Up a hill and back down and then back up!!

The last couple of days have been hard but amazing!! I mean a lot of fun too but a lot of climbing!!! A LOT ...

I was getting a little tired today and my negativity almost got the best of me but I didn't let it win ... I just started chanting and was able to talk myself down (no pun intended) ... it was some work but I was able to turn my attitude around.

We were about 9000 ft up ... the highest I've ever been. I also got to ride on Ski-doo and a snowcat.

I really will come back changed and looking @ things a little differently.

We also decided to shave!! Whoo hoo ....

I can't repeat enough how nice everyone is.

So tomorrow ends my first week of shooting. Amazing .. that's all I have to say.

Climbing for Dummies

That would be uhhh ... mee??? Pics to follow ... So I got down to the basics ... I still am not sure how to tie a knot but I have a pretty good idea about this climing thing. It was so beautiful today ... in the middle of heavy huffing and puffing ... I had to laugh cuz I was like, THIS IS MY JOB ... how amazing ... life is truly good ... I know keep saying that but it's true.

I napped hardcore after the climb tho and then ate a nice dinner.

Made the mini movie and now off to learn lines and then bed!

Tomorrow is the first day of shooting and we're doing the scenes where we're struggling with trying to Summit and have to come back down.

Good times.

Beaches and Glaciers

I'm about to pass out from finally moving and driving for about being in car for about 11 hours to get to Long Beach, WA ... It's beatiful ... the longest beach Peninsula in the US ...

I'm staying @ the Whale's Tale ...

As you can see it has wireless internet access ... whoo hoo!!!

Only 3 years ago, you'd be hard press to find anything like this ...

Crazy ...

Anyway ... I decided to go here to find some peace and quiet while I prepare for the beginning of the shoot next week!

The Motel is ummmmm ... rustic ... I'm going to have to see if there's a non-smoking room that I can be put in cuz man ... I don't think I can manage the smell.

I went by the beach and saw the Sunset, then got some supplies and gorged on Mexican Food.

Started to put together the script but couldn't watch some of the research DVD's cuz my brain is fried.

I'm having a blast tho'.

Tomorrow ... it's reading the script again and then breaking down my scenes.

As well, I officialy have a beard and some hair on my scalp ...

I don't even recognize myself ...

Watch out!!!

Movin' out and movin' on ...

I'm about 90% done packing my stuff for the move this weekend ... I really got into throwing more stuff away. I just don't need it.

I'm going to the Oregon Coast this weekend, Astoria to be exact where they filmed Goonies. I've been everywhere along the coast except for there. I'm taking a quiet couple of days off to memorize and prepare for the role.

I got the cast list with most people and I don't know anyone except for Eric Johnson on the show which is good cuz I'll be able to make some more new friends.

I'm still trying to solidify the accent. It's getting there.

I was basically editing and coaching all week so I'm looking forward to the time away by myself ... some peace and quiet.

Although I have to leave Oregon at like 5 am so I can catch my 2 pm flight to Calgary. I can do it ... I remember driving back from Burning Man to go to Japan.

Xavier is handling this move thing OK I guess. So I have to put my script together with all the revisions.

Just a couple more loose ends and then I'm outta here.

Namaste, Thik Chha, Dhanya Baad

Had a great Nepali lesson and now into full force of my research with the part.

Amazing stuff. The character I play is really fascinating. I read yesterday that he climbed the summit 5 times!! He also died so young @ 33. He would be 51 today if he were still alive.

To see Sundgare's BIO, go to this LINK:

http://www.everesthistory.com/sherpas/sungdare.htm

I've wrapped up two classes already and it was hard not getting emotional as I told the guys I would miss them. I know it's only two months but it's having seen some of the actors learn, grow and evolve ... it's tough ... but we'll all be OK from it ... I can't wait for the party that one of my gang is throwing.

I'm starting to realize that this is a big deal but just going to be a great adventure. I'm just have to get done and moved before I go that's all.

