I'm Still Thankful I Still Am: I'm Alive By Jackson Browne

Despite the many depressing and complaining post that I write on this blog, I never take for granted the good things that happened in my life. It's a good reminder that things are not so bad. Apart from that, the fact that I'm still here means I'm probably doing something. I guess that something is that I'm still alive. The fact that I'm thankful I'm still here, reminds me of the song "I'm Alive" by Jackson Browne.

There have been a lot of ups and downs in my life (a lot of them downs) yet I'm still here. I accredit that to the old saying that while you're still alive, there's still hope. That's one of the few things that helped me through the many storms that always rain down on me. I could've let myself get swallowed up by the flood but I chose to hold on. I guess I'll keep holding on till the sun rises and I hope rises soon.

I don't know when I'll get it right. I guess I'll just have to keep trying till I do. Nobody said that life was easy and things get worse before they get better. All I know is that I'm still alive and I'm thankful for that. I guess I just have to be more alive to appreciate it more.

Overlook Song/When I Think About All Those Girls: China Girl By John Cougar Mellencamp

A lot of my entries in this blog have used songs from John Mellencamp. He started out as John Cougar, then John Cougar Mellencamp and finally John Mellencamp. Despite the name change, it did not change the quality of his songs which were always good to listen both then and now. Still, there were a lot of songs that should have been played on air that never got the chance. That's always been the pratfall of a lot of stations both in the past and the present. One such song that should have been played on the air from him is "China Girl".

This is one of my favorite songs from the album "American Fool". I have to admit, it makes me think about all those girls from past to present. For me, they were all immaculate and left a deep impression on me. When me and friends met last Friday, it was one of the topics that came into play. I guess we all had our dream girls back then. When this song plays, I can see them again in my mind. Just like them,

I was wondering what happened to them and how they are doing today. I hope that they are all doing well. They were cool girls and will always will be in my book. I hope to get to meet them someday. I'll say it again, they're all immaculate just like that China girl.

Hate Nasty Surprises: All Of A Sudden By Joe Walsh

Right now I'm still basking at that gimmick I had with my batch mates last Friday. Nothing fancy but the evening was cool and once again I heard the laughter of my friends which made my day. I was really afraid that something would happen that would ruin the night. A lot of times, a nasty surprise would come out of the blue and ruin everything. When it comes to nasty surprises, I remember the song "All Of A Sudden" by Joe Walsh.

There were many times in my life when something would suddenly happen while I was enjoying myself. One of them literally was a big BUST which still sends shivers down my spine whenever I remember it. Man, I hate it when that happens because being able to enjoy yourself seldom happens. Times are hard and you're always overworked. Just when you're about to have a good time, something spoils it, leaving you very pissed.

Sometimes I wonder if the people cause these things ever regret their actions? You know some people don't even have the time to sit down so when good gathering is scheduled, they really get excited. Sometimes I think some of these people do it on purpose and they don't even realize what that event means to others. Those who do deserve knuckle-punch to the head to make them realize their mistakes. That's why I always prepare for the worse because you'll never know when something will happen all of a sudden.

Sure Brought Back Memories: I Will Remember You By Amy Grant

Though it's been two days past, I still feel good about that get-together with my batch mates. It sure felt good seeing again and talking about the good old days. Though we were older, I still saw them as they were way back then. As we talked that night, I could feel the spirits of other people who I wanted to see from my batch during that time since everyone was so nostalgic. Thinking about my batch mates during my high school days reminds me of the song "I Will Remember You" by Amy Grant.

As the conversation turned to the past, I started to think about other people in my batch. Most of whom where the ones who I had a lot of fun with. My thoughts also drifted to the people who I had known only for a moment but lingered in my head. Though some I've known all through out high school and others for a few moments, they all left a deep impression on me. I kept wondering where they are and how they've been.

Even after waking up with a heavy head, the question still lingers. I don't where they are and I haven't heard from them in a long time. I guess of certain possibilities that could've been which makes me wonder about them. Wherever they are, I hope that they are well. They have a special place in me cause I still remember them.

Reliving Those Round The Clock Parties: Living After Midnight By Judas Priest

Boy, it took a while but I finally cleared my head from Friday night's revelry. As I've mentioned yesterday, we got together after not not seeing each other for a long time. For one night we were high school students again and it felt great. I have to admit I thought I would pass out because I'm not the party animal that I was when I was a lot younger. Remember those all-night parties reminds of the song "Living After Midnight" by Judas Priest.

That night I felt that a time machine took me back to the good old days we talked about batchmates and said a lot of jokes. We were having so much fun that it didn't occur to me that it was almost dawn. I had to admit I had too much of the brew that I felt it was coming to my nose and that wasn't even half of what I use to consume back then. Sadly, all good things must end but I felt really good because even though I wasn't the guzzler that I was back then, it was the company and not about seeing who can drink more.

I guess when you'e younger you want to prove that you're the strongest drinker in the bunch as well as the guy who stay up till dawn. That wasn't important anymore and it was more of enjoying the company of your friends on such rare occasions. I don't push anymore cause there's nothing prove. What was important was that we had a good time. As Elias would say: "Feeling Good's Good Enough" which is what really mattered.

Cool Gathering: Good Clean Fun By The Allman Brothers Band

Man, What a cool night I had! That get-together was a success as I spent the night with some of my high school batchmates. It was a long time since we've been together and after coping with a lot of stress, it was great seeing them again as we spent the nights exchanging stories over a few brews. It was everything that I always wanted in a gathering and thank God it was a success! After having a good time, I feel like listening to the song "Good Clean Fun" by The Allman Brothers.

I know this song is scouring but it is also about having a good time without any hassles. There was certainly no hassles that happened last night. I felt like I was in high school again as the conversation and laughter took the years away and for just night, we were all classmates again. We were all having a lot of fun that we didn't realize it was almost dawn. Even though I was stewed, I didn't cause I was with my people again and it felt great.

I am thankful that nothing bad happened last night because it's been a while since I had a good time and I haven't these guys in ages. I really hoped that that nothing would ruin the night and thankfully nothing bad happened. Initially, we thought about going out but to heck with that cause we were all having good time and the joints weren't good and didn't cater to our taste. As Don Henley said in the Sunset Grill, "All Our Friends Are Here" so why ask for anything else? Look forward to another round with them again sometime in the future cause last night was a blast!

Slow But Good Gathering: Let The Good Times Roll By The Cars

Well yesterday, I received a call from my buddy telling that tonight's gimmick is on. I have to admit that after a stressful time, it'd be good to see the old group again. But as I've mentioned in my earlier blog posts, I'm not the party animal I use to be. So I'm glad to hear that there's nothing wild going on and just a good old gathering of buds who haven't seen each other for a while. That's the reason why I chose the song "Let The Good Times Roll" by The Cars.

As I've mentioned earlier, the last couple of months have been very stressful. All work and no play makes one really dull and boy I'm so dull that I can't cut a simple breeze. That's why when he called me for a get-together, I said yes without hesitation. I haven't them in a while and I could sure use a change of scenery. Just a moment to see them again does wonders for my soul.

It's been a long time and I really need some relief. I'm also glad that nothing wild will be planned tonight. I'm too old for that. Brews, herbs and good old conversation is all I need. I look forward to tonight cause I could sure use it. Please lordy, don't let anything bad happen tonight. I only have a few pleasures left and this is one of them so I hope the good times roll even if it's a slow roll.