Friday night music...

...to get back to the 'zone'.
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by PAM


Oh, boy, where did all the days go?  February went by in a snap! Well, at least, that's how it felt like.  One day, it was February and I was struggling to pack enough reasons to board the plane back to Manila from Italy...  the next day, it's March!  Naturally, in between, I had to damp a huge amount of energy into each day.  Now, I'm just trying to keep flu at an arm's length... with just enough success to stay 'alive' and keep working.

Music... I need music!  That sound that takes one to another dimension... to let the soul wander somewhere peaceful and beautiful... somewhere where the imagination is not limited by the barriers of the sad realities around.  I think  they call it "La, la land" these days.  But the allure of the 'land' is the sound... the songs, the emotion that they evoke, the soothing 'balm' that they bring to the soul... and the exhausted senses.  And now that I wish to be in that land, this song comes to mind...

"Whenever I'm alone with you, you make me feel like I am home again

Whenever I'm alone with you, you make me feel like I am whole again...

However far away

I will always love you..."

It's a Robert Smith  'masterpiece', performed with his band, The Cure... recorded in the '80s.  It was so beautiful then... and it's beautiful now.  It feels like taking a nap in the middle of a chaotic day, and having a lovely dream.

And, imagine waking up from the dream with an Adele cover...

Ah, isn't that sweet?

But a music tripping for me is not complete without the sound of a big fave of mine, the Style Council...

"I could run away, but I'd rather stay

in the warmth of your smile lighting up my day...

you're the best thing that ever happened to me or my world..."

My goodness, too beautiful!  This never gets old for me - ever!  And Paul Weller will always be my go-to love song vocalist.  He is so talented... and his talent doesn't fade all that much with age.

Alright, I think I'm feeling a bit better now.  Let's pick up the tempo, and take it up a bit then...

"Up in Memphis the music is like a heat wave...

...black velvet in the little boy's smile."

This is another song that never gets old for me.  Alannah Myles' s voice is too awesome... so worthy of singing a song dedicated to 'the King'.  That kind of kicked adrenaline pump up a notch.  Too much energy dissipation there.  So, let's slow down a bit with this...

"May I never miss the thrill of being near you...

...yes, I know what I feel to be right...

no more lonely nights, never be another...

...you're my guiding light."

Hmmm... okay, I think got my fix of "la la land" now.

***

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

***

An awesome experience...

...of faith, history and culture.
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by PAM


It's been truly grueling four years and two months!  Yes, I'm still counting.

In the past few months I've been 'running on empty'... and the inspiration was seeping out of my slightly 'broken' heart.  'Broken' because I realized that none of the hard work mattered to most.  Many people have their own agenda and personal motivations, and the workplace is just a 'spring board' to lift themselves up to reach their own personal prize.  They have no qualms about picking the fruits of other people's hard labor, claiming the credit for ideas that are not theirs, and over-stretching the patience of those who indulge their ego-fattening whims.  It's disappointing because, in this profession, one would think that it would be devoid of anything as nauseating as being self-centered and should be filled only with selflessness - in scholarly pursuits, in leading the young towards knowledge, and in mentoring younger colleagues who wish sincerely to do the former two.

I've always thought that, with good intentions and good example in leadership, such unscrupulous behavior can be quashed... but I've been discovering that some people are simply made of stuff that is completely beyond anyone's good influence. While I know I shouldn't let myself be affected by such people, I can't help but be overburdened

Just when the place was all so frozen out, I chose to go and visit.
That's alright, "because the cold doesn't bother me, anyway"!

with a heavily disappointed heart... that breaks a little, making inspiration seep out slowly, until it felt like I'm running out of inspiration.  I know that inspiration comes from one's own convictions and faith, and that it should not depend on anyone else's actions.  Inspiration is a choice - I believe that.  Therefore, I chose to 're-fill'.  

So before I completely ran out of 'inspiration fuel', I finally mustered the courage and strength to 'let everything go' for a bit... to visit a place that my heart so longed to visit for so many years now.  And, now, is the best time to finally visit it... when inspiration is running out, and it has to be replenished - in a way that is most dramatic and drastic.  Therefore, I flew out, and visited a place teeming with inspiration: the Vatican City... and well, Italy itself.

To begin my 'harvest' of inspiration, I decided to take a walk along the 'corridors' of the rich history of the Roman Catholic Church, I decided to visit the Vatican Museums first.  

An incredible collection... awesome in its breadth and depth.

