Frequently Asked Questions on Brandon: 2009 in Review

As the year comes to a close, I thought it would be productive to publish on here some of the questions that I most get asked about. I haven't included the idiotic ones I often get emailed (although I have often thought about having a page dedicated to those nutty questions just for a laugh). I mostly get emailed questions that people hear or read on the Internet. Some of them can be simplistic, that I often think a bit of common sense might help people to sort out themselves rather than bother me with it. However, to be fair, here are some of them that I have done some research into, and have been able to dispel truth from fiction. We have a number of them not included here on our website, so do make sure you check more on our website.


Was Brandon signed on to do two sequels to The Crow?

Yes, It is true that shortly before he was killed, Brandon had in fact signed to do two sequels to he Crow if it proved to be successful. They were to be based around the character of Eric Draven.

Wasn’t Rapid Fire going to be called something else?

This is true. Brandon (with agent David Goldman) and producer Robert Lawrence worked to secure a deal with Fox for a film, which would be written especially for him. Originally, writer Cindy Cirile was writing a script called "The Red Pole," which had the storyline based around a martial artist using his skills to fight the Hong Kong Mafia in New York City. However, Brandon wanted a more realistic character who he could relate with, and after Alan McElroy came on board as one of the writers, the storyline dealing with both martial arts, and with the loss and spiritual growth seemed more appropriate to Brandon. It had the working title of "Moving Target," until after the film was made. It was then changed to Rapid Fire.

Did Brandon ever say 'The Key to immortality is living a life worth remembering' or 'Immortality is to live your life doing good things, and living your mark behind' ?

No. It is rather odd that sayings Brandon is connected with he never said or knew about in his lifetime. When Brandon died, the film based on his father's life Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story was due to be released, the film's director, Rob Cohen decided to include a dedication to Brandon at the end of the film and asked his mother, Linda if she had one in mind. After no suggestions were given, so Cohen asked her what she thought of the famous St Augustine quote "The Key to Immortality is First Living a Life Worth Remembering", and she thought it was perfect. Brandon never said it or does any evidence to suggest he had heard of the quote while alive. Linda Lee Cadwell used the quote and had it engraved on a bench that was placed at the graves of Bruce and Brandon Lee in 1995. There is also no evidence that Brandon had said or heard of the second quote, although many fans have placed it on their banners and pages - he never said it. It seems to be a variation of the St Augustine quote, but once again there is no factual support that Brandon ever said. it.

I read online that Brandon loved Avatar cologne, is that true?

As much as I dislike these “type” of questions, here is the truth. No, I can honestly say without any doubt, Brandon did not use or even knew about Avatar cologne. The fact of the matter is that the cologne was not designed by the perfume company ‘Coty’ until after his death, and didn’t make its debut on the marketplace until 1997 – some 4 years after Brandon’s tragic death, making it impossible for Brandon to have favored this particular cologne.

Was Brandon’s religious?

No, from what has been reported on record. Brandon confessed to the media and to friends to have no solid belief in God or organized religion.

How can I spot fake autographs from Brandon from real ones?   

Some fake autographs are quite obvious, while others aren’t. A big indication that it is a fake if Brandon’s signature appears on ANY The Crow merchandise, including pictures, scripts, etc. The fact is that these products were only produced AFTER Brandon’s death, therefore it is impossible for anyone to claim that Brandon did sign an autograph on a Eric Draven picture for instance. Brandon’s catch phrase ‘Keep the Faith’, was not on all autographs, and some people wishing to make a quick buck have forged his handwriting, with this quote. Use a little common sense when judging whether or not such autographs are real or not.

I have seen fake photographs on Brandon appear on myspace or least I think they are. Can you tell me what photos are real.

Unfortunately, some people think that it is actually amusing or accepting to Photoshop Brandon in sexually suggestive poses, putting his head on someone else’s body. It isn’t. While some Photoshops of Brandon may be interesting and harmless(some even are quite artistic), however, when people put his head on someone else’s body to suggest a more intimate connection with Brandon, it can be boarding on disrespectful not to mention idiotic. I have seen people remove Eliza’s head to put their own on the picture, or ones where Brandon’s head has been put in pictures of an inappropriate nature. Brandon was someone who had loved ones, including a life partner, and while pictures of a suggestive nature may be cool for some, they really are immature and disrespectful if they are aimed to fabricate a reality that never existed. I wish to remind people who never knew Brandon, that he was a human being like everyone else, and should be respected as one. Just because the Internet is what it is, there is still such a thing as ethics, decency and respect. It also is against certain laws to try and profit from manipulated photographs where celebrities are placed in superimposed and sexually suggestive pictures. A little respect goes a long way.

