| Wednesday, February 25, 2004 |
| Woo-Hoo! |
I'm so excited!
I'm leaving for Singapore tomorrow!
And I will be back on Sunday with pictures, pictures, pictures! |
posted by Jax @ 6:41:00 AM   |
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| Tuesday, February 24, 2004 |
| Top Ten Favorite Movies |
Top Ten Favorite Movies
1. Sunset Boulevard
I first watched Sunset Boulevard on Broadway and fell in love with it. I was at Astroplus during the "Amazing DVD Sale" and got the 1950 movie DVD for only P550 ($10). I watched it when I got home and it is one of the best movies I have ever seen. Gloria Swanson was amazing as Norma Desmond. Billy Wilder is a genius. I want to tell everyone to watch it but I know this might not be everybody's bowl of rice but I suggest everyone still try it. It's still worth a shot.
2. An American in Paris
If Gene Kelly as Jerry Mulligan started talking to me like that, I'd fall in love with him in an instant. He has got to be one of the smoothest talkers. It is one of the most romantic movies I have ever seen. If you want to feel loved or just have a loving feeling after watching a movie, then watch this.
3. A Little Romance
Starring a 13-year-old Diane Lane, Thelonius Bernard and Sir Laurence Olivier, it's a movie about puppy love that turned into love-against-all-odds. It was a very sweet movie and will make a person giddy over love again and want to experience that innocent love.
4. Bayaning Third World
Mike de Leon supposedly made this movie as a protest to all the garbage that was being made. One of the funniest and sarcastic Filipino movies made since Kakabakaba ka ba?, which incidentally was also directed by Mike de Leon. Every filmmaker should watch and learn from this.
5. Todo Sobre Mi Madre
I watched this in class in 2000 and have been obssessing about it ever since. I was able to get a DVD copy 3 years later and my obssession has not yet stopped. Pedro Almodovar became my idol when I watched this. This is one of the genuinely sincere and true movies I've ever seen. It is eccentric yet normal. It is excessive yet simple. Almodovar once said "In fact _I_ am behind everything that happens and that is said, but I am never talking about myself in first person singular" and that's what makes this movie so great. Because he "exposed" himself yet remain hidden, something that I myself have also been doing. Almodovar tugs at your heart by showing you the obvious. His simplicity will just blow you away.
6. Bacheha-Ye aseman
An Iranian film that displays a boy's love for his sister. Nothing beats portraying innocence than having two kids play it for you. The two kids' acting were so genuine, I wanted to grab them and take care of them. It was an amazing movie in all aspects. If you get hold of this movie, don't let go.
7. Ang Tanging Ina
One of the genuinely funny movies I've seen in a long time. The whole time I was watching this, I was laughing my butt off! But if you haven't watched the movies they're "poking fun at", I don't think you'll laugh as much.
8. Lord of the Rings
A lot of people think this movie is overrated but I think it is a cinematic genius. I always thought Peter Jackson was just an eccentric. But he proved me wrong when he did this.
9. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
I love the book by Roald Dahl and I love the movie just as well! It's inspired me to want to put up my own chocolate factory just like his. A movie that every kid or kid-at-heart will enjoy.
10. Gladiator
Ridley Scott is an amazing director. And Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix gave great performances. If you like Russell Crowe or Ridley Scott or just epic movies, then pick up a copy of this movie. It'll be money well spent.
Labels: surveys |
| posted by Jax @ 6:31:00 AM |
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| Sunday, February 22, 2004 |
| Jason Mraz |
Good things come to those who wait.
I lost any hope that I would get to watch Jason Mraz's concert here in Manila because I had to make a choice and Jason wasn't it. I had his CD and I said to myself that was enough. Besides, maybe I'll have another opportunity to watch a future show. I didn't fret. Because there'll be other chances, other opportunities.
Well it seems like I had to watch the show.
And you know what's better than buying tickets for the show? Getting VIP tickets for free. That's right! We got Jason Mraz VIP tickets for free! How lucky were we?
The show was supposed to start at 8p but, as usual, people were late and the first show started at 9p. Paolo Santos was there to warm up the crowd but the truth is, I couldn't wait for him to get off the stage! Hehe. Jason finally came on stage at around 9:30p and, without uttering a single word yet, the crowd went wild!
