Friday's Feast 149

Appetizer
Name a funny habit you have.

I tend to blurt out non-sequiturs. It’s not exactly funny; in fact, it’s often embarrassing, but most people think I’m just being funny. Well, for someone who sucks at telling jokes, it’s always a compliment when I’m told I have a sense of humor. Heh.


Soup
If you could instantly know how to play a musical instrument, which one would you pick?

The piano. It’s never too late to be the next prodigy!


Salad
How long is your hair?

It’s about eight to nine inches below my shoulder, but it’s a layered cut so the length is uneven.


Main Course
When was the last time you forgave someone, and who was it?

I find it awkward to answer this question because I feel that to answer it would be quite too self-congratulatory, if you get what I mean. I’ll put it this way – there are a few people who managed to hurt me enough for me to seriously consider whether I wanted to forgive them or not. I know I did forgive them but the act is not something I decided in a moment, like, today I forgave this person for hurting me. It’s something that I realize at some point; that the pain or the grudge that I hold or the act of forgiving is no longer monumentally important. Since I'm not really good with words I can't quite manage to say "I forgive you" or something like that. But it is through my actions when one can know that for me, bygones are truly bygones.

Was that the right answer, or even the right attitude?


Dessert
What is your favorite kitchen appliance?

The refrigerator! I like my water really cold, thank you very much. And – not to mention the food stored in that wondrous piece of science.

Die, Harry, Die!

Only less than a month to go for the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and the wait will be finally over. Whenever I think about it, I have this strange sensation in the pit of my stomach: a mixture of excitement, happiness, uncertainty, sadness. (yeah, yeah, I’m acting weird again. I’m always like that so deal with it, okay?)

Anyway, by this time, a lot of speculations, predictions and guesses have been made about the final outcome of the series. Even the minutest details are being digested and analyzed that it’s getting a bit overwhelming. Me? I don’t expect JKR to tie up every loose ends and to answer all the burning questions of the fans. Where’s the fun in knowing everything, right? I want the talks and the discussions to continue even if the series has ended!

But anyway, I have some points in my mind that I want to be addressed by DH – and it all boil down to these:

• The million dollar question: will Harry Potter die? Of course he will! (unless he managed to create his own Horcrux). BUT, I don’t think it will happen in Book 7 – or specifically, he won’t die as a result of his mission to find and destroy the Horcruxes and his inevitable battle with Voldie.
  
  I guess JKR’s vague and rather intriguing interviews of late made every fan consider that Harry might.just.die. (it sort of hurts to say it out loud). I seriously contemplated on that possibility, too. Harry is a Gryffindor through and through. He is brave enough to die for some stupid, noble reason. So why do I think that Harry won’t?
  
  My biggest reason is that, I don’t want him to die. (Right. Like my opinion even matters.) Him dying would be taking the easy way out. If he dies, he didn’t have to feel anymore the pain of losing so many people in his life. He didn’t have to deal with the consequence of his actions assuming he managed to kill Voldemort. Dying for some stupid, noble reason is a very brave thing to do, but so is choosing to live in spite of the tragedies in one’s life.
  
  But more importantly, he deserved to live a life without having to worry about a prophecy, about some madman trying to kill him, about saving the Wizard world. He deserves a chance to start again and to look forward to a future that is his own.
  
  (Also: on a story-telling point of view, I wonder how JKR would tell the story if Harry dies? Except for the first chapter of Sorcerer’s Stone and Goblet of Fire and the first two chapters of Half Blood Prince, the series has been told from the point of view of Harry.)

• So if Harry will not die, then who will? My top 4 guesses would be Neville Longbottom, Voldie (neither can live while the other survives, remember?), Wormtail and Hagrid.

• Professor Severus Snape is a slimy, slimy git, but he’s not evil – at least, that’s what I want to believe. I want to see him redeemed, at least in the eyes of Harry. Oh, I don’t think they would be pals ever, nor would Harry truly forgive him for his role in the deaths of his parents, Sirius and most especially Dumbledore. But I don’t want Dumbledore’s death be associated with him being wrong in trusting Snape.
  
