211. Playoff Sway

Happy Halloween everyone!

I'm not out and about today int he Halloween hustle and bustle - I'm actually blogging from Qwest right now.  It's frackin cold I can tell you that much!  I'm in the stands ready to watch the MLS Seattle Sounders FC vs LA Galaxy in game 1 of the playoffs.  The atmosphere is absolutely amazing right now - I can't even put it into words.  The crowd is one their feet screaming and they haven't even started the game! 

Good luck Seattle!  Lets go SOUNDERS!

Another AMAZING display via Emerald City Supporters

Side note... I did manage to snap this shot *wink*

yes ladies - that is David Beckhams ars!

**update - we lost; we'll get'm in LA next weekend... 

210. FDC Sway

“We should look for someone to eat and drink with before looking for something to eat and drink"
- Epicurus

Thank you to the FDC (Friday Dinner Crew)for a relaxing evening of delish food, good company, and so many laughs I couldn't stop coughing.

209. SEMA Sway

"No road is long with good company"

Turkish proverb

Wishing you guys a safe, fun, memorable, and speedy (not speeding) journey to SEMA!  Redemption is near - just a few more hours.

Thank you Thuc and Randy for accompanying Kenji on the long trek to Vegas.  See you guys in a few days :)

208. Anticipation Sway

"Anticipation only sweetens the moment" - unknown

I'm sure that a million people use this quote.  My memory of it reminds me of "the Pogi Boys" as many of them used it when they were swooning on chicks. hahahah I remembered it in that context

BUT

Today this quote is in reference to the upcoming 2010 SEMA Redemption road trip.  Kenji is going to take Ari the Lex down to Las Vegas for a second chance to show her off at the SEMA.  It's been a LONG and tiring journey to get to this point.  I know that the next few days are going to be filled with worry, anxiety, excitement and more... I can only imagine the sweet feeling that Kenji is going to get when he rolls Ari to his parking spot. 

Thank you to everyone for their kind words, hard work, support, and general enthusiasm to get Kenji to this point.  You are appreciated beyond words.

207. Foundation Sway

"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost;  that is where they should be.  Now put the foundations under them."

Henry David Thoreau

206. True Friendship Sway

"True friendship comes when the silence between two people is comfortable."
Dave Tyson

205. Quoted Sway

"The early bird need not pursue the worm

when he can order pizza at midnight."

Charles M. Schultz

AGREED!

204. Gerber Sway

Today's post is dedicated to Radar and Sherri and their expected bundle of joy.

Congratulations and best wishes for baby!

Special shout to Mikey Huggy Bear for creating these awesome Gerber Shirts :)

203. Pandora Sway

Such a random post but I am completely lovin the 'Hi Five' channel on Pandora. #realmusic! 

202. Baby Yu

I'm blogging from my bed today with mixed feelings about it.  BUT the highlight of my day was the chance to listen to some online streamed music, specifically my friend Daniel aka Baby Yu in Atlanta.  Originally from Toronto, Daniel moved down to Atlanta to further his career in music.  Needless to say - he's doing it BIG!  Besides his daily radio spot on http://v103.radio.com, he's also a resident DJ @ JD's Gold Room.  Its been a few years since I've had the opportunity to see Daniel spin live - long overdue I must say!  So, despite feeling like ass and staying in bed all day - I was more than happy with the chance to hear his show today.  Thank you friend for making my sick day just a little bit better :)

Download Baby Yu's jams here http://babyyu.urbanradioondemand.com/
Peep his site here http://babyyu.com/

201. Wizdom Sway

Shoutout to the homie Wizdom, doin big thangs here in Seattle!
Check out his newest video "Never Doubt Me"




Director/DP/Editor: Craig Nisperos (cnisperos@gmail.com)

Performed By: Wizdom
Produced by: Raw Fingers
Recorded, Mixed & Mastered By: D-Sane

Cameos by: Sonicsgate, Jon Augustavo, Stef Lang, JR Celski, Gene Dexter, D-Sane, Sol, MADNW
Special thanks to: Tita Mejino, Kevin Nisperos and Auto Battery

www.craignisperos.com
www.wizdomsound.com
www.sonicsgate.org/​
www.madnw.org/

200. Spirit Day

In recent months, six young, gay men have taken their lives due to acts of homophobic abuse. People everywhere are urged to wear purple this Wednesday (that's tomorrow) to show your support and encourage tolerance within the community. This viral call to action has spread rapidly via social media like Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr. Named “Spirit Day because the purple represents spirit on the LBGTQ flag,” the event hopes to show LGBT youth that they are accepted for who they are, regardless of sexual preference.

