A Hate Meal

Braden provided a link to this godforsaken post, in response to Aaron's hangover post. This ambrosia of the devil consists of, two McDonald's cheeseburgers, fries and chicken nuggets, placed on a Boboli pizza crust with sauce, and topped with mozzarella.

The end result is the anti-happy meal; a hate meal.


I would improve this debauchery by:

1. Cutting the burgers into bite size pieces and placing them throughout the pie.
2. Cutting the fries into thirds and sprinkling them gingerly throughout the pie.
3. Cutting the McNuggets in half and place them strategically along the outer perimeter of the pie.
4. Drizzling several packets of Mickey D's BBQ sauce over the finished product.
5. Chasing the whole madness with Alka-Seltzer.

What can I say. I'm an optimist that believes in beauty. I'm Venus as a boy.

I Still Heart The Daily Show

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
The New White Face of Crime
comedycentral.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Important Things w/ Demetri Martin Political Humor

I'm Gossiping Again..But With A Purpose

Ya remember Kenley from Project Runway. She was that person that we've all come across in our lives. She would throw shade and be generally not nice, but yet smile and giggled when she did it. I don't care for that kind of person. When she was called on her attitude by the judges, she started crying and gave that old "I've been through a lot in my life blah, blah, blah. I'm really a nice person." Yeah, ok.

Well homegirl is locked up right now because she went off on her man. People magazine reports that:

"The reality star allegedly attacked her sleeping ex-fiancé with her pet cat, water, several apples and the laptop. The Web site also reports that Collins [Kenley] is currently being held in jail."

Now, it is within my nature to wish her well. I actually feel sorry for the woman. She has a lot of rage in her, and that can't feel good. Good luck sister, get real with yourself and do the work.

What I want to focus on is that when you are in a situation with someone, and you get angry enough that feel you want to hurl a four-legged mammal at them, along with everything but the kitchen sink, that is when you have to evaluate that relationship. If that person pushes your buttons to the point that you can almost kill them, maybe he or she is not right for you.

Moreover, if you are able to go to that extreme, perhaps you need to look at yourself and examine what is going on in your head, that would allow you to think assaulting a sleeping person is justifiable. I mean if you have to go there, at least wake them up and give them a fighting chance to defend themselves.

With that said Marcos and I have had our ugly moments in the 18 years we've been sharing our lives. What I've learned is that it feels so much better to give three finger snaps to the face, and tell him to kiss my Nuyorican ass, and that I am going for a motherfucking walk.

If you find yourself using this strategy, during the M.F. Walk, you either plead your case to the wind, call up a loved one, or put together an escape plan. You will find that you will start to feel better, and the plus side is you don't end up in jail.

Upon your return things may calm down, and perhaps kind words might be shared. I don't do the make-up sex thing anymore, that worked for me in my 20s. Instead I let it go, move forward, but I don't forget.

The forgive is important but the forget part, in my opinion, is total bullshit. You gotta keep tabs of these ugly moments, because they are indicators that the relationship is not really working. Plus if the bullshit starts to pile up, your life will start to stink and you'll end up throwing a cat at another human being.

BTW, I hope that cat is okay.

My Conversations with Izzy

Izzy and I had a little conversation about the AIG situation yesterday. This is his take on it.

1. Obama needs to make more of how he inherited this madness and that he's stepping to the plate to control the excesses of the prior administration

2. There needs to be a wholesale review and nulification of all contracts pursant to the government giving money, to see if it poses a conflict of interest

3. There needs to be a better explaintion of the banks compensation structure so that people understand the context of why bonuses are offered in the first place, and how that it no longer a viable structure for companies, that have a significant amount of shares owned by the government.

This is why I likes to roll with Izzy. I likes my smart and funny homies.

It's All Very Blade Runneresque

Okay, so I recall many moons ago I went to go hang out at a friend's house. He had on his VCR (that way back), a Japanese anime porn movie going. I was disgusted. The female characters in that move were constantly raped and mutilated. He totally found it fierce and I never looked at him the same way. It's so strange when you find out a long-time friend is a bit of a sick puppy.

Anyway, I saw this news article about a female robot created in Japan. I'm sure she was designed with good intentions in mind. However, I couldn't help but think about that anime movie and how it influenced what I think went through the minds of the Japanese male geek set that created this robot. I'm thinking she was made in order to do nasty, dirty, filthy things to. It just creeps me out.

I personally think that robots should not look human. I think we should always know we are dealing with a machine. This is like online love affairs taken to another level. It's like some in humanity are moving towards a mindset that we want our interactions with human or human-like beings to always be programmed to please us. Why deal with people when you can have this contraption around to fill your every need. Very Stepford Wives!

Take a look and tell me what you think.

Allan's Book Club

I've been reading again. Let me share some recommendations:


My homeskillet Izzy gave me this book for Christmas. I adored it. The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao is the kind of book that makes you laugh within a sad tale. Junot Diaz writes with an authentic urban Latino voice that excites me. The narrator reminded me of one of my boys from the old neighborhood. And, you get some scandalous history laced throughout the book.


A story of revolution that is transforming the world has been shared in Revolutionizing Motherhood, The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo. Over thirty years ago a group of mothers in Argentina banded together and challenged a tyrannical government that "disappeared" their adult children. They turned their pain, fear and outrage into empowered political action that has become a global movement.

