The Mod Think Tank - Life and Times of an Aging Shoegazer

See My Hubby on NBC's Trauma!

2010-04-20T18:40:00.001-07:00

In case you missed it, @aldrin45 was here - http://bit.ly/ac3msm (0:35). last night, he was here but less visible - http://bit.ly/c1ELRR (42:07)

Best Turon Ever! It has Nutella

2010-04-20T18:34:00.001-07:00

Father's Day Brunch

2009-06-20T15:53:00.000-07:00

Although Al is technically not a father yet (well almost until the tragedy early this year), I thought of surprising him to a champagne brunch by Rockaway Beach in Pacifica since we haven't been there for so long. I wanted to go Moonraker (which was the venue of our first 'formal' date and his birthday at the time) because it brings back a lot of memories. But I found out that it was closed down and replaced by Ristorante Portofino. I looked at the site and it seemed promising, but when we got there, I didn't like the food at all! And this was just breakfast! If it weren't for the view, I would've left. Anyway, I made reservations already. We had a nice dinner though the night before at Nick's with a live band too and sunset - http://twitpic.com/7zcd8. And the view at both places are spectacular - http://twitpic.com/81dml.

Road Trip to Las Vegas

2009-06-14T15:15:00.000-07:00

It was my brother's wedding anniversary and he wanted to drive to Las Vegas for vacation and wanted us to go with them. Before the trip, Al and I psyched up ourselves by watching the movie Hang Over in the theater. We secured a time share and two-bedroom suite that was right on the strip and in front of Planet Hollywood from Al's aunt and uncle. It was also next to Bellagio and so conveniently located!

Our first day was the most fun. We had brunch at Salo-Salo Grill and passed by Palms to get our badges for the CineVegas Film Fest. If we knew it included brunch, we would have gone there instead. But it also included three free movies, an awards ceremony at their nightclub Rain, and VIP access to their other clubs Moon and the Playboy Club. We saw an exclusive screening of World's Greatest Dad and thought Robin Williams was there in person. We saw Bobcat Goldthwait, Alexi Gilmore, and other actors of the movie instead. At the awards ceremony and reception at Rain, we saw more celebrities such as Maria Menunos, Tony Hawk, Dennis Hopper, Willen Dafoe, and Jon Voight. They had unlimited booze and hors d' ouvres. We saw Angelina Jolie's dad again at an restaurant called Nove Italiano and Al took a pic with him. After the awards, we went to the Playboy club to hang out and check it out. We also checked out Moon for some cool sounds (DJ AM and Paul Oakenfold play there on weekends). At night, we had a late dinner at Palms Cafe and coffee at Starbuck's in Planet Hollywood.

Our second day was devoted to the strip. We spend to day going to places we've never been before (new hotels such as Planet Hollywood, Pallazzo, Rio, and Encore). We even checked out Trump (just the lobby coz we were curious). We had buffet at Wynn's too. We got free passes for the club at Encore but decided not to go since we were so tired. On our third day, we had another celebrity sighting at Hooters of all places (we went there to check it out too since we've never been there). We saw Floyd Mayweather Sr. and took pics with him. We also went to Hard Rock Cafe coz they wanted to buy stuff, and the Las Vegas sign so we can take more pics. We also went to the Las Vegas Marine Harbor to feed the fish (my first time to go there and it was cool) and a quick trip to Hoover Dam (my first time to do the tour inside, we were always outside). The short vacation was fun and tiring at the same time.

Fun T-Mobile Ad

2009-06-12T15:13:00.000-07:00

I tweeted this, but I wanted to share this on my blog as well. I thought this was a fun ad - http://bit.ly/qC7Ka. It reminds me of improve everywhere - http://bit.ly/yAfT5

Triple Bill at the Blank Club

2009-06-11T15:03:00.000-07:00

Al and I felt like going out tonight, so we decided to go to the Blank Club after hearing that Al's fave band, Glasvegas, was going to be there. We already saw the band not too long ago at Harlow's in Sacramento, but Al is such a fan that he wanted to see them again. The Von Bondies and the Audrey Sessions were opening for them as well and I always wanted to see Von Bondies. We met up with a couple of friends, watched awesome sets, broadcasted the concert live on ustream, and got to hang out with the band later on. After the concert, there was also the usual new wave dance party. It was a very fun night.

