A Thousand Thoughts (And Not The Time To Explain)

Inspire Me Monday: Color.

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:02:00 +0000

Mondays are always a drag. But seeing as there's no work today, I thought I'd add to the happiness of this special Monday with vibrant colors:

From Here.

Paris Je T'aime

"When The Sun Comes Up" By Steve Appleton Drops Today!

www.steveappletonmusic.com

From Here

From Here

A Change Is Gonna Come.

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 07:24:00 +0000

Watch this space! :)

Fell In Love With A Boy...

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:07:00 +0000

...named Steve Appleton. Posting some new music for the weekend!

What's with guys who play guitar? Girls are just suckers for that I think. And with that, meet dirty-blonde, guitar-wielding British boy Steve Appleton.

I was driving to Manila really early Monday morning and heard this song on the radio, and I've been listening to it since. I reckon it'll be on repeat on my stereo right into the weekend. It's my new driving song!

His album drops August 31. Best to love him now before he gets really popular...which he probably will! Tween girls will be all over him I'm sure - hopefully not the way they are with the Jonas Brothers, though, because that'll ruin him for everybody else! Haha.

Real Men Wear Nice Clothes

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:00:00 +0000

Here's a post for a bit of inspiration on a Monday morning.

Above pictures from The Sartorialist, who lives his life, it seems, in a world where everyone is beautiful and dresses impeccably. If only we should all be so lucky.

(500) Days of Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 10:58:00 +0000

Looks cute! I wanna watch it. :)

Paper Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 06:08:00 +0000

Prince of Geek Michael Cera and the stoned girl in Knocked Up? I wanna watch baaad!

Farewell, President Corazon Aquino

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:28:00 +0000

Remembering a Filipino Icon

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 06:03:00 +0000

That's me in the picture, a baby in yellow and sporting an "I Love Ninoy" bandana - I guess my mom got me into the activism spirit very early in life (that's her carrying me in the picture. Unfortunately, I didn't quite grow up to be a social activist, but that is perhaps for a whole other post).

I grew up being told of the victory and the memory of the People Power Revolution, and about the woman who has been the living symbol of that revolution. Now that Cory Aquino has passed on, the Philippines mourns the loss of an extraordinary woman, a quiet yet brave and resolute heroine of democracy and the Filipino people. But I think I would like to remember her as a devout, God-fearing human being who was given an opportunity to change her country for the better - and this after a painful loss to her family - which she took unwaveringly, knowing it would be difficult, knowing it would post a danger to her life, knowing she could easily turn the opportunity down to live a comfortable, quiet life in the shadows and out of the spotlight.

I guess the question we have to ask ourselves now is, when have we ever made a choice that would've entailed a huge personal sacrifice for the benefit of others? And for every Filipino to have an answer to that question is probably the best way we as a people could remember a true Filipino icon. RIP Corazon Aquino.

Post-It Love

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:17:00 +0000

Cute office romance :)

Tan Hong Ming In Love

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:17:00 +0000

Quite possibly the cutest, most adorable, most genuine ad ever. And it sends a very powerful message!

Before This Gets Overplayed: Cobra Starship feat. Leighton Meester - "Good Girls Go Bad"

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:28:00 +0000

Pretty bitchin' song. Haha. The whole rap/cheer thing towards the end kind of sucks though. But otherwise, Gabe Saporta + Leighton Meester = Win.

Siem Reap, Cambodia (Day 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:18:00 +0000

My second post about the Siem Reap, Cambodia leg of our Vietnam-Cambodia trip is up, hope you can head on over to Filipina on Flip Flops to check it out!

I've been neglecting this blog, I know, but to be perfectly honest, I haven't been doing much of late apart from corporate marketing stuff (that I wouldn't want to talk about and I'm probably not allowed to talk about so publicly as well), trying to fix my travel blog, and the occasional drinking and seeing friends (in that order, haha!). Updates to come when I'm back on the road and my life gets interesting again, promise!

Siem Reap, Cambodia, Day 1 (April 5, 2009)

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:28:00 +0000

My second post about our epic summer trip to Vietnam and Cambodia is up! Hope you can check it out at Filipina on Flip Flops.

Before This Gets Overplayed: Katy Perry - "Waking Up In Vegas"

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Sat, 09 May 2009 00:33:00 +0000

Back from the craziness of summer! I love driving to this song.

I'm working on my Cambodia-Vietnam blog post, will publish when ready. 'Till then!

Blogging From Vietnam

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:03:00 +0000

Waiting for Jen and Tiff to get ready so we can have breakfast and explore Hoi An in Vietnam (a place that has been a very pleasant surprise - but more on that next time). I don't have a lot of time so I'll make this short and sweet.

