Literary products of Miss Maxali's Inspiration/Boredom

To My Fellow Rising STAR....Mike Baker the Bike Maker

2009-05-01T12:50:00.000-07:00

So I know I haven't written in awhile...mainly cuz I've been super busy with the two week run of my solo show, "Identification Please", at The Thick House in SF. But I wanted to take the time to express the joy and appreciation I have for one of my fellow rising stars: Mike Baker the Bike Maker and the rest of the cats from The Honor Roll.

This past weekend while I was kicking it with Mr. Chappelle, Mike was doing his thing in LA. And it reminded me of one of Dave's stories...how when he was doing his thing 10 years ago, he'd be recording his Comedy CD the same place all his musically inclined friends were recording theirs. This was at a time before they all blew up into the big names they are now...names like: Mos Def, Erykah Badu, The Roots, Talib Kweli, Common, etc.

So with great honor and pride...i can say "Oh yea, me and Mike Baker go waaay back...Asian American Studies class at SFSU!"

NOW check out what all the buzz is about on my friend Mike Baker:

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/around_town/the_scene/Bay-Area-Emcees-Make-the-Honor-Roll.html

http://www.vampdnow.com/

http://www.foolsgoldrecs.com/blog/2009/04/29/new-tap10-mix-more-honor-roll-updates/

Mike Baker the Bike Maker - The Chase from Honor Roll on Vimeo.

--
Mike Baker the Bike Maker
http://www.freshselects.net/mikebakersampler
(W)mikebakerthebikemaker.com
(B)mikebakerthebikemaker.blogspot.com/

Embracing 2009!

2009-02-13T16:17:00.000-08:00

So it's a New Year with a NEW Relationship, Home, President & a NEW plethora of artistic endeavors! Yes, it's only February but I'm already piling the food on the plate. Let's start with...

1) Stand-up: I'm booking gigs left & right. Opening for some awesome comics like Joey Guila. Check my next stand-up gigs on my comedy myspace page: www.myspace.com/spiderpig07707

2)My One Woman Show: "Identification, Please" is still under construction as I take another round of Kamau Bell's Solo Performance class. And will be writing it to a full length show. But in the meantime, you can watch a snippet on April 1st @ Counterpulse in SF. Buy tix here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/55157

3) Improv/Sketch Comedy: Was just asked/invited to join both the AATC's (Asian American Theater Company) Sketch Comedy Troupe and the Improv Troupe, Hobofish. Apparently I have to choose one or the other. So although I'm juiced about BOTH opportunities & what this will mean for my comedy...i'm still deciding.

4) Film Acting: Was just cast in another web-series. This one is more of the dramatic genre. And will hopefully be cast in another indie feature this summer/fall...Here's manifesting!

5) VLOGS: Found a new love for editing through my YouTube channel and documenting my journey as an artist/event planner/soul in human form. Check out my latest creation:

Letting Go, Letting God (aka The NEW Nicole Maxali)

2008-12-27T11:36:00.000-08:00

My very first VLOG!!! So excited to share it with you...it's 6 minutes long, but well worth it! Enjoy!

And a major inspiration for the new cut, Miss Lily Allen (I heart her new song "The Fear"):

Next Project: My One Woman Show!

2008-11-19T12:01:00.000-08:00

I'm currently in the process of creating my first One Woman Show. As this is a new endeavor, I'll be honest in saying that I don't know what I'm doing. So I enlisted the services of a Mr. Kamau W. Bell (Kamau has been profiled in The San Francisco Chronicle on three different occasions, including not ironically during Black History Month. The SF Weekly called him, "smart, stylish, and very much in the mold of politically outspoken comedians like Dave Chappelle and Margaret Cho". He currently has his own One Man Show playing at The Climate Theater in SF). He is also the instructor for the Solo Performance class I've decided to take to help in my process of writing my show.

Now, I won't say too much as I do not want to give away any of the surprises, characters or content of my own piece. But I will say, that this is the hardest creative endeavor I've experienced in my whole 10 years of performing. As compared to stand-up comedy, this most certainly took longer to get over my own fears of judgment and condemnation. As the topic of my show is very near and dear to my heart...I had to come to terms that in order for me to expressively shine through this project, I had to tear down the walls that kept me safe and secure from strangers and even worse...fellow comics.

Last night, I was finally able to do that (after three weeks of being in this class). I was able to have fun and finally feel free on stage with my writing and with my piece. I admit there's more work to be done with my writing, my commitment to my characters & my story's arch. But at least the hard part for me is over.

And so this morning (as I slept through my alarm for bootcamp! darn it) I had another one of my crazy dreams. I was inside a house with four friends, we hear this growing sound getting louder and louder. As we look out the window, there's thousands of helicopters flying above us. All in one direction. Like a swarm of thousands! All different colors, shapes, types, sizes...A lot of them very colorful. And so I looked it up when I got into work. And this is what I found...

