Slow Dumb Show (For You)

If you transcribe my entire body's emotions right now, you'll most likely produce a novel out of multitudinous exclamation points. Yes, muted screams. Yes, insane joy. HYPERACTIVITY KAZAAM.

It's Valentine's! Not that I have any reason to celebrate it, but I am excited! (Partly blaming the weather, which is unpredictably weirder than my moodswings, going from freezing cold to swarmy warm to freakishly cool.) This overflowing satisfaction excessive energy has turned into another mixtape that is highly relevant this season (of love). I have done it again. I am sorry. Okay, not really.

Yiiiip, songs! This is pretty much composed of my favorites and sharing this today makes me happy! INSERT CHUBBY ANNE SMILEY. Now let us share a hug. (Click on the photo for the download link.)

The Book of Love - Peter Gabriel

There Is A Light That Never Goes Out - The Smiths

Dark Blue - Jack's Mannequin

The Moon Song - Karen O & Ezra Koenig

XO - Beyonce

Runaways - The Killers

First Day Of My Life - Bright Eyes

Gravity - Sara Bareilles

Give Me Love - Ed Sheeran

As Lovers Go - Dashboard Confessional

Kismet - Silent Sanctuary

The Only Exception - Paramore

Somebody Loved - The Weepies

Us - Regina Spektor

Slow Show - The National

Falling Slowly - Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova

Goodnight and Go - Imogen Heap

Just Say Yes - Snow Patrol

Slide - Goo Goo Dolls

Maps - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

January Roundup

On family: My feuding siblings came to terms over the holidays. We quarrel like 10-year olds about the shallowest things. I don’t mull over petty stuff like they do, so I’m basically the only one who isn’t awkward around any of them when we’re together. So, after months of ignoring each other, I’m glad to see them in talking terms again. We’ll always be immature, I’m certain about this (and will forever be disturbed by it), but such is life and so I sigh. My relatives’ stay over the Christmas season also ended last month. It was bittersweet to see them leave, but the two weeks that they were here was definitely one for the books. Here’s a photo of us, almost complete, during one of the many food gatherings we’ve had.

On books: There was another warehouse sale – a tease I cannot ever say no to – where I was able to score seven books for a little under 400 pesos. That fact aside, I went on to Goodreads to pledge my book goal for this year – 40 titles. I thought I started out okay reading two books in one week. That is, until I opened two more books (you see, progress), which were put aside (progress fail) in favor of, uh, movies and series. I get easily distracted by technology, I am so very sorry. So yeah, I’m currently on 2/40. Best of luck to me.

On music: The most played song in my iPod – and blasted from my laptop whenever my sister swings by – would have to be ‘Find You’ by Zedd. Considering that it was released just 9 days ago, that’s clearly an over the top looping LSS for days. It was released as part of the Divergent soundtrack, and however confused I am of its tracklist inclusion – it’s too upbeat and happy and so un-dystopian Chicago, it is super catchy and would most likely make radio rounds like ‘Clarity,’ a song I hate with a passion. Prior to that, I had a Disney moment because of Frozen. I made a playlist out of the Disney songs that I love but after a mere two days, ended up having an affair with ‘Part of Your World’ and played and sang it over and over, even while washing the dishes, with matching emote as if I were Ariel. In album news, I listened to Beyonce’s self-titled fifth album (baby love me lights out) and, impressed after seeing them perform on SNL (live performances are either deal-breakers or -makers), I jumped into Drake’s Nothing Was the Same and Bastille’s Bad Blood. Dan Smith sounds so good (maybe even better) live!

On movies: I saw eleven movies last month. That is crazy. (I believe I saw eleven movies last year.) But that is also good, because my hard drive is already brimming with hundreds of illegal movie downloads and I’ve only seen how many of it? Eleven? Ha. This year I plan on watching 100 films, old, new and re-watched combined and I’m keeping track of each one as I go. My favorite so far is ‘Her’. It is sad yet so beautiful and compelling that I was still thinking about it a week after. Frances Ha trails close behind because #undateable.

