Author: Chris

Weapon of choice

| Chris

I’ve been meaning to write about this for a couple of days now but haven’t had the time to do so. There was this news article that hit me like a ton of bricks. Two teenage girls walking down the street are intercepted by men who throw acid on their faces simply because they’re going to school. Sort of a punishment for their desire to get an education, I guess. I don’t really need to go into the moral aspect of this incident since it is pretty obvious that the act was not only wrong but utterly coward.

I mean, is that all they have to scare these two defenseless individuals with? A bottle of acid? Apparently, it was nothing. They had a lousy weapon. What a shame! Is it because they knew that knowledge was a weapon that might be used against them eventually? Or was it because they were women and that they didn’t like the idea of them getting anywhere in life, let alone getting ahead of them? It probably was a scary thought that they just had to shamelessly put a stop to it. Whatever it takes.

But there’s something worse. Apparently, there’s a chance that someone from the authorities are actually paying these men to commit such acts on a regular basis and to make it look like it wasn’t their idea. They’re even paying them for each teacher they kill. It’s nauseating, really. And to know that these girls are helpless, what weapon could they possibly pick up to be able to fight back somehow? Just for human rights, and no more.

Education? Yes, but when it is forcefully taken away from you, there has to be something else in the meantime, to take its place. What could it be? Anger? Force? Rebellion? Or could it possibly come from a different place? Perhaps, like courage? Faith, maybe? Hope?

It’s fairly easy for a lot of us to give our two cents on this, I’m sure, since we’re far away from such situations. But I’d like to be able to put myself in the shoes of those oppressed and really see how difficult it is to find a way out when one is locked up not only physically, but also emotionally and culturally.

Personally, it seems like all I can think of right now is pray.

Speaking of weapons…

I hope he fails…?

| Chris

What? Excuse me?

Not only is this a rude comment, in my opinion… what’s worse is that it drags along with it more than just the person being spoken of here, but more importantly, the world that is now celebrating a collective sense of victory.

Now, I can say that I’m as much into politics as James Hetfield is into Britney Spears. But, out of curiosity, I do read about it sometimes. Especially, these days when the entire planet is all ears on something very specific. On CNN this morning, they aired Rush Limbaugh’s comment on Barack Obama and I couldn’t help but notice the way we sometimes, as human beings, can be. Focused on self. I’m not belittling anyone’s personal opinion but sometimes, it helps to simply join hands with the majority even when we don’t agree. Just for the sake of peace and unity, if anything. Everyone knows that no one will ever agree a hundred percent with anyone. Or on anything, for that matter. But whether we like it or not, things happen for a reason. And I choose to believe it’s always a good one, on the whole. If we don’t allow faith and hope to give us a chance, I’m afraid we will have run ourselves out of luck.

This past few days, it’s hard to ignore the feelings of people, not only in the U.S., but all over the world. The unguarded happiness, the pride, the feeling of hope fulfilled and the sense of gratitude. Politics aside, I believe that it would do all of us good to just appreciate this momentary lapse of negativity, as it rarely lasts awhile. Much like any kind of celebration, it all comes to an end eventually. And the very next day will leave everyone a personal task. One that will make sure the party the night before was not held in vain. One that will allow us to witness even more personal successes, not failure. And one that will give us a reason to keep on celebrating, in fact.

For one man’s victory can be ours, as well. But then again, so can his failure. So, why hope for that?

Junk deluxe

| Chris

hollywoodyardsale

This photo was taken in Hollywood, CA sometime in the mid ’90’s… A bunch of my friends and I wanted to get rid of some of our personal junk for a good cause. So we decided to set up a weekend yard sale out on a vacant lot somewhere. As far as I can remember, we did good on our little fund-raiser. One reason that, I believe,  gave us the edge was that we had entertainment provided. After all, we were artists and could come up with such unique twist to rouse up an otherwise humdrum activity.

Here we were on an early Saturday morning spreading our wealth for all to ogle on. And hopefully pay cold hard cash for. Well, it wasn’t much, I realize now. But anyhow, here my friend Mike is checking out Myles’ cello to see if it’s really in tune, as he claims it is. After all, this is a make-or-break gig in which the success of our operation heavily depended on.

Myles (wearing a hat) was our entertainer, indeed. As the rest of us smiled and greeted passersby and onlookers, there he was serenading and luring them into being prospective buyers of our rubbish.

Ahh… the things you do for Jesus!

