~~~DoRonRonRon

BRIDESMAIDS

2011-05-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't done a blog in so long. But after seeing the movie "Bridesmaids" last weekend, I had to write, "Go and see this movie! You will not be disappointed" It's laugh out loud funny and definitely not a "chick flick" It's almost the female equivalant of "The Hangover"

2011-05-02T21:20:00.000-07:00

YO-YO, Inc., HULALA will be making some appearances FREE to the public for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
Sunday, May 8th (Mother's Day) at 2:15pm at the National Zoo (Metro Accessible)
Saturday, May 21st at Washington, DC Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd & 6th Streets (Metro Accessible)
Come out and support my new group!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011!

2011-01-02T13:45:00.000-08:00

From Christmas Eve to New Year's Day place the weekend, My boss has given us those days between free for vacation. It's been very, very nice, but now I must get back to work with MUCH to DO! HAPPY NEW YEAR's 2011 to all.
We, Asians that follow the lunar calendar still have our own Chinese New Year's "The Year of the Rabbit" MY YEAR!!!!
Beng and I got married on Chinese New Year 1993. "The Year of the Cock" How fitting for a marriage!

This year, the Filipino-American Entertainment Organization YO-YO, Inc. that I formed, will be teaming up with the Asian Heritage Foundation and the Chinese Community of Northern Virginia in a celebration of the Chinese New Year at Fair Oaks Mall on the weekend of February 12th and 13th. My first division of YO-YO, Inc. HULALA will be performing. It's free for all to see. Please come out and support us.

Venus Raj

2010-08-24T05:56:00.000-07:00

Miss Philippines Venus Raj 4th Runner-up in 2010 Miss Universe Pageant. I have to admit I was so happy that the Philippines picked a a darker skinned and exotic looking Filipina contestant rather than seeing a Filipina contestant that looked "Mestiza" trying to look Hispanic or American. YAY! Good for you, Philippines!

She is tall and statuestic and really knew how to walk, pose and model and her gown was absolutely elegant.

Then to me this was her downfall...The 22 year old fourth runner-up Miss Philippines Venus Raj was asked by Judge Billy Baldwin:

"What is one big mistake that you've made in your life and what did you do to make it right?"

Raj thanked him for asking such a wonderful question and replied like it was a pep rally,
"You know what, Sir in my 22 years of existence I can say that there is nothing major major, I mean, problem that I have done in my life. Because I am very confident with my family, with the love that they are giving to me. So, thank you so much that I am here, thank you thank you so much."

Whatcha think?

3D Movies

2010-07-19T08:11:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I blogged, but I really felt like venting.
I went to see "The Last Airbender-3D" and spent over $40.00 for Beng, Aria and myself! OMG! This cost more than our dinner at the Chinese Buffet.
For this movie...There was no other choice option, but to see it 3D.
Lately, I have been checking out with different 3D movies how much of the film is actually 3D. It seems the movies only turn 3D on the action part of the movie.
What was more frustrating watching "The Last Airbender 3D" was only 25% of the movie was 3D. There were moments I felt that the 3D would have been awesome, but nothing!
I am beginning to think this whole 3D biz is just another way to rake in more money from us viewers even more so after watching the same movie on cable. It's just getting ridiculous. Soon we are going to see romantic comedies in 3D for no reason.

YO-YO, Inc.

2010-04-03T10:00:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys,
It's been a while since I wrote a blog and that's because I have been busy forming my own Non-Profit 501 (c)3 Filipino-American Performing Arts Organization called YO-YO, inc. Our motto is: "Making Filipino-American Heritage part of American Culture"
It's about bringing the American History contributed by Filipino-Americans through the Performing Arts and making aware of the Filipino-American presence in the US being the highest of all Asian Races in the US according to the US Census. Did you know the first Asian immigration was Filipinos recorded as early as 1763 in Lousiana? These are the things we highlight when perfoming. We have 3 divisions in YO-YO, inc. which I will use my blog to introduce to you all at a later time. We are in Facebook. So, check it out our photos and become a member! Salamat (Tagalog) Mahalo (Hawaiian) and Thank You!

ARIA's Design wins Best Bedding in NYC

2010-02-03T17:15:00.000-08:00

We just found out that Aria's contest design for BlissLiving was entered in the HomeTextile Show in NYC. (Here's the article from last year's design about her winning last spring 2009 in Rockville, MD. http://www.blisslivinghome.com/contest.php
And she won for best bedding design TODAY. I'm just a proud papa!

Best New Product Winners Named at Show
Read the full article at:
http://www.hometextilestoday.com/article/CA6717512.html&

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY on DVD

2010-02-02T06:47:00.000-08:00

Last night, I watched "Paranormal Activity" and I will say this...It is the MOST SCARIEST movie on DVD YET(Not to mention very hard to watch alone at home without being spooked). No Lie! It's much like "Blair Witch", but the camera work is a heck of alot more tamed and won't get you ill from motion sickness. There are times when it drags, but it's about a couple trying to prove paranormal activity in their new home with a camera 24/7. The scare factor is the stuff you notice obvious to the eye while observing hours of this security tape. What I thought was even more clever about the DVD was the way it was formatted to watch. A simple typed font "Play Movie" or "Play Movie w/ Alternate Ending" and the movie just ends as well. No menu, no advertisements, no trailers, no music to help the scare factor...Just a simple "Play Movie" or "Play Movie w/ Alternate Ending". So if you're into a good stay-at-home scare...This is the movie!

BY SPECIAL REQUEST...

2009-12-21T18:33:00.000-08:00

Around the 80's, I went out to one of the hippest clubs, "TRAX" on a Thursday Night-College Night.
Ya see, It was free to get in BEFORE 9pm. After 9pm, you had to pay $10.00.
Having absolutely nothing to do,except play volleyball and watch the lightshow syncronized with un-club music before all the club music started to"Boom, Boom, Boom, deafing our ears,a friend of mine who was bored as I was, asked if I would go splits with him for a pitcher of beer.
Not thinking clearly from the boredom, I decided to make things interesting.
"I will pay for that pitcher of beer, if you would do a shot with me" I said.
Of course, he smiled and said, "Yes"
Another friend followed us to the bar as well as I asked the bartender to set us up with 3 Kamakazi shots.
Well, we must have had the foreign bartender in training that night because these shots were in a lowball glass. Excited, we all down that round and ordered another...and another...and another...chased with that pitcher of beer. Ughhh...And it wasn't even 9pm yet.
My friends were drunk and I,too was drunk, but became sleepy leaning on the rail. The management kept waking me up telling me, "You can't sleep in the club"
Finally, 10pm rolls around and a friend who just paid to get in, shakes me and says, "Hey, Boy! Wake Up" Instead of waking up, I started to spew a fraction into the dance floor below me to what was to become a disaster ready to happen. My friends stared to get nervous and said, "Joe, Bring Ron to the restroom". So he drags me down the stairs and into a crowded hallway.
standing right behind him I say, "Joe, I don't feel good and I don't think I can hold it. He yells, "You have no choice...You have to hold it" I yell back, "Joe, I can't hold it" He yells back, "HOLD IT!"
So, I place my hand over my mouth trying to hold it in. INSTEAD...It became a fountain of vomit all over this crowd of people. Ughhh..It was like a horror movie.
People were yelling ans screaming, "Ugh..Somebody threw up on me"
Joe didn't care about the crowd anymore and pushed his way threw the crowd and threw my drunk ass in a stall. The rest of the night from that stall, I was hearing men cursing the person who threw up on them as they were wringing out the vomit out of their shirts. I was way too drunk and scared to come out all night until the restroom sounded empty. Even my friend Joe left me. Ughhhh..As I promised the "Porceline God" many times..."Please..I will never get drunk again!

JEAN ANNE KAIN...

2009-12-02T10:08:00.001-08:00

I always said, "You haven't worked Dinner Theatre unless you have worked with Jane Baeckman, Phylis Goldblait and Jean Anne Kain.
I got to work with these 3 dinner theatre divas in West End Dinner Theatre's production of "Mame" as "Ito"
Almost 20 years, I was performing "Mame" at Toby's Dinner Theatre and Jean Anne happened to be there in the audience.
Over the holiday weekend, I was sadden to learn that Jean Anne passed away on November 25, 2009. (Sigh)

PLEASE VOTE for ARIA

2009-11-27T08:18:00.000-08:00

Today is the open online voting for the Washington Post Holiday Wrapping Paper Contest until December 4th

www.washingtonpost.com/postfun

Please vote for my daugther, Aria Curameng

Click onto "contest" and vote for entry #1 that has the teddy bears, jack-in-the -boxes and the international dolls.

I highly appreciate it! Thank you in advance! Spread the word!

DEER! WHAT NEXT?

2009-11-12T08:08:00.000-08:00

Man! Just when our van just got fixed from my accident in Old Town, a deer runs out this morning in front of me while I am just pulling away from the house.
I hit the deer at no more than 20mph. The deer gets up and runs back into the woods.
I pull over to see the damage. Just bumper damage, but it just sucks knowing I just fixed the damn thing.
The year is coming close to an end and I think "Lady Luck" ain't gonna come our way before I start anew into 2010. Ugh...

ELVIS SANDWICH

2009-11-10T08:04:00.000-08:00

I overheard some people at a store talk about celebrating Elvis Presley's Birthday, January 8th.

I was an Elvis fan, but became a bigger fan living in Memphis, Tennessee for 4 years while I was in the Navy. I even got to sing at Graceland during his Birthday in 1993 for the stamp dedication. (The most profitable stanp in US Postal History) amongst all the other famous Elvis Impersonators. Don't go thinking I was dressed in the famous White Elvis Jumpsuit....It was an official Navy gig and I was in a Navy Uniform.

Anyway back to the people at the store...They talked about serving Elvis' favorite sandwich.

Now as time rolled by, this sandwich has dwindled to being a Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwich grilled on both sides with butter. (As these people thought) Of course being an Elvis fan, I had to correct them.

As many of us Elvis fans know and confirmed by being on the official Graceland Tour (I went through the Graceland Tour 3 times) The famous Elvis Sandwich is actually a mashed Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwich with crisp (almost burnt) bacon, cut into fourths, BATTERED and DEEP FRIED in butter (Not oil)

While in Hawai'i, this sandwich evolved further for Elvis using Hawaiian bread, topped with powdered with sugar and drizzled with chocolate.

Elvis also loved another version of this while in Europe called, "Fool's Gold Loaf" a loaf of Italian bread filled with a pound of bacon, peanut butter, and grape jelly.

Ugh...Just thinking of the Elvis Sandwich makes my arteries harden...Though, it's close to lunch time!

AGAIN....

2009-11-06T10:30:00.000-08:00

AGAIN...with food I didn't like!
I went to the fast food restaurant, "Booeymonger" across the street for breakfast. I asked for "Health Watch Bagel" It's a Whole Wheat Bagel with Low-fat Cream Cheese and Cucumber slices minus the tomato slices!