Un-Broke - Seth Green Cribs Edition

2009-06-04T14:59:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share this. Since we are in a recession, I thought this was funny spin to it Cribs show on MTV -

Conan 1st Day on the Tonight Show

2009-06-01T14:56:00.000-07:00

You've probably heard of Conan's replacement of Jay Leno on the Tonight Show. Anyway, I just watched the first show and I thought it was funny, Conan was funny as usual. I would want to see his show live one day.

2009 MTV Movie Awards

2009-05-31T14:45:00.000-07:00

The real reason we went to LA was to see the MTV Movie Awards this year. We've never been to one so this would be our first time. It would also be our first time watching a major award show, and also our first time at Gibson Ampitheater. I am psyched! This is what the show promises - new moon trailer debut, adam samberg hosting, cool celebs, kings of leon performance, mystery presenter #7, christian siriano on red carpet, and the presence of the twilight cast and other celebrities. I still don't like the MTV network though. It was one cool Sunday night, probably the best night I had on a Sunday. Here's a pic of Al - http://twitpic.com/6dm46. I would want to do this again next year. We ended the night with a dinner at Bubba Gump at Universal City, and then we drove back home to the bay.

A Last Minute LA Vacation

2009-05-30T14:34:00.000-07:00

So we decided last minute to drive to LA over the weekend. We stayed at my aunt's place who I missed so much! I was surrounded but four young kids who gathered around us and played with us! We stayed at their place and caught up with my grandma's sister as well. At night we all watched UP the movie. We went to Irvine Spectrum to watch it, but we just missed the movie and the next showing was too late. We made a quick visit at Old Navy coz they had a $5 shirt sale (bought a couple). I bought tix at Fandango via mobile and just showed the ticket takers my phone, hehe. The movie was awesome! I cried the first few minutes of the movie. That's how good it is! Watch it!

Working Remotely at EON Cafe

2009-05-29T14:23:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to post since it's my first time here. Al was off and he wanted to hang out at a coffee shop and I saw this place on tv (I think it was Bast of the Bay or something). We had lunch, I worked remotely, and I took a few pics - http://twitpic.com/67ezd

New Book for Pre-Order

2009-05-28T14:20:00.000-07:00

I tweeted this already, but I'll do a post anyway. There's an interesting new book available for pre-order The Day the Dancers Stayed: Performing in the Filipino/American Diaspora. Check it out - http://bit.ly/4cvAi. Oh yeah, I made the website for the author of this book.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

2009-05-24T14:15:00.000-07:00

After the party, my kuya and his family decided to go Santa Cruz Beach boardwalk since they've never been there. I thought it was a great idea so we drove there to have more summer fun. Nikki brought her boyfriend too. We pulled them to a restaurant that searved fish and chips coz we were so hungry and ate by the beach. Then we strolled around while the kids rode rides. This day was special because Brandond can ride the more scarier rides, something that he can't do at Great America because he never passes their height criteria (he's still too young). But at SCBB, he can go on the main rides. It was definitely a fun day with family.

Camila's Birthday Party

2009-05-23T23:04:00.000-07:00

Had fun at Camila's birthday. My sis did the finger painting, al and my bro picked up the food, and their friend made the cake. Cake was cute, a princess cake for my princess niece. They had a huge jumper house, the biggest I've seen so far. There were tons of food including the prized lechon. Their neighbor works for Patron I think so he sponsored the event with bottles of Patron and other freebies. Anyway, I thought it was funny because the background music is Lady Gaga and adults were all drunk. All of a sudden, it didn't seem like a children's party anymore. At night, the remaining guests were all singing karaoke.

