Friday night music...

...because the rainy weather calls for it.
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by PAM

I don't think I've paid enough homage, if at all, to Coldplay... and their amazing songs.  Come to think of it, I don't believe I'd written anything on Coldplay in this blog!  And it's weird because they are all over my iTunes and Spotify playlists!  Their songs are beautiful, sincere and heartfelt, intelligent and fun, and 'easy' to listen to... and yet, they carry a load of 'good stuff' that deserves contemplation.  I guess my 'favorite' is still "Fix you"...

🎶 "But if you never try you'll never know

Just what you're worth..." 🎶

I know it isn't justifiable to call any of the songs as one's 'favorite' just because all are great songs.  And yet, one can only do one's best to cram all the good stuff in one package, and pull out the one with the most features that represents the rest.  In that case, another song comes to mind, "Paradise"...  

🎶 "In the night the stormy night she'll close her eyes

In the night the stormy night away she'd fly

and dreams of para-para-paradise..." 🎶

If one wishes to know how Coldplay sounds, I guess one could play "Paradise", and say, "this is how".  The 'surround sound' quality, the mix of melancholy and magical, the intelligent vibe... the 'sparkle' and the 'crystallinity' that one hears, if that was at all possible!  The whole music production takes one to the awesome vastness of space... and then dives into the deepest caverns of the earth, and emerges on the surface of a crystal-clear water that plays cheerfully with the sun's fingers. In some of their songs, they follow that sequence, others the complete opposite; in others, they re-arrange the steps in unique ways, with changing emphasis on certain steps; still in others, they turn them to a 'clutter' of all the steps at once. Listening to their music is an experience like no other... they let their listeners wander in their own thoughts as the band provides the apt background, and one finds a surprise or two at every turn.  It's exciting... can be jarring at times, but it's always potent in stirring the soul.  It's a music that's so different from anything one ever heard in one's life.  Perhaps, that's the reason why theirs is often referred to as the 'defining' music of this generation. And, it's just about right... and just about fair.  

Coldplay and their music deserve to be celebrated like how one says, "Viva La Vida"!

🎶 "For some reason I can't explain

Once you'd gone there was never

Never an honest word

But that was when I ruled the world..." 🎶

And you know, it isn't 'just music'... it's the hymn of this part of history, it's the soundtrack of the mostly on-line life... an encapsulation of the collective thoughts and sentiments of a generation that Chris Martin so masterfully extracts and distills to an impressive level of purity. To some it's a 'religion'.  It's an ode to a generation. And it is, indeed, awesome and beautiful!

***
Video credit: Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.

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Delaying tactics...

...'cause I need a 'moment'.
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by PAM

I know I should be talking about Roger Federer's record-setting 8th Wimbledon Title - his 19th Grand Slam over all.  Yep, his 19th won at SW19 - a feat that only he has achieved so far in the Open Era of the sport.  I posted something on Facebook... but I can't even write a proper caption.  I re-tweeted something from @Wimbledon on Twitter, but I know it's not enough.  I need a moment... surely, any tennis fan must understand, it's an emotional occasion for me: I just witnessed tennis history unfold.  I mean, history, man!  It's probably worthy of World History, too, given that Sports has become a big part of 'pop culture'... and the world has become a big 'pop world'.

So, yeah, I'm gonna need a few days to drink it all in... keep re-playing that magical moment on Centre Court of the All England Club - on my computer, and in my head.  It's just way too special to be treated as 'just another summer' in Wimbledon.

So, while I allow myself to be all-sentimental about this latest history-making achievements of RF, please allow me to share with you a few laugh-out-loud, aaaww and 'whoa!' moments in Tennis 2017 that I've enjoyed tremendously so far.

                               Fan:    "Go, Roger!"

                               Stan:  "He's not here.  You go to Rod Laver."

Stanislas Wawrinka (Stan, "The Man") is hilarious! 😂 My goodness, I almost choked laughing at this.  I didn't see it coming, I just kept the videos roll... and then this one above from the Australian Open (AO) 2017 came up.  It seemed that somebody confused him with RF when it was announced that he was Switzerland's #1 male player, which was correct, given that RF took six-month hiatus prior to AO 2017.  Or, perhaps the fan was disgruntled that he was unable to get a ticket at Rod Laver Arena.  I love it that Stan didn't miss a beat, and just replied matter-of-factly.  And he even made an effort to point to the Rod Laver Arena. 😁 Seriously hilarious!  He was runner-up to RF at the BNP Paribas Open 2017 last March.  His trophy acceptance speech, in which he called RF an "as---ole", also cracked me up.  Seriously, "The Man" is funny!

