LeBron's Homecoming: The Aftermath

It's been almost six months since the famed "Decision", Lebron James and the Miami Heat arrived in a raucous and wild Quicken Loans Arena, as the Cavaliers faced the Heat for the first time this season. Right from the player's entrance to the court, cascade of boos plagued the atmosphere of the arena. During pre-game warm-ups, the boos are getting louder and louder whenever LeBron touches the ball. They still have the same sentiments and feelings that they had from the day they witnessed the King's announcement on live television to bring his talents to South Beach, Florida.

LeBron James doing his pre-game ritual - the chalk toss - before tip-off.

I just wrote a blog two days ago on how will LeBron respond to the fired-up frenzy of boos and obscene words thrown by the Cavs fans for the entire game. It looks like he handled it very well and delivered one of his best games (yet...) this season, as the Heat strolled to a 118-90 drubbing of the Cavs. He made a triumphant return and tallied 38 points - 24 in the third quarter - grabbed five rebounds and dished out eight assists.

I watched the game from start to finish (it was 3 or 4 in the morning here in Milan. Whaddya expect? I want to witness it live, hehehe..), so i was able to catch up the introductions of players, were LeBron was introduced first among his teammates, and the arena was roaring into the chants of boos, even louder than the earlier ones. Once adored him, now, lashing their fury to their once-beloved son of the city. You can even hear chants, "Akron hates you" - where LeBron grew up, "Remember Game 5?" - pertaining to his mediocre performance against the Boston Celtics during the Eastern Conference Semifinals a few months ago, where they lost by landslide. But the boos turned into cheers when Cavs owner Dan Gilbert was shown on the big screen, heading towards to his seat, still, they were not able to tick LeBron James off. Even Dywane Wade, took all the brunt the Cavs fans are bashing to the, currently, most hated team in the NBA right now.

A fan shouting at LeBron James. Well, this is something expected.

As funny as it seems, this is not how Cleveland pictured his long-awaited return. They were expecting the Cavs to do beating of the Heat, instead, it's the other way around, where the Heat's the one who did the drubbing. Tensions we're at an all-high scale, but the good thing is there's no violence (although i have to admit that it would be fun to see a bit of it.. hehe..) LeBron even did his chalk toss pre-game ritual, in response to the wave of boos from the audience. Maximum security were installed into the whole arena. From entrances, to locker rooms, from every part of the arena, to make sure LeBron is safe and no inteded violence towards him would prevail. Even if it's one of these nights that are memorable in an akward way, still, i give credit to the Cavaliers' fans for being passionate to their team -- on how much they love their team.. You'll never see the same passion like that somewhere else (i guess..). But, one thing Cavs fans (and the organization as well.. Mr. Dan Gilbert, attention please..) should do soon is to forget all the things that happened for the past six months, and focus on what the current Cavs lineup could bring for the city.

When the game started to unravel in the succeeding periods, the loud noise around the arena started to pacify. LeBron was never fazed in the entire game, smiles back whenever profane words struck his ears. Suddenly, the boisterous, furious crowd of the Cavaliers eventually died down and turned the arena into a deafening dead air of disappointment. A moment of silence, indeed. Just like what Reggie Miller said in an article i have read two days ago, "Embrace the hate of the fans."

Overall, the supposed-to-be revenge night for the Cavs fans never even went their way. So, maybe after this one game of letting all of their hatred and anger out, it's the right time to bind themselves and put their focus in the future of the organization. It was a peaceful homecoming for LeBron, who dominated the hardwood last night and left a jarring reminded to the Cavaliers on all they've lost since he left.

Homecoming: LeBron James' return to Cleveland

The Summer of 2010 was one of the most highlighted events in the National Basketball Association's history, 'cause of the fact that it bears one of the deepest free agent pools in modern basketball times. And, obviously, the most prized free agent from the market this year is LeBron James - who held a one-hour television special, "The Decision", where he chose to bring his talents to South Beach, home of the Miami Heat. The team was able to pull-off, maybe, the best free-agent signing (at least for this decade), as James teamed up with Miami star Dwyane Wade and former Toronto Raptor Chris Bosh. Mixed reactions spread across the cyberspace, even from the legends, to name a few: Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, etc. If he made the right decision, that's what we're yet to find out.

