Why October Eleventh?

I was elated to read an email from my mom this morning. I have been quite fortunate of my mothers' attitude towards learning and interacting within cyberspace. She was an early adopter of online bill pay. Then she decided to go green and requested for paperless online bank statements. Now and again when I get melancholy, I send an invitation to video chat and vice versa. Therefore, when I received this email it was for lack of a better word "cool."

Son,

Since your birthday is coming up and you are always insisting I use the computer more often to get acquainted. I decided to write you an email reflecting on your birthday. I was pregnant with your brother Daniel and everyone was hoping that I had a girl. As for me as long as my baby was born healthy it didn't matter. Daniel was born, would you believe with his thumb in his mouth. I didn't get to see him with his thumb in his mouth, I just took their word for it. But, why would they lie, right? They said I must have starved him, because I didn't gain much wait. Then, I was pregnant with you. I got to pick your birthday, because I was going to have a c-section. I picked my wedding anniversary. Months went by and I got bigger and heavier. It's like you were always hungry. Your Dad said I was just making up excuses because I was feeling guilty about not eating a lot when I was pregnant with Daniel. Towards my eighth month, I actually had to put a baby's blanket around my neck to carry my huge belly, because it became difficult to walk. But, I still kept on eating. I continued to eat until I reached 200 lbs. My actual weight when I got pregnant with you was 128 lbs. Someone has a picture of me somewhere with my pregnancy. On my ninth month appointment with the doctor. He said that I could not have you on my anniversary because you were ready to come out, it would be dangerous for me and you, to leave you in there that long. Therefore, the doctor said for me to think about earlier date and he would be right back. I sat alone in the room thinking about it. The Lord chooses our birthday for reasons. Vicente was born on the same as my birthday, but, a different month. Daniel was born on the same day of my anniversary but a different month. So, I thought about and said why not pick the same day as your Dad. The doctor came back and asked me if I decided. I said yes on the same day of my Husband's birthday. Which would you believe that day was on a Saturday. He didn't do weekends unless they were the utmost emergencies. He said Friday would be fine. AND I SAID NO, YOU OWE ME THAT MUCH. So, you were going to be born on the same as your Dad different month but same day. And on that day, you were born and guess what, that's right, with your thumb in your mouth too. I was not allowed to eat on my surgery day. Would you believe I was hungry and so were YOU.

God Bless You

Love You

Mom

A Different Kind of Project

As soon as I heard it was only $10 for any seat at the Performing Arts Center I was sold. Did I know anything about the Trey McIntyre Project? Nope, but I soon goggled it to find that it was a dance company owned and directed by Trey McIntyre - a top choreographer. The project was said to be a style all his own: a mix of technical ballet with a modern twist; a vision sought out by McIntyre. It wasn't like anything I had ever seen before. I mean, the dance technique I've studied and can recognize, but the music and rhythm mixed with sudden, even sporadic, modern movements made the experience tantalizing. The only thing that was expected was the next unexpected. The audience seemed to be intrigued the whole way, and to my surprise it was a full house. Then again all the seats were $10, in which I think was brilliant because it just opened the performance to that much more of a diverse audience. There were teenagers, families, couples of all ages, and a real diversity in ethnicities. Who cannot afford a $10 seat at one of the best performing arts centers? For those who truly enjoy dance performances this was a real treat.

Mid intermission brought in interactive media: "text your email address to xxxx for a chance to win a TMP T-shirt." As soon as that screen popped up, BAM! - Everyone snapped their mobile device and started typing away. It was a perfect opportunity to gather a database for future use and a great way to keep the audience attentive. The most unique and out-of-the box performance was the very last performance that had them literally in a box.

Here's how it went:

The performers are all on stage bowing to the audiences' clapping then McIntyre, the choreographer, also jumps onstage to receive his applause. The thought is that this is the final act, until Trey leaves the stage, goes out through an audience entrance and what we see next on stage is a screen. The screen turns on and it's McIntyre. He's standing outside in the lobby. We're watching a video of him being recorded and it follows him all the way outside. Meanwhile, the stage lights up for the dancers one more time and as they're dancing one by one they start leaving the stage heading out the way McIntyre first did and before we knew it they show up on screen, meaning they made their way to the outside of the Center.

The performance isn't over.

We're all called to meet them outside. Once outside we hear music booming from a DJ and see each dancer is in a box (think box office style) with no walls, just a frame (think picture frame) hanging in front of them. On top of each box is a screen that is reeling pictures and words (little known facts) of each dancer. The audience is set to be invisible to each dancer and they are each pretending to be in their dressing room/bathroom by themselves. The frame in front of them is their mirror- in which is see-through so they are really seeing all the audience. You can only imagine the craziness that happens from here. The fun part is realizing that the dancers know and see you're there, but have to stay in character imagining that they are alone staring at themselves in a mirror. [I still chuckle as I write this] While walking around each performer’s box, I notice a lady went up to a performers' frame and stared him straight in the eye. Not long after she started to mimic what the performer was doing- picking their teeth at the mirror, drinking, dancing and singing in front of it. It almost broke him.
This performance was truly one of the most creative performances I've seen; a 10 dollar seat was just the cherry on top.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW5eYrsVXio&feature=player_embedded

SOAP (STOP OVER-USING ACRONYMS PLEASE)

I go into this meeting. It’s work. It’s marketing.

