A Piece of Peace (exerpts from TJoaX May 14, 1998)

When anger becomes fear,
Out of words
nauseas thoughts
Foolish dreams and desires.

The cold earth,
Burnt out fire,
Ashes of hatred,
Seeds of isolation.

The eternal question
A piece of peace?
A promising future
of a storm colored past.

The sun sets,
beyond the horizon.
A majestic dead calm and then
Fear becomes anger.

Wishing Well

I wish I have...
a thicker cowl,
a clearer view,
a fairer coat,
a bigger heart,
and a soul for creation.

I wish that...
irony is just a word not something that happens to me.
politics is not synonymous with graft and corruption.
and religion gives faith, not take it away.

I wish for...
Peace on Earth, Goodwill to all men.
Eradication of hunger, racial discrimination, religious wars,
and acceptance of all existing genders.
A greener environment where I may nurture a soul for creation...

September is here

I can't believe August went by so fast, I was only able to post one entry aside from this one, but I will try to make up for it before this day is over... There's a lot happening around us, there is that oil spill in Guimaras which I find really frustrating, we have laws to prevent these things from happening but no one seems interested to implement them. The dirty politics with it's selfish politicians, the not news worthy stories on the tube and papers and all that (stupid) JAZZ.

"8 million stories in the naked city" the Emmy's has come and gone, one of my favorite t.v. shows "24" piled up on awards. HBO (Asia) has a new series "Entourage" which I really find very entertaining. Big production with lots of cameo's, good story, excellent script, great actors, the works. I always believe that if you don't find success in your lifetime at least try to know someone successful whose got your back. This latest feel good show from HBO is all about that, friendships, enjoying life and staying true to who you are. That has always been my personal goal, but sometimes there are other variables that prevent me from reaching that goal and no matter how hard I try my life is not going to be like feel good movies. But at least we can always go to our favorite video store and purchase the latest box set and enjoy a movie marathon of our choice.

Night Watch

In darkness there should be peace,
Not chaos...
In peace, there must live silence,
Not restlessness...
And why must silence conceive distorted voices?

Past, present and future collides
and gives birth to darkness.
From the deathbed of restlessness peace arises.
Finally all the distorted voices in my head can be heard...

From the ear shattering silence...

Another "Bone-Y" Night

Me and some of my buds were treated to another funky set of "Bone", out in Kolumn Bar, in Timog, Quezon City last Friday night. "Funk Rocki'n" the stage with their all original repertoire, Bone is fast becoming an act with a great potential to be a milestone in the ever changing world of the local music industry. Being with old friends and having Bone blasting away with their kind of music is an experience that is truly worth sharing. I would really like to see more of them in the thriving bar scene, and maybe someday even an album... Good luck to all of you and thanks for a late night well spent. PEACE!!!


Special thanks to
"The Bass Man / Look at my Muscles" (Pareng Jerc) >>>>>>>
for the invite.
Rakenrol!!!




Kolumn Bar is one of the those rare venues that gives independent bands a chance to express their raw talents and original music, let us do our share and support the new breed of talented "up and coming" individuals while enjoying original Filipino music over a round of brewsky, whatever is your poison I hope to slam into you one of these days.

Kolumn Bar, Scout Torillo st., Timog, Quezon City.(Near Off the Grill).

"Rock On"

The Journal of a Xzykho

At Sea


A long time ago (well, not that long) when I was still in the merchant marine, my mother wrote me a letter telling me that "Experience is the best teacher, and traveling was a great experience". These words somehow gave me a new outlook at the chance I was given traveling the world on board ships. At first it was all work for me, and it did not make any sense whatsoever that I had to leave everything that is familiar and comfortable just to earn a living. But witnessing the sun rise and set on a calm open sea where the sky meets the deep blue makes you realize the magic of being alive, whenever dolphins swim playfully alongside our ships I know that I will never be alone no matter where I am, and when the ocean shows its ugly head every so-often with her troubling storm tantrums I am reminded of how short and precious our stay in this world really is.

