Off I go again...

Last night I think I dreamt, again, of Silent Hill... No no no no... Freaking game!!!... The good news: I am done with it!. (The 2nd part that is). The bad news: the environment and scary ambiance rubbed into my dreamland times, and it was indeed messed up.

I have been trying, for a while, some exercises that will allow me to a) remember my dreams better, b) acknowledge that when I am dreaming it is, actually, a dream, and c) to be able to control my dreams. So far, I am still working on a) and b). And on this messed up dreams it gets weird because at a point I really do know I am dreaming. I go like this is a dream, I know this is a dream. Yet, I cannot control them at all, and messed up scary things keep going on.

Argh... I guess it is a bit like this is reality, this is reality. But you cannot really twist it around like Neo from the Matrix. For that you need some more power. But believe you me, I shall earn it!. And at least in dreamland pretty cool stuff will go on.

Anyway, what I wanted to say is that today, at 4:00, I am taking off again to good ol' Puerto Vallarta. This time with friends. And it really sounds like we will have a time to remember. I have already gone with this crowd to the same place 2 other times, and yep... Worthy experiences they were.

So again, I shall be lazy and stay away from my blog for a few days. But for sure, when I come back, I will have quite a lot to write about!. Yay!.

So...

Cheers!...

My break so far...

So far?. Aren't you done yet you lazy bum?. (some of you may be thinking). Well, I am not in no way done and to be quite honest, I feel that the best is yet to come. He he he. See?. One of the advantages of working in a University is that, there is not much point in being there when there are no students or teachers, is there?. So we all get pretty good breaks now and then.

So, although this next Wednesday night I shall be driving to Puerto Vallarta along with some friends, towards what I believe will be quite a memorable weekend / new years party. For the moment, I will write a little about how things went this last week.

I had a family vacation. That alone should say a lot. We went to Puerto Vallarta (can you tell it's like the -place to go- when you live in Guadalajara?), and had quite a family week. It's been some time now, years actually, that my parents let us both invite friends over to this trips. They kind of figured it would be boring otherwise, so it was quite common that we even got two full rooms to pack them with friends. And those were good times.

This time though... That didn't happen. And as much as we would have liked to invite people, holiday season is kind of hard to do that. Very family oriented and all. So it was going to be just Victor and I. (And my parents of course).

We got there safe and sound after a decent trip. While getting there, I read the 1st tome of "the invisibles" by Grant Morrison. Great comic (vertigo, great script, so-so art). I got goose bumps several times as I read it, it really is worth your time. I specially liked how they deal with reality and dreams. Anyway...

Where was I?... Oh yes. So we got there. And the usual guy is a the front desk. With the usual smile he greeted us, and asked us to wait. Then, he said
"I have one bad new, and one good one"...
Ooook...
"Bad?... I have no room for you".
O.o. WTF?!. Ok... The good one better be great!.
"The good is that, if you are willing to be on a smaller room, I'll give you all-inclusive for free, to compensate"...

(mind going way too fast: free food 24-7, free drinks 24-7, that is good right?... But... Sharing a bed with my brother?... On a bed right next to my parent's?!... Argh... But... Free food and drinks?... Oh well, what the heck?).

We went for it.

Did you tell I said "the usual" guy and all?. Well, the thing is that we have been going to that same hotel for the longest time, since I was in high school actually... We know the place, it's corners, etc. And the place is packed as well with memories of all this times that we were there, of the friends we invited this or that year, etc.

At the end, sharing a bed with my brother, a queen size bed, was more than what you could ask for. So I decided that the floor was much better. I slept on it all through the week. (I don't mind at all, I actually did not want a bed in my room, I wanted just whatever to make the floor a bit soft and warmer, but I like hard surfaces and all). Apart from that, we managed to make it through fairly well. Sharing the room with my parents wasn't as terribly bad.

Now... Have you seen "Wild On" on E?... When they go to Puerto Vallarta and show all this great bars with people "dancing" (more like making out with -rythm-), girls showing boobs, etc?. Well... None of that happened. At all. Not when you go with your parents. And not when you only party mate is your brother Victor... -sigh-... Oh well. It's not like I am a party animal myself. Actually, it has happened that we have gone, only friends, and as geeky as we are we, never really go partying even once. Still, the doors were open. This one time, no way to even think about it. (Having the chance to "wishful think" makes a difference you know?).

It was a nice quiet week. A lot of walks by the beach, a lot of reading. And a couple of good talks. I got to read for the second time straight "The Art of Loving", this time though with a marker and almost taking notes. (You MUST read it). As well, I finally indulged my self reading "Memorias de mis Putas Tristes" by Marquez, and "High Fidelity"... Both great, great books.

Now, it could be that I am in that one stage in which "love matters" in quite an important way. But I honestly think that those three books talk, basically, about the same thing. The need we have for love, the need to share our lives with that special someone. And how hard it is to actually find a "proper" special someone, and keep her around. We really are complicated beings. Or I am. O.o

Either way, I know how books work. And most likely, if I read them later on, when something else is on my mind, I shall get some other messages from them. Taking aside whatever the book is trying to "teach you", the stories are quite great, and they all deserve posts on their on. Maybe later. For now, know that "the art of loving" deals with love in a philosophical way. "Memorias de mis Putas Tristes" deals with it from the perspective of a 90 years old man who knows his days will be over soon, but refuses to stop feeling young and takes on quite an amazing journey towards love and deeper meaning. "High Fidelity" discusses the matter in a crude, raw and hilarious way, from the perspective of a 36 years old dude that knows nothing at all of where his life is going. (Besides knowing that, well, it is kind of going nowhere).

