1990s Music & Memories

Ever since I commented on this World Wide Ed blog, I've been clicking around YouTube listening to all the music from that era. I suppose despite my old soul and love for all genres of music, the 1990s were my growing up years.

Those were the days when summer vacation lasted an eternity. It was when somehow, seemingly overnight, a guy you've known since hanabata days became something more. It's when you rocked different colored slouchy socks, hairsprayed the living hell out of your bangs to make the perfect wave and had to get your jeans ripped just so. It was when you had your first crush and first kiss. It's when you watched Beverly Hills 90210 and Party of Five religiously and listened to stuff like this:



or this:



Is it completely sad that I know all the words to both songs? Wait, don't bother answering that.

It's not that I think this music is the epitome of discerning tastes. In fact, I competely admit that it's not. There is a ton of music (even in this era) that is way better than this pop candy. However, it is the music that most reminds me of my childhood.

When I hear this music, I think of how young and innocent we all were back then. Even the lyrics to these songs are so naive . . . or is that just the cynicism I've developed over the years?

Listening to this stuff makes me realize how sterile today's music is. There's no emotion, even from the emo crowd. You can't feel the same angst that you could in the '90s. The R&B songs were the best back then. Despite being sorta mass produced, at least they still seemed like they had a soul. Once the boy bands of the late '90s gained popularity, there was no stopping the slide into mediocre and then lodging in just plain horrible.

Can it be possible that I'm already having flashbacks and reminiscing at my age? LOL These slo jams really take me back.

Another Reason Why I Love Country Music

Here's another reason why I love country music. It's all about the sad love songs, the heartache and heart break. Can anything get better (or worse, depending on your point of view) than this? Lee Ann Womack's voice is just so haunting and the lyrics are so bittersweet but honest. Country music is about real life and real people. It's not about the bling, private jets or flashy clothes. It's simply about love. Sometimes things turn out good. Other times they don't.

Pack It Up, Pack It In

Well, not exactly House of Pain, but I'm packed and ready for Vegas. Megabucks, here I come! I think I've definitely overpacked though. The weather in Vegas is supposed to range from the 30s to 50s so compared to Hawaii, this is freezing! I packed a gazillion sweaters and jackets, tights and pants. I'm only in Vegas for about 4 days but I have about a week or more worth of clothes. I don't know if the weather will be super cold so I also have some thinner pieces, in case layering is enough. I don't know how mainland folks can live this way. Must be nice for shoppers.

YouTubing the Night Away

Why am I up at 1:15 a.m. when I have to go to work in several hours? Well, at first it started out as well-intentioned research for JET. I was watching videos made by a girl (intro2the1) who has been in Japan on JET for over a year now. She's got a channel called Dear Life Japan, and it's pretty insightful stuff about basic things in Japan. I like that it's not only about her school life. She also covers issues in real life, cultural differences and even societal topics like abortion and suicide. It's really good stuff.

Now, for about the past hour or so, I've been listening to David Choi's videos. The boy can sing man. Gotta support the Asian talents out there, right? I came across this video he made of his grandparents and uncle singing a Korean folk song. I have no clue what they're saying, but they sound good to me. They are so cute, especially his grandmother. Here's the video:

Halloween 2009 in Waikiki

I just got back from cruisin' the streets of Waikiki to get a glimpse at cool Halloween costumes. I'm sad to report that there wasn't a lot of originality out there. Most of the stuff I saw was store-bought crap that wasn't very original.

This year there seemed to be some very popular costumes. Must've been on sale somewhere yeah? The costumes seen most frequently for 2009 are:
1. Mickey and/or Minnie Mouse
2. Sexy fairies
3. Prisoners
4. Guys in drag

There were also a lot of bees and pirates too, so I guess they get honorable mention.

The cutest costume goes to this little kid in a cop outfit (Click on the photos to enlarge). His parents were dressed up as his prisoners. Now ain't that the truth? LOL



A really cool costume was of the Egyptian god Anubis. I'm pretty sure it was bought and not made though. Awesome costume either way.



I also saw a vacationing Jack, a vengeful Ronald and a box of fries enjoying a night on the town.







Another theme tonight was matching couples. Not the most original idea in the world but still popular. Here's Mario and Luigi, Mario and the Princess and Superman and Wonder Woman. Yes, Superman is definitely checking out Wonder Woman's rack.







In addition to all the general chaos that is Halloween in Waiks, the street performers and religious freaks were out in force. There was a guy who made a glass ball float with some kind of Criss Angel-ish action, a group of Hare Krishna-like folks singing and banging on drums and the Jesus freaks spouting off about the damnation of the world. Pretty typical for a Halloween night.







