay (?)… everything. I think it’s a nice exposure and I could also use the additional income (since I’m saving up for a one-way ticket to California. LOL.). Well, I hope everything goes smoothly.

It’s 12:01 and I’m still awake. I should call it a night.

Wish me luck!

It was just a few months ago when I told you how apparently, someone said that I’m unlikable, that I didn’t have any pleasant quality, physical or otherwise. You knew how affected I was with those words. You knew how crushed I was. You knew because you were one of the few people whom I’ve shown my vulnerable side to. You knew because I trusted you so much.

It was only yesterday when I told you that I feel bad for myself because it seems like I have not accomplished anything for someone my age. My cry for help was answered by a joke. But I can’t take it against you. It’s not the world’s responsibility to console me when I’m down.

Everything was alright, until this morning when I talked about the idea of befriending certain people. And you replied:

“I think that’s way out of your league”.

What the hell?!

Those words caught me off guard. I never expected something like that from you of all people. And I’m pretty sure you didn’t even know how you came off sounding much like the people who disappointed me. And I tried really hard to understand where you might be coming from when you uttered those words. But there’s just no fucking way that your statement could have meant something else. It has no redeeming value. None at all.

Sure, I have like, ten friends. They’re few but let me tell you that I’m confident that all ten of them have my back. But that’s not the point is it? I’ve never had any problem gaining friends. I may not be the richest or most good-looking guy, but I know my way around people. I’m easy to get along with, cheerful, honest, witty, smart and trusting. Tell me if those aren’t enough to win people because it certainly won you over.

And for the sake of an argument, let’s say that you are right. That those people whom I want to be friends with are way out of my league, that they will turn me down just like what other people did. I can deal with that. What’s important is that I tried. It’s their loss. Life goes on.

But what I can’t take is you pre-empting things. Not only did you judge me, but you also judged those helpless innocents. That is so unfair. And for the record, I know I’m a good judge of person.

You don’t get to tell me who is or isn’t in my league. You don’t get to judge me. Not anymore, anyway.

Like what you said, I am worth so much more than those people who make me feel bad. Do you find this funny and ironic? Because I do.

It’s true, that it is usually the faithful who are most hurt by the objects of their faith. And for a measly bruised ego and lost trust, I get to learn another lesson.

I should probably stop now because I might end up saying things that I might regret later on. And I don’t need unnecessary stress in my life right now. Let me just thank you for giving me a subject for a blog entry.

I have nothing else to write about.

NINA SINGS THE HITS OF DIANE WARREN
Nina

Rating: B

The success of the multi-platinum selling live album of Nina is undeniably one of the biggest in recent local music history. That album is just short of perfection. I mean it should be, she has supposedly sung those songs for the most part of her singing career so it’s just natural that she render each track superbly. The band, the repertoire, the album concept, the marketing and the timing - everything was just, for lack of a better word, perfect.

So as predicted, Nina releases another all-covers album, this time rendering the classic love songs penned by the Queen of Ballad, Diane Warren. The track listing is pretty much the same with that of the 2004 compilation album save for three songs (Cher’s If I Could Turn Back Time, LeAnn Rimes’ Can’t Fight The Moonlight, and Whitney Houston’s I Learned From The Best). Covering high profile songs presents a high risk for singers - it’s either a step towards being critically-acclaimed, or a leap to one’s career suicide. Much like in American Idol, the singer should make sure that her version is distinct, and more importantly better than the original piece. Nina tried to make the record pass for the easy-listening genre - it’s just her voice and a few acoustics. Sadly, it did not work. Not for me anyway.

I DON’T WANNA MISS A THING
The beauty of this song lies in its grand, orchestral production which was perfected by Aerosmith. Nina’s version is stripped down to its most basic - a mellow, piano-based ballad. It was probably done to avoid being comparisons. It’s tolerable but it’s a terrible choice to make it the album’s opener - not only will it lull listeners to boredom, but it will also set them up for a disappointment.

