Some Stuff Happened in 2012 and I'm Posting Something

If I keep trying to come up with a clever opening line for this blog post, I'll injure my head. But I am gonna say this: in spite of this blog's title, I had a pretty above-average year.

With the help of Facebook, I'm gonna try to take a look back on my 28th year on Earth and see if it truly is one of my finest years ever.

I Bought A House

Well, not an actual house, but, something I could call my own.

My mom talked me into it, actually. We were having my birthday lunch last year, and went through my own finances. At 28, I haven't really done anything with the money I earn. In fact, I don't even have any kind of savings. So I decided, that I should take the money that I get monthly, and invest it into something I can have in a few years. It's sort of like saving up money and then buying something after--only it's the other way around. I'm pretty proud of this accomplishment. They're gonna turn it over by the end of 2014.

Laneway Singapore 2012

Photo by Penny Monasterial

I was my first time out of the country, and it showed. I'm not much of a tourist, so I ended up spending most of the time at my friend Len's apartment. However, I can't tell you that I didn't enjoy my stay there.

Look at these hipster imports. Photo by Helga Weber

Photo by Penny Monasterial

Death Cab for Cutie Night

With one of our favourite bands' Philippine visit coming close, Attraction! Reaction! decided to throw a night I can never forget. Naturally, I started the show and opened with the first stanza from Tonight, Tonight by Smashing Pumpkins. My heart almost jumped out of my sleeves when I realised the crowd was singing with me. Then I covered a couple of DCBC songs: I Will Posses Your Heart and I Will Follow You Into The Dark. The term "Mush Pit" was born.

Death Cab For Cutie in Manila

Needless to say, we flooded The NBC Tent with emotions that night. Here's a video by Sam for proof.

My Hair

I went from wearing a mo-hawk, to under-cut, to a school-boy cut, to bald, and now I'm growing it long.

Photo by my mom

Photo by Charles Pulido

Facial Hair

Trying to look like Salvador Dali, I end up looking like a Mario bro.

Finally, In case you're wondering who that girl is behind me, she's my new old girlfriend. We started going out again back in August, and I've never been happier in my life since.

The story of how we got back together is nice and you should ask me about it when you see me.

Other Things

As you all probably don't know, I have a solo project called Aww. Sad. and I've been recording an EP at Love One Another Studio since mid-2012. Time and Finance slowed down the progress but I'm aiming to finish it next year.

I'm also planning to keep a daily photo journal through my Instragram, also keep track of the movies I watch in 2013 because of my failed 2012 album. I should also maybe exercise more.

P.S.

I wrote this blog on a Mac Book Pro I bought this year. Sorry, I had to mention.

Top 4 Cat GIFs

I love cats. And the only thing I like better than cats are cat gifs. Thanks to the internet, I have seen a fair share of cat gifs. Here are my top 4:

4."Hey, mister. Have you seen 3 cats running around?

3. "Excuse me, human."

2. "Mwah"

1. "Need some help."

You'll notice that I like them cat gifs that interact with their humans. It's just way cuter. I mean, have you seen pussy*** by itself? 

Now, if you have something cuter than these 4, let me know in the comments.

The Many Ways I've Been Dumped

In the Philippines, they can both be named Marnie or Charlie.

A couple of weeks ago, Girls pretty much cemented its place in my personal favorite tv shows of all time with Charlie's break up scene with Marnie. It's because almost the same thing happened to me, obviously.

Two weeks later (this afternoon, of course), while walking home, I'm recounting the many times I've been dumped. Sure, it's a really mean thing to do to myself, but it's a 10-ish minute walk and I'm sort of seen everything the road home.

Because I'm a decent enough guy, I'm not going to tell any of them here. Some of the are sort of explicit, some are stupid, and all brings back some emotions I don't want to revisit.

"Hey, Charles. What's the point of this post, then?" I just wanted to create an excuse to declare to the world how much I like the show.

"Fair enough."

P.S.

I just figured out who Hanna's mother looks like.

Now, tell me she doesn't look like a young Seymour Cassel.

No? Phillip Seymour-Hoffman?

 Fine.

I Shaved My Head

creepy.

Here are a few thoughts surrounding my baldness:

he likes cardigans too.

