Spring is here...
The weather is great. Life is good. For once I feel really happy. My birthday passed last month but something about this year makes me think it'll be a good one. And so far it has. I just cut my hair yesterday and it feels like I let months of stress go. I feel a bit fresher and more clear headed... I was a little sad to see it go. A couple things the past couple weeks:
I've met someone really cool. Hope things go well. I'm just gonna take things easy this time around.
I went to cache creek the morning of my bday weekend and won $200! I felt incredibly lucky.
The next day we went to Santa Rose and Bodega Bay and drove around the back roads of Marin and North bay. Went to this place called Goat's Rock. It is awesome!!! The waves were violently crashing and there was sea foam everywhere. There's a gaping hole in a rock formation away from the shore carved out from the waves crashing into it. The power of nature. We stopped at a fish market and had some clam chowder... pretty good.
The guys from Eskapo have finished recording. Now all I have to do is decide with Jesse with which company to go with to make the 7" records. Anyone of you guys have a good idea? I've been shopping around... Also, Bruce is well on his way to get treated with his tumor. He is 100% confident and so am I. He has beat this so many times and I know he will again. He will undergo radiation treatment that is less invasive and less harmful. No side effects of chemotherapy, which is good, but the same results. 3 or 4 zaps, and he should be rid of it. Way to go Bruce!
Saturday I got a wedding invitation from one of my old homeboys from high school. Congrats to you Dave. Illene is a great girl. I only wish the best for you. 2 down... how many of us are left???
I checked my messages late and got word from Jesse that Dawn's father passed away. It shocked me that he passed away. I'd like to express my heart felt condolences to the Mabalon family. I've never had the honor of meeting him. I do however have the honor of knowing his daughter, Dawn. Just like him, Dawn has excelled in every way possible. She continues the fight and struggle, the legacy of who he is, who the Mabalon's are and more importantly the legacy of his values and teachings. Dawn, if you read this, I just want you to know I'm there for you always. I'm truly sorry for your loss. I pray for your father and your family. You're a strong person and there is no one better to carry on the torch for what your father believed in. I know he's in a better place and that he's looking down at you proudly. Hang in there.
Ernesto Tirona Mabalon, M.D.
August 7, 1924-April 6, 2005
Athlete, World War II Guerilla Soldier, Veteran, Doctor, Farmworker, Husband, Father, Lolo, Uncle, Manong, Grandpa,Activist, Community Leader.
Filipino community leader Mabalon dies at 80
http://www.recordnet.com/daily/news/articles/040805-gn-4.php
It's things like this that make me think about my own family...
I've been spending a lot of time with my grandma. She is still aware and remembers names, but she always forgets what happens within 5 minutes. The thing people don't understand about alzheimer's patients is that you have to have patience. Many times my other family have walked away in frustration because she keeps asking the same questions every 5 minutes. It feels like you're in a never ending loop. But that's the way things are and you have to deal with it. I worry all the time about her and the only thing I can do is be there for her. Talk to her. Tell her how my day went no matter how many times she asks. Ask her how her day is. Talk about anything and everything. My worst fear would be her forgetting who I am.
I remember a year before my grandfather passed away he had a stroke. When this occurs it usually has an effect on the brain, causing the victim to forget almost everything to the point of temporary amnesia. The whole family came to visit him and we were only allowed to visit him two at a time. My aunt walked out the door crying. He couldn't remember her. This made me extremely sad. When myself and my dad's turn came up we walked in and he smiled. He remembered us. He remembered my dad. He remembered my name. Norman, and our last name Pabros. He remembered me, my dad, my mom and his wife, my grandmother. We told him that everyone there is his family. That these were his children and grandchildren. He felt that he knew them, but couldn't recall their names. But remembered us. My dad told me he remembered us because we were always there. Even when he was unconscious. My mom checked on him all the time, while she was on shift. During the day we were there at the hospital. When he came home, we were always there. Till the day he died. And after that we took care of grandma.
Now, it's my grandmother who's in need of care. Physically she is fine. Mentally, she is all there. She just forgets. My way of dealing with things with here is just to talk about the past, notably the good times. And when we do, her eyes light up and she's energetic then ever, like she knows everything. I want to keep it there. I don't want to burden her with the current problems and present family disputes. She shouldn't have to deal with those stressful things at her age. Lolo, I'm watching her...
On a lighter note, I went to the show at Bindlestiff over the weekend. I did sound with Ogie. Kuya Phil was awesome. A madman on the ukelele... he did some awesome covers, I particularly liked his eraserhead cover. He needs to perform more. He's moving to Sac. and somewhat closer to me! I look forward to the ukelele sessions. Paranoids were cool. I haven't seen them since they were the Librarians. Songs were catchy. The real surprise of the night was Stroll Patrol. Featuring Ralph and Jared from Mud, Aris from Rubymar and Mikey from Pidgeon. This super group has a unique island sound with a twist of reggae, and best... ukelele solos!!!! they really rocked it. Parting Glance was beautiful. They are currently looking for a female vocalist. IMHO, they don't need it. But their sound is awesome. I can't wait for the 23rd (See next bulletin). Lastly Golda went on... Soulful and intense as always. I can't wait for their Full Blown Soul Release. The new song sounded really good too.