… And I’m wondering what you’re dreaming, wondering if it’s me you’re seeing…

I TURN TO YOU
The opening notes warned me that this will be another downer. While Christina Aguilera’s version makes me confident enough to walk through a heavy downpour, Nina’s makes me want to seek the nearest shelter. Hers is just plain lazy when it should have been sung with such conviction.

… And when I need a friend, you’re always on my side. Giving me faith, taking me through the night…

LOVE WILL LEAD YOU BACK
Taylor Dayne pulled this well because you can feel the longing in her voice as she sings each line. Also, I think Love Will Lead You Back is a tailor-made song so it’s understandable that Nina won’t be able to sing it as well as Dayne. And as for Kyla, she just shouldn’t.

… But I won’t try to stop you now from leaving ’cause in my heart I know…

BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME
For a Celine Dion song, I should say that this is actually good. It’s one of those heartwarming songs that I would die to hear someone sing it to me. Reciting it would be alright as well. It’s just so romantic. Sigh. Oh, Nina? Her’s is just a passable, note-by-note imitation. Except at times, her notes fail to exactly duplicate Celine’s.

… You gave me faith ’cause you believed. I’m everything I am because you loved me…

HAVE YOU EVER
Westlife covered this song on their latest album, Back Home. It was good actually because it managed to make me emote (read: cry) similar to how Brandy’s version never fails to make me recall every heartbreak and let downs that I’ve had since time immemorial. Nina’s, however, doesn’t.

… Have you finally found the one you’ve given your heart to only to find that one won’t give their heart to you…

UN-BREAK MY HEART
Toni Braxton may not be as big as Aretha but girl’s got enough soul in her to give justice to this song. Nina made a huge mistake in including this song on her latest effort. For someone dubbed as the Soul Siren, Nina sounds exactly the opposite. She has zero soul and her wailing just makes it more blatant. Even Rihanna has more soul on her (thanks to a vocoder and auto-tune).

… Time is so unkind and life is so cruel without you here beside me…

THERE YOU’LL BE
I’ve always thought that There You’ll Be is a weird song. It was a hyped up track which aimed to match My Heart Will Go On’s success. But as I’ve said, there’s something wrong with the song that I just can’t put my finger on. Nina’s version is quite alright, but still, the weirdness stops me from fully appreciating it.

… I’ll keep a part of you with me and everywhere I am there you’ll be…

I’LL NEVER GET OVER YOU (GETTING OVER ME)
The first track that I actually enjoyed listening to. I love the piano intro, and the backing vocals made it sound like a studio cut (even if this is an actual studio recording). This is the Nina that I would have wanted on this album. This is really good. And I thought that I was forever damned to remember MYMP’s ruination of this classic.

… Loneliness found me, looks like it’s here to stay…

BLUE EYES BLUE
Sorry but I’m having a hard time trying to feel this song when I know for sure that Nina’s eyes aren’t blue.

… You were only playing. You were only playing with my heart. I was never waiting. I was never waiting for the tears to start…

HOW CAN WE BE LOVERS?
I was dead bored with Michael Bolton’s version. I mean, it took me quite some time to feel (not understand) why it was included on the compilation album before. And I don’t want to spend the same amount of time pondering why Nina chose to cover this instead of Cher’s If I Could Turn Back Time. I want my Cher!

… How can we start over when the fighting never ends…

WHEN I SEE YOU SMILE
You know how some songs are meant to be performed by a specific gender only? I think that this is one of the tracks that should only be sung by guys. Nina’s version sounds weird with all those ill-timed pitch changes in the accompaniment, and she murdered the bridge part as well. Sad to say but that local talent who briefly dated Jasmine Trias did a better version.

… Sometimes I wonder how I’d ever make it through, through this world without having you I just wouldn’t have a clue…

SAVING FOREVER FOR YOU
I would’ve chosen this track to be her first single for two reasons - it’s a catchy, feel-good song thanks to her new pop arrangement, and it’s actually the best song off the album bar I Don’t Want To Be Your Friend. It’s the track wherein I feel she’s most comfortable singing. And even if her voice is a bit shadowed by the production, it’s still good.