I'm having a packing party this week. It's all worked out nicely ... I don't have to pay rent for a couple of months and my stuff is stored in a safe place.

Rhythm towards the mountain.

Nam myoho renge kyo!

I'm turning Nepalese ...

Mystically, I got invited to the first annual Nepali film festival. It was like they knew we were filming this project.

The political situation in Nepal is tense since the king formed his own government last year. Riots and disappearances occur almost regularly.

So I saw a doc about that. Then this really charming but sad feature film about a woman who's husband dies and she ends marrying this second guy who causes ruin for the family. In the end they just keep on going with their lives although they lose their home and livelihood. I got to understand a fair bit about their culture from this film alone.

I've also caught a little flu bug or something and I CAN'T GET SICK. I've had to draw the line and turn down numerous coaching gigs, cuz I have to take care of my health! It's killing me cuz I love teaching so much but I have to really concentrate on me. I don't know what it's really like to be working on something for so long. I'm used to a week here and there but that's it.

I realized that I've been keeping myself busy and enjoying taking care of so many people but I can't even remember when I've really had the opportunity to just take care of myself ... a little bit here and there but I'm going to have to really concentrate and focus for at least two months on a role, henceforth on ME.

I got the pink revisions and the script is getting clearer, deeper. My character is definitely a bit more defined. I heard from the production co-ordinator that there are actually going to be a couple of Sherpas on the shoot.

I'm still not sure when I leave which will decide on whether I move out in April or mid-may. I'm just enjoying knowing what I know and surrendering to what I don't.

This is starting to become real ...

I'm starting to tell my students that I'm going to be away for at least a couple of months ... telling my fellow Buddhists that I'm not going to see them for a while. trying to get used to the idea that I'm not going to be in Vancouver but in the Rockies. I also have to try and figure out moving my stuff from my apartment because my friend has decided to sell the apartment. Not sure how I going to make all of this work but I have faith. Man, it's been so long that I've stayed in one place ... being settled but maybe it's time I had a little adventure! And to be travelling while acting ... HELLO??

The more I research the more I realize what a historic event this whole Everest Expedition is ... so wild being part of recreating history ... CANADA RULES!

I'm not allowed to cut my hair or shave soon ... this is going to be interesting ... because I always shave my head (not because i'm Buddhist but to smooth out that good 'ol receding hair line, it's going to look interesting!) Oh, for my art ... I've NEVER had a beard in my life ... that's going to be fun too!!

This part is going to make me a MAN!!

My shoot dates - FINALLY!


So it begins ...

I FINALLY got my dates ... now I can finally plan the rest of my life. Well, for the next couple of months or so, it's mountains and snow!

It turns out that the production decided to not shoot in Switzerland. Which sucks but makes sense. I mean, if you can't shoot Everest in Nepal then why bother. I guess I'll just have to go to Switzerland on vacation.

I picked up the scripts today with some of the research notes.

I was supposed to start my lessons on Monday but I got the times screwed up and my Nepalese instructor lost my address. So we rescheduled on Saturday.

I have to admit, I was starting to have panicked moments. This is all new to me. It really is. Then I started worrying about my students and if they were going to be OK while I was gone. I also found out that I have to move from my apartment. That is kinda stressful. Really truly. But it's part of the adventure.

Still not sure who's going to be in it.

I was watching the Everest documentary that was made in '96. The storyline was weak but it made for great research. I really have to come from a spiritual, strong and still place for this character. That's my role in this whole thing. I think I'm going to be chanting LOTS on this shoot for myself, the rest of the cast and crew. I'm going to be OK.

Bits and pieces

I’m starting to get little sparks and flashes about the project. This weekend at the Barbara Deutsch workshops (for those of you who don’t know, Barbara is this amazing career coach from LA that I bring up every few weeks) I heard from an actor that a woman named Gigi DeLeon was cast and it sounds most likely that she’ll be playing my wife. Wow, this gig comes with a "TV wife". Man, it gets better and better each day. Also, I was coaching Joely yesterday for her film "Almost Heaven" and she told me that Eric Johnson was cast as well. Eric is an actor from Alberta now living in Vancouver, I met a while back when he was doing Smallville. He also did this movie a even further back called Scorn, about a kid who gets his mom and grandma killed for their inheritance.