Helicopter
To see a helicopter in your dream, represents your ambition and achievements. You are in full pursuit of your goals. Alternatively, you may be experiencing a higher level of consciousness, new-found freedom and greater awareness.

Hmmm...Awesome!

Inspired by...Dr. Horrible!

2008-11-08T09:36:00.000-08:00

So my BFF from NYC sent me this viral video...with acute bronchitis & 3 hours of "resting" time before I head out to the closing night of my own Musical (Love in the Time of Breast Cancer)...it was exactly what I needed. Thank, Em!

It's 45 minutes, but SOOOO worth your time:

A shout out to.... Masajiro Sahb

2008-11-07T16:29:00.000-08:00

Thank you for allowing me to Shine!
Thank you for giving me the space to be "ME"
Thank you for being "You"
Thank you for knowing that they way to my heart was always through my stomach
Thank you for making me smile
Thank you for the passion
Thank you for the support
Thank you for listening
Thank you for putting up with my mood swings
Thank you for volunteering your time
Thank you for the muscle
Thank you for the love
Thank you for dun dun dun dun dun dun duuuuun!

It's Official....and inspiring...

2008-11-07T16:15:00.000-08:00

America has elected it's first Hawaiian born/Black-American President...Barack Obama!

The feelings of hope and inspiration overwhelmed me as I sat on my couch that evening, thanking God for all the people that came out to vote that day. Showing the masses that Love does overcome Fear, that Hope does overcome Terror & that Change does overcome Stagnation & Decay!

As someone said:

"Rosa sat so that Martin could walk...
Martin walked so that Obama could run...
Obama is running so we all can fly!"

With that said, "YES WE CAN!!!"

Oh and on another INSPIRATIONAL note, another thing became official that week... which I feel is equally blog worthy...I officially got to open for Dave Chappelle at the SF Punchline!!!! As some of you know, I landed a 5 minute guest spot for him this past June. But last week I got a whole 10 minute opening spot...meaning it was just me and Dave on stage that night.

Dave is a really stand-up guy. I wrote more on the subject on my Myspace Comedy Page (www.myspace.com/spiderpig07707). But here's one of the pics we took that week:

I'm a PRODUCER..."I produce dreams, baby!"

2008-11-07T15:57:00.000-08:00

So it has been a very long and bumpy road to the opening night of the musical "Love in the Time of Breast Cancer". Exactly a year ago, Maggie Suarez & I had this brilliant idea of doing a musical written by women, directed by women, acted by women...that would inspire women.

Little did we know the drama filled road ahead of us! From day one we experienced drama with past cast mates, to fighting for funding, to finding the perfect team of talented/committed artists, to finding a venue, to personal life drama...there were plenty of times we both wanted to say "forget it". But we didn't! We stuck through it all...And reminded each other, "Just wait until opening night!"

And that night finally came! Last night was our OPENING night. And as the cast came out for curtain call and the crowd came to their feet with applause and jubilation, all Maggie and I could do was laugh! From sheer exhaustion and appreciation that the long road to that moment was over!!! We finally accomplished what we set out to do. And it was beautiful.

This morning I found an article online about our little musical that could...in Asian Week. There were many times in my life that I've been proud of my accomplishments, but this moment is one of the few that makes me SUPER proud of what I can accomplish with just faith, support (from my team/community) & my dope ass hustlin' skills!

Read the article here:

Not the Usual Song and Dance: New musical raises breast cancer awareness in the APA community

SAN FRANCISCO — October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, has come and gone, but everyone must continue to shine a spotlight on the disease to overcome it, especially Asian Americans. While the incidence of breast cancer among APAs is generally lower than among most other ethnic groups, recent studies have shown that they are also rising the fastest.

Breast cancer awareness is the goal of the new original musical, Love in the Time of Breast Cancer, presented by Pinays Maintaining Sisterhood Through Art in conjunction with the South of Market Health Center, playing through Nov. 8 at the Off Market Theater in San Francisco.

Written by Gayle Romasanta and directed by Fides Enriquez, the production is both funny and inspiring, and meant to encourage every woman to be the “author of her own story.”

The show follows the story of a breast cancer survivor and her journey to live life to the fullest in the aftermath of the devastating disease. It is filled with music and movement pieces, complete with dancers costumed in chemotherapy outfits along with both normal and cancer cells.

Nicole M. Villanueva, the show’s co-producer, emphasized its relevance to Asian American women.

“This musical is especially important because of the rising rates of Asian American women diagnosed with breast cancer today,” she says.

