PI Trip 2008 Chap 6
Today is the day Dom and Cathy are getting married. If one is superstitious about numbers then Dom and Cathy’s union today is a good omen. All the numbers are lined up correctly. The date is 08/08/08. Dom is 55 and Cathy is 33 and if you add the numbers you’ll have another double digit 88. If you were to subtract Cathy’s age from Dom another double digit number, 22. If this holds true I predict two boys and two girls in the future.
PI Trip 2008 Chap 6
08/08/08—Today is the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics and coincidentally this is Dom and Cathy’s day to plunge into that blissful state of matrimony. This is the reason why the Roses, the Watts, and the Cutners are here in the Philippines and why our relatives and Cathy’s relatives are here in Covey-land-ja to see if it’s true that Dom is actually going to get married.
A funny thing happened last night. I dreamt in the wee hours that I was a participant in some kind of shenanigan perpetrated by the young people, namely: Sam, Riley, Jared, and Marco by the poolside at 1 AM in the morning. It was so vivid I could have sworn I was actually in the midst of it all. Except that when I woke up I realized it was just a dream, because I was in bed.
What’s weird about it was that the entire group of people who are billeted by the pool also dreamt the same dream. We all heard Marco and the rest of them calling my name, Uncle Ely. And in that dream I even saw Riley pick a coconut from the tree and smashed it on the cement floor and we partook on the coconut meat. It was funny cause when I got up the next morning I saw a smashed coconut by the poolside. As I met the occupants of the room around the pool at breakfast they all insinuated of having the same dream. I learned later on from the locals that this place is enchanted and weird things have been known to happen. An example of which I will relate later on
As the days went by, breakfast time became our forum for bonding, of getting to know one another in a more personal level. More so today because there was nothing scheduled except the wedding this afternoon. So we had a leisurely breakfast and lots of conversation.
After breakfast several of our troops walked to the town of Sual, Steve and Charlene, Ken, Marco, Jared, and don’t who else. While other lingered around, Lisa was reading a book by the pool and Flora sunbathing on a bench. Dom was swimming in the ocean. Still others were having a massage. Ann was scheduled for an 8 O’clock massage but Riley took her slot. I had my turn at 11 AM. It’s sort of a down day for everyone and lucky for us this is the first time we actually saw the sun for any length of time. After lunch everyone took time to recharge getting ready for the 4 PM wedding. If yesterday rehearsal was any indication I doubt seriously if it would be on time. Let’s just hope it happens.
Around 3 PM while trying to take a nap I heard Dom by the doorway told Dayo to tell me that I was to give the acceptance speech of Cathy into the Oyzon family. That got me up quickly. I’d like to prepare an outline of what I would like to say at the very least when I am giving a speech. I went to the farthest cabana and when Noel sidled to me I asked him to bring the Generoso brandy and a coke so I could prime my brain cell that’s still in a napping mode.
Most of the people from the States especially the ones who are part of the wedding entourage were at the reception area already milling around. When Lomy and I got into the room the wedding planner handed me a program. Upon glancing at it I noticed our names as primary sponsors (witnesses) two of the 18 or 20 witnesses. Not to be confused from the six or eight secondary sponsors. This was the first time I found out that I would be part of the wedding entourage. Luckily the wedding was running late, an hour late to be exact.
At 5 PM the wedding started with the announcer introducing each and everyone in the entourage by name and title. It’s a Filipino custom to include the college degree if one graduated from college. For example, if someone graduated from Law School he/she would be introduced as Attorney so and so, regardless whether he/she passed the board, same for all professions. Also, once someone had been a mayor, or occupied a prestigious position, the title would be attached to that person forever and ever. I noticed we from the States were not accorded the same honor. They should have introduced Dom and Steve as Landscape Architect or engineers, not merely a Mister. I on the other hand should have been introduced as General Oyzon, U. S. Air Force, retired. General Problem that is.
The groom was the first to be announced and Dom walked or strutted like a peacock to the ceremonial stage. And then very slooowwwly the announcer called every single participant. There were hundred names to be called or more, that’s no exaggeration. There were three little boys just for the ring. All this time poor Dom was standing rigidly and bored waiting. At the very end the announcer called Carina’s name the Maid of Honor and Cathy’s name the bride, and all the people in the reception area turned their heads towards the door waiting for the grand entrance of the bride accompanied by the Maid of Honor. A minute passed, then five, then ten minutes and still no bride to be seen.
By this time the announcer said please take your seat, I don’t know about you but I was thinking somebody changed her mind and was already on a bus in her wedding gown far away from this place. Thankfully the delay was only for some lace or a veil a small part of the wedding garment that was left behind in someone’s car. The wedding ceremony took a long time for many reasons, one contributing factor was the pastor did the ceremony in Tagalog and then he has to translate it in English and there was the endless photo shoots that took forever. There was another surprise for Lomy and me; during the ceremony we were to stand by Dom’s side as Dom’s guardians except no one told us. By the time they served dinner the food was cold.
After the ceremony and speeches and after the dinner there was a break to reconfigure the room for the fun part of the evening, dancing. They also opened the bar for wine and drinks. The real fun did not start until the band Chen hired from La Union performed around 10 PM. The band was great. Somehow mostly the Stateside and few of the Pinoys stayed to enjoy what I considered the most fun part of our entire vacation, this very moment--dancing and singing and all the craziness going on. The Fukushima family came out of their normally reserved demeanor and danced like they were possessed, if you can call jumping up and down dancing. The Roses kept up with the Fukishimas except for Steve who retired before we closed the place. The Cutners were there as well, not to be outperformed. Let’s not forget Pat and Flora who kept up with the young crowd. What can I say to the one and only Clara Ramona who exhibited her Flamenco talent and sensual moves, stumping on the floor and at other times pretending like a bull charging dancers pretending to be Matadors. How about the singing and singers, a few who were bad and out of tune like me, and there were great ones who really could sing? It did not really matter did it? A duet of Marco and Landon belting the lyrics of “I believe I can fly” which induced all of us to believe we could sing, after listening to them. Wasn’t that a great fun filled night?