Did Brandon visit his father’s grave a lot when alive?

Brandon lived in Los Angeles, while his father was buried in Seattle, therefore Brandon would have visited his father’s grave when he felt he needed to or could. As far as the frequency of any visits, that is an intimate question and only one that Brandon could answer. Visiting graves is not always reflective of love, many in fact don’t visit loved ones graves because effectively they aren’t “there”, or choose to remember them in their own way. Gravestones, were traditionally to help with mourning for the living. Brandon did say to The Crow screenwriter, David Schow that one pet peeve he did have was when his father’s fans took pictures at the gravesite, like it was some tourist attraction. He even recalled how often times he would be paying respects to his father’s grave, only to be told to move from some avid fan who wanted to take a picture. Brandon felt strongly that his father’s gravestone should be a place of respect, not a tourist attraction. It is disappointing that some people treat Brandon’s own grave in exactly the same manner in which he loathed (including some fans stepping on and laying on his gravestone, even some who have tried to manipulate some of the granite, posing by the stone in very suggestive poses and treating it like they were at Disneyland). Graves are a place of eternal rest, and should be treated with great respect – especially at the graves of people you personally never knew. Again, respect goes a long way to not only to Brandon, but to Brandon’s own true loved ones. Brandon did NOT frequently sleep at his father's gravesite as some may have claimed. 

Did Brandon perform his own stunts?

It really means what people mean by “stunts”. Brandon had a stunt double on both Rapid Fire, and The Crow – Jeff Cadiente, who performed the more taxing and dangerous stunts. All martial art fights were always done by Brandon. However, when certain stunts may have been deemed too dangerous for Brandon, then those scenes would have been performed by a stunt double. For instance, in ‘Rapid Fire’ in the scene that Jake rides his motorcycle out of the window, this was done by Jeff Cadiente and not Brandon.

Where can I get copies of Brandon’s media interviews?

Rare print interviews can be found on our site, under the section ‘Print Media’. There are some interviews on youtube, but often some interviews can get edited or their perspective copyright owners may request them to have removed. There are some that I have placed online, but many are not available for public display due to copyright infringement. We are looking into making some rare interviews available through transcript in the near future.

What cities did Brandon live in his life?

Brandon was born in Oakland, but spend most of his life living in Los Angeles. He spent 4 years living in Hong Kong as a child, followed by one year in Seattle, before the family moved to L.A. He also spent one year living in Boston in 1983-1984 and another year living in New York from 1984-1985. From 1985-1993, Brandon lived in Los Angeles.

Where did he met Eliza Hutton and when?

Brandon met Eliza in 1990 at the office of director Renny Harlin. The pair were introduced by a mutual acquaintance.

Was Brandon due to start any films after The Crow?

Not straight away. He had not yet signed on to do any films, he was carefully choosing what he wanted to do next, chiefly wanting to see what the audience response to The Crow would be. He had not signed on to do ‘Mortal Kombat’ according to his agent (who would know), as it has previously been reported. He was to act in a dramatic play ‘In Doubt’, in the summer of 1993, after he returned from his honeymoon.

Did Brandon study acting?

Yes, he was still taking acting classes, and believed that it was needed to keep up-to-date with your craft. Some of his acting teachers include Eric Morris and Lynette Katselas.

Is it true Brandon was a chain smoker?

Yes, Brandon was a smoker. However, he was not heavy smoker when training or filming. A former co-star in fact commented that Brandon rarely brought his own cigarettes and would smoke a few bummed cigarettes from co-stars or crew members.

Did Brandon act in a film called ‘Crime Killer’?

There is no factual support to confirm this. The film appeared on Brandon’s Internet Movie Database profile, but the film in question has been viewed by several people, with no evidence of Brandon’s appearance being produced. Brandon only obtained his SAG (union card) from acting in his first filmed role, “Kung Fu: The Movie” in 1985. Had he been in Crime Killer, then he would of obtained that earlier. The film was not listed on Brandon’s last industry resume. It is possible he might have been an extra role and that the appearance was cut from the film. However, without any kind of factual support, there is no proof that he did appear in the film.