According to the American Cancer Society, cancer is the leading cause of death in the Asian American community, and in fact breast cancer is the number one cause of cancer mortality among Filipino American women.

“That is why 90 percent of our cast and crew is in fact Filipino American,” Villanueva said. “From our lead actress, our writer, our composer and our director, down to our light operator and box office volunteer, we are a group of talented Filipino American artists giving our time and talent to such a worthwhile cause.”

The music was composed by Brandon Bigelow with musical performances by Esperanza Catubig, Roberto Divina, Giovannie Espiritu, Michael Dorado and Stephanie Sampang.

Pinays Maintaining Sisterhood Through Art aims to inspire women to have the courage to break through belief patterns and societal conditioning that has traditionally left them unable to realize their full potential. The group uses creative productions in hopes of changing the biases against Filipina American women and creating an avenue for open dialogue among Filipinas.

Love in the Time of Breast Cancer, Nov. 7-8, 8 p.m. (special matinee performance Nov. 8 at
2 p.m.), Off Market Theater, 965 Mission St., San Francisco. Tickets are $20 ($15 for seniors/students) at Brownpapertickets.com.

Life Lessons, Breakin' Boxes & Producing Art!

2008-09-16T11:55:00.000-07:00

So on this journey of self-love and personal growth...I've learned some key lessons:

1) Question the current beliefs and patterns I currently own...if they no longer suit me or are ingrained with fear, let them go! Especially ones that were inherited by my parents, society, peers & religion. This rings especially true since I've started producing the musical, "Love in the Time of Breast Cancer" (Original & NEW!) and since I've opened myself to the possibility of love again.

2) It's no one's business but your own! Whether it's your health, love life, family, work, etc. You can ask a million people their opinions but ultimately, the only one that matters is yours! Validation is a slippery slope...and with the age of Myspace/Facebook/Friendster (who the hell Friendster's anymore?), people are in search of constant validation. I've been guilty of this in several instances...but yet again, as Russel Peters noted to me last month: "Just do you!"

3) In conjunction with that...don't let people tell you what you can and CAN'T do! Since I've started stand-up, people will easily chime in about what I should and shouldn't be doing with my comedic career. And as I appreciate the advice, I'm not JUST a stand-up comic...I'm a producer, an actress, a writer, a director...an ARTIST. So if I feel that my focus right now should be on the art form of producing a musical...then that's where my focus is going to be. I think it's hard for others to understand that artists can be multi-faceted and organized. And for what I want to accomplish in this lifetime...that brings me to my next life lesson:

4) I'm where I'm supposed to be!

Listening to: "Feelin' Good" by Michael Buble

Birds flying high
You know how I feel
Sun in the sky
You know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by
You know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good, I'm feeling good

Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don't you know
Butterflies all havin' fun you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when the day is done
And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me, for me

Stars when you shine
You know how I feel
Scent of the pine
You know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine
And I know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me

And I'm feeling good
I'm feeling good
I feel so good

Get Cha Mail Order Slaves! (Sponsored by Lombardi Sports & Google Ads)

2008-06-25T15:20:00.001-07:00

There are three incidents of mail order brides being killed in the US over the past decade.

In September 2003, 26-year-old Ukrainian engineer and mail-order bride Alla Barney bled to death on the floor of her car after her American husband Lester Barney, 58, slashed her throat in front of the couple's four-year-old son, Daniel. Lester fled with Daniel from the scene in the parking lot of the boy's daycare center, but after an Amber Alert was triggered, he turned Daniel over to a friend and was himself taken into custody by police. Alla had been granted a restraining order against Lester a few months before and had been given temporary custody of Daniel.

Susanna Blackwell met her husband through an international marriage broker called Asian Encounters and left the Philippines to settle with him in Washington state in 1994. The husband, Timothy Blackwell, physically abused Susanna, including one incident in which he choked her the day after their wedding. Susanna reported the abuse to the police and obtained a protection order against him. While awaiting divorce/annulment proceedings in a Seattle courtroom many months later, Susanna and two of her friends were shot dead. Blackwell was convicted of murdering all three women.

Anastasia King, a young woman from Kyrgyzstan, was found strangled to death and buried in a shallow grave in Washington state in December 2000. At the age of 18, Anastasia had received an email from a 38-year-old Seattle man, Indle King, from a mail order bride website. He flew to her country and they were married soon after. Two years later, after considerable strife, Indle wanted another bride. He was allegedly unwilling to pay for a divorce so he ordered a tenant in their Washington home to kill Anastasia. Weighing nearly 300 pounds, her husband pinned Anastasia down while the tenant strangled her with a necktie. Both were convicted of murder. King's previous wife, whom he had also met through an IMB, had a domestic violence protection order issued against him and left him because he was abusive.

