Gatsby From The South

The X Factor That Is In Demi Lovato

Rock and underground music may have occupied most of the contents of my phone's player but I am also fond of pop/blues act like Sara Bareilles, David Archuleta, Ingrid Michaelson to acoustic and folk like Darren Criss, Fun, and the likes. I am not the type who goes to check the Billboard or whatever charts that there is to get updated with the latest, hottest, acts at a certain moment. I am the one who usually checks an artist through friends' suggestions, and/or discover them meself through the films that I have previously seen (movie soundtracks) or was mentioned on the books that I have previously read. No wonder most of the songs that I am getting hooked right now are far beyond my age, because of say for example The Perks of Being a Wallflower of which has introduced me to The Smiths, and a couple of other oldies acts from other good reads/watch such as The Zombies, Chad Valley, Debbie Gibson, Kate Bush, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and a lot more.

So recently I have learned that Demi Lovato has released a new self-titled album and through the help of two of my friends, I went on listening to it.

I listen to Disney artists, yes, but it just isn't my main thing. I am under the impression that most of the times, they make them go all-around the business even when it isn't really what they do best, say, just because you can act doesn't mean you can actually sing, or dance really well (and sorry to say I'm just not into it. It happens, unfortunately, even on our local music scene. Everyone, as in EVERYONE, makes albums now and the public freaking patronizes it even though..... okay, whatever. Moving on...) Some are so overrated. But Demi Lovato is the exception. She is this awesome artist that, in my honest opinion, is the best singer of her generation that Disney has ever produced. Sorry, Selena and Miley, but she sure does is the singer among the three. Nobody would argue that Selena is the best dancer, though. But I am more of a Demi fan (although not an avid to the point of seeing her perform when she came for a one night concert here last time) because for me, she has the real singing talent.

So the Demi album....is so good. I even have her Unbroken album (preceding Demi) and it is nothing compared to this recent one. I am glad that she didn't go to the path that most of the artists/bands right now are going... they tend to try to please the listeners by going to the genre that's currently on the roll (sadly if not folk, auto-tuned). I am more than pleased that she came back to her roots - Ballads and light pop. I am no musical analyst/genius but her vibrato is really great and ballads just bring out the best that's in her. Plus she didn't have to go all upbeat and dance-y and dark (just like what most of the songs off Unbroken are) because simple catchy pop rock songs are what she does best. This album even reminded me of her Camp Rock days -- so pure, so light and amazingly fun. It also doesn't hurt that she co-wrote some of the songs in here as well.

My personal faves: It is so hard to choose, really, but I really dig Never Been Hurt, Something That We're Not, Shouldn't Come Back and Without The Love.

If you are on a partying mood, Neon Lights is going to do the trick for you. And if you want to be amazed by her vocal prowess, go listen to Nightingale and Warrior. The other remaining tracks aren't bad, either.

I am more than impressed that it's been on repeat tonight. I suggest you all grab her album especially if you are feeling so down because she's going to make you feel so good.

In A Trance

In almost a tradition of trying out something new, I said yes to seeing a movie yet again of which I don't have an actual background, none. I didn't even dare Wiki it. All I know is that it features the very talented and equally good looking James McAvoy and the rest as we say is out of sheer curiosity and the sincere want to be able to spend time with my good friend here, Ate Pet, which is also happening for the first time.

I came in late for our 12nn meet up at Robinson's Galleria (of which I have already apologized hahaha) but just in time for the film. And it was... interesting. I really enjoyed it!

Because I didn't know anything about the film, I wasn't expecting a lot from it or I do not know what to expect. Turned out it is okay. I didn't know it was an R-16 film not until we entered the cinema. Not that it would bother me but... okay, a few blood drops and painful shriek and a little nudity/exposure did bother me a bit, but the film/story is more than that so I focused on the interesting plot instead.

I don't know about the power of hypnosis but its effect can be really troubling and I wasn't aware that it could be that powerful. Though the effect isn't all bad (because it may help people to remember things/situations, sometimes it is even therapeutic), the thought that one could actually alter and manipulate one's mind like that is scary.

The film is basically about a failed attempt on stealing an artwork at an auction because the lead man cheated on the group but he met an accident leading to partial amnesia and they ended up searching for the artwork by seeking the help of a random hypnotist.

You reap what you sow, an old adage would say and so all the things that you did in the past will get a way with you in the end no matter how you try to avoid it. I liked how the film ended maybe except for (spoiler alert) them killing McAvoy's character. Like seriously, he's such a sexually appealing guy with a very endearing accent! But story-wise, the arse probably deserved it. Or maybe not. *grins* The story was complicated and can be very confusing at times but the ideas aren't too hard to grasp, if you know what I mean. Or maybe it really has caught my attention even from the start that even though we're doing some side comments all throughout the film, we were focused as focused can be. Don't worry if you haven't seen the film yet, I'll let you sort things out on your own. But the film is rad, that is all.

"Do you want to remember or you want to forget?"
This one is to be remembered.

After seeing the film, we decided to get ourselves a big fat American-style burger and ended up at Fuel - near Cajun's. It was so worth the bucks for it is so good! I also had fun getting to hang with Ate Pet. We've known each other for quite a while but haven't really bonded personally like this and it's just so great having to get to talk with her about almost anything under the sun. We both are pretty much armed with a lot of fun stories to share there is never a dull moment.

"What would Nette Kulet do?" Happy to have spent a fun afternoon with Ate Pet.

