Jov has Facebook messaged me out of nowhere telling me this one day, of which I don't really know the answer back then. 

I told her then that it is not that I am not a fan of Jason's music but maybe it is just not the kind of which I would have fangirl-ed and spazzed over and over. 

The nonsensical side of me would say, "Oh yeah, I do not like him that much because he is not British." and knowing how fascinated with almost everything British I really am, that reasoning would have made real sense.

As funny and embarrassing the conversation has been, I know I will have to blog it and tell the tale on day, when I am a full-pledged Jason Mraz believer, maybe.

Guess what? The day has finally come.

When I learned that Jason Mraz is heading to the Philippines for the 4th time, I am not so hyped, it was just another day. There is not much to be missed. Although, parts of me wanted to see him perform, too, because like what I have previously mentioned, I may not be a major fan but I knew he's great and at the top of the genre and it would be a pleasure to hear those few songs that I know in a live performance. The show was slated on the Thanksgiving weekend and I am pretty sure Jov and Lyn are not going to miss it and go VIP but I don't think I would go VIP given my stance so for weeks I am like "forget it, you won't get to watch." Unless somebody who's okay with watching from the lower box or general admission then....

Thanks to Jung Yong-hwa, CN Blue's frontman, who has recently seen Jason Mraz's YES Tour in Seoul, South Korea that has reminded one of my friends that Jason is having a concert in Manila as well. So Faye has asked me if I would watch the show and at first I was like, that would be cool but I am not sure yet. But in the end I said, YES. We even had a chance to go Patron at a very discounted price if one of our other plans/options has pushed through, but then, it would not really matter because I just want to be there. That's just it.

Everything (except for the Patron seat possibility) fell into its right places: I was able to go out early from work; it was raining that day but not to the point of getting the show cancelled. The least that I would want is for the Jason and Jane show to go Matchbox 20 on me (getting me hyped, with tickets and all and then get cancelled last minute because of a really bad weather).

The last thing that I know we were seated, chattering about a whole lot of other stuff, waiting for the show to start.

And then at exactly 8:10pm, the Raining Jane started their short set. To be honest, I do not know them or any of their songs prior to that day. I was telling Faye how I knew more songs from CNBlue's Wave (Japan Release) album than Jason Mraz's Yes and what a shame, right? I was even too busybat work to stream them on Spotify. But I was grateful to be there seeing this all-girl band play in full grace and passion. They were so good. Later it was revealed that they co-wrote Beautiful Mess and what do I say, I am impressed. 

I have a girl crush on Mona now because she's so much fun to watch while hitting those drums. Also, she's very talented, so as the other girls.

Then it is time for them to introduce THE JASON MRAZ and with so much glee, the first song that he's played is....la lala lala la la life is wonderful. Can you imagine my joy? I texted Jov right away because remember our funny convo (oh well, go back to the start if you have missed it)? Life Is Wonderful is still my favourite. *wink*

Then he went on singing a whole lot of uplifting songs from his latest record, Yes, some covers/mashup (and of course a couple of his all-time-hits much to the joy of this not-so-much-but-is-now-totally-smitten fan. I actually lost count of all the songs from the almost three-hour show.

It took me Quiet to fully realise how great he really was. I am totally blown away by  this song. It has made me think, dude, why did it take me this long before I'd get to really like you?

Here I am to share some of my favourite banters (in no particular order):

1) When he has asked the crowd to breathe in and out, breathe in and in and in...and then out and said, "At least now you can say that the show is breathtaking." Yo, wordplay.

2) When they were doing all of these band pose and he's said how he's formed this super band called "Girls 2 Man" with the Raining Jane. He is such a funny guy.

3) When they showed the video of one of their trips to the Antartica, showing the wildlife and the effects of global warming with all those icebergs and stuff. The video is simultaneously playing and in-synched while they sing Bottom of the Sea live and it was really amazing. He's also revealed that most of the crew on their trip are Filipinos eliciting a loud cheer from the crowd.

4) Every single time that he's speaking Tagalog words/expressions ("Masaya ako sa aking pagbalik.", "Salamat po!", "Mahal ko kayo" and "Kitakits!" to list a few. Well, all of them international artists do that and yeah, that is quite adorable.

5) "Arms are connected to the heart" and the biology stuff made me really laugh out loud. Also, the cute, simple dance steps that he has taught the crowd.

6) "Have you ever been on a writer's block? No I haven't. The key to not have a writer's block is to write about writer's block." Let the words flow, write even the most nonsense ideas until you get into something. Just don't stop, he's said. This man, so positive as always. Although he has also admitted that spreading positivity and writing all about it is such a challenge given all the nasty and bad things that are apparently happening everywhere. "Sometimes even if seeing them happy is the only thing that's making you happy." Which could be quite sad if you'd focus on it but like he's said, never stop and spread everything that is good. I also liked how he's promoting farming and planting trees referring it as "our legacy to the future generations".

