Friday, February 6, 2009

All Shook Up Indeed

So I am this really fun show called All Shook Up at the Hale Center Theater in Orem. Its about a small town that is boring and is overly cautious of everything.. kinda. Its almost Footloose in the 50's. Now the 1950's are one of, if not my most favorite of the decades. This show is packed full of good music and dancing and our casts are brilliant.

My reason for writing about this show are the issues it brings to our attention. In it there are struggles with love and racism and all that jazz. They are all issues that of course need attention. All ends well in the show. But again not my real intent for the blog.

There is a part in the show that deals with Chad falling in love with "ED". Now Ed is really the main girl, natalie, who dresses up like a boy to become friends with Chad and get closer to him, as she is in love with him. But yada yada they have tons in common and Chad falls for Ed. Naturally he is upset and weirded out by the whole "Homosexual" feeling. But he decided love should prevail no matter the situation, gender, color etc. So he accepts he fell in love with his friend Ed.. even though he is a boy.(of course he finds out Ed is a she, natalie, and all is well anyway.. but its cool he decides love is love)
Now beings we're in Utah County, we had to cut some lines and revamp the plot and script to make it so people can tolerate it. So now its as if he is still upset that he could ever have homosexual feelings toward his friend and that its all wrong and repulsive. And that in the end its always better if your with a girl. That is the gist of what we changed it to.
It shouldn't upset me. But it does. If anything we should be leaving the script as is to show people love DOES prevail all and we should accept what our hearts want.. no matter color, gender, age, occupation or whatever other excuses people hide.
We DID, however, leave in all the racial lines and plots.. while thats great and interracial dating is great now.. its no longer an issue. Meaning, we can make those jokes and RELIVE how dumb we were for thinking interracial love and marriage was bad.
SO why not start showing people the real issues of TODAY right?

Of course, me being a gay guy in Utah, i feel different than most about the changes in our show. I am not so much upset at the theater or director for the changes- cuz they would keep it if they could.. but the fact that this stupid valley needs everything formed to their way or they can't f***ing function.

I am very happy. I know that God still loves me and i am a great person. Just because i can fall in love with a great guy doesn't make me any less of a human being. GET OVER YOURSELVES ALREADY!!!! My hell.

This is all i am going to say about this. Live your own f***ing lives and accept others for being happy.

The show is also still really good, despite the ignorant changes. Our director is great, the dancing is a blast.. and music, well, its Elvis.. need i say more? no.. BRILLIANCE

blah blah blah.. the end

[p.s... Its also weird cuz i may or may not be "all shook up" for someone in the cast... ssssh]

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Shake it

I have re-discovered my love for dancing. Not only watching and teaching it, but of course performing. Its such an amazing way to express yourself. Yet another one of the arts i love to use to let my soul shine for a while.

This re-dicovery came about when i watched Beyonce on the farewell to TRL. When she danced/sang ALL THE SINGLE LADIES(PUT A RING ON IT)... i found my self booty bumpin along with that lucious performer. Her kind of hip hop lock and drop bump yo ass shake your thang kind of dancing is so fun. I love to do it. Hip hop for sure is my top choice. All dancing, though is amazing.

I just using all of my energy and dramatially emanate it through my whole body until it feels like i might explode!!!.... I'm lucky to have such an appreciation for dancing.

I love when i'm watching people dance, and they are feeling the music so entirely i can see and feel it radiate from them that i can't help but move myself. I hope i can help others do that as well. I hope that by my love for dance, i can move someone positively.

I'm really just rambling right now. So I'll just end todays rant by saying. Have fun. Use your talent to feed your soul and others. You are given them to use with confidence and love and.... the only person who knows what i'm really saying is Janessa i think. So Tink, if you read this. I love you.. lets dance.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Happy Halloween

Oh boy what a night. Nothing ever goes as planned, but tonight it didn't matter. It was still fun. Dressing up- drinks- music- dancing- and a comfy bed to end it haha.

Anyway. Halloween was fun this year, but thats not the loudest thing in my mind. The loudest thing right now is a phone call i got from my dad today. He just called to see how i was and to see if i was stopping my nephew by for trick or treating. And he told me to be safe cuz he worries.
It was so great. The sincerety in his voice is there again. He is genuinely interested in my life and how i am doing. I haven't seen this dad in over 10 years it seems.. if ever. Its really so cool. I hope it stays this way. I think it will. To be honest i think it was my Grandfathers passing that put us all in the positions we needed.
This year has been full. But my life is finally pulling all together. My career is launching, my family is closer, and i have never been happier with who i am.
I told you all... when i'm 22 its gonna be a great year.... and it has been.
Its like 5 am right now.. i'm tired. So i will end it saying.. i love my family and happy to have a father... i love God for giving me my lessons and my life. And my friends?... i've never had so many freakin awesome friends... i freakin love you all
A special shout out to Sunny.. i love you biotch! Lets do lunch soon k? Suchi? JUST us haha .. lingering Craig around the corner haha.
*yaawwwn* Good night/morning.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Happy Trails Grandpa<3

Thursday, 10-22-2008.
I was about to go teach talon some hip hop when my dad called me. It was about 7pm. I knew something was up because he doesn't call me often. He told me that Grandpa wasn't doing too well and that he had pneumonia. He Told me he was going to be in the hospital for 2 or 3 days, then they were going to let him go home so he can either pull out of it there or pass away. After he explained the situation, he told me he loved me and the phone call was over. I didn't know how to feel. It was a lot to take in. Not only the fact that my dad called me with a sincere tone and said he loved me...... but that my grandpa was almost gone.