With my order bagged up, I crossed the street, took the elevator up to my office , sat at my desk and opened my bagged up order. Guess what? TOMATO!!!!!!! Ughhhhhh.....Even though I hate tomatoes, I ate it!
Would anyone do the same?

DON'T SHOP at WALMART

2009-11-04T08:18:00.000-08:00

I was very disturbed to learn on the radio this morning from past and present Walmart employees that Walmart actually penalizes your employees for being sick with a point system. Even doctor's notes are not a "Free Pass" for them.
Walmart employees that have a number of sick days (Points), those Walmart employees go through a "decision conference" with their supervisor to either ternimate their employment or to keep them employed on a probation terms.
With our struggling economy these days and with the swine flu epidemic, this situation has been stressing out Walmart employees to be present at work sick and infected with swine flu. This will lead to infecting fellow employees and this will lead to infecting us as customers as well.
The only thing I did commend Walmart for doing was hiring seniors and those with disabilities.
Other than that, I hate staying in long lines just to save a dollar and Walmart has gotten so ghetto.
Now with this new information, I prefer to stay away from Walmart as a customer and recommend you all do the same.

WENT TO COURT...

2009-10-28T13:07:00.000-07:00

Beng and I went to court as witnesses for the state against 3 out of 4 latino boys that stole our car back on Memorial Day weekend and totalled it.

One guy pleaded guilty the day before the court date to avoid coming in.

The main guy (The driver) didn't show up and his lawyer requested more time to actual talk to him about the case.

And the 3rd guy who did show up, pleaded not guilty saying, "I never knew the car was stolen"

Since no one was there to say different, he got off. Man! Is this justice?

WHERE the WILD THINGS ARE

2009-10-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

I was truly excited in going to see "Where the Wild Things Are"
BUT after seeing it, I was a bit disappointed. My fond childhood memory of reading this famous book got lost with the whole physchological relationship of each "Wild Thing" and the young Max. This was alot more like seeing "Wicked" but with the pace of "Remains of the Day ".
The "Wild Things" were great. They literally are the same characters jumped right out of the book The artistry of each "Wild Thing" went into perfect detail. At first, I thought, "James Gandolfini as one of the Wild Things? This isn't "Where the Mobsters are" BUT..I honestly he and Forest Whitaker were absolutely perfect. It took me a while to get use to women's voices coming out of these "Wild Things".
Unfortunately, I cannot say that about the artistry of the location. It was too bare and uninteresting. Where are the palm trees and the lush foliage from the book?
I didn't say I did not like it. It was...clever. But try to explain clever to a child. As I observed in the theatre, the children became very restless and uninterested. Mark Minnick, this is definitely not your type of movie.

IT WAS A GOOD IDEA...AT THE TIME!

2009-10-14T15:09:00.000-07:00

I had an unfortunate not-so-good lunch today! I thought I had made the perfect chicken salad wrap for lunch when I made it last night. baby spinach, shredded mozzerella and chicken salad. It sounds okay, but it really wasn't, BUT I ate it anyway. Unsatisfied, I ran to my co-worker and asked if she had anything sweet to get rid of the taste in my mouth.
Here's a question: "Are you the type of person that would eat what you made no matter what because you hate to be wasteful or are you the type of person that would chuck the lunch and go out and buy another lunch?" ALL my co-workers said, " They would had stop, thrown it away and went to buy another lunch across the street. I guess I can't see myself throwing food away.

CRAZ-E BURGER

2009-10-07T12:40:00.000-07:00

Well...when ya think deep fried Twinkies and Snickers were crazy enough. Here's the Craz-E Burger. A Bacon Chedder Cheese Burger on a BUTTERED Krispy Kreme Doughnut.

A bar owner in Decatur, Ga., claims to have invented it in 2005 when he ran out of burger buns. He called it a "Luther Burger" after singer Luther Vandross, who is sometimes credited with inventing it. (No wonder why he's dead)

The Gateway Grizzlies, a minor league baseball team in Illinois known more for their death-defying ballpark food than their hitting, touched off the craze in 2006 by adding the Craz-E Burger to the concession lineup.
Going the extra mile, the Grizzlies deep-fried their Krispy Kreme Donuts before slapping it on the bacon cheeseburger.
Dinner or Death?

TANTALLON PLAYERS 25 KARAT REUNION REVUE

2009-10-05T15:38:00.000-07:00

Aria and I got to share the stage again for Tantallon Players 25 Karat Reunion Revue celebrating 25 years in community theatre.

I've done 2 productions back in the 80's (One being "South Pacific" and Aria got to do a production of "Little Women" around Christmas 2008.

It was nice seeing Charla Rowe and very old friends again

PATRICK SWAYZE TRIVIA

2009-09-19T20:20:00.000-07:00

In honor of the late Patrick Swayze, Let's see how well ya'll know about him. Good Luck!

1)What was Patrick Swayze's name in "Point Break"?

2)Early in his career, Patrick Swayze starred on Broadway in what musical?

3)Swayze was People Magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" in what year?

4)What Patrick Swayze's new TV show?

5) True or False. Swayze treaten to turn down the lead role in the movie,"Ghost" if Whoopi Goldberg wasn't hired?

6)In the Hip-Hop world, the phrase, "I'm Swayze" means what?

7) Swayze played a drag queen in which movie?

8) What was the song that Patrick Swayze performed in the movie, "Dirty Dancing"?

9) What state was Patrick Swayze born?

10) What Francis Ford Coppola-directed movie was Swayze in?

11) What was the name of the character Swayze portrayed in the Francis Ford Coppola-directed movie?

12) What 80's TV mini series did Swayze star in?

13) What song was playing in the famous pottery scene in "Ghost"?

14) Who was the choreographer for "Dirty Dancing"?

15) Which line did Patrick Swayze NOT say in a movie?

a) "I'll see you in the next life"

b) "Ditto"

c) "I am an FBI Agent"

d) "Nobody puts Baby in a corner"

16) Swayze has been married to his wife, Lisa Niemi since what year?

17) What other movie besides "Dirty Dancing" did Swayze and Jennifer Grey star in together?

18) What was the name of the character that Swayze portrayed in "Dirty Dancing"?

19) True or False. Patrick Swayze broke his wrist during the pottery scene in "Ghost"?

20) True or False. Patrick Swayze trained as a Ballet Dancer?

Answers scroll down

1)Bodhi

2) Grease

3) 1991

4) The Beast

5) True

6) Disappeared

7)To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar

8) She's Like the Wind

9) Texas

10) The Outsiders

11) Darrel Curtis

12) North & South

13) Unchained Melody

14) Kenny Ortega

15) c) "I am an FBI Agent"

16) 1975

17) Red Dawn

18) Johnny Castle

19) False

20) True

GLEE

2009-09-10T12:56:00.000-07:00

Watch 2 episodes of GLEE and I am definitely in love with this show....Nuff said! Gotta watch it!

NORTH BEACH, MARYLAND

2009-09-05T16:11:00.001-07:00

Since we had to opt our Virginia Beach Trip due to a lack of funds, My family and I wanted to get in a Fishing Trip before the Summer ended. We first went to Lexington Park, MD on Paxtuxent River for ole time sake. We stayed from 7am to noon. Ugh...No fish!

Since we had nothing to do, I suggested to my Father we go drive and see a favorite fishing hole of mine, North Beach, MD that crowns the Chesapeake Bay. I haven't been to North Beach in a while for 5 years, but I always loved it because it was conveniently off the beltway to route 4 towards Upper Marlboro and a left onto Route 260.

This place has gotten bigger and better. Much more like a tiny version of Rehobeth Beach with it's new hotels, small shops, bars, restaurants, food vendors off the beach and pier areas, etc..

The place has gotten a bit more commercialized, but it's small town charm remains with it's historical background dating back to the 1600's, the Amish farmers markets, country cafes, the dog friendly neighborhood, etc.... I highly recommend a visit to North Beach. They recommend a visit in the fall due to Foliage festivals and we may just do that! BTW--we caught 5 fish. It could have been 6, but my Dad's Flounder was under measurement requirements. So, we had to throw the damn fish back! BTW--I am allergic to seafood.

WHEW!!!! PUBLIC SCHOOL....IS GETTIN' EXPENSIVE!!!!!

2009-08-06T08:28:00.000-07:00

Beng, Aria and I went to Walmart to pick up her school supplies according to her list that was sent to us from the Public Middle School that she will be attending. Here is her list:

Language Arts
1 (3-inch) binder
(4) marble composition books (100+ pages only)
(4) pocket folders with prongs
loose leaf paper
subject dividers
pencils and pouch
black and blue ink pens
highlighters
erasers
3x5 Index cards
Post –It Notes
Science
(1) composition notebook
Pencils & Eraser
Blue or Red Ink Pens
(1) box crayons
Ruler
(4) red folders
erasers
glue sticks
(1) Pack Loose leaf Paper
Math
Pencil Case
No. 2. pencils with erasers
(1) Pack Colored Pencils
Pencil sharpener with cover
(4) Composition Books
Ruler (inches & centimeters)
Protractor
Compass
TI-84 Calculator (Please label with your child’s name.)
(2) Packs of Copy Paper
(4) Pocket Folders
(4) Packs Post-It Notes 3X3
Social Studies
Blue/black ink pens
Colored pencils
1 (3inch) binder
spiral notebook
(5) dividers
white out
loose leaf paper
pencil punch
highlighters
pocket dictionary
glue stick
Paper Towels
Kleenex Tissue
Liquid Hand Soap
Overhead Transparency Pens

We spent over $300.00 The TI-84 Calculator itself cost over $100.00 with tax
Mind you, these expenses is NOT including her uniforms.

WE WANT PAULA ABDUL!!!!!

2009-08-06T08:23:00.001-07:00

Yes! She may have been drugged up! Yes! She may have been drinking! Yes! She can be annoying! BUT...She is a 3rd of "American Idol" It's Randy, Simon and Paula!!!!!! Nuff said!

Keep her on! Get rid of that other girl judge!

HARRY POTTER & THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE...Wasn't worth all the trouble

2009-07-16T08:19:00.000-07:00

Last Night, I decided to take the whole "Curameng" Klan to the movies to see, "Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince" to help chase our blues away from our recent string of events. My wife, Beng, my daughter, Aria, My Mother-in-law and my parents.
I went online to purchase 2 adults, one child and 3 seniors for the 7pm show. 6 tickets in all.
When I got to the theatre, the machine spit out 3 tickets for the 7pm show and 3 tickets to the 7:45pm show. Huh?
We went to customer service to ask about this. They said, "This has been happening all day. Just go to the 7pm show in theatre 7."
