The Force Explained

Ok...not going to ruin it so no need to panic. With all the hoopla going around about this damn epic, you'd think that the characters and events in this movie were real. Lucas has done a tremendous job of continuing one of his greatest professional creations and, bottom line, make more money for all. Don't mean to sound cynical but that's pretty much what it usually boils down to.

In regards to the movie...it was pretty damn good. Tons of eye candy most of the time but spectacular scenes, none the less. The work that went into creating this movie should and cannot be discounted at all. In all seriousness though, people...it's just a movie. There's no need to go on and on about differences in story line, perceptions on character's personalities and the like. Another bottom line, it's just a movie, a simple story that has many parts. The success of the epic can only be attributed to the populus who continue to treat the story lines and characters as real beings. Instead, I must urge that we take the meanings of the stories more seriously than the literal depictions of the characters and events.

Lesson 1
The idea of equalities always existing in the universe has existed throughout the centuries.

Lesson 2
No matter how hard we try, escaping our destiny can sometimes be a fleeting attempt. Thus, other inevitable events are set to follow with whatever decisions and actions we undertake.

Lesson 3
Releasing all attachments to material things - objects and beings, really is a good thing, indeed. Helps you keep your focus on the non-tangible things.

Lesson 4
No matter what the challenge, focus on the task at hand in order to reach your overall goal. Release all distractions that may come from it and keep on truckin'.

Lesson 5
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, except when they try to knock off a limb with a big ass laser thing.

Lesson 3
Get to a busy ass theater at least 30 mins. before starting to allow yourself plenty of time to hit the concession stand.

Lesson 4
Go to a theater that has reserved seating if you're going to watch something that the entire world has been waiting for. Thank The Almighty for Arc(h)light!

Damn my new found moroccan mint tea obsession! I should've drank this hours ago! Must find other things to tire my mind now. Good night!

Summer has begun!

First unofficial pool party of the year! if only more weekends can be like this. Went to another bbq yesterday at one of my girl's place. Took in some sites in El Serreno, behind South Pas, and just before Alhambra. Went to dinner at Shamshiri's with the roomies later on that evening. Checked out a new club Jointz has started in Hollywood on Sunday afternoons. Can't beat the free stuff. Came back home to bbq again with the roomies and some homies. Do we really have to go to work tomorrow?!

Hobby #101

Oh yeah, forgot one more thing. The new project of the moment - growing new plants: basil, rosemary, mint and chocolate mint. The orchids are still growing strong. I let my African Violets run their life. My little vine from college is still growing strong. I supppose I should move that into a new plant holder sometime soon so it can fill itself out. Maybe I did inheret a green thumb from good old dad. I miss fresh fruits and vegetables. I remember the first time I ate an organic tomatoe, it tasted like the ones I would bite into when I was younger...the ones my mom would buy every Saturday at the farmer's market. Kind of sad. Can't wait to eat some seasonal fruits and vegies from Dad's garden.

Who? Me?

"Every so often the cosmos treats us to a bewitching month, one so special it can only be described as truly breathtaking. Dear Capricorn, precisely this sort of month lies ahead for you. You are a hardworking, ambitious sign, but even you realize from time to time that you need balance."

Nice start to the month, wouldn't you say? It's been about three months since I've transitioned to a new work environment and an all around new work neighborhood. The areas I have worked in are drastically different, down the noise I hear every day come 2 o'clock in the afternoon. From the silence I would hear at my cube, comes the pounding and yelling of little ones excited for another afternoon to paint, internet surf, dance, throw, run, read, talk to their hearts' content. I love the noise. My focus grows as the noise gets louder. I've been told that, in essence, this quality is perfect for one in my new line of work.

So now my work life is in gear. Time to make sure my personal life is just as manageable. I need to get all my projects in line. I've been trying to clean my room in weeks. Seems like this is always the case unless someone special is coming over. I've been this way for ages. I remember being just as busy in high school and my mother yelling at me to clean my room. "But Mom, if I cleaned my room, I would never be able to find anything!" I realize that this would allow me to relax and even think a little more clearly but that's just the way I've always been. Something to work on? Well...yeah. All in due time. I'll kick myself in the ass to get in gear when I feel it's really time to do so. Probably another thing I should think about working on - procrastination. I guess if I really want to be a more productive person, I should certainly pick up the pace a little more.

Starting to ramble...maybe it's time for bed. My eyesight is going a bit. It's starting to get a little more difficult for me to look at the screen. Definitely time for bed before I say something non-coherent.

Truth in History

I was first introduced to Professor Howard Zinn in college through Professor James Taylor's "Race & Ethnic Politics" class. With the many students who had taken Professor Taylor's class, the movement to bring Professor Zinn to campus grew, at least from what I recall. Seeing him speak was one of the few times in my life that I actually felt "starstruck." To see and hear a man who had fought his entire life for labor equality, civil liberties and, of course, social justice, was quite remarkable. It drove my quest to gain more information on how "the system," whether it be capitalism, the great US democratic system, or globalism, can be learned from and changed from within. Being introduced to Professor Zinn and to the concept that justice, in essence, is not always fair, solidifed my own fight for equality.

These types of people are my heros, those who tell the truth about life, about people's experiences, particularly those who have been shun from the dominant society for way too long.

My father was the first. Throughout my lifetime, he has always reminded me of the significance of those who are not always at the top of the economic ladder. Those who toil to bring food from the ground to our tables. Those who perform the most repetitive of jobs simply to ensure that their families and themselves will live as equally as those who have postions that require a bit more grey matter exercise.

To those who continue to speak the truth and fight for it, thank you for your honesty, thank you for your bravery and thank you for your verocity. I pray that you will never lose yourself in the movement or "the system."

On the Contrary

Ain't that about a bitch! I heard praises all morning long about the great event that was put on last weekend that I worked on. Then I get a nice slap in the face to inform me that not everyone was happy. Ah well...you just have to love how much drama people like to raise, especially those who like to do it often, particularly when it comes to raising awareness of a particular person's power. I can't help to feel a little relief towards the potential shift in power that could happen in the next few weeks. Man, that would be the simple, silent and sweet top to this whole situation.

KCRW always makes me feel better. Sabor a Mi, sung by Los Lobos just started. This song always makes me envision a cool summer night, sitting among the trees, reminiscing about some past love, hearing children play in the neighborhood, and just enjoying the life that the Almighty has given me.

A Dead Tired High

It's done...my first one! What a ride! I'm so freakin' tired but I was amazed that I still had the energy to go out with George and Elson afterwards to get some drinks. I was such on a high of just knowing that everything was pretty much taken care of and whatever happened that we couldn't control tonight just happened.

Some things to keep in mind next time I have another big event -

1. Make sure to get enough food and rest.
2. Delegate and empower as much people as possible to help with various tasks!
3. Know people's limits and your own.
4. Set expectations from the very beginning.
5. Hydrate as much as possible while on the job.
6. Try to enjoy the event a little more than just walking in and out to just check on the order of the program.

I'm done.

2 more days!

I CANNOT WAIT! I'm sleeping in on Sunday! We might end up meeting financial goals! Hopefully the silent auction will get us up there. I'm so freakin' exhausted but damnit, I do thrive on this mess! I don't like to have to do it all the time but shiiit, when I need to step up to the plate, better get ready 'cause I don't throw down for just anything. All of this hoopla is for increasing the capacity of SIPA to keep progressing. We have three more affordable housing developments in the works. We want to create more youth programming and continue to grow with the community around us. Hell yeah! Yes, I do love my job! So far, so good!