Year in Review (part 2)

In the past, my "year in review" blog posts included both my listings of favorite songs AND important events of the year. However, that made those blog posts way too long to hold reader's attention.

So this time, I'll just put my listings of my favorite songs of the year in a separate blog post, in which, it'll be this one


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Obviously everyone is talking Adele, her huge sales and her hit "Hello".

But my vote for song of the year goes to .................................

...................... Weeknd's "Can't Feel My Face"

 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqt8Z1k0oWQ

That was the ultimate dance song for all the clubs this year!

I also predict this will be THE SONG that will be played right after midnight tonight at many clubs & block parties!

 As for Weeknd's other songs, I think Weeknd is trying to be the early 80's version of Micheal Jackson with all the scary themes for the songs! Some are just too depressing for me! I'll just stick with his club jams!

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Taylor Swift has long been known for her "I'm mad at my ex's" songs.  

But she had a more positive loving song "Style" this year.

Taylor Swift "Style"

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CmadmM5cOk

But for those who are a fan of her "I'm mad at my ex's" songs, there was "Bad Blood" featuring Kendrick Lamar!

Taylor Swift & Kendrick Lamar "Bad Blood"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcIy9NiNbmo

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I remember last year's post, I mentioned about Omarion's "Post to Be" (featuring Chris Brown & Jhene Aiko). At the time, I was so recent that it didn't hit the mainstream radio waves yet.  But it did this year, even with Aiko's "eat that booty.like groceries"  line in tact!

It was funny to read in an interview that Jhene Aiko made that because she was tired of being known for serious, depressing songs!  But that song exposed her to a larger audience who only knows her for "booty" &"groceries" line! Oh, well, be careful what you wish for!

Also last year's song that finally made the hits this year include

Walk the Moon's "Dance with Me",  which had a funny video and got airplay from not just the alternative and pop stations, but even some hip-hop/R&B stations too! It was just so good that it transcends genres

Walk the Moon "Shut Up and Dance with Me"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JCLY0Rlx6Q

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 Justin Beiber was at a crossroads this year! He went from cute teen pop star to studio gangsta throwing eggs and treating the freeways like a race track in the recent past! It was time to show that he could make a smoother transition from teen pop star to mature pop star like that other Justin ....... Timberlake!

You know what? Bieber came out with some really good stuff this year!   He started with the EDM flavored track "Where are You Know", but that was just an appetizer for the even greater tracks to come, including.......

"What do You Mean"  - a very nice smooth track. I was very impressed with this one!

"Sorry"  - this song even got the 21+ clubgoers filling the dance floors!

And he ended the year with   .............. "Love Yourself" 

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Earlier this year, Ellie Goulding seemed like she was going to have Adele's status, especially with "Outside" and (from the movie "50 Shades of Grey") "Love Me Like You Do"

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJtDXIazrMo

 Had that song came out in November (instead of January) , it would've given Adele some serious competition for top female singer of the year!

--

Nelly, who had major hits in the early 2000s, hasn't had a hit in while, making people wonder if he still has in it him. So yes he does!

Nelly collaborated with Jeremih for a song inspired by Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing". Different lyrics to modernize a classic, making it into another classic : "The Fix"

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTUIT-E3oYQ

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Speaking of nostalgia, Owl City has brought back the childhood joys of 90s kids like myself with his collaboration with Hanson on "It's Unebelievable" 

Owl City w/Hanson "Unbelievable"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTWaiwb5QnE

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The ones mentioned above are what would be mega-hits on my list

 I'll just mention the other great songs under the category headlines

Other Pop/R&B songs

Eden XO had her "Weekend" song (not to be confused with "The Weeknd") with had that bubblegum teen pop sound, with the remix coming with the King of Crunk --- Lil Jon!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUYsfG4QbZg

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 Carly Rae Jepsen showed the world she's not just a one-album wonder this year, with "I Really Like You".

