Tonight, Sarah and I went down to Humphrey's Concerts By the Bay to help sell merchandise for Andy Grammar, as he was the opening act for Colbie Caillat.
Some thoughts:
1. Selling merchandise is not as easy as it looks. You have to check everything in, check everything out, sort all the merchandise, handle the lines of customers and money being exchanged, write down all that's purchased, account for everything and then make sure the venue gets their cut of the profit. But having a great team of merch sellers helped. Besides Sarah and I, there were three other girls who volunteered and they were very cool. One was like a super Andy fan, which was awesome to have that positive energy there. Otherwise, it would've been kinda rough.
2. We got to see Jason Mraz sing his duet with Colbie, and it was pretty awesome... I'd never been super stoked on the song to begin with, but the experience is just another example of the magic that happens at a live concert.
3. I could never be a celebrity in the pop world. Dealing with lines of people wanting to get your picture taken with them, having various items signed, older men trying to give you career advice, and wannabe giving you copies of their demo CD... Andy handled it all with charm and aplomb, and he's been doing this for awhile now. Even just sitting there listening to it all, I and one of the other girls caught ourselves rolling our eyes sometimes at the hoopla. And when an 8 year old gets excited that Andy's not married and her father seems just as excited? Creepy. So yeah. I'm waaaaaay too cynical and realistic to make it as a celeb. (We'll ignore the whole needing to have the looks/talent/charisma part.)
4. Humphrey's is a GREAT venue... and it made me think for freakin' stellar it would have been to see Adele there, had we scored tickets somehow the first time (and had she not cancelled the initial date)...
5. I'm not a huge Colbie fan, but she gains major props in my book for cutting through the bullshit and telling the audience that we weren't going to have to play the "encore waiting game". She just gave her encore immediately after the "final" song, and told the audience how it was gonna go down.
6. Now to bring on concert #2: the Foo Fighters with the broseph, the old roomie, and the fraternal twin (because Ash, I think we're pretty dang similar except for how you're female and Turkish).
Monday, October 17, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Short Bursts of Randomness: ...On Worship
Sometimes you're there singing, then suddenly hit by the relevance and magnitude of what you're singing. Tonight was one of those nights.
And if our God is for us, then what could ever stop us?
And if our God with us, then what could stand against?
A good reminder of His providence in times of uncertainty... in a time when so many seem to be touched by the words of Steve Jobs from his Stanford commencement address, yet remain unable to put his charges into action, to take a leap of faith and trust that He will still continue to connect the dots in that perfect way that we could never draw on our own.
I think I posted this song before, but to Chris Tomlin's version. Here's the band I heard tonight (from a previous service though, not from tonight's).
And if our God is for us, then what could ever stop us?
And if our God with us, then what could stand against?
A good reminder of His providence in times of uncertainty... in a time when so many seem to be touched by the words of Steve Jobs from his Stanford commencement address, yet remain unable to put his charges into action, to take a leap of faith and trust that He will still continue to connect the dots in that perfect way that we could never draw on our own.
I think I posted this song before, but to Chris Tomlin's version. Here's the band I heard tonight (from a previous service though, not from tonight's).
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Short Bursts of Randomness: ...On Smiling
Flights to NYC? Booked.
Hotel room three blocks from Central Park? Reserved.
Good friend from work going with me and just as excited? Confirmed.
I don't think my face has felt a smile this big in awhile. :) Less than two weeks to go!
Hotel room three blocks from Central Park? Reserved.
Good friend from work going with me and just as excited? Confirmed.
I don't think my face has felt a smile this big in awhile. :) Less than two weeks to go!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Short Bursts of Randomness: ...On Needles
I dislike needles and getting stabbed by them.
Ok. So maybe "stabbed" is being overdramatic. But I don't like it. Especially as I feel like I've heard stories of nurses who can't seem to get the needle in the right spot initially.
But I needed to get blood drawn at the doctors office this AM. And as the nurse prepped me, the following exchange occurred:
Me: I apologize in advance if I swear, I get a little jumpy around needles... It's not you, it's me.
Nice Nurse: ...I've never had anyone warn me before. (laughs)
(seconds pass, I'm looking away, then...)
Me: Sonofabitch!
And then we both start to laugh as I squeeze that squeeze ball and blood is drawn from the other side of my elbow for a good minute.
[/end burst of randomness]
Ok. So maybe "stabbed" is being overdramatic. But I don't like it. Especially as I feel like I've heard stories of nurses who can't seem to get the needle in the right spot initially.
But I needed to get blood drawn at the doctors office this AM. And as the nurse prepped me, the following exchange occurred:
Me: I apologize in advance if I swear, I get a little jumpy around needles... It's not you, it's me.
Nice Nurse: ...I've never had anyone warn me before. (laughs)
(seconds pass, I'm looking away, then...)
Me: Sonofabitch!
And then we both start to laugh as I squeeze that squeeze ball and blood is drawn from the other side of my elbow for a good minute.