Funny side events that we had while watching are: these weird detergent smell like somebody's just started washing clothes during Jason Mraz's shoe or has spilled some soap somewhere; and these two girls who kept blocking our view that we had to use our ever reliable (flash) light sticks to shoo them away. Inasmuch as they are entertaining to watch, pulling off a fangirl vibe with all the dancing and movements, this is not what we have paid for. Anyway, we are pretty much enjoying the show to be even bothered.

You are a rock if Dumbledore dying did not make you tear up (well then, congratulations if you didn't). And Snape? Well the hate escalated but parts of me felt for him then for reasons I do not even know even up to this date.

That being said, of the many books that are re-read worthy, I chose "Stop in the Name of Pants" by Louise Rennison for the Day 2 of my book challenge.

Some maybe already familiar with the misadventures and funny antics of Georgia Nicholson as there has been a film adaptation of the first two books of this series combined. Also, with Aaron Johnson playing the "rocker, sex god" main man Robbie, it is one coming-of-age film that is not to be missed.

And so this book is one of the 8 (or 9, I am not so sure for I have not read them all yet) books of the Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging series which narrates the life of Georgia Nicholson in a form of a diary. There we will meet the Ace Gang of whom she considered as her best friends and the many boys that has been the apple of their eyes in school. It is quite amusing and relatable at some points, especially those "hebor" days when we are all pining for our high school crushes (assuming that you are also "human" enough to have crushes back then. Heh.) But could be quite unusual and sort of extreme given that our upbringing here (conservative) is quite different from the UK area (man, they have been rating men and their making out sessions) All things that are British kind of fascinates me, and it is just amusing to read all of that craziness especially knowing that we (or at least me and my high school buddies) are in no way making out the way they would at such early age.

What I may have not liked in this series is Georgia's seemingly greatest want to rush into womanhood and that it felt like she would drop everything, even her most trusted friends and family at one point, in order to be with the man that she likes. However, it did not progress into that which makes it a good read, a novel that is somehow still on the right track.

As provocative and liberated as the title of the books may sound (e.g. Knocked Out By My Nunga-Nungas where Nunga-nunga is a British slang for boobs, and I Am Now A Girlfriend of a Sex God, well, the almost tabooed S word is there, I need not add more.) the story and the flow is surprisingly light and funny. The characters are well-thought and they all seemed real. It felt like you are talking to this hilarious young lady with all her fabulosity and stupendous slang words that she and her friends are so fond of using.

What I liked the most in this book/series is probably Georgia's cute relationship (if you could call it like that) with her cat, Angus. Being a cat lady and having a pet cat myself, I just find it too adorable especially on that part where Angus almost died and then has recovered and how panicky Georgia has been during those times of breakdown.  *spoilers*

So yeah, if you are up for some light, fun read and into hilarious word plays,  then this one might be it for you. Just don't expect a lot on the moral relevance side (though thinking about it it may have tackled a few serious life aspects, but did not focus on it because maybe the story is really supposed to be light and just entertaining?). The story may not be that morally significant to some but it sure will make you forget your problems once in a while.

x

And so, for Day 1, I am asked to post the best book that I have read this year. It was not that hard because there are only a few to choose from, really.

It was a close figght but runner-ups would be The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo (How I love that book!!!) and The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan (a sucker for happy endings, as I have always been. I am going to miss Percy Jackson and Leo Valdez, but I do not feel like reading Egyptian myths just yet even though Percy and Annabeth's having some exposure in there as well on some crossover novel by the Scribe. Just not ready to delve into some series again, I guess. I still have some trilogy to finish reading.)

My top pick for this year has to be (also, the best book-to-film adaptation this year) Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl.

(1) I am mostly into homegrown talents/bands and/or Western bands. This may have rooted from my lyric-person side and partly being lazy, that I am into well, you know, into songs of which I can totally understand without having to Google their lyrics/meanings. There are a few exceptions, though, because I also listen to a couple of J-rock/J-pop/anime soundtracks...uh yeah, I know I have a pretty contradicting stance. But the point is, Nihonggo is easier to learn to sing and read and understand (that's just me, though haha) so I listen to them more, compared to Korean songs, at least. (Not until recently when You From Another Star is out and I am introduced to Kim Soo-hyun and Jun Ji-Hyun and I downloaded the full soundtrack that I listen to Korean songs/ballads whenever I miss my favourite pair.)

(2) Make-up/costume wearing dudes dancing in-synch is not my thing, although one may say that I appreciate them an awful lot than one would have expected from a non-super fan. On a side note, I knew a few catchy songs from some K-Pop groups, too. I just don't dig them to a point of buying stuff and being updated all the time. (That Korean-related spazzing at the moment is reserved to Kim Soo-hyun alone. Heh.) And to me, I don't know if it's the same pretty, flawless faces and peculiar hairdos but they all look the same.