During those long months I spent away from home I started to write a journal of my thoughts and experiences, an idea given to me by my sister one day when I was on leave. Inside were manifested drafts of ideas, hopes, dreams and fears of a younger self that I sometimes fail to recognize now whenever I see my own image. After my last tour I put my journal away and totally forgot about it until a few days ago, I was scouring my treasured junk collection for some old cables for my image scanner when I chanced upon my keeper of thoughts. I could not remember when I had it last and what I have written inside is pretty vague by now. So I started reading the first pages and like a flash flood during a heavy downpour the memories came crashing in.

It was overwhelming to relive a decade of my life in one sitting, there are times when I can't help but smile remembering the feelings that I felt at a particular point in time, and then there were those disturbing passages that's so confusing that I feel so lucky to be here writing this all down for all those who care enough to share it with me.

Surreal

Hello stranger, how's the weather?
I hope you have your coat in case it gets cold.
By the way how's your mother?
I have to say you're a splitting image of her.

Really!? She said that? Ha ha, You're funny,
You remind me of myself at your age.
Wow, how you've grown
How could that be? Yesterday you were just a baby.

So how's your little brother? Is he!? He he...
Well boys will be boys, you have to understand,
You are after all his only big sister,
Always take care of each other.

And try not to be bothersome to your parents,
I'm sure they're trying their best,
Do your chores, and be a good girl.
Don't forget to do your homework.

So, are you ready to spend the day with me?
What do you like to do? No, I've never been there.
This is going to be a great day don't you think?
Wait here while I get the car...

What's that ringing? Is that your phone?
Oh its only the alarm, What time is it!? It's morning...
I was only dreaming, I'm sorry my angel...
I thought we were finally together.

Everything seemed so real,
It was all just wishful thinking.
The truth is, you don't know I exist.
And I only get to see you... in digitized images.

The Language of Sycamores

I'm not an avid fan of books that deals with our humanity, I'm more of a fictional, conspiracy, mystery, occult/fantasy kind of a reader. I like to escape to places I've never been or will never have a chance to go to. Where the never ending ascent of gasoline, commodities and political garbage is the least of my problems. But from time to time I stumble upon literary gems far from the genre I have grown to appreciate that is worth sharing.
"The Language of Sycamores" by Lisa Wingate is the third installment of the book series "Tending Roses". It follows Karen Sommerfield as she goes through a life changing experience after finding out from her doctor that she may have cancer (again) and losing her "Power Job" at Lansing Tech. When Karen tries to rediscover herself and renew her ties with her family she met a little girl named Dell who rescued her from her old self and allowed her to discover the real story behind Grandma Rose's fallout with her own family. Lisa Wingate is a good story teller, she gives vivid descriptions of the environment, (I swear I could feel the wind blowing). The book reminds me of a quote sent to me by Kyko Castaneda that I posted on my other blog "Writings on the Wall". Life is too short, if we don't take our time to find out what's really important in our lives we may end up old and miserable. Sometimes I reminisce about the good old days of my youth like it was just yesterday... Then I think maybe it was, and I ask myself "where did the time go?". I definitely recommend this book to all those who keeps waking up in the morning wondering "what am I doing with my life?", those who stare at their mirror reflection and not recognize their own image, those who are so immersed in themselves that they forget to be a part of the magic that is life. "Live life each day to the fullest, be thankful, be content".

Wow Phils

I try my hardest not to be so negative, I guess my angry teenage self is still with me after all this years and will always make it's presence felt whenever an opportunity calls for it. A couple of days ago on my way to work I was running late so I took the fast but crowded route via MRT. I need to get off in Buendia and take an FX that will take me to Ayala, the fare is supposed to be 10.00Php (minimum for FX's). Since I did not have any change I gave the driver a 20, so he turns to me and asks "do you have anything smaller?", "Sorry I dont" I told him, so then he asks the rest of the passengers if anybody could brake my 20... One good samaritan did, problem solved. But then when he gave me my change it was 2.00 short, so I ask the driver nicely if the fare went up and he casually said yes, he lied. That afternoon on my way home there was a long line of commuters at the MRT station all tired from working all day and a lady (if she even deserves the title) came out of nowhere and cut in the line. Some people protested to the guard on duty, instead of taking action I heard him say, "nasa Pilipinas ka", (you're in the Philippines). What does it mean!? That it's acceptable to cut in line and to overcharge fares in the Philippines? Because times are hard and everyone is desperate? This is not the first time I've experienced this, its rampant, its everywhere. Its in our streets, our homes, our schools and especially in our government. This apathy towards corruption, mis-education and crab mentality is inside each and everyone of us. Are we doomed to suffer? Dont be naive the answer is too obvious.

