Halloween 2007

My Halloween 2007 was a great celebration. A couple of weeks ago, I was thinking what I wanted to go as. I left all my costumes back home in the bay, so I was limited to my breaking dancing fit. To tell you the truth, as much as I love break dancing, I was tired of dressing up as that. When I was talking to one of my students about 80’s metal heads, a light bulb turned on in my head. I wanted to go as an 80’s rocker like the people from Poison or Mötley Crüe.

The day arrived to dress up. One of the students did my makeup when I arrived at work. She did an awesome job, and all day I got compliments. Thanks Jen!!! I had everything perfect. I had semi-tight jeans on (didn’t want it too tight cause I needed room for my crown jewels, you know what I mean), bought a Guns N’ Roses t-shirt, great makeup, and had a wig. I borrowed a wig from my co-worker, Heidi, which she used as Miss Piggy last year. The wig was blond and super long. I thought it would work out since a typical 80’s rocker had long hair. Well, as soon as I put on the wig with all my makeup on, I looked like a gothic drag queen. I made a decision to take the wig off way before everyone got to see what I looked like. Only two students and one other teacher saw me with the wig, and they couldn’t stop laughing. Because of their reaction, I believe I made a wise chose to chuck the wig.

Everyone in the school I work at was EXTREMLY surprised for two reasons. First, since I looked gothic, some comments I heard was, “This is totally not you. I never thought you would dress up like this. You are definitely in the other end of your spectrum.” Second, they were shocked in how many tattoos I have. They asked me if they were real or I applied them for my costume. I told them they were real, and had them for years. They were honestly surprised because they thought a person like me would never have tattoos. The truth of the matter is, I got these tattoos for myself, and I usually won’t show them off unless I am in the gym with a cut off, or someone would want to see them. At work, I normally wear a long button up shirt that covers up my tattoos. During the Halloween celebration, it was the first time every student and teacher saw my tattoos. I could tell with the reaction of the students, they love my crucifixion on my right shoulder.

I think the funniest thing that happened was a student asked my why I only have black ink on my skin. I told her because of my skin tone, color doesn’t come out right, and the first tattoo artist told me to stick with the black ink. Then not even a second later, the teacher I work with made a comment how the artist must be really good because he said there is a trace of yellow between the lines of my tattoos. Then I had to make it clear to him that was my skin tone. The whole class started to laugh.

Well, here are some pictures from my Halloween 2007. I hope you enjoy them. Oh, by the way, I avoided taking pictures with that blond wig on =).

Triple D Productions Back in Business…

You may not know this, but I have a small business which I named Triple D Productions. I had this business for the past 2 years, but done a really bad job in promoting it. My cousin “pushes” me to create business cards, but the truth of the matter is; I’m too lazy to… hehehe. The things I do for my customers is video editing, slideshows, and little bit of photography. I mainly do projects for myself because I want the memories to last forever.

Here’s a little background how my business got jump started again. Last August, the school I work at had a career day. I brought my camera so I can take pictures of the students that I tend to favor since they had to dress to impress. Toni, the Director of Career Services, noticed that I own an SLR, and asked me to take pictures the entire day. After I did all my editing, I gave a copy to my department chair and the librarian so they can post it in the newsletter for the school.

Last week, Toni came up to me, and asked if I feel comfortable to be the photographer for the upcoming graduation. I told her yes, but I am not too confident in my pictures. I tend to be very critical with my work, and think everything is bad. So what I did, I put a portfolio together, and showed Toni my work. I wanted her to review it, and decided if she still wants to hire me. She told me my pictures were absolutely great, and hired me on the spot. She talked to the dean, and agreed to pay me $100 an hour. To tell you the truth, I was going to settle for a flat fee of $250.

During the conversation of what shots she was looking for, she mentioned she wanted to do a slideshow of the graduation, and I told her I can put that together. She asked me if I had any ideas for entertainment before the graduation ceremony beings, and I mentioned I can put together a slideshow of students during the past semesters. She also asked me if I can take pictures during the rest of the semester so we can have a variety during the graduation ceremony. Now I officially have the title of the school photographer.

