A light at the end of the tunnel....Seal

Its been a crazy time lately...for everyone in the world. Sometimes you just need a little bit of hope.

I came across this song yesterday - ill add it to my playlist, or find it online and listen to it out loud, and I mean LOUD!

I will make you feel better, I promise. 

Have a great day!

David

heres some of the lyrics, for your inspiration today!

"Love Divine" By Seal

The the rainstorm came, came over me

And I felt my spirit break

I had lost all of my belief you see

And realized my mistake

But time threw a prayer, to me

and all around me became still

I need love, loves divine

Please forgive now I see that Ive been blind

guve me love, love is what I need to help me know my name

Through the rainstorm came sanctuary

and I felt my spirit fly

I had found all of my reality

I realize what it takes

Simply Sacreligious....but I worship these VANS!

AMEN!

A Prayer For the Good People At VANS!

Dear  good people at VANS- this is a small prayer of thanks that I made for you. Although this is completely sacrilegious to be "giving thanks" for shoes- YOU FREEKEN DESERVE IT!

Dear Designers and Talented people at VANS! I would like to thank you for all your offerings of SWEET ASS kicks this season!

I thank you for your daring use of materials, your edgy use of color and your complete focus on pushing the boundaries of skate shoe style! 

I thank you for keeping true to your brand while awakening a new band of followers.

Can I get an amen? AMEN!

An Ocean Of People & Assumptions.

The balance of life is quite complicated. Everyday you walk by people that you do not know and assume- that their life is- for all intents and purposes, going okay. 

I'm bringing you to a busy sidewalk. Its bustling with people- hundreds of them. They are all walking by you with haste, determination and destination. They are older people, students, children, business men and women. With one very quick glance we observe, assume and file.  The business man is successful because he is well dressed, he more than likely is talking on the phone with a business partner. The children are happy because they are blissfully ignorant to our social issues and concerned mostly about the toys in the shop windows. Then there are the older people- walking slowly, heads up high- just trying to make it through the crowds that speed past them. Then there is you. The hundred and one other person on the street, also walking hastily through your day- but greatly unique and unfortunate. You have the inability to quite all the noise in your head. The bills, the children, the family, the lover and destination. 

You see- that amazing dress and make up, the expensive suite from Armani and the smile you wear are your armour. you wear it well and you project an image to all the other people on the street. You allow them to see what you want them to- and where to file you in their thoughts. But the truth is- as we all know there is so much more to learn about people, besides what we have been taught to perceive them as. Have we forgotten how to communicate- to engage?

With society "micro filing" people on social networks like Facebook and MySpace, we are only able to see what we are allowed to see- what we put out there for people to know. We allow ourselves to be satisfied with a short story if you will, of a persons life. Do we ever attempt to dig deeper or really "be there" when someone is talking to you? 

We are now becoming a nation of Twitter - you can update a world of followers without any contact at all. Slowly we lose our sense of anticipation, substance, and for all intents and purposes- the sidewalk effect. You now will judge on an "update" and an impression. 

I guess I have become a bit sad, though just as participatory, in our engagement in other peoples lives. I have often asked my friends "How often do you - on a sidewalk of two people crossing paths- do you say hello?"  Most of the time people say never. 

If we could not - before- even say hello to strangers on a lonely street, or hold and door and - if being held for you say "Thank You" - what hope  do we have for being a society that cares even for our family, friends and loved ones. You will be surprised how much we "don't know" about even our closest of friends. 

So back to your bustling streets and your busy day. Back to your busy schedule, your kids, your appointments and your meetings. 

Back- Back-Back...to remembering to be present in peoples lives. 

Some things never change

So I was back in South Coast Plaza a couple days ago- it was quite the experience as usual. I usually get a bit of anxiety going there because of my history. 

You see, South Coast Plaza and I were like lovers who were, at one point- deeply in love. A relationship that lasted for over 10 years. We met and became infatuated at very young age, I was 20 and naive and "she"- a bit older than me. She had the sophistication of the New Hampshire blue bloods and a personality that was so refreshing, especially to a wide eyed boy from Guam. I remember all the details like it was yesterday.

She dazzled me with the couture of Versace, Prada and Fendi. She intoxicated me with five dollar cappuccinos and twenty dollar lunch breaks. I was helpless- I had no chance. I was completely infatuated with her life. She was a world that I had never experienced before, at least not in the humble beginnings I came from. I knew then- I was in trouble. 

I worked for five years at the Gap Kids and then four years at Zutopia, a kids division of Wet Seal. I had the best times working in children's clothing- it was never too serious. I always knew that if I left working in kids clothing- I would hate it.  Zutopia eventually was closed by Wet Seal in a hasty decision to save money and the company from bankruptcy. This move prompted a leap of faith into the world of adults and the world of luxury. 

I found my way to Barneys and spent 4 years there, I loved that job. Its such a shame that things ended so poorly- like end of the Clinton presidency. Nobody remembers all the good he brought to the nation. The billion dollar surplus we had,  Hillary, education, and a bustling economy. They just remember Monica- what a shame.

