Come Out Fighting!

 Hey crazy cats! It's another day in beautiful tar-balled filled Tampa Bay!...well, not yet...but soon. I'm having quite a bit of problems thinking of some things to write lately. Then, (today actually) it hit me. Write about your friends!...all 2 of them. Well, if you include all the voices in my head, then we're talking about ...hhmmmmm...maybe 120,000!
 Anywho, my entry today is that of how to help out friends who have gone through a rough patch in their lives. Many times, we think we are doing the right thing by tossing out some classic one liners. We've all heard them before..." it will get better", "it wasn't meant to be", or my favorite " look at the bright side".
 Do you really think that they want to hear that? The answer is no. I would rather have a person tell me how much they know it sucks to be heartbroken, devastated, or whatever it is. I would rather hear my friend say that it bites, but this is what I did to begin to move on. I don't need Hallmark quotes. We don't need Hallmark quotes.
 Recently, I had a nagging feeling that a friend of mine had been going through a problem. I did what a good friend would do. I reached out and contacted him. He responded. It was heartbreaking hearing a really good person going through a tough time.
 He is the type of person who is the epitome of the word peaceful. This guy wouldn't even harm a fly. However, he has been going some troubles lately. His patience has been wearing thin. His happiness has become not-so-happy. With all the garbage he has gone through recently, I can't blame him for taking such an approach to the situation.
 I, for one, am not going to feed him the stomach-churning nonsense that I spoke about earlier. All one can do is listen. Now that, my friend, is an art in itself. I, personally, prefer someone to hear me out. If they have something to say, let it come from the heart. We don't want to hear nonsense. We want to hear support.
 So, back to my friend, he is having some troubles. He has tons of friends who talk to him everyday. He goes to church and his church friends do help him. Unfortunately, he is the only one that is going through stuff. No one can help him, but himself. Only he can help himself.
 Sounds harsh huh? That's the way life is, unfortunately. We go through life and go through so much pain. However, life is beautiful. Each tear we shed is like water for our small plant that we're growing ( yes, more analogies).
 So what's the moral of the story you may ask. Well... there ain't none. There is only one thing that we can take away from this. Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. Keep safe and dream big!

Reel to Real

Hey crazy cats! Another weekend is upon us. It's time to unwind and relax some. As for me, I'll be working on some projects on the burner. I really love doing the videography. It definitely is a very big stress reliever for me.
 Since I started Caribbean Sun Productions, I have met so many people and done lots of fun stuff. I feel very liberated when I'm behind the lens of a video camera. I find that I can create a world that others may be intrigued to visit. It is one of the most enjoyable experiences I have ever had.
 Sometimes I wish I had a partner that is as crazy and zany as I am. I could just imagine the ideas that would come out. For now, it's just me doing all of it. It does get kind of hectic at times, but it's always fun.
 A few years ago, I started out by doing home movies (no, not that kind you perv!). I would shoot some stuff, edit it, burn it on DVD and send it to family. I managed to do three of them for the family. I don't know if they have them. It would be nice if they did.
 From that little experience, I jumped in over my head and started doing weddings! Talk about a wake up call. I had no idea on how to do pre-production or anything. It made me think of way to work on my craft. I wasn't anywhere near good (not that I'm a James Cameron). However, the love of the art really helped me in pursuing the knowledge I needed.
 The next step in my evolution was doing a small show that live for a half a season on this website (SamVidBlog News). I don't know why people liked it. If you ask me, it stunk..lol.My friends were great. I wasn't. I didn't like being in front of the camera. I was most comfortable behind it. However, this taught me alot about planned and improv materiel. It also taught me that my friends have hidden talents (time to exploit them! lol).
 After a little time off, I was back into the swing of things. That's when things really began to take off. In less than six months, I have been blessed with so many opportunities that it makes me smile form ear to ear. I really love all the things that are happening.
 Now, this entry isn't meant to gloat (not by any means). I just wanted to share some of the history behind Caribbean Sun Productions. I enjoy what I do and wish to share it with everyone. I'm always looking for people to get involved with and do some projects. There is nothing quite like the feel of having an idea and seeing it materialize before your eyes.
 So to my friends, thank yo for supporting and believing in me. I have the best friends in the world! I'm looking for some people to share and work with. So if you're interested, look me up! I wouldn't hurt to do something cool.
  Remember to always believe, even when people tell you different. Do it! There's nothing worse than a "what if?" in one's life. All you need is yourself to believe in it. You will accomplish it. Well, this one is tarred and feathered. Have a safe weekend. Keep safe and dream big!

Change

Hey crazy cats! I recently had an interesting situation dawn on me. It wasn't so much about how to deal with work or dealing with the insane traffic here in Florida. It was, however, with an issue that really makes people stop and think for a moment. The issue is of letting go.

Within the last couple of weeks, I have experienced the loss of a friend, the graduation of a family member, and one of my close friends moving away. All of these issues dealt with letting go.

The first issue is quite obvious. the passing of a person unexpectedly really leaves one coping with so many questions. For what it's worth, I've gotten pretty decent in dealing with loss at this level. Sounds morbid, I know. However, once we accept the fact that we, as humans, aren't eternal then it becomes a little easier to accept when a close person or loved one passes.

