Guam is about to kick off a historical weekend with the world premiere of the first movie written, produced, directed and edited by two of its own: Don and Kel Muna. Their independent, "do-it-yourself" film is called Shiro's Head and I don't think I have to tell you how excited I am about this.
"A true grass roots project, Shiro's Head The Legend is a do it yourself, independent production that is a result of filmmakers Don and Kel Muna maximizing their resources and creative solutions. Knowing that in order to maintain full creative control of their first feature-length film, the Muña Bros. embraced the idea of a fully independent, do-it-yourself approach. This meant that they had to take on the full responsibility of all aspects of production and finance. As a result, they were fully prepared to pull all available resources together. It was then that they decided to take the production of the movie overseas back home to Guam, where support from family and friends combined with their past professional experience gave them the perfect foundation for turning their dream into a reality."
I talked with both Don and Kel last night at the Shiro's Head pre-premiere party, and there was catching up to be done. Before last night, the last time I saw either of them was probably sometime in the early 90's on the campus of George Washington High School where we were all students at the time (give it up for products of the Guam Public School System). We ran in different circles back then but I remember they were always friendly and low-key. They were friendly, low-key, and even humble last night when I gushed to Don that the thing that really excites me the most about Shiro's Head is the idea that the story of how the Muna Brothers achieved their incredible feat will inspire our people to bigger dreams and higher standards. It's my hope that Don and Kel's achievement will help kill the "This is Guam" mentality that is tossed around as some sort of lame and half-ass excuse for poor service, poor production or poor execution. I absolutely hate to hear people say, "This is Guam," in reference to anything substandard because what they're really saying is, "Don't expect good or great things from Guam." Pardon my french, but that's complete bullshit. I hope the Muna Brothers film serves as a proverbial middle finger to those who have the "This is Guam" mentality and those who aspire to just get by. I also hope this lights or re-ignites fires under those of us who want to raise the bar and are striving for bigger and better things for Guam. Shiro's Head assures us, It might take a long time and you'll probably have to work your ass off, but you really CAN do amazing things right here at home.
Congratulations to the Muna Brothers and everyone who worked hard on the production of Shiro's Head. I haven't even seen the film yet, but it almost doesn't matter if I do or don't. I could not possibly be prouder than I am right now.
josiemoyer: File sent: IMG01389.jpg. josiemoyer: I'm really glad ITC management put these signs up today josiemoyer: Really helps me to remember j e s s i c a: Proof u bb on the john! j e s s i c a: Lmao josiemoyer: Hahahahaha! josiemoyer: Dude I BB everywhere! j e s s i c a: Bbmao j e s s i c a: Bb my ass off josiemoyer: I BB when I PP josiemoyer: That's the name of my next single josiemoyer: "dropping" next month j e s s i c a: I'm dying laughing in traffic j e s s i c a: BB when u PP Release party josiemoyer: BBMAO is the name of my album j e s s i c a: Hahahahaha j e s s i c a: Self titled! josiemoyer: It's gonna whiz up the charts!!!!!!! josiemoyer: Hahahahahaha!!!!!!! j e s s i c a: Lmao hahahahahahahhahhahhaa j e s s i c a: I just got chillllllllls josiemoyer: omg josiemoyer: Don't crash your car josiemoyer: Mike says I can "stream" it over the internet josiemoyer: Hahahahaha j e s s i c a: Hahahahahahahaha j e s s i c a: Stream!! josiemoyer: He says it'll be GOLD josiemoyer: Hahahahahaha I'm dying here! j e s s i c a: Lmao j e s s i c a: Omg I think I just peed my pants a little josiemoyer: bbmao!!!! lolololol
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I should mention I was actually chatting with three other people at the same time: Mike, Julie and Mindi. Not long after I sent Julie the photo, she countered with a picture from the bathroom at her office:
Who says attorneys aren't funny?
