I focus on what I can make and not what just got ruined

Watsky, Cardboard Castles European Tour
O2 Academy, Islington, London
21st May 2013
Featuring Dylan Saunders
Opening Act: Dumbfoundead

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I’ve been really looking forward to seeing Watsky perform again. His performance at Old Vic Tunnels in August last year was phenomenal and one of the best shows I had ever been too. But this one, ever so slightly, surpassed the excitement, atmosphere and overall amazingness that is Watsky on stage.

First of all, I want to mention Dumbfoundead. I’ve actually heard a couple of his songs before and know of him because of the fact that he’s an Asian rapper and he’s collaborated with some youtubers that I’m subscribed to. As an opening act, he was among the best I have ever seen. He has a great stage presence and manages to endear the audience with his personality and how hard he brings it to his performance. He left me wanting more and I definitely feel that I will look into more of his songs and eventually become a big fan.

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When Watsky eventually graced the stage, it brought back memories of him performing at Old Vic Tunnels. Only this time, I was even more familiar with his music, having continued to follow his music and the new album, Cardboard Castles. He performed a mixture of songs from the album as well as well known songs by him such as IDGAF, 4am and Energy. Each performance held me in an excited trance and I couldn’t help waving my arms and dancing around to every single number. Indication of the positive energy could be seen in the fact that Watsky attempted a crowd surf only after two songs and went ahead to do so few more times during the show. He also climbed the lighting frame so that he could reach the audience on the upper level, his euphoria and excitement too high to worry about falling down.

Dylan, who was my primary reason for seeing Watsky at the Old Vic Tunnels last year, was amazing as always. His voice is among my favourites that exists out there and it really is such a blessing to be able to hear it live. He was featured a lot more in this show which I am really happy about as I think his presence and the addition of the tone of his voice to Watsky’s songs gives them an edge when listening to them live.

Overall, it was an amazing show. I can’t for the life of me, think of anything I didn’t like and that includes the opening act!

I really hope I get to see Watsky and Dumbfoundead perform again. I am tempted to buy a ticket to their Birmingham show just so I can!

VeeCubb Rating: 5 Thumbs Up!

See Watsky live:
22nd May: Manchester Club Academy, Manchester
23rd May: O2 Academy, Oxford
24th May: Kasbah, Coventry
25th May: The Academy, Dublin
27th May: The Think Tank, Newcastle
28th May: O2 ABC, Glasgow
11th July: O2 Academy Birmingham
He will also be performing at Nass Festival in Somerset and Wireless Festival in London this summer!

Things that are definitely going to get you fired on The Apprentice

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I love the Apprentice. There’s something about watching it that makes me think I am way cleverer than the candidates even though I probably wouldn’t even make it through the application process to appear in the show in the first place. The one thing I seem to be really good at though, is knowing who Lord Alan Sugar is going to fire. Sometimes, its someone I think shouldn’t get fired but I know that Lord Al is going to do it because of the person did at least one of the following:

  1. Project Manager
    If you’re the PM of the losing team, you’ve pretty much shot yourself in the foot. Most of the time, the losing team loses because of poor management and guess who’s responsible for that? That’s right, the Project Manager. Sure, they’ll bring in two other candidates with them to the boardroom to battle things out and hope that their poor performances might make Lord Al forget that they fucked up in the first place but in the first couple of weeks, no matter how much the rest of the team fucks up, the PM gets it.
  2. Ignoring Market Research
    What is the point of making a product if you don’t listen to what the people you’re selling to wants? This is usually the fault of the PM, who seems to think, LOOK! I’M IN CHARGE. THEREFORE WHAT I SAY GOES, AND I SAY, SCREW WHAT THEY WANT, THIS IS WHAT *I* WANT! Well dear PM, by ignoring market research you’ve managed to make a product no one wants and no amount of flashy sales pitches or impressive camaraderie between teammates will gloss over the fact that you sold NOTHING.
  3. Practice What You Preach
    If you claim to be good at sales, sell your ass off. If you work in communications, beg to do the pitches. If you’re creative, volunteer to be part of the design. No matter how much of a dictator your PM is, you have to play to your strengths. If you’ve bragged so much to be so good at something to be on the show in the first place, you’re bloody stupid not to put yourself forward when an opportunity to use those skills arises. If the PM still doesn’t listen, well two fingers to them. You fought really hard and they ignored you, its on them. But if you manage to get the role you wanted, you better show something for it. Cos if you claim to be good at something and you end up being shit. You come off as a liar.
  4. Don’t Be Shy…
    I’ve been seeing this tactic over the last couple of years. PM’s bringing the wallflowers, or people playing it ‘safe’, in the boardroom. Because if there’s one thing Lord Al doesn’t like, its someone who doesn’t speak up. Usually these ‘playing it safe’ just can’t be arsed with the bitchy pettiness going on during the task and keep quiet about things cos, urgh its so fucking annoying. These are the poor souls I feel sorry for the most because no matter how much the other prats fucked up, Lord Al appreciates that they at least contributed and gives him something to think about. If he hasn’t seen any kind of contribution from someone, he assumes they have nothing to give. If he’s left with a blank canvass, there’s nothing for him to build on. He wants potential. Sometimes, all they need is a chance but if Lord Al is unwilling to give it… YOU’RE FIRED!

