Tag Archives: life

(Almost) One Year Later

So after a long hiatus, I blog again! It’s always a mixed bag when I have such lengthy absences. While I regret not updating and keeping a log going of what I’ve been up to, it’s usually because a lot is happening, and indeed this last year has been very busy!

Work keeps progressing nicely. I’m learning a lot and getting to experiment with new ideas, which is a very welcome process. The best place to be is the one you keep learning in, and there is much, much more to do. I’ve also returned to writing with my friends (thanks Jorge and Kev!), and the creative environment is nothing short of rejuvenating and reinvigorating!

The biggest change in my life came on July 25th, when I married the woman who changed my life. I remember thinking about blogging around that time with a simple “Hey! I’m married! woo!”. However, two things worked against this. The first was that I left my computer (purposely) at home, and I hate typing with my thumbs. The second is I’d already posted on Facebook, and it made the blog oddly redundant. So here I am now, more than six months later, still battling the ocean that keeps us apart, but with a ring on my finger constantly reminding me of what victory will bring.

It’s been a great year. And it’s already looking to get better.

Can’t rain all the time.

Eyes Towards The Sky

He holds himself precariously between the three mountains. At this point, he can still touch all three at the same time, but the time has come for him to choose.

He has been at this level for what feels like eternity. His right arm tenses as it pushes against the rocks. His legs bend and flex as they push against his arm, trying to keep the balance without overpowering it. His left hand wields a spyglass, and with a strain he turns his neck to gaze up at his choice.

From where he is, all three mountains look exactly the same. They project out at the same points. They have the same places where the stones look unsteady, ready for overeager climbers to meet their downfall. They have the same caves, places for the climber to find rest or to give up and decide to go back down the mountain. And from where he is, he cannot see what awaits him at the top of any of the three.

The hour grows late. The time approaches. And he must make a choice.

Duty. Desire. Adventure.

He puts the spyglass away, takes his breath, and climbs.

Time Passes

This month, I’ll be finishing my tenure at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a decade since I started coming here, first competing at Rocky LaMontagne’s IPA Beat Battle, then eventually working the door for his shows. Years later, I’m leaving behind helping co-produce the Words and All That! events, DJing the world famous Nuyorican Friday Night Slam, and doing sound and DJing for Urbintel’s Verses, Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz, and Yerba Buena’s monthly show.

I’ve had mixed feelings about departing. I will miss the people that I’ve had the privilege to work with, the artists I’ve seen come through and inspire, and the opportunity that was given to a young man looking for his purpose. But at the same time, being a part of all the above is what moved me to pursue my own dreams, my own passions, and I move forward with a sense of excitement and healthy fear to make my long time desire to make films come true.

So I thank all the people that gave me a chance to make something of myself, that inspired me to continue my art, and that helped get me to this point. I thank the family and friends who’ve believed in me, and the tests I’ve endured in not only taking this step, but in truly becoming a man. I’ll end this with a few things I’ve learned, in the hopes that it helps someone in the same position I was a decade ago…

1) The three most important things you need are patience, assertiveness, and the ability to know when to use either.

2) Ask for help. No matter how good you are, you can get a lot more done when you have people you can rely on at your side.

3) Rest…rest…rest. It’s hard to pursue your dreams if you’re burnt out. Make time for youself.

4) Respect the past. Dream for the future. Live in the now.

5) Opportunity helps drive dreams. Pass the opportunity you’ve been given to the next generation.

Peace, love and respect to everyone trying to make something of themselves. It’s never too late to start, and always too early to give up.

“Few tragedies can be more extensive than the stunting of life, few injustices deeper than the denial of an opportunity to strive or even to hope, by a limit imposed from without, but falsely identified as lying within.” -Stephen Jay Gould

Fresh For ’07

Yeaaaah Booyyyyeee!!!

Greetings and salutations one and all. So 2007 starts off right for the firebird. I started a new job in Yonkers (HOORAY FOR ME BILLY!!! HOORAY FOR ME!!!) which will finally bring the stability I longed for. I feel reinspired as an artist thanks to my family and friends. And I feel like I’m finally in a position to make moves. I’ll hopefully be able to start upgrading my tech in the next couple of weeks (computer, camera, etc.).

2007 started off good, so hopefully it will keep on so I can finally upgrade this site and its content. Until then, I appreciate the increasing masses who visit PhoenixRizin.com (500+ a month now!).