RIGHT BRAIN ::: Much As You Can Chew

We uzified the MTV VJ Hunt Finals at the Mall of Asia last week and let me tell you it was painful to watch. What a bunch of nervous wrecks! Wow. That just tells me whatever amount of chutzpah got them to audition in the first place quickly dissolved when they stepped in front of a live audience. So I guess that means no Pinoy version of TRL for now.

I wasn't rooting for anyone at all since my mission was purely to scope the audience. But truth be told, watching a wannabe VJ's hard sell is not for the fainthearted. Ain't that right, Brent Javier? I bet he wished he was havin' a sippy sippy at Embassy instead.

Anyhow, Sib, former JackTV looney tune and two other girls got the job. (I still think he looks like that Tolits kid from the Surf detergent commercials.) His posse were the loudest. It's high time they took in someone who spoke straight Tagalog on his own! MTV needs a makeover really bad.

Tado did a little interview spot for each of the wannabes which, again, got me wondering why this dude still isn't part of the channel. He obviously fits the target demographic and I hope Francis Lumen, smoking in the back, made note of it.

The next day, Saturday, we were down in Binondo looking for a specific noodle place. It was "a referral". We had no idea what its name and location were so we probably spent some 15 minutes walking around searching. Finally, we decided to chuck the la mien search and settled for this nondescript place with the AC humming. It was humid and we were hungry. 'Nuff said.

Later on, I dropped by the Baywalk fountain area (Plaza Raha Sulayman) to catch a whiff of Fete de la Musique. I did that pretty much on a whim (which is how I get most things done anyway) because I learned that The Dawn and Orange and Lemons were playing.

I got there a few minutes to 8 just as Up Dharma Down were finishing their set. I thought they sounded impeccably tight which got me feeling bummed for not showing up earlier.

They were followed by Slapshock. Although I'm not a fan of their music, their energy was infectious. As soon as their vocalist got on the mic, about a hundred emo kids came rushing in from all directions to the foot of the stage to form the obligatory moshpit. It was really funny because just a few moments prior, they were sitting in groups beyond the railing smoking and talking BS.

It got rowdy as expected and soon enough, as I was standing near the soundbooth, this scrawny kid, about 12 or 13, was wobbling out of the crowd with the side of his head all bloodied. There wasn't any fight going on in there so my guess was he was one of those being hoisted on the shoulders earlier and fell. Peace tayo, indeed.

The Dawn came next. I saw Buddy Zabala go up first and looked for Francis Reyes. There were so many guys setting up the equipment I hardly recognized him with his black Les Paul. Or at least I think it was that.

They played three songs and I was hoping they'd play 'Tulad ng Dati'. Not this time.

I couldn't help noticing how restrained Jett Pangan was. He seemed too avuncular for a frontman. I guess that's just his style but it was all too conspicuous especially because he followed the monkey boy who sang for Slapshock. "Peash tayo!"

Then Sunday rolled around and it was another soaking pista done Old Bottle Cap style. (Reprezenin! *snort*) Whoever started this tradition must have been a real crackhead.

Like most places with San Juan Bautista as their patron saint, my neighborhood awoke expecting to get splashed at some part of the day. But we're not the type to cause any trouble with the namimiesta so we kept the hosing within family members. Still pretty extensive.

The highlight of this tradition--the thing that draws T.L. yokels hightailing it back--is, of course, the parada. I describe it as a religious ritual with elements of the Love Parade minus the hedonistic dogma.

This parade was like "signs of the times" back when we were kids. You could tell what year it was just from checking out which characters the paraders came as. The Golden Buddha, the Bleeding Virgin Mary, Darth Maul--they've all been seen in this shiznit. This year's wasn't all that, unfortunately. Probably had a measly prize. Oh well, they will tread again next year.

RIGHT BRAIN ::: Shortage

Here's the Friendster reading for today:

The Bottom Line

Be careful about whom you open up to. Do you really know who you are dealing with?

Who writes these things?! Come on, what can you tell me that I haven't already been chastised about?

WHIMSY ::: No Alterna-muffin

"If your thing is to bring me down, cool. I'll just work harder."

Admittedly, I'm not much of a fan of her songs (there are a couple that I think are worthy) so I'm probably the last to realize just how cool this girl is.

Mad props to you, Ms. Clarkson.

AP/CNN article

TPI ::: The 00s So Far

I managed to put together a few photos of the TPI in various stages of tomfoolery. They're poignant reminders of just how much we've grown up. I dare anyone mention weight! LOL Really now, are you guys serious? It's crazy stuff but whatever...bring on the munchies. Yeah!