… I’ve never been so sure about anything before but this loving feeling, gonna be a feeling I feel forever more…

HOW DO I LIVE
It’s the sole reason why I have a Trisha Yearwood album, and why I watched ConAir (I’m not a big fan of Nicolas Cage). And I hate Nina for ruining it. Not only did she made it saccharine, but she missed out the best line in the song.

… Baby don’t you know you’re everything good in my life…

I COULD NOT ASK FOR MORE
I understand why this is the album’s carrier single, it’s one of the three bearable songs on it. Sure that it lost everything that Edwin McCain’s version has but at least it sounded like a studio cut and not a cheap karaoke version. And it has that cute vibe that will surely make people swoon all over again, much like how Love Moves In Mysterious Ways made everyday V-Day years ago.

… And right here in this moment is right where I’m meant to be, here with you, here with me…

I DON’T WANT TO BE YOUR FRIEND
It’s the same version that can be found in Diane Warren’s compilation album, and in Nina Live!. I loved this song when I first heard it and I still do. What I don’t love though is its video. It scarred me for life.

… You take it so casually, and baby it’s killing me…

This album lacks heart, life and soul, she might as well have credited this work to Kyla.

I really wanted to like this album. I have waited for three years for another covers album from Nina. But much as I want to push myself to find something worth being ecstatic over this record, I can’t. And I’m blaming it on the songs’ arrangements, it was 80% crappy. Also, the producers should have known better than turn big, sappy ballads into sugary, watered-down versions. Why would you mess with a winning formula? The entire world knows each track inside out, they would expect an output which sounds similar. And Nina’s cutesy voice doesn’t help at all. It’s like listening to a mic-hogging amateur doing one karaoke staple after another. And speaking of karaoke, at least the album comes with a Minus One CD. It’s the best part of the record actually.

Fortunately, Nina already has a captured market so expect this to be multiplatinum in a week’s time. But it’s really not bad, it’s just mediocre. And in the industry, that’s ten levels below bad.

Do what you love and you will find someone who loves the same thing. Don’t look for love, beg for love, or suffer for love.

Just live.

Stop looking and let it find you. It’ll happen, and then it’ll be worth more.

Friday night reminded me of the last time I laughed that hard.

It was over a year ago.

I came in at the office early, followed shortly by Mommy Len and Petra. And after doing the usual morning routine (washroom visit to fix ourselves up, then off to the pantry for some coffee and water refill), we settled in, turned our computers on and huddled at the center isle and made small talk.

Oh, and from hereon just imagine that things are in slow mo. Just so I can fit my rather lengthy commentaries to the actual duration of the event.

Mommy Len brought out a small, orange-colored bar from her bag and handed it to Petra. She was babbling about something but I was more focused on Petra. As if I know that something good’s about to happen. And by good, I mean hilarious. One that’s bound to go down in history.

Remember, slow mo.

Her finger sifted through the ends of the plastic wrapper, eventually opening up one part of the bar.

She raised to take a whiff of it, her eyes closed while doing so. Satisfied, she lowered it a bit, and before any of us could react, Petra took a bite off the bar.

Of course this happened in a minute’s time, she must have gotten high from the scent that she missed out Mommy Len saying that it was a freaking soap.

“What the… Bakit mo kinagat?!” I asked as I was pulling myself together after falling from my seat from laughing so hard. Mommy Len was in an endless fit of giggles as well.

“Hindi ko alam eh. Kala ko keso.” She stood dumbfounded and took out the chunk of soap from between her teeth. And by a magical twist of fate, it was at that exact moment when the love of her life (read: unrequited object of infatuation) came in and saw the commotion.

“Pocha, keso. Kulay orange?” He blurted out, joining in on the taunting.

The rest of the team was updated by my animated re-telling of the story. And almost everyone requested for repeats throughout the day. Of course, we sought Petra’s permission prior to the “amusement show”.

A few minutes after the incident, I found Petra in the pantry standing by the water dispenser, drinking.