"BONE"

Last saturday night after our office party at our soon to be new address in Ortigas, Quezon City. I headed out to Kolumn Bar in Timog to show my support to my cousin JERC's latest funk band "Bone", only three days old, composed of friends, musicians and lovers of the chili pepper sound, Bone played true to their "Red Hot" influence with orignal songs like - Count to 10 muna (subtitled: Anger Management Song)-. Although they are in the early stages of bandhood, their talents made up for playing together live for the first time. The night was capped by "Radioactive Sago Project" who really brought the house down with - Astro - as a finale. - Special thanks to Shine of Sunshine Productions, the rest of "Bone" and Pareng JERC.
... More power and Goodluck to your future gigz, RAKENROL Pare...
Watch Out for their gig schedules to be posted ASAP.

She's 70, "What a surprise!!!"

"The Daughter of Mameng"
I call her "Mommy" she's my aunt who took care of me when I turned 8 months after birth, she turned 70 last May 29. My cousin Ate Tessie rounded up the rest of the family to give her a surprise birthday party that was held at "Rufina Homes Clubhouse" in Malolos, Bulacan last May 27 (on a Saturday). A thanksgiving mass was held officiated by Fr. Norman, then lunch was served, followed by a documentary presentation on the "Life and Times of Tita Nits or Tanits (as she is fondly known to all the cousins), "With some of her closest friends and relatives in full support the party was a huge success from my point of view.




"The 70th Birthday Surprise Party (Games Committee), Ate Nel, Deeth and Me [Holding the cam] at Gateway, Cubao preparing for the event"





"Me, during the 70th birthday blast"

By Ken Levine: American Idol Finale review

Ken Levine is an Emmy winning writer/director/producer/major league baseball announcer. In a career that has spanned over 30 years Ken has worked on MASH, CHEERS, FRASIER, THE SIMPSONS, WINGS, EVERYONE LOVES RAYMOND, BECKER, DHARMA & GREG, and has co-created his own series including ALMOST PERFECT starring Nancy Travis. He and his partner have also written the feature VOLUNTEERS. Ken has also been the radio/TV play-by-play voice of the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres.

American Idol Final Night

 
I used to think that I was too cool for American Idol but I got hooked on it this season when my girlfriend forced me to watch it with her during the auditions. It was hilarious, there were times that I feel the producers hired people to audition for the show just get some laughs. The winners have gone a long way since then, I made a few favorites during the eliminations, Chris Daughtry was one, being a fake rock god myself, Elliot Yamin was my favorite underdog. Anyway Taylor Hicks caught my attention during the auditions, at first I thought that he was going to be one of those comic reliefs but when he started to sing there was something about him that I immediately liked, he was an original, a fresh talent, a soul man... Today is the final night and Taylor proved that he could be the next American Idol, this is my first time to stay glued to the show and I really liked the line up of finalists, everyone deserves to be there. It's now down to Katherine Mcphee and Taylor Hicks and Taylor seems to be in the lead, goodluck to both of them, may the best person win. And whatever happens tonight they are all winners already...

Writings on the Wall

All the contents under this title has been moved, it now enjoys its own blogspot under the same title (Writings on the Wall). Thank you for visiting and showing all your support.

Untitled

I was having coffee and reading a book while listening to music when i thought of you, I smiled.

The rain started to pour outside, I wanted to hold you but you were sleeping.
I settled in the corner of the bed and watched you smile.

You opened your eyes and I felt sorry for disturbing you,
then you reached for me and I lay next to you,
and you shared with me your funny dream and we were both laughing.

And the rain was pouring outside,
and the music was playing
and my coffee was getting cold
and the book I was reading lay on the table enjoying the gentle caress of the breeze coming from the open window.