The video showing Tom Hanks lip-singing her voice was hilarious

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV5lzRHrGeg

---

 Natalie LaRose brought that late80s/early90s flava with "Somebody" (featuring Jeremih)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zqdo_Umd5c

She also had a slower song featuring Fetty Wap "Around the World"

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Pia Mia came straight outta Guam, and made a hit "Do It Again" featuring Tyga & Chris Brown.

That song came with some minor controversy out in the Pacific Islands, because it had the same chorus as "Let's Do It Again",  a reggae song by the Samoan singer J-Boog!  Being that Pia Mia looked Latino, but is from Guam, some people took it personal that she "stole" their favorite songs. But J-Boog gave her permission to use his song for her song!

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Jason DeRulo had the song of the summer "Want to Want Me"

Other summer songs like Demi Lovato "Cool for the Summer" and Afrojack/Mike Taylor's "Summer Thing" were great songs that would've had more impact had they come earlier in the summer, or maybe in May when people are getting ready for the summer!  That said, they'll still be favorites for many more summers to come!

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Other pop songs

Halsey sang about the "New Americana, where the youth smoke legal marijuana and are influenced by Biggie & Nirvana. She even included the hook from Biggie's "Juicy" into her song! :) 

Fifth Harmony had their girl power hit "Worth It" featuring Kid Ink

Ariana Grande's "One Last Time"

 Tinashe's "All Hands on Deck"

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Hip-Hop

The latest  new mega-star in hip-hop was Fetty Wap!   Coming straight outta Patterson, New Jersey!

He had hits like "Trap Queen" and "My Way" which I found the beats too depressing!

But he did impress me big time with "679" (featuring the Remy Boys), 

as well as his song with  comedy rapper Lil Dicky "Save Dat Money"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvHYWD29ZNY

Lil Dicky also had other funny stuff with "Lemme Freak" and "Sports"

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Wiz Khalifa started the year with making the ultimate jam for the club-goers "You and Your Friends " (featuring Ty $ and Snoop Dogg)

But then he showed that he can make serious & sensitve songs too, with his tribute to actor Paul Walker  with "See You Again" (featuring Charlie Puth)

It's great to see songs celebrating inter-racial friendships in an era where idiot activists complain about "cultural appropriation" & "micro-aggressions" any time a white person interacts with a non-white person! 

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Talking about this so-called "cultural appropriation", we have Macklemore, long targeted by anti-white haters. As mentioned in previous blog posts, anti-white idiot activist Britney Cooper went ballistic when Macklemore won a Grammy in the hip-hop category!

Well guess what Britney Cooper, YOU ARE NOT the ultimate authority in hip-hop, the Hip-Hop forefathers are! And another GUESS WHAT for Britney Cooper.......................... The Hip-Hop forefathers are totally cool with Macklemore!  

Proof? Melly Mel, Kool Moe Dee and Grandmaster Caz made appearances in Macklemore's "Downtown"

Macklemore with Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee, Grandmaster Caz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGhoLcsr8GA

And you know what else? I believe Macklemore deserves another Grammy for another his song "Growing Up" (his rapping advice to his son)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mhtJduoCZ0

If anyone doesn't like it.................. well go make a better song! 

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 Pitbull continued his reign as  Mr Worldwide with his party song "Fun"(featuring Chris Brown). He also had "This is Not a Drill"  and a song with new teen pop star Prince Royce & legendary J.Lo with "Back it Up"

And also from Florida is .............. Flo Rida, who  came back with his club banger "GDFR"  (Going Down For Real), though I wish his "Once in a Lifetime" got more airplay, because I was really impressed with that song!

----

Usher showed that he respects a woman's choice to work in the strip club with  "I Dont Mind" (featuring Juicy J)

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Every year, there's a song that comes with it's own dance! This time, it's a song that combines the dances from recent rap songs. That combo song for the year is Silento's "Whip, Nae Nae".