So the Cambodia-Vietnam trip is going pretty darn well, I must say! I really could get used to this traveling thing - since last Friday when we flew out from Manila to Ho Chi Minh City, we have so far stayed in four different hotels in four different cities, crossed over a border and back, had two flights and countless bus rides, eaten in easily a dozen restaurants, met up with two college friends, racked up so many kilometers by land, air, and a bit of water - and we're not even halfway through the entire trip! I've gotten so used to being constantly on the go, have gotten the hang of how to lug around my luggage quickly and efficiently over airports and bus stops and scanning machines at immigration. Our three-day sojourn into Siem Reap has been the longest we've stayed in any one place - after that, we have yet to stay in the same hotel in two consecutive nights. And I strangely like this feeling - does that make me weird? I don't know what that says about me, but I really could get used to this traveling thing. I enjoy the constant change in scenery, the come and go from one place to another. It's refreshing.

I'd love to post pictures but I'm using the hotel computer and I don't want to plug in my memory card for fear of getting it infected by a virus. Strange computers and memories on flimsy memory cards do not mix, so I'll wait until I get back to Manila to upload the pictures.

Jen is already here and we're going to have breakfast, so until my next post, wherever I may be by then!

Sometimes I Just Want To Get Inspired: Jason Mraz - Live High

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:35:00 +0000

Just take it easy
And celebrate the malleable reality
See, nothing is ever as it seems
This life is but a dream

If Jason Mraz could be summed up in just one song, I think this would be it. Beautiful and inspiring lyrics, awesome vocals = a great song to listen to if you need a quick pick-me-up.

Jason Mraz - "Live High"

Sometimes I Just Want To Get Inspired: The Venn Diagram of Life.

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 23:20:00 +0000

How often do you stray from the intersection?

Picture from Flickr.

I think there's merit in staying in the part of the "Things That Make Life More Worthwhile and Interesting" circle that doesn't overlap with the "Comfort Zone" every now and then. Bungee jumping in Macau by end August, anyone? :)

Geek for Geek on American Late Night

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 22:00:00 +0000

I've always had a thing for Conan O'Brien and his brand of self-deprecating humor. He's a very attractive and funny kind of geek - the kind I like, hehe. Last week, "Late Night" said goodbye to Conan and welcomed another geek to host the show. Enter Jimmy Fallon of SNL fame - geeky in an awkward, endearing and funny kind of way. Tiff and I both love these guys (we're geek-lovers that way), and it really sucks that Late Night with Conan / Jimmy is only available on Jack TV in the Philippines, which Sky Cable doesn't have. Boo. I guess I have to resort to YouTube now. So for starters, here are Jimmy's and Conan's first ever opening intros for Late Night. Ah, geek love. :)

Talk Shop For Two Minutes.

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 22:06:00 +0000

I work for a company that made it to the top ten of Fortune Magazine's List of the World's Most Admired Companies. I think my company deserves it, and I feel very fortunate and immensely thankful to be working for a company that takes care of its people and lives by a strong credo. This reaffirms my belief that you don't have to become a sell-out to be in corporate. And that is the best realization of all.

These are the things I've thought about, silly boy, you're often thought about in waves.

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 08:21:00 +0000

Summer is here, I can totally feel it.

At Bo's in Bonifacio High Street, taking advantage of the free WiFi, conferencing with Tiff and Jen and making plans for our Vietnam-Cambodia trip, which is LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY! I'm freaking excited. We're almost done with the planning and just need to book all our packages, transpo and accommodations. I was worried 15 days would be too long a trip, but as it turns out, it's not nearly long enough to explore two countries! To think we were even planning to visit Laos too! Alas, there will be other trips in the future.

I stepped out of the house this morning and almost immediately felt the scorching heat. It's so hot out today it's insane! I realize now that Edell's random invite to go to the beach yesterday would've been a really good idea, because today seems like a great day to be at the beach, but I promised myself I would not make plans this weekend on account of the million and one "extracurricular" things I have to do and all the rest I need. I guess I can save the beach trips for the coming weeks, when I finally get my car! Yay!

I had my iPod on shuffle this morning and this song came on. It was very timely too since this is one of my favorite summer songs. Sometimes I think my iPod is smart enough to a) know how I'm feeling and b) play songs that would match those feelings. I'm just weird like that.

I'm not fond of this music video though. Maybe after my trips this summer I'll make a video collage of the nice pictures I took and make my very own "Waves" video. That would be nice, for me anyway. But do watch the video so you can listen to the song and fall in love with it like I have!

Marjorie Fair - 'Waves'

In other news, my friend Edell's online store, Love Me Vintage, has been featured in the Philippine Daily Inquirer! You can check out the online article here or visit the store here. Congrats dude!

Girl Be Mine - Francis Magalona (RIP)

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 03:44:00 +0000

Master Rapper Francis Magalona Passes Away at 44

This is my favorite song of his. I have it on my iPod, and I remember having a difficult time finding a version of it on mp3, because I think this song came out way before CDs.

I saw one of his other videos earlier today on MTV. They have a subtle tribute to him with the MTV logo - a simple reminder of what the Philippine music scene lost yesterday. He will be missed.

