The Best Things in Life
POSTED AT 03:28 PM

sp00kslane

I think it's not always that we find the people who - and the things that - make us feel so blessed. Sometimes, we may know they are there, but we never give them due credit. Thus, as gratitude and fondness to those who - and those that - enrich my life, I am creating this journal.

This blog aims to feature the people and things I love and like --- MY reasons for living. I hope you'll have fun getting to know them.

Idol Wisdom
POSTED AT 11:57 PM in Ramblings

sp00kslane

I've been badly bitten by the Idol bug. These days, I mostly listen to the latest batch of American Idol songs. And in this affair with AI stuff, I realize that a real AI talent is one whose songs, cover or original, you'd actually want or like to hear again and again after the show is done and you no longer see the contestants perform.

This piece of wisdom dawned on me as I was choosing which among the AI songs I would save on a playlist that I could play repeatedly. No surprise for David Cook. Apart from being the winner, I myself liked him so it's not shocking to choose almost all his songs. Same for Michael Johns.

But for David Archuleta, Carly Smithson and Brooke White, that's where the surprise is. I never liked Archuleta or his performances. Up till the AI end, I couldn't understand why people loved him. But listening to his songs, I came to realize that he truly had a good singing voice and that I actually liked his songs.

I knew people were amazed at Carly's powerful voice. But whenever she performed, the tattoos were the ones I noticed and I didn't like tattoos. So, I wasn't really able to appreciate her talent. But surprisingly, her songs are a staple in my playlist these days. The songs just come out with such a quality voice that I couldn't help but revise my opinion of Carly. I think she deserves an album.

As for Brooke, well, I truly liked her being so passionate about singing and her performances but unfortunately, listening to her songs now doesn't really bring up something special.

Uh well, so much talk for someone who cannot actually sing. Hehe.

Vancouver
POSTED AT 12:37 AM in Things

sp00kslane

Got lucky to find myself coming for a few days' visit to Vancouver (attend a conference). I loved the place:

Flowers, anyone?


Chilly path: exploring Vancouver's peak


Going up to Grouse Mountain thru the skyride


English Bay and the 2010 Winter Olympics official symbol


Exploring Stanley Park thru a rented bike was bliss

Our Song
POSTED AT 12:28 PM in Things

sp00kslane

I've been playing this song like it's the only song there is. I just can't get enough of it. Listening to it makes me feel good. As if life is always sweet and that there is only joy in living. It is presently my all-day coffee.



Apart from being country (I love country songs), I also love the song for its lyrics --- smart, smart lyrics. Taylor Swift is one talented, pretty and smart artist.

Taylor, thank you for "Our Song".

To Kill a Mockingbird
POSTED AT 04:30 PM in Things

sp00kslane

Finally got to watch the movie version. As an old film (1962), it was quite hard to find in record stores. And then I stumbled on a vcd of it at National Bookstore and thus, the chance to see how the characters in the Pulitzer book were played out on screen.

I loved it.

It remained true to the plot in the book, was acted with outstanding performances, and best of all, reminded me why the book became one of my all-time favorites.

I've read the book only once but it made such a strong impression on me that it became one of the 3 favorite books I listed in my Friendster profile. Sometimes, I would ask myself what made the book such a fave when I couldn't exactly remember the story and characters. Worse, I couldn't even recall why it's titled "To Kill a Mockingbird".

But the movie made me remember.

I loved the book because it had the rare power to make me feel as the characters felt. It made me laugh with its sharp wit. It made me cry like the sorrow or pain written about was mine. All these, on the side of teaching justice and addressing racism.

What an achievement, Harper Lee. Just one book, and yet a literary legacy to last decades after.

I am David
POSTED AT 10:39 PM in Things

sp00kslane

Inspiring movie. Superb acting, touching story. Loved it.

TRansformers
POSTED AT 10:21 PM in Ramblings

sp00kslane

Wow. It went way above my expectation. The movie simply rocked!

DISCIPLINE
POSTED AT 06:09 PM in Ramblings

sp00kslane

I vow to get it back. It slipped away but I didn't mind. The joys that came in its absence were too tempting to let go. But it's time to chase it, win it back. And live it for good.

Subic
POSTED AT 09:33 PM in Ramblings

sp00kslane

Had fun last weekend - long drive, scenery, pool, basketball, cards, yachts*, jetskis*, paraglide*, laughter, gossip, secrets, food - all rolled into two great days!

Monday doesn't seem that bad, except that you just want to sleep and sleep and sleep (even at work). =)

*I only had photos taken with these, so skip the questions about how it feels to do the real action. =)