A Bed of Songs & Stories

"Maging Sino Ka Man (For Who You Are)" - Sharon Cuneta My very first concert experience was back in the early 90's when my mom took me to see my all-time favorite Filipina singer, Sharon Cuneta. Sharon is what Philippines deems as a "Mega-Star," bigger than a Super Star because of her work in film, TV, and of course music. She started in her early teens and got her rise to fame for portraying realistic and very dramatic female characters who often get into trouble for falling in love with the wrong person. Most of her songs appeared in her movies baring the same titles. This one is definitely a classic and I love to sing it even if it's not on my Karaoke machine. I had it on cassette tape when the movie first came out and played it over and over again. I loved another song by Vina Morales entitled, May Bukas Pa (There's Still A Tomorrow) . Unfortunately, this poor lil' tape went missing. It's one of the things I miss the most... Several remakes ...

"Let's Stay Together" - Al Green The quiet of today made me sleepy, something I haven't been in a while so I almost didn't know what to do with myself. I felt like I drank a bottle of NyQuil and all I wanted to do was lock the door, turn off my computer, turn up the ac and knock out over my good ol' gallery rug. I stood up to get my blood flowing. It didn't work. I pulled away from my desk and walked to the main lobby and back to stretch out. Still didn't work. Not a lot of people showed up so in my zombie-like state I was on the hunt for someone to bring me back to life. I popped my head into the office next door and asked the Operations Team to take a ride with me. I needed to take a few training supplies to another location so I thought what better reason to get out! We piled into a very used, forest green minivan. The sun was warm, but the ac took a while to kick into gear. The radio stations weren't set up and the antenna was a mess so we had ...

"American Pie" - Don McLean Somehow I'm drawn to this song. I guess I'll fall for anything full of pianos and guitars. I definitely love good stories and lyrically, this tells just that. Although I do have to admit that all this time I never knew this was dedicated to the fallen musicians who died in a plane crash on that fateful night in February, 1959 - Buddy Holly, J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson and Ritchie Valens. Now, years later several interpretations have been widely spread across the Internet, but it was too complicated to search through the mumbo jumbo between what was factual and what was a myth behind what McLean was trying to convey in his song. Most of what I found were from people who thought they knew, but McLean never actually confirmed any of what they assumed was true. "...You will find many "interpretations" of my lyrics but none of them by me. Isn't this fun? Sorry to leave you all on your own like this but long ago ...

"Fair" - Remy Zero This song snuck it's way back into my life before I even realized what hit me. When it first started to play, I didn't remember where it came from and so I moved my fingertip away from the "skip" button, placed my iPod back inside the cup holder and continued my drive along the 5 freeway to avoid the traffic jam on the 110 bridge. I slowly began to merge with the on-coming cars when the familiar chorus caught me off-guard and hurled me back into the wrong lane. A few angry drivers honked. I tried to wave an apology, but they sped off. To make matters worse, the sudden swerve of my steering wheel popped my iPod out of its comfort zone and onto the floor. Surprisingly, the song kept going but now the button was well out of my reach. To avoid any further close calls, I had no choice but to let it play. I let out a big, hefty sigh, shook my head in disbelief and finally made my way to my exit. How I wish I could've been somewhere else at t...

"White Blank Page" - Mumford & Sons I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this Easter morning. "Cough." The world was up, but I was in no mood to deal with it. "Cough." I fought the need to start the day for as long as I could. "Cough." I fought my urge to pee. "Cough." I fought the noise surrounding me. "Cough." I fought the sound of kids running around, the clanging of plates and silverware, the shuffling of hurried feet in and out of the kitchen and scurrying passed my bedroom door. "Cough." I wanted to hide underneath the warmth of my plush red blanket, but once again I lost my fuzzy pink socks in the middle of the night. "Cough." They escaped somehow and no matter what I did, I couldn't stay warm. "Cough." Frustrated from the lack of sleep I got and the unfortunate ticking clock, I knew it was just a matter of time before the house filled up with even more people and even more noise....

"Sleeps with Butterflies" - Tori Amos Q: "If you only had one minute to live, what would you do?" A: "I'd make every second count." It's hard for me to put logic into anything that's happened this last year and it'll soon be my turn to hit a new age in a couple of months. It's not like I'll gain an extra sense of clarity by then. (If that was the case, I'd probably show more enthusiasm). It's just that I didn't picture myself to be here, doing pretty much the same thing as I was doing before. I know no one ever does, but I had a plan. A good one. And being back at square one sure does suck when I did everything I could to move forward. I guess this is what happens when I invest into something that doesn't have the strength to stand still. So, what now? You wanna jump off a plane? It's a shame my solid ground was too much for you. Apparently, you're not alone. It seems all the boys wanna be butterflies nowaday...