Friday 10-23-2008
The morning already started off pretty crappy when i almost ran out of gas on my way to work. Then realized i forgot the keys WHEN I GOT TO WORK so i had to borrow Debbies car to go get them from my house.
When i got back to work with the keys my mom called. She told me to get to the hospital as soon as i could as my grandpa wasn't going to last through the day. I got really frustrated because i was already out of gas and wasn't sure i could leave. Yada yada Debbie was amazing and gave me money for gas and helped me on my way.
When i got to the hospital my mom met me in the lobby where she took me back to ICU. There i met my dad and he took me back to see him. He wrapped his arm around me as we walked back to his room. My dad never put his arm around me. His eyes were red and glossy from tears. Grandpa was asleep in the bed, with a machine breathing for him. Grandma was right by his side.. holding his hand. She tried waking him so i could talk to him but he was out of it. Dad told me to say good bye as he and grandma stepped aside. I stepped up to his bedside, and looked at him lying there. I put my hand on his warm bald head, and leaned over to his ear. I whispered, "Hey Gramp. I love you. I just want you to know i'm here and i love you. I'll be seein ya okay?." I then grabbed his hand where he ever so gently squose back. Letting me know he heard.
I went back to the waiting room where i hugged and cried with many family members i haven't seen in so long. After about 20 minutes they called everyone into his room. He was awake but barely audible. We all let him know we were there and that he can finally relax. Just relax. But gramp insisted on going into the kitchen or the couch to visit. "Please, let me just go on the couch" he cried. My uncle and grandma told him to lay back and just sleep.
Everyone in the room was sobbing. My dad included. My brothers. All of these very tough guys just in tears. It was so strange, but beautiful. My grandmother and aunt started to sing Hymns.. my grandma NEVER leaving his side the whole time. I had forgotten how beautiful her voice was. It really struck me hard.
After the room had stopped singing "Till we meet" my grandpa uttered the words, in a very relieved tone... "I'm Home..". We all smiled and cried some more. Grandpa was home. My grandma leaned over and kissed him and started singing... "Happy trails to you.. until we meet again.." Ten minutes later.. he was gone. He had passed away surrounded by his family, comfortable in a warm bed.
"Thanks for the memories" said my grandmother in the warmest, softest voice. She then leaned over and kissed him and whispered in his ear.

There are many details about this day i could never describe on paper. But if there is one thing i can say about it, is that if there were any small doubt in my mind that there was a heaven at all, my grandfathers words "i'm home" smothered those doubts. Of course there really weren't any doubts.. but now everything has been solidifed.

We all remained in the room for a while after his passing.. and we could all feel the joy that was coming from the other side in the rejoicing of my grandfathers return.

"See you soon gramps. I love you. You were and are the perfect example of strength, courage, and integrity. Happy trails gramps.. happy trails."

Monday, October 20, 2008

Right Now.. 10-20-2008, 11:05pm

I'm sitting at my dining room table. The heater is going. I love it when the heater is on. Its always so cozy and comforting. Like a blanket. The table is a mess, as usual. But i like it. Its used. There are notebooks, papers, artist toys, and candy wrapers. The lighting in my apartment always seems to have a sublte yellow glow to it. It adds to the warm feeling. The stove light is on, which spotlights a ceramic sun that has a wise face. He seems to just chill there watching me make messes as i cook. WHEN i cook.
I actually planned on moving when my lease was up this year. But when the day actually came, i stood in my house... in silence.. and looked around. I couldn't do anything but sigh deeply. I couldn't move yet. My energy had finally settled in and the small apartment with barely any furniture had turned into a cozy home where i lived.... live.
**Jeff is relaxing on my shoulder, and my sister is chatting on the phone accross the table from me. My thoughts are like the streets of New York. Busy but focused. Each thought has a place to go, and its only motivation is getting there. But even with the rushing thoughts and hidden to-do lists... i am content. At ease. Most things are as they should be. And the things that aren't are on there way to being ok. It does make me a little nervous deep down. I'm afraid that now everything is starting to look up, it is going to get ripped away. But some things are inevitable. So no need worrying about it.
I've been artisitcaly ambitious all day. For a few days actually. I wish i had more time to focus on all of my ideas. Hey, no need to rush it right? As long as i can have a creative outlet in some part of the day i should be fine.
I'm excited for this winter/Christmas/birthday. The slow quiet snowy evenings. With sparkling lights. Togetherness. And origional beanies and scarves:o) Its a magic time of year. And this year i am so FULL of a warm spirit i think it might be one of the best Giving Season's of my life.
For now i'll retire to my bed where i will try to calm my ambitious thoughts. Where i will count my billion blessings. Where i will think of friends, family and the love and art i will find in every day i live.
Cozy in my black comforter, with subtle music in the background, premature art projects waiting around me... and the heater on at 75 degrees.... good night neverland<3

