It has taken me much effort and plenty of prayer

Guess where the lord has taken me?

LOVE OASIS - Music Video Filming Today

We shot with a wonderful actress/friend by the name of Melissa Santos today. She played (the lead) Southern Comfort in the Han Sum movie. This music video is part of the Han Sum movie in an indirect way. It is loosley based on the moments when Southern left Han. We shot at a few locations (ALL in San Pedro). Here is a little snapshot of the music video.



I wrote the song a while back and felt that it was appropriate to make it part of the Han Sum movie promotions (for next year). I should be done editing the piece in a few days.

Going Up Mount Baldy - No Water - No Food - No Body Around

It was a great way to start Thanksgiving! I got to Mount Baldy at 8:00am. I made it to the top at 10:30am. There was nobody around. I did a total of 7 miles (all by my lonesome)... i did not bring any food or water (for the extra challenge). The elevation is 10,064 feet.



First stop... the Devil's Backbone. It wasn't as scary as i thought it would be... but it could be deadly (if careless). I heard and read a few things about the place... so i had great anticipation.



If you look closely at the picture... the trail is fairly narrow and both sides are drops. So a slip or a trip or jump can be fatal. I can't believe i tried hiking this area with my three boys earlier this year.



When i did finally make it to the top i screamed at the top of my lungs, "Happy Turkey Day Everyone!"

Of course there was nobody around. That is when i decided to take a snapshot of myself.



After that photograph... i was hungry, kind of thirsty and my legs hurt. So i jogged my self back down (of course at a very slow pace).

Picked up Alesha, put on my suit and spent the rest of Thanksgiving with my mom, Lola and Scott (eating lots of food and playing poker). Left around 8:00pm and spent the rest of the evening with Alesha's family.

I am officially the "Department Chair of Multi-Media"

I accepted the position today. It feels like yesterday when i first stepped into a classroom. Now i am taking on a new responsibility.

I began teaching at the college level in the Summer of 2001. It took approximately 5 years to get to this level. Of course i will still be teaching (but not as much).

When i started... i videotaped all the major projects (just as i still do now --- if you are one of my students, you know this). In my first year, i won a National Telly Award for my endeavours. Below you can see a clip from the documentary i produced entitled "Sui-Generis". It focuses on the importance of inspiration and creativity in the classroom. Even though i won a National Telly Award for this piece in 2002... IT BEGAN AS A CLASSROOM EXPERIMENT.

REVOLVER SPIN - My Latest Project

PenguinMonkeyScribblePad.com just finished the script "REVOLVER SPIN". For those who do not know of PenguinMonkeyScribblePad.com (that is Alesha and i). Currently we have a very good looking cast. Check them out.



Thanks to Mike Schmidt (www.mqschmidt.com) we were able to lock in our location from a very generous business man by the name of Mr. Smith. We now have our warehouse! Man it is exciting to be part of a creative process (especially when you have passionate brilliant people on board).

Mike has been so supportive through the weeks with the Han Sum promotion and even this latest film.

Adam Glasser called me up yesterday to discuss his character's motivation (which shows how dedicated he is). He is also a very busy entrepreneur... so for him to take the time to be part of a 5 minute short is a blessing. I just like Adam a lot... i love his look... i like his charisma... i love him as the lead actor (i just do). I wrote the part especially for him. So if there are any investors out there... Alesha and i have a feature that would star Adam (it is a psychological thriller).

Erin Lear (grand daughter of the Lear Jet Inventor) stated that she is my girl when i last spoke with her 3 days ago. She is not only hot... she does a mean russian accent. www.erinlear.com

Nautica Thorne (which is a dream to have in this piece) is also excited to be part of this. I am probably even more excited to have her in this piece though. Not only because she plays my girlfriend... but i think she is very photogenic and she too has aspiration to be a writer.

Carlo Monido Jr. stated that whatever piece i was doing... that he would be there for me. He believes that it is just a matter of time before one of my movies gets picked-up. How can you not like a guy who pumps you up like that. He's also a good looking Filipino dude... and i feel very comfortable with him (he does not play my boyfriend though).

