Tag Archives: Paramore

Dear Diary, Entertaining Angels

That’s what you get when you let your heart win

day nine.

I’m very picky about my music. I don’t listen to the radio a lot because I don’t like mainstream music, and I have no idea what’s the biggest song out there and all that. I listen to a select list of artists, and more often than not, other people don’t know about them. Yeah, I can be a music snob if I want to.

I heard about Paramore from Happy, when we were planning about the next concert we want to organize. I think it was after Switchfoot or Hillsong, when Happy said she wanted to bring Paramore here. I didn’t know about them until I asked to listen to a song on our way home from the Cebu trip two years ago. Happy made me listen to That’s What You Get, and I was won over.

It took a while for me to digest all their songs, but after some time, Paramore became a staple. I don’t really care about how good they sound — I cared more about their lyrics. Paramore was there to get me through a lot, especially in late 2008 and early 2009. Most of the time, their songs find a way to describe exactly what I was feeling, and you know how when you find something that describes you so much that it sometimes kind of hurts? Yeah, that kind of thing. And Paramore’s brand new eyes album was also the same album that I kept on listening to during Ondoy, so it’s really memorable.

The point of those previous paragraphs: I couldn’t miss their concert in Manila.

I was supposed to go with Happy,  but she had to go to Hong Kong with her family as a graduation gift, so I didn’t have anyone to go to the concert with in the Gold section. Luckily, I saw a couple of SFC friends who posted their tickets online and I asked if I could tag along, so I downgraded from Gold to Silver, thinking company is more than view.

It was actually a good thing I joined them because I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much if I had watched the concert alone. You know?

Anyway, I’ve got a lot of observations during the concert, so let’s go bullet mode and list them down. :)

OH AND DISCLAIMER: All of the things below are just my opinions about the event, and I don’t mean to offend anyone. I used to be a part of a team that organizes and produces concerts, so I guess I kind of know what I’m talking about, so I’m letting out my observations coming from someone who knows about concert production (a bit), and from an audience. If you’re a part of the organizing team, I hope you’d take whatever I say constructively. :)  *bow*

  • First and foremost: Paramore was awesome. Hayley’s energy could reach all the way back, and the band was awesome, and all their performances were flawless, as far as I’m concerned.  Hayley even had a shirt just for Manila — it said “Para-thrilla in Manila.” How cute. :) They were very engaging, and they obviously made the entire wait and show worth it.
    Continue reading That’s what you get when you let your heart win →
Dear Diary

The 24th Birthday Wish List

AAAAND IT’S MARCH! Hello, favorite month.

Since it’s my favorite month, I’ve been thinking of starting another 30-day blogging challenge. We all know what happened why I didn’t get to finish my 30-day challenge last September. It’s a valid excuse, I know, but I still want to do that challenge again. I just need a name, and something to spice up the challenge. Hm. Let’s see. I can start tomorrow and end right at March 31, right?

But before anything else. There’s a lot of reasons why March will be awesome, but I need to get this out first. :P My brother has been bugging me about this list for some reason. It’s not the first time he’s asked for a wish list — in fact, we often have our own wish lists for Christmas and our birthdays, but this year, he was insistent and he kept on asking about it. So, without further ado, here’s my 24th birthday wish list. This isn’t only for my brother of course — if you’re kind and generous and wish to allow me some material indulgence on the day I turn 24, who am I to stop you? ;-)

Don’t worry, prices aren’t so expensive as KVM switches. ;)

And OMG, I’M TURNING 24. :o

Ahem.

The 24th Birthday Wish List

Continue reading The 24th Birthday Wish List →

Dear Diary, Entertaining Angels

First Quarter Pauper

Hi, I’m not so sick anymore. *cue cheers here* I even managed to get a work out today, hurray!

So today, while I was taking a shower, I was thinking of getting a new MacBook Pro. Why? Because…well, it’s comparably cheaper than it was a few years ago — heck, the 13″ in MacBook Pro is even cheaper now than when I bought my black MacBook back in 2007. So I was thinking of selling my MacBook and buying a new one (still naming it Aslan because I love that name) and…that’s it. Why? Well, just because. I know, I know, not so smart; it’s just a want, not a need.

