Michael Jackson: In the Eyes of a Non-Fan

Channel V paid tribute almost all day long, and so did the world. I tuned in to the former because I was curious how his older videos and performances were. How could I not be interested, when everybody calls him brilliant, genius, talented, phenomenal, prodigy. I saw how the world grieved, as I switched channels through the breaks (CNN, Fox, CS).

Nope, I had not just come from Timbuktu. I know Michael Jackson. I dance to Beat It, Thriller... even Billie Jean. My all time fave is the slower I'll Be There.

But at 28, I did not witness his journey towards becoming an icon. I believe the consistent reference to his role revolutionalizing music and bridging a great many divides. He must really have done all the stuff attributed to him. But I wasn't really there to see it. All I caught up with were the 1990's and onwards, which probably was not a good time to get to know him. As I look back at memories where I saw him then on TV, his appearances were often accompanied by ridicule at the stuff happening in his life: child molestation, unexpected marriages, appearance change. Needless to say, that is not a good way to shape a non-fan's mind.

As I stand back and watch the way the world simultaneously mourns his death and celebrates his music, I can't help but think that I probably did not really get the artist that he was.

But it's all right. A lot more did.

RIP, MJ.

Lost

Nothing more fitting speaks of me these days than this song. I love the way it's sung, the emotion Katy Perry brings into the song, and above all, the lyrics. "Known the way, and still, so lost" summarizes all that I mostly feel these past months.

Thank God for music to help keep us sailing through. =)

(Oh, don't mind the picture. It's actually a more behaved Katy there. You should see her other outfits. Hehe.)

Outliers

Outliers deserves its bestseller status. Malcolm Gladwell's book offers a fresh perspective on the mechanics of success (uh well, at least to me). That's what books should do. Open your mind, that is.

I especially like the part where it tells that individual merit is NOT everything. I grew up thinking that success can be reached as long as you work hard. Outliers does not dispute this, but boldly adds that hardwork alone will not do it. The opportunities you were presented with are critical factors too.

Bill Gates is a genius, yes. But he also had access to a high-tech computer when he was young, gaining exposure to technology that others in his age and time did not have. The Beatles were great. But they performed extremely well not only because they had been born with extraordinary talent but also because they had the chance to endless practice when they played for long hours in Hamburg (somewhere in Germany). The Jews are generally successful businessmen because their background provided the path for it.

I dare say the book allows losers a scapegoat: if you did not make it, probably it was not you but the opportunities around you that were lacking. Hehe. But the point really is, you have to consider factors outside of you to make things work. I really did not know this much before. But Outliers snapped me out of that old perspective. I like the new one. And I believe it is more reflective of the way things really are.

Passion

Is passion - for anything - something that you look for, or does it just come to you?

Closure

It was totally unexpected. That mail you sent. The words cut through my heart and triggered what I hope were my final tears as far as we are concerned.

Thank you for the thoughtfulness of those two words. They made you the "better man" you probably don't believe yourself to be. Thank you for the honesty and the unmistakable sincerity. Thank you for having the guts to say it out loud despite thinking it to be at your expense. Because with it, you earned my respect.

I am sorry too that we didn't make it.

All the best.

Bloody Red!

This is my new baby: Lenovo's S10 Notebook. Amazingly red! Love red. And in a laptop? Fantastic. And the shade! Oh, what a sight to behold. Hehe. And yes, it wasn't the specs that did it. The color did. ;)

(Photo credit: Lenovo website. Too lazy to take my own pic. Hehe.)

I Love...

Today marks the start of a new label: the "ILOVE Series". The series will list things that capture my fancy the moment I write. Things I feel are worth being thankful for. ;)

I LOVE -
1. A hot shower after gym and/or badminton
2. Walking home from work
3. The cuteness of my colleagues' toddlers
4. Non-working holidays
5. Dancing like crazy

=)

Sweet

Credit: Paul Banday

A Measure of Artistry

I am no artist. But - as one who can at least appreciate an artist's work, I think I have just discovered one way I shall be judging any kind of artwork hereon: the way it moves me.

I have been aimlessly browsing Facebook tonight (can't sleep) and noticed my cousin's blog and photo sites. I couldn't believe my eyes when I explored his photos! His work is just amazing! So good, the pictures made me want to cry. For no reason at all. Weird. But I guess, that's how quality art should affect a viewer: it overwhelms.

Photo credit: Paul Banday

Photo title: Vanishing Point

The Taylor Chronicles: Codes

Another proof that Taylor Swift is not just your typical singer-guitarist-songwriter are the codes inserted in the lyric sheet of her albums. Yep, she is also goddamn smart.

It may be her idea, or that of her marketing team, but regardless whose it is, that additional feature is an irresistible lure to fans to buy the physical album despite the downloadable version (free or otherwise). No wonder her albums are multi-platinum!

Above is a sample lyric page of her second album (Fearless) and the song is Love Story. The codes are letters that are CAPITALIZED in the lyrics when they shouldn't be. Example (see the letters marked/encircled in the pic): we were both young when i first Saw you. "S" in "saw" is out of place, and that's the letter to look out for. The whole story: S-O-M-E-D-A-Y *** I-L-L ***F-I-N-D ***T-H-I-S. I can't be sure but I'm guessing that what she means is she hopes to find a love like the one in the song... someday.

Another sample:
*Song - Hey, Stephen
*Code - LOVE AND THEFT (Stephen, about whom she wrote the song, is a member of this band)

Itching to get a copy of the album now? =) =) =)

Only You

The reason why I have to be home by 8:30 is Only You. I can't believe ABS-CBN got this one so well. Perhaps it's a strong point of the network. Localizing Korean shows, I mean. My Girl was also a quality adaptation.

Only You stars Angel Locsin as Jillian, the down-on-her-luck aspiring chef who once lost everything to a man she fell in love with while on a cooking workshop in Korea. Sam Milby plays that man, TJ. Diether Ocampo completes the love triangle as Jonathan.

Usually, an ABS series would look so promising in the first few days of launching. Then my interest would eventually fade because in the quest for money (longer run), the writers screw up the story with so many complications, I tend to forget what the story is truly about. Sometimes, the plot touches on the ridiculous.

But not this one. Only You is a gem. So well acted. I think Angel plays her character way, way better here than she did on Lobo. Diether and Sam are also commendable. Especially Sam. The rest of the characters likewise click, as far as my viewing standards are concerned. I just hope for more "kilig" moments between Jillian and TJ though. These two deserve some truly happy moments after all they've gone through.

As proof of my fascination with the show, above is Jillian's supposedly amazing specialty as a chef - Talangkanin. It was advertised to be actually sold in one of the Korean restaurants here, so I hunted one down and tried it. It failed my expectations but still, I like the thrill of trying it out.;)