The Shed People: Jik-Jik

Full Name: Jake Espiritu
Birthday: January something 1988
Hobbies: Singing, Drinking, Busting Balls, Fixing Computer, Embarrassing me, and others..
Music: Foo Fighters, Mudvayne.. grunge and alternative

The first time I met this person was the year of late 2004. I think that was October or November. It's also the first time I went to the "hang-out" place. That's the shed. We love that place. That's all the greatest memories of friendship begun. It's located near the university that we used to study to.

Where were we? Oh yes the first time I met this guy. My first impression was "what the hell"! I don't like him. He talk too much. He even embarrassed me in front of the others. He was mocking me about my height but look at him. He's short as well. I want to smack him in the face that very moment. Anyway, I didn't like him the first day. The days came and I became to know him. That's his personality. Oh boy! We came close. He was like my boyfriend that time even though he has girlfriend. Well his girlfriend doesn't mind anyway. I'm their "ate", but she didn't call me ate. There is that one time that another friend of ours, that's Mike. Since I don't have a boyfriend they are acting like ones. They even have names for me. I think Jake calls me Gulaman. I can't remember it. He loves Foo Fighters so much coz he looks like him. He always play Everlong in his guitar. No one plays it better than him. His facial hair will grow in just three days. He would shave everyday yet it will grow back immediately. I call him werewolf. We call him a lot of names.. Jewish, Dave Growl, and others just because the hair on his face. By the way we call him "jik-jik" because of how his mother call him. He was crying while watching "Hachicko A Dog Story," yes I was there. One more thing we did go to the same school when he was in prep and I was in grade school. We just checked out the yearbook. Now that's destiny of becoming as friends. He would give me fare everytime I don't have money. He's the most gentleman I've ever met. He would hug me long enough when we don't see each other that much. I would hold his arm everytime we cross road or he would put his hands around me while walking and they thought he's my boyfriend but not. He laughs so loud. He's got the initiative to do things. He's got leadership skills. I love he's cooking. He's speaks like a true American together with Aaron, and Paolo. They become racist and we laugh hard.

Yes he's the one with mic

The first time we went to their house was his birthday. January of 2005. That was one hell of a party. We were so crazy and drunk that we were slamming without a band, just the radio playing and the music was the first album of Paramore. Can you imagine that! He's drunk. We all are. His place where everyone could get drunk and be noisy. His place is where we can act as we are. No pretensions, just the real us. That place was memorable too. I remembered one time that we had this talk and I was crying. He said the nastiest things but they're true and comforting. He's straightforward you know. Everytime I talk to him he tells me something comforting. This is one smart guy. There a lot of things I want to tell you about him. I guess these are just some. I miss talking and keeps busting me everytime we would see each other. I hope he will not read this.

Disconnect! Nuff Said!

There is one thing I hate the most with people who are holding their cellphones. They are with someone, yet they keep texting or checking facebook and other social media sites. Isn't not better if the communication is real like you can see the reaction and feelings of people in front of you. Texting too much can disconnect you from what you can really see. I just want to suck the lives out of them or cut their heads off! Better yet get their cellphones and stomp it hard until it crushes. I don't mean to be brutal. I just hate people like them. My friends aren't like that, when we spend time together no ones texting except for occasionals if there is someone missing. We sing, we connect with each other not with the cellphone. We really talk a lot. I'll tell you more about them next time. One by one, you'll like them. Come on there is a real world other than texting and chatting. Sometimes you really need to disconnect to appreciate the beauty of what's around you. They're to much engage in what they are seeing on the internet, that it's better you see them real. You use the cellphone so that you can see each other in person. You use the cellphone so that you could be with that someone.

For instance photos of travel, it's nice if you want to check out the place yourself. Ride a bus, feel the wind towards your face. Take photos or write in in your journal. You don't just want you seeing photos in your friend's account right. Go and travel my friend. It's nice to be away from technology sometimes. Meet real people. Not talking about your favorite band in texting. I tell you it's better if you engage in real communication. It feels good. One more texting can lead you not to improve your vocabulary and spelling. I am not against texting. I am against too much texting you forget you are with someone. There's always something better to say than "How are you?" everytime you send a text message. Nuff said!

I am not mad. I am just stating what I have observed. Love more your cellphone than real human being. You should marry your cellphone. Smile everyone!

