Hip, But NOT Handicapped

I'm all for keeping up to date with the newest technology and staying relevant..."hip", but when did we become so jaded and lazy that a simple task like changing the channel can no longer be accomplished without the aid of our ever growing in popularity and newest appendage...Our Remote. I mean we have remotes for fans, stereos, garages and even toilets!
I found myself watching something the other day totally unaware of the fact that the remote was no longer in the room...or at least, in plain sight. I had walked into any empty room with the tv on, as so many of us have when there are children in the home. I was drawn to my favorite: "...you lint licker..." commercial and when the moment was over, I was actively scanning the room for a sign of the always 'importante' remote. I allowed myself to squander away a full eight minutes before coming to the realization that long ago, back in the day when we watched tv with aluminum foil wrapped around the tips of the "rabbit ears", there was NO REMOTE. I just dated myself and probably isolated some of my audience because some have no clue as to what I am referring to, but YES!!! at one time there were no remotes and we actually had to get up and change the channel manually. We also knew how to tell time from an analog watch/clock which is so 'OLD SCHOOL' because everything is digital now. Oh and PLEASE don't ask the 'youngins' of today who work our registers to make change. Some of this generation is a bit stumped due to the excessive use and dependency on calculators and the register itself.
I mean no disrespect and I only address the issue because every once in a while, when the remote is missing or misplaced, fret no more and recall an earlier time and for the youth...remember these sage words - "You can still change the channel by getting up and finding the button located on the actual TV unit and magically it does the same thing the remote can!". Okay, maybe not everything because here you are...NOW STANDING instead of chillin comfy and seated, bothered that you can't find the remote. Who am I kidding, I bow and kiss the feet of he/she who came up with this most illustrious, necessary and pleasing invention.
By the way, I found the remote after changing the TV manually and boy was I miffed that I had spent that extra minute or so to locate it. Yes, we have become overly dependent and lazy. Sorry...youth of today.
Changing the channel here...Later.

Colorful Glamour

NOT REALLY A BLOG POST....JUST WANTED TO SAY

To All Who Read This: I would be the LAST person telling anyone how to live their life or what to do, when I struggle like we ALL do to make sense of it and just survive, but I ask that WE ALL PRAY for EACH OTHER...be caring, considerate and tolerant of each other. We're ALL brothers and sisters in one HUGE EXTENDED GLOBAL FAMILY, so let's look out for each other.
I don't and won't mention specifics or names because there are still things that should and can be private, but I ask that we ALL pray for friends, family, acquaintances, friends OF acquaintances :) that we know are in need of prayer, whether it be due to illness or just life's curve balls...because there's enough negativity, pain and suffering to keep us praying for ages.
Life is short, for some more than others and most times very painful for those who have lost...a loved one, lost a love or lost hope...but DON'T LOSE FAITH.
Forgive each other's shortcomings, because WE ALL HAVE 'EM :) and remember to LOVE and BE LOVED. God Bless and thanks for even stopping to read this. LOVE and HUGS to all!!

For Teachers Across the State of Florida...This Does Not Add Up!

Is it fair that hard working teachers all over the state of Florida are going to be compensated or penalized according to their student's standardized test scores? How fair is that?
It's been shown that standardized tests are not foolproof. Many a good student has done badly on a standardized test regardless of their academic prowess and/or GPA. I may seem biased due to the fact that I have a sister and a niece, both dedicated teachers that are truly passionate about what they do. I myself have had thoughts of being a teacher and I say the following with all due RESPECT...I know many teachers who were so instrumental and influential in my life but really did not affect my standardized test taking skills.
I find from personal observation that even good and sometimes very good students have not had good test taking skills when presented with the STANDARDS. I've seen and known of students who were just having an off day or even those who have skipped a question and in doing so filled in the answers in the wrong order setting off a chain reaction of "Incorrect Answers".
Honestly there is A LOT more to take into consideration when rating an educator, especially when it's YOUR kid's...but we ALL know their whole worth can't all be validated or tarnished or worse - VANQUISHED by some standardized tests and their results. It's not only harsh, it's unfair, unrealistic and DETRIMENTAL to education in general...less and less people will be willing to become teachers when every time we look there are less and less incentives and rewards for such an under appreciated, understated, cornerstone profession.