  Aside from Snape, I hope Malfoy also get his redemption. I like what JKR did to Malfoy’s character in the last book, and I like that the contrast between him and Harry is Mafoy’s mastery in Occlumency.

• The locket… the cup… the snake… something of Gryffindor’s or Ravenclaw’s… We do know this mantra by heart already, don’t we? But how sure are we that we all got it right? I wouldn’t be surprise if one of these turn out to be wrong, and that would make Harry’s quest more daunting and perilous. Is Harry one of the Horcrux? Your guess is as good as mine.

• I don’t think we’ve seen the last of the Department of Mysteries, particular that room with the mysterious veil and the room that they weren’t able to open. Maybe it contains the “power he knows not”?

Over at Scholastic, they’re running a vote on each of the seven things want answers to in Book 7. Right now they’re on the fifth question and the last two will be posted in the following weeks before the release date. Check it out here.

So I still have about 3 weeks to reread the 6 books!!! (as if I haven’t been reading the same for the past two years!) I’m way, way too excited!!!

"For the life of me I could not remember, what made us think that we were wise and that we'd never compromise..."

It's nice to come across and read something that you can totally relate to. You wish you could take credit for writing it, but you know you couldn't have said it better yourself.


The Quarter-Life Crisis
by unknown


It is when you stop going along with the crowd and start realizing that there are a lot of things about yourself that you didn't know and may or may not like. You start feeling insecure and wonder where you will be in a year or two, but then get scared because you barely know where you are now.

You start realizing that people are selfish and that, maybe, those friends that you thought you were so close to aren't exactly the greatest people you have ever met and the people you have lost touch with are some of the most important ones. What you do not realize is that they are realizing that too and are not really cold or catty or mean or insincere, but that they are as confused as you.

You look at your job. It is not even close to what you thought you would be doing or maybe you are looking for one and realizing that you are going to have to start at the bottom and are scared.

You miss the comforts of college, of groups, of socializing with the same people on a constant basis. But then you realize that maybe they weren't so great after all.

You are beginning to understand yourself and what you want and do not want. Your opinions have gotten stronger. You see what others are doing and find yourself judging a bit more than usual because suddenly you realize that you have certain boundaries in your life and add things to your list of what is acceptable and what is not. You are insecure and then secure. You laugh and cry with the greatest force of your life. You feel alone and scared and confused. Suddenly change is the enemy and you try and cling on to the past with dear life but soon realize that the past is drifting further and further away and there is nothing to do but stay where you are or move forward.

You get your heart broken and wonder how someone you loved could do such damage to you or you lay in bed and wonder why you can't meet anyone decent enough to get to know better. You love someone but maybe love someone else too and cannot figure out why you are doing this because you are not a bad person.

One night stands and random hook ups start to look cheap and getting wasted and acting like an idiot starts to look pathetic. You go through the same emotions and questions over and over and talk with your friends about the same topics because you cannot seem to make a decision.

You worry about loans and money and the future and making a life for yourself and while wining the race would be great, right now you'd just like to be a contender!

What you may not realize is that everyone reading this relates to it. We are in our best of times and our worst of times, trying as hard as we can to figure this whole thing out.

Silvertoes

So you think you're brilliant, and cool, and above them all?

You make me want to puke.

Upside Down, Part 2

My heart was all aglow when I heard you humming “Upside Down” while we were walking in Ayala…

Then I realized that you must be singing the 6 Cycle Mind version and it made me die a little inside.

Aw. Ouch. Bakit naman ganon?

"You know, you turn me upside down..."

"What Can I Do To Make You Love Me?"

The song "What Can I Do?" by The Corrs was playing in our office and I was forcibly reminded of my college days! Go figure.

