2 Projects in the office. Must be done by August.
I need to rest.
Too much freelance work.
Not much done.
Need to find center and balance.
Yoga? Yes…well, not really.
I need to practice healthy sleeping and eating habits.
I wonder if mom’s doing well.
I wonder if my father’s happy.
I think I want spaghetti. With a lot of cheese.
I also need to finish reading all the books and comics I bought last year!
What? I’ve only had 1 glass of water today? Why??
Wait…what?
I’ve been feeling a bit more tired than usual these past couple of weeks. Too tired to enjoy my time with friends. Too tired to finish anything I start. Too tired to focus on my work. Too tired to concentrate on anything I do. Too tired to enjoy a quiet afternoon at my favorite coffee shop. Too tired to enjoy resting. Just too tired.
I tried working on the one-shot comic project, but none of the scenes in the script were making their way to my once-very creative mind. I tried relaxing while watching TV. Perhaps this will help me get back on track, or so I thought. But stress level shot up even more. Nothing I did to help relax my mind worked. Not even sniffing the invigorating aroma of a freshly brewed cup of coffee. I know caffeine drinks would make me feel more restless but taking the scent of coffee in has always relaxed me. Lately, everything I did would just irritate me. I could barely concentrate on work. The laughter I shared with my friends over something so trivial used to linger for a long time, but up ‘til recently, I’ve been having a hard time being “in the moment”. Nothing I did would excite me anymore.
A friend of mine saw how restless I’ve become.
He said I was probably just too tired, living a very hectic life in this fast-paced world. That maybe I just need to stop. STOP. Something I never really thought of doing. I tried slowing down, and only ended speeding up more. STOP. I tilted my head and gazed at him in unreserved astonishment. How could the solution have been so simple yet so elusive?
Ever since my mom was diagnosed with cancer and my father diagnosed with chronic infidelity, I started busying myself with a lot of things. Most of it, church work. I’d give most of my time and financial resources to a youth organization at our church. If I wasn’t busy with that, I was drawing my brains out, trying hard to be a photographer, taking on too much freelance work or sneaking in a ton of gimmick time with my friends. I was in denial. The possibility of things becoming too much for me to handle never dawned on me until I started getting frequent headaches, was almost always sick, and had erratic eating and sleeping habits again. When my friend asked me to just stop everything altogether for just one day, I did and I started feeling really tired. Never, in my entire life as a young adult, have I felt as physically drained as I was that day.
I slept at 8PM.
I wasn’t sick. I was just so physically and mentally drained.
And when I woke up on Saturday morning, I have never felt so rested in my entire life! For the past few months, I’ve been aboard a speeding vehicle, not minding the blur of everyone and everything around me. The little heart-warming moments, the uncontrollable laughter, the unspeakable secrets that delight the heart…I was never really there to appreciate them. I was everywhere…and nowhere.
And then I stopped. I stopped and saw the street, the sidewalk, and the people bustling about. And I started to appreciate how beautiful my life is, once more.
Last Sunday, some friends dropped by and I never realized how much I really missed them. I missed out on so much!
Now, I am back on track and everything around me is quite vivid. Once they start becoming blurry, I will surely remember to slow down and just enjoy the ride.
Tetsuya Ogawa (born October 3, 1969, at Osaka in Kansai, Japan), known professionally as tetsu, is the leader and bassist of the Japanese rock band L'Arc~en~Ciel. He also does backup vocals and has composed many of the band's songs, including 'Link', 'READY STEADY GO', 'finale', 'Driver's High', "Stay Away," and 'Pieces'. In the band, his name is 'tetsu' (All in lower case).
Since 2001, he had solo work under the name 'TETSU69' (Number 69 is his birth year). As of 26 November 2006 he changed his solo name to 'tetsu'.
In 2007, Tetsu and 22-year-old actress Ayana Sakai got married.
