Basics: Business, Computers / Internet, Cooking, Fine arts, Gadgets / techie stuff, Gardening, Genealogy, Inspiration / self improvement, Listening to music, Massage, Movies / Film, Photography, Reading, Real estate, Science, Spiritual Studies, Traveling...
Active stuff: Bicycling, Extreme sports, Freerunning, Horseback riding, Hunting, Mountain biking, Sailing, Skydiving, snowboarding, Soccer, Water sports...
Food: I love spicy food - Mexican, Thai, Indian. Greek is awesome. Japanese too.
Locale: I love the beach, park, mountains - pretty much anywhere I have friends & family - mostly in Santa Cruz & Silicon Valley, but also: Seattle, Portland, Ventura, L.A. area, San Diego, & Puerto Vallarta.
Recently I've gotten more into surfing, bodyweight exercise, and investing, but there's so many things I'm interested in it's hard to keep track :)
Music
Basically anything performed with passion, a good melody and talent, although I am pretty picky when it comes to country and rap. With those, it has to be pretty old for me to like it. Right now I am listening to Lhasa de Sela, Mae, Stereo Crush, Pinback, Nikka Costa... the list goes on :)
Movies
Just off the top of my head, by category: Action - Kill Bill; Drama/Suspense - Spider-Man 2; Documentary - Step Into Liquid; Headtrip - Donnie Darko; Epic/Fantasy - Lord of the Rings, Star Wars; Historical/Spiritual - The Passion of the Christ; Romance/Comedy - 50 First Dates, Spanglish; Anime: Spirited Away or anything by Miyazaki; Foreign: Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Hero, House of Flying Daggers, anything by Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Television
I rarely watch TV... I prefer movies.
Books
The Bible, Lord of the Rings, stuff by C.S. Lewis and George MacDonald, The Travel Book, Bridge of Birds... and a lot more
Simpson College
Redding, CALIFORNIA
Graduated: N/A
Student status: Alumni
Degree: None
Major: Business Administration
Clubs: Spearheaded the campus radio station
1994 to 1995
Clovis High
Clovis, CALIFORNIA
Graduated: 1993
Student status: Alumni
1990 to 1991
Gunn (henry M.) High
Palo Alto, CALIFORNIA
Graduated: 1993
Student status: Alumni
Degree: High School Diploma
To check out what I've been up to around the world, head over to my website, rafael.net and say hi. :)
My ultra cheesy bio thingy
Driven and goal-oriented, I'm confident about where I'm going in life, although I have been known to get distracted once in a while... yet who doesn't? Loyal, laid back, passionate, and creative are ways that I've been described, and (I believe) are good descriptions of my personality. By the way, I love great hugs! :)
In general, connecting with people is a major motivator for me - you never know what kind of difference you can make in someone's life, even if it's just a smile you give to a passer-by. Life is too short to not live it to the fullest, and I feel making a difference is part of that. Carpe diem!
I'm also very motivated by experience and physical activity - and I'll try (just about) anything once! I love the outdoors and traveling, the ocean, being around animals (pets and wildlife) as well as music and great conversation.
I've been working independently as a new media designer since late 1998, and I've got a few other interesting entrepreneurial projects that I hope to use to further my part in making a difference in people's lives.
About the friends comments 'doo-dad'
Call me selfish, but if you're going to leave a comment on here, leave one about me. Like how we met, or why we're friends. Or tell a story about something fun or crazy we did together. It will make things so much more interesting around here! (To send me a note, please use the 'Send Message' widget.)
About 'friend requests'
I love making new friends. That's the number 2 reason I'm on here!! (Number 1 is to stay in touch with my existing friends.) However I'm not interested in "fake friends", only real friends -- I'm not here for a popularity contest. I won't add you to my friends list if I don't know you. (Bands: If I love your music I may add you.) How can people be friends if they've never even talked? So message me first. Let's talk and get to know each other!
Who I'd like to meet: Cool, laid back and fun people from the Santa Cruz / Monterey Bay / SF Bay Areas -- or anywhere in the world really. :)
Leave me a comment: Instead of clicking on "Add Comment" link on the bottom, just use the box below to write me a comment.
I met him at Apple Computer in about 1996/97 (time is a strange and ever-shifting phenomenon) and he had already made a cd of 3D modeling work he'd created! He must always have been an entrepreneur. I still have that cd! I should have picked his brain while we were there... and maybe my life might be as exciting and impacting as his is!
This guy's gonna make some big time changes for the better here on our plane, other than the changes he's already made. "Mark and remember!" (- Clash of the Titans)
Named after one of the most important Archangels, how could he be anything less than fucking amazing??!
So, I'm just sitting here thinking, "Hmmm...wasn't it April when Kristen visited Rafael? I wonder what happened to all those great pictures?" *wink wink*
god it seems like forever can happen and we always pick up where we stopped last, my fav. cousin... we have been like best friends since we were able to talk. it's so good to have seen you. thanks for taking Noel back to Phx. you rock~! can't wait for you to get back.... lets chat some-more.
Hey Raf! I had so much fun on those videos! The will be posted soon, I promise. Hope Tomfest is fun... tell everyone I said "Hi". I will be there next year if they will have me.
Girlfriend?? Awesome - you gotta spill your guts! I am so gonna pester you for details next time I see you online!!! If I can I'll drive down there when I come see Jon. How far is it do you think (in time)?
I just spent some of the most glorious days with Rafa and his fabulous girlfriend, Eiko, in Puerto Vallarta. I will miss the elaborate and delicious breakfasts on the rooftop terrace with my 2 good friends most.
Can't wait to see you both again - and thank you for everything!!!
Ok I can write here how I met Raf... I think its a pretty cool story! On my flight back to Vancouver from living in London for 6 months there was a very nice and friendly guy across the aisle, not sure how we started chatting but he made my flight so much more enjoyable!! I think I'm going to have to go and visit him in Mexico very soon! Get ready Raf!
