Yes, I’m an optimist.

Eh. But, I’m sure you have a long list of more informative and popular blogs that you regularly read. (Shiiieeeeeet, you probably been spending most of your time on Facebook, anyways.) Makes you wonder WhyTF are you still currently reading here, doesn’t it? I won’t apologize, ’cause, well… not enough of you care to be offended but will remain anonymous. You’re only here because you got a few seconds to kill before that porn video in your other browser is done buffering.

…suddenly, one day some little fat girl in Ohio is gonna be the new Mozart and make a beautiful film with her little father’s camcorder. and for once, the so-called professionalism about movies will be destroyed forever, you know, and it will really become an art form.
- Francis Ford Coppola, “Heart of Darkness” documentary

I think the most important thing if you’re an aspiring film-maker is to get rid of the ‘aspiring’… You shoot it, you put your name on it, you’re a film-maker. Everything after that, you’re just negotiating your budget.
- James Cameron, “The Futurist”

But, what the hell, it’s a good time for me to seize the opportunity and bust out my laptop and start to write… again. So, when I’m not web developing away at my 9-to-5, I continue to work on filmmaking projects, and currently, they are:

Mutt: an action/drama short

A few of you who follow/friend me on Facebook, know of the short action/drama film “Mutt” that I co-wrote with my bro, Stan Hom. A project that took about 37 drafts (give or take a few more) until we agreed on producing it. We spent a good portion of our time interviewing, profiling, and scrutinizing potential crew members, and weeded out the self-delusional, opportunistic, ego maniacs. And with the help from Jenn Wong as our casting director, we were able to audition and seek out the actors we wanted for the film.

We teamed up with Leo from “DoubLetter Productions” to do the cinematography. And, we shot the film on weekends and a few weeknights from about February to sometime in May. Currently, Stan, Leo, and Roddy are finishing up post-production taking care of the editing, color correction, and sound. Y’all should anticipate a premiere sometimes in Sept. ’10, followed by the film hitting the film festival circuit within the next few months.

Wade Helzer Presents… Zombie!

I have also been assistant directing for my buddy Bo! Campbell’s current zombie, comedy short with Henry Hopkins of H2 Productions as Director of Photography. You can find Henry blogging about the project at HiDefDog.com. Below is a pic of Bo!, Henry, and James Williams as the Zombie! w/Melissa Krimsky doing the bloody make-up.

Introducing… Sally.

When “…Zombie!” is done, I’ll be jumping back in the director’s chair to shoot a short, short action/drama/(somewhat) horror film with intentions of having it go viral on YouTube. Sally is a character and concept ripped out of my next short film that I’ll be shooting sometimes earlier next year. “Introducing… Sally” was written by me and Bo!, and this is how I had described her:

SALLY – an abandoned cousin of Cupid, dressed in steam-punk gold metal and black leather, complete with thigh-high leather boots and a functioning half-gas mask – descends from the stairs above. Sally’s joint movements are narrated by a series of MECHANICAL WHIRLS AND CLICKS, like she’s made of metal parts. Her features include shoulder-length hair bound in pigtails, with dark and mesmerizing eyes that seem suspiciously devoid of emotion.

Got that?

And There’s The Other Projects

Back in April, Bo!, Aaron, Joe (who plays Sid in “Mutt”), and I attempted the 24 Hour Film Race in San Francisco. Attempted because we ran out of time to edit the footage. Bo! and Joe are currently finishing up the edit, and it is a comedy entitled “Fruit Cocktail”… After “Intro, Sally”, I will also be shooting a grindhouse faux paus trailer starring Jenn Wong as a Gangstress. It’s not what you think. So, you’re welcome to rip-off the idea and create an inferior concept out of it… Towards the end of the year, if time permits, Stan and I will start production on a short film that resembles an 80s werewolf flick before the CGI era…

And then there’s also this…

Artwork by Mel C. Waters Documentary

Anyways. I’ll be posting again within a week. No promises, tho.

