Music Monday ft. Saints of Valory

Quick post.

I don't know if I've mentioned it, but I subscribe to e-mails from a website called NoiseTrade, which is a site where you can download music by indie artists for free. It's basically how I discover new music. And sometimes, it's a hit and miss thing - there is the option of sampling the songs before you download the album, but there have been times when I was in a hurry, or I was in a "SURPRISE ME!" mentality and downloaded albums without listening to the music first and ended up not liking them later. Or sometimes, I just get tired of them; the novelty wears off.

Enter Saints of Valory: I did listen through each of the tracks before downloading the EP. The NoiseTrade page said it was for fans of Kings of Leon and U2, but for some reason, it also reminded me of Coldplay a bit. I think it's the lead singer's voice, though his voice is a tad weaker than Chris Martin's. But still good.

And like for most things, I kinda forgot I had downloaded it and left it on my computer for a bit before transferring it to my phone. I don't remember how long it's been (at least a few months), but the novelty has not worn off. Whenever I want to listen to music, but don't know exactly what I want to listen to, their EP is my go-to playlist.

Click here to find out more and to download their EP which consists of four tracks. This one's my favourite:

Neon Eyes (Into the Deep) - Saints of Valory

GO LISTEN TO THEM NOW.
Okay bye!

Digging up some old stuff

I going through a (sort of) abandoned e-mail inbox of mine - it's one of those e-mail accounts you make just for the heck of having another e-mail account and use to sign up for a whole bunch of stupid websites (like tumblr - I had no idea tumblr actually sent e-mails... maybe it's a thing it started since Yahoo acquired it).

Anyhow, I was just going through all the e-mail and deleting everything when I came across a message from LiveJournal. I've deleted my LiveJournal by now, but I had it for the longest time - since grade 10 'til the time I deleted it really (which was some time last year). One of the main reasons for deleting it was because I kept getting spam comments and it was just annoying.

But, there were a few times which I got real comments, and this was one time:

Somebody replied to your LiveJournal post in which you said:  [present me: beware, your typical teenage angsty-emo post coming up]

There are so many things going on in my head. Actually, there are only two. But it just feels like so many things...

For organization's sake, I'll number them off.

NUMERO UNO:
I hate people. I really do. I can hardly stand anyone. I can hardly stand myself.
People are selfish. greedy. gluttonous. vain. too easily tempted. desperate. cowards. stupid. irresponsible. disrespectful. unkind. not loyal. materialistic. flashy. blind. unsympathetic. forgetful. psycho. screwed up. impolite. not generous. not helpful. imperfect.

This, of course, doesn't apply to everyone. There are some people who are way better than others.

NUMERO DEUX:
I'm often happy for people. Or at least, I show or say I am. What else am I supposed to say? "Yeah, whatever, that's great, go away." "Yay. Go enjoy the rest of your life." "Sure. Yeah. I think I should give you a standing ovation." "GTFO." If I said any of the aforementioned, everyone would probably be shocked. Because it would just simply be out-of-character for me.

But why do I always keep myself "in character"? I'm too conscious about what others think of me. I guess this is why I keep quiet. If I don't say anything, no one will judge me. No one will even think of me, know of me, or remember me.

NUMERO TROIS ET PLUS: (just came to mind) [present me: DINGDINGDING ALERT ALERT EXTREME TEEN ANGST ALERT]
I think I'm an ugly duckling.
I think people use me.
I think I'm just a piece of decoration.
I think people are out to get me.
I'm invisible.
people don't like me.
I'm the only one who's truly abnormal.
I should just stop. With things.
I'm not going to be successful in life.
I'm not going to be successful.
I'm not going to live until 80.
I'm not going to do anything important.
I'm not going to be found.
I'm not going to have a happy ending.

Their reply was:

The only advice I can give you is to forget about other people. Because honestly, the only thing you can do in life is to be happy. Forget or change (this is the best) or ignore anything that gets in the way of your happiness. You sound like a very modest, nice and honest person who cares too much about other people. Just forget about them and focus on you. I know it sounds selfish on paper, but that is really all you can do. Because "people are stupid". Feel better.