Maxali Manifests Dreams...with the help of Dave Chappelle!

2008-06-25T15:00:00.000-07:00

So one of my dreams came true last week: I landed not just one BUT three guest spots at the SF Punchline for comedic genius, Dave Chappelle!

It was an AMAZING experience. And I do feel blessed to have been asked by the man himself! And even more blessed to be able to talk and hang with him during the shows. He said a lot of things I needed to hear so early on in my comedic career. One being that "starting in stand-up is the hardest thing a person can do" And to "just have fun up there". I learned a lot last week!

"I took a risk with Nicole, not having seen her set before...But she did good."
- Dave Chappelle 6/11/08 @ The SF Punchline

Thanks for taking that risk on me, Dave! And Thanks DH (Dave's Homie) for vouching for me and my peeps that week!

Green Graffiti

2008-06-25T14:59:00.000-07:00

Only in San Francisco! This is dope:

Read more here:
http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/06/18/reverse-graffiti-san-francisco/

Interview with Miss Maxali: Growing up Filipina-American

2008-04-28T16:12:00.000-07:00

This is an interview for a New Langton Arts project...

Q. Where do you come from?

NM: I was born and raised in San Francisco. It’s very rare to find a third generation Filipino – both my parents were born here, and my grandparents immigrated from the Philippines. On my dad’s side, my grandfather was about thirty, my grandma came much later. They met after he came over – he went back to the Philippines to bring home a wife. And so he brought her back. She was in her mid-twenties, and he’s twenty years older by that time. That was very common. With the first wave of Filipinos that came here, the majority of them was men. And then they all needed wives, and of course it was against the law to marry outside of your race here in America, so they all had to go back and bring back wives.

Q. And so was there a dramatic preponderance of women in the Philippines at the time?

NM: No, it wasn’t so dramatic – now it’s even more - the majority of the Philippines, their economy is based on overseas workers, so you have a lot of women just staying home, or a lot of women without husbands, who are working overseas as well.

On my mom’s side, my grandfather came when he was in his teens, and then met my grandmother here in the US. The way my parents met – it was funny. My parents met because my uncle was in a band. He had started a jazz funk band at City College, and so my mom went to one of their parties, and met my dad there because he was playing in the band.

Q. Your family’s been in San Francisco for three generations – how do you think that makes you different, in a city where people tend to move around a lot?

NM: I don’t know - it’s different for me because, although I’m Filipino American, growing up, it just was normal for me to be Filipino, where I lived. Cause where I lived was the border of Daly City and San Francisco. So I never really saw myself as San Franciscan, other than, ‘oh yeah, we root for the Giants and the 49ers.’

It was more like, ‘ok I live here, my family’s here,’ and with Daly City bordering San Francisco, there were Filipinos everywhere! So it wasn’t so weird to have a Filipino best friend, and I didn’t see myself as so outside of the norm being raised in San Francisco – it was just normal to me, being around so many different cultures, and so many different foods, different cultural events and influences.

And as I was growing up, my mom remarried, to a jazz artist, and every weekend we’d go to a different museum, and they had me so entrenched in culture – in the city and Oakland – going to jazz festivals every summer, and listening to Sade… So it wasn’t so much the sense of a traditional Filipino upbringing.

And lots of my friends, whose parents immigrated from the Philippines, aren’t used to that – aren’t used to being exposed to that kind of upbringing. My childhood was a lot different – but it wasn’t until college that I realized that I am different!

I think – a lot of Filipino friends – their kids are going to be experiencing what I was experiencing. Growing up in America with American born parents.

Q. Was there ever a point when you felt like you just didn’t want that kind of cultural experience, that your parents were shaping for you?

NM: Yeah - yes! I hate jazz now. (Laughs) No - I don’t hate it, but I’ll hear it and – it doesn’t sound like anything to me at this point. You get to a point when you’re a kid when you just want to play!

They’d take me to wine and cheese parties, and film festivals – and that’s what made me who I am now. As a kid I had a wild imagination, because they’d take me to museums, and I wouldn’t be looking at the art and appreciating it, I’d be looking at the art and playing with it, in my mind, creating these wild stories. Just creating these scenes in my head and playing with my imaginary friends instead of talking with the adults who are just walking around. I’d be eating all the strawberries in the bowl, and not even caring.

Q. Would you say that that’s what you’re doing now?

NM: It’s definitely shaped me into who I am today: loving improv…And writing, performing as an artist on the stage.