When we got there, It was a madhouse! People were standing around and mad...VERY MAD!!! People were trying to find anyone in an AMC uniform yelling at them to get their manager! Managers came rushing in yelling and apologizing in the theatre saying, "They don't know what happened to the online ticket purchases for 7pm giving them 7:45pm tickets instead and why this all happened. They asked if anyone with the 7:45pm tickets could move out and towards theatre 6. Groans mixed with Boos and people trying to talk over this saying, "I have to see a 7pm show! I have a time schedule that restricts me to see another show time."
What frustrated me was NO ONE who wasn't handicap sitting in the handicap section was not willing to give up the handicap seating for my mother who was sitting in a wheelchair, my Mother-in-law with a walker and myself with a cane EXCEPT for 2 gracious african-american women who decided to move to the 7:45pm show instead along with us and 175 others. (Don't worry..I thanked them for their effort)
Now..as we 175+ were standing 5 feet from the door at theatre 6, the long roped line behind us for the 7:45pm show started to get mad, broke the roped area and demanded the AMC management. It was like a scene from an episode of "Twilight Zone" when the people start to panic in fear for survival due to "change" Hmmmm....People yelling, people cramming in to get closer to theatre 6.
Then an AMC Manager says, "We will opening up theatre 8 (Which was originally showing "Ice Age 3") behind you for 130 people wanting to see Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince" close to the 7pm showing. Then people started to race to theatre 8 and file in a hurry with that said. The managers tried to stop them by yelling, "STOP..Not Yet!!!" Hehehehe...Yeah....right!
Finally, they were ready for us in theatre 6. The same african-american women whogave up their seats for us yelled out, "Let's give alittle courtesy and let this woman in the wheelchair in first with her family before she gets mowed down by you crazy people!" I turned to them and said, 'Thank You again."
The management did let us in first and we were able to sit together in a great spot.
Unfortunately, to me, all this madness wasn't all worth for this movie....Don't kill me...Just my opinion.

IT REALLY HASN'T BEEN OUR YEAR...

2009-07-14T05:54:00.000-07:00

I think last night's car accident coming home, put our life for this year in perspective....It really hasn't been our year!
I thank God that Beng and I are alive. I thought we were going to orphan Aria in this accident in Old Town during rush hour. To make it all worse...I get the ticket for "so-called" speeding. I am going to court for this, because the police officer had taken her word. No speed monitors, just her word that I was speeding. Let's see...I am going straight. The light is green. She comes from the opposite way and makes a left turn in front of me...AND I GET THE DAMN TICKET for SPEEDING based off of her word?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
But due to our Honda being stolen and totalled on the past Memorial Day weekend, our ONLY vehicle is now in the shop. I mean...It's fixable, but it's inconvenient. I guess my daughter, Aria summed it up by saying, "Why is all this bad luck happening to us?" I guess it could have been worse...

ARIA CURAMENG-Winner of the Bliss Kids Arts Festival

2009-06-30T12:23:00.000-07:00

PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 29, 2009

Aria Curameng Named Winner of the Bliss Kids Arts Festival
Blissliving Home announces the winner of the Bliss Kids Arts Festival: eleven-year-old Aria Curameng from Fort Washington, MD. The winning design will be adopted for a special duvet set to be featured in the Blissliving Home Spring 2010 Collection.

Blissliving Home is thrilled to announce the winner of the Bliss Kids Arts Festival - eleven year old Aria Curameng from Fort Washington, Maryland. Aria’s winning design is a composition of Thai inspired elements including a Buddha head, a warrior, an elephant, and exotic birds in a bright color story of red, purple, blue, yellow, and green. Created in pointillism style, small distinct dots of color create the impression of a wide selection of other colors and color blending. “The moment I first saw Aria’s creation I thought we had a winning design”, said Mei Xu, Creator and CEO of Blissliving Home http://www.blisslivinghome.com. “The composition of motifs is amazing, and the layering of color is simply extraordinary.” Aria, who learnt about the Bliss Kids Arts Festival from a cousin, said her dad introduced her to pointillism and showed her how to layer primary colors to create secondary colors. For her design submission she wanted to create light and shadow and decided to apply the pointillism technique. “Aria’s design skills are truly extraordinary,” added Amber Levy, Blissliving Home Design Manager. “She will definitely go places in the design world. This kind of talent will only continue to grow.” The winning artwork was selected from nearly one hundred submissions. The design will be adopted for a special duvet set to be featured in the Blissliving Home Spring 2010 Collection (launching in January 2010) which will be sold via an online boutique, printed catalogue and select premium retailers around the globe. Ten percent of orders placed on the duvet set will be donated to Children’s National Medical Center http://www.childrensnational.org/ , one of the best pediatric hospitals in the United States. Aria Curameng will receive two sets of her very own bedding. A national bedding design competition for children, the Bliss Kids Arts Festival was hosted by Blissliving Home in association with Children’s National Medical Center. Boys and girls twelve years of age and under were invited to submit original art inspired by the “Kingdom of Smiles” – the beautiful country of Thailand. The event was launched on April 1 and ended on May 31, 2009.

FAREWELL...MICHAEL JACKSON: The KING of POP

2009-06-26T07:09:00.000-07:00

Whew...2 deaths in one day! But this one caught me blind-sided. Someone is going to profit in making the "Neverland Ranch" the new "Graceland".
What can I say about the "King of Pop" that anyone hasn't said by now?
I still remember the "Ed Sullivan Show " performance of Micheal and his Brothers as the "Jackson 5".
Awkward enough, people in the studio audience began to laugh when Michael stepped/danced up and sang. Standing in front of the family Black & White TV set, I looked back puzzled at my family and asked, "Why are they laughing at him?"
Now looking back at that as an adult, I realized people laughed in a surprise reaction of seeing an African American child so young singing with the same heart, soul and passion of a man aged and experienced through the years with a story to tell.
Michael...You will may passed on, but your legacy will live forever as the "King of Pop"

FAREWELL...FARRAH FAWCETT

2009-06-25T10:31:00.000-07:00

Farrah Fawcett, whose luxurious tresses and blinding smile helped redefine sex appeal in the 1970s as one of TV's "Charlie's Angels," died today after battling anal cancer. She was 62.

Man, I will miss her. I still remember owning that a poster of her in a clingy swimsuit.

RESERVE WEDNESDAY NIGHTS for "SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE" and Vote for KARLA GARCIA

2009-06-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Please reserve Wednesday Nights to watch "So You Think You Can Dance" 8pm to 10pm standard eastern time on Fox Network and vote for my family friend and fellow "Fran's Studio of Dance" colleague, Karla Garcia!
She needs your help...She needs your vote! Thank You!

MEET OUR NEW EDITION: PUMPKIN

2009-06-19T08:13:00.000-07:00

This lil' orange kitten (barely 6 weeks old) was literally abandon and thrown in a trashbin (Believe it or not) along with the rest of his brothers and sisters.
The Pennsylvania family that found these kittens and informed me about them could not keep these kittens due to already having a slew of dogs as pets. This lil' orange tabby was the very last one and he found a home with us. He is the 3rd kitten we rescued in little less than one year. I guess I am a sucker for a cute face. The weird thing is I mentioned it to Beng and I thought she would object with a strong, "NO!!!!"
But instead and to my surprise, she automatically responded with a smiling, "Yes".

THE 2009 ZAGAT FAST FOOD SURVEY

2009-06-11T11:42:00.000-07:00

The 2009 Zagat Fast-Food Survey
Over 6,000 fast-food fans have weighed in with their opinions on the best bets in burgers, salads, coffee and more. http://www.zagat.com/fastfood

Fast Food – Large Chains*
1) Panera Bread
2) Chipotle
3) In-N-Out Burger
4) Chick-fil-A
5) Au Bon Pain

Fast Food – Mega Chains**
1) Subway
2) Wendy's
3) McDonald's
4) Taco Bell
5) Burger King

Quick-Refreshment Chains
1) Starbucks Coffee
2) Dunkin' Donuts
3) Cold Stone Creamery
4) Jamba Juice
5) Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops

Full-Service Chains
1) P.F. Chang's China Bistro
2) Cheesecake Factory
3) California Pizza Kitchen
4) Outback Steakhouse
5) Carrabba's Italian Grill

MOVIES in the REVIEW in the Fast Lane

2009-06-03T10:37:00.000-07:00

"UP" was a bit too sad in places (even the Pixar short in the beginning), but I liked it. Hey, a fat asian kid...Hmmmmm....

"Terminator Salvation"...Ughhhhh...Very BORING!!!!

"Angels & Demons" I did find this too fast paced for a mystery, but I thought it was way better than "The DaVinci Code".

"Star Trek" I am definitely not a Trekkie, but I did enjoy this movie that I saw it twice. Zachary Quinto was excellent as Spock.

"Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" was only okay. I thought production was cheap and rushed.

"Drag Me to Hell" LOVED IT!!!!!! Scary and fun!

In conclusion, Thanks Alfred for the AMC movie passes! It kills the right amount of time waiting for Aria to be picked up from the Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre

PUSHING DAISIES: The Last 3 Episodes

2009-06-01T15:17:00.000-07:00

I was extremely excited to read in the Washington Post that ABC was going to show the last 3 Episodes of the cancelled, "Pushing Daisies" I was sad to learn that the show was cancelled due to the writer's strike, but was happy to learn that ABC was going to rap up the series with the last 3 episodes of Season 2. (We bought the first season) The show will air every Saturday (started last Saturday, May 30th) night at 10pm.

I love it for it's beautiful use of color against such a dark subject. It's as if the show was filmed against a green screen..It's so clever. Aria loves it because of Kristin Chenoweth singing in the show. That's Aria's idol!

MEMORIAL DAY to REMEMBER...NOT!

2009-05-27T05:45:00.000-07:00

I always plan my annual trip to Virginia Beach every year on Memorial Day weekend for almost last 10 years. There is nothing I love more than sun, surf & sand. I love relaxing on the beach and I do mean...Relaxing, like sleeping under the sun near the surf on the sand. Virginia Beach is very special to me since I lived there during my time at the "Armed Forces School of Music" and spending alot of time teaching and producing Hawaiian Hula and Filipino Folk Dance Shows.
I always start my search for hotel rates in January and lock the lowest hotel rate in for the Memorial Day weekend before or within February.
This year, I wanted it to be a bit more special due to all that was happening with my wife, Beng being on disability and out of work, her brain tumor radiation treatment, Aria being shuttled Tuesday through Sunday to the Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre for her show, all of us working around on my sole income and myself trying to work in auditions through all this. It was much needed "Family Time" and relaxation.
Well....this year, we planned for our family friend, Regina to house-sit and take care of the cats while we were away for 3 days.
The Friday drive to Virginia Beach took 6 hours (It's usually a 3 1/2 hour drive) The hotel this year was no where "Seaside" as stated, but 10 blocks away from the beach. It was also one step up from being a roadside, sleazy motel that smelt like smoke. Strange, the front desk customer service was accommodating and friendly. Disgusted by the hotel room, we went to see the movie, "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" at Lynnhaven Mall. It was an "Okay" movie.
Saturday's weather was absolutely beautiful for the beach. Though...I got seriously sunburned. What's new? I love sleeping under the sun and hearing the waves crash to the surf.