It’s in California.

I’m pretty sure everybody’s speaking English and I’m not new to the business… but I don’t understand a thing.

I try harder. I pay more attention. Maybe I’m distracted.

When it seems I start grasping the meaning of the conversation again someone—maybe the CEO, the CFO, the COO or the IT, throws in a Cee-pee-Cee, U-Cee-Em, X-Y-Z… I’m lost again.

Americans are in love with Acronyms. We use them and abuse them with no mercy. Much more than any other people in this planet. Why?

I am no sociologist or linguist but my guts tell me it’s because of our very American, very practical nature. (VAVPN)

Acronyms, are used to abbreviate names of organizations and long or frequently referenced terms. Ok. That’s great. I understand there are some widely accepted acronyms that have become more words than acronyms; we all know of the CEO, it has come to represent the highest position in a company. Cool. But then came all the rest, we all want a titles we can initialize, the ECD, the CFO, the CD, the AD and the AE, the AS, and the IT…

By the way, I think the ECD has OCD or at least some form of ADD or ADHD because he has no patience to learn all this acronyms. Even syndromes and sickness have been granted their lengthy acronyms. And that’s another reason for Americans being acronym-crazy: We want to categorize and neatly divide everything. Where this all mania started?

Acronyms have been around since at least 1,500 years (the Hebrew word for the old testament (Tanakh) is an acronym) But Nobody knows for sure when we Americans fell in love with them (at least in my very superficial two-day research). What we know for sure is that they flourished during the great depression with the “alphabet agencies” created during the administration of president Roosevelt (FDR, of course).

There are some acronyms that don’t bother me. I even consider them funny. But those are mainly acronyms created to make fun of acronyms, or at least with enough irony to be acronym parodies. And those tend to come mainly from the military, like “FUBAR” (Fucked up beyond all recognition).

Some of these acronyms have made it into words and are sometimes used innocently without knowing the initial meaning behind them, like SNAFU. (As in a something went wrong, a mistake). SNAFU comes from the military also and it’s an acronym for “Situation normal, all fucked up”.

Interestingly, those two previous examples contain the mother, or father, or all acronyms. At least the most used, by far, in the English language. F-U-C-K.

The origin of that one is a mystery. There are as many theories as there are uses for the word (“For Unlawful Carnal knowledge”, “Fornication Under Carnal Knowledge”, “Fornication Under the King Consent” and many, many more attempts to decipher that one).

I don’t like most acronyms, I don’t share that need to initialize and categorize things. I hate them. I even considered joining an organization against acronyms (the Americans Association Against Acronyms)… but I decided not to when I discovered they called themselves the AAAA.

Historia entre nuestras dedos

Many years ago I vividly recall my late Great-grandfather asking my mother to come to a sudden halt in our 1988 Mazda navy blue pickup-truck. When she asked why, he impetuously replied in Spanish “we just passed five aluminum cans laying on the side of the road.” Just the other day, I learned that my roommate Bhishma who is of Irish decent is analogous to my Great-grandfather. If he finds a penny on the floor he will pick it up. Culture and heritage passed down by our ancestors shape the patterns of our ideals and achievements. Furthermore, our family, friends, colleagues and mentors play a significant role in our day to day lives. My father told me a story of an owl who sat in a oak tree. The more the owl saw the less he spoke; the less he spoke the more he heard. It seems when I listen, the more I am capable of understanding rather than waiting to speak. Particularly, when surrounded by seasoned individuals. There is much to learn and contribute in providing an illustration of how fruitful and fulfilling life can be. A joy belonging to everyone by calibrating in this play called life. Live well, laugh often and love much.

KIKI Cheat Sheet

Impetuously: acting or done quickly without thought or care.

Analogous: comparable in certain respects.

Give Back to Your Fans

Last week I was surfing the web for tickets to sing along with Jason Mraz at the Hollywood Bowl, unfortunately for me they were sold out. I was so upset and nearly cried. Okay, maybe I'm overacting but I hoped Craigslist would be my ticket savior. I didn't care if all I found was one ticket and had to go alone. To my disappointment tickets were going for $85 to $500, yes $500 (they went on sale for $22). I think there's something wrong with people who rip off die-hard fans such as myself but, that's a whole other blog. I decided to search the internet for a more reasonable deal. Luckily, I came across a blog that mentioned Jason's Mraz's announcement to perform a free show in his hometown, San Diego, on October 11th. I thought no way, a free show-there has to be a catch. I went on Jason Mraz's website and there it was, right in front of me, that very special word that we all love so much, "FREE."