But after much thinking, I realized that I don’t think I’ll be able to afford it this year. Okay, I may be able to afford it, but it’s just not prudent to do so this year (did I use the word correctly?). There are all these other expenses that I need to attend to first, like getting new clothes (yes, it’s a need now), paying off debts, sponsoring another child, trips with friends, and there’s my brother’s wedding this year too, where I promised to pay for the flowers. So…it’s really not wise to buy something that expensive when the one I have right now can serve me just as well as a new one can. Plus…okay, I don’t really need it anyway. I use it only for my stories other personal stuff, and I have Teo to use while I am at work — laptops provided by companies that provides IT Jobs are pretty powerful too, if you ask me.

I decided then to put it off one more year and just get it for myself on my 25th birthday in 2011 (gasp!), if I still feel like getting one. Things could change, you know.

Then I thought of what’s one thing we need at home? Aha! A PRINTER! The old printer we have at home is not really working anymore, plus I hate that when one of the cartridges runs out of ink the printer won’t print anymore — EPSON, why so? I don’t really do much printing at home, but my mom does, especially when my dad sends stuff. Plus it would be nice to print the right stuff correctly at home and not anywhere else, if you get what I mean.

Oh and I’d like to print my novel too, when I get it done. And put it in a binder and have an actual printed copy I can go through and edit after.

So how much are HP printers nowadays? I like HP because the draft setting of their printers doesn’t look like draft at all, but like normal print. I know, HP cartridges can be very expensive, but then their inks last a long time, right?

But you know what, that isn’t really the point of this post. Heh, got you there. I just felt like rambling.

After thinking of all those want-to-buys and fueling my gadget thirst this early in the year…I realized I need to focus on the immediate things first, which are the things I have decided to splurge on in the next two months. I have to stress the “splurge” because it’s not a need…or wait, it can be a need, since it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I mean…well, it’s hard to justify, but it really is a once in a lifetime thing and I don’t want to miss these.

First off:

BACKSTREET BOYS IN MANILA IN FEBRUARY 27.

Backstreet Boys

If you don’t know these guys, it means I’m getting old. Or you’re just young. But anyway, it’s Backstreet Boys! They’re the first band I really liked, Nick Carter was my first biggest celebrity crush, and I wrote stories about these guys. The last time they were here (still with Kevin), I missed the concert because I had a  YFC planning that night and I didn’t have the money. I can’t miss this now.

Of course, tickets are expensive:

  • Patron VIP (Reserved Seating) P4,760
  • Patron (Reserved Seating) P4,280
  • Lower Box (Reserved Seating) P3,810
  • Upper Box A (Reserved Seating) P2,860
  • Upper Box B P960
  • Gen. Admission P480

But it’s not like I need to see them up close. Okay, maybe I want to, but I’ve grown up from the last time I fangirled over them, and honestly, Upper B is okay, just like when I watched Lifehouse in Manila two years ago.

Fine, laugh all you want. It’s the Backstreet Boys, and 90’s music is not the same without them!

I justified this expense for myself by the way: it’s my post-Valentine’s Day gift for myself. Yay. Grace, Jana, lessgooooow!

And next.

PARAMORE IN MANILA ON MARCH 9.

Look how cute they are here There is no way I can miss this one. How many times have I just listened to Paramore songs all day? When I work out? When I’m feeling angry? When I’m feeling emo and melancholic? Sometimes when I’m even cheerful? Heck, I was listening to Paramore’s Brand New Eyes when we were cleaning the house after Ondoy!

So there is really no way that I’m missing Paramore’s first concert in Manila. I’m even willing to splurge more for this. Look at these ticket prices:

  • GOLD: Php 3,950.00
  • SILVER: Php 1,550.00
  • BRONZE: Php550.00

I’ve been to MOA’s concert grounds during the Katy Perry/Mae concert, and it’s free standing, so to get the really best place there, you really have to be early. Even early enough to hear their sound check, right Happs? ;) There’s no way I’m settling for less with this concert — Gold all the way! :)

Oh, and there are VIP tickets available for this concert…but I don’t think it’s worth it for the price.

Two other things about this concert: (1) it’s on a Tuesday night and (2) How many Twilight fans do you think will watch this concert all because of Decode?

Hm.