Powerhouse-in-the-making? James, Wade and Bosh.

A month after the regular season went underway, there are teams that already are showing signs they're heading to postseason. Others, well, not living up to the hype this past summer analysts talked about, most especially, the team i'm talking about now, the Miami Heat, who (as of this moment), has a 10 win-8 loss record. Not the starting record media and critics are fantasizing about. Even me, i was surprised in their current state right, although i know that it's too early to judge them, 'cause it takes time for a team to know each other and to function altogether, to run on the same wavelength. There has been a wide outspread of hate to the Heat, for the fact that they went into major overhaul and grab three superstars, most especially, James' former team, The Cleveland Cavaliers. From the day that he made the famed "Decision", outpouring of degrading and bashful words were thrown to the labelled "King". Fans from Cleveland felt that they were stabbed in the back and left for dead. Now, almost twenty games this season, i think Cleveland has a lot to say on Miami's disappointong start.

What's wrong with the Miami Heat?

A day from now (i mean, the 2nd of December), LeBron James and Co. are headed to Cleveland, Ohio, to face the Cavaliers for the first time this season. Expect waves of boos around the arena. Once James's home, now, a very hostile Quicken Loans Arena awaits him, entering the heart of the Lion's Den. Tensions could surface during the 48-minute battle, not between the players, i'm talking about LeBron and the fans. On how should LeBron response to the boos he'll hear for the entire game? According to an NBA Legend, LeBron should embrace the hate of the fans. That's what Reggie Miller says, who's had a fair share of bad guy image during his prime with the Indiana Pacers, been rivals with Spike Lee and the New York Knicks from his heydays. A quote from NBA News-AP:

"When you have 20,000 people yelling and screaming at you, four other guys can concentrate on the floor. So every time I touch the basketball and everyone is yelling and chanting and doing things towards me, well four other guys can concentrate. I knew I could concentrate through that and I hope he takes that approach."

So, from this hour onwards, we'll just have to wait and see how will LeBron handle the pressure his former fans will slam to him on his homecoming. On how will he respond? Let's just find out tommorow. Tune in to your televisions tomorrow, to witness history - Where Hating Happens.

Goodbye, NU 107..

A sad day for Filipino rock music enthusiasts, indeed.

Upon reading different blogs and articles, i learned today that NU 107, "The Home of New Rock", will be closing it's curtains on November 7, 2010 --- a day away before i just found it out. It's sad to know that my most favorite radio station won't be airing anymore in favor of changing it's format to mass demographic image, where they'll be inserting pop music and the likes of it. The cited reason was a financial decision on the owner's part. I remember the first time i listened to NU 107 is when i'm still in high school, and it's my elder sister who introduced that station to me. I think i was third year back then. From that day onwards, i've been an avid rock music fan --- something that hadn't change up to now. One of the reasons why i started listening to rock music is because of NU 107. I find solidarity and peace when i'm listening to the "Home of New Rock".

Even though i'm miles away from my homeland, i never stopped listening to NU. I'm listening to the station through cyberspace, so i can still get updated to the latest rock music happenings in the Philippines. They even have their own awards show for rock artists, the NU Rock Awards. It held it's last show on October 29, 2010. It was very sentimental for everyone around the venue, most especially for the fans, including me. There will be no NU Rock Awards anymore, even though it is now recognized as a prominent award-giving body.

