RIGHT BRAIN ::: She Told Ya She Was Trouble

About eight years ago, the Grammys hit rock bottom when the BSBs, J Los, N Syncs, and Britneys managed to get nominated when nobody was looking. What a doozy! It really looked like a re-run of the Teen Choice Awards back then. So let's chew on this one time: this year's Best Female Pop Vocal, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best New Artist, Song of the Year, and the Big Kahuna of 'em all, Record of the Year, all went to Amy Winehouse. Talk about atonement

I don't really need to tell anyone just what an incredible piece of work Back To Black is. Likewise, I've no qualms about Herbie Hancock taking Album of the Year. As far as I'm concerned, the guy's a genius and he deserves the honor. But the Ronson-Winehouse spawn, however, is the de facto winner. I'm a happy camper.

Her slurred acceptance speech notwithstanding, Amy did live up to the hype. Sure, there were "a few ragged notes" but the overall performance was undoubtedly the show's highlight. That and her stunned reaction to winning Record of the Year. I'm sure they'll be showing that clip in the montages for years to come.

Big Mark Ronson won Producer of the Year...nachullally, as the chipmunks would say. Would've been great if the two of them were both there to accept the awards. Guess the INS were too suspicious of Amy's beehive so they shot down her bid to hop across the pond.Oh well.

So put a sock in it, Sara Silverman, 'cause this kid's the joint du jour. Pun well-intended.

U2 ::: Now Playing

Bad

If you twist and turn away
If you tear yourself in two again
If I could, yes I would
If I could, I would
Let it go
Surrender
Dislocate

If I could throw this
Lifeless lifeline to the wind
Leave this heart of clay
See you walk, walk away
Into the night
And through the rain
Into the half-light
And through the flame

If I could through myself
Set your spirit free
I'd lead your heart away
See you break, break away
Into the light
And to the day

If you should ask then maybe they'd
Tell you what I would say
True colors fly in blue and black
Bruised silken sky and burning flag
Colors crash, collide in blood shot eyes

If I could, you know I would
If I could, I would
Let it go...

This desperation
Dislocation
Separation
Condemnation
Revelation
In temptation
Isolation
Desolation
Let it go

And so fade away
To let it go

But I can't so I won't.

SHRINK RAP ::: Walking the Plank

I can't swim. Really can't. Dunno how. I've never tried to learn either. All I can do is wade. Meaning I'm used to doing things the hard way. It's not that I prefer it, 'cause that would be just plain stupid, but there's a certain satisfaction to getting something done knowing you lacked the necessities to do so in the first place. Masochistic? OK, forget it.

Anyway, that's what I'm faced with right now because I've chosen to walk the plank.

The water looks pretty deep, too. It's no kiddie pool, which is what I'm used to. I managed to take a barge. At least I got that, right?

I'm hoping my pathetic predicament won't make me lose it totally. My barge and I. Crizazy.

Oh and those giant waves will either crush me or carry me to the shore with my sense of self intact. I'm praying for the latter. Although they don't look like they're likely to show me any mercy.

Sorry these analogies are a little too excessive. It's just that I don't feel it would capture the essence of what I'm feeling to write just the plain details.

RIGHT BRAIN ::: Soldiers, Come Quickly

Alice looks so oddly familiar.

SHRINK RAP ::: Precarious

Generally speaking, I'm pretty resolute. Things are easier that way for the lazy screwball that I am and that's how I've chosen to live the so-called adult life. Once in a while, though, I'm forced into a situation that shakes up my foundations. Like right now. It's funny how I always knew this was a shot in the dark from the get-go but I didn't expect it to be like that both ways.

Anyhoo, now I have a cold. I hate it. That's all I'm gonna say. Bring on Monday! Arrrggghhh!!!

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?