"You Only Live Once" - The Strokes So, this is for me huh? Well, what does it really mean? Or better yet, how should I interpret it? I never took the liberty to look into it any deeper than I had to because it's a bit too upbeat for my taste. Plus, it reminds me of the My Space era and I hated My Space because someone would always ruin it for me. People found each other and did some sh*t they shouldn't have done behind private messages and shady pictures. I know because I always checked and sadly, I always found something. Thank goodness for Facebook where everything is out in the open, but of course now I have no reason to care to know. Well, that is until I saw a video post and skipped the fine print to go straight for the lyrics. The Internet actually provides an explanation for the saying, "You only live once:" -Make the best of it -Live life to the fullest -Don't take the little things for granted -Don't worry, be happy -Appreciate what you have...

E.T. - Katy Perry feat. Kanye West I'm not a fan of Katy Perry and although Kanye can be a played out punk, I can't deny his talent. Surprisingly, together they created a song I actually enjoy listening to very much. I don't mind letting it grow on me. Lyrics are kinda silly, but it's not supposed to have a real point in my book. I don't have to break everything down to give it purpose. It just has an awesome beat and whatever works for me, simply works. Lyrics: I got a dirty mind I got filthy ways I'm tryna Bath my Ape in your Milky Way I'm a legend, I'm irreverent I be reverend I be so fa-a-ar up, we don't give a f-f-f-f@$k Welcome to the danger zone Step into the fantasy You are not invited to the other side of sanity They calling me an alien A big headed astronaut Maybe it's because your boy Yeezy get a$$ a lot You're so hypnotizing Could you be the devil Could you be an angel Your touch magnetizing Feels like I am floating Leaves my ...

"Ex-Factor" - Lauryn Hill Ay, Lauryn where did your heart go? Your passion for your music? Your care for your voice? Your quality of sound that was once your art? I waited for you for 4 long hours last night and when you finally showed up, you didn't even thank us for waiting nor apologize for your extreme tardiness. We were standing the whole time to hear what we remembered you used to sound like only to be left with an enormous ego with a not-so-enormous performance. I chose this song because it's by far one of my favorites. I lived by these lyrics during your early years...during my early years when I was still learning how the whole love thing works. I'm still learning, but I wish I could've seen you then vs. now. Because at least then my hard lessons would've been met with a better soundtrack instead of extending my tired Monday evening with your raspy, rushed ensemble you sadly threw together and called a concert. Take the Diva crown off, "Miss...

"Cool" - Gwen Stefani I was trying on some bras in a newly revamped dressing room today as this song came on. It's funny how I haven't heard it in a while and it suddenly decided to show itself right at my most vulnerable state. There I was looking at myself in the mirror (one of those 3-dimensional mirrors where you could see yourself from all angles), underneath bright lights and seeing more than I needed to see, literally. And then I started to think. I picked a fight with a "friend" late Friday-early Saturday morning because this friend just knows how to get under my skin with their antics. And I think of him when I hear this song. It can't be helped. We've gone through every stage, worn every label, and did every possible thing you could think of when it comes to being more than friends. And so I was hoping that this time we'd finally get the friend thing right. But it's difficult to befriend an ex. I hate to admit that yes, I was thinki...

"Violet" - Hole The clock was unbearably slow this afternoon. It was 2 o'clock, but it felt like two whole weeks passed me by as I walked up and down the hallways with this song screaming through the void that's been growing bigger and bigger inside of me these last few days. The Operations Team had issues too and luckily, this song was on repeat on their computer and the sounds spilled into my office next door. It was nice to know that my neighbors were experiencing the same excruciating pain of an endless Friday at work. So, we took a break from the bullsh*t that is our everyday workload, turned the volume just a tad bit louder and ran amok through the building. The weekend started early in our heads and since the managers were distracted, we decided to take a slight advantage of not being supervised. Well, at least for a cool 15-minutes. We didn't throw a party or anything like that. Nothing was planned. We didn't even say anything to each other. We simply ...