Q. The history of Bindlestiff Studio?

NM: I can’t give the exact story – I know that Lorna Chui, Alan Manalo, Dino Ignacio would be great points of reference for that, but I know that twenty years ago, Bindlestiff was created not as a Filipino American theatre, but just as a theatre on sixth street and Lorna Chui was involved with it. And the woman who owned it, she basically didn’t want to be part of it any more, or was moving, and so Lorna Chuey decided to take over. And when Lorna took over, then a bunch of Filipinos who were in the arts at that time, wanted to help, and I think that was the group called Tongue in a Mood, with Alan Manalo and Kevin Camia, Mark Marking. And so I think they created the first and only – Filipino Theatre in the nation.

Q. How has Bindlestiff made your life different?

NM: It has definitely been a safe space to create and allow myself to play in various art forms: writing/directing/acting/stand-up comedy. As an actress of Filipina descent, you can't really go to a theater like ACT and say "I'd like to write, direct and star in my own piece". Bindlestiff gives you that freedom and allows that inner artist to emerge without fear.

Q: And so the Filipino community really came together around this event in the arts – do you think that support is typical of Filipinos in San Francisco.

NM: I think especially with art, this generation of Filipinos see that need. And it is within our community – my uncle started the first Filipino American collegiate organization – it was in the 60’s, and he saw that need – that there needed to be some kind of community involvement in the college campus.

His name is Patrick Salaver. In the sixties, during the student strikes, he started PACE, which stands for the Pilipino American Collegiate Endeavor. And PACE, as well as La Raza, and the Black Student Union, came together and started the strikes for ethnic studies in the College Campuses. And that’s why San Francisco is the first college campus to have ethnic studies integrated into the curricula. And that’s the reason why I chose State to go to college.

He wasn’t only my uncle, because you get that Filipino mentality like ‘yeah, that guy’s my uncle!’ It happens, in our community, that people will say, a friend of a friend of a friend is their "uncle". But Patrick Salaver really is my uncle!

I would spend every summer with him and his family, because my mom was a single working mother. And so he really was my second father, in a sense. But then finding out, in high school, that he did all that stuff and he’s my uncle! That was pretty cool.

Q. The role of art in SF Filipino scene?

NM: It’s hard to say as a whole – I see it emerging more and more with future generations, but our culture in the Philippines is saturated in art. So it's funny to see it here. Because although we did have artists in the SF art scene since the 60's, it wasn't normal to see that.

Even today, It’s not "normal" for Fil. and Fil. Am’s to be artists. I think it’s not typically supported within the family structure. Because a majority of the parents are first-generation or second generation, and so they really want their children to focus on making money, and send it over to the Philippines, or making money, and supporting their families, whereas people outside of Filipino culture, it’s like you can do whatever you want, after you leave the nest, and you can be a starving artist. Whereas with Filipinos, it’s like, you have to continue to help your family, you have to continue to make us proud... so be a nurse or be a mailman.

Q: How far outside the nest can this generation get?

NM: I think it is ingrained in our culture to stay home and stay connected with family because family is so huge for Filipinos. And we’re still within that generation in which it’s not supported to leave, so I think it’s still gonna be that way until, possibly our children, maybe.

I know with my parents, I was really supported in the arts, because my mother is a dancer and my father is a musician and a painter. So for them it was, "whatever makes you happy". With my father he was always like, "yes, do whatever makes you happy, screw everyone else". To this day, my parents come to my performances, sit in the front row and laugh their asses off...as I talk about them in my jokes! Now, that's support!

Cuz when you shine, you Glow-In-The-Dark!

2008-04-21T17:07:00.000-07:00

This weekend was AMAZING! Never mind that I was partially sober all weekend, making it partially remembered...

Kanye's Glow in the Dark concert was off the hook. Never mind that Kanye's ego took up 3/4 of the stage so that the rest of the acts only had 20 inches of stage to perform on. And that we were seated to the very left of the stage giving us a great close up of nothing.

But it was still worth it...seeing Lupe and NERD perform...can't wait for NERD to drop their next album. Love how they don't conform in any box and make their music to reflect their style and not what people "want".

Also got the nifty Kanye book...which i'll get into more later. For now, check out the pre-video of Kanye's "Flashing Lights"...also what I like to call: What happens when men don't treat ladies right:

I miss IMPROV!

2007-11-28T10:27:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite forms of acting has got to be Improv...Why do I enjoy it so much? Cuz it's when you don't let your mind take over and you just go with the flow of things and let the first impulse that pops outta your imagination lead you to a scene.

This past year, I've been blessed to be apart of an Improv Troupe founded by Playback Theater Champ, Jason Agar! Jason is a down ass dude that has a huge heart and a free spirit (and on certain days resembles a freindly elf like creature).

This time last year I signed up for a Playback Theater Workshop, not knowing what was in store. But after a couple of weeks of rehearsing (or "playing" as we like to call it) we got on stage and performed as Pinoy Playback Theater. It was the most fun I've ever had on stage (acting wise). And now I really miss it. I miss giving back to an audience in an artform so freeing & so positive!