While I was gallivanting in Italy last January, the first Grand Slam of the year was happening in the land down under.  The AO is a special Grand Slam in its own right because it heralds the new year of big occasions in the tennis world.  Of course, the highlight of that occasion in Oz was the meeting up of the old 'rivals', RF and Rafael Nadal in the men's singles final.  And, because it's the most 'epic' rivalry in tennis history... and, perhaps, one of the most gigantic in all of sports world, there were many "whoa!" and "aaawww" moments and other stuff... which begin with their matching pink tennis shoes.  Aaawww! 😊  But, this one here was one of those so unforgettable "whoa!" moments...

Whew!

An epic 26-shot rally, played as if it was happening nine years ago!  Their speed was blinding, the intensity nerve-wracking, and the excitement heart-stopping.  The guys just seemed to have gotten better... and they're both over thirty years of age!  It was a competition that could've gone any other way, given the level of intensity in how both men were playing.  But this rally was extra-special because RF fired a gorgeous winner and won the point - on Rafa's serve.  And, AO 2017 was extra-special because RF won his 5th AO title, which was his 18th Grand Slam title - a record. But, of course, as we all know by now, he just topped that with a bolder stroke in history books in Wimbledon.

But before we get to that, I think I'm going to have to shut this blog down if I didn't put the 5th set of the men's final at AO 2017 up here.  So, here it is...

"It's perfectly amazing...Federer flying in the court again now...

...oh, yeah, we are all really fortunate to be seeing this right now...

...the remarkable Roger Federer!"

But more than the trophies, historical wins and all the glamour of being 'Roger Federer, the Champ', what draws multitude of loyal fans to him is his grace... good looking and carries himself well, so urbane, talks intelligently, funny at times, and seems to usually do the right thing at any occasion.  He simply commands respect.

I'm going to update this post at some point.  But for now, this will suffice because... 'I need a moment', truly. 

Excuse me.  

*victory dance* 🙌🎊🎉✨🍸👌

***
Video credits:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.

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Game on...

...in Wimbledon!
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by PAM


It's been a while, and I need to really do this!  I need to write about Wimbledon 2017, especially that so much drama has been unfolding.  It wasn't even quarterfinals yet, and Rafa Nadal has been ousted already... and it was in 4.5-hr five-set epic of a match with Gilles Muller.  My heart went to Rafa... seriously.  And yet, I'm very happy for Gilles Muller.  He did fight a good fight at SW19, but it wasn't so much his tennis as his resolve to win that was absolutely impressive.  What with Rafa, who just snatched an unprecedented 10th title at Roland Garros, on the other side of the net?  Rafa Nadal was looking and moving imperious on court - looking absolutely unbeatable.  Muller really packed a steel of nerve in his mental game, and just fired away.  He was rewarded in the end... but to the dismay of the multitude of Nadal fans who watched their idol walk out of Center Court in defeat at the end of the match, and it was only the Round of 16.

Gilles Muller was eventually beaten by Marin Cilic in the Quarter-final.  And then, one by one, the 'big four' bowed out.  The defending champion, Andy Murray, fell in the hands of Sam Querrey in another

Garbine Muguruza: A new ladies tennis superstar is born...
and she took on both Williams sisters in the 'big courts'.

five-set slug-fest in their QF match.  A few minutes later, Novak Djokovic retired from an elbow injury after losing the first set on a tie break and the first two games in the second set to Tomas Berdych in their own QF.  That left Roger Federer as the only 'survivor' of the 'big four' into the semi-finals after beating Milos Raonic in straight-set.

Yesterday was the big Semi-final matches between RF and Berdych, and between Cilic and Querrey.  RF beat Berdych in a straight-set while Cilic was given a run for his money by Querrey in a four-set thriller.  These leave the Gentlemen's Championship match to be truly special with RF on the verge of making history with a record-breaking eighth win at Wimbledon, and 19th Grand Slam titles overall to his name.  On the other hand, Marin Cilic could be the first player in fifteen years to win Wimbledon outside the formidable 'big four' in Men's tennis. So much is at stake... so much to look forward to.  Game on!

But, today, the spotlight is on the women.  The really charming, Garbine Muguruza of Spain, set up a championship clash with five-time Wimbledon winner, Venus Williams. Garbi, the 2016 Roland Garros winner, clashed with Serena Williams at SW19 two years ago, and she finished as a runner-up to the mighty Serena.  Now, with Serena on leave, Venus was dominating the All England Club among the ladies.  But, Garbi was unstoppable today... she walloped Venus, big time, 7-5, 6-0, and snatched her first Venus Rosewater Dish.  She carried her trophy as if it was meant for her... one would think that she was born for this... to be a Champion at Wimbledon. And, what a beautiful champ she is, too! 🎾🏆

Congrats, Garbi! 🎊

Here's a piece of that adorable Spanish charm...