But don't call Silento a one-hit wonder, because he made an appearance in Dawin's "Dessert"

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Tech n9ne had a long career as an underground star who had great success without much radio airplay. But just like Bay Area legends E40 & Too Short did in the 2000s, Tech n9ne finally got a mainstream hit after years of underground success.  That hit was "Hood Go Crazy" (featuring BOB & 2Chainz)

 --------------

 Did you like Nate Dogg's flow in the classic "Ain't No Fun" but weren't happy with Kurupt's ripping the mic with his misogyny in the same song?

Well, Tuxedo came to the rescue this year with "Number One", which basically has the same beat as "Ain't No Fun" but without the angry rants!  

Tuxedo also had another great song "Do It".   I wish that one had more airplay too!

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Nicki Minaj was mad that her "Annaconda" didn't get an MTV award nomination and played the race card! Nevermind that Dis N Dat (also African-American female rappers) did a MUCH BETTER JOB  covering another 90's booty rap jam "Whoop There it is", but without even 1% of the recognition that Nicki Minaj has!

However, I think Nicki Minaj's "The Night is Still Young" was a much better song

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvN5h9BE444

The song was much more meaningful and represents making great memories with friends!  THAT should've received awards!

Nick Minaj also had  a great song with Drake & Lil Wayne "Truffle Butter" 

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Other hip-hop hits I liked

Ty $ with Charli XCX & Tinashe "Drop that Kitty"

Christina Milian w/ Lil Wayne "Do It" 

Jidenna "Classic Man" 

EDM

Zedd is back making great productions with star female singers. This time it was with Selena Gomes for "I Want You to Know"

 

Zedd w/Selena Gomes "I Want You to Know"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X46t8ZFqUB4

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DJ Snake had a song with Dillon Francis "Get Low" which came out last year, but didn't hit until this year when it appeared on the "Fast 7" soundtrack.

DJ Snake collaborated w/ Major Lazer for "Lean On", a major EDM hit of the year! 

 DJ Snake also had "You Know You Like it" which had the sweet voice of Aluna George and the sick beat between the verses! 

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Diplo w/ Sleepy Tom did an EDM remake of the early 90's R&B  sexy classic by Jade "Don't Walk Away", though the EDM version is titled "Be There for You" bu the lyrics are exactly the same!  Too bad the EDM version didn't have the orgasmic sounds of the original (hint, hint)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIJ5XvZeb-k

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Other EDM classics of the year

Chainsmokers "Roses"

Alesso w/ Tove Lo "Heroes (We Could Be)"

Milk & Cookie "Monster (Status Remix)"

Lost Kings /Jessame "Bad" 

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Rock

I used to be a major rock fan and I still like some of the classics. But rock music has faded from mainstream radio, and much of what appears in "alternative rock" stations could be better classified as "EDM" or "pop". 

Sorry rock bands, but I just haven't paid much close attention! 

But I did like Dirty Youth's "The One", which mixed the 80's style metal with some electronic sounds 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw_CcpJzsS4

I hope some new rock band can bring the energy of Andrew WK, the heaviness of Pantera and rise to the popularity once held by Guns N Roses!   That rock band would probably have to add elements of EDM, pop or hip-hop to at least a few tracks so that it can transcend genres and get major attention!   

===========================

Anyway's my list of 2015 classics is just my opinion! Please don't take it personal if your opinions don't match mine! 

Also, some songs that might've came out this year may not hit until next year, or maybe one of those songs that I might hear on the late night radio mixes but I haven't written the title yet!

One more disclaimer: I don't have time to input links for every song  mentioned on this post! Again, dont take it personal!

Year in Review (part 1)

It's that time of year again!  As the year winds down, it is time to reflect on the year that's about to end

Personal Life

1) I became a "master" 

The biggest thing for me this year is finally graduating my master's in Library & Information Science (LIS) from UH-Manoa.    You can view reflections from the following post

Spring 2015 semester : http://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2015/05/spring-2015-semester.html
Summer Session 2015 http://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2015/08/uhm-summer-session-2015.html

and of course, my favorite and final semester ...................

