SNL + Life

I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of a great tradition at MVHS: SNL.

Yes... the most epic drama production of the year, with its outrageously large cast, suggestive sense of humor, and variety of sketches.

It was damn awesome, from start to finish.  I was lucky to be a part of the "What is Love" sketch: the one I've wanted to be in since I saw the movie "A Night at the Roxbury" and the original SNL sketch back in 7th grade just because it was "freakin' awesome," seeing the Butabi brothers first fail at clubbing, then to turn around and start their own club.  Luckily, I got to do it with one of my friends who is equally, if not more, crazy about the Butabis + the Roxbury club.  From our botched up scripts to the synchronized head bobbing to getting on stage and actually doing it in front of an audience.  It all owned.  

Asides from being the sketch of my dreams, doing SNL was also a big step for me personally, since I'm not usually the best person whenever it comes to performing in front of a large crowd, let alone any group more than 10ish since I tend to get nervous.  Also, I was portraying a character so different than my normal self so this role was getting out of my shell, releasing my inhibitions, and just doing it and going wild.

But at the end of it all, I want to thank everybody who made this a great experience.  From the director to fellow sketch members to fellow cast members to makeup people to producers to tech crew... it has most definitely been a pleasure to be given this opportunity and to fulfill it to the best of my ability.  Thank you for making this one of my best memories which I will carry with me when I leave for college and the world beyond.  Hell... I'll be talking about this at reunion parties... cocktail parties... kids' parties... wherever.  Who knows?

Ameya, we did it man.  Four years of waiting with excitement in the making... we pulled it off with great success.  Thanks for loving Roxbury as much as I do and giving life to our dream.  Remember those pimping dance moves for when you go clubbing or partying in college... and yes, we need to start our own nightclub.  

Prateek and Mimi... thanks to you two also for making this dream and experience a reality.  It was fun doing it all, from the head bobbing to the "impressive dancing" as a whole.  Thanks for a great time.

Jarryd... thanks for walking with us through the Roxbury skit, be it with "Project your voice!" or "Lets take it from the top, offbook"... all was good and owned.  Thanks for it all

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Yesterday while eating dinner at Journalism Late Night, we were all into our own little groups talking about random stuff.  Suddenly, I overhear a familiar set of words which I remember from my Farian days: no shorts after Halloween.  My head snaps towards the words and I begin talking about how at Faria, we could only wear shorts until Halloween and after Spring Break.  All of a sudden, it became a melting pot of past experiences in elementary school and middle school, ranging from putting rose thorns on benches (evilly amusing), youth skankiness (!), being good kids or bad-ass kids, people we liked/hated back in the day, Yosemite (hair dryers + cabin adventures), favorite or evil teachers (of course... u've all had 'em), etc.

What made this fun was not only the fact that it was a good distraction from working (just a bit), but it was also a great memory jogger... made me remember the good ol' days, when APs and SATs were Greek and Latin and our only priority in life was to have fun and be a good kid... back when nothing really mattered that much except, of course, which Yu-Gi-Oh deck or Pokemon you had... back when the only woe we were bogged down by was not beating a certain someone at teatherball or handball.

Going back in time... sitting around and chilling... its all a great bonding experience.  Sitting with awesome people, just discussing the fun we had and the trouble we got into, the things we remember doing and the things others remember us for doing, the people we liked and the people we hated... its all an awesome learning and living experience.  Makes you look back and love (or in those rare cases, hate) your life even more.  

Thanks guys for making me love my early years + months + days + etc even more enjoyable and memorable.

"You've got one shot at life... make sure you savor every bit of those 30mL since the glass ain't comin' back and neither will time.  Just get out there, get wasted, and love every bit of it."

I'm out now guys... I need to sleep soon.

Peace and love,

Kunal

Yes we did... yes we can... and damn right we will.

Today 

Kunal Bhan, 01.20.2009

Today, I am thankful.

Thankful to live.

Thankful to have lived today.

Thankful to have lived to see today.

Thankful to have lived to see this profound day.

Thankful to have lived to see this profound day, although on a live telecast rather than as a physical attendee.

Today, I am proud.