Unfortunately..."Black Sunday" rolled in. I asked Beng to hear my messages from my cellphone. There was an urgent message from our house-sitter saying that our 97 Honda is missing. She called the police and it seems the car was already in a high-speed police chase and the car was extremely "totalled" due to it being out of control, flipped in the air and landed upside-down. 3 of the joyriders were caught and apprehended, but the 4th gotten away. This is the second time our 97 Honda has been stolen and taken for a joyride. Ughhhh....
Right after receiving the urgent message and making a few phonecalls ourselves with the PG police department and our insurance company, Aria and I run to the hotel pool. Stupid me..dives in without taking out my cellphone or my wallet! Ughhhhhh...
Hoping to redeem the day, I decide we try "Carrabbas: Italian Grill" for the first time. Unfortunately...we found that this restaurant very disappointing! Sorry, Carrabbas fans.
My family agreed, "Carrabbas" was one grade up from opening up a can of "Chef-Boyarde" and a bit "too typical" out of all italian chain restaurants for my taste.
I guess we are just so spoiled from going to "Carmines" in NYC for Italian.
In conclusion, we even checked out early to return back to the confort of our own home and our cats.

FAREWELL..HAROLD GATES of Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre

2009-05-20T07:40:00.000-07:00

On Monday, May 18th, Harold Gates, president and co-owner of the Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre passed away.

In memorial of Mr. Gates passing away, the Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre will be closed for funeral services on Friday, May 22nd

DISNEY coming to NATIONAL HARBOR

2009-05-19T07:07:00.000-07:00

The Walt Disney Company has bought a 15-acres to build a hotel resort at National Harbor right next to my house.
This will be one of 5 planned travel resorts. Bringing in 1000 jobs in the PG county area. I just hope there's a job for me!

FX's version of SNAKES on a PLANE

2009-05-14T07:01:00.001-07:00

FX channel had "Snakes on a Plane" and I was wondering how they would censor Samuel Jackson's famous "MF" cliche. This is what they came up with.

"Enough is Enough! I have had it with these MONKEY FIGHTING snakes on this "MONDAY to FRIDAY" Plane!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4t6zNZ-b0A

Ya know...I was sadden that George Lucas couldn't find a way for Samuel Jackson to sneak in a "MF" as Jedi Master Mace Windu.

DO THE HELEN KELLER?

2009-05-08T07:58:00.000-07:00

I was driving into work and heard the lyrics to a song that went, "Shush..Girl, Shut your lips! Do the Helen Keller and talk with your hips!"

It get's even more weird. Apparently, this song is performed by a group called "3OH!3" But it's only 2 white guys named Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte from Boulder, Colorado. Huh?

It seems "303" is the area code for Boulder, Aurora, and the Denver, Colorado.

Enough said, "TGIF!!!"

BOO on the Washington Post

2009-05-03T19:37:00.000-07:00

Boo on the Washington Post!!! Why?

Last night (Saturday, May 2nd), Manny Pacquiao from the Philippines, won his sixth world title over Ricky Hatton from England in Las Vegas. TKO on Round 2.

Was there ANY news about it in the Washington Post today, Sunday, May 3rd? NO! Does the Washington Post have something against a Filipino being the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world? Come on! What the hell is that? The Washington Post has ALOT of explaining to do!

I am cancelling my Washington Post subscription.

FAREWELL...BEA ARTHUR

2009-04-25T13:45:00.000-07:00

Beatrice Arthur, the tall, deep-voiced actress whose razor-sharp delivery of comedy lines made her a TV star in the hit shows "Maude" and "The Golden Girls" and who won a Tony Award for the musical "Mame," died Saturday, April 25th. She was 86.

Arthur was born in New York City, but she grew up in Cambridge, Maryland. She became a medical technologist before World War II, when she volunteered for the U.S. Marine Corps, becoming one of its first female recruits.

On a personal note, no one can delivery that "silent take" before a punchline so well. You'll be laughing before the punchline and laugh even harder when it's delivered. You'll be truly missed.

DISNEY's 1st AFRICAN AMERICAN PRINCESS:TIANA

2009-04-24T06:15:00.000-07:00

That's right folks! Joining Snow White, Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), Cinderella, Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Belle (Beauty & the Beast) and even Jasmine (Aladdin) and Mulan in the team of Disney Princesses will be Tiana from "The Princess & the Frog" set to premiere in November 2009. She will be Disney's very first African American Princess. I am extremely excited about this.
There is already 'talk" of it turning into a Broadway Musical! (What won't Disney put on Broadway? "101 Dalmations: The Musical" is already casting!)

PLEASE VOTE #16

2009-04-20T05:45:00.000-07:00

One of my Godson's is participating in a marketing competition. Please, please read below and vote for #16. Thank you for your help!

Dear Friends,

One of our companies, Balaya, is involved in a competition, which if we win, would mean huge things for us. I won’t bore you with all of the details, but it’s BIG.
Bottom line, part of this competition is a video contest. Balaya and about 20 other companies made one minute videos to describe themselves. The company whose video gets the most votes moves on to the next round. Would you watch ours and vote for it afterwards? We think it’s pretty funny, and hope you might too.
The video can be viewed here:

http://tagtvonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=137

Balaya’s video is number 16. Please give it a look, then click the “Vote here” link near the top of the page. Pick Balaya from the dropdown menu and hit submit. Voting is open until April 29.

Thanks so much for your consideration!
Jerry Lustan
The Balaya Team
http://www.balaya.com/
P.S. If you like our video, and would be willing to pass this info on to any friends or colleagues, we would certainly appreciate that as well!

MUFFIN TOP

2009-04-17T10:08:00.000-07:00

Just recently, Aria was getting dressed out of her school uniform and into street clothes. She was running around asking where a certain pair of jeans were.
I said, "What about the ones that I just washed? They are out of the dryer and I folded it. It's on the couch."
She looks at them and said, "I am looking for the darker pair of jeans that are capris."
I returned, "What's wrong with the one's on the couch?"
She says, "I haven't worn those jeans since I was 8 years old and they are small."
I then say, "No they aren't. They were huge when you wore them at 8. So, they should fit fine now."
So, she puts on the jeans from the couch just to appease me in front of the living room mirror and then quickly takes them off again. "I have "muffin top", she says and returns to looking for the darker pair of jeans.
I exclaimed, "What?"
She then explains what "muffin top" is.
It's when you have "extra" hanging over the pants.(Pictured above)
I never heard of this, but found it so hilarious and kinda cute in a way coming from Aria.
It must be a big trend that never dies, cause I have been seeing "muffin top" for many years. :)

25th HELEN HAYES AWARDS

2009-04-14T08:52:00.000-07:00

My daughter, Aria was extremely excited about attending this year's Helen Hayes Awards because I promised her, "If I get nominated, you may go this time." Well....technically, I was nominated under the category, "Outstanding Ensemble for Resident Musical." So, Aria went to her first Helen Hayes Awards Ceremony last night and the 25th annual Helen Hayes Awards Ceremony to boot!

It was very nice to see my daughter all glamoured up with her hair and make-up done, the jewelry gleaming, working the high-heeled shoes, a sequenced cocktail dress and grandma's fur coat to top it off.

As usual, the ceremony ran an hour too long with the special recognition of Artistic Directors, the memoriam of actors that have passed away, The Washington Post Award and the new "Outstanding Actor Award in a Resident Play" renamed the Robert Prosky Award.

Actually, I found the musical numbers highly entertaining starting with the opening spoof off of "Lion King Opening", the "Fiddler on the Roof/Tradition" spoof about the people that make up a theatre production, the "Guys & Dolls/Fugue for Tinhorns" spoof to honor the HH sponsors and even the "Camelot" spoof to sing the 80 plus artistic directors to their seats.

Then something weird happened. They ended the evening singing, "Seasons of Love" from "Rent". People started to laugh thinking this was another spoof. but it wasn't...just awkward!

Overall, the evening was very exhilarating even though "Jerry Springer: The Opera" didn't snag any awards. Congrats to my friends in Signature's production of "Les Miz".

It's always nice to be with everyone and anyone who is someone in the theatre scene of the DC metropolitan area It's just one big reunion for theatre folks.

CROCS at POTOMAC MILLS

2009-04-09T13:12:00.000-07:00

YEAH!!!! The Crocs Store is finally in the area at Potomac Mills.
I bought a pair of my favorite shoe, "The Venture"
$20.00 cheaper than what I pay for them online. Only $15.00 at the store.
I swear by these shoes. They got rid of some heel pains I was getting. They are made of that same lightweight molded foam rubber that absorbs any shock you may be experiencing. These particular shoes are very fashionable and don't look ugly like the ones with the holes. For the record, I have never owned a pair of those Crocs with the holes. My daughter, Yes with the shoe trickets as well to go in the holes.

DEPRESSED? LET'S GO to the MOVIES...

2009-04-04T11:45:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have been trying to find things to do while waiting for Aria to finish each day from her show at the Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre. I have been driving around seeing alot of businesses close around the Woodbridge area Just days ago, the Exxon on the corner of Jefferson Davis Highway and 123 closed. Pumps gone and store boarded up ...How depressing?! Woodbridge can be compared to the life of a rusty nail within days.

So, I have been wasting time at the AMC Potomac Mills. Here's the movies I have seen thus far.

Since Beng and Aria hate horror movies, I decided to go indulge myself in some horror movies. I went to see the remake of "The Last House of the Left". This type of horror movie is all about revenge on the "Bad Guys". It's really strange cheering for the most gruesome death on the "Bad Guys". It kinda makes you a Sado-Masochist.

On the other hand, there is supernatural horror. I went to see "Haunting in Connecticut". It's based on a true story much like "The Amityville Horror". Tjhough the story has a conclusion probably dreamed up by Hollywood.

Then it was enough of that and into a different type of supernatural film..."Knowing" with Nicholas Cage. It was a good movie, but wait is up with movies lately and Aliens? Are movies being influeneced by Scientology?

Last night, I really was waiting to catch something new. I didn't think I was going to make it to see the teen comedy, "Adventureland", since I was already 15 minutes late, but I guess movies have alot of commericials these days cause I got there at the beginning of the movie.

This movie was far from a comedy, but more of a sadden love story.

The movie was hard to swallow at first due to these reasons:

1) It was suppose to be 1987 and it felt more like 1979

2) These were students going into grad school and it felt more like high school.

3) The art of the movie itself was edited much like that grainy 70's porn feel rather than an 80's porn feel. The difference of 70's porn is shot on film and hairy actors with feathered hair and 80's porn is shot on video and overly manicured actors with permed mullets. Thanks to my friends who supplied me with the AMC movie cards. Overall, I have been enjoying my escape to the movies.

HOORAH..BENG will be OKAY!

2009-03-30T09:48:00.000-07:00

Many of you may know...Beng's results on her brain tumor came in last Friday and the tumor is benign. Hoorah!

