My name is Jon-paul. I live in the Lake Merritt area of Oakland, California . Most people call me “JP.” I was born on the island of Guam. I enjoy traveling, writing, film, theatre, music and meeting interesting people.
The name of my blog is derived from the word “Tasi” which means ocean or beach in my native language of Chamorro. I used to love to sit by the beach and look over the ocean to think and dream as a young boy growing up on Guam. This blog is in honor of those times…Tasi-thoughts.
I am interested in various issues and things about our world. You will see that I blog about a lot of different things. I do write a lot about the entertainment industry, family, LGBT issues, politics, and my Chamorro culture. I certainly do not limit myself to just these topics but they do engage me.
I also love humor and you will see me post real silly stuff. You have got to laugh in this life!
I do love to see your comments , whether you agree with me or not, to my posts. It is important to express ourselves and to be able to exchange ideas.
I also am on Twitter. You can follow me on the sidebar on my home page and click on the heading if you would like to comment on there also- if you twitter, too.
Again, Thanks for visiting Tasithought’s Weblog. Come back again.
JP
Join me on FaceBook at : http://www.facebook.com/jpaulsf
“Love life, engage in it, give it all you’ve got. Love it with a passion,because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it.” – Maya Angelou
Posted by Michael McGrorty on June 1, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Hello Jon-paul!
So, you have entered the “world of blogging” eh? To be honest, I haven’t yet ventured into this world and know very little. But since you suggested, I thought that I would at least enter something on your blog!
Things are good with me. I’m still in Portland always working on my little house. We’re still waiting for “spring” to start here; my plants are terribly confused! Life is fairly mellow otherwise. I’m still working at the Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center (www.orparc.org) and am a member of the local GL square dance club. It was nice to hear from you. I hope we can keep in contact more often. Give my best to Gary. Take care friend.
Michael
Posted by David C. Herrera on June 2, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Hi JP, I really enjoyed reading your blog. I journal so often, and I have pondered whether I should start a blog. I have the ability to do so on myspace.com. You have inspired me to blog, so I think I will start and see how it goes and if I keep it up. I love journaling.
Take care,
LD
Posted by Ed Terpening on June 3, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Jp,
What a wonderful blog, great start! As a professional blogger, you’d think I’d have friends coming out of my ears blogging, but no. Very few. I’m glad you’re here. You’re writing is a natural.
Cheers, friend. Hope to see you soon.
-Ed
Posted by Diane Masters on June 6, 2008 at 6:57 am
Hi Jon-paul: Finally got back today to check your blog. Enjoyed reading about Guam. Didn’t realize how beautiful it is. I was born in Oakland and spent much time there. Was a copy-boy (yes, they even called us girls “boys”)at the Oakland Tribune in high school and college. Was looking at some old pictures the other day here in Oregon and found one of me wading in the edges of Lake Merritt when I was about two. Hope you and Gary can make it up here for a visit one of these day.
Posted by Chris on June 16, 2008 at 2:55 am
I so long to visit Guam one of these days. I’ve never been there, but for the last few years, I’ve really wanted to visit!
Posted by hugobell on June 16, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Added you to the blogroll.
Posted by Justin on June 18, 2008 at 1:39 am
Just found your Crayons comment buried in all of my comment spam. Sorry for the delay… Love your blog… keep up the interesting posts!
Posted by Ness on June 23, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Hey, great blog! Want to let you and your readers know about a new collection of research about LGBTQ youth on IssueLab’s website. All of the research was done by nonprofit, nongovernmental agencies like GLSEN, Advocates for Youth, and National Coalition for the Homeless. You can check out the complete collection of research here– http://www.issuelab.org/closeup I hope you find it useful and informative!
Take care,
Vanessa
Posted by Robert on July 6, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Hey JP,
I saw that there was a section to post to your profile and thought I would add to its rank.
I get a real kick out of your blog. All kinds of topics, all interesting! I actually kind of hope you don’t pick a theme, as reading the blog when it’s just “thoughts” and not “thoughts in a certain scope” is much more enlightnening and open to learning more about you and fostering dialogue through the comments section. But that’s just my preference.
I would blog, but it would have to be more anonymous. The blog I had posted to, to link to a joke video, is based on my read name and I prefer not to have that out there for anyone/everyone to find…especially if the blog ventures into personal details. But again, that’s just me.
Looking forward to your continued posting!
Posted by Abby on July 7, 2008 at 3:33 am
hey. nice blog. i enjoyed reading and found the entries very interesting. im sure i’ll be visiting again. hope you dont mind xlinks. im going to add you in my blogroll.
have a nice day, and keep the posts coming…
ps
you can find me at http://seaprincess72.wordpress.com
Posted by Anthony on July 10, 2008 at 4:09 am
Hi JP,
Good thing this part is here to comment, I read the Blog, I think that is what you call this. I would have never known how to comment without this box. You can see I don’t do this normally. For you my friend, not a problem.
