Winnipeg, Manitoba — It’s been a while since my last entry and here I am full of expectations for this one. I don’t like Canadians. I have been solid about that for years now. I don’t like them politically, culturally and throw in also economically.
Canadians have been unsubtle about their (except for the Prime Minister I guess) dislike of the United States of America. Canada envelopes the northern part of the US and they are well protected by the US militarily from three directions. Instead of gratitude for this, the Canadians think that what the (US)Americans are doing to keep a civilize world is plain wrong. They are too idealistic for their own good.
Now let’s talk about idealism for Canada. Canada uses two languages — English (British, not [US]American) and French. That means that they are bounded to the British and the French who discovered their neck of the woods. Essentially, Canada has no independence so they should just shut their mouths about the United States and get their shit together first to get away from their monarchs. Trivially, Canada has no president. Instead they have a prime minister because they still recognize the monarchs thousands of miles away in the land called the United Kingdom. If you ask Canadians why they don’t exist as a Republic, they would tell you that they are sentimental about the presence of the monarchy. A stupid thing to say for a could-be-sovereign country.
Culturally, I dislike their attitudes. (US)Americans are liberal, but they at least have manners. Canadians lack courtesy, hospitality and other good manners. Canadians will confirm this. They think they are high up in the food chain to be looking down on people. Here’s a stereotype: if you meet a rude Caucasian in the States, most likely he’s from Canada. One more piece of observation: Canadians look alike. I would like to post pictures, but I won’t. When you visit Canada, pick one face and you’ll find many of them like that…pick the ones with ’stache.
If (US)Americans complain so much about taxes, go to Canada and you’ll wish you can bring your taxes from the States. Generally, they have two taxes: GST (federal) and PST (provincial). Total tax could reach 15% - 20% of your purchase. That’s too much. They even have AST (accommodation) and a GST is also taken from that AST. So if you stay in a hotel, they will charge you two taxes plus an accommodation tax plus another tax off that accommodation tax. What they mean to say is that “pay us double, foo!”
I think that about covers my dislike for Canada and its people. However, I LOVE the music they make. I will also attempt to photographically compare the four provinces I visited when I get back, so watch out for that my dear readers.
June 26th, 2008
A pure democratic state is defined to be a state of the people, for the people, and by the people. Obviously, this form of government is inexistent therefore I’m not talking government politics in this entry. I’m speaking of Pinoy Idol (Philippines’ installation of “… Idol” reality show). This kind of contest shouldn’t be allowed in a country where text messaging is a way of life, not a necessity. “… Idol” is a singing contest where the winner is decided by the masses. I am not saying that voting in an installation like the American Idol has a 1-1 vote/person ratio, but the sampling is closer to the actual number. In the Philippines, one out of five texter could (a hypothesis) vote at least 100 times for his contestant and that clearly manipulates the curve which then yields a non-democratic politics. What’s worst is that (again I’m hypothesizing) the multi-voting texter does not know about the talent. However, that doesn’t matter because as far as the show is concerned, they are just counting the number of text votes.
Why am I getting so hyped up about this? I have been hyped up about this, but I’m only writing about this now. Last night, the viewers eliminated deserving candidates and kept mediocre talents. The judges even agreed with my thoughts. I know that one of them will eventually win, but if the deserving candidates are not permitted to compete (because they were kicked out) then what’s the using of discovering new talents. The viewers who care about a talent are left frustrated because the majority of viewers who don’t know what a talent is voted out the talented ones. Eventually, the show will have talents that aren’t up to par. The show must start rigging the votes. It’s nothing new in the Philippines anyway.
I’m done criticizing the system, now it’s time to criticize some contestants…
Sue Ellen - you’re a trying hard fashionista. If it doesn’t suit you however trendy the dress is, don’t wear it. I’m begging you in the name of all Ilonggos.
JJ - You should have been sacked this week, but I guess you’re too pretty for that.
Jeni - Excellent performance this week, but I’m worried you’re only restricted to a genre. If ever you’re voted out, make a jazz album and make sure to write your original music.
Ram - You have to be original, but keep rocking! I hope you win the shit.
Topher - Nice voice, but work on the image.
Warren - Be original; love the voice.
Obviously, I don’t pay attention to the girls. I want the contestants to ROCK and the boys are the only ones capable of doing that in the current season. I can’t sing, but I yap a lot, don’t I? Get used to it!
June 9th, 2008
I have a TOGO playlist in my iPod Nano containing 8 songs. They are all love songs save one. Most of my collections contain songs of heartbreaks. I’m not saying I’m heartbroken. I think good songs are written during a downfall of an artist because there are so many emotions. An artist who didn’t experience a downfall isn’t an artist at all — in my opinion.
I’ve seen you cry, I’ve seen you smile.
I’ve watched you sleeping for a while.
I’d be the father of your child.
I’d spend a lifetime with you.
I know your fears and you know mine.
We’ve had our doubts but now we’re fine,
And I love you, I swear that’s true.
I cannot live without you.
- Goodbye My Lover, James Blunt
This is my favorite James Blunt song. I emphasize favorite because it’s only one. These lines are loaded. I hope I never get to personify this song. I don’t know the whole story of this song and I’m not sure if he wrote this out of experience. Playing it solo in a piano made the song more beautiful. It’s a beautiful sad song I guess.
I’ll sing it one last time for you
Then we really have to go
You’ve been the only thing that’s right
In all I’ve done
And I can barely look at you
But every single time I do
I know we’ll make it anywhere
Away from here
- Run, Snow Patrol
One of the few Snow Patrol songs I love. The melody is just beautiful. The lines above tell about an escape from everything (I think) — from criticizing eyes. Sounds familiar to me. Just listen to the song if you have a chance and you’ll understand. I had to pick a line so I picked the first verses.