I was prepared to be awed, but I wasn't prepared to be so overwhelmed!  Now, more than ten days later, I was still trying to understand what 'hit' me.  It was quite impossible to fully comprehend... all that passion, all that commitment in perfecting one's gift in order to make a masterpiece of such timeless value that is worth offering to God.  They are all so very overwhelming!  I thought I was giving it my all - every single bit of what I have.  And yet, there I was, with a dearth of offering in my hands... so insignificant, so very modest and scant.  I felt utterly small... and yet, so inspired, especially in the midst of all that stunning work by Michaelangelo Buonarroti in the Sistine Chapel... the mastery, the intellectual prowess that was so apparent in how he showed the depth of God's wisdom through his artistry, the knowledge of the Bible that was quite beyond most men, and the faith that was nothing else but moving.  It was an overwhelming experience to be engulfed in such beauty, such 'calm intensity'.

As a real pilgrim, I proceeded to the St. Peter's Basilica... not knowing what to expect after a day of being awed in the Vatican Museums.  I prepared to be amazed, but I was sure that amazement is too shallow an emotion for such an experience.  

A deep breath, a sigh... and an incoherent prayer.

Indeed, there was no word to describe the experience.  Therefore, I shall not attempt to describe it here.  Suffice it to say that I'm glad I set this as a goal this year, and that I am overjoyed that God answered my prayer to be in the Vatican, especially at this point in time when all I need is to be closest to the most vivid manifestation of one's faith in God.

I was looking for inspiration... I found it.  Now, I just need to figure out where this leads me, and where such inspiration can be of best use - for God's greater glory.  Therefore, the 'journey' continues.

***
Acknowledgement:  Thanks, YouTube, for allowing me to use your video creator in making the two videos here.

***

Saturday photo

The Pietà

It has always been a dream of mine to see this Michaelangelo Bounarroti masterpiece, the Pietà.  Many beautiful things were written about it, many words of admiration and awe were said about it over the many years that it has been featured in the St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican City.  And yet, when one lays an eye on it for the very first time, like I did, none of the words spoken and written about it seems to match the majesty of its awesomeness and the obvious passion that drove Michaelangelo to create it.  Suddenly, there is a greater meaning in one's Catholic faith... just when one had decided that the skies, the oceans and the vast space will never ever hold the great mystery of this beautiful faith.

I am glad that God has gifted me with this opportunity to see the Pieta - when my eyes and all my senses are still intact to attempt due appreciation.  Of course, the attempt failed as the masterpiece is beyond just appreciation nor admiration.  Indeed, it is an artistic manifestation of the mystery of faith... and so beautiful beyond words, too.

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If one's great...

...one's really great.  And it's great!

#Federer through to the quarterfinals! #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Trk7Oto2q9

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2017

This is great...  Roger Federer is great!  

***
Video credit:  Thanks, Twitter and @AustralianOpen, for the video share.

***

Saturday Photo

Foodie break...

Just because we are back to work in the University, I, too, am back to my 'unbearable' work schedule.  This simply means that I have been working, too, during the holidays... it's just that the work load is quite bearable then... well, I 'forced' it to be bearable, anyway.  But now, as classes begin next week, I am pulling an 'all nighter' (again). :( 

Therefore, I need to give myself a little consolation...and that would mean foodie-ing on something sugary and fatty... forget weight and all that!  Well, at least, for now... because I have a big deadline to beat.  Yep, deadline on the first week of classes!  My life is beyond boring, I tell ya!

Oh, retirement, why won't you take the 'express way' to me?  Please?  Or... should I go to you instead?  Now, that's an idea worth pursuing! :)  Hang on.... 

***

He's back...

...and he's great - as ever!
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by PAM


Yes, he is back! :) Ed Sheeran is back... not that he's ever left our lives though.  We were just sucked into the Bruno Mars planet for sometime now with 24K magic and all that magical stuff that The Bruno weaves.

"Come on now, follow my lead.  I maybe crazy, don't mind me...

...I'm in love with the shape of you.

...come on, be my baby."

That was a fun tune right there... kinda catchy lyrics as well.  It's definitely a departure from Ed's usually heart-breakingly beautiful songs with cool and yet incredibly romantic lyrics.  This new song does capture how commitment-phobic people these days use language... they are careful to not bind themselves with anyone and/or anything by correctly spelling their feelings, and use 'detached' language that allows them 'space', and leaves the back door open - for quick escape.  Well, it's either that, or Ed is just singing about some boy just giving in to the peer pressure of being with someone... and "discovering something brand new" in the process.

Whatever it is, I'm one happy (big) fan listening to another hit from The Ed!  

Hmmm... lower backache's gone, I think.  Gotta 'love this body'.

***

Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

*** 

No, no...