And I just had to ask her, “Bakit walang bula?”

*******

Let me tell you something about Petra.

Hmmm… Turns out I really don’t have much to tell. LOL.

Oh, she’s the girl who thinks Vogue means “malabo” in the local language.

She wears velvet blouses one size smaller than hers. In summer. It makes her look like a Sto. Nino.

And one time during a meeting, the Regional Analyst asked for her forecast numbers. Petra said some digits. Followed by, “Right guys?”. The Regional Analyst threw a fit. We were laughing our asses off. Quietly of course.

God, she’s adorable.

Petra has resigned from the company and is now bound to Singapore. Her Friendster shout out reads: “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel”.

For her sake, hopefully it’s not a freight train.

Do you ever think, when you’re all alone
All that we could be, where this thing could go?
Am I crazy or falling in love,
Is it really just another crush?
Do you catch a breath, when I look at you?
Are you holding back, like the way I do?
Cause I’m tryin’, try to walk away
But I know this crush ain’t goin’ away, goin’ away

- David Archuleta, Crush

*******

Ehehe. Iba palang song yun.

Anyway, I’ve managed to play Beybi David’s new single 60 times, two days after I added it on my playlist. Addict, no?

Kanina yun yung pinapakinggan ko habang pauwi ako. Doon ko lang talaga nanamnam yung words ng song. Puro kasi yung “eh yeah, eh yeah, eh yeah, eh yeah” part yung inaatupag ko noong una. Anyway, ayun. Masarap kantahin yung song. Feel-good naman kasi kahit medyo pang-teenager. And since seventeen lang naman ako… LOL.

Ganyan ata talaga ako sa lahat ng songs na “Crush” ang title. Theme song ko din dati yung kay Mandy Moore noong College. Anubayun. LOL.

Pero napag-isip-isip ko, parang mas maganda yata kung ako yun papatungkulan ng mga kantang ganyan. LOL.

For a change?

Please? LOL.

Dyuk! (Oo na… half-meant kung half-meant.)

INSTRUCTIONS: What you are supposed to do. And please don’t spoil the fun. In short, ‘wag kang nega! Hihihi.

Click copy/paste, type in your answers and tag four people in your list. Don’t forget to change my answers to the questions with that of your own.

4 PLACES I GO TO OVER AND OVER
> Starbucks, Rockwell Center
> Greenbelt Church
> National Sports Grill, Greenbelt 3
> Dairy Queen, Glorietta 4

4 PEOPLE WHO E-MAIL ME REGULARLY
> Si Workflow Mailer (Araw araw yan. LOL.)
> Eleanor + Jen + Jela (They count as one kasi e-mail chat nangyayari sa amin.)
> KC (my ex-supervisor)
> Ayan me isang slot na kulang - sino gusto mag-email saken regularly? LOL.

4 OF MY FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT
> National Sports Grill (Sobrang fave ko to, meron na akong spot saka BFF na kami nung isang waitress. LOL.)
> Jollibee (for the spaghetti) / McDonald’s (for the french fries)
> Yellow Cab
> KFC

4 PLACES I’D RATHER BE
> New York (I’m so meant to be there. LOL.)
> California (Me dadalawin lang. Tita ko. Hehe.)
> Greece
> Baguio or actually, anywhere but the Metro.

4 TV SHOWS I COULD WATCH OVER AND OVER AGAIN
> Will & Grace
> Charmed
> Buffy, The Vampire Slayer
> Supernatural

4 PEOPLE WHOM I THINK WILL RESPOND
> Eleanor + Jen + Jela
> White
> Jeland
> Ced

*******

POSTSCRIPT. Hindi rin naman siguro masamang maging celibate for 50 years kung… LOL. Wag na, mabait akong bata. Kaya eto, ginawa ko na rin yung meme for fun.

Ito pala ay mula sa blog entry ni JM.

