Catcher in the Rye

If there's one thing that greatly contributes to my so-called coming of age, it would be this book. I found this 1960's printing when I was 15 in one of the dark and abandoned shelves in our high school library. The exact same printing as this image. For me it was just one of those books that you take home for the weekend. I was trying my best to hit the classics for some "mature" reading to impress the teachers :). Little did I know that one piece of writing could change your general outlook in life. I guess, I just found it at the right time otherwise I wouldn't appreciate it as much.

It wasn't all too dramatic and glorified though. It really didn't take me to plot some murder of a rock legend (i.e. Mark Chapman - the man who shot John Lennon who was found reading a copy while waiting for the cops). Take this piece as a big understatement of how I owe so much to J.D Salinger for finding a broken piece in my life. It helped me to regain my strength and just be contented of who I am cause it's my life anyway. I wanted to believe I can write then and hell, I am going to pursue it. But it all changed when I went to college, but this will be another story.

After reading this, I became a huge fan of the author. I looked him up in the encyclopedias (there was no internet yet then) and good thing he's indeed a live person. This wasn't part of our assigned reading in high school so I researched on my own and didn't get so much information though. I read in Esquire later that he went on a long sabbatical in his own house until now. He knew he was popular but well he did not really acknowledge it. He wasn't used to all the fame and glory. He was just not the type who was too happy to be in the New York Times bestsellers and signing autographs here and there. He assumed a quiet life maybe because he didn't want to become a sellout. Or a phony, he would say.

From my used-books hunting, I found 2 out of 4 titles credited to him. All in early editions, I may boast. I have (or had) "Raise High the Roof beam, Carpenters with Seymour an Introduction" and "Franny and Zooey". I never bought the recent edtions "Nine Stories" being sold in the book stores right now. I still cross my fingers everytime I chance upon garage sales and previously owned book stores. As for "Catcher in the Rye", did I return this on its due date? Take a guess... :)

AMAZING Facts!

Such a long read but very interesting :)

1. In order to unravel the paradox that is mankind, we should examine the word itself: 'Mankind'. Interestingly, it consists of two words - 'mank' & 'ind'. What do these words mean? It's an enigma and so is mankind. 'Politics' also consists of two words, 'poly' meaning many, and 'tics' as in tiny bloodsucking parasites.

2. If you can smile when things go wrong you already know who you're going to blame.

3. Conscience is what hurts when everything else feels so good.

4. Hangovers - Tell yourself you are simply suffering the wrath of grapes.

5. Allow children to make their own mistakes. Laughing at their stupidity also helps.

6. Children need encouragement. If your child gets an answer right, tell them it was a lucky guess. That way they'll develop a good, lucky feeling.

7. Don't forget that depression is only anger without enthusiasm.

8. Men are from Earth. Women are from Earth. Deal with it!

9. If you must choose between two evils, pick one you've never tried before.

10. (How to satisfy a woman) - Adore, appreciate, caress, charm, cherish, coax, compliment, embrace, enchant, enthrall, hug, humor, honor, idolize, pamper, phone, promise, relish, respect, sacrifice for, savor, serenade, spoil, stroke, treasure, understand, venerate & worship. (How to satisfy a man) - Show up naked!

11. Doing the job right first time gets the job done. Doing it 17 times gives you job security!

12. If you eyes hurt after drinking coffee, remove the spoon from the cup.

13. All power corrupts! Absolute power is pretty cool, though.

14. Love your neighbor, but don't get caught.

15. If something were worth doing, wouldn't it have been done already?

16. Let people know where you stand, wear the same socks for a month.

17. Be nice to the loners and nerds at school... you'll be working for them in the future!

18. Avoid embarrassing children in front of their peers by forbidding them to ever bring friends home.

19. Don't kick a man when he's down unless you're sure he won't get up!

20. If all life gives you is lemons, stick them down your shirt and make your boobs look bigger.

21. Avoid the embarrassment of tripping in public by repeating the same movement several times to make it look like a normal part of your behavior.

22. If you can stay calm while all around you is chaos, you probably haven't completely understood the seriousness of the situation!

