Merry Christmas, Bitches! And you thought I would forget my Annual Holiday Jam? It's just in a different format. Fret not, I will still be sending it via email, just not with all of the pretty pictures you are accustomed to. You'll have to check out this here web site for all the purty! Alright, let's get to it!
2005 started out with great expectations that were soon met. I finally got that loan I had applied for and was able to open my own joint. It was a ghetto Japanese theme and I named it Miso Fanki. Which means "funky soup" in Japanese. But, say it out loud. That's it. You've got it! I know...I'm soooo clever. We had great sushi like the "Compton Roll". A blend of chicken, waffles, rice and maple syrup. And the finest malt liquor and sake list around! Our motto: Don't hate the praya, hate the game! Yes, I realize substituting the "r" for the "l" in that word is racist and stereotypical, but I'm Asian and consider myself part African, so it's all good! That's Gwen Stefani up there in the picture with some of my bartending staff at our grand opening!
What? Don't believe me? Then you've caught on to my subtle attempts at humor. And by subtle, I mean bashing you over the head with it. And if you did believe me, then you stooooopid! Settle down, here's the real deal that's realer than "Real Deal" Holyfield!
January found me at the same bar doing the whole bartending thing. It's 5 blocks from the crib, so it's convenient. Plus, the money is nice and I work with a good crew. Although, walking those 5 blocks home can be troublesome due to the fact that I know everyone in every bar and often get dragged in kicking and screaming to put a few back. Well, Daddy does like the sauce! Still, it's nice to be in a steady gig for such a length of time. I also started helping out downstairs at the Moroccan lounge, Kemia Bar, again. This time just on the management side. Doing a couple of days a week. Though recently I had to give it up due to shows, vacations, other projects, etc. All good though!
As you remember from last year's letter, I started writing a lot more and performing with Home Groan Sketch Comedy. We did shows in March, May and just finished one in November. While we need to work more on organization, there's no questioning our talent and ability to bring the funny! I have really reveled in the writing part of it. Sure, the performing is fun too, but to write something and then have people do it. That's something. We even recently performed at an audition for a new HBO comedy show and did quite well! Hey...ya never know. I will certainly keep you posted on that!
To further make myself write more and to indulge your requests to hear more of me....at least I think they were requests.....I started this here web site back in late July. I vowed to write a daily missive. I have only missed a few days! 99% of the time being funny in some way. Most often, I succeeded. Other times not. As always, hard to tell real feelings when reading something and hard to not take serious if you don't know how freakin sarcastic I am! Just laugh. Or I'll cut ya. All the writers I have spoken to gave me the same advice. You wanna write? Write every day. Of course, I got that same advice from a porn star. She said, " You wanna...", well, I'm sure you get the picture. If you are ever in need of a laugh, just come here once a day and check it out. And if you have time, dig through the archives and you could find some extra funny!
'05 was the year that I promised myself that I would finally start traveling more. Hard to believe, but I rarely take vacations. How stupid is that? I would only get away on occasion to see my baby sis in New Jersey for a couple of days. Not very far, but still quite refreshing. Then, in April, a friend was performing down in my home town of Jacksonville, Florida for a spell. Her boyfriend is one of my best friends, so we planned on going down there around the same time. I figured it would be good to go see Moms, old friends and then I could show them around my city! Plus, I rarely go back there. That is why I plan on going at least once a year now. 5 days away! I got back, reinvigorated and ready to plan my next trip. 
Which came in July. I attended the mecca of all comic book conventions. The San Diego Comic-Con. My friend, Joe, and I went for about 6 days. We hit L.A. for a couple and I got to see more of it and some old friends. We got to San Diego and it was a freakin blast! I have several friends in the comic book biz and it was cool to see them in their element. If ya want the whole story, you'll have to ask me for it! After that trip, I was really jonesing to go to another place. 
And in November, I did just that! If you are loyal blog readers, then you know about the Thanksgiving in Seattle I spent with my friend, Christina, and her family. Pictures and the story are all in the blog, so check it! I really liked Seattle and could see myself living there some day.