LATE Follow-up
Since my last entry, one of the most amazing experiences happened. I was asked to do a dance performance at the closing event of the URBAN ZEN Initiative by DONNA KARAN. That’s right! Of DKNY!!! There were 5 of us. Including Jonette. Presented to Donna Karan as a gift from her good friend Gabrielle Roth. Gabrielle is known for her healing through movement called the Five Rhythms. We were wearing costumed made by Donna Karan. After the performance, she kissed me (allof us) on both cheeks!!!
please check out what it was all about
URBAN ZEN Initiative
It was a thrill and an honor to be part of this event.
in addition to that, I bought a new surfboard with what I got paid. WORD!!!
The performance with the Kinesis Project went really great, too. It was called (Gull)ability. It was very modern dancey. More than I usually do. I’m usually around to do fight scenes or acrobatty stuff. Of course that stuff is worked in, but that’s how I roll. It’s always a great creative process working with the Kinesis Project.
Anyway, that was back at the beginning of August. I was performing during the same week as moving. Wile Jonette was in LA workshopping with DIAVALO, I did the move by myself. I could only do it during odd hours of the day between work, rehearsals, softball, sound/music editing for the show, and giving Poi lessons. Needless to say, I was tired. One of the msuic pieces i edited was “Blue Eyes Crying I The Rain” by Willie Nelson mixed in with a clay pot drum and a didjeridoo. It sounds eerily awesome.
Back to softball. At the end of the season, the Tarzan Tribe got down to 1 of the last 6 teams in the league tournament. We had an awesome season clinching the title of Division Champs!!!
At the end of August, I got to perfom with 2nd Species at the Brooklyn Sugar Factory. I did this arm-stilt piece with Malinda and her feather fingers, then battled Daniel off. Then people got PISS DRUNK and flew around and played live music. It was an awesome and inspirational gathering of talents!
Where have I been?
I can’t really answer that myself sometimes. But all of a sudden, I got stuff going on! I have been dancing occasionally with a company called The Kinesis Project. We had a meeting last night to discuss the three shows we have coming up in the next few months. A fourth show is scheduled in November that I won’t be available for :( , because I’ll be going to the Philippines!!! :) Jonette won’t be coming to the Philippines :( , because she got a job dancing at the MET!!! :) Less than an hour after receiving her news yesterday, she had her bike stolen. :(
Other than all that, I’m still teaching Pilates 6 days a week. Saving money for my trip. Playing softball with the Broadway Show League on the Tarzan Tribe. Our last game, I hit 3 for 4 (.500 on the season), 1 rbi, scored 3 times, made 2 outs in the outfield, no errors all in a winning effort in extra innings. I’m riding my bike every day. I’m playing Bass with Beau and Some Friends Of Mine. And my new fun passion SWINGARING It’s so much fun and free! I’m going to buy some climbing chalk today, and Jonette and I ordered grips online. We should have them any day.
ONE LOVE!!!
Naturally Selected
This Friday, October 20th, I will be spinning FIRE at Galapagos Art Space, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, at 8pm. I open the show, and do my thing for about 4 minutes. Come and check me out!!! (btw, when I spin fire, I go by my Burning Man playa name “MaKaKo”. so keep that in mind if you’re looking for my name on the websites.)
Check out:
http://www.galapagosartspace.com
http://www.alchemyperformance.com
waves
Beau took me surfing on monday for my very first time. My first attempt to stand, I got up. I’m so stoked! The next day, I bought a shorty wetsuit. Yesterday, I rode my bike to Mikey"s, where Beau and Coco picked us up to go to Rockaway. There, we met up with Shaneca, Veronica, and Oz. There were a veriety of boards that we all kept trading off. For only my second time out, it was sreally great trying out the different types of boards. I’m hooked. I’m nowhere near calling myself good. But I’m a surfer now. I surf.
I Don’t Know What I Want
Every time I try to pull away,
You always keep me close at bay.
My heart breaks more every day,
And every time I hear you say… I Love You.
(chorus)
You know what I need.
I don’t know what you want.
You don’t know what you need.
I don’t know what I want.
Since I left you at the subway train,
I have been going insane.
Things can never be the same.
I simply can’t escape the pain that… I Love You.
(chorus)
You know what I need.
I don’t know what you want.
You don’t know what you need.
I don’t know what I want.
(bridge)
If you love someone, set them free.
If they return, it’s meant to be.
If not now, then when will it be?
Baby, please return to me. Because… I Love you.
(chorus)
You know what I need.
I don’t know what you want.
You don’t know what you need.
I don’t know what I want.
walkin on water
So… 33 huh?
What’s that supposed to mean. I don’t think I ever had any expectations for myself at 33. Like, “by the time I’m 33, I’ll be ________.”
I was talking to one of my Pilates clients, and I mentioned that if I were to be the messiah, this is my year to do it. Jesus was 33. Then my client said that I should set my sights higher than messiah. I’d probably reach more people, and do much better for the world. So I’m good with “Pilates Instructor” for now.