Decline

    Are you going towards a decline? Or to be appropriate, a dick line.

    There was this tweet from a Taylor Swift fan recently (as most of us know by now Taylor Swift is one o the positive news we're all lucky to have this year, new music!). Anyway, the tweet showed a series of photos shot by her lover, Joe Alwyn, with the caption "Taylor Swift shot by Joe Alwyn".

    At first glance, what did you think were the contents of the tweet?

    A. Shot pertained to the act of shooting a gun;

    B. Shot pertained to the act of having photos, whether portraits or     not;

    C. A glass of liquor, preferably wine; or

    D. The lovebirds became the newest NBA stars enlisted to help an     aging star have a "shot" at the title (Did you see what I did there?)

    Some fans were scared, thinking that the songwriter was shot in a morbid context. Anyway, the correct context of the tweet was definitely letter B. That's the beauty of the English language, or whatever language there is. It can not be defined by a solitary set of words and thoughts. 

    Case in point, the word "shot" can have five different meanings and without going deep into the context, you'd surely get lost.

    With words like these, it's quite often that puns are born out of the premise of having words be spelled and spoken the sway despite having completely different meanings. Most of the time, puns revolving around dark humor are laughable because the reality is the opposite of the prepared joke. However, come to think if the table is to be turned?

    I didn't think that I'd need to think about it until this morning when I woke up to the news of  a mother and son shot by a policeman. Shot. Dead.

    The medium's not a digital nor an analogue camera, but a 9-mm Beretta. The only pictures that emerged from the event where documentation and the mugshot of the suspect. 

    This development, or  decline, (as WatchMojo would often do referring to "Dishonorable Mentions") had an impact to someone who has always been fond of puns and literary contortions. I would never look at that specific joke I mentioned at the start. I could only hope that Justice would wipe her glasses so she could clearly see how justice would have to be served. It just had to be served because a decline like this manifested by taking lives in a cold-blooded manner would never be something that should be taken lightly.

    

    Something needs to be done. It's one of those instances wherein we could safely say that humanity had taken a couple of steps back from evolution. For a moment, we're back at the early moments of this thing they called "Survival of the Fittest".

    Let's take those steps back towards the right path. Avoid a dick line.

This Year's End

    There's only two weeks left on a year that has got to be one of the memorable ones, but for all the wrong reasons.

    The year we're still in feels like a lengthy thriller TV series stretched into 12 seasons (for the 12 months), complete with different conflicts for each month and with the main storyline that is the global pandemic. This is not to romanticize the negative effects of whatever that has happened to everyone globally which would include, but not be limited to health and economical disruptions.

    However, one good thing we can all hold on to are the very words that kicked off a triple album for George Harrison immediately after being a Beatle: All Things Must Pass. All things, whether good or bad, will ultimately breathe its final breath and bid farewell to the world. The only distinguishing factor between the two will have to depend on whether the send off will bring relief or separation anxiety.

Which one would you choose if you were to know when your time's going to be?

    Nah, don't think about it because in reality, nobody can really tell when our own clocks will tick their final tocks. What's certain is that time will always be running ahead of us. Tick-tock, tick-tock.

    Another takeaway that we call all embrace, since we are now in the final chapter of this year, let's recognize the fact that we won't last longer than a season without being strong and keeping our minds sane. That's a reason more than enough to call for an extended Thanksgiving and recognition of all necessary efforts and adjustments.

    As this year takes its final days, year-end countdowns will surely come our way. This leads me to my final note for this entry:

    You've come this far, don't let this year end turning you into a last-minute entry for the countdowns.

10 Elton John Songs Playing On Repeat

As I've written a few posts ago, I just watched the Sir Elton John biopic, "Rocket Man" due to the lengthy lockdown we have been having due to the Coronavirus scare.

Not only was I given the chance of viewing the film, I also had the chance of being introduced to other Elton John songs I haven't really given any attention before. 

Here are other Elton John and Bernie Taupin masterpieces I've completely been under the influence of during the past few days. 

1. Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me

I first heard this song on Elton John's Live Aid performance with George Michael, and again on the Music for Montserrat concert. 

2. Tiny Dancer

3. Crocodile Rock

4. The Bitch Is Back

5. I Want Love

6. Saturday's Night Alright (For Fighting) 

7. I'm Gonna Love Me Again

8. Rocket Man

9. We All Fall In Love Sometimes

10. I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues

MOVIE REVIEW: Through Night and Day

As hopeless romantics, we have been yearning for a love that would last a lifetime, one that would go on through days and nights of romance with the one you love. 