One of the funniest costumes I came across was two guys wearing a Saturday Night Live "Dick in a Box" costume. I've seen this done before, but it's still a good laugh. Here's the SNL video and below it is the Halloween picture. What makes this funnier is that there's a guy who cut in front of me while I was trying to take the photo. It looks like he's checking out the packages, if you know what I mean LOL




Overall, this was a very eventful night. Lots of fun was had. Lots of walking was done. Good times people, good times.

A Waltz For A Night

I have always believed that I was a cynic . . . either that or very firmly planted on the side of realism. But I just watched Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, and find that I may have misjudged myself entirely for a majority of my life.

It is shocking to uncover, so late in the game, that I am a closet romantic. Yeah, I know. It's a trip. But the films moved me to tears, and that can only happen if I'm a romantic. I saw myself in the characters. It felt like I had lived their lives. Maybe I had . . . a lifetime ago . . . but it feels so real now watching these movies.

The minimalist nature of the two films captured me. The experiences these two strangers had and shared with one another were moving. The transient nature of their relationship contrasted with the deep impact of it is utterly bittersweet. The beauty in the mundane is also significant - as much to me as a viewer as it is to them. There is something strangely poignant about their separation and reunion that reaches into my very core.

Don't Let The Bastards Keep You Down

You ever feel like throwing shit around, ripping stuff up and then stomping outta the room? Felt like that today at work.

Today, I officially hate my job.

It has now become extremely taxing for me to get up every morning to drag my ass to work. Of course, I'm too responsible to just not show up, but I daydream about it sometimes. I daydream about hitting my boss upside the head like Gibbs does to Tony on NCIS. I daydream about flipping him the bird. I daydream about telling him he's a big, fat weiny!

Not only does my boss suck like a Dirt Devil on crack, he's so annoying that my eyeballs feel as though they're becoming dislodged from all the rolling they're doing. I can, at this point in time, admit to fully hating him. And that is not a statement I make lightly. It's not something I say about everyone who pisses me off. Just the special ones.

I really feel like he ruined my weekend. Despite it being Friday and not having to see him till Monday, I still feel irkatated by the mere thought of him. I feel like screaming because I'm just so frustrated with him and my life. I mean, I'm a good person. What did I do to get stuck with him as a boss? It's like a jail sentence I tell you.

I will seriously begin to think about my future and where I want to do with my life. I don't know if I can stick it out for much longer at this job, and he is too young to retire, so the choice is clear at this point. It is either him or me, and damn it, I choose me!

Maybe I can transfer to another department? Maybe I can find a new job? Maybe I really will apply for the Peace Corps or to teach ESL overseas? God, being a continent away sounds so good right about now.

In any case, I'll have to settle for the simple joy of listening to this song.

You're My Exception

I just got through watching He's Just Not That Into You and have to say I'm a complete 'tard. Yeah, this is a romantic comedy but it really isn't. I mean, there wasn't a lot of that ooey gooey love stuff and yet I still feel all mushy inside. I'll even admit to a pathetic-sounding whimper and a sigh but don't let that get out.

In a less than stellar imitation of Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire (I know Cruise didn't say these exact three words but they're three words nevertheless), Justin Long whips out this line:

"You're my exception . . . ."

Ok, ok, I guess the impact isn't the same unless you've seen the film and are a complete 'tard like me. But, these three simple words got me thinking about whether or not I'm the exception or the rule to this thing called love.

More and more people are waiting till later in life to settle down, so maybe my singledom is the rule these days. But will there ever be a time when the need to be in a relationship will arise sharply and I'll want to be the exception? If I wait too long, will all the chances pass me by leaving me without exceptions? Will there be a time when love becomes the rule and not the exception? Is this love thing something I should actively be pursuing, like the Gigi character in the film, regardless of if it's the exception or the rule?

So now what's a girl to do? It seems as though there are fewer and fewer options out there to find love in our island home. Case in point, the increase in online dating, speed dating and even a male auction (yes, for charity but still). I can only assume that as I get older, these opportunities will all but shrivel up and disappear.

But the things we'll do for love have absurdly increased over the years and almost do not seem natural anymore. Is that what it takes to find love? Putting yourself out there and letting it all hang loose - is that the exception or the rule?

Also, with the odds seriously skewed toward divorce it's hard to even consider marriage as a viable option these day. According to divorcerate.org, studies reveal the divorce rate in America for first marriages is 41%, second marriages is 60% and third marriages is 73%. With those kinds of odds, should marriage even be in the picture? Maybe love is all you need?



But, of course, this brings us back to the question of where do you find love? Is finding love the exception or the rule? Is online dating and speed dating the exception or the rule? Is even meeting a suitable companion the exception or the rule? Is the active pursuit for love the way to go or do you just wait for it to happen? Exception or rule?

Even after all of this, I'd stil like someone to tell me that I'm his exception to the rule.