...and no!
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by PAM

No way, James (Corden)!  You're not going to make me write a "Farewell post" on the passing of George Michael.  I have written so many "farewell posts" in 2016 for people that shaped my life over the years, and were 'stolen' from me by death.  So, no, I'm not going to write another one - and for someone that I spent most of my teenage days with, too - although, of course, he didn't know that I did.  But no matter, it won't change the fact that I did - through records, music videos, photos, TV appearances that he did with Andrew Ridgeley in those many years when I believed in my heart that I will become a Rock Superstar!  And now he's gone.  It's heartbreaking.

So, nope... there is NO way!  But I do like your way of saying goodbye to him, James... based on an experience with "your man".  It's good that you have an experience like that to talk about.  No, I'm not envious or anything 'cause some people are luckier than most, I know that.  But, man, aren't you lucky, James!  You're raking good luck to your front yard like it's nothing at all, and that's awesome given that your 'front door is shut'. *sigh*

But you did give a heartwarming farewell to our George though, I give you that...

"It was the weirdest feeling going to bed thinking that when I wake up it's gonna be...

...because George Michael is on the phone, and I'm gonna talk to him...

...and we talked about music, and I felt very privileged to be able to tell him

how much his music meant to me."

Oh, dear... my heart is breaking.

Ah, whatever!  Thanks for the music and the memories, George.  I won't miss you, no... because you will live in my thoughts and in my heart - that part that sings and adores music.  For as long as I know what love is and what it's likes to be hurt in the name of love because love makes one vulnerable, too, I will be humming Careless Whisper with the heartfelt emotion that you helped taught me how to feel.  Then and now, I will always be hopeful in love because I Knew You Were Waiting (for me), if there is not anyone else out there.  And, of course, I learned that singing can be really sexy even when a dreadful feeling is being expressed through it with your Everything She Wants. Of course, you and Andrew were the 'original' singing-is-crazy-fun most effective advocates for me with Wake Me Up Before you Go, Go... even when I was too young to actually understand what you were trying to say then in that song.  You bad, Bad Boys! ;)  But you are my man, too, George.  Ah, you did take me to The Edge of Heaven, which is also called the "golden era of pop music", and gave me my strong Faith in '80s music.  So awesome!  

But, yeah, a big 'drama queen' that you are, you chose to sneak out when people were planning a great Christmas holiday and preoccupied by all that merrymaking, did you?  And you waited to be the last one to go in 2016's 'exodus' of stars... just to prove that you were the biggest star of them all?  Ah, so typical of you, George!  Well, guess what, mate, Princess Leia (and her Mom) beat you to it!  Then again, slipping away on Christmas Day???  Megadrama!  But, oh well, what can I say... I love you?  Gosh, I do!  And I'm so sad that Christmas 2016 was our Last Christmas together.  With David Bowie and Prince gone last year, too, what are we, '80s people, supposed to do?  We're not done 'partying' yet, and you already shut down half of our lives' music theme!  I hope you know that we feel miserable!  But it comforts me imagining that you are now reunited with the Mega Drama Queen, Freddie Mercury... and singing your lungs out on the clouds, gliding and swinging like a dream - on bare feet.  You lucky, lucky queens!  Meoow....

Alright, let's get the whole James-George thingy here - for the love of all that's happily queenie...

"Let's be honest, you don't want me to come with you because you don't want

to be seen with a gay man."

***

Video Credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.

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The 'good old' occasion...

...that always brings happiness.
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by  PAM

As I squeezed myself through the crowd of last-minute 'Christmas shoppers', feeling really tired and stressed out rather than excited as I used to feel in the same season in the past years, I felt that we are losing the true spirit of Christmas.  I hear shoppers asking one another, "would this look good on FB?"  Others prefer more opinions,"wait, let me post this on Instagram and see what my followers think."  

Perhaps, I'm just incredibly overworked and too physically tired to appreciate the 'festive' mood around me, seeing and hearing instead the shallowness of people's take on Christmas these days.  It is also possible that I'm growing seriously sick and tired of all the negative occurrences that shaped 2016... and how people welcome any kind of so-called change for the sake of having change... even if such change requires bartering one's soul with the devil!  I know, it is so strange to feel the frustration over these things when Christmas is all about preparing a clean heart for baby Jesus to dwell in.  I guess, before purging one's heart of frustration, one has to stare frustration in the face first... and then kick it out with relish!  

Welcome, HAPPINESS!  'Joy to the World, the Lord is come!'

"Let every heart prepare Him room...
...no more let sins and sorrows grow...
He comes to make His blessings flow.
He rules the earth with Truth and grace...
And makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness
and wonders of His love"

It's a grand, 'good old occasion', Christmas is... and it's always a happy one.  Perhaps, what makes us happy then is no longer the same thing that makes the world happy now... but to hold on to the true meaning of Christmas is our own choice.  It is our decision to make.