This guy was made to perform live. He not only performed his songs but he talked and interacted with his audience as well. He kept teasing this girl in the front row, who had made a poster that says "i luv u, Jason!". I think the girl, if she wasn't able to compose herself, would have fainted right then and there! He kept saying she was a "bad speller because she couldn't spell love" and she was "a conservationist because she took out the letters y and u from you to conserve letters".
And he kept teasing the crowd because the girls rushed to the stage to take pictures of him with their cellphones and Jason thought they were trying to take pictures of his hat. And he feigned surprise that the girls wanted to have his hat. "I came to give you my heart, my words and my dance moves. And you want to have my smelly hat?" I found out that, when he was about to leave the concert venue about an hour after the show, he tossed his hat to the crowd that waited for him outside.
It was such an enjoyable experience. The guy is a born performer. His songs may not be the best but he makes up for it by trying to be the best onstage. Right now, I wish I could fly to Japan and catch his shows there coz the guy is just amazing!
I tried to take some pictures but we weren't that close enough to get a better shot. Excuse the photos, too. I just used my cellphone to take these pictures since cameras are not allowed inside. You can check out some of the pictures here.
*Au, you wanted details so I gave you details! Hehe |
| posted by Jax @ 5:39:00 AM |
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| Candidates on Issues |
There are a little more than three months until the day of Philippine Elections. Do you know what the Presidential candidates have to say about certain issues?
Candidates on Issues brought to you by inq7.net. |
| posted by Jax @ 5:04:00 AM |
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| Friday, February 20, 2004 |
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I think I'm reading and watching too many "heavy" books and movies. My mind needs a break. Plus I'm sick right now and not in the best of "moods".
On a better note, I was able to watch Ogie Alcasid's concert last night. I love that guy and I would have had a better time if I went their with my sister or my friends. I went with my Kuya (my older brother) and, although he enjoys going to concerts, he doesn't get up and groove. Oh well. I'll just have to catch another Ogie Alcasid concert with someone else then. :D |
| posted by Jax @ 6:57:00 PM |
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| Thursday, February 19, 2004 |
| Cold Mountain |
Caught today's first screening of Cold Mountain at the Powerplant Mall this afternoon (so cold!). It's not Anthony Minghella's best work, that's for sure. It's started good at first but started to dwindle as the movie progressed. He tried to be too faithful to the book that it seemed like he was narrating to the viewers the story instead of showing it to them.
But Jude Law and Renee Zellweger's acting was impressive. They deserve their nomination and, in Zellwegger's case, win.
On a side note: I wish I were Nicole Kidman in the movie! |
| posted by Jax @ 5:39:00 AM |
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| Top 25 Albums |
Ganns has posed a pretty good challenge: to come up with a list of Top 25 Albums of All Time. Hmm. Yes. What a challenge indeed!
What's on your list?
Stay tuned for mine!Labels: surveys |
| posted by Jax @ 5:30:00 AM |
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| Monday, February 16, 2004 |
| Jude Law |
On to lighter things...
I dreamt of this guy the other night and I swear he is the hottest guy alive!
Wanna know who he is?
Click here! |
| posted by Jax @ 9:57:00 PM |
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| Piracy |
Piracy
A lot has been sound about it but has never been resolved. Debates have been on-going between "two egos that won't back down".
And now he has dared to speak. And Leo Magno is on the right track with this. Consumers do not turn to piracy because they want to break the law or they like doing anything illegal. It's because they've got no other choice. I'm a passionate believer against piracy, you guys know that. But sometimes it's exhausting. A lot of the stuff I want are not available here through legal and less expensive means and sometimes I just want to "succumb to the temptation" because it seems I have no other choice. And that's what people (consumers) don't have: choices.
In the end, it's not enough that consumers realize what they're doing is wrong. The producers, the media, the people "affected" by piracy should listen to the consumers and why they're doing what they're doing. Only then, I believe will the answer and the solution show itself.
We can't let just one side do all the job. This is a job for everyone. And everyone should work together to solve it. |
| posted by Jax @ 9:56:00 PM |
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| Picture This |
Picture This
Picture this ... yumminess captured by a simple idea and a simple love for it.
Curious? Click here!
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| posted by Jax @ 12:27:00 AM |
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| Sunday, February 15, 2004 |
| New Lay-out |
Obviously, I have a new lay-out. It's not yet finished and I'm still trying it out.
