¿Quién me ha robado el mes de Abril?

Hoy es 30 de Abril y me sorpende lo rápido que se esta yendo el año. Sigo con mi teoria de que Somewhere in a galaxy far far away somebody is playing with our clocks, making time go faster….Pero ese es material para otro blog post!

Todo el día he escuchado estrofas de esta canción en mi cabeza: Quien me ha robado el mes de abril? Es de Joaquin Sabina, de los 90′s y me gusta mucho, pero como que hoy queda más.

Aqui les pongo el link para que lo vean en youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWVNk5yJ2aI

“En la posada del fracaso
Donde no hay consuelo ni ascensor
El desamparo y la humedad
Comparten colchón
Y cuando por la calle pasa
La vida como un huracán
El hombre del traje gris
Saca un sucio calendario del bolsillo
Y grita

Quién me ha robado el mes de abril

Cómo pudo sucederme a mí
Quién me ha robado el mes de abril
Lo guardaba en el cajón
Donde guardo el corazón…”

¿Le entras a la Catafixia?

¿Entonces qué, cuate? 

Puessssssss yo voy por la naranja…¿Serán tan amables de decirme que hay detras? Una dotación anual de gansitos marinela? una sala de muebles troncoso? 3 tapabocas último modelo?

 

Catafixia en Venice, CA.

Reality Bites

Greasy, huge, fattening and unhealthy at 5 bucks each... you do the math. But no grade "A" in sight.

There is something to be admired, or envied, about people who can eat anything they want whenever they want without getting sick. They have no qualms about buying fruit from the vendor on the corner or eating greasy tortas and tacos on the street, viruses and health conditions be dammed! Tienen “estómago de albañil.” However, that is not my case. So you can understand my curiosity to see that there was a line of at least 30 people, including kids, waiting to buy these tortas last Sunday in downtown LA. At 5 bucks a pop, you can bet the vendor was happy. See cash in hand below…

 

¿Quién quiere torta?

Cosas que no sé decir en inglés…

¿Cómo se dice…. Orale?

El Marketing en los tiempos del Swine Flu.

The hispanic marketing rite of spring in downtown LA, Fiesta Broadway, took place this past weekend… swine flu in several states in the USA ( y la influenza porcina en Mexico) notwithstanding!

The usual crowds, booths, local security, street closures, product sampling and giveaways occurred with hundreds of thousands Latinos and other Angelenos gathered for the occasion. All happening along Broadway from Olympic blvd to 1st street. (¿Por qué será que la gente se forma y se forma nomas para que le regalen un lapiz o le firmen una foto? ) The bigger deals were a free water bottle or t-shirt. I noticed that the giveaways or premiums were much more scaled back this time around, as all companies have surely cut back on their promo spending this year.

All in all, the event still manages to create impressive attendance, even if the headliners on stage were mostly B or C list. (Sorry, canal 22.) As always, pix are  by yours truly.

 

Stage view with downtown LA and thousands of people in the background.

 

On foot at Fiesta Broadway 2009.

 

New flavor from Vitamin Water, their first in Spanglish; TRANQUILO made with "tamarind+pineapple" was sampled.

 

La Virgen de Guadalupe presente en downtown LA.

Spanglish in action

All of a sudden, Spanglish is popping all around. Here are 2 examples, close to downtown LA.

Too bad El Milagro Market didn’t do a spellcheck on their yellow sign. Even I will tell you misspelled words in Spanish are a major no-no. 

 

El Milagro Market ACEPTA coupons.

Good thing they have parking atrás.

“To be or not to be”… esa es la cuestión…

Today is William Shakespeare’s birthday, which has me thinking of all the ways he influenced language and prose. Some say he’s the greatest writer ever. I was reading online that he contributed at least 1700 words and phrases to the English language. I wonder if in this day and age he could end up contributing to spanglish…hmm? that would be interesting: “Methinks que all’s well que acaba well..”? ok, maybe that’s pushing it. But Spanish has so many clichés, surely he’d love to play with them. Here are a few of the better known phrases from his work. I bet you didn’t know some of these were from the Bard himself!

A foregone conclusion (Othello)

All the world’s a stage (Hamlet)

In my heart of hearts (Hamlet)

To thine own self be true (Hamlet)

To be or not to be, that is the question (Hamlet again!)

Parting is such sweet sorrow (Romeo and Juliet)

Lord! What fools these mortals be (A Midsummer Night’s Dream)

Good riddance. (Troilus and Cressida)

Check out the full list at http://www.lomonico.com/bookch4.html

More MOPLA (Month of Photography LA)

 

Terrace party.