Oh and justification for this concert? My early birthday gift to myself. :)

So see, the first quarter of 2010 is kind of making me a pauper already, just thinking about it. Not to mention there’s the Century Tuna Run on February, Avenue Q on March…and what else? Ah see. I think I’m going to start bringing lunches to work, and stop riding cabs. And stop impulse buying on books when I don’t really need them (yeah right).

Sigh. I’m happy though, because it means I can afford these things and it means I’m being provided for, and it means I’m blessed enough to be single (yes!) and have the finances to pay for these things…and enjoy life. Jehovah-jireh, right?

You know what, I should get back to work. :P

Big, Fun and Scary Things, Entertaining Angels, Randomnities

09-09-09

Day 9I really planned to do something special today, just because it’s 09/09/09…but I can’t find anything special in my day at all. Except maybe taking another route on the way to work. Or eating at Jollibee again after…what, a month and a half? Or…hiding another CD of Switchfoot’s Mess of Me (more on this tomorrow :D).

I don’t know…I guess my lack of spontaneity makes me suck at things like this. Or, maybe it’s really just the rain that makes me too lazy to think of things to do.

These days are what digital cameras are made for, you know to document the days. But if there’s nothing special happening on that day…what do you do?

Ho-hum. This Tina, whattabore.

Then again last year’s 08-08-08 entry was kind of a bore, too. But at least I had pictures…except I didn’t have any pictures of me.

I swear, 10-10-10 will be different.

But anyway. In the spirit of it being 09-09-09, here are 9 things that…well…just 9 things:

  1. Noynoy to run for president in 2010. This is something I kind of expected already (even if something inside of me is wishing he’d say no…just so it would be more interesting, I guess). I’ll reserve whatever opinions I have for another post. I’m not always apathetic, you know. Which reminds me, I still plan to write more about my being a registered voter.
  2. I Has A Hotdog and friends declared this day as “A Day Without Cats“. I Can Has Cheezburger is not hearing of it though. ;) I’m more of a cat  person, really, but I’d choose another path today and go for…foxes. Sorry, this image is just too hilarious not to share:

    Firefox Rejects your Search Request

  3. The salad I’m supposed to have for dinner is wilting, I think. I’ve switched to eating salads for dinner because I tend to eat a lot at dinner, and my nutritionist advised me to focus on veggies and fruits for my last meal of the day. I’ve done good so far…I think. I’ll know my results tomorrow. Hopefully, I’ll break the 10-lbs weight loss goal by tomorrow. Wish me luck. :)I should eat this salad now, I think.
  4. This is probably the funniest discovery for the day: The Drama Button. We’ve been playing this randomly for the day — what a way to spice up conversations. :P
  5. Stop and ListenBethany Dillon, one of my favorite female singers, released a new album today! It’s been a while since her Waking Up album, and I can’t wait to hear what she has for this one. Another album I’m looking forward to being released this month is Paramore‘s Brand New Eyes.  I’m in dire need of new music. It’s been a while since I loaded some new songs in my iPod. What albums are you waiting for to be released now? Any recommendations? :)
  6. Speaking of songs…here’s a song suggestion from my friend Cors. Talk about complimenting my waiting posts. Hah.

    [youtube]xyzuMqNwJoQ[/youtube]

    Lyrics here. But, I will choose to not feel sorry for myself, even if I can relate to the song. In God’s perfect time. Amen.

  7. Speaking of hope, and something like that…here’s a happy little image from icanread. :) It is a happy thought, don’t you think?

    Happy Thought :)
    Happy Thought :)
  8. I just remembered, there’s something else to look forward to during September: Manila International Book Fair! Wohoo! Bookworm’s dreams! Strangely enough, I don’t really have any to-buy  books. I’m just planning to go to MIBF this year to scout stuff and see if I can get good deals on some books that I don’t really have to have. Did that make sense? Anyway, while we’re at it…any book recommendations? :) Post away!
  9. Wow, we’re at the ninth item. I didn’t know it was that hard to think of 9 things. :P Since it’s been raining so much lately, here’s a little quote for everyone — I heard it from Lifeteen.com‘s Sunday Sunday Sunday podcast (which you should subscribe to, because it’s awesome :D):

    Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass…it’s learning how to dance in the rain.

    True. :)

And…that’s nine things. :) There’s only two hours of 09/09/09 left in the Philippines, but I know other parts of the world are just starting their 09/09/09. Wherever you are, I hope you had an interesting one. :)

9/30.