Indiana-Police?

Twenty-one years ago, I worked as a scheduler and my job was calling people to set up their insurance exams. I spoke with a very heavy Filipino accent, but understandable nonetheless. My company serves several different insurance companies and one day, I was calling a client who applied for insurance with Indianapolis Life. "Hi, this is Ritchie with Indiana-police and I need to set up your insurance physical...." Click. The person on the other line hangs up on me. I called again and as soon as I open my mouth, I hear click. So I asked my co-worker, a 23-year old blond, green eyed aspiring musician named Frank to try and call him, see if he would hang up on a man, I thought maybe this client didn't like women. Frank is very sweet and soft spoken with very thin balding hair that he nourished to grow past his shoulder. "No, it's not about you being a woman, it's your accent, he thinks you're with the police force."

Why am I bringing this up? because Lydia, a reader of my blog sent me a link to a concert review done by a blogger named Elise. Elise wrote about Journey's concert in Indianapolis and people just about skewered her for her opinion - which by the way, you and I are entitled to also. Ok, she didn't like "My Arnel's" tight white pants, she thinks he jumps too much and that Neal should cut down on his guitar solo. That's what float her boat, would you wish her ill for that? It's cute that people rally behind "My Arnel" with the loyalty of the American pit bull and the ferocity of the Taliban, but it's hoi polloi to skewer people who dislike what we like.

Back in September 2008, I tackled Andy Greene with Rolling Stone magazine because he took Arnel Pineda's statement out of context, which is not the same as speaking out your opinion. Another reason why I am also more forgiving of Elise, is because she must be like me -an amateur, or newly self-appointed music enthusiast or she would not say what she said "I didn’t detect any trace of an accent when Pineda sang, so it was a little strange to hear our city name mispronounced." Hello? Have you heard (of ) the The Beattles (or what's left of them) and the lippy Mick Jagger? Listen to them talk and listen to them sing. I think Randy Jackson would say - "Shut yo mama dawg, just sing dawg, just sing."

Boredom, Bored and Boring

Where you come from is gone, where you thought you were going to never was there, and where you are is no good unless you can get away from it. In yourself right now is all the place you've got. - Flannery O'Connor


I don't ever know how to be at peace with the present, I don't ever get sentimentally attached to the past and I don't ever obsess about anything. And when I did finally find an obsession -the Journey/Arnel Pineda - it only lasted less than a year. Why can't I even sustain an obsession?

Because I get bored easily my mind is on the constant state of departure. The other day, being bored at work, I tried to write down my bucket list. Here's what I came up with:

1. Find a perfect travel companion
2. Live or wander around Europe for at least 3 months with my perfect travel companion
3. Not get bored with Europe after 3 days
4. Not get bored with my perfect travel companion after 3 hours
5. Carry through #1 and #2 before I get bored just reading my list

When a person is bored, that person also becomes boring so I am trying to prevent that because the only thing worse than boring is being old and boring. If only I could obsess on not getting bored, it would be a start.

So Hang Me

Photo courtesy: Wenn

When it comes to "things" I am a firm believer that less is more. I subscribe to the rule of buying "few, but expensive pieces." When I see Arnel Pineda guesting and performing with other Filipino talents in the Philippines more often than not, I don't like it. So hang me, I don't care. There are things in life you just don't dilute, because you either stretch it thin or dumb it down.

I missed the live performance of Journey at the Superbowl but I watched them on Youtube and I am reminded of what I was like last year. It's exhilarating to see Arnel Pineda reunited with the J-boys, that's how the picture puzzle should look like. Arnel Pineda not only completes Journey, he makes them look criminally delicious.

Ties that Binds

My friends have accused me of not being a typical Filipino because of 3 things :

1. I don't travel with boxes splitting at the seams containing cans of spam and a bicycle.
2. I don't want my tribe and the neighboring tribe congesting the airport to meet me when I arrive.
3. I don't want my tribe and the neighboring tribe congesting the airport to send me off when I leave.
Why? because I don't like it. When I say I travel light, I mean it to include people too.