But as per my recent discovery, the entertainment value of their every show is so high, and the production and the effort from the performers and staff as a whole are really commendable, not to mention the heartwarming fan service every single time, no wonder many people from different races are so into them. To be honest, ten plus thousands for some seconds of a fangirl's heaven (fan service)? I swear I won't complain a single thing because the VIP area is just so worth every penny. 

Truth is, I am open to any sort of music. One may even get surprised on the huge range of genres that you will find on my music player. Not that I really don't dig K-Pop but in this case I'd like to think that I may not have just found someone or some group in the K-pop genre to actually like (a lot) and support. Like that feeling when you were introduced into something and/or someone and you knew right then that they are it? Not that it is a must to have one, of course, but there always has to be like the pillar of something, right?

I have always been curious about CN Blue and why my friends are so into them. I used to think, okay, another K-pop group, what's so special?

Answering my own question I have found out that unlike most groups, they are actually a band. They do not just dance but they can bloody play instruments!!!!!! 

I am somehow impressed....to think that I have not heard a single song from them then. I do not even know what their band name stands for. There is not much objectiveness and facts in here (you could go check Wikipedia for that), to be honest. But these are thoughts of a fangirl with an eye (and ear) for beautiful things and people; a girl who is into good music and the amazing people who make them. 

Jung Yong-hwa, lead vocals.

Being a noob at Korean dramas, I am not even really aware that Jung Yong-hwa could act. Even more so, that the Jung Yong-hwa could SING. In fact, I still have not seen Heartstrings (one of his dramas) yet. I figured (though my friends are not admitting it to me) that this show is probably the reason why Yonghwa is mostly their bias. Also, who would not love the frontman/vocalist? His voice is downright sexy. (That coming from a non-Yong-hwa stan, I swear, is something.) I only know a few songs (5 to be exact, but that is way more songs than any K-pop groups that I know, seriously.) but his vocal runs at Can't Stop and I'm Sorry are addictively good. He is able to elicit emotions through his singing without trying too hard. He connects with the listeners and you can feel his heart as he sing. And I commend him for that.

There is something so adorable with men with their guitars. No, more like real hot. I am not sawwry. ;)

Lee Jong-hyun, lead guitar/ vocals.

His monicker (Burning) speaks volumes as to what this man has to offer. To be honest, I find his voice more manly than Yong-hwa as he provides second vocals for the band. His guitar skills, as far as I have seen on their videos is not to be taken for granted as well. Clearly, you can see his love for what he is doing and that he enjoys it every single time they perform. He is burning with passion, is all I can say.

Lee Jung-shin, bass guitar.

Don't even get me started with bass players. They are actually my weakness. The bass to me is like the backbone of any song and they are as important as any other instruments as well as the other members. They are usually the most graceful among others, slapping the bass with ease. Moreover, they never fail to impress me. That is also the case with Jung-shin. He may look shy and mysterious compared to the other three (at least in the band photos), to me he's just as perfect and talented.

But. BUT....

Kang Min-hyuk, drums.

Of the many photos (that are not even while performing with the band ha ha), one could say I am smitten. If my bias in this group is still not apparent up to now, I do not know anymore. Kang Min-hyuk looked so pure and gentle with a smile that is so sweet as a boy-next-door could have. Maybe because of his The Heirs character (While my sister is so into that drama, I am actually not and honestly the only bright spot in there, for me, is the Min-hyuk and Krystal pairing, but that's out of topic. Going back...) I never really see him as someone who could be in a band; and that he plays the drums of all the other instruments, how badass can you get? In contrast to most drummers who are typecast-ed as the ones who are left out, being on the far corner of the stage while the front man is doing his thing, making fans swoon here and there, Min-hyuk is as if screaming for equal attention like he's holding a sign saying "Notice me!!!" and notice him, I did. 

From what I have already seen which is actually not that lot, my favourite video from them is I'm Sorry mainly because of the setting. The place looks grand. And they totally rocked the streets with the almost obligatory walk full of band swagger.

Concept-wise, that of L.O.V.E. Girl is pure win. Can't Stop could have easily been a favourite but (sorry, girls) I do not like Yong-hwa's hair in there (what a nonsense, no? Hahaha.) Kidding aside, they are easy on the eye. Easy to love. Easy to relate with even, if one would carefully listen.

So is CNBlue the one? Maybe yes, maybe no. To be honest, I could not really tell. But there is something special in this group that made them stood out for me and has made me blog about them. This is the least that I could do to show my appreciation for their craft (and looks) and talent for now. Who knows, I might get to see them when they come back in Manila? We'll see. ;)

End Notes: Credits to the original owners of the photos that I have edited/used. You guys are lovely. And to my Boice friends, this post is for you. ;)

Reading makes you go places you never would have imagined. It is the cheapest way to travel, so to speak. Writing is a way of release, where you have the liberty to speak your mind out of the things you cannot depict personally. Both are like a mind exercise; a question of how much detail you can perceive and how much of those emotions you can express. They go hand-in-hand. They both give me the bliss.