All of these vacations kind of got me thinking of moving out west. I'm not sure when, and if it would be any time soon. I loved Seattle, dig San Diego, not so much about L.A. and am gonna try to visit friends in San Francisco in the new year. Perhaps I could just jaunt around those cities for some years until settling on one or back here in NYC. I moved to NYC back in '94 for acting. I was lucky and worked a lot in the field. I'm not really doing that any more. I've fallen in love with writing and think that is what I want to do. Sure, I still want to act, but it's not as important. I know, I know.... next year I'll want to be an astronaut. Shut it! Seriously, I love the words. You know that's true if you even barely know me. I'm sure my biography will be titled, "Always Loquacious, Never Laconic." I'm not sure how I want to pursue the writing career. Screenplays seemed like the obvious choice. I had always written plays in college and over the years. However, a while back, one of my best friends, John, suggested comic books. He is one of the top artists in the biz right now. I thought about it and it made sense. A comic book is like a play or screenplay. Very similar. There is one story in particular that I want to tell and I believe I will write the graphic novel version of it soon. What's the story? The greatest story in the world. How I found my sister. Look for it. One day, you'll read it.
As for sis, Marsha was recently promoted to a Nuclear Medicine Technician at her hospital and doing quite well. Smart, funny and beautiful as ever. She still lives with her boyfriend in New Jersey and they just got engaged on Christmas! Sweet! She too, is thinking of a move as well. She mentioned Hawaii as being high on her list. If that's the case, I'm going with her! Kowabunga! Bring on the hula girls!
I was sort of despondent for various reasons back in August. Looking for something new, my curiousity made me join the online fan group for the short lived western space opera, FIREFLY.
My friend told me to check it out on DVD. Which I did and loved it! They made a movie, 
SERENITY, based on the series that sort of came and went in the theaters this year. A great flick. Out on DVD now! Get it! I was trepidatious, cuz I know how them Trekkies....uh...Trekkers...uh...Dorkies can be about stuff like this. I went to a few events and found out they were normal folks who enjoy some good sci-fi among other things. Sure, some are more passionate than others...and by passionate, I mean crazy....but I have made some good friends out of it and have had some fun in the process! I may or may not stick with it, but at least I know there are people out there I can be nerdy with and not be judged!
I'm sure you're all interested in the female situation. As usual, nothing serious. Hey, I may shock you one year with a photo of me and my new wife. It could happen! I was briefly in a "relationship" with a professional dancer. And I'm not talking American Ballet Theater or Alvin Ailey. Yeah, one of those. I don't wanna hear it! Throughout the year, there were dates and hanging out with girls here and there. I've certainly had a few crushes, but nothing serious. Of course, they are all probably in love with me and I am just too stupid to notice it. I wouldn't blame them. I'd do me.
Not a bad year over all. The last few months have been great. With the vacation in Seattle, the show, the successful HBO audition, a girl or 2, my birthday bash complete with belly dancing and debauchery and lots of love and fun times. Then, like a Joss Whedon script, all that goodness gets interrupted by a swift kick in the nethers. A gut punch. Reality.
My grandfather, Papa, passed away the week before Christmas. While not as close to him as I was to my grandmother, it still saddened me. I have fond memories of Papa. He helped raise me. There was some estrangement with him over the years, but never out of any ill will. I am so conflicted with my thoughts as I don't think I am grieving properly. I am doing my best to remember good times, but I am not as upset as I think I should be. Which I guess makes some sort of weird sense. Papa was always in the background and didn't speak up much. Only when necessary. He would not want people stopping their lives or lamenting too long. Still, I do feel anguish and heart break.
That being said, Christmas sort of came and went. It is my favorite time of year, but it had a dark shadow looming over it this time. I remained cheerful and did my best to "chin up" and be properly festive. I think I succeeded! I'm looking forward to New Year's Eve as it's my first one off in years. Going out with a group of friends and we will be ringing it in all night. Probably get back home some time in February. Hey, I may be getting older, but I can still party!
I love my peoples. And that is you all. I'm not the easiest to love, but just know that I gots mad love for you and mean well. If ya don't believe me, then kiss it! I still have a great family of friends. Although, I have become a bit reclusive with all of my writing and embracing of the dark side. But, they good peoples and we hang and party and chill and love. Do the same. Ya might like it.
Have the Happiest of Holidays all over! Drink one for me in the new year. I'll be having several for you.
Still GHETTO after all these years,
Jimmy Aquino
Quite a year you had, baby. I know 2006 will bring you much success and happiness! Just wait and see!
Posted by: holly | January 06, 2006 at 11:52 AM