Not a book nor a travel related post. This is something more personal and maybe, music related.

I just need an outlet to post my thoughts and feelings about this issue so bear with me.

I got a text from one of my closest friends last Sunday, saying that Stephen Gately of Boyzone just died.

At first I was doubtful that this was true. Boyzone's manager was undeniably the greatest tabloid story maker of all time, going to lengths of exaggerating stories about the artists he manages.

But this time, the stories were true. He did indeed die tragically whilst on holiday in Majorca, Spain. Cause of death was still unknown.

So why am I moved by this death? Well, to be honest, Boyzone was a HUGE part of my life. I was around 12 when I found their music out, and was always listening to them whilst I was dealing with my father's illness, and eventual passing. I grew up with them, their songs always make my heart skip a bit, and since I was quite young when the boyz went to Manila and dealing with a loss of a loved one in 1998, I never got to see them live.

My mom tried her best to make up for lost time of me not being able to watch my favourite band on earth. One day, when I found out Stephen Gately was going to Manila for a promotional tour at the Hard Rock Cafe, my mom helped me secure tickets and even drove me and my best friend to the concert.

That was the first time I've ever seen Stephen Gately personally.

I want to upload the photos but I've got to find the hardcopies and the negatives first. In that day and age, there were only analog cameras. I was granted access to a press conference [God knows how I got in], and also front row seats in the performance. *sigh* Those were the days.
  

Stephen used to be my favourite member in Boyzone when I was younger until he was eventually overshadowed by Ronan Keating.

10 years on, in 2008, I was lucky enough to be sent on a business trip to London.

A few days before June 1, 2008, I was surfing the internet to look for concerts in London while I was around. Lo and behold, Boyzone were performing in Wembley Arena on June 1, 2008 as part of their comeback tour. [Another travel-related blog post will be uploaded within the next few weeks/days about my trip to Wembley]

I was a bit apprehensive at first since I've no one to go with but hey, I don't care if I'm alone. I've got the ultimate sign: I've got 6th row front centre block tickets during my last minute booking. See photo above on how close I was :D

I was shocked. I immediately booked it and well.... I got to see them live on June 1st, just a few hours after landing in London.

That's how big a fan I was.

High school friends, officemates, and other friends all left me messages about Stephen Gately's passing.

And I was deeply moved that they immediately thought of me after [well, being one of their biggest fans in the third world from grade school until now, who wouldn't forget me?]

It just goes to show how life is so short. :( There were so many people tragically dying in 2009. You don't really know when you're going to go.

So while the fate of the band is still in limbo, and whilst the rest of the boyz are still coping, we still have to move on right now.

*sigh*

RIP Steo, you will be missed.

Since I don't have any bookish related things to share, and since a friend of mine wanted me to blog about some of my travels, I might as well start off with a long overdue post from a trip to the UK last June-July 2008.

After a long plane ride from Manila to Dubai and finally to London, I landed on June 1st, Saturday, around 8AM.
[More info in another blog post]

After resting in my apartment in Smithfield, unpacking and cooking my lunch, it was time to go sightseeing with my friends!

First up was North Greenwich.

** Map of the different areas in Central London's East Side. Taken near St. Paul's Cathedral by myself **

From Farringdon station, I bought myself an Oyster Card [tip: buy an Oyster card! It is accepted in the bus and the Underground and you'll get fares that are so much cheaper than the typical single fare rate]. I honestly have no idea which station or line of train we rode in and where we stopped! I was at a daze! I think we went down the Circle/Metropolitan line [again, I don't remember] in Westminster [or was it London Bridge?] but when we headed for the Jubilee line, we found out it was closed! Good thing there were free bus services that were shuttling us around the areas where the Jubilee line was supposed to service.

Note: If travelling in London, most underground lines or stations could be closed during weekends because they're under maintenance service. Before you enter the train station, always read the advisories first to make alternate routes. The underground station is quite confusing to understand at first, but every station has free maps in it, and most station has an interchange or another station within walking distance so you could easily find your way around it, easypeasy! :) Also take note that some stations or train lines close earlier than the others so do make your research and you'll be fine :)

We went down the O2 Arena.

Map of London's underground. Confusing? Not really. The different colours represent the different train lines and the circles are station names.

The O2 Arena is a large multimedia arena that used to be called the Millennium Dome. It is the venue for some of the concerts hosted in London. At the time I was there, The Osmonds were playing, and two days before were Boyzone [more about Boyzone later]. It was such a huge venue, it houses a cinema [called the Vue], an exhibition hall [called the O2 Bubble -- King Tut was exhibited at the time, it was actually their first exhibition in this venue, and again, this will be elaborated on another post], various restaurants and bars [Entertainment Avenue], and some other stores. Plus, the dome itself is very distinctive -- you could easily see it from aerial shots of London. *sigh*

There is no entrance fee to go around the O2 grounds, but separate entrance fees if you're going to watch a concert or go see an exhibition in the hall. If you're going to convert from peso to pounds, be sure not to be shocked at the prices cos some of them are absolutely outrageous! At the time, the pound-peso exchange rate was nearly P90 so do the math :P

** me at the O2 Arena **

After the O2, we also went around the North Greenwich area, which will be covered in another post!

Tah for now!

I love the smells, the sights, the sounds.

I loved ye ever since I was a tot.

I love the events and acts that graze your presence.

They would never miss a trip without going to your graces.

I will definitely come back, oh yes I will.

Wait for me, I'll find a way.