Hmmm... How did this post became about books all of a sudden?!... O.o

Anyway!!...

We found us a very cool spot to go ahead and chill, read, talk, whatever. It was quite a walk along the ocean shore, and then it was there. Just a nice little cliff, nothing really special, but still, it felt good to be there. And besides, the hotels close to that spot had much better looking girls!. He he he. To be honest though, I don't think Christmas season is a party one in Puerto Vallarta. It was mostly families and kids all over the place. Not only in our hotel, but in all of them. We got to see some groups of younger people, but that was the exception. Unlike summer, when it's packed with young and restless people just waiting for a good time.

(We will see about next weekend, how it is on new years eve and all).

The days went by like that. Talking strolls around the ocean, reading, etc. I decided that just laying there to get a tan is one of the most boring activities ever (Sun bathing?). So on and so forth. Looking at a sunset by the ocean shore is just great. And I would go to the Beach any time, if it is just to see one of those. The feeling I get is quite cool. I don't think I can feel as relaxed in any other way...

The sea does that to me. And it really is the bestest weather for me. The humidity in the air and all. Just perfect for my messed up nose and allergies. I never seem to get those while on the beach... More than once I have thought that I should just move to the beach... But, for some reason, it doesn't sound super appealing to be quite honest.

So, talking about allergies... Guess what?!?!... One day I got stung by a freaking bee!!... And even today it hurts. Damn flying bastards. (Ok, I like honey, but still!).

I kind of experimented a bit there. I am super allergic to a lot of things. And supposedly I was to die if a bee attacked me, or something like that I was led to believe. So I pretty much pretended that I didn't know I was allergic. Just like that. I did let my brother know about me being stung and all. And he even decided to stick around to make sure I didn't die or something (he is cool like that). But well. I SURVIVED!!!... (for good or bad, deal with it). It still hurts a bit though, so probably a massive attack by several of those would, at least, put me in the hospital or something.

Other than that... I have to admit that the break was pretty uneventful. I mean, even Chritmass was kind of lame really. I don't really know when it happened, but at some point our Christmas spirit kind of faded away. It probably deals with the fact that Victor and I are grownups and already know the "mechanics behind Santa"... But I know that even then, we used to have a very nice time. When my grandparents were around that is. And... Hmmm... I don't know. Maybe the spirit died along with them.

I mean, holiday season is pretty cool. I love the hugs, and the posadas, the decorations, the smiles. I really really go for all that, and like it. It's just the actual Christmas eve and day. When it comes down to sharing it with your close family. It really doesn't feel like we have much to share, or motivation to do it. I mean. My dad is an only child, and my mom has only one unmarried sister. So Victor and I are the "young" crowd of the bunch...

Argh... It's hard to explain. I hope you get the picture.

I wonder if it will change the day that Victor or I have kids and all... I bet it will. Kids have a way to bring back all that magic I bet. I hope.

So, on the 25th we drove back and got home safe and sound. The ride went pretty well, not considering that I got car-sick because I couldn't stop reading "High Fidelity", and usually I can read on the road. This one time though, something happened. Still... I kept on reading!. The book was about to be over and it really is that good. And well, I am stubborn like that.

Kike was already in the house when we got here!!... He he he. Freaking guy didn't call us to let us know he was going to be around on Christmas eve, because he didn't want us to drive back just for him and all. Whatever, we would have done it no problem. But still, it was a nice gesture, and a good get together when it happened. We hugged, shared, and all that. He brought back with him a lot of good stories about his semester in Canada. So we got to hear a lot of it by the fire place in the living room.

And a quiet nice vacation, ended in a quiet nice way.

Probably some fun anecdote will pop back into my mind. If it does. I may post it. Most likely though. It won't. He he he.

So...

CHEERS!!!... :-D

Gone for a while...

It may be a while until I am able to write again on this blog. A while as in, a week, he he he. But still, it's a big deal. I may go through some withdrawal periods and all. It sounds only healthy though, that I manage to steer away from a computer as much as possible on this winter break.

Last year I had a lot of expectations about this one year. Now though it's fading into memories... I am guessing most of my time next week will be spent in quiet times, thinking, and all those boring things that I like to do a lot of times.

It will be on the beach, so it will not feel like christmassy at all... He he he. But oh well, it will be good nonetheless... At least. I will make sure it ends up so.

Thanks for reading me, for sticking around, and for your good vibes.

See you in a while,
A hug, and cheers!.
~El Hector

Transcendence

While a lot of people walk through life in a half numb state, working a numb job and enjoying entertainment for the masses, some others do feel like doing something else with their lives. And some others even get to do it.

I believe that one of the basic needs of people is the one of transcendence, the idea of becoming bigger than your self, of leaving something worthy behind when you walk out of this world. We are aware that your passing here is very temporary, and thus we strive to leave a good mark in the world.

Why did I get into all this... Well... Yesterday I found out that in San Juan de los Lagos, a nice town in the north of Jalisco, they are going to make a huge event about this new mural. It is a huge painting, and the people who had been most influential to the town, through it's history, are portrayed there. One of such persons is my Granpa. The one with the candy store...

He he he. He really is like my hero. And I am just happy to know others acknowledge him as well... What he did, how he related with the people, and the town. All of a sudden I remembered the day he died. Heroes don't die right?. They live on forever?... Well... They do, and that's why it was so hard for me. I don't think I had ever cried like that before. And I was pretty grown by then.