In my childhood I used to hear my mom complain when our relatives from the mountains would come to our house and they came in droves. "*Nidulhog na, nagpanon pa gyud," she would say and then proceed to get busy taking care of them nervously. And because of lack of space, I was always relegated to sleep on top of the pig pen. Now, I always equate the sight of lots of people around me as a sign or a cause to get busy and go crazy. (I know, I need therapy for this.) Just as I like to do things alone here in the US, I do the same thing in Cebu. I don't like the idea of lugging my family around, or anybody for that matter - until I saw Arnel Pineda at Malacanang.

I thought it was so cool. Watching Arnel with his family in-tow was so cool I started planning to lugg my family to the mall next time I come to Cebu. But scratch that idea because I can't afford to hire a bus. I know, you're saying that I am always biased when it comes to Arnel, that he could not do wrong in my sight. Of course he can and he did do wrong. Why did he strain his vocals for Gloria? and for Sonny Belmonte? Arnel Pineda is a rock star, you don't call him - he calls you. Excuse me, I forgot. That is My Arnel. No arrogance; just a simple lead singer of Journey and humble father to Cherub.

So let me proceed to my next complain. Why was Gloria so prim and proper sitting next to Arnel? Why didn't she jump up and down screaming -Knellskyyyyyyy!!! The plokkers do that and they're half way across the world from him. The least she could have done was lean over his ear, giggle and say IDOOL!!! But I understand, it would be un-presidential for her to say I drool.
There goes my manners again.




*Here comes the herd descending on us.

Journey Take Me Away

All week I was half dead with the flu and complications from respiratory allergies, but I still dragged my comatosed self to work then the Rolling Stone article bolted me out of my coma. Now I'm here at my desk at work, still lazy to do nothing but stare out the window and imagine myself fishing in the pond below. I just need to get to New Mexico and see if I can spur myself out of this doldrom. Nothing that Journey or Arnel Pineda can't fix though.

But you know why I like Journey? Because unlike other bands they don't come out with glazed eyes, breaking their guitars, spew out some cuss words then proceed to kill you with their head splitting, banging noise they call music. And when Arnel Pineda says something less savory for Journey, big brother Neal comes out with a big stick and calls CBS news to the rescue. But I love Arnel man, he's the ants in Neal's pants.

Yesterday Chat turned 32 so I took her and John to Japan House for her birthday lunch and over prime rib and sushi Chat commented about my Rolling Stone article: "Arnel Pineda does not have to apologize for anything; he is a rock star, he's supposed to have an attitude." Hmmm...she's right. How come I didn't think of that? I must really had the flu. Or I must still have the flu for agreeing.

Toronto Concert Review (by BeerXpress)

Because I don't get to *pinch Arnel (unless you have a good lawyer you don't do this to Americans) and *squeeze his cheeks, I live off of his YouTube videos and reviews from people. Below is a review by Beerxpress (YT poster) when Journey was in Toronto. Long overdue but I want to preserve this in my blog and I think this is a very well written review. Thanks BX.

The traffic was moving slow on the way to Molson Amphitheatre. We feel the Journey spirit around when I hear Revelation playing in their cars. One guy cheeringly asked me if he's in the right way to Molson. A lot of young crowd walked along Lake Shore towards the amphitheatre. When we got there, we grabbed draft beers for $11 each. I noticed the crowd is a good mixture of young teens, men & women in their 40's-50's, a few who seemed left behind by time still wearing their mullets and long haired Perry style in his younger years and a good sized group of Filipinos.

It was fun to see the Journey fans of different generation. I was expecting older Journey fans...I was wrong. So many young teens singing and bopping their heads, singing the lyrics along with Arnel. You would think they were born during the early Journey years. I wondered myself how they came to know Journey. Whatever the reasons are, I'm amazed. Totally unexpected! Now you will understand why Journey music is ageless.