Now next week or so, Beng will have to undergo 25 days of radiation therapy everyday to shrink the orange-sized brain tumor.

Beng is very strong and positive about her next step into getting rid of this nasty tumor.

Thank you all so much for your encouraging words and your kind thoughts and prayers devoted in giving Beng strength and faith.

HOURS EYES? NEVER AGAIN!!!

2009-03-25T06:17:00.000-07:00

I have ordered my glasses from the "Hour Eyes" store at Pentagon City, 1100 South Hayes Street, 3rd Floor, Arlington, Virginia 22202 back in February 2009. I was promised the glasses in 10 days due to a high prescription coming from corporate office in San Antonio, TX.
10 days went by and still no glasses.
2 weeks went by and still no glasses.
It's already almost the end of March and still no glasses.
What's frustrating even more is the different excuses I get for each time I call or arrive at the store. "The glasses are being polished at it's edges", "They broke your glasses while trying to smooth out the edges", Your prescription is too rare", "your glasses was just put in the mail", etc..
With all these excuses, they are nothing more but lies by now.
I just want my glasses!!!

BENG...

2009-03-15T17:02:00.000-07:00

Beng just had surgery more than 3 weeks ago, when she has to have surgery again.
Beng was not feeling well with a spliting headache for weeks into her recovery from her last surgery.
Today due to cannot taking any more pain, we rushed Beng to the ER only to discover she has a brain tumor.
She was rushed to the Washington Hospital Center and they are conducting more test on the "grade" of the tumor. She is scheduled for surgery this Thursday, March 19th to have the tumor removed. Aria and I are hanging in there and parying for our Beng.

NEED NEW HAIRCUT LOOK...

2009-03-12T18:03:00.000-07:00

A good friend sent this picture of me and some friends playing around as my friend's "Male Strippers" at my her bachelorette outing over 20 years ago. Besides, being silly...Ya know what I noticed? My haircut has been the same for over 20 years. Seriously...The same pompedore and short on the sides.

I've tried a crewcut and that's okay, but it's high maintenance.
I've shaved my head for a production of "Miss Saigon" and I really hated it. I looked like "Happy Buddah" with a moustache and earring.

I've grown my hair long (Past the neckline) and I look like I have no neck.

I feel I gotta get a new haircut look! I wanna try that uneven spiked -unkept look, BUT I want to have it done by someone who REALLY knows how. What do ya'll think? Should I keep the Pompedore or should I say goodbye to it? Does anyone know someone who can tackle this project? Really, Really, Really know someone whoi can do it? I haven't cut my hair for a month now (That's along time for me) and ready to have it done right! I am serious open for suggestions.

SKIN;s FAN at DALLAS!!!

2009-03-11T17:23:00.000-07:00

Leaving for DALLAS......wearing proud my colors at DALLAS!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOB!

2009-03-06T16:20:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOB....Miss ya, BOB!

MY BELOVED FAMILY!!!

2009-02-25T16:03:00.000-08:00

After my hip replacement surgery, it was very hard to look at the future optimistically with inflation (Like the huge hike up in our electric bill), the economy in the ruts and people losing their jobs around us.
To top things off, my parents couldn't sell their house in Reston and they were force to walk away from it after over a year of the house not being sold and Beng had to have emergency surgery just recently. It's was all about "We owe, we owe, we owe.....But after all what has happened, my beloved family does look at life so optimistically. Aria has truly been a great daughter helping us tremendously around with the house chores, thinking of ways to stretch the dollar and reminds all of us that a "penny save is a penny earned". Heck! Last year, she saved over $350 with just our loose change.

Beng reminded me of when we first got married and living on a meeger E-4 military salary, we made alot out of nothing. I guess her living in the Philippines so long made her tuff. Gotta love a family that's there to support you and be there for you..

MILEY CYRUS: Racist or All in Fun?

2009-02-20T15:37:00.000-08:00

This photo shows Miley Cyrus and a group of friends pulling back the corners of their eyes to mock the slanted eyes of people of Asian descent.
The OCA, an Asian-American advocacy group, issued a statement saying, “The photograph of Miley Cyrus and other individuals slanting their eyes currently circulating the Internet is offensive to the Asian Pacific American community and sets a terrible example for her many young fans. This image falls within a long and unfortunate history of people mocking and denigrating individuals of Asian descent.”

This is what I think as a fellow Asian-American...."Who Cares?" Come on! There is an Asian-American in this photo! And if you read into this, the Asian-American can be accused of "widening his eyes". "Is anyone attacking him for being a racist against Caucasians?"

COMPOSER: RICHARD THOMAS

2009-02-19T16:22:00.000-08:00

While working in "Jerry Springer: The Opera" at Studio Theatre, we got to meet and talk with the composer, Richard Thomas many times. He loved our version of the show and it was so much fun seeing him on the edge of his seat laughing. He saw the show 3 times with the original, "Baby Jane". After his second time seeing the show. He came up to me and asked, "So, what's next with you?" I said, "Hip replacement surgery, but I am looking forward to it" and I returned, "So, what's next with you?"
He enthusiatically told me with a smile, "I am writing an opera about Anna Nicole Smith. There's so much that has happened in her life. So much drama! I am on my way to LA to work on it with Kevin Murphy, the guy who wrote "Reefer Madness"
Then just 2 days ago, I heard on the radio about the Anna Nicole Smith Opera scheduled to open at the Royal Opera House in London in 2011.
I was just thinking and hoping the time he came up to me asking, "So, what's next with you?" would be a prelude to a chance to do that show. Hmmmmmm.....

TRAVIS the CHIMPANZEE

2009-02-18T14:17:00.000-08:00

When you hear about it, your first initial reaction is to laugh and treat it like a story from "Star or World Magazine", but when you hear the 911 calls, it's truly frightening.

Travis the chimpanzee, a veteran of TV commercials, was the constant companion of a lonely Connecticut widow, Sandra Herold. On Monday, tSandra Herold who described her beloved pet as "just everything, the only thing I have left" tried in vain to stab and bludgeon the 200-pound chimpanzee as it viciously mauled her longtime friend.
Police shot and killed Travis when he charged them and cornered an officer inside his cruiser during the rampage, which left 55-year-old Charla Nash with critical injuries.Sandra Herold, who had owned the 14-year-old chimp since it was less than two weeks old, said she tried with all of her strength to stop the attack by stabbing Travis with a butcher knife and beating him with a shovel.
Investigators are trying to figure out what caused his rampage Monday -- whether it was a bout of Lyme disease, a reaction to drugs, or a case of instinct taking over.
Police said they are looking into the possibility of criminal charges against Sandra Herold. A pet owner can be held criminally responsible if he or she knew or should have known that an animal was a danger to others.
Should Herold be charged in the attack by her pet chimpanzee Travis?

SO HILARIOUS!!!!!

2009-02-12T17:44:00.001-08:00

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1064811989935&ref=nf

What I Admire Most...

2009-02-11T17:04:00.000-08:00

When I was working on "Jerry Springer: The Opera" last Summer, I admitted to Bobby Smith that I was a secret admirer of his work as a performer since his days at Toby's. I never went up to him and said it until working with him.

Here are 10 more theatre people I admire that I have worked with and never admitted it:

1) Tracie Thoms---We all knew her as "Tracie Nicole Thomas" and I knew her "drive" would make her a star.

2) Toby Orenstein---You can call me a "Toby Groupie" I was a fan of her work before she had her dinner theatres. I remember going to the Twin Bridges Marriott in Crystal City and watching her work with the "Young Columbians"

3) Matt Gardiner---I enjoy his careful thought for the reason and purpose to move in musical theatre

4) Mark Minnick---I hate to admit this, but I do like Mark for his ability to choreograph accordingly to the limits and strengths of any cast. Though...I don't always agree with his casting. Hehehe...

5) Ryan Duncan---What can I say more about Ryan? He's handsome, hilarious and so proud of him being in "Shrek--The musical"

6) Joey Wallen---Is there anything this man can't do?

7) Nick Olcott---I will admit....I really enjoyed him more as an actor than a director.

8) Caren Hearn---I've always been a "Caren Hearn Fan" and I consider her the luckiest woman in this area for not giving up on the Arts. I just hope she knows it.

9) Michael Leon Wooley---I went to PGCC wth Michael, watched him a Petrucchi's in "Big River" and next thing ya know it, I was watching him onstage performing "Ain't Misbehavin' w/ the Pointer Sisters.

10) Tina DeSimone---A few of us were very lucky to work with Phyllis Goldblat. And much like Phyllis...You haven't done dinner theatre unless you have worked with Tina! Luv me some Tina!

CORALINE

2009-02-07T17:32:00.001-08:00

After Aria's "High School Musical" rehearsal at the Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre, Beng, Aria and I decided to stay in the Woodbridge area and see the movie, "CORALINE".

Though it was a good 3-D stop motion animation movie, but it was a bit creepy and scary like an old horror movie plot even for me. Much like watching across between "The Stepford Wives" and "IT" .

Away from being a father, this movie may be way too much for any child under 13 . In short, go see this movie for you...not for your children. The movie will definitely give them nightmares.

ARIA in "HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL"

2009-01-30T17:09:00.000-08:00

Beng and I are so proud of our daughter, Aria.
She auditioned for the Disney musical, "High School Musical" at the Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre and made it in the ensemble!

WEARING A REDSKINS' JERSEY in DALLAS, TX

2009-01-24T15:11:00.000-08:00

This coming March, I will be heading to Dallas, TX for a conference business trip. Throughout my stay, I plan to wear my Redskin's Jersey on my freetime away from the suit and tie. I thought if people can wear a Cowboys' Jersey in Washington, DC area, why can't I wear a Redskin's Jersey in Dallas?

JUST 20 YEARS AGO....

2009-01-18T15:23:00.001-08:00

Just 20 years ago right out of Navy Boot Camp I looked like this...

(With my friend, Rainer from the Air Force)

Gosh! I gotta keep to my New Year's Resoluation!

If I had stayed in, I would have a decent retirement today at 45.

BUT...I would have been so unhappy year to year, day by day with the Navy music program. I don't regret being in the Naval Music Program. I got a nice veteran's loan, nice life insurance, and the GI Bill out of it and I would have never met Beng, married her and had my beautiful daughter, Aria. Plus, I would have never continued and made new relationships with people from West End, Burn Brae, Toby's, the Washington Opera and even Lazy Suzan Dinner Theatre.

Did anyone ever wonder what things would have been like if they took a turn 20 years ago differently?

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE...AWESOME!!!!

2009-01-17T17:11:00.000-08:00

My training at "Old Town" ended early on a friday. So, a co-worker and I went to catch the 3:45pm showing of "Slumdog Millionaire"

This movie was AWESOME!!!!!! I don't want to give too much away, but it's definitely a roller coaster of emotions. It's definitely a "MUST SEE" movie! And what's a movie about India without it's Bollywood Moment? It's at the end when the credits are rolling. GOTTA, GOTTA, GOTTA see it!