• It's really humid in the Philippines right now.
• I would like to thank God for giving me a round head. It makes me confident enough to shave all the hair.
• Charlie from GIRLS is my favorite character from that show. I can relate to him a lot.
• The Lakers lost their series with the OKC Thunder, which bums me out. I'm sure I'll be depressed for about two weeks until the finals.
• This cures dandruff, right?
• Is that a mole on my forehead?
• I have the biggest eye bags on the face of Facebook.
• This is my third blog post in two days. Somehow, that feels really weird.

When You See Me Like This, This is Probably What I'm Thinking

Charles: So, how are you?
Charles: I'm great. Thanks for asking.
Charles: Are you, really?
Charles: Thankful for asking? Sure. It's something that's ofte--
Charles: I mean, are you really okay or are you just saying that?
Charles: Sure, of course.
Charles: What.
Charles: So how are things?
Charles: Not very g-- wait, I asked that first! And you never gave me a decent answer. WTF.
Charles: Well, you see, the most decent to the question "how are you?" is to say that you are fine. But, of course, nobody really is fine. I'm just saving you from all the misery that is the real answer to "how are you?"
Charles: Well, guy, you ARE talking to yourself. So, you are technically lying to yourself if you save yourself from all the misery that is the real answer to said question.
Charles: Fine. I am really bummed that the Lakers are losing.
Charles: Really? The Lakers? That's what has been eating you up?
Charles: Well, not entirely.
Charles: Go on.
Charles: There's this girl...
Charles: OKAY. Let me cut you off and tell you I don't wanna hear about it.
Charles: Well, FUCK you, guy. You asked first.
Charles: Charles, we both know how you really are with these things. You're always clueless about what's happening and you end up hurting yourself. And even when you actually know what's going on, you still hurt yourself. You're like an emotional jackass.
Charles: I am, aren't I?
Charles: Jackass. You're better than this.
Charles: Oh, am I? Please, oh, please tell me how and why.
Charles: You just are. Stop it.
Charles: YOU'RE a jackass.
Charles: Fine, jackass.
Charles: Also, stop eating crap from the street. Stop drinking coke.
Charles: Already did that.
Charles: Stop being so vain, looking at your Facebook profile all the time. Stop thinking the Lakers still have a chance. AND STOP THINKING YOU HAVE A CHANCE WITH THIS GIRL.
Charles: Well...
Charles: STOP SAYING 'WELL' ALL THE DAMN TIME
Charles: Okay. Um, see, ahh, well, it's hard not to think about these things when you're feeling them. You know?
Charles: Screw your feelings.
Charles: I might even think that I'm in L--
Charles: Don't say it.
Charles: vvvvbbttthh.
Charles: Just get yourself busy with other things. Finish your fucken EP. Go make some art. Watch more TV. I don't care. Make your mind think about other things. Soon, you'll remember that you've forgotten about things.
Charles: Right now, I'm just wondering when this will end.
Charles: Like I said, you'll just soon remember that you've forgotten about things.
Charles: No, I mean, when are you gonna stop talking.
Charles: ...
Charles: ...
Charles: ...
Charles: ...
Charles: Shut up.
Charles: I hope the Lakers win tonight.
Charles: Me too. I don't know if my heart can take it anymore.

Complaining About Complaining and About Other Stuff

In case anybody was wondering, I'm fine. However, I have really been having problems articulating myself and that's why I haven't been posting much on this blog in the past couple of years. Of course, I'm not that busy. I just have been watching a lot of television, ~trying~ to write songs, and thinking about what to say and how to say it. It's another way of saying "I haven't been doing jack shit." It's awful.

With that said, I have been inspired by Twitter to air out complaints that I have been keeping for the last couple of weeks. That's right, I said it. I think Twitter is full of complaining. Whiny and irritating. It's awful.

