Friday, December 23, 2011

Brian McKnight is my idol.

Cupid
–112

Ever since "One Last Cry" came out, I thought he was the best male R&B singer ever.
Seeing him live finally (my Christmas/congrats on finishing boards gift to Joanne) further validates that.
As Joanne said to him as we greeted him goodbye, "you're amazing!"
Yes.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

October 18, 2011

1996 (note: she still looked like that in 2011)
My Mom...
young at heart, supportive mother and wife, leader in her community, soldier for God. To say the least.

I'll miss you Mom. You're always in my heart and serve as my inspiration to be the best I can be for myself and others.

Love.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

HOPE

Whip Appeal
–Babyface

I have it. It's what I need. It's what WE all need. It's the first step to acknowledging you can progress.

About 3 weeks ago, my mom was diagnosed with cancer. Stage 4.
Bad things happen in life, whether you feel like it is controllable or not. The bottom line is... it's all in the attitude; how you face it, how you man up to the situation that will carry you through to the light at the end of the tunnel.
We are thankful for all our friends and family who have been there for my mom and my family. Family and friends, one combined unit very crucial and fundamental in maintaining this attitude–hope.


Wednesday, September 7, 2011

I actually read the letter from the president of LMU

Here's an excerpt I find inspirational and one that makes me proud to know I was subconsciously molded around this mission.

"It will embody Jesuit intellectual principles and LMU's mission, which rest on the premise that the best education–the one that sustains you for a lifetime–combines academic, social and spiritual pursuits... provide students with critical thinking skills and a shared lens with which to view, understand and interpret the world in its spiritual, ethical and scholarly essence... will reinforce the values that make an LMU education stand apart from the many colleges and universities with which we compete."

David Burcham, LMU President (2011)

Monday, August 15, 2011

US Open of Surfing 2011 Behind the Scenes

US Open of Surfing, Behind The Scenes from Kepley DePalma on Vimeo.

great clip summarizing the marketing that goes behind a large sporting event

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Get back on track

"Use your heart"
–SWV

...That means a lot of things. A simpler term for this is Balance. For instance, this blog of mine has been neglected. I'm sorry blog, I'm here again to fill your data space.

keyword: uncertainty

So,
I've been tagged as over-analytical by many friends. Am I really, inherently? Or, is it because certain instances/people bring that type of characteristic out of me? Possibly both. relationships, been in many, got out of many. Now if i look at the root of why such happens it looks like miscommunication or rather, communication styles differ therefore leading to ....

Wait, you know what, maybe I am. :p I'm writing, writing, wri... and it's happening.
So what do i do–I get better. I have been. Do it again. Learn more. Thank you past 11 years. I don't want to screw things up if I can help it.

All i ask is one thing, though, and that's give me what i deserve. God knows I give it my all. (maybe too much too soon? eh, better than half assing it and being semihonest with myself. the last time i was semihonest/scared to own up to what i really wanted i ended up with a damn tattoo on my chest lol) And in the end if what i get is not what i expected, it's all good. I always graduate to something unexpectedly amazing.
smiley face.


What else,
it's my summer. the pottery barn internship fell through. Call it what you want–misleading communication, deliberate, blessing in disguise... it's all good. again, graduate to something amazing. I'm working more with DZR and I have time to work on my portfolio and build a personal life. looking forward to success. MFA, bitches.

And so,
I take back this wednesday afternoon. I'm back on track.

Birthday cakes, bruno mars, healthy bantering, ticklemonster, harry potter, sincere apologies, star gazing... at the ceiling, big spoon little spoon, "come here", late but not detrimental, clenching call-outs, hyperhidrosis is okay, eating fest, Harper's Bazaar inspiration, forgetting but forgiven,...

man, relax. let it be.................................. 

see, it's nice isn't it

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Remember that Parlay Bench I designed....

well, it just got me an internship with Pottery Barn. Thanks to God and for my mentors.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Fine, you want more detail...

I've exaggerated the topographic story with an embossing along the qtr/vamp

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

nice jacket


via the sartorialist

China. I love Japan. When do I go back?


1.10.11

My first trip to Asia, nonetheless, using my passport overseas.
Asked if I was excited, I said “Trying to play it cool…” Don’t want to seem too dorky about it. But you know, who cares… right!

So I’m on the plane right now and now I’m feeling the excitement. The anticipation of merely seeing land (Japan) as we approach arrival into Narita airport is peaking. Camera, ready.

Highlights thus far of this 11+ hour flight to Narita:
2 meals were served!! Dude. I’m telling you… simple pleasures.
Oh, and the flight attendants. I have two favorites. Oh me.

Almost everyone… wears a mask. I didn’t know anthrax was still here.

1.12.11

Everyone uses their horn liberally in China. Like, “Hi, I’m driving past you. Don’t switch into my lane. Thanks.”