It's been 23 years since their inaugural airing. For 23 years, they've connected to thousands and thousands of pure avid rock fans all over the country --- and all over the world, for those who are living away from the Philippines. Whatever happens, NU 107 will always be the sanctuary of rock. I hope that the rock music picture there will not just burn out and die, mainstream or underground, because of this pivotal event, hence, become more powerful than ever before. Let it not end. It's been almost a decade from the first time i listened to it, and i know i'll miss those days banging my head in the air, clenching my fist, and singing 'til my throat sored, without any regard for human life. Even though i'm not the rebellious teenage guy i once was, i owe a piece of my life to NU 107. I'll miss NU 107, for it has become one of the reasons why rockistas (like me) are united in one piece.

I know there are good things to happen one day. Everything doesn't last forever, but we all know, the legacy of it will continue to live within us. Truly, it has been one heck of a joyful and crazy ride.

Philippine Rock Music scene will never be the same again.

Goodbye, NU 107.

Long live Rock! NU 107! "Home of Nu Rock"

This is it for now. I'm Chris, Signing-off.

Good day.

Bubble Jungle

DAMN!

I just read an article of Mr. Daniel Wagner about the Hong Kong tourist hostage-taking drama and, what the author says, as the Miss Universe fumble. All the points that he mentioned were irritatingly true and accurate that it pierces my eardrum even though there's no sound coming out from the article. I think it's those things that clearly exposes a certain entity's weakness. For this topic, the entity that i'm talking about is none other than my country, The Republic of the Philippines.

He actually didn't only put his focus on the mishandled hostage crisis, nor in the Miss Universe crackdown, but, The Philippines in general: right at the hot seat. He said that, we're supposed to be moving forward to economic growth and political stability. Instead, it is the opposite that is being practised while the whole wide world witness our eventual fall from grace. From the first lines of the article that he wrote, the guilt feeling creeped up to my skin, 'cause in most of the ways, the things he said are true. We settle on what we currently have right now: being a Third-World country --- a spot we're not categorized decades ago. I know it's nice to be simple and be contented on what you have, but we mostly choose to be settled on something unsettling and on a not-so-promising future. Like a bubble. It pops up, very beautiful, but goes off when touched or blown away, in just a nick of time. We're just fine on a less-guaranteed future, even though there's a lot of closed window of opportunities, waiting to be opened. It's not easy to swallow the fact that we're being compared to Indonesia --- the country that took years and years to reunite them all and the place where the most corrupted leader in the history of the world had lived. In our present time, their country shows hope --- something we're not able (or maybe "not capable anymore") to develop. They let their voices be heard, but in a sense that they don't expect too much from each other. So, what does this say about my country's future? Not good at all..

We've been the "apple of the eye" of the world last year because of the journalists-violence-related news that captured the whole world's attention - The Maguindanao Massacre. Now, the Hostage-taking drama of chinese tourists, courtesy of a disgruntled police officer, shared the same international spotlight. I would like to quote Mr. Wagner on this one:

"Filipinos should not therefore be surprised that the Philippine police tried to negotiate with the hijacker of the Chinese tourist bus well after a reasonable period of time had passed, negotiations had failed, and the lives of the tourists were clearly in jeopardy. Police from a variety of other nations would have simply killed him at the first opportunity, regardless of the fact that he was a former colleague. This SWAT team knew how to get the results that were required, but they failed to do so. Why? Their priorities were misaligned. The safety of the hostages should have been paramount - not the fanciful notion that a man who is desperate enough to take hostages would somehow come to his senses at the height of the crisis."

He's quite right in this one. Their top priority should have been the safety AND the lives of the hostages, NOT the life of the agitator, who in many ways, was already given an ample amount of time to surrender peacefully. But, of course, it did not happen that way, so, violence erupted afterwards. A lot of casualties, including the ex-police-officer-turned-madman. This wouldn't had happened if their priorities were given proper attention. On the flip side, i cannot blame the policemen, because they tried their best to accomplish their job --- it's their superiors who were supposed to be responsible on deciding what's the next step. Well, to all the casualties of the mentioned tragedy, may you all rest in peace.