Mr. Nanny goes berserk

| Chris

That’s it!! You’re just gonna have to clean up your own mess this time, Nevada!

nevada

Only one of us is having the most fun, at this very moment, it seems.

My patience,  I swear, was being tested by this young lady during a time her parents were out running errands or something. But no, it’s not all cereal-spillingfest everytime. For the most part, it was a lot of fun for both parties, actually. And a very fulfilling  job. For me, anyway.

It’s been a while, but I got to be nanny to my friend’s four kids once. That’s right! Four! I can only imagine how being a parent to four overcharged little creatures can be like. It was quite an adventure for sure, yet a moment that will always have a special place in my heart.

I never had kids myself but I have gone through life numerous times, with little people popping in here and there, giving me headaches, chores to do, unanswerable questions to ask… heck, even a reason to love them, believe it or not! In fact, I believe there’s no better way to grow up than to experience life with kids growing up themselves. And getting down to their level, meeting them where they’re at. It might put a few gray strands on your head but I reckon, it’s all worth it in the end.

The few times I was privileged to spend any time with kids, at all – be it a step father, a big brother, a teacher or even just a mere nanny, in fact – were the ones I treasure the most. Am I good at it? Well, it’s not an easy thing, to say the least, and I seem to stumble a lot. Although I try to pick myself up, everytime. And yes, I would do it again, if given a chance. Hopefully, having grown up a little, by then.

But time seems to be running out, isn’t it?

A little reflection

| Chris

It seems like forever, the last time I was around here, doesn’t it? I’m grateful to those who are patient enough to let me get through what seems to be a blackout of sorts. It only makes sense, I think, to stop writing rather than post a bunch of worthless junk, just for the sake of posting.

But here I am today! Oh yes, happy new year to all! I’d like to take things one day at a time and start over fresh. Or something like that. I want to be able to capture the sincerity I’ve always attempted to achieve in my words. Though these days, it seems like I’ve been reminiscing a lot about the past. Could this be that the past has been haunting me! Geez, I hope not. But I do have a wonderful past that I’m very grateful for. A past that made me the person I am today. And I think it’s worth visiting.

One frozen moment at a time.

Yesterday, I was cleaning up some here in the house when I happen to dig up some old pictures from years past (that was before we stored them in hard drives). I was going through a lot of them and next thing you know, I get a cramp from having sat on the floor for a few hours straight. But they put a smile on my face and made me realize how lucky I am to have been blessed with a good life. To have gone through places, relationships, and even some hard times. They’re all wonderful, I think. And worth looking at, from time to time. I can’t remember the last time I flipped through my old photos. But today, I wish to revisit some of them on a regular basis. And share the memories with you.

But I do have to scan them first, don’t I? Hang tight…

(Goes to Office Depot to get a cheap scanner.)

Okay, I’m back. Hmmm, let’s see. Oh, here’s a good one to start… a picture of me on the edge of a cliff.

grandcanyon2000

This was taken in the summer of 2000. A few of my friends and I went out to the Grand Canyon in Arizona for a little spiritual retreat. Here I am, looking so incredibly confident even when in fact, I did decide not to take that leap of faith, after all! Good idea, maybe. However, I remember how rejuvenating it was, not only to stand on the edge of a cliff that goes thousands of feet down below, but to savor the utter beauty of nature and life, as well.

I may not be going back to the Grand Canyon anytime soon, but I would love to revisit the feeling of having seen its awe and majesty. That feeling of possibility. And eternity.

It does good to the soul, I tell ya!

Still here

| Chris

Have I suddenly fallen off the face of the Earth? Of course, I have!

But why? Well, I’m not so sure why. Or rather, I’m not so sure if my answer would make any difference. One day, I was typing away as usual. The next day, my PC was shut off. And it’s been off for over a month now. For some reason, I had lost interest. I couldn’t write a single word. I couldn’t whistle a single note. Sometimes, it boggles me. It’s not that something’s happened. I mean, my life seems as normal as it has ever been. Nothing’s changed much, really. I just feel out of it, I guess. All of a sudden, I got lazy, overwhelmed and distracted. Over nothing! Or so, I think. But my creative juices have dried up, it seems.

I didn’t think it would last this long, though. In fact, I didn’t think this post would mark the end of the streak, either. But at least, I’m able to tell all of you that I’m still around. I’m just trying to heal from the wounds of the past, that’s all.

fauxparis

Though I can’t believe, a lot has happened since. It’s fall. It’s snowing. Halloween came and went. There’s a new president, even? Wow, where have I been?