.........Fall 2015 semester : http://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2015/12/fall-2015-semester.html


Besides the LIS activities, my contribution to the larger campus was drafting a resolution calling for extended summer library hours, which I wrote about  at http://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2015/07/gso-resolution-to-extend-summer-library.html


Now that I graduated, I also posted a reflection of my graduation and post-grad vacation experiences at
http://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2015/12/graduation-vacation.html


2) Owning a computer

I had a computer back in my undergrad years (early 2000s), but towards the end, the thing stopped working. Plus when I moved into my apartment in 2003, I couldn't afford internet access at home, so I basically just went to the library to do most of my computer work.

So basically for a decade, I had to use the internet cafe or the library computers to type papers, do online job searches, check my email, use social media, and of course, writing blog posts!

I used to spend a lot of time at Netstop, my favorite internet cafe. Sadly, it closed down in 2011.

(see part 3 of  http://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2011/03/condolences.html )

I did start using Netcafe, which is farther away from home, but even that place got shut down.  I think in that case though, the police's jihad against gambling scared businesses that had "gaming" machines to give it up! I remember the last time I used Netcafe, the "gaming" machines were gone, but so were most of the costumers. I didn't even use the "gaming" machines, I just used the internet computers, but I was still impacted by Netcafe's shut down.

I do live by a FedEX Office facility  open 24-7 where you can use the  computers for internet access, but they charge higher rates PLUS they don't even have a restroom for customers!

So yeah, it was reliance on libraries for computer use! And reliance on library hours, which are usually reliable, but closed on holidays and sometimes even 3-day weekends :( 

In 2013, I did get my  first smartphone (BlackBerry Q10) so I finally had some internet access at home, but the screen is so small! Smartphones are just useful for quick email checks and quick reference checks!


But in August of this year, knowing that I have extra money available from a scholarship, I used the extra money to get a desktop computer (hey, it's an educational expense).

Being that most libraries use Dell in their computer labs, I decided to search for Dell online. I wanted a computer that can use USBs, DVDs and SDs.

I also went to WalMat and notice that the HP (Hewlett-Packard) there  had the same thing as the Dells I wanted, but was much less expensive!

So I chose the HP over the Dell!

I also got internet access installed thanks to Oceanic!

Finally, I'm not at the whim of library hours!

I mean, I still go the computer labs at the libraries, mostly out of habit, and also for an occasional change of scenery!    But at least with a home computer, I can use it when the libraries are closed!

The HP came with Windows 8, but I was able to upgrade it to Windows 10! I mostly did it so I can use Microsoft Edge, which is a replacement for Internet Explorer!  Much faster too!  But Chrome is still faster than Edge!

I was also able to install Jing, a screenshot app that is superior to Snipping Tools. Jing was available for the LIS computer labs but not the other computer labs on campus, nor was it available at the public libraries.


The problem with the HP was that it came with very tiny speakers  and a very short mounting stand for the monitor!  I  later bought bigger speakers and an ergonomic stand that raises the monitor to a much more suitable height!

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Also at WalMart, I got the RCA tablet which is like a tablet/laptop hybrid in that it comes with an attachable keyboard. I only bought it because the Graduate Student Organization (GSO) no longer print grant applications. I was not happy with that decision since I rather read from a paper than a screen! But my concerns were ignored, and I had to rely on my Q10 (great keyboards, but tiny screen) to look at the grant applications.

The GSO meetings were the only time I used that RCA tablet/laptop hybrid. Being that I'm now done with being a UHM graduate student,  I probably won't use it again. Though I might keep it for now, just in case. However, that RCA tablet/laptop only has Android apps instead of Windows apps. I might replace it with a tablet/laptop that comes with Windows (ie. Surface, Dell, HP)!


And now that I'm done with being a UHM graduate student, I finally have time for .................................


 .....................3) Making Digital Music

When I was a teen, I got interested in owning a record label. This was in the late 90s, when Death Row, Bad Boy and No Limit were inspiring many music fans to go the independent route in making their own.