You have a lot of information enclosed. I am very impressed by how well done this is. I have heard of Blogs, but I work to much to do any of these. Very informative. How do you find the time to create the site, and continue to update it? Very good reading and I will come back to see what’s new. Thank you for sending me the site. I added it to my favorites.
Talk to you soon.
Anthony
Posted by mormonsoprano on July 28, 2008 at 3:11 am
Hi JP – Thanks for visiting my site and leaving some great comments! Hope you will visit often. I have enjoyed reading your movie reviews, and about your mother’s Guam experience.
Take care,
MoSop
Posted by Chris on July 28, 2008 at 3:43 am
Hey, you had sent me an encouraging post a while ago and i had never responded to thank you. So thank you! Thank you for taking the time to check it out.
God bless you JP and remember Jesus passionately loves you and is seeking you and wants more than anything just to be with you. : )
Take it easy,
Chris
Posted by tonyyork on August 11, 2008 at 3:11 pm
JP,
Thanks for your kind comments on my post. I spent some time wandering through your blog and reading your thoughts and opinions. I am intrigued by your diverse subject material.
It would be interesting to have a conversation with you.
Peace.
Posted by sottovoco on August 14, 2008 at 5:10 am
Thank you for your kind words about my father’s passing and my grief. It helps to know I’m not alone and that time will help to heal me.
I like your blog and the pictures you’ve selected from the Olympics. Very inspiring. Keep up the good work on your blog.
Val
Posted by Jay Kuo on August 31, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Hey, thanks for the kind post about my show. I’m glad you enjoyed it! The post was very well put together. Be sure to join our myspace page when we launch it! May we link to your blog?
If you’d like to see more of my work, please visit homelandmusical.com, a show about star-crossed lovers caught in the American cultural wars. Coming to NYC in February 2009!
Yours significantly,
Jay Kuo
Composer
Posted by Josh on September 7, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Thanks so much for your comment, but I can’t take credit for those lyrics! It’s a great song, called “Over You” by Chris Daughtry.
You can watch it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C_oHwLcivY
=]
Posted by Islanesia on October 1, 2008 at 10:29 pm
I just wanted to drop by and tell you how much I love this site! Quality Micronesian-run blogs are hard to come by, but finding a “family” blog with photos from Folsom made it that much better!
I hope you don’t mind that I’m adding you to my blogroll. It would be foolish of me not to!
Posted by tasithoughts on October 2, 2008 at 3:00 am
Thanks for your kind words, Islanesia. I do mind at all.
Posted by Johnny Peepers on October 18, 2008 at 4:58 am
Hey Jon-paul. Keep writing and doing what you doing dog. Just wanted to stop in and give a shout-out
Posted by Ronald N. Tan on October 25, 2008 at 8:27 pm
John-Paul,
Those photo-paiting images of Brandon are mine. Please affix the credit, “Ronald N. Tan” along with a link back to my website.
http://tasithoughts.wordpress.com/2008/10/15/britneys-womanizer-is-all-about-brandon-stoughton/
Thanks,
Ron
Posted by tasithoughts on October 25, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Ron,
I sure will give you credit for those great pictures. Thanks for the clarifications in e-mail. What a great website you have and I admire your creative talent!
I am honored to display your work!
JP
Posted by Ben Lerman on November 2, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Hey,
I saw you blogged my cover of “Four Minutes” with the Feast of Fools guys. Thanks for that, and for your kind words. I wrote and recorded a song this week that I’m trying to distribute to as many people as possible before the election. It’s a “We Are The World” style protest song called “Cocksuckers of the World Unite” by Ben Lerman & the Choir for Change.
Can you blog it, and/or send it to friends in Florida, California, and Arizona before Tuesday?
Here’s the direct link:
http://www.benlerman.net/mp3/CocksuckersOfTheWorldUnite.mp3
Thanks!
Ben Lerman
http://www.benlerman.net
Posted by tasithoughts on November 2, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Ben,
Thanks. I will certainly blog and get the word out!
JP
Posted by cj on December 30, 2008 at 3:57 pm
hi thank you for visit my blog and your blog is nice too,so can you come and answer this question for me. (http://carltone65.wordpress.com)
Posted by Will Stephens on January 7, 2009 at 5:20 am
Hey Jon-Paul! I don’t think you have enough props on your About page, so thought I would send you one from Philadelphia. Thank you for commenting on my blog at 4mostsound.wordpress.com. You are welcome to see my site at http://www.4MostSound.com, and if you and Gary are ever in Philly and need a Philadelphia wedding DJ, you’re welcome to look me up. Best wishes, man!