Oh… and, FYI, I have since closed and shut down my accounts on MySpace, Evite, Friendster, Xanga, LiveJournal, 43 Things, Good Reads, and a whole shit load of other social networking sites. I’m strictly Twitter and Facebook for now. (I’m prob on some other obscure sites too, but they’re places you don’t want to find me on. But per chance you do find me on’ em, I’m asking what the hell are you doing there?!) This resulted from my adaptation to the growing trend of “social media”, the ease to integrate through Facebook and Twitter‘s API, and my minimalist attitude towards removing clutter and bulk. Most of you communicate with me through FB anyways… and the rest of you visit me (on rare ocassions, but I know you don’t want to admit it) here on rayhom.com.

See ya!

I grew up an obsessive book reader. Every night (this was way before the Internet Era), I would read something until I conked out and escaped into my dream world. But, as much as I enjoy showing off my own home library – a whole bunch of beat-up books sittin’ on my old, creaky, termite-infested bookshelves – the burden of luggin’ books around has aged me quicker, and caused minor scoliosis to my back. I paid physically for the acquisition of Knowledge & Wisdom.

For the longest time, that I could remember, I have always envisioned an accessible “Alexander’s Library” in the palm of my hands. I’m not speaking of Google, which has become an extension of my monotonous brain. But, more like a portable device that possessed some of my favorite books. As an end user fronting as a pseudo-Futurist with no intentions of ever being the inventor of such an idea, I long for the day where I am a lone traveler who had everything on his persons.

I may have begun living to see that reality come true…

I had purchased the Nook about a month ago, and I’m so lovin’ it. The Kindle was the other option. But, I eventually decided on the Nook because of it’s simplicity in use and wifi access to Barnes & Noble online (which includes free eBooks and one hour/day free access to any eBooks when at the local B&N cafe. This Nook perk includes new releases.). It’s covenient, light-weight, and can carry up to about 1500 eBooks with the built-in, expandable memory drive (where you can import your own eBooks in epub and other formats). The device also includes beta internet access, but to this day, I have not used it. I don’t need the distraction of web access, which was the motivation for me getting an eReader in the first place.

Some readers may retort by saying how much they enjoy the phyiscal feel of turning a page and holding a book in their hands. But, I believe there’s a certain luddite-ish, “fear of technology” attitude behind that sentiment. ’cause I’m sure that when the first invention of books became accessible to the masses, readers resisted by touting that they preferred unrolling a scroll as a superior reading experience. Others may also question why I don’t get an IPad. Because it doesn’t use the eInk technology, and, therefore, would be hard on the eyes reading on it.

Don’t misunderstand me. I do enjoy holding a traditional book in my hand, as well. I enjoy turning the pages. I get a kick out of creating the creases to the spines that holds the books together. But those days are coming, personally for me, to an end. Because, although the user experience with an eReader is different than traditional reading, I still get the same results at a more efficent pace… the simple act of reading.

My initial eBook purchases for my Nook include (but will not be limited to):

• Ruthless: A Memoir by Jerry Heller – Way before Snoop Dogg or Eminem… even before Dr. Dre and Ice Cube went solo… there was N.W.A, which were handled, promoted and made infamous by “super producer” Jerry Heller. And this is his account of how it all happened.
• Scorsese by Ebert by Roger Ebert – The famous film critic meets the famous filmmaker, compiled in interviews, essays, and articles.
• The Girl Next Door by Jack Ketchum – I had watched the movie based on the book last year. Rarely does a movie emotionally anger me the way the movie did. For once, I hated the world. The movie did it’s job! And, Wiki-ing the background of Jack Ketchum and the plot of the book, I had discovered that it was loosely based on the real-life abuse of Sylvia Likens and her siblings. I hated the world even more. Now, the hate has gotten me curious of this book.
• The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook: A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal by Ben Mezrich – The book that the upcoming David Fincher “Facebook” movie – The Social Network is based on. From the writer who wrote “21″, “The Accidental Billionaires” is a dramatized account of how Mark Zuckerberg founded and established “Facebook”.