On television: One word: Sherlock. Best New Year’s gift by BBC to the fandom. After such a long, harried wait, we were blessed with all of series three in a span of 12 days. It was everything we’ve wished for and more. It became a comedy, much to our heart’s fleeting capacity to absorb joy. It was also reassuring that our Johnlock bromantic headcanon was shared by Gatiss and Moffat, and was well played in all three episodes. It was the best, and buying this overpriced magazine was imperative. In other TV news, I have a new favorite, Intelligence, which is about a soldier turned US secret weapon after his brain was implanted with a microchip that is linked to the information grid (internet, telephone, satellite), making him access key intel files in the fight to protect his country. This is Chuck meets 24 and, so far, has been good. The Mindy Project is currently on hiatus (boohoo) but left us with a sexually charged first kiss between Danny and Mindy! I admit that Jess and Nick’s was sweeter, but I kind of fell off the New Girl mojo after they became a couple. I’m hoping TMP makes a good arc out of this Danny-Mindy love affair. I have full faith in their writers, so I’m so excited for its return on April.

On life: It’s been the coldest past few weeks Manila has endured in a while. I had to wear a jacket and knee socks at home during weekends. I’m currently fighting with a weakened immune system. My throat and nasal passageway are in pain, but I manage. I have put off eating rice in exchange of wheat bread sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. There’s a fruit or vegetable (sometimes, both) in my everyday meals. I’m far from being a responsible eater, but this is progress. I just need to friggin’ stay away from sweets and that’s the hardest part. When do I start exercising? A looming question that needs utmost attention.

February 2nd: I spent most of the day going over my Twitter favorites (aka bookmarked links for later viewing). I have finally un-favorited half from November 2013 to present. Here are some gems that I found:

*The 35 Most Touching Photos Ever Taken (I cried 5 times. Hormones.)

*Arcade Fire’s ‘Afterlife’ (Special because of reasons: Greta Gerwig danced to David Bowie’s Modern Love in Frances Ha. Bowie collaborated with Arcade Fire on their recent album. Arcade Fire scored Her, which was written, directed and produced by Spike Jonze. Jonze directed this live performance featuring Greta.)

*Spoken Word by Tom Hiddleston (Best played at night. Ha.)

Halladay

You know how I have a really short attention span when it comes to films? Well, I’m trying to overcome that. Maybe the weather's to blame or I’m doing this to test myself. I don’t know. Who cares? I watched three wonderful movies in a span of 24 hours and that's all that matters. Her, Frances Ha, and Blue is the Warmest Color.

I’m not one to make recommendations but with their countless accolades, Certified Fresh ratings in Rotten Tomatoes, as well as the exquisite performances of such brilliant actors (I'm still thinking about Joaquin Phoenix and his Oscar snub, not to mention Adèle Exarchopoulos' beautiful face), I suggest that you take the time to watch these films when you can. Just be sure that you can absorb the fact that a man can have a relationship with an operating system. And that a modern film is shot in black and white. And, most important, that you have the balls to watch a really graphic intimate scene between two French women. If you have no qualms about any of these, you’re good to go. Aah, but don't even hesitate, just go and watch them. I swear something beautiful, however sad, will stir inside of you.

Here's something from my current spirit animal, Frances:

"I want this one moment. It's what I want in a relationship, which might explain why I am single now. Ha ha. [It's kind of hard to...] It's that thing when you're with someone and you love them and they know it and they love you and you know it, but it's a party. And you're both talking to other people and you're laughing and shining, and you look across the room and catch each other's eyes, but not because you're possessive or that it's precisely sexual, but because that is your person in this life. And it's funny and sad, but only because this life will end. And it's this secret world that exists right there, in public, unnoticed, and no one else knows about. It's sort of like how they say that, uhm, other dimensions exist all around us but we don't have the ability to perceive them? That's... that's what I want out of a relationship. Or just life, I guess. Love. Blah. I'm stoned. I'm not stoned. Thanks for dinner. Bye."