Until next time...
I've met someone really cool. Hope things go well. I'm just gonna take things easy this time around.
I went to cache creek the morning of my bday weekend and won $200! I felt incredibly lucky.
The next day we went to Santa Rose and Bodega Bay and drove around the back roads of Marin and North bay. Went to this place called Goat's Rock. It is awesome!!! The waves were violently crashing and there was sea foam everywhere. There's a gaping hole in a rock formation away from the shore carved out from the waves crashing into it. The power of nature. We stopped at a fish market and had some clam chowder... pretty good.
The guys from Eskapo have finished recording. Now all I have to do is decide with Jesse with which company to go with to make the 7" records. Anyone of you guys have a good idea? I've been shopping around... Also, Bruce is well on his way to get treated with his tumor. He is 100% confident and so am I. He has beat this so many times and I know he will again. He will undergo radiation treatment that is less invasive and less harmful. No side effects of chemotherapy, which is good, but the same results. 3 or 4 zaps, and he should be rid of it. Way to go Bruce!
Saturday I got a wedding invitation from one of my old homeboys from high school. Congrats to you Dave. Illene is a great girl. I only wish the best for you. 2 down... how many of us are left???
I checked my messages late and got word from Jesse that Dawn's father passed away. It shocked me that he passed away. I'd like to express my heart felt condolences to the Mabalon family. I've never had the honor of meeting him. I do however have the honor of knowing his daughter, Dawn. Just like him, Dawn has excelled in every way possible. She continues the fight and struggle, the legacy of who he is, who the Mabalon's are and more importantly the legacy of his values and teachings. Dawn, if you read this, I just want you to know I'm there for you always. I'm truly sorry for your loss. I pray for your father and your family. You're a strong person and there is no one better to carry on the torch for what your father believed in. I know he's in a better place and that he's looking down at you proudly. Hang in there.
Ernesto Tirona Mabalon, M.D.
August 7, 1924-April 6, 2005
Athlete, World War II Guerilla Soldier, Veteran, Doctor, Farmworker, Husband, Father, Lolo, Uncle, Manong, Grandpa,Activist, Community Leader.
Filipino community leader Mabalon dies at 80
http://www.recordnet.com/daily/news/articles/040805-gn-4.php
It's things like this that make me think about my own family...
I've been spending a lot of time with my grandma. She is still aware and remembers names, but she always forgets what happens within 5 minutes. The thing people don't understand about alzheimer's patients is that you have to have patience. Many times my other family have walked away in frustration because she keeps asking the same questions every 5 minutes. It feels like you're in a never ending loop. But that's the way things are and you have to deal with it. I worry all the time about her and the only thing I can do is be there for her. Talk to her. Tell her how my day went no matter how many times she asks. Ask her how her day is. Talk about anything and everything. My worst fear would be her forgetting who I am.
I remember a year before my grandfather passed away he had a stroke. When this occurs it usually has an effect on the brain, causing the victim to forget almost everything to the point of temporary amnesia. The whole family came to visit him and we were only allowed to visit him two at a time. My aunt walked out the door crying. He couldn't remember her. This made me extremely sad. When myself and my dad's turn came up we walked in and he smiled. He remembered us. He remembered my dad. He remembered my name. Norman, and our last name Pabros. He remembered me, my dad, my mom and his wife, my grandmother. We told him that everyone there is his family. That these were his children and grandchildren. He felt that he knew them, but couldn't recall their names. But remembered us. My dad told me he remembered us because we were always there. Even when he was unconscious. My mom checked on him all the time, while she was on shift. During the day we were there at the hospital. When he came home, we were always there. Till the day he died. And after that we took care of grandma.
Now, it's my grandmother who's in need of care. Physically she is fine. Mentally, she is all there. She just forgets. My way of dealing with things with here is just to talk about the past, notably the good times. And when we do, her eyes light up and she's energetic then ever, like she knows everything. I want to keep it there. I don't want to burden her with the current problems and present family disputes. She shouldn't have to deal with those stressful things at her age. Lolo, I'm watching her...
On a lighter note, I went to the show at Bindlestiff over the weekend. I did sound with Ogie. Kuya Phil was awesome. A madman on the ukelele... he did some awesome covers, I particularly liked his eraserhead cover. He needs to perform more. He's moving to Sac. and somewhat closer to me! I look forward to the ukelele sessions. Paranoids were cool. I haven't seen them since they were the Librarians. Songs were catchy. The real surprise of the night was Stroll Patrol. Featuring Ralph and Jared from Mud, Aris from Rubymar and Mikey from Pidgeon. This super group has a unique island sound with a twist of reggae, and best... ukelele solos!!!! they really rocked it. Parting Glance was beautiful. They are currently looking for a female vocalist. IMHO, they don't need it. But their sound is awesome. I can't wait for the 23rd (See next bulletin). Lastly Golda went on... Soulful and intense as always. I can't wait for their Full Blown Soul Release. The new song sounded really good too.
Until next time...