One problem though ........... studio equipment cost tons of money.  And as mentioned earlier, I had to rely on the libraries just to use the internet.

So my dreams of producing music has faded!

But this summer, the hit movie Straight Outta Compton came out! Seeing the NWA members working in the recording studio  was a sign  for me to revive my dreams.

Also, my LIS internship at the Image Library (newly renamed Visual Resource Center) had me working on digitization project, bringing old images from slides back to life. I was using both new school & old school technology. Just like Dr Dre has been doing for decades!

That's God sending me a message  ..............  you belong in media production, you should go back out there and make music!

Plus, now that I got my computer, I could make beats without all that expensive equipment, and without the need for a soundproof room.

So earlier this week, I looked for music making apps! While Garage Band  and Keezy are big names, they are only available via Apple.

So I had to search for alternate apps! So I found the Music Maker Jam, which is available for Windows.

Music Maker Jam can be downloaded for Free.  It also allows users to download a limited amount of genre settings for free, and after that, you must pay circa $2.99 for each extra setting.

So on Monday night, I experimented with the free settings, and I made a few instrumental tracks.

I also uploaded those tracks to Soundcloud, in app for  which users can make their tracks available to the public.


My Soundcloud tracks can be heard at https://soundcloud.com/pablo-the-mad-tiger-warrior

(note:  The URL for the soundcloud page has been edited since the original posting of this blog post)

 

Right now, they're not downloadable, mostly because I haven't set up a record label nor have I contacted any licensing agencies that can help me in case someone wants to use my music for adds or samples.


However, if any of you want to use my music for your advertisements, or you want to sample my instrumental tracks, please contact me at madtiger99@yahoo.com

But yeah, time & circumstances permitting, I might be able to set up a record label (or at get a music licensing deal set up) before the end of 2016!

For now, I'll just focus on making instrumental tracks. Later, I might go back to writing lyrics (haven't done so in years) or even do voice recordings!      Sean Combs, Kanye West and Dr Dre all started out as producers before recording rhymes, so I'll just go with that route for now.

4) My blog

I started this blog to react to this one guy who kept trolling me on the Ka Leo back in 2003. (described on this link)  I still use this blog to expose the scandalous, corrupt people I have dealt with, using their real names in the process.


But I'm NOT all-negative! I do write positive stuff too! 


Earlier this year, I wrote a memorial blog post for a high school classmate who died earlier this year. This was for Aukuso Tuiolemotu, who had a positive spirit!
http://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2015/07/in-memory-of-aukuso-tuiolemotu.html


That blog post has been getting the most reads this year. It is #2 of all time.

So if you are a positive person, you could get praised on my blog posts too!


Just another reminder for everyone to stay on my positive side :) 



=================

Scott Weiland and Lemmy Kilimister.

 

Within this past month, 2 rock legends have passed away: Scott Weiland and Lemmy Kilimister.

Being that I was a 90's teen, I was more familiar with Scott Weiland.

Weiland first rose to fame as the singer of Stone Temple Pilots (STP). At the time, grunge was the most popular sub-genre in rock music, with Nirvana and Pearl Jam leading the way.

It was funny to note that when STP's 1st hit "Plush" came out, everyone said it sounded like Pearl Jam, and therefore everyone accused STP of being Pearl Jam imitators.  Also because many of the grunge bands came out of Seattle, many assumed STP was also from Seattle, when they were actually from San Diego.  Turned out the Pearl Jam's singer Eddie Vedder was living in San Diego before he moved to Seattle and joined Pearl Jam.

But as time went on, STP's music started to stand out more, and people stopped accusing them of trying to be like Pearl Jam.


My favorite song from STP was "Interstate Love Song"

Stone Temple Pilots "Interstate Love Song" 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjJL9DGU7Gg 

I also like the following songs

Sex Type Thing
Wicked Garden
Days of the Week

Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart 

By the early 2000's, STP broke up, but Scott Weiland wasn't done being legendary. In fact, he teamed up with the former members of  Guns N Roses (GNR), and formed Velvet Revolver. It was like GNR replacing Axl Rose with Scott Weiland!