As the author Marguerite Guzman Bouvard puts it, they demonstrated to the world “a new model for human rights activity.” The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo continue to redefine for themselves, and all who hear their story, how the hand the rocks the cradle, can rock the world with love and human dignity as the purpose.

Love Don't Live Here Anymore

Let's be real good people, did anyone really think these kids were gonna get married and live happily ever after. Well, maybe Grandma Palin was ever faithful.

However, once the Palin's became losers on many levels, Levi realized he didn't want any part of it. He thought he was going to be throwing keg parties in the V.P. mansion, not end up in his little hick town, trying to get his GED and a dead-end job.

Homeboy better watch his back. Bristol's parents like their guns and can shoot from helicopters.

Trickle Up Economics

Ya remember a couple of years back that it looked like Dubai was going to be the center of the powerful and wealthy. Well, looks like the hard times are hitting this oasis in the desert.

The way I see it is that those "trickle down" people need to understand that it has to also trickle up. I don't know much about economics but I do know give and take has to happen on both ends. The past few years have shown me I can't rely on a fat cat to leave me some C.R.E.A.M. in the bowl.

So with Dubai hurting, ya know shit is bad!

"Mr Vail's employer is holding his passport and has told him to wait until work picks up again. Developers have got serious cash flow problems...In the meantime he sleeps on the streets or in the back of trucks.

""One day I have food, one day I don't," he says. "I have to borrow money from friends." Having left a steady job in India to come to Dubai, Mr Vail is struggling to support his wife and two children back in Chennai. "What is the point in being here when I have no food, no money and no job?" he asks. "This is a waste of time. If I go back to India at least I am at home with my family."

Source: BBC News (click here for the full story)

This Chimp Aint No Chump

"A male chimpanzee in a Swedish zoo planned hundreds of stone-throwing attacks on zoo visitors, according to researchers.

Keepers at Furuvik Zoo found that the chimp collected and stored stones that he would later use as missiles.

Further, the chimp learned to recognise how and when parts of his concrete enclosure could be pulled apart to fashion further projectiles."

I love this story for the following reasons:

1. Shows that we're not the only mammals that use the grey matter in our heads.

2. Santino got sick and tired of having to deal with people all up in his business. Therefore, he empowered himself to fight back!

3. In my twisted imagination, I can see Santino cracking up when he landed a stone on a target.

4. Santino displayed better planning and foresight skills than Georgie Bush.

5. You mess with Santino, and you get a rock to your head.

Source: BBC News click here for full story

Getting Ready For Baby

With the blessings of the Goddess, I'm going to be an uncle again. My brother Anthony and his better half, Teresa, are going to have a baby. I am so happy for them. I just remembered I need to call them and share this story. I can't count on him to remember to read the blog.

My Global Women's Studies professor is fierce. She is so right on with her knowledge and comes correct. Recently, she talked about the benefits of breast feeding. Breast feeding is easier to do, cost next to nothing, bonds the mother and child and is way healthier for the baby. She breast fed both of her children.

Her advice to the women and men in the class was to prepare for the experience. She highly recommended that a women have her partner suck on her nipples while she is pregnant, so that her breast will become use to the experience. It seems the first few months of breast feeding a baby can be painful, because the mother's nipples are not use to be bitten and sucked on.

Jaws dropped and the room was filled with awkward giggles. Hey, she was keeping it real. Learn more by visiting La Leche.

Did You Know?

Not everyone connected to the Bush administration had a problem finding a new job.

"John Yoo remains on the faculty of Berkeley Law School and Jay Bybee is a federal judge on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. These men, who advised Bush on how to create a police state, should be investigated, prosecuted, and disbarred. Yoo should be fired and Bybee impeached." Source: Marjorie Cohn - Alternet.org

Click here for the full article.

A Pause for Junior's Cause

The darling Junior of Juice with Junior, is devoting 2009 to looking fine. Click here for the most recent post devoted to this mission.

I wanna be a friend to him at this time. I also want to join him in this quest. He asked for healthy food recommendations. I'm going to go one step further. He recently bought some whole grain pasta and thought he would just put some olive oil over it. That won't do. Not for darling Junior.

Here is a suggestion of healthy sauce to go with that pasta. I would recommend a protein the size of a deck of cards to go with it. Just be mindful to either grill, broil or bake that protein.

Pasta with Broccoli and Garlic Sauce:

10 oz box of frozen chopped Broccoli
2 cloves of chopped garlic
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 teaspoon of Italian Seasoning
Red Pepper Flakes to taste
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 handfuls of pasta

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil that will fit your Broccoli and two handfuls of pasta.

At the same time preheat on medium heat, a saute pan.

Drop the broccoli into the pot of boiling water and blanch it for about 2 minutes.

While this is happening pour in the olive oil and garlic into the saute pan. Make sure it's not too hot because it will burn the garlic and make it bitter. It should saute yet not sizzle.

Retrieve the broccoli from the pot using either a small strainer or slotted spoon and move it into the pan with the garlic and olive oil (be careful because the water will spit back at you when it hits the hot oil). If the garlic is getting to brown, scoop in a tablespoon of the boiling water (stand back because she will spit back at you).

Then pour in two handfuls of pasta into the boiling pot of water (cook according to the instructions on the box).