Anyway, here's my Top 5 Top-Of-The-Head Songs That Remind Me Of College:

1. What Can I Do? (The Corrs) - in high school, it was "Pakisabi Na Lang" by The Company. I seem to have a thing with songs about unrequited love.
2. Big, Big World (Emilia) - I used to sing this song with my seatmate and one of my closest male friend (together with "No One Else Comes Close") and while I sing the lyrics as it is, he would change the lyrics to "You're a small, small girl in a big, big world...". Tama nga naman siya.
3. Until The Time Is Through (5ive) - I was not a big fan of boybands, not even back in high school. But in college, I sort of finally understood their cheesy appeal, and 5ive was my fave back then. This was memorable because this was also the fave song of a friend with whom I never really shared a common taste in music.
4. Harana (Parokya Ni Edgar) - a spillover song from high school, I remember listening to this song through a Walkman! College was the last time I ever did a mix cassette tape and the last time I bought an original cassette tape. Parang kailan lang, no?
5. Every Time I See You (Fra Lippo Lippi) - it was an ordinary night turned inexplicably magical, with this very song playing in the background. And that's all I'm saying about that!!!

I'm A LOSER and A User, So I Don't Need No Accuser

Your Score: Loser- INTP

46% Extraversion, 66% Intuition, 53% Thinking, 26% Judging

Talked to another human being lately? I'm serious. You value knowledge above ALL else. You love new ideas, and become very excited over abstractions and theories. The fact that nobody else cares still hasn't become apparent to you...

Nerd's a great word to describe you, and I seriously couldn't care less about the different definitions of the word and why you're actually more of a geek than a nerd. Don't pretend you weren't thinking that. You want every single miniscule fact and theory to be presented correctly.

Critical? Sarcastic? Cynical? Pessimistic? Just a few words to describe you when you're at your very best...*cough* Sorry, I mean worst. Picking up the dudes or dudettes isn't something you find easy, but don't worry too much about it. You can blame it on your personality type now.

On top of all this, you're shy. Nice one, wench. No wonder you're on OKCupid!
Now, quickly go and delete everything about "theoretical questions" from your profile page. As long as nobody tries to start a conversation with you, just MAYBE you'll now have a chance of picking up a date. But don't get your hopes up.

I am interested though. If a tree fell over in a forest, would it really make a sound?

*****************

If you want to learn more about your personality type in a slightly less negative way, check out this.

*****************

The other personality types are as follows...

Loner - Introverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving
Pushover - Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging
Criminal - Introverted Sensing Thinking Perceiving
Borefest - Introverted Sensing Thinking Judging
Almost Perfect - Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Perceiving
Freak - Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging
Crackpot - Introverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging
Clown - Extraverted Sensing Feeling Perceiving
Sap - Extraverted Sensing Feeling Judging
Commander - Extraverted Sensing Thinking Perceiving
Do Gooder - Extraverted Sensing Thinking Judging
Scumbag - Extraverted iNtuitive Feeling Perceiving
Busybody - Extraverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging
Prick - Extraverted iNtuitive Thinking Perceiving
Dictator - Extraverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging

Link: UltimateMaster on The Brutally Honest Personality Test written by OkCupid, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Friday's Feast 146

(After quite a long period of not doing this...)


Appetizer
Name something you think is “the best.”

Harry Potter is the best! The Foxtrot family is the best! The weekend is the bestest!


Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 highest), how stressed are you today?

Today, I would say only 7, thank God. But if you’ve asked me this question about two days ago, my rating would be 10 (I was very, very stressed that I went to a salon to have my nails done and relax – during lunch time!). If you asked me this question a week or 2 weeks ago, my rating would be 10. Which is why I’m happy right now because I am not that stressed and it’s already the weekend!

But things might change again next week. Oh well, I’ll just stress over it when I get there!


Salad
What kind of cleanser do you use to wash your face?

I use Neutrogena Deep Facial Cleanser because it is oil-free and non-comedogenic.


Main Course
Tonight is a blue moon! What is something that you believe only happens “once in a blue moon.”

True love only happens “once in a blue moon”. Hahaha. Just Kidding.

