Up Dharma Down April, May and June 2011 Gig Schedule

Nice poster done by ProjectManila.com for Up Dharma Down's gig schedule. I posted one earlier this month at the Tumblr site, but it looked like an add one can find in a wet market compared to this.

Never will again I make a poster for Up Dharma Down's monthly gig schedule. LOL.

The Boat That Rocked: A Review

It had been exactly 24 hours when I watched Pirate Radio, and I still am in awe of how great the film turned out to be.

The first thing I though about when I finished the film was I should've finished the film when I first popped in the DVD. I was really tired from my travel from work on my first attempt to watch. The film started a bit slow and didn't caught my attention just yet. I was only reminded that I have yet to finish the film yesterday since I have nothing else to do.

Before I continue my review, let me give you a bit of background where the movie was based: the Pirate Radio movement in the UK.

"Pirate radio" in the UK first became widespread in the early 1960s when pop music stations such as Radio Caroline and Radio London started to broadcast on medium wave to the UK from offshore ships or disused sea forts. At the time these stations were not illegal because they were broadcasting from international waters. The stations were set up by entrepreneurs and music enthusiasts to meet the growing demand for pop and rock music, which was not catered for by the legal BBC Radio services.^[3]

It is a period film that's why it caught my attention when I first saw the trailer of this film in FirstShowing.net. Plus it's about music so I've included it in my must-see list this year. The film was made in the U.K. and first came out in 2009 with the title The Boat That Rocked. The film had a powerhouse cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost, and Kenneth Branagh.

The story revolved around 8 DJs whose 'on board' Radio Rock, a 24/7 radio station that's being operated inside a moving boat. The movie covered the event when Pirate Radio became illegal in the UK. The stories and sub-plots of the movie are based on true events.

It caught me by surprise that the film ended with me having butterflies in my stomach. It has a lot of depth despite it's simple plot. The script was, I thought, straight forward and beautifully written. Plus the film's production design (the clothes and the vinyl records are to-die-for) and its soundtrack (pop and rock and roll hits from the 60s and the 70s) are all things awesome.

If you are a fan of rock and roll or music in general, I highly recommend you watch this film.

I Miss Biking

Rachel Bilson's bike, I want you!

Last year, me and my buddy Macky used to wake up as early as 4:30 in the morning and bike around town. We do this every weekend. I remember him sending me text messages in the afternoon and at night before we bike to remind me about our call time. The last time I rode a bike was before Christmas. Everything became so busy after that, and the wheel of Macky's other bike (I do not have my own bike, shame on me) got busted and he never had the time to have it fixed. I still do not have any idea if that is still the case, but it seems like I might not be able to bike again -- you see, the doctor said I might have vertigo.

I posted a couple of days ago about my migraine. And with migraine comes vertigo. Macky sent me this message via Twitter:

I literally became sad when I read his tweet. But I won't accept it. It is not final that I have vertigo yet. Ha! But on a serious note, I am thankful I have a friend in Macky. He's always looking out for me. Thanks, buddy! HUG.

I really, really, really, really, would like to have a bike similar to Rachel Bilson's...

Confused Eh? Justin Bieber Greets Malaysian Concert "Hello Manila"

Justin Bieber Saya "Hello Manila" Bengong ini Malaysia Bukan Filipina!

...says one fan who tweeted from the pop star's concert in Malaysia.

Translation: Justin Bieber says 'Hello Manila'. Stupid, this is Malaysia, not Manila!' 

Apparently, the pop superstar opened his show and greeted his Malaysian fans "Hello Manila" instead of "Hello Malaysia"! Poor kid, he must be exhausted and confused, he doesn't know where he is anymore.

Major concert boo boo.

Maybe he can greet his fans here with 'Hello Malaysia' to balance things out? Ok, I kid!

Last Potter

After seven books and seven movies, we've reached the final of all there will ever be of J.K. Rowling's masterpiece. The author was named one of the richest person in the UK after writing about 'the boy who lived'. Now, Rowling will be far from doing an article on alcohol rehab treatment centers, or something a beat writer for a local news paper for that matter, after her novel's success. But knowing the fact that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the last book and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 will be the last movie to ever be made about it is still too hard to accept for a fan like me.

Here's the first behind-the-scenes look for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2:



Knowing that this movie will be the last is like me dreading to say goodbye to a dear friend who's been around for almost ten years.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 will be premiering worldwide on July 15, 2011. That's only more than three months away. *sighs*

Migraine

Starting this entry with a song just came out of nowhere. But it somewhat fits since I will be sharing with you guys a little bit of progress about my so-called boring life. I went to the doctor earlier today and found out that I have developed a condition called migraine.

Migraine (from the Greek words hemi, meaning half, and kranion, meaning skull^[1]) is a debilitating condition characterized by moderate to severe headaches, and nausea. It is about three times more common in women than in men.^[2] 

The symptoms had been there for quite a while like nausea, ringing ears and unusual visions like white and sometimes black falshes/dots etc. Identifying these symptoms, I have the type of migraine called Migraine with aura.

Migraine with aura usually involves migraine headaches accompanied by an aura. Less commonly, an aura can occur without a headache, or with a non-migraine headache. Two other varieties are Familial hemiplegic migraine and Sporadic hemiplegic migraine, in which a patient has migraines with aura and with accompanying motor weakness. If a close relative has had the same condition, it is called "familial", otherwise it is called "sporadic". Another variety is basilar-type migraine, where a headache and aura are accompanied by difficulty speaking, vertigo, ringing in ears, or a number of other brainstem-related symptoms, but not motor weakness.

