Feeling tired, by the fire
The long day is over

The wind is gone, asleep at dawn
The embers burn on

With no reprise, the sun will rise
The long day is over.

-- Norah Jones, "The Long Day is Over"

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the year comes to a close, and i'm wondering how 2007 can be a potentially good for me. i've had too much (or too little) of the last 360+ days -- nerve-racking, disturbed, melodramatic, monochromatic (take your pick). this wasn't a very good year... though i tell you it went terribly fast. it's like i've slipped through several manholes on fast-forward. but there's no need to sulk! even if i'm the seasonal sourpuss, i'm really grateful for all the good things that has happened to me this '06. i'm glad i have my parents, family and friends who love me (still). i'm blessed to be in a stable situation -- good education, content lifestyle, calm environs. and i'm delighted that even if there are some who thrive on hateful and selfish means to live, there are those who are true examples of universal brotherhood. i'm optimistic for the future. =)

now that i've said my piece, let's get down to business: THE YEARENDER!

i'm now cementing a tradition that happened first in December 2005, since i think it would be pretty apt to end the year in true-blue pop culture fashion (much as i'd like to pass this blog off as charming & quaint... hahaha). here we go again, with much more feeling:

Noteworthy things that happened in 2006:

taking my first MRT ride, and a solo LRT ride

qualifying as an AMV sophomore (that's got to be a highlight)

winning a Jason Mraz cd (yeah, noteworthy enough)

my computer (God bless 'him'), having two 'strokes' in a year

having a little more interest in sports (haha)

uste finally emerging as basketball champs

passing 2nd year, 1st sem

having gathered with friends for more than once (much more in '07, ok?)

'losing it' over losing that cellphone

registering as a first-time voter

Wish to happen in 2007:

try to *still* be a dean's lister... need that 1.58 GPA!

get published in PDI's Youngblood / Seventeen. if not, in AJ or the Varsitarian.

get a summer job - even if it's the only summer job i'll ever have

bring my sense of humor back, and be sociable.

surpass the 'red tide' that is third year

stop acting like a kid. i'll be 20 before i know it.

upgrade this computer -- he's 6+ years old!

become a Somebody... oh yeah!

and now, an extended version of Ellie's Picks:



Favorite Film for '06

Winner -- V for Vendetta
i thoroughly enjoyed this movie, the adaptation stands out on its own against the graphic novel. i love the acting, the witty dialogue, the mask didn't seem to annoy. Natalie Portman's still got sizzle even if she's bald. i also love the soundtrack. and the plot of uprisings and revolutions intrigue me. should we do the same? (plus CNN's Adrian Finighan steals a cameo! hahahaha)

Runner-Up -- The Departed
i'm all for testosterone-driven action, i believe... it's really a dream match of Leo & Matt made in movie heaven (i've always wanted them to work together), and Jack Nicholson's presence is priceless ("This ain't reality tv!!!"). i laughed at the most uneventful parts, going out of the theater in unabashed glee. the sadist in me. ;p
Honorable Mentions -- Casino Royale, The Banquet, Cars, The Prestige

Favorite TV Show for '06

Winner (tie) -- Grey's Anatomy
i've been wanting to talk about this for a long time. i never had the hots for medical dramas (no ER / Chicago Hope recollections), and so i wasn't open to watching this first. but (as we all know) the rocker swings the other side and i'm finally loving this! the surgical residents are such a lovable, kooky group! and well i'm learning some medical stuff from it (bringing back memories of NatSci... heck) ... for the moment i'll leave the technicalities and focus on the stars! i'm still warming up to McDreamy (not my type) and Addison (i don't know why many people find her attractive)... and i would really like George & Izzie together (even if he's crushing on Meredith, and the fact that T.R. admitted he's gay -- forgiven 'coz i like you!). i also think Burke & Cristina make a great couple (he's so decent, she's so smart... what could go wrong? ;p)

Winner (tie) -- Prison Break
started watching the season 1 DVD on Christmas Day, finally finishing it last Friday. i'm eating my words back on Wentworth Miller (who i earlier dismissed only as Mariah Carey's mtv candy)... he is definitely HOT, SMART and SEXY. (^^;;;; ... it was smashing from the first ep! (another classic case of man-oriented mania!) i let myself get drawn to the world of those crazy cells and convicts and it was a wonderful escape (being an operative word). the suspense and the mystery was always there, and i was either screaming / jumping / nail-gritting on many parts. I LOVE PRISON BREAK! why do i have to stop on a cliffhanger??!?
Runners-Up -- Lost (can't wait for Season 3), Amazing Race 10, Discovery Channel's Mythbreakers, Survivor: Cook Islands (three cheers for Yul!)

Favorite Band for '06

Winner -- Muse
how come it took me 12 years to discover such absolutely charming music? i incidentally got acquainted with these lads through their song, "Unintended" sometime in June... and i've been following them since. the three-piece band from Teignmouth, England have been rocking their way to stardom since 1994, and they finally invaded pop's stream of consciousness with "Black Holes and Revelations", their fourth studio album -- starting with "Starlight" (i think it's getting played e-ve-ry-where). as a longtime alt/rock fan, Muse blended naturally with the sounds you usually find in my player... i'm caught in their web, baby. i've discovered a lot of their great songs, such as "Plug in Baby" (i love this!), "Sing for Absolution", "Feeling Good" (yes, a rework of Nina Simone), "Citizen Erased", "Supermassive Black Hole", and the hyper "Knights of Cydonia". i would definitely recommend this anyone who wants some incredible music to blast on their speakers, haha! it won't be long till Muse gets full recognition (their fanbase lies mostly in Britain & Europe, a growing one in the US, and a forming legion in Asia)... maybe someday i'd find bootleg copies of their LPs, who knows? ... i must mention (before i sum this up) that their lead vocalist, Matthew Bellamy = love. *lol*
Runner-Up -- Panic! at the Disco (not much bands caught my attention, hmm)

Other Silly Categories for '06
Favorite Song -- "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol
Favorite Song Lyrics -- "Fidelity" by Regina Spektor
Favorite Sports Personality -- Roger Federer (who else?)
Favorite Music Station -- 103.5 Klite, to w/c i've tuned in for 6 years, RIP. :(
Favorite Rediscovery -- Norah Jones. her 3rd LP, "Not Too Late" hits 1/07!

Time Magazine has chosen the User as the Person of the Year... the user of the Net. let's keep rocking! HAPPY 2007 Y'ALL!

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