Jennifer Hodel... my swimming buddy (though i have never swam with her) is always game to be in anything i produce. She will be in one of my upcoming music videos and she is the only person i feel comfortable shooting a certain scene with (she doesn't even know what the scene entails).

Scott McDaniel... my mom's husband who really just loves being in my movies and is a natural. I think he's found a new hobby in acting.

Gary Halsten... this man is priceless... dedicated to perfection... the first person i locked in (even before the movie was conceived). He always touches base with me and is a very versatile actor.

Will Faeber... this man is amazing... he is not only extremely supportive, giving but brilliant (musician, writer, director and i just love his look). I love the way he carries himself... he's confident, cool and says he can play a russian (i completely believe him - no questions asked). VOTE 10 on his music video on the IFC
http://medialab.ifc.com/film_detail.jsp?film_id=2855


And of course my significant other ALESHA NOICE... though we have fought over the script (and our other scripts and our feature script for 2007) for many hours... she is the only one who understands these visions i get. She is the only one... who can take a conception of mine and finesse it with eloquence.


One more thing... we still need the lead love interest playing against Adam... we need "the wife" character. We also need some underground tough looking russian roulette competitors. So if you are out there... contact me ASAP. We are shooting November 19th.

Before Dia De Los Muertos

El Dia de Los Muertos

Alesha and i went to the famous pueblo "Olvera Street". We participated with the Day of the Dead and ate a wonderful dinner. It was great!!!

My Grandama's 74th Birthday

I decided to take my grandmother out to eat for her 74th birthday (yesterday). We went to a Chinese Buffet where they had endless amounts of crab. It was delicious!

The streets were crowded in LA due to all the Halloween parties. Jojo dropped off footage for (my daughter) Araya's case.

I then took my grandma to Bicycle Club (a local casino). I gave her some money to play for her birthday. I decided to play for a while. Alesha gave me good luck... i went home with a whopping $10.

My grandmother also met an old friend there... who offered her a part time job (just so she could have something to do).

Everything was perfect... except the kids were not with me. Alesha and i dressed up (last minute). It was cute

Department Chair Position REJECTED!!!

I really wanted this position. I had three days of dilberation and decided that not accepting the position would be much more beneficial to me. I am very sorry ITT.

DEPARTMENT CHAIR of MULTI-MEDIA OFFERING!!!!!

I was offered the Department Chair of Multi-Media Position today. I couldn't accept it unfortunately. I really wanted it. I mean i really wanted it.

My 1st 10K Run of the Year - Santa Monica 10000

Follow this link to see my time.

I have a photo of me and the first place winner (hand in hand).

http://claveriafitness.blogspot.com/2006/10/santa-monica-10k-first-place-and-me.html

2nd Place... and it's 3:10 in the morning

Luckily i don't work 2-morrow. I played another free poker tournament. It had 314 players and i came in 2nd place. Wow!!! Two free tournaments... and i did fairly well.

Too bad this wasn't a real high stake poker tournament.

Free Midnight Poker Tournament

I won!!!!!!!!! 7th place out of 69 people. It was a free tournament and i went home with a whopping total of $5.

McLuhan, Rhetoric and Poker

Registered to play a free poker tournament at 10:00pm tonight since i am off tommorrow. While waiting... i found this:

Games...can provide many varieties of satisfaction. Here we are looking at their role as media of communication in society as a whole. Thus, poker is a game that has often been cited as the expression of all the complex attitudes and unspoken values of a competitive society. It calls for shrewdness, aggression, trickery, and unflattering appraisals of character. It is said women cannot play poker well because it stimulates their curiosity, and curiosity is fatal in poker. Poker is intensely individualist, allowing no place for kindness and consideration, but only for the greatest good for the greatest number -- the number one. It is in this perspective that it is easy to see why war has been called the sport of kings.

