MY FRIEND TED

I'm still trying to gather all my loose photographs together. One day I'll have thick leather-bound books filled with photographs meticulously organized and arranged chronologically, but for now I'll be happy if I can get everything in one place.

I found this photograph of my friend Ted and me during a Search To Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) banquet more than a decade ago (gasp -- has it been that long?). I just had dinner with Ted and a few friends last night at Asian Noodles Cafe in Chinatown (yummy, can't wait to go back!), and we briefly reminisced about this particular gala; it was one of the first shows he put together. He's since produced shows that have merited the (positive) attention of critics at the Los Angeles Times and other such prestigious publications. Yep, my old friend Ted has hit big time. But he's still the same guy I met 20 years ago at another dinner fundraiser we both didn't want to be at (his mom dragged him, 'nuff said).

To me, Ted will always be one of the few friends who changed my life completely. Simply stated, I wouldn't be the person I am today if I had never met him. I saw my first XXX-rated film with him (John Holmes in 3-D!!!) and attended my first national Asian Pacific student conference with the guy. If I remember correctly, he brought me to both. We've slept on gym floors and conference room tables, spent many late nights planning, organizing, and executing one thing or another, sung karaoke at 2:00 am at a Little Tokyo bar surrounded by members of the Yakuza (ah, and this was a regular thing), suffered loudly while packed like sardines on endless road trips...the memories are endless.

He got on my case last night for mentioning him in an October 2004 post about an unusual medical-related shopping spree I dragged him on years ago. I wonder what he'll do to me now that I've posted his photograph online. But can't you tell I just adore this man?

Comments

[sistah #1]

had i known that ted would've been at the noodle place last night, i would've braved the raging storm to get to chinatown, even if it meant getting stuck on the freeway for an hour and possibly missing the dinner part altogether (although there's no reason why you couldn't all sit around and talk while i gorged on good food).

this is the second time i missed him -- the first was that play we planned to watch a couple of months ago. they say the third time's the charm; so when will that be?

[Gigi]

Hmm, let's see. The last time I saw Ted before Sunday was about a year and a half ago. We're planning to get together for karaoke as soon as his schedule allows (ha!). Wanna sing with us? :)

[sistah #1]

if the food, the drink, and the company's good, i can't see why not. after all, there have to be people out there who are so bad, they'll make me sound stellar!

[gary]

You were in Chinatown Mon night?? I would have joined you! I was there at noon and drive past there to/from work. Bummin'

[amythyst]

Hi, just surfed in. Found your blog very interesting:) Keep it up!

[Gigi]

Sistah#1 - I don't know if you and I could survive hearing each other sing. Glee Club days not counted.

Gary - We were there Sunday! But I'll give you a call next time we hit Asian Noodles (which should be soon because it has the best Filipino food around).

Amythyst - Thank you! I really enjoyed your blog too, and will keep reading. :)

[theo]

I have a love/hate relation with Ms. Santos. I love it when we can get together and talk over these old times - yadda, yadda - and share a meal. I hate it when she finds old time photos and puts them on-line.
Gi: I'm sending you another picture!

And just to clarify, the line "we've slept on gymn floors and conference room tables" omits the 234 - 1,529 OTHER people that attended those same conferences who slept with us on gymn floors and conference room tables.

[Gigi]

Ted,
Fair enough -- but why do I know that you can only sleep on foam pillows because you're allergic to feather and down? Huh, huh?
Oh -- and you also hate me when we sing karaoke in "public" (i.e. not in a private room) and I sing "Walk On By" while pointing at you. Especially when all the other gals in the room start booing at you. Good times.