What kind of books did Brandon read?

Brandon was very widely well read, he claimed to not watch TV, this fact seems to be at least supported by people who knew him. He is said to have been fond of psychological thrillers, and crime fiction, as well as romantic novels.

Was Brandon killed by a live bullet?

Brandon was not shot by a live .44 bullet, it only ultimately had the simulated force of one.

I heard that Brandon defended himself against an intruder in his own home, is that true?

Yes. In 1990, Brandon was living in the Echo Park area of Los Angeles and returned home one night to find a intruder still in the house. Brandon indicated in press interviews afterwards that the men first chased each other around the room of the house, then the intruder grabbed a knife and attempted to stab Brandon with it, only cutting him on the left thumb. Brandon used the knife-drill training he received at the Inosanto Academy to successful disarm the intruder, before breaking several bones in the intruder’s bones. The police were called and the intruder was charged with break and enter and attempted robbery, for which he served a small amount of prison time.

Why was Brandon buried in Seattle instead of Los Angeles? Didn't he live in L.A?

Yes, Brandon had lived in Los Angeles for the large majority of his life. However, the decision where to bury him was made by his mother, Linda and it was natural decision given the sad circumstance of his death, as well as how dearly Brandon loved his father.Seattle was where Brandon's parents had met and where Bruce had expressed to his wife where he felt much peace. Brandon did visit the town at various times to visit his father's grave, and Linda had family in the area for a number of years. The plot where Brandon is buried, Linda had originally reserved for herself.

Did Brandon believe that his father's death was by natural causes?

Yes, and he indicated that on public record. There were claims after he died that Brandon was going to re-open the investigation into his father's death, but there is no evidence for this whatsoever, and the source of it seems to have had a malicious agenda for starting such a rumor. Brandon suggested while alive that anyone who doubted the fact for them to read either one of his mother's two books on his father, where he said "lays the facts out for anyone who is interested". Brandon did not have any active plans to re-open any investigation into his father's death, for the simply reason that he accepted that his father's death was by natural causes. Many have made kinds of suggestions about “investigations” because they find the concept of two healthy men in the same family dying difficult to accept. Accidents do occur.

Could Brandon Lee have been Murdered?

There is no factual evidence to support that Brandon’s death was intentional or what is termed as foul play in any way, shape or form. While anything is possible, all crimes leave a trace and there has never been any evidence that his death was anything but an accident. There are some fans who have a tendency to shout murder without properly understanding the definition or even have read the detailed information and evidence on his death. It’s important to read factual accounts about the negligence that occurred, which by definition is "an unintentional act that causes the death or injury of another party. " Asian mafia stories, and far fling theories like them are ridiculous, and have no factual basis at all. Sometimes it is difficult for people to accept that those in the public are no more immortal than any of us. Accidents, illness and eventually death will follow us all one day. If you choose to believe that it was not an accident, you should have some factual basis for your opinion besides ‘his father died and so did he.

What happened to Eliza Hutton and why don’t we hear about her?

Eliza was widowed and after many years working through her grief was able to piece together her life and move on from her grief. Since Brandon's passing she has closely guarded both her personal life, and her private memories of Brandon for good reason. The obvious reason why you don't hear about her is that she lives a normal life outside of the public, and has worked hard to maintain the privacy she has. Brandon and Eliza were a private couple, and did not have public lives, so it's illogical to assume that suddenly she would pour her heart out to strangers once he died. Given that Eliza has been the target of some unfair and malicious internet criticism over the years, whether because of jealousy or ignorance it does not matter, but it certainly has not been a huge shock that she never has chosen to speak publicly about her loss. Keeping her grief to herself showed a lot of strength of character, as well as dignity. Brandon was very private about his personal life, and guarded his own memories of his father in much the same way. Fans also have to understand that Brandon and Eliza had a very close and tight bond, and if any of us had lost our partner, best friend and soul mate in the same fashion, I doubt we would be jumping up and down and wanting to reveal all Brandon's deep and dark secrets. She went through a very difficult time, as did Brandon's closest friends and family - many whom never have spoken in great depth of it either, because of the same reasons. While it would be nice if she did share some of her memories of Brandon, that it is her decision and fans should respect that.