Title:  Gay teens told 'It Gets Better'
Author:  By Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY
Publication:  USA TODAY
Publisher:  USA TODAY
Date:  Oct 18, 2010
© Copyright 2010, USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co., Inc.

http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/parenting-family/teen-ya/2010-10-19-itgetsbetter19_ST_N.htm

They sit down in front of the camera, and they start to talk. In English, in Spanish, in American Sign Language. Proudly wearing their U.S. Marine uniforms or wedding rings or holding squiggly, giggling children. Most of them gay, each has a message for gay teenagers who may be contemplating suicide. "It gets better!" these adults tell them, in heartfelt videos posted to a new YouTube channel.




A string of suicides by gay youth nationwide this fall impelled many of them to tell their stories online, speaking of the harassment and bullying they endured in middle and high school.


The project was started last month by Dan Savage. The Seattle-based writer and columnist was waiting for a plane at JFK airport when he read about 15-year-old Billy Lucas in Indiana, who committed suicide after being bullied in high school because his classmates thought he was gay. "I thought, 'If I could only have talked to him for five minutes, to tell him it gets better, maybe he wouldn't be dead.' "


No permission needed


Sitting at the airport, Savage realized he was waiting for someone's permission to talk to these kids — but he didn't need to. When he got home, he and his husband, Terry Miller, made a video about their 16 years together and uploaded it to YouTube. In it, they tell gay and lesbian teens that life gets wonderful. The couple, married in Canada, live in Seattle with their 12-year-old adopted son, D.J.


"If you can live through high school, which you can ... you're going to have a great life. It's going to be the envy of all those people that picked on you," Miller says in the video, which has been viewed 892,349 times.


The project has taken off, with more than 700 videos posted and 1.6 million views since Sept. 22. Every video that's posted generates dozens and sometimes hundreds of comments. Some are attacking, but many more are from grateful teens themselves.


A familiar story


Sadly, gay teen suicides are nothing new, says Charles Robbins, director of the Trevor Project, a suicide-prevention organization for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth that operates a 24/7 crisis hotline. But a nationwide string of them in September brought the issue more attention.


Studies have shown that gay teens are four times more likely to attempt suicide than straight teens. There's no evidence to suggest that being gay intrinsically makes teens more suicide-prone. Instead, "the high level of stigma from society and external pressures significantly increase the risk for suicide for these kids," says Caitlin Ryan, a researcher at San Francisco State University.


Teens "often feel like they're the only person who's going through what they're going through, and these videos will, we hope, let them know that there are others who have gone through the same thing and there is hope and there is help," says Robbins.


A level of anti-gay sentiment in the country also has led many people of faith to speak out. Stephen Sprinkle, a professor of theology at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, says he's gotten hundreds of responses to his video about heeding the call to be a Baptist minister and also to be open about his sexuality.
"There was one 18-year-old in particular, he said over and over again, 'Are you sure I'm not going to hell? Are you sure?' And I was able to tell him that God doesn't make mistakes," says Sprinkle. "You are completely and totally beloved."

199. Fearless Sway

From the motivational email collection...

Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Making fears insignificant

Fear is possible only when you forget how much power you really have. Fear takes up those spaces in your world that you have neglected to fill with love and positive possibility.

You don't have to fight the fear. You don't have to let the dark clouds of dread and anxiety cast their crippling shadows over your life any longer.

Instead, allow love to fill your awareness. Give in to that beautiful longing you feel to be fully and authentically you.

Give your life's energy to your highest hopes, desires, dreams and positive possibilities. Then your fears will naturally recede into insignificance.

