A great CNN segment on Jeff Buckley’s “Grace Around the World” release.

Last week, I was reminded of my mortality twice.

I was answering a questionnaire for work and this one came up: “What are 5 things that are in your bucket list? Mark the ones that you have already done/achieved.”

At first, I couldn’t think of a single answer. Am I really that boring that I don’t intend to do anything magnanimous before I die? But after a few minutes, I realized 5 was too limiting, because I have hundreds of things that I have yet to do. So I eventually drew up my 5 goals and marked one which I have reached.

That was when I realized that I still have enough time to do the other stuff on my list. And of course, I intend to reach complete them in the near future.

I was still in that contemplative mood when my phone rang, and the person on the other line gave me one of worst news I’ve ever heard recently – a workmate of mine, whom I have only met a few days before, was shot dead. I hurriedly caught a cab to the hospital where he was taken and saw tearful eyes and shocked faces as everyone tried to cope with the tragedy.

While listening to the discussions that surrounded me, I learned that the victim was only 24, married, with a 4-year-old kid. My heart bled for that little family, whose future momentarily went on a stand-still because of a crime that nobody could comprehend. And it dawned on me, a young man, who still had a lot to offer  lay lifeless in the morgue, whose ambitions and plans came to a halt without any warning.

Did he have his own bucket list? How many was he able to mark as done?

If the cliché, “good men die young” is true, does this mean that he was able to live a complete life at a very young age?

In the end, I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that I am still alive, and I could still live the life that I am supposed to live.

But a little part of me felt reflective… here was this 24-year-old guy who may have had a life worth living and who may have been prepared for the end to come…

…while here I am, 33 years old, with all my senses intact… still pondering over bucket lists.

Nothing like JM’s performance, but this one was really good.

Not just because I’m a fan, but more because this made us see how awesome the song is, no matter how one plays it.

 

 

 

 

Good job Mr. Mayer. Thank you.

 

I have twin nieces, Judith and Katrina, and bless them, they got their mom’s (my sister) hilarious wit.

She posted this on her website:

I overheard this conversation this morning between my twin girls:

Katrina (to Judith, who was snickering):  "What’s so funny?"
Judith:  " Your face!" (that’s how they try to piss each other off)
Katrina:  " Oh yeah? What’s so funny about it?  It kinda looks like yours, you know!"

This greeted me this morning … what a way to kick-off my work-free day.

See the tweet exchange below, the order of tweets posted is based on how the “conversation” went.

 

John’s tweet:

 

A follower’s reply:

 

And John’s great comeback:

 

I haven’t really found the time to write about the loss of a pop icon, the artist that became part of my growing up years, but has slowly left my mind as I grew older.

And then John Mayer posts this video of David Ryan Harris, singing “The King of Pop is Gone”.

 

DRH, good job. I have no idea how to write about Michael Jackson. And your performance will be the most fitting tribute to the man who changed music forever.

JM, thanks for sharing. And yes, this made me love DRH more.

and MJ, thanks for the unforgettable music. Thanks for “Man in the Mirror”, “The Girl is Mine”, “She’s Out of My Life”, “The Way You Make Me Feel”. Thanks for being an influence to musicians who have made me be the way I am. I may have not thought of you lately, but you will always be part of my realm… Say hello to everyone up there for me, will yah?

 

posting this because I think it deserves to be named one of “JM’s Quotable Quotes”

 

First stop of my Visayan Caravan…

Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Made a stop-over at Coron to drop off some divers. Boohoo.

Ate at this place called “Badjao” just outside of Puerto Princesa, and this was where my team and I witnessed the beauty of Palawan.

Then on our way to Narra, we saw this. Awesome, isn’t it?

But of course, it will never beat this.

I love my country… and I’m looking forward in exploring the hidden treasures that nature has to offer.

… and counting.

I’m in Palawan now for work, and will head to some other place in a few days. Not a lot of photos since it’s been a busy trip… and I miss home…