I also went to see an opthalmologist and was surprised that I cannot 'read' anything when he asked me to say the letters from the eye chart. It was only a few months ago that we had our annual check-up at the office. My eyes then were perfectly fine and capable of reading everything on the chart. But now. everything is either blurred or not readable at all :(

Going home, I thought of what might caused...well triggered this condition of mine. It was tolerable then. The headaches and dizziness. All I have to do is either eat or take a nap and everything will be fine. Until two weeks ago when I had the most pounding headache I have ever felt. It was Thursday, the first of the last two days of our first deadline week at work. My mother was at the hospital at the time, so I went after my shift. Despite my splitting headache which started that morning, I comutted from Makati to Quezon City (where she was admitted). The pain did not subside 'til the next day. And it was accompanied with unbearable dizziness. It felt like I am in an unending roller coaster ride.

The doctor prescribed 4 medicines for me to take three times a day; all for my dear migraine.

Up Dharma Down's April 2011 Gig Schedule

Dropped my reasearch task for farmers insurance review for a bit to read on some of my friend's blog posts. Found this poster from one of them pages.

Tomorrow's Terno Inferno, but I won't be able to make it this month. I might not even be able to watch any of the band's gig this month too :( A lot has been happening around that I need to lay low for a while and not tire myself with other extra-curricular things. Have to watch my health first...long story.

Pipikit Ako

Finding rare recordings of Armi Millare and Up Dharma Down always feels like I have won the lottery. Like this track called Eyeliner/Pipikit Ako from the indie film Pirouette directed by Alina Co and Malyn Punay.

Pipikit ako, pipikit at magpapatihulog.
Tutuksuhin ng hangin ang tastas ng aking
paldang lumalagpas sa gilid ng bato.
Nais kong lumangoy sa kawalan,
lumangoy sa kawalan.
Pipikit ako't sisisid sa karagatan ng mga bisig mo.
Pipikit ako't sisisid sa karagatan, sa nalalabing karapatan ko.
Nakabukas man o sarado ...
Pagkatapos, sasabak ang aking katawan sa kawalan.
Bahala na kung ano ang makita pagbukas ng aking mga mata.
Mga matang nakapikit, nagpupumilit sumilip.
Ooooh pipikit ako't sisisid ... pipikit, sisisid ooooh

Car Repairs

Two years and my friends car never required a major repair, until now. Nothing major happened over the weekend when he was driving around town. However, his Honda Civic made these strange noises just as he was approaching the highway. He sent me a text message asking if I can refer any repai shops he can get quotations to for the repairs. I sent him this site which specializes in Honda Civic Repairs and Maintenance.

I came across the website while researching for the best car repair services one can visit online. One feature I liked about the site is their RepairPrice Estimator where clients can select their car model, the service type they want to avail and their location to get an estimate quote for the repairs they need. Very convenient because the car repair service has shops in different location around the U.S.

The website is a one-stop car repair and dealer directory. Clients can select the car model and easily search for the repair shops and dealers near their area by just simply entering their Zip codes.

Strange Week

It had been for me.

It's the first of the two deadline weeks at the office. Plus four of the five weekdays, I am in a hospital. My mother spent three days in NKI. Also, my friends and I visited a friend's brother. The week was strange and tiring. But it was all good. My mother's now at home. No news about my friend's brother though.

Writing this entry while waiting for a friend whom I am not entirely sure if he's coming is kinda frustrating. He sent me a message on Facebook last Friday asking if he can drop by today and watch a couple of movies. I said sure The last time we talked was him sharing some random thoughf of getting red contact lenses more than a month ago. Things that had happened and has been happening with him has entirely caught me by surprise. I hope we'll be able to talk about it...that is if he's really coming.

He requested we watch Bounty Hunter and He's Just Not That Into You.

The last time I saw Gerard Butler was in 300. Saw the trailer for this
movie. It's a Rom-Com. Not really a fan of Rom-Coms...and Jen Aniston.

My friend, Dee, told me to watch this movie when I called her
about him having a girlfriend all of a sudden. Yeah. Those times.

It's almost lunch time. He said he'll come by early. Maybe his definition of 'early' is until the sun is up. Hehe. My parents also have a couple of visitors who just arrived. And I think my father will have visitors later tonight too.

This is going to be a busy Sunday.

Cum Laude

Before I work on my research about red envelope's anniversary gifts, let me give a shout-out to my youngest brother, Zyrene, who just graduated last weekend.

photo by Bel Certeza

Our whole family went to JRU last Saturday to support and cheer for him. It was a long drive (both literally and figuratively), but it was all worth it. Not only did he finally earn a degree in Mathematics, but he also graduated as Cum Laude. He's the only Cum Laude in the entire BS-Secondary Education batch!

We are so proud of you, our dear Bunso. :)

Aisle

The last time I saw someone in a wedding dresses was when my Aunt Maan got married two years ago. She asked me to be her bridesmaid. Glad that she did because that might be the first and the last time I am going to be one.

Well, my mother has another sister that is yet to be married. She is bordering spinsterhood so the chances of me wearing another bridesmaid gown is slowly drifting away. But then again, one will never know. Love strucks people in the strangest ways.