Then, some hours later, I was standing by his coffin on the church... Just... Terribly sad, but I just wanted to be with him all the time. All of a sudden though, a lot of guys walked into the church and they just took our place... I didn't know what was going on, but when I got to it I saw them and the coffin was surrounded by guys by the Red Cross. Several of them. And lot's of ambulances where out there.

Damn I got goose bumps because of the image...

You see?. He was one of the founders of the Red Cross there, although he was no doctor. And for the longest time he was always up for emergency calls and helping people all over. That's why they did that for him.

...

My grandpa is the one who got me into drinking coffee... Into dream walking and thinking about a lot of great stuff while just sitting on a chair. He would take me to this super old house where his sisters used to live. It was the kind that has a patio in the middle, open, with a huge tree right there, a huge deep well, and all of the rooms around it. They all had doors towards the patio, and doors interconnecting them, huge ceilings and all.

There we would sit on leather chairs and have what will remain in my memory as the bestest coffee ever. They gave me a plastic mug, and smiled as I drank it. They just knew my parents wouldn't like the idea of me having coffee, but they knew they were getting me into something good and worth the hassle. And they were.

...

My granpa is long gone by now, but well... Apparently this Saturday a mural with his painting on it will be displayed and inaugurated.

I miss him a lot of times.

...

(sips his coffee, and says) Cheers!!!

Congrats pater

Yesterday my father won the award for the best professor. Given by the students, and acknowledged by the faculty and chairs of the Campus. It was a nice ceremony, wine, live classic music and all that. I could feel the good vibes and the honest smiles. My father was, of course, super happy. And everyone was giving him hugs and cheering.

I kind of stood back a little for a while. Watching proudly, and feeling the vibe of the place. Which was good. Then at some point a selfish thought caught on with me: you have some huge shoes to fill Hector. Heh. Funny how mind works.

Either way, he did work very hard. And I can really see teaching is in his heart.

FELICIDADES PATER.

Cheers for you.

Love is a three legged stool

It has been a while since I have had this idea of love being like a three legged stool, I think it all started when I was talking with a friend about his relationship, and I tried to come up with an analogy that could really show that every single aspect matters as much. It could well be that I have already read about it somewhere, or something... The thing is that the idea is in my mind, and I feel like writing a bit about it just now.

I think, the parts that make up the stool are: physical, spiritual, social and intellectual. Didn't I say just three legs though?. There are four bits in there!. But that is because, you do know the part in which you sit you know?. Where your actual bottom rests?. Well, that would be the fourth part. He he he.

See, I think that most relationships focus on one of those aspects. That would be the "bit in which you sit". Some relationships are based on their social circles and life, on parties, going out with this and that, etc. That would be a relationship that is based on the social aspect. Some others are based on sex, on spiritual sharing and the search for enlightenment, and of course, the intellectual challenges and coffee talks.

But although, you can base your relationship on one of those matters, all the others are quite present, and just as important. And the others would be the legs of the stool. And they have to be there, all of them just as good. If one of them is too weak the stool will be crooked, if one of them is not present, the stool will wall off.

Most people is willing to sit on a crooked stool... Or sit on one that has only two legs... Or one. Without realizing though, that when they do that, then they are relying on the strength of their own legs to be able to remain sitting and away from the floor. After all, some factories did have one legged stools for their workers. They do allow you to kind of rest, but the minute you fall asleep you face the ground... Just because it's up to you to keep it balanced, steady.

And that shit is tiring... Eventually you do get tired of supporting the stool, and you do fall... The relationship shatters... It didn't work. Why?. Not because you shouldn't make an effort to make it work, but because the relationship, by it's self, should be able to stand without you trying way too much. The only really valid reasons to try way to much would be something like a kid involved, trying to avoid divorce, or a great past together that makes both super willing to give it all.

And it is not a matter of being super social, or sexual, or whatever. It is a matter of being in the same page with your couple. If you are somewhat kinky and love to experiment in your sex life, you better find a partner that feels like that too. But, if in the other hand, all you care about is the missionary position, then, that's ok too... As long as you find someone that feels the same way about sex. Otherwise it's trouble knocking on the door. And we have a rather frustrated couple because they aren't, at all, in the same page.

Of course sex is the obvious one, and one of the most misunderstood legs. Since a lot of people regard it as shallow, or whatnot. I actually had issues with that one. Not really about sex per se, but about the physical aspect. One girl had everything that I had asked for, like, everything. But I didn't like her physically. I was not attracted to her. And that made me feel so guilty for a while. It really did... Until I saw that, no, it's ok!. And I am not looking for a model, I just need something to make me click, a sparkle to feel drawn to her. That is not too much to ask.

Same idea applies to all the other legs. You have to be on the same page, or at least to fully respect and understand that you are not. It is not about finding a clone, come on!. That would be super boring!. You need a challenge, to be different. And matching in the aspects doesn't mean being the freaking same. It means being compatible. Plain and simple as that.

... Now all of a sudden I am tempted to talk about the energy aspects of love. Or how I see them. And the idea of being complemented vs. being completed. About killing the stupid idea of looking for a better half, and understanding that you have to be complete by your own. You don't need no half, you need to feel happy and fulfilled without relying on anyone else. Then, when you do find someone, it won't be to complete you... It will be to complement you. To make you grow as a person.

But... Really, that is a topic for some other post... And this ideas are just cooking in my head. So, if there is feedback, if you found contradictions or feel in different ways about one thing or the other. Please comment, I will appreciate it, and it will make my view of the topic grow.