As I say goodbye to the way of life
I thought I had designed for me
- Try, Nelly Furtado
I guess it’s the music that made me like this song. The lines above simply tell us that there is a design for life, but it’s nearly impossible to go by that design. It’s feasible, but nearly impossible.
Flames to dust
Lovers to friends
Why do all good things come to an end
- All Good Things (Come To An End), Nelly Furtado
Very true. Need I elaborate? That’s a life cycle. That’s why I always thought that life shouldn’t be taken seriously because it’s a game within the circle. Why struggle when in the end all is lost? Life is a game in which the outcome is already decided before it starts.
May 27th, 2008
The second batch of lyrical lines that I’ve picked from my playlist. It took me more than a week to complete this batch. I’m not as inspired as the last one I guess. That’s the problem when you are reading while listening. You have to give the book priority.
Deep in my heart
There’s no room for crying
But I’m trying to see your point of view
- My Eyes, Travis
As I’ve said in my past entries, I am not an avid fan of Travis’ music, but rather the band’s style. Only thing though about them is that few of their songs either describes me or describes my philosophy. These lines describes my emotions. I keep them inside and I never really pour them out on someone. I pour them out on music most of the time. If I’m soundtripping loudly, it means I’m letting out a steam. It’s quite healthy really. Yeah, that’s it — I keep everything to myself. You’ll probably notice this on the demeanor on my face.
He pulled a gun from his jacket
He said I was going to die
It gives me so much satisfaction
To watch you beg and cry.
I just made up this story
To get your attention makes me smile.
- I Stopped To Fill My Car Up, Stereophonics
I enjoy listening to this song because it brings me into the story. Kelly Jones is a superb storyteller indeed. The lines above is a literal cry for attention — and it’s a good one at that. I especially like the last line. I would be considered anti-social, yet crying for attention. Aren’t we all? If I could play a goddamn guitar (which I’m sure I won’t because I have nervous coordination issues) I would be playing this song over and over again.
There’s things I want
There’s things I think I want
There’s things I’ve had
There’s things I wanna have
Do I want the dreams?
The ones we’re forced to see
Do I want the perfect wife?
The word perfect ain’t quite right
…
I’m just looking
I’m not buying
I’m just looking
Keeps me smiling
- Just Looking, Stereophonics
This is the first Stereophonics song that I heard and I’ve been a fan ever since, collecting all their albums. I think that the lines above has put what’s real and what’s not into words. I’m not sure yet if I’m just looking. Am I trying to grasp or am I just standing on the curb watching things pass by. It’s fascinating to not know what is real and what isn’t. Something so simple, yet if we stop and ponder we would be in a limbo trying to figure the thing out.
Cannot wake up in the morning
Without you on my mind
- Almost Lover, A Fine Frenzy
The lines above are for Mai. The song isn’t. Only the lines. My mind is filled with her images when I’m conscious. If you want her out of my mind, you have to knock me unconscious, but that doesn’t mean she won’t be in my dreams.
May 18th, 2008
A listing of lines that I like from lyrics of the songs in my current playlist. The playlist in my i-touch-nothing-happens does not have a wide variety of artists. I currently have select artists/bands - Manic Street Preachers, Stereophonics, Travis, Oasis, Queens of the Stoneage, Heather Nova, Chantal Kreviazuk, A Fine Frenzy, Ryan Adams, David Gray, Badly Drawn Boy, Coldplay, Nelly Furtado, Radiohead, Damien Rice, and Robbie Williams. That’s quite a spectrum of moods in a short list.
When I’m on the move (i.e. walking) I usually have something stuck in my ears. That’s when I do most of my thinking. A line or two from a song can inspire me to write, most of the time ravings because if you have listened to these artists, then you will know where I get my confidence and confirmation to write what you may call abhorring statements. So, without further ado…
My little empire
I’m fucked with being fucked
- My Little Empire, Manic Street Preachers
That is quite a statement especially if you are being oppressed most of the time. I am clearly oppressed by thoughts and emotions. Fortunately, I have society to blame for it.
Cold, cold water
Surrounds me now
- Cold Water, Damien Rice
The song is actually religious. If I continue with the lyrics, Rice is actually saying that even if everything is not alright, he has the Lord’s presence to help him. I obviously had those lines cut-off because these are the only lines that matter to me. It’s my current state…just kidding. Well, kidding aside, I like the way Rice describes suffering in those lines.
You left me on the shelf
And now there’s no-one to rely on
But if it’s all the same to you
Here’s what I’m gonna do
I’m gonna buy a gun
Gonna shoot everything, everyone
And then I’m coming for you
‘Cos it was you that drove me to
- Last Train, Travis
Before anyone jumps into conclusion, I’m not condoning massacre. I couldn’t believe the first time I heard this - coming from Travis either. I find that these lines express helplessness and complete frustration. Why did I include this verse on the list? I guess I’m showing how comfortable I am at accepting these kinds of things. I still have sanity left in me to decide that this action is not part of my values, nor it will ever be. I may be a master at emotional torture, but physical pain is not my forte. Physical manifestation of pain towards others is against my belief because that would mean I am blatantly accepting an inevitable connection between men. My principle in life is so simple: as long as I don’t initiate physical pain to someone, then I’m preserving my values.
How about emotional pain? Emotional pain does not provide evidence of who caused the pain because there is no trail between the cause and effect. Emotion is stateless, thus there is no point of reference.
May 9th, 2008
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