Move the Broccoli around with a spoon, while the pasta is boiling. Then sprinkle in the italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Cook until you have just the right tenderness you like in your Broccoli. Turn off the saute pan and cover it. Mind you the Broccoli will continue cooking, so allow for that in terms of achieving the tenderness you want.

When the pasta is done, drain it, and put into a bowl and pour the Broccoli and Garlic sauce over it and toss. If you are feeling like you earned it, sprinkle some Parmesan cheese over the mixture. Go easy on the cheese!

Serve this along side the lean protein. I like to slice up my lean protein and fan it out so it looks like more. Don't forget we eat with our eyes first.

Most important Jun, do not eat your meal while watching TV or otherwise distracted. Really enjoy your meal and experience that blessing. Eat slowly and savor each bite. You will feel sated on many levels.

Now if you will excuse me, I have a Lil' Debbie Zebra cake with my name on it.

I Smell My 41st Birthday....Hallelujah

By this time next week I will have been on this planet for 41 years. I have to say that lately, I've been feeling my age. The age creeps in somewheres around the middle, towards the end, in between the crack, around the bend, and where you least expect it.

Getting older is often a very subtle experience. When it makes it homes it tells you, "oh darling this is a passing thing", or "honey you should have not eaten that", better yet, "that feeling is scary so ignore it". Yeah it fucks with your head.

The good parts about getting mature in the world is the journey also tells you, "I know better, I can do better", "I know how to do better", and believe it or not it tells you, "damn I'm silly". Laughing at yourself is a benefit of getting older.

Taking yourself so fucking serious is very taxing. That is why the burden of the idea that the world revolves around me, rest of the shoulders of the younger folk. They are immature enough to think they can handle that hot mess of a thought.

Us older folks know, if I do me right, and let my light shine bright, I'll be alright. Within that thought we also realize that by moving within the light, we can turn the world around. Power to the people.

A sage told Rosemary not to waste too much time.

Getting In Other People's Business

Yeah, it's none of my business what Chris Brown and Rihanna do with their lives. I don't know them personally. I also don't know the details of that night when she got beat down by him and then he left on her own. Moreover, I don't know the extent of their relationship and all of the feelings they have wrapped up into each other.

What I do know, is that a lot of people fall victim to abuse at the hands of their so called loved one. I also know that part of what goes with the physical abuse is a mental abuse, that often leaves the victims feeling confused about what exactly is going on. I've also seen and experienced that when you are young, you think you can do something to make that special person in your life, do right by you and never hurt you again.

It's been reported that Rihanna didn't call the cops on Chris after he beat her. It was her screams caused by the pain of the attack that were overheard by a good samaritan, that prompted the call to the cops. This leads me to believe that what happen that night was business as usual.

Rihanna call Tina Turner and get schooled. You are too young and talented to latch onto some punk that will be the next Bobby Brown or Danny Bonaduce. Let me say young lady, that things will never be the same. The trust was broken, and you've been violated.

It would be amazing to send a message to the young girls that look up to you, that it is never cool for a guy to beat you.

Making A Chocolate Amends

Good people, I have f-ed up on you. I forgot to tell you about this elixir for the gods that I made a few weeks back. It was hot chocolate made with COCONUT MILK. If you are a lover of Mounds candy bar, you must try this. I got the idea from an article in the NY Times, yet added my own special touch with the assistance of Marcos and a buddy.

One 15 oz. can of Coconut Milk (unsweetened)
One 12 oz. can of evaporated milk (not condensed, too sweet)
One 12 oz. bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips (brand of your choice)
Two tablespoons of brown sugar
One cup of water.

Pour all of the liquid ingredients into a pot. Make sure you shake the can of coconut milk and get every bit, including the solids out of that can. The stove should be on medium heat. Don't want it to hot. The mixture may look broken, but it will all come together once you start adding the chocolate.

Bring to a simmer and stir in the chips a little at a time. Use a ladle to stir and constantly aerate the mixture while it's coming to a low boil, by scooping up some of the orgasmic liquid love with the ladle and pouring it back into the pot. The higher your hand goes the more air you will get. This will make it frothy. Once all of the chocolate is melted and the mixture is well combined you are ready to enjoy.

I guarantee you this will be the most decadent, silky and complex cup of hot chocolate you've ever had. Garnish however you like. Please let me know of any unique variations you create.

I truly apologize for not sharing this early. No worries we still have a chill in the air, so you can still curl up with a mug.

GOP - Lies Like A Rug

Are the Republicans up to their old dirty tricks? Do you feel that some of what they are saying is downright bullshit? FactCheck.org has found a few claims they are making about the stimulus packages are "wildly exaggerated or downright false."

- It's not true that the bill contains spending for "golf carts." It has $300 million to buy fuel-efficient vehicles, some of which may be electric cart-like utility vehicles like those already in use on military bases and at other government facilities.

- Money claimed to be for "remodeled federal offices" is mostly designated for upgrading buildings to "green" status through such things as thicker insulation and highly efficient lighting, not new drapes or paneling.

- A widely repeated claim that $8 billion is set aside for a "levitating train" to Disneyland is untrue. That total is for unspecified high-speed rail projects, and some of it may or may not end up going to a proposed 300-mph "maglev" train connecting Anaheim, Calif., with Las Vegas.

