What's your Plan B?

I spent a few days on the Island of Yap recently, or the State of Yap, I should say... the State of Yap of the Federated States of Micronesia. I was so impressed by the Yapese quiet and gentle way of life and how they've held true to their culture in this day and age. For example, our group wanted to film a particular area of the island and our young guide told us he would check with the elders to be sure it was ok. Checking with the Yapese elders...I really loved that.

Traveling teaches me life lessons and this is what I learned from my trip to Yap: We are a close-knit community on Guam, but we are not nearly as close as we should be. I'm proud Guam is known as a cultural melting pot and that people from all over the planet call it home. I would not be familiar with so many different ethnicities had I not lived among them. However, at the end of the day, Guam is still tano y Chamorro...land of the Chamorros. Yap reminded me that it is extremely imperative for we the Chamorro people to know our history, our traditions, our language, and most importantly, each other, if we want to hold on to that claim. I think that if we the Chamorro people were bound together more tightly and were more in tune with our culture and traditions, then perhaps we might not have some of many problems our community is dealing with today. If we the Chamorro people do not know or respect our own culture and environment, how can we expect any different from someone who moved here from another country or neighboring island? The thing is, if Guam is truly tano y Chamorro, then Chamorros should be responsible for collectively setting the example on how to live on their land and in harmony. We the Chamorro people should not expect this from anyone else.

I'm only slightly embarrassed that it took a visit to another island for me to realize this.

There are things I've been meaning to share with you but I've been pretty busy lately. Soon! I promise. In the meantime, enjoy this brand! New! 18Clips! Yay!



I want to know your answers!

xoxo

The new issue of GU Magazine (Issue 19) hits the stands tomorrow! It's the Best of Guam issue and I'd like to say congratulations to Mike and all the guys in Renaissance for being voted Best Live Band on Guam. Also, congratulations to my friends at the House of Brutus (my fourth home) for being voted best in three categories including Editor's Pick for Best Homage to a National Favorite for their version of the In-and-Out Burger. There's one more thing I think I'm forgetting....oh! Latitude13/Josie Moyer was voted best local (and you know I hate this word) BLOGGER. Yay?

In addition to the Best of Guam poll, Issue 19 marks the debut of Weekend Walks, where I go hiking and take a bunch of pictures and tell you all about it. Here's a peek at what's in the magazine:



I was surprised they gave me 4 pages. I really don't think I'm much of a writer, but it's nice to see my pictures all pretty and glossy.

It's the Best of Guam! Go get yours.

GVB launched its new "I Am Guam" campaign last night. This is the campaign logo. What do you think? I like that there isn't a coconut tree, a Guam seal or a latte stone in it. My guess is yellow=sun, blue=sea, and green=island. I like it. I'm not sure I dig the font used for the word Guam.



Sources tell me GVB has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on this new campaign and are working with two stateside firms in efforts to revitalize and boost Guam's tourism industry. I really hope it pays off. Can't wait to see the ads and collateral materials.

Happy (Chinese) New Year!

It's the year of the Ox. "The Ox is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. This powerful sign is a born leader, being quite dependable and possessing an innate ability to achieve great things. As one might guess, such people are dependable, calm, and modest. Like their animal namesake, the Ox is unswervingly patient, tireless in their work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint."

I'm a Tiger. "Tiger people are difficult to resist, for they are magnetic characters and their natural air of authority confers a certain prestige on them. They are tempestuous yet calm, warm-hearted yet fearsome, courageous in the face of danger yet yielding, soft and mysterious." Hey, I didn't write this stuff, but it sounds about right. hahaha

What are you? What are some of your traits?

(I don't take zodiac stuff seriously, but it's fun to read.)

J-Mo: Do you think man is inherently good?
Mike-o-tron: Hmm... I think there is an altruism gene in people.
J-Mo: I like to think people are inherently good and the bad ones are victims of environment and circumstance. Then I think of Hitler who was raised in a privileged and cultured environment and turned out evil and then I'm not so sure.
Mike-o-tron: You can't discount bad people who are that way because of mental disorders or other hereditary reasons.
J-Mo: Let me clarify: I think women are inherently good. It's men I'm not so sure about.
J-Mo:
Mike-o-tron: What-ev! Hahaha!

Remember that disastrous story that CNN aired about the Guam democratic caucus back in May? The one where they used footage of outer islands of Micronesia with people waving at a plane? CNN is trying to make good on that mistake and will begin airing commercials "promoting Guam as a world-class destination" later this month.

"The commercial schedule was provided to GVB at no cost, in response to a complaint the bureau made to CNN regarding an erroneous report aired by the news network on May 24, 2008 during which footage of Yap was misidentified as being Guam. GVB felt strongly that the footage misrepresented Guam's culture and the island's cosmopolitan appeal to such an extent that CNN responded with the offer to air the TV commercials in order to correct any damage their story may have done to Guam's image."