What's even more interesting is the fact the the law of attraction seemed to have played with us for when we were handed the bill, a man walked behind me and I have never been more sure in my life (it's always been a running joke of mine that I know even by just seeing his bumbunan), that man is none other than the Jayjay Helterbrand of the Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel. Seeing the man who's practically fueled the fangirl fire that before him, I wasn't aware that it is in me, I was Ginny Weasley-fied, again, in a way. (Note: Picture Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets when Ginny first saw Harry at The Burrow. The little guy he's crushing with. Blushed. Heart raced. Frozen in place.) I have met with him a couple of times before, had photos taken, talk but it always felt like it is the first time every single time: I stutter, I can barely speak English when I know I fluently can (though he can speak/understand Tagalog as well), my heart skips a beat, I almost froze in my place. Maybe because he was the first favourite person that I vowed to support? I don't know. But a thing's for sure, he's nice and always approachable. He even said yes for a photo opportunity and I couldn't thank Ate Pet enough for helping me/backing me up on a '10 seconds of courage' scenario, one that I won't be regretting afterwards. I congratulated him and wished him luck on tomorrow's game and then parted ways. What a bliss.



With the Jayjay Helterbrand. Tagged him on Facebook and he said "God bless". I so admire the man.

So much for being in a trance.

PS: Wrote/Finished this draft on my way home because of a 2-3 hour traffic jam (truck accident) at the North Luzon Expressway. Not that I really mind. This is one great day already to be thankful for I'm still giddy up to now. And you can never blame me.

Four Years

Whenever I can, I try to stay away from my phones, Kellan the Blackberry and the Elder phone (good ol Nokia, Harry Potter-inspired name), so I can focus on the book that I am reading, especially if it is a physical book. (because I usually read the e-ones on Kell, which is also one of the reasons why I have acquired this smartphone when the old one is still functional - for reading purposes.) Which is exactly the case earlier today when I left the phones on our bedroom as I dealt with my books addiction on the other room. I'm not the ones for alarm because most of the times I even wake up earlier than the alarm so I think it's pretty pointless, and that there's Facebook to remind us of birthdays, anyway so I'm pretty much surprised when my cousin told me that my Elder phone is on alarm. What's so special with this day that I want to be reminded of that I actually set something that I don't usually do?

Heart almost jumped when I saw what's written:

"Best friend."

Then I knew it.

The Aprils - Joey Thunder Art Swap Challenge

It amazes me to learn about The Cab Day since I'm technically a new fan (it's been just a year, I think?) which makes it extra special for this year, but I have missed it due to some reasons (see previous blog
post).

So every Cab guy had certain challenges/activity for the fans of which the Joey Thunder has came up with this art challenge as his contribution to the said event. Sadly, I was not able to join BECAUSE 1) Entries should be posted thru Instagram and I don't have (and I refuse to make one for I think it is too mainstream, and every people has one so... maybe I'm just too stubborn and a non-conformist when it comes to tech/social networking stuff) an Instagram account. 2) I don't have much time and even my creative side is slacking at that time so... yeah.

One day I *lightbulb moment* came up with this idea to do a personal art project for this.. uh.. certain band/band guy. I'm not after the prize that the official challenge's offered, anyway. It just fills my heart with pure joy when I'm able to do and co-relate things that I enjoy, arts and music for that matter.

And the fun thing about this project is that it is going to be a joint venture for I challenged my lovely online friend here, April and she has already said yes.

Just a little background: I have known April when I was just starting to familiarize myself with the Cab/Soldier family last year. It all started on Twitter when I saw this tweet/reply from Joey (I can't remember what the exact tweet was about) to a Filipina fan and I got curious I messaged the lucky girl and the rest as we say is history. Blame it on the name, or whatever it really is, but I find it real rad
when as time passed by, we've discovered that we share the same thoughts on things/likings (she's into OPM bands as well; she's a cat lady; she loves Adventure Time and The Walking Dead; we are both into
arts/sketch/doodle, etc) that is way more than just the Joey Thunder connection, but it sure hell has started the friendship flame and I couldn't thank Joey and The Cab enough for that. Because of them I
found a new friend. We may not know each other that well/for a long time but she's one of the nicest. We may not get to actually see each other in person yet but she's one to be treasured.

Going back to the art project, she's joked about posting mechanics for the "challenge" but I don't really have one, to be honest haha. It is just going to be of the same rules of the official Joey Thunder Art Swap challenge except that there'll be no Instagram account required (since April doesn't want to go Instagram-ing as well) and that there'll be longer time for us to work on our individual art project.

But okay, here's what I came up with:

1) The stuff may be anything Joey Thunder/The Cab related in any art medium (sketch/paint/draw/doodle)
2) The finished artwork should be posted on May 28th, a month after The Cab Day. It could be via Twitpic, a blog link, etc that we'll be sending to @joeythunder.

To April, I'm thinking about having a meet-up since our planned meet-up (on a Finn and Jake event) didn't push through last time. Maybe we could actually swap the Joey artworks for real and finally have some April-bonding time? Let's see if we can work on our schedules for that.

Sounds fun, yeah? Anyone, even the non-Aprils may join, if you wish to do so. And it's going to be more awesome!! Just let us know if you're interested (Comment here or just tweet @AprilDeGuzman or @dolleyedcat).

Now please excuse me as I go focus on mine. And I'm excited to see what she's got. Guess we'll find that out in less than a month. Tata!
:-)

Cut Me Some Slack

Apparently I have been on a blog break in the past month, having only one post for April despite having a couple of ideas to write. It wasn't much of a news that I took the board exam for the second time, hoping for a favorable result this time. Hence, I tried my best to stay away from the books, from the social networking sites, from work (yep, I'm jobless at the moment) and from other things in a span of three weeks.

This is probably the longest three weeks of my life.

And (surprisingly) eventful, too.