Ok. I think I’ve confirmed it. My playing drums is connected to the attitude I have at that particular moment. Let me explain that. As my last entry stated, I’ve been feeling pretty bad-tempered recently, yet my drumming has been fantastic. Well, last night I decided to let go of my crabbiness and I felt good. My drumming totally tanked though.

Tito said that I should have a “star” mode. That’s where I’m detached from people and for the most part “diva” like. I should get into that right before a gig so I’d play well. I noticed before that when I’m angry I play better (be it drums or badminton). Maybe the dark side of the force is stronger?

I really hope that’s not the case. I don’t want to resort to being less friendly for the sake of playing. The dark side isn’t more powerful, it’s just the quicker path to power.

TITLE: SUPERSTAR - USHER

I know I promised to update you on all the festivities this season has brought but, I’m not done partying yet, so no updates on that. In the meantime, I’m writing something more for me than anything else.

You see, my blog is lets me take a step away from myself and see my thoughts, my actions, my feelings from a third person perspective. That way when I need insight I can look at things from a bigger picture. Kinda like Professor Dumbledore’s Pensieve in the Harry Potter world.

You see these past few days I’ve been, for a lack of a better term, not myself. I’m irritable, impatient, moody, sometimes downright mean. I have different thoughts arguing among themselves inside my head. For the longest time I’ve felt rather at peace, so why all of a sudden the shake up? I don’t feel good about it too. Maybe all the alcohol has taken a toll on my psyche? God knows I’ve downed my fair share this season. Whatever it is I better figure out what exactly is the matter. It’s driving me nuts.

On the upside though is that my drumming has been kicking ass lately. Maybe the “disturbed” mental state is inversely proportional to my playing skill. I’m giving it a few days for it to go away on its own. Otherwise I’ll have to have a serious chat with the mirror.

TITLE: INTROSPECTRE – DEPECHE MODE

Merry Christmas everyone!

I’ll give you an update on what I did during the break when I’m finished partying!

TITLE: THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR – IN MEMORY

I’m talking music here; I hate the blues. Wait, let me quantify that. I hate jamming the blues. I hate listening to others jam the blues. I get bored. Not to mention I think that it’s an excuse to jam with never ending solos. I’m encountering more and more people (not musicians) asking to jam the “slow” blues which I hate the most.

There was one time long ago that I was with Debbie, and we watched these guys jam the slow blues on stage. I told her “You can make your own lyrics up to these things and it will sound ok. Give me a topic and I’ll do it.” Being the bastard that I am, I did. We were just laughing. Thing is, this isn’t going to stop anytime soon. I can appreciate a good blues; something with structure, with meaning, with direction. These people that jam at Capone’s unfortunately don’t have any.

TITLE: BLUE NOISE – MASSIMI PADOVANI

Did nothing this afternoon but fix and upload pictures to my multiply account. At least now there’s something in it. Funny thing with the pictures, there are a lot of them I don’t remember taking or being taken. I guess that’s the price you pay when you drink too much.

TITLE: TAKE A PICTURE - FILTER

I know that my last post was already about helping you, my friends, find something for me this Christmas, but I found a better list for you guys. It’s even longer so you have more choices on what to get me. See? I love all of you that much!

MAKE ME HAPPY!!!

TITLE: THE GIFT – JIM BRICKMAN

Since I love all of you friends of mine so much, I will make it easy for you to find me a gift for Christmas. Simply click on the link below and take your pick. I will be happy with any of your choices (ignore the last category).

SHOW ME LOVE!!!

TITLE: ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS – JOHN WAITE

Last Friday was a really different gig. Overtone was in Eastwood to play for the K-Lite Christmas show. K-Lite knowing how whacked (or good) we are, they assigned us to play a whole set of Christmas songs.

Overtone rarely turns down a challenge. In typical Overtone style, we did the Christmas songs our own way. This was almost a disaster from the start. We had to study songs left and right. We put in more practice than any other show. Probably our most stressful gig (counting of course the planning and the practicing). We treated it like a show; even changing instruments just to get the right feel.

Come show time, the stage was wet from the rain but people were still there. We started with a punk rock version of “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”. I think we drove a few people away with that. Most of our songs were punk. The few that weren’t were mellow, almost original renditions. Debbie didn’t seem to like them (she said it was like hearing “Green Day” trying to sing a “Cold Play” song). I thought they were fine. Then again, I’m biased.

Thank God that’s over. We barely survived that one. It was fun though. I got to practice a few drum techniques I would never have had we not taken this gig. After the show Debbie and I headed to Capone’s; a drink was in order.

TITLE: YULE SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT – FALL OUT BOY

I find it so ironic that a lot of the people I see at Capone’s try to show themselves off as people they aren’t. Take for example the guys that come on before we play there every Tuesday, the Top Dogs.

For those of you lucky enough not to know the Top Dogs, they record their podcast in Capone’s. They dedicate their show to “getting the guy laid the fastest way possible” (actually that’s easy, pay for it). They call themselves dogs and they truly act like it. The irony there is after their show, particularly towards the end of the night, look at each of the hosts (their butt ugly yes I know). They’re all alone. What happened to all that wit of getting the chicks? Losers!

Same goes for posers. Trying to act all cool, trying to show “I’m the shit”, but c’mon; if you have to work hard to be cool then you aren’t. Losers!

People that talk about others behind their back. They badmouth people saying all sorts of things when in fact; it’s them that really did what they said. Losers!

Oh well! These people inhabit the place that I spend more time in than I do at home. I know some of these people are the people I keep company with. Sad isn’t it? Does that also make me a loser?

TITLE: LOSER - BECK

Finally! After two months of waiting, PLDT re-connected my DSL last Friday. For those of you who didn’t know, I’ve gone sans broadband since we transferred to my new house last September. I’ve been living on dialup all this time (hence the lack of blog updates). I’ve got to make up lost time; so many things to download. Got to go!

TITLE: CONNECTED – STEREO MC’S