ThOuGhTs, iDeAs, oPiNiOnS, cHaTtEr

Martin Nievera and Patti Austin Live in Concert. (29Jan2005)

I have expected that Patti would be singing Martin's song(s) and Martin would be singing a song Patti did a duet with another foreign artist (hehehe!)... And they did.

Martin's spontaneity and loquacity kept the audience at their toes as he displayed his wit and comic antics. Patti, on the other hand, was able to take it in stride, even with Martin's ad-libs. It was obvious that Martin's comments is not part of their spiel since Patti can't help herself but to laugh.

As the concert progresses (which we find the two hours too short), a thought crossed my mind... I'd go out and buy a Best of Patti Austin CD! hehehehe!

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Sidelights:

Sachi. Our meeting place is at Glorietta Makati. But we decided to eat our dinner around Araneta Coliseum so that we'll just be a few steps away from the concert. It looks like all those who would be watching the concert have the same idea as restaurants we preferred to dine in is full. Finally, we found a restaurant who could accommodate us at once (no waiting line at that time).

We should have known! The service is bad. We have to call many times to have our order taken. The couple near our table (who was there before us) walked out of the restaurant since no one is attending to them. When the food arrived, the main dish arrived before the appetizer. How could we eat it when we don't have plates and utensils before us?! Duh!

So as not to ruin our night, we just observed the goings-on around the restaurant, made commentaries on how to improve their "system" (if there is any), helped ourselves with the bottle of mineral water at the bar which they are not servincg (hey! we included it in our tab...), why their service is slow (the waitresses' uniforms are so tight, they have to move slow lest the buttons will fly off! hehehe!), why the waitresses are thin (they move from one table to table doing nothing... a good exercise, I think! LOL), why the cashier is taking some time to prepare our bill (I have to go to the cashier to make sure they do it! And lo and behold... what a "system"!).

Oh! And there was a new couple near our table. They had it worse. At least, all our orders were served. Since they noticed that we, too, would be watching the concert, they joined in the banter. The guy said that if Martin is also dining at Sachi, we have nothing to worry for he (Martin) would also be late! hehehehe!

Concert and tardiness. I have yet to attend a concert that would start on time. The ticket says that the show will start at 8:30PM. Duh! It started around 9:15PM after several cat calls and clapping by the audience. Because of this, a mind-set has already been established that concerts and shows always start late, thus, expect the audience to come in late, too!

Martin's wackiness. It is common for artists to go to the crowd during their concert (...a good photo opportunity!). And Martin is no exception. While singing and walking around the crowd, Martin sat on the lap of a bald-headed man. Still doing his repertoire, whenever it is the part of the musical instruments to be played, Martin rubs the head of the man while doing sound effects of strumming the guitar. That really brought the house down! c",)

Around Araneta Coliseum: They really made great improvements in this part of Cubao. The concert finished around 11:30PM, but this place is still bustling with people. The lights were ablaze, you would think it is still around 9PM. There were bands playing, you can just sit and listen up to the wee hours of the night (morning? hehehe!). No wonder, you won't notice time fly when you're here.

Kalan. (27Jan2005)

Thus, off I went back to bed.

Surely, this is not the effect of the worry-rat's pressure? Or maybe, the mounting work at the office? Or even my usual practice of sleeping-in late?

Addition to my vocabulary: vertigo (scientific sounding name for dizziness. hehehe!) , Meniere's disease (an illness that causes dizziness, the cause of which is unknown), betahistine (the medicine I took for anti-vertigo).

Gowns

Window Gown-Hopping. (13Jan2005)

I can't wait for the Prom Night to be over, just to be spared from the constant "assault" of the worry-rat for her gown, shoes, accessories, hair and make-up. (hehehehe!)

Ever experienced when you are in a dire strait, suddenly, an idea or thought comes to your head to help you out of your rut? Or, when you feel the whole world is against you and no one is there to assist you, then, somebody taps you on the shoulder to lend a helping hand?

I do.

To me, it is God's way of answering your unspoken prayer. It is His way of giving His grace and extending His mercy. He may "whisper" to you directly or He may work through others. You just have to learn to "listen" with your heart.

The most recent "murmur" I heard from Him came from the most unlikely place (and, I personally think is kinda funny).

The Christmas season gives us a reason to get together with our family and friends, to partake of food, lots of food. Even for gift-giving, chocolates, cakes and pastries are part of the list to share to our loved ones. And I am no exception to deny myself of these treats. (hehehe!)

After Christmas, there are days that I feel bloated, keep burping or experience stomach pain, which I put down to "gas". (Think what the "air" smells like... LOL). Ordinary symptoms which anyone can ignore. But the uncomfortable feeling in the upper middle part of my stomach whenever I have a meal has never ceased for weeks.

AND THEN... just when I am feeling sick again after a hearty meal, I saw the TV commercial of the belly dancers, describing the very symptoms I am experiencing. It is the first time that I saw said commercial. What the antacids and seltzers did not relieve, this did. c",)

Chance? Coincidence? I don't know... But I still believe, it is His way of saying "try this, child, it may ease your pain."

As expected, Kung Fu Hustle is hilariously funny. With the comic antics of Stephen Chow, what else would you expect? Even if your eyes have to stray from time to time to read the subtitle. hehehehe! I guess, we're now used to watching movies with subtitles, with the invasion of other Asian movies in our theaters, like Hero, Ringu (The Ring), Ju-on (The Grudge), The Doll Master, etc.

I was not that interested in Chinese (and other Asian) movies, until I got hooked by Star Mandarin. I could not figure out, then, why my niece would stay awake in the wee hours of the morning watching the shows in Star Mandarin. She can name Asian actors and actresses, their interests, etc. like the back of her hand. She even took lessons to learn Mandarin!!! I guess, to better enjoy the movies (instead of always reading the subtitles... LOL).

So, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! From one movie, I get to watch another... and another... and another... and another... From comedy, action, romance to horror... From meaningful to inane...

And my observation from the movies I've watched: they always infuse their culture. Maybe, that's the reason their movies never fail to capture your interest.

Several laps at Enchanted Kingdom's Kart Trak. (27Dec2004)