Anything that rhymes with orange......

As I Am - Alicia Keys

As I Am by Alicia Keys

This CD is what I've been listening to most recently and I must say I'm quite surprised at how much I'm liking it. I didn't really like any of her previously released single but "No One" sounded really really good and catchy. I was kinda biased to begin with cause one of the songs (Lesson Learned) in the album is recorded and written with John Mayer. They sounded "musically pleasing" together. They couldn't have written the song more harmoniously and melodically than they did. It also didn't hurt that Steve Jordan provided drums to the track which made it even more bluesy and yet maintained an R&B vibe. I had not really appreciated how powerful a vocalist she is until I heard this song. Aside from Lesson Learned, there are other tracks that I really liked because of the different genre or era of music that was infused in it. I really liked "Tell You Something", "Wreckless Love" and "Teenage Love Affair" which to me sounded a bit doo-wop, a bit techno, a bit soul and is upbeat. "Where Do We Go From Here" also sounds really interesting with the B-3 organ.

If you guys are wanting to listen to something different and have not bought any of Alicia Keys' albums, I recommend buying this one whether it be an actual CD or off iTunes. I still personally like CDs and will probably be buying them for as long as I can. A note though for CD buyers, if you couldn't decide whether you'd buy the CD and the only thing tempting you to do so is the fact that the lyrics might be in there...well they're NOT. I guess that's part of the listening  experience then... Enjoy!!

WICKED TRANSFORMERS!!!

TRANSFORMERS MOVIE!!

WICKED WICKED WICKED WICKED!!!!

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!! I've been looking forward to seeing this movie and thankfully I was not disappointed like I was with the 3rd installment of Pirates of the Caribbean. Seeing Optimus Prime "transform" while hearing the classic Transformers transforming sound was AMAZING and SPINE CHILLING....now if I knew how to whistle I probably would've whistled during the movie after that scene.... Keith was wary about the fact that Optimus had those flame style custom paint but it was actually done tastefully. Although Bumblebee was not a beetle, he was still the human loving Autobot we know who tried to connect with the boy who owned him. I liked the part where Bumblebee helped Sam win the "girl of his dreams". Yeah, you'll think it's tacky but when you see it it's actually quite funny cause Bumbleebee plays appropriately themed songs to encourage ideas. YOU HAD TO BE THERE!!

The movie itself was really funny cause the dialogues were very animated. The battle scenes were FAN - F &*%#ING -TASTIC!!! especially when you see the Autobots and Decepticons transforming and getting ready for battle. Megatron looked really tough and vile.

Well, i think i've said enough...you guys should go out and see it. SEE IT!! IT IS REALLY WORTH IT...

JOHN MAYER CONTINUUM TOUR: 01 MAY 2007 VANCOUVER

  JOHN MAYER CONTINUUM TOUR: 01 MAY 2007 VANCOUVER

What a freakin amazing show!!! John Mayer doesn't disappoint. We all had such a great time and didn't even realize that he played for an hour straight. He is such a talented guitarist! Listening to Continuum had already impressed me with his bluesy strumming but hearing him live was out of this world. I don't know how else to describe it?!

He opened the show with Belief but I think the highlight for me was when I heard the acoustic intro for Why Georgia? His outro for Gravity was flabbergasting (not sure if this is a word, but like I said i don't really know how else to describe it) and the way he jammed with the rest of the band was pounding. He was playing like an obsessed devil and he makes it look easy!! Of course, at the end he did not forget to play You're Body is a Wonderland. Everyone in the building was pretty much expecting it and we all sang it loudly. It was definitely worth it...I would go see him again and I cannot wait to see what he will be coming up in his next album.

I LOVE JOHN MAYER!!!

Daydream: A Blast from the Past

Daydream: A Blast from the Past

Every now and then when I've had such a busy week and I need to recharge my self, I give my lungs a run through Mariah Carey's Daydream CD. Today is such a day! It was raining in Vancouver, it's Friday and I'm at home working on homework after working long (extremely long) hours with starts of 06:30 am. I really shouldn't have any problems with early morning starts since I used to work 7 to 7 on the ward but I'm entitled to whine! Those of you who know me, you shouldn't be surprised at this rant.

Anyway, as I was singing along with the CD in my bedroom, making sure the neighbours don't hear me and tell me to shut up, it reverted me back to my high school days. I've always associated this particular album with that phase of my life. You know what they say; music brings memories kinda like how a certain scent will remind you of a particular person. I remember how I used to "perform" inside our house back home. My mom always thought I was silly (not in a bad way but a funny way) for wanting to be a singer but she still encouraged me to sing. I remember turning up the volume of our stereo system in the living room then walking up on the family hall (which happened to be a step above the living room...hence a very perfect stage for a very vain singer!!). Then when "One Sweet Day" came on, I remember practicing it with my high school classmates Jackson, Aniceto and Jericho inside our classroom in preparation for a performance. These guys were extremely talented singers and they encouraged me to try singing it but in the end I chickened out and we sang "If I Never Knew You" instead.