And, drink up!

ray hom,
rayhom.com

Here are the past few articles I’ve done thus far, and many more to come:

• Interview with independent film actress Judy Cerda
• Quick chat with horror filmmaker Matt Vanaja
• A bloody feature about the sexy but violent Ghoul Girls
• Exploring the unique, creepy (in a good way) dance troupe called the Corpsewax Dollies
• A talk with the artists, actress, and filmmaker Alexia Anastacio
• Q&A with ParaWoman extraordinaire Amy Williamson

A little over a week ago, I was able to to catch a private screening of Jino Kang’s “Hand To Hand“, which I had the pleasure to have worked on set as a script supervisor (which most of you are probably sick of hearing me talk about for the past year-and-a-half). Although I am not an actor, I had a tiny bit role as an extra in the film. When you get a chance to see the flick, in a scene where bouncer George (played by my good buddy Danton Mew) leads the hero, Ken (played by Jino), into an underground fight club – for a brief moment – you can catch a glimpse of me being hard perpetratin’ on a cell phone. It’s a shot of my back sporting a blue monotone shirt. A scene of my face is cut out because full-frontal is not my style. Told you I can’t act.

Unfortunately, the film is still currently not available to the public. As I understand it, it’s going through a phase of festivals and will find a distributor, and then released out to a theater near you. Hold ya horses! But, thanks to Robert Parham, who was also in the film, found a bunch of clips online from the film. ( click here to see ‘em ) I will update its full release soon!

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to help one of my best buddy with his bachelor party. I’ve known Jimmy Ko for about almost 15 years now when we first started out as co-workers at BofA #295. There are many times when I wished I could of strangled him, but, he wouldn’t be getting married to a woman who can tolerate his inadequacies if I had. =P Don’t you love blogs? You can say so much crap about your friends. Anyways, I am one of Jimmy’s Best Men. “What?” You may ask,”Can there be more than one best man?” This will be the 4th time I am a best man. (Or should I say 3 1/2 times.) The other best man that Jimmy choose is coincidentally named Ray, also.

This is non-traditional, so Jimmy & Cindy can dictate as they wish. The bachelor party didn’t even have strippers. It’s what Jimmy adamantly requested, and he is also a non-drinker. We simply ate at a Shanghai Dumpling House on Balboa, one of his favorite spots to chow down. Imagine 20 guys stuffed into a small Chinese restaurant. The look on the waitress’s face was priceless when we ordered 100 dumplings, and about 4 dishes of about 7 entrees each.

Afterwards, we headed on over to lounge/bar “XYZ” at the W in downtown San Francisco ’cause Jimmy promised that he would take one shot for all of us. History was made when he downed a shot of grey goose mixed with something else (I forgets). Then we all headed back to his place to relax and chit-chat. Jimmy threw up, and passed out for the rest of the night. Yup, he’s ready to get married.

In more buddy news… Allen Chen, my good friend, husband of my GodSis Luann, and Executive Chef of 5A5 Steak House in San Francisco was interviewed on KTVU by Malou Nubla about the restaurant, and the many dishes it serves. Embarassingly, I haven’t eaten there yet, as everytime I tell Allen that “I’m gonna eat there soon.” He retorts,”You keep saying that.” Excuses and procrastination isn’t good. 5A5 is the San Francisco cousin to Alexander’s Steak House in Cupertino, which I have tried many times. Check either of them. I guarantee you will burp well. You can find the Malou interview with Allen online @ http://www.MalouReview.com/

And last bit of news for the week, I wrote up an article about the Ghoul Girls for Last Doorway Productions, which you can read online (and see grisley girly pics) by clickin’ here

BRB in about a week, after Jimmy Ko marries Cindy Wong…

And that is how rayhom.com will continue to be. I’ve decided for continuity, as well as familiarity, I’ll stick to what I’ve always intended…

Initially, back in 1997, my intention for having put up a personal site was to communicate, with this new technology called the Internet, my latest personal writings and pics that involved my circle of family & friends. Those few that came and read what I had to say understood that my desire was to be a good writer. And, I had gained a lot of support throughout the years because of the site, as well as new friends. I am humbly grateful for the number of relationships I’ve fortified, and, I do my best to keep connected with the majority of them. But, unfortunately, space and time constraints restricted my ability to be attentive to so many people at once. Therefore, rayhom.com will continue to be a beacon of communication between me and the rest of the world. And, I definitely thank the gods of Kobol, for AIM, email, and Facebook, eh?

rayhom.com continues to propel me in pursuing the writing and filmmaking path, and it will forever remain so.