Not that stand-up isn't giving back to a crowd of strangers, but stand-up is more about my opinions/views on the world or the stories I have. Playback is almost the opposite of that.

For those still confused, here's a brief definition of Playback Theater:

"Playback Theatre is created through a unique collaboration between performers and audience. Someone tells a story or moment from their life, chooses actors to play the different roles, then watches as their story is immediately recreated and given artistic shape and coherence.

Playback Theatre creates a ritual space where any story - however ordinary, extraordinary, hidden or difficult - might be told, and immediately made into theatre. And where each person's uniqueness is honoured and affirmed while at the same time building and strengthening our connections to each other as a community of people. "

August 2007: I-Hotel Pinoy Playback Performance for Kearny Street Workshop's APAture. Fluid Sculpture in motion.

Boot Camp, Sobriety & Gettin My Grown Woman On!

2007-11-28T10:10:00.001-08:00

Current mood: awake

So as 2007 comes to a close, so is the era of temporary pleasures and drunken dreams. For the past 3 years, I've been wanting to get my shit straight. I know what your thinking, "But Miss Maxali, I though you shit was already straight!". Well as compared to crack addicts and serial killers…yes it is. But as compared to what I will eventually manifest for my life, no it's not. I finally realize that if I want to accomplish all the things I say I will (Make movies, win my Oscar, Get paid for creating art)…I've got to make room in my life. I've got to give up old patterns that don't suit me anymore and "get my grown woman on". How, you say?

• With over a dozen attempts to cut down on drinking in the past 3 years, I've finally did it. It's been two whole months since my last alcoholic beverage. I won't say that it's NOT tempting when I go out or go to dinner with friends…but it's much easier now that my focus is back. And I know it's a choice every time that temptation is there…it's a choice every time I go out or every time it's around me. It's even made me rethink the party scene. As depressing as it is…bars/clubs are just not fun with out alcohol. Which shouldn't be the case…but after 13 years of binge drinking my way through the bump of the bass, flashy décor & the "peacocks"…I've finally realized that clubs will never be the same fun as before I started drinking. BOO!

• So in that respect, I've also cut down on my "party party dancing dancing" time. And stepped up my "write some shit" or "read some good shit" time. Which is fine with me. But it is ironic since most of my good friends who weren't really into parties are all of a sudden into the party scene & want me to partake. But my response is usually "Why can't we just hang out & kick it some place that's NOT a club?"

• After a year of sitting on my ass and making up excuses why I just don't have time to exercise, I signed up for Boot Camp. The typical question I get asked when I mention Boot Camp is "You joined the army?" or "What's Boot Camp?" To clarify, I DID NOT (Nor will I ever) join the armed forces…f*ck that! Boot Camp is an exercise program a friend suggested when I said I needed to lose my muffin top. And yes, after a year of NOT working out…Miss Maxali is an owner of a gluttonous muffin top. Yikes! So after 4 days a week, for 4 weeks of Boot Camp & eating healthy…don't be surprised if you see me bringing back cut off shirts, L.A. Gear kicks and headbands.

• Then there's my Spiritual Health…which I would say 85% of the population don't feel the need to keep up. But for me…even growing up as a kid, I knew the importance of it. So as an adult I see the even greater importance of keeping it up, just as you would with any other aspect of yourself. And don't get it twisted, I don't mean man made Religion. I'm talking about a personal relationship with God, Goddess, The Universe, Great Creator, Jesus, Brahman, etc (whatever you wanna call it). So I'm reading books like The Artist's Way, The Secret, The Power of Now. And going back to church & fellowship (And although I don't believe 100% of what Christianity preaches, I'm mostly there for the community & worship aspect of it).

• Self-Love: It's taken me 27 years to finally realize how important loving yourself is. I'm not talking about waking up in the morning and kissing your biceps and thinking "damn, I look f*ckin good!" No, I'm talking about looking at who you are as a person, a spirit in human form, a piece of the universal collective & thinking "with all the shit I've done, mistakes I've made…I really love myself". And not looking for that love in empty places. Not looking for that love in other people, hoping they can validate your worth. Cuz ultimately, no one can love you like you love yourself.

All in all…it feels good to finally WANT to take care of my body & myself. To not only have dreams and goals, but to have the focus & control to drop all the unnecessary shit and go for it!

New Found Love For....The Single Life!

2007-09-25T12:18:00.001-07:00

Yes, my fellow bloggers/Maxali inquisitors: I AM SINGLE & loving it!