23. Dead men don't bite, but pretty soon they start to smell.

24. It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere.

25. Honesty is the best policy, but insanity is a better defense.

26. If you can't beat them... arrange to have them beaten.

27. Jesus loves you, but everyone else thinks you're a prick.

28. The face of a child can say it all, especially the mouthpart of the face.

29. When all else fails... lower your standards.30. You will catch more flies with a bucket of sh*t than a spoonful ofhoney.

31. If life is a waste of time, and time is a waste of life, then let's all get wasted together and have the time of our lives.

32. One man's meat is another man's meat... after 72 hours of pioneering surgery.

33. It may be that your only purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others.

34. Ambition is a lame excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.

35. If at first you don't succeed, call it a day and have a beer!

36. Encourage independence in children by regularly losing them at the supermarket. 37. Remember that a clear conscience is usually the sign of a weak memory.

38. The things that come to those who wait are the things those who got there first didn't want. 39. Abandon the search for truth... settle for a good fantasy.

40. Never go to bed mad - stay up and fight.

41. When in doubt, mumble.

42. It's frustrating when you know all the answers and nobody asks you the questions.

43. There are very few problems that can't be solved by orders ending with '...or I'll shoot'.

44. No matter how good she looks, some other guy is sick and tired of putting up with her sh*t.

45. Beauty is only a light switch away.

46. How to avoid a crocodile attack - Look the croc' straight in the eye and stick out your tongue to touch the tip of your nose. A crocodile cannot stick out its tongue but will be so impressed that it will attempt to copy you, causing its tongue to snap off.
Then it will bleed to death.

47. The meek will inherit the Earth... after everyone else has finished with it.48. How to avoid an attack from an unfriendly lion - Wait until the lion is 5 feet away and then ram a pair of ladders down it's throat.If you have trouble finding ladders in the jungle then a small item of furniture such as a bedside table or a cocktail cabinet will do.

49. Learn from your parent's mistakes - use birth control.

50. If you think there is good in everybody, you haven't met everybody.

51. Never knock on death's door - ring the doorbell and run like f*ck!

52. He who laughs last just got the joke.

53. Remember it takes a big man to cry, but a bigger man to laugh at that man.

54. Birds of a feather flock together... and sh*t all over your car.

55. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy who can retire at 40 and laugh at everyone else working away for the next 25 years!

56. To prevent your toilet from smelling, piss in the shower!

57. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people look intelligent, until you hear them speak.

58. Eat healthily, exercise daily, think positively, and die anyway.

59. Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

60. Stop judging others - even the inept and the laughable.

Hale Holy %$&@!

I bought Hale's cd for my best friend who wants to sulk on melancholoneliness over some guy. SOME guy! I never understood why she adores these kids other than the cheesy video, its poster boy lead and the fact that SOME guy played/sang their hit song to her when they were on the phone once. But it's all good business. Their carrier "The Day you said Goodbye" is my theme song everyday when I go to work for the past 4 months. It's literally the 1st song I hear on MYX when I get up and the last song on the FX before it pulls over. Damn. Their song is even a ringtone! These kids are BIG!

Surprisingly, it's the kind of song that grows in you. I usually know that I hate a song or group the 1st time I hear it. And no one can change that. I HATED them in the beginning. Who are these kids anyway? Some Rivermaya spin-off? For me my band/alternative days were long gone when grunge and Seattle bands were the thing. When the boys in my high school were listening to Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Green Day and were never ashamed to collect posters of Axl Rose. Even our Catholic teachers proclaimed that LIVE is EVIL. Get that? LIVE is EVIL spelled backwards! And yes, backmasking became cool again featuring the Eraserheads. Get that? They're the new Beatles! We got Beatles in our shores before UK's Oasis were ever formed!

Going back, Hale's repertoire are pure melancholic Coldplayish sentimental songs indeed. What's even more pathetic are their sulken faces. Seems like Champ (lead/vocalist) is the lone member who was taught to do PR. I guess the others just haven't realized yet that they're faces are in every freaking music video channel, song books, magazines, even my 80-something grandmother probably knows them. Frankly, these guys should get used to fame or maybe responding to the questions at least. I've seen some of their interviews in MTV and MYX seems like Champ's kinda embarassed that their other members can't answer a simple question as "Who's your biggest musical influence?" (In the Philippines this only translates to "Sino idol mo?" It doesn't mean anything more than that, believe me!)

