Writer to Writer: Lamott’s Bird by Bird Review

After reading this book I feel like I just had a long weekend retreat with this woman. The soft and cuddly feeling of being motivated and refreshed has crept into my system again. So much that it would be a shame not to pass this treasure on to the writers that have not yet read this book. So my friends out there in blog land that are aspiring writers: this post is for you. 

I picked up this book in my last couple of semesters for required reading. The first part of the book was all that we had gone through. Be it stress, or simply not getting half the references to old movies in the book,(With humblest confession I am the worst person to bring up movies with ever.) it  just really didn’t click with me. Thankfully I was required to read until she went into her chapter on when you know when a book is done that I started to spark an interest. It seems like my experiences as a playwright are not too far off for novel writing. The feelings of ecstasy in telling your story and the lonely moments to you and your work where you feel complete; this is why I write as well as one of Lamott’s many reasons of being a writer as well.

After all the clamor and fuss of graduating over, it’s been taking sometime to pull myself back into full gear. I needed anything to get myself back into the mindset of creating things again. This book came to mind…

I’m so glad that it did. I plowed through the rest of the book in a little under 4 days. It was intoxicating and honest, I would compare it to a long deep conversation with your inner writer that just won’t shut up. Reading this book you will see the ugliness and the humbling experience of rejection and misunderstand from the outside world. I will warn you that it will scoop and hollow out your very ambitions drawing away the silk curtains and shaping nothing but pure honest desire to write for writing.

Highlights during my read:

Someone to read your drafts: Red flagged and targeted. Lamott  without fail points the characters that you will find in searching for that opinion before you send it out to a publisher. She expresses that there is someone out there that truly cares about the improvement of your work and you will without fail go through finding others that are not interested but read your work for sheer self glorification. She expresses that you should instantly leave such characters and find the ones that can critique in a constructive matter. “…you don’t always have to chop with the sword of truth. You can point with it, too.” (pg156)

Publishing: Ah… At this point at the book I couldn’t help but have a huge smile on my face and nod in agreement. Publishing is a reward, but the feeling is quite different from what is portrayed in the movies. Lamott recalls sitting at home waiting for the flowers to be received at the her doorstep and the floods of phone calls from press and congratulations. Rarely is this ever the case, you will get the praise here and there from a few loved ones, but the writing world is far from glamorous. Playwright’s feel the same way, and the book sighing (in my case opening night) you feel good about the few that do ask about your writing. Because the few that do are honest and you have truly made an impact on them. This is true for first timers and National bestsellers (like this book ).

Writers will never be understood: Simply by being a writer I am branded as a freak. I think this goes for any artist out there. We need that extra silent personal time to create, some of us are still social, and others of us pull a Dickinson and lock ourselves in rooms and choose strange symbolic attire (guilty of all); but at a point you will notice that you are a stance away from normal. And that’s okay, because you have a brain that things and sees as a writer. That observes the world around you in a different light, capturing moments on a page and building worlds from moments. This alone is why you should NEVER let your gift go to waste.

Should you continue to read this book (and I beg you to), you will come out a much more wholesome writer. One that will pursuit writing for the delight of simply writing. Do buy yourself a copy if you can, it’s a keeper!

Happy readings,

-Stef

Art College: Why I did it.

I’ve hit quite the turn. I am officially a Bachelor’s Degree Survivor! I cannot begin to tell you how it feels to finally know that a giant chapter of my life has finally completed. I feel like I’ve gained the level of a professional not only from experience, but because I humbled myself to learn and understand what hundreds have done before me.

My earliest memories of college were my parents driving me to the Art Center College of Design Campus every occasional Sunday to inspire me. I was experimenting in my fine art at this time, being introduced to graphite pencils and charcoal. The view of a campus dedicated to what I loved blew my mind away. I wanted to learn all the secrets and hidden treasure of knowledge there was to this infatuation that took over me.

The road was simple but complicated. It took me a few colleges to figure it out, I changed my major from Industrial Design > Multimedia > Art History > Liberal Arts (Teaching) > Graphic Design. Anyone thats gone to college would see this as nothing new; the challenge was finding a college that TAUGHT Graphic Design! Things were much different as they were now, Graphic Design was still a fairly a new major. I had several counselors tell me there wasn’t even such a major: Pshaw!  There was indeed one! I found this love at the Art Institute.