Latest Concert Calendar

2009-05-20T10:02:00.000-07:00

Exciting year! Check out these bands to watch in the next couple of months -

St Vincent at Bimbo's - May 27
School of Seven Bells at Bottom of the Hill - May 28
The Submarines at The Independent - June 5
Metric, Glasvegas, Yeah Yeah Yeahs at Shoreline (BFD) - June 6
Camera Obscura at The Fillmore - June 8
Glasvegas, Von Bondies and Audrey Sessions at the Blank Club in San Jose - June 11
Bat for Lashes at Great American Music Hall - June 13
Third Eye Blind free concert at the park in SJ - June 18
Phoenix at the Grand Ballroom of Regency Center - June 27
Death Cab for Cute at the Greek Theater - July 11
Coldplay at Shoreline Ampitheater - July 13
The Veils at Bottom of the Hill - July 13
No Doubt, Paramore, and the Sounds at Shoreline Ampitheater - July 25
Depeche Mode at Shoreline Ampitheater - Aug 12
Matt & Kim at Outlands Fest SF - Aug 28
Charlatans UK - October 14

I really want to see Depeche Mode (missed them the last time they were here).

A Very Musical Tuesday

2009-05-20T00:09:00.000-07:00

After watching the finale of American Idol, I watched the pilot episode of Glee. I thought Lea Michele is awesome! I actually saw her on stage in New York when I watched the broadway Spring Awakening. I loved their interpretation of Journey's Don't Stop Believing. Until now, it's still playing in my head. Watch the pilot episode now - http://www.hulu.com/watch/73740/glee-pilot

Btw, on a side note, it's obvious Adam is the clear choice and I've been a fan from the start (well aside from Anoop but he's long gone). I am starting to like Kris Allen though because he's becoming more confident and plays/sings more passionately then ever before. Check out Kris Allen's performance of Heartless by Kanye West. It's definitely better than the original - http://video.yahoo.com/watch/5058940

Free Coldplay Live Album

2009-05-15T00:04:00.000-07:00

Their website says it's the band's way of saying thanks! Download the free tunes here - http://bit.ly/tRTBv - Awesomeness!

On other news, Al and I finally saw Star Trek. I thought Chris Pine and Zachary Pinto were adorable, hehe. Zachary, zachary, zachary! I'm glad to see such a talented actor on the big screen and away from his tv character Sylar. I liked the movie. Watch it!

My Dream Electric Car

2009-05-14T00:19:00.000-07:00

Can someone buy me this please? http://bit.ly/uFQO2 Check out these new (but expensive) electric cars (some models are not even in production yet)

Pacquiao versus Hatton

2009-05-02T23:54:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it! Hatton is down after two rounds! And I was worried. Anyway, this just proves that Pacquiao is the best pound for pound fighter int the world. His win over Oscar dela Hoya was a huge victory, but the Hatton knock-out should hush up critics who say that he can only beat boxers that are old and ready to retire (since Hatton is still in his prime). Lots of celebrities came out - P. Diddy, Jay-Z, Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon, Mark Wahlberg, Mike Tyson, Russell Brand, Tom Jones, Denzel Washington, Jack Nicholson, etc. Martin Nievera version of the Phil national anthem was not a good interpretation (I even got turned off by the background music). Keep it simple people! Anyway, it was a quick fight. I felt sorry for Hatton (for a while, I thought he was paralyzed or something). I hope he's okay.

Swine Flu Alert

2009-04-25T23:48:00.000-07:00

Scary! The Center for Disease Control has issued an alert of a flu strain that is resistent to vaccines. There have been reported deaths already in Mexico and cases in the US. Google is tracking the outbreak of the swineflu virus via Google Maps - http://ow.ly/47bL. Play this swine flu game too - http://www.swinefighter.com.

I also got this from my friend Mo - It was once said that an African American would be president "when pigs fly." Indeed 100 days into Obama's presidency...Swine Flu!

