Well, it's Valentine's...

As a lonely, single man I'd like to think I've the right to despise Valentine's Day. The stench of love burns the eyes most fiercely in the Day of Valentine. But I'm used to it. What I'm NOT used to is the fact there are some people who claim to be in love, not wanting to celebrate their love on this day. And I ask why?

There's other days where I show my love: anniversaries, birthdays, sometimes I'll surprise him/her on some random day.
Good for you. What's another day then?

I'll get him/her something the week later when it's all on sale.
What's the point? I'm sure February 21st means something to someone, but giving a box of chocolates to someone with the 50% off sticker still on kinda loses the mystique of Valentines.

It's a corporate created holiday designed to sell red & pink merchandise.
Ah... Capitalism at it's finest. More merchandise is sold during the holiday seasons. Corporate greed has tricked out the holidays for your consumer-whoring pleasure... But does that mean the sentiment there has no meaning? Can you truly buy love? I applaud your need to not support Consumerism of the holidays, but there are other ways to celebrate it. Cook an extravagant dinner, write a poem, serenade your beloved, or set the mood for a long night of sweet, sweet loving. As long as you don't let the day fall by the wayside.

I implore you those in love, let your creative (and whatever) juices flow, and show your love how much you care. Give yourself to humility, everyone would understand, because on this day they have done the same for love! Just don't do it in front of me, you bastards.

SONG OF THE DAY
Astrud Gilberto - Light My Fire

Why do new shows I like get cancelled?

As with the case of Dead Like Me. I only recently discovered this show a couple of weeks ago, the premise was unique and the characters engaging, and I really liked it. Then I found out it's been cancelled after 2 seasons. Crap. I just bought the season 1 DVD too.

Now the 'net-nerds are saying that Arrested Development is in trouble of cancellation because the network lowered the number of shows ordered from 22 to 18 to make room for American Dad. This is a very "Chicken Little" mentality, but it makes you wonder why good shows get cancelled before they're past their prime?

SONG OF THE DAY
Ben Lee - Catch My Disease

Best Valentine Cards Ever

For those who like a little bite in their romance.

SONG OF THE DAY
Nick Cave - Into My Arms

Lord of the Rings musings

I wish there was a Lord of the Rings Christmas Special. Picture it:
Sauron returns on Christmas Eve wrecking havoc for whatever reason and the Fellowship reunites (even the dead ones) to do battle, but in the end the pure heart of a small hobbit child shows Sauron the true meaning of Christmas through the power of song. Imagine orcs and goblins trimming the tree, Aragorn and Arwyn snogging by the fireplace, a shy Gollum joining the festivities only because Frodo edges him on. It'd be T.V. magic!
Speaking of Christmas, doesn't Aragorn look like Jesus? I'm sure they could tie that in some how...
And yes, I do know Christmas has long past. So what? I want more franchise-based T.V. specials.

SONG OF THE DAY
Immortal Technique - Peruvian Cocaine

Happy New Years!

New Years resolutions? Not quite, they're more like New Years goals with no real expectations.
• Blog more often.
• Find a girlfriend.
• Be more organized.
• Save money.
• Donate blood.
• Break up with girlfriend for hotter sister.
• Get to the gym more often.
• Travel.
• Learn to cook.
• Learn how to play guitar.
• Serenade a girl by playing More Than Words on guitar.
• Become deadly with nunchaku.
• Read more books. Ones without pretty pictures.
• Be more ambitious with my goals.

SONG OF THE DAY
Kings Of Convenience - I'd Rather Dance With You

Got a question?

Ask Crystal! The best advice you can get for free. Find answers to questions like: Am I too fat? Should I end my 5-year relationship? Why do women runaway from me?

SONG OF THE DAY
Annie - Heartbeat

Reflections of a 27-year-old blogger

Hmmmm...27 years. Is it too soon to be reflecting on life? Perhaps it is. I originally thought it would be a good time to wax philisophically, but now I think different. Anything I'd would be say would be said prematurely, I've got more to experience & learn in order to give a fair assessment of what I've seen in my life. So I'm going to save my thoughts for another year. Tease.

SONG OF THE DAY
Bright Eyes - Easy/Lucky/Free

Getting your car broken into: IT STINKS!!

I thought today was going to be a good day. But noooooo! When I was walking to the parking lot my co-worker pointed out that my window was broken. "Huh?" My window was broken. "F**K!!"
This was the second time this happened in the same parking lot. The first time they broke the lock, rummaged around, but took nothing. This time they broke the window, rummaged around, and took nothing again. You'd think they'd learned the first time around that I have nothing worth stealing. Seriously, c'mon! Why??
It's such an inconvinence, nusance, & violation. It breeds such a negative energy that threatens to build under pressure, because it has no real place to go. Everybody has had the same feelings, if not at varying degrees. It makes you want to punch that stupid degenerate in the gut, then go up for an uppercut followed by two knees to the chin. Then spin around, fake 'em out with an elbow, and take them out with a devestating headbutt.