For More facts and trivia please visit our site for the full and always accurate details on Brandon’s life, career and legacy.

The Art of Compassion

At this time of year there are always advertisements and propaganda towards values of goodwill and charity, but as 2009 draws to a close, I wish to discuss a key emotion that often seems lacking in the world, especially on the Internet - COMPASSION.

Growing up in a liberal yet Catholic environment, Christmas was the time of year that my family growing up used to take very seriously. There were events of advent, a lot of charity drives, speeches in church and school about being kind or to love thy neighbor, etc. My mother an extremely liberal, open and spiritual lady, never saw much point in only showing goodwill at Christmas, but instead always felt it important as one human being to the next, to show charity and kindness throughout the year. Many school holidays were spent volunteering with the elderly or with homeless hospices (which believe me was not seen as cool or hip to anyone BUT my mother), under the guidance of my mother, because she felt that those who did have a lot to be grateful for, should show compassion to those who were less fortunate. To her, life was about luck as it was about drive and individual responsibility. She felt the emotion of compassion to be among the highest a human being could show. As I got older, the idea of having a social conscious soul was just part of the package. Even at times when we all can feel trapped in patterns of self righteousness, part of being a humanist is recognizing others through acts of compassion.

Recently, I have observed a great lack of compassion by some individuals on the Internet, who for one other reason besides perhaps arrogance, envy or jealousy, have chosen a negative outlook in which they behave. Everything we do or say and act, we have a choice in. People have the option to show compassion, even to those who you may not deem to even deserve it. Compassion is not forgetting the reality or truth, but to display the basic core element of what it means to be a human being. The ability to show empathy and compassion, for those that least deserve it, one measure that many from the past have tried to show us for many years.

Talking with an acquaintance the other day, I was reminded of something Brandon Lee's father, Bruce once wrote:

"The void is no mere emptiness, but is real, free and existing. It is the source from which all things arise and return. It cannot be seen, touched or known, yet it exists and is freely used. It has no shape, size, colour or form, and yet all that we see, hear, feel and touch is "it". It is beyond intellectual knowing and cannot be grasped by the ordinary mind. When we suddenly awake to the realization that there is no barrier, and has never been seen, one realizes that one is all things, mountains, rivers, grasses, trees, sun, moon, stars, universe are all oneself. There is no longer a division or barrier between myself and others, no longer any feeling of alienation or fear. Realizing this, results in true compassion."

Bruce Lee's words stoke me as not only true, but also sad, as few really seem to embody such wisdom these days. Everyone is capable of goodness, kindness as well as acts of terror and destruction. The aspect of 'knowing' in Lee's philosophies has always hugely impressed me. Long before I heard this statement, I was blessed with people who came into my life, who did embody the ability to understand that compassion comes from within, as almost most human experiences do. When humans decide that fear is a barrier, and erase that, then there is no fear, no idea of failure that stops people achieving. Without fear there is no alienation and nothing to stop people from relating or even showing a bit of kindness - not to just others, but to themselves. Too many people seem so unhappy within their own being, that they feel a need to condemn others for their own life choices. We all make choices and we all have responsibility for such choices, no matter what they are. In the end, most don't make choices to hurt others, but to better themselves. Knowing that some people aren't always at the same pace, often can result in a greater barrier being built between individuals. Lee's words convey ideas that choice makes the difference between a barrier being built or a hand being extended. In other words - true compassion.

Even Brandon Lee discussed his view of his own humanist experiences several times before his tragic passing. He too talked about life being a series of "barriers" that test individuals, to either gain knowledge by dealing with the reality, or further barriers are built with much anger, resentment and negative energy serving that idea but never growing. He articulated that you must go through that barrier (whether it be fear or pain), because you can't go around a brick wall, the only way you CAN move past it, is in fact through it. On the other side, either awaits your authentic self, or a battered individual - but its a choice. Brandon's own philosophy of being true to your own real self 'keep the faith', is an individual journey and a consciousness of choice to be a better human being or not. The choice is yours.