I never found out if this was left by someone who knew me or knew of me in real life, but judging from the "You sound like a..." part, I would say it was from a total stranger who somehow ended up on my blog.

I don't think my teenage self ever really took the advice Anon left. I don't think I've really been more focused on myself than I have these past several months, even though it's still arguable that I'm not that much more focused on myself. I don't even know for sure if everything I'm doing right now is for me and only me, but a few things are certain:

a) I am caring less about people. Man, that sounds shitty. I still care about people; don't get me wrong. But I'm not letting other people bother me as much. Only the people relevant in my life matter. Only they can throw me off now, I guess.

b) I am caring less about what other people think of me. I still do care about what others think of me, and it is terrible, but I'm not as concerned with it as I probably was back in my glorious high school years.

c) I am still trying to figure out what kind of character I am, but I'm bit less rigid. I'm trying to come out of my shell a bit more; I'm letting myself be a bit more silly and angry and reckless.

d) Most of the things in NUMERO TROIS ET PLUS are still in my mind. But to a lesser extent.

Stay awesome.

P.S. AND GO TEAM CANADA.

Happy Lunar New Year!

I am so terribly sick right now, so I'm off to a great start...

One thing I do every year: read last year's horoscope, and reflect on it; then read my horoscope for the upcoming year.

So here's last year's:

You would love to travel or even move. You favor things with lots of actions. However, you also tend to be very spiritual. This is truly a Yin and Yang year for you.

I did travel this year in the summer. Things with lots of action? I guess that accounts for my love of watching hockey... and roller coasters. Not too spiritual though.

WORK: You favor to be in a spiritual business, such as religions or philosophy. Writing is good for you. You are also good in business to do with burial such funeral homes and cemeteries.

Well... I didn't work at all this year, so...

WEALTH:Your wealth would be stable, not many up’s and down’s. Do not gamble or speculate.

I guess my wealth has been stable? Well, my personal wealth. My family's wealth in general? Not doing too good.

RELATIONS: There may not be too much romance. Enjoy your stable relation. Being in peace is a great fortune.

Yup. no romance at all. Relations were pretty stable. If anything, I strengthened a few, and made new ones.

HEALTH: You may encounter many small ailments. Rest well and exercise well.

I think the worst 'ailment' I had this year was in the summer when I was hit by some kinda stomach flu that kept me in bed for a few days. Definitely didn't rest well. As for exercise, I have hit the gym more than ever, so I did well in that department.

Highlights of Sheep of Individual Years - 1991: You are prone to accidents. You also have too many thoughts about things. Drive carefully  Stay focused on what you are doing.

Driving record is still clean! My focus has never ever been focused, though I don't think it was too bad this year. 

 And here is this year's horoscope:

This is a connecting year for you. You may get lots of help from other people. Your people relations are good. This year especially favours the male sheep people. However, you are subject to accidents. Don't push yourself over your limit.

Connecting... maybe in reference to how I need to network? 

Work: You favour business to do with cars. You also favour analytical work. If you are a surgeon, butcher, soldier or police, you should do very well. Other favourable businesses include public relations and entertainments.

No, I don't favour business to do with cars. Wonder if the last statement is hinting at me to start my YouTube career...

Wealth: Your wealth would be stable and even going up. Both regular and speculative incomes are good for you. For investments, you should simplify your portfolio.

Not sure how the slight increase will come, seeing as I'll have to start paying off my student loans. What on earth is a "speculative" income?

Relationships: This year makes you very lovable. Beware of love triangles. If you are still single, consider marriage. If you are married, you should be more loving to each other.

I'm lovable this year. GUYS, COME AT ME BEFORE I'M NOT LOVEABLE NO MORE.

Health: You are much healthier this year compared with last year. However, you tend to get hurt easily. take your time in your work and drive carefully.

 Again with the driving warning... But I guess I'll be driving more come summer time, so I'll keep this in mind (as if I don't drive too cautiously already). And so much for being much healthier this year than last! *sniffles*

Highlights of Sheep of Individual Years - 1991: Your achievements are in proportion to your effort.

I'm gonna have to print this out and paste it everywhere so I can be reminded.

Time to sleep away this cold...