What could have been

The greatest mistake you can make is to be continually fearing you will make one.

 -Elbert Hubbard

I know, right?!

I remember months ago, when I just arrived here, thinking I should be able to make my own mistakes. I know people are trying to help, and of course they just want what's best for me. But it would do them no good to dictate. I'm very, very, very stubborn. And oftentimes I just don't do the things that people want me to. I always want to be in control of my life, my actions and all. It's like, I don't tell you what to say, think or do, so don't tell me what to say, think and do.

I want to make my own mistakes because being the stubborn person that I am, I won't learn until I experience it for myself. Of course, this does not mean every experience. I don't have to be cut by a knife to know that it'll hurt (Though I learned that mistake already). But I'm saying really great things that may end up in failure.

Right now I don't know what I really want. Well actually I do, but I'm not so sure if I can have it. Anyway, I'm exploring my possibilities. I want to discover for myself what I can and cannot do and the only way I can know that is to try the different possibilities.

I don't want to be one of those people who have lots of regrets just because they didn't do the things they wanted to do then. I believe that we're always given choices and it is up to us what we want to do. I don't want to be wondering what could have been.

The birth and death of a day

This was the sight that I woke up to see this morning.

And these are the things that I did during the day

Happy 20th Birthday to me!

Can't take my eyes off you

I have officially fallen in love with Jersey Boys. I really have. I'm listening to their songs over and over again, both from the original Four Seasons and the Broadway's Original Soundtrack. Their songs are now my ear worms. I know that this is just a phase and I've been here lots of times already, with Maroon 5, Taylor Swift and Something Corporate (and that's just naming a few; I just remembered Meteor Garden). And so starts the obsession. I do hope this won't last long though. I think I've been spending too much time on the computer lately. Hence, the four posts in a single week. And it's just the first week of the month! Oh well, I'd absolutely do anything, If I can, to watch Jersey Boys again. From what I've seen in the interviews online, people really do watch it multiple times. And Joseph Leo Bwarie even said that there were those who have watched it 75 times. Now, I don't know if that's true, but it may be highly possible 'cause they still keep on getting great reviews. And there are I think 7 productions all over the world which are currently running. I really, really, really want to see it again. If I can I'd even go to a different city just to watch. I don't even care if it's not the same actors cause I just like the whole play itself, the story and the songs. Of course I wouldn't complain if I get to see again the ones from the first time, they we're fantastic! But their run in DC ends on the 12th and I really doubt I'll be able to watch again by then. I'm crossing my fingers though. You never know. They are the ones who are touring after all, maybe I'll get to see them in a different city.

I'm reading The Color Purple now. It's kind of short so I guess I'll finish if not today then tomorrow. I've been wanting to watch the movie but I've not gotten to it yet. And now while reading the book, the more I want to see the movie. Oh well maybe I'll queue it on Netflix.

This is an excerpt from an article written by Beau Higgins from Broadway World regarding Jersey Boys:

Last night I fell in love with Joseph Leo Bwarie. I am not positive if I fell in love with Mr. Bwarie as Frankie Vallie or the performer himself. No matter, I can't wait to see what he does next. Of course, this would be after witnessing his glorious achievement in Jersey Boys about a dozen more times. He stopped the show more than once and no one in that theater seemed to be able to get enough of the magical spell he kept drawing us into. Smoothly seductive charisma, handsome to look at and a voice that is impossibly magnificent. What a great singer Joseph Leo Bwarie is and how brilliantly he performs in Jersey Boys. Wow! He is beyond sublime and every home should have a Joseph Leo Bwarie in it.


I absolutely feel the same way.

He's just so great. He's a wonderful performer. I would want to see him again even if in a different project. And I've read somewhere that he's gonna be part of the movie Valentine's Day. Well it seems like a nice movie after all, lots of big actors. So I guess he'll be one more reason for me to watch the film. Taylor Swift stars, as well as Taylor Lautner. And Emma Roberts too, from Unfabulous, whom I really like! Anyway, really, Joseph Leo's fantastic, his voice: simply amazing. And like the writer said, seductive charisma and handsome to look at. I have to agree. And he's not tall, so I'm already imagining him singing to me as well. HAHA. Well, he's really not. The real Frankie Valli wasn't as well. And I just realized how much I adore Italians. Al Pacino, Joe Mantegna, Andy Garcia, all from The Godfather franchise. Need I say more? Good thing I took up Italian as a foreign language elective. Though I doubt it would do any good. I'm not sure if Bwarie's Italian though. He looks more Indian to me. I just remembered I kinda saw him up close 'cause after the show they were at the lobby asking for donations, and well he was there, maybe 2, 3 feet away. Also he starred in Princess Diaries 2, a small role I guess, but I'd want to see it again just to watch him. I also watched some of his interviews and he seemed funny. I really hope he is.