CRUSH
David Archuleta
TBA

Rating: A

When I first heard that David Archuleta’s lead single is entitled Crush, I was expecting for it to be of the bubble gum, feel god type much like Mandy Moore’s and Darren Hayes’ singles. It’s how it should go, like how “Sunshine” songs has always been uplifting and bursting with positivity. Instead, the teen sensation delivers a somewhat somber tune but still retaining the message of every similarly-titled song – the pangs of teenage romance.

The song pretty much harks back to a 90s Backstreet Boy ballads, (cheesy) lyric- and (cookie cutter) melody-wise. It starts off with lush, calm beats until it reaches an epic-like chorus, where his voice soars and does runs which only an Archuleta can. The part actually reminds me of the same runs used in his performance of You’re The Voice during the Idol show. And speaking of the same, Crush also sounds strikingly similar to JoJo’s Too Little Too Late – especially the way it is structured to give emphasis on its sweeping chorus. And much like how overproduction has been a problem for JoJo, the same can be said for Archuleta. The beats incorporated to make their sound more contemporary tend to mask the magnificence of both teen’s voices.

Nevertheless, Archuleta still manages to shine with this uber-radio friendly song. This is pop at its finest. If that Montana girl can pull off two number one albums, I’m sure that a genuine talent can do better. If not, then the apocalypse is near.

*******

Do you ever think when you’re all alone - all that we could be, where this thing could go? Am I crazy or falling in love? Is it really just another crush?

It all started when I nonchalantly blurted out the words, “Sharon is so fat she has her own moon” while we were having desert at Cold Rock.

I don’t know how our discussion turned to Sharon, or the moon for that matter but my statement caused an uproar in our group. And while Striker was busy trying to manage laughing while concocting his own line that will challenge the previously mentioned, I noticed that a big-boned lady standing behind Striker was already chanting silent curses, and telepathically maiming us. I’m not sure if it was a) because we were noisy, or b) she overheard our admittedly insensitive, yet for-our-ears-only comment and that she was a die-hard Sharonian, or because she was fat(?). And before Striker can do more damage (he was thinking out loudly of things bigger than the moon), I suggested that we leave the place and find some other spot for us to hang out on.

Not sooner than the doors of Cold Rock closed, all three of us burst out laughing once more. “I am so writing about this,” I told Jhen as we made our way towards the exit of Greenbelt 3’s cinema area. “But how do I write this without sounding insensitive to fat people?” The timing couldn’t have been more perfect as I said the last two words loud enough that the healthy girl to my right turned her head. I’ve never felt so embarrassed (for saying those things) and guilty (for feeling slightly amused) in my entire life.

And to prevent further boo boos, the three of us decided to take our conversation some place more private. Along the way, we noticed that the screen thing atop the Insular Life Building flashes: “Today’s weather: Humid and Rainy”. Uhm, d’oh?!

We walked the length of Valero and ended up in a 7-11. Yup, 7-11. That’s where the cool kids hang out nowadays. Striker was still on his quest to finding a quip worthy enough to beat the “moon” comment. And then I asked Jhen, “Today’s the supposed eclipse right”. Ding!

“Sharon is so fat, she causes an eclipse,” Striker exclaimed. And cue incessant laughter.

Probably because of the pressure, Jhen said that she’s thinking along the lines of Big Bang and stuff. Ding! Ding! Ding!

“Sharon is so fat, she’s the ‘Big’ in ‘Big Bang’,” Striker and I chorused, after which the room was filled with LOLs. Lots and lots of it.

God, we’re so bad.

Somewhere in the heavens, someone is preparing to hurl lightning bolts at us.

*******

POSTSCRIPT. I bought three front row tickets to Megathirty for our penance. So Striker and Jhen, make yourself free on Friday.

Life is a journey; and we are the travelers who yearn to learn its true worth. It doesn’t really matter which road we take, or how far we have traveled. Or how many stops we have to take, or how much pain we have to endure should we stumble. We have to believe that things happen because we need to learn something from it. We have to believe that everything ends up all right; and if it doesn’t end up all right, then it’s not yet the end.

Believing moves mountains. It takes you places. It helps you get through another day.

Believe in yourself, and in the goodness of other people.

Believe. It has to start from there.