Raoul’s Two Cents: August 4, 2023
Dreamers
It’s been my childhood dream to work for a creative company like Disney. I would spend hours tracing cartoons and memorizing strokes … marveling at the animation, the brochures, the books, the soundtrack of the things that came out of the Imagineering headquarters in Burbank. I was willing to work for free just to be an animator … but somehow I never got the breaks … I never found a mentor. The only one who taught me about work was my Dad who only had an ounce of art appreciation in his blood. So I became a boring entrepreneur like my Dad. I was so discouraged that I wrote a song in my 30s (before I became born again) when I realized I would never be a world renown animator. Here’s just an excerpt of the thoughts of a crushed spirit:
The Real World
Verse 1
Once I had dreams of becoming a king.
Of being the master, being the best in everything.
But now I know. It’s just not so.
Whoever heard … a kingdom full of kings and queens?
Chorus
Each day we learn to live through life’s joy and disappointment.
Each day we have to sacrifice old values for some new ones.
We think that we have grown but reality has shown
there’s more to life than we’ve come to know.
But you know artists. We always have one eye looking at great paintings, one ear listening to musical arrangements, and a big mouth that shares all of our insights to a world that does not understand … or so I thought. Little did I realize, my youngest daughter was picking up my words that fell off deaf ears. When we watched a movie, I’d point out what made the movie interesting. She and I shared this artistic dimension.
A few days ago my family toured the Riot Games Campus in West Los Angeles. You can read all about it in an article I just posted here in TravelingBoy.com. It was really fun. I wish you guys could go there too but it’s one of those places where access is only granted to those who are connected to the organization. My daughter, the artist, works there.
Through her, my dreams have come true. I may have planted the artistic seed but she watered it with her blood, sweat and tears. She braved through the starving artist route that I was too proud to take. Her accomplishments are deservedly her own. I’m so proud and happy for her. Praise God for making my dream her dream and making both our dreams come true.
How about you? Where are you in your life journey? We all have hills and mountains to climb, don’t we? Wherever you are in your life adventure, is God in the picture? Hmmm …
“We are God’s masterpiece [quite perfect in His sight] created anew [born again] in Christ Jesus so the good [the abundantly good life path] that He planned for us a long long time ago [even before we were born], should be our way of life.” — Ephesians 2:10
Blessings to you my TGIF friends!
Raoul
JOKE OF THE WEEK
Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA
Original art by Raoul Pascual.
Parting Shots
Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines.
Thanks to Tom of Pasadena. CA
Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre. CA
I found these
The Traveling Boy
My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with these.
Hilda
August 4, 2023 at 10:30 am
I once knew a guy named Jesse Santos, a Filipino animator. He worked for Warner Bros, Hanna-Barbera, Universal, etc. He stylized the ET environment for ET Universal Studios tour. He had an expansive comics work, commissions, and other. He passed away sometime ago. He used to sing at Marcello’s in North Hollywood: I wonder if you heard of him. I heard from another animator that the studios would hire him anytime:
Congratulations that your daughter followed your footsteps!
Hilda
Raoul
August 4, 2023 at 10:47 am
Fascinating Hilda.
I never heard of Jesse Santos. I would have loved to meet him. I know there are quite a few of us Pinoys in the entertainment industry. I need to research on him. He and I seem to have much in common (singing pa! just like me) — we could have made great friends. So sorry he passed away already.
If you know any more of his type, I’d love to meet them.
TGIF Hilda!
Lee
August 4, 2023 at 10:31 am
Hi Raoul,
Nice to hear from you again in TGIF. I have been away for a conference for biblical scholars in Vienna. The travel to get there was tough, but being there among colleagues made me realize my limitations and that like you some dreams will not be realized. When I was in college I was sure tht Billy Graham would be calling me any day since I was about to graduate. That call never came and life goes on with my disappointments. When we know that we have greater talent than some who got the positions we aspired to, that is discouraging, but again, life does go on. Eventually we find that God has blessed us much more than we deserve and that is true for me. Billy lost his opportunity, but God had other plans. I often say what Billy Graham said when he heard my name. It was profound! He said “Who”?
Blessings to you my friend. —Lee
Raoul
August 4, 2023 at 10:44 am
Welcome back from the world of biblical scholars. At least you are among the bright stars … most people are just comets.
You’re right. Billy blew his opportunity. I guess God needed you somewhere else.
I was extremely proud and self focused when I was young. God knew I
needed to be humbled. If I achieved my dreams, I know I would never have been born again.
Funny how God planted ambitions that we will never be satisfied with. Even for people who have made it to the top, there is always this dissatisfaction. I guess this is the fuel that drives our engine.
Imagine the warp speed we will enjoy when we get to heaven.
Raoul
Tom
August 4, 2023 at 10:34 am
Great Work! Your comment on Art really struck home.
One of my Daughters went to USC and was majoring in Art History and I was concerned as to how She would make a living with such a Major. Well She Graduates becomes Curator of Art in [ *** ] and is now Vice President of [a big Art School] in Pasadena.
The Crow I had to taste was indeed delectable and so satisfying.
Tom of Pasadena
Thanks for the Reminder
Heather
August 4, 2023 at 10:34 am
Picasso was right. Everyone should be able to give and give because we are virtual cornucopia’s.
The only things we get to keep, are the things we give away. Which are; empathy, support, generosity, loyalty, humor, forgiveness, understanding, etc. All these things are renewable resources and will never stop unless you decide to with hold them! Over and out.
Steve
August 4, 2023 at 10:39 am
I told my wife your “rebate” joke.
Larry
August 4, 2023 at 10:40 am
Raoul
Enjoyed your TGIF email. I didn’t realize you wanted to be an animator? I know your talents are many. Time will slow down for you and there will be time to explore all your talents. You posted a picture of Picasso, look at his life. Anyway, Bravo 👏
Raoul
August 4, 2023 at 10:43 am
Glad you liked it.
As Marlon Brando said; “I coulda been somebody …. Instead of a bum.”
I was among the best but God had other plans. I was super proud and needed a lot of humbling. Otherwise I may not have known Him.
Oscar
August 4, 2023 at 10:41 am
Good morning Raoul , It’s a good thing you left Disney before they went woke 🤷♂️ that’s awesome about your Daughter that you shared the same Dream and she fulfilled it for the both of you.
Rick
August 7, 2023 at 4:52 pm
Hello bro and thank you for the TGIF!
I am so pleased to hear that your daughter is loving her dream career. You guys have been blessed with wonderful kids! My best to them all!