The album has a pretty neat packaging though. Interesting cover, no lame dedication and shout-outs of sorts. The opening bars are catchy. It's too radio-friendly to the point of being easy listening or pop. No doubt, if they play their cards right they'll get very wide acceptance. Not just in album sales and but musically as an artist and with the critics as well. The lyrics are still amateurish though. Reminds me of High school when you just discovered prose, metaphors, analogies and freestyle poetry. Their words give you that youthful girlish feeling all over again. I guess their songwriter whoever it is in the group still needs a bit of maturity and realize that simplicity and being profound is not a crime. He's very promising though, like a teenage Rico Blanco. And another thing I may ask, are the lyrics really meant to be in a handwritten font? The tracing paper could be cutting edge this side of town. But if it's a girl's handwriting there, it looks like a wedding invitation good thing it's not pink and scented!

Put some Reggae in your Jeggae...Yeah!!!

There's nothing extraordinary with this place-Xymaca. In fact its way too ordinary only its just blessed with its very 'happenin' location on a strip called Timog. This bar reminds me of our good ol Marlone's in UP. It's the dormer's haven, a very big part in every any UPV memorabilia. Where most kids profoundly get their ultimate UP experience. First drink, first puff Miagao style! Clearly it's the best tambayan/carinderia/inuman/classroom/internet cafe and god-knows-what-else! Again, nothing too special but just ask around and u get it...it' where all the cool people hang out!
We went there to see Brownman Revival on a rainy friday night. We got there way too early at 9pm so guess what its just a hollow matchbox of a pit trying hard to create a boracay 'pawasak', 'pawala' appeal minus the sand and the bikinis. Booze and cool music i'm pretty sure of that. But cool crowd and cooler vibe i dunno...(Only later to find out that the damn place lacks COOL AIR too! The ventilation just sucks i felt that my lungs and the nipa hut cum bar area could blow up anytime because of the kids filthy thick smoke!)
There's a mezzanine level by the way for all I care. We were ushered there coz all 6 table were reserved in advance. (On one table it says _ Reserved for ex presidential son Jinggoy Estrada. Who are we kidding?) Must be the VIP lounge I thought. It's nothing more than a dressing room and one big lamesa to hold more booze and the bands' equipment. Again, so dark and narrow it screams-UPV Little Theater dressing room! (last time i heard the place was already renovated thank God!)
Anyways, we went outside for a while to have dinner some place coz it's pretty clear that there's nothing particularly edible on this place that seats about 50 but can accomodate 300 on a big night (proven very true!) We got back around 10 thirtyish and just decided to let the band come on and probably leave before the 1st set is over. After an hour of looking around, a beer, some smoke and some more smoke...the Messiahs finaly arrived! Hey, we were there to see them so yeah forget the shitty thoughts and let's get it on!
The first song was a reggae rendition of Dr. Hook's classic Sharing the Night Together. No wonder everyone just swooned. These guys definitely know how to flatter! Dino, yes the supa hunky vocalist can carry a tune alright but no one yes NO ONE can just pull off this dorky song as an opening if either #1 you're not cute and #2 wala kang appeal #3 hindi ka sexy and #4 hindi ka guapo! I admit I'm a fan. In fairness, that goes to all members of the group. The set ended after about 6 numbers including some songs from their album. By this time the crowd quadripled and everyone standing about a square inch from each other. This is one place where guys are not ashamed to groove and sing mushy love songs. And the hell everyone cares!..."reggae to pre...adik...one beat one love..." Hahahhaha LOL!!!! Anyways, the vibe was goddamn good to hell with Wannabes and Bimbos and our lungs already protruding, but beer was so accessible in our spot so we decided to stay.
Brownman Revival caught my attention when their video Maling Akala was came on. A true blue Eraserheads wit and flavor it's a perfect launching for any newly signed group. For one it is a revival so there's obviously the BIG recall factor and technically fans of the defunked band will immediately be their immediate followers. But this is not asking too much though since the group also hailed from UP about the same time Eraserheads dropped out but still very strong on campus and they already have a cult following with their numerous gigs and ex-bands. I can just cringe and swear at the sight of very pubescent Paris Hilton clad groupies at the back. It was a tennis court by the way. Who would ever thought that a tennis court will be so convenient at the back of this place. I'd be more thankful if its the Fire Brigade!

