RIGHT BRAIN ::: Lessons

Happy birthday to my father.

We don't always get along and I purposely run my mouth just to try to teach you a lesson -- in vain.

But I'd be a fool to believe my life would be any better had you not been my father. So thank you and may the seed planted in your heart grow and bear fruit for His glory.

Aren't you glad I posted this photo from '68 instead of something else less flattering? Bait kong anak, di ba? Hahaha!

I love you, Dada.

U2 ::: The Weight of Christmas '07

I keep telling people what I want for Christmas and been dropping hints all over the place but does anyone listen to me? No. And then you say I'm picky. TSK!

Which is why I want to give mad props to Nice for my first ever (and best one, thus far) U2 present, the U2 by U2 hardcover put-wheels-on-it-and-ride-it-home book. Really. It takes 'hardcover' to a whole 'nuther level. Damn! To think she had to lug the thing back home and then to work and then to me. (Can't thank you enough. I love you, you nutter!) I swear I'll guard it with my life...and it might even guard mine from the way it looks.

I haven't gotten around to reading it at length but I did go over a few pages last night. Hindi ko muna nga siya inuwi because I would be taking public transportation. Unacceptable when carrying invaluable memorabilia. For now, though, it's locked safe in a drawer. You can take my atm, my illegal certificates, my toothbrush, but don't touch the U2 book. They wrote it, Mexico-fo. They wrote it.

But yeah from what I've read in the intros, the guys almost sound like being in U2 saved each of them from their miserable mediocrity. That's funny. Still, that Bono does have the best quotes. Reading him is like an extension of the New Testament.

The more I read, the more I admire these guys for their integrity, both artistic and moral. I guess it's because Paul McGuinness himself was big on r-e-s-p-e-c-t. The band had the right figurehead going in with the A&Rs and record company folk. I haven't heard about U2 getting caught in ugly legal battles over early publishing issues or burning all the advance even before their first single was put out on radio. You know, the sort of thing that makes most young groups crash and burn.

I will be poring over this book while relishing this week-and-a-half holiday. My U2 IQ should be off the charts when I get done that I could point out things to Bono about his life he never knew happened. And then he'll be super impressed he'll recruit me for his entourage. Then he'll put me in-charge of the next tour itinerary.

...I should really try to be more productive around here.

U2 ::: Did Someone Say Glib?

"We are guilty — all of us — between the war in Iraq and the environment," he continued. "We're damned, if we don't fix this. With this record, I'm just throwing my hands up in the air, going, 'I guess we're just going to f--- this sh-- up, and ruin the planet.' It's a little less optimistic and more inspired by frustration and anger toward what we're doing. It comes from a way darker place, and it's heavy — the first three songs are really heavy, and I'm proud of that. I miss that in music. I don't want to pigeonhole myself, but it's almost like a heavy U2 record."

The guy talking is Richard Patrick of the band Filter.

But it's the holidays, people. Let's just try to get through this one shall we?