For now, cheers!!!....
---

[unrelated] I woke up feeling weird this morning... I remember a couple of the dreams I had, but I know this one feeling came from the one that eludes me. It's too nostalgic, not tragic, but almost sad... I don't really know what it was, but it almost felt like a sad goodbye... Like... Waking on the morning after the one you love broke up with you, and just realizing that: no, it wasn't a dream... And yes, you are on your own now.

I need to do something to get me off that wagon now.

Just for kicks

Just for the heck of it I did this quizz... It's actually a tad long and boring... A lot of text in those questions and answers... But well... I found it on Jaime's blog and felt like taking it... So, either way, this is what it said about me: (yay!, a girl in glasses!!... he he he).





What Type of Villain are You?

mutedfaith.com.

Yet another door...

This weekend I was finally able to read Coraline. A book I have been waiting for quite a long time. It starts as a master piece just by looking at the cover. In which a little girl appears, half afraid, half determined, holding nothing but a candle and dressed in her white night gown. Yet, the cover has that kind of printing that, when you tilt it a little so that light hits it in a funny way, all of a sudden you see all this figures and hands trying to reach out for her... And that is only the cover.

It has been compared to Alice in Wonder Land... Although I can see why, they are totally unrelated... The book is wonderful. A great story by Neil Gaiman. Again about doors and magic that take us to places that quite resemble our own. Only that they play by some other sets of rules, where kids can fly, mouses play music, and it's only to be expected that a cat will talk.

Read it. It's a scary story for kids, 8 years and up I believe. And although it does read with the charm of a kid's tale, it feels like quite a messed up dark adventure in a world that none of us would really want to face.

Cheers!!!...

ps. Warning though, if you read it, Big Black Buttons will never be the same.

Shootings, communion and Fancy Dresses.

This past Friday I went to a graduation at the ITESO. First time I have been there for one of those. Sergio Quiñones, a good friend of mine, finally got his degree. And I say finally in the bestest of ways, because I know how much it meant to him, and how hard it was for him to get it.

I am talking about this friend of mine who lost both kidneys because of some messed up decease. He was forced to stop studying for a while, not because he needed dialysis, or because he was loosing his hair. It was because the dude could hardly walk, and for all that matters he resembled a very old and sick person for quite some time.

Now, after a lot of struggle he looks my age again!. He is always wearing a great smile, and portraying a vibe of tranquility that I wish I could have. Having grasp death really puts things in perspective I think. I just wish I can find my self in that state and relationship towards life without having to go through something as hard.

Either way, we went to his graduation. The only messed up bit was when I realized there was going to be a full church serve. Oh well, what the heck?. We are doing it for him. But then, the Overcaffeinated crowd will understand how I felt when I saw those candles and then the priest did talk about the 2nd coming. Damn, I am so happy I was able to not pay attention and stay serious. I wish I am not going to hell.

When I saw his parents crying... His sister so proud. Damn I felt moved. I really did. And the hug I gave him afterwards was one of the good ones.

(CONGRATS DUDE!!!... I am really happy for you!!... )

Gun fight-o

The party was going to happen the day after, so that night I went back home. I couldn't make it to the concert I wanted to go, so I decided to write some email, spent some time in msn, and then took a nap. At about 11:30 I was woken up by Victor, Blanco and Erik. All of them jumping up and down and super exited with their pellet guns... -now I remember- I said to my self. He he he. Of course I was in a lousy mood!. I was having a good time in dreamland and I hate being woken up!. Still I got my self ready, reassuring Erik that it was only temporary and that as soon as we started playing I would be up and running.

I surely was.

The freaking guns shoot real hard, and as much as they are just plastic thingies, I still bear the marks of several shots in my arms!. (Little red spots here and there). We were playing in this large half built house, just in the middle of the night. All of us wearing special glasses to not lose an eye, and at first we were trying all this different games. Until we came up with the ultimate one: all of us had to get in position, as soon as you were ok, you would yell READY!. When we all had heard 4 of those yells it was play time. And we were all against everyone, no teams, and the only goal was to be the last man standing.

It all was pretty dark, yet our eyes were used to it and the moon was giving us quite a good light. Still, we all were wearing dark clothes and it all was a thing of stealth. I was walking, slowly, towards a corner looking for someone... I looked to my right pointing the gun... Clear. I looked into my left... Clear. I started walking, step by step. I really didn't want to be heard. OUCH!!!... FREAKING OUCH!!!... DAMN!!!...I was freaking shot in the ear!!... Argh!!... That hurts!!!... F(/ck!!!... And I see Blanco giggling and running in the background... Argh!!.. The Bastard!!!...

He he he he. We were all having a blast. Up until the time in which we saw a patrol driving and stopping by. All of a sudden we all were super quiet. They kept on driving. We kept on playing. The patrol drove by again, two, three times. Sucks. Before they got us we decided it was a good idea to take our stuff and leave.

And as we did so, after walking for just a couple of minutes, they got us and started asking questions... To my brother, who, very honestly, admitted we were the ones making all the mess and yelling in that house. The guards were happy because now they knew who the trespassers where, apparently some neighbors reported our weird activities. And although they told us we were trespassing private properties, etc, etc, etc. We weren't really given that much of a hard time.

We kept on walking... After a few minutes, the guards got us again. -Hey guys, which were your names?-. And I told him: Hector and Victor Padilla. For some weird reason he smiled, it was an obvious honest smile, and he said: ok now, good night.

Do they have a file on us?... It's not the first time they catch us doing something weird around the neighborhood... He he he.

