First off, let me clarify that neither my dad nor I am a crazed megalomaniac or a genetically altered combination of each other, nor have we caused any mansions to be nuked or participated in any conspiracies to further our bloodlines... sweatdrop
However, the essence of the relationship between Johnny K. and Gino was loosely based on the relationship of me and my dad. From day one, we saw Gino struggling so hard to prove himself to his dad-- who was a great man, in fact, the most powerful man in all of Gaia.
VO & his dad.
As I was growing up, I've always looked upon my father as a great man. At age 18, he was an army captain. In 1975, he came over to America without a penny in his pocket, but he used his skills in machine repair to start his own automotive repair shop. He then progressed into learning about electronics, started a video repair shop, moving onto computers and so forth. My father was an inventor, a scholar, a poet, a debator, a comedian, a musician, an architect -- and most of all, my father could fix anything.
I remember when I was younger and whenever I tried to help my father to change a car tire, he would just take the tools and do it himself. He didn't need me to help him because he was that kind of man -- one who could do anything and all by himself. I wanted to be like him. In my eyes, that was the image of a great man.
Gino's struggles mirrored some of the attitudes and feelings I had when I was growing up -- aspiring to be a great man like my father. (You may even notice that Gino and I share the same birthday though it really was a spur of the moment thing...)
As an artist, I've taken many different roads than my father. As an asian, most kids are expected to become a doctor or a programmer-- you know, something practical. In asian culture, these types of jobs are associated with success, not becoming an artist. So, I've struggled a bit to try to show my father that I could be successful in what I do.
I'm sure a lot of you out there can empathize with that. No matter how any of us feels, on some level, we all want our parents to be proud of us, to be recognized for what we choose to do with our lives.
For the past 2 years or so, Gambino and Gino had become characters that L0cke and I played around with in the Gaia storyline updates. But when we were working on this update, it really hit me on a personal level.
Recently, my father has fallen ill. He is suffering from terminal cancer of the brain. And no matter how busy I try to keep with work, I still cannot keep my mind off of the inevitable.
The doctors have told me and my family that he only has a couple of weeks left to live, give or take a week. I've been spending as much time as I can with him everyday eventhough he can't really walk around or anything anymore. I sit with him on his bed and hold his hand to show him that I am there for him.
These lines of dialogue from the April 1st update mean more to me than anyone will ever know:
"Eventhough young Gino could never live up to his father, he loved him dearly. As his father fell, Gino followed -- even has his father's body broke against the tower. Gino fell with him all the way to the end."
I'd like to thank all of you guys for your sweet comments regarding my dedication, even before I made this journal entry. I really do appreciate that many of our users are so caring and compassionate. heart
I really think that's when the community here on Gaia truly shines... when we can come together and support each other. Or to participate in the spirit of an imaginary character-- rallying together and giving each other gifts, even if they don't even exist IRL. I truly think that is the power of Gaia, that despite anyone's race or economical level, or geographical location, we can all come together and just hang out and have fun. We may not all get along all the time, but it really feels like a big family, little spats and arguments and all. domokun
I know this may be asking a bit much(which is why I'm not posting this in the forums) but if you have read this journal, I'd appreciate it if you could leave a short supportive message for my dad(if not, there's no pressure). I'll show them to him every day and I'm sure it will brighten his day to see so many caring folk we've got in this community we call Gaia. heart
Take care and best wishes! 3nodding
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