Marshall McLuhan, Understanding Media, p. 240

Asian Lead Loved by American Culture

Finally finished the Final Cut of Han Sum. I am going to start sending it off to film festivals 2-morrow. I have been able to bring it down to 74 minutes. Last night was the first time i really enjoyed the movie. It is great to be part of a film that is by no means main stream... especially where the Asian Lead "Han Sum" is admired by American culture.

Check out my new Han Sum Movie Blog... i have an interesting side note about the movie. Just click on my Profile... and follow the link to the Han Sum Blog.

Sweet Goodness God - the MUSIC VIDEO

Check out this music video i was in.

My good friend (Project Greenlight Finaliast) Jojo B. Aguilar produced, wrote and directed this piece.

Enjoy!!!

http://medialab.ifc.com/film_detail.jsp?film_id=2873

Best Mockumentary 2006 at the New York Indie Film Fest

Not a tremendous big deal... but a great way to start the month of October.

"a Study in the Orientation of Han Sum" has received 'BEST MOCKUMENTARY" at the New York Independent Film Festival 2006.

http://www.nyfilmvideo.com/2006/laseptember06/awards/laawardssep2006.htm

This is actually awesome for a work in progress!!!!!

It's only been a month folks... it's only been a month!

Running @ March Air Force Base

Woke up and ran 4.5 miles around the Air Force Base.

Alesha and i are back at March Air Force Base. Sunday is still a work day for us. It was one thing i have in common with her. She is very focused! We are doing all the neccesary paper work for Montana Independent Film Festival right now. We aren't making any money at this point with our business but we have plenty of passion.

It is great to get a few days off from teaching. But there are so many papers to grade. A professor at the school left... and they asked me to take his place. I am not sure how all this will go.

My mom and her husband loved the Han Sum movie. They thought it was great! I think the premiere turned out wonderful. They want a copy so they can bring it to Chicago this week to show my aunts and uncles.

Today is Sunday and i have ran a total of 20 miles. Running allows me not only to stay in shape, stay focused... but really concentrate when i write. I am currently writing my latest script. With DEVILS and BABY SNATCHERS in my life... i have plenty of inspiration.

5 Courses I teach at ITT this Semester

Interactive Communication Design

English Composition I

English Composition II

Ethics

English Composition II

Teaching at the College Level Going to the Next Level

I am back for week 4 of the new semester at ITT. It has been very enjoyable. I especially love teaching "Ethics". Though i am very comfortable and proficient in multi-media. Regardless... i love teaching... and i heard some really good news from the dean... but i better not jinx it.

Last Day @ March Air Base

This has been a wonderful getaway. I've ran every day approximately 4 miles each day. I've also been working on editing the Han Sum movie. I've cut about 22 minutes from the film. It was such a hard task. I had so much feedback from different places... it was hard to be "completely" objective. I figured i would stay to true to my original vision. I hope it does well. I will be sending it off to festivals in October.

Alesha and i also have been viewing the film entries for "MOCKFEST" and "Montana Independent Film Festival". All the films have been very good. It will be very difficult to put together the line-up. Lucky we have 6 months to go.

March Air Force Base

Unbelievable... we are currently staying at the March Air Force Base Inns for only $21.50 a night. The ammenities are great! It's safe and a great getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. Alesha and i decided to take a small vacation to refresh our minds from the CAST CUT of the Han Sum movie. The premiere was a very interesting experience!

Our next venture...

We will be co-directors of the "Montana Independent Film Festival" & "MOCKFEST".

We are currently accepting entries.

IFC Media Lab Shorts Uploaded Air Times

Unbelievable... it has only been the first month of the Han Sum
festival run and it has been fun and exciting. September has
been kind. The New York International Independent Film Festival,
Beverly Hills Fine Art Theatre Cast Premiere and now the
IFC Media Lab.

I am not even finished with the movie. I am actually going to
cut about 20 minutes off the piece. I think the movie will do
even better at festivals. So i will not send Han Sum off
until October.

The "First Final Cut of the Movie is Called the CAST CUT".
This will be seen on September 22, 2006 @ 9:00pm.