[/end burst of randomness]
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
The Shoe
Two days ago, a few departments from work went to a nearby park for a potluck lunch and some game time... such as the egg toss (which we were out after three tosses) and musical chairs (to the tune of "Moves Like Jagger" and the ladies telling the guys to dance around the chairs). It was a good time and a nice break from the monotony of the workday.
In talking with another coworker during the lunch, she began talking about shoes, in both the literal and metaphorical sense. I'm not sure how it started exactly, but she was saying how sometimes you'll see be at a store and come across a pair of shoes that look really good, fit really well and work for you, but then you have a bit of hesitation to purchase them... and her point was "why? Life's too short. Go grab that pair of shoes and rock the shit out of 'em."
Ok, she may not have said the s-word. That's my embellishment there.
But I got the message, I think. Obviously, you can't just grab any pair of shoes you want. Maybe it's not the right time, whether that's due to financial responsibility or familial obligations. But if you don't have either of those two things stopping you, is it wrong to be a little selfish and self-indulgent? And can it even be considered selfish if getting that pair of shoes is not to the detriment of anyone?
And so I've been going around with shoes on my mind. Some that are smaller and more easily obtainable - to the point where a tool to get that shoe is on the couch next to me. And other shoes that require a little more preparation, discernment and/or training.
But for now, year 27 seems to be the year that I'm shoe shopping. To that end, TV off, laptop to soon be closed, and study guide to be opened.
Hmm. All that shoe talk sounds gay. So five things I'm looking forward to in October...
5) The Treezy Wedding (because I get to be paired up with one of my best friends, Jo)
4) Jimmy Eat World's "Bleed American" 10th Anniversary Concert!!!
Oh wait. That's technically in September, as it's in two days with Chris... but screw it, I'm super excited about it!
4) Grand Canyon!!!
3) Foo Fighters!!!
2) Bring It On (The Musical)!!!
1) New York!!!
In talking with another coworker during the lunch, she began talking about shoes, in both the literal and metaphorical sense. I'm not sure how it started exactly, but she was saying how sometimes you'll see be at a store and come across a pair of shoes that look really good, fit really well and work for you, but then you have a bit of hesitation to purchase them... and her point was "why? Life's too short. Go grab that pair of shoes and rock the shit out of 'em."
Ok, she may not have said the s-word. That's my embellishment there.
But I got the message, I think. Obviously, you can't just grab any pair of shoes you want. Maybe it's not the right time, whether that's due to financial responsibility or familial obligations. But if you don't have either of those two things stopping you, is it wrong to be a little selfish and self-indulgent? And can it even be considered selfish if getting that pair of shoes is not to the detriment of anyone?
And so I've been going around with shoes on my mind. Some that are smaller and more easily obtainable - to the point where a tool to get that shoe is on the couch next to me. And other shoes that require a little more preparation, discernment and/or training.
But for now, year 27 seems to be the year that I'm shoe shopping. To that end, TV off, laptop to soon be closed, and study guide to be opened.
Hmm. All that shoe talk sounds gay. So five things I'm looking forward to in October...
5) The Treezy Wedding (because I get to be paired up with one of my best friends, Jo)
4) Jimmy Eat World's "Bleed American" 10th Anniversary Concert!!!
Oh wait. That's technically in September, as it's in two days with Chris... but screw it, I'm super excited about it!
4) Grand Canyon!!!
3) Foo Fighters!!!
2) Bring It On (The Musical)!!!
1) New York!!!
Anthem
I love Switchfoot. And in honor of their new CD coming out today, this post is dedicated to that CD, "Vice Verses". And here is the rocking song that kicks off the disc, "Afterlife". Switchfoot lyrics have a tendency to resonate with me, so when I heard this call to arms for the first time last week, I knew this CD would fast become a favorite of mine.
Every day a choice is made
Every day I choose my fate
And I wonder why would I wait 'til I die to come alive?
I'm ready now, I'm not waiting for the afterlife.
Of course, now I really want to see them in concert in LA in two weeks. Dangit.
But other than that, I'm reminded again to start living - to not just survive, but to thrive. Okay, I'm quoting from another new song of theirs. Anyways, now to figure out plans.
Every day a choice is made
Every day I choose my fate
And I wonder why would I wait 'til I die to come alive?
I'm ready now, I'm not waiting for the afterlife.
Of course, now I really want to see them in concert in LA in two weeks. Dangit.
But other than that, I'm reminded again to start living - to not just survive, but to thrive. Okay, I'm quoting from another new song of theirs. Anyways, now to figure out plans.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Untitled.
I'd been meaning to update the old blog, seeing as how I went from Active in August to Slacker in September... it wasn't intentional, and it wasn't that I've been super crazy busy lately either. Although I think part of it is the general feeling of unexcitement that has come with being back at home again, and feeling like it's slowly sucking the life out of me.
But it's to the blog I come when I need to get some thoughts out - that's what it's here for, regardless of who ends up reading this.
My grandma died yesterday, of old age. And to be honest, I'm not really sure how I'm processing it. If you don't know, the vast majority of my family is in the Philippines, save for a few first cousins who live abroad, and I've yet to visit my parents' homeland or meet my family. But this was my last living grandparent - my maternal grandmother.