Proud to be alive.

Proud to be alive as an American.

Proud to be alive as a minority in America.

Proud to be alive and witness the advances minorities in America have made.

Proud to have witnessed perhaps the greatest moment in history which will go down in the history books and APUSH FRQs/DBQs.

Today, I am in awe.

In awe of 300 million people.

In awe of one of these 300 million people.

In awe of the mysticism behind this one man.

In awe of what one man is capable of doing or having done.

In awe of how one man's ambition + drive + motives have created not only a moment to remember but also set the wheels to progress in motion.

Today, I am a believer.

Believing in my dreams. 

Believing in the impossible dreams.

Believing in the impossible dreams and working for them.

Believing in the impossible dreams and working with the the creed "Impossible is nothing."

Believing in the impossible dreams that I have and the fact that believing that "Impossible is nothing" while working on them will lead to success and the fullfilment of them.

Today, I am a changed man.  And I believe

We can change.  I can make this my world.  And

You can make yours and we, ours.  

In the light of things, we can do anything.  Yes we can.  Yes. We can. Yes. We. Can.

Today, this is the moment to change, to move forward, to get ahead, to get better.

Yes... today, at this moment, right now - we can.

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Today, I'm thankful to by a proud believer in awe of the wonders and possiblities and opportunities I am faced with in this lifetime in such a nation where truly, "Impossible is nothing."  It's all around us no matter where we look... people working against adversary to reach a goal and then seeing it out till the end, as they push past the throng to sprint the last 400 meters through the tape at the finish line.  Then they look back, acknowledge the personal struggle and fight they had to go through, and look to the future and specifically, to how they will go forward in the rest of their endeavors.

Today, I'm proud to have served as one of the multitude of volunteers - old and young, gay and straight, white and black (and Asian + Indian for that matter) - who made this dream into a reality.  All the hours of door-to-door knocking, phonebanking, planning for fundraisers, spreading the message of change... everything has finally paid off in the end.  Watching the inauguration today filled me up with a sense of pride... responsibility... and most importantly, the positive feeling that I contributed to the change heading our way as America enters the new year and a new era, complete with a plethora of issues like Iraq, a dead economy, global warming, alternative energy, and rights problems with prevalent issues like Gitmo.

At the end of the day whilst watching the parade down to the White House, the performances, and the inaugural balls, I thought about everything. But most importantly, the rocky ride ahead for Obama, Biden, Hillary, and the rest of the nation as we shall overcome this problems in due time.  Yes, it will be a rough journey.  Yes, we won't see the light suddenly.  Yes, there will be lots of opposition and recurring issues and obstacles to break down.  Yes, it will be a test of Obama's so-said power to bring change as well as the resolve the American people.

BUT

At the same time, we as people and more importantly, as Americans all looking for the same goals - a stable economy... good healthcare... plentiful jobs... some form of financial security when we retire -must band together and cross this ocean together.  It'll be tough, but we shall overcome.  We will see the light at the end of the tunnel.  We will once again regain our position as a beacon for the future instead of the black sheep to look down upon.  I can feel it.  I know it.  I believe it.

President Bush... even though you made some pretty stupid decisions which have screwed us over and left us in the state we are in today, I still think it's important for us to give thanks where it is due and thank you for eight years, however rocky + climactic + wild + messed up they have been.  We wish you smooth sailings in Crawford, Texas.  Bush fucked us over in many places no doubt, but that's then.

This is now.

To Barack Hussein Obama and Joseph Robinette Biden, good luck for these next four years.  Make the nation proud and show us the change we've been waiting for these past eight years.  Show us the America we want and the future we envision.  Godspeed, and may the force be with you.

Change? Yes... Can I?

"It aint much I'm asking if you want the truth; here's to the future for the dreams of youth."

 - "I Want It All," Queen, The Miracle

"See I had to go / See I had to move / No more wastin’ time / You can’t wait for life / Were just racin’ time / Where’s the finish line?"

 - "Love Lockdown," Kanye West, 808s and Heartbreaks

I'm racing against time, but I just can't seem to find the finish line.  