San Francisco Blues

At some point in the not-to-distant near future, I want to move to San Francisco. I really don't know what it is about the place, but I took to it instantly. Somehow, it doesn't seem like a big city even though it is. Maybe it's because there are so many tight-knit neighborhoods that it creates a small town feel? Maybe it's the fact that SF is only 49 square miles big? Who knows, but there's some kind of magic going on there that I'd love to discover even more.

One of the biggest things that I'm worried about is finding a place to stay. The rent there is outrageous. Who ever heard of paying so much and not owning it? I picked up one of these fliers that I found in a residential area. It shows a sampling of what it takes to make it in SF. Man, can I really make it with prices like this?

The other huge factor that is weighing me down is finding a job in the city. Sure, I can always move and take temporary jobs or work part time here and there. But that definitely wouldn't be ideal. A full-time job that I enjoy is definitely where it's at.

It doesn't help that I'm a planner by nature or nurture, whatever the case may be. I like to have several options available should the best-case scenario fall through. I don't like to jump into things. This could be seen as a positive or a negative. It'd be a plus because I always look at all outcomes before making a decision. However, this anal behavior can also hinder progress at times. It slows you down when you constantly need to think things through.

Another thing that's crossed my mind lately is the idea of becoming a full-time traveler. And before you laugh, there really is such a thing. Just read this. I think it would be so amazing to do what Nora Dunn did - retire at 30 and travel the world.

But as soon as I start thinking about all the possibilities, my anal self says, "whoa nelly!" Who up and quits their job at 30 and wanders the world? What sane person does that? What about a successful career? What about climbing the corporate ladder? Hell, what about medical insurance? You don't get that being a full-time traveler I'll bet.

So things are stil up in the air. Especially in these current economic times, I think it'd be unwise to make any drastic moves. But if I wait too long, I feel like life may just pass me by. It's so frustrating.

Here's a vid of Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars" set in the city. The vid has some great shots of Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach. Somehow the song and the scenery are really calming to me.

Cool Vids about Love

I thought I'd go with non-traditional love songs for Valentine's Day 2009.

Sam Hart's "Mario Kart Love Song" is so geeky sweet that it's hard not to love it to death!

Chad Doucette's "Love Sick Love Song" has some great lyrics. It's a great anti-Valentine's Day love song.

David Choi professes his love for YouTube in "YouTube (A Love Song)."

Tom Milsom's "Internet Love Song" is just cool because he's playing the uke!

Rhett and Link's "I Want to Believe," an X-Files love song, ponders a more Earthly love between Scully and Mulder.

Legaci Update - Original Singers

Here's the original singers of the songs sung by Legaci in my last post. Compare the two and see who you like better.

Bryan McKnight - "6, 8, 12"

112 - "Cupid"

Best Valentine's Day Music - Legaci

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I thought I'd check out some love songs courtesy of YouTube. You will not believe the talent I found. Check out this group called Legaci. I'm diggin' on them.

They remind me of all the old school groups from back when I was growing up - Boyz II Men, Shai, UNV, etc. Man, those were the days. Does that make me sound old?

You can't find too many of these soulful groups nowadays. Yeah, there are soloist but they're not the same. And yeah, for the most part, boy bands are out (although I don't know what the New Kids on the Block are trying to do with their comeback attempt), but somehow I don't think of the R&B groups from the 80s and 90s as boy bands.

Check out the music:

"Ready for Love"


"6, 8, 12"


"Cupid"


I also wanted to mention that one of their singers (Del) does his own five-part harmony. Crazy beautiful, don't you think? Perfect for V-Day.

My New Lyrical Love - Ron Pope

I was futting around on Myspace checking out the new music and came across a new artist named Ron Pope. I don't know if it's his music, voice, lyrics or my recent optimistic belief in fairy tales, but I think I've just found my newest lyrical love. *sigh* I could listen to him sing all day and feel content.



He seems to be one of those soulful singer/songwriter types. He's a cross between Bryan Adams, John Mayer and Jason Mraz. His songs and his voice just seem so real and believable to me. It's not something manufactured by the studios. It's not simply a marketing ploy to rake in the money and fame. It's just pure expression of emotions. I like the melodies - simple but soothing somehow.