It was a warm and beautiful night last night, perfect for another MOPLA gathering at the Pac Design Center. This time they were featuring the work of Markus Klink. Honestly, the crowd and the vibe were more interesting than the photography, which was not bad at all, but just your basic, glossy, commercial, over the top perfect celebrity shots. I mean no disrespect, but the ambience and live people-watching were cooler. (El “tijereo” if you know what I mean.) Around 10 PM, Lindsey Lohan made an appearance, which meant the local paparrazzis went berserk. I managed to get a few shots for your viewing pleasure.

 

Lindsey

 

 

 

 

La Lohan can't move without having her picture taken.

 

 

This was one of the better ones with multiple Laetitias Costas.

Free cone day!

 

YAY!!Is there anything as wonderful as a free scoop of ice cream on a this-heat-is-melting-me kind of day? Especially if it's Ben and Jerry's. Mmmmmhhh!

 

Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia, or New York Super Fudge, I can never decide.

Get out to your nearest Ben and Jerry’s before 8pm tonight and treat yourself.

¡Es GRATIS!

3 Martes a San Antonio de Padua

 

Tengo a San Antonio puesto de cabeza...

Como es martes y amanecí invocando a San Antonio, decidí hacer este post dedicado a él y sus poderosas intercesiones. (Espero que San Judas Tadeo no se me sienta, pero luego le dedico un post a él también.) Cada quien en su vida tiene sus cosas en que pensar, metas por lograr, asuntos varios, problemas que resolver, ideas que concretar, mundos que descifrar, etc. Creo que la fé en Dios es lo que nos sostiene, saber que vamos a estar bien “no matter what.” Yo necesito de un milagro y sé que San Antonio está abogando por mi. Lo pongo de cabeza para seguir con la tradición y les anexo una breve oración. De antemano si no creen mucho en esto, pues igual lo leen y no pasa nada. Como dice mi amigo Alex, “tampoco hace daño.”

En resumen:  Son tres martes, padre mío, los que voy a consagrarte, y como santo rocío, me concedas lo que ansío, es lo que quiero implorarte. 

Primer Martes: Para que las cosas perdidas, sean aparecidas (peticiones)

Segundo Martes: Para que las olvidadas, sean recordadas (peticiones)

Tercer Martes: Para que las propuestas sean aceptadas (peticiones)

A ver si un día de estos se nos hace y lo vamos a visitar a Padua, Italia!

Cheap thrills.

Some of my family members were in town this past weekend and as an expert LA tour guide, I had the task of treating them to a nice time without breaking the bank. Ergo, a visit to the Farmer’s Market was obligatory. I can’t sing enough praises about this place. Truly a one stop shop for all your LA people watching-good food-entertainment-shopping necessities. Bueno-Bonito-Barato! Case in point, one of the most popular spots is Bob’s Coffee and Donuts.  We probably spent like 7 bucks and change for 4 small coffees, 2 apple fritters and one glazed donut. Not bad for a saturday afternoon “cafecito.” 

The best donuts in LA. De veras!

After the Farmer’s Market, we headed over to the Pacific Design Center. Unfortunately, it’s closed on the weekends so we couldn’t get in. But the security guard kindly suggested we go over to the MOCA building annex around the corner, in the same complex as the PDC, where there was a “free art gathering.” As it turns out, this was a reception and book signing for Dave Hickey, the art curator, who was signing copies of his book “The Invisible Dragon.” It was a full house, but we managed to get in and discovered a great bookstore and art space.  Who knew?

Art Lovers.

¿Hacemos “Share”?

 

Durante pleno Spring Cleaning se me ocurrió que estos libros either I’m done with them or I’m not going to finish reading them (Abu Ghraib es muy deprimente) o de plano no me surten efecto (“Single No More”… sin comentarios.) Anyway, instead of taking them to the local library for donation, I thought it best to share with you, if you are interested. Let me know and I’ll make arrangements to send them to you or bring them in person next time I see you. 

The titles from top to bottom:

1. Photography, A Crash Course. Dave Yorath.

2. Love is the Killer App. Tim Sanders. (Think about the title as business tool, not about affectionate love.)

3. Why Girls are Weird. Pamela Ribon. (Es novela, no un “self help” book, mind you!)

4. ¿Quién Dijo que No Se Puede?. Maria Antonieta Collins. (Es un manual de dietas.)

5. America’s Queen. Sarah Bradford. (Bio de Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Need to make room for Michele Obama’s bio!)

6. Single No More. Ellen Kreidman, PHD. (Do I need to explain this? It was a birthday present 4 yrs ago from my parents… but that’s another story.)