Whatever. Back in the house we watched some Anime (Love Hina rocks!), and it was all good.

The day after

We woke up super late, of course. And as much fun as we had the night before playing in that house. I think shooting at us from room to room, when we had nothing but our sleeping clothes on, was probably even more amusing. Ouch!. Damn. It was fun.

I can see though what guns and violence do. At a moment we were so afraid of leaving our guns. And just a false movement would start a little hell that would surely last for a while. There was mistrust in the air... Hmmm... Makes me think about a lot of things actually. But still, what matters in that then and there we had a good time.

The day went on like that...

A little after, it was party time. It was a long drive until we got there. Hector picked me up and Rene, so we all were in the same car. And just when we thought we were getting lost, the place appeared to our left. And what a place it was. It was one of the bestest party places I have been to. It had a huge artificial lake, with tiny lights all around it, and the decorations, etc, were just beautiful.

I had a great time talking with my friends, walking, and just people watching... I really didn't dance or anything though, because as much as I really wanted to, the lack of non-taken girls was huge. Usually you see a group of just girls dancing, and sometimes you can join in. This one time though, it appears they were all happy couples and friends dacing. Oh well.

Hector and I had a very cool talk with Rene about love... Relationships, etc. It's becoming a recurrent topic in my life lately. I should keep it baking in my mind until I am able to write about it... Some interesting ideas are forming there though.

... Family gatherings

Sunday I woke up super late, and knowing I wasn't going to make it in time to meet up with Eve and work on some karaokulta projects. So I sent him a message and told him I was going to be late. The minute I stepped out of my door though, my mom went like -hector, you do remember that today is your cousin's comida because of her 1st communion... Right?- F**K...I did remember. I called Eve, we agreed on something and got ready to go for the freaking thing.

It was boring as heck. I really loved saying hi to all my cousins, giving them a hug and the bit of chit chat that we had. But mostly, you could see no one was really having a good time. We were all there because we had to. *sigh* Freaking Victor is going to pay for it, usually at least it's the two of us in those reunions... But this one time he left me alone because he went to Mexico to see Nightwish in a concert.

Back at home, I worked out a bit, and saw The Life of David Gale. Good movie... Messed up. How much of it is real?. Does anybody knows?.

Just after I fixed my self some dinner, and got it in my system, I felt like login into msn to talk to someone... Just, anyone. Before I double clicked on the dial-up icon (I know, I know), I got a phone call. -Hi, is Hector there?- To which I reply: -Hmmm... NO!, he isn't...- And she goes: (puzzled disappointed voice) Oh... o-okay... then...- And I start giggling... She: -hey!!... Don't do that!!-. And that was the silly beginning of a very cool talk with Mishka that went on for over two hours... And it really did feel like much less than that. Nice way to close up my weekend...

Good times.

Cheers people!!!...

Posada

Yesterday I didn't think I had seen the guys at work being less interested and excited about the Posada... None of us really wanted to go, and we were all like -ok, if you guys go I will... Other wise we can go catch a movie- He he he. And well, it's just because it's the boring work posada, with A LOT of people there, quite impersonal, and there are not even piñatas.

The only thing that qualifies it as a posada is that they serve ponche and we all sing.

Anyway, at the end we all agreed on going. And, hmmmm... It ended up being midly amusing. I didn't have a date so I ended up inviting my brother. (You know how gay incest and all is... he he he). Not really. I just knew he would be silly as usual and give us all some laughs. I wasn't disappointed. When all the university crowd is super serious singing the posada, and you hear a messed up tiny voice singing along, just after you saw he did swallow all the helium from a balloon, he he he... We got good looks. Yes... In case you were there: that was our table.

There were two high points of the night I would say. When people gave me the hardest time because of a phone call... He he he.... And when the raffle took place. As it progressed though, it was getting worse and worse, because it got obvious we were not going to win a freaking thing. I so wanted to win something cool to give it to Erik for his new apartment. Oh well.

It all ended up somehow soon, and I was in bed at about 2:00 am reading to give up the real world once more and take a stroll around dreamland...

Now it's Friday, and just because of that it all should be good.

Cheers!

Are you in my tribe?...

Most likely, if you are reading this, you are...

Yesterday I was reading this essay, that led me to this one, and then to this other one. He he he. Hmmm... The second one is probably the best. Taste Tribes it's called, by Joshua Ellis.

It begins with this line in the movie High Fidelity where the main character says that he doesn't like people because of who they are – he likes them because of what they like. And as shallow as you may find it, if you dig a bit deeper you will actually empathize with the idea. I shouldn't talk a lot about the whole thing, since the essay is quite good. So go ahead an read it.

What I'd like to do though, is to discuss it. But then, I need other people who has read it!. He he he. So there you have!. :-P

Nevertheless, I found the idea very interesting, and quite true. It reminds me a little of the Clue Train Manifesto. Power to the people. More than that actually, power is indeed in the people. And we are living in a new world where I can all of a sudden know about a new Italian group because my friend Luna recommended it, or read this book that Sergio has talked about. I am more influenced by people who I have come to respect, and with whom I have come to realize that I share some tastes. This is the new marketing. This is how things will be done. And in this new market quality wins. Read the bit about Britney Spears vs Fisher, you will see what I am talking about.

I hardly ever watch TV now, but my entertainment needs are quite fulfilled because of all the high quality stuff that is in the net. For free. People just giving it away, just probably asking for a donation now and then if you feel like it. And when the stuff is good, people do feel like it, and quite a deal of indies make a very good living with that model.