I took the online program, and it was a match made in heaven. I was home schooled most of high school life and was familiar with cram school. The school was strategy based and focused more on content in the industry rather than running us through the programs. It sounds counter intuitive; but believe me it got me to focus more on the business and design aspect in the classroom with the homework studying programs from a book. I’m an independent learner, so the program gave me the space I needed to focus on my goals.

I’ve lived a colorful fulfilling life while attending school. Being the CEO of a Theatre Non-profit and studying Graphic Design was this zany inspiring harmony. Each seemed to feed on each other, it was almost as if what the classroom couldn’t teach me about business my company did. I can’t say that I don’t miss doing both no matter how crazy my schedule would get.

When I finally had my Graduation Galla it was beyond surreal. I have grown to know the owner of my favorite tea shop of the past few months. She let me host a tea party on the shops after hours. A few weeks before on my birthday she had let me put up my canvas work since the beginning of my college years. Not many  people have the privilege to have a solo art exhibit; let alone in a beautiful place as a tea garden. To tell you the details would not do it justice; it was all my dreams come true in one evening. But I will tell you one thing…

I made an important announcement that night. With the help of my friends; I am establishing my own firm. We decorated the tea house with balloons the colors of RGB, the colors of my firm brand. At the end night Grace had told me it was tradition to release balloons into the sky to represent new beginnings. At midnight we stood outside the shop we released the balloons into the night sky. The sight is seared in my memory and gives me the strength to continue building my business.

I’ve learned that art college for me was more than a piece of paper to better my life. It has been a dream that I’ve carried with me from childhood. The years I was in school were the most challenging not only because of the learning, but the molding of what I am now and the way I understand things. Looking back I can tell anyone that it was no doubt worth the effort and an experience to each their own. I used to believe that college was a big secret waiting to be unraveled; only to find that college unravels the big secret of learning something about myself.

Cheers!

-Stef

GAME ON!: A local exhibit of nostalgia.

Hi everyone!

Hope that you’re enjoying the weather as it cools down. I know that I have. Even though L.A. never really drops too drastically in temperature, Fall does mark alot of changes in the community. More events seem to come within the months of Fall and Winter; as the tourist leave the real L.A. comes out of hiding. Art galleries start to show up, local bands start their tours, and locals simply go out more enjoying the Fall fare.

Nothing says then seasons are changing than an art event. I was thrilled that I was lucky enough to find this event last minute. Last Saturday I went to the exhibit GAME ON! at one of my favorite art galleries GNucleus.

A view of the main event from the upper gallery.

I’ve followed GNucleus since it opened and it has grown immensely. Located in the cozy Main St. of Alhambra, they cater to the pop art culture through understanding what the community likes. I find that this has been the reason for their sucess over the years. There is never a dead season at GNucleus, they are always packed with cool events like art book signings from local artist, two exhibit rooms, and limited edition apparel. It always posses as a great thing to do if on a weekend, and grab some boba down the street when your finished.

Some of the pieces on display.

This exhibit was a compilation of works by Ink Bombers, a group of artist that believe in a modern renaissance with modern mediums. Ink Bombers looks for inspiration in their surroundings, personal background, local style; and bring them to life in forms of Tattoos, Graffiti, Graphic Design, etc. This show in particular was in the theme of vintage Nintendo. Where as most of the pieces focused on Super Mario Bros; I enjoyed the diversity in style and concepts through the gallery. Nothing overpowered the other; and the feeling of local pop cultures were definitely present.

The atmosphere was very laid back and as a viewing audience I felt very welcome. As a person who was raised in the era of 8bit and cartridges, I felt like I was amongst others that shared that bit of childhood of me. For them to amplify it to the level they did through their creations was a beautiful way to appreciate simple nostalgia that come from the path of life.

In the spirit of that welcoming aura, they had a raffle for a tattoo design by Ink Bombers and local jewelrey artist Le Beauty Exorcist. Fuze was sponsoring the event by giving away free bottles of their drinks. To tie in the whole feel, music was provided by two DJs as well as the band Inhale near the end of the evening. Sipping on my Ginseng Green Tea and mingling in  my inner childhood gamer was sheer bliss. An event that was reflective of GNucleus mission.

Is that not one cool Shy Guy?

I encourage you to visit Ink Bombers website as well as GNucleus. If you’re into pop art, or just appreciate cool stuff it’s worth the look.

If you like Gothic Jewelry Le Beauty Exorcist wonderful! Her cameo’s are stunning.