With your mind and your spirit at peace, your thoughts and actions are free to be strong, focused and effective. You'll unleash the ability to create value and richness in your world.

The positive possibilities are truly without limit. Imagine them, allow them to inspire you, and turn your attention toward fulfilling the best of them.

198. Stef Lang

Last night, Kenji and I attended the "Mixed Plate Music Series Show".  I was amazed by the talent that was showcased but sadden by the small attendance.  Hopefully these artist will come out again with a larger following to show off their skills.

One particular artist that I had heard about prior to the show was Stef Lang.  Thanks to the informative blog and insider track of one talented director Craig Nisperos, I got a chance to preview Stef's music prior to the show.  Ladies and Gents I promise that she's going to hit it big - watch out for her to breakthrough!

197. Tourist Sway

This weekend we got to spend a lot of time roaming around our lovely city enjoying the sites and sounds of Seattle with some out of town friends.  Shout out to Tish, Darren, and Indo for giving us a reason to roam :)

Saturday we set out to feast on some Cuban Sandwiches at Paseos while enjoying the sun and Seattle cityscape via rooftop.  Afterwards we hit Kerry Park and enjoyed more of the view.  Following our stomachs and fat kid instincts we hit Dicks for some Deluxe's, fries, and shakes *nomage*.  With some time to kill we hit up Pesos in Queen Anne for some Sangria.  While enjoying some old school rap we treked across the West Seattle Bridge for more scenic looks @ the Seattle skyline.  It was there at the boat launch where I learned the "proper way" to take jumping photographs hahaha.  As the sunset our stomachs started to grumble a little more and it was time for dinner!  We mobbed to Talarico's for a  28'inch pie 10 time the size of my freakin head.  But omg it was soooooo good!

Although our Seattle roaming ends here - our night did not - but I will leave that for tomorrows post.

*cheers* to random roaming in your own city.  A few picture highlights from the day:

196. Passion

This weekend I had the opportunity to meet a musician that I greatly admire.  This was of course a complete unplanned event but nevertheless I am thankful for it.  Back in 2005, I was first introduced to Passion by his song "Lemonade" which became mine and Kenji's "song" **insert "awww"**.

SO after a few drinks on Friday night - we headed over to Blush for the Jo Koy after party.  A few songs in this kid and JO come up to the DJ table and grab the mic and start singing along to Musiq's "Just Friends".  To be completely honest - I recognized the voice before the name.  He was introduced as Jeremy and I thought nothing more of it until I heard him sing.  After some fast googling on my handy BlackBerry - I was giddy as ever to learn that THE Passion was right there in front of me.  Of course I didn't know what to do or say so I pushed Kenji to talk to him and the rest was a great night :)

Please take some time to check out Jeremy Manongdo's talents here on his youtube page http://www.youtube.com/user/passionsf.  He updates it often with new covers and songs.  Enjoy :P

Here's an explanation and cover of his "Lemonade" song  *swoon*

195. Naturally Positive Sway

Happy Friday!  An awesome motivational email via work...


Naturally positive
Thursday, October 14, 2010

Beyond stuck

You are capable of much more than just getting by. You have it in you to prosper and to triumph.

If you feel stuck where you are, that means your dreams haven't been big enough or meaningful enough to push you persistently forward. Use that uncomfortable feeling of being stuck as motivation to expand and to solidly connect with your most authentic dreams.

Take full responsibility for what you've done and for where you are. Then take full responsibility and make the commitment to fulfill your most valuable and treasured possibilities.

Painful circumstances and periods of misfortune can be very difficult, but they're not what have held you back. What has held you back is that you've chosen to ignore or discount your most compelling reasons for moving forward.

If you feel stuck, that means you are ready. That means you know deep within that you must do whatever it takes to bring your dreams to life.

Reach inside, touch your true dreams, feel your authentic purpose, and step boldly forward. There's no reason to be stuck for one moment longer.

194. Morning Motivational Sway

Morning motivation with perfect timing!  Lately, I can't help but feel like I have been in this awkward rut.  I think this mornings motivational email was just the extra bump I needed to move my ars and get in gear...