We are indeed living in interesting times.

Cheers.

What just got into me?

What is love?. Or... If that is too hard of a question, what is it like to "be in love"?. Which are the laws of attraction?. Why do we feel drawn to someone, and not to someone else?. Why do people fall for us when we cannot really correspond?. Why do we fall for the ones that, as well, cannot really correspond us?.

Is it all a mathematical equation?... Some function that adds up in weird ways all this factors to, at the end, spit out a number as a result and then, the higher the number, the higher the love?. Is it really just a chemical reaction?.

A friend of mine faced a choice this past summer. A choice that he will have to carry all through his life, in his mind and heart, for good or for bad. In a soul searching trip he found a kindred spirit. A love in a distant place, more platonic than real, but still there, to be touched and experienced. And as much as you can fall for someone in a couple of weeks, he did. At the end, a choice: to share a couple of days in a dream place with this person?... Or to just leave it as it was?...

I can see the dilemma. To keep it all as a great dream to cherish in your mind?, Or to take it to a next level, and have bitter sweet memories of a magical week?. I am always up for the "living it is better than thinking about it". But then... What if it is great?. What if so early in life you experience all that magic, to then in a "morning after" just say good bye with a kiss... And walk away.

Will you ever be able to let go of that memory?. Will you ever be able to feel that way about another moment in your life?. Memory does great things to good times. It embellishes them. What if, then, early in life you have an experience that will never be topped?.

It sounds silly when I re-read it. I mean... Of course it is better to go for it. Right?.

Then again... It sounds like a valid question. Would it be fair to my future bride that I keep looking back at those days and nights so fondly and so much?. Is it worth it to not experience a great time just because of a future bride that may never come around?.

Ha... Matters of the heart.

* Sigh *

I started thinking about this idea when I listened this song called "save tomorrow"....

I guess that "I need a girl" song by Usher got me a bit into that mood too... That one and "Bella" by Jovanotti, along with "eres", "la bañera", and "sexo pudor y lagrimas"... "too good to be true"... He he he. My random in winamp has been choosing quite a deal of stuff.

Cold mornings....

This morning was probably the coldest one in this winter season. I had the hardest time waking up, and putting aside my blankets was a bit of a torture. That is the problem, well... More like another of the problems, of living where I do. It's always like 5 degrees colder than in the city. Which is nice in the summer, but sucks big time during the winter.

And we don't have heating of course!!...

But there is a nice chimney and I just think we may start using it again. There is something about setting on a fire in the living room, and just sit there watching it flicker, the sounds the wood makes, the way it smells. And how little by little the entire house starts feeling warm.

* sigh *

I guess I do like cold weather after all... As long as I am inside and cozy!. He he he.

Which leads me to remember. We are going to spent Christmas in the beach again this year. Argh. I don't really like it. It's weird. Doesn't feel like Christmas. Oh well... It does feel like a good vacation right?....

Anyway!

CHEERS!!!....

This thing doesn´t like me

The minute I sat in front of the computer to start writing on this thing, my stomach begins aching and my guts behaving in messed up ways. Is it some weird statement from my body asking me to please stay away from the freaking computer?. Because if it is, it will have to do much better. Not even when I broke a hand, or a shoulder, I was able to stay away... (It's amazing how fast you can learn to type with only one hand by the way).

Anyway, unsuccessful as it was to keep me away, it did manage to clear my mind from the topic I wanted to discuss. I know the general idea though, it was all about entertainment, or having fun that is. While about to write about what I did on Friday and Saturday, I realized that it pretty much sums up to the fact that I had good times, good laughs, and good people to share it with.

What I did was fun nonetheless, and I shall not take any credit away from those nights. Going out with Sergio is becoming quite an adventure every time, he he he. And Saturday in Blanco's birthday I laughed so hard that my face muscles were getting sore. (Yes, looking at my brother dancing in the middle of the street in front of a police car will do that do you!) O.o

Hmmm... I know too that I like deep talks. As silly as I tend to be, I can actually get quite serious and discuss heavy topics in inteligent ways. I really can!. And one afternoon having one of those talks with a friend can be just as much fun to me too. Or just some quiet reading.

What is fun then?. Damn. How would I define having a good time?. Yes!. That's the idea I started to write with. And to be honest, I don't know. So far, I have only come up with one idea: the moment you are truly centered in your present, not worrying about past or future, just enjoying the time you are currently living and not caring about anything else... That moment you are having a good time.

A good story does that to us, just as much as a great talk, and quality time with friends. While doing that we mostly let go of everything else!. Of course it's not always 100%, and as we share with friends all of a sudden we remember that the next day is a work day, or that we have to pay this or that. Whatnot. But still, when having a good time those back to reality ideas either last very little, or don't really seem to affect us. We look at them from a different perspective.

Hmmmm....

Yet, I know there is much more to it. I shall give it some more thinking...

On other news, I saw this movie called In the Name of the Father today. I believe it's old, yet up until today I managed to see it. Pissed me off. The political system, the jails, society. Great movie though, the messed up part is that it was all real, and it really happened that way. I am against prisons and jails. I mean, they are probably necessary in our current society. But the problem is that I do believe we could live in a society where we wouldn't need them. Besides, nowadays concept of justice and law are so corrupted... Which is exactly what that movie is all about.

* sigh *

Makes me think of this song from queen.

I know there is no point in getting upset, or pissed off. Yet a lot of times I do. I just saddens me to see all this potential in humanity thrown into the garbage bin. And it really is because of greed and mistrust. Either way, I gain nothing by complaining... Right?.