In Memory: RICARDO MONTALBAN dies at 88

2009-01-14T14:30:00.000-08:00

From 1978 to 1984 we listened to him say, "I am Mr Roarke, your host. Welcome to Fantasy Island"

Very few knew he was involved with Broadway Musicals. He was nominated for a 1957 Tony for Best Actor in a Musical for "Jamaica" opposite Lena Horne.

He toured in the role of the King in the musical, "King & I" in 1965.

He appeared in the movie musical, "Sweet Charity".

He played villians in Disney's "Zorro", Star Trek's Wrath of Khan and even in Naked Gun.

He was in 2 "Planet of the Apes" movies

And he played Antonio Banderas' father-in-law in Disney's "Spy Kids" movies. I have always admired this man's and his wonderful career!

BALLS, BALLS and more 2009 INAUGURAL BALLS

2009-01-13T16:15:00.000-08:00

Honestly, I didn't think anything of it when I was asked to work the Youth Inaugural Ball at the Hilton Washington way back in November. But now that it's closer....I am really getting excited!!! I just found out that the Youth Inaugural Ball at the Hilton Washington is one of ten "Official Inaugural Balls" meaning that President-Elect, Obama will attend.
Now what's more exciting is the fact my daughter, Aria got invited to the Stafford Foundation's People's Ball at the JW Marriott Hotel. Though, we will not be together...My wife, Beng, Aria and I will be participating in an exciting part of History together.
I just wish I didn't have to stay in the DC area for 2 days because of security reasons.

LES MIZ at SIGNATURE THEATRE

2009-01-05T14:49:00.000-08:00

Beng, Aria, my good friend, Pinkie and I went to see "Lez Miz" at Signature Theatre last night (01/03/2009)
We went on the "MizKidz" packet for 4 family tickets, 4 cookies and 4 drinks at intermission for only $125.00. Not bad at all! Better than $76.00 per person or taking a chance on "Rush Tickets"
There was alot of things that I liked....and a few things that I didn't like.
Likes:
1) This is the original lost London version of "Lez Miz". Honestly...Though it was a bit longer, I loved this version.
It showed alot of missing scenes (to me) were crucial to the plot.
a) The meeting of Young Cossette and Valjean in the woods.
b) A short scene with Madame Thenardier spoiling Young Eponine before sending Young Cossette out in the woods for water.
c) Valjean's actually telling the Thenardier's that Fantine has died and his promise to her.
d) The second meeting of The Thénardiers, Valjean and Cossette in Paris that causes Javert to intercept the street brawl between the Thenardier gang, Valjean and Cossette.
e) The reason why Eponine dresses like a boy and her actually meeting of giving the letters to Valjean to give to Cossette. This is where he learns Marius and Cossette love each other by reading her letters.
f) Eponine's side singing monologues about Marius not caring to see her.
g) Valjean revealing to Marius that he is a fugitive and asking him not to tell Cossette.
2) I did like the re-imagining of the surreal set and the dark black, gray and off white costumes (Mostly black leather) and scenary (I loved the "specials" on the chairs hanging from the celling during "Empty Chairs...") . If you don't have that famous turntable set, you might as well go another direction. So, the set is more of "in-the-round"/"thrust setting with several entrances. It's very intimate. So, your concentration is on the plot rather than "spectacle".
3) The voices and acting of Marius, Enjolras, The children: Gavroche and Young Cossette, Older Cossette, the Bishop and the ensemble as a whole.
Dislikes:
1) Though I did like the re-imaging darker side of "Les Miz", the charm and humor were faded into the shadows...Literally! Though she was charming, Older Cossette was lost in the dark side of "Les Miz" Alot of the female characters "sadness" and innocence were lost in the mix.

2) I hated when musicals in this particular opera format go into "speak-song" format. BOUBLIL & SCHÖNBERG wrote some of the most beautiful music in musical theatre history. Come on! Let's hear it sung!

3) Though effective...The death of Javert. He shoots himself in the head? (Huh?) This is not true to the book.
4) The long hair on all the guys. Ughhhh...EVERY MAN was a caveman! In this "Lez Miz" Jaljean, Javert, and EVEN Thenardier had long hair! (Huh?)
5) Honestly, because it's not the Broadway "Specticle", the musical may be too long for kids.
6) Last, but not least...The intermission. When they mean 15 minutes...Signature Theatre MEANS it with a Vengence!!!!!!! They warn the audience in the lobby that they will not seat ANYONE after the second act has been started. Beng, Aria, Pinkie and I had to scruff down our chocolate cookies, guzzle our sodas and run up the stairs (Imagine me with my new hip) with the other upstairs audience. "Whew! They said it's because time is crucial with a union orchestra under a strict contract.

In conclusion...I do plan to see the show AGAIN and AGAIN!!

HAPPY 2009!!!!

2008-12-31T21:06:00.000-08:00

Let's all say goodbye to 2008 and welcome in 2009!!!

I wish everyone a optomistic, safe and hopefully a more prosperous year!!!

Chinese New Year 2009 will be on February 7th---The Year of the Rat. Chinese New Year means alot to Beng and I (As well as to most Asians)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOiN5TQhP2Q

Beng and I were married on Chinese New Year---The Year of the Cock! Hehehehehe...We plan to vacation in the Philippines in 2012 when our 19th Anniversary will happen again on Chinese New Year....The Year of the Cock 01/23/2012!

Merry Christmas, MITTENS!

2008-12-25T12:37:00.000-08:00

Originally going to "Petsmart" to get our 8 month old kitten, "Harmony" a Christmas gift, we ended up getting a new 11 week old gray mixed tabby from "Last Chance" Rescue Shelter for her instead (And some toys). We figured we could make 2 kittens happy for Christmas. The new kitten's name is "Mittens" due to having 7 toes on one paw and 6 toes on the other which gives an illusion of a thumb on each paw and looking like he's wearing mittens. (Cat's usually have 5 toes on each paw) In the beginning, Harmony was territorial and needed to convey to Mittens who was the boss of the house. After establishing who was boss, they played and played and played....

MICKEY ROURKE?

2008-12-24T05:52:00.001-08:00

Last night, I was watching David Letterman's "Late Night" which advertised Mickey Rourke promoting his movie, "The Wrestler"

Wide mouthed and eyes bugged, I could not believe after a decade of not working as an actor. This is what I saw....
I just kept thinking,"Okay this is the same rebel actor that was the sex symbal of the 80's in movies such as "91/2 Weeks" w/ Kim Basinger and"Angel Heart" w/ Lisa Bonet?????
Honestly, Mickey Rourke looked like, spoke like and walked like an old whiskey drinking blues singer down on his luck. What the heck happened?

ARIA CURAMENG featured in the WASHINGTON POST

2008-12-19T06:57:00.000-08:00

My Daughter, ARIA CURAMENG is featured in today's (12/19/2008) Washington Post, Weekend section, Page 6 for being one of the 12 finaist of the Washington Post Gift Wrap Desig Contest. From the link, go to page 2 to view her with the other finalist and page 7 to view her entry.
ttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2008/12/18/GA2008121802787.html

I MISS ME A CHRISTMAS REVUE

2008-12-16T09:15:00.001-08:00

Even though I am presently in Hans Bachman's adaptation of "A Christmas Carol", Nothing can get me into the mood for the Holidays more than the Christmas Revue that we used to perform at the West End Dinner Theatre written by Joey Wallen and directed and choreograhed by Mark Minnick. That show always was so special.

I miss the "Brigadoon" set of hills, valleys and a bridge being painted snow white for the season, having Jim Lawson as our "Santa Costume Change" as he quizzed the audience on naming all of Santa's reindeers....And Nixon not being one of them! (Couldn't serve comedy any better than that)
Anita's as Ms. Higginbottom and her sexy rendition of "Santa Baby"( Not to mention the close call of "Jack Frost roasting on an open fire"). Bob Kelly, Jim Lawson and myself as the 3 "Wise Guys" and Carla Dela Torre as the Virgin Mary, (Huh?) Darren McDonald singing as a child about getting "a dog" for Christmas and Lori Letner really bringing one of Mark Minnick's dogs out. Jeffrey Shankle being paired up to sing with every girl in the revue (especially in "The Greatest Gift of All") and the many different snow machines that Antonio Bullock dealt with from year to year for our White Christmas Finale.
And of course, how could you not miss the West End Dinner Theatre's production of "Babes in Toyland" year after year directed by Joey Wallen. Oh...What a wonderful season those were!

UPSIDEDOWN CHRISTMAS TREES???

2008-12-15T06:18:00.000-08:00

I went to a friend's house and we were discussing Skinny Christmas Trees because we both own one. I liked Skinny Christmas Trees when I first saw them in department stores. They are space savers for people (As myself) with small homes and they display your ornaments with very little space in between. (I personally love an ornament crowded Christmas Tree)

Though for the past 3 Christmases, I have opt for a 4 foot tree on a pedestal to make room for Aria's larger gifts "under the tree".

Then my friends asked me if what I think of the upside-down Christmas Tree. I was in shock when they mentioned it. I have never seen one of these so-called upside-down Christmas trees. So when I got home, I "Googled" these Upside-down Christmas Trees to check it out.

One article that I read states that the use of this tree displays ornaments more like a chandelier instead of the ornaments getting lost in the the branches in the traditional way.

What do you think? Does anyone think this is pretty? I don't get it.

LUV EM CROCS!

2008-12-11T07:36:00.000-08:00

Right before my first hip replacement, I discovered the comfort of CROCS footwear. I never really liked them before because they were an ugly shoe. Ya know, the wide shoe w/ the holes, BUT extremely comfortable that is made of lightweight and slip-resistant foam. But then...that all changed when CROCS made so many different stylish designs.

My first investment was the "All Terrains" design

And for my wife and daughter, "The Prima" design

The newest designs that I am hoping to get for Christmas is the "Venture" design

And the "Santa Cruz" design

For the ladies, there is the "Cleo" design and the "Ginger Heel"

There are so many more winter and summer stylish designs all extremely comfortable made with the. Check them out http://www.crocs.com/

Once you tried them on, it's hard to go back to another type of shoe.

Introducing: DRAMA BAYLAN

2008-12-03T10:44:00.000-08:00

Here's a picture of DRAMA BAYLAN during the staged play reading of "Rolling with the R's". I am really looking forward in doing more with them.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2008-11-26T05:49:00.000-08:00

Here are 3 personal observations about my Thanksgiving:
1) For the last 3 years in a row during this exact time, I have always gotten into a car accident due to someone being careless busy talking on the cellphone. (Ughhhhh...)
2) Filipino families don't eat much turkey. The turkey is usually cooked just for show, but we go straight for the apple......stuck to the mouth of a suckling pig! Hehehehe (That one I owe to David James) Filipinos and Hawaiians luv their pork! Later the turkey is usually cooked "A la King"....with rice! Hehehehehe...