I realized too late that there was a butterfly on this template, and since I don't want to look for another template and modify it again, I've decided to let it stay. |
| posted by Jax @ 11:14:00 PM |
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| Movie Survey |
1) Recently watched movie:
On video: Sunset Boulevard
On the big screen: Seabiscuit
2)Most favorite childhood movie:
2 - Beauty and the Best & The Last Unicorn
3)Most favorite fantasy movie:
Lord of the Rings trilogy and Legend
4)Scariest Movie:
The Shining with Jack Nicholson (Heeeeere's Johnny!)
5)Most favorite cartoon Movie/Anime:
Beauty and the Best, Samurai X
6)Most favorite Action movie:
Gladiator, Braveheart, Lethal Weapon series
7)Most favorite mushy movie:
A Little Romance, An American in Paris
8) Most favorite Asian movie:
Children of Heaven, Eat Drink Man Woman
9. Most favorite pinoy movie:
Bayaning Third World, Ang Tanging Ina
10.Saddest movie:
More like most depressing movie: The Hours
11.Most favorite Drama:
Rudy
12. Most favorite Comedy:
Wayne's World
13. Least liked movie:
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Hands down: the worst movie of the year.
14. Dullest Movie:
LXG
15. Most watched movie:
Lord of the Rings, Gladiator, Dahil May Isang Ikaw, Never Been Kissed
16. Most favorite Suspense:
The Freddy Kruger series
17. Most disturbing movie:
Pi
18. Most artistic movie:
Hero
19.First R18 movie:
I've watched so many movies I can't even remember. There is one though. It wasn't an R18 movie (it was PG-13 rated) but since I was 10 at that time, it felt like an R18 movie. It was Bird On A Wire starring Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn. My sister tried to cover my eyes whenever there was a kissing scene and the like. As if.
20. Most favorite "true to life" movie
Andami! Rudy, Catch Me If You Can, Philadelphia, Seabiscuit. I could go on and on and on.
Labels: surveys |
| posted by Jax @ 6:20:00 PM |
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| Friday, February 13, 2004 |
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Bruise
I played badminton yesterday with my sister, sister-in-law and my two cousins and proved that good things never last. Right now I am still nursing my bruised pinky.
Apparently, my brain wasn't working to its full potential yesterday and has mistakened my pinky for the shuttlecock. I hit my pinky hard and it was really swollen yesterday. When the swelling subsided, it revealed my pinky in two colors: flesh on the upper and lower regions, black and blue on the middle region.
I'm not sure if you'll be able to see it in the picture above. Damn. I wonder when this'll go back to its original color. |
| posted by Jax @ 5:33:00 PM |
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| Valentine's |
I honestly think that Valentines is the most overrated yet underrated event there is. And it's not because I'm bitter for not having a date. And just to clarify things, I'm not bitter.
I just think that people are forgetting the whole point of this event. Valentines is a day for spreading love. So what if you don't have a date? That shouldn't stop you from giving love. In fact, it's all the more reason to continue giving love because you have all these love inside of you to give away. Go visit the unfortunate "unloved" ones and give them some more love. Visit your friends. Treat out your parents. Go to orphanages, homes for the aged, hospitals, etc and spread some love there. Or adopt a new pet. There are a lot of other things you can do besides going out for dinner in an overpriced hotel/restaurant.
Lastly, Valentine's may be a day of love but it doesn't make sense to just spread love on one day out of 365 days in a year. Cliche as it may sound, be sure to make everyday Valentine's day. Why deprive others to experience love when you can easily give it any day of the year? Don't limit yourself to Valentine's. Love everyday!
Happy Valentine's everyone! Now go and spread some more love to everyone you meet. |
| posted by Jax @ 5:21:00 PM |
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I seriously love this guy (Hmmm. I think I love a lot of guys, no?) and I just found out he plays Pieter in Girl with a Pearl Earring. Wow. And he'll be starring in Christopher Nolan's Batman: Intimidation as Jonathan Krane a.k.a. The Scarecrow with Christian Bale. Nice.
I've been reading Girl with a Pearl Earring and, while I'm reading it, all I could think about was, "The role of Vermeer the painter is just tailormade for Colin Firth". I can truly imagine him on the big screen as the painter.
I went to the website of this book and saw a lot of the paintings that were described in the book. It was amazing. I don't want to post the pics up here since I might get in trouble for that but I can point you to the right direction. If you want to see Vermeer's paintings, then go here. He makes me want to start painting myself. But since I can't, I'll have to settle for learning more about him and his paintings and just take up photography.
