Random Snapshots From A Moving Train

Brothers Forever Fever

I've been meaning to blog about something else but when I saw the latest American Idol episode which featured a Filipino contestant named Renaldo Lapuz, I realized I just have to write about it. Judging on the many video clips in Youtube that were posted about him, I suppose he has become a household name and perhaps, an international sensation. An entertainment phenomenon, dare I add.

People are saying that he might even surpass William Hung's fame (all 15 minutes of it). Maybe Simon Cowell got it right when he predicted that Renaldo's own composition " We're Brothers Forever" will be a big hit. At least on the internet. One thing I can say is that after listening to it a few times, the song is kinda catchy and has a tendency to stick in your head. You might find yourself humming to it unconsciously or belting it out like you're in a musical or drunken stupor. You might even get creative and produce your own version of his song.

When I first saw the introduction video clip on Mr. Lapuz, I immediately guessed that he might be a Filipino. I'm sure a lot of Pinoy viewers surmised that as well. Despite his strangely outlandish (I'm being nice here) outfit, I was really hoping that he will bowl us over with a great singing talent and prayed that he would not be torn apart by the judges. That was before I realized that he was 44 years old and not even really qualified to be a contestant anyway. Uh-oh!

For those who didn't see it on TV, here's how the audition went down. If you wish to get to the actual singing, just forward to the 2:50 mark. Note: Click Pause on the Radio Blog first before viewing the videos.

So, what do you think of Renaldo's "AI" moment? Did it inspire the Pinoy pride in you or were you offended by the way he was treated and portrayed? Honestly, my reaction to this is kinda hybrid. I can't decide if I'm impressed by his chutzpah or disappointed that he didn't really quite "represent" the Filipino talent. Whichever it is, I have to commend him for his seemingly unaffected and sincere character. Despite the hilarity and absurdness of the situation, he appeared to remain dignified and genial. His positivity and genuine gratitude for the opportunity to perform was unmistakable and that authentically affable quality in his demeanor reflected well on us Filipinos, in general.

So he wasn't a great singer but he wasn't the worst either. In fact, his enthusiastic performance earned him a lot of admiration and attention that there is quite a plethora of videos dedicated to his act. Here's just a few that I like that I was able to scour in Youtube. Click away and don't blame me if you find yourself singing, "I am your brother, your bestfriend forever..." over and over and over again.

So, would you buy his record when and if it comes out? Discuss!

The Bucket List

If I were to have a set of new year's resolutions, I will have to put "Stop procrastinating" on top of the list. I've been meaning to post a new blog entry weeks ago but it seems like I've been spending more time surfing the net for the latest juicy Hollywood news (rehab or jail stints, pregnancies, Britney Spears sightings or latest celebrity hook-ups/break-ups). It's admittedly one of my guilty pleasures and a pretty trivial endeavor perhaps but it sure took my mind off more disconcerting matters in my life. Anyway, let me just acknowledge and express my gratitude to everyone who left kind comments in my previous post and those who sent messages of support and best wishes. Although most of you are virtual strangers to me, I am deeply appreciative and undeniably comforted by your thoughtfulness and sincere concern for my well-being. I've slowly come to terms with my situation and I am determined not to let these three letters (SLE) get in the way in the business of living especially since I am blessed with another year to do with as I please.

Normally, I would have my top 10 things to do in 2008 but I'm trying to set more realistic objectives and could only come up with eight, so far. I just have to be more proactive in checking them off the list before the year's end. Here they are:

1. Read a book (any book for that matter). I am ashamed to admit that I have yet to open a page of "The Da Vinci Code" or "Memoirs of a Geisha". I sure need a firm kick in the butt to make sure this goal will not make a repeat appearance in 2009.

2. Take another trip to Europe again. It might be difficult to pull off due to our three dogs (any volunteers to watch them?) but I'd really like to visit Spain, London or Greece this year. I got bit by the travel bug and there's no getting over it anytime soon. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this one.

3. Get together with some friends from Friendster . I know there have been some tentative nattering about it and I would like to be there when and if it actually happens. It would be interesting to finally see and hear the people behind the blogs, comments, messages and photos. So, who's up for it and who's on the planning committee? Count me in, peeps.

4. Finalize my mother's petition for the US immigrant status. We're just mostly waiting for the process to go through and I'm getting quite impatient. As much as I prefer to be independent, I can't deny hankering for my mother's presence whenever I don't feel well or if I just feel like talking to someone.

5. Stay on a healthy diet and workable exercise plan . I've shed a few pounds in the recent months and signing up with Lifetime Fitness proved to be a great investment. Despite our previous chronic failures at gym memberships, Kenny and I are surprisingly more inspired to stick with the program this time around. It definitely helps that we just love their sauna, hot tub and swimming pools. I'm also motivated to learn how to swim so I could work on getting a SCUBA certification eventually. I would certainly love going to the beach more if I don't have to wear those cumbersome floaties and vest like a 3 yr-old tot.

6. Go skydiving and/or ride a hot air balloon . The mere idea of doing these activities is quite an aberration to my timorous character but having conquered the zipline in Maui left me feeling a bit more adventurous and dauntless. Let's see if the anticipated adrenaline rush is enough to keep me bold and fearless.

7. Go on a  road trip to the Pacific Coast. Inspired by Elizabeth's blog, I would love to visit some of the amazing parks and sceneries in the US. Unfortunately, long distance driving is not Kenny's cup of tea but if I can round up some friends who might be keen to do it with me, I'll be happy to get behind the wheel. I would have to save up for a GPS device though. There's no sense in being stuck in the middle of nowhere, right?

8. Watch more concerts, stage and comedy shows. I've been checking out the Ticketmaster website and found out that the Foo Fighters will be performing in Chicago in February. I'd better drop some hints for Kenny for a Valentine's Day surprise for me.

I guess that's about it. How about you guys? I know some of you are not so big into making annual pledges but here's how I look at it. There are a lot of sick people out there somewhere who probably just received the dreaded "talk" from their doctors about their dire prognosis. As painfully depressing as it could possibly be, they might have to make an inventory of things they need to do to settle their affairs.

In light of my recent health scare, I'm just thankful that I'm not in the similar quandary but I feel it's never too premature to make a catalog of experiences and feats before one "kicks the bucket", so to speak. I guess I'm just making my own bucket list  a bit shorter every year by fulfilling some of them now and getting an earlier head start in the race against time. Sooner or later, we'll run out of it. After all, we're all dying from the start. Some just got pushed to the head of the line.