With only 5 months left of high school (holy shit... time flies so effing fast!) and 7.5 till I enter college (okay... I REALLY can't imagine this is happening, but it's gonna), I don't have much time left before it happenes.  The change.  The transition from my chillaxed life here in Cupertino, as an MVHS student... as a friend... as a member of the many awesome things I took or will take part of here, like Journo <3,deca,>

Obama: For so long, I've been tooting the horn in support of Barack Obama, our next president as of Tuesday, January 20th.  He's coming to DC and to the forefront of America bringing in the change that yes, we can see.  I'm ready for that change... for a fresh face to do something good for America.  Someone who will ensure that I can sleep soundly at night... that I can make and save money without fearing it disappearing to financial crises... that the career I do take up will not be interrupted or impacted by unexpected economic pitfalls.  But am I ready for the real change in my day-to-day life?

Back home: For so long, I've been keeping my self posted with what's going on back home in India.  Seeing all the shit that's happened... be it the Mumbai blasts (we'll never forget those who died... rest in peace) or the shit Kashmir's been through (i'm mad i haven't been to my real home forever, but it's slowly getting better and that's good because then i'll be able to "come home again") or the rampant corruption.  Now, at least the people are taking some sort of stand in trying to ensure the weak + easily swayed government is doing something to respond to the people's demands.  There is change here, which I am personally very ready for.  But am I ready for the real change in my day-to-day life?

Personal Life: lots of change there as well.  What I had hoped to be the first one turned out to crash and burn in a bad way.  It tore me apart and I had to bounce back just in time for AP testing that year.  Worst thing that happened to me in a while.  Seeing someone as beautiful and great as her turn around and snap the guitolline on my neck and kill me was just horrible and it made me sad.  Even now, I have no damn clue how I was able to recover and bounce back from everything normally.  I took to relationship advising instead to bounce back which worked, though I still had a hole in my heart.  Then, my best friend came back for me and I was hopeful of something to pursue with her.  Yet, it crashed + burned as I was left biting the dust, having been beat by somebody else.  Killed me in a different way but yet again, I still forced myself to move on as well.  Not easy, since I really do not like anybody at the moment since I'm sorta still recovering.  I've dealt with this change.  But am I ready for the real change in my day-to-day life?

Music: Hell... even my music has changed sorta.  Having transitioned from exclusively rock + hip/hop to more classic + progressive rock, The Beatles, Queen, techno, electronica/dance, and pop, I'm liking it a lot.  It's been pretty cool listening to the stuff from Europe, esp. Basshunter and DJ Mangoo.  Good stuff by these guys, indeed.  This has gotten me from not only doing guitar and piano, but changing so that I can explore making electronica... which has bene pretty fun actually.  Sitting behind FL Studio 8 has been an interesting experience.  I've changed here pretty easily.  But am I ready for the real change in my day-to-day life?

Now it really does make me wonder... will I be ready to face the real change in my life?  Will I be able to cope with what comes my way in the near future?  How will I adjust with what's gonna become of my life in the next couple of months?  

Really.  I have no friggin' idea what's gonnna happen to me.  Neither does anybody no what's gonna happen with them.  But at the end of the day, there is only one thing we can do despite whatever's going on around.  That one thing is to take in each experience like another breath of air, another sip of water, another step taken forward.  Let it all happen and move on from there.  Act on instinct, but act more on principle + circumstance.  You make your life, nobody else.  Only you can make your life, so just "live your life" and make the most of the best gift you've received.  Who knows where you'll land up?  Nobody does, but just let the magic happen.  Let stuff fall in your lap.  As Mama Gump put it, "Life's like a box of chocolates... you never know what you're gonna get."

In the End

This Year in Review

Damn… what a year it has been indeed.

As I look back at the year, its been pretty fucking awesome with everything.  Even though its been a wild rollercoaster, I’ve loved it.  Every little bit of it.  Stress or not, I don’t think I’ve had a better year in a while.

Junior Year

After a rough first semester, I resolved to do better in the next semester and try to get more out of life and chill out and be less stressed with all the random crap in my life.  Luckily, everything seemed to go pretty damn smoothly, for the most part.  Got through the stress and the other stuff happening throughout the year with the help of not only better time management, but also with awesome people who I got to know better and become if not closer, but better friends with.  It was an interesting psychological and emotional journey, going through everything. 