There's no money in the bill specified for butterfly parks, Frisbee golf courses or water slides, despite a GOP congressman's claim that the bill "will fund" those projects. He culled those silly-sounding items from a list of 18,750 city projects that the U.S. Conference of Mayors cobbled together as examples of "shovel-ready" projects.

Conservative politicians have also claimed that the stimulus bill requires that doctors follow government orders on what medical treatments can and can't be prescribed. But the bill doesn't say that.

- Rep. Tom Price of Georgia says the measure creates "a national health care rationing board." Not true. What it creates is a council to coordinate research into which treatments work best, and are most effective for the money. And in fact, the new law states quite specifically that the council has no power to "mandate coverage" and that its recommendations are not to be construed as "clinical guidelines for ... treatment."

- Betsy McCaughey, a Republican former lieutenant governor of New York, claims that the bill creates a "new bureaucracy, the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology." Not true. The office was created in 2004 by President Bush. McCaughey, an adjunct fellow at the conservative Hudson Institute, also says the office "will monitor treatments" and " 'guide' your doctor's decisions." But that's nothing new. Bush's initiative called for creating a health IT system to transmit information to "guide medical decisions." (McCaughey became a Democrat in 1997 and ran for governor of New York against her former boss, George Pataki.) Source: FactCheck.org

One Word Answers

Hey Todd, here is the answer to your response for question number 33.

1. Where is your cell phone? Coat
2. Your significant other? Marcos
3. Your hair? Short
4. Your mother? Survivor
5. Your father? Heaven
6. Your favorite thing? Learning
7. Your dream last night? Bizarre
8. Your favorite drink? Juice
9. Your dream/goal? Philanthropist
10. The room you’re in? Office
11. Your fear? Sickness
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Teaching
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. What you’re not? Stupid
15. Muffins? Nope
16. One of your wish list items? Travel
17. Where you grew up? Brooklyn
18. The last thing you did? Read
19. What are you wearing? Pajamas
20. Your TV? On
21. Your pet? Gino
22. Your computer? Mac
23. Your life? Evolving
24. Your mood? Determined
25. Missing someone? Usually
26. Your car? His
27. Something you’re not wearing? Watch
28. Favorite store? Supermarket
29. Summer? Hot
30. Favorite color? Many
31. Why did you laugh last? Gino
32. Why did you cry last? Music
33. Who will repost this? Junior
34. A place I go over and over: School
35. Someone who emails me: Joslyn
36. Place I would rather be right now: Disney World

'Member This Couple?

I'll probably click on the Oscar telecast periodically throughout the evening. The only nominees I've seen this year are Wall-e and Benjamin Buttons. I'm not really hyped about award shows that much anymore. Well, with exception of the AVN Awards, which celebrates the best in adult videos and the Juicies, which celebrates pop culture through the wit of Jun. Who probably enjoys a good adult video.

So anyway, I was really happy to see Kevin and Phoebe together. She looks absolutely darling. What a doll. As for Kevin, he's holding up pretty good. I had crushes on both of them back in the day. Glad to see they are still doing there thing together and they actually look happy with one another.

NY Fashion Weak

After indulging in the couture collections, looking at the highlights of NY Fashion Week's Fall '09 collections, was a bit of a let down. Mind you, there was some interesting stuff out there. However, the level of innovation is no where near what you see in couture. I know this is all ready-to-wear sportswear, but that doesn't mean you can't offer some level of scandal.

SPOILER ALERT: Do not read the following if you are a Project Runway fan:

While Project Runway is on lockdown due to legal issues, they filmed the season, and the final three contestants showed at NY Fashion Week. The pic above is from one of the designers. I picked that image because I believe that is Jaslene, the first Latina to win ANTM. I'm so gay.

Click here to see the highlights of NY Fashion Week

Dining On A Dollar

Back in the 80s my Titi Maria prided herself on the fact that she was able to feed her family of four, for just a few dollars a day. She was very creative, and most of the meals were nutritious. The one dish that was sorta suspect, yet tasted good, was her cubed Spam and Ragu pasta sauce over spaghetti. Occasionally, I still get a craving for it. Don't judge me!

I don't know about you guys, but I have found food to be so expensive lately. With that in mind, I offer the following to help ease the budgets of my good people.

Minding The Store

I'm keeping an eye on what's going down to the best of my abilities. After my previous hat tip of a post, to President Obama, let me share this video to maintain a sense of the full picture. Go to Chains We Can Believe In for a take on how our Mr. President is handling other affairs. Let's mind the store good people.

P.S. I still truly believe we are in much better hands. Lord, may I maintain this hope as I watch his actions unfold.

Do Your Thing Pres. Obama

I know everyone is focused on the stimulus package, however, President Obama has some other interesting accomplishments in his first month as president.

$10 Billion for High-Speed Rail
One day in the next decade you may find yourself rolling silently through the cornfields of Wisconsin at over 200 mph, on your way from Chicago to Minneapolis...

Broadband Initiative
High-speed rail isn't the only piece of American infrastructure getting a much-needed boost with the stimulus bill. More than $7 billion has been marked for the expansion of broadband access.

Commission to Review Faith-Based Initiatives
On Feb. 5, Obama signed an executive order renaming the Faith-Based and Community Initiatives entity created by President Bush. The new title of the organization is Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships...the White House has said it will not direct federal dollars to groups that proselytize or advocate for so-called reparative or conversion therapy for homosexuals.