Occupy Twitter Street

Anyway, here are my complaints. Bullet time! (I'm listening to Saosin at the moment, by the way)

• These people on Twitter whining about Lady Gaga protesters. What have they actually done aside from writing less than 140 characters about it? Exactly. Obviously, these people (the people protesting Lady Gaga) don't care for much outside their own "righteousness" bubble. How they hell will they understand what you think of them? You're on the internet, they're outside doing something. Guess who's gotten more out of life. Awful. Just awful.
• Community fans who's never seen Community on time. Are these people really asking why it's on the brink of cancellation? Sure, Community's a really great show and I understand why you're all upset why it's not getting the attention it truly deserves. But, you haven't seen it on TV have you? Have you seen it on it's actual Thursday night time slot? The bottom line is that TV is still business and ratings are everything. If the folks from the US don't bring the goods and watch it on time, we're all screwed. It's awful.
• Dan Harmon getting kicked out of Community. What's the deal with that? The cast didn't even fight for him. Look at them rolling over and submitting to the network. Maybe they already fought for him and got nowhere. At the end of the day, It's all money and business. So awful.
• Why on Earth did Anthony Green leave Saosin? They were so great with him.
• The Lakers defense. Westbrook and Durant combined for 68 points, guys. I thought you knew how to guard these children? You are big, burly men. Be big and burly, dammit.
• I'm not gonna mention it directly but it rhymes with blurl blime blating. What do I have to do? I'm on my knees here. 
• EDSA traffic. Fuck you to hell.

Look, everyone. Complaining is really easy. If you care enough about it, do something. Good thing I really only care about item number 6.

Favorite NBA Player

The other day, while lining up to see the Avengers, I saw Lakers 84-85 Championship DVD and commented to my co-worker that the safest thing to get me for my birthday (not for another 8 months) is anything related to the Lakers (and skinny neck ties)

I have enough checkered shirts to dress like Ben Wyatt but not enough skinny ties

This co-worker then commented that her son is also a Lakers fan and asked me who my favorite NBA Player was.

I was stumped. I was a bit annoyed that nobody in this current Lakers line up is charming enough to be my favorite player. I mean, sure, Kobe dresses nice and is arguably the greatest Laker ever, but that's not enough to be my favorite NBA Player.

The worst thing about this is that I don't have any criteria (I mean, my last favorite player was Allen Iverson and that guy is worse than Kobe) for a favorite player. Should he be a superstar, a good person who gives back to the community, as cool as Chris Kaman and Brad Miller perhaps?

How cool is Brad Miller, right?

The closest person I have in mind is Kevin Durant for a few reasons:

1. He used to play for the Seattle Super Sonics (now OKC Thunder) which is my actual favorite team before the Lakers came around.
2. He has a sweet, sweet jump shot (and everyone knows I like sweet things)
3. He's an overall awesome dude and very professional.

You know what, I can't think of a way to end this post so I'll just say outright that Kevin Durant is my current favorite player.

That doesn't mean I'm gonna start rooting for OKC because he plays there (unlike some sportscasters I know).

Laneway Fest - Singapore pt 1

For my first post of the year, I'd like to share two of the best things I have ever experienced in my life.

Getting out of the country. If you really really really know me, I never liked travelling. I don't like going on field trips, I don't enjoy long bus rides, I'm just not comfortable with it. I'd rather stay at home and watch TV. Despite all these, I do love watching and being surrounded in live music which overcomes my aversion for travelling.

When St. Jerome's Laneway announced their Singapore dates for 2012, my hipster friends from the internet went crazy. Rabid. And when these people go nuts over something, you'll know it's worth at least checking out. Singapore it is.

Being a first time travlah, I had to do everything for the first time. Booking flights, looking for places to stay, etc. And much like everything you do for the first time, it was a learning experience. I booked my flight about 3 or 4 months earlier than the date, which taught me a lot about commitments.............

I feel like I've said a lot of nonsense already, so let's just get on with the pictures.

You'll know something is important to me when I take pictures of myself. This was me as I left for the office that morning. My flight was in the afternoon.

Outside the airplane.

Leaving Manila for the first time.

Arriving in Singapore. This was officially the farthest I've been away from home. And I've been to Sagada.

Texas Chicken biscuits = Instant happiness.

Look at these children counting vehicles

At Marche (Where food was great, pricy, and the gay dude behind the counter talked funny)

Went to the Philatelic Museum (Museum for stamps) because it was the cheapest we could find...

...and it had a Tintin exhibition.

Helga and hair pink hair and yellow top.

Good Morning Towel!!!

Here's a bunch of postage um... cans.

The Chinese Jose Rizal looks like Jose Rizal

On our way to Orchard rd. we hopped on a double decker!

Helga was also being a tourist

Shinji being Shinji. Joey Being Joey.

Can't remember why I took this picture, but here it is.

End of part 1. Part 2 is about Laneway which was why I was there in the first place.