Who says 'STRESSED' is spelled 'DESSERTS' backwards?

How true?!

Sweet song...**SWEET THING**

Before Nina came out with her own SWEET version there was the jazzier and in my opinion, more soulful (for lack of a better and appropriate term) version by Rufus and Chaka Khan. This was featured in movies Love and Basketball (I've seen this a long time ago but never had a recollection of the song) and Deliver us From Eva with LL Cool J. Gosh, u should see LL Cool J sing this song in his truck with partner Gabriel Union. Just 2 things, you'll either love or loathe him! ;)

Sweet Thing
I will love you anyway
Even if you cannot stay
I think you are the one for me
Here is where you ought to be
I just want to satisfy ya
Though you're not mine I can't deny ya
Don't you hear me talking baby?
Love me now or I'll go crazy
[CHORUS:]
Oh sweet thing
Don't you know you're my everything?
Oh sweet thing Don't you know you're my everything?
Yes, you areI wish you were my lover
But ya act so undercover
To love you child my who life long
Be it right, or be it wrong
I'm only what you make me, baby
Don't walk away, don't be so shady
Don't want your mind, don't want your money
These words I say, they may sound funny, but...
[CHORUS]
You are my heat
You are my fire
You make me weak with strong desire
To love you child my whole life long
Be it right, or be it wrong
I just want to satisfy ya
Though you're not mine I can't deny ya
Don't you hear me talking baby?
Love me now or I'll go crazy
[VAMP:]
You're my heat, you are my fire
You're not mine, I can't deny ya
Don't you hear me talking, baby?
Love me now, or I'll go crazy

After Eden

This is one book that i literally finished in one sitting. don't be too impressed though, it's a comic book aka graphic novel by Arnold Arre that you can definitely finish in like an hour (without distraction) or two if there's a lot of loud music and louder mouths in the background... like in a mall - which was where I was then!
But don't be fooled by the synopsis and the reviews though...this is not one comic version of the underrated/overrated Valentine romances collectors edition vol, 1. (With foreword from Lualhati Bautista. OOps..i think i'm overdoing this! hehe..) Anyways, to those are reading this, read it! I came across this book last year when I was actually searching if there were newer titles of Zsa zsa Saturnnah. Well I was quite hooked to this queer super heroine when a friend lent me his copy. Neal , u know it's you! He apparently read this book as well. But well, I am not making any book review coz I'm not too keen on it and maybe I won't make any justice to this brilliant work if I ever suck! Just click on this site to know more. i just wish this will not turn out to be a brilliant plot for another screenplay cause I will definitely gag to death. And more than anything, it'll break my heart. sniff..sniff...

"Senti-pede"

this is one kick-ass piece i'm sure any chick lit fan will die for. it sure killed me coz i read this at a time when yeah...u thought it was over but it's not! hope some insensitive macho freak will be enlightened and take a good second look at their "girl-friends". And yeah, girls be sure the light is dimly lit.

What's a Meantime Girl?

She's the one you call when you're bored because she makes you laugh. She's the one you talk to when you're feeling down because she's willing to lend an ear and be a friend.

She's not the one you call when you need a date to your company's Christmas party, or to go dancing with on a Saturday night. She's the one you spend time with between girlfriends, before you find "The One." You know, the one who you keep around in the meantime. She's not one of the guys, not a tomboy, but you don't look at her as a "real" woman either. She's not bitchy enough, moody enough, or sexy enough to be seen in that light. She's too laid-back, too easily amused by the same things your male buddies are amused by. She's too understanding, too comfortable - she doesn't make you feel nervous or excited the way a "real" woman does.

But she's cool, and nice, and funny, and attractive enough that when you're lonely or horny and need intimate female companionship, she'll do just fine. You don't have to wine and dine her because she knows the real you already, and you don't have any facades to keep up, no pretenses to preserve. You're not trying to get anything of substance out of her.

