There are things that you really can’t control. Unlike a computer game in which you can dictate what happens to the little people onscreen, real life isn’t like that. What’s worse is not knowing where your bounds are. It’s disappointing to say the least. When these times happen, I sometimes wonder if I’m thinking straight; or is the little green monster inside me trying to get out.

TITLE: OUT OF MY HANDS - DAVE MATTHEWS BAND

About a week ago, Debbie and I got into a discussion with a couple of blokes (sorry, just finished reading book six of Harry Potter) about the type of people that you meet at bars. One of them said that 95% of the time that the people you meet are dubious. Debbie however pointed out quickly that she met me at a bar and we’re cool up to this day. The friends I go out with right now I’ve met at a bar. So I guess we fall into that 5% of people that aren't scum.

Cris and I were talking about it. I was fascinated by how she comes up with these metaphysical (according to her) anecdotes that seem to apply to various situations in our lives, which made me think. I told her that I’ve found it really nice to see them (Debbie, Margie and Cris) in a different light. To know them away from a bar; I like what I see in them. I see their real characters, their depth. I would never otherwise have seen that had we kept our friendships confined in a bar. No real meaningful conversations or interactions could have been attained.

I’m glad we’ve taken our friendship out of a bar and really hung out (which I’d like to do more often). Otherwise I would not have known these people the way I know them now. Here’s to our future activities and conversations!

TITLE: NICE TO KNOW YOU - INCUBUS

Right now I’m sort of lost. I’m confused as to how far you can worry about a friend and actually do something about it. What’s the line that you don’t cross? Do you have the right to get mad if your advice is not heeded?

I find myself in this position a lot these days. I don’t feel good about it either. After anger I usually feel regret about the actions I took. It’s their life after all; in the end it’s really up to that person to do what is right. So what is my place?

TITLE: MY PLACE - NELLY (FEATURING JAHEIM)

Last Saturday was just fun. Overtone just came from a gig the night before and I was still on a high from our performance. During the day, not much really happened. Helped pick a TV out for my brother (which turned into a nightmare the next day) was probably the most I did while the sun was still out. The night however was totally different.

We had dinner at Margie’s house that night. She was going to serve us her critically acclaimed Lasagna. I picked up some bread before heading over and Tito brought wine. Getting to her house at Bel-air, we were introduced to her brother and mom, and then moved to the terrace. As usual, when dinner is set at 7:30 everyone arrives an hour late.

As Debbie arrived we started for the pasta. That’s good eatin’! We brought the Cajon down from the car soon after and jammed a bit. There was already a guitar which Debbie automatically gravitated to. She learned to play “Bilibid” by Craig Davis and the New Waves. Sadrina arrived and helped in the song selections. Everyone was singing, didn’t matter what the songs were. Margie eventually picked Cris up and we were finally complete. Oh wait! I forgot about Jay. The girls were texting him through my phone trying to convince him to come over, to no avail. His loss.

As the night got late, we all had to leave…and head to Capone’s. There we got blue drinks for everyone and headed straight to the front of the stage where Nino’s band was playing. That night I did a first. I jammed on guitar. The songs I played were only Craig Davis songs but I enjoyed the heck out of it.

Since the drum kit was out I had to play. I moved to the kit and jammed. Cris went over to the Cajon and played along (on the wrong side of the box at that). Tito alternated playing bass and singing, sometimes doing both at the same time. The last thing we performed was a jazz/funk jam which I got to stretch out a bit. I did a drum solo, something I don’t normally do anymore. I was just feeling it. I closed my eyes then my hands and feet went into automatic. That was fun jamming with Derek, Miks and Raul.

Tito and I had to leave because he was pretty smashed. We left Capone’s with Cris and Debbie still there. I had no worries leaving ahead of them (for once). Even better was that Cris phoned me that she was home and that Debbie was on her way home; more assurance that they were both safe. For me, that’s a beautiful day. After the past few days of worrying and stressing over other things, this was just fun. We should do it again.

TITLE: HAKUNA MATATA - ERNIE SABELLA, JASON WEAVER, JOSEPH WILLIAMS AND NATAN LANE

Electric Lemonade, currently the drink of choice when we hang out at Capone’s. It’s more commonly known as “the blue drink”. Someone saw me with a glass and commented that anything blue can’t be natural. How right he was. These babies have everything in it. Don’t be fooled by the smooth and refreshing taste when you drink it. It kicks like a mule. According to Danny (the drink's creator) it’s more potent than a Weng-weng. I kind of believe him.

I have been trying to analyze the effects of this drink on people and have come to a theory. The drink amplifies or emphasizes feelings you are experiencing at the moment. Example: if you’re happy, you become really happy; you’re depressed, you become really depressed; your paranoid and mad, you become really paranoid and mad (guilty!).

What’s the point of this post you ask? I’d like to consider this as my own public service announcement to all those who partake of this excellent but potentially dangerous cocktail. Think before ordering an Electric Lemonade and be sure of yourself before you take it.

TITLE: BLUER THAN BLUE - MICHAEL JOHNSON

A wise person told me that yesterday, and you know what? She's right. I've been too busy looking at all the glitches that are going on around me, that I've totally missed the point on the good that I already have. I've acted so neurotic these past few days it's pathetic. I have so much to be happy and thankful for.

Cris, you trully are wise. And to all my other friends who've put some sense back into my head, thanks!

TITLE: THANK U - ALANIS MORISSETTE

Friendster is taunting me. I checked my account today, and you know how it has your horoscope for the day on it? Well this is what mine read....

