Click here to check out The MOODS (my band) on MySpace!
I LOVE:
My wife, my family, my friends, good company, life in general
I LIKE:
Feminism, theatre, acting, scenic design, music (predominantly alternative), jPod (my iPod), writing the occasional tune, drawing the occasional picture, composing and receiving mix CD's (with full artwork), cool and creative CD liners (see The Shins'Chutes Too Narrow album), The Blue Bomber (my guitar), jPod, graphic design, WINGNUT (my laptop), cruising around in Black ThunderFlash (my car) & travel in general, video games (predominantly Nintendo and their most recent accomplishment, the Wii; I'm also absolutely ga-ga over Square Enix's Final Fantasy XII), games in general, cosplay, jPod... oh, and interesting and disarming song covers... and did I mention jPod?
OMG! Its a rare Dragon Type! You're sought after by most trainers for your terrific demeanor and great powers in the arena! Your a complete battling machine with a very strong move base and terrific stats! Feel the respect!
I DISLIKE:
Myspace profiles that mistake quantity for quality, television shows that advertise themselves as being "events", most ad campaigns in general, bugs (particularly mosquitos and hornets), humidity, not being active, intolerance, the not-so-slow and not-so-conspicuous elimination of personal liberties, Internet BS (i.e. pop-ups, spyware, the overuse of smiley & acronyms/abbreviations in lieu of articulate expression, etc.), inarticulateness, bad grammar, poor spelling, self-imposed glass ceilings, gender and generation gaps, Pro-sports outweighing Art in American Society, personal monetary stagnation (I hope not to sound too materialistic - though considering my likes, I suppose that's too late - but, sadly, a lot of fun things in this world have dollar amounts attached to them)
I ABSOLUTELY LOATHE:
People who abuse the anonymity provided by the internet, celebrity worship, homophobia, child abuse, sexist advertising (Carl's Junior & Hardee's are major offenders), sexism in general, the erosion of the line between church and state
Infinite thanks to Robyn for sending this image my way!
Music
I appreciate literate lyrics and songs that are able to pack in a lot of ideas in the average 3 to 4 minute span. I appreciate songs more if I can play along with my guitar :)
I tend to enjoy surreal films and films that have a strong and distinct vision. Theme also matters. I appreciate it greatly when a movie surprises me with what it has to say. I do enjoy my share of sci-fi flicks, though overall I think I prefer space opera. Of course, Star Wars is a way of life (yes, even Episodes I through III, which I actually enjoyed). Click on the headings below to access the Internet Movie Database, should you find yourself inclined to look up the titles I've listed!
FAVE FILMS: Aliens, The Crow, Dark City, The Dark Crystal, Garden State, Ghostbusters I & II, Labyrinth, Lost In Translation, Saved, Shaolin Soccer, Swingers, Tron, Wings of Honneamissae and pretty much anything by Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Delicatessen would be my favorite) and M. Night Shyamalan
Not too into T.V. at all. The closest thing I have to fave shows would be King of the Hill (brilliant!!), Monty Python's Flying Circus, Most Extreme Elimination Challenge, The Muppet Show, Mystery Science Theatre 3000, Who's Line Is It Anyway (the American version, only because I haven't seen much of the original British program) and Sesame Street (the older episodes when they did great song parodies, before it became all green screen and Elmo)
Books
I just got through Dan Simmons' Illium, enjoyed it incredibly, and am looking forward to reading its sequel, Olympos. I also recently finished The End, the final book in A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket, which I found a satisfying finale to a wonderfuly series. This year, I am looking most forward to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and allegedly final book of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.
Overall, I am not a well-read man. I must admit, though I enjoy reading immensely, that I find it hard to split my attention between all my interests and diversions. Click on the headings below to access Barnes & Noble's website should you find yourself wanting to look up any of the titles or authors I've listed below.
FAVE BOOKS: Fences by August Wilson; Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett; His Dark Materials Series by Phillip Pullman; A Massive Swelling: Celebrity RE-Examined as a Grotesque, Crippling Disease and Other Cultural Revolutions by Cintra Wilson; Our Country's Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker; Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov (when I get around to reading the rest of his works, I'll probably put them down here, too); The Tempest by William Shakespeare... oh, and the CD single "Books" by Belle & Sebastian (just kidding)
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND: Akira (volumes 1 through 6) by Katsuhiro Otomo; the novels & graphic novels of Neil Gaiman; The Colored Museum by George C. Wolfe; The Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett (particularly Small Gods); The Harry Potter Series by the also aforementioned J. K. Rowling; A Series of Unfortunate Events by the aforementioned Lemony Snickett; The Hyperion Cantos series by the yet also aforementioned Dan Simmons; Two Rooms by Lee Blessing; the plays of David Henry Hwang (Golden Child, F.O.B.); the plays of David Ives (All In the Timing, Lives of the Saints); the works of William Shakespeare; the plays of August Wilson
First, and foremost: my wife, my family and my friends
Second: activists who make visible efforts to promote human rights, tolerance and progressive thought (this includes artists, authors, film-makers, musicians, playwrights, poets and teachers who have made activism and social consciousness integral aspects of their crafts)
Third: my two fave bands (see 'Music' above), this young lady and recently-turned mother (many congratulations and best wishes to her!)...