"Through Night and Day" promotional poster for Netflix streaming from Twitter.com

Filipino movie, "Through Night and Day", gave us a love story so watchable you could finish it in one sitting. It won't take you a whole day and night to satisfyingly finish the movie, with the tearjerking romance of Ben and Jen.

The film started off smoothly, a typical opening scene for a love story. Ben asked for Jen's hand in marriage after serenading her in front of a huge local bar crowd. Jen gladly accepted the proposal and the marriage planning was on.

Part of the marriage planning was them going to Iceland for both a vacation and a chance for their prenup photo ops. During this stretch of the film, the struggles of dealing with your significant other were shown effectively. There was Ben's annoyance of Jen's indecisiveness, while for Jen, there was Ben's short temper. The film proved to be prophetic when it said that you would really get to know someone when you're just by yourselves, like when you're traveling.

However, the tragedy of the film was only beginning by then. The persistent misunderstandings of the two led to a break up while they were about to head home, during Jen's favorite time of the day on her favorite place.

Years went on and they were apart with new lives. It was revealed that Ben's got a new fiancée, while Jen's got a new problem to deal with - a disease that would eventually get the better of her by the end of the film.

The events of the third part of the film weren't about resolutions but about redemptions instead. Upon knowing about Jen's sickness, Ben reached out to her by making time to make up for lost chances they should've had, had they not broken up. Ultimately, Jen's exit was ushered through a sunset moment with Ben - a much better sunset moment that would take the place of the tragic sunset moment they had back in Iceland. 

The best bit of the film for me was when they were both lectured about love and long-term relationships from their parents. Compromise, patience, and respect should always be important elements of a relationship. Love alone couldn't do the trick. 

Taking the First Step

It has been four months since the first lockdown in Manila. With that, I've yet to have my hair cut until today. After weeks of debating with myself regarding whether or not I should have my hair cut, I finally decided to do it today.

With the new normal due to the pandemic, it'd be very surprising to still see barbershop scenarios like these. (From Facebook.com)

It wasn't easy. Since I was a kid, I wanted a longer hairstyle, one that I could slip onto the back of my ears, one that could hide my ears. School regulations didn't allow me to try having that. So when I graduated, I saw that as a chance to sport that long hairstyle, except that I had lost my silky smooth straight hair I used to have when I was a kid. Also, the Coronavirus scare was not ready to leave us yet.

My curly wavy hairstyle got me through my licensure exam last year. Now, it got me through the first four months of the Coronavirus lockdown. 

Not like last year, I was motivated and eager to do what I had to do because I knew I wouldn't ace my licensure exam without doing the essentials.

However, things were different during the past four months. I procrastinated and used the pandemic era as a reason to not strive the same. way I did last year. I was neglecting my side hustles, my writing, and further development in my profession.

For some reason, I thought that cutting my hair would be the first step in beating down this procrastinating season I've been having. Cutting my hair would mean I would no longer be accepting mediocrity in my outside appearance. Lousy hairstyles sometimes could reflect a lousy lifestyle in any aspect. 

Just as I am now back on track with my hair, I hope to also be back on track with regards to my eagerness and drive for further improvement in my professional career, passion, and character. 

It's a work in progress, but it will never start without taking that first step.

MOVIE REVIEW: Rocketman

Due to the extensive community quarantine, we have been having, I finally had the chance to watch "Rocketman", the Elton John biopic, on a Saturday night. 

"Rocketman" movie poster starring Taron Egerton as Sir Elton John from Forbes.com

After "Bohemian Rhapsody", the Freddie Mercury biopic, received mostly positive reviews from critics and fans, came another biopic of a music legend. This time it was the biopic of Sir Elton John, a world-renowned musician responsible for hits such as "Your Song", "Skyline Pigeon", and "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" among many other songs that he and composer Bernie Taupin have contributed to the music industry for more than half of a century.

The film was not exactly what I expected it would be. It was more of a (A) musical film rather than a (B) film filled with musical numbers. I don't know how to better distinguish the two other than explaining what differentiates A from B.

Take for example the movie "Sing Street". This movie featured an up-and-coming band in the era of the New Wave trying to make their entry in the music scene. The musical numbers were stitched into the narrative and the band was shown playing their instruments that accompanied the songs. To cut it short, there were no multiple narratives in one song number, no characters were dancing to the songs as if they were in a musical play. That would be B.