What’s happening to me? I wasn’t like this you know? For quite sometime I’ve been as carefree and as laid back as any person would like to be. Now I’m an overprotective, overreacting, paranoid idiot. Chill man! Take a Ritalin.

TITLE: SICK OF MYSELF - MATTHEW SWEET

Ok. Remember my post titled "Master of Puppets"? Well I got myself in a situation where I think my actions have affected someone. Mainly because I over reacted and it wasn't my place to react in the first place. I should just shut up. I can only apologize and learn from it. I should listen to my gut more when it senses trouble. I'll be fading into the background for a while.

TITLE: DISAPPEAR - INXS

I'm severely sleep deprived. I'm cranky because of it (well mostly because of it). Sleep didn't go to well this morning. It was very shallow. I was going in and out of consciousness. Eventually I just decided to get up. Dang these thoughts! Must lay off the blue drinks.

TITLE: VOICES INSIDE MY HEAD - THE POLICE

You control your own life. No one else does. No one is responsible for it but you. This hits me at this time in the morning. I’m blasted and just got home from Capone’s where I’ve had one too many of those blue drinks (Electric Lemonade).

No matter how much you pine about a certain situation you or a friend is in, it falls to whoever is in that situation to fix his/her plight. I for one am guilty of putting myself in situations I shouldn’t be in. You can actually see the effect on me sometimes. There are friends who are always there to help you when they see you in situations that may be detrimental to your sanity. But in the end it really is up to you to either follow or disregard whatever advice they give you. Sometimes it doesn’t take a friend at all to tell you that what your getting into is trouble. It may be as simple as your own conscience talking to you. If you don’t listen to your conscience/friend, then the consequences are only yours to deal with.

Unfortunately a lot of times we disregard what little sense we have and we do the wrong or hurtful thing. When that happens, we must only look at ourselves and say “This is wrong. Stop it.” If we ignore all advice then we must realize it is our own doing.

If I can help it, I'm staying away from Capone's on weekends. I can avoid a lot of things that way. Now I should go to bed.

TITLE: MASTER OF PUPPETS - METALLICA

I have too many things in my head right now. Woke up early today (as I told Margie, I’m the only band member dumb enough to wake up at 9AM) with my thoughts going into overdrive. Don’t you wish you could just turn them on or off when you wanted to?

TITLE: WINDMILLS OF MY MIND - JOSE FELICIANO

For Overtone’s second year anniversary at Yaku, we along with a couple of our close friends booked a unit at the Somerset Salcedo (where Yaku is located) where we planned to get blasted and party till we drop. This was Margie’s idea (thanks Margie!).

From afternoon till late evening we were there in our unit just hanging out. The place was nice (at least before we moved in). It had two bedrooms and a common area, and a kitchen. We watched a lot of Jack TV, and later in the evening put on Euro Trip for Debbie to see. Dinner was Chinese take out from Singkit. Chips all around, chocolates, booze, you name it.

Cris came over and commented how it just felt natural for all of us to live together. Just like in Friends (technically they don’t, but you get the idea). Naturally I wondered who was who? They decided that I was Ross. Why? Jay was unanimously voted as Joey. Margie says she’s so Monica. Cris said she’s Rachel. Which leaves only two more characters for Debbie and Tito; Phoebe and Chandler respectively. So who are Sadrina and Caco?

If you think about it, the night did play out like one of the episodes. There definitely was comedy. There was a lot of drama too. At one point in the night it was all drama. One by one people started breaking down to cry for one reason or another. In retrospect, that was funny.

We’re planning our next episode. Most likely out of town. Let’s see how that pans out.

On a side note, you know how many guys would kill to have exchanged places with Jay, Tito and Me?

TITLE: I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU - THE REMBRANDTS

Two years. Two exciting and memorable years. That’s how long Overtone has performed at Yaku. We celebrated that occasion last Thursday and it felt great to see so many people pack the small place that once nobody frequented. Yaku is Overtone’s home base. No matter where else you might see us. It has been good to us and has never stopped believing in us. For that I am grateful. Here’s to more Yaku Thursday’s to come!

TITLE: LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU - ROBBIE WILLIAMS

When we go out and get drunk, we sometimes say a lot of things we aren’t aware of. Most of the time it’s hilarious banter; but there are times when a little alcohol can make you say things you think or feel deep down inside. I’m guessing that your subconscious is more “conscious” when you’re intoxicated. Alcohol I guess works as a sort-of truth serum. You’re mind is less guarded and you let one or two things from inside slip.

TITLE: MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE - THE POLICE

After a sleepless night of partying (and a wonderful breakfast c/o Margie), Tito and I had a TV gig to do. We did the greedy thing and took a 9AM session for a GMA 7 show called “Mobile Kusina”. We were to back Wendell Ramos up as he sang a Janno Gibbs song called “Fallin’” (which is now stuck in my head).

After waiting hours for the rest of the cast to show up, we did a single take (at around 12:30PM mind you) under a tree near the Manila Bay. Three hours of waiting for two minutes of work. At least it paid well. I must say we performed quite admirably. The show will air on the 15th of this month at 10:30AM, on GMA 7. Check it out (dig the Hawaiian threads).

TITLE: FALLIN' - JANNO GIBBS

Have you ever felt useless? Wanting to help out but don’t know how? You just stand aside and let others better than you or whose help is more welcome than yours just take over. I’ve been feeling that lately.

TITLE: WHEN YOU CRY - VERTICAL HORIZON