Monterey Whale Watching

2009-04-19T23:32:00.000-07:00

My first whale watch. Al and I decided to go since it was a gift to a dear friend. We woke up really early for this and met at the Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey. We bought out tix, and rode the yacht in search of whales in the beautiful bay. After two hours, we finally found a family of 20 to 25 wild killer whales swimming together. One got too close to our boat that we were so surprised. It was such a site. Going back, I was vomiting at the back of the yacht because I got sea sick! I was in awe seeing the whales, but I think this will be my last whale watch.

After Monterey, we drove to Carmel Mission for mass and also took pictures. Then we drove back to Old Fisherman's Wharf for lunch and walked around to window shop (and tasted samples of clam chowders from different restaurants, hehe).

More Susan Boyle

2009-04-18T23:39:00.000-07:00

By now, you've probably heard of Susan Boyle, who sang her way to the public's hearts when she sang on Britain's Got Talent. Her videos have been viral videos on the internet, and I must admit, I loved her voice! Check out this video from Jimmy Fallon's late night show - http://tinyurl.com/c949jo - hilarious!

Using Twitter Again

2009-04-15T16:25:00.000-07:00

I dunno if you noticed already but on my right sidebar, I have a twitter widget where all my twitter updates can be seen. I've had my account ever since 2007, but I barely twittered. Lately, I've been trying to learn twitter lingo and twitter apps like tweetdeck, vidtweet, twitpic, and bubble tweeter. I must say, it is interesting microblogging technology, and a good marketing tool on the web. So follow me @blurpop and say hello!

Lake Tahoe with the Dulays

2009-04-12T21:55:00.000-07:00

My older brother invited me on an easter weekend with his wife's family. I could not resist the invitation because this means quality time with my nephew and niece. And when he said we're going to Lake Tahoe, I had to go snowboarding. Kuya Jon rented a whole house a block from the lake. It was a nice drive to Tahoe, listening to Matt & Kim so we weren't bored. As soon as we reached the mountains, snow was falling until we reached Tahoe. That night, we waited for the family to get there, and then went on a casino spree. At one point, we saw a rock band contest at Harrah's.

The next day, we set our time for Sierra at Tahoe, where we rented snowboards and headed out on the slopes. Al was pretty good; I was pretty tired. I had much fun, while the kiddies went on the tires and sleds. Some built snowmen and threw snowballs at each other. It felt like winter even when it's spring.

Seattle and Vancouver Vacation

2009-04-04T21:40:00.000-07:00

Al and I decided to fly to Seattle to visit family, especially my grandma since it's her 96th birthday. She's not too well and weaker than before, so I want to spend as much time with her while she's alive. I love my grandma sooo much! So on her birthday, my family prepared some food, and my cousin bought a cake. The next day, we decided to drive my older brother and family to Vancouver and tour them around. As usual, we went to Gas Town and rode the Big Bus Tour. We also saw Robert Downey's trailer by the beach since he's shooting a movie. And I also noticed a lot of constructions going on - maybe they're preparing for the Olympics? We also went shopping at Robson Street and ate lunch at a Japanese restaurant there. And dinner at Goldilocks (oh yeah we bought some got sago? shirts there). Out last stop was the Science Center before visiting the duty free by the border. Shopping was fun at duty free.

Our fun feeling suddenly disappeared when we were stopped because Al went on the wrong lane. Not his fault really because he didn't see the signs at night because of all the constructions going on. We all went inside a building. It was kinda scary because we didn't know what to expect while they were interviewing Al. He got a warning and we found out that a lot of other people were making the same mistake. Anyway, I can't wait for the 2010 Winter Olympics. We will visit Vancouver again when that happens. Hopefully, we get to visit Victoria and Whistler soon.

Back in Seattle, we visited Boston Harbor in Olympia. We brought lola so she can see the beautiful lake there. Afterwards, we went shopping again at the Seattle Premium Outlets. I bought a Coach wallet and a Lacoste watch. On our flight back home and upon boarding, Virgin America announced that they are boarding all virgins, and then those with black shirts. I thought that was funny.