Guitar Fantasy

I have always been fascinated with the electric guitar. I just think it's so cool. Growing up, I never learned to dance (not even sweet or slow dance) but I did learn to play the instrument of choice for rock.

My First Instruments

After high school, I was able to persuade my parents to give me money to buy my first electric guitar. I was 17 then. I bought a fake Gibson (the one with the horns) in Raon Street, Quiapo, Manila. The guitar costs around 2 thousand pesos. The guitar was color black and it had metal pickups. It was too heavy and it had high action. It was very difficult to play. But despite of its flaws, I liked that guitar very much. I would use it as props. I would carry it around in my family’s sky blue Volkswagen Beetle. I would place it on top of the back seat speakers so that when friends would ride, they’d know that I’m a rocker. I was so silly back then. I gave that guitar to my cousin on my father's side.

One year later, my parents bought me my second electric guitar using my uncle’s credit card (but my folks did pay the installments). It was a violet Genesis Series, a brand which is now phased out. I got the guitar at Yupangco music store along Buendia Street, Makati City. The guitar came along with a cord which resembles the curly telephone cord from way back when and it was light green. I also got a gadget, a Boss Turbo Distortion which I later returned and exchanged for a Boss Metal Zone (which was borrowed and never returned). Looking back, I shouldn’t have returned the Turbo Distortion. That’s the effect I’d like to buy now. It’s much more expensive now.

My Current Rig

Today I still play my violet Genesis Series but I’ve also added another electric guitar. I bought a red RJ Raven in RJ Guitar Center in MOA. The color was what made me purchase the guitar. The shiny red just stands out among the other guitars on the rack. And it sounds great too! It’s a quality guitar. For gadgets, I have a Digitech Hot Head distortion pedal, a Boss OS-2 Overdrive/Distortion pedal, a Boss DD-3 Digital Delay pedal, and a Behringer Chorus Space-C pedal. I also have a Boss BCB-30 casing for my effects and a 10 -Watt Dean Markley guitar amp.

Some Lessons Learned

Last month was my birthday. I am now 37. Man, I'm old but still not mature enough. I picked up some lessons here and there through the years. Here they are:

"Just because you like someone doesn't mean she'll like you back." It took me a long, long time to realize this. I always liked girls who are way out of my league. I’ll have a crush on the most beautiful, popular girl in school. Then I’ll give it all. I mistake a “crush” for “love”. So when things don’t turn out as I want them to, I am the one who’s “crushed”. It truly hurts. Now I know more.

"Life is unfair." I always thought it was unfair when I failed out of my school from prep to second year high school. I mean I was only a kid back then. The new principal at that time should have given me some slack. But no, he didn't allow me to return the following year. I always thought this started a chain of events that led to me screwing up in my studies. But it's all in the past now. I did graduate despite that. And besides, things would have been different if that event didn't happen. I wouldn't have met new and good friends.

"Shit happens." Unpleasant events happen. Just like me failing out. These are things that happen in life. Things beyond our control, like the weather, calamities, what people think, and a whole lot of other things. So, there's really no point stressing over them.

"You can't have everything you want." I couldn't seem to find the perfect house, the perfect neighborhood, the perfect place for me. I guess the trick here is to be content with what you have, of where you are. "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade". Just make the most of what you have and be happy where you are.

"You can't please everyone." An internet meme says, "No Matter How Good A Person You Are There Will Always Be Someone Criticizing You". True. So the best way is to always do the right thing.

Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want

"Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want" cover by The Dream Academy instrumental version used in the museum scene in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986)

Check this out: http://theartofilm.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-museum-scene-in-ferris-buellers-day.html

For Dad's Day

Dads —

They don’t always approve of the life choices we sons and daughters make but that's because they truly look out for our welfare.

They may always be on our case and be tough on us. That’s because they want us to become reliable and responsible.

When we screw up, they’re always there to bail us out.

Sometimes, we underrate our own dads. But really, they still know more than we do.

"I suddenly remembered my Charlemagne. 'Let my armies be the rocks and the trees and the birds in the sky'".

Behind the strong facade, dads are really softies when it comes to their respective families.

Cheers to all the dads out there. Belated Happy Father’s Day!



Photos:

www.dvdizzy.com
FedoraSmith

Grateful

After doing chores, a teen hands his mom a bill.

FOR:

• Cleaning the house


• Sweeping the floor


• Dusting counters


• Straightening books and magazines


• Clearing clutter


• cutting the grass


• putting away toys


• cleaning own room

TOTAL: 500 pesos

Mom says "Well alright, I'll pay you later.".

Later that day, the mom gives her son 500 pesos and a piece of paper with something written on it. A bill apparently.

FOR:

• School Tuition from Prep to Grade 7


• Allowance from Prep to Grade 7


• Food and Shelter for 13 years


• Clothing


• Gadgets

TOTAL: 734,558.88 pesos

The teen smiles.

Dedicated to sons and daughters who have finished school and now have jobs and who help their families in paying rent, Meralco and water bills, etc, and who may be feeling a bit tired.



Source: A comic strip I read in my high school Christian Living book

Dear Child - Pinstriped Rebels

"Dear Child" live performance by the Pinstriped Rebels at Blot Art, gig organized by Dott Seki. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!

Fatal Flaw

Of the list of seven deadly sins (pride, greed, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, and sloth) under Catholic dogma, pride is often referred to as the most serious. It is the source of the other sins. In Greek tragedy, hubris or overconfident pride and arrogance leads to the protagonist's downfall."Pride comes before a fall" as the saying goes. In our daily lives, there comes a time when we have to eat humble pie or swallow our pride. The refusal to do the above in certain situations is what causes us problems.



Reference: Wikipedia