Sky-watching: On the road

Driving in Manila can drive you crazy.  But instead of getting impatient at the slow moving traffic, look at the bright side.  Here, I had more time to enjoy the dusky skies while on the road.:p

Plenty of people miss their share of happiness, not because they never found it, but because they didn't stop to enjoy it. ~ William Feather

See more beautiful skies from around the world at Sky-Watch Friday

Ruby Tuesday: Ducati red

I would have passed this display without giving it much thought. But you know how boys are with their toys---the friend I was with couldn't resist admiring this "work of art" (his words) displayed at the Podium. A red Ducati Superbike named Alice that probably costs more than I earn in a year.

I admire sleek engineering but truth be told, I am not particularly fond of motorbikes. I get absolutely paranoid when I'm driving and there's a motorbike nearby. I worry that one of these things would happen: a handlebar would scratch the paint off my car, or I would unwittingly send the motorbike flying to the air, breaking the rider's neck, or worse, cracking his skull. Most riders here are reckless, don't follow traffic rules, and always in a hurry. So don't blame me if unlike my friend, I did not drool on this superbike.

Posted for Ruby Tuesday

Sky-Watch Friday: NLEx sunset

Snapped these photos on our drive back from Clark Field to Manila on Sunday afternoon. It was a breeze driving at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) on Sunday afternoon, a contrast to the slow-moving traffic at Edsa on any given day. Instead of taking a nap, I enjoyed the scenery---like this soothing and hypnotic sunset.

Posted for Sky-Watch Friday

Afternoon Delight

Patapat Viaduct, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

I dream of driving on this highway someday soon. And this would be the perfect song to sing along...

Afternoon Delight
Starland Vocal Band

"Afternoon Delight" was a quintessential soft rock chart-topping single from the Starland Vocal Band's debut album in the summer of 1976, which peaked at #20 on the Billboard Hot 200 and remained on the album charts for 25 weeks. That same year, the band received a Grammy Award for "Best Arrangement for Voices" and the "Best New Artist of the Year." They also received 3 other Grammy nominations and "Afternoon Delight" is in the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame.

Also click here for Ron Burgundy's version.

Friday Madness

I usually listen to music while driving. And on Fridays, it's 89.9 Magic! Friday is nostalgia day with Friday Magic Madness, an old radio show playing 70’s and 80’s music---mostly new wave music of the 80’s. I always enjoy listening to Wishful Thinking, Summer of 69, Purple Rain, Second Chance, Highly Strung, Pale Shelter, I've Been in Love Before and the many great songs of the 70's and 80’s while in the middle of Friday traffic jam. I miss the songs of my 'youth', songs that bring back memories, songs to which I danced badly to but enjoyed nonetheless. Sometimes, while a song that I don’t like is playing, I’ll switch stations, and check out the jazz stations or 100.3 RJ. I could tell you what I was doing or where my life was when I hear a favorite song. I’m sure you have a song in your head, too.

Singing out loud while driving is a great way to forget the slow-moving traffic. It somehow lowers the stress level after some maniac cuts across my lane. Music calms me even when a speeding bus comes barreling down at my rear, or a motorcyle suddenly appears infront of my bumper, and a jeepney suddenly stops in the middle of the street without warning.

Oftentimes, there are ghosts in these old songs, a flashback of haunting memories. There are songs that remind me of long-forgotten dreams. Songs that remind me of growing up pains, and an embarassing time in high school. Songs that remind me of loss, grief and broken promises. Songs that remind me of long lost friends. Songs that make me breath deeply, as if anticipating pain, remembering a heartache that makes me reach out to change the station, then hesitate long enough to acknowledge a remembered ache. Songs that allow me to embrace life’s disappointments, sorrows, and joys, and how I dealt with them have shaped the person I am now. And so I sing along with this old favorite, softly.

Melissa Etheridge with Jewel

You Can Sleep While I Drive

Brave and Crazy album, 1989