No is ever perfect, I think that often is the biggest lesson many can't seem to accept. We all are made of flesh, we all have disappointments, victories - But it is how we choose to behave and deal with whatever challenges that tells you what kind of human being you are. There are lots of people, especially this time of year, who wish to de-spirit the ideals of compassion and goodwill because of negative self-doubt within their own selfs. Compassion may just be the key world leaders needed to tap into at the recent Copenhagen Conference, in which the world couldn't agree to stop destroying. In time, I hope that changes.

People are so hard on themselves or just on others. This season is just like any other day or time, and you should go forth without hesitation and spend it with those who love you, and who you appreciate in the reality of this life. Recently, I was inspired by this single quote a famed actor recalled about the lessons he learnt from his family choosing to "stuff" his childhood dog as a child, as to delay the idea of grief and change being forced on the family. The actor used this memory to live his life, by always insisting that one cannot stuff or prevent grief, change or even pain from happening. The only thing you can do is to deal with it, move through it like a line, and then come out from it a more enlightened human, if one chooses. I was awfully impressed by that ideology.

Life is to be lived, the Lee men knew that, and I do believe most humans at their most sacred self time in their own thoughts, know that too. The simple things in life are always taken for granted, but maybe in this idealistic moment, tomorrow in the spirit of Christmas, we all can just remember that compassion is a choice and just be grateful that we can feel these emotions. Some people don't have that choice anymore, their lives are gone on this earth. Their experiences are in the past.

It's funny how the older you do get, the more you understand once cheesy proclamations, such as 'Joy to the World', 'Goodwill to all men', somewhere in those olde faithful songs, is the message that a bit of joy into your world, can provide your soul and life with so many riches. I am godless person these days, but I certainly am not faithless. Negativity never provides growth and only seeks to increase those barriers that stop growth from being possible.

Happy Holidays to all our readers and fans, and I hope 2010 will be the year that you hope it will be.

Take Care and be Kind to each other,

Brandon LEE: The Impetus for Change

I have been reading a lot of messages regarding Brandon’s passing and one of the most common phrases seems to be, ‘I CAN’T BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN 16 YEARS’. Yes, it has been 16 years and while time does have a way of creeping up on you, it is important to remember that Remembering Brandon is the most important aspect of his life, not his death or how long it has been. This time of year I always try and reflect and just celebrate his life, as I always do. Death anniversaries are not about being depressed. When I am pressed to discuss such matters with my readers, I try to put things in perspective. Brandon’s most precious loved ones like Eliza, Linda and Shannon can get through this and have been able to move on and find a way to deal with such days, then the endless array of woeful mourners (who never knew him) can also. Death is just but another journey on the walkway of life. It is not how many miles we walk, only that we had the courage to walk it.

So, what should fans feel about March 31? My answer to that is to just have a great day. Now considering what happened to Brandon back in 1993 on that day that may seem a bit harsh. However, if you think about what Brandon’s own philosophy towards life was about, it isn’t so strange. Here was a man who each day tried to be a good human being, have fun and hardly ever used to let things get him down. He wasn’t without his failures, or faults (gee, what a surprise that Brandon like all of us was slightly imperfect), but he lived his life honestly and didn’t pass judgment and expectations on himself for perusing his own dreams. He had difficult periods in his life, times when he was unsure of his own path, or what life was about, and what if he would not find his own purpose. He was a seeker who tried many things (some a little wild in the beginning), but he eventually the right path and attracted the right people in his life to walk down that path. We all go through those times in our youth and in our 20’s, when we want to understand what this life is all about. But slowly and surely he did recognize his dreams, the limitations he had previously placed on his life, and how fear at times did dictate his future. He changed as he grew, with great strength, soul and drive.

Recently, I was recalling a conversation The Crow creator a few years ago mentioned in an article. In the article, (the name of it currently escape me) he retold this particular poignant memory he had of Brandon, with the two of them sitting down talking about the factors that change your life. For most people it usually surrounds one of two things: career and love. For Brandon, his career he always was sure about, but it was only until he was able to find a true form of love in his life, that he felt his acting and the emotions he needed to explore certain aspects of it, came together for his life to work effectively for him. He told James very intimately that finding love with Eliza changed his whole life, and his whole perspective on what his life purpose was about. In his last few years, he dreamt like he never had dreamt before. His life was given a new lift – personally and professionally and especially in the last year, he had come to a new place to be, where life was boundless and filled with endless dreams and hopes for the future. The knowledge that his big break was just a film away, the satisfaction at feeling complete in his relationship with Eliza, helped bring Brandon a new sense of inner peace. Perhaps Brandon was so in love with life that he never saw the cause and effect of others that was steering towards him in glorious and neglectful speed. Unfortunately, that is one of the unspoken truths of life – you can live and love because of destiny and fate, but even that can’t stop the chain of cause and effect from human actions. It is one of the cruel ironies of life, that a man so connected to his humanity would die from others who were neglectful of it.