SONG OF THE DAY
Poison Pen - Fall Back

Top 5 Family Guy Quotes

1. "Like a bisexual." Ted Turner

2. "Here's a little hint... PUT DOWN THE FORK. FACE!" Brian

3. "I looooooooooove chocolate! But I can't eat it because then I'll get fat...but it's sooooooooooooooooo good!" Brian

4. "Wow, you guys still saved my life, even though I said all southerners were dumb hicks who suffer from the gum disease: GINGIVITIS." Peter

5. "Red-headed lady, reaching for an apple. Gonna take a bite, nope, nope. She gonna breathe on it first, wipe it on her blouse. She takes a bite...chews it once, twice, three times, four times, Stops! Saliva workin'..." Randy Newman

SONG OF THE DAY
Marvin Gaye - Yesterday

Oops!

Looks like I missed a couple of days of entries to my blog. My bad!

Hmmm...what to talk about? Halloween? Nah, the moment's past. Re-election of President Bush? Don't want to touch that with a 50-foot bread stick. How about...mail-order brides! Yes! An awful service for the creepy & desparate or a legitimate aid for those in need? All I know is Olga's looking pretty cute!

SONG OF THE DAY
Nina Simone - Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out

Red Sox win! Yay!!!

And I dedicate today's Song Of The Day to them, after all, it's been over 80 years since they won the series. They deserve at least a song.

SONG OF THE DAY
Joe "Bean" Esposito - You're The Best

Eh....

It's late, but I promised I'd be back so here I am. So I'm just going to leave you with a video from just two guyz.

SONG OF THE DAY
Sondre Lerche - Sleep On Needles

Forgive me Blog for I have been absent...

It's been 16 days since my last post. This was pointed out to me by several of my amigos that I've been slacking. It's not for the lack of things to write about, I've just didn't have the energy or motivation at the end of the day to plop myself down in front of the computer and make the clickety-clack sounds on the keyboard that doesn't require me typing out words other than "Lindsey Lohan" or "Banana Phone".

But all that's going to change. Starting tomorrow, as long as there's love for the blog I'll be updating it as much as possible. Whether it'd be a funny link or non-sensical blabbering, you'll be seeing me here, baby! Fully dedicated and ready to rock AND roll! Yeah!! And if you don't see me here, you'll definitely see me the day after. Or possibly Saturday. Maybe.

SONG OF THE DAY
Bob James - Take Me To The Mardi Gras

Funniest music video in a long time!

Carl Lewis, I love you, don't ever break it up!

SONG OF THE DAY
Chromeo - Needy Girl

Drum roll, please!

Drumline was an average movie, it didn't really do much plotwise and would forever be compared to the perinniel competition movie Bring It On by today's generation, but what it did do is bring attention to the talents of the marching band's drumline. Recently, I came across a site that showcased these talents and I was amazed at the speed and precision of these guys banging away at the drums. It's enough to make me pick up wooden spoons and start wailing away at pots and pans. Check out the site!

SONG OF THE DAY
Destiny's Child - Lose My Breath

Guilty Pleasures

No it's not a title to a porn movie (though it probably is), I'm talking about an activity, song, movie, etc. you take pleasure in but are too ashame to let anyone in on it. Everyone has them, everyone doesn't want to talk about them. But today, I'm going to share one of my guilty pleasures. Pleasure is oftened doubled when shared with others, no matter how few share the same interest. So what's there to lose?

Last week, I purchased on DVD a movie that was said to be "probably the most ridiculous film ever made". They're referring to the movie Xanadu, A 1980 musical-fantasy starring Olivia Newton-John as a heavenly muse sent to help open a roller disco. Yeah. When I first saw this movie as a kid, I thought it was magic. The music, the dancing, the glitz & glamour, the romance...it was enough for this wide-eyed filipino kid to fall in love. Back in the day, I'd watch that movie ad nauseam. Then times change and my interest waned, my taste grew, the beta gave way to VHS which gave way to DVD, soon Xanadu was lost to me. Until recently. It was at HMV at St. Vital Centre where I found they had the movie on sale, so I had to pick it up ASAP. It was like Christmas, opening up the plastic wrapping and popping the movie in. As I was watching it I came to the realization how bad the movie was, it was just cheesy! The plot, the acting, the special effects...it'd enough to make you cringe. Yet, there was still magic. Despite knowing all its faults, I was still eating it up. It's charm still had a hold on me after all these years.

So, there. I like Xanadu, through all its cheesy glory. Embarassing as it is, I put one of my guilty pleasures out there, and it felt good. You should do the same. So what's your guilty pleasure?

SONG OF THE DAY
Olivia Newton-John & Gene Kelly - Whenever You're Away from Me

"This is nice!"

Preview for Drawn Together, a new show on Comedy Central.

SONG OF THE DAY
Tamia - Officially Missing You

Living the apartment life

I haven't been updating lately, because I've been too busy. About 18 days ago, just a few days removed from Las Vegas, I moved out of my parents house and into a lovely apartment in the Garden City Area. I didn't feel comfortable financially to make such a jump by myself, so my long-time pal Alan and I mutually agreed to put up with each other (the sucker), and room together, and so far it's been great!