3) We usually start heavy for lunch, go see a movie and come back and finish off what's left for dinner.
In any case, be safe, don't drink and drive and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

One of 12 FINALIST

2008-11-23T14:39:00.000-08:00

We just received word that out of over a 1000 entries, our daughter, Aria is one of the 12 finalist for the Washington Post Weekend Holiday Wrap Contest. Whoo-Hoo!

This isn't the first time for Aria. In fact, Aria has been entering this contest ever since she was eligible to do so. Her first eligible year, she was a finalist (Pictured left) and now she's a finalist on her final eligible year. Aria has a strong knack for paper cutting art. Both times she became a finalist, she used this technique using the same type of theme, "An Old Towne Holiday".

Please keep watch in Friday, December 19th Washington Post's Weekend section for Aria pictured with her design. Mom and Dad could not be prouder of our little girl, Aria

2008-11-21T07:05:00.000-08:00

My Daughter, Aria is in Tantallon Player's Production of "Little Women" from December 5th to December 14th.
It will be at the John Addison Concert Hall in HARMONY HALL REGIONAL CENTER, 10701 Livingston Road, Ft. Washington, MD 20744
For Tickets call:301-203-6070

SOMEBODY's BEEN SMOKING...

2008-11-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

Somebody's been smoking....And it ain't me!

Around a couple of weeks ago, Aria caught Beng smoking outside of the house. This made Aria very upset. And as for me, I was a bit surprised. Beng swore it was a "fly-by-night" thing and she wasn't smoking on a regular basis.

Now, I have noticed the dressing room of our house and the downstairs bathroom have been smelling like smoke. Just recently I found residue of cigarette ash on the toilet and I have addressed it. Hmmmmm....Is Beng still smoking behind our backs?

CHARMAINE CLAMOR

2008-11-19T05:52:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine sent me a sample of Charmaine Clamor's music. She's a Filipina Jazz singer (now living in Los Angeles) and I really, really love her style. I have been a fan of only ONE Filipina Jazz-like singer and that was Ku Ledesma. Butafter hearing the sample of Charmaine Clamor's music, I went directly to Amazon.com and downloaded all of her albums. My favorite of her albums is "My Harana". She has taken standard Filipino songs and arranged them from a touchsong jazz ballad to a latin feel to even the complexity of fusion. http://www.npr.org/help/media.html Her most recent albums, "Flippin' Out" and "Searching for the Soul" are hitting mainstream in the US with her own invention of "Jazzipino Swing". I can't wait to hear more from her.

Follow-up on "ROLLING the R's"

2008-11-17T12:26:00.000-08:00

I am usually a musical theatre/opera person, but this was my first experience in a staged reading and I highly enjoyed it. I've been to stage readings at Arena Stage and in college years, but this was my first time actually being in a stage reading.

At Source Theatre, "Rolling The R's" by R. Zamora Linmark (Pictured left)

was performed on Saturday, Nov. 15 with reception, followed by a short hula dance that we threw together the night before for our beloved playwright and a Q&A session with R, Zamora Linmark.

The performance was very, very well attended to standing room only (Strangely enough with a very, very mixed audience) and very well received with much laughter and applause.

I will admit, I had my doubts after only 4 stage reading rehearsals and not everyone on the same schedule, but it was smooth sailing and worked like clock-work.

Like I said before, It was a bit strange after thinking for years that I belonged to a small minority of asian-americans working in the DC theatre district, but very exciting to be sharing the stage and passion with these fellow asian performers.

Like Clint Eastwood says, "Performing theatre is much like a musician's jam session. When you have the right musicians that get-along (In this case, Performers),you make MUSIC. (In this case, 70's Disco)

FARRELL's REUNION

2008-11-14T09:06:00.000-08:00

After over 20 years.....last night, a couple of old, old friends met for the first time for a "Farrell's Reunion".

You see, we all use to work at the long gone, but famed "Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant" that was housed on the upper level of Springfield Mall next to the JC Pennies in Springfield, Virginia. Fat, balding, married, divorce, single, rich, poor. no matter what size and shape, it was really, really nice to met up with these old friends.

We all are meeting again in the spring.

If you have a special "Farrell's Memory" (As a customer or employee) that you would like to share, we ex-Farrell's employees of Springfield Mall would love to hear it at our next spring reunion.

TINA

2008-11-08T18:35:00.000-08:00

Not the famed, Tina DeSimone! This is a song sung by Kristen Chenoweth about an intervention of a "meth abuser". But to all my friends in the theatre who know Tina DeSimone, think of it as a tribute to her.

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/aa15baae2b/intervention-with-kristin-chenoweth-from-kristin-chenoweth-and-drew

OFFICE or ART?

2008-11-06T15:29:00.000-08:00

Do any of my performing friends ever feel guilty of rushing out of the office in time to have a decent dinner and make call for your show?

Do any of my performing friends feel tired due to a tech week or the show ending late and ending up skipping a day or two from work?

The reason I am bringing this up is because I have the situation of being promoted to a director in my day job, but my new boss suggest giving my 120% to the job and giving up the theatre.

I've been with this day job for 8 years plus and I feel I have showed my loyality and dedication by picking up the pieces when other employees quit.
With my past boss, I have taken much responsibility and abuse in this job. Heck! The employees and I went 4 years without payraises due to our past boss not working it in the budget. He was forced to resign last year immediately with the locks to our office changed the same day.

I have given my weekends coming in to tie loose ends and organize birthday and holiday parties to keep up office morale even from my hospital bed recovering from surgery. Not to mention during both of my hip surgeries, I was on by a phone 24/7 and working on my laptop at home while using my vacation leave for my recovery.

The promotion does mean a significant payraise, but I ain't sure if I will be happy giving up performing. Ughhhhhh....What should I do? My wife, Beng thinks it ain't worth to be promoted and be unhappy no matter what the payraise. YET...The extra money could help Beng, Aria and I work towards a new and bigger home.

ROLLING the R's at Source Theatre

2008-11-02T16:49:00.000-08:00

Just recently, I was hired to perform some featured roles in a staged play reading called, "Rolling the R's" by R. Zamora Limark. Not a musical, but a play that has music.
70's music in fact in which we sing. Now, don't get confused. It's still a play, but sometimes the characters break into snipets of a 70's disco songs. It's kinda funny.
The staged play reading will be on Saturday, November 15th at Source Theatre (1835 14th Street NW, Wasahington, DC starting at 6pm. The Metro Stop is 14th and U Street. I think the tickets are like $5.00. It's only a staged reading.
The narrative play chapters around 3 Filipino-Hawaiian friends growing up in the age of Teen Beat, Charlie's Angels, Disco and other cultural elements from the 70's. It was originally a book by the same aurthor and turned it into a play.

The play is very, very Filipino-Hawaiian playfully about social injustices and racism outside AND within the Filipino-Hawaiian community in Hawai'i.

The cast is ALL Asian including the director, the producer and the stage management. FINALLY!!!!! Though, not everyone is from the DC area.

I've been around being the token "Asian guy" in the theatre so long, It's kinda strange, yet exciting for me.

Hawaiian Pidgin English and ALOT of Tag-lish is used throughout the play.

Unfortunately, the show does have sexual content and adult language and deals with subject matter such as gay youth, domestic abuse and molestation. (Another show my parents cannot come and see.)

Cirque du Soleil's KOOZA

2008-11-01T11:42:00.000-07:00

Beng, Aria and I went to go see the opening night of Cirque du Soleil's KOOZA at National Harbor. It was truly amazing and should not be missed!

The experience was alot like the one's that they had at Tyson's Corner year's ago, but now it's in my backyard in National Harbor. I don't want to give anything away. It's an old fashion circus updated with a strong theatrical format with a bit of magic.

If you have never seen a Cirque du Soleil show, go see this one because it's a heck of alot cheaper than seeing a Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas and Downtown Disney in Orlando. Believe me! The experience will change your life!

FRUSTRATED about US IMMIGRATION

2008-10-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

Taking BruDog Haven's Citizen Test, I was reminded of today's US illegal immigration problem and how it really frustrates me!
Call me what you will, but I am all for deporting illegal immigrants out of the US and back to their country.
If my wife, Beng and her parents can go through the proper channels in coming to the US and becoming a US citizen, why can't every immigrant do the same?
Another thing that frustrates me is the process of the citizen test itself. They now ask you, "Are you going to use an interpretor to take your test?" Meaning...if you don't speak, read or write English, you may use your own interpretor. HUH????
How the heck does one get around on his/her own in the US without speaking English?
Look, I am all for the US being multi-cultural, but COME ON!!!!! Every country has one universal language that people communicate with. In Central and South American countries, it's Spanish. Fine!
But in the US, the one universal language is English.
And to be a citizen of the US, one should speak, read and write in English. I am not saying to rid of one's native language in their own home. At home, We speak in our native language to each other. But in public, we all speak in English. Even my own wife, Beng finds it rude to speak in our native language in front of others in public in the US. It looks like useless gossip about those around you who don't speak your native language!

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3

2008-10-27T08:10:00.000-07:00

Of course being a father of a Pre-Teen, I went to go see High School Musical 3 on opening day.

I purchased our tickets one week in advance (as I do with the "Harry Potter Movies"), got the theatre an hour in advance and stood in line in hope for a good seat.

BUT during big blockbuster movies such as this, I always pull my "handicap card" to get ushered into the theatre first or bring my wheelchair and have an usher kick someone out from "accessible seating" who is not disabled.

The movie was...good...it was fun....very much like the first High School Musical....BUT it's senior year.

I didn't like the second one because they tried to make it sound more like MTV-ish and their voices sounded too electronic which clashed with the whole look of the movie and made the lip syncing look like a bad dubbing job.

HSM3 went back to the roots of the first. Cute, gooyey, bright and highly entertaining. I loved alot of the numbers staged very well by Kenny Ortega.

My daughter's personal awkwardness was when Zak Efron took off his shirt in the gym locker room and the girl's in the theatre went crazy. She started to blush, smile and cover her eyes.

My personal awkwardness in watching HSM3 was watching Vanessa Hudgens and only thinking of....uh...um...Oh...forget...it!

Near the end of the movie, the kids in the theatre of all ages got up to the familer tune, "We'll Always be Together" from the first High School Musical Movie, clapped their hands and raced down to the screen and started to dance like crazy.
Beng and I looked at Aria and asked if she would like to join them. I think she would have if a friend was with her. BUT unfortunately...her present company was "Mom & Dad" and we felt like idiots asking if she wanted to join them. Ughhhhhh..How uncool was THAT!

MCCAIN on LETTERMAN

2008-10-17T08:44:00.001-07:00

Last night, I waited tiredly for the much anticipated John McCain appearance on "Late Night" with David Letterman.

For you who don't know, McCain cancelled out of an appearance a few weeks ago on "Late Night" with David Letterman. McCain claimed that he had to rush to Washington, DC due to the economic crisis. But actually, he stayed in NYC and opted "Late Night" with David Letterman for an interview with Katie Couric instead.

