I’ve opened Pandora’s Box, and I’ve unleashed a wild animal. What’s in it? I think a description taken straight from the box can explain it better than I can.

Pandora is a music discovery service designed to help you find and enjoy music that you’ll love. It’s powered by the Music Genome Project, the most comprehensive analysis of music ever undertaken. Just tell us one of your favorite songs or artists and we’ll launch a streaming station to explore that part of the music universe.

So, what have I unleashed? Well, I’ve just dug up an old amplifier to hook up to my computer. I haven’t found speakers to wire into the amp yet, but I know where to get them. It looks like my room is going to be filled with the sound of music again. This time though, it won’t be the same old (but great) tracks over and over, but lots of new stuff - based of course, on the same tracks that used to play over and over. On top of this, everything will be playing back louder than ever. I won’t be straining to hear the output of my laptop’s tinny speakers anymore.

What? That’s it? Nope. That’s just the first of many things. I used to have an MP3 collection that spanned several drives. Once I sold off the drives, I obviously lost that. It now looks like I’m going to have to buy new drives again.

What else will I have to buy? Let me see… an external burner (that is, if I don’t replace my laptop), several blank CDs or DVDs, better audio connectors, racks and stands for my equipment, and who-knows-what-else.

I’m in trouble.

Damn that Pandora’s Box.

Memoirs of a Geisha
Rob Marshall
Shangri-La Cinema 1
1900 - 25 February 2006

Filmography links and data courtesy of The Internet Movie Database.

I was shocked when I checked my previous entries. Based on this blog, this is the first film I’ve seen this year. It’s almost March, and I’ve only watched 1 movie?!? If things keep up, I won’t even reach half of my total for last year. I’m suddenly sad.

Drag me to the theaters, please!

Due to recent events, the following showdates of “The Comedy of Errors” have been cancelled:
February 24 (FRI), 7:45 p.m.
February 25 (SAT), 3:00 and 7:00 p.m.

The play’s run will resume next week, with the following playdates set:
March 1 (WED), 7:45 p.m.
March 2 (THU), 7:45 p.m.
March 4 (SAT), 7:00 p.m.

Please wait for announcements on possible extra shows.

Thank you, and for any inquiries, you may contact 0917-8334564.

Marie Puyat
Audience Development & Marketing Officer
Office of Student Affairs - Kultura Desk
University of Asia and the Pacific
637-0912 loc. 380 (telefax) / mpuyat@uap.edu.ph

Another couple of hours have passed and now my mood has swung again. I’ve been ignoring the drama in the streets, but now the drama has reached out to me and stuck its ugly head in front of my face. I thought I had found sanctuary here in my room, but I’ve been proven wrong. I’m now tempted to tune into the news broadcasts on TV.

Once again, though, I’m playing the exhaustion card. I refuse watch the news. I’m tired of hearing about the mess this country is in. I’m tired of people whining and marching in the streets. I’m tired of all the grandstanding, finger-pointing, and mudslinging going in government. I’m just plain tired.

That being said, I will rest once again.

Some 6 hours after my lament on the state of the nation, my attitude has changed considerably. No, I haven’t turned 180 degrees and marched into the streets in protest. I think, instead, I’ve gone sideways and just avoided the whole issue. While the President has declared a State of Emergency, I have entered a state of… well… bliss.

Ignorance, many say, is bliss. I agree. I’ve hopped into my bed; tuned in to American Idol, Scrubs, and whatever entertainment is on the tube; and pretty much tuned out any news of the events (or non-events) in the streets. The frustrations I could barely contain only 6 hours ago are now a distant memory. The nation could fall apart all around me and I wouldn’t have a clue. Whether the city falls into chaos or trudges along like it does everyday, I will just be here, safe in my little, sheltered, world. I’m thankful for the security, but at the same time, I’m appalled by my apathy.

At this point, I should be talking about taking some action - about getting off my butt and stepping out of this cocoon I’ve spun around me. Heck, I should be doing more than talking about it - I should be doing something.

What am I doing?

Being the pathetic being that I am, I am doing nothing. I’m blogging, getting ready to take a nap, and thinking of raiding the refrigerator. I’m irritated by the rumors of a coup d’etat, by the rallies, by the declaration of a state of emergency, and by so many other things - but all I can do is post one entry and say that’s that. Once I’m back in my room, the state of the nation doesn’t matter anymore. Pathetic, isn’t it?

Of course, I could blame my idleness on sheer exhaustion. I could simply say that I’m tired, I’m sleepy, and I’m staying in bed. I could just close my eyes and dream the world away.

I’m doing just that.

This week marks the 10th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution. This week should be met with some celebration and a sense of pride at what we as a nation accompished 10 years ago. Sadly, this isn’t the case.

Many students, I’m sure, are happy that classes have been suspended today. What I find disturbing is the idea that this impromptu holiday is not a celebration of the EDSA Revolution, but rather, a precaution in case another one breaks out. Rumors of a coup d’etat have been swirling around for several days now, and today, the city is on edge. Today, the country’s mood is hardly one of celebration - it is, in fact, quite the opposite. The air today is filled with tension.

I admit - I’m hardly a model of patriotism. This fact notwithstanding, I can’t help but feel bad about today’s events. This is no way to celebrate an anniversary.

Get set. Go!

First show today. I’m not ready. Wish me luck.

Things I am thankful I have now that I’ve been ordered by my doctor to stay in bed: