Thursday, September 25, 2014

Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends

I grew up watching the Samurai X series and I am not ashamed to call myself a fan. Right now, I'm just so happy to have watched the live action movie of Rurouni Kenshin at this point in my life where I have a different understanding of things. 

When I was younger, what's remarkable for me was the philosophy on "Survival of the Fittest: The strong shall live, the weak shall die" (like this is what I seriously write as my favorite motto in slambooks). But as years went by, I eventually learned that it's not all about strength. The ones who are truly strong are those who have the will to live for the ones they love, whether they are physically able or not. The strongest ones are those people who choose to live and not merely survive.

I can' t find a better way to explain this wisdom more so I'll just borrow the words of Seijūrō Hiko: "The will to live is stronger than anything else."

Kenshin Himura, you truly are the heart of sword. Thank you for being a very big part of my childhood.

Salute the samurai.

Monday, September 22, 2014

Let her go

He

I was playing for a crowd of about two hundred at the Rizal Park. It's been five years since she left without notice, vanishing from a sea of people, never to be seen again. I was worried when I didn't see her as I crooned the last notes that day. After the gig, I left my keyboard, ran on the sidewalk and scanned the place. Maybe she just went somewhere. Took a call? Went to the bathroom?

She always stays for the last song. Why has she disappeared? I was paranoid, I know. But this time, something didn't feel right. And I was right.

She

He was far from the guy I knew before. He was a geeky and poetic boy who loves to read and write songs. Well he still does that. However now, I guess he has bloomed into the cooler version of himself. That's a good thing, ayt? When I met him, we were both looking for an adventure-- a shift from the normal way of living our everyday's

I'd like to believe that we made significant differences on each other's life. He helped me control my rebellious streak that surges every time I lose my temper. I made him fight for what he wants most.

He is a nice guy. I think that's the only thing that won't change in him. He might have gotten even better when I left. I always see him on TV and magazines these days. His literary music has transformed people. I was glad to know him when everything else was simple.

He

I never found out where she went. This makes the pain more hurting. Her friends won't tell me where she is. Her family, well, I never really met them. It's actually surprising that in the two years that we're together, I've never been in her home. She's a very private person. I respected that. 

But until now, I am worried. I hope she's safe and okay. I hope she doesn't stress herself too much or worry about the future a lot. 

I want to hold her hand tightly. But I failed to do that.

Just now, I again played for a crowd in a square with triple the number of the typical audience I get before I went mainstream. Not all mainstream music is bad. Same as not all indie music is good. 

After the performance, I'm given this day to sight-see. Melbourne is a nice place. But what I like more than visiting places is observing people. She used to call it 'people watching.' It teaches you so much about life, she would say. She's always amused by how people behave. She would tell me, when you spend an enough portion of your time looking at people, the patterns get clearer-- but then there are instances that people would surprise you. Rare people, she would add. Then she'd change the subject.

There's a bookstore at the corner. Might as well get in.

She

I knew back then that my job was done. He has grown into the man he has ever wanted. He learned to speak up for himself. He even agreed to try a new haircut! He became more passionate in his craft. That's how you man up for your dreams!

I love reading books. That's how we met. 

I was looking for The Typerwriter is Holy, a legit biography of the Beatniks. He wasn't looking for the same book. He was just at the other side of the shelf when he... well, that's a different story to tell. For another day, I guess.

Most of my contemporary collections are not signed copies. Not that I'm not a fan. I am. I just can't afford to lose something so important like a signed copy of Anansi Boys or a James Dean vintage mug. I don't wanna possess something that will give me too much pain when it's broken or gone.

What you can lose, better not have it in the first place.

He

This bookstore smells good. I remember us taking long walks in bookstores. That's how we defined going out.

I always hope that if I die, heaven would turn out to be a huge library or a concert hall. She does too.

When I was starting up, she was the only one who patiently listened to my music. Over and above everything, she was, and still is, my muse. 

Every time I go inside a bookstore, I keep looking around. God, please help me find her.

She

I'm supposed to pick up the special hardbound release of the series I was following. I like the day today, windy and cold. It makes me nostalgic... and sad.

I'm never gonna see him again. That was a stupid decision but I have to live with that. I had to do it anyway. Aren't we all living with something that haunts us for the rest of our lives?

Oh God. 

Will you let me see him? Even one last time?

He

Letting her slip away was in all levels wrong. I should have foreseen that happening had I paid more attention. I failed to say something, to do something. And I am now paying the price. 

Please let me see her. 

And damn me if I lose her again.


*the door swivels*


Passenger - Let Her Go