I almost forgot, my favorite scene of Bwarie. It goes something like this:

Frankie: But what if they don’t like me as a single?

Bob: What makes you think they liked you before?

Frankie: Fuck you.

Well I guess you had to be there. But really, that scene may just be the moment that I fell in love with him. Haha, it was the way he said "Fuck you", it was great. =))


Well maybe I'd also add this, also from the same article:

The entire ensemble of this show is top notch without a weak leak peeking through. Matt Bailey and Steve Gouveia are simply perfect as THE FOUR SEASON's Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. Creating new levels for that top notch is Josh Franklin as Bob Gaudio. His singing is gorgeous, his looks are gorgeous and his performance is absolutely fetching, charming and engaging. Great, great work, Mr. Franklin.


Indeed, the three were also great. Matt Bailey as Tommy DeVito seemed perfect even though I don't really know the real person. There's just something in his acting that makes it seem all so real. Plus he kind of opened the story, which he did really well. Steve was funny playing Nick Massi. He was from the original Broadway cast so he's been doing this a long time. And it shows. It's like natural to him. Haha I remember this scene when he feels Bob doesn't notice him. He was really funny, he made everyone laugh. His words and expression are just so fitting. Josh Franklin was very charming. I don't know if it's his eyes, but there's just something about him that's really captivating. And I think he really plays the keyboard, which is the same instrument that Bob Gaudio plays, which is great. 'Cause well during the play they also play instruments, and I don't really think he was faking it. If he was then he still did a good job, I was so convinced it was real!

Update:
I just read from another interview, according to Bwarie, "The actors play their own instruments."

Read full article

Really, I could go on all day, heck maybe all week talking about the same topic. And since I have no one to talk to regarding this, I'll just have to pour all these emotions in my blog. It's like even when I try to digress I still end up where I started.

Well, what can I do? I'm obsessed. This too shall pass, as the others have. And if you're reading this, and you're my friend, well you know how I am. This is me.

First day on a brand new planet

*-*-*-*-*

...for the past few days I've talked to three guys. All of whom I used to like like.

And I felt nothing. =)

I've got you under my skin

Last Saturday I watched my first theater play/musical since coming here. It was Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. If you don't think you know them 'cause the names aren't familiar, you might know their songs. I didn't even really know them when it was decided that we were gonna watch. But I just really wanted to see a play/musical, and I knew that it was gonna be great because they've been getting excellent reviews. We watched the matinee, and considering that it was the afternoon, there were A LOT of people. Well, it was Saturday after all. But still, I would've thought that there wouldn't be that much 'cause they would prefer the evening shows. Anyway, I read the play bill and there it mentioned their songs. Though you might not know them, they released some very well-known songs namely, Stay ("Oh won't you stay just a little bit longer"), Big Girls Don't Cry, Sherry ("Sherry, Sherry Baby") Walk Like A Man, and of course one of their big hits, Can't Take My Eyes Off You.

I remember always asking my mother who sang Can't take my eyes off you. And well now I know, and I even found out about the band's history. It was a really, really great show. I know it was my first here so I can't compare it with anything, but I just know that it was great. From the very first performance which was the opening song I was hooked. The actors were fantastic, it starred Joseph Leo Bwarie as Frankie Valli, and Matt Bailey, Steve Gouveia and Josh Franklin as the rest of the Four Seasons. The song numbers were all great, they were all such wonderful singers. The whole production was really, really awesome. I'm running out of superlatives now so I'll just stop the raving right there. But really, it was such a great experience. I'm so happy that the first show I watched here was not a disappointment. I REALLY LOVED IT. As if it wasn't obvious. But really, like I said, we watched Saturday afternoon, and until now, almost a week later, I'm still raving about it, and reading about the band, and downloading their songs. They were a 60's band by the way. And their still touring. The only remaining member from the original is Frankie Valli, and another original member writes the songs. I would looove to watch them someday. And I enjoyed the show so much I also want to see it again!

And I'm looking forward to getting to see more shows. =) *crossing fingers*


I finished reading The Client by John Grisham last night. It was a very suspenseful read, i think it might be my favorite book to date. I'm hoping to watch the movie adaptation too, I just queued it in Netflix.

Good news

THIS WAS MY GREATEST REASON FOR WANTING TO COME HERE.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE LET ME GOOOO.

I WANNA GOOOO!!!

I WANNA WATCH.

I WANNA SEE THEM PLAY.

I REALLY, REALLY DO.


...I don't think I've ever wanted anything so bad.


PLEASE OH PLEASE.


PLEEEASE LET ME GET A JOB...


...so I can save up for my ticket.


PLEASE.

AND IF I DO GET A JOB, PLEASE LET THE PEOPLE CONCERNED PERMIT ME IN GOING.

PLEASE.


THIS WOULD, HANDS DOWN, BE THE MOST AWESOME 20th BIRTHDAY PRESENT.


California,

I shall return.