Playing Style
Tetsu is renowned for his melodic style of bass playing. Many of L'Arc~en~Ciel's songs involve Tetsu playing counter melodies with ken (guitarist of L'Arc~en~Ciel) while still holding a groove with the drums. Tetsu's composing can be seen as more 'poppish' as compared to ken's who has a heavier and sometimes bluesy approach. He frequently uses slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs in his playing.
Tetsu plays with a pick most of the time, but uses fingerstyle occasionally when the song calls for it, such as in 'winter fall' and 'jojoushi'. In a few songs Tetsu can be heard using the slap style of playing such as in the Laruku song 'THE NEPENTHES' and 'twinkle, twinkle'. Tetsu has also used distortion such as in the song 'Stay Away.' Tetsu has also been known to play briefly with a banana, "Munkimpo-kun", (which he whips to the audience afterwards) prior to the beginning of a song (usually 'Stay Away') in some concerts.
Tetsu primarily plays a 5 string bass since L'Arc~en~Ciel's 15th anniversary, but is known to occasionally use 6 strings in L'Arc~en~Ciel songs such as Neo Universe, Time Goes on,Get out from the Shell where Tetsu plays lead melody.But in Perfect Blue he use a 6 string baritone guitar (similar with electric guitar but tuned one octave lower). Tetsu also performs a Guitar / Bass Double Neck on the song Trust.
Even though Tetsu is endorsed by ESP Guitars and has several models, he has used his Zon bass for most of his recording works. Tetsu is an avid collector of basses and guitars. He owns over 120 basses and more than 20 guitars.
Other Side Projects
Creature Creature [formed in 2005]
Vocal. MORRIE [ex Dead-End]
Bass. tetsu
Guitar. MINORU [(Murohime Shin) ex THE MAD CAPSULE MARKETS, DIE IN CRIES, BLOODY IMITATION SOCIETY]
Released three singles on June 19, 2006:
『Red』
『風の塔』 (Kaze no tou) music by tetsu
『パラダイス』 (PARADISE) music by MORRIE and tetsu
Creature Creature released their first album on August 30, 2006, called 'Light & Lust'.
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1) Cliff Burton (Metallica)
2) Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
3) Tetsuya Ogawa (L’arc en ciel)
5) Geddy Lee (Rush)
6) Toshiya (Dir en grey)
7) John Entwistle (The Who)
8) Steve Harris (Iron Maiden)
9) P-nut (311)
10) Ross Valory
I finally got to see the 6th Harry Potter movie - Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince last night. It is, in my opinion, the best Harry Potter film to date. However, there were a few things that weren't covered or explained, thus making the experience a tad bit incomplete for those who haven't read the book.
I'd write a review but I think I'd be extremely biased if I did, so here are just a few thoughts on it:
(Warning: SPOILERS)
1.) They didn't focus too much on Severus Snape as they were really supposed to, in order to help establish the importance of his role in the whole story. They were focusing more on his being a villain, which is good, but they should've also shown WHY he was called the half-blood prince. Not even a shadow of his mother Eileen Prince was shown, nor his father Tobias Snape.
2.) Snape was a great wizard. This was shown more in the 6th book than in any other books (aside from the very shocking ending of book 7). He was able to conjure his own spells, make the best potions in his class, discover the properties of most potion ingredients that weren't really stated in their potions book. Bezoar, for example. A raw ingredient in potion making that was noted by Snape in his old book as an antidote, in itself, for most kinds of poison. In the movie, Harry is seen rummaging through Slughorn's stuff and pulling out a bezoar to stick into Ron's mouth in order to save him from being poisoned to death. Credit should be given to the Half-Blood Prince, I think.
3.) The Sectumsempra curse was supposed to be a very fatal one and only Snape knows the counter curse for it. In the movie, it seemed to me as if the counter curse is something anyone can conjure. Although Snape was the one who reversed Harry's spell on Draco, it appeared as if it was only so because he happened to be there. Also, in the book, Harry resorted to that spell only because Draco was poised to conjure the Cruciatus Curse. The movie showed Harry to be a bit too reckless in his choices of spells.
