Monday, November 30, 2009

The age of decadence: What makes YOU an artist?

I am an artist as a writer because I have an ability to really “get under the skin of my characters,” real or fiction.

I am an artist as a writer because I paint vivid pictures without using too many fancy words. I keep it simple, yet thought-provoking.

I am an artist as a musician because I worship music and hold no pre-conceived notions against artists and their music.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

When a Wedding Turns to a Funeral

In the midnight hours of August 9th, a fight broke out amongst the Latino and African American inmates of Chino Prison. Hundreds were injured, and no information is yet released about deaths. My own father, who is a physician, was called in to do some emergency “patching up” of the inmates on his day off. He left home at 8 am and didn’t come back for 10 hours. He worked nonstop along with 5 other doctors. It was that bad. It was also a bad omen.

August 9, 2009 marked a transition time for me, as well as the worst day I’ve had in a very long time. Not only did my plans of meeting my idol for the past decade come crashing down due to a mistake of transition of information, but two very important people died, along with a number of countless faces buried in the summer heat.

I for one was really upset about not being able to meet my idol, yet again, but an hour later, a conversation with a friend directed my focus onto a more serious matter, the passing of the lovely and wacky Jasmine You. I will not claim to be his best friend or say that it’s a life-shaking experience for me, but I think he’s great. I really wish I could have gotten to know him better.

Less than another hour later, I discovered that a friend that was engaged to be married in less than a month had died from a freak car accident (Buckle your safety belts, kids. I’m not kidding). This sudden tragedy probably shook my world the most of all. To have such a happy and optimistic life plan finally within grasp, engaged to your dream girl and starting a dream job…then to suddenly have it ripped from you. Life is just too short.

I realized that if I had died in place of these people today, I would seriously regret not having taken risks and done what I always dreamt of doing. I have always, my whole life, used my skills to celebrate other people’s achievements because I was shy, scared and I was always told I wasn’t good enough and believed it. It was never the way I wanted to live and it’s driving me a little closer to insanity every day. I think every person, even myself, deserves a little time for herself to just be emo.

I am praying for all those that have passed on in the traditional Buddhist way. Please everyone join me, regardless of your religion or how you choose to do it. Help me remember these people and make resolutions to better ourselves in the future, to live without regrets.

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Jasmine and Francis, I love you and you will be missed.