Jonathan was wearing this tight white stitched denim. He looks much younger for his age. Neal Schon....he's gorgeous! His dark hair, black outfit with his big cross necklace and leather wrist bands...he's surprisingly young looking...and what a great smile. And Ross...just adored him. He made those funny faces, the comic of the band. Deen looks so much different in person. He's handsome! Saving the best for last, Arnel is adorable. He's just average short but boy...he's such a ball of energy! He was wearing the same jacket he wore in Chile. I figured, it's just appropriate to celebrate his birthday with Journey for the first time. No question about it, Arnel's tenor voice is perfect for journey music. He spins jumps and sings like a big man hitting every high notes. He stood on top of the speaker cheering the crowd from lawn area.

The crowd screaming Wows in every song and everyone on their feet. I definitely hear the crowd's approval that they like Arnel. He was singing non-stop, one song after another. His only break was the harmonica and guitar with Neal and Jonathan. Jonathan dropped his harmonica on the floor at the end of the song and run to his piano. Anyway, not even a trace that Arnel was sick two days ago. I noticed that he sprayed his mouth while Neal Schon was playing his guitar. He looked tirelessly jumping, smiling and cheering the crowd. He's just fantastic.

We know why their concerts were sold out! He started with the song Never Walk Away. Crowd cheering except a few stood still awestruck. He nailed every high notes in all classic songs. Toronto crowd were hot!!! Their hands up in the air..couples dancing with their music...UNBELIEVABLE! When Arnel sang Don't Stop Believin, the crowd sang along with him. Lights....I grabbed my flashlight and others put their cell phones up and lit up lighters swaying to the song. It was electric! Arnel is definitely a great asset to new Journey. He constantly made eye contacts with the people...totally amazing. He points at you...making heart gestures. He smiled at me..as if he knew me personally. I was on the 5th row...as if he's just singing just for me… whoops...sorry for daydreaming or nightdreaming LOL..

Neal's the best with his guitar as if he's making love with it hahaha....such magnetic smiles. Overall, amazing concert! Not to be missed! I have so much to say but this is getting too long. Sorry for that. My constant playing of Revelation and after this concert, I want to see more of Journey! Journey music lives on.

Then my unfortunate experience. ..Arnel threw me this black thing looks like a suede towel or something landed on my head and this tiny filipina, quickly grabbed it from my head. Whoever it was, hope you’re not feeling guilty lol….OMG.....everyone was asking me why I didn't grab it back. But it's okay...I enjoyed the concert and you can say...I'm still Journey obsessed hahaha.Don’t forget to buy your concert tickets! It’s worth the money for sure. --------------------------------end-------------------------------------------------------

*Filipinos way of showing overwhelming desire to kiss cute and kissable kids.

Remember 9/05?

I have come down from the mountaintop and I don’t feel guilty, after all, it is in the valley that we grow. (Grow up, in my case) The mountaintop experience with Journey/AP was very exhilarating - almost the same feeling I felt when I first got saved and fell in love with Jesus. Am still a loon for Journey but just coasting.

I am very analytical so I always find myself analyzing almost everything. My golf instructor explained “paralysis by analysis” simply: Don’t analyze too much to where you can’t execute the swing.
My psychiatrist's version: Stop analyzing things to death to where you’re incapable of enjoyment anymore.

Which brings me to the point of this rant. I was enjoying but also always asking God why He placed AP (which leads to the rest of the J-boys) before me. I do this in everything because good or bad, there’s a purpose why God allows us to experience it. As I have said so many times over, no one and nothing makes me out of whack...until now.

Is it because AP is Filipino and I just want to ride the bandwagon of the new Filipino discovery? Is it so I can show support to my fellow Filipino? Is it because I can empathize and relate to his rags-to-riches story?
The answer is No. It is more than that, but I can’t put my finger on what it is. All I know is that in everything that happens, it is either because: God allowed it or God caused it for His bigger purpose. Maybe just so I can pray for him?

All that we own - our time, talent and treasure God gave us. And we better know what He wants us to do with it. Before Arnel Pineda, I was quite oblivious and uncaring of the plight of the OFW’s. Now, I pray for them. Just because AP is having fun, does not mean that he is not working. And worse – he has millions of people resting on his shoulder. After the cash and the flash, there’s still a vacuum and the constant nagging voice, “How did I do? “

The fans can only type so much, clap and scream so much. We cannot be there when Arnel toss and turn and feels lonely - wishing for the noise of his family and the unspoken wish for a respite from the noise of the drums and the crowds.