Olympic Games…A Global Party

Once again the Olympics stand to unify the world at least for a time, while our talented world athletes engage in friendly and healthy competition inciting patriotism and all the while allowing us all to partake in a Global Party. This is one of the few times when a vast array of people and cultures come together for a common goal and celebrate the victories and mourn the losses of our athletes accomplishments or losses respectively. It’s a time when we live vicariously through our athletic heroes and learn to appreciate and marvel at these wonderful specimens and all they can do.
It’s the kind of party you can attend via the Internet or by just flicking on the channel…everyone is welcomed and invited. It’s a wonderful spectacle where nations from all over our planet unite and put aside most, if not all, differences and focus on healthy competition. You can’t help but to get caught up in the excitement and share in the victories and the defeats.
I myself, was brought to tears when Canada won their first Gold medal on Canadian soil in an Olympics in the men’s moguls event. I may not be Canadian, but I couldn't help but to share in their joy and though the American athlete may not have won, I empathized and felt some disappointment which was quickly overshadowed by sheer elation for Canada, the victor and his family.
So if you don’t have any pressing plans to go anywhere or see anyone, join the Global Party known as the Winter Olympics, you may find yourself rooting for…EVERYONE.

Makeover Madness Overload...It's A Good Thing

I am the first to admit, I have "Makeover Madness Overload", but I'm hooked. I can't get enough of these shows. There's "My Fair Wedding with David Tutera", "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" with Tye Pennington, "Divine Design" with Candace Olson and many, many more. So many in fact, that it's a wonder more homes & weddings don't look like hodgepodges of "ECLECTICA"...just a fancy name for a "Hot Mess". I personally think it's just, we all enjoy a good fairytale...whether we're in it for the conflict, the happy ending, the action or the magic; we like them. These makeover shows are like fairytales, you have the conflict, because hardly ever is everybody on board with the same design ideas or does everything go smoothly and work the way it should. The action and the progress, as we watch the "BEFORE" transition to the stellar "AFTER". Finally, the almost always, happy ending...the magic of it all-the end result.
I love when a bad, hopeless, misdirected or lacking situation can be transformed, and to the benefit of many, become a warm, inviting, well designed or put together magical home or wedding.
David Tutera for instance will take a young ladie's wedding dreams and hopes and make them a reality like none even their wildest fantasies could encompass. Every last detail is thoroughly thought through and so much care is given to make sure it'll be memorable and a true reflection of the person or persons involved. It's a day they never forget and I am sucked in for the ride. I'm weak!!!
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, I love this show, God Bless everyone involved. I mean that with all my heart. The stories are so touching, inspirational, and the recipients, so worthy. The reveal is always incredible...the houses are always stunning and everyone is moved to tears and sharing in a celebratory moment.
If only that could be done for so MANY, MANY more people. I guess that's exactly why I'm so hooked...since it's not commonplace, at least for me, I love watching these present day fairytales. We need MORE wonderful endings.

"Whistle" While You Work...

For anyone who knows me or those just getting to know a bit about me, I am a "HOUSEHEAD"...I fiend for House Music. Not just any house music, but usually my personal favorite, underground and trance house from the 80's. The following jam I will reference is exactly what I put on in the background whenever I'm working around the house or like right now on my headphones...Frankie Knuckle's - The Whistle Song. Being that's it's all instrumental, you aren't distracted by lyrics but instead enveloped by the melody, the beat, the light percussion and how easily and gracefully movements come to you when you just let yourself go. I know I find it hard not to get out of my seat and relive my days at Sound Factory. It is one of the more entrancing and upbeat jams and I'm thankful to Sr. Knuckles for that and many other incredible house renditions. He's responsible for my all time favorite cover mix of any song and that's The Pressure by Sounds of Blackness.
It's so much easier to get anything done while "Whistling" while I work. It always makes me feel uplifted and hopeful, and these days I like to grab my happiness where I can get it. I highly doubt I'm alone in this belief, but, I have certain songs/groups of songs that best represent certain emotional states. Mariah to Cry aaahh!!! Janet to Slam IT!! I jest, but you know what I mean.
When I need a pick me up or just want to zone out, clear my mind and be in a good place to get some work done...I "Whistle" while I work. Thanks again Sr. Knuckles. Much love.