I also just got off the phone with a very nice young Nepali man named Shiva (yes, like the god) who is going to give me a lesson next week. So it begins, but no still no date of when I leave and no confirmation about Switzerland yet.

Man, it’s been a crazy weekend cuz both the Mastery and Barbara Deutsch were happening. So I was moving back and forth between the two. The experiences are helping prepare for what's about to happen next. I’m excited but I also have this sense of calm. I’m just setting things up before I go. I have a Skype account now, a myspace account and also got a webcam. Taking care of little things here and there.

Speaking of webcam, I also did this amazing thing this weekend. One of my students, Theresa Lee who I coached for this movie, "SON OF DRAGON" a few weeks before called me the day before her first day of shooting (I didn’t know she booked the job) from China! Desperately needing a coaching (always there for my students as much as possible cuz I love them!). We were able to work it via webcam. Isn’t that wild? It was a little early, 6:30 am but because of the other workshops, that was the only time I could do it. Gotta love technology.

So bit by bit ... little by little it begins ... I'm sure it's going to start moving fast enough.

St. Paddy's at the Kathmandu cafe




I got to the Kathmandu cafe. It was pretty cool. Ang took me there for my birthday dinner. It was a really serene place and we got to eat traditional Nepali food.

We had a Boj or in English - Feast. Two small dishes and then a main dish. Nepali food is actually very close to Indian food. Simpler, smaller, cleaner.

Our first dishes were a shredded chicken dish w/ some crunchy rice and dumplings.

Then the main dish was a yellow dahl, roti, mustard greens and Basmati rice. Very healthy and not all greasy.

I also managed to talk to the manager named Abi. He is the head of the Nepali society in Vancouver. I asked him if there was any place to learn Nepali and he mentioned that the cook who was student would be more than willing to tutor me in Nepali.

So next week I'll be studying Nepali, check out the restaurant if you get the chance. The food there is pretty good, reasonable and a little bit of a change from normal Indian food.

OK ... Since a lot of people weren't getting my other blogs ... I've decided to try a different site ... so this is a test ... it's only a test. If this works, I'm going to be transferring the previous blogs over here. So please reply and let me know that you got this ...

Post Birthday Glow

It's March 17th ... St. Paddy's day and just relaxing after a nite's celebration of my 36th birthday. I haven't laughed like that in a while. We went to a Karaoke box and then to Celebrities. I think my favorite song of the nite was "Old Macdonald" ... always a crowd pleaser especially when Aubrey Arnason is making cluck cluck and woof woof noises ... FABULOUS!

I even partook in a little alcohol action ... crazy I know!

Then off to Celebrities where there wasn't really anyone there but we made the most of the dance floor. This promoter guy came up to me (with a sort of put on New York accent) and asked if I wanted to dance in his show. I respectfully declined. Speaking of dancing, there was a male stripper there too, those interactive kinds - YIKES! I was a little confused at first because he was in a Fireman's outfit and I thought "What's a fireman doing in the club??" I thought maybe he was doing an ispection of some sort. Well, he was ... Then the peeps I went with happened to mention that it was my birthday to him and then he started getting all sexy dancing like with me. I ran in the other direction fleeing ... I'm a modest asian 36 year old you know! Unlike my friend Lara who did this whole interpretive dance piece a la kama sutra with him. You go KIWI rocker chick!

So this morning I get a call from wardrobe for my sizes ... why is it in productions that wardrobe is ALWAYS the first to call?? Again another step that this Everest thing is going to be my reality for the next few months ... BRING IT I say ... BRING IT! Tonite, it's the Cafe Kathmandu ... I looked at the menu and it's quite interesting. I can't wait to start learning the language.

I also decided yesterday that I'm bringing back my official last name as an actor . So my name on all things will read: MIGUELITO MACARIO ANDALUZ. 3 names and I'm worth it damn it!

