When I was a student there, it was an all-girl Catholic high school. You’d think the bands would be more decent now that they’ve got guys playing in them. But instead of feeling disappointed, I was rather amused at how they horrendous they sounded, and how they concentrated more on their antics than their sound. Also amusing was how some things didn’t change, particularly in how kids write songs for a songwriting contest. The younger bands still take things too literally, making something almost jingle-like in nature. The older bands are either subtle or totally off the mark. What else didn’t change? Lead guitarists still can’t shred worth squat.

These kids actually remember me as the drummer of the senior band seven years ago. They still remember me as the quiet leader of the band who tuned everyone’s instruments and sang back up vocals behind a drum set. Loners were usually laughed at, but for a loner, people found me quite cool if only because I was in a band. It admittedly got to my head for a while. I constantly criticized how bands played (my own band included), just because I knew how to play virtually every instrument the regular small town folk knew of. That didn’t take too long, though. I eventually got tired of my kibitzing and just enjoyed the music. And I screamed like a rabid fangirl whenever necessary. But I knew fully well from experience how assholes musicians can be, so I decided to never date a musician. At least not the kind who took it as seriously as I did.

Judging for a high school band competition was especially amusing, as I haven’t criticized high school bands in a long time. They sounded worse than any high school band I’ve ever heard (so much that I wanted to get on stage and tune their guitars), but I found myself enjoying their performances. The highest score I gave was a measly 55%, but it was fun.

Nope, I still wouldn’t date a musician. I’m happily taken, and even if I weren’t, music is too precious to me for me to risk being all cynical about it again. But hey, I’d still stalk Trent Reznor, Stephen Jenkins, and the Kaulitz twins.

Gibson Les Paul Goddess

I don’t care if Gibson Guitars are overpriced. I drool over the Les Paul Goddess. It’s the perfect guitar for girls. Aside from it being really pretty, it’s really comfortable, too. It has a lightweight mahogany body and a slimmer profile neck (for smaller hands). And as expected from a Gibson, it’s got awesome craftsmanship and sound. The Goddess has powerful 490T and 498R humbucking pick-ups to make it produce strong, commanding sounds when played loud, and subtle and responsive tones at lower volumes. They’re made specifically for female guitar players, but I know a lot of guys who would actually be willing to play this axe simply for the no-frills comfort it provides and the no-bullcrap sound it makes. And at 1,700 USD, it’s pretty cheap for a Gibson.

Of course I’d want to have one of these if I could actually get my hands on one as these models have been discontinued. What still IS there that looks promising is the Les Paul Vixen, which I have yet to try out. And I’d get an electric guitar if and when I feel confident enough in my playing. For now, unless someone gets me an electric guitar, I’m sticking my good ol’ acoustic Gibson SG-shaped axe.

Apple iPod Classic 120GB

No, I actually do NOT have a portable mp3 player. Shocking. I’d buy a cheap one, but I need a lot of space to store a lot of songs, as I get tired of overplayed songs pretty easily. Except for Vienna Teng’s. But I digress.

Despite the popularity and the kickass features of the iPod touch, I’d want to have an iPod Classic with 120 GB of space. I won’t go into detail as to how wonderful iPods are, but I will say why I want an iPod Classic more than an iPod Touch. More than sweet graphics and additional features like gaming and internet, I need the space for the music I’m too stingy to put in my laptop, and other junk I have in my files (papers, PSD’s, graphic design resources, coffee recipes, etc.). And God knows I’m pretty clumsy accident-prone, so I’ll need something a little tougher than the iPod touch. Something that isn’t gonna get cracked by my hips or my derriere.

Yes, I have heard of the Microsoft Zune, but um…I’m too much of an Apple whore to consider other brands. If Apple has it, chances are I get the Apple version.

Grado GS1000

I’m more of a music nerd than an audiophile, so I don’t appreciate audiophile headphones as much. And I’m too stingy to spend for audiophile headphones. But my word, the Grado GS1000 Headphones blew me away when I first tried them out. These are, without a doubt, the finest set of cans I’ve ever had the pleasure of using, even if it was for roughly just five minutes. There is no special super advanced technology that makes these cans deliver such wonderful sonics. Just excellent craftsmanship, and pure design genius. The mahogany housing combined with high-powered drivers deliver absolutely immaculate, flawlessly balanced sound. The dynamics are unbeatable, the top end is pristine, and the bass is deep but crisp. All these are enjoyed with an enlarged soundstage (thanks to the specially-made room in the cushions for the ears), resulting in amazing separation, making the listener hear every single layer of music. Layman’s terms? Unlike most headphones that make you feel like you’re on the front row of a live performance, the Grado GS1000 makes you feel like you’re on stage with the artist. It feels like the artist is right in front of you. You can almost feel their breath.

For professional use, like for recording or engineering music, I’d get a Sennheiser. But for sheer eargasm, I’m sold to these wooden babies.