Everyone on the street, particularly the motorcyclists and pedestrians, is also on a death wish. We’re driving about 45 mph when suddenly a motorcyclist decides to cross the intersection 50ft in front of us. Hello.

I finally got my first taste of a shoe factory. Wenta, our factory rumored to cease vulc ops. I don’t know.
I suppose it’s testament to the industrial designer that’s in me–I was giddy and excited for every sight, sound, and smell in front of me… from molding rubber cupsoles to lasting.
Yeah, I got a ton of pics. What was pretty neat to see was the production of a GEOX vulcanized shoe. (Copped me a defected one muahaha)

1.13.11

Again, simple pleasures–breakfast buffet included every morning! From flied lice to strawberry mousse. Hello.

Went to another factory. This factory produces some ANTA shoes. What’s up KG. Huge runs.  I copped me some rainbow laces that were used on some ANTA vulc shoes. And coincidentally, ANTA is hosting their sales meeting at our hotel.

Boss says to me at lunch, “by the end of this trip you’ll prob miss food back home.” I said probably not, because Chinese food is my favorite kind of food anyway! Rice all day baby.
I’m eating plenty this trip… no cow intestines for me.

I played frogger tonight around the vicinity of our hotel. I was the frog.
Speaking of china’s poor traffic system, aside from the crazy drivers going against traffic and pedestrians crossing a 3 laner at their will, I saw many motorcycle taxis hauling a mother and their toddler aged kid on their lap. Piece it together… motorcycle, no helmet, toddler on lap, fast congested traffic… = not safe. Call me conservative. ?

I decide to go into some men’s fashion stores to see how my Taiwanese classmates were being influenced by murses.  Jk Good styles, very euro. Prices–pretty much to par with Zara and BR. Anyway, the main highlight I wanted to bring up was how Chinese customer service off the bat walking into a store is much more exaggerated in contrast to Americans. Basically, salespeople act like they’re your personal butler (I guess especially if the ratio is 1:1 salesperson to customer at the time). Everywhere I walked a salesperson was 5 feet behind me. Awwkkwaaard (said with a posh gay voice).


1.15.11

Did I mention that they have odd habits here… like hocking loogies (sp?) in public, or cutting someone off is no big deal? My friend was right–Chinatowns are kinda gross and the people can be rude according to western standards, and I see now where it originates. So be it right, the ways of the world.

Back to the road traffic/activity, I swear no matter how long I stay here I’ll never be used to the customs or practices of driving a car or even worse, walking amidst the moving traffic. It’s pretty much… switch lanes when you want, cross the street when you want and people will hopefully stop for you, drive in the opposite direction just because you need a shortcut, etc. Man, I’m surprised I haven’t witnessed an accident yet. (God forbid)

We went to a fabric mart and I found some good pant material. I’ve been looking for nice twill, non-cotton (or at least a blend) fabric to make pants out of. Pants fit for urban biking while tailored to mark san b’s design standards (slim but not skinny, neither low or high rise, and straight­–around a 7” leg opening). The next step is to find a good pattern maker/sewer in SF.

1.17.11

KTV. I’m going to guess it stands for Karaoke TV. Anyway, our man Sam thought it would be great entertainment for me to party it up at KTV… and get me a date for the evening while we’re at it. I thought how novel. When the time actually came though I felt like I was wearing my left shoe on my right foot–it felt awkward despite thinking “how odd could this be?” So we get to the garish karaoke room and I immediately we get served fruit and snacks, and Sam, apparently is greeted by a pretty lady who seems to be the manager (of some type). Well, she was the manager of the ladies who they rent out. I don’t know how else to call it. She kisses my hand as if to wet the whistle then brings in a pair of girls. I played dumb looking at Sam and the lady gesturing “um, so am I supposed to pick one?” LOL Unfortunately, neither looked cute to me and so I shook my head “no.” I felt so bad. But I had to remember that they do this for work and they understand that not every one of them will be picked. So they brought three more. I liked the one in the middle. Even though I picked, it still felt awkward. Like, who am I… the Prince of San Francisco, I get what I want whenever I want?

We immediately start drinking, she’s matching me drink for drink, constantly pouring into my glass. Daamn, she’s good at this. Sam’s pretty drunk so he forces my arms around the girl. I keep em there. As time passes, she’s getting tipsy too (but well behaved). We’re sitting intimately, hands all up on each other. And before you know it, she kisses me on the cheek. I immediately point to my lips. She happily concedes. Then once more… then once more. By the end of the night, I’m trying… ah nm, we end up driving her home. She kisses me goodnight. Bittersweet hahah such a sucker! I swear I had hopes of her diverting from this job and actually falling for the charm (hey, I didn’t say it. She told Sam I was charming.) Wait, she doesn’t speak English.  Dammit.

here are just SOME of my images... there's a story behind each image, but i'm too lazy right now to write the captions.






































LOL Only in China!