But this is not a time to get angry or mad, because honestly if you start with those emotions, you may never stop. Brandon deserves more than a display of angry emotions. His body has long been buried, his family and friends have long had to deal with his passing and have all moved on as best they could with love, yet his spirit and soulful inspiration will always be around the universe.

Whether to not Brandon realized just how important the sentiments in The Crow were still remains to be seen. But when others recall the questions and indeed the answers that he asked himself in the weeks before his death, I am always amazed at how connected he was to the very real notion about the fragility of life. There seems to be little doubt that he was aware of the preciousness of life, and how important love and connections were to the human spirit. He asked people, even strangers the question that he had posed himself many times while preparing for the role, ‘What if you died, and had the chance to come back. Who would you want to be with and see? And would you feel any guilt at tampering on those loved ones grief? ’. For Brandon, his answer (others recall) was always one word: Eliza…said with a smile. He was a man filled with love, and love was the purpose that Brandon had found and wanted to celebrate. I am sure his spirit is with many in his life, but given his sentiments there was only one person who truly ever will have know the lengths of his soul, because it was shared with her own…Eliza. For her, fans are always sorry, but also many are glad that she existed to give Brandon the growth and love he needed to reach his full potential, to give us performances like in The Crow. For what she went through and still does, one can only imagine how much courage and substance her own spirit does have. But Brandon will always be with her, a part of her, and at the end of a life, isn’t that what our legacy is truly about? Living on through others?

Words also don’t come close to what his intimates always will feel on this day; his mother, Linda who never thought she would have die before her own son, his sister, Shannon who had to go through her young adult life without her protector and her guide, and Brandon’s young niece Wren, who never will know her uncle or get to feel one of his bear hugs, many in his life recall him giving to them. It seems so cruel that all of those who Brandon loved, and who were in his life and loved him have had to live parts of their lives unfilled because of Brandon’s death. I also recall Linda’s own words (published many times since then) at Brandon’s memorial service (a day after his funeral) where she asked for the mourners to “celebrate his life and not to be sad”. Even though I am sure that was hard, even for the most positive person among them, I like and admire those sentiments. There is always a time to cry, but always a time to remember. You don’t need a day to celebrate a life, I certainly don’t. Linda, Shannon and Eliza all have been made better individuals from knowing Brandon, as many from just knowing him through sites like ours have also. It doesn’t matter how someone impacts you, only that you use that influence to better your own purpose and then pass that knowledge on.

I also think days like this are ones of non-verbal reflection, where no words are needed or even warranted. In your heart of hearts, you know Brandon loved life. No matter what your beliefs, life never truly ends. In the next one, he will get to do it all again, maybe easier (maybe not), and get to love and be with the same souls as he knew in his own life. And for us, well – I think he would be touched and appreciative of all the love people still provide him. In a sense, it feeds the energy he left the world with and makes sure it will continue.

I want to leave you with some very true and philosophical words Brandon said days before he died, in an article where he spoke about why moving on after grief is important to realize your own dreams and purpose:

"Sometimes a personal tragedy provides the impetus we need to move on in life. It's easy to become stuck. We get lazy and we don't want to change. Change can be such a hassle. That's not to say that everyone requires a tragedy in their lives in order to get their ass moving, to take some kind of action or make some kind of decision: but if it happens, it can be definitely open your eyes. It can make you look at life differently, it can change your whole world, 'Why did this have to happen? What have I done? Why couldn't it have been somebody else?' Sometimes it can make you a better person, Or a different person."

The sentiments Brandon was trying to make are clear – DON’T LET FEAR AND GRIEF DESTOY YOU…use it, deal with it, move on and make sure it makes you a better individual. It is very powerful, because of how his loved ones have all seem to follow that message, through their own process and transitions.