Maybe it's 1/2 my hormones (ahhh, PMS...the ultimate Love/Hate relationship) or 1/2 my relization that personal growth sometimes requires the time alone...the time to be with yourself to reflect on who you really are...deep down inside when no one is looking. Not the person that other people think you are or the person society wants you to be...BUT YOU!

So on the road to finding & re-defining myself...I felt the need to be alone...to explore, to prioritize and to just have fun without having to answer to anyone but myself...

And that ladies & gents is my new found love for...the single life! YEEEEE!

A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity...

2007-09-25T11:59:00.000-07:00

Q: Why haven't you written any blogs in such a long time, Miss Maxali?

NM: Well, I'm glad you asked...For the past month, beginning on September 4th...I've been rediscovering my creativity. Taking time out to write daily, my private thoughts/fears/aspirations/manifestations/opinions/ideas/foolishness/venting sessions/art

Q: HOW have you been "rediscovering" your creativity?

NM: Well, through my own spirituality and by reading "The Artists Way" by Julia Cameron.

Q: What's the "Artists Way"?

NM: Not to shamelessly plug the book...but more to give you an insight on how you too can rediscover those lost dreams. Or unleash your own creativity...

"The Artist's Way is the seminal book on the subject of creativity. An international bestseller, millions of readers have found it to be an invaluable guide to living the artist's life. Still as vital today-or perhaps even more so-than it was when it was first published one decade ago, it is a powerfully provocative and inspiring work. In a new introduction to the book, Julia Cameron reflects upon the impact of The Artist's Way and describes the work she has done during the last decade and the new insights into the creative process that she has gained. Updated and expanded, this anniversary edition reframes The Artist's Way for a new century."

Yes, so for a month now, I've dedicated myself to this 12 week program...or a 12 week process to allowing myself to create on a higher level.

NM: Here's a cheesey testimonial for ya'll...Just within one month of starting this process, I've been able to manifest:

1) A kick-ass IMPROV performance at this year's APATure: Pinoy Playback Theater

2) Produce my first Short Film: Simila-Shun Directed by Jeannie Barroga

3) Book my first Stand-Up Comedy Show: Bacio Cafe in San Mateo on October 4th

4) Write everyday!

Now with just one month into this process...just think what I can manifest in 12 weeks? I think the world will never be the same.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge."

- Albert Einstein

Philippines in a CONCHshell...

2007-08-08T01:34:00.000-07:00

Philippines in a Conchshell...
Current mood: grateful

Before leaving for the Philippines, my friends and roomies warned me about the poverty, the corruption, the lack of "simple pleasures". So I was prepared for no running water, no indoor/outdoor plumbing, mosquito attacks and as my mother calls "roughin it".

My cousin Sherelle wrote about her P.I. experience as giving her more appreciation of having what most Filipinos lack:

"man, so, if you ever want to believe that your life sucks, go to the philippines, shower in the dark, flush your toilet with a bucket of water, sleep in a hut made of bamboo. try making less than $3.00 and day and feed your children. sleep on bed frames with a woven guitar strings as a mattress, try walking on a dirt floor inside your home, wash all your clothes by hand, try only being able to afford shampoo and conditioner in individual sample packs, because a whole bottle is too expensive. and pray that you don't get sick because if you do, your idea of good medical treatment will be a six hour boat ride away, and you may not be able to afford that."

But as for me, Coming back from my motherland (Dipolog, Mindanao, Philippines)...I have more of an appreciation for my grandparents. Each one of them had dreams in their eyes of a better life, worked their asses off, went through the worst of racism, raised their kids in America and ultimately acheived that dream.

My Mother's Father, Canuto Salaver, came from the poorest of the poor. But because he was so intent on making a better life, he snuck his way onto a boat (yes, in this day of age...he would be considered an illegal alien) and without knowing anyone in America, made his way to California. Not only did he find work, but he also hussled his way into an American High School just to learn English. After that he made a name for himself here in San Francisco and owned the Very FIRST Filipino restuarant at the International Hotel, Called Mabuhay Gardens.

My Father's Mother, Encar Go, also dreamed for a better life. She came from a small province in Eastern Samar. She also didn't have an education past high school. But at the age of 23, she met & married my Grandpa, Marmerto Villanueva, because "he worked for the Navy & had his greencard". To most Americans, something like that is looked down on...but if you have nothing, you'll do something to make it happen. And back in the 50's, women didn't have choices like they do now (like working overseas as a nurse).

Don't get me wrong, like my cousin I do appreciate my American Life. But what I appreciate more after my trip to the Philippines are my ancestors, my grandparents and my culture. Cuz while I'm an American girl (YES, I still can't speak or understand Visayan) I still have my Filipino culture and traditions intact.

It feels good to not only know my family history...but to be proud of it too. Growing up, I knew about my grandparents struggles...but I wasn't as proud as I am today of what hard times they overcame just to give me what I have today.