Like any change we had to go through growing pains. The room is on the third floor and there's no elevator, so had to lug our heavy belongings up stairs which was very annoying. Once that was done we quickly realized how sparse the place was, so we had to spend more money to furnish the place along with food, cleaning supplies, kitchen utenils, toiletries, etc. Thankfully, we got some cool friends and family to help us out with some of that.

There's still a bit settling in to do, but it does feel very comfortable living here and I haven't felt home-sick yet. Maybe because I've always found an excuse to visit! Hehe :P

SONG ON THE DAY
Angela McCluskey - It's Been Done

HB & Robbie C in Vegas

Note: I'm probably missing a lot of details in this description of our Vegas trip, maybe because it was undescribable!

Probably goes without saying that Rob and I were estactic to be heading to Las Vegas, Nevada for vacation. It was our first time in the city of bright lights, Elvis, and showgirls, and it showed. As we were about touchdown, our excitement mounted higher and higher at the sight of desert and mountains (or as we grew to call them 'mow-taings'). The desert heat hit us immediately as we left the ear-popping plane. An amazing 40°C (and it maintained that temperature for the rest of the vacation)!

At the Tropicana Hotel they didn't have the room we requested available, so they upgraded us to an Island Tower room. Bonus! We quickly threw our baggage into the room, so we can explore the Strip, but not before taking notice the king-size bed had mirrors surrounding it at the top, right, and above. Funny. Now, we walk. This being our first time here, our senses are loaded with bright flashing colours selling tonights show and sounds of the 80s blaring from hidden speakers, creating feelings you get when you first enter a candy store as a kid. We walk forever in the heat seeking refuge at cooling stations and air-conditioned casinos serving free beer, we thought we can go on without sleep, so we wouldn't miss one beat of this city. Fat chance! We wuz tired!

The next day we continue walking despite blisters from the other day. Walking past vendors handing out strippers-to-your-door fliers we found Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. There, we posed with many celebrity wax-replicas. Touching and prodding them as much as the curators would allow. Very fun. At night we head over to Cheetahs, the topless club where they filmed the movie Showgirls. Surrounded by beautiful women, I kinda got carried away with the booze, making the next day a write-off. Sleep and vomitting took up the whole day, leaving me enough energy to eat at Todai for a Japanese buffet dinner.

Tuesday was spa day. We booked that day to get ourselves pampered a bit. I got an aromatherapy wrap and a massage, and it felt good! At the end of it all my skin felt smooth, my body relaxed, and I smelt like coconut, almond, jasmine, and eucalyptus at the same time. And at night I decided to take in a show. I went to see Zumanity and it was awesome! Nothing beats watching half-naked contortionists, acrobats, and dancers performing unbelievable feats. Highly recommended!

Then it was time to leave. I was sad to go. I had to take in the sights one last time, trying to burn in the imagery into my mind what my camera couldn't capture. We board the plane. Rob gave up his window seat, so I can see the Vegas terrain as we took off. Lotta mow-taings. At our stop-over in Minneapolis we were running late, so we had to run for it like you see people do in the movies. Finally we were home in Winnipeg. It was weird coming back, we had just left a city with bright lights and +40° weather to a flat town with a mild 15° temperature. It felt so laid back compared to the energy of Las Vegas. I kinda missed it. But can't wait to leave it again! ;)

Photos of our trip can be found here.

SONG OF THE DAY
Jody Watley - I'm Looking For A New Love

The countdown begins...

In about 34 hours me and my pal, Rob, will be boarding a plane to fabulous Minneapolis! What's in Minneapolis? Another plane to wisk us off to Las Vegas, Nevada! What's in Las Vegas? Nothing but 4 nights of family-oriented sin!

I've lost sleep thinking about Vegas. It'll be the first time to fly in a plane. It'll be that farthest I've even been from home (Edmonton being the furthest so far). It'll be just two guys in a town geared for having a good time and we have no gameplan whatsoever! I was just thinking of standing in the middle of the street and letting the natural flow of the city's energy take me whereever it wants. If anyone happens to see us, feel free to join us in the grand adventure they call Sin City. Drinks on whoever feels like paying.

On a different topic, if you're philipino born in North America, please rent The Debut. It's like watching your family onscreen...only with a dance-off. Please check it out.

"An award-winning English language film for the whole family, "the Debut" revolves around Ben Mercado (Danté Basco), a talented high school senior who has rejected his Filipino heritage. The long-simmering feud between Ben and his immigrant father Roland (Tirso Cruz III) threatens to boil over and ruin the 18th birthday party of Ben's sister Rose (Bernadette Balagtas). But to Ben's surprise, his sister's celebration challenges his sense of misplaced identity, and the way he regards his father and grandfather (Filipino film legend Eddie Garcia). In one night, Ben faces the true nature of his relationships with his family, his friends, and himself."
Summary by Anonymous on IMDB.com

SONG OF THE DAY
Christina Milian - Dip It Low (JJ Flores Extended Mix)