"...once I go to a big court, I feel good.  I feel like that's where I wanna be.
That's where I practice for. That's where I play good."

***
Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the Wimbledon video link.
Photo credit:  The photo was snapped on tv screen during the live coverage of Ladies Championship match in Wimbledon by Fox Sports via Skycable - thanks.

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QOTD

QOTD #25: Isn't it ironic?
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by PAM

"Bad things happen to good people... all the time."

           - by Everyone... all the time

Perhaps, it's not enough that people tell you this.  Perhaps, it's not enough that you repeat these words to yourself over and over again.  Hearing them, saying them... it may

Faith... the light that's even more vivid in darkness.

not be enough.  I know.  I thought I'd write them - here, so I'd believe, too.

So bad things happen... to us.  Even if we don't believe we deserve it.  Does that make us bad?  Does that make us lacking in humility?  Are we guilty of owning a heart so fattened by pride and conceit?  Is it bad to imagine one's self as good?  Is it wrong to expect to never suffer from bad things because we work hard to be good?  

You do good things, you wish for good things for other people, you dedicate your life to doing good things - as much as you can, as hard as you can.  And yet, bad things happen - to you.  Unfair?  Maybe. I guess we'll never know.  And yet, we dare to hope... even when we're afraid.  Courage.  Isn't that what they say?  The antidote of fear?  Faith. We cling to it - steadfastly.  Because in the end, our hands are empty... without faith.  And it's only really, really bad... when our hands are empty.

***

Getting fascinated...

...in the South of mainland China.
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by PAM

Chinese snacks define 'assortment' in a different level.

I recently traveled to mainland China, and people found it strange that it was my first time to travel to the mainland.  To be honest, apart from visiting the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City someday, the tourist in me haven't really given China much thought.  I enjoy Hong Kong and Macau, and it was enough for me.  I've also visited Taiwan, which was a fascinating place, and I thought these were enough Chinese experience for me. Many of my friends, of course, do not agree, especially those who've traveled or lived in the mainland.  So, I kept my options open.

I thought one of these days, I'd visit mainland China and do all the 'touristic' stuff... but I didn't realize I'd do it soon enough. I traveled for work to Shenzhen, a major city in the

The Wuzhou Guest House: where State Visitors in
Shenzhen stay. 

Guangdong Province in the south of China. It is considered the "gateway" to mainland China, via Hong Kong.  But because I was traveling on very tight schedule for work, I did not really get to explore the City.  I did stay in the famed Wuzhou Guest House on Shennan Road, which gave me a view of one of the best parts of the City.  But I felt 'cocooned' inside.  The place was surrounded by high-end Malls, towering buildings of Shenzhen's financial district and a huge golf course.  The hotel food was very good but was not in any way 'traditional' Chinese.  They served mostly continental food with some Asians thrown in here and there.  Or, perhaps, we were given the 'continental treatment'. On the last evening of my stay, I did check out more popular eating places that locals frequent.  I loved the eating places, especially those located in buildings where one pass through labyrinth-like passage ways finding hip Chinese restaurant at every turn.  The passage ways opened up occasionally to coffee and/or tea shops on open decks, adorned with vertical gardens.  And then, the hallways seemed to invite you again to the 'labyrinth', to winding stairways that went round and round the building with walls that were a work of art... and it was hard to resist.  More eating places lined up hallways.  The colors and decor of some are truly striking - a mix of traditional Chinese and very modern glitter.  There was one with purple decor and very posh smallish chandeliers.  It had wing-back seats, ottomans and bean bags that were in purple velvet sewn with glassy studs. And there were vases of pale colored blooms everywhere you turned, which balanced the striking purple.  Some played music... that I didn't recognize, but definitely sounding current and edgy.  Perhaps, from local artists with international aspirations. I never imagined that "hip" and "Chinese restaurant" would ever be used in one sentence... but there was no other way to describe the scene.  You wouldn't believe that you were in mainland China (at least, based on how people describe mainland China) because it had that vibrant Hong Kong vibes about it...

When in China, gotta buy authentic chinaware.

and some restaurants felt like some hip restaurant in Berkeley, California.  Very surprising, indeed.  

I had a huge dinner in the hip side of town with colleagues that I met in the conference that I attended.  Authentic Guangdong food was quite spicy but very tasty.  They had a variety of reptile meat dishes, which I was not feeling too adventurous to try.  So, I went for the more traditional choices, which were all delicious.  After dinner, I squeezed out time to explore the local shopping center where locals hangout and where locally made products were sold.  People, mostly young people, were dressed like "Westerners", and they were tinkering with their gadgets like most people in cosmopolitan Western cities do. They had an assortment of products that looked very tempting to buy, and they were mostly very affordable.  I got myself a pretty paper fan painted with traditional Chinese scenes, and a set of placemats and chopsticks - so pretty. 