His impact will always be felt in my life, he changed it in a way that possibility only someone like Brandon could have – with heart and purpose. Others have similar ways they use his own philosophical message, and how Brandon had impacted their own life. It doesn’t matter how or why, only that he did and by now it is almost universal in some people. So in reflecting today, take his words into your soul, like water into your body and remember that you need to be able to realize your own possibilities and not to be afraid, angry or depressed with the circumstances of that life. Life is for living…so in the very Brandon-ism sentiment of this blog, go forward and make your mark. Don’t waste the opportunity and possibility of your life. 28 years certainly isn’t a long time, but it was long enough for Brandon to have made his mark. If you died today what would your legacy be?

Dream and be true…

‘Keep the faith’

Proof of Life: Yet it all seems limitless

It was a sight you don't see everyday. A small girl maybe 6 or 7 with ash around her forehead and arms tugging at my jeans. I spun around, knelt to this young child's level and asked something so general (even stupid in light of what was going on around me), it is almost automatic at my age, 'are you OKAY sweetie?' I asked. With her tear ducts filling up with moisture, the girl throws her hands around my neck with the full force of her tiny body as she tries to tell me (in between sobs), that she has been separated from her mother and can't find her. I don't know where this girl has come from and nor do I care, as I lift her up and start walking with her, as the girl is cradled in my arms with her long feet wrapped around my hips. Three different camps we ventured into had no sign of her mother, and I was fearing the worst as my mind drifted to what one says to a child so young when her role model has been ripped away from her, as if stolen in the night. Lucky, I didn't have to, her mother was being comforted by some of her neighbours in the fourth camp site we visited. The mother thinking the same thing we both had, that mother and child were now gone forever - at least mortally from each other's side. As the mother thanked me for bringing her child back to her and I literally put this child back in her arms, I wondered why life is so random. It amazes me that a bush fire (wild fire) can clear one house, yet the house standing next to it remains intact. And in the same vein how one child can be left motherless or fatherless and the other isn't.

I don't know if there is such a thing as destiny when life is so random. I didn't understand it when I had to bury my mother too young (like Brandon buried his father), when all my friends were trying to get away from theirs, and yet the wild fires of life spared this family that grief that Brandon and I knew all too well. What it feels like to have your role model and almost the creator of your identity taken from you in such a way that you can never truly look in the mirror without seeing their shadow in your reflection. Those who have lost parents, sisters, partners understand this, and those who haven't - well, you will eventually. Some of us have had to journey life in much tougher waters at an earlier age than others.

I also have been grappling with some very surreal notions of what true devastation is. As an observer of these horrible bush fires, it has been difficult to have to constantly see faces with wounded souls. I have seen body bags brought out, and children playing cricket with a burned piece of log - unaware or perhaps only too aware of what this new life will bring.

How many people have been reduced to ash when all they have built and all they ever loved is nothing but debris on the floor? You can think about this literally if you like, or look at the deepness of your souls for what truly that is like. It is not something one should laugh at, or disrespect by making light that your life is any more important than the homeless man down the street, or the man who now lays in a body bag at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, because he thought he could save his home – that represented the life he built. We all have homes, we all have families (as disjointed or dysfunctional as they may be sometimes), but they are ours. Same as those we choose to marry or partner with, those we befriend and claim as our lifeline, these are people who make up OUR SOUL. These are the people who know us intimately, they are apart of us, they help us through the tough times and let us rave on when we are elated with our lives. They are a part of our physical lives and some of them have seen us through times others haven't. These are the people who make up your village in your life, and when you go, only truly these individuals can understand, what kind of hole, life being so random, leaves for them.

Ever seen someone's face who has nothing left to show for their life? No house, no partner, no kids, no income left...not even running water? I tell you it is the closest thing that resembles hell that I have ever seen. The courage of people like that to find a way out of the debris and to build something again - it can never look or be the same, but the sun will eventually shine again and life is full of new beginnings. I met such a lady today - twin daughters...dead, husband...dead, home is gone and without insurance too, even her crop that she made her income from has nothing left to show for it. Yet when I asked if she would leave the small town she spent 25 years building a life in, she said without the slightest of hesitation, 'OF COURSE NOT, THIS IS WHERE I BELONG. THESE PEOPLE WILL GET ME THROUGH. I WILL GET THEM THROUGH,' she said before she bowed her head to cry for her family who are now in her past. The chaplan soon came over to try and help her deal with the grief that couldn't stop coming out of her eyes that morning. I also had to come to terms with the kind of courage that I have seen in these people, who before this weekend I didn't know existed, but whose pain I wish I could just write away.