100 Best Music Videos #1: Video Killed The Radio Star (The Buggles)

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:37:00 +0000

A few years back I started a blog called 100 Best Music Videos, but my commitment issues and ADHD kept me from pushing through with it. Besides, managing too many blogs can become a pain. It doesn't change the fact, however, that I do enjoy watching music videos and I have a pretty long list of the ones I really like. So I thought I'd start over and post my favorite videos here. I don't know if the list will reach a hundred - so why don't we find out? Let's start with this one (and since this was also the first video I posted on that 100BMV blog, I'm copying and pasting the description I had written for it here):

"Video Killed The Radio Star"
The Buggles
The Age of Plastic

We jumpstart the 100 Best Music Videos blog with the first video ever aired on MTV, ironically titled "Video Killed the Radio Star". First shown on MTV when the channel debuted on August 01, 1981, the song's catchy melody and the video's quirky and "futuristic" elements make for a memorable music video and a fitting forefather to all music videos aired thereafter.

A bit of trivia: when it was aired on February 27, 2000, "Video Killed The Radio Star" also became the millionth video to be shown on MTV.

You've Got Mail And Being A Geek This Week

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 10:14:00 +0000

A random post on the commonplace (ir)responsibilities of a so-called "grown-up" and my plans to become a Geek This Week. Hey that rhymes!

I forgot to check my mailbox for like two months. When I finally got to doing it a few days back, I found a stack of mail, envelope upon envelope just waiting to be opened. Mostly they were bills waiting to be paid. I also got two notices from the post office telling me to pick up a parcel (not sure if both referred to the same parcel or to two different ones). I don't know about anyone from anywhere who has sent me anything recently. And I haven't the time to actually go to the post office (Where is the post office to begin with?). Free time's a bitch when you don't have any.

In other news, I'm super excited to get my car! It will take 22 days apparently. Working or non-working? I'm not sure. I promise to take care of it as if it were my baby. Regular car washes and no scratches if I can help it!

Need to play tennis tomorrow, I haven't worked out in ages!

I will not go out this weekend. Unless someone invites me. But I will not initiate it. I will not make plans. Must keep myself from text-blasting friends! I think I need a break, just to rest. I could use a good 12 hours of sleep. I've got Slumdog Millionaire and The Big Bang Theory to keep me company.

You're Just A Line In A Song.

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 22:44:00 +0000

I really love to hate this
Love-hate, hate-love
Relationships are overrated

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Sunday Morning Stories

noreply@blogger.com (Daene) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 03:32:00 +0000

Breakfast is best served at 11 o'clock on a lazy (and late) Sunday morning, when you're feeling sleepy and giddy at the same time, and you don't know how that's even possible, but that's how you feel. Your hair still smells faintly of cigarette smoke (even if you already washed it twice that morning) but you take it as a worthy trade-off for a lot of fun and dancing, so you aren't in the least bit irritated, and get over it quickly. You're in your casual Sunday best but your feet hurt and you know it's because of the heels you wore (and danced with) just a few hours prior. Most important of all, you've yet to get over the crazy Saturday night you just had with your girlfriends.

Over a plate of pancakes, bacon and eggs and a cup of hot chocolate, I would love to write about the really funny (note that it was "funny" and not just "fun") Saturday night I had with Mabz and Edell this week in detail, but a) I've got work to do so I don't have a lot of time to blog; and b) to write in detail would mean giving out, obviously, a lot of details, and I don't want to get into trouble :). The following are as much as I can say for now:

- We got all dressed up and tried to look our cultured and artistic best and watched "I Love You Because" by Repertory Philippines at OnStage Greenbelt, and it was a lot of fun! You should go see it, they only have shows until next week! (Also, we ran into Trisha and Zyra, who watched the play as well. Talk about random!)
- Promotion dinner and a round of drinks at Fez (yay for cocolychee!)
- A couple more rounds of drinks and dancing at Piedra
- The perks of Edell's newly banged hair (I'm so proud of you Edz you sure know how to work it!)
- Running into random people: a highschool classmate, a highschool teacher (inside Piedra!), a college classmate and schoolmates!
- Meeting new people. ROFL.
- NOT meeting new people. Well, just that one person really.
- I only knew what this word meant in theory, until last night. I guess it's not easy being a guy sometimes. That moment was hilarious.

The best part was when the world stopped when "Single Ladies" came on. I mean, seriously - you're on the dancefloor with two fabulous girlfriends, it's a Saturday night, and "Single Ladies" comes on. What else can you do? It would be a shame if you didn't drop everything (or everyone else) in order to put your hands up and dance with your girlfriends! And we're just funny and single like that. Hahaha.

Someday when I'm old and mature I will read this post and laugh at how silly my twenty-something self was. Until then, I will revel in the twisted abandon of youth for as long as I feel like it.

Also, the pancakes at Bo's Coffee are awesome!