And I found a clip on YouTube. I want to cry.

Crawling Vines and Weeping Willows

While we're at it, I picked out a song out of each album listed in my previous post and compiled it as a yearend mix. I know it's late for it to be called a yearend mix but, hey, it's never too late to make a playlist out of good music, right? Click on the photo for the download link. :)

A Yearend List of Sorts

“Best of 2013.” A handful of people have already posted something similar. As opposed to their awesome lists of achievements and accomplished goals, mine is a mundane compilation mostly of my interaction with the Internet, the TV, and the bookshelf.

Books

I managed to complete my book goal last year. As per my Goodreads account:

If I add my rereads, the number will be upped to 36 but then that would be cheating. Here’s a list of the best ones I’ve read last year.

1. Me Before You, by Jojo Moyes

The title and cover can both be misleading. This isn’t your typical romance novel. This book is about family, bravery, valuing oneself, making the most out of life and weighing out choices. You’ll probably find yourself ugly crying by the last few chapters, but it is definitely an affair to remember.

2. Kitchen Confidential, by Anthony Bourdain

If a genie pops right out in front of me and asks me for three wishes, Tony Bourdain’s wit will make the cut; it doesn’t matter if it comes first, second or last. His personal accounts in this book are so honest and raw and hilarious all the same. The man’s got balls, and he uses them well. A mandatory reading for anyone who’s not only fond of food, but is also interested in knowing what happens inside the kitchen. Bourdain fans everywhere should not miss this (that is if they haven't yet, since this memoir kickstarted his career in television).

3. Everything Rainbow Rowell

I love how Rainbow writes. She manages to capture the most fruitful emotion in the simplest random act and pulls it off. Attachments, Eleanor and Park, Fangirl. There’s everything you need to absorb and feel and love, and then some.

4. Slammed, by Colleen Hoover

Do you want to cry, fall in love, and fall more deeply in love while crying? Read this.

5. Where’d You Go, Bernadette, by Maria Semple
Bernadette is one of the most cynical human beings I have encountered in the literary world. Her ramblings and e-mail correspondence with Manjula Kapoor can be equated to comedy heaven. The sequences of her life, her past, and disappearance make this an interesting read.

6. The Divergent trilogy, by Veronica Roth
Alas, a series that lives up to the hype. If it's any indication, I've read the books twice last year. The dystopian world and the characters that Veronica created bear a magic that's meant to be etched in your brain and linger in your heart forever.

Albums

Having a permanent 6am-3pm work schedule means I have all the free time in the world, and that includes more time for music. Here’s what I was able to appreciate from cover to cover, before, after and in-between shifts.

P.S. No ranking involved.

1. Modern Vampires of the City, Vampire Weekend

2. Paramore, Paramore

3. Trouble Will Find Me, The National

4. Random Access Memories, Daft Punk

5. Days Are Gone, Haim

6. The Lumineers, The Lumineers

7. The 20/20 Experience, Justin Timberlake

8. Hummingbird, Local Natives

9. Pure Heroine, Lorde

10. Kaleidoscope Dream, Miguel

11. Midnight Memories, One Direction

12. The Blessed Unrest, Sara Bareilles

13. The Hunger Games Catching Fire Soundtrack

14. Heartthrob, Tegan and Sara

15. The Cary Brothers’ Discography

16. Halcyon, Ellie Goulding

17. All I Want, Kodaline

App Appreciation

What’s an iGadget without apps? My most used ones:

1. iBooks: The gem that turned me an into an e-book convert/believer. Also, the medium I used to read half of my book goal last year.

2. Goodreads: A must for every book lover. Here’s where I keep track of my reading list, explore new titles, and find crazy bookworms for book recos. Although I still prefer the web version, having this handy is loads useful, especially when you’re in bed, reading.

