Boyz II Men Fan 

One with the Boyz

#71: Yes, I'm a BoyzIIMen Fan

It was a problem first and foremost of wrong understanding of the target market. Then of wrong product mix. Then of lousy execution. Then of low awareness.

My brother just got home from the concert of BoyzIIMen and felt the need to share with me his disappointment over the way the events company, "Spooky Entertainment" handled the whole project.(#1. Who the heck calls their company, "Spooky?")

I am a die-hard BoyzIIMen fan and while admittedly, they're no longer at the peak of their careers, I am still a devoted follower of their song releases and a major believer in their talent. No other group of black Americans have been able to produce such effortless harmony and seamless interpretation of old and new songs after them. None. I will continue to refuse to refer to them as a boy band lest they be relegated to the level of lip-synching pretty boys who are not necessarily in this for the love of music but for the quick buck and flashbulbs; and will always be affected whenever there's news that they might break up or altogether abandon the music scene... or any negative news for that matter.

For two consecutive years, I watched their Valentine concerts and hoped that by singing loudly the lyrics that I knew by heart, I could somehow let them know that I'm supporting them all the way. Last year, when people started to stand up and leave even before their last song was over, I felt indignation rising up inside me. Of course it was 12:30am and some of the people in the audience haven't even had their Valentine dinners but come on, leaving in droves before the end of the act will always be rude, insulting and downright heartless.

This year, I didn't even know they were coming. The events company did an extremely poor job of publicizing the event. I found out afterwards that there was a solitary billboard with an awful awful layout. And that was already the breadth and depth of the organizer's "advertising."

The opening act was pathetic. You're talking about Starstruck's Yasmin forgetting her cue to come in and then forgetting a full verse of her song. Rainier? Why throw someone who has absolutely no talent to get the crowd in the mood for such a talented bunch??? It's like feeding someone poison as appetizer so you could make them enjoy their entrees better.

The venue was sad. The stage was borrowed from a cheesy noontime show and the backdrop was reminiscent of your good old barrio fiesta singing contest. The set designer who was assigned to do it either did it while he was on drugs, or was on drugs so he ended up asking some artistically-challenged person to do it for him.

Only 1/3 of the seats were occupied. It pained my brother to see the spotlight falling on empty chairs. He's a die-hard fan too and all the time, he was thinking of what levels of disappointment could possibly be going through BoyzIIMen's minds.

The crowd, however, was made up of true-blue BoyzIIMen followers. Whatever was lacking in terms of the implementation & execution of those spooky events organizers, the fans made up for in the intensity of their participation. They sang loudly, waved their hands wildly and poured their hearts out to convey to the group what they wouldn't know otherwise given the gray turnout of events:

"We love you guys! Keep the music playing."

Jus & Vier's Wedding

The married couple flanked by the unmarried ones. 

Long-lost Daughters  

Wedding Divas 

Re Union

#70: A Night of Old and News

Sitting in Nuvo with the gold vintage dress I specifically bought for Justine and Vier's wedding was awkwardly comforting. I ordered Ginger Ale. Hardly the thing you order in such a place but I don't drink alcohol. And the Ginger Ale matches my dress.

I spent the night with a lot of people I haven't seen in a long time, and to some degree, I felt at home in a setting of semi-strangers. These were people I once knew. Now we share nothing but laughter over the mundane. I guess for tonight that's about enough. The undercurrent of the past can convincingly be ignored just this time.

The bride shone brighter than the pearls sewn on her lace dress. Her groom's smile would drive you nuts. These two, I deeply cherish. I would've been willing to sit alone for hours in an empty room or in the midst of a sea of strangers just to witness their exchange of vows.

I play with the ice in my ale and smile at the picture of old faces creating new connections. And of old connections taking on new forms. And of my dress matching my drink.

Photo Oz

Hungry Jack 

Spectrum 

Taronga Zoo: Child & Chimp 

Manly Beach  

Sydney Noon 

Rough Ride

#69: Who loves Roller Coasters now?

I read about an 8-year old boy who told his mom that he didn't want to be happy because his experience has taught him that every time he's happy, 15 minutes after, something bad happens. (Take note: his observation spans all of 8 years and has brought his conclusion down to a level of accuracy measured in minutes.) His mom gave him a toy helicopter and asked, "So how do you feel now?" He goes, "I'm happy!" Then he frowns, "But I'm trying hard not to be."

Last Friday, we had such a fabulous company-wide display of commitment towards making Coca-Cola great again. Drum-beating, balloon-flying, awe-inspiring. Then yesterday, our Marketing Head announced his resignation. This is the guy who sold the idea of working for Coke to me so well that by the time our interview was done, the deal was practically sealed in my head and I was already imagining myself walking along Coca-Cola's corridors.

So, on top of not reporting to the actual direct boss who hired me, the Marketing Director who gave me his seal of approval and called me "our Christmas gift" is also now gone.

And so the roller coaster ride goes on. I guess the dust will never really settle for me here.

Maybe I don't love roller coasters so much after all.

Breathe Again

#68: Waiting to Exhale

Her short shallow breaths indicated either anticipation or weariness. Her eyes fell on the slow-blinking lights of a bar across the highway and she released a sad sigh. It was definitely weariness. Tired of today. Maybe of the last three months. Maybe of the last three years.

She had spent 2 hours listening to him explain. Things would be better, he said. She nodded while her mind flew. His words sounded right but none of them reached her. She gave an empty smile as his hollow words rang in her ears. Yes, they'll be better. But not with you.

She will leave. Leave the life that has curdled. A deep breath. And then hope.