I think each of our experiences is a once in a blue moon kind of thing, in the sense that even if you experience it again twice or more in a lifetime, the feeling you associated with it will always differ. Like going back to your favorite vacation spot in the world, even if it’s the same place, every experience there will be unique: you’ll probably be with different sets of people or by yourself, you will meet different people, you may not do the same activities. I could say the same thing about attending school every school year, or giving birth to your children.

I’m sorry, but do I make any sense?


Dessert
When was the last time it rained where you live?

The rainy season here started about a week ago, so I must say that it’s been raining almost every day where I live and will probably rain almost every day for the next 3 months or so. Goodbye, summer season! I haven’t gotten the tan like I want to, but at least I managed to squeeze in a trip to the beach!

Mix Tape 001: Break Up Songs

Finally! FINALLY! My first ever mix tape! I’ve posted about this challenge ages ago but have not gotten around to doing it for one reason or another (read: katamaran).

The rule is pretty simple: you make your own rules! My own rules are pretty simple: each tape or category will have a maximum of 15 regular tracks and maximum of 3 bonus tracks, so that each mix tape will have no more than 18 songs. Only one song per artist per mix tape. The songs will not be arranged to show my least favorite to my most favorite; rather, the arrangement is all about finding the balance of a catchy opening, a tight middle and a dramatic ending. Well, the last rule is the ideal, but could be waived depending on my whims.

Now, to make things interesting - I need your participation in this. You can either add songs based on my category or you can suggest other category for my next mix tape through the comments section. Or, the best part: start your own mix tape challenge and tell me about it! It’ll be a really, really cool read (not to mention the chance to listen to other’s choicest songs!), so don't forget to leave a link also to your site.

* * * * *

This mix tape – with the working title "Love Can Be So Boring: A Collection of Break Up Songs" – is made up of my most favorite break up songs. Well… the word “favorite” here is a bit problematic, especially since it’s mention in the same breath as “break up”. Because, really? Does anybody here have a favorite break up experience?

I guess my main criteria here is that I chose the songs I refused to listen to when I was in my break up mode. (well, not all of these songs, but I did refrain from listening to some songs, not just those awesomely mushy songs but very specific songs, if you get what I mean) Break ups are hard enough without one going through the experience of listening to some dude or dudette wailing about how their hearts have been mutilated and castrated by their former lovers (though in a more lyrical and expressive manner).

On the other hand, listening to break up songs can be a sort of cathartic experience to a broken heart. What better way to understand the things you are going through than to listen to another person’s own experience. When you get to hear those songs that truly express all that you’re feeling, better even than you could have done yourself, is one of those highs at such a low point in your life.

After all, a break up is not all about shattered hearts and broken relationships, it’s also about learning from your previous relationship, it’s about finding courage and hope despite the pain, and rising above the ashes of your failed relationship – to make the next biggest record about how your heart have been mutilated and castrated by your former lover/now certified asshole/bitch ex!

AAAANYWAY…

Enough of my ramblings! Let my list do the talking!


Life Can Be So Boring: A Collection Of Break Up Songs

1. Black (Pearl Jam)
2. You Oughtta Know (Alanis Morrissette)
3. Deep Inside Of You (Third Eye Blind)
4. The Reason (Hoobastank)
5. The Hardest Thing (98 Degrees)
6. Barely Breathing (Duncan Sheik)
7. Song For The Dumped (Ben Folds Five)
8. Incomplete (Sisqo)
9. Kapag Nawala Ka (Stonefree)
10. Don’t Love You No More (Craig David)
11. Someday We’ll Know (New Radicals)
12. Best I Ever Had (Vertical Horizon)
13. Tuloy Pa Rin (Neocolors)
14. Invincible (5ive)
15. If You’re Gone (Matchbox 20)

Bonus Tracks:

1. Broken Vow (Lara Fabian)
2. Come Around (Rhett Miller)
3. Jeepney (Sponge Cola)

(Listen to the playlist here.)