Hehe. |
| posted by Jax @ 4:29:00 PM |
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| Thursday, February 12, 2004 |
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Because I am not in the mood to dissect my life in a thought-provoking way, I have decided to answer some of those no-brainer surveys.
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1. IF YOU COULD BUILD YOUR HOUSE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD IT BE? Scotland (hehe), UK
2. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ARTICLE OF CLOTHING? my skirts
3. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PHYSICAL FEATURE OF THE OPPOSITE SEX? smile
4. WHAT'S THE LAST CD THAT YOU BOUGHT? Feels Like Home by Norah Jones
5. WHERE'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE? Tagaytay
6. WHERE'S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PLACE TO BE? Outside in the cold rain with nothing to protect me
7. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE MASSAGED? My lower back and my shoulders
8. WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT,STRONG IN MIND OR STRONG IN BODY? Strong in Mind
9. WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE IN THE MORNING? I wake up anytime between 6 to 8am
10. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? Friends, Monk, Ok Fine Whatever, WWE
11. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE KITCHEN APPLIANCE? Coffee maching and Microwave
12. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY? A lot and they mostly involve being with my cousins
13. WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? Comedies, my nephews, funny friends, funny experiences. It's quite easy to make me laugh.
14. WHAT MAKES YOU REALLY ANGRY? Selfish people
15. IF YOU COULD PLAY ANY INSTRUMENT WHAT WOULD IT BE? Drums and Guitar
16. FAVORITE RESTAURANT/CAFE/EATERY? The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Bizu, Sugarhouse, Dulcinea
17. SCARIEST MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE? Whenever I think about my issues
18. IF THERE WAS A MOVIE MADE ABOUT YOU, WHAT CURRENT/FORMER HOLLYWOOD STAR WOULD PLAY YOU? Jada Pinkett Smith (hehe).
19. DO YOU BELIEVE IN AFTERLIFE? Yes
20. FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK? A Wrinkle In Time and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
21. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON? Spring out of the four seasons, Wet out of our two seasons
22. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE HOUSEHOLD CHORE? Cooking
23. IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE? To be able to instantly create food to give out to those who need it badly or to create a cure for AIDS
24. IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO, WHAT IS IT? I don't.
25. WHO WAS YOUR FIRST LOVE AND AT WHAT AGE? God. 21.
26. THE SONG YOU WISHED YOU HAD WRITTEN? 1000 Beautiful Things by Annie Lennox, Say Goodnight by Beth Nielsen Chapman
27. DO YOU PREFER CATS OR DOGS? Dogs
28. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DAY? Wednesday
29. WHAT IS ONLY ONE WORD DESCRIBE YOURSELF? Ironic
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| posted by Jax @ 7:12:00 PM |
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| Wednesday, February 11, 2004 |
| Oops |
Oops!
I was in front of Jude Law, my PC, when it happened. The phone rang. I picked it up and realized a young girl of about 10 or 11 was on the other line.
Me: Hello?
Young Girl: Who's this?
Me: Uh, yes, who do you need to talk to?
Young Girl: (to her brother) Hala, Kuya, she's asking what you need from her!
Haha! Needless to say, they never called back.
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| posted by Jax @ 6:02:00 PM |
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| Tuesday, February 10, 2004 |
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2 Movies I'm looking forward to watching next week: 21 Grams and Cold Mountain.
Nicoffeine paid me a visit at the house yesterday to feast on certain hobbits and decided to also, um, "fix" our Hot Men from UK List. We haven't finished it yet but we took out some guys and added new ones. I'll post it here when it's finally finished. |
| posted by Jax @ 6:04:00 PM |
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| Monday, February 09, 2004 |
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Something to talk about
What is your favorite book now? Lost in Translation by Nicole Mones
...10 years ago? Hmmm. I can't really remember what I read when I was 13 but I'm guessing it was an SVH book.
...20 years ago? Seeing as I was only 3 at that time, I guess it's one of those learn-to-read books.
What book made you laugh out loud? A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle and Smart vs Pretty by Valerie Frankel (?)
What book made you cry? Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier
What book shocked you? Getting Better (I forgot the author)
What book have you thrown across the room? out of frustration? Extra Virgin by Annie Hawes.
What book were you unable to finish? I'm still trying to read ROTK and Solitaire Mystery. I never finished Extra Virgin (and I don't intend to).