Have you been watching The Apprentice? Who do you think has the potential of winning this year?

The Apprentice is on BBC1, Wednesdays, 9pm

Third time just as lucky…

Iron Man 3
Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Guy Pierce, Rebecca Hall, Don Cheadle


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So here’s an unpopular opinion. Iron Man is not my favourite Avenger. Let that sink in and you are free to agree/disagree with me but that’s how I feel. To be honest, my favourite Avenger varies from time to time but Iron Man has never been one of them. However, this film may have just changed my mind.

The film is a great follow-up to the Avengers movie, the summer blockbuster of 2012. Here, you see how the events of the Avengers has changed Tony Stark and its endearing to see the vulnerable side to him. You really get to see that the man inside the suit is a human being and maybe that was what was lacking for me when it came to choosing my favourite Avenger.

The one thing I really like about this film was the humour. It was funny in the most unexpected places and I loved the amount of times I found myself laughing along with the rest of the theatre at one-liners. I also loved how much of Pepper’s character was integrated in this story. Tony Stark’s and her relationship are at a new level and it adds to Tony’s endearing human nature that we don’t see as much in the previous two movies.

In summary, Iron Man 3 is a fun movie to watch. I found myself wanting to watch the movie again immediately because I enjoyed it so much. The post credits scene however, though humorous, lacked the usual cliffhanger feeling other Avenger post credit scenes usually contain.

Verdict: 4 Vee Thumbs Up!

I’m going to share something really soppy but personal…

So this is the first time I’ve been in a proper relationship

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been in relationships where the guys were labelled as my boyfriends before. I’ve had a fuck buddy. I’ve even dabbled a bit with a few girls. Hell, I had this one angsty best friend turned lover scenario that literally ended with blinding tears. But with this guy… I feel different.

There was a time a few years ago when I felt something like this. We weren’t in a relationship, but there was something between us. We were best friends for years and then suddenly we had one night of passion in the midst of our sexual and emotional tension. At the time, it was unexpected, but looking back on it, I knew it was inevitable. I loved him and I’m pretty sure he loved me but he was Muslim and had so many family expectations and responsibilities that we both knew that we could never have a relationship.We always knew it would never work between us but it hurt me more than it hurt him when us no longer being friends came to be.

With this guy now. There’s something different. We’re learning things about each other every time we see each other. I can tell he likes me a lot and he always says he misses me yet he gives me room and space to be myself and spend time with my friends. The fact that I don’t feel like I’ve sacrificed anything about my life before meeting him - except maybe overtly flirting with people - shows that he doesn’t want to change me and just wants me to be who I am. The sex is amazing because he asks me what I like and what it means when I do certain things so that it just gets better every time we do it. He constantly tells me how beautiful and sexy I am as well as admiring and challenging my intellect whilst making me laugh by doing silly things. He tells me things about himself that sometimes he’s reluctant to share at first but he does anyway because he likes talking to me and that I listen. I can see just by looking at him when he’s worried about something and when I ask him about his woes, he takes a deep breath and is straight up about it instead of just brushing it off.He tells me how not being in control of his emotions scares him but when we’re lying together he always holds me and says he’s the calmest he’s ever been.

Its nearing five months of seeing him now and I seriously think I’m falling for him.

And usually, this would scare the shit out of me.

But I have no fear.