The second issue is more like dealing with the fact that my family members are growing up. i remember when I arrived here 5 years ago, they were just little rugrats in middle school. It has been a wonderful experience seeing them grow and learn.

The third issue, well... let's just say that because of the Internet, there won't be a reason not to stay in contact. So I'm not going to put the person's name out there and say they better stay in contact. It wouldn't be right. It would be funnier that all holy hell, but it wouldn't be right. Plus, I don't want to get my teeth knocked out.

All these things have an underlying theme of loss and acceptance. We have a rough time doing this. We tend to like to hold on to things and people that makes us feel good and bring happiness in our lives. This isn't a bad thing either. It's just that things do change.

I, for one, can tell you about acceptance of things that we don't want, the feeling of sorrow when the change is so hard that you think you're going to die, and the anxiety that makes your heart beat so fast it wants out of your chest because its all overwhelming. Yet, we survive. We don't like the change, but we press on.

My whole outlook now on change is totally different from a few years ago. I look at it now with a sense of wonder and hopefulness. I'm not saying that I'm immune to the feelings that change may evoke. I'm just saying that I try to look at it in a different light.

We are always evolving. If we look, we see it everyday. Things never stay the same, no matter how hard we try. Sometimes, the change isn't good. Most of the time, if we look at it, it's for the best! we will enjoy the outcome.

Now, before I close this one out, I do have one thing more to say. However, it will be "encrypted". It is meant for someone. Let's see if they pick up on it. Yippee, a mystery!...

Me di cuenta que fuiste tu. Sabes que hay otras formas como conseguirme, si quieres. Creo que seria bueno que hablemos, sin nadie interesarse. Me gustaria...MNB.

OK folks, this one is heading off to Arizona to get deported. Have a great rest of the week. Keep safe and dream big!

Pass the Geritol!

Hey crazy cats! It's another day here in sunny (soon to be oil-soaked) Florida. The weekend is here and I, for one, need the rest. I've been working quite a bit lately. I'm not complaining about it. It's just nice to have a day of relaxation now and then.

Yesterday, I was treated to a nice event. A family member of mine graduated high school. It was held at the university's stadium across the street from where I work. As sson as I got there, I knew we were all in for a trial in patience like no other. Now, it wasn't the fact that we stood in line for 45 minutes just to get in. It wasn't the fact that they were selling bottled water for $4 (Holy Moses in lower rider jeans!)! it wasn't the fact that we were all sweating like Lindsey Lohan taking a breatherlizer test. It was the fact that the ceremony was slated to start at 3 pm and they had 631 to graduate! It was like the entire State of Florida was graduating! To make things worse, they were calling them off one by one! However, it was a very nice graduation.

As we left the stadium, I feeling came over me. I didn't know quite what it was. I was slowly sneaking up on me. Then, without warning, it attacked. It was the realization that I'm getting old! I'm no longer one of those guys! It's time to face the music. My greys are there for a reason.

When these kids were born, I was watching "In Living Color" on the newly launched Fox Channel! Oh my God, I thought. These kids never knew what it was like to live without cable, or the cell phone, or even the microwave! The only way they know about "The A-Team" is because of re-runs.

It's kind of funny. I still don't have kids. I haven't really figured everything out yet. To some, I'm not mature enough. However, I don't care. I love who I am. i have enjoyed my life thus far and will continue to do so.

Life is beautiful. It is up to us to make the best of it. Whether it be making millions on Wall Street or just enjoying the subtle things in life, we are what we make of it. I believe that every moment is worth our 100%.

So, after that long graduation, the incredibly long and iritating drive home, picture taking, and feeling all old I feel like I've done quite a bit. Do I have some regrets? Yeah, but just a few. My life isn't perfect, but it's the perfect life!

Ok folks, calling this one cut and capped! Keep safe and dream big!

Daycation

Hey crazy cats! I can't say that I did much today, as in terms of work. I took the day off and headed to the beach!...sort of.... I spent the day at Ana Maria Island and Coquina Beach, soaking in the sun. I can't begin to tell you all the fun I had there. I revisited an old spot where they make homemade ice cream. This place is a must on any body's list. They have a wide variety of flavors. Although it's a bit on the pricey side, you'll be more than glad to pay the price for this delight. If you're wondering the name off the place...well, so am I! I forgot it! I'll find out and let you guys know.

Later, I shot some pool. Now, I'm not the best pool player in the world, but I know when I'm getting hustled. All I have to say is I'm on to your game there, missy...lol. I wasn't born yesterday.

I did take a few pictures and have posted them on my facebook account. I love to share my pics. So, swing on by and have a look! There will be more to come.

Later that night, I had the most amazing..... sandwich ever...Wow, people! Really? Get your minds out of the gutter! I'm not that type of guy. However, those sandwiches were flipping good! Then again, I was hungry. I was still good though.

So that's pretty much it. I took a day off, went to the beach, took pictures, played pool, ate ice cream, ate a sandwich, and went home. Not a bad day!

Tomorrow is off to work...Arrggg! Oh well, it's the weekend. I have plenty to do this weekend. I'm calling this one short and sweet. Keep safe and dream big!