Everyone has their own idea of reality - however accurate or inaccurate it may be. We all have our own definition of normal, but in your village tonight think about what truly is in your life. The mother-in-law you can't stand, or that annoying younger brother you have who can't seem to get his shit together, the friend who thinks he still will win that lottery and buys those scratchy tickets like they were going out of style, or that idiot you work with who always manages to say the most inappropriate thing at the worst possible moment - these are the people who help make up your village. Good or bad they make us who we are. The people in our lives are in it for a reason...even if you think it would be nice to MOVE FAR AWAY SO THEY CAN'T VISIT.

It's that notion of what true destiny is that I find frustrating. Perhaps it is not the way your life ends that is destiny, but how your life comes together. The rest - well, perhaps that is just random and one day we all will be on the floor holding the debris of our current life.

Be good to each other...and hold someone or something real tonight. Don't worry about that guy who cut you off in traffic, or that bill you just got for your cell phone that is going to max out your credit. If you spend your whole life worrying about other things, other people or circumstances you wish were truly the reality - you are always going to be searching for something or an experience you never will understand or feel happy about. Life is not about struggling, it is not about who you know or what you make, it is about who you are inside that all - despite all that other stuff. I know many people who cannot open their true hearts because they are afraid of the reality of their own normal. So they create, they hand out fake love as if two words to some random stranger is going to erase what they can't deal with underneath that all. It is the most common sight in the developed world - misplaced love. And its soul destroying.

If you are still reading this you may think to yourself, what on earth does this have to do with Brandon Lee? Well, perhaps nothing or perhaps far more than you realize. Brandon was a humanitarian and he was a human being underneath the facets of his own projected image. His reality and the truthfulness of his character and life - what else could be so inspirational? Brandon was always seeking for more knowledge, but at the same time was keeper of some truly profound ideas and experiences about mankind and life. He didn't believe in wasting time, and he loved the simply act of just sitting down with someone and having a chat with them - shaking hands, slapping a back or beating someone at pool. Those rather simple joys he never thought would end when they did. Same as, I am sure, my mother always thought she would see me graduate college and get married, or that primary school teacher at Marysville Primary who took all that work home with her on Friday because she thought she would have time on Saturday - instead she was dead before lunch. Don't waste this life people - be inspired but do something extraordinary with it. Brandon taught me that and its one lesson after almost 17 years I am still amazed that I LIVE IT. We are not perfect as beings, but life isn't about perfection, its about living - and sometimes living means going through the bad stuff too.

The NIN song, 'Non-Entity' is playing in my head right now. Trent Reznor's amazing lyrics and vocals always reach out to me when I am at a loss of basic comprehension about an experience. As I finished yet another interview, I listened to the words as they tried to console my soul that was hoping such destruction was anywhere but with a nation I love so much. Sadly, the randomness of life would make it so, that if it wasn't Australia, it would be some other nation - perhaps one that doesn't have the type of honesty and resilience (stemming probably from our isolation in the world and our survival spirit) that Australia does. I want to leave you with Trent's words. I hope your journey makes it through many more days yet...and as always, 'keep the faith'. Brandon's words were not about religion, but about the courage to believe in yourself, trust in your own dreams that has the capacity to reign supreme over life’s adversity, if you let it.


NON- ENTITY - NIN

The sky is not the same shade of blue
Every single thing I believe isn't true
Missing in the maze of monochrome
How did I get here, how can I go home

The echoes in my eyes, of all they used to see
Burning down the world, the ashes and debris
And all that's left to me, non-entity

Try to stand the line, try to obey
The ghost of what I was keep getting in the way
Staring at the sun, I'm blinded by the light
Now I'm afraid I'm fading out of sight

The echoes in my eyes, of all they used to see
Burning down the world, the ashes and debris
And all that's left of you, and all that's left of me
All have washed away, non-entity..