"Cut" - Jimmy Eat World Jimmy Eat World – Cut found on Rock Lyrics: I made it And now there's no turning back I know there's no depth you wouldn't sink for the chance I'm sorry, boy I'm not cut for this no more You came in Yeah, you happened to me So I waited and nothing else has since I'm sorry, boy But I'm no good for you no more If it's your name in lights And if the time is yours, You'd be on your back You'd be on the floor It's the kind of night that I'd always hoped And he's the kind of guy worth waiting for There's always some baggage you've got to check I'm trying Hope that you'd understand I'm sorry, boy I'm not cut for this no more Yes I loved you, boy But I'm not cut for this no more http://www.plyrics.com/lyrics/jimmyeatworld/cut.html http://www.popculturemadness.com/interview/Jimmy-Eat-World.html

"Wishing on a Star" - Rose Royce Don't get any ideas. This song isn't for you. It isn't for the other you either. As if either one of you is still paying any attention. Oh well...but for some reason today, my head was full of songs. And it sucks because I woke up in tears this morning and it almost seems too coincidental that this of all things is the one thing that stuck in my head like gum on the bottom of my shoe. I can't tell you where it came from. It wasn't in my dream. This much I know. I didn't hear it on the radio and it's not on any of my playlists or mixed CDs. Yet there I was, standing in the middle of the lobby area, setting up a training-on-the-fly, and humming this tune. I surprised myself, not to mention an early bird who noticed what I was humming. She looked up from her computer, stared at me for a long minute and asked, "Girl, what you know bout that song?" I giggled, a little embarrassed that she made out what I was hu...

"Notorious Thugs" - Notorious BIG feat. Bone thugs-n-Harmony I love it when I'm cruising in my Mini with my loaded iPod, craving for something different...something that brings me back. And as if it heard me, a song I haven't heard in forever blasts through the speakers to say, "Hey!" I completely forgot I even had this put on there, but I'm so happy it found its way through the shuffle. Gotta love the hood in me. It's a bit of me that I let go for boys that didn't come through in the end. So I'm backtracking to a time when music didn't always make me cry. When the bumpin' beat makes you dance in your car like your tint is too dark for anyone to notice. When lyrics are twisted and even though you stop, rewind, and repeat, it's still hard to grab onto. It's like a good thing: Slippery lil' suckers. But they'll come back, eventually. They always do. Lyrics: (Just) Bone and Biggie Biggie (We gonna rock the party) Just Bo...

"Purp and Yellow" - Wiz Khalifa feat. Snoop Dogg, Game, & YG 'Nuff of dat sad ol' ish. I'm changin' it up once again cuz it's my blog and I feel like bein' a lil' bit ghetto jus before bed. After an ugly losing streak against some unknown non-champions, my boys are back beating out two of the teams favored to win them over: the f@$kin' f@gg#t$ Spurs and Queens (oops, Kings). Black Mamba may have mouthed off, but I find it appalling that the media blew this way outta proportion! There's a big, damn difference between being deragatory and being frustrated over a freakin' game. And this being "politically correct" bullsh*t is getting way outta hand. But I guess I should thank them for rhilin' my Kobe just enough to win yet again, droppin' $100K like the 3-point shot he made at the end of the 4th tonight. A win is a win is a win so nah, nah, nah, nah, nah! I wanna be a sore winner when it comes to people bickerin'...

"Give Me A Reason To Love You" - Portishead I'm in this mess whether I want to be in it or not. I need a damn distraction, but the bastard is being a b*tch and is on a hiatus again. How the hell am I supposed to prevent myself from doing something stupid if I'm not doing something stupid already? So, what gives huh? I'm dancing on this ice, gracefully. Missed a few steps here and there, but so far no cracks. At least none that I can see. And even if it breaks, it's nothing I haven't seen before. It's actually pretty and I fell in more times than I can count. Yes, I've learned my lesson, but it doesn't mean I don't like intentionally making mistakes. It's the imperfections that make it good. And hey, maybe the cold sensation is worth the risk in the end. But at least let it build some heat first before it melts. Hrumph! Don't get all educated on me now. Smart is no fun if it's only with one. And playing dumb is so much more exci...