As my blood rushed to my head and I nearly fell out of my chair, I quickly read through the announcement. Reserved seats would be $1, lawn seats (all 10,000 of them) would be free, VIP tickets would start at $75, and 30 orchestra tickets with a meet and greet would be auctioned off on Sept 26th at 10am. All auction proceeds will go towards The Surfrider Foundation. The concert is dedicated to helping other charities such as VH1 Save the Music and San Diego Youth Services. This is a very generous act from Jason Mraz who already performed in San Diego on his tour and was suppose to close the night before in Los Angeles.

But, what does this really say about Jason Mraz? For one, he values his loyal fans especially the one's who helped him start his career, he acknowledges his fans and expresses this by giving back to them, and he wants to create and maintain positive relationships with fans. He also believes in causes and by sharing this with fans he develops an emotional connection, making them even more loyal. Jason Mraz not only supports the eco-system but encourages eco-friendly actions by offering incentives. In addition to offering a free show that benefits charities, parking will also be free for fans who carpool with 3 or more.

Indeed, I did get tickets for Jason Mraz's San Diego show and yes they were free! I couldn't be happier to see him live in my hometown. As Jason Mraz would say , "I'm Yours," he won me over with this and I will forever be a grateful and loyal fan!


I highly recommend playing on Jason Mraz's website if you haven't already: http://www.jasonmraz.com/#

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans.

VH1 Save the Music is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education in American public schools

San Diego Youth Services is an organization that has worked to stabilize the lives of over 500,000 homeless, runaway, and abused and at-risk youth in the San Diego area.

Monica Camacho, Jr. Strategic Planner

"Paz sin Fronteras"

Those who know me personally probably “figured” that I would write about this concert that I haven’t had the pleasure of watching but felt it was worth blogging about. I’m not sure if you have many Colombian friends but if you do you will know where I am coming from as you read my piece on Juane’s concert, “Concert for Peace” that took place in Cuba. According to several news papers during the planning process of this concert he had been threatened to be murdered if he went through with the concert. When I heard this I was astonished as to why our society continues to fear “GOOD”. Growing up in this country I have been exposed to many things that I was never taught in Colombia. Like my own home, which in some textbooks within my “Child Development” classes say, “The home is the #1 School”. With that said I learned at the age of 8 while living in Florida what ‘racism’ was. I wasn’t accepted in a predominantly “Anglo” community because I didn’t speak English and I wasn’t accepted in my Hispanic community because I wasn’t “Latina” enough. But when I would come home I would feel the most accepted.

I tried to fit in and so I wouldn’t speak Spanish and just focus on speaking English so that my peers would accept me. I would go home and my mother would say, “Sorry you are Colombian and you will speak Spanish in this house”. I can say that I thank her for that. In my home love is something that is very important. We were taught that we were a “Team”. What affects one affects us all. Music was a huge part of our lives as well. I remember watching Juanes in concert at the age of 12 in Medellin. He had about 1.5 million attendees and he was singing for “Peace”. He was tired of seeing people in our country fear for their lives when all they wanted to do is to live their lives. As I read about his plan to do a concert in Cuba, I thought to myself, “Wow, this man stops at nothing to spread Peace”. I was honored to be from his country and represent that in our people. Stereotypes are such a negative way of classifying people that it can in turn into a bigger problem. I believe that this is what has happened in Cuba.

I recently read that, almost 10 percent of Cuba's population showed up and about 30 percent of Cuba’s youth was present at his concert on September 20th. I felt these percentages to be astonishing and very proud of Juane's mission to spread “Peace”. I will leave you with this quote from Carlos Saladrigas, a reporter from http://www.cubastudygroup.org/. “The massive attendance highlighted the large and growing disconnect between the exiled hardliners and the Cuban people. More Cuban Americans have come to the realization that we cannot afford to continue with failed policies to meet the challenges of the future. We need to engage. It is not reasonable to expect to partake in a new Cuba if we don't partake in the process that creates it.” What do you think??

Post Graduation; Intro Into an Entry Level Life

I came along with an intention to focus my efforts into a passion. Now after college I have seen my fermented seeds proliferate into a life. It began on Ventura Boulevard in a fallacious one bedroom apartment. Fortuitously, my brother Daniel and I had all of the equipment needed to create. Only what time would paragon, our expression, ourselves through film. Our goal was to submit our 15 minute short film into; Top 25 ranked Film Festivals around the United States. We submitted 10 out of the 25 at $50 dollars a submission. That was a $500 dollar investment. Didn’t matter, we’re raised by life a tacit. Daniel’s Short Film entitled; A Reason To Live was recognized twice amongst our 10 submissions. A capacity crowd of fifty independent film directors and critics viewed our production. At the very moment when my brother and I were answering Q&A from the audience. I felt a drizzle of equanimity over my soul. I encountered my purpose. Since that experience, I have continued to live in pursuit of my dream. There will be an answer. Let it be.


A Reason to Live; http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=40822965