Me, Girlie, Ray, Ed, Steve, and Riss

And lastly....HAPPY 29th BIRTHDAY STEVE!!

Tat on my arm? The alternative is to put one on my lower back (right under an already existing tattoo). Tat on arm or back?

Question 2: What does OPM mean? Original Pinoy Music? My cousins want to send me some OPM stuff and I wasn’t quite sure what it meant. Someone please clarify. Also, what are some good, alternative rock bands in the Philippines that I should try?

Question 3: What does the term 'jologs' mean? I was watching this tagalog talk show on cable and they talking about jologs na pagkain (i.e., adidas, some fried bulaklak-like thing on a stick; etc); jologs na damit (i.e., some t-shirt and acid wash jeans) among other things. I’m taking it to mean “throwback” or “retro” or something to that effect. Again, someone please clarify.

Question 4: Is it too late to be reunited with a former flame? A friend of mine thinks that she’s still in love with an ex. They haven’t been together in years (as in 6 years, I think). They are both in their own respective relationships. Lately, she’s been thinking of the past and how she thinks she should’ve stuck by him. I think it’s too late. Unless he feels the same way. And why rock the boat right? Any thoughts?

Question 5: Should I shell out $600+ to go to a music festival that I KNOW WILL BE KICK-ASS!! Thing is, it’s in Austin, Texas. It's called the Austin City Limits Festival --a three-day music fest that features a slew of bands that I really dig. I know it'll be a fantastic experience! However, going would require me to purchase 1) tickets to the concert (about $110 for a 3-day festival = not bad since there will be over 100 bands); 2) air fare tickets (about $400 after a quick on-line search...ouch!); and 3) a hotel: who knows if there’s still cheap-o motels available at this point? Plus, I'd really like a friend to come with me and I don't anyone who'd be willing to shell out that much dough for me (although I'd offer to pay for the hotel).

Song of the Day:

One Hundred Years by The Cure

• Houston, we have a problem: We have a leak in the house. Specifically, the leak is somewhere behind the shower wall. The hubs and I think the pipe burst or there's some sort of hole in it. Fixing it would require a plumber to tear down the shower wall to get to the pipe, then putting the shower wall back in place. Right now, we can't leave the water on at all. We close the main water valve and only open the valve on a 'per-use basis' which basically sucks. I can't just turn on the water to the dishes or wash my hands. We literally have to go to the basement, turn on the water, use it, then go back and turn off the valve. We've been living with it for about 2 weeks now and are in the process of getting estimates. So far, we think it'll be over $2K to fix. Ye gods.

• The Thin Envelope: My dad got the dreaded "thin envelope" in the mail. He applied to Columbia and Yale for his LL.M degree this past winter and just got word from them that they were not going to accept him. He was quite sad, my mom said. I'm very disappointed for him. My dad wants to pursue an LL.M because one of his retirement goals is to go back to the Philippines and teach law in some sort of capacity. He thinks an LL.M would be helpful in obtaining that goal. His other plan is to start working again with his former boss and be of-counsel to his company. In fact, he just had dinner with them less than a month ago to chat about old times and talk shop. Right now, my dad has his own practice specializing in personal injury and immigration. He used to be a corporate attorney in the Philippines and I think he misses that kind of action (i.e., complex litigation, M&A's, etc.). I think he wants some sort of intellectual stimulation again. I thought for sure that he would get in. My dad is brilliant. He's the kind of attorney I can only hope to be. He had scholarships for both Ateneo (undergrad) and U.P. Law. and worked with the top firms of the Philippines. Perhaps he just wasn't mean to go this year.

• And the band plays on: My bandmate Jesica (singer and rhythm guitarist of the band) is sick. As in she's in the hospital sick. She was admitted to the hospital last Friday (April 22nd) and will continue to be there until early next week. So far, the doctors told her that she has a viral infection that cannot be beat with antibiotics alone. They kept her in there because she is severely dehydrated; is constantly dizzy and nauseated; cannot eat; and has a running fever. She's a trooper though. She wants the band to practice in the hospital! She's been asking her mom to bring her guitar. The doctors were not amused when brought up the idea of giving a free rock concert in the middle of the ward. Hahaha.

• Controller.Controller: Saw the band Controller.Controller last Saturday at the Bowery Ballroom. They opened up for another band called 'Death From Above 1979' who I don't really dig. Controller.Controller was amazing! They had a lot of energy and kept the crowd fully engaged throughout their short set. At the beginning, they announced that they had just lost their guitarist (as in I think he quit) and their van broken into 2 days ago. So they were quite apologetic for the little bit of disorganization. They borrowed the guitarist from the previous opener 'Uncut'. Mid-way, they also had to borrow a snare drum because theirs busted. Even with all the funky things going on, they played a very tight set. Funny thing was that my friend and I just bought some shirts at the merchandise booth. A very nice woman sold us the shirts. To our surprise, the very same woman went up on stage. Apparently, she was the singer of Controller.Controller and we didn't even recognize her! Talk about your faux-pas! But we are fans of the band! Really!