The brilliant and ever-prolific Ani DiFranco
... and then there's this guy...
My most absolutest favorite Final Fantasy character ever!
Actor with over 10 years of experience in a variety of roles (classical to contemporary), predominantly Stage work but with some Film/TV, looking to do voice-over work
Theatrical carpenter with over 8 years of experience building sets for various West- and East-Coast companies
Chang, the TransplantAsian's Companies
The CLO of SBC Redondo Beach, CA US Props Crew, Props Coordinator Department of Getting-your-@$$-totally-handed-to-you
2002 to 2004 (seasonal)
The Terrace Theater at the Long Beach Perofrming Arts Center Long Beach, CA US Props Crew Only Guy in the Predominantly Female Props Crew Division
2003 to present (seasonal)
Adecco (Washington Mutual Bank) Chatsworth, CA US Levy/Subpoena Clerk Department of Screwing Others Over
2004 to 2005
The S.O.B. Theatre Co. Hollywood, CA US Founding Member, Technical Director Department of Kick-Assery
2002 to 2005
Wanderust Cafe Pittsfield, MA US Almost Co-owner Californication Division
2005 to 2005
Theater League Kansas City, MO US Assistant Stage Manager, Props Master, Trailblazer Department of Props Madness (and Super Spying)
2002 to 2005 (seasonal)
Shakespeare & Company Lenox, MA US Scenic Carpenter, Production Assistant, Props Mast Being-overworked-but-having-a-pretty-damn-good-time-doing-it Division
1999 to 2001 (seasonal)
East West Players Los Angeles, CA US PR/Marketing Manager The-Maximum-Results-For-Minimum-Investment Department
2005 to 2006
The MOODS Los Angeles, CA US Front man Department of Rock Frontmannery
2005 to present
UCI Campus Temporary Employment Services Irvine, CA US Admin. Analyst Design & Construction Services, "Bringing the Flava" Division
2007 to present
Chang, the TransplantAsian is taking it easy on a Saturday afternoon. Posted at 9:46 PM Aug 8 view more
Well, for starters I'm about a third of the way through my projected lifespan. I was born in the city of Manila in the Republic of the Philippines, and moved to the United States of America in 1989. I've lived in California and Massachusetts and have stayed in a few other points between.
I have a fixation with containers (satchels, tins, boxes, file folders, etc.) as well as an obsession with turning things into something they aren't, whether it be literally (e.g. manila folder into mask) or figuratively (e.g. mole-hill into mountain). Recently, I've found it very difficult to just walk past music stores, particularly independent ones with large used selections. I am a firm believer that fact and fiction are equally strange and should always be so.
THE STATE I AM IN
Life in the OC is falling into quite a fine groove (save for the whole unemployed thing). I'm digging my home now that I've taken the time to decorate, and have thus dubbed it the Manor in Irvine. I dare say it's the coziest abode in which I've laid my head in recent years. My band is pretty much the focus of all my artistic energies right now, though graphic design is keeping me off the streets and away from illegal narcotics and petty crime as well. I'm trying to divvy up my time wisely amongst:
• Plugging away with The Moods
• Supporting Erin and her comrades-in-arts at The University of California, Irvine Claire Trevor School of the Arts
• Designing print and web graphics for Glass Kitten Productions
• Continuing to find sources for inspiration for my artistic endeavors
• Seeing bands I enjoy
• Learning the ins and outs of a wholly new portion of the state I do so love
• Keeping things in perspective and doing my best to be a good husband to my darling wife
I've also just finished some support work for my friends, The Jennifer Project. They just released their debut EP (for which I designed the jacket) and re-launched their website (for which I did the re-design and all the graphics). Check them out online at thejenniferproject.com or visit their MySpace profile at myspace.com/jenniferproject to see the work I've done.
Who I'd like to meet: People who might enjoy my music, other bands whose acts might vibe well with The MOODS, thespians, kindred spirits, music enthusiasts (if you make a pointed effort to post a "currently playing" entry on each of your blogs, you probably apply - send me a note or friend request), video gamers, good folks, Belle & Sebastian (I've already met the boys from BTE) and my celeb crushes: Nellie McKay and the ladies of Le Tigre
Chang, the TransplantAsian's Friend Space (Top 12)
8. "I hate it when people ask... 'Africa? Like the country?' Yes. Exactly like the country of Africa. Jeez." Hmmmm...Annoyin guy(AG) "How tall are you?" James -"6'10"" AG -"Really?" James "I wouldn't lie yes" AG - "Do you play basketball?" ARGH! I fell ya..and Leslie is right it is a continent.
It was great to see you at the party (and also rehearsal)... I'm quite disappointed you didn't bust out the guitar, but after 4 hours straight of rehearsal, I guess I'll understand! See you soon at Hogue's!
Please pass it on... and comment on YouTube as this video is part of a competition held by Southern California Ford and may be aired on television and/or in theaters if it wins.
OK, I am beyond blown away by your page! I love the song playing and I can't handle that it's your band! I can't wait to see a show: ) I have a few other favorite things about your page: your love of feminism (quite swoonworthy), having Le Tigre in heavy rotation, your great pictures, and your adoration of containers - how random and fantastic. Finally, I love that you represented for UCI and the Bringing the Flava Division - Love it!!
