Thankful...

It' Thanksgiving 2010. It doesn't even feel like it! But. you can bet your ass I'm excited =) My brothers are all going to be in one place at the same time, which is rare these days! Even then, my oldest brother Chones won't be with us for the 9th Thanksgiving since he's been murdered. Pretty crazy to think we've come this far without him. Sure I believe he's with us, I'm very big on spiritual belief, but having him physically in a room is far more powerful.

What am I Thankful for?

I'm love SO many people in my life, but there are those who have made me who I am, literally. And those who have got me to where I am today. The following are those who I hold higher than the rest. There is no need to be offended if you are not listed, for I love so many, with so much.

(In no particular order)

DAVID LEI BRANDT has made me the performer I am today. Everything he's performed in musical theatre has inspired me to not only be in musical theatre but to out do myself every time I get on a stage. My whole theatrical "career" I have strived to be as good as David Lei has been, and is on stage. Confidence, stage presence, vocal ability and brother love.

MR. MASTERSON, once in my eyes as the "scary teacher" in the theatre who yelled at me and my band geek friends when we were going down into the theatre basement at Chaffey High School's Winter Fling 2002 where I met his son David Lei. And then once viewed as the teacher and theatre director who can make me cry infront of 40 other advanced drama students, and now a friend and my theatre father. He has pulled SO much out of me. In short, he taught David Lei everything he knows....and I'm so inspired by what David Lei has done and does....so I guess we can trace that back to Mr. Masterson right? So I thank masterson for everything he's given me in these past 8 years.

JON ESPINOZA has gotten through A LOT. My biggest state of depression was about a year and 2 months ago. I was dating someone, who evidently is a whore who went to Paris and hooked up with her ex. NICE. Learned a lot from dating her, but never again, thanks! Jon was there for me, good and bad, this entire past year and 2 months. Writing some of the best songs I've ever written, performing in a musical side by side for the first time ever since Les Miserables 2002, and just spending time together going places and living life like best friends do. Thanks for getting me through so much Jon.

FIASCO! Wow, what an amazing band. Brent, def UP there with one of the best songwriters I've ever written with. He brings so much to the table at a Fiasco! rehearsal. His voice, his stage presence, song writing, love and sacrifice. Without him, Fiasco! is just another garage band. And Brandon, our drummer, wowwwww, if you haven't seen us live, you don't understand how great he is live on stage. I love his humor and talent. He's the comic relief of our band, yet he's such an amazing drummer, who will have your back in any fight you may get in =)

ALFONSO GARCIA & RACHEL ZONNIVILLE have always supported everything I've ever done. Rachel has known me since elementary school and has seen me go through every single band I've ever been in and has NEVER forgotten about me. So much and support and love from her, it's crazy. Alfonso, along with Rachel, supporting everything I do, and at times very blunt about how I've inspired him in his life, and that alone means so much to me. He's so dedicated to theatre, we share so much when it comes to talking about musical theatre, the Beatles and talking shit on people we can't stand.

BROTHERS, I am NOTHING without Daryl, David (Kammo), Dennis and Chones (Dwayne). And I don't say that lightly. Talk about brotherly love....we are inseparable! The moment ONE of us is in a situation, we are all ready to drop anything and run to be together and fight through whatever it is, sometimes, literally. growing up in this has with four older brothers....there is nothing more I can ask for in my life. Because of them, my life is already complete.

MY PARENTS have been through SO MUCH SHIT. They've sacrificed their LIVES for us. So much that I STILL don't know the entire story of how we've become where we are today. And they continue to make a difference in each of our lives. it's unbelievable how much I owe them. They would say, "You don't owe us anything." But I can't wait to buy them everything they've ever dreamed of.

ANTHONY TRUJILLO, although I have not seen or talked to this guy in a year, I've tried many times but apparently some things are just more important than those who love you most. But I don't forget how much he meant to me and still means to me. He is THE BEST musician I've ever worked with. He can write a pretty badass song with in minutes in one sitting. He comes up with ideas that I would never think of. I've always wanted to write and entire album with him, but I'm not too sure if that's gonna happen anymore. But what I do know, is that I've shared some of my greatest days with this guy. Thanks, and I love you <3

JULIAN ARELLANO, such a beautiful soul. I've experience a lot of good times with this guys. Especially from 2004-2006. Great musician , singer, actor and has such a great heart.

ANDREW DUCOTE is def the most charismatic person I've ever met. Everything about him is so bright. I met him working for Disney. We worked together on an average of about once a week in my 2 year run at Disneyland. But in time, we became closer and closer. Even now, I'll make the 1 hour and 10 min drive out to see him because I can't imagine my life without his love, jokes, laughter and amazing ideas. He's an amazing actor and an even better friend. <3

JACOB STEELE. He is the ONLY friend who ACTUALLY moved to New York after he graduated like he said he would. We all had that dream, but Jacob....he actually lived it and still is. With a wife and an apartment. A great job in Times Square and a career in song writing. He is by far the most loved friend I know. And he gives back just as much love if not more. He's song writing skills are genius and his voice is angelic. And though I don't believe in religion, he has a great love for god and of all people, he makes me wanna believe, and that's saying a lot =) Jacob is my only TRUE "Brother from another mother". He is the original. He's everything I love. And though I see him once a year, it's beautiful every time.

DARLINA LOPEZ AND HER FAMILY had gotten me through THE WORSE moment in my life. Since the murder of my brother til about 2 years after. They were my escape and helped me find an out when I knew there was nothing left in life to care about. I dated Darlina at the time, (shortly after the funeral) and she made me forget everything. It was the first time I though I fell in love. And still looking back, I believe in was love because she gave me what no one else could. The entire family, including Wayne and Joey. You all helped me through the most horrid point in my entire life, and I'm sure it just may be the height of what my heart will feel til the end. Thank you. I'm not sure if I;d still be alive today if it weren't for you.

Again, this list can go on and on. But these are the people who made an impact so much on my life that I can't help but pay my respects.

And my life has made some additions with in the last 5 months in whole. A lot of new friends from Camp Rock the Musical, and just a few others I've met along the way. Found someone I wish to spend my everyday with, and I've never been happier...truly. If this is where my life remains, then I can find content in being in the position I'm in, and that's what matters most. <3

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I hope your family is together on this day, just as mine will be in 4 hours from now.