San Agustin Days: Always Something There To Remind Me By Naked Eyes

Although I haven't attended any reunion since 1989, lately thoughts about my old high school always pop up in my head. I guess it's because I've been working too hard and stressed out that I'm longing for the good old days. Although, I was a loner, I had to admit that I had some good times and met a lot of cool people way back then. Yet whether I'm at work or walking the streets or even at home listening to the radio or watching television, there's always something out there that takes me back to the days of my youth. When I hear Naked Eyes' version of "Always Something There To Remind Me", it's RT, highschool and nostalgia all rolled in one.

Everytime, I tune in to 24K, this is one of the songs that will definitely be played even if it isn't requested. You can say that's a testament to it's popularity. I have to admit this song takes me back to the more carefree days of school when I would see students coming in before the bell rang and many of them clustered in certain areas where they would talk during break times. I have to admit the best times that this song takes me back to was during the dance shows when aerobics outfits was in style. Now that I clearly remember (in a good way).

Lately, when I look at the trends that the kids today are following, it seems that they are once again reviving 80's fashion and music. All the pants are getting skin tight and the spiky-styled hair is once again in style. Even the music sounds more like 80's pop and rock. I'm afraid to admit that it still pales in comparison to the original times. So in closing for a person who is always nostalgic, I guess I don't have to worry cause no matter where I look or go, there'll always be something there to remind me.

The Day's End That Matters: Say A Prayer By Duran Duran

Apart from the battle scene at Agincourt, one of my favorite scenes in Kenneth Branagh's Henry The V is the night before the battle when one soldier mention's that it's not the day's begining but the day's end that worries him. Nowaday's it's what happens at the end that always hangs heavy on my head. Every night, I say a prayer of the things I hope tnough I think I should pray for strength and wisdom to do what has to be done for the day so that it would end peacefully. I guess that's one of the reasons why people sometimes get disappointed when they're prayers don't get answered at the end of the day because we want it so bad that if it hurts when things don't turn out as planned. When I hear Duran Duran's "Say A Prayer", my thoughts always turn to the day's end.

I'll have to admit this is a good song to listen to when you have a lot on your mind and there are things that you want to accomplish where there is a lot at stake. For some reason, it helps me loosen up whenever I feel tense due to the pressures that bore down on me. Apart from that, I always get in a "reflective mood" when this song is being played as I hope for a good ending to the day. The fact that the video was made on a white sandy beach where there were scenes of waves rolling also added more to the relaxing element of the song. I can already feel the cool breeze and smell the salt of the seas when I listen to this tune putting me at ease as the day draws to a close.

Some days end good while others end bad, well, that's life I guess. No matter how you try, some days don't always end well, infact some are terrible from dusk to dawn. Whether a day ends good or bad, at least I know the result at the end. Well for the good days, I say cool and for the bad, I say, there's always tomorrow. No matter what, I'll still say a prayer at the end of the day.

Best Song To Bust Heads: Shake A Leg By AC/DC

http://home.att.net/~chuckayoub/ac_dc/ac_dc_lyrics.jpg

At first I didn't know to approach today's entry, but thanks to a certain development that left me angry as hell, I think I won't have any problems because a certain adrelin rush or a flare of temper is all I need to get it done. You know what I miss most about practicing martial arts is the fact that when it's time for sparring, it's the best time to really let loose with all the energy and strike hard and fast as the session begins. Once the instructors give the signal to begin by shouting, punches,kicks,sweeps and throws come into play as you do your best to beat your sparring partner. Sparring is the high point in training where you not only test your skills but also bring out all your energy to win the match. For me, best song to start the session is AC/DC's "Shake A Leg".

First time I heard this song, I knew it was a song for fighters. The start of the song makes me think of the preparations for the sparring session and as it goes into full swing, so does the sparring as shouts and thuds of strikes, sweeps and throws fill the dojo. All the while the adrelin pumping throughout your body as you spar with one person after another. Whether you win or loose, when the fight is over all that negative energy dissipates from your system and you really good. I'm not surprised that Mix Martial Arts fighters like Randy Couture and Rich Franklin use AC/DC songs to enter the octagon to get themselves pumped up.

Right now I've cooled off a bit after that annoying incident, but I also have to admit the fact that I couldn't blow off some steam through sparring and working out on martial arts techniques really has me feeling melancholic. Atleast back then, there was an outlet for getting negative vibes out of my system. Now all I have left is a room with faded orange colored walls which drive me crazy when I look at it. Man I hope something good turns up soon because this situation really sucks. I hope that when I get things in order and I do mean WHEN not IF, I will resume my martial arts training and get this negative energy out of my system.

A Really Good Road Trip Song: Let It Roll By Bachman Turner Overdrive

Like I said in some of my previous entries, sometimes driving down the highway when there's no traffic is a good for the nerves because you get your thoughts together and you get to see some good sights along the way. Sometimes driving down the road with your brothers and your buddies in search of something to do is just as good if not better. Sharing jokes and laughter as you speed across the road without a care in the world is one coolest things I enjoyed with them when I was young. It really goes to show just how tight we are. One of the best songs to listen to when whether alone or cruising with a group along the road was Bachman Turner Overdrive's "Let It Roll".