Seriously, I'm not sure how Christmas should be celebrated anymore these days... with all the 'noise' around, and the changing 'norms' by which Christmas is viewed in our world now.  It is not my place to attempt to 'preach' and convince people about the true meaning of Christmas... but I'll stick with our family 'tradition' of spending Christmas together... going to Church to hear the Gospel of God's greatest gift to mankind - His own beloved Son to walk among us, sitting around a humble table of (mostly) home-cooked food, exchanging stories of how our year went, and exchanging little gifts that express our affection for one another... and just enjoy one another's company, thanking God for one another... and letting happiness dance around us, and stay with us in the coming New Year. 

Merry Christmas!

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Friday night music...

...because some relaxing is in order.
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by PAM

You know, we're supposed to have begun our vacation last weekend but, for some reason, I'm still stuck in a hill of many work-related stuff.  This is killing me especially that Christmas is just around the corner... and it's my favorite family occasion of the year, and one that I don't (and never) plan to ditch - 'party ditcher' that I am - until I get to party with the Christmas birthday celebrator Himself in the clouds someday.  But, hey, I don't ditch parties 'just because'... I usually do it 'cause I can't 'change gear' fast enough from work mode to party mode.  And, if I force myself, I end up being a party pooper, and it's worse!  Yeah, too much work.  I know it sounds like an excuse but, man, I wish I was just making excuses, too!  Oh, boy... the so-called (boring) life of an academic - I'm living it.  What have I done to deserve this??  Oh, well.... 

But back to Christmas and other beautiful things.... my shopping list is still... uhm, that - a list... with very minimal ticks on it. Yaikks!

Alright, we need to soothe some nerves, get on the 'vacation track'... and try to 'fly' tomorrow, get things done, and CELEBRATE!  To do that, let me listen to what 'kids' these days listen to.  Feel free to listen in... let me know if you need me to pump up the volume...

"...now, I need a miracle.
...I need you right now, so don't let me down."

Didn't that sound great?  So, is it easier for us, '80s people, now to understand why kids these days love the Chainsmokers?  But, nah, I'm not going to go through the lyrics and the meaning of the song, and all that - a very '80s person thing to do, too.  Right now, let me say just that I like the sound of this song.... and this, too...

"So, baby, pull me closer

in the backseat of your Rover that I know you can't afford...

...we ain't ever getting older."

Wow, I have to say, that sounds good.  It's 'straightforward', just-fun sort of good... but it works.  Maybe that's the secret of capturing kids' attention these days: 'straightforward', no drama, embellished with all that tech stuff but with a simple message that sticks.  They have a very "noisy" world as it is, and they're constantly moving from one frame of mind to the next... if we want to populate one frame with our message, we need to do it fast and catchy, and solid!  With luck, they'd give us a double take... I think they call that "hit".

Here's another one - from that Canadian 'boy wonder', Shawn Mendes - that I kept listening on the radio for the past how many months...

"...and you're spending all your time in this wrong situation...

...I know I can treat you better than he can."

Hmmm... now, that sounds good, and the message of the song is quite deep, too, considering it was sang by a 17-year-old boy.  Mendes, of course, turned 18 years old recently, but that is still terribly young to be making the kind of music he makes, and the way he makes it.  Not bad at all!

Didn't I say I'd like to relax?  Alright then, I'll stop 'analyzing' these songs, and just enjoy... and, from now on, I'll start recalling what it's like to have real fun... and really enjoy the holidays - academic person I may be and all that!  Dang, I give my fellow academic people a very bad name!

***

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

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Saturday photo

In a galaxy far, far away...

It's on... and in this galaxy, too!

Well, well, well... and it's as well!  

We waited for one whole year, anticipating the return of the last Jedi Master, Luke Skywalker, to "active duty", and it's after the demise of Han Solo, too - last year's most tragic outcome in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  What we have in our hands is not a ticket to see Skywalker swing that phenomenal lightsaber of his again.  Instead, we have a "flashback" to connect the future with the past.  

This year's installment by the Galaxy, "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story", is the first of the planned 'stand alone' Star Wars films.  These films will be comprised of a collection of stories happening in the 'vast universe' that dawned upon us through the very first film in the George Lucas franchise, "Star Wars: A New Hope", in 1977.  Nearly four decades later, we find ourselves, "Jedi Knight wannabes", still tingle in anticipation of this new installment to thicken the Star Wars plot.

We are kids all over again... and it feels awesome!

Alright then,  "do or do not, there is no try."  And do "aim for the target... and don't get cocky, kid"!  May The Force be with us all!

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