Hot Lunch Comedy Show: Recap

2007-07-07T11:02:00.000-07:00

insert witty and insightful recap here

07-Seven-07: Givin it up to RISE up

2007-07-07T10:42:00.000-07:00

I've been drinking since I was 17. And binge drinking since college. Meaning 6 drinks a night, once a week, for 6 years now. My liver must be in some fucked up shape!

Last night was (hopefully) the last night I drink more then 6 drinks in a 4 hour time period...You know, you just get to a point when getting sloppy drunk is just STupiD! Everyone says it's having fun, but I miss those days when dancing at a club was fun enough. And when I didn't need those 4 shots to loosen me up and dance the night away...

So i've decided to stop Binge Drinking...and to maybe stop drinking all together...i say maybe because, everyday is filled with choices. And I have to consciously make the choice to NOT drink or to drink in moderation daily for the rest of my life. I've decided to choose art over alcohol. Good conversation over drunk dialing. Meaningful relationships over...well, that's a whole other blog right there. But the point, If I plan to manifest my dreams, I need to stop fuckin around and start focusing. Focusing on the future and hone in on my skills as an artist, creator, truth teller, and a contributor to this place we call home.

SIDE NOTE: it's the only day in this lifetime that will be 07-07-07...the only thing cooler then this will be: 08/08/08! :)

I'm Back Bitches!

2007-06-18T10:02:00.000-07:00

After my 5 month rehab from online crack, I've decided to make the jump back into Spy-Space, MySpy, or in my words...the "please come validate my life" space.

With the completion of my first stand up set this Friday...and my fear of failure slowly releasing from my consciousness, I feel it's time. Plus doing it on 7/07/07 just feels cool!

YUP, Four more days until my first stand-up comedy show...am I ready? To be honest, no...but I know myself, and I work well under pressure. I have faith in myself and my writing skillz...and if things don't go perfect then at least I have already accepted my suckyness and can fail gracefully without fear.

"Because with failure follows GREATNESS" -Brass Knuckle Boobies

Ahh, and just for kicks...here's the bio I "wrote" for my stand up comedy set:

During the great Cybertronian War, Nicole Maxali was a young girl who "borrowed" a book and read it in the school attic where she was drawn into the mythical land of Fantasia, which desperately needed a hero to save it from destruction, But only the 'Old One' could teach her the secrets of the masters. In a life filled with exotically-accented swordsmen, big-hearted giants, genius kidnappers, Rodents of Unusual Size, the Dread Pirate Roberts, secret caves, an old lighthouse, The lost map, treacherous traps, and Sloth this comic has learned that: "Heroes know that things must happen when it is time for them to happen. A quest may not simply be abandoned; unicorns may go unrescued for a long time, but not forever. And a happy ending cannot come in the middle of the story." WORD!

And the pic accompanying my bio:

A New Found Love for....printed hoodies

2007-05-30T12:56:00.000-07:00

IS that Miss Hilton?! don't break your teeth in jail, parhissss!
I love pink!

So lately, I've been addicted to graphic hoodies...especially ones that are cleverly designed. Where do I get all these goodies? And more urban gear?

Well, Click on this link...and you can get 20% off bags, shirts, shoes, jeans, hoodies (as seen above):

http://www.karmaloop.com/index.asp?rcode=NA13028

When it asks for a REP Code, enter this in the box: NA13028

Keep on Shinin'

2007-05-21T14:12:00.000-07:00

"Let your light so shine before man, that they may see your good works & glorigy your father in heaven"

Matthew 5:16

AND The most amazing quote on the subject of shining (as I first heard from the movie, Akeelah & the Bee and was also spoken by Nelson Mandela @ his 1994 Inaugural Speech):

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you NOT to be?

You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the World.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our own Light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

-Marianne Williamson

A New Found Love for...Watercolors

2007-05-21T13:58:00.000-07:00

Female Artist: Stina Persson (http://www.stinapersson.com/)

Stina Persson has lived, studied and worked in Tokyo, New York, Florence and Lund, Sweden, where she was born. She says her illustration style is basically about "finding the right balance between the edgy and the elegant the raw and the beautiful." To achieve this, she uses ink, watercolor and gouache, as well as Mexican cut paper (used at ceremonies and festivals).

I love her use of watercolors. Brings a very modern feel to this art form. Growing up, as a daughter of an artist...my father was always forcing me to take up painting. Although my hands could never pick it up, my heart always kept room for the medium! I also love the way she paints her "girls" ...their sooo sexy, very elegant and portrayed like Lions: STRONG & Fierce!

Web Surfing Credit goes to: http://www.flygirls.typepad.com/