Otherwise, it would be A, which was what "Rocketman" was. And I thought it helped in telling a complicated story easier and it also helped to squeeze in storylines in the time allotted for the movie.

What differs "Rocketman" from "Bohemian Rhapsody" was the timeline considered for the main characters, Elton John and Freddie Mercury respectively. "Bohemian Rhapsody" opted to have the Live Aid performance as the conclusion of the film. That made it hard to squeeze in 15 years, more or less, worth of backstory to cover the rise of Queen. This also created the solution of stating a false story with regards to the timeline of Freddie Mercury's illness, just to make up for a good comeback story of the band via Live Aid.

As for "Rocketman", it had a good set up for the conclusion right from the start. We already knew Elton John was seeking the help of a support group, making the conflict present already in the beginning. What we didn't know were his reasons for reaching out to the support group. And these reasons were presented afterward. It was also a good choice not to make the conclusion in any way linked to Elton John's Live Aid performance, which was also one of the best performances from the event.

As for the accuracy of the movie's events, I couldn't react to the matter because I haven't checked about it. Although I have been listening to Elton John since I was a kid, I had not been into the details of his life outside his music.

With regard to the acting, Taron Egerton made a very good job of playing Elton John. What made viewers convinced that he was playing Elton John was the acting primarily. The looks and outside appearance were just confirmations that he was indeed Reggie Dwight.

With all these biopic films being made, especially with the rumors for the David Bowie one, I'd really be expecting a Live Aid documentary/film someday. Tall order though.

On an additional note, it was really inspiring to see the songwriting relationship between Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It was amazing to know that the song's words and music were written separately but were still a perfect fit when bound together. 

The best day of the week to watch this film? How about Saturday night? Why so? 

"Saturday's night alright for fighting, get a little action in!" 

Canceled Era

This year has not been going smoothly ever since it took off from where the previous year left.

There have been numerous calamities, whether caused by man or by multiple forces of nature. As of writing, a lot has changed with the way most inhabitants of this world live since I last posted here.

However, it was not until March when the larger portion of my country started taking things seriously. Among other dilemmas that this year has faced so far, it has been the Coronavirus pandemic that has impacted the countrywide enough that every single thing has been canceled or on lockdown. 

Events and gatherings that would require physical human contact had been canceled. No more concert tours from our favorite artists. No more movie screenings in theaters. Bond 25, No Time To Die, was postponed again at a later date (November 2020). The NBA season was canceled along with other sporting events scheduled in 2020. All forms of entertainment, recreation, and cultural activities were either canceled or postponed to a later date. Even schools and most works were also stopped due to the outbreak. 

We really are now in the "Canceled Era". This is a term that has been surfacing social networking sites referring to people who are being judged and canceled by other people due to their actions, beliefs, culture, among other criteria that social media jurors are looking at. However, the big change here is that in this "Cancelled Era", the one being canceled is the life we used to live. Basically, everything that you had planned to do in 2020 when you were having New Year wishes back in 2019 would have to be postponed to 2021, or by the end of the year if we'd be all lucky and blessed. 

It's said that every single day, at least 17 million people celebrate his or her birthday.  With over a hundred days done for this year, that would have to be a lot of celebrants who had wished for this thing to be stopped and be controlled finally.

If I could, and if it does matter, I would give 10 of my future birthday wishes just to give this Coronavirus a blasting send-off, one that would make it rethink about ever coming back in the next century.

But in reality, well-wishers don't really do much aside from boosting the morale of those who actually do the significant things. These are the frontliners who risk their lives trying to save and help save everyone in whatever way they are willing to do. If not for them, we'd all be just added figures to this virus' death toll. THANK YOU!

In line with that, well-wishers (that's us who are not actually doing frontliner duties) could still helpand actually contribute to the send off the frontliners have been setting up for this virus. 

How?

A famous line I've heard for a number of times goes like this, "If you cannot find a solution, make yourself the solution." But I want to change it up a bit to this: If you cannot be a part of the solution, do not be a part of the problem.

We should try our very best to be not part of the problem that the frontliners have already been facing. The problem has been overwhelming for them to handle and it would not help them one bit if we would still be loitering around, or not doing the safety precautions that trusted health experts have laid out to the general public.

It would be best to stay informed regarding the developments made in the battle against the virus because the battle would never go according to plan if there would be misinformation present.

Stay updated. 
Stay at home. 
Stay healthy and safe!