PINK Left Me Speechless

I don't know if you saw this years Grammys, but this was a great year for the show. One performance in particular was all I could talk about and I don't think I'm alone on this. It's not like PINK hasn't left me awestruck before with her voice, her grit and her uncompromising...this is who I am attitude, but this 2010 Grammy Performance was something I couldn't articulate even after having watched and digested it for a bit. I was still dumbfounded by the fact that not only had she once again lulled me with her vocals, but she literally performed an aerial artist's repertoire of moves with total ease and unless Pink has taken a learning annex course or read Aerial Artistry for Dummies...what the?@#)!!!
Seeing my girls Ms. Gaga & Beyonce was fantastic, but I can honestly say PINK stole the show. I've seen people lowered and raised on stages, flown over and across the audience, giant props and impressive sets, but this was just an incredibly gifted artist who capitalized on her VOICE, the WOW factor on many levels and the right song and the BEST and most original closing of any grammy performance I've ever seen previously. The song was melodic and hypnotic while Pink was alluring, dangerous, sensuous and fearless. Personally she had me on the first full spin when her wet hair radiated droplets across the mesmerized onlookers. This was the whole package, Pink is a beautiful woman, with major vocal stylings and an incredible "showman". My kingdom for a seat at the Grammys.

Coffee...Used to be Coffee

I want to pause and take a moment to recognize how at one time, Coffee...used to be Coffee. Now you've got tall, decaf half calf, foam/no foam, Columbian, Hungarian, Expresso, Fed Ex...it used to be Coffee. I'm not even a huge fan. OK, I'm not going to lie, I did, at one time partake in the caffeine rush and joy that a good cup of coffee can be...BUT NO MORE. I really don't get to drink much of it anymore because of major heartburn issues. Every once in a while, I indulge and pay the price for warm (that's how I like it), not too sweet but not bitter with real milk or cream, coffee. I've even learned to like the sugar substitutes so as not to risk diabetes, but these ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS might not be all there cracked up to be. You hear so many different things about the good the bad, the real, etc. I digress. I have fallen prey to SOME of the more recent caffeine evolutions like mocha or caramel lattes, frapuccinos, coffee coolattas - and please forgive any mispellings but I really DO LOVE these coffee mutations presented with such enticing and delictable touches such as whip cream, chocolate shavings, sprinkles (my personal favorite) and the ALWAYS welcome caramel or hot chocolate swirl. I even feel guilty after having these because I know they are nothing but hyped up, glamorized, super sweet, endulgent coffee on steroids, but boy are they GOOD!!!! I at one time was a coolatta a day kind of guy. I've got the beast tamed and I know there's a group for people like me and if not I should start coolatta anonymous. But sometimes, I just want plain ole coffee. Puerto Rican coffee to be exact, I AM Puerto Rican. Though you may not believe me and don't take my word for it, but at one time, not too long ago Coffee...Used to be Coffee.