Clara, the head of my department, heard about my new job title, and she came in to congratulate me, but stressed that I have to take care of the lab first. I understand where she is coming from because she’s the one who hired me, and not the other departments. Since I have that personality to help everyone, I tend to help other departments during my slow time. She actually got mad at me for doing that, and now wants me to ask her every time if I can help other departments before I do so. During our talk, she mentioned that the pictures I took during career day are going to be published in a National Court Reporter magazine. I was so freakin’ happy when I heard this. Everyone in the world will see the pictures I took. When that magazine comes out, I’ll buy a 100 copies because one day I can be famous, and say that my first shots was published in “this” magazine =P.

So if you need anyone to make a slideshow, video editing, video transfer, or anything that deals with digital media, you know who to contact… Triple D Productions ;).

I’m going to Europe…

After months of changes, my group and I finally locked down the dates of our Europe Trip. We have been planning this trip over two years, and every month something changes. We were originally going to go late August, early October of 2008 to enjoy Beer Fest in Germany. Then a whole lot of things kept changing; places to visit, when we were going, and places to sleep. Then last week, we locked down the dates for May 25th to June 8th. My friend Boogs supposed to start booking the hostels sometime in the next week.

I’ve been going on road trips with these same 4 people since college. We actually knew each other since high school. Scratch that. The other 4 people knew each other since grade school, but I joined their group during my high school life. This will be our first trip together that will be outside of the United States. This trip should be freakin’ fun as hell. I can’t wait.

American Kids vs Filipino Kids

I got this from my cousin, and it's so true!!!

American Kids: Move out when they're 18 with the full support of their parents.
Filipino Kids: Move out when they're 28, may have saved for that nice house and are a week away from getting married...unless there's room in the basement for the newlyweds.

American Kids: When their Mom visits them she brings a nice bundt cake and you sip coffee and chat.
Filipino Kids: When their Mom visits them she brings 3 days worth of food, and immediately begins to tidy up, dust & do the laundry.

American Kids: Their dads always call before they come over to visit them and it's usually only on special occasions.
Filipino Kids: Are not at all fazed when their dads come over, unannounced on a Saturday morning at 8:00 and starts pruning the peach & lemon trees. And if there are none, he will plant some!

American Parents: You can leave your kids with them and you always worry if everything is going to be OK plus you have to feed them after you pick them up.
Filipino Parents: No problem, leave your kids there and if they get out of line your parents can set them straight.... plus they get bathed, fed and get told stories of when you were young.

American Kids: Always pay retail and look in the yellowpages when they need something done.
Filipino Kids: Just call their dad or uncle and ask for another dad's or uncle's phone number to get it done.... cash deal.

American Kids: Will come over to visit their parents and get only cake and coffee, no more. Filipino Kids: Will come over to visit their parents for lunch and get B-B-Q, Pancit, Lumpia, Adobo and Rice and stay for late dinner as well.

American Kids: Think that being Filipino is a great thing.
Filipino Kids: Know that being Filipino is a great thing.

American Kids: Never ask the reason you have no food.
Filipino Kids: Are the reason you have no food.

American Kids: Will say 'Hello." but are hesitant to hug.
Filipino Kids: Will give you a big hug and a kiss, and great big hand shake and pat you on the back.

American Kids: Hardly invite over to eat or they have to share their portion.
Filipino Kids: You always have your friends over to have something to eat regardless.

American Kids: Call your parents "Mr." and "Mrs."
Filipino Kids: Call your parents "Uncle" & "Auntie".

American Kids: Have never seen you cry.
Filipino Kids: Cry with you.

American Kids: Will eat at your dinner table and leave.
Filipino Kids: Will spend hours there, talking, laughing, and just being together.