Normally, I would run and hide from feelings like this. Maybe it was because of my insecurities and maybe I didn’t think anyone could ever like me just as I am and I’ve never wanted to be in a relationship if it meant that I had to change or sacrifice something that makes me the person I am. But it seems like this guy, this guy now, he’s allowing me to be who I am and encouraging me to be the person I want to be as well as letting me do the same for him. And I like it.

Outernet Friend, 16.02.2013

  • Friend: I'm meeting his parent's in half an hour! I'm scared. What do I do?
  • Me: I'm the wrong kinda Asian you should be seeking advice from. I'm Filipino, he's Chinese. Gosh. How long have we been friends for?! But seriously, just be you and they'll love you.
  • Friend: I guess
  • Me: But if you really need some advice. Watch Mulan for inspiration.
  • *later*
  • Friend: Hey, so when's my talking dragon turning up?

Glee: I just don’t know what to make of you anymore.

Ok. So I’ve just watched Shooting Star. And I really just don’t know how I feel about this episode.

Its not a secret that Glee isn’t one of my great loves anymore. Sure, I still watch it, but more as an obligation than a pleasure. I’m still in love with the characters but their actions and the stories and plotlines don’t excite me and sometimes make me cringe.

I had zero spoilers for the latest episode. I really had no idea what songs were being covered, whose storyline we were going to follow. I certainly didn’t know that they were going to cover such a controversial yet important subject in Western culture.

The episode started off in the same structure that Glee always does. Mr Schue sets an assignment and the students try to find a song that is most suitable for it. This week it’s “Last Chance” - if you had a last chance to say something to someone, what would it be? This was inspired by Brittany’s rambling on about an asteroid/meteorite/comet coming to earth and therefore ending the world in a few days. For a while, its all hunky dory. A couple of songs are sung, even Lord Tubbington gets serenaded, you can see that Sam is a bit meh about it all, maybe this episode is about him trying to get Brittany to say, I love you?

But then it happens. You hear gun shots.

Gun shots.

On Glee.

Glee had gun shots.

What the hell?!

Suddenly, Glee isn’t all… Glee anymore. We’re in this really intense dramatic situation and really, I was not ready for it and it made me so uncomfortable.

Gun culture is a current and important topic for us to be aware about. The gun culture in America is just scary. Instead of being seen as weapons that are dangerous, they are viewed as safety blankets, something that will protect them. This attitude to guns is the foundation to how some people’s views can evolve from owning a gun as a means of protection into owning a gun as a means of destruction. At the moment US President, Borack Obama is campaigning for a legislation that ensures tighter gun control measures such as background checks on every person that buys and owns a gun and banning certain types of assault weapons. There has been a lot of opposition on this from owners of guns who feel that owning a weapon is a basic human right.

The fact that gun control is a significant and a current matter is one of the reasons why I am surprised Glee decided to tackle it. I understand they have dealt with a few other important issues in the past, such as as bullying and suicide. These, I feel, are good issues for Glee to portray because it’s set in high school and these things happen in all high schools in every society, they happen for real everyday and that’s how Glee has managed to relate to so many people. But guns just don’t fit into Glee’s paradigm. 

It seems to me, that the writers of Glee have gone, “Ok, lets see what else is happening in America that’s SUPER important and how can we incorporate that in our show? I know! Gun Culture!” Of course I don’t think the writers went for it willy nilly but it seems they went for it because they wanted Glee to be more of show that relates to current events and although I think that its good that they want to incorporate that into the show, it doesn’t mean that they have to have a comment on gun culture. Glee doesn’t have to be the voice on an issue like this. School shootings are a delicate subject. The thought of anyone going into a school and shooting at children and that sometimes, those people could be the students themselves, makes me uncomfortable. Its scary to think that children - those we think are innocent and so susceptible to those around them, so open and willing, are also capable of killing. The fact that school massacres have actually happened, make it hard for me to embrace that Glee tried this approach to gun culture.

This is not because I feel its disrespectful to those that have in any way experienced the living hell of what those events, as I feel the acting was superb - I cannot deny it. I genuinely believed the overwhelming fear that every student felt. The initial run for cover, the tears, the anxiety. It seemed those emotions seeped through the screen into me. My hesitation in totally accepting that this was a good episode has to do with Sue’s decision to cover up for Becky. Again, I understand the notion behind it, Sue wanted to protect Becky, she didn’t want her life to be ruined by one mistake. But I don’t think Sue taking rap was the right thing to do. Will Becky be getting the help she needs? She certainly won’t be getting the support she usually gets from Sue anymore. What is ultimately going to happen to fact that Becky has such easy access to a gun? But if Glee really wanted to make a point about gun control across, wouldn’t it have been better if Becky was held responsible? Not only will she able to get the help she needs, her parents and so will other parents of the students at McKinley and other surrounding schools will understand how dangerous it is to own a gun - that owning a gun doesn’t protect your family, it creates an opportunity to hurt them and so many others around them.