It's a very aggressive song that makes you want to floor it when there's no traffic on the road and once it gets into your system, you just all the pressure and problems as if they just fell of the road. When you're with your crew, it gets better and when you're jacked up, don't be surprised as everybody starts singing along to the song as the car speeds down the highway. Don't be surprised to see a lot of loud mouths and twisted expressions on the faces of your buds as they strain their throats out to the tune and shake their heads up and down. When I think about, I'm glad cellphones with cameras were not yet invented because I would hate to see what we looked liked singing along with this song.

I bet it's songs like these are the reasons why they came up with show Motormouth because there's no way that you wouldn't lose yourself these kinds of songs cause whether you're cruising or not, it's a catchy song. As I write this, I realize that it's been a long time since we done something like this. Once again deadlines and assignments at work as well as other developments have kept us from gimicks like these. Still I hope that before the year ends we brothers and buds get together again and cruise on down the road like we did way back then cause right now, a little bonding can do us good.

Always Have To Apologize: All Apologies

Once in a while I always feel the sting of my mistakes and in my family, they don't make you forget it. Whether it's thiing that I did or didn't do, I do know that I'm going to hear about for a long time. That's the reason why I'm doing my best to stay clear of the radar by keeping myself out of trouble. You can't protest because in the end, you messed up. When I hear the song "All Apologies", it reminds me of those times and where the mistakes I made felt like someone branded the "scarlet letter" on my forehead for all to see.

To say to err is human though I think whoever said that never had to face the consequences of the error that he committed. Making mistakes is one of the things that I truly dread because I really felt the consequences of my error. Even now when I'm trying to get my act together, I can't help but think that someone would probably be talking of the times when I screwed up or why I wound up in this situation. As much as I would like to reason out, let alone present my case, in the end, I screwed up and my defense will be taken as excuses for my shortcomings.

As much as it almost ripped me apart, I didn't want to just lie down and give up, especially after working so hard and obeying all the rules. The person I wanted to be wouldn't curl up and faded away and after all that I've been through, I'll be damned if I'll let that happen. Nobody likes making mistakes, but I've learned that a person can still rise above it if that person is strong enough. I'm willing to take the sermons and the punches because it's the right thing to do, I hope I learn from it and do better. Maybe that way, I'll finally be able to bask in the sun with a wide smile on my face again.

Just A Small Town Boy: Small Town By John Mellencamp

When we were young, we all enrolled in Coleigio San Agustin which was located in Dasmarinas Village in Makati which a then new school were a lot of rich kids studied. Unlike my brother, my initial experience in that's school wasn't very good. I just couldn't fit in with these kids and the environment was very harsh that I dropped out. After that, I wound up in a very small school called Saint Cyr Academy which was the complete opposite of CSA. Yet, it was good enough for me and I finished my elementary period there before going back to CSA to study highschool. Whenever I think about the time I spent in that makes me want to listen to John Mellencamp's "Small Town".

The reason for this is because although that school was primitive compared to CSA, nevertheless,it was in that small "hick" school that I started to come out of my shell. The people there were simple yet warm and had none of that arrogant snobish air that CSA students had. Sure many of them were from the "bakya" crowd but I had a fun and made a lot of friends there than I did in CSA. We all knew each other and though there wasn't much to do, I enjoyed my stay there. I also remember my brothers' annoying remarks as they tried to make go back to CSA, which at the time was repulsive thought to me because no matter how sophisticated and up-to-date they were, I still prefer the company of the small town folks.

Eventually I went back to CSA for my highschool studies and by some good luck, I was able to make friends with a lot good people who weren't in fad thing. A lot of years have passed after highschool came college and then the the real world where I still have a lot of things to sort out. Despite that, these days, I remember those times in St. Cyr Academy by John Mellencamp - Small Towecause that place not only shaped me, but also help me come out of my shell. It was my "small town retreat" from the "Big City". More than that, lately I'm begining to appreciate my time there even more because for the first time, I was with my people and though simple as they were, they were still good people nevertheless. I guess nowadays, I consider myself a small town hick and proud of it.

Don't Be Afraid Of Change: Roll With The Changes By Reo Speedwagon

I have to admit I'm a very structured guy. Once I get something established, whether it be a routine or a structure, it's hard for me to make adjustments when someone throws a wrench in the machine. It really annoys me when that happens because these days it's so hard to finally put things in order only to have sudden developments turn your world upside down. Be that as it may, I remember what my brother told me when I ask him for advice and he said not to worry and roll with the waves which I keep in mind especially now that change is once again upon me. With that in mind, I feel like listening to Reo Speedwagon's song "Roll With The Changes".

The opening of the song always startles me when I hear it, but then I eventually ease myself up and enjoy the song. It's a really cool song that really gives great advice when things are happpening so fast. It reminds of what I read in the military book "Soul Of Battle" by Victor Davis Hanson regarding Patton's approach to mapping out a strategy after considering all the factors involved. At the end of reading that book, one of the best lessons I learned about the man is to make the plan fit the situation which shows how flexible he was. I guess that's the reason why the he was great strategist, though unfortunately, he's more remembered as war-monger and a bigmouth.

I know it's easier said than done because I'm very adamant and when I want something done, I want it done the way I envision it. With opportunities getting scarce and hard times getting harder, I realize I need to be a bit more flexible and must adapt to the situation inorder to make things work. I just hope that what I'm working on will bear fruit but if there are going to be a few bumps along the way, I'll keep this song and that book's lessons in mind. I know it's annoying but once things clear up, do something to fix the problem rather keep on ranting. Until I'll go with the changes till things change in my favor.