2.22.2012

Microwaveable Popcorn

I was having lunch yesterday at Charlie's Burger in Ortigas (delicious burger btw) when the music in the restaurant played early 2000 music, particularly Matchbox 20 and Third Eye Blind. I was suddenly brought back in time when I worked in Singapore.

When evening came I frantically searched the other bedroom like a mad pirate searching for treasure. I was afraid that it got lost (or given away) when the house was being renovated. Finally, inside a plain white plastic bag at the upper rightmost section of the cabinet, I found it.

There it was.

My Minidisc player.

I bought it in Sim Lim Singapore back in 2001 when I worked there. I immediately looked for that prized minidisc. I labeled it back then so that I won't forget: Microwaveable Popcorn Live in Singapore, Dec. 20, 2001.

Listening to it brought me back to a time when, believe it or not, I was playing guitar for a 3-man band led by long-time schoolmate Cyrel who provided vocals and bass guitar. Joenil completed our small gang with his perfect drum playing. Together, we were the Microwaveable Popcorn.

It was great to listen to the songs we recorded in one of the studios there in Singapore. I was away from my family and the missus (who was then my girlfriend) so the band was a welcome release from being homesick. I felt that, even though we were just confined to playing in the studios, I was a rock star with my Fender Squire Strat and ZOOM guitar effect gadget.

After the MD finished playing, I put in my "Unplugged" MD. Then, when Grohl's Foo Fighters played "Times Like These," I remembered how much I loved listening (and playing) to these songs.

It was like 2001 all over again.


2.16.2012

RealShip - Valentine's Day Cruise



When the missus and I started going out years ago, we experienced hopping onto one of those Manila Bay tour boats docked in the CCP area. For P50.00 per head, we were able to go around the bay and watched the sunset. It was one of those spur of the moment rides that we still fondly recall even today.

Fast forward to 2012, happily married and with two children, the missus and I have found a perfect and upgraded version of that tour boat, which we've made to a tradition for 3 of the past 4 Valentine's days.

Realship, with offices in the CCP docking area, came up with an ingenious way for couples to celebrate Valentine's Day. An intimate ship cruise with a 5-course meal.

This year, food was handled by Bizu, which we could say was very delicious (read: 10 HOUR ROASTED US BEEF on the main course!).



Aside from the food, the cruise is the one that sets this dinner apart. The ship sails from the CCP dock to the coastlines along Roxas blvd (near H2O Hotel) and up to MOA and back.

With a piano and violin duet, the sunset and Manila skyline as the backdrop, this Valentine's day dinner is definitely something that the missus and I will come back to every year.