4.) I really loved how they showed Harry's extraordinary courage after drinking the Felix Felicis.
Slughorn: "Harry!"
Harry: with a WTF look on his face "Siiiiiir!"
LOLs at this scene!
5.) And how Harry got Slughorn's true memory...it didn't seem too hard for him to be able to figure out how to go about that task. And Slughorn wasn't shown to be someone who truly covets rare things (people included). Whereas to Lockhart (in the 4th movie), whom they've successfully established to be a "celebrity" of some sort, but a fraud at that. the characters seemed to be too underdeveloped in this 6th installation. You really can't fit too much into 2 1/2 hours, now can you?
6.) I just absolutely LOVE the Quidditch scenes. That's that. (But I was kinda hoping to hear the Weasley is Our King song in the 5th book)
Slytherin version:
Weasley cannot save a thing,
He cannot block a single ring,
That's why Slytherins all sing:
Weasley is our King.
Weasley was born in a bin
He always lets the Quaffle in
Weasley will make sure we win
Weasley is our King.
Weasley is our King,
Weasley is our King,
He always lets the Quaffle in
Weasley is our King.
--
Gryffindor version:
Weasley is our King,
Weasley is our King,
He didn't let the Quaffle in
Weasley is our King.
Weasley can save anything,
He never leaves a single ring,
That's why Gryffindors all sing:
Weasley is our King. 
7.) The Inferi. Of course I know what they are. But do the non-readers know? pfft.
8.) The Snape-Potter relationship was supposed to be more emphasized now (more than the Potter-Voldemort link). Here, the link between Potter and Snape is supposed to be shown on a more strikingly personal level.
There's a lot more I can say about this film but I shall stop here because I have forgotten some points. Will edit as I remember.
Care to share your thoughts?
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Here are some little thingies for you, not mine. found over the web. :) Spoilers! You have been warned! (well, some are spoilers, some are just silly)
young Severus
Severus Snape (oh, I LOVE!!!)
behind the scenes. something you won't see in any of the HP movies, nor in the book.
Can't wait for movies 7 & 8
It might interest some of you to know that I now have an official online portfolio, powered by DeviantArt, of course. :)
It has this minimalist feel that I'm digging so much. :)
Most of the artworks are already posted in DA, but I chose the ones I really love. :)
Hope you like it. :)
I've been going over some old pictures in my hard drive the past few days and saw some captured moments I really miss.
and we start with
Birthdays
2002 - My birthday
L-R: Janry(neighbor), my brother Paul, his bestfriend Kelvin, Me, My godmother Ninang Chit and her daughter Melanie
2003 - My Birthday
L-R: AR, my then-boyfriend Lee, Me, Jovenz and Harvey
2004 - My birthday
L-R: Joseph, Eky, Kat, JZ, my bestfriend Janice, Paul. I was attempting to pose as Sadako. Epic fail.
2005 - My birthday
My friends at the office surprised me with a small kiddie party at one of our conference rooms. :) They're so sweet.
2006 - Dice's Birthday
She celebrated it at McDonald's Katipunan with kids from her class (she was a techer back then)
2006 - Our manager's birthday
When Lei was here, we'd hold surprises for people who celebrated their birthdays. :) Gusto ko ibalik yun...eto ang bagong MarComm angels with Ei. :)
2006 - JZ's birthday
I miss these kids!!
2006 - Paul's birthday
We make it a habit to have a plate for Kuya Jess. :) Kaya Kevin (my youngest brother) had to wait for me to finish eating before he could sit at the table with everyone. Haha.
2007 - Sam's birthday
the photographer for this event was Shaira Luna. The party was held at The Events Place at Greenhills. A party fit for a princess!
2007 - Sassy's Birthday
We had lunch at Chili's. :) Katawa, they sang for her and gave her dessert with a candle but she ended up paying for the dessert. Boo. Birthday scam. Haha.