I haven't been home for almost 10 years and I really wish I could. I wish I could go back and see family and friends, maybe this year. I may not get homesick as much as I used to when I first moved here but when I do, it kinda makes me want to pack up and go home. I guess I just have to be patient and maybe this year I can actually use my vacation to go home.

Star Wars Stamps

Star Wars Stamps

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of Star Wars, George Lucas teamed up with the United States Postal Services (USPS) to release 15 new 41-cent commemorative stamps. The stamps have images from all six Star Wars movies and will be released on May 25 during the Star Wars Celebration IV at Los Angeles.

USPS is also holding a vote for the public to choose their favorite stamp out of the 15 choices. The winning stamp will be released with its own stamp sheet. If you guys are interested in voting for the Chosen One here is the link:

http://www.uspsjedimaster.com/main/splash.html

I personally like the one with Luke Skywalker standing outside of his uncle's house with the background image of two suns. When I look at that image it always brings me back to that time when me and my cousins first watched the Star Wars Movie back home in the Philippines. All of us young'uns were herded into one house to watch movies in the afternoon to get us out of the heat while the teenagers went out and hung out with their buddies. We were all so amazed, at least that's the case with me. I was so fascinated about the visual effects and the storyline! Makes you really wonder whether when will get to that point in time when we can actually have or interstellar or intergalactic travel.

I also liked the Darth Vader stamp. After all when you hear Star Wars, the first thing everyone thinks about would be the ominous sound of Darth Vader's breathing. Really!!

I think the stamps are really cool, unfortunately it is only released in the States. I don't think Canada Post will come up with this same thing.

Formula 1: Need for Speed

Formula 1: Need for Speed

Last Saturday, I watched the season opener of the 2007 Formula 1 World Championship held in Melbourne, Australia. There are a lot of changes in F1 this season but I guess the most obvious is the absence of Michael Schumacher as he had retired last year. Felipe Massa, who won the final race of the 2006 Formula 1 season at his hometown of Sao Paulo, Brazil and Kimi Raikkonen are now the top two drivers for Scuderia Ferrari. Kimi Raikkonen had previously been one of the race drivers for McLaren-Mercedes. His spot was taken by Fernando Alonso who was previously driving for the Renault F1 team. The other race driver for McLaren-Mercedes is a newcomer named Lewis Hamilton. It was also interesting to note that all cars now use Bridgestone tires, no more Michelin!! So much for competition! Constructors and drivers who were using  Michelin tires have all had to make adjustments to accommodate for the size of the tires.

Anyway, the race was quite eventful as usual. Raikkonen placed first, his first Grand Prix win with Ferrari. Both Alonso and Hamilton made the podium with second and third place respectively. Quite impressive for Hamilton to place during his first ever F1 Grand Prix. He must be really ecstatic! Hamilton is also the first race driver in F1 history to have an African and Caribbean ancestry. I was a little disappointed with Felipe Massa as he did not make the podium  but managed to place 6th overall. David Coulthard had a bad crash against Alex Wurz as he was coming out of the pit lane and trying to merge back onto the race track. He lost his left front tire and almost took Wurz' head off. Luckily Wurz decided to use his break and stop his car from colliding any further with Coulthard's car. It kinda reminded me of Ayrton Senna's fatal car crash at the Italian Grand Prix back in 1994. That was probably the very first time I've watched F1 and you can't forget that kind of stuff.

It would be interesting to actually see a Grand Prix at the circuit. Although you really only hear the cars as they zing past you at 300 - 350 km/h. For those of you who are interested about the Formula 1, here is the link to the official website:

http://www.formula1.com

Here is the schedule of the Grands Prix making up the 2007 Formula 1 World Championship:

1. ING Australian Grand Prix - 18 March

2. Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix - 08 April

3. Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix - 15 April

4. Gran Premio de Espana Telefonica - 13 May

5. Grand Prix de Monaco - 27 May

6. Grand Prix du Canada - 10 June

7. United States Grand Prix - 17 June

8. Grand Prix de France - 01 July

9. Santander British Grand Prix - 08 July

10. Grosser Preis von Deutschland - 22 July

11. Magyar Nagydij - 05 August

12. Petrol Ofisi Turkish Grand Prix - 26 August

13. Gran Premio d'Italia - 09 September

14. Belgian Grand Prix - 16 September

15. Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix - 30 September

16. Sinopec Chinese Grand Prix - 07 October

17. Grande Premio do Brasil - 21 October

Yes I Can!!!

