I post this With A Smile...

Sana totoo... O pare ko... Whee!

Tingnan nyo dito:
http://azraelsmerryland.blogspot.com/2008/07/eraserhead-reunion-concert-2008-threads.html

On Dreaming about an Eraserheads Reunion

I was riding the Divisoria-Recto jeep on my way back to the condo when the radio burst out in song to the tune of the Eraserhead's Magasin.

As I listened to Ely's powerful voice and spot on lyrics, Buddy's thumping bassline, Marcus' smooth riffs and Raimund's booming drumbeats, the image of this one night in the Boys Main Dorm in Philippine Science High School came into my mind. It was one of those normally mundane nights, when the lights were off and all four of us roommates were about to sleep, listening to the radio. Suddenly, this very song floated in the air and like a sound of the classroom bell signifying the end of a really boring class, we all were roused from our half-asleep states, singing the lines, "Iba na ang 'yong ngiti! Iba na ang 'yong tingin! Nagbago nang lahat sa'yo!", shouting the lyrics at the top of our lungs.

Those were the days... Nakaka-miss! Hay...

As I walked out of the jeep and towards the condo, I just realized that right at this very moment, all four members of the group are back in Manila making music: Ely fronting Pupul, Raimund fronting Sandwich (among others), Buddy playing bass for the Dawn, and Marcus fronting Markus Highway (Surfernando?). This very thought instilled in me a great longing for a reunion... the ultimate reunion. The Eraserheads as one group, singing Magasin in front of legions of screaming fans.

After all, they were the ones who jumpstarted the local band scene and whose music fueled the dreams of every would be musician singing in their garages back in the 90's. Looking at the music scene today, their music and spirit lives on, with a tribute album, 2 anthologies of greatest hits, a book of essays about the band and their music, and local radios still giving precious airtime to their most popular songs. I am sure I am not the only one who realized that the red carpet is already unfurling, and the stage is being made ready for this fearsome foursome. But then again, even if we start this movement to get the E-heads playing again, even if we stage a rally in front of each member's homes, the fate of the group and the possibility of a reunion is still up to each of the legendary musicians. I just hope they realize that the ball is in their hands now, and we are all patiently and eagerly waiting for their return to the court.

*image taken from www.schizo-archives.com

Writing

I have been setting aside blogging for quite sometime now. For the past 2 years, much of my time was devoted to medical school and writing has been pushed to the side by really addicting but effective stress relievers such as comics and the Nintendo DS (and writing can be such a stress inducer especially if you don't have any particular thing to write about). I feel like I am having this love affair with writing, this on and off relationship that has been going on since I first blogged back in 2003. A love affair that I keep coming back to, maybe because I love comics and the medium so much. But then, all the love in the world for the combined visual and written medium of comics can't make up for the fact that I can't draw, so drawing on somebody else's mind with words, phrases and sentences will be the only way for me to tell stories... my stories.

To tell these stories is not something like my favorite childhood toy that I can pick up and play after a long time of disuse. It should be continually practiced, put into good use, and nourished with new words by reading. Yesterday, I was talking to Tricia* about my ultimate dream of having my own comic store and publishing house, and I realized , or rather as she reminded me for the nth time, that I have told her about that dream so many times already, more than I could count with one hand. But then, I know the only way for me to realize that dream is to finish school and get started on saving up and of course, to start writing, practice writing and read. Read lots of stuff, go out of my comfort zone of speculative fiction, try out new genres... Read.

I am going to enter an internship in a publishing house to create content for some local websites and I would be writing a lot in the coming days. A LOT. As in, the interviewer even warned me that, "baka mabulunan pa kayo sa pagsusulat." Sana naman hindi. Working for a publishing house should be a step closer for me in realizing my ultimate dream. A step closer but still a long way to go; it probably take decades to get there. After this summer, things would be put in a backburner as I study and eventually practice medicine but that does not mean I can't read and write. After all, doctors should be avid readers and we can be gifted writers too.

* Tricia is still my girlfriend by the way, for those who I haven't talked to for a long time. And there's a lot of you there... sorry. I will be writing more.