Then came JP, which started off as the awesome night of my life which would hopefully lead to something in the future.  It seemed that way for a while, through a good chunk of the night.  But through it all, I learned a lot about people + their character as well as how to better deal with others.  Thanks, A, for being that lifetime experience for me and making me a better person.  Though I liked you a lot back then, I know like you instead because you made me more practical with everything about life and my thought process.  It was rough for me, but I got through it all.  You’ve been a great person, and you have a great future ahead of you.  Keep up with the good work in everything.  Other than that, the year ended well, with awesome stuffs from most corners of life and everything.  Good year, although stressful.  Guitar Hero + Brawl with Harsha at Alex’s place when we should have been doing chem project, playing Hearts + Mafia in Calc with the crew, Bio Project with Mr. Lei and the rest of the group.  Can’t think of a way I’d go back to try stuff all over again. 

It was just pretty fucking awesome.

Summer

Nothing really that big happened over summer, more like a normal + usual summer.  Worked in India for five weeks and I’ve gotta say: one of the best experiences of my life.  I got to work on something cool (solar energy) with hella awesome interns.  Sher, Asif, Vikas, Aakanksha… thanks for a great five weeks of working, having fun, hanging out.  Other than that, I spent some time with family which is always awesome no matter what.

Senior Year

Ah… at last, the final year.  The final year of high school.  The final year I’m living at home before I head off into the real world also known as college.  The final year I’ll be together with all my friends + my so-said old life and when I transition to the new stages of the future.  As I look back at everything, it makes me appreciate my life more and more and be thankful for every experience I’ve had.  The start of the year was good, no doubt.  Gym jam was fun this year, especially the candle thing at the end.  I’ve been to Gym Jam three times in high school; even though we’ve done hella fun stuff like hanging out and talking or playing Mafia or playing Big Booty, the candle lighting thing at the end as always been my favorite.  A time I get to be introspective and just share my inner thoughts with others in a circle.  But this time, I liked it more for some reason, though I forget why.

Next few months: got into the flow of my classes and with being a senior.  From day one, I loved senior year.  Getting off at 2:15ish everyday and 12:45 on Tuesdays - the schedule I had wanted ever since freshman year. 

·         Gov AP turned out to be a pretty fun class with Recktenwald, trash-talking Palin’s intelligence (you betcha!) and just about everything. 

·         Lit AP – Mr. Clarke is my idol officially.  He’s just a baller... no questions asked.  Not only have I improved my writing, but I’ve also had just a great time in second period, with all the random videos and stories. 

·         French AP = period 7 French 3 + company.  It’s been a wild adventure, getting back with the crew from period 7 French 3 two years back along with other guys and the French 3 kids who hopped up to join us in AP.  It’s been an interesting journey through the class… the old jokes, the same crap as usual, sleeping in class sometimes, having Gabet for the third year in a row.  It’s been a blast… waiting for second semester party time. :P

·         Physics Honors… rape with a smile.  JimBo is a great guy, but I just suck at physics in general.  Nonetheless, I’ve loved the class even though I don’t do as well.  Though this semester, I’m gonna make some changes in stuff that I do to study and prep so that I can do well.  Looking forward to PGA and other fun times in the class.

·         Java.  The class I was dreading to take, but which I’ve grown to like and have fun in.  Having Deruiter for the second year in a row after Calc BC has been great.  Just four of us seniors in a class loaded with freshmen, but its been fun.  Brandon + Vaibhav… you guys helped make the class less boring so thanks a lot.  Working on programs… mooching off the underclassmen… last minute epiphanies on our program before Deruiter comes to grade them… its been a ball.

