What makes a man who he is? Is it the worst things he’s ever done, or the best things he wants to be? When you find yourself in the middle of your life and you’re nowhere near of where you were going, how do you find the way from the person you’ve become to the one you know you could have been? - Allie Keys (Steven Spielberg’s Taken, 2002)
I don’t know about you, but I sometimes wonder how else I could’ve turned out - personally and professionally - if I have made different choices in life. Like if I had been bolder or more self-assured early on, would I have been more successful in my career? And what kind of career? Would I have had my own family - husband and growing children - by now? Or would I have been traveling places and getting enriching life experiences, or could I have had become that adult woman who sits in front of her house all day, smoking cheap macanudo cigars while ogling my neighbors’ bigger houses and shiny cars?
It’s sometimes fun to speculate and dissect which littlest step could’ve possibly turned our fortune around if we only were a bit more attentive and perceptive and wise. But it’s never good to have regrets, especially ones that go deep, because those will only make us unhappy. I’m not an authority here - or in anything for that matter - but I do believe that there is not much point in dwelling in the past, except for letting what’s in them to teach us and guide us moving forward. As the cliche goes, you can’t change the past. Can you?
Another Monday, another start of the week for most of the working population. So how are your plans for this week shaping up? Mine’s quite hectic, the highlight of which would be sending my sister to the airport on Saturday - she’ll be migrating to Canada (*sob*) to finally live with her husband.
So our mom’s staying with us to help my sis pack her stuff, and I really need to make a quick run to the grocery to buy some supplies like toiletries - I’d love to buy some bulk shea butter lotion - foodstuffs, and all that, and I have a lot of other things on my plate workwise, so fingers crossed I hope I’ll get to accomplish much of the most important stuff.
So let’s get started then, shall we? Here I am sending the blogverse all my best wishes for this week. And for those that will follow.
So, much of the Internet is abuzz yesterday with the release of the new operating system for Apple computers — OS X Lion. Since my Macbook Pro is just under a year old, I only have come to know Mac OS X Snow Leopard (earlier versions are Cheetah, Puma, Jaguar, Panther, Tiger, Leopard), and what can I say but the experience has been nothing like I’ve ever had before, being a Windows user my entire computing life. I was discussing this with my sister a few days ago - I think it’s true that the cost of buying Apple products may not be justifiable for most uses, considering that you’ll get Windows-based laptops and PCs at half or more than half the price for almost the same hardware specifications. If you only need a computer for basic typing, e-mailing, or Internet browsing, then sure, a Macbook is not a lot more than a style upgrade. But I’m talking not just about outward style (i.e., looks), but also applications style - the best I can describe is that if you have an iPhone, which basically functions as well as your old Nokia or Sony Ericsson phone, but somehow there is that a little bit extra, something quite amazing that makes you love it a lot more than any of your old phones … I don’t even have an iPhone, but using a Macbook and an iPad gives me an idea. Ok, well, maybe I’ve been brand-brainwashed. That’s why I’m upgrading to Lion on the eve of it’s release without even giving it much thought. It’s new tech, not urban clothing; how can I ever go wrong with that?
I was watching the video of Andre Agassi’s ITF Hall of Fame induction speech, and what caught my attention the most is when he quoted Nelson Mandela - from their personal conversation when they met once. I already know why he professed to hate tennis early in his life and now is thankful for it for everything that he now holds dear in life. I already know how his tyrannical father ruled his life but they are now at peace and he’s even thanked him for always telling him what to do when he was young. I already know how he describes tennis as the loneliest sport out there but how he makes analogies about every struggle, every strategy, every match to be a teacher of many things about how to deal with life itself. I already know how much he loves and adores his wife and children.
You only have to listen to him talk to see all these (starts at 10:11):
But what he said at the end, that Mandela told him that “There is difficulty in all human journeys. But there is nobility in just being a journeyer,” is something that stayed with me because I’ve always believed in that, although maybe not in those exact words. He told his children and all the children of earth to take this world that their parents are leaving them with and not just live it but improve on it. Inspiring stuff.
Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf are among my favorite people I only see on TV. Although it was their sport that shoved them to the spotlight (which is not a bad thing; looking at Steffi now in her 40s makes me want to look for diet pills that work and spend hours and hours at the gym), it is their humanity, and especially to me their success in surpassing their personal limitations by having perseverance, a lot of hard work, and a not just a little grand passion, that makes them such great role models. If I can take something from that, it makes me think that my own journey is not futile, regardless if my own achievements, milestones, and recognitions are far too miniscule in comparison. You cannot be everything, but you will always be a part of something. I can only hope that I can keep myself in the good parts and almost always contribute positively.
So you loved F.R.I.E.N.D.S? Maybe you’ve heard “Monica” has moved from New York to Florida and is now called “Jules”? Well, not really, but Courtney Cox’s new character in this unfortunately titled but brilliant show is as lovable and hilarious as one of our favorite “friends.”
It took me a while to try watching an episode of Cougar Town, and yes because of that title, but continuously reading rave reviews and pleasant words about it finally convinced me. And, boy, didn’t I love it! It’s like I grew up watching that other show and in now served with a more adult but equally funny version. I say that because Cougar Town is not really about what the title suggests; it’s about friendships, family, and of course finding love. Still not convinced? Do I need to drag you with rud tire chains just to make you watch? Or can I just tell you that this show will NOT tell you it’s bad to drink wine all the time when you’re with your friends? Yeah, that’s how I convinced my sister, and now she’s trying to convince her own friends to watch as well.
We all live such elaborate lives
Playing games we can’t all win
The moment I realized that Atlantis Productions is staging AIDA, I know there is no way I will not watch it. With the musical score written by Elton John and Tim Rice (The Lion King), the original Broadway cast’s recorded soundtrack is one of those I can recommend to any one who appreciates love songs and emotional tunes. It’s definitely more accessible than the lyrics and score of my other favorite showtunes such as Rent and The Last Five Years.
Well, in not so many words, I loved the local interpretation! It’s not perfect, with technical glitches (even a couple of errant deliveries from actors) and all, but the powerhouse casting of Ima Castro and Rachel Alejandro is something I’ve been missing from other musicals I recently watched that left me wanting for much more (West Side Story, Spring Awakening). I don’t care much for choreography, blocking, orchestrations, and all those other stuff; I just want the leads to move me enough to appreciate even more material I already love. Nothing can replace the experience and efficiency of these veterans in almost every aspect of performance, but especially Ima (Aida) sings so beautifully I wish I didn’t watch the closing show so I can do a repeat. Rachel (Amneris) is a very engaging presence on stage, with perfect comedic timing she’ll knock you down with an emotional punch without you realizing the shift. Myke Salomon, first time I heard of him and heard him (sing), was a revelation. He fits the role and rocked it. All in all, a Sunday well spent. Sorry about baptism invitations from invitationbox.com I ignored.
Just a couple of clips from the original cast (promotional videos):