Continuing to his next point, he talks about the Miss Universe fallout. About this one, i have mixed reactions about the comments to our representative. With all due respect to Ms. Maria Venus Raj, i'm proud of her for doing her best to claim the prestigious crown, although it fell short. I'm not being bias, because of the reason we have the same nationality. I just know how acknowledge someone else's effort. BUT ---- to reason out senselessly and making excuses is another matter. I don't think she had been chosen if she doesn't have the backbone to be the one. Nervous? Yeah, it's understandable, but everyone's nervous, too. It's an international spectacle. Who wouldn't get nervous? If she was only able to come up with a better response to the question asked to her (were viewers from my country are complaining that the "question is too hard"), she could've been basking in glory right now and earns utmost recognition throughout the entire nation. In a competition like this, you can't expect shortcuts to prominence. Physically, mentally and spiritually, whoever she is, she must be ready. Making terrible excuse is one load of crap. Oh well, better luck next time.

I take Mr. Wagner's criticism on a positive note. It is constructive and it's something we should build up on to. We want change, we can make it happen. Philippines, in general, is on rebuilding process that may take forever to happen, but i don't care. We're not bubbles who pops out when needed, then goes off when someone was needed to be held accountable, hence, we'll just be a jungle of bubbles. I hope that one day, our foot is back on a place where we once was. It's not impossible.

Good day.

Turning the Tide: An outlook on Filipinos living in Italy

I've been out of my mother country for almost two years now, but somehow, i was able to picture how my countrymen cope up with their lives while they're miles away from their loved ones. And it's sad to say that most of them, not to criticize them, are living in a way most of them sees it as a "normal activity" --- out from God's guidance.

To give you a brief information on how does a normal Filipino run their lives here, here's a few things i was able to observe:

* They mostly focus their lives on working non-stop (something i'm not against to)

* Married people (mostly women) are having "third-party", to ease their longing for care.

* Moral and spiritual values doesn't seem to be important anymore.

Those are just a few things that i was able to crack from the day i set foot here. I'm not here to scrutinize them, but that's the reality of life here. I'm hoping that i can help them in any sort, to put them back on the right track.

Filipinos are known to be "natural born fighters" --- meaning, we fought very hard for what we want to have in life. We have to work hard for something we would like to achieve. Everything was not given for free. Nowadays, i can still see that kind of fierceful attitude --- but in a negative manner. They would fight hard to secure their families' future, but they would sacrifice the moral values that the elders had thought us. From the pointers that i've mention, the most that i would like to pinpoint is losing the moral and spiritual values. In exchange for a bright future, impatient decisions surfaces, just to provide the life they wanted for their loved ones. But, spiritual-wise, that's not supposed to be like that, especially in God's eyes. I remember one bible verse on Proverbs chapter 3, verse 5 to 6, that says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." See, God wants us to rely not on our hasty decisions, but to have faith and to trust our lives unto Him. I wish i would just close my eyes and dream of everything in the world will be alright, but of course i know it doesn't work like that. God gave us the knowledge to live right, we just need to use that knowledge properly. God would not lead us to a sorrowful life, we just have to follow him on the right path. I'm not talking here as a righteous and perfect person. 'cause everybody knows that we're all sinners and nobody's perfect, but He always forgives and always gives us a chance to have a happy and peaceful life --- if we'll just choose to.

I was able to ask a few fellow pinoys, mostly women, on why they can't stay faithful to their original partners in life. Most of them would say that their partners were the first ones who did something unfaithful, or some of them would say they just want comfort in times of loneliness, or you would here others reasoning that both of them doesn't have a job to provide their families' needs, so they would put their married life on the line and at risk. I asked them if they still go to church or at least pray, i was surprised to hear that most of them would rather go out and have a good time, do unusual stuff than to spare a few moments to ask for blessings and forgiveness. I prayed that one day, they'll open their eyes and their heart to ease the hardships they're currently undergoing.

I believe that the things i've mentioned are not only happening in Italy, but in the whole wide world as well. I just hope that one day, they'll have a different outlook in life. As a fellow filipino, i would like to help them in any way i can and to the fullest extent of my capabilities. United we stand, united we fall. And i know that the things that i've said may sound far fetched, but there's nothing impossible in life. We can turn things from "deniable to acceptable". God works in miraculous ways. Amen to that.