Maybe I’m way too invested in my beliefs of gun culture. Maybe I’m reading way too much into an episode that really has handled the topic quite well. But I really don’t know. I enjoyed the performances and yes, I was effected emotionally yet I still feel uncomfortable with that episode and how everything panned out. 

What do you think?

Dear Mum and Dad,

As most of you probably already know, I’m a first-generation Filipino living in London, UK. It’s hard. Many first-generation people living in Britain and in the western world would agree that it’s difficult to find a happy balance between their ethnic culture and the western society we have grown up in.

Personally, it’s a constant struggle even now, at the age of twenty-four, I feel as if the traditional Filipino values are clashing with the ever-growing open mindedness of London society.

Growing up, these would be represented by My Family vs My Friends. In which my family and their friends would always tell me and my sisters about the Filipino culture and most importantly, what was expected of a Filipino girl and her duties. We had our own traditions specific to our own culture such as ‘blessing’ our elders as a greeting which was taking the hand of an elder and putting it to our forehead as a sign of respect. Elders were always right and it was rude to ever say otherwise. My parents were very religious and constantly praying, strongly encouraging us to do so by involving us in the prayers and taking us on pilgrimages. They were strict and we were never allowed to see our friends outside of school. They strongly believed that our actions were watched by everyone and that our reputation among the Filipino community was important. This strongly clashed with how most of my friends grew up. Some of my friends were also first generation but from other cultures such as Ghana and Nigeria. But most of them were white or second/third generation and their traditions and family expectations differed more greatly to my family’s. They had more freedom, they were allowed to socialise with their friends outside of school and more importantly, they were allowed to voice their own views and opinions without worrying whether they’d look bad.

However, now its become My Parents’ Ideals vs My Own Ideals. Being ethnically Filipino is still important to me, but it seems to be more important for my parents. I believe in a higher deity but I’m not religious and yet my parents still pray earnestly and disapprove if I don’t want to go to church. They no longer care about what the Filipino community thinks about us but they still like to show off how well me and my sisters are doing to their relatives around the world. I have realised that my parents haven’t been living in the Philippines for more than twenty years and their Filipino traditions and expectations are more than likely dated. Their views that a woman should guard herself and be a virgin until they are married; a woman should be respectful of all their elders and never talk back, a woman should make sure she is domesticated so that she can look after her husband; are not my views. I believe that a woman should sleep with whoever they want as long as they are comfortable that they are doing so; that I will only show respect to those that do so to me also, if anyone says something I feel is rude or wrong, I will respond to that, whether or not they are my elder; that I am my own woman and my life shouldn’t be about pleasing someone else but about doing what I feel is best for me.

I feel as though my parents have stood still in this evolving society. Instead of evolving and taking in the society they live in, learning through the different cultures that surround us and being open minded, they have stuck in their ways and just tolerated it all. When I was at university, it felt good to be able to live a life where I was totally free from my parents’ ideals. I missed them and my sisters but I didn’t have to constantly worry about whether my parents would approve of my decisions or if it would make us look bad to the rest of the Filipino community. I’ve been back home from university for three years now and I feel as though they’re treating me like a child again. They scrutinise my relationship with the guy I’m seeing, they don’t like that I socialise with my friends instead of staying home, they also think I’m rude to them when I tell them what they’re saying is offensive or if I answer back at their comments and insults about me every time they think I’m doing something wrong.

I need to fly the nest. I need to be able to live my life without my parents constantly reminding me how retrograde their lives are and how mine will become if I continue living with them. I love them unconditionally but I really can’t deal with how different we are. So now my search for a new job has a new motivation and fingers crossed I’ve moved out by the end of the year.

Excited doesn’t even match how I’m feeling right now!

In the upcoming months, I have plans to see some of my favourite people in London!