What book have you reread the most? Harry Potter series, Summer Sisters by Judy Blume, Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
What book did you like once, but now can't stand? My John Grisham books
What book most made your life what it is today? The Bible, Leadership by Rudy Giuliani, Interpreter of Maladies
What is your favorite book by your favorite author? High Fidelity by Nick Hornby, Gapo by Lualhati Bautista, Dinner for Two by Mike Gayle
What book must you really read someday? Chronicles of Narnia. Only because I have all 7 books and I've only finished the first two.
What's on top of the nearest to-read pile? Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier and Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
What book made you want to jump off a bridge? I don't think I've read a book that made want to do that yet.
What book made you want to write? When I was a kid, it was the Sweet Valley series. When I got older, it was Gapo by L. Bautista. Now, it's Jhumpa Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies.
What book changed you? Interpreter of Maladies, Leadership and High Fidelity
What was the first book you bought? A Sweet Valley Twins book
What was the most recent book you bought? Hitler's Niece
What books are you currently reading? I just finished reading Cold Mountain and still thinking whether to read Girl with a Pearl Earring or Middlesex next.
What was your most recent read? Cold Mountain before that Extra Virgin and before that Running in Heels. |
| posted by Jax @ 1:15:00 AM |
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| Saturday, February 07, 2004 |
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I was in the car, on my way to Shangri-la Plaza. I always have the radio on when I'm inside the car because I can not live without my tunes. (Alright, fine, I can. But I choose to live with it all the time.) It infuriated me lang to no end when I realized today that 5 out of 6 radio stations play the same music over and over and over and again and again and again. Don't you get tired of that?
That's why I always bring my CDs so I can change the music depending on my mood.
But alas, the car I used didn't have a CD player so I was stuck with the radio. I had it tuned to NU107 and thank goodness for NU. Some stations repeat several songs every hour. NU never does that. They (the DJs) have the decency and common sense to not repeat a song during their entire 3-hour shift. I mean, naman, there are hundreds, even thousands, of songs to choose from and keep repeating the same songs over and over?
Can you please not?
Moving on.
I bought a new CD today. I've been waiting for this for two years. And finally, it's here! I just bought Norah Jones' newest CD, Feels Like Home. Yes yes yes! It's finally here! I just listened to the whole album and it's pretty good (Come Away With Me, her first CD, is still better). She sounds different in this album, though, with an edgier voice. Basta, it's a good buy! |
| posted by Jax @ 4:27:00 AM |
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| Friday, February 06, 2004 |
| Empire Falls |
Empire Falls
I was checking out some of the latest movies at the Internet Movie Database last night and I found out that one of my favorite books is being turned into a TV movie. Wow.
The book is called Empire Falls, written by Richard Russo. It's an amazing book about life in a small town and how nothing is truly impossible. The lead character, Miles Roby, will be played by Ed Harris. That should be interesting. I don't know if it's already been shown in American TV but to my online friends in the US, try to watch this when you see it on TV. Or if not, try to check out the book.
UPDATE: I checked it out again and it turns out, the TV movie is still filming. Watch out for this TV movie this 2004! |
| posted by Jax @ 3:17:00 PM |
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| Thursday, February 05, 2004 |
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God works in mysterious ways. And in the most amazing ways.
Here I was talking about living an exhausted life, and He comes and talks to me.
I never doubted Him for a second but He always seems to find a way to make His presence known everyday and that's what makes Him so great! That He's present not just in the big and obvious places but also in the littlest and most obscure things.
That just when you thought life was too tiring, He goes and lifts you up.
Look into your heart and see the
many things you are using to find
wholeness. Seek His mercy and
find fulfillment in Him alone.
---Shepherd's Voice---
That's what He said to me.
And when I changed the channel on TV, there He was again. And this time He sang to me. This is what He sang.
If ever You wondered
If You touched my soul
Yes You do
Since I met You I'm not the same
You bring life to everything I do
Just the way You say hello
With one touch I can't let go
Never thought I'd fall in love with You
Because of You my life has changed
Thank You for the love and the joy You bring
Because of You I feel no shame
I'll tell the world just because of You
Sometimes I get lonely
And all I gotta do is think of You
You captured something inside of me
You make all of my dreams come true
It's not enough that You love me for me
You reached inside and touched me internally
I Love You best explains how I feel for You
Because of You my life has changed
Thank You for the love and the joy You bring
Because of You I feel no shame
I'll tell the world just because of You
The magic in Your eyes
True love I can't deny
When You hold me
I just lose control
I want You to know
That I'm never letting go
You mean so much to me
I want the world to see
It's because of You
Because of You my life has changed
Thank You for the love and the joy You bring
Because of you I feel no shame
I'll tell the world just because of You
My life has changed
Thank You for the love and the joy You bring
Because of You I feel no shame
I'll tell the world just because of You
Because of You...