Until next time everyone!
-Stef

The Heart of Pon and Zi: An Afternoon with Jeff Thomas. (via Azure-Lorica.COM)

I loved having Tea with Jeff, Matt, and his mother Judy. I look forward to it again the next time they’re in town!

Please visit Jeff's site for more Pon and Zi Type in your search engine 'Emo Art' and your results will  immediately include two creatures with hollowed out eyes, big heads, and cute catch phrases. Addicting, aren't they? Pon and Zi have been capturing the hearts of thousands since 2004. They are endearing, sweet, and a smile to brighten any gloomy day. But to the creator Jeff Thomas, they are a dream come true. This is his side of the story. Ove … Read More

via Azure-Lorica.COM

Azure Lorica @ The 2011 L.A. Tea Festival (via Azure-Lorica.COM)

My colleagues coverage on the tea festival (more to come)

Earlier this month, Azure Lorica made a visit to the L.A. Tea Festival, held in the Japanese American National Museum. While the Festival was not gigantic as the one being held right outside the museum, the world of tea was readily available through the many focus tastings, free samples and lectures. Tea in America has steadily grown in popularity over the past especially with the boom of, ironically, coffee shops such as Starbucks that offer tea … Read More

via Azure-Lorica.COM

The Origins of Project Italy (Fate Pendulum)

Hi everyone!

Where I’m still waiting on the press photos of the Tea Festival (the reason for the update holdups), I thought it would be best to let you in on the behind the scenes until then. This is about a subject that I hold dear, a journey that has almost been a decade in the works. This is about Eugene and I’s epic: Fate Pendulum. So sit back, it’s story time!

Some concept art I made for Fate Pendulum

As you know from my previous post, we had secured the Pasadena Central Libraries Auditorium to have our reading of the new and improved Project Italy. Project Italy was our first written play to ever be produced on the stage back in 2005. We were still under the for profit company of StarGazerZ and we had the play at the Gene Bua: Acting for Life Theatre before it was bought out to be The Banshee Theatre.

Project Italy Logo 2005

Eugene had experience in college theatre and I had training in the missionary field as a Director/Choreographer, but this was our first independent move from any training into our own. If you would believe me, we didn’t even want to be a theatre company in the first place, this script was written as a fundraiser for us to go to events like Anime Expo with the group. One thing led to another, and we pushed it as far as what it known as the early stages of Azure Lorica Inc. After this production, we were all hook to theatre.It felt like a home that we were missing.

Me (I'm wearing the white sweater) with the Cast of Project Italy 2005

Everything was new to us; Casting, Renting, Contracts, you name it and we were lost most of the time. We were so blessed just to have the right people to guide us and join us on this journey. Some of them we’re still in partnership with until now. I’ll be the first to admit it was probably one of the worst plays that we had ever written, but it was still our first. The response to it was incredible. For a plot in the paranormal thriller setting, it made for a play that was well taken by our audience. We set the thought of ever bringing it back and moved onto other projects.

Packaging Design for Fate Pendulum's:Redemption, The Radio Drama

Project Italy manifested in many forms after that. Eugene and I couldn’t stop writing of the adventures of the prophets of Light and Shadows. Over the years we have created short 1 Act plays, Radio Drama, Poetry, and Novels. Most were left incomplete, fortunately I still have the tenacity to pursue writing the novels in my free time. The years can make you weary, and we really wanted to share this story! So when we had watched the rewriting of Paradise Lost and were blown away by the improvements and the growth of the story, we knew a story that needed the same treatment.The rest is, well, happening!

A poster I designed for Delicate Edge

I am proud to announce that Delicate Edge will be providing us with the soundtrack for the production of Project Italy. They explain their music as ‘a progressive metal band with gothic metal influence.’ I love collaborating with them because their music style is packed with energy and movement.  I’m so excited I can hardly keep it in! We are starting on some character songs to flesh out the story… YES CHARACTER SONGS! Something you do for full Anime and Series Productions… its like a dream come! The band has been really patient with Eugene and I as we’ve been continuing to write the new piece around our duties of keeping the company moving (big thanks!).

Angel has the right idea...

Well, aside from my new class (it’s World Literature, so soothing), and my duties to the company; Eugene and I are just about finished with the script. So many wonderful people are involved with this project, and we’re getting great feedback. I look forward to bringing you more news as we countdown to the final reading Dec 9 2011. Until then please check out Delicate Edge’s website, where you can listen to their single Porcelain Heart for our play Journey Seekers: A Steampunk Adventure.

