Movie Thoughts

On Wednesday night, on a whim, I went to the theater at West Portal and checked out "The Passion of the Christ" directed by Mel Gibson. Being familiar with the Christ story, both a little of the bible version and also because of watching "King of Kings," "Greatest Story Ever Told," and "Jesus of Nazareth" I had an idea of what to expect but also went pretty open minded because I chose to ignore all the media hype about it [also because I have no TV and internet at my house!] And after watching it, I can honestly say that I really have a better understanding of why Christianity is as big as it is. The visualization of the suffering is really something to behold. Mel Gibson pulled no stops in presenting his view of what happened the last day or so of Jesus' life. I see now why people believe as strongly as they do. I thought it was good. My parents both cried.

My only problem with this movie is that the actor portraying Jesus is still white/European. Can't they get it that he lived in North Africa? Barring the fact that he was albino, there really is no way he should have flowing locks and light skin, on top of European features. C'mon Mel.

Okay, so it's violent. But the only reason folks think this movie is extremely violent is because of the person who is on the receiving end. I didn't fathom that he could have suffered that much. Maybe that's why critics were saying it's too violent. Anyway, regardless of your beliefs, I think you should go see it. Then email me and we can talk about it!

________________________

Academy Awards

Okay, so I caught about half of the Academy Awards. And despite the fact that I liked the movie, I didn't think 'Return of the King' was THAT good. For you sports fans, do you remember when Gino Torretta of the University of Miami Hurricanes won the Heisman despite the phenomenal year that Marshall Faulk had? When Faulk was interviewed, he said, "This is the perfect example of a team winning the Heisman."

In my opinion, 'Return of the King' won those awards for the the trilogy as a whole, and not just for that one film. I mean, it was a good film, and I liked it a lot, and as a trilogy it almost rates up there with Indiana Jones and Star Wars, but come on people, you can't give awards to one movie because it was the culmination of two other really good ones.

I guess that's why I'll never be a part of the academy.

I had a great weekend, hope yours was as good.

~No Tations~

Ode to Kudzu

On Saturday last
I was smashed
At my birthday party
Soon as I could think
In my hand was a drink
And then I was acting retardy

But in my body was Kudzu
A plant from China
That grows like weed in the South
It has an effect
On alcohol
So I popped 5 capsules in my mouth

Kudzu? Eh?
What's the effect, you say
On alcohol metabolites?
Well my friend
If you take it ere drinking
Your buzz will last most of the night

It suppressed the amount
Of the chemical produced
That causes inebriation
So you can last a lot longer
And drink a lot more
To live up to your party reputation!

But that's not all that Kudzu does
Oh no my friend
Not quite
For it speeds up the rate
T'which your body produces
A-CE-TAL-DE-HYDE

Another metabolite
you say?
What does that do, No Tations?
Well, my friend
Acetaldehyde
Gives the pleasant hungover sensation

But I don't get it
Your drunkenness slows
But your hungover appears much faster?
Yes, my friend
But listen closely
The hangover won't be there day after

You will get drunk
But it might take more drinks
Cause you know how it is on your birthday
With all those free drinks
Everyone gives you
Your body is soon gonna pay

So last saturday night
At Silver Cloud Bar
I was feeling way loopted
I'm glad I don't remember
Half of the night
Because I heard I was acting way stooptid

So next time you're going out
And want to drink
There's nothing for partying much greater
Call up No Tations
And he'll give you Kudzu --
Your body will thank you much later.

______________________________________________________--

The first bit of poetry I've written since I was trying to get together with my X.

Have a nice weekend.

~No Tations~

I've been in the vocal infirmary all week. My voice is like crap right now.

I woke up Monday with a little itch. Then Tuesday I had all this crap in my chest and it felt that my breath was coming out of a little tiny hole. Now I'm celebrating my birthday on Saturday and have no singing voice.

I have an all day choir retreat tomorrow.

Plenty of throat coat tea and a little luck will help me through it.

Oh yeah, HELLO to Chitzy's friend who's been reading this.

Come celebrate with me for my birthday party
If I don't know ya, come anyway!

Everybody seems to be talking about this movie called "Waking Life."

It seems like I'm always the last one to see the newest, hippest movies.

Rise and Shine

I was consigned to the fact that if I wanted to about ready to graduate within four semesters I needed to get my butt up at 7 am and make it to my 810 Piano III class. That's because if I wait until next year, Piano IV and V [which I need to graduate] are given in subsequent semesters. Which means, if I take Piano III in the fall, then I need to wait a whole year to take Piano IV. OH HELL NO

ATDC had the privelege of performing with Aptos Middle School [under the direction of KulArts] in this year's annual SF Chinese New Year Parade. It was pretty cool. We provided the indigenous Maranao rhythms while the kids danced with umbrellas, fans and eskrima sticks. It wasn't the marathon that is Carnaval, but still it was long. What pissed us off is that we were all set to eat Chinese food but some parents told us to go to Ocean Pizzeria instead because they'd already ordered. Then at the end they went around asking us for money for the pizzas! Freakin' invite us to eat and then ask us to pay too. WHACK

School seems like it's starting to become routine for me again. I just found out this morning that I'm in the Stevie Wonder Combo. Add that to the SF State A Cappella group, Chamber Singers, University Chorus, PCN, the Oakland Bay ARea Community Chorus [which thankfully ends after this month] and my plate is very very full. DAYAM

Finally, last night ATDC practiced for our upcoming performance at POMO on the last weekend of March. It seems our best kulintang player can't make it either. Of course, I can't go because I'll be in Germany. But fortunately, the rhythms are started to come together. I even had my shot at arranging one of the songs. It starts of traditional, then goes into our 'Flip Hop' rhythm with a little kulintang sprinkled on top! MAN

I'm heading off to practice with a little quartet for PACE's Open House tomorrow night. We're doing 'Lupang Hinirang' aka Phlippine National Anthem.

Always,

Makin' Mine Music

~No Tations~

I watched the Super Bowl at work yesterday. I tried to convince my coworkers to work for me but they didn't want to. So I had permission from the boss to go to Radio Shack and buy a TV antenna. Luckily it was good enough to get reception. I was watching mostly for the commercials. Mostly I listened to the play-by-play, and ran over during commercials or whenever there was a score.

Ating Tao Drum Circle is drumming with the kids from Aptos Middle School in the Chinese New Year Parade this weekend. After that I have a bit of a break as they will be preparing to perform for POMO at Yerba Buena Center in March. Since I'm going to Germany, I'll be more of a consultant in their preparation.

Which reminds me: I just wrote the third largest check of my life -- $950 -- for my last two payments for my tour. It will be 13 days in both East Germany and Czech Republic. It's getting close to breaking me again, but I don't see why I shouldn't 'go for broke' [no pun intended]. I mean how many times does one get to tour Europe singing in some of the greatest venues for a choir to sing in.

Tomorrow, I also audition for a Jazz Combo. The director decided to do focus on Stevie Wonder this semester, so I've been going mad trying to memorize a song. I've performed "Higher Ground" but I've been concentrating on "My Cherie Amour".

As always, cross your fingers 'cause I'm nervous to heck right now.

Making Mine Music

~No Tations~