A Reform-Minded Drug Czar
Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske...comes from a city that has been a pioneer on policies such as needle-exchange programs, lowering marijuana as a law-enforcement priority and innovating overdose-prevention strategies.

Swift Action on Arms Control
By all accounts, Obama appears serious about meeting his campaign pledge to drastically reduce the world's largest nuclear stockpiles and initiate a new era of arms control... For the first time in eight years, committed nonproliferation experts are being slotted in senior positions at the State Department's relevant agencies.

Go to Alternet.org for the full story.

Sharing Is Caring

Good people! If you look to your right you will see a new blog link to V's spot. "Maybe It's Just Me..." is a consistently good blog for getting a take on this world we live in. The writer is a Southern gentleman transplanted to California. He's also an educator and has a point of view. Please pay him a visit.

Also, don't forget all the other darling blogs on that section. Those bloggers are doing their thing.

Did You Feel That?

I just had an intense premonition. What came to mind is that many of my single family, friends and readers are going to find love this year! I am not on a Valentine's Day chocolate sugar high. The feeling was authentic and sincere. So, with that said, good people, make sure you get out often and look cute.

This Is A Rerun

Forgive me good people, but Marcos is taking me out tonight for V Day. Therefore, I'm recycling my V Day post from last year. I hope you all took a moment today to give and feel love.

If you care for something more fresh, head over to Juice with Junior. A link to that lovely man's blog is on the right.

Peace, Love and Souuuuul


Door opens and slams shut.
Venus: Cupid, darling? Is that you?
Cupid: Yeah mom!
Venus: So,how did it go.
Cupid: Mom, I'm real tired..
Venus: Oh come on, tell me how did it go.
Cupid: It went good. But, I'm exhausted.
Venus: Poor thing. Yeah, look you're all out of arrows. (Venus tugs on bow) And, looks like you'll need to get your bow restrung.
Cupid: Yeah. Man my wings are sore.
Venus: Honey I told you to pace yourself this year. And, I really wish you would take my advice and outsource some work to Eros.
Cupid: Mom!
Venus: Ok, ok. I'm just trying to be helpful. What a temper you have. This is what I get for fathering a child with Mars...
Cupid: Oh Jupiter! Mom, please I'm not in the mood for this.
Venus: Ok, ok. Darling, it's ladies night at The Pantheon so I'm going out. Your aunts Fortuna and Minerva should be here soon. I got Juno to babysit. Let me finish getting dressed.
Cupid: (mubles incoherently and lays down on the sofa.)
Venus: (giggles) Hey maybe I'll find love tonight.
Cupid: (rolls his eyes and falls asleep)

Did You Know?

We had a kiki in my Women's Studies class today. We talked about the fact that the "Hunter & Gatherer" term should actually be called "Gatherer & Hunter." You see folks there is evidence to show that for the most part it was the gathering done by the women, that provided enough food to sustain the prehistoric people. The men didn't always bring home the bacon.

FYI - The age of the Goddess is returning. Need proof? Look how everyone is thinking about living more "Green." Also, women are turning it out in colleges and universities around the world. With that said, many women are still catching a lot of hell around the globe. Lots of work to still do.

Look What I Did!

I'm pretty mama!
I got a letter today from the Interim Dean for the School of Education. Basically he said I done a good job and have made it to the Dean's List! I'm in the top 10% of my class in the School of Education with my 3.60 gpa.

Those of you near and dear to me know that 2008 was one rollercoaster of a ride for me. There was a lot of intense moments, personal challenges, and moments I felt like I wasn't on the right path.

What has made this accomplishment possible was me kicking into High-Riding Bitch mode on many occassions. While I have the ability to push myself into a downward spiral at times, I can also rally the spiritual and mental troops to get the job done. I often have to say to myself "C'mon bitch, get it into gear and handle yours!"

Thank you to my ancestral spirits that always inspire me. A big thank you to family and friends for always sharing encouraging words. I'm gonna keep on keeping on. I got work to do, if I want to share my love and desire to help create positive change for those around me.

P.S. Marcos was so happy and proud of me he did a ton of dishes! And, I cooked a killer pot of Chili and made homemade Guacamole. We celebrate with food in this house! LOL

Theatre Queen - Pissed Off Patti

Awhile back Todd over at Postcards... did a post about Patti LuPone having a Diva moment during a performance of the musical "Gypsy," by stopping a show to have someone in the audience removed from the theatre, because he or she was taking pictures, while Patti was belting out "Rose's Turn" (a show stopper of a song by the way. The irony!). A couple of his readers, along with Todd, felt Patti was a bit over the top and should have went on with the show.

I'm taking Patti's side on this one, and here's why:

Imagine you are on stage giving it your all. You have to dig deep in order to hit and carry those notes, while being in character. It takes a lot to do that folks. The amount of focus and awareness of all around you is higher than usual. Then you see flashes of light coming at you, one, two, then three (yup, the offenders took three pictures). There you are struggling to sell it and a damn light is breaking your concentration. It's just not right. The rules were explained before the performance; no flash photography!

I also want to add that many of my friends that performed as dancers, have said that it is dangerous to have a flash go off in your face while you are dancing.