Until Next Time!
-Stef

August 2011: The Feel Good Film Festival

It was a last minute offer, Azure Lorica was asked to have a booth at the Feel Good Film Festival. I hesitated at first, but after seeing the mission statement, I was ready to go! FGFF is about showcasing  Independent Films that have happy endings, and leave their audience with smiles on their faces. Positive Cinema is something right up my company’s alley.

I had also brought our friends Tamir Films with us. While the Media Committee was busy getting the viral videos done, I was busy preparing the graphics for both Tamir and my company. I also had never gone to a film festival, and I’ll admit I’m not a film buff, so I wasn’t sure what exactly to expect. Another concern was we had committed to the Tea Festival, which was the first of its kind on the SAME WEEKEND! So that meant that we were to travel back and forth, which in heat I wasn’t so excited about.

Our little setup (The Findlings poster looks so pretty up close)

The company had decided to sell our Teas at FGFF. This was because we weren’t exactly a film company, so we thought that the Teas would provide a pleasant conversational piece for the patrons. It would also provide us with a little more funds for the upcoming Findlings playwright contest. We brewed the tea samples nice and iced and made sure to keep everyone cool.

The lovely booth setup for Tamir Films

Tamir had invited a local Vegan dessert artist to sell her cookies and cakes. We were a dynamic partnership! It was a great way to attract attention to his current film project, Silencio; which deals with the problems surrounding bullying. Aside from the food truck Phamish, we were feeding the festival and were so happy to be of service.

I still have yellow on the brain.

The setting was truly unique. I wasn’t expecting something so nice at a location as the back lot of Raleigh Studios. Everything was set in a Yellow Motif to represent positive thoughts, goodness, and happiness. The whole place was also lined with Sunflowers adding a sweet organic space that made the festival something its own. We even had packaged sunflower seeds for the patrons. Ohhh… it was so soothing.

Melina setting to work as our current Journalist.

Where I wasn’t able to watch any of the films since I was manning the booth, I met so many people that I didn’t tire talking to. All the vendors were in support of each other, and everyone was making friends with everyone. PopChips was so awesome feeding us with their endless sample bags, and the New York Film Academy was super friendly to name a few. Everyone was in full support of our company’s beliefs and we made a great deal of connections. I was happy that our volunteers took care of Press, and they got to talk to some of the Film Makers.

Alejandro and Jay ready to watch some films

The atmosphere was charming and very endearing. The staff was absolutely incredible! No one was too great or small and there was plenty of smiles to go around. What I loved the most were that some of the Filmmakers had brought their children and families, and they walked the carpet just as any other would. It was a romance to the arts that everyone shared; the gift of storytelling was a blessing to be shared.

Producer (Eugene) and Director (Me), a lovely partnership.

If your looking for quality films that are out of the norm, please try to make it to next years FGFF. I know I’m looking forward to it, this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Thank you FGFF for being such a great host and having us! See you next year!

-Stef

August 2011: Scripts on the Brain…

My posts have been lacking, but my schedule hasn’t! I’m convinced that Production Season is here! Remember how I mentioned an interview that I had done recently? We’ll I’m proud to announce our newest member Alejandro Bravo as Media Director for Azure Lorica. This means that while I’m busy filling my various roles of the company be it Creative Director, Stage Director, or both! (mostly both) Alejandro takes care of anything regarding film like promotional videos, interviews, and our play documentaries. I welcome it as I am definitely not a film Director and my hearts not really into the art form.

I had asked the Media Committee before I had hired Alejandro, to create viral videos for our campaign for the Findlings Project. I gave them a one week deadline to complete a series of videos for the public to spread word of our playwright contest, and did they prevail! Granted, Eugene and I did help a little. For the most part I was so delighted to see the initiative that the group brought. Through all the crazy trips, recordings, and interviews (Don’t EVER get filmed on 3 hours of sleep!); it all came together. I feel so blessed with the new Media Committee.

The highlight of the set of videos was “Where’s My Airship?”, an idea that was Alejandro’s. Since the play contest involves an Airship, and we wish to encourage imagination, he wanted to show some of the characters that might be possible as the crew. We ended up with this:

Hawkeye (Davis Wyn) and The Captain (Matthew Rayco)

Pretty Neat isn’t it? We had our veteran actor Davis Wyn as well as some new faces. What I loved the most from the video were the teen actors that were involved. I think it really represents the audience that we want for the contest. I loved watching our new Director work, I was so appreciative of his skills in ‘molding’ the characters. I also admired his attention to detail. It was so different from what I do on the stage; theatre has a perfection thats organic and chaotic, where film has a perfection that is symmetrical and conditional. I knew I had found the right guy for the job!