Here's a cool track from Velvet Revolver

Velvet Revolver "Dirty Little Thing" 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9jNBuEqD4E

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Lemmy Kilimister (aka Lemmy) was the lead singer for Motorhead, a heavy metal band that got it's start in the 1970s. They were an inspiration to heavy metals that I have more familiarity with  -- including Metallica, Pantera, Anthrax, Megadeth and Slayer!


Lemmy was known for his hard living, rebellious spirit! He inspired many outcasted youth to embrace their wild side and not give a damn what other people think!

He also had some controversy over his interest in World War II memorabilia, especially his collection of Nazi items. Lemmy said he was just interested in WW2 and that he doesn't believe in the Nazi ideology! This  was similar to Kid Rock  & Ted Nugent both insisting their Confederate flag wasn't in defense of slavery!  (Funny that both Kid Rock & Nugent are NOT from the South, in fact both are from MICHIGAN!)



Anyways, here's a track I liked from Motorhead

Motorhead's "Hellraiser" 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M4FG1UXH5w

Ozzy also had his version of that same song! Check it out!

future of UH football

I think UH football will be much improved with its new coach Nick Rolovich!  He was a former player who as an assistant under Coach Mack, then worked at Nevada.

He played with the run-and-shoot offense, and learned to coach the pistol offense.  Both have schemes that have helped under-rated players gain success on the field, and therefore more suited to schools like UH that have difficulty getting the top recruits!

Also unlike Norm Chow,   Nick Rolovich has great people skills that will help him succeed when dealing with assistant coaches, players and the media!  Norm Chow's attitude was just straight up poison!

He'll still have Chris Naeole who was the interim coach after Norm Chow got fired!  Naeole just wasn't ready for head coaching duties, but he is very well suited to coaching the offensive line as well as being the team's disciplinarians. I think a few more years of experience will help Naeole become more suited for a head coaching position!

I hope Nick Rolovich get rid of this stupid "no long hair" rule put into place by Norm Chow! A rule like that is culturally poisonous to a team filled with Polynesian players!   Remember, UH had great mana (power, spirit) when they were allowed to have that long, wild hair.

My Wallet Drama

Earlier this year, I lost my wallet and had a major scare. That was in May

One Monday morning, as I left my apartment and went to 7-11. While at 7-11, I felt my pockets and .................no wallet! 

I went home ................no wallet!

I was supposed to work at a school that day and had to cancel my work assignment.

The previous night, I was on the UH campus. I remember using the vending machines, so I went to the same vending machine the next morning.................no wallet!

Checked lost & found, called Campus Security................no wallet!

My wallet not only had cash, but my 

• state ID
• debit card
• medical insurance card
• social security card
• bike registration
• bus pass
• and more

So yeah, I had to call the bank and other agencies.   To get a replacement state ID, I need a social security card, but to get a social security card, I needed a state ID (or a driver license or a passport for which I have NEITHER)

I had to empty my bottles of coins and used Coinstar at Foodland just so I could have cash for the week!

Just when I went back home and feel all miserable, I got a message on my BlackBerry! Someone found my wallet!

The cash was gone but all the cards were still there!

A few lessons 

• DO NOT PUT ALL YOUR CARDS IN ONE PLACE
• DO NOT store your state ID and your social security card in the same place
• If you carry your state ID (or driver's license) in your wallet, DO NOT put your Social Security card there too! Hide your Social Security card somewhere else. Hide it somewhere in your home where burglars will have to struggle to find it! 
• Also, hide a small stash of cash somewhere in your home, in case you lost your wallet outside. But make sure it's just a SMALL STASH of cash!  Hiding your life savings under the mattress is just another recipe for disaster! 
• If you don't need to carry certain cards very often, don't leave it in your wallet! Hide them, depending on their importance! 
• Also, I haven't got around to this, but get a Passport and hide it if you're not traveling. In case you lose your wallet with your state ID, you still have your Passport as photo identification

I'm sure there's more tips, but those are just a few I learned from this experience! 