  • April 22nd: Rebecca Zoe, Water Rats, Kings Cross
    I met Rebecca at Charlene Kaye’s London shows last summer. She’s such a down to earth person and a raw and inspiring musician. Can’t wait to see her perform live again 

  • May 12th: Tori Kelly, Dingwalls, Camden Town
    I was lucky enough to see Tori a few months ago at Bush Hall, I didn’t think that I would be seeing her again so soon! Absolutely excited to see her perform again, I really hope she will perform Fill A Heart!

  • May 21st: Watsky, O2 Academy, Islington
    I am so happy I get to see Watsky again! I saw him live last summer and he was absolutely amazing. I found out yesterday that the talented and smooth as caramel voiced Dylan Saunders is going to accompany him which just makes me so fricking happy because he’s my favourite Starkid and his voice induces less than dapper feelings inside of me.

  • May 22nd: Molotov Jukebox, Madame Jojo’s, Soho
    I haven’t got tickets to this show yet but I fully intend on going! When I went to see Molotov Jukebox for the first time in November, I boldly said that it was the best gig I have ever been to and I still hold fast by that statement. They are so captivating live and it feels more like a party than a performance. I can’t wait to dance my heart out again!

  • June 1st: Sound Of Change, Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham
    The one thing that made me want to buy tickets for this was the fact that Beyonce was headlining this event. I missed out on buying Mrs Carter tour tickets so I’m so excited I get to see her in this! Other artists involved include Ellie Golding, Florence + The Machine, John Legend, Rita Ora and Timbaland. I’m particularly excited to see John Legend and Timbaland - mostly because they have been on the soundtrack in the lovemaking I’ve been having in the last few months. Haha.

  • July 10th: Frank Ocean, O2 Academy, Brixton
    I don’t think anyone can understand how bloody excited I am to see this man live. I honestly never thought it would happen. I’ve been obsessed with his music ever since Channel Orange was released and I am looking forward to finally hearing the music coming from the man himself!

I am so excited for these shows!!!!!

Happy BirthTwoWeeks to me!

26th March. Das mah burfdai yo!

The last couple of weeks have been filled with seeing and spending time with the people I love in order to celebrate my day of birth.

Usually, I don’t really make a deal out of it. Most of the time, I have dinner at home with the family, and go out for dinner with friends, the weekend after. However, this year has just been extra special. I don’t know whether it’s because I’ve made some awesome friends the last year, or I am finally starting to love myself as I am instead of dwelling on getting older and going nowhere.

  • March 22nd: I had dinner and drinks with long time friends. The girls that I have known since school. Some of them I’ve known for more than half my life and whenever I spend time with them, I always feel like I’m coming home. We never see each other as often as we like, we’re adults now. But when we do, we laugh about our past selves and how, really, we haven’t changed at all.

  • March 25th: I spent the night with the guy I’ve been seeing the last few months. He bought me a present, small butterfly stud earrings. They are so beautifully simple and I was so touched by the gesture. It really shows how much attention he gives me by knowing that I like to always wear earrings but he didn’t buy my usual type of earrings, instead making sure they were different and something I could always relate back to him. Also, so. much. sex. uh yes.
  • March 26th: First of all. Morning sex. Birthday morning sex. The best thing to wake up to. I had taken the day off work to chill out but I got a message from one of my friends that some of the Dappers were hanging out in Central London. The Dappers are a group of people I met through Darren Criss’ Street Team UK and since meeting some of them, I’ve made really close friends with them. We met at Tinsletown in Farringdon, which is the place where I met my favourite Dapper, Naima, for the first time. I received the best birthday card ever from her and when other Dappers arrived, we had the best time laughing as we hung out drinking milkshakes. Later on that evening, I had dinner at Cosmos restaurant in Purley Way with my family. We all ended up stuffing our faces with as much food as possible as we took advantage of the all you can eat buffet. I ended the day on the phone to my friend, Kesi. We have been best friends for years and although she now lives in Canada, I still consider her my closest and bestest friend in the world. I’ve pretty much shared things with her that no one else will ever know. Talking to her at the end of my birthday pretty much rounded off an awesome birthday.

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  • March 30th: Myself and one of my Dapper bros, Ross, had a joint Dapper gathering in Nandos and later on at Spoons. I ended up receiving the best birthday presents ever! There’s nothing better than spending time with my favourite Dappers eating chicken and drinking alcohol. Things also went a bit undapper and you know what? I wouldn’t want it any other way!

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Thank you to everyone who contributed in making my 24th birthday the best birthday I’ve celebrated so far. All the messages made me feel so special and spending time with all the people I love made things even better!

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