Alejandro hard at work. (He makes it look easy!)

I didn’t stay long because I had an interview with Tamir. We were preparing our companies for the Feel Good Film Festival (Another Post I  assure you) as well as other future endeavors. Besides, I didn’t want to take all of the fun out of the Production; as a CEO I wanted to still have the element of surprise from what my staff had done. So I waited for the Summer  Seasonal Meeting  the week after. There we would have a Press Release party to the public of the video campaign and other Productions in the making.

I was blown away by the response the meeting got, we had a full house. I got to meet an greet with new volunteers as well as spend time with some of Azure Lorica’s supporters. We started with a serious meeting over what will be happening for the rest of the year and our new sponsors (Oh yes we have more!).

Recess to the Summer 2011 Seasonal Meeting (From my Phone)

We took a recess where we got Subway for catering, and after we went straight into the set of videos. The support was superb, and it was received warmly.

Beginning the Video Screening (From my Phone)

It was hard to believe that eight months ago in that very room we had only accepted our fourth Board Member. This company has grown so much in a little over a year.

To think, its only getting better and way faster. I still have plenty to tell you and many things to report that have gone on the past couple of weeks. Which is why I’ve decided to commit myself to this blog daily for the rest of the week until all is covered. The company finally has a little bit of breathing room (sat least from the public eye) until our deadline ends by September 9th. I hope to take advantage of my time to fill you in with all the nitty gritty.

Until tomorrow, please enjoy more photos from the film shoot of ‘Where’s My Airship?’ on our Flickr Account.

See you soon!
-Stef

Full Sail Ahead – Production Begins!

The adrenaline is about more than you can take, the jitters are overwhelming, and the lack of sleep leaves a smile on your face. I’m talking about Pre Production, the beginning of all the magic ahead. Last week we had our first meeting with the Board and Staff of my company. It was mainly about our future endeavor of spreading news about the Findlings Contest.

Azure Lorica's first playwright contest!

The Findlings Project is our first ever contest to the community. We created it in hopes of giving the young writers out there a chance to get their work published. The quirk about this contest is that its set within an Airship, encouraging brainstorming that is new an vibrant in a traditional theatre setting. We were inspired from the alarming response to our play, Journey Seekers: A Steampunk Adventure which had the setting of a haunted train with influences of the Steampunk movement. It was only a matter of time before we went for the theme of an Airship, the aerial motif has followed this company since its early days as Star GazerZ. Having the setting of an Airship for the Findlings project only felt natural, as we expand the horizons of our projects.

Azure Lorica's Media Comitee (left to right: Carlomar Solmiano, Paul Baldemoro, Kyle Niitsuma, and Jennifer Manaog)

We met in Pasadena at this lovely new place called Rootbeer Joe’s, where we discussed ways that the Media Committee and the Paul as Press could get involved. Which led us to the idea of creating more videos for our YouTube Channel.  I’ve been wanting to get the Media Committee running finally. I can’t believe we’re more than half way through the year and we haven’t put them to work. To think, only a year ago there was only Eugene, June, and I… Now we have a full fledged committee! 2011 has been so good to us!

Eugene in 'Producer' Mode

I wasted no time and put out the ad for a Junior Producer/Director in the local theatre/film circle. So far I finished my first interview which was a little surreal for me since I knew exactly what they were going through. I can safely say that it was one of those feelings where the weight of what you’ve been up to sinks in…wow. We’re definitely moving, whether I can keep up or not.

My listing in the Volunteer Club's Page at AIPOD

To make things more awkward, I have moved forward in my career as a Graphic Designer and assumed Art Director on my Project in the Volunteer Club at school. Azure Lorica Inc. has been sponsored so far by Grassroots, a service to 501c3 companies to help them get on their feet. They have been providing us with several free services, including our website. As the year will soon be coming to an end, sadly so will our contract with Grassroots, as we are well rooted finally (thank you Grassroots!) In preparation of this I decided to put together a team to redesign the website. With two productions, I doubt I can brave a graphic project so huge!