Good day to everyone.

Thank you, Life...

It's been more than a year now since i left the Philippines to find better luck and greater opportunity here in Denmark. I may had ups and downs, glories and struggles, but one thing's for sure: i had a wonderful time wandering and living here. My life was rejuvenated from the first day i stepped into this beautiful land. My life, somehow, took a turn from everything-else-failed mentality to there's-always-another-chance mindset. I'm close to giving up fixing my terrible past life (except the love life, 'cause the past was very good, i just blew it.), having a hard time squeezing everything to make up for the time lost. Each passing days, it feels like that i wanted to give up, and i did grew tired, eventually --- the past ME. The selfish, prideful Me. Leaving my mother country for a foreign land was a complete gamble for me. But, this is something that can be seen as the "stroke that broke the camel's back". What i mean is, in just one snap, my life suddenly had the greatest turnaround that i ever experienced, from the day i set foot here. Little do i know that there's already something happening that started the inevitable: Finding myself back in the arms of God. He guided me to go back to the life i once had. My day of redemption came.

Things did not really went the way i planned it. It also has been a rocky-road adventure. But, the thing is, it made me more mature and looked at life in a different perspective. I cannot say it was very spectacular, but i know, it's something worthwhile and gave a lot of lessons in life. I gained God's glory once again, gained new friends and learned new things. I'm praying to continue and maintain my relationship with God --- this time, for good. No turning back, always looking forward.

To be given a chance to live in a foreign soil, can already be called a privilege. So, for me, it is a great privilege for me stay here, even though it's on a limited basis. Denmark played a very big role in altering my life. I quite had a major reconstruction of myself. I've adjusted very well to the lifestyle and culture that they have here. I'm also surrounded by my new found friends, friends that was given to me by God. They've been there all the time, good times and in bad. I just feel sad that i'm leaving them behind, but, emotionally and spiritually, we will forever be attached to one another. I never shared the same bonding to anyone before, like what we had here. What makes it more unique is, that we have different nationalities, so we have different things to offer. We learned each others traits, cultures and knowledges. I'll forever cherish the time i spent with them. We may or may not see each other again physically, but, by faith, our lives will always be together through the eyes of God.

Thanks for the wonderful and amazing adventure with you, guys.

It's now time for me to take another step to a very long chapter of my life. I know that someday, the things that happened to me here in Denmark will play a vital role on what i will become in the future. To all my relatives, friends, and to everyone that shared their life, thank you very much, 'cause that means a lot to me. I would also like to give thanks to the church i'd been a part of. They were a bunch of nice people who had become a family to me. I was welcomed with open arms from the first day, and i know, when one day i come back, they're still the loving people that i knew from the very start. More power to Copenhagen Community Church. And thanks to God, he lead me once again to follow the path of righteousness. Thanks to the life that i had here, even for a short, but a memorable, special time.

May God bless you all..

Amen.

"If Life gives you a thousand reasons to cry, show Life that you have a million reasons to smile"

Feel The Orange!

Roskilde Festival. The biggest rock festival in the whole Scandinavian region. Four days of peace, music, culture and humanism. (actually, it's at least 9 or 10 days, including the "warm-up" days, hehehe...). On the lighter side, days of rest, relaxation, and eccentricity. Why is that so? You'll witness different weirdness during the camp, but in a way, you'll enjoy the odd approach of the people at the festival. To give you a little history about the festival: It was started by two high school students in 1971, and considered as one of the five biggest music festivals in the entire Europe (the other four being Sziget Festival of Hungary, Glastonbury Festival of UK, Paleo Festival of Switzerland, and Rock Werchter of Belgium). What does the Orange feeling brings to us? It can be something extremely wild and break free, but not in the other's expense; Days and days of partying at the camping areas, forgetting the outside world for the mean time; Meeting people that you would not otherwise met; Or it could be just a simple explanation of diverse community of people united in celebration and joy, created by more than a 100,000 different people, around the world --- That could be the Orange Feeling.