Live, Love and...Leave

I've experienced and had to learn a lot in the last four months and the biggest, but most cliche tidbit of wisdom I have clung to through it all...is LIVE and LOVE and I now say...LEAVE.
LIVE your life to the fullest, enjoy NOT just the big things we can't miss, NOT just the little things we've been told to stop and enjoy, but ALL the things. Big, small, good, bad, happy, sad...I know its been said, but it's SO true. These are ALL the things that make up who we are.
I say this because I almost lost someone VERY DEAR to me and I know I would have been devastated. Emergency Averted...for now. The reality that this was just a sign that we're lucky to still have time together but someday it will come to an end, still lingers. This person even said to me before,during and after it all..."We all have to go." I don't want to bring anyone down. Please, I have shed many tears and I would actually like and hope that maybe saying this may spark in someone the recognition that took me too long to register... and that is to try and cherish MORE if not ALL MOMENTS. Live in this moment, and if you're lucky enough...the next and the next. My heart goes out to anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. I have seen some of the light we all carry inside us diminish slightly when someone near and dear has moved on.
LOVE. I say LOVE. I can't and wouldn't even attempt to tell anyone who and what to love because our lives can all be so different and yet so similar. We may all have different stories and varied characters in our lives, but we ALL need love. For me, it's my family, friends and my and my family's dogs.
Allow yourself to be loved and love. Allow yourself that.
and...LEAVE, leave the past behind you...try at least.
Leave things to be said...said. Leave things to be done...done. Of course, as realistically as life allows.
I say all this because in a matter of seconds, I thought,NO I KNOW...I was watching someone SO DEAR leaving us and in all the chaos and panic, tears and fear...I still had to say and do SO MUCH.
So DO, LEAVE yourself open to LOVE and LIVING.
Take care friends...care of yourselves and each other.

Video Music Channels...Where's the VIDEO?

I just saw something about: "What ever happened to MTV playing music videos?" I couldn't agree more. I have posed this question to friends, family and msyelf and never came up with a plausible reason for the obvious absence of what got music channels started in the first place. Video music channels took a turn for the worse when they lost sight of what their core audience was looking for. I remember when MTV first started and the excitement after getting home from school was always:"Whose video are we going to see now?". My baby sister and I would drop our bags by the door, run past our mom who was reminding us to put our stuff in our room and get homework done before anything else, and plop down in front of the "MUSIC-TUBE". We were always hoping to catch Madonna, my all time and still favorite - Janet Jackson, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Jackson, Ready for the World, Boy George, Wham, etc. Besides wanting to jam to the beats, we wanted to see what the artists were wearing, how was their hair styled, what special effects -if any- were used, and what was the theme of the video. The videos taught you dances, gave you fashion tips on clothes and hair and allowed you time to just WATCH your favorite singer/star in their element.
Don't ask me why, when reality TV "blew up", did certain channels completely lose sight of what kept us coming back. I wanted the fantasy of the VIDEO and not the ugly reality of what I lived day to day too. A video was a form of escapism...you immersed yourself in the moment, in the story or just the fun of the VIDEO. I wanted to see Janet give her trademark tough girl attitude with her soft spoken voice while gyrating and hitting the mark with every dance move. I wanted to see Jody Watley prance around with determination while belting out a tune in her tutu and watch Boy George in all his colorful, bohemian, layered glory singing "I'll Tumble For Ya".
Once many of these channels opted for showcasing and spotlighting reality shows, game shows and testimonials...they lost me. Don't get me wrong, I can enjoy some of their new programming some of the time...but I miss when you could put on certain MUSIC VIDEO channels and be guaranteed to be greeted by, none other than...A MUSIC VIDEO!

The Pets That Fill Our Lives

I've always been a pet lover, my preference being dogs...but I've been known to take on fish, a turtle, a couple of ducks, a chicken or two and even kittens, which I am highly allergic too. The pets that fill our lives...these innocent, unsuspecting critters come into our homes and hearts with no knowledge of how much they impact us, influence our lives and fill them with so much joy, laughter and sometimes pain. I have always stayed true to the fact that having pets is a lot like having children. They're our complete responsibility, like infants they can't really tell us what they feel or need...but WE get to know, and they need our guidance. I can't tell you how much they alter our lives on so many levels. I would never move anywhere again unless my dogs are welcomed and it makes visiting people difficult too. I myself am blessed that most everyone in my family and my extended family are dog lovers with their own pooches, which makes staying with family much easier. I don't even enjoy a visit to the cluster of amusement parks here in Orlando unless I know I can be back within a decent amount of time to let my kids out for their walk. I won't even use certain products in my home if I suspect they can be perilous to their well being.
I can't picture my life without my dogs. No one there to wake me up early in the morning with a gentle but forceful nudge? No one hovering when I cook? No one waiting on the rug in the bathroom when I step out of the shower? My dogs Gia and Max are so entrenched in my day to day, that life would feel VACANT without them. The truly Unconditional Love you get, in my case from my dogs...is Priceless. My "little girl" Gia is now 12, God Bless, and I know when her time comes I will be devastated. She, like many pets that fill our lives, has at times given me purpose and kept me focused, and she's always helped me get through many a tough time. I fear that this is one time she won't be able to help me. I know I'll never find another Gia, but have to stay on track because my lil guy Max will need me.
That's why, the pets that fill our lives, are a blessing we should give thanks for and appreciate until our time with them has expired. Like any loss, we're left with photos and memories worthy of remembrance but we are so enriched by their devotion and LOVE...we're NEVER the same again