Yes I Can!!

Well, who would've thought I'd get to this point!! I donated blood today! Apparently I barely managed to squeeze past their requirements and that if I wanted to continue donating, I must maintain my weight as it is right now. I don't think that will be hard. It's harder to lose the last 5 pounds you want to get rid off.

It was an interesting experience though! I managed not to pass out. I guess it helps when you don't look at that big honking needle they poke in your arm. It was definitely worth it and I wouldn't think twice about donating again.

They're Back!!

Oi! They're Back!

McLeod's Daughters is finally back with a new season. I accidentally found out about it last night when I was flipping from one channel to the next to keep me occupied when instead I should be working on a group assignment. For those of you guys who aren't out partying on a Friday night, you can check out the show on Channel 70 (Vision Channel) at 10:00pm. Hope you guys like it!

San Francisco

San Francisco, California ( 06 - 11 Feb 2007)

I was in San Francisco 2 weeks ago for the American Stroke Association's Annual Stroke Conference and it was my first time there. Unfortunately, I didn't really have a lot of time to sightsee as our days were very packed with sessions and symposium. On top of that we had dinner meetings too. Saturday was a packed day cause it was the only day for sightseeing. Peterson (my co-worker) and I went to Alcatraz, even though that was his third time going he still kept me company. It was an interesting experience. It wasn't very creepy cause there were so many tourists in there. It kinda reminded me of Mauthausen, a concentration camp we visited in Austria cause everyone was quiet and just talking it all in in their own way.

After the trip to Alcatraz, Peterson and I went to Fisherman's Wharf and had crab for lunch. Walking by stalls after stalls of lobsters, crabs and shrimps kinda made us hungry. It was fun though! Standing by the stall, picking on the warm juicy crab! NUMMY!! I'll definitely do that again.

After that we just walked around the wharf and the pier and headed towards the Ghirardelli Ice Cream Shop. I had their brownie sundae and man that was some smooth, creamy ice cream and chocolate. I definitely recommend this place to anyone who is visiting San Francisco. Even if you are watching your calories, one ice cream from Ghirardelli is worth screwing your calorie count for. Well, that's my opinion anyway.

I should mention though that while we were sightseeing it was raining in San Francisco. It was raining the whole time we were there, alternating from light to heavy rain. Then on the day we were leaving, it was damn bright and sunny. It's gotta be me travelling. I can never catch a good weather.  Oh and to top it all off, our flight was delayed leaving San Francisco because the approach sensors on the airplane weren't functioning. Goodness!! I couldn't believe my luck! Here I was in the same position I was in 2 weeks prior. Needless to say, the last 3 times I've flown in a span of 6 weeks, I've had problems with my flights. The most problematic was my flight back from Toronto when it was delayed at the airport for 2 hours because the cargo door wouldn't close. Finally they got that closed and we were off. Then in mid-flight they discovered that the problem was a bit more extensive than the cargo doors. One of the main hydraulic engines weren't functioning well and wouldn't do well with Vancouver's turbulent weather. So we had to make an emergency stop at Calgary, got off the plane and waited an hour for another plane from Vancouver to bring us back to Vancouver. It was a disaster! I was supposed to arrive in Vancouver at 8 pm and didn't actually get there till 3 am. I was not impressed! This was what I was worried about when they told us in San Francisco that they were having problems with the approach sensors. Granted California wasn't that far and the flight wouldn't take that long but it was the fact that I was on another plane with another malfunction. Well, hopefully I won't have this same experience next time I fly which won't be for a little while.

Anyway, San Francisco was really nice. I got to walk around Downtown a little bit on Sunday morning before my flight. Those hills are deadly! Well, I didn't try walking it anyway. Why should I when there's a perfectly functioning cable car that would get me to where I want to go? Maybe another time. It would be a good exercise though if you walk or jog that hill everyday, but that's for the people who live there.

I've posted some photos in my blog album. Check em out!

Step Up

Step Up

I am so addicted to this movie! I have seen it at least once everyday for the last few days. The dance moves in this movie were very well choreographed. The dancers moved so fluidly that I could not believe how their body stayed together. It looked like their arms and legs were going to pop out of their sockets. Watching all the dance moves kinda motivated me to go back to my dance classes. Hey whatever works right! I wasn't gonna pass up that motivation to get my butt off the couch. I also liked all the dresses that the lead female dancer was wearing during the movie. Maybe when I actually go frequently to dance classes then I can justify buying those tights and wrap around dresses.

If you guys like dance movies at all, check this one out. It ain't that bad. Here's a link to a website that has some of the video clips/trailers of the movie:

http://myspace.com/stepupmovie

Enjoy!