To those who don't know, TPI (or Tropang Puyat International) is what my cousins and I call our gang. Corny as it may sound to some, there really isn't any other name that would best describe us.

The photos are here in slideshow mode.

RIGHT BRAIN ::: A Jungian Check

Oprah had Gary Zukav on and much as I had wanted to change the channel, I could not find the energy to grab the remote.

Some dude mentioned Type A personalities so I wanted to find out about that buzz word. I don't remember learning about it in Intro to Psych back when I was in pre-PT. Shows you how far I got. Anyway, I took a Myers-Briggs^® test and it labeled me as an ISFP personality type. So?

The following (from http://www.personalitypage.com/ISFP.html) explains it further but, personally, the word malcontent should sum it all up pretty nicely. Brevity is good.

Read on.

Portrait of an ISFP - Introverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving

(Introverted Feeling with Extraverted Sensing)

ISFPs live in the world of sensation possibilities. They are keenly in tune with the way things look, taste, sound, feel and smell. They have a strong aesthetic appreciation for art, and are likely to be artists in some form, because they are unusually gifted at creating and composing things which will strongly affect the senses. They have a strong set of values, which they strive to consistently meet in their lives. They need to feel as if they're living their lives in accordance with what they feel is right, and will rebel against anything which conflicts with that goal. They're likely to choose jobs and careers which allow them the freedom of working towards the realization of their value-oriented personal goals.

ISFPs tend to be quiet and reserved, and difficult to get to know well. They hold back their ideas and opinions except from those who they are closest to. They are likely to be kind, gentle and sensitive in their dealings with others. They are interested in contributing to people's sense of well-being and happiness, and will put a great deal of effort and energy into tasks which they believe in.

ISFPs have a strong affinity for aesthetics and beauty. They're likely to be animal lovers, and to have a true appreciation for the beauties of nature. They're original and independent, and need to have personal space. They value people who take the time to understand the ISFP, and who support the ISFP in pursuing their goals in their own, unique way. People who don't know them well may see their unique way of life as a sign of carefree light-heartedness, but the ISFP actually takes life very seriously, constantly gathering specific information and shifting it through their value systems, in search for clarification and underlying meaning.

ISFPs are action-oriented individuals. They are "doers", and are usually uncomfortable with theorizing concepts and ideas, unless they see a practical application. They learn best in a "hands-on" environment, and consequently may become easily bored with the traditional teaching methods, which emphasize abstract thinking. They do not like impersonal analysis, and are uncomfortable with the idea of making decisions based strictly on logic. Their strong value systems demand that decisions are evaluated against their subjective beliefs, rather than against some objective rules or laws.

ISFPs are extremely perceptive and aware of others. They constantly gather specific information about people, and seek to discover what it means. They are usually penetratingly accurate in their perceptions of others.

ISFPs are warm and sympathetic. They genuinely care about people, and are strongly service-oriented in their desire to please. They have an unusually deep well of caring for those who are close to them, and are likely to show their love through actions, rather than words.

ISFPs have no desire to lead or control others, just as they have no desire to be led or controlled by others. They need space and time alone to evaluate the circumstances of their life against their value system, and are likely to respect other people's needs for the same.

The ISFP is likely to not give themself enough credit for the things which they do extremely well. Their strong value systems can lead them to be intensely perfectionist, and cause them to judge themselves with unneccesary harshness.

The ISFP has many special gifts for the world, especially in the areas of creating artistic sensation, and selflessly serving others. Life is not likely to be extremely easy for the ISFP, because they take life so seriously, but they have the tools to make their lives and the lives of those close to them richly rewarding experiences.

*aherm*

OK, I'd say 99% of this is accurate as far as I'm concerned but I'd like to pick out the analyzing-theorizing part. I mean I thrive on that. In fact, I do that a lot as long as I'm not figuring out abstract math riddles. (Yes, I'm talking about you, you dweeb!)

This post is multi-directional.

"The more you know..."

TPI ::: For Irene.

It's almost time for Rin to go back to the States yet I haven't posted relevant updates. TSK @ me.

Here's what I've captured from my end:

Our escape to Tagaytay, 31 May, around 9:30 in the evening. Ask Rin about that when she gets back. Hehe!

U2 ::: Vegas Strip Kings

It's not an easy thing to realize that Bono is younger than I am now in this video. Heck, all of them are!

If I were in Vegas when they shot this 20 years ago, I'd be 9 and not give a monkey's who they were. Matter of fact, my mother would have me stay away from them because they were obviously drunken hooligans. "He just kissed some strange woman off the street. tsk!"

Bono looks great though. This is easily one of my favorites.