American Idol, Your "Neighborhood", National Talent Show

I know Idol has given us some great talent...some stellar enough to merit an Oscar, others Tony & Grammy worthy performances, but it's the failed tryouts that seem to be all we really tune in for. Deep down, it's like a train wreck, you can't turn away...we want to see the really bad auditions more than anything. It's like a huge neighborhood talent show where anything goes and anyone can sign up. I don't know if it's because some of these debacles make us chuckle or remind us of the fact that we're not the worst at singing, but I give them all props. Neighborhood talent show or not, it takes guts to get up there on national TV and try and sing WELL, much less GOOD. I admit there are some that go for all the wrong reasons and want their "fifteen minutes" but the ones I really feel for are the ones that really don't know they don't have what it takes or just plain 'ole...CAN'T SING!!
I've been to my fair share of neighborhood talent shows and remember thinking:"Damn, I didn't realize the man who sold the papers always wanted to be a magician, didn't know Dyesha, LaNayNay, Jackie Juarez Santos Rios de la Cruz Santiago always wanted to be the next Destiny's child and yet the crazy cat lady by the bridge can belt it out like Jennifer Holiday. I guess, as much as we love the failed attempts, it just might be more than just the horrible, glass splitting, hair raising, ear shattering auditions we tune in for...maybe we want to see if they'll be another Susan Boyle up in this neighborhood talent extravaganza. There's hope for us yet. HEHE

Earthquake in Haiti - Global Pain

As human beings we share this planet...the same air, the same waters, and ARE and SHOULD be affected globally when anyone hurts, grieves or is in need of AID. What happened in Haiti, the devastation, the colossal loss is something that can happen anywhere on this planet, by any of many other natural catastrophic means. Mother Nature can be merciless and relentless while also being nurturing and giving. This is a time when WE have to be Nurturing and Giving and help those in need, from the smallest thing you feel you can do or contribute...it's HUGE when you realize how horrible the situation for the Haitians is right now. Many prayers for their safety, health and strength in this horrible time of tragedy.

The Resurgence of Dance Music

I'm a product of the clubs of the late 80's and 90's and clubs that catered to lovers of House Music. Dance music has always been sampled or infused into many a hit over the last ten years, but with artists like Lady Gaga it's experiencing a resurgence at Full Force. It's not just that lucky random hit song that just so happened to have a club beat at the core anymore. Lady Gaga brings us a fusion of all kinds of music but with club music undeniably at the forefront. She's successfully married classical, hip hop, R&B, pop and HOUSE into one melodious, bass thumping, booty rumping, new genre...ECLECTO. I jest, but it is an eclectic mix to say the least and it works. It doesn't get boring, as if that's an adjective that can be used in conjunction with the aforementioned artist.

Have We Lost Our Manners

When did it become okay to walk through a door being held by a complete stranger and not say Thank You. I remember growing up and thinking, if there's two things I always have to keep in mind no matter where else my brain fails me...Don't Forget Please & Thank you. My mom wouldn't have it any other way.
I know we live in a hurried society, quite detached and aloof many times, but a small gesture like someone holding the door for you deserves some appreciation and recognition. We get too caught up in our own issues to realize there is still some kindness out there, a lot of it. We just have to take the time and acknowledge it so more people will be willing to share it.
I like to think of it this way, I'll keep holding doors for people because I'm hoping someone's out there doing the same for my MOM.