“The man who does not read good books
has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.”
- Mark Twain

I was suppose to have done another book challenge with my good buddy Matt. Originally, we were going to do 8 books within the month of July. But, within a few days of the month, I pleaded to Matt that we should cut it down to 6, as I have to prioritize some film books I been meaning to finish. And, I had two Ayn Rand novels listed within our challenge. I enjoy her writings, but they require a lot of time to absorb. Now it is a few days into August, and I am weak. Only 1/3 into Rand’s “Fountainhead” and the first couple of chapters into Shermer’s “The Science of Good & Evil“. The month of July was too much happening for me, esp. with the festivals and exposure that “Hubris” was getting.

But, no more excuses, I will attempt to finish up the 8 books ASAP. And, also, I had made it a priority to finish all my books that have accumulated unread on my book shelf, which you see above. With what ever life experiences, friendships, travels, movies, etc., etc., etc. I have been lucky (or unlucky) to have made my life colorful as it is, the written word is still powerful to me in my maturity. I remember having read the “Basic Teachings of the Great Philosophers” almost a couple of decades ago. These timeless thinkers provided no answers to life, no glimpse into the future of my fate, nor any direction on where to start “seeking the path to understanding”. I had no clue what Plato, Nietzsche, Descartes, and Sartre were saying to me. To this day, I now have even more questions… but, I’m beginning to understand that that is the answer. To question.

“The people long eagerly for only 2 things – bread & circuses.”
- Decimus Junius Juvenalis, Roman poet

I may be stepping on some sensitive toes here, but, I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook. I rely on it to network/communicate/KIT with friends and ppls who have common interests. But, I find that 95% of the info shared and networked is utterly useless. FB-users are falling for marketing ploys by taking quizzes that nurtures their need for external validation. Or that I’m reading what they have accumulated in Mafia Wars (Who am I to say, since I spent countless hours playing the latest Grand Theft Auto on my PS3). Or the type of user that updates his/her status every hour telling the world how “bored” they are, and that today is the day they will try and make something of themselves. *sigh* “Friends don’t just randomly shout into the darkness hoping someone would listen… People, you do exist, but you’ve become reliant on these self-affirmations.”

There is a great article I came across entitled:
How to Avoid Annoying People on Facebook
and Looking Like an Idiot

I’m personally on Facebook to share info with friends & family about what are the latest happenings, and share mutual interests. There are criticism about whether this hampers on social skills. Well, you’re reading this, aren’t you? The world is changing, keep up. This type of communication represents 65% of the people who are my personal friends on Facebook. Another 25% are people in the film and entertainment industry. FB was instrumental in promoting my short film “Hubris”. In fact, previously, I spent most of my social networking the ghetto-way through MySpace and Friendster (remember them?) until I met filmmakers who kept connected through FB. And, finally, the last 10% are people who network and promote the New Atheist Movement.

A good number of my friends & family are non-believers. But, some of my other friends are surprised that I am an admitted atheist. And, it gets me when someone says to me – “I never met an atheist before.” I find that rather odd. Either people don’t pay attention well enough within their circle of friends and family, or they don’t get out enough. (There’s a few amongst you, my friends.) The number ranks about a billion of us who don’t associate or affiliate with a religious movement. Non-believers are ranked the 4th largest group of people within the world. *shrug* Live and let live, eh?

