how do you get to carnegie hall?

practice, practice, practice.

It's an old one-liner that bounced around in my head all the way home from a gig yesterday. Last night, we were invited to play live rondalla music on Ritmos De Las Americas, a radio show hosted on KPFA by Rosi Reyes. We started practicing for this gig two weeks ago, meeting twice as a group plus everyones own individual rehearsing. Our playlist included traditional songs like Pandanggo and Itik-Itik, but also included some of our newer songs like Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak and Rosas Pandan. Rosi was a great hostess who seemed to really appreciate the music. She would ask a few questions, then let us play, then ask a few more questions, and then let us play again, etc. Plus throughout the show, she allowed us to continually plug some our upcoming gigs. All in all, it was a great experience for the us.

But it was a challenging gig! We were too big for the soundbooth that she wanted us in, so we had to split up into three different rooms! Guitars and bass were in the far room, lauds were in the middle room, and all five banduryas were in the first room. These adjoined rooms did have windowed-walls, but for the most part, we still couldn't see each other and could only hear the others through the headphones that we all wore.

That was crazy! From the very beginning of the ensemble, we've always played together in the same room. We've done well with this, developing into an ensemble that feels each other's playing to adjust dynamics and tempo. We also use visual cues such as headnods to start instead of counting down. So, being in separate rooms, while at the mercy of our headphones' levels, made playing together tough! But we survived (albeit with a few nicks and cuts), and came out of this gig with some important experience. All in all, I would rate the ensemble's performance in the B range.

As an individual however, I would give myself a C- to D+. I have been practicing with the group, but I haven't been doing as much solo rehearsing. Consequently, my playing has suffered. I missed phrases here and there, hit a couple of wrong notes here and there. Shoot! I didn't even have all my music in order. For the first time in a long time, I was upset and disappointed with myself. As I told our bass player Ernie, "I'm gonna have to chalk this one up to the 'A Lesson Learned Category' "

This past year, my focus on my music has slowly waned. Other aspects in my life such as getting married in Canada, visiting Tina there, getting her down here to the US, and preparing for a baby have demanded more of my attention (as they should!) But I do feel bad because I would still like to keep the company and the music we play a part of our lives.

On the drive home, I decided that I don't want to lose my chops and want to keep & resharpen the edge that I've created. With the baby on the way, I know that my schedule will never be the same. As Tina and I adjust to baby, I might have to miss rehearsals here and there, but that doesn't mean I should stop practicing on my own. I want to keep up with new material and keep old material fresh in my mind. So, I'm gonna have to squeeze out a little more time at home to practice. As the dust settles from the first few months, we should be able to wean ourselves back into the scene. If not soon, then eventually for sure!

Bryan our Maestro said last night that he enjoyed the radio gig and that it could be addicting! I agree! We were invited back and even got a request to do a whole different radio program. As the group begins to expands it's horizons and experiences, who knows, we just might find ouselves at Carnegie Hall one day :)

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you gotta know when to fold 'em

i played texas hold' em poker last night. didn't lose my shirt, but still lost. my game was off, and i made many poor choices. basically i played crappy. it's a cool game though...and there's something about playing with strangers that makes the game oh so different! it reminded me of the times when i used to play in the poker room in reno hotels like circus circus or harrah's.

i wasn't even 21 (had a fake id) when I started playing at casino poker rooms. if there's no wait, you just walk up to an empty seat at a table and buy in for some chips. starting off was always nerve racking! as you wait for the dealer to count out your chips, you can feel everyone sizing you up...even if for just a second. we're talking cowboys, a few asians, old ladies, truckers, all kinds of people, and most of 'em were much older than me.

haha! just thinking of it cracks me up...there i was...just shy of 20, sitting at a poker table with strangers who were usually 40+. i was still smoking at the time, and if you passed by the poker section, you would have seen little o' me, with a cigarette hanging out of my mouth and a glass of scotch in front of me, trying to out fox total strangers of their money.

One good thing about poker is that you choose when you play. if you make the right choices, you can make your money last and play for quite a while. $20 could last me 2-4 hours back then.

i don't gamble too much anymore, which is good cuz i've got mcuh better things to spend my money on...like little baby cruz!

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Summer Luvin', Havin' Some Fun...

My summer off from work is fast approaching. This break is going to give me an opportunity to knock off or maintain some items from my neverending mental ToDo list.

Family:
•Continue to pamper and support the wife (D-day is approaching)
•Paint our baby's furniture chest white (touching up an old hand-me down)
•Start reading up on child-rearing (birth process is only one day in a lifelong adventure!)
•Finish preparation of baby's room/area (baby needs a place for his/her stuff)

Work:
•Look for part-time work (i think i'm gonna tutor during the summer)
•Prepare for next sem's new class (i'm teaching a new class next sem)

Self:
•Get my last minute fishing in (before the baby comes in!)
•Start working out again (man...do i ever need to :) )


DETAILS
Tina's been doing a great job with the pregnancy! During her last OB visit, the doctor told her to start monitoring the baby's kick counts. So twice a day, Tina quiets down and concentrates. From afar, Tina looks like she's sleeping. Her eyes are closed, and her breathing is rhythmic and soft. But I know she's very awake, focusing on counting the baby's every movement. Her goal is to find out how long the baby takes to move ten times.

Just typing this gives me goosepimples!