The show began with Paul Schaeffer and the band playing, "I Can't Explain" by the "Who" as McCain walked on.

David Letterman started the evening with the question, "Can you stay?" To me,it was the only joke of the evening.

At times, McCain appeared to have been placed on a hot seat. In several questions, David Letterman pressed him about his choice of running mate.

In a non-joking matter, David Letterman asks, "In your guts, in your stomach...if I were to run upstairs and wake you in the middle of the night and say, 'John, is Sarah Palin really the woman to lead us through the next four, eight years – through the next 9/11 attack?' "

McCain replied: "Absolutely. She has inspired Americans. That's the thing we need."

Then David Letterman asked if he backs Palin's claim on "Barack Obama hangs out with Terrorist".

McCain said his rival needs to better explain his relationship with former Weather Underground activist William Ayers.

"Did you not have a relationship with Gordon Liddy?" David Letterman inquired.

McCain acknowledged knowing the Watergate burglar.

Following the commercial break, McCain further said, "I know Gordon Liddy. He paid his debt, he went to prison ... I'm not in any way embarrassed to know Gordon Liddy."

"You understand the same case could be made of your relationship with him as is being made with William Ayers?" Letterman said.

McCain responded that he has been completely open about his relationship with Liddy.

In conclusion, even though I am a democrat and voting for Obama, I was expecting a fun evening of lighthearted banter and laughs on this show. At least, that's what David Letterman hyped it up to be. Instead, I felt like it was a continuation of Wednesday's debate. What do you ya'll think?

CUSTOMER SERVICE????

2008-10-15T11:04:00.000-07:00

Since Sunday, We have lost our connection to our Comcast Internet Service. Poor Beng had been on the phone with Comcast Customer Service so long (3 hours), that the cordless phone ran out of batteries. Then she called again killing her Verizon minutes talking to them on her cellphone. Beng called AGAIN on Columbus Day for a technician to come and fix it on Tuesday. The technician arrived at 2:30pm with nothing in his hands. Just himself. he then proceeds to bounced back and forth from the modem to the router. Unplugging it and plugging it again over and over. Then he asked Beng if he could borrow our phone. According to Beng, the technician used up all the batteries on our home phone to go through exactly what Beng went through. I come home around 5pm and he is still at our home. This time calling on his cellphone doing the exact routine we have been through. he says there is nothing he can do. He doesn't have the equipment (Hmmmm...Isn't this...a technical call?) He then says, "You need to call1-800-Comcast. the problem is on there end".
Frustrated, Beng calls and ends up on the home phone killing all the recharge of the batteries for the phone being with customer service.
I get home from dropping Aria off at her rehearsal and I get on the phone with Comcast.
I stay on the phone from 7:30pm to 10:15pm. I give up after going from one supervisor to another supervisor yelling my head off. In short, No internet....No service...
So, I am picking up home emails from work as well as everything else. I hate Comcast! Hopefully we can go Verizon if it's available in our area.

BAD KITTY!!!! OFF the TABLE!!!!

2008-10-14T09:52:00.000-07:00

Our new kitty, Harmony had been driving me nuts while I was at home recovering from my surgery.

Does anyone have a "sure-fix" remedy on how to keep a cat off the kitchen table?

I tried squirt guns, but she loves water. She loves taking a bath.

I tried hitting her on the nose, but she thinks I am playing, She likes to wrestling with my hand and fingers.

I am at a lost!

MORE UPDATE on ARIA and "LITTLE WOMEN"

2008-10-02T09:47:00.000-07:00

Still not knowing much of "Little Women" the musical, Beng and I went to accompany Aria to the director's house last night to find out what role Aria will be bestowed in.
There was 5 young girls there including Aria (2 African-Americans, 2 Caucasians and of course, Aria an Asian-American) and they were tested for their ability to harmonize together.
Then we were told that in this production, they are going to cast a young March Family (Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy) in the beginning of Act I and then an older March family later. We already saw and heard the "Older" Jo who is African American Woman and I guess they are trying to match one of the younger African-Americans to her. As we were coming in, we saw an Asian-American Women just leaving the director's house. Beng and I are guessing who ever she's playing, Aria will play her. Again, this is all speculation. We will find out very soon what the director wants.

ARIA UPDATE

2008-09-30T11:07:00.000-07:00

My daughter, Aria got into our Tantallion Community Theatre production of "Little Women" the musical for the holidays. I don't know much of the musical...just both versions of the movie. I think she's playing the youngest daughter. I told Aria that community theatre is good to build up a performance resume. I'm just glad this has regained her confidence after a long string of "Thank You for coming" auditions.

HANGIN' in THERE...

2008-09-22T17:49:00.000-07:00

Well, Tuesday, 09/23/2008 will be 2 weeks since my hip replacement. Recovery was going well. But due to my stubborness of getting bored, going out and moving about, Once to see Toby's production of "The Producers" on my Mom's birthday and yesterday, to see the movie,"Igor" with Aria.
I developed an slight infection on the incision which is leading to slight fevers and keeping me in bed. Wednesday, 09/24/2008,I have to go back to my orthopedic to get some type of "procedure" done. I can't sit long due to the incision right on my buttock and lying down seems to be the only comfortable position. Though, it's going slower than my other hip replacement, my rehab is going well. I just wish I could have more rehab on a cane by next week.

HIP, HIP, HOORAY!!!!

2008-09-08T10:09:00.001-07:00

Well...This is it! Now that I have finished "Jerry Springer: The Opera", Tomorrow 09/09/2008 will be my second hip replacement. The left this time! Surgery will be at 8am at Fort Washington Hospital! All I have is time after surgery for 4 weeks out from work. So, you'll hear from me from here alot when I am complete with this hip!

HOUSE BUNNY

2008-09-01T17:37:00.001-07:00

Finally some family time and a morning at the movies! We decided to see "House Bunny". Even though it's about Anna Faris playing a 27 year-old Playboy Bunny at the Playboy Mansion, this movie is rated PG-13 and fairly a clean movie to see. The only questionable parental guidance you may have to deal with is backside nudity, maybe 3 curse words at the most and the maybe explaining to your children what the Playboy magazine is.
Though this movie was alot of fun (No matter what, I always have fun at "Happy Madison Movies" produced by Adam Sandler) and there was a great moral message at the end of the movie for young teens. My wife, Beng was always a sucker for Cinderella/Ugly Duckling themed movies and this was right up her alley. It was definitely a feel good movie for women and young women such as my daughter, Aria. In short, It's kinda like "Revenge of the Nerds" with a sorority called ZETA.
Shelley (Anna Faris) receives word that Hugh Hefner has given her two hours to move out of the mansion after her 27th birthday. So, off Shelley goes, hurt and scared. After a day on her own, she stumbles onto a nearby college campus and learns that she could possibly find a job, a home, and a salary by becoming a sorority "mother" to a group of misfit sisters, the ZETA's. These gals have seen their numbers shrink, mostly because they are all shy and a bit unconventional (among them, American Idol Runner-up, Katharine McPhee, Emma Stone, Kat Dennings and Demi Moore's and Bruce Willis' daughter, Rumer Willis) Well, you can guess what's to happen to the ZETA's, but it's even funnier what the ZETA's will do to Shelly. I highly recommend this film. Just alot of fun!

DC Theatre Scene's Audience Choice Awards

2008-08-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hey GUYS;

I was nominated for DC Theatre Scene's Audience Choice Award for "Favorite Actor in a Musical"

Please vote. I need your vote before September 2nd.

It's listed under ROB CURAMENG (Ya think they would get my first name right?)

http://dctheatrescene.com/2008/08/19/about-this-years-awards/

HARSH REALITY AUDITONS for ARIA?

2008-08-19T09:44:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have been bringing Aria to children's auditions. So she can experience what she wishes to do in the future. We brought her to Signature's audition call for "Ace". It went great...experience-wise. Eric Schaeffer let Aria sing her song twice, learn a song from the show and had her read. Though Aria admitted to not giving a great audition, it was the exact experience I wanted for Aria to have just being there.

Aria and I always discuss what she learned from each audition. What she felt she did well, what she would change and do next time, How she should prepare, etc...
BUT recently, Beng and I went to accompany Aria to the "Lion King Auditions" last Saturday Morning which she really was looking forward to and wanted to try out for. I have to say..I felt like I was more like at an "American Idol audition". With the audtions scheduled to starting at 9:30am, there were all ready parents and children lined up before 8:30am (The time we arrived). I thought these auditions would run close to AEA auditions in NYC where you can sign up an hour before, leave to have breakfast or whatever and come back at that time that you signed up for. Heck no...It was literally a cattlecall of just parents and children sprawled out. Some on the ground, some in chairs and blankets, some standing,etc... One family we found out camped there since 4:30am. Around 9am, the casting director comes out and tells us the audition procedure. He then says, "Any child who is over 58 inches or over the age of 12 will not be seen". No body moves. He repeats again, "Any child who is 58 inches or over the age of 12 will not be seen." Still Nobody moves. When the casting director goes back into the building, parents start to murmur, "Well maybe if they hear my child sing and see how talented he/she is they'll think different." I thought, "It was clearly marked in the audition notice. Why would any parent put there child through this pain of being rejected if they were over 58 inches" Aria only measures 54 inches.

Since no one moved, the casting assistants came out and starting measuring children and numbers of children and parents were turned away. After the "initial weeding", the children left were given numbers, audition sheets were fillout by parents and children were brought in 40 at a time. Aria was number 38 and went in with the first group. They were taught the last verse of "Can't Wait to be King" with harmony. Then they put them in a horseshoe shape and had them sing one by one when pointed to. From Aria's group, they only called back 4 children. Looking at those 4 children, It looks like they were casting even smaller than Aria's height. Though I started to think, The way children grow these days, these 4 children would be 58 inches by the time they started the show.

As Aria came back, I could already see the disappointment in her face and her eyes starting to well up in tears. The tears held back as we marched through the hundreds of children lined up outside for there turn. As we got in the van, I asked her, "So what do you think you did well in this audition?" "I followed directions and sang well enough", she said. "And what do you think the casting director was looking for out of all of you guys", I questioned. "She hesitates a bit and answers a bit in frustration, "Skinny, short children who probably can fit the costume" I left it at that and drove in silence for a while for her to reflect.

You see, this is the 3rd time Aria's been to an audition and told point blank, "You're too heavy or you're too fat"

I did have a pep talk about it when we got home and told her she should try concentrating more on expressive musical comedy pieces that show her off as a performer as well as a singer and to keep up her "dance" for auditions with movement and dance. I assured her that being heavy doesn't mean your terrible. "Look at me!", I pointed out. "Dad still works as a performer, because I chose to use what I have to the best of my ability."

Ending our pep talk, I always reassure her that Mom and Dad will always love her and support her in all she decides.

What can one make of all this? Should I start pushing towards her to lose weight at this young age of eleven for the desired roles or should I coax her to go towards the direction of character acting?