Back to the IFC Media Lab... MAKE SURE YOU ALL WATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are the air dates on the IFC:

Monday, October 2 @ 8:30 pm
Wednesday, October 4 @ 7:45am
Sunday, October 8 @ 8:05am
Monday, October 9 @ 7:10 am

Birthday of the Girl that Inspired Me to Write Han Sum

Today is the birthday of a girl that i dated (for only three months) by the name of Christa Mae Beck. Overall she was a waste of my time except for the fact that she is the mother of my daughter.

The Han Sum movie is based on our relationship.

Today is the first time it played in public at the Laemmle Theatre in Fairfax. The quality looked horrible because they stated that they needed a VHS copy... so i brought one... it looked like crap.

The screening gave me ideas on how to improve the movie though. This Friday will be the premiere.

The premiere will be on the same day as my daughter's birthday.

OKay everyone... i was WRONG. This version is not the final version. I have started re-cutting the Han Sum movie and i have chopped off at least 15 minutes of the film. The running time is 1:34:29. I will show this version for the Premiere (for the cast) but i will have to trim.

Checking Out The Films at New York Indie

The caliber of films that i've seen at the New York Indie Film Fest here in Los Angeles have not been the greatest. Jojo and i have spent hours watching many shorts and excerpts from different features.

The Han Sum movie will play Sunday at 6:00pm. Not sure what to expect.

Opening Night- New York Indie Fest.

I appreciate everyone who came to support the opening night gala. Melissa Santos, Claudia Perea, Scott McDaniel and Jennifer Hodel. I also appreciate my English Composition I class for going on the field trip also.

It turned out like expected. Jojo came along and it was great just to hang out with him. I passed out fliers and put them in the urinals.

www.grclaveria.com

I just purchased the www.grclaveria.com domain name. It is currently directed to this blog site. My plan is to showcase my academic and professional portfolio. It will also be used to inspire my future students.

New Business Venture

Alesha and i have been working on a new business venture that combines creativity, film and entrepreneurship. I just got a letter that we are close to making our business venture legal. We have the web-site up. Of course no one knows about it yet. Soon enough!

Boogie Boarding High Five - Running with Blinders

Ran 4 miles around South Pasadena.

Got together with Jojo to work on new script. We also went boogie boarding in Marina Del Ray (that was part of our meeting). We caught waves and were able to ride the same wave and give each other high fives (while riding on the wave). You heard it... high fives plural... three to be exact.

I also called Alabama DHR (again) pertaining to my daughter (left a message). Again no response. Libby stopped writing. I knew she was up to no good.

We are premiering our movie this week. I should be nervous... but i am not. I have much to prepare. I always run with blinders on (it's the only way).

Run (Rose Bowl) - Hike (Mt. Hollywood) - Poker (Hollywood Poker)

3.5 miles around and about the Rose Bowl. Got back... played On-Line Hold 'Em (started with $10) and ended with $50.

Decided to hike up Mount Hollywood... jogged back down 2.5 miles.

Attempted to work on new script... played again... won another $10 and i cashed out (a total of $60).

And i still have $20 remaining in my account. That is when i decided to play a $5 tournament.

202 players - 3 hours and 8 minutes

I made $65!!!!! Not bad...

I haven't played for a while and my total winnings on the holiest of days = $115

Bowling Alley / Bar - Research for New Mockumentary

I had this idea while driving back to LA from Ohio. I wrote an outline and some dialogue for some scenes. It is actually another installment of "a Study in the Orientation of". I threw the idea at Alesha (first) and she loved it. I shared the idea with Jo and he also really loved it!

So accidentally we went to a bowling alley last night. They had Karaoke there. It allowed us to practice our routine. The piece will be about two fraternal twin Filipino brothers who are at the top of the "Karaoke" world.

That's the new Mock...

New Semester Begins... Han Sum Trailer on IFC

My new semester started yesterday. I am teaching 5 courses and something is positively brewing on campus (don't want to jinx it though).

We were given an e-mail that the "Han Sum Movie Trailer" will be aired on the Independent Film Channel. All i need to do is conjure up a high quality copy.