As I write this I also am thinking of Cherry. It's like when someone is sick, we focus our attention on the sick and not much on the caregiver. It is just as hard on the caregiver if not harder. So it is with Cherry. Arnel can comfort her from 10 thousand miles away over the phone but not quiet the same when she could touch him. Or whack him.

So what’s my point? I know, I rambled just to ask you to pray. His birthday is coming up Sept 5, why don’t we do this. Starting now pray, but pray again every 9:05 am or pm, whatever country you’re at just say a prayer for Arnel and his family. The best gift that we can give him is to always pray for him. Thank God for blessing us with Arnel, and ask God to protect the blessing.

Shalom.

There Goes Deen

I was cruising around YouTube again and found the video of Deen supposedly *finding a girlfriend in Nashville. After watching it, I started to feel territorial like, hey, the J-boys are mine!!!
Then I consoled myself: Oh well, I don't like tattooes anyway.

One thing that I have observed and come to accept is that people really do like to write commentaries whenever they are given the space. Read the comments on this video and on the magazine. I appreciate the comments as long as they are not vulgar or vicious. To people who just have to vent out your criticism, may I suggest that you don't write it?
Instead : Just point and laugh.

But don't do it to your partner in the bedroom. OK?

*Journey management has asked for the video to be taken off.

No life After Journey?

I have been down in the dumps this week because my friend Paula who has been battling cancer for the last 4 years was finally told by her doctor that there's not much else they could do anymore. But Paula and I are at peace with it. Because of our personal relationship with Jesus, pain and suffering are easier to understand; we understand that God allows pain and suffering not to destroy us but to strengthen us. We understand that if God does not heal us in this world, it's because He wants us home sooner. God did not promise to get us out of trouble but rather, He says, "In your worst days I will get you through it and in your best days, I will give you great joy."

These last 4 months I struggled to explain in words the joy, the exhilarating feeling I had and in some ways, I have in part conveyed it. Scientists struggles to explain energy - yes, they can tell you what it can do, they can give you the mathematical equation of it but not the "being" of energy.

I can tell you what Journey is doing to me, but I can't tell you why. Then I wishfully say, I don't want this feeling to end. But we all know that this too shall pass. Yesterday, I had a taste of what life would be like without Journey. I was like a sick, lost dog!!!
The mountaintop feeling was not there....uh uh, this is going to cost me some money.
Imagine, instead of being glued to YouTube I will be shopping or hanging around at Starbucks and Barnes and Noble. And moving on and have a life? I thought there's no other life besides Journey.

To be continued.....

LET JOURNEY PLAY THE NFL HALF TIME

I am not a Football chick. I am a Golf chick. But by golly, it is about time that Journey and Our Arnel Pineda make some history. So how about it friends, Let's get Journey to the Superbowl. Let's do this simple procedure: EACH ONE WIN ONE.

Do the math : Each of us knows at least one person. Ask that person to sign the petition and that person in turn ask another person and on and on...

Let us be professional and gentle on this ok? We are not going to be mad if they don't want to do it. Ask nicely and just simply say that it means a lot to you. Even if they are not Journey fans, they will do it if we ask them nicely and sincerely. Make it easy on them by providing the link- get their email address and give them the link. (if they are not on your email add already)
Here's the link:
http://petitiononline.com/SB43HT/petition.html

and email them also: http://www.nfl.com/contact-us

I have emailed them directly already and have signed the petition also. And could we please do it now, Superbowl is February.

This is not my idea, but I like the idea so I am trying to help. I have emailed the author of this petition asking if we have enough time considering that there's only 5 months left.

Update: 1801 hrs 8/12/08- just heard from Dan Weiner, author of the petition. He just found out that Bruce Springstein is already booked for 2009, but we can still try for the next one.