Dear Letters

In this world where technology rules, e-mailing, texting, chatting and Facebook is on the top of communication list and writing a letter is so obsolete but for me it's still on. Letters are real and you are able to know the person through their penmanship. It shows their emotions by how their letters change from big to small ones. Letters are an intimate way of showing how you fall in love. It shows how the flow of words as the relationship of the ink and paper  synchronizes as your hand works the it's way from the top to the bottom. Sweet words getting through your brain as if you're writing poetry. Try it the Shakespeare way at times but it's better if you can write whatever you feel in simple and direct way. Letters were sent to Simone de Beauvoir by Jean-Paul Sartre were romantic and honest. He sends letter to her twice a week. His letters show his tender side and how he depends his life to her. How about the letters of Jane Austen to her sister Cassandra Austen on what's happening to her and their family in the country describes what life she's having.

Never forget the traditional way of keeping in touch. It lets you become creative and spontaneous. I've kept those small notes that my classmates gave me when I was in highschool. I've kept those letters my aunt set me when were still using snail mail just to know how they are in Spain. She describes the country as I let my imagination works. I would rather have letters as a gift to me other than material things. I'd rather have those words in a piece of paper and memorize what's written in it and I'll recite it. I'd rather keep those letters in treasure box and let my children read it. I love to write letters in books and in small papers.

Letters are among the most significant memorial a person can leave behind them.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart.  ~Phyllis Theroux

Versions and More Versions

Soundtrack for today: Meg and Dia
Album: Here, Here and Here

Today was listening to cover versions of different artists day. It was fun listening to them as "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon and "Heartless" by Kanye West are now my two favorite cover songs from different artists. They have their own versions of the songs that make it haunting and emotional.

Let's start with "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon. My favorite lines are "I'm been roaming around, I was looking down and all I see, painted faces fill the places I can't reach.” This song is about being alone and how the loneliness takes over one person and needing for someone just to feel the emptiness. You can feel the vocalist loneliness as he sang it.

You know that I could use somebody, you know that I can use somebody." It's a sad song that catches everybody's attention. The first version that I've heard of this song was from Paramore. Their version was done in an acoustic way in the poppy voice of Haley Williams, then the version of Bat For Lashes. She’s an English musician. She used her own unique way in interpreting this song. She played the organ with her eerily and soft voice makes you goose bumps. She’s like a singing ghost but you just want her to finish the song. Pixie Lott’s cover was also in acoustic but with a diva vibe. She used strong and higher notes. She’s also an English singer. Laura Jansen sung it in a sad way with her indie roots while playing the piano makes you want to cry. Her voice is beautiful and sad when she sang it. Now my favorite version of the song was performed by Matisyahu.  A jewish reggae singer, beat boxer and rapper. He sang it smoothly but you can still hear his reggae-ish way as he beat box at the end. I also like the version of Bat For Lashes because it’s like air that’s passing to my body. There is still a bunch of cover of this song. These are just some.

The next song is called “Heartless” by Kanye West. I am not a fan of Kanye West but when I saw the video and the lyrics. I like it, no I love the song. It’s a heartbreaking song about a girl who doesn’t give a damn about the feeling of this guy. My favorite lines: “In the night I hear ‘em talk, the coldest story ever told, somewhere far along this road, he lost his soul, to a woman so heartless. How could you be heartless.”

The Fray’s version of the song is nice. It’s as if the vocals are crying. You can feel the emotions in every word. Their version of the video is far better than Kanye West, no offense to him. William Fitzsimmons cover is more smooth and slow like the voice of Iron and Wine, in an indie way. He’s an American singer-songwriter. How about an aggressive version of the song which was covered by the band The Word Alive? It’s from a compilation of Punk Goes Pop. There are more screaming, screeching of guitars and double pedal drums. Their version is in a fast pace. People who listen to aggressive music may want to check this out and you can bang your head off. Rock on! An American Idol version which was rendered by Kris Allen made it into pop rock. It’s melodic and clear as he sang it. My favorite version is from Dia Frampton who’s the other half of Meg and Dia. She used this song in a competition. She also played the piano while her unique, soft and edgy voice makes the song have its own soul. I play it over and over. I play her version everyday. I just so love her own version.

Just go and listen to good, quality songs and it feels good to have these artists rendering their own interpretations and makes the original version appreciated.