Monday, November 8, 2010

Salt Lake City

Boy oh boy. My life just gets too crazy and doesn't want me to blog. Ah well. clearly it only needs to happen once a year or so.
Since i was last on here... I moved back to Utah for family purposes. I went back to my usual working and performing and stressing over family life style. After a year of that and getting wore out.. I ditched it all and moved up to Salt Lake. I am very happy now.
I have been able to step back and take time for me again. I've been able to dive back into art. My spirituality. My friendships. And adventuring. I live with Megan again and we are learning a lot together and trying to make the most out of our days.
Today we went to breakfast and coffee and laughed and played as we usually do. We then relaxed for a bit trying to write songs while enjoying the smell of the heater going and watching the snow. Megan is at work now (lame) and I am listening to holiday music, about read more of a great book that this fascinating boy let me borrow. I am also going to be hanging out with this boy later today. So all in all today is one of the more calm but no less beautiful of my Salt Lake days.
Whats interesting about how my life progresses is that it just keeps doing so. I'll be writing or blogging or hanging out with friends counting myself blessed that I have learned what I have and been where I have been and feel like I couldn't learn more.. but each passing year, or month, or day even, my life takes me directions I never expect and I learn things that I never would have guessed were there. And the most amazing part of it all is I'll only be 25 this year and I have so much more to live and learn.
I get overwhelmed with a feeling of euphoria when I think about how beautiful life is. And every moment is a touching one. Every person I meet is a perfect character in my story. I couldn't be more blessed than I am right now.... but as I say that I know tomorrow will give me more to grin and sigh about.
With this new life up here.. I have more time (for a second) to write. So I hope I can fill you in more. But I don't promise anything haha. As past proof has been... I am much better at writing in my comp. books.
Cao.

Friday, May 15, 2009

CALIFORNIA

So.. I've lived here in CA for 3 weeks now and I still love it! I was so afraid I'd stick out like a peach on a cherry tree but I actually fit in quite nicely. I can give credit to my wacky childhood, which helped me be more grounded and diverse i guess.
The Show is going well. We were in the parade yesterday and did "We're All In This Together" like 10 times haha.. good thing its a fun dance! I've made some great friends in the show too. Mainly Danny and Stephanie. Megs and I mixed with those two are quite the funny crew.. or Skunnah's as we've named ourselves.
I know its kind of random for me to go months without blogging and then suddenly dive back in as if everyone should know what i am talking about. Oh well.. Its still fun.
I LOVE the beach!! Its just so chill and warm and you can do whatever haha. We are going on saturday after rehearsal all day.. I'm so excited! The sun, food, the ocean, friends... perfect saturday.
The parties here are way more fun then in Utah. The random parties I'd be invited to there, were small.. with a few bottles of hard liqour, and at most 20 people who divided into their own "clique".. very high school. But the ones here in Cali.. since people are just... MORE of everything haha, they can actually be called a party. Like the one i went to last week. Like 100 people at one time.. but new ones always coming in and out, any drink you wanted prepared by a great bartender (keep in mind this is just at someones house)a d.j., tons of food, and tons of diverse people all talking to each other. My favorite friend made at the party was Boris. He was a 6'10" Russian lol. I seriously had to look up at him. He asked me to teach him how to Salsa lol. Persisting i show him my moves (beings i told him i perfom.. oops). Anyhow.. Steph, Megs, Myself and some other party friends were trying to figure out who he was hitting on.. Me or Megan. We asked him flat out if he was gay or straight. He SAID straight, but by the end he asked me for my number lol. *pops collar*
Also, my first week here I went to Disneyland one day and California Adventure the next. I LOVED IT!! It was just Megs and I of course, but we had SOOOO much fun. All the rides and shows and characters. Definately my kind of place haha. We went on the Indiana Jones ride twice. It would have been more if it hadn't closed down for some reason. We also went on Space Mountain twice. The second time, we kissed right as it took our picture.. it was so cool haha. It looked really good. Everyone commented on it. We totally bought a copy. But yeah I loved every minute of it! I'm totally buying a pass!!
Everday here has a story. But tiping them all would take forever haha. So.. as i have said before but failed to do.. i will try to have more entries. We'll see how it goes though. Too much to see!!:o)
I shall go have more adventures now. I hope everyone can take in everyday and learn all they can from what they are givin. Just as i try to do in my life.
LIFE ROCKS!!

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