Thankfully my school has the Volunteer Club; a club that offers free Graphic/Web Designing for nonprofits in return for real life experience for their portfolios. I went to the eMeeting last Wednesday and requested that Azure Lorica’s site be a project for the Volunteer Club, thankfully it was approved and I am now a Moderator as well as Art Director for this project. This is my first time overseeing a Design Staff. I’m usually doing the graphics all by lonesome, which leaves me frazzled. So for someone like me who aspires to be in a Design Firm, this is a dream come true! I’ll make sure to keep you posted how this all turns out.

Poster for Silencio

While we’re on the subject of Graphic Design, I attended Tamir Films’ Silencio Project Premiere this past Saturday! I’ve been working as their Web Designer for about two months now. This was my first job as a full Web Designer for hire and I completed my first from scratch CSS website ever! This is feet that is groundbreaking for me as I am mainly a self taught in the web design part of my portfolio. I will be doing an interview with Tamir Yardenne, my boss and now dear friend, to cover this film. So please stay tuned!

…Or start writing your One Act Play! I’ll be seeing you shortly.

Lindley Theatre

Until then, my head lies in writing about foreign lands and the memorable smell of warm lights on the freshly painted stage…

-Stef

 

Another busy July week

From the title I’m sure you can guess I was quite busy. I’m still recovering from it, but I think I’ve almost got the hang of it. It never seizes to amaze me how the middle month of a year can get so eventful, its like everything bunches up and gets tangled so you can try to pick which one needs the most attention. Here’s what I did last week:

Jeff and Matt

I started my week off over tea with new found friends! Jeff, the creators of the famous Pon and Zi, as well as his mother(Judy) and his boyfriend (Matt)from England. I had met Jeff after Azure Lorica finished our panel on July 4th. Jeff’s booth is usually swamped with his fans, but  I was so fortunate to that I could actually see his booth without the busy bustling. Chatting briefly with him I felt like we really hit it off. So I did what I felt was best: scheduled an interview over tea.

The minute I stood next to him I felt so short! lol

Turns out Jeff likes tea just as much as I do. It was also nice to meet up in Pasadena since he was leaving to England to apply to college there within the week after we met. The interview was wonderful! I got some insight from Judy on how his talent rose since youth, and I got to see the way his art affects his daily life with Matt. Judy also happens to be a Teacher, so she was really interested with what Azure Lorica does with the community. Our next meet sometime in November when Jeff and Matt return from England and I hope on introducing them to PMX and Designer Con. I’m looking forward to putting up the interview sometime soon. I’m sure that his story will be inspirational to all young aspiring artist and inspire the new generation. I know that the idea of it made him a bit shy, but anything less would be an understatement for this rising talent.

Wacky Wok Fundraiser

After a few days of trying to catch up with school (I just started my Summer Semester, taking Nutrition) I attended Azure Lorica’s August Fundraiser at Wacky Wok. It was really relaxing on a summer weekend and I got to bond with more of our staff and board.

Kyle's Lo Mein Yum!

Some of us took walks around Montrose after we ate while the rest stayed for people that came for interviews to join our Volunteer Program. More than anything, it was so nice to be at an event where we could just be ourselves. The company’s been so busy with the two productions coming up that we hardly hang out and mingle. I barely get to talk to the Senior staff since I’m the one giving the orders and working on the future projects, so my highlight was getting to chat with them and walk about my childhood town. I came home that evening contently tired. Another successful Fundraiser!

Azure Lorica's Booth at the Book Fair

The next morning I woke up a little too early to my liking to venture out to Whittier for the Literacy Guild’s Book Fair. We were promoting our Playwright Contest to the local Community. For fun I had created a new Tea to our collection called Spellbound in honor of the last edition to the Harry Potter saga.

The Literacy Guild's table with published books.

There were three bands that played at the event. One of them was the Random Ninjas, which we will be seeing at PMX this year. They also had a background in AX, much like us. It was nice to share experiences and meet some fellow veterans. Goes to show how interesting things can get when you push your dreams a little further.

One of the 3 bands that performed at the Book Fair

Our last time in town we hardly had time to look around with the huge Farmer’s Market that spans three blocks of the town. Now that it was a easier to maneuver about town I got to see other venues that Azure Lorica could continue our series of growing events. Whittier is a nice family oriented town, and I love how the families are constantly involved with community events. There’s alot of  potential.

After it was all finished, the Board went to grab some Asian Food and we called it an end to a long week. That didn’t mean we got a break. This present week has been swamped with meetings and planning. I’ll get more into that later. Meanwhile I’ve got some Nutrition homework to catch up with…bummer.

Stay cool everyone!
-Stef