2007 - My birthday
This was the first time I celebrated my birthday on the day itself (Dec 25)...and people actually showed up! Lee was there at 7AM with a big Eeyore doll and a long-stemmed rose, Lei, Sassy and Jamine were there too! Gino and TJ came all the way from Filinvest. Of course my Tropang K buddies Janice, JZ and Eky were there. So was Joseph. :) We also had Dragon Fireworks! Loved this day!!!
2007 - Gino's birthday
FVDT with their girlfriends. Yes. Ganyan talaga. :)
2007 - Jayson's birthday
kami ulet. Oo, wag nang tanungin. Ganyan talaga. Normal na scenario na yan. :p
2007 - Lei's birthday
Sassy and I slept over at Lei's place. This is the first time we saw Hugo, her poooppie!
2007 - Papee's birthday
Papee is in the US. But we still celebrated it at Seafood Island with Dice, Paul, Janice, Lee & Joseph
2007 - Paul's birthday
surprise dinner with close friends at Trellis :)
2008 - Jude's Birthday
buo na ang garagers nito (dahil kay Love. Ops! bawal umapila kasi totoo naman. :p)
2008 - Lourd's birthday
surprise ni Mayee for him.
Fr. Ben's birthday
Sumayaw sila dito at nakikain lang kami. This is the day I gave Karee a bouquet of flowers. But I chose this pic because it is absolutely hilarious!
2008 - Paul's birthday
Lee and I treated Paul to lunch at Omakase Libis.
This is his first taste of warm sake.
2008 - Nanny's birthday
2008 - Karee's Birthday
celebrated her birthday at Chogz's place. Everyone was there. :)
2008 - Karee and Bea's birthday surprise
surprise birthday get-together for Bea and Karee.
6-minute wrestling match with Lourd. Kapagod!
2008 - Mama Roxy's birthday
shempre, we'd look for reasons to celebrate. Now, no one wants to celebrate anything anymore. :( Nakakamiss lang talaga.
2009 - Paul's Birthday
I invited his high school friends and, of course, people from church. :) He was pretty ecstatic about it. And at the end of it all, I was so broke. Hahaha.
2009 - RJ's birthday
And I chose this pic dahil...close sila. Colse kami. At close kami. :)
Next, Events!
2009 East Kamias Rockrakan Tunog Kalye
This is Lourd's band Carrot Juice. Edge is the drummer. :)
2009 AGP Event at PUP
I was giddy with excitement. If you can't make out what it is...it's a shot of Edge playing the drums onstage. Which is like meters away from me so I was zoomed in so close, the camera refused to take a decent shot!!!
2006 ToyCon
this is a shot of a group cosply of Magic Knight Rayearth
2009 Hataw Hanep Hero
At Silver City. Don and I are siblings of a Yakuza clan, if you're wondering about our very random costumes
2008 Incubus Live in Manila
Yes, I still get goosebumps when I remember this night!
It was my first live concert.
2009 - Fall Out Boy Live in Manila
Ack!!! Patrick Stump!!!
2008 TagCom
I went with Fran. But of course I chose this picture. It IS Hard Gay, after all. :)
2008 Pauls' Graduation
Oh lord...I caongratulated this dude beside him. Then found out he was a teacher! Why the hell are they wearing the same toga??? DUH!!
Drift Compatition
I think this was 2007...or 2008. I forgot. This was held at Greenhills Promenade.
2008 ToyCon
Hey, Wilson Tortosa! :) and Luci. :)
Ack. my eyes are tired. I will continue next time. :)
People collect lots of things. Toys, jewelry, cars, stamps, letters, even girls/boys!
Me? I collect erasers. Yes. That's right. Erasers. Pambura, in Filipino.
But these are ones I will never ever use. Not for erasing, at least. :p
Here's a picture of my collection with my cellphone, so you'd have an idea how small they really are. :)
L-R: Kushi-dango (Sweet Dumplings), (i dunno what that is, can someone tell me? - an Onigiri, perhaps?), Sakuramochi (Pink Sweet Rice Cake)
And these are all for pictorials with Neko. :p