When a family member passes away

I really wasn't sure what to expect when I received the phone call from my mom, telling me that Grandma's house had burned she said. I was thinking that perhaps a small grease fire had occured, or maybe even just a small fire had charred a small portion of the kitchen. Yet as I drove over to their house on Edgeware Road, the huge plumes of white smoke caused my pulse to race, as my second home, a place I grew up in, burned and forever would never be the same.

For 38 years this house, the place that my family has called "home" was the center of their universe. A place to return to, a place to celebrate, a place to call their own after having left their native Philippines. Their own piece of the American Dream. Yet in a matter of minutes, 38 years turn to ash and rubble, soot and smoke, memory and heartache. This house, which in sports terms could be labled as the 6th man, etc. was a family member, a "silent" partner in the history of our family, only complaining when a new coat of paint was needed, or perhaps creek when settling, etc. Yet for each day "it" was around, it provided a haven for my family, a museum for all the things they cherished in their lives, a temple per say for everything my family held dear and close.

I spent the bulk of today sifting through piles of burnt wood, ash, clothing, furniture, etc. I saw things I had not seen since I was a child. I remembered things that I thought were long forgot. Yet with each search for things that could still be saved, I was on a forced archeological quest, one that led me back to where not only I started, but my family as well. I came accross photographs, old toys, knick-knacks, etc. stuff I thought were long gone. Yet in this temple, Grandma and Grandpa felt that even the smallest toy that their grandchildren owned , were worth saving, and keeping, for value far beyond that of sentimentality. In the ashes and smoke, I realized thier ongoing love and adoration for not only us, but for the history that families build throughout their lives.


Soon this house that housed so many memories will be gone, but the ghosts of wonderful times when those who are no longer here will live on in our memories, hearts and pictures. Through the small bits and pieces that we were able to save, through the people have ever called this place "home".

I'm not really sure how to feel yet. It's only been a day.

Take care of your family. All of them.

A DRAGON caught in some power lines

Yes, low and behold, today I saw a real dragon caught in some power lines outside my voice teacher's place. A sight you don't normally see. It's kinda sad cause you can tell that he (or she, could't tell from my distance) wanted to fly and be free, yet there he/she was, ensnared for who knows how long, grounded in a way until someone saves him/her.


Do you sometimes feel that way?

Of Tris, Cafes, and 360's

What a whirlwind of a week I've had. It all started last saturday with my second triathlon of the season, a day in which I literally stayed up 23 hours due to all the stuff going on that day, then a great Cold Tofu performance at a cafe called "Sabor y Cultura" and finally waiting a whole hour to get my hands on my own Xbox 360!


Sure, some of this stuff may seem quite un-extroadinary, but to have propelled your body 32.2 miles in 2:44, played on your buddie's Xbox for 5 straight hours, then head over to another party to play "Guitar Hero" for another 3 hours, wake up the next day, shoot your friends' headshots, and then later perform in front of a coffee house crowd... totally awesome!

I know, nothing really special. But it was one hell of a weekend. Oh, and here's the pic of my new Xbox (well, the box at least).


So, for a few days, perhaps weeks, and god forbid months, I will playing on my new time waster. Heck, we all need some sort of escape from reality sometimes don't we? (As if acting isn't enough!)

The moral of this post - go out and have some FUN!!! Life is too short to spend it behind a desk all the time. Go out and find something you enjoy doing, and try to do it as much as you can.

Till next time!

Photoshop and other stuff

I've been shooting a lot lately, mostly friends of mine - headshots for their work (acting work that is), and have been enjoying it immensely as I always have. At the end of my most recent sessions, I took one "art" shot for myself and decided to do some photoshopping on it to make it even more artistic. Check this out:



Of course I had to downsize it so the quality isn't really there, but you should see it on my calibrated screen! Amazing if I should say so myself. Okay, so I'm bragging a bit. But, for those that know me, I am hyper-critical of my work, so for me to even compliment a photo that's okay, is a big step. I like this photo so I figured I'd share. I know it's a bit abstract in that I purposely cut a 1/4 of her face off, but the effect of not seeing it in its entirety is kind of cool to me. I have another shot that's even better than this one, but I didn't want to reveal her completely, just in case. You know why. And if you don't, then good for you! (You never know who may read these posts).

Oh, and if you have a big group of friends that all get along, have a game night with them. It's fun, hillarious, and downright interesting as to how your friends play. Just an FYI. Good times indeed!

I need a haircut.

Performances

(Photo by N. Barney)

Yesterday I was able to watch an "Idol" type of singing competition here at work, with everyday professionals trying to do their performance thing on stage, singing away to their hearts content, perhaps revitalizing an old dream they once had to be a singer, or perhaps a performer. It was neat to see these people go up there in front of their peers, dressed up and singing their favorite songs, hoping to impress the judges enough to get them to the next round and perhaps onto the $250.00 grand prize. I don't know about you all, but in a way, I'm spoiled, being in the entertainment industry where almost all of my friends are born performers and established singers. People who other people would actually pay money to watch! And yet yesterday, we have the average joe get up there and for those brief moments on stage, become the Billie Holiday, or Frank Sinatras of their dreams in front of hundreds of adoring "fans". I have to really give it up to them for breaking out of their cubicles and putting themselves out there.

At heart, I think we all want to be a performer, or, perhaps, we want the adoration of many. Hence some of us get into this topsy turvy business. Perhaps it's just that yearning to want to be well regarded. You don't have to be in the "industry" to want it; heck, most of us want it from those closest to us! Just a weird thought.

Also, last night I had the opportunity to be in a reading at East West Players for their writer's workshop class. It was a short read, but it had some great substance in the work. Dare I say, it was "Swingers"-esque?

So for all of you out there, if you want to perform, whether it be with your voice, your acting, an instrument, or perhaps artwork, etc. Go do it! You will always have people who will value you and your offerings, and heck, you may finally get those throngs of fans salivating at your every move!

I'm up and running!

Woo Hoo! After all these "years" of reading and browsing through countless other blogs, I've finally delved in and joined the millions of bloggers throughout the galaxy! Of course, this is in conjunction with my soon to be updated and completed website. I'm glad I'm finally in cyber space sharing my thoughts, ideas, etc. with anyone interested in reading this - my sincerest thank yous, really.

With that said, check back now and and then for new News and other stuff going on with me.

Well, here I go!