The CD Cover that i made.

I left home on the 25th of June, and i wasn't even feeling very well. That day, is the start of the check-in for campers, inlcluding the volunteers for the festival, 'cause i'm a volunteer as well. From Copenhagen to Roskilde, i was quite ok during my travel, until i arrived at the check-in area. My first attempt to check-in was unsuccessful, 'cause i forgot to bring an ID with a photo. Then after that, i felt very dizzy and nauseous. Then i decided to go to my friend's house a few kilometers away from Roskilde, but even before reaching her place, i vomitted liters of water, TWICE. And the thing is, i don't know what the heck happened to me. So, i rested there for a couple of hours, after that i proceeded to going back home to get an ID and then, went back to Roskilde to check-in and get my festival wrist band. Whew! Tiring isn't it?

The following day, June 26th, i went at the festival site as early as i can for me to be able to set up my tent on the best possible spot that i can get. Fortunately, i was able to put my tent up on a very nice spot, in my own opinion. That day i don't have any scheduled work for the organization i volunteered for, so, that's the right time for me to explore the whole festival grounds.

Camp site view at the Roskilde Festival.

It's already crazy, even if it's just the first day of the event. Overflowing of drunken people and noisy bunch of teenagers flock the area on it's maiden day of the festival. What i did most on the first day is to observe the environment, as it is my first time to be in a music festival and another thing is, i went there all by myself. I made some friends right away (Norwegian friends to be precise) after putting up my tent, and they're kind of nice. After putting it up, we sat on the grass, had some chips, beer and wine before we put up the pavilion tent (that's where we all sit around and get drunk, hehe..)

On the other side from our camp site, a big skateboard area stands there. Mostly of the so-called "warm-up" days, activities are going on there. Some of the activities, you can call "mini extreme games". Guys showing their stuff on the field with the equipment of their choice: A skateboard? A roller skate? A BMX bike? Pick your poison. During the day, people gather around the place to witness some gravity-defying, eye-popping acts that could wow people around, or, make them scream in anguish if the attempt failed in epic proportions. Just as easy as that.

The skate board area. A few steps away from my camp site.

One thing about Roskilde Festival this year is, the sun shone all the time with one exception from wednesday, 28th of June, when they day started gloomy and a bit windy, as well. But other than that, 'til the last day, the sun mightily spreads out the heat wave (heat wave? is that too much?) beneath us. But from the historical standpoint of the festival, the hottest year the event encountered was of last year, 2009, 40 years since it's inception. And to tell you, i'm quite dark right now while writing this, and my skin is starting to peel off the sunburn i had. There are also years that the festival experienced rain, as 2007 being the wettest one yet, by a very large margin. Most of the people left to watch concerts and do some other stuff, only to find later that their tents are flooded. Even though this is one of the rain-plagued festival, people still enjoyed their stay, played in the mud, and made the most out of it.

A photo from Roskilde Festival 2007. Flooded tents.

Another things about Roskilde Festival is that, they not only focused with concerts, they also have recreational and earth-friendly activities, not to bore the guests. They have a place where you can record a demo song, create your own album cover, play The Invaders and Pacman using guitars and keyboards (weird, isn't it?), free internet access, photo galleries of the past Roskilde Festivals, and so much more to tell that i don't remember the others. There's also a place where eco-friendly people show their stuff to help battle the ongoing effects of climate change. There's also an area where gamers are so welcome, as they have PC's and gaming consoles to put together in one place, avid gamer fans (just like me). So, you're not just stuck with watching bands performing, you can do a lot of things right at the heart of Roskilde Festival.

