For the first time in a long time, I've had my music equipment at home to practice and play with. Months na ata eh. They haven't really been home since I joined the band, since we have our own practice space in Makati. I'd just dump all my stuff there - it was more convenient. But, since bringing my bass and amp home nung Monday, I've discovered how much I miss playing along to my speakers hehe. The original intent was to get crucial practice done before the trip to HK. But I didn't just jam along to our tracks --- I practically went through half my playlist revisiting old favorites and even learning songs I barely knew before. Who needs RockBand?! Anyway, I think I'm going to invest in either repairing my small practice amp, or a good set of headphones to hook up to my Zoom. I have a feeling that it'd do me a lot of good.

We're playing at Route 196 this Thursday. We'll be playing and selling new music (but we'll still play Aika, for those who've heard us before haha) and hanging out before we leave the next day for Hong Kong and the gig for HKLive. It's going to be on May 9, Saturday, at the Fringe Club (2 Lower Albert Rd, Central, HK) and with The Sinister Left and Juicyning. Kung may kilala kayo sa HK, lalo na kung pinoy, papuntahin nyo na! Here's the HKLive site, in case you more info is needed.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
I got to help make a full length music album.
I got to go to the NU Rock Awards.
I won at said awards.
I got to meet the musicians I looked up to in the flesh.
I made friends with a band I actually looked up to.
I got to be in said band's music video.
I was made class representative.
I was made batch representative. -_-
I took up double bass.
I got into an orchestra.
I actually got to finish a RPG game.

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any new years' resolutions last year, but as for this year...

for 2009
1.) Expand my musical horizons.
2.) Make my own music, or start something with my own musical direction.
3.) Strive harder in my music courses (SOLFEGE tang ina)

2. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My brother gave birth just today to a beautiful baby girl named Sophia. :D I am now an uncle!

3. Did anyone close to you die?
Nope. I don't think I've ever had someone close to me die.

5. What countries did you visit?
I went to Singapore to visit my brother earlier this year. It was a boring place, but it was great to see him again. :)

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Being in Twin Lobster has definitely opened up a lot of options for me, by exposing me to great music and amazing musicians. For 2009, I hope I can have more drive to make my own kind of music.
While my bass and Zoom pedal is very serviceable, I want better equipment. A better bass and analog pedals would cost a bit, but it'd be worth it.
I also want a car. And to know how to use it.

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 30. It was the first (and I guess last) time I saw the Eraserheads live. Finally, I got to watch the band who my brothers, as well as an entire generation or two, loved.
September 7. Themesongs video shoot. :) I was just happy to help.
October 25. Shirley launch (or Fan's day, as Owel would insist). Because it was a night where some things broke and some things were mended. :)
November 27. The NU Rock Awards. I never imagined it. NEVER.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Standing with Nick and Fred at the NU Rock Awards stage and getting that trophy.
Finishing the Twin Lobster album.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Letting the unfortunate events of October 25 happen the way they did. Somehow, I feel like I could have prevented it if only I'd paid more attention to both sides. I could have been a better mediator if I cared more.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing serious. Just the usual year-end sniffle.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My Barabarakada shirt! :D
My Zoom B2 multieffects pedal. I bought this last Christmas, but I started using it in 2008 and it's worked WONDERS for me and my playing.
Fallout 3. Bam.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Antonette, for putting up with me and even taking me back. :)

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Nothing really comes to mind. If anything, I myself appalled and depressed me. haha

14. Where did most of your money go?
Food. Gigs. Going out.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Finishing the Lobster album, going to the NU Rock Awards, the Shirley video, and every date with Antonette. :D

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
"Themesongs", by Ang Bandang Shirley. :D

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier, and more satisfied. :)
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter. Antonette says I've been gaining weight, and I had a serious lack of exercise for the first time in my life.
iii. richer or poorer? The same. XD Broke, but not quite.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Found time for myself. Read. Practiced music.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Laziness.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent Christmas at home, as always, with my family. We had a really simple noche buena, but it was good. The gifts I got this year were top notch. :)

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Definitely. :)

23. How many one-night stands?
Uh... one. XD

24. What was your favorite TV program?
I don't really watch TV. haha

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Not really. I don't hold grudges for very long.

26. What was the best book you read?
Unfortunately, I didn't get to read as much as I wanted to. :( I can't even remember what I read this year.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Ang Bandang Shirley. Pinback. Musical O.

28. What did you want and got?
I wanted to make the most of my music course, and by shifting majors to double bass, I've taken a significant step in that direction.
Also, a good jacket and a Darth Vader mug.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
"Endo" comes to mind. And "The Dark Knight" and "Iron Man" definitely, since they set new standards for superhero movies.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
My 21st birthday was actually celebrated by friends. haha. Nick and the music people threw a "surprise" party at the Kubo (r.i.p. haay... ). And not long after, I threw a bash at my house that not a lot of people attended (practically music people lang din yun pumunta). Since the three cases of beer I got were hardly touched, I had a lot of baon for the summer.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If JB Music had actually delivered on the "top of the line" equipment they were supposed to give us as a prize for winning College Band of the Year, I'd feel a lot better. Instead, we got a bunch of equipment that seems like they just wanted to get rid of. They should've just given us a giftcheck, so we could pick the equipment ourselves and have gotten the stuff ourselves. haay.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Trucker. XD If the shoes make the man, then I had these really worn hiking shoes that I uh... inherited from a music student who left last school year.

34. What kept you sane?
Antonette, who helped me through hard times even when it was hard for her too. Being busy with various things, which kept me distracted from various things.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hmm. Don't really pay attention to this facet of reality. haha

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Hmm...

37. Who did you miss?
My brother, Carlo. My high school barkada and classmates.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Kathy Gener, who has encouraged me to expand my horizons.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008:
I can't take things for granted. And I have a tendency to do that.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
“Styrosnow! Styrosnow! We believe in styrosnow!” --- Eraserheads

... to enrich his musical landscape. =)

If you have there's a band, or even a particular song, that you think is cool and would like to share with me, please tell me about it by leaving a comment here. I will do my best to find it and listen to it. If you're willing to lend me a CD, I would appreciate that too!