Thank ya'll.

Me? Starstruck?

Chat, having grown up here in America is very Americanized in her approach to life, but thankfully she still knows to pay for mama's lunch and still prefers Asian foods. Today, we went to eat at a Vietnamese restaurant. She prayed over our food, then she said, "Mom, I really prayed hard for you today." Oh, thank you. (Don prayed over everything and he taught Chat to do the same.)

"No mom, I read your blog yesterday. What were you doing looking at Arnel shirtless? How far are you going with this mania? Are you just starstruck or what?" I had to remind her of my disclaimer on my very first blog of AP. Nothing and no one makes me go crazy; no athletes or celebrities. And how soon did she forget?

Several years back before she got married, she dated a basketball player in Dallas, a very famous MVP. (All I will say is he's white.) Believe me the guy was wonderful and decent but Don and I prayed hard that God would get her out of that world. The world of fame and fortune is not for everyone. It can be daunting and oppressive. Chat would know what to do with the money but the media? They'd have to ask her the right question or she'd whack them in a heartbeat. (But not with her bag or shoes but with a broom.)

Because he's a famous athlete he introduced Chat to his world and she ended up meeting and befriending other famous athletes. They had a friend from the NFL who didn't fit our front door, he had to come in sideways. Not really but you know what I mean? Huge felon. Chat was horrified when I called them National Felons League. Well, look at the papers, every week one of them is herded to prison. Basketball is fine but still. One time I told Chat to leave the MVP in the car when they came to church because some church people started losing their religion -"So, how about a free ticket?" I never asked for a free ticket but one day Chat came home with 2 VIP tickets from the team owner - with a note "for mama alter". I was impressed with the private elevator but Starstruck? No.

My ex, NJ, is American but lives in Malaysia because his business interests keeps him there. He comes to the Masters Golf Tournament every year because he is best buddy with another Masters champion. (Not Tiger.) He rents a house for the Masters week and entertains friends and golf people. Last year when NJ took me there, I was hobnobbing with the who's who in golf. I did not write or talk about them. I don't do that. I won't do that. My own golf instructor is a personal friend and coach of last year's Masters Champion. Starstruck? No.

This feeling I have for Arnel is more than that. These feelings I have for Journey and Ross are more than that. Starstruck is like you're stunned then you recover and remember your name again. Mine is like, I go to bed obsessed and I wake up still obsessed. Then I barely remember how to spell my name. And when I do it comes out like this: Ross Arnel.

At least I still remember my initials. How far am I going with this mania? Don't know. Marya said: Why quit? We're in a happy place.

Four Months Ago....

Before I got the Journey/Arnel Pineda bug.

1. I used to have intelligent conversations - now I just giggle.

2. I used to have a clean house - now vacuum cleaners don't go well with Revelation and Ipod

3. I used to go to the library for intelligent research -now I just google for 1 particular subject

4. I used to be kind to my friends who does not share my Christian and political convictions - now I can't forgive them for saying that Arnel is short and Ross is a twig.

5. I used to visit a lot of intelligent websites - now I only visit 2 : YouTube and YouTube

6. I used to travel a lot - now I only travel between the refrigerator and my computer

7. I used to read books - now I only read threads

8. I used to have a boyfriend. But I am not sure how I lost him. I think I lost him somewhere between the intersection of Journey and PMS. But he has been calling again and told me I can keep PMS, but I have to lose Journey. Guess who's got to go.

My Brush with Art

I could not wait to share this scratchboard drawing sent to me by Marya and Dawn, readers who have become good friends of mine. I like to analyze people but I am very slow in analyzing and interpreting art, but this one I got!!!


The title is "Journey" and copyright protected by Mark Justiniani.

My first brush with an artist was very meaningful to me- he was an inmate at Huntsville serving life in prison. He did it in pencil and gave it to me as his way of thanking me for visiting him. Don and I used to go visit prisons to stand in the gap for the inmates who are abandoned by friends and families. I would love to share those stories and my other 'art stories' but it will be for later.

For now ya'll have fun interpreting this drawing, while I go clear my head of the you-know- what CD stuck in there.