Here's his bio off his website (think it's the same on his Myspace):

Bio
Where should I start…these stories, my music, it comes from all the places I’ve been, the people I’ve been blessed to play music along side, the way it feels to play my guitar until it bleeds or to bang on that old piano in my living room until my shoulders ache and my fingers won’t move anymore.From Georgia to New York, New York to the road; Charleston and Memphis, Vermont to Chicago. Turned 21, then 22…released my first record with The District…Maine and Boston and who knows where else…made love in the grass and meant it…walked down Wilshire, blinking in the Los Angeles sun… got lost in Delaware scrambling to get home to my family after too much time…swam in the ocean with the boys, thanking God for purple and orange Florida sunrises. Soaked up New Orleans…tried to become Levon Helm; realized I wasn’t much of a drummer……turned 23. Wrote A Drop In The Ocean with Zach Berkman and then put it away for six months because I didn’t get it…fell in love…drank whiskey from the bottle and howled at the moon…released Last Call…played the blues back-to-back with Buz in Charlotte and just about everywhere else along that godforsaken highway…the van broke down…we fixed it…the van broke down again. Got lost heading to South Carolina and ended up in Alabama…fell out of love and hit my head on the way towards the bottom…turned 24…made a Christmas album, because, damn it, I like Christmas albums. Played big rooms…played small rooms …listened to Van Morrison and cried…listened to trains scream somewhere off in the distance on ink-black sleepless nights… I traced the outline of a woman’s face on a piece of paper; someone I loved and didn’t want to forget once we’d put the whole thing to bed. The picture didn’t turn out the way I’d hoped, so I took my ink-stained fingers and spelled her name out in big, smeared letters on my arm. I guess that’s all I’ve ever really had…my words. This music is the story of where I’ve been, who I am, and where I’m going…these songs are my life.



How could you not fall in love with this guy after reading his bio and hearing his songs? He sounds so honest, so real. It's almost like he's pure - you know, before the labels, money and fame get to him. Hopefully he's able to hang on to some of that purity because I predict he'll hit the mainstream real soon.

To assist him in his musical journey, I "demanded" that he come to Honolulu on Eventful. I was the first but probably not the last. If you're feeling the vibe too, demand Ron Pope and bring him to the islands.

View all Honolulu events on Eventful

Kinetsu Hayabusa and Other Characters

Last weekend I re-watched a teen flick called She's the Man starring Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum. As I was watching it, I realized that the actor playing Amanda's boyfriend was also the same dude in Step Up 2 The Streets. (I realize what I am admiting to by revealing that I've watched both of these movies, but for now give me the benefit of the doubt will ya?)

Because I'm really bad with names and faces, I got a kick out of actually recognizing the guy - his name is Robert James Hoffman III, by the way. Because I thought it was interesting that this guy was a great dancer as well as not bad looking, I've spent the past couple of days obsessing over him. I'm not saying that I've done any stalkerish behavior, but I have been enjoying his extracurricular activities immensely.

Besides being a killer dancer and choreographer, the guy is a comic genius. I dare say that his homemade vids are better than his dancing and possibly even his acting in major motion pictures.

One of the characters he plays is Kinetsu Hayabusa, the urban ninja. He's dressed in full-on ninja regalia and does all kinds of martial arts in the middle of the city.



Another one of his short films is called "Soulmate." It is totally hilarious because the premise is that he falls in love with himself. You gotta check this out!


Ok, here's the last sample of his genius. It's called "Dancer Face."


Ok, so what's my point? This guy has obviously found his Paradise. He turned his love for dance into a career. This dancing career has led him to acting. (He's in another film coming out in July 2009 called They Came from Upstairs.) He's produced a grip load of hysterical short films that are blowing up YouTube.

So this guy is showing us that it's definitely possible to take something fun that you enjoy doing and turn it into a lifestyle that supports you. Now don't we all wish we could find something like this?

Never Underestimate WoW Geeks

I guess this just proves you should never underestimate geeks with some time on their hands. This is the funniest stuff I've seen in a while, and there were so many I couldn't even decide which ones I liked best. Oh, and just so you know, "Internet is for Porn" contains R-rated lyrics for you young'uns. Enjoy!

Internet is for Porn
Check out the dancing. It's hilarious! There are actually tons of versions of this thing - Sesame Street, Harry Potter, South Park, etc. I found this one to be the most funny.


I'm Too Sexy
They even got the 80s pelvic thrust down.


Baywatch
Is the big guy supposed to be David Hasselhoff?


We Will Rock You
Great sync between the audio and visual.


Hips Don't Lie
It really does look like Shakira!

Chinese Backstreet Boys

Just thought I'd share this hilarious vid of Asian kids lip singing to the Backstreet Boys' "I Want It That Way."

The New Generation's Sweet Okole

A friend of mine emailed me these old school vids of The New Generation. I don't particularly remember either of these songs or the group, for that matter.

These vids bring it way back into the late '80s-early '90s. Check out the New Edition/New Kids on the Block dance moves! Nice! Also love the background beats and that shrill "Insane in the Brain" sound. Can you believe the clothes? I especially remember the overalls (one up/one down look) and plaid. How can you not love these throw backs?

"Sweet Okole"


"Make This Dream Real"