American Kids: Borrow your stuff for a few days then give it back.
Filipino Kids: Keep your stuff so long they forget it's yours.

American Kids: Know a few things about you.
Filipino Kids: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.

American Kids: Will leave their parents behind.
Filipino Kids: Will hang out with their parents.

American Kids: Would knock on your door.
Filipino Kids: Walk right in and say, "I'm home!"

American Kids: Are for a while.
Filipino Kids: Are for life.

Random Thoughts...

Pictures: I went home last weekend to attend my cousin’s wedding. I had a great time and took a lot of pictures. I wanted to try something new with my camera. I took every picture in RAW instead of jpg. because I wanted to edit the white balance later on. Well, I took over a hundred pictures, and it’s taking me hella long to edit all the pictures I took. During the reception my camera ran out of batteries, and I was beating myself because I couldn’t take anymore pictures at the reception. Come to think of it now, it may have been a blessing because I would have edited maybe a 100 more pictures than the ones I have now = P. As soon as I am done, I’ll post a few.

Youtube: I created an account on Youtube to post a few videos so I can share it with my friends and family on myspace. Someone had left me a comment asking if I can make a tutorial on a song that I posted (Atlantic Starr – Always). When I checked it, I noticed another comment. Amcoronel stated, “oh my god..as in oh my god!! i love this song!!! and i think i love you, too! are you a pinoy? coz im a pinay!!” I also noticed that I have two people who subscribe to my Youtube account. Holla!!! I have a fan base. Now I feel I should post more videos. Maybe I should start a video blog. Who knows, maybe I can be a famous Youtuber one day =). FYI, I’m working on a couple of songs that I want to post on Youtube. I want to get it as close to perfect before I post it, so watch out for it.

Smallville: Smallville season 7 is starting this Thursday. I can’t wait. I freakin’ love this show and I’m hooked. I bought season 6 last week and been staying up hella late just to watch it before the new season starts. The first picture I saw when I opened the box set was Justice League. As corny as it sounds, I got hella excited when I saw it for the first time. I also love the shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. You may not know this, but these 3 shows started on a network called the WB (Warner Brothers). So you can say that I’m a WB fan… Superman rocks!!!

Myspace is so freaking addicting.

I’m once again addicted to Myspace. I’ll log onto Myspace at least 10 times a day to check if I have any new comments or messages. I decided to not sign on for at least a good month to break this addiction. If you want to contact me, I can be reached via email or cell phone… Stupid Myspace, why do you have to be so addicting?

Labor Day Weekend... Good/Bad

People keep asking how my Labor Day weekend was. Instead of me verbally saying it, people can now read about it.

Saturday:
Good: Left early from Vegas to arrive at a decent time.
Bad: Hit traffic and got to Big Bear Lake, California late.

Good: Got away from the desert heat.
Bad: It rained all weekend.

Good: Enjoyed walking around the town.
Bad: My friend got mugged $45.

Good: Went bar hopping to enjoy drinks.
Bad: My boy almost got in a big fight (A red neck hick who doesn’t like Asian/Pacific Islanders enticed the fight).

Good: Because of the racial experience, we went back to the cabin to call it a night.
Bad: Night wasn’t over; drank even more/harder back in the cabin.

Good: Slept like a baby.
Bad: Woke up with a hang over.

Sunday:
Good: Played billiards as soon as I woke up.
Bad: Didn’t expect to play billiards all day… stupid rain.

Good: The rain let up and we went fishing. Caught a fish within 30 minutes.
Bad: It was a baby catfish that was no longer than 8 inches.

Good: Really enjoyed fishing.
Bad: A lighting stormed started and had to head back to land.

Good: Went to the bars again and met a lot of people.
Bad: The people we met were all past 40… definitely out of our age group.

Good: Had a lot of drinks on Sunday night.
Bad: Passed out on the couch and missed the big feast with the fish we caught earlier in the day.

Good: Slept like a baby again.
Bad: Woke up with a hang over AGAIN!!!