I'm glad Patti called them out. This is something you have to nip in the bud, because if you don't, I can see future shows being fucked up by a bused in tourists, trying to get yet another snapshot souvenir from their trip to NYC. Imagine if audiences get over this rule and you have a series of flashes going off throughout a show. Not good! You want a picture of the star, wait till the curtain call, or go to the stage door and get a shot of you and your favorite performer.

I also have to admit, if I was there and got to see the drama in person, it would have been gravy! I'm okay with seeing rude and inconsiderate people get their hands slapped.

Beware Evil Doers...I'm Fearless

That adorable cub in Canada, Aaron, posted a link to the Hero Factory website (click here). Head over there now good people and create an image to go with your own inner superhero!

The image above is my alter-ego superhero, known to the world as, Guerrero Rojo! I possess the power of the Sonic Snap, that has been know to crumble buildings.

It's Your Thing...Do Want You Want To Do

Most of my blogs of choice have been putting the Passion for Christ Movement on blast for their new line of t-shirts they are selling to young folks. The picture above is one of the slogans available.

As many of you know, I work with teenagers. Here's my take on what would happen if they saw a fellow student with the "Ex-Masturbator" t-shirt:

- Laugh till the point that they either cry or throw-up.
- Think about that student masturbating
- Think about themselves masturbating
- Think about masturbation period
- Think about sex

For those already masturbating some would:

- Think that there aint nothing wrong with masturbating and continue to have long private bathroom time
- Feel guilty about pleasuring themselves, resulting in their heads being messed up about sexual urgings and themselves

Wouldn't it be better to teach them to have healthy attitudes about sex and to practice behaviors that are about self-respect and protection. Yes, I would include the option of abstinence. However, to promote a message that makes young people deny or feel weird about urges concerning sex, and that center around guilt, is twisted.

Ted Better Watch His Back

Ted Allen is showing up on Food Network doing all kinds of knock-off shows.

Food Detectives has this food-science connection that reminds me of Alton Brown's Good Eats. I think Junior or Miss Kitty may have blogged about that similarity in the past. Now he is doing Chopped, which is a short version of Top Chef.

He better be careful because I feel Alton will litigate his ass into the ground, but Tom will put a beatdown on him.

FYI - It's been reported the Queer Guys didn't make a lot of bank during their time at Bravo. I guess Ted is being a crafty one and figuring out how to keep the paper flowing in order to maintain the Fire Island and Manhattan properties.

Damn, I'm gossiping again.

It Was A Matter of Time

This is what Michael Phelps had to say after a picture of him smoking pot was put on blast:

“I engaged in behaviour which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I’m 23 years old and despite the successes I’ve had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again,”

Child, if you are a celeb with million dollar endorsements, you should suck on a bong in the privacy of your own home! There's a lot of haters out there that would love to blow up your spot.

Interesting how the media is making him feel bad about pot smoking, yet if he went to a keg party and did massive hits of booze, he would just be one of the boys. Funny how one type of high is bad and another is allowed.

There goes the Coke endorsement.

The Kids Are Gonna Be Alright?

Okay so here's the deal, I've been at school getting my Special Ed credentials. I have this and one more semester to go, then I student teach and will graduate! Yay for me! It's been a long process, that has actually gone by rather quickly (figure that one out). Now, what I want to share today is some of the observations of my fellow students, that are all mostly half my age!

- I am writing this from the computer lab, and this one kid next...I meant student...to me has been looking at this computer game demo of this gun just shooting up people for the past hour! I kid you not. He's creeping me out. Do you think his parents should have let him go to a vocational school or just do his own thing for awhile? He seems really disconnected and a bit angry. Poor thing.

- What the fuck is it with these 19 and 20 years olds and pictures. Everytime I walk to the printer to get something, and I look at other students' monitors, all I see are images of them partying, cuddled up with someone, or striking a sexy pose. I've never seen so many people wrapped up into looking at themselves and their friends.

- Plus they text each other constantly. Is there really that much to say? Why not just wait till you see them. I wonder if they have anything to say to each other when they finally meet up for $3 pitchers of beer.

- College going males love...no worship..wait that's not it...would kill a loved one, for Buffalo Wings! These guys eat them by the bucket.

- Everybody, myself included, has a Facebook page! I check my once every two-weeks. They check in every other hour! And, they actually care about that friend rating system bullshit.

- I constantly hear them talking about how wasted they got last night, and that now they are "so hungover man."

- I sound like an old guy going to school with a bunch of yungins.

Got My Couture Fix!

On my way to the market

Out for some drinks with the girls

Because, why the hell not!?
Good people, run and get your fix on! The Spring 2009 Couture shows came to Paris and shot a big, creamy, decadent load all over the masses, and of course it was all done by hand!

Forget the talk of financial woes, and the ugliness of the world. Get yourself clean, comfy and click here to catch the cunty creativity on the catwalk.

Gino Baffled?

In between classes I took Gino out for a walk. He was taken aback because the regular postman did not do the rounds today. Gino and (may she rest in peace)Luna, once had a nasty run in with the regular postman. My four-legged children where on him like white on rice. That guy is lucky he still has ankles.

Till this day, Gino sees this guy coming up the street, he goes into a fit. He wants a piece of him so bad that he can taste it.

