"We need not fit any cookie-cutter mold, we are our own. Leave those crippled-minded social conformists drown in their own shits."

Coldplay's 'Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall' splits fans over the net

In fashion, you're as good as your last design, In culinary, you're as good as your last dish, or so I heard. Is the same ring true when it comes to music? I am a Coldplayer at heart, and since been waiting for the new album after Viva La Vida. More than 2 years have gone and it seems that the gap is closing in. On midnight, June 4th (Manila time) the band released a new single titled 'Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall' courtesy of coldplay.com. I was sure that the new song will definitely be different from all the others the way it was previewed in teasers. But never have I thought of the song has this feel of some sort of electronica (though not as pronounced as Owl City's or Postal Service's). So to justify my preconceived judgment of the track, which was a bit confusing, I went over to  www.coldplaying.com where the truest, hardcore fans of the band gather in cyberspace. And then voila! I found the site to be infiltrated with hatred from one side and agreement from the opposite one. I then rummaged through hundreds of comments only to find more and more words of disappointment from many members of the site. It is of course not unusual to compare the track to more prevailing, established songs that put the band in the music industry. While change is inevitable, it usually is hard to see what one's intention when our own judgments are clouded by our own norms we ourselves create for them, like society often points a finger to where one goes. I had a feeling I was becoming a record label controlling the band as puppets for my show, which was typical in the now setting in the industry. So I detached the strings I had, and dug deeper beyond my superficial judgment, with that I listen into it once again, then another, then one more, until the time I came to my senses. They were once again honest individuals as I heard them playing unto their hearts' desires. The ooohhs and aaahhs came perfectly timed throughout the song, the riffs became more distinct, the upbeat tempo matched the lyrics. I no longer hear electronica. I was able to see through, hear with my ears shut for songs like Fix You, Sparks, VLVD, and acknowledged the single as a great track. Lower your guards down and listen to it again, now with open mind... and heart. And then afterwards, you can tell me perhaps what it looks like ....or tastes like ;)

The Sun Sets 2

The sunset signals the end of the day for most, but the start for me... for my odyssey, at least. It is a great delight to have this sight on your window 32,000 feet above sea level from an airplane. And my admiration for sunset grew larger than ever. It is often sensual this phenomena, that I feel like I'm flying, (not that I'm actually in an aircraft), but bare... one with the wind. The bed of clouds is my earth that I walk through. And the never ending horizon as the space that I move within. 

And just as I gave up chasing the sun a few minutes after, that my good friend completely succumbed to rest, letting our eyes wander the dark, searching for a ray of light. They say that the lights are all up, but when you're already at the top, there are always some light that is above you. Most of us fails to notice it, when we are clouded by the illusions of life. Some of us are aware of it, but continually reaches for higher grounds, not knowing their tanks are empty, and in the end comes crashing down. The humble few, knows its limitations and follows the guiding runway lights, back home.

Mighty Unicorn

Dreams are where all your subconscious thoughts gathered, then threaded to form a weird story, that is much like watching a movie off a pirated DVD, skipping at most parts, and could not tell which is point A to B. I remember dreaming that I'm dreaming, and how crazy is that? They say that during our sleep, we always dream, of things unresolved, random images, places, etc., and only remember at least few of them or completely none when we woke up. I had my share of weird dreams, like all of you do, I'm sure. 

At least 6 years ago (or so I thought), I've dreamt of wild creatures like monkeys with fish heads, and dogs with feathers like chicken, basically 'real' animals torn apart to form new breeds... monsters, I must say. But there is just one normal looking creature, the Unicorn, all poised and elegant, like she's the Queen of the jungle. All of the 'creatures' were looking at her as if the entire animal kingdom was looking at Simba when baptized, marking the territory with exuberant power. And then as if a movie was done, all came black.... Dream over.  We were given a figurine of it, a year later, that was mounted on the table in our living room as centerpiece, which reminded me of the same dream every time I laid eyes on it. It was less regal, as if it was one-eight blooded. Days went passing by and had to leave my small town to go somewhere big and pursue college. I almost forgot the dream I had of this mighty creature, but every time I went back during vacations, it all starts rolling out the clip of the same scene, not as vivid as the the first time, but distinct enough to know how long is its horn, how dreamy its eyes were. One vacation, I found no sight of it on the table, I wasn't quite sure at the time if my mother's feng shui that made it relocate itself. I asked my mother to save myself from straining my back searching for it, and said it was placed at a box behind the fridge. Shocked as I may, found pieces of the hind legs and a cut tip of the horn. I wasn't very emotional about it, it was just the memory of the omnipotent Unicorn that shook me to the fact that there is a moral value of this dream after all, at least for my own. 

I found the biggest substitute there is for this Unicorn, God. I am not that religious, much more of a spiritual guy. But there is a chill (and guilt) I felt when I've thought about this before (it still gives me, every now and then). I totally went out the jungle of college, not knowing that I'm allowing myself to trail ahead without God by my side. I don't say that I forgot all about Him and throw Him out, believe me. It's just the amount of gratitude I have then when I was young and later when in college. I used to thank Him every day I woke up, and all of it that there is in my life. Like all of the weird creatures, in some days, we wear the smile of a monkey or the pleading eyes of the pussycat. And we should everyday look up to Him, give Him the best version of us, and simply be thankful. It'll be a shame to find your faith broken like a unicorn figurine that's been hiding behind all that lavishness and bountiful fridge of cakes and ice creams. The Unicorn figure still sits in the box, in the dark, but never will it shatter further into pieces anytime soon.

Polarized

The Sun Sets

I've always adored the sun set, even when I was just a little boy. I walk home from school guided by the sun, in its attempt to tell me that nightfall is on its way, and my mother would be looking for me soon. There's a certain charm of it that appeals to my senses. The way it vividly tints the sky pale red orange, kind of feels calm and soothing, a perfect ending for the day. It was not the last sight of light I will see for Mister Moon will soon come along with his lady stars but never will it illuminate the sky like the sunset.

Branch Out

Sweet Descent

Bridge With No Name

Opposed

Odyssey (Chili farm)

Waiting for them to blush

Plants VS Zombies (farm edition)

Hope Anew

I started the year 2011 with high aspirations and dreams, and who wouldn't? I guess most people, if not all are excited for new beginnings even if entails a hint of an atrocious, miserable past. To tell you honestly, I've never been in such situation, so I would be a total hypocrite to tell you likewise. They say a tree is tested strong as to how hard, how many typhoons it withstand. I felt like I've only been playing in the drizzle before the rain, kinda exciting but for the most part scary. I guess this is just the calm before the storm, the question is how far along before i'm hit full blast? I am jolted by the thoughts alone and anticipation could drive you crazy, so I'll just let fate take turns with my actions in steering the wheel to wherever i am going. I am not wishing that let all misfortunes come my way, let alone involve my friends and family. But hey c'est la vie! Life is nothing but full of surprises, I'll just remain hopeful, after all hope is defined by the future.

-FV