·         Journalism: best class so far.  I didn't go to camp cuz of my India internship, so I had no clue what was going on when I first walked into class.  However, it was still pretty awesome I’d say.  Got into the flow of everything pretty soon… learned the fun which engulfs late-nights, got to meet some pretty damn awesome people or better know people who I sorta knew back over the years, but didn’t get a chance to actually talk with them or know them better.  You guys know who you are… and you’ve all made it the best experience of my senior year so far.  Late Nights, edited pictures on zhenni’s cameras, OBAMA, spazz fests about knowing Everything, the JOKER J, St. Louis, failing at life, Photobooth, InDesign, Frosty Friends… the whole damn thing has been pretty fucking awesome, topped off with a great teacher.  Thanks guys, and here’s to another four great issues.

Last high school Homecoming ever... its been great.  I actually decided to go floatbuilding this year, which was hella fun.  Working with other people, having a damn good time... its been great.  Rally... not so much, but then again we weren't given clear directions or the full directions from everyone we should have.  Whatever... it happened, we worked hard, and in the end we won :) .  Biggest hug+lovefest I've seen like ever in my life, and I'm glad to have been a part of it all.  Gathering around trying to fix Woody's flashlight... funniest moment of it all.  Seeing crowining of court was another of the epic moments I got to see.  Great stuff no doubt.  Dance was ok... had my own person struggle to deal with then, though didn't go according to plan.  But eh... whatever.  No point dwelling on the past.  It's time to look forward and take in the new and move on.  A... as evil + tough as you may have sounded about it, you were right.  Thanks for being the tough cop with dealing with me.  I got through, and I'm feeling great now.  So thanks once again :).

St. Louis was a fun trip this year, no doubt.  Even though it was sorta short and not horribly epic or big, it was still enjoyable.  Got to hang out with people, run in the rain around the city, taste snow, freeze my hands off, find awesome shirts, going to epic museums with the most random crap going on... it was all fun.  Late night adventures after curfew... nothing that epic, but still fun nonetheless.

College Apps... another pleasureable hurdle (please note the sarcasm).  Got through my huge-ass stack of them after late nights, speed writing sessions, sending scores, stressing my ass off... it was interesting.  Got heartbroken after not getting to my number one school, but I forced myself to move on and stop stressing or freaking out over that.  Glad that crap is done with.

In General

This past year has been quite the adventure, and I'm glad to have lived through it all.  I lived it all up, but I don't think it would have been fun without the great people I got to know or met or got to know better.  There are too many to list, but y'all know who you are.  Thanks for making this a fucking awesome year to enjoy.  

Here's a closing Message to everybody.  Try to figure out the song references in here

"We Made It" because "We Are The Champions." After having a "Life in the Fast Lane," I think I'm feeling "Comfortably Numb" as we take it on the "Otherside."  Just "Let It Be" "Under the Bridge" because like everybody, "I Want It All" and "I Want to Break Free" so I can get my "Satisfaction."  Remember guys... you can have "Whatever You Like" as we cross over the "Violet Hill" of MV, so long as we stick together.  We'll go "Around the World" "Staying Live" as we keep it in the back of our minds that "What Goes Around Comes Around."  And we're most definitely gonna bring "Sexyback" since we're "Fearless" as we climb and find the "Stairway to Heaven" with our "Hands Held High," screaming "Viva La Vida" as we "Shake It" since we "Ain't Missing Nothing" ever.  We'll be "Lost" in this "Bohemain Rhapsody" that we call life.  Even though we'll go "High" or "Low," we'll always remember "What is Love" along with the most improtant things of life while we go "Outta Control" "No Matter What" since we're "On Top of the World," yelling down to everyone to "Gimme More" since "I'm Yours."  We're "Freebirds" in this life, wanting to "Make a Memory" on the "Crazy Train" of our life because "In the End," "Its Not Over" as we "Let it Rock" whilst "Free Falling" and constantly remind the world "Don't Stop Me Now" as we move at the "Speed of Sound" since we'll be here "Forever" as we "Say Goodbye" to the past and "Ramble On" and we "Live Our Life" because we are "Human"

"Thanks for the Memories" guys.  09ers... here's to the next six months and our futures.

"JUST DANCE," "CRANK DAT," "PARTY LIKE A ROCKSTAR," and "TOUCH THE SKY" "RIGHT NOW" since it's the "GREAT ESCAPE"!!!

Love, 

Kunal