3. Wunderlist: Bulleting has never been more enjoyable. 

4. Line: Best chatapp in the market.

5. Snapseed and VSCOcam: Photo magikk.

6. Vevo and IMDb: To catch all music video and trailer releases. 

Series
Kind of hard to narrow this down to five but here they are, the ones that held my undivided attention and filled my Twitter timeline with nonsensical blabber.

1. Game of Thrones

2. Breaking Bad

3. The Mindy Project

4. Scandal

5. Hostages / The Blacklist (cheat!)

*Honorable mentions: The Voice (RealityTV), American Horror Story: Coven (miniseries), Orphan Black (sci-fi)

Things I wouldn’t normally do
but (shockingly) did.

1. Revamped this online space

It was an act so spontaneous that conjured a pretty decent outcome. A simple doodle that spurted countless tweaks and edits, and then this. A layout I'd probably stick to for the long haul. My favorite part is the sidebar, because it's colorful and took the longest time to fix.

2. Participated in a blogging challenge

I don't just share my blog to anyone. I mean, yes, it is linked in my Twitter bio, but that's the most visible yet discreet area online where I have the gall to post my blog's url (not even, really, because it is disguised as a bit.ly url) and let's be frank, not everyone reads your Twitter bio. Or do they? 

Early last year I joined an online community where, in a span of one month, I wrote entries about a prompted topic for the group. We then linked it to a thread in a secret Facebook page to share with 20 or so more girls. I had initial doubts before joining this challenge. I am that person who judges people by the way they write (kill me, but before you do, please understand that I seek solace in reading, and I diss my own writing all the time) so, basically, my fear was equally heinous -- that my writing to be horridly judged in return. But what's there to lose without trying? So, tossing my insecurities aside, I said YES to the e-mail asking me to join this project. It was rewarding in many ways, though I'd take a comment made on one of my posts the best bit of prize I took home from this experience.

I only enabled the comments section of my blog during that particular timeframe so I can interact with the rest of the group. I wasn't expecting anything, but when I posted my entry about courage, I received one of the best compliments ever given to me. My smile became infinite, my tears welled, and my heart beat rapidly. Reading this comment from THE Wanderrgirl Arriane was one of the best moments of my year. 

3. Met up with strangers

The same people that were part of the blogging challenge plus some awesome women entrepreneurs. This was to celebrate Women’s Week. I’ve enjoyed and learned a lot from this afternoon sitdown, and gained an amazing amount of positivity.

4. Joined a mailing list to receive a slew of postcards from a stranger.

Last year was the year I started @replying to my favorite writers on Twitter. A slight crack in my bubble world. One of them, Queen of Cool Petra, went on a US trip for a while and sent out e-postcards to those who gave her their e-mail addresses. Of course, I became curious and didn't want to miss out, so I was kapalfez to give mine. For two weeks I was on the lookout for new messages in my inbox and was not disappointed. Daily photos and wonderful prose delivered electronically. They were so precious that I made a label specifically for all the postcards I received in my mailbox.

5. Shared a contest link on Facebook in exchange of EPs

I once asked Reese on a blog post comment to make a compilation of her songs and post it online for us fans. She said she’d go about doing so one of these days. When that day came, I was frantic with excitement. It came free but there were steps that needed to be followed to get it. It involved Facebook. I only go on Facebook to message friends and change my profile photo. I was apprehensive at first. I asked my sister for a favor. “Can I log in to your account to share something?” “No.” “Can I use Nicole’s account to share something?” “Stop it.” So then I used mine. And I got what I wanted. And it was delivered with a pretty birthday cake.

More Highlights:

1. Rico and Regina's wedding

2. Saw Potted Potter and met the cast.

3. The Script!

4. Palawan trip with my aunts.

5. Colored my hair!
6. More dinners with family and friends.

I have no specific goals or resolutions for this year because obviously I suck at it big time. I have a rough outlook for 2014, though, and it involves living healthy, controlling my wants, becoming more visible, loosening up, and spending more time living outside the Internet, the TV, and the bookshelf. It's so on. Let's do this.