Adopt a highway

Despite being the largest community of color in the United States, there are some things that Raza let happen for a variety of reasons. For instance, the Minutemen of San Diego adopted a highway at the San Clemente Border Checkpoint. How strategic of them. A federal judge ruled that the sign does not pose a danger to the public. OK. But, the sign does pose other elements: xenophobia, territorial demarcation, nativism, and racism. We happen to live in country built on democratic ideals such as freedom of expression so where do you draw the line? When we don't know how to resolve these situations, we turn to the rule of law. Because the courts are beyond all forms of identity/oppressive markers. Right? Right? We agree to disagree. Unless its hateful. But what is hate? Who defines hate? In the hierarchy of oppression, because one most certainly exists, there's so much built around the historical trauma/narrative of slavery that the Black community would be all over this situation had it been the KKK. Who else would be on this? The mainstream media, on the other hand, not necessarily. Key power players/allies? Maybe. I'm certain that the immigrants rights community of San Diego didn't let this happen without making a sound, but it is altogether frustrating and upsetting that people will drive past that sign.

The miseducation of Luis

Me: What do you think of bisexuals?
Luis: Bisexuals are fun

while waiting for julieta venegas to perform at central park, a friend sitting next to luis and me brought her amiga, who brought her friend, a book.
Luis: Why is she reading?
Me: She's a law student, they're hardcore nerds

Hours later
Me: She's still reading

Seeing an available cab a block away, Me bolted to get the cab. As I got close to the cab, someone got into the car. Naturally, I pumped my fist in the air and cursed, without stopping. Luckily, another free cab was behind the first one.
Luis (once inside the cab): Why did you hit the cab with your fist?
Me: What? I pumped my fist in the air!
Luis: Oh, its funnier if we say you hit the cab.

Me: (mumbling something about a band while on the rooftop of studio b)
Jo-Cee: What?
Me: I'm not going to repeat what I just said

Luis to Me: You're the dominant female
Me: How?! I'm NEVER the dominant female!

Me: (answer phone with groggy voice)
Luis: Are you horizontal still?

Estelle Getty 1923-2008

The Golden Girls, though a hit from the 1980's, still resonates with me. I identified with some of the characters and enjoyed seeing my mom if she were a Sicilian immigrant rather than Mexican: a short, spirited woman with a sharp sense of humor. In loving memory of the talented Estelle Getty that played Sophia, here are a few quotes that capture the silliness, charm and honesty the character embodies.

Rose: Dorothy, you're the smart one, and Blanche, you're the sexy one, and Sophia, you're the old one, and I'm the nice one. Everybody always likes me.
Sophia: The old one isn't so crazy about you.

Sophia: There's just something I don't like about him. I can't put my finger on it, but if I did, I'd have to wash it.

Sophia: When I feel bad, I have to take my mind off it. There's only one thing that does that to me.
Dorothy: Cooking a big meal...
Sophia: No, making love in a closet.

Rose: Dorothy, a man called for you while you were out.
Sophia: Finally. Now we can break out that bottle of champagne we've been saving.
Dorothy: Ma-a...
Sophia: Come on, Dorothy, we might not get another chance.
Dorothy: Oh sure we will. We can just serve it at... the wake.

And one of the catchiest TV sitcom theme songs

what about mamma mia!?

"Abba made some of the most highly polished, tightly engineered pop junk ever."

taken from http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/07/18/movies/18mamm.html?8dpc

music, the art of hailing cabs and the state of puebla

The Latin Alternative Music Conference started last week and ended this weekend. I got to see a lot of artists/bands I had never seen nor will I ever PAY to see again. I, did, however fall for a few bands, namely Kumbia Queers and Davila 666. During the weekend, there were many quotes, visuals and then some to be immortalized via Tres Marias y Un Buga.

VISUALS
4 feet tall mexicans standing at the front of summerstage concert for plastina mosh & julieta vengeas.
me wearing shades

More to come....me lazy

and in july they says...

Adult: Omygoodness! Look at you! You're so tan!
Me: Really? I don't think so.
Adult: Yes you are!
Me (looks at arms): Well, maybe its all the dirt on my arms for some reason. How did I get dirty?
Adult: Where were you?
Me: The Bronx
Adult: Oh that's wrong.
Me: No joke! I really went to the Bronx Courthouse just now.

(while cruising through the main campus, two little boys, no older than 6, were wrestling on the grass.)
boy on the bottom says to the top: wanna kiss?
the top, giggles: no
me: DAMN IT!

me to an elderly woman on the bus: where do i catch the 4 train?
elderly woman: lexington, i'll show you. just follow me when we get off. a donde tu vas?
me: al bronx

vane: i found a vegan mexican restaurant in l.a. i'm gonna go!
livia: you have to try vegan chocolate chake!!!
vane: what?!

new therapist: my regular fee is $150
me: huh interesting

JULY!

Oh what a June! Unemployment, boredom, humidity, sticky pants, sticky underwears, and sticky thoughts. Not much has changed in July in the city except for the unemployment bit.

The queerest month of all (le June) is over. NYC Pride came and went. I went, did not come. Not even close. East Coast phenomena: lack of baricades/no official parade route for Pride, very stop and go unlike the well organized Pride parades in California. What a difference good weather and better produce make.

Lastly, I'm excited about the Gavin exploring the idea of running for Governor of California. It is about bloody time someone with critical thinking skills considers leading Califas. I think my summer is half over? :(

But on a fun gayelle note, here's Ellen and her lady friend in Italy. Que cute!