I was never into breakdancing. I was more of the MC Hammer/Janet Jackson dancer back in the day. But ever since I saw the brazilian martial art Capoeira, I wished I could go back in time and learn how to dance like that! Even if you’ve seen good breakdancers tearing it up on the street or the dance floor, you’ve probably never seen anything like this:
http://media.ebaumsworld.com/breakdance.wmv.
This video will make you say “DAMN!”
Then here’s another video: http://www.redbull.ch/mime/1085664893872-697757735/bcone_kl.mpg
And here’s some capoeira videos to show how breakdancing got started:
http://www.capoeiraarizona.com/movies/MovieGallery.htm
Published on Saturday April 2, 2005 .
I read a very inspiring article about Robert Rodriguez in Wired Magazine today. Robert Rodriguez has been a rebel in Hollywood ever since his debut with his $7000 film Il Mariachi which was picked up and distributed by Columbia pictures. Since then he’s become a big Hollywood director who doesn’t play by the rules. He still lives in Texas, where he started, but instead of having one hand-held 16mm camera and no budget, he now has built his own state of the art production facility with the latest hi-definition cameras, top of the line computers and now commands multi-million dollar budgets. For his latest movie Sin City, he shot the footage on high-definition cameras, did his own special effects and edited the movie himself.
Absolutely amazing.
I haven’t seen the movie myself, but just the fact that he did it and that it’s playing in wide release is incredible.
Anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
I’m not afraid to admit it. “The Passion of Christ” is one of the most powerful movies I have ever seen. Everything about the movie was masterful and beautiful. This movie touched my soul and shook me to the core. It really made me think about my life, my faith and my priorities. That is what great art is suppose to do. Make you think. Make you question. Make you believe.
I grew up in church and I’ve been taught the story for years. But to see it so masterfully brought to life brings a whole new dimension to it. Everyone should really see this movie no matter what your belief is. It’s just great art - period.
My only complaint…
…was the older Japanese mother and daughter who sat two rows up from me across the aisle and decided they needed to discuss the movie LOUDLY, IN JAPANESE, while watching the movie. I threw a loud “SSSHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!” after the third incident but they didn’t get the hint. The FOURTH time a guy in their row got up and told them to be quiet. I really wanted to yell obscenities at them but I definitely didn’t feel it was appropriate especially watching a movie about Jesus.
I like watching MTV Diaries. It’s interesting to see how people got to where they are now and everything they have been through. It also makes me want to be more wild and spontaneous, to leave my fears at the door and charge head first towards my dreams.
What excuses are preventing me from achieving my goals? What frivolous distractions do I let get in my way?
I’m tired of waiting for things to happen. It’s time to MAKE things happen!
Tonight I went to see “The Art of Rice” at the Japan America Theater in Little Tokyo. Since I had just finished a show produced and directed by Dan Kwong I was very interested to see his performance with this group of performers which was traveling around the world.
Overall it was a very interesting performance. It combined the traditional art forms from different asian cultures with modern sensibilities. There was exotic music combined with different forms of movement and dance both modern and traditional. There was even commentary on the politics of rice and the importance of rice to each culture. I’m glad I was able to see the show. It gave me some inspiration for some ideas I have been playing with in my head…
The other day when Heather and I went to Chinatown we spotted the tents for Cirque du Soleil: Varekai. The tents are set up close to the Staples Center which is right in our ‘hood. I really want to go see the show. A couple years back Heather and I went to see Cirque du Soleil: Dralion in Santa Monica. I was completely blown away. I had never seen anything like it. The beauty of the music, set pieces, costumes - and the incredible skills of the performers who demonstrated what is possible with years of training and practice. Incredible.
I received a little bit of creative inspiration from watching Def Poetry Jam tonight. If you have never seen spoken word poetry, you should check out the website. There is something so beautiful and powerful about spoken word poetry. It’s raw, emotional, truthful and beautiful. It stirs me to set to rhyme, the thoughts and feelings I keep deep inside. 
Tonight one of the poets was Shihan, who I’ve seen here in LA a couple years back before spoken word started getting hot. He was wearing a t-shirt representing Da Poetry Lounge - one of the hottest places in LA to see spoken word (the theater is always packed with hundreds of people, literally). I’ll have to go back. You will too. BTW, admission is FREE!!!!