Graduation & Vacation

9 days ago was my 2nd graduation from UH-Manoa,  this time for my master's  in Library & Information Science(LIS).

Since then, I have been on vacation, but still keeping busy with unofficial, personal stuff!



1) Graduation 

My recent graduation was on December 19, 2015.

I set my alarm for 5:15 but I woke up at 4:30am! Very rare, but fate made it happen!

The ceremony was scheduled to start at 9am but the graduates were expected to report at 8am! I arrived circa 7:45 am.

Usually the graduates wait outside. There were grey clouds and drizzles, bringing worries that we would outside in the rain. Lucky for me, the graduate students could line up inside the security gate. But the undergraduates had to wait outside! Oh well!

Here is a video of me waiting!
https://www.facebook.com/pablo.wegesend/videos/10203680571854766/


 The LIS Students waited together as one group.


Then circa 8:40, we all started walking towards the arena floor to take our seats.  When we took our seats, we all looked around to see loved ones out in the stands. I saw my mother and waved.

At 9am, it was time for the usual graduation stuff. The national & state anthems, speeches, the oli (basically a Hawaiian chant performed by students from the Hawaiian Studies program), and the calling out the names.

My high school doesn't call out the names of the graduates, which makes the ceremony much shorter! But at UH, with much more people, does call out the names.  But lucky for us at UH while we are waiting, we can go use the restroom in the backrooms of the arena! No one would stop us!

By noon, it was time for the ceremony to be over! The LIS graduates take one group picture outside the arena, as it would be one last time we are together as a group. Then we our separate ways as we walk to the fields to meet our loved ones.

Those last named A-N wait at the football practice field, while the O-Z wait at the baseball stadium. While we enter, the graduates had the whole field to themselves as the loved ones are held behind the rope, giving us to time to find our spot by our letter.

Then the rope came down, and the loved ones are let loose.

It was just my mom who came. (My father couldn't make it. By the time I told my parents the date & time of graduation, my dad already booked his trip to Mexico. As you could tell, I don't communicate very often with my parents. Oh well!)

I did take pictures with some of the other students, but we didn't stick around for long. Though sometimes I sticked around longer, but my mother is at retirement age and can't stand around for too long. 

Afterwards, it was time to make surprise visits to relatives who couldn't make it. My brother was at work, so we visited his workplace. Then we visited my grandmother, who depends on a walker to get around, and therefore couldn't make it to the graduation! 

2) The Vacation


I was done being a student, and my job as a substitute teacher was on winter break, so I finally had time to do other stuff!

The most important was exercise. I had gained 20+ pounds during my time as an LIS student!  It was all work & school, work & school!

Now, I finally had time to get back on my biking adventures and the YMCA workouts! It feels to be doing those things at least twice a week again! 

I also finally got around to migrating some files from the floppy disks to a USB flash drive. 

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Also my vacation time was used to do some of the following

• set up my ergonomic stand for my new computer (which I bought 3 months ago).
• add photo images to my photo binder (yes, I still use them)
• visit relatives for Christmas
• and of course ........ parties at the club! Last year, I was ill in the week before Christmas, so I was unable to go clubbing with my new green Santa hat on! I finally got around to it this year :)

But there are still some unfinished personal business that I want to take care of soon. They include

• end of the year blog posts
• blog posts reflection of my entire time in LIS
• organizing all those folders I used during my time in LIS. Probably half the items could be shredded, though some of the printed articles were from restricted databases only accessible to UH students. (no, not every article can be found via Google search. Some UH students learned that the hard way, LOL!) 
• organizing all those printed articles & newspaper I've been piling up! Most will probably go into the trash or recycling!  The only problem is finding time to sift through the ones I really wanted to save, then throwing out the rest
• Just general housecleaning! 

Well, it's a few days away from New Year's!  Enjoy!