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Beyond stuck


You are capable of much more than just getting by. You have it in you to prosper and to triumph.

If you feel stuck where you are, that means your dreams haven't been big enough or meaningful enough to push you persistently forward. Use that uncomfortable feeling of being stuck as motivation to expand and to solidly connect with your most authentic dreams.

Take full responsibility for what you've done and for where you are. Then take full responsibility and make the commitment to fulfill your most valuable and treasured possibilities.

Painful circumstances and periods of misfortune can be very difficult, but they're not what have held you back. What has held you back is that you've chosen to ignore or discount your most compelling reasons for moving forward.

If you feel stuck, that means you are ready. That means you know deep within that you must do whatever it takes to bring your dreams to life.

Reach inside, touch your true dreams, feel your authentic purpose, and step boldly forward. There's no reason to be stuck for one moment longer.

193. Sunrise Sway

This morning, mother nature gave us quite a visible show. At sunrise the Eastside was covered in a gross dark and dense fog all the way through Mercer Island. Coming across I-90 into Seattle it cleared up but you could still see fog patches in downtown.  I wanted to bypass traffic so I exited and drove onto the Viaduct.  I was in awe to see this heavy fog stream covering the Sound but not touching the waterfront. It was as if there was an invisible wall preventing it from hitting landfall. I detoured to the waterfront to catch a closer look... this was taken off of Pier 70...

192. Slacker Sway

A month behind... I'm failing miserably @ my "daily" blog.  By Thanksgiving I will but up to date and on the go.  Please note - I am inspired on a daily basis, but I'm moreso lazy to post.  SMH no excuses... I'm working on it!  Infact I'm in deep thought as you read...

191. Happy Canadian Thanksgiving

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving to all our friends to the north.

At times like these we must always remember to be thankful for all that we have.  Especially our friends and family.
***A special Prayer goes out to the Escobedo family... My thoughts are with you at this time.

Rochelle and her Lolo

190. Positive Sway

“You've done it before and you can do it now. See the positive possibilities. Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination.”

- Ralph Marston

I found this inspirational quote feed on Twitter and find myself smiling and retweeting a lot of this guys stuff.  Check it out for some daily inspiration.  Follow Ralph Marston on Twitter

189. Ro and Bryan part 3

Congratulations AGAIN to Rochelle and Bryan Valbuena.  I have yet to see the completed version of their wedding video *ahem* but I was blessed enough to celebrate Rochelle and Bryans union here in Seattle this past weekend.  I did the chicken dance, drank uber wine, and laugh my ars off.  Cheers again to the beautiful couple and best wishes to a great future.. one which consists of them living in the same country and home soon!  Love you guys :)

wow we're a good looking wedding party!

188. Charice Pempengo Sway

I'm a HUGE Gleek!  For those of you that haven't watch GLEE you should totally get on it!

The season two premiere featured up and coming filipina singer Charice Pempengo.  My dad completely adores her voice - as do I!  Check her out here... amazing voice for such a young star!

187. Distant Friend Quotes

"Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes."

-  Henry David Thoreau

Home
47° 39' N 122° 18' W

"I left my heart in"

 37° 37' N 122° 23' W

"To Live and Die in"

33° 56' N 118° 24' W

"Viva... " 

36° 5' N 115° 10' W

The Big Apple   

40° 47' N 73° 58' W

Bienvenido a

25° 47' N 80° 17' W

186. Ukulele Sway

I fell in love with Aidan a few weeks ago - this eight year old ukulele prodigy has become an Internet sensation.  Here he is doing a cover of Train's "Hey Soul Sister".  Playing backup for him is another island ukulele prodigy Jake Shimabukuro.



This little kid is so inspiring, so innocent and humble.  He loves music and admires his teacher.  There are a ton of other videos of Aiden on YouTube.  Check out some of his interviews and other performances!

185. US Open Cup

BACK TO BACK! BACK TO BACK!

Once again the Seattle Sounders FC have won then US Open Cup :)

Congrats to Sanna Nyassi for the 2 goals that sealed the win!