When I look back on that career- I realize I had many chances to get rid of people that were toxic and keep the people that were good. I was very much blind to the back stabbing and plotting that was happening right in front of me. It was a story that Shakespeare would truly appreciate - its funny how, even in a retail store, people can be as drama filled as in some over fluffed Hollywood political movie. Honestly- we are not saving lives here. I knew I should have stayed in Kids clothing!

So back to my visit to the mall. 

Allot of people have changed stores and probably are better for it, others are still the same- no matter where they go. If you think of South Coast as high school, people have graduated and people have moved on- some retained, but they all still go to the same school. They all gossip, they all have their cliques, and all eat in a cafeteria of sorts- in a cast system. If I ever write a book- you will read it and love it. 

But some things never change. 

For the three hours I was there I managed to run into old friends, have lunch with good friends and and yes- even had people whisper and gossip about me. wow. I don't care though- its just funny. What a bubble.

A relationship like I said with an intense "love" that I cannot avoid running into. The kind of love you cant get over, regardless of how hurt you were. My visit was like meeting up again for coffee, reminiscing about good times, but leaving remembering the hurt just as clearly. But all still love.

Today I start my day with a new perspective- and some coffee. I hold a bit of selfishness, but more interest in self preservation, focused on personal passion and true inner balance. A vague strategy but a strong direction. 

OK- enough - time to move forward and prosper!

LOVE in 2009

Well- okay I'm giving into the conversation about our favorite holiday...Valentines Day.

I know...here we go. If you like hearing about stuff like this, you just let out a happy laugh followed by a "Oh David" , but if you don't- you just got up to use the bathroom and are wondering now- what to eat for lunch. Regardless, let us ponder a bit on "love" in 2009!

So when I was a kid all I knew about love was what  Mariah Carey and New Kids on the block told me about. Since then I think a few things have changed like- Its not all about holding hands and the homecoming dance- oh and sometimes boys like boys and people date you just because you have money. The game of dating has evolved into an art of "casting".  Like many actors I know- we date like we are up for a part in a fantastic movie like (for the sake of this blog) - Titanic. 

Who will play Rose and who will play Jack? We put our best foot forward. Grab the head shot we think the casting agents will like (we have many i.e. serious, pretty, athletic, comedic, etc.) and we head to our dates with the mindset of a Casting Agent. Who will you pick? Who will be best for this role?

In the end we eventually realize that all those "head shots" become walls in finding someone who we really will be compatible with. Honestly- we have more than one personality- we are not just a serious  "head shot" or a "funny" head shot. We can be both or more. 

I watched "He's just not that into you" this weekend and although the pic was (alright), it brought up something very important. The way we communicate and categorize people in 2009. 

In an instant you can know more about a person just by reading their Myspace or Facebook profile than by ever meeting them in person. Instead of calling people we choose to email, or text them- all without consequence or emotion in the message. Now, I'm not saying this is all bad- I'm just saying- how- more than ever are we ever really able to connect with people, when we cant even be present in the beginning of getting to know someone?

In my head I wish people still called and left messages. I wish people still wrote letters and sent them in the mail. That way you could see and feel the emotion in the writing. I wish roses weren't considered "cheap"  and lastly I wish people could like the movie "The Notebook". Okay well maybe I'm stretching it on that one- but seriously have you watched it? That is a great example of a love story!

I don't want to dwell on the fact that we continue to move forward and forget some traditions, but I will throw this word of advice out to the world: 

This Valentines Day, reflect on what really matters in your relationship. Weather it be with a loved one, friends, or family. Be conscious of what our world and country is going through with our economy and finances. Let those thoughts help you remember that Love "is not" and has "never been" about what you buy. It was always about the happiness and good that you can bring to another persons life. It is about all the little things, like love notes, walking the dog and even the kiss goodbye in the morning. Being there completely. Comforting when times are tough and celebrating when time are good. 

Love is very simple, so do your best not to make it complicated. 

Once a mall rat...Always a mall rat?

I have been trying to find a new job lately and I must say ...things are very different right now.

I cannot decide if I am not trying hard enough, if my resume is not good enough, or if I should be one of those guys holding a sign on the corner that says " Hire Me". 

I must admit there are allot of things against me; the economy, the number of people being laid off, the number of retailers closing and the fact that I am in Orange County. The luxury resort of shopping..."South Coast Plaza" seems to be a baron dessert. I am reluctantly applying to stores there and feel very hard pressed to even try. I am in no position to be turning down good work- but I guess i don't miss all the mall gossip. 

I spent many years working in the South Coast Plaza, some years were fantastic and some years I wish I could forget. I just cant stand to be one of those "faces" that you see bouncing around from place to place- because that's what I am. I didn't used to be that way. Most of my jobs were 3 to 4 years deep in a career- then I started working in adult clothing. It sure payed allot more- but also came with scheming employees, gossiping co workers and handy dandy knives for back stabbing. Its like gossip girl but...in the mall. But anyways back to my apprehension in being a mall rat again.

I know- who cares right? I really don't anymore, i would just have to fake it. I hate being fake...and I hate even more working in the mall. 

BUT..they are the only ones who can pay my bills so...wish me luck. Here I go again.