Okay, I’ll tell you where I’ve been. Paris! No, not the real one… but dang! That fake Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas sure looks real. No? Well, I’ve never seen the real one so I really can’t compare. All I know is that I had fun, at least. Vegas is so different now from the last time I was there. That’s when Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci still ruled the strip. And the food was cheap! Sigh!

Anyhow, I feel bad that some of you may have been wondering and that I have not left a clue. I’m so sorry. Sometimes I just have to do what I have to do to stay sane. If that makes any sense.

But like I said, I will be back. You’ll wait, won’t you?

Rage! Rage!

| Chris

ratmI remember hearing Rage Against The Machine for the first time on the radio. I thought, another sub-genre in music had emerged. I’ve never heard so much shouting in a song that I took the liberty to call it Holler Rock. Honestly, it wasn’t Zach’s political yawp that got my attention, initially. It was the fact that the band sounded like something from the primitive 70’s. I just love Tom’s approach to the guitar, with the wah wah and the lead work that strays far far away from the traditional shredding that had already been done to death, at the time. And I believe, he took this approach even further later on, in Audioslave. But that’s for another post.

Since I’m not much into politics, I pretty much ignored whatever message their songs attempted to convey but instead simply grooved to the rockin’ beats that made me realized, they were truly one of the greatest bands of the 90’s. And eventually, I got used to the yelling I even began to like Linkin’ Park. But that’s for another post, too.

Meanwhile, here’s something you can’t understand… my fave Rage track. This song’s a riot! Check out the video. Oh, and the lady doing the intro, I wonder who’s mom she is?

Everything is hard…

| Chris

mmm...k

Everything is hard

But sometimes, I wonder which is harder…

To have seen everything or to have been blind since birth?
To not have the answers or to not know the questions?
To grant forgiveness or to ask for it?
To put your guard up or to put it down?
To respect fear or to ignore it?
To embrace pain or to dodge it?
To lie to someone or to yourself?
To lose your innocence or to preserve it?
To defend your life or to surrender it?
To admit guilt or to deny it?
To know little or to know much?
To recognize what is right or what is wrong?
To deal or to walk away?
To open your mouth or to keep it shut?
To raise your head up high or to bow down low?
To serve justice or to show mercy?
To earn your freedom or to receive it as a gift?
To swallow the truth or to spit it out?

I’m still trying to figure it out.

Have you?

Weird 2.0

| Chris

For the longest time, I avoided social networking sites as much as I could. But out of curiosity, I would sometimes check one out, sign up and stay on for a few days, get tired and delete my profile. I just never got much into it. At least, blogging is productive and creative. But I just couldn’t see the point in flaunting a slideshow of someone’s drunken misadventures, for all the world to see.

A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine convinced me to sign up for a Facebook account. He said, people have been asking about me. And so finally, I gave in. Little did I know that almost every walking creature I have every known in my life was there! Geez, I must’ve gotten about 200 emails within the next 48 hours. I was overwhelmed. But it was a good kind of overwhelming. It was nice to say hi to people I haven’t seen or talked to in the last 25 years. And looking at everyone’s avatar, it became surprisingly apparent that my hair and weight have remained significantly intact, all these years. Whew! What a relief! But to be honest, I’m not sure how long I’m gonna last around here, as well. We’ll see.

Anyhow, about a week ago, I was flipping through pages at fastcompany.com and found a list of seriously whacked out websites that I just couldn’t believe actually existed. I mean, how weird have we become as a society! If I didn’t see the point to MySpace or Facebook, imagine my horror when checking out the following social networking sites.

  • Lost Zombies – If you believe in zombies or think you’re one, this is one heck of a graveyard summit.
  • My Free Implants – For women with big-balloon dreams and a flat-tire bank account. And for the crazy men willing to shoulder the expenses.
  • Beautiful People – Think you’re one of them? Go sign up. And if your account suddenly gets deleted, it only means you were in denial and are dead wrong, in the first place.
  • Spot a Potty – An exclusive club for people obsessed with toilets. Toilets!!! By the way, if you ever find yourself in the middle of nowhere and needing to go badly, have no fear, Miz Pee is here!
  • Don’t Date Him, Girl – Girl meets boy. Boy asks for a date. Girl says yes. Girl logs in to her Don’t Date Him, Girl page and starts a background check. Girl reads all about other girls’ horrific experience with said boy. Girl cancels date. Repeat process.

Actually, there was a few more, but these guys take the cake for me. Besides, I couldn’t take anymore. Can you?