Friday, July 11, 2008

Blue Eyed Lover

I’m falling in love with someone I’ve never met. I’ve flirted, got butterflies over, and kissed someone I’ve never even spoken to. My dreams can be so cruel yet so beautiful. Its been twice now that I’ve dreamt of this certain gorgeous boy who before I was a little jealous of and had slightly harsh feelings for. But these dreams have shown me either a secret version no one knows or one my heart had conceaved because its what it longs for.
People know of this guy. But no one I know actually knows him personally. Its seems so strange to me that I could develope feelings for a stranger. But the way he looks at me.. the way he touches my hand.. and the way I explode with electric happiness when we kiss has built some sort of connection to him. Why? I really have NO clue. I love it and hate it.
I am a huge sucker for cute romantic sublties of flirting. Let me explain my dreams and you’ll know what I fall for and why I have fallen for the dream boy…
Dream 1: I was at a big party slash celebration at a water park and I was sitting behind this waterfall alone just thinking whilst everyone else swam and yelled and had a blast blah blah.. then “blue eyes” swam up to me and said “hey, I’ve been meaning to talk to you and say how talented I think you are.. good job” and I was of course flattered and thanked him for this compliment. Then his “groupies” came and sat all around us and were talking to him. But while his buddies were talking he very softly and secretly slipped his hand in mine under the water. A burst of butterflies immediately filled my stomach. Then after a few minutes his friends all left in a rush to get some food, I stayed behind and “blue eyes” stayed with me. We just stared at eachother holding hands.. and slowly he leaned in and gave me a sweet, gentle kiss. End of dream one. Of course when I woke up I was in shock given who it was and how good it felt, and just passed it off as a wishful dream.
Dream 2: We’re all rehearsing for some random production be it movie or play, I’m not sure. And no one is focused and music is playing and in this “show” I’m suppose to be dancing with this girl but she was off talking to her friends so I was just standing there. “Blue Eyes” then came up to me and said in a very cute way with an adorable smile, “I’ll dance with you”. So he and I, while the rest of the cast was chatting and dancing randomly amongst themselves, danced and played around. I then picked up a roled up piece of sliced ham from the snack table ( I know, hidden context but no need to discuss it) and put it in my mouth. “Blue eyes” then said “look its like lady and the tramp haha” and he bit the other end. We were giggling as we chewed to the middle. But when we both actually got to the middle, we could feel the strong energy in eachothers heart and the butterflies went insane. Then at the last bite in the middle, our lips touched. Our eyes closed and we savored each other, each second connecting with each other more and more. The kiss ended and the director yelled for us to get back to work.. and we all did. End of dream two. Wow.
Now the way I felt in both of these dreams was extrodinary! So strong and sincere. Ususally when I dream of something so vivid more than once it means something. Now who the hell knows what it means. But of course I truly hope and wish it means I will actually fall in love with him and he with me or someone just like him. Because with “blue eyes” I’ve never felt so happy… ever. I would give practically ANYTHING to feel that glow and happiness and love in real life. So please god let that dream be showing me the future.
I feel like he is out there. Dreaming of me. Who ever and where ever he may be. He, at the very same moment I am, stares out into the stars thinking of my face… wanting to hold me, wondering where I am. I AM HERE IN PLEASANT GROVE UTAH!!! I am waiting for you… with a strong and willing heart.

You lift my soul and shock my heart with your beautiful blue eyes that match the sharpness of mine. There is no danger or pain in the world when your hand touches mine, or when your arms are around me. When our lips touch nothing else exists in the world but beauty, love and equaltiy. I could dance with you for hours, and I’ll lay with you for eternity. I’m here.. waiting… to give you my love.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Louder and Louder

My ambitions seem to be getting louder and louder. They are screaming in my ear and in my center. I don't know how to let them out. Well in some ways i know how to let them out but am unable to due to certain circumstances in my life.
I wish i could share my view of the world.. with the world. I want to take my friends to my Neverland.. only a few have been able to fly there with me. Of course my Tinkerbell (ness), and i might have found a Wendy! She seems very adventurous. Very ambitious and excited about the small beauties in life... perfect.
I don't know if i've mentioned this but i AM peter pan. Now i don't mean i like the character and pretend i'm peter pan... i AM peter pan. My imagination is my world.. i view the world quite differently than most. Everyday is an adventure. And my friend Janessa is really this fiesty girl who is my little adventure sidkick and she always just comes along with me no matter the danger... she understands my spontaneous insanity. And my Wendy?.. well i shan't go into detail as we must see who she really is first.
I wish more people would let me take them on adventures. Come on people just let your fears and insecurities go... listen to your heart and dreams and just LIVE!!! ugh.
Anyway... this blog doesn't make too much sense but i felt like i needed to write that today....