Click to view the official press release that includes airtime schedule:

Instructions: Once tagged, write a note with 16 random things, shortcomings, facts, habits or goals about you. At the end, choose 16 people to be tagged. Oh, and tag the person who tagged you.

***

1. I had no problem downloading mp3s off the internet until I started dating a musician and saw firsthand all the time, work and sacrifice that goes into making music. Now I spend money on iTunes instead of filesharing on Limewire.

2. I think knock-offs are the height of all that is tacky. If you can't afford a genuine Prada or Coach bag, I say accept the hand you were dealt in life with some dignity and grace.

3. Dixie Carter said, "Don't wear black to a wedding, y'all." I think Dixie is wise and classy.

4. I am about a month shy of my 35th birthday and every year has been better than the one before. People who speak of growing older as something to be sad or embarrassed about are people who believe they've already lived their best years. I think it's sad they don't have anything to look forward to.

5. I like to think I'm indestructible. I was hit by a speeding car whilst crossing a street in Oakland and walked away nearly unscathed. I actually fell out of a moving vehicle and all I have as souvenirs from that near tragedy are a small scar under my chin and one on my bottom lip. I accidentally stabbed myself in the forehead with a butter knife and had to be stitched back together which resulted in a small scar above my right eye. I've fallen down on hiking trails and been pounded into the reef many times. At the end of my life, my body will be worn and torn because it was lived in.

6. I am Chamorro, but I am not an advocate or even a fan of "Chamorro time." There are so many things you should NOT be late for. Off the top of my head...weddings, funerals, surprise parties, job interviews, business meetings, and anytime you agree to meet anyone at a specific time. Being kept waiting is a source of irritation to me.

7. I am a photographer, a graphic artist and a web designer. I am currently learning how to edit video and produce radio spots and would love to move into the area of motion graphics. When that happens I'll feel I've achieved the superfecta of advertising design and production. It's going to happen. 2009 is mine!

8. I have few regrets. When I was four my mother entered me in one of those child pageants in San Francisco and I won. One of the prizes was the opportunity to break into commercials and television acting. I was brought to a talent agency where I was measured and photographed. When the agent asked me if I wanted to be on tv (they were required by law to ask), I suddenly became painfully shy and could only shake my head. I regret that.

9. I am the eldest of 8. My siblings' names are: Bessie, Alphonse, Cloe, Ben, Cassandra, JP and Jarine.

10. I've been on 4 of the 7 continents. I have yet to set foot in South America, Africa and Antarctica. There's nothing I love to do more than travel. My dream job is to be a travel writer/photographer.

11. I'm a huge Jane Austen fan. I love her books and the films that are based on them. My favorites are Mansfield Park and Persuasion. Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong country in the wrong century with the wrong accent.

12. I'm not afraid of jumping out of an airplane or swimming with sharks, but cockroaches and wolf spiders absolutely terrify me.

13. I have a fairly large collection of Pez dispensers and a growing collection of refrigerator magnets I picked up in places I've traveled. And I don't know why but I can't seem to throw away movie ticket stubs.

14. I was only half-serious about starting a trip-hop band until I found that I might already have a keyboard/guitar player, a bass player, AND a place to play. This changes things. 2009 could be very interesting.

15. I never leave home without lip balm, my BlackBerry, and a camera or two (sometimes three).

16. I'm 95% deaf in my left ear, so if you ever call my name or say something to me and I don't respond, you're probably talking into my bad ear and should switch sides. I'm serious.

***

I'm tagging: Mary M., Raquel S., Gerald B., Toni M., Kate A., Cloe Q., Ben Q., Joel B., Emy W., Nadia W., LeeAnn B., Jeff the O.G., Agerstrand, ...

Screw 16. I want to know about all of you! If you are reading this, consider yourself tagged. Leave me a comment when you've posted your 16 so I can check it out. :)

Excuse me a minute while I blow my own horn, but I am extremely stoked to see my name referenced in the Guampedia article on Guam Photography:

[Digital Photography] "With the emergence of digital photography technology in the 1990's and almost total acceptance in the new millennium, a new group of photographers have become players in Guam's art photography market. Many of the new photographers are former graphic artists with computer skills such as Steve Hardy, J.R. Manuel and Josie Moyer."

I feel all shiny inside.

I feel this way for two reasons, actually. One, just being mentioned on Guampedia is really cool! And two, the very mention grants me the kind of validation I need from time to time. When I bought my first digital camera in 2001, it was purely for my own amusement. I didn't imagine then that my little hobby would blossom into a new facet of my career in design. In retrospect, I suppose it shouldn't surprise me as much as it does because my career in design itself started out as a hobby. The problem with that, though, is the insecurity and worry that comes along with being mostly self-taught: Am I good enough to do this professionally? When can I call myself a professional graphic artist/photographer/web designer (and hopefully one day videographer)? I think the answer is simple: you can call yourself a professional when all or most of your income comes directly from doing what it is you're doing.