Anyways, about this site… all the original content from the past decade or so is back up on rayhom.com. Every blog posts since 1997/1998 are here. My writings which includes articles, interviews, and short fiction – The Kristine Sa interview, my club and restaurant reviews for Karma Magazine, my attempt at an online eNovel entitled the Asian American Eves. And, of course, the latest news on my path to filmmaking. Mind.Erase.Media will be back up permanently in a few days, and eventually asian-america.com will be resurrected.

I am currently writing articles/Q&A stuff for Miss Misery’s Last Doorway Productions site, reporting on related horror stuff. Two Q&A’s are up:

• My Q&A with actress Judy Cerda
• My Q&A with San Jose filmmaker Matt Vanaja

I will be writing an entry about once every week, aiming for every Monday, to keep connected to the world. I will mirror a condensed version on Facebook. And, I will no longer be maintaining a newsletter, as it’s too much work, and unnecessary. My supporting readers will find their way here on rayhom.com. Otherwise, you can rss feed me here. Stick around, I’m only gettin’ started. Thanks!

See everyone around…

The details are as Joy wrote on the the Facebook events invite:

Ever wanted to see what hot, sexy, and talented go-go dancers looks like in a theater setting?

The Brava theater has turned into a go-go palace for 9 nights only. Cocktail waitresses and go-go dancers!

Come see Penny Arcade presents a unique,sexy show as Rolling Stone Magazine describes it,”The show is everything you ever wanted to know about censorship, feminism, counterculture, and joy – without speaking about any of those things”

Shows from Feb. 25-March 7 shows start at 8 pm
Sunday, March 1, 7pm show
No shows on March 2 and March 3
Tickets: $20-$45

www.brava.org

Make sure you have it on the high quality option, when viewing. Depending on your connection, it may default to “normal quality.” And, also, you can choose the closed caption option by clicking on the “cc” to see the subtitles. Heheh… I’m real proud of this one. Enjoy!

And, Stan, shot another goofy video using me (and my sister-in-law) acting goofy again.

My Buddy, Matt:
1. “Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why” by Laurence Gonzales (295 pages)
2. “Choke” by Chuck Palahniuk (292 pages)
3. “No Logo: No Space, No Choice, No Jobs” by Naomi Klein (528 pages)
4. “The Road” by Cormac Mccarthy (304 pages)
5. “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley (259 pages)
Total pages: 1678

Me, Ray:
1. “A Fighter’s Heart: One Man’s Journey Through the World of Fighting” by Sam Sheridan (345 pages)
2. “Beyond Good & Evil” by Friedrich Nietszche (180 pages)
3. “We The Living” by Ayn Rand (464 pages)
4. “Scarface Nation: The Ultimate Gangster Movie and How It Changed America” by Ken Tucker (288 pages)
5. “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany” by William L. Shirer (1143 pages)
Total pages: 2420

Grand total of pages: 4098 (by February 28, 2009)

Will be back 28 days later to report how we done.

But, who is Shannon Lark, you may ask? And I say… What? You know not of Shannon Lark?! Shannon began as a manager and dancer for the Living Dead Girlz. Then she built up her reputation as an actress, producer, writer and director for a bunch of bloody horror flicks… and as a professional, chainsaw-wielding scream queen. She was Miss Horrorfest 2007 during Lionsgate’s “8 Films To Die For” run during that year. And besides being the CEO of Chainsaw Mafia, she’s the spookmodel for Fangoria magazine. (I’ve collected tons of issues in a box ever since I was a curious little boy. Moreso than I have porn mags! And that’s a lot!)

Anyways, enough yattering, and onto the Q&A article. You can find it of 3 ways:

(1) Go to the main page at theChainsawMafia.com, and scroll down the middle and look for “Ray Hom divulges Hubris”. As of this message, it should be the first news article listed.

(2) Or go directly to the link of the article at:
http://www.thechainsawmafia.com/home/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=254

(3) Or go to the mirror article in the networking section:
http://www.thechainsawmafia.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=887

Enjoy it! Please leave comments in the Q&A, if you can!

I love this short film that Shannon did: