How craving attention makes you less creative, by Joseph Gordon-Levitt

I stumbled on Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s TED Talk from 2019 earlier this week, and couldn’t help but feel compelled to share it. “If your creativity is driven by a desire to get attention, you are never going to be creatively fulfilled,” says Joseph Gordon-Levitt, actor, musician and creator of the online creator community HitRECord. In his TED Talk, he speaks about the human desire to get…

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A Day Trip to Joshua Tree and the Perseid Meteor Shower

It’s mid-August and the heat of summer. My love has spent the first half of the year in hardcore study mode and just passed the first half of his exams. A quick weekend getaway trip and celebration was in order. Joshua Tree, you were hot. 🌵 We left before noon to drive out to Desert Palms on Saturday for our 2pm check-in. After a two-or-so hour drive, we stopped by Gabino’s Creperie for their…

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To Mom and the Dad I never knew

Days like today/yesterday always make me think of the Dad I never had and wish I knew — the one friends and relatives would say was the life of the party, was charismatic and creative, a true San Francisco native who served as the fire department’s paramedic, and loved taking photographs and art and collecting books and vinyl records still lining up my childhood home to this day. Family always…

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A Reflection of Thirty and Death to my 20s

“Fail magnificently. You are called to create for a reason, and being the best or perfect isn’t it.” Winter 2023. (Photo: Edward Isais | @edwardisais) Note: I wrote this section on March 2, 2023. It’s officially March, the month of my solar return and birth month as I approach a new decade in my life. And oof, it’s been a lot. How exactly did I get here? I used to be so full of love and…

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Keep What You Love Sacred

Hi y’all, It’s been awhile. And to be quite frank, I feel like I’ve been a complete mess. I’ve learned that there are many seasons in our lives — some good and some bad — and it’s the little things and thoughts and actions from people that make the going through just a bit easier. But it’s safe to say this past year hasn’t been one of the best for me (albeit the little joys and lots of love…

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To the Season of Rest

To the Season of Rest

This season is a time of rest, going inward, and taking account of our year and time and lives. Like most people, I can get caught in the hustle then tell myself to refuse the hustle because #restisresistance, but oftentimes we can fall back into those patterns when life presents itself. I know this time can be emotional for many people (myself included), due to previous years being separated…

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Incubus brings all their hits to their Summer 2022 tour

Incubus brings all their hits to their Summer 2022 tour

The California band brings their signature alt-rock funk psychedelia to Irvine, celebrating all their greatest hits. Last year, the California band celebrated the 20th anniversary of their incredible Morning View album — the album borne in Malibu, California, with its softer ambience, aggression and grooves. Standout songs like “Are You In?”, “Nice To Know You”, “Mexico” and “Wish You Were Here”…

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This is 31

“No regrets, baby, I just think that maybeIt’s natural when things lose their shineSo other things can glowI’ve gotten older now, I knowHow to take care of myselfI found a deeper well” Birthdays can often feel like one big joyous celebration of life, but also an account of where I’ve been, where I am, and where I’m going. I’ve always been grateful for the friends, community, and the new love…

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‘The Iron Claw’ Review: An emotional tale of brothers and wrestling, helmed by Zac Efron's powerful transformation

Minutes into The Iron Claw, I eagerly awaited to see what was to be Zac Efron’s transformation into a professional wrestling sensation. It’s the early 1980s in suburban Texas and Efron’s incredibly buff muscular frame enters the camera. He heaves himself out of bed. He dons a mullet and glistening rock-hard abs. He tells the tale of the burden that his family is cursed. The world of…

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My End of Year Reflection and 2024 Resolution

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Texas Trip: Country Saloons, a Half Marathon and Cowgirl in LA

Texas, you were a dream. Country dance halls and saloons, my first time riding a horse, Tex-Mex eats, the Spurs and the open road… There’s such a charm about Texas and I loved every part of it. (I’m still dreaming about that cowboy lifestyle.) My love and I booked a trip to Texas earlier in the year as we signed up for a half marathon with Run Rock ‘N Roll for their half marathon running…

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A Week in NYC and my First US Open

This past August into September, I made a trip with Alex to New York since my Mom wanted to watch the US Open in New York. We matched up our red-eye flights to meet from LAX and SFO to Dallas, TX and fly an early morning there to LaGuardia in Queens, NY — a full 12-hour flight night. For me, I miss home and my Mom and family all the time. Being alone in Los Angeles for the past six or so years…

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Quirky in Albuquerque: A Solo Trip to the Desert and Incubus

Sometimes being in a place on your own attracts like souls like you — and I’m so grateful. I made a quick 3-day trip out to Albuquerque, New Mexico in late August because, why the hell not? I had some extra time to embrace my free bird, book a flight, and explore someplace new. My good friends in Incubus were performing that Friday night at Rio Rancho Events Center and Michael Einziger was…

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My First Trip to NYC Was a Dream

I finally made it to New York City, and it was a dream. “God, tell us the reasonYouth is wasted on the youngWe’re searching for meaning.Are we all lost stars,Trying to light up the dark?” 💫“Lost Stars” by Keira Knightley & Adam Levine (from ‘Begin Again’) I never give myself trips, time off, or the luxury to spend time and energy to treat myself. I’m lucky I was in company to remind myself of a…

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In Love, I Can Bloom

One of the biggest and most sacred things I’ve found for myself this year, is love. Not for myself, my family, friends, career, life, or purpose, but in and with another person. And the feeling of falling is scary as hell. Heck, I’ve resisted it my whole life. I never thought I needed or wanted it. I was always so focused on myself and my career and dreams and goals. I got attention my whole…

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Rue the Band live at San Diego Filipino Cinema's Magic Hour 2021

Rue plays a gig! 🇵🇭🎵 We hit the road yesterday to play for SD Filipino Cinema’s Magic Hour to open up their festival highlighting Filipino filmmakers for Filipino-American History Month. It was an honor to be a part of this (and even witness Maestro Michael Dadap playing the beautiful Philippine rondalla music I grew up dancing to). From the long drive, an out of tune guitar, a gifted bottle of…

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