Foods are also one part of the festival that made it great, although if you're not prepared, it might look at bit expensive to buy foods there, like going to a war without enough ammos for your gun. But, in a rightful conclusion, the food is great (even if the food that i ate the most are burgers and pizzas, hehehe...). It's more of a multicultural delicacies. You have scandinavian food, italian, mexican, indian food (from India, not the indians in the US), and many more to choose from. One thing i find weird is, i've been all through the whole festival site, but i never saw one store or bar that sells --- Coca-Cola. Yes, you read it right --- until i went to this one concert and beside of the stage is a mini-bar, with Coke! So, i grab the opportunity to buy at least one cup (attention: one cup of Coca-Cola (0.5L) costs 25 danish krones). There, i quenched my thirst under the blazing hot sun.

The Orange Stage - Roskilde Festival's symbol, circa 1971.

After the warm-up days, the main festival site opens. My eyes were amazed to see the Orange Stage, first-hand. It was very beautiful. It's the one that symbolizes Roskilde Festival. This year marked the 40the year anniversary of the fest. Other than the festival, they also held a, somewhat, a Memorial Day, for the casualties of 2000 Festival accident. 9 people died --- 3 Danes, 3 Swedes, a German, an Australian, and a Dutch --- were crushed when people started rushing towards the Orange Stage, during the Pearl Jam concert. Before the accident in 2000, Roskilde Festival is considered to be one of the safest festivals. So the following year, massive revision with regards to safety were made, to avoid similar accidents. This year, is the 10th year of their passing and they made a memorial grove in which every year people place flowers in honor of the young people's memory. I wasn't able to witness the commemoration, but my heart is with the people who help ease the pain from the families' victims of the tragic accident.

When the main festival site opened, that's when the big-name bands starts performing. The first day of the concert, i was there, and Gorillaz were performing. Quite a wonderful experience for someone like me who never goes to places like that, and i think i lost my voice singing with 60,000 people at the same time in the tune of "Clint Eastwood". The last time i went to the Orange Stage is on the 3rd of July, to see The Prodigy perform. 3 hours prior to their concert, i'm already on the line, waiting for Muse to finish their performance. I was able to go in the front of the stage, meaning in the front pit, where all craziness happens. When Prodigy played "Breathe", all hell breaks loose. Boys and girls, we all jump like crazy lunatics with no regard for human life. I was even hit with an elbow to my cheek bone by someone i didn't see. So, as we swing our elbows and kick our legs randomly, whoever gets hit, well, all we (or should i say, "I") can say is --- sorry. After that song, most of the girls (well, there's still some brave women who stayed and wrestled with every men inside the lion's den) who entered the front pit decided to go out and leave all the banging for the tough ones. The banging is so hard that i didn't felt that i lost my wallet, only when i decided to get out, then i noticed my wallet is gone from my back pocket. Good thing, there's no money inside of it, but my klippekort (the card that i use for transportation) is there. So, out of guts and natural instincts, i still tried my best to look for that and used my mobile phone as it has a flashlight --- right in the middle of the crowds' furious frenzy. The thing that i did not gave up looking up for is admirable, one guy in the crowd said, and miraculously, i found it. So, after that, i decided to go out completely, in fear of losing it again.

I decided to go home sunday morning, 4th of July. I started packing my things right after waking up. I left almost noon, but with no regrets, and a smile painted in my face. Truly, Roskilde Festival opened my eyes to a wild, crazy, joyful world of peace and music. I'm already satisfied with what i had experienced, even if there's one more day of celebration. I've done my part for volunteering and helping the organization i signed up for, and for that, i want to say thank you for the people, who let me experience and join them to this annual event that i'll forever remember for the rest of my life. For the guys that i met during the festival, see you when i see you.

Some of the guys i worked with in the organization i volunteered.

Overall, the festival is one overwhelming experience and i'm looking forward to doing it again. These are the days that you can seclude yourself for a while, have a drink, go to a very big party, and enjoy life. Roskilde Festival epitomizes unity, camaraderie, friendship and peace. As years goes by, i'm expecting that the flame of the Orange feeling continues to burn and let the aura and power of music flow for the next hundreds and hundreds of years to come.

Long Live the Orange feeling!

Rock on!