(Mark, Marya and Dawn --stay uber-cool)

My Long Journey

When Don died unexpectedly in Cebu 5 years ago, my world turned upside down literally overnight. Even though I knew I was in God’s hands, I felt like my world was spinning beyond my control. I blacked out from everything, hardly remembering anything except that God is still in control. After the funeral, I flew back to the US with Chat. She was really worried about me because I could not get up and when I did, I would not talk but just cry.

Chat made an appointment for me with this world-renowned Christian psychiatrist here in Dallas. Chat will not let me go back to Cebu unless I gave in. I agreed because I didn’t want her to worry but also because in spite of me being catatonic, I was lucid enough to know I was pretty useless if I didn’t get any help.

Dr. M is not cheap but was worth every penny I paid; he was very soothing and comforting and showed me utmost compassion when all I could do was show him pictures of me and Don. In between sobs, I would tell him – “Don’s not here anymore”. “ I know sweetie., he is with Jesus”
Now I know how psychiatrists lose their license - their patients fall in love with them.

That was 5 years ago. This year, Chat wants me to see Dr. M again. "What in the world for?"
" Mom, You need to sleep." How do you know I'm not sleeping? "You're blogging too much."

So, here's the vision of the visit to Dr. M.

Dr. M: Hey, good to see you again, how are you doing? Not looking at me but squinting at the chart in his hand.

Me : I must have been here so many times before for you to recognize me. I was trying to analyze him.
Dr M: The chart shows you’ve been here one time 5 years ago, but hasn’t been back. The meds I have prescribed must have worked.
Me: I took it for 2 weeks but I stopped, I didn’t like what it was doing to me.
Dr M: What was it doing to you?
Me: I was driving alone on 75 and I went for 2-3 miles just laughing and giggling. I could not stop being giddy.
Dr. M : Well, that's good. That’s how anti-depressants are supposed to work.
Me: I understand that Doc, under a different circumstance that’s good, but not when I just buried my husband two weeks prior. He squints at the chart again.
Dr M. So what can I do for you today?
Me: I am well, but I need sleeping pills. I just need to sleep.
Dr M: Why do you think you’re not sleeping?

Me: Well, I think it’s this voice I keep hearing. I think it’s a lyric to a song but it won’t leave me. So I hum it. I hum all day and at night. Way into the night.

Dr. M: Do you think this voice or lyrics belong to a singer or a band you know?

Me: Ooh, Doc, you probably know the band. Do you know Journey?

Dr M: Of course, my parents grew up with Journey, are they still alive?

Me: Oooh Doc, they are more alive than ever, and they have this new frontman –Arnel Pineda, I think that's "the voice". But it would take me more than an hour to tell you about them. So tell you what, let me give you the Youtube link so you can watch them when you get home. Their Revelation CD is out. Does your wife shop at Wal-mart?
Dr M pretends he didn’t hear me and scrawled something on my chart.

Me: Another thing Doc, is it normal to fall in love with 2-5 men at the same time with equal intensity?

Dr M : The hour is up, will talk about that on your next visit.
He laid down the chart to look for his prescription pad. I peeked at what he wrote.

Dx = obsessed. Rx = straight jacket

So ya'll understand if you see less posting from now on, is because I have to sleep. So Chat won't drag me to see Dr. M again.

Journey in Dallas 7/27- part 3

I have this thorn on my side –it’s called a "job" and it’s cramping my lifestyle...it's keeping me from blogging. But I can’t wait til this weekend to talk about Sunday's concert so I will hurriedly try.

Nothing will make me stay up past 8pm, but last Sunday I literally stayed up on my feet past 1130pm. Journey didn’t come on until after 930 and OMG!!!

I don't know why they turned off the lights then use a flashlight to lead Deen to his tower. It was Deen then The Neal walked in followed by Ross, Jon then Arnel. It took me a few minutes to collect myself - I think I had an out of body experience upon looking at Journey flesh and blood. I told you I have not been to any rock concert before.