Sounders FC celebrating their victory in front of another sold out home crowd @ Qwest Field in Seattle.
PHOTO by CHRIS REIKO


Read more on the BIG WIN here



Match Breakdown:
Columbus Crew vs. Seattle Sounders

Date: October 5, 2010

Competition: Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

Venue: Qwest Field; Seattle

Kickoff: 7 p.m. PT

Attendance: 31,311

Weather: Clear, 60 degrees

Scoring Summary: 1 2 F

CLB 1 0 1

SEA 1 1 2

CLB – Kevin Burns (Steven Lenhart) 24th minute

SEA – Sanna Nyassi 38

SEA – Sanna Nyassi (Steve Zakuani) 66

Lineups:

CLB: 30-Andy Gruenebaum; 2-Frankie Hejduk, 14-Chad Marshall, 6-Andy Iro, 29-Shaun Francis, 12-Eddie Gaven (18-Robbie Rogers, 81), 16-Brian Carroll, 17-Emmanuel Ekpo, 15-Kevin Burns (20-Emilio Renteria, 78); 32-Steven Lenhart (10-Andres Mendoza, 78), 7-Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

Subs not used: 1-William Hesmer, 4-Gino Padula, 22-Adam Moffat, 23-Eric Brunner

Head Coach: Robert Warzycha

SEA: 18-Kasey Keller (capt.), 7-James Riley, 4-Patrick Ianni, 31-Jeff Parke, 5-Tyson Wahl; 23-Sanna Nyassi (15-Alvaro Fernandez, 79), 6-Osvaldo Alonso, 12-Nathan Sturgis, 11-Steve Zakuani (24-Roger Levesque, 89); 17-Fredy Montero (21-Nate Jaqua, 89), 9-Blaise Nkufo.

Subs not used: 14-Tyrone Marshall, 20-Zach Scott, 22-Mike Seamon, 28-Terry Boss

Head Coach: Sigi Schmid

Stats Summary: CLB / SEA

Shots: 10 / 10

Shots on Goal: 1 / 5

Saves: 3 / 1

Corner Kicks: 2 / 6

Fouls: 10 / 11

Offside: 0 / 0

184. Diamond Sway

"A diamond is a piece of coal that stuck to the job"

- Thomas A. Edison

183. Canadia Sway

Canadia trip #2 - Team Screamer FKMs and Operation Ari Body Job

The purpose of this day trip was to drop off Ari (the Lex) in Vancouver for some pre-SEMA bodywork.  We figured we might as well throw down on some FKMs (Fat Kid Moves) while we were there... and that's exactly what we did.

We started with a massive snack shopping spree @ Walmart.  Then all you can eat sushi and Korean BBQ @ Shabusen.  Afterwards we trekked over to my favorite "hidden treasure"  La Casa.  218 different kinds of gelato.  From sweet corn (with actual corn chunks) to curry.  My winning choice from this trip was marzipan!  This spot is a must visit if ever in Vancouver!  I promise you'll have fun for hours...
We took a mini break from food and took a brisk walk through gastown, until I discovered this thing called butter tarts @ Starbucks.  How is it that I have never heard of these before!?  little gooey bites of heaven.  *nom*  Since we were running out of time we hurried back into downtown and snagged some poutine @ Fritz AND $1.50 hamburger pizza slices.  So full and exhausted we had saved the best for last... Danny's Market for SCREAMERs :)  so amazingly good.  SO - our trip ends here - or so I thought... en route to the freeway to head home Kenji and JJ decide they want to try a McMini... bite sized chicken sandwiches from McDonalds... quick drive through trip and homeward bound we were!

FKMs for life!  Until next time Canadia!

"Ohmystomachhurr" just from writing this blog! 

182. Hayes Sway

Today I witnessed the union of my loving co worker Alexi and his beautiful bride Katrina.  Everyday this past year Alexi and I have had numerous conversations about this event.  Colors, food, songs etc.  I feel so blessed to have been invited to see it all come together.  

Congratulations to Alexi and Katrina <3 

181. Trusting Sway

"In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe."

Michael Jackson