She's not easy, but you know that she cares about you and is attracted to you, and that she'll give you the intimacy you need. And you know you don't have to explain yourself or the situation, that she'll be able to cope with the fact that this isn't the beginning of a relationship or that there's any possibility that you have any real romantic feelings for her.

It won't bother her that you'll get up in the morning, put on your pants, say goodbye, and go on a date with the woman you've been mooning over for weeks who finally agreed to go out with you. She'll settle for a goodbye hug and a promise to call her and tell her how the date went. She's just so cool . . . why can't all women be like that?! But deep down, if you really think about it (which you probably don't because to you, the situation between the two of you isn't important enough to merit any real thought), you know that it's really not fair.

You know that although she would never say it, it hurts her to know that despite all her good points and all the fun you two have, you don't think she's good enough to spend any real time with. Sure, it's mostly her fault, because she doesn't have to give in to your needs - she could play the hard-to-get bitch like the rest of them do, if she really wanted to. But you and she both know that she probably couldn't pull it off. Maybe she's too short, or a little overweight, or has a big birthmark on her forehead, or works at Taco Bell.

Whatever the reason, somehow life has given her a lot of really great qualities but has left out the ones that men want (or think they want) in a woman. So she remains forever the funny friend, the steadfast companion, the secret lover, and you go on searching for your goddess who will somehow be everything you ever wanted in a woman. You'll joke to her that she should be the best man at your wedding, and she'll laugh and make a joke about a smelly rental tux. She doesn't captivate you with her beauty, or open doors with her smile. Mainly she blends in with the crowd. She's safe. She doesn't want to be the center of attention and turn the heads of everyone in the room.

But she wants to turn someone's head. She wants to be special to someone, too. We all do. She has feelings. She has a heart. In fact, she probably has a bigger and better heart than any woman you've ever known because she's had a front-row seat to The Mess That Is Your Life, and she likes you anyway. She obviously sees something worthwhile and redeeming in you because although you've given her nothing, absolutely no reason to still be around, she is.

Anyway, yeah. I'm a Meantime Girl. Been one more times than I care to admit. I don't know the reason, really, and at this point I don't even care. I just want to let every guy know who's ever had the good fortune to have a Meantime Girl that we may be a lot of fun, but we cry too. A lot. And someday we won't be around.

<>

This has been in my office mailbox for sometime...like 2 years already? Anyway here goes...TO ALL MY FRIENDS...those that knew me when Edward Furlong was still the dreamboat of every pre-pubescent imagination...and those that have remained faithful till this day when OUR GUY is back in the CROW! Gosh, can't wait!

Somewhere b e t w e e n the procrastination.... and the homework..... and the incessant forwards..... and the friendships..... and the calls to each other complaining about crushes!!...... Somewhere b e t w e e n the phone calls to old friends..... And the "I miss you's" & the "I love you's"....... And the "What are we doing tonight's?"..... And somewhere b e t w e e n all of the changing, growing... Somewhere b e t w e e n the classes........ And the skipping classes...... And the studying for tests....... And the pretending to study for tests....... And the downright NOT studying for tests... I forgot.......... I forgot what school is all about.I forgot what it meant to cry....... I forgot that pretending to be happy doesn't make you happy........... And that pretending to be smart doesn't make you smart............ I forgot that you can't just forget the past in fear of the future.......... I forgot that you can't control falling in love........... And that you can't make yourself fall in love........... I learned thatI can love......... I learned that it's okay to mess up......... And it'sokay to ask for help......... And it's okay to feel like crud.......... I learned it's okay to complain and whine to all your friends for a whole day........ I learned that sometimes the things you want most you just can't have.I learned that the greatest thing about school isn't the Dances orthe DRiNKiNG or the hook-ups... It's the friendships, which means taking chances........ I learned that sometimes the things we want to forget are the things which we most need to talk about.......... I learned that letters from friends are the most important thing. And that sending cards to your friends makes you feel better. But, basically, I just learned that my friends........ Both o l d and new......... Are the most important people to me in the world. And without them, I wouldn't be who I am today..... So this is a thank you to all of my friends. . For always being there and I love you.