Well, today there was someone new delivering the mail, and Gino just looked at him sorta bewildered (see image above). Then Gino looked at me and through our mental bond he said "Yo, where's the prick that normally delivers the mail? I aint done with him."

I telepathetically conveyed to Gino, "Be easy little man, enjoy the day, it's nice outside. Let it go, it's a new year."

Gino snorted into the brisk air and his response was "You're not a dog, you wouldn't understand."

What can I say, the guy pushes mail through the slot and that pushes Gino's buttons.

I Done Heard Somethings Over The Weekend

Honey, I found out some good gossip over the weekend. Let me start sharing:

1. I heard that Robert Verdi of "Fashion Police" fame is an undercover person of partial Puerto Rican ancestry. While it's been noted that his mom is a Portuguese immigrant, it's kept on the down-low that if not one, then both of his parents are Puerto Rican. I heard this straight from the mouth of a woman that worked with his mother. And, according to her, at the age of 16, Robert told her he planned on changing his name and background when he gets older. If this is true, tsk, tsk, to Mr. Verdi. Hating on who you are is never in fashion.

2. I didn't know that our 15th president, James Buchanan, was considered during his time to be queer and had his lover shacked up with him in the White House. According to Wikipedia:

For 15 years in Washington, D.C., prior to his presidency, Buchanan lived with his close friend, Alabama Senator William Rufus King. King became Vice President under Franklin Pierce. He took ill and died shortly after Pierce's inauguration, and four years before Buchanan became President. Buchanan and King's close relationship prompted Andrew Jackson to refer to King as "Miss Nancy" and "Aunt Fancy", while Aaron V. Brown spoke of the two as "Buchanan and his wife". Further, some of the contemporary press also speculated about Buchanan and King's relationship. Buchanan and King's nieces destroyed their uncles' correspondence, leaving some questions as to what relationship the two men had, but the length and intimacy of surviving letters illustrate "the affection of a special friendship" and Buchanan wrote of his "communion" with his housemate. Such expression, however, was not necessarily unusual among men at the time. Circumstances surrounding Buchanan and King's close emotional ties have led to speculation that Buchanan was gay.

Lord, forgive me for gossiping away so early in the year. Tacky? Yeah, maybe, but I needed some bochinche to get me through a cold rough weekend. I'll go back to taking my own inventory tomorrow.

I Knew I Live To See It

At work today a small group of staff and students gathered together to watch President Obama take the oath of office. It was special. I feel like things have a chance of being better than alright. I was very excited and encouraged the students that were in our room to have a seat up front and watch history unfold.

Obama's speech was appropriate. I wasn't moved with emotion, instead I was left with the thought that he is a very capable man. The highlight was when Rev. Lowery delivered the benediction. This old solider for the righteous cause broke it down old school style. We applauded when he said:

"help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what is right."

We said Amen, each time the good Rev. called out for it.

The only damper on the afternoon was that in our classroom, as the adults and two Latino students watched the TV attentively, four African-American students engaged in idle chatter, at a table away from the television, while ignoring the telecast. In fact one of the advisors had to ask the group to keep it down, so that we could hear what was being said. Good people, there is a lot of work to still do!

13th Annual Dr. King Day @ Yale Peabody

By the way, the event I mentioned in the previous post, is going down again. Events are being held on Sunday, Jan. 18 and Monday, Jan. 19 at the Yale Peabody Museum. Both days will have performances and activities celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plus, good people, admission is free!

On Monday there is an Open Mic for the community starting at 11:00 am, followed by the Poetry Slam, which starts at 1:30 pm.

For more information call (203) 432-5050 or visit their website.

I can't think of a better way to get your heart and mind ready for President-Elects Obama's inauguration.

A Pause for Poetry

My collegue Croilot Semexant is pleasure to know and work with. He's tapped into that beautiful energy that goes beyond, race, gender, time and place. He's forever fascinated by ideas, the world and the people within it. I got to see him do his slam poetry thing last year at the event I served as judge (blogged about it). Here is a taste of his poetic truth.

One Island, 2 Languages by Croilot Semexant

My mother sold the panties she had on to
To keep me a live during her pregnancy

My lieutenant father was never present
He thought she was Dominican

Hence why I'm here

Son of a Spanish Romeo
Son of a Haitian Eve that mothered

Twins in her womb
But she said I ate my twin sister at birth
Cause she probably would've betrayed

Us like Jacob

Be a spy for the Dominican
Government
Teach them how to kill another 40,000 Haitians
Cause of their Chaka Zulu color
And so my mother said I ate her in the womb
Because they kept that in silence
In their Rafael Trujillo history books

Some claim their just Spanish
But you can smell the Haitian voodoo
In their Habituala

Some claim their just Haitian
But you can Bachatta in their Konpa

The culture of kidnapped children used
To chop sugarcane so your Starbucks coffee
Can stay sweet in

One Island, 2 languages

Disconnected like the brainwashed
Of the slave's taste for beauty is
Blue eyes and blond hair

And my mother's side of the family said,
Don't marry a Dominican
Their just bitches

And her side of the family said,
He's not light skin enough
Besides he can barely speak Spanish

And I watched them wear the mask
Claiming their Africans, African Americans
But never claim their Haitians

And I watched them claim their Spanish and
Indian but don't know where they got that
Venus Hotten Tot Ass from

While you purchase your
Tickets to flush the resorts toilets
So our people can catch Ecoli

The history professor said,
You divide people
By language and by burning their books

One History, one Africa

Rape by Columbus from the back
While Napoleon get his nut suck
To give birth to us
So we can kill each other

One Island, 2 languages

My mother said she's a mutt too
That's why she can dance mirengue
While stirring up a mean bacaloi
In haitian style

Whatever!