"Boys of Summer" - Don Henley Hey, BFF it's your birthday. We've been through a lot, haven't we? It all started in the 3rd grade when a popular "French" girl entered Hamilton Elementary and stole my thunder, but not for long. It wasn't until Nancy and Tina that we finally learned how to work as a team. We had our differences, but regardless of it all things just clicked. Chief found her Giggles and Wilson wouldn't have been the same without you. First crushes, first boyfriends (even the one we shared), and of course first stories of all of our firsts. And even if we had a pretty good sized gap between mid-high school and post-college, it wasn't big enough for us to stay apart. I kinda figured we'd find each other again. I mean, what are the odds that my green would run into your white on the stairs of the Civic Center on graduation day? It was fate knocking, but we needed a bit more time then before we came to the door. I gotta thank you...

"First Day of My Life" - Bright Eyes After a long phone conversation with a beautiful friend, I decided to check out a band she adores wholeheartedly and will get a chance to see, hopefully. It's funny how it always ends with a concert, huh? This is for her. The one who's unsure about tomorrow and what's to come of her Wednesday evening. The one who still wants to do nice things even if it'll be the last thing. The one who doesn't want to push buttons, invade space, and cause a scene. The one that inconveniences herself to make it more convenient for others. The one that's thinking ahead about how to fill her time with something worthy of it like swing-dancing. The one who's planning a future that she wants for once even if it was a plan she had once thought of with you. But she deserves more than going "halfers." And now, she's finally in search for the whole package. No more wondering, spying, over-analyzing, crying, denying, emotio...

"No Day, but Today (Finale B)" - RENT It's not perfect, but nothing ever is. And if you keep searching for something too good to be true, you'll never get to see what's been standing right in front of you. And it's pretty damn good, if you ask me. Lyrics: There is no future There is no past Thank God this Moment's not the last There's only us There's only this Forget, regret or Life is yours to miss No other road, no other way No day but today I can't control (Will I lose my dignity) My destiny (Will someone care) I trust my soul (Will I wake tomorrow) My only goal (From this nightmare) Without You (There's only now) The hand gropes (There's only here) Give in to love (The ear hears) Or live in fear (The pulse beats) No other path (Life goes on) No other way (When I'm gone) No Day but today ('Cause I die without you) I die without you (No day but today) I die without you (No day but today) I die without you (No day but today) I ...

"Cosmic Love" - Florence & The Machine Mad? No, but slightly disappointed. Sad? Nah, that definitely became overrated. But I am curious. Is anyone reading me? And if so, what does this all mean to you? Are you wondering why this song? Well, I guess you could say I gave it more than a minute, playing it often and letting it sink in. I just needed to step back from these ideas for a while because it hurt more than I expected it to and I don't need songs to make me hurt anymore. It eventually mellowed itself out and after some time, it decided to come up for air and remind me that it still hasn't made its appearance. So to that I say, "Ok, Beautiful come out and play." I could use something pretty right about now. Sitting here once again, attempting to exhaust myself into a deep sleep. But my feet are cold and I'm too lazy to get my own socks. I need to survive this case of insomnia. It's been 7-months since it came back with a vengeance. I don...

"I'm NOT in Love" - 10cc I tried to play a video post on my phone right before I jumped in the shower, but the damn thing wouldn't play. So, of course I end up singing a different song with a similar title. One that I know all too well. I tried to shrug it off by saying, "Hey, you're not supposed to be in my head there buddy." But through the shampooing, conditioning, scrubbing, washing, and towel-drying, I sang. I thought I would tire out after 10-minutes and even tried to shake it off. It was the wrong song, but my mind just kept on going. Through the lotioning, deodorizing and tooth-brushing, I hummed. It was official. It wouldn't leave me. So, even though it definitely doesn't fit the genre I was going for with my playlist #2, sometimes a gal's gotta cave in. So, fine! You made your mark, 10cc. Even though I still don't get your Boys Don't Cry bridge to save my life. I kinda giggle when I hear you. You take me back to a time when ...

"Hold It Against Me" - Britney Spears If I could create a soundtrack for this passed weekend in Vegas, then this would definitely be on the top of the list. Not only did it play wherever I went, but it kicked off my "I don't give a damn" 4-day vacation spree. A last minute invite and a couple of sick days later I found myself in a very familiar place. It's been a little over a year since my last visit, but this time I had a different crew. A better bunch that came with no bullsh*t from girls trippin' over being called "b*tches," no worrying about a certain someone that cared more about others than the one who CARED for him. No staying in one f@$kin' place the whole time. No figuring things out for myself. No compin' people who couldn't carry their own weight. No babysittin', no drama, no hardships, no bruises... The one good thing from that horrid experience was a good friend that stood by my side. Oh, and the fact that I rememb...