Arnel started singing and almost at the same time you could tell something was not right with his earpiece. He kept singing and motioned the technician to his left about the earpiece. He moved slowly towards the tech while continuing to sing and the tech hastily adjusted the box on Arnel’s body, but it was not fixed because Arnel cringed and squinted like he was in pain 2 more times. I prayed silently for Arnel not to bear it but go back and get it adjusted but the AP is a real trouper, he kept on singing.

First thought that came to my mind when I saw Arnel, I am glad my friends Betty and Jane are not here or they would really feel like a child molester. (at least with me, I only felt like a cougar) Arnel looked so young and so cute, if I didn’t read that he has a 19-year-old son, I would have thought he was the son. So here I was on the 4th row, timing his movements as to when he would come to our side so I can show him my sign –ARNEL PA-KISS. He kept looking our way but his facial expression seemed like he was oblivious to the sign. Finally he looked again and scanned his eyes on the sign... I could tell he got it.

I thought Arnel looked less bubbly than on the videos I have seen of him. I thought that maybe the earpiece made him uncomfortable. But mind you, the AP was still smiling. Then after the second song, the AP, instead of getting tired picked up speed, now smiling even bigger and working both sides of the stage with that sexy biting the lower lip bit, exhorting the people to sing and pretending like he’s strumming a guitar but with his microphone and holding it low - Where it should not be, if you know what I mean.

When Arnel came to our side and tried to reach out to the crowd, Arnel noticed that a couple wanted so bad to touch him, so Arnel tried hard to extend his hand over the dividing rail, he was able to reach just enough to make his and the man's index fingertips meet, the girl was short, she could not reach him so he blew her a kiss. The couple was so elated with Arnel’s effort to try to connect; they hugged each other like God just told them they were worthy to enter His kingdom. I think they would have twirled and jumped like the AP, if there was enough room to do it.

Look at the pics of the fav 5 - I could even fall for Deen too. To be continued....

Journey In Dallas 7/27/08- part 1

When I told you that I have not been to a rock concert before last night, that is true. When I said that my knowledge about music and musical terms were limited, I mean limited to zero. That's why my Tucson review was fictional and nothing about Arnel Pineda reaching the notes. All my pictures did not come out right but I have this of of Jon and Neal doing the Texas fiddle sound alike ( see, I don't even know what it was -except it sound alike) I love them!!!
The place was packed, sold out, but this at least gives you an idea how the place looked like. I almost forgot to take pictures because I was so excited and when I did, my hands were shaking not only from excitement but also because my body was literally shaking from the loud speakers right over my head. This was really some experience for me!!! I have lots to tell you about the guys. And the Journey crowd? Just like the band --nice people!!!

I have lots to talk about!!! And Ross and Arnel? Oooooooh. And Deen. Chat has good pictures so I will post them as soon as she emails them to me. I have to go to my real job now.

Dedicated to Journey and All OFW's Everywhere

Video Courtesy of Runner157 and DOBH- Thanks.





Journey is in Europe and Arnel with all the rest of the OFW's everywhere are away from their families. Money will not compensate for the pain of separation from your loved ones but I also understand the need to do what you have to do.
To Journey - I understand that as artists, money is not the main consideration. As Artists, you practice your art or you die. God created us with special talents unique to each one of us because as God said "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you came out I have set you apart (Jeremiah 1:5) Use the talents that you have been given and continue blessing us with them. Until I see you in Dallas, my prayers are with you. And Arnel, I am praying for your family back home too.

To All OFW's - I SALUTE YOU GUYS!!! Thanks for the sacrifice you do for your family and most of all for keeping the Philippines afloat with your billions of dollars in remittances. Keep your heads high, stay focused and dream big. Don't let the corrupt politicians and leaders in the Philippines hinder you even when they bleed you to death with their "pre-requisites" crap. Always do the right thing and you will sleep well at night.
And by the way, It's ok to holler at your friend sitting 10 rows back on board any airlines and it's fine too to put on the stinkiest body spray. And if Malu Fernandez faints because of it just step over her but make sure you apologize in English, ok?