And almost as soon as I received Julie's picture, Mindi sent one from her bathroom at work:
I loved the picture she sent right after:
Jessica doesn't have a sign inside her bathroom at work, but this is posted outside:
"Spits Spread Disease?" omgwtf? Obviously, Jessica works for a real classy establishment. lololol
I love my BlackBerry. I can't remember my life before it. It probably wasn't as much fun.
"My thoughts seem to scatter, but I think it's about forgiveness..." (Don Henley)
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So I hear that my ex-husband has done gone and married his girlfriend. If this is true (and I have no reason to believe otherwise as the news comes from a very credible source), then I wish them all the best and I hope it works out for them. This is how I feel...really, truly, honestly, swear on my sister's grave.
My immediate response to the "So, have you heard..." was one of surprise because I hadn't really thought about my ex in a while. And while I'm telling my friend that I hope it works out for them and yadda yadda, I'm also thinking in the back of my mind that maybe, just maybe, this is going to be that pivotal moment when the floodgates open and emotions that have been suppressed for almost two years gush forth, causing a minor meltdown. I braced myself and waited. It didn't come. The few friends I've relayed this bit of news to have all responded gingerly and I can tell they also expect some sort of reaction from me. It's been about a week and I'm calling off the flood warning. I'm in the clear.
I used to think that if I ever found myself faced with the very heartbreak and chaos I feared the most, I would just up and leave the island because Guam is so small, it's pretty much impossible to not look down any random street and be inundated with a dozen different memories associated with it. I'm so glad that was not the case. Had I left two years ago, I might not have learned as much about myself. I might not have discovered how strong, capable or self-reliant I can be. Had I run away two years ago, I might not be the woman I am now, and wouldn't that be a shame because I really like who I'm turning out to be. I know who I am, what I want, what I believe in, and what I won't put up with. I also know, without a doubt, that I can get myself through ANYTHING without breaking down or losing my mind. You couldn't pay me to go back and change a single thing. Heartbreak and disappointment have been very good for me.
So, I wish them well, just as I would wish for anyone taking that monumental step of commitment. My best friend recently got engaged and I could not be happier or more excited for Julie and Ken. I still believe in the institution of marriage. I am not ruling it out of my own future. But for now, I am content with the present course my life is charting. And it's full steam ahead, friends.
[UPDATE] Jason just pointed out that I'm number 13 on the poll. My lucky number!
[UPDATE 2] Apparently, I've also been added to the Best Photographer category. Wow. I'm humbled by this because I really think that honor should go to Masako. :)
I was four years old the year I discovered there was no Santa Claus. It was Christmas Eve and my parents were in their bedroom. One of my cousins opened the door and I saw with my own eyes what was going on in the room: there they were, my parents, sitting on the bed wrapping Christmas presents from "Santa." That night, not only did I find out who the REAL Santa was (my parents), I also found out that not everything grown-ups tell children is the honest truth.
I was also four years old when my father told me he found me in a garbage can in Korea. He said he fished me out and took me home to live with him and my mom. I don't know why he told me this but my guess is he must've thought it would be a riot to watch my face twist in confusion as I processed the news and then crumple to the floor in a heap of tears and denial.
"But I don't want to be Korean!" I wailed in helpless misery. Not that I had anything against koreans. I just didn't know anything about Korea at the time except that kim chee was korean and I really, really, disliked kim chee.
Dad held me and pretended to soothe me. "It's OK! Hey, don't worry! I love you even though you're korean. You're my korean girl!" Then he laughed and laughed like it was the funniest thing. I often wonder if my father was stoned out of his mind at the time. It was, after all, 1978 and we lived in San Francisco. And honestly, can you think of a BETTER EXPLANATION?
Over the years I eventually came to terms with and have accepted that I am a displaced, adopted Korean. But I still don't care for kim chee.
I was reminded of this story the day after I had a great dinner with friends at Cafe Havana and we all shared stories of fucked up things our parents used to do to us. It's so obvious to me now that all our parents attended the same crappy parenting seminar.
