You Can't Please Em All...

...so instead I'll just do my absolute best to please my Lord & Savior, wife, friends, and family, first. 

"Are You Still Chasing That Dream?"

...is the question a close friend of mine asked me recently. I didn't really know how to react to or take that. Was he ribbing? Was he serious? Was the doubt that I drew from him merely self created? Or does everyone in my circle really believe that I've given up on my "dream" & should stop?
Suffice to say, the short answer is, no. No, I am not done chasing that dream. Or any other dream I may have, for that matter. 

I don't particularly know where it was written that just because someone stops talking about their goals, or places focus on more prominent and/or personal matters for a certain period of time, that it means they've altogether "given up" or "stopped chasing" their dream.

I don't even like that term. Chasing a dream. It's not a fking Pokemon. Or something that's running away from me. I guess by his standards & notions, unless I "make it big", then it doesn't mean anything. Sure, I'd like some recognition for the talents that God has blessed me with. And I'd love to be able to do what I love for a living; whether it be behind a mic, in front of a camera, on a screen, in a book, or in some other capacity. But even if I had a humble following at a local venue, I'd be cool with that. Would I like more than that? If it be in God's plan for me, absolutely. Because I'm most definitely not here just to be "ok" at what I do. I want to have a place among the best. I want to be respected for my craft. I want people to look at my work and say "There's a guy who really cares about what he does; who is passionate about his expression for better or for worse, and is unafraid to sing to the melody of his own tune".

All I know is that as long as there are people out there releasing less-than-inspired hot garbage, and as long as there are those who are willing to consume said hot garbage, then hell no. I am not done "chasing that dream". Not by a long shot.

And neither should anyone else who has a dream.

Reflecting On My Trip To China (With Pictures!)

I spent 8 (5-6 if you count the time it took actually traveling) days in Chongqing (pronounced "Chong Ching", try not to laugh), and Shanghai, China with my now fiance (oh snaps!), for a close friend of mine's wedding. This was my first time ever traveling abroad, and the learning experience is something that I will not soon forget. I don't want to bore anyone terribly with all of the little details that I'd normally get into, so I've decided to list certain things that stuck out to me each day during the trip (with pictures! P.S. All images © 2014 Chris Cintron)

1. Uncle Joe is the effin MAN

Now here is a man that I can only hope to be like when I get older. Happy, healthy, lovable, and sending you off to China with some good ol' Italian Espresso shots in the morning! Wooee!!

2. Delays suck. No matter what part of the world you're in.

And it just so happened to happen several times before, during, and after China. Yay.

3. After taking a 15+ hour plane ride to Shanghai, then another 2+ hour trip to Chonqing, I believe time travel is possible. And exhausting. And uncomfortable.

...Bring a book. Or twelve. And travel light. And don't sit in between large people. Or near crying babies. You're welcome.

4. Sure, the flights' long. But China Eastern Airlines likes to keep you FED.

What is it that I'm eating? Who the hell cares? Anything to take my mind off the numbness in my legs and the crying babies! Seriously though, if you like Asian fare, you won't be disappointed. Meals were always fresh and satisfying.

5. When's the last time your airline taught you Tai Chi on an effin plane?

I also learned how to Hadouken (finally).

6. The weather was not our friend this go around.

This was me upon our arrival to Chongqing, where the sun was beating down on us, and my friend's families had finally settled the debate as to whose car we were travelling in. Sweaty & confused. And not in that good way. Wait, what?

7. Chongqing has some really interesting architecture IMHO.

Art museums, towers, bridges; all very familiar feeling yet, with it's own character. I can dig it.

8. Clubs over in Chongqing really try to outdo themselves.

Scantily clad women singing Lady Gaga? Some dude in a white fur coat singing Jason Derulo while a bunch of Chinese girls in nurses outfits do a dance number? Random girls coming up to me, taking selfies, and toasting? Thank God I'm not single anymore. I'll leave it at that :x

9. Chongqing's touristy shopping area felt like something straight out of an old Bruce Lee movie. I even almost bought nunchucks! That probably would've been a problem with customs though.

Narrow pathways, hidden alleys, and lots and lots of people around these here parts. Stuff is really inexpensive, our dollar is worth about 6 of theirs.