Will hopefully find out soon whether I'm going to Switzerland or not.

Hurry up and wait


What's a boy to do when all he knows is that he's shooting sometime starting in April but that's it??? Well ... he finds a cafe in Vancouver, (on Commercial drive to be exact) that has Nepalese food and a network of people where he can learn Nepali.

Check out: cafekathmandu.com

As well, probably a few treks up the Grouse Grind would do well to build up my tolerance for altitude.

It's not for lack of things to do. I've been busy with teaching, coaching and chanting between 1-2 hours a day to prep myself mentally for this experience and to express my deepest gratitude for this amazing opportunity. I wonder how my life will be different after this experience or will it be the same? Will I finally like the colder weather and snow (I doubt it, but I'll probably have a huge appreciation for it because I'm bound to have some interesting memories). My career coach, Barbara Deutsch and a few other friends think that I'm going to meet someone on this project. Maybe, maybe not ... that's the last thing on my mind. But I do have to point out there are going to be a LOT of boys on this shoot. I don't know who else has been cast and there will be a few suprises in that department. Will I be the only Vancouverite??

I know this blog has this sense of weird anticipation about it but I'm just trying to enjoy the ride of the unknown ... savoring the moment ... this whole thing will come and go, just like that.

Speaking of which ... I turn 36 on Thursday, March 16th ... it's just such a strange number. I'm no longer in my early thirties. I'm going to be 40 in four years ... that's crazy ... how did that happen??? ... It seems like yesterday I was this 16 year old kid that got one of his first gigs on 21 Jump Street and it was a big deal filming it in my highschool Man, how strange is life but the rewards for sticking it out are HUGE.

That's it for now ... will try and report on my birthday.

Symbolic Sherpa


This whole experience is finally starting to feel real to me ... I'm just preparing my life slowly but surely for the changes. I've been trying to meet my group of 20 or so students before I head off sometime in April.

I was starting to have doubts about the role and also getting weird about not getting the movie with Will Ferrell instead. Then chatting with Cathrine Fuller ... one of my amazing students who's hung in this crazy business about as long as I have ... I realize the role of this Sherpa is parallel to helping my students, friends and family get to the top of their own personal Everest. It all makes sense. Will Ferrell eat your hear out! You may be needing my symoblic Sherpa services in the future.

To Blog or not to Blog


Well ... I guess to blog ... at the suggestion of my friend Tony in Berlin, I've decided to start this digital account of the goings on my life lately. Mainly because I want to start documenting and testifying the process of doing the Everest mini-series and all the other crazy adventures known as "my life".

The shock has finally started to wear off that I'm going to be playing the role as Sungdare, one of the Sherpas that helped Canadian climber Laurie Skreslet and crew make it to the top of Everest in '82. I just told one of my students today that as an acting teacher and even Buddhist youth leader, I do feel like a Sherpa helping people make it to the top of their own personal Everest. Helping them as they fall and get up again. So it makes all the sense in the world that I'm doing this role.

As it stands all I know is that I'm booked for the role, no dates, no money ... but the more I talk about it I know it's a reality ... 9 weeks in Jasper, Alberta ... and possibly 3 weeks in Switzerland. An experience of a lifetime ... I don't need to audition a lot ... I just like booking a few good ones thru out the year and I'm a happy camper.

Things change in an instant, one second I'm trying not to panic about the flood and possibly ruined floors in my apartment and next minute I'm going to be in this amazing project. Life is funny ...
I've also just retuned from this amazing trip in LA where I won my Oscar pool. Easiest $80 US that I made. 19 out of 24 categories. I can never get those damned shorts of docs right ... oh well.

So begins this amazing new journey ... where this experience takes me I'm not sure ... I'm so happy and grateful for the experience. I just have to keep chanting and stay grounded ... and after 20 years of doing this acting thing (today also marks that Anniversary), I finally feel like I'm getting it ... I guess it's the rewards of never giving up ... yet again, starting own personal journey to the top of Everest.