Looking around me, we know that time and it's minions stop for no one. The joys of birth and the pains of death constantly cycle in this swirlng, ordered chaos that is existence. But when Tina drowns it all out and closes her eyes and ears to all external, the only elements left are her and the child within. No more worrying about work or friends or anything else. No more worrying about money or wars. It's all about that simple but miraculous bond between mother and unborn baby. It's all about that sacrifice of blood and energy to grow the baby. It's all about sending the baby thoughts of warmth and love and to feel the baby respond with kick, a roll, or even a little sommersault!

Sure this is a life-drama that happens every day, every minute, all over the world. But right now, during the lull before the storm, i have the opportunity to appreciate it...and even be a little jealous :)

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In the name of the Father, and of ...

the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

For some of my friends, driving by Church automatically kicks in their Sign of the Cross reflex. My relatives (including myself on occasion) will motion the Sign of the Cross once they get in a car and are about to go for a drive.

When I've gestured the Sign of the Cross outside of going into Church or during Mass, I was searching for a blessing such as "God, please bless me in my journey cuz I'm about to get on the road." I suppose it's been my way of dealing with the unknown, the unforseeable. Bad things happen, and it doesn't hurt to ask for unearthly protection. I'm not the best practicing Catholic, perhaps not even a mediocre one. But I do believe that there's more out there than what we see and breathe.

Even before the introduction of Catholicism into the Philippines, Pilipinos were seeking guidance and protection from Spirits around us. Two summers ago, an Ifugao mumbaki (priest/Shaman) sung my friends and I a ten minute chant, calling on his ancestors to bless our journey through the Philippines. He sealed the deal with the sacrifice of a native chicken, following ancient traditions that included reading the chickens gizzards.

(Signing the Sign of the Cross is much easier ;) )

Today, I saw two of my students motion the Sign of the Cross just as they began taking one of my Math exams. The exam was on some challenging material, and it's fair to say that most of my students had high anxiety today. People have been streaming in and out of my office hours this past week trying to catch up, get questions answered, or explain their "situations". So I know my students have been stressed out. And I can remember how that feels! Even I've used the Sign of the Cross before a test, putting up that brief little prayer asking for an easy test or at least clear thought to the right answer.

Now my approach is a little different because I've learned Divine intervention doesn't grant easy tests with easy answers. No, divine intervention only grants me The Choice. This Choice is to prepare or not prepare before the test. Looking at the numbers, most of my students can pass this class with an A. But, they make poor choices. And as much as I wish it would help, the Sign of the Cross won't grant an easy test...especially not in my class!

Asking for a blessing is a great thing to do. Now though, after much of my own trial and error in life, my little prayers don't ask for a passing grade or a safe trip. Instead they are focused on helping me find my center, my calm, and my belief in my ability. It's these things which allow me to handle those unforseen life situations...long drives through hail and rain, sickness in the family, money problems, and even fatherhood.

I still believe in miracles. I still believe in the Big Scheme of Life, Divine Intervention, and even Destiny...shoot I met my wife in Canada-after 3 or 4 gigs where our paths could have, but just didn't cross. But I also believe in the potential of people. People have it within themselves to shape their Destiny.

Those two students who gestured the Sign of the Cross? They're solid A/B students. :)

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life goes on

T-minus two weeks and counting. Next week is the last week before finals. Then it's finals week. Then it's the beginning of summer vacation. 8)

Life's been pretty busy this past week. Early last week, Tina and I spent a few hours at Babies-R-Us and Target looking for baby stuff. I've been in baby stores before to shop for little baby gifts, but I usually go straight to the education section, preferring to buy gifts that stimulate the child's mental development.

I never realized that there were so many different kinds of bottles, car seats, playpens, strollers, bath tubs, and breast pumps (both manual and electric)! Being the illegitimate child of mother marketting and father commerical, I usual buy items with flashy packaging and catchy titles. Eddie Bauer carseats in royal blue with fancy gadgets look great! But, this is our child, our tender, and it's all about quality now.

So, for this first go through, we picked items based on the experience of friends and relatives. Later that night, we did more research online to adjust our items, picking items rated favorably by other parents etc.

We've also been running around trying to take care of Tina's immigration status. Although she's living here now, she still doesn't have permanent status. The next step is to file for Adjustment of Status to permanent residence. Well, we rehired our lawyer to handle this because we tried doing it ourselves, only to get confused with all the jargon and additional hoops. It turns out that the US government has got a nice little racket going on here, forcing us to refile and pay for a form that we filed during the first stage of getting Tina here. We also had to get more photos, another medical exam, and more fingerprinting. All in all, we're looking at coughing up another $800 bucks (sans legals fees!)

Another big weight (wait) off my shoulders is that I finally filed my 03 taxes. It's ok though...I had filed for an extension last April 15th.

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The Adventures of Silver Bullet!

Last Friday, the Canadian Silver Bullet began an adventure that would take him from the depths of North Fremont to the sea-smelling port of Oakland and back. Along the way, Silver Bullet did battle with foes like DMV Bureau-Kratika, Duty-Man from US Customs, and Smog-Checker of San Leandro.

Despite the obstacles, Silver Bullet constantly arose the victor! Vanquishing Bureau-Kratika, Duty-Man, and Smog-Checker. But at what cost? Bruises and scratches in the amount of $101, $120, and $90 respectively. So total damage: $331.

As a prize for our hero, Silver Bullet is now temporarily registered in California and can now enjoy the reap the rewards of coverage by State Farm Insurance.

Stay tuned for next week's Episode: The Adventures of Two Novice Parents-To-Be registering at Babies-R-Us and Target.

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