---Keith Martin---
I think I understand what you mean now, Christy. I really do. |
| posted by Jax @ 4:12:00 AM |
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| Pictures |
Pictures
I did the unthinkable again. I woke up at 5:30 am and witnessed another miracle and captured more beautiful shots.
Check them out here.
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| posted by Jax @ 12:39:00 AM |
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| Grammys |
Grammys
The 46th Grammys are coming up on Sunday (Monday at Manila time). It seems quieter than last year. But maybe because 2003 was a slow year, musically. I don't think any artist stood out from among the rest. well except for Maksim, probably but he's mostly known here in Asia and Europe, I think, and not in the US. In fact, the Philippines had a better year, musically, for 2003 what with the influx of acoustic and alternative musicians.
Nominees have been announced since last year and it seems to be a repeat of the 44th Grammys when "newbies" mostly dominated it.
Here are my thoughts, not predictions.
1. Record of the Year
"Crazy in Love," Beyonce featuring Jay-Z
"Where Is the Love?" Black Eyed Peas and Justin Timberlake
"Clocks," Coldplay
"Lose Yourself," Eminem
"Hey Ya!" OutKast.
They're all good. I'm not a fan of all of them (Just Black Eyed Peas and Coldplay) but all of the nominated songs are good. But I think I'd want to give this award to, either, Coldplay or OutKast. The other songs simply do not have enough enthusiasm and oomph! surrounding it. "Crazy in Love" is so dull and "Lose Yourself" is so redundant. "Where is the Love?" is just okay, not great but okay. "Clocks" and "Hey Ya!" have the star quality, IMO.
2. Album of the Year
"Under Construction," Missy Elliott
"Fallen," Evanescence
"Speakerboxxx/The Love Below," OutKast
"Justified," Justin Timberlake
"Elephant," The White Stripes.
Okay. I'm going to have be pretty biased here since I only have two of the five: Fallen and Justified. Fallen is way better.
3. Song of the Year
"Beautiful," Linda Perry (Christina Aguilera)
"Dance With My Father," Richard Marx and Luther Vandross (Luther Vandross)
"I'm With You," Avril Lavigne and The Matrix (Avril Lavigne)
"Keep Me in Your Heart," Jorge Calderon and Warren Zevon (Warren Zevon)
"Lose Yourself," J. Bass, M. Mathers and L. Resto (Eminem ).
Beautiful tops my list. This is, I think, Aguilera's best song since the start of her career...so far.
4. New Artist
Evanescence
50 Cent
Fountains of Wayne
Heather Headley
Sean Paul
No doubt about it. Evanescence is my vote.
5. Female Pop Vocal Performance
"Beautiful," Christina Aguilera
"Miss Independent," Kelly Clarkson
"White Flag," Dido
"I'm With You," Avril Lavigne
"Fallen," Sarah McLachlan
I'm happy with either Christina Aguilera or Sarah Maclachlan.
6. Pop Collaboration With Vocals
"Can't Hold Us Down," Christina Aguilera and Lil' Kim
"La Vie En Rose," Tony Bennett and k.d. lang
"Gonna Change My Way of Thinking," Bob Dylan and Mavis Staples
"Feel Good Time," Pink featuring William Orbit
"Whenever I Say Your Name," Sting and Mary J. Blige
It's down to two for me: "Can't Hold Us Down" or "Feel Good Time"
7. Pop Vocal Album
"Stripped," Christina Aguilera
"Brainwashed," George Harrison
"Bare," Annie Lennox
"Motown," Michael McDonald
"Justified," Justin Timberlake
I'm giving this to one person only: Annie Lennox for "Bare".
8. Dance Recording
"Love One Another," Cher
"Easy," Groove Armada
"Die Another Day," Madonna
"Come Into My World," Kylie Minogue
"Breathe," Telepopmusik.
