[Saturday, 07.22.05]

I have so many things to post, but have so little time. Maybe I'll just show you.

[Thursday, 06.09.05]
On Tuesday, while I was in a frenzy looking for a replacement toy, I happened to buy these two very good albums:

WARPED TOUR 2005 Compilation

-and-

Cold Play
X & Y

Warped Tour 2005 Compilation. Well worth the money for a wide range of punk fanatics. With a heavy set 50 different songs and bands in the Warped tour this year, the compilation includes two discs and a variety of Artists from the beloved MXPX, The Offspring, and Pennywise, to my personal and softer fave Mae. The compilation also features new commers Armor for Sleep and Hawthorne Heights as well as regular Warped band faves such as Flogging Molly, Silverstien and Millencolin. Whether you're new to the punk scene and want to get a flavor of what is out there, or a long time fan on the genre who can't resist a good deal, this album packs a whole lot of punk for your buck.

Following the success of "A Rush of Blood to the Head", Cold Play's third Album "X & Y" is a definitely a well produced album, however it offers little change from their previous work. Although well crafted and put together, this particular album seems to lack variety that can eventually lead to being downright dull. After a long trip home, every song seems to bleed into the other with the exception of one or two that actually catch my ear. You won't see anything new in this album that you haven't before, but if you are a Cold Play fan as much as I am, that won't deter you from buying this album. After all, if it isn't broke...

[Wednesday, 06.08.05]

Today, after a long wait, I finally recieved the buttons I've ordered from the "I am 8-bit" exhibit. I ordered late April/first week of May. It was supposed to take about 4 weeks. I didn't care, because they were limited and original pieces. I was willing to wait.

Soon June came and still no package. I was beginning to worry. What if my buttons never came?! I wasn't remotely angry or anything like that, but I had no idea if I was going to get anything at all?. I checked if my payment went through and it did; so something was going wrong on their end. It didn't occur to me that I might get ripped off, because in my mind they were hard working good natured people. For the love of art and all that. I waited patiently a little more. I figured if I didn't get my goods by July, I would have to start e-mailing people. Lo and behold when I got home today, my sister tells me I got a bubble wrap package.

I hurriedly run to my room and there I see it. "i am 8-bit" alongside my name and address ^_^. I shake the package and hear the contents. I am extatic. I open it and pour the contents out and see the buttons clang on my bed. all 12 14 beautiful and colorful buttons on a cool sheet indicating each artist's name. But wait, there's more! There is also another piece of card stock with an courtesy letter for their delay along with--not one--but TWO additional buttons...bigger buttons for my patience! I didn't mind the wait, but boy I feel kinda of special if not a bit guilty for getting the extra buttons. I didn't feel I really deserved them, because I didn't really complain.

Most artists don't make much money anyway. But then again, who am I kidding? They do make some money. Well the lucky ones do, but it's the curators who don't seem to make much. Then again, I really don't have a clue. Artists are weird like that. You never really know if they are real bums or just decide to look like bums but really are rolling in dough. Anyway I guess being patient does pay off, at least in this particular case. in the art community. It's fun being an art patron. I support my people! hehe. You can be sure they're keeping a loyal fan of their show =) Oh and on last thing.

[Saturday, 04.09.05]

I finally finished the mass of standardized testing...for now I suppose. Now I have no turning back. It is time to face reality... Till then, I have found out just how far the blue and gold camaraderie can go :)

Dogs are definitely (hu)man's best friend.

When I got word of the Pope's illness, I was worried, but in denial. I hoped that my not paying too much attention would eventually allow for the fact of the matter to melt away or solve itself. I thought to myself "hey, if there was anyone who had the best doctors in the world, and prayers in the world, it would be him." But of course all the doctors and all the prayers can not really help you live if it is your time to go. I believe that Pope John Paul II served and lived his life so well on this earth, that he has more than served that he was meant to do. He deserved to have a peaceful passing and an end to his suffering.

Pope John Paul II devoted his life to God and his love for mankind--humanity. He experienced great tragedy from an early age with the loss of his mother at age nine, and at thirteen, the loss of his brother. Living under the oppresive force of the Nazis, he escaped their wrath through his determination, faith and wit. Little did anyone know that a charming young man by the name of Karol Josef Wojtyla would become one of the most revered and respected figures in history.

Indeed Pope John Paul II was revered, not only by Catholics, but all sects of Christianity and all other religions around the world. His love and his ability to draw people in, his sincerity crossed all boundaries. He is truly one of the greatest men ever to grace this earth.