I still remember when my maternal grandfather died. I was a teenager, we were living at the condo in El Cajon, and I remember my mom getting the call at night. I remember going downstairs when my mom had just gotten off the phone and she told us that her dad had died... the impression I get is that they fell under the stereotype wherein daughters are closer with their fathers. I know for her it was hard. She hadn't been home since before I was born and also wasn't able to fly over there to attend the funeral.
As for me, I guess I feel the same way now that I felt back then. I'm sad that I never got to meet them, and I'm sad for my mom's loss. But I have no meaningful memories or interactions with them, and it would feel disingenuous to say I'm going to miss them (because how can I miss what I never experienced)... so in some ways I feel unaffected. Which then makes me feel bad about feeling unaffected.
I'm pretty sure I'm the only grandkid that they've never met. Granted, my mom is one of 14 and my dad is like one of 8, so there are plenty of grandkids around there, but still. I don't have any recollection of having spoken to my grandfather, but grandma always wanted to talk to me whenever she and mom were on the phone. Though hard of hearing at her age, she still knew enough English to speak to me. Whenever we did talk, it was basically the same thing. Asking how school was. Telling me she wished my family could come to the Philippines so she could see me. Telling me that she prays for me and that her dream for me was to become a missionary doctor. I know she meant well, but to be honest, it got kind of tiring after awhile. My mom understood though, whenever I'd balk at having to get on the phone... she knew what grandma was like. Mom loved grandma, but I'm pretty sure I remember that she called her bossy. I'm sure it was in the well-intentioned and loving way though.
Anyways - my parents have fortunately been able to go back home three times in the past 6 years or so. I think it helped to lessen the blow that they got to spend more time together after spending so long apart previously (it was at least 20 years from when they first left). Plus when mom went back last year, grandma told her to not worry about coming back if she passed away. But still, mom is preparing to leave on Friday and will be gone a week. And I'm glad she'll get to say goodbye this time, unlike when grandpa passed.
As for me, I guess writing my thoughts out helps. Without anyone to really talk to lately (at least in a way that's been meaningful for me, like with Diana or Jo), I've just been keeping everything inside - big and small, relevant or otherwise. I may feel incoherent and uncertain, but I think the process of writing this entry has helped me say to goodbye in my own way.
Rest in peace, grandma. I know I may not fulfill your dreams for me, but I hope someday I make you proud.
But it's to the blog I come when I need to get some thoughts out - that's what it's here for, regardless of who ends up reading this.
My grandma died yesterday, of old age. And to be honest, I'm not really sure how I'm processing it. If you don't know, the vast majority of my family is in the Philippines, save for a few first cousins who live abroad, and I've yet to visit my parents' homeland or meet my family. But this was my last living grandparent - my maternal grandmother.
I still remember when my maternal grandfather died. I was a teenager, we were living at the condo in El Cajon, and I remember my mom getting the call at night. I remember going downstairs when my mom had just gotten off the phone and she told us that her dad had died... the impression I get is that they fell under the stereotype wherein daughters are closer with their fathers. I know for her it was hard. She hadn't been home since before I was born and also wasn't able to fly over there to attend the funeral.
As for me, I guess I feel the same way now that I felt back then. I'm sad that I never got to meet them, and I'm sad for my mom's loss. But I have no meaningful memories or interactions with them, and it would feel disingenuous to say I'm going to miss them (because how can I miss what I never experienced)... so in some ways I feel unaffected. Which then makes me feel bad about feeling unaffected.
I'm pretty sure I'm the only grandkid that they've never met. Granted, my mom is one of 14 and my dad is like one of 8, so there are plenty of grandkids around there, but still. I don't have any recollection of having spoken to my grandfather, but grandma always wanted to talk to me whenever she and mom were on the phone. Though hard of hearing at her age, she still knew enough English to speak to me. Whenever we did talk, it was basically the same thing. Asking how school was. Telling me she wished my family could come to the Philippines so she could see me. Telling me that she prays for me and that her dream for me was to become a missionary doctor. I know she meant well, but to be honest, it got kind of tiring after awhile. My mom understood though, whenever I'd balk at having to get on the phone... she knew what grandma was like. Mom loved grandma, but I'm pretty sure I remember that she called her bossy. I'm sure it was in the well-intentioned and loving way though.
Anyways - my parents have fortunately been able to go back home three times in the past 6 years or so. I think it helped to lessen the blow that they got to spend more time together after spending so long apart previously (it was at least 20 years from when they first left). Plus when mom went back last year, grandma told her to not worry about coming back if she passed away. But still, mom is preparing to leave on Friday and will be gone a week. And I'm glad she'll get to say goodbye this time, unlike when grandpa passed.
As for me, I guess writing my thoughts out helps. Without anyone to really talk to lately (at least in a way that's been meaningful for me, like with Diana or Jo), I've just been keeping everything inside - big and small, relevant or otherwise. I may feel incoherent and uncertain, but I think the process of writing this entry has helped me say to goodbye in my own way.
Rest in peace, grandma. I know I may not fulfill your dreams for me, but I hope someday I make you proud.
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