You're cutting into my TV viewing time. Dude, just pack your shit and go!

Gone to the Fantasy Island in the Sky

Ricardo Montalban passed away today at the age of 88. He was Mr. Roarke on Fantasy Island and the evil Khan in the Star Trek movies.

As a little Latino growing up on 70s TV, there weren't many sophisticated Latinos on the tube. Senor Montalban was a favorite of mine as Mr. Roarke. Always dapper, self-assured, and wordly. Plus he was a hottie back in his day. I like the note he wrote on his picture above. It makes me think he had a sense of humor about being the Don Juan of Hollywood during his prime.

In his later years, his foundation built a theatre in Hollywood, with the mission of providing young actors opportunities to perform and develop their craft.

I'm imagining him relaxing on a recliner made of "soft Corinthian leather" up in heaven.

Darling Brianna

Turning Over from manny on Vimeo.
This is Brianna. She is the newest member to the family. Just two months old. I have yet to see her in person, but my special powers tell me she is going to be capable of many amazing things. I need to go pay her a visit and let her know this piece of vital information.

Loving her!

Couture Whore Is Jonesing

Good people, the Spring/Summer 2009 Haute Couture collections will be shown in Paris, France from Monday, January 26th to Wednesday, January 28th, 2009. I have my alarm set! Until then, do salivate over the piece above. It was from last year's Dior collection, courtesy of the genius that is only possible by my future baby's daddy, John Galliano.

People Crack Me Up: 7

Feliks Goldshtein, 24, was arrested minutes after he allegedly robbed a bank in Ohio on Thursday. He may have tipped off the teller by standing in line while wearing a ski mask before staging the holdup, police said. (Source: Stow Police Department/AP)

Y'all know the cops were cracking the fuck up with this one.

How I Intend to Approach 2009

Happy Holy Daze, Pisces! My gift to you is advice about the coming year. First, read this quote from W.H. Auden's book The Dyer's Hand: "A daydream is a meal at which images are eaten. Some of us are gourmets, some gourmands, and a good many take their images precooked out of a can and swallow them down whole, absent-mindedly and with little relish." With this as your touchstone, I urge you to be a gourmet in your approach to daydreaming during 2009. It will be time for you to make your fantasy life into an art form instead of a chaotic, unconscious diversion. If you put more intention into your generation of mental images, you will find yourself better able to create what you really want.

Free Will Astrology: December 17 through 23
By Rob Brezsny

Lazy Lima Bean View

When I'm laid back on my sofa this is what I see. My living room y'all. I ponder thoughts and look at the masks, Devon gave to me and the artwork of Marcos' students. I wonder what they think about the world around me. I imagine conversations and these are some things that have come to light. By the way I am not crazy. I just have a vivid imagination.

> People that don't have children usually become self-absorbed. People that have children often neglect themselves. If you can, mentor a young person to find the balance. If you have children, put them to clean while you do something for yourself.

> A brilliant mind is a terrible thing to waste. Brilliant minds often waste a lot of time.

> I'm brilliant and legendary in my own mind, like most people.

> A person with a lifetime of emotional drama eventually shuts down and just functions. They will on occasion allow themselves to feel something, but with some level of fear in their hearts.

> The natural world is so clever and has a great sense of humor. If you don't believe me learn about male seahorses.

> The divine whispers and the dark has amplifiers turned up to 10.

> If you have a negative relationship with food....get some fucking help. Because you are worth it darling.

> Heavy drinking is bad. Sobriety is difficult and may be a myth. Once a pickle, never a cucumber. People often put one bad thing down and pick up another. With that said, don't drink and go to meetings. What the fuck do I know?

> Are cats really deep, and tuned into something mystical, or just simple minded creatures that benefit from our perception of their aloofness?

> What ancient wisdom have we lost? What ancient alchemy is needed today to cure? What has science removed from our thinking that would've enabled us to still do magic?

> People are beautiful and amazing. I look forward to learning from them and loving them until it's my time to cross over.

Canoas de Platano Amarillo

With the exception of the processed yellow cheese stripe in the picture above, I made this dish tonight. It's a wonderful combination of sweet and savory. Canoas de Platano Amarillo (Yellow Plantain Canoes) is a wonderful dish to tuck into.

Basically you take very ripe yellow plantains (they should have plenty of dark spots on the peel) and you deep fry the whole thing for about 15 minutes or until the plantain is brown and slightly tender. You then drain the plantain on paper towel and cut a slit going lengthwise.

The next step is to stuff it. Tonight I stuffed it with my spicy turkey chili. You can also do it with beef picadillo, even stewed bacalao (salt cod fish). You then stuff each plantain, sprinkle it with your cheese of choice, and place it in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes.

Each bite is a complex combination of contrasting flavors. Enjoy.

Shock and Awe - Revised

If I were there and saw this sight in person, I would think it was the end of the world. Go here for the full story and here for more pics.