As people prayed and the crowed gathered in the Vatican. hundreds of thousands began to pray and millions more around the globe followed suit. I know I did. I could not believe or did not want to believe that such a wonderful man, such a kind, gentle and strong man, our leader, would die. Through all the reports and the little sign of life they gave with regards to the Pope's condition, I hoped for something more optimistic, even a lie to shed some optimism. But his illness was so severe, even the littlest bit of positivity was shattered. He came down with extreme fever, sliped into unconsciousness, prayed his last prayer, and died.

Until now I feel at a loss and I have not been able to freely express myself maybe until now. So many people initially speaking of good things about him and later the non-believers lash out in mockery and distaste for all the lauding given to him. It makes me sick to hear how bitter and how cruel people can be, even to a person who was never a stranger to death, to suffering, to fear and hardship. If anything, JPII reached out to the people and lived with the people. He was a disciple of God.

As an adolescent, I remember people raving about meeting the Pope and crying as they saw him from afar. I didn't really understand how such an old man, from a different culture and such tremedous power, could evoke such warth into the hearts of strangers. Now, I know why. His presence radiates humility, sincerity, honesty and genuine love. His face shows a sincerity and calm and conviction you I have not seen anywhere else. I could only imagine how I would feel actually meeting him face to face and kissing his hand. The Pope, to me, was a grandfather I never had. The grandfather I wish I had, and the man I can speak no ill of. To me, if God were to send a man on Earth after Jesus, it should have been him. Now that he is gone, the little hope I had about the church, the respect I had amidst all the corruption of the church has slipped further down. Pope John Paul II served as the glue to my faith. He helped tie things together for me. Why I still felt that Roman Catholics and Catholicism, despite it's faults, had a genuine core belief system that defied all the rules. John Paul II epitomised those ideals in myself. He's like the remaining light among the dark and when he died, his light went out with him.

I think that is why I cried so much. I think that is also why so many weeped for him. We should be thankful that his suffering is gone. We should celebrate the many good things he has brought to us and has done for us. We should not cry and we should not mourn. He would not want it to be so. However, we can't help but be selfish. i think, most of all, that is what moved my tears uncontrollably. I don't know if anyone else in my entire family felt any loss, but I do know that I seemed to make the most deal of it. I guess I am just an emotional person. It's like I lost my own grandfather on Saturday, but he was closer to me than any other relative out of my immediate family. Closer to the heart I guess. I never knew how much until he had gone. Strange I know. It's not like I keep pictures, or worship the Pope. I don't even have any images of him exept maybe an old paper i did on him back in 1995 for the World Youth Day and maybe a picture of him from the Wax Museum or something. Otherwise, nothing else.

Well, now he is gone and people are comming by the millions to see his body lay to rest Now the fate of the Church is up in the air. As we, as Catholics are holding our breath, until the college of cardinals conduct the conclave on April 18th to begin electing our next Pope.

One thing I do know is, whomever they elect, serving after John Paul II will be by far the most difficult job in the world. The Pople most travelled, served 3rd longest, most beloved, most charismatic, first non italian Pope in 455 years, and a man who defeated communism. The next Pope, almost certainly will be Italian and may be more conservative. I am scared for the future of our Church. But I hope by doing my part, it will stand strong and unwavering.

I'm nearing the end of my term working here with the National Science foundation. It's been great. I met a lot of really nice people and I've saved up a little. Now it's time for me to move on and get back on track. In the meantime, I will have more downtime. That said, I am in much need of celebration. It just so happens that one of my favorite artists Luke Chueh is having a few exhibits around the area. I'm so excited ^_^. My friends and I have been trying for a while now to find an excuse to hang out and just spend some time together. I think having some lunch and checking out the art scene would be a nice thing to do. Besides, I need my dose of culture now and then. Makes me feel cool to be a part of it, even as a pseudo-painter and art enthusiast. So, there will be a few shows. I'm really looking forward to the one at Zeitgeist Studio in Venice. The Opening reception will be this Friday. I think I'll be checking out the other gallery at GALLERY 1988 on Feb 25th. I am really interested about their "I AM 8-BIT" show though, but it will be opening in April. I don't know if I can wait that long =P. I know it will be worth it though.

On other matters, my artistic work has been in somewhat of a slump after the painting I made for my friend on her birthday. I haven't had any time or interest in painting whatsoever. It's a real hassle to bust out all that canvas, paint, oil, thinner, brushes, rags, etc. I think I need a better easel and an actual studio. haha like I even need it. I don't even paint that well. Anyway I've been doing the whole comic style of digital art lately. I would start out in MSpaint with my mouse and sketch it out, then modify and modify and modify until it bears a noticable resemblance to the character, without adding so much detail to lose the comic style effect. I keep the character in a black, white and grey tone. Maybe four or five shades from dark to light. I think that's about it. Oh yes, and I have a birthday looming over. I can't seem to stop sentencing myself to being 23 when I am still 22 for another week or so. Anyway I'll end it here.

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