Madonna's "Die Another Day" is really, um, dance-able. And so is Telepopmusik's "Breathe". Hmm. I think I'll give it to Madonna. "Breathe" can still be considered as music that's playing in the background while you sit down on a couch and talk to your friends. While you can't help but dance to "Die Another Day". But you know what? I'm torn. I'm fine with either of the two.
9. Female Rock Vocal Performance
"Are You Happy Now?" Michelle Branch
"Losing Grip," Avril Lavigne
"Trouble," Pink
"Time of Our Lives," Bonnie Raitt
"Righteously," Lucinda Williams
"Trouble" definitely.
10. Hard Rock Performance
"Like a Stone," Audioslave
"Bring Me to Life," Evanescence featuring Paul McCoy
"Straight Out of Line," Godsmack
"Just Because," Jane's Addiction
"Go With the Flow," Queens of the Stone Age
Omigosh. Audioslave redefined hard rock with their performance of "Like A Stone".
11. Rock Album
"Audioslave," Audioslave
"Fallen," Evanescence
"One by One," Foo Fighters
"More Than You Think You Are," matchbox twenty
"The Long Road," Nickelback
Evanescence takes this one.
There are 105 nominations but of course I don't have a radio glued to my ear. I only posted my thoughts on the categories and music that I am familiar with.
Obviously, I have nothing to say so please bear with me. |
| posted by Jax @ 12:31:00 AM |
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| Tuesday, February 03, 2004 |
| My Morning |
Why would anyone get up at 4:45am when they don't have to just because? Why would anyone get up at an unthinkable hour when they could still be sleeping in a big, comfortable bed just because?
I'll tell you why.
Because there are some things that shouldn't be taken for granted.
Like this,
Yes, I got up at 4:45 am to watch the sun rise. For a good hour, I sat outside the house and waited for the sun to come out.
What a perfect way to start the day!
You can the view the hour-long photo shoot here! |
| posted by Jax @ 3:51:00 PM |
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| Monday, February 02, 2004 |
| A Day in the Life Of... |
A Day in the Life Of...
A Day in the Life of ... who? Me? Seriously, how can anyone narrate what happened in a day in a life of someone? Okay, I'm not speaking for anyone else but myself. It's hard to describe a typical day for me because every day is different. That's why I find it hard to schedule anything because I never know what might come up. I only have anything scheduled up to 3 days into the future. But not all the time. Right now, I have something scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, but nothing definite for Thursday.
I like events around me to be planned and well organized but I'm not obssessive-compulsive. I'm still flexible. It gives me headaches, yes, but these things happen for a reason, you know?
Since I cannot define what a typical day for me is, I will try and show you what a perfect day for me will be.
I wake up at 5am to wait and watch the sun rise. I move from the spot 2 hours later to get ready to have breakfast with my friends. I spend 2 or 3 hours with them before we part ways. I'll go somewhere to watch people walk and wait for inspiration to come in. 2 hours later, I'm grabbing lunch to go and catch a movie or two before I go home and write the night away. I may go out afterwards or I may not. I sleep after reading a good book to cap the day.
No matter how much I love my DVDs, my PC, and my music CDs, In the end, the only thing I'd rather do is curl up at home with a nice mug of coffee and read and write. It's my most simple pleasure in life. And to be able to do that all day, with no distraction, is the perfect day for me.
I look forward to that day.
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| posted by Jax @ 6:27:00 PM |
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| Sunday, February 01, 2004 |
| Lost in Translation |
Lost in Translation by Nicole Mones
A book about searching for a place to belong, it is one of the most amazing books ever written. I initially bought this book since I thought Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation was based on this. But as the movie was set in Japan and this was set in China, and finding out days after I bought it, I realized I was in for another adventure.
Nicole Mones introduces us to Alice Mannegan, an American who works as a translator in China. Alice fled the US, in hopes of finding an identity apart from her racist politician father, to settle in China but her American features have prevented her from ever belonging there.
Dr. Adam Spencer is an American archaelogist who goes to China to search for the bones of the Peking Man after studying Pierre Teilhard de Chardin's works. Working to boost his archaelogy career, he is doing this mostly for his son, who has moved to another state with his ex-wife. Together they are brought together by Mones to create a wonderful story about love, identity, culture and history.
It is a wonderfully written story about the importance of, not the destination but, the journey. Mones captivates your attention and imagination with her witty dialogue full of emotion.
A dazzling read. I recommend this to anyone who loves to read. Pick up a copy now! |
| posted by Jax @ 6:17:00 PM |
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