–Will
http://www.4MostSound.com
Posted by bi5ket on January 8, 2009 at 3:35 pm
JP-
Hopefully you are excited about meeting interesting DOGS! Thanks for the post on my blog… I’ve been enjoying yours today. Let’s be friends!
Many woofs,
Bisket
Posted by dandylien on January 12, 2009 at 8:46 am
Nice blog you’ve got!
Posted by thegoodpinkknight on January 27, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Hey, checked out your blog after I got a comment from you on my Mari Durant page… it seems we have rather similar perspectives on the world. Keep on blogging! =)
Posted by Sharon Leddy Zabel on February 15, 2009 at 5:18 am
hi Im your relative, my grandma was Elsie Blas Leddy her parennts were Henry and maria. Please email me as I’d like to know more family history.
God Bless You,
Sharon
Posted by clara54 on February 15, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Hey, thanks for visiting&your comments on my blog/thanks for Video…Love doesn’t discriminate…
Clara.
Posted by knowledgetoday on March 24, 2009 at 5:22 pm
I love your site. Keep it up !
Posted by Ina Rupp on April 10, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Hello Jon,
I love your pictures… I am also from Guam .
I’ve been living here in Utah almost two
years, I miss the warm climate…….
just me
Ina
Posted by Rebekah Milani on May 13, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Jon-Paul!!! I was looking through an old address book of mine and I came upon your name! I couldn’t for the life of me remember your last name, but I found it! Remember me?? From Ashland, Oregon? Well, Grants Pass specifically, but it seems that we always hung out in Ashland! I hope you are doing well! I still think of you all the time, and hope you are well! Please e-mail me if you get time!
~Bekah
Posted by Ed McConnell on July 15, 2009 at 6:06 am
Hafa Adai Jon-Paul.
Greetings from a fellow Bay Area resident (Orinda), who happens to have a home in Yigo as well. In Yigo
at the moment and wanted to introduce you to our new company, Chamorro Casuals. The web site just went
live today, so there will be some things to work out, along with the rest of the product lines.
Just to be clear, the products are manufactured by hand on a tropical island by a loving staff, but alas the island
is not Guam.
Please take a look and let me know what you think. I do believe we are one of a kind, and hopefully will be
getting product placed in the hotels, malls, airport, etc.
Ed McConnell
Chamorro Casuals
Posted by Chamorro Casuals on July 22, 2009 at 8:13 am
Jon Paul,
Thank you for putting a link on your web site.
We truly appreciate it
Ed
Posted by toto on August 15, 2009 at 6:38 pm
i love him please gais let me meet him just once
Posted by Bernard Punzalan on August 27, 2009 at 8:21 pm
JP, I enjoy reading your blog. You have a lot of wonderful family history documented here.
I know Phil and I know Tim. I also think I know you from back in the day, particularly when I saw Frank Toves’ photo. Does Youth Congress ring a bell? If it does, I would be anxious to read a blog of your experience and flashbacks. I’m sure Frank would have a lot to say as well.
Anyways, thanks for blogging and sharing it with the rest of us.
si Bernard
Posted by Bernard Punzalan on August 28, 2009 at 5:45 am
Thanks JP! I am honored with your kind comments as well. I’m also glad to hear you remember me and even my nickname. Will certainly stay in touch.
si Bernie
Posted by Dixie the Poodle on November 6, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Hi JP, by your blog title I at first thought you may have been a fellow Tasmanian.
Posted by tasithoughts on January 13, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Thank you, dandylien!
Posted by tasithoughts on January 27, 2009 at 11:01 pm
@thegoodpinkknight Thanks! Same to you. It is great to share ideas and thoughts on what is happening on the world!
JP
Posted by tasithoughts on February 15, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Thanks for getting in touch, cousin. I sent an email to you.
Posted by tasithoughts on February 15, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Clara,
Thanks for your sweet comment. Tom Goss is a terrific music artist. I hope you look him up and hear his other stuff. you will love it.
JP
Posted by tasithoughts on April 10, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Ina,
Thanks for dropping by and I miss our home island, too. Please visit my blog often.
JP
Posted by tasithoughts on May 13, 2009 at 9:41 pm
OMG! Bekah! I will email you.
JP
Posted by tasithoughts on July 15, 2009 at 6:17 am
Thanks, Ed. I will take a look at the site.
JP
Posted by tasithoughts on July 22, 2009 at 8:23 am
Ed,
You are most welcome. Good luck in all your endeavors.
JP
Posted by tasithoughts on August 27, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Bernie,
I know you well from years past. Youth Congress brings back memories. I have gone by my middle names Jon Paul for years now. I was just back in Guam for my sister-in-law’s funeral this summer and met with Frank. I also saw Mel, Joe and classmates from JFK. That was my first time back in 18 years.
Thank you for your kind words. You also are a prolific writer and activist. I enjoy your thoughts and believe in the power and strength of ideas. Please keep in touch, chelu.
JP