10. China Hearts the US.

11. And has very wtf-ish English translations.

Please enjoy which flight? This flight, of course! And never forget to drink best rich your taste, either. Words to live by.

12. Many toilets in Chongqing are state of the art. No seriously.

13. Not a huge fan of the hot pot, I won't lie.

So just what is hot pot, the spicy food that Chongqing is known for? Well, you can read up about it right here, I will just say that frozen duck blood cubes, cow intestine/gums, and mystery meatballs did all sound scrum-diddly-umptious, but I decided to pass.

14. Shanghai. Definitely want to go back to visit someday.

This was the place we spent the least amount of time in. The pictures show a much more Western influence and tourist-friendly atmosphere than Chongqing, so naturally as a big city guy I'd be more attracted to it.

15. Being a best man for your childhood friend's wedding is pretty friggin awesome.

This once in a lifetime experience wouldn't have been even a thought in my brain if he never asked me to be there for it. As we grow older, we realize that some of our strongest bonds are the ones we establish before we even know how important they are. Nothing but prayers of God's blessings for the both of you.

16. Shocking your girlfriend on the plane ride back with a proposal is also pretty friggin awesome.

Especially when you're jet-lagged! Before proposal on plane...

...and after.


I hope I was able to shed some light on the experience of travelling abroad for the first time. This is not something I would have ever imagined would be possible without the great people that God has placed in my life. To Albert, Shirley, Annie, Mom, Dad, Auntie, and my beautiful fiance Jen, this one's for you.

A Blur

A Blur
Constant, repeating, yet different
Back and forth
Colors that I can't quite make out
Feelings associated with each
Moments I'm afraid I won't remember
A fast life with substance
Substance yet, no speed
Just sped up
Hard to stop and appreciate it
When you're doing 100
And you're always blinking
But I still see something
That might be all that matters
A Blur

Holding Me Back

I really feel like so much has been going on for me personally that I've not been able to keep track of any of it, or even fully appreciate it. Things haven't been flawless. They never really are. This is an imperfect world, after all. But I've got my health, I've got a roof over my head, I've got a good job, I've got a love that has and is strengthening with every hurdle we come across, my closest family and friends are with me, and it's all in no small part thanks to my Lord & savior, whom I often forget to thank & praise. 

That being said...

I still feel that need to create. There's still that part of me that is not satisfied with where I am career-wise. It itches at me everyday. Some days more than others. But it's often held back. Mostly just because of me. I hold me back. I know I've got something. I just don't always know what to do with it. Where to start. Who to share it with. Who to trust it with. Who to ask about it. When the right time is to go for it. When the wrong time is. If the time has passed, or if it's yet to come, and if it does, will it be that storied thing that someone strives and fights for so long to achieve, only to find that it wasn't all that worth it to sacrifice or struggle for in the first place. Guess I won't know till I try.

Words.

Not empty. Not full. Not filled. Not certain. Lazy. Retracting. Retracing. Reliving. Dreaming. Praying. Itching. Spending. Worrying. Concerning. Lying down. Cold, but not cold. Detached, still not cold. Something wrong. Something simple. Something stupid. Something sudden. Something expected. Almost. Resting. Tired, yet. Tired yet? Breathing. Believing. Always. Afraid of explosions. No standoffs. Happens anyway. Too many questions. Too much of the same. Not enough. Counting. Killing. Consumables. Miss eating. Miss tasting. Miss quiet. Miss music. Miss making. Misnomer. Misinterpret. Mispell. Miss the point. Withdrawn. Withheld. Within. My story. His story. Her story. History? Hurts to me. Least I think. Less I feel. Lest I kneel. Overwhelmed. Over budget. Over it. Trying to be. Vying. Reflection. Refraction. Direction. God help me.

What Does The Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman Case Have In Common With The 40 Year Old Virgin? Read On...

So most of us are probably completely over hearing, seeing, and reading about it, but I really wanted to share this, because there has been so much back & forth over the entire situation. In my opinion, this was a very refreshingly unexpected, yet very poignant & educated opinion that is very hard to ignore, from a very unexpected place nonetheless. As an entertainer, I think it's important for us to show that we're not a bunch of mindless one trick ponies with no real contribution aside from our talents.

You can read the article here.