7. Michael Phelps, Beneath the Surface. Michael Phelps. 

8. Latinos, Inc. The Marketing and Making of a People. Arlene Davila (Interesting facts, but a little outdated, from 1999)

9. Diablo Guardian. Xavier Velasco. (Novela. Violetta tiene quince  años cuando  cruza la frontera con más de cien mil doláres robados de sus padres, asimismo excelentes amigos de lo ajeno. Azarosamente desembarcada en Nueva York, sobrevive durante cuatro años a todo tren, gastando varios kilogramos de dinero mal habido...)

10. Chain of Command. The Road from 9/11 to Abu Ghraib. Seymor M. Hersh.

Yo Soy Betty La Fea

Dear Betty, why am I so addicted to you? I know I’m probably seven years late to this phenomenon, but ever since your repeats came on about 2 months ago, you are permanently fixed on my DVR. Now I understand why you had a cult following all over the world. I don’t think any other version compares to you, especially NOT La Fea Mas Bella (Televisa 2007). Tú eres la original. La historia me encanta, pero los DIALOGOS!!! los personajes!!!… OMG!! Qué manera de manejar el idioma. Son verdaderas clases de español. Quiero ser como el guionista que te escribió, Betty. Ya me sé la historia, ya sé que voy a llorar cuando Don Armando te rompa el corazón, hago corajes con la Marcela…pero aqui sigo…adicta todas las noches. Nos vemos a las 10.

My favorite Mexican restaurant

La Loteria Grill is one of the best places to eat authentic Mexican food in LA. And that’s not just my opinion but also Zagat’s, LA Magazine, etc. etc. Its owner is a very talented ex-marketing pro who turned restauranteur, Jimmy Shaw. I’m sure you’ve read some of the good reviews since they’ve been around for a few years.  Their new location on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood is quite nicely decorated, spacious and airy. It’s perfect for a Sunday breakfast, as I recently discovered. They also have the original Farmer’s Market location, which is also comes in handy for satisfying your enchiladas suizas craving. Y hasta tienen tacos de papa con epazote y chicharron de queso por ejemplo. Find them on the web at www.loteriagrill.com. And I don’t get any commission from this! 

MONTH OF PHOTOGRAPHY LA

If you’re in LA and want to check out a cool photo exhibit, please visit the Pacific Design Center during April. Located near the corner of Melrose and Robertson in West Hollywood. This is part of Month of Photography LA (MOPLA) which includes exhibits, projections and discussions (and parties.) Checkout monthofphotography.com

Here’s a few shots of the Opening last week:

ODE TO THE 99 CENT STORE

MAYBE it’s because it’s 3 thirtyishpm and I find myself needing to feel productive, maybe it’s because Oprah has the country superstars on and I’m not into country, but I decided to post again to this new gadget.

Here’s a little thing I wrote this morning in lieu of having to get ready to drive to work. What does one do to adjust to unemployment? (beyond panic…) Anyhow, this store  has single handedly reinvented my consumer habits. I think in terms of 99 cents now. Apparently I am not the only one.

“Ode to the 99Cents Store” by Yours Truly

I used to be successfully employed.
But currently my wallet and bank account have a void.
The things one takes for granted
Sometimes become… a little disenchanted.
(Like shopping for groceries.)

But Oh Joy! What have I found?
A big place where veggies and fruits and cheap chocolates abound!

Choosing among the thousands of items in store,
for once I can stick to a budget like never before.
I feel it’s like a therapy session
that almost makes me able to go through the recession.

As I wonder through your colorful aisles,
I can’t help but emit happy smiles.
Apricot jams from Argentina
A few feet away from Neutrogena.
Tomato sauce and pasta galore
for tonight’s dinner and maybe some more.

If only I had ventured here back when I was a Whole Foods snob,
I might have more cash saved up as I look for another job.
But for your unassuming nature and democratic bravado,
I am grateful that here I can also people-watch shoppers in Prada.

Thank you 99 Cents store for letting me see
That with a ten dollar budget I can continue to be…

Spending.

Bienvenido – Welcome

 

Vamos a ver que pasa!

So this is my attempt at getting current with the Spanglish lifestyle in LA… and by that I mean the capacity to understand and live both worlds, cultures, ideas, etc. in English and Spanish simultaneously. You know how it goes. In my case, I usually think “in English” and then Spanish suddenly creeps in. I’m not just referring to being bilingual or that other word they like to call us… pochos comes to mind! (“They” being the language purists.) Even though I try to stick to one language and use proper grammar, if I know you speak Spanish, are of Hispanic descent or are even curious about the Latino culture, then both languages will collide! No puedo evitarlo. So I hope if this blog gains any traction and gets any hits you’ll bear with me and understand my lingo.

Aqui estaré blogging in Spanglish. Isn’t  it interesting how it’s all coming together?