Yesterday was also the first night i spent without Alesha (for over one year). She is visiting her mother in Montana.

Back in LA - Rose Bowl Run

Ran 3.5 around and about the Rose Bowl. Begin planning for New York International Independent Film Festival. Opening night is one week away.

Woody Allen's Scoop

I am a fan of Woody Allen. I have been inspired by his films. I really hated Match Point. But i really enjoyed his latest film "Scoop".

I took Alesha to see this movie. We actually saw "Match Point" last year at the Arc Light.

"Scoop" is a murder mystery. I felt that it was very entertaining. It had all the elements of a Woody Allen film... the only problem is that Woody Allen films have not really evolved over time. Time has actually surpassed a "Woody Allen Film"... unfortunately.

Desert Run -Our New Business Venture

Made it into Mesquite, Nevada last night. I've been here a few times and loved it. It's a small town east of Vegas.

Ran 3.8 miles this morning in the desert (non developed areas). I will be back in LA by this evening.

I am currently doing some promotional work for the Han Sum movie. Alesha and i also have a new business venture that i think will not only be fun... but very lucrative.

Prison Run in Denver

No wonder the hotel room that we stayed in last night was the cheapest in the area. It is one mile from the Denver County Prison.

I discovered this on my run this morning. At my one mile mark i saw the prison and decided to run around it. 5 miles today.

Colorado air is crisp. The mountains were beautiful. The prison looked secure.

Today i will be driving back to Los Angeles.

Pool in Denver, Colorodo

I've been on the road since last night. Made it into Denver around 7:00pm. Jumped into the pool!!!

Please continue to VOTE for the Han Sum Movie Trailer on the IFC Media Lab.

http://medialab.ifc.com/film_detail.jsp?film_id=2566

Back 2 LA - Cross Country Style

Woke up late. Checked out of the hotel at noon. Emptied out my storage room. I miss my kids.

I am getting ready to drive back to Los Angeles. I am taking I70... the same route i took up here. I am currently on the road.

I can't wait!!!

Ran (anxiously) 4 miles around Wright Patterson Air Force base. Drizzle drops cooled me off.

Went to visit Master Taningco (my ex-martial arts instructor) at his studio... it was very nice to see him again.

Spent the rest of the afternoon working on the storage room... there is just so much stuff. I was able to take inventory of editing equipment, audio mixers and film projectors.

Spoke with my lawyer pertaining to my daughter. I just realized that the "Han Sum" movie is really personal. If you ever get a chance to watch it... you will see that i based it on my daughter's mother and how i made such a big mistake to have a relatrionship with her.

Today is the last day i will see my boys. It is Jessica's turn to raise them. It was really fun while it lasted. I couldn't stop crying! I gave them a final "Claveria Challenge". These (Claveria Challenges) are tasks where they have to compete against each other in order to accumulate points. I did this challenge throughout our cross country trip. I am very proud of my children.

September marks the beginning of promotion of the Han Sum movie... and as you can see... i spent much of my time dealing with what really matters... and that is my family.

I wrote to Film Threat and the Hollywood Independent today.

If you get a chance... VOTE 10 for the "Han Sum Movie Trailer" on the IFC Media Lab.
www.HanSumFanClub.com

I can't wait to start teaching this semester (September 7), i can't wait for the screening and premiere (17th and 22nd of this month)... but most of all... i can't wait to see my baby girl.

in the beginning...

"a Study in the Orientation of Han Sum" movement will begin tommorrow. I am not sure what to expect... but i am diving in head first. The final cut of the movie was done on August 8, 2006.

The world premiere will be on September 22, 2006. This is the same day my baby girl was born. I have not yet seen her (my daughter) but this movie is dedicated to her.

I am currently on a road trip with my three beautiful boys. I dropped them off with their mother (here in Dayton, Ohio). I will be heading back to Los Angeles tommorrow. I will also begin promoting the "Han Sum" movie tommorrow. But for today i need to organize my storage room. I have lots of equipment, furniture, junk and things i've collected through the years that need to be properly placed.