I explored one supermarket just to see what people buy... they have tons of snacks and lots and lots of tea products!  Just amazing!  I took one of each kind that I can find, and that I can afford 😊 - mostly out of curiosity.  Some of which I brought home so my family and friends at work can have a taste.  The fruit tea and the flower tea was more than fascinating, and they taste wonderful. And, since I was in China, I did check out posh chinaware stores.  My mouth watered at the sight of those beautifully crafted stuff they have, but all were very, very pricey.  I bought a memento... just a little something that someone like me can afford, which wasn't all that much really. 😐

Did I like my first visit to mainland China?  Yes, I did.  It was actually a good visit.  Most people did not speak English, but they were very accommodating, they tried communicating using figures and numbers in their cellphone.  And they were very patient, too. Do I want to return to China for more 'touristic' activity?  Certainly.  When?  Oh, work comes to mind... and I feel stressed out again. *sigh*  Writing here usually has that 'magical' therapeutic effect on me... but, this time, it's not working all that well.  I guess, stress from work has reached an insurmountable level, I completely lost work-life balance.  I've grown dull, lost my sense of humor, and my love for adventure and fun.  

I need a break - very badly.  And I intend to take one.

***

QOTD

QOTD #24: 'bop til you drop'
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by PAM

"...because peace and quiet was the last thing he needed.  This had to be like everything else in his life.  If you wanted to excel, you worked hard, you trained, you practiced. 

You didn't lie in bed, hoping for peace and quiet."

         - From "The Girl with the Make-believe Husband"
           by Julia Quinn


Yep, it's that time of year... my birth month just rounded the corner, and it's here!  Hello, July! So good to see ya!

And what did my favorite month dragged in?  Well, it's something for the heart, the wit

A not-so-subtle title...
Fast forward to the banter, please!

and those funny bones: a Julia Quinn! 😍 It's out!  The second installment in JQ's Rokesby Series, "The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband".  And the excerpts are totally promising... Chapters 1 and 2, and I was already laughing out loud in the dark as I read them after taking flu medicine. Of course, I perused them already, 'cause I'm guessing, it probably hasn't reached the shelves of Manila bookstores yet. How do I know this?  Well, it has just been released last May 30, and it isn't available for download yet in the Philippines. I know, what kind of a fan would let a good month pass before finding out that the book is already out, right?  Well, you know my 'usual excuse': work!  Oh, well....

Anyway, I'm quite excited about the book. After all, it has been more than a year now since I got a hold of a copy of the first book in the series, "Because of Miss Bridgerton" (BoMB).  As I said after reading BoMB, I was curious about many things, among them was Edward's plight in the Americas.  Now, here we are, the focus is on the second Rokesby sibling.  It's time for Edward's story!  Wish granted!  He might have lost some of his memory due to head injury but, boy, the wit and the humor, it's pure Rokesby!  Or, should I say, 'bloody hell', it's pure JQ?!

As our QOTD indicates, our hero is all about working hard and deserving one's place in the world through hard work.  It's a very good principle, especially for someone of noble lineage, molded in aristocratic breeding, and never had to work hard and still guaranteed a place in the high society.  I think I'm going to like our heroine, Cecilia Harcourt, too.  She seems daring but takes well-calculated risks, intelligent but kind of sweet, feisty but doesn't seem to see the need to keep proving her worth because she seems worthy of admiration without even trying. Most of all, she is all about love of family and loyalty to family. It's a good trait.

***

"My head", Edward gasped. He must have shaken it too quickly.  It felt as if his brain is slamming into his skull.

"Are you remembering something?" Colonel Stubbs asked.

"No, you bloody--" Edward cut himself off before he called him something unforgivable. "It just hurts."

"That's enough," Cecilia declared. "I will not permit you to question him any further."

"You will not permit me?" Colonel Stubbs countered. "I am his commanding officer."

It was really a pity that Edward could not bring himself to open his eyes, because he would really have liked to have seen the colonel's face when Cecilia said, "You are not my commanding officer."

***

Uhm-hmm... she's something, right?  She is!  

I might just adore the Rokesbys like I adore 'my good friends', the Bridgertons.  Looking forward to a good read soon!  

Hmmm... I'm still stuck with the flu... but I'm writing about reading a book on the first day of my favorite month.  Sounds promising! 😊

*** 
Image credit:  This is a screenshot of the book's cover from Julian Quinn's website, thank you.

Reference: The Excerpt from the novel (Chapter 2) above was borrowed from Julia Quinn's website, thank you.

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