As good ol' Confucius said: If you want to change the world, start with your self. That idea, we forget a lot too.

Hmmm... All of a sudden this got all political and aggressive... He he he. Oh well...

Anyway, cheer up!... :-D

ps. From the beginning of that movie:

in the name of the whiskey
in the name of the song
you didn't look back
you didn't belong

in the name of the reason
in the name of the hope
in the name of the religion
in the name of the dope

in the name of the freedom
you drifted away
to see the sun
on someone else's day

in the name of united
and the BBC
in the name of Georgie best
and LSD

in the name of the father
and his wife the spirit
you said you did not
they said you did it

in the name of the justice
in the name of the fun
in the name of the father
in the name of the son

Wishful thinking....

I had the most amazing post prepared for today...
But Sergio's shoutbox got in the way...

So... * sigh *

Let's hope I manage to write it at some point!!...

he he he.... Either way!,

-cheers!

Dedos olor a taco....

There is something about this taco stand near my home that just intrigues me. The place is delicious, and the tacos are awesome. Yet I trully fear that deliciousness is related to some messed up ingredient, that not only brings joy to my mouth, but as well a scent that lasts well over night to my fingers, and a weird breath. (Victor's girl always knows if he ate tacos the night before.... yuk!).

When I told the owner that my brother and I swore they were up to something, and the tacos had some magical ingredient, he just said: - solo carnita de la buena jefe, de muy buena calidad desde el primer dia!. (just good meat, prime quality since day one).... Hmmmm... I really did ask, and he really did say that... Still, the was that ackward silence afterwards you know?. The meat is really good, and so are the salsas, and I don't fear it could be like dog's meat or whatnot... (I don't think I would super care)... I fear about some other weird ingredient...

Hmmmm.... thinking... thinking...

Anyway... those tacos happened well after the movie. Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. This is one of those love it or hate it movies. I really like going to those because often times I will be of the ones that love them, good cinema is not for the masses, right?. He he he, I have gotten horrible disapointments too though!, yet that has happened the least of times.

People will complain that the movie looks grainy, or blurry, or unsharp. That the characters behave in naive ways, the editing, whatnot. What they don't get is that it's supposed to be like that!. The movie is a homage to the movies of the 40's. It has the look of being recorded on black and white film, a long time ago, and then colored on top a long time ago too!. The backgrounds, the clothing, the cars, and all the science fiction, is from those days. And I really liked it!.

The characters behave just like the character's from those old movies. The brave hero, the femme fatale, etc, etc. And to be honest, the story is decent too. Not great, but good enough. I was just thrilled all the time by looking at the photography.

... There was this guy on the back row though... Argh!!... He kept saying out loud that it was boring, etc... Where is my bat when I need it!?!?!...

And thinking about it... yesterday was like a movie day!... He he he. Because in the break we saw Zoolander, I had not seen it. And in case you haven't either, take my word: if you want some silly laughing time, like huge laughs, give it a try. :-D

CHEERS!!!!...

Finally.... (damn blog wasn't working!)

Son de la guitarra miaaaa!!!...
Al despertaar la mañanaaaa!!!....

He he he. I am in a good mood today. Since around 2001, I came to realize that Wednesdays are good days to me. Don't ask me why. They just are, and I noticed it because in this figure drawing class I would be able to draw super great on Wednesdays, worked seemed to go by fast, etc... And since then it has kind of been a general rule. Mental predisposition?... Sure could be, what matters is that it works.

Aaaaanyway... Yesterday ended up being great. At about mid day my brother showed up in the office to pay a visit, and things started picking up from there. Again, I had A LOT of work, and I managed to do it all. But that is not the interesting part.

After lunch, we still had about one hour left of our break. And not only did we have an hour, we also had 3 pellet guns, pellets, and a wacko eagerness to shoot ourselves!. We went all the way to the back of the campus, were this project adventure thing is set up, and it has all sorts of "obstacles" and trees and whatnots. He he he, that was the most fun hour ever!. Once Erik shoot me right below the nose and the thing hurt like hell!!... I even had a small tear out and all... Damn him!... He he he. The good thing is that in the next round I killed him from quite far away, and then another straight shoot to my brother's forehead... I am so the man!. Ha ha ha.

Well... not really, I think it was a fair tie. Still, loads of fun. Eventually though it all ended, and back in the office Hector and I started working. Erik could enjoy a tons the fact that he was done and all of a sudden the office became a war field, with my brother using a chair as his shield, and them hiding with stealth and all between the cublices, etc... Ouch, those things!!... I could hear the pellets bounce and all.

The game between those two ended when my brother shoot Erik right between the eyes... Not only did it hurt a lot, but had it been with a 2 centimeters offset and Erik would have had one less eye. Next time we play we are so using goggles!... He he he.

In the evening we went to the FIL for the presentation of Tomas' agenda with this pictures and all, and then the regular walk around the place. The paradise of the bookphile... * sigh *

I got one good book, Demonio Guardian. But the same thing happens every year, too much stuff all over that I get overwhelmed, and not that much money. Argh.

Still, it turned out to be a pretty good day at the end... I like that, when bad days go good. And it almost always relates to friends... At least in my case. :-P

CHEERS!!...

ps. HAPPY BDAY LUNA!.

Not good...

Yesterday I was able to, surprinsingly enough, do a lot of stuff. I was at work till late trying to come up with some last minutes solutions to a design, and doing a bunch of things that were supposed to be already done. The amazing part was that, although I was quite productive at work, I was able to write on the blog, email a while, hang out at the shoutbox and even annoy a couple of friends sending them a funny mp3 file. (right Sergio?). He he he.

So, I guess it comes down to focus and organizing your self if you want to get stuff done. That is, if you want to get stuff done. Other wise, we can just keep on having fun.

I hate designing for people with bad taste... It's like I just know what they want since the beginning, yet every fiber in my is screaming NO WAY. I do this cool proposals, good ones, and that other designers actually like. Then, the review comes and I get phrases like: it's too empty!, I want a collage with this and this and this and this... And this. DAMN!!... Why is it that people think nice clean designs are equal to less work?. It is actually harder to come up with a good minimalist layout than to just saturate your freaking eyes!!...

Then, I do the stuff I know they will like... I get praises such as: great!, that is what I was looking for!, all those pictures and the computers and the colors!, great!!. I feel like a graphic-whore those times, just satisfying the customer...

Those things don't ever show in my portfolio.

- sigh -

ps. The one good thing is that I did my first hooker yesterday in GTA... He he he. Rocking that car felt good. (The PS2 was the best buy ever).

Money spending and schoolgirls dancing (glued back)

Probably it was the whole thanksgiving shopping and Black Friday that got stuck into me too because of "hearing" Mishka and Luna talk about it and all, but the thing is that this past week quite a lot of my money disappeared. Just like that. Argh!!...

I mean, Thursday I got this pretty cool Mogwai CD, ok, decent buy, worth it. Then on Friday night I got the one from Maria Barracuda, I really wanted it and it was there. Of course I decided to visit Comic Castle too, and of course I walked out of there with new comics!!!!... But Saturday?. Saturday was a bit too much. I got a PS2, games, and a pellets gun. DAMN!!... What got into me?!?!?!?... Am I bragging?. No, really, I am not... I actually do feel guilty!. Why?!. Damn. Anyway, I will consider it as early Christmas presents for my self... Hmmm... Yes, that idea kind of set things right.

Now I fear about what will become of my time... With a console such as a play station, and good games... -sigh- My quite limited social life will really be gone for good.

Anyway, yes... Friday night I went with Victor to Comic Castle, and while looking through the comics I got a phone call. "unidentified number". Yay, Mishka!. He he he. Who cares about comics, or the friend I was talking with, or my brother?!?!. An international call is always a priority right?. He he he. Eventually though I was taken back to reality, or as much reality as a comic books store can offer. I found the 1st TPB of The Invisibles, and I have been meaning to read it for a while. Let's see how it is. The only problem is that my "to read" list is huge, and I have way too much stuff on the queue... :-S

Isn't it always an issue about lack of time?. O.o

After the comics store we saw Pancho, and went to this CD store... Argh. That's when I got the Maria Barracuda one. My brother is the one who wanted to go there, but at the end the walked out empty handed. Mal, mal, mal. Then we went to "La Paloma" and had a pretty fun talk!!... He he he. At some point Pancho and Victor talked about "kissing techniques" and I was so amused by it!. It is so true!!... Why do a lot of people believe that moving the tongue all over is great?, or that it is only about that?!. Ha ha ha ha. Just thinking about it makes me smile again. He he he. We talked a bit about relationships, this new one that Pancho is in, etc. Good times.

The only "not-good times" bit was when, while we were looking at this table with about 15 guys and gals, I said something like:

me: dude, just to think that me and my friends will look like that in 5 years or so.
pancho: 5 years?
victor: no way man, at least like 10 years more.
pancho: what?... 10 years?... no!, they look like that now!...
me: what?... O.o ... Damn.

I think I have an issue with growing up, and thinking of me as a responsible "young adult" making his way through life... Doesn't sound too interesting, or too much fun. Yet, if I think about it, I see that I fit in that category. So I am starting to think that it's not about being a "responsible young adult", it's about what you do "on the side" what can make it [life] interesting. He he he.

Eventually we were back at home. Victor invited Blanco to stay over, play Magic and whatnot. I joined them for a while, but Morpheus got the best of me, and demanded his fare. (which means I went to bed... in plain terms, he he he).

Saturday...

... Ahhh!!... Isn't it nice to be waken up by a bastard clapping in your room, another pulling away your blankets, and them both opening the blinds and letting a ton of light in?!... Victor and Blanco are so nice!!... :-D ... Right ¬_¬ .

Whatever, we were all up and ready to go to San Juan de Dios!. Yay!. We picked Erik up, and headed to the largest Market in Latin America. Erik and Blanco thought it was a good idea to leave the car at this park, and then take the subway. I didn't think it made any sort of sense, but going by the subways is fun and I hardly ever do it!, he he he, so I liked the idea either way. Not really knowing if we were getting into the correct one, we eventually got there.

I HATE CROWDS!!!... All that people smudging and squashing against each other as walking by tiny halls... If I have had a shotgun... Damn, I would have so cleared those halls!!... (Too much GTA already?).

After a while it as obvious that San Juan, although it is fayuca and all that, was way too expensive. So we went to this decent store which is just crossing the street, and there we found the PS2 super cheap and all. We got it. Not right then and there though, we all wanted to buy some pellets guns, and decided that it would be better to get those first. They are so cool!!!... He he he. It does hurt to be hit by those!. And we only got the ones that reach like 10 meters, they sold ones that could reach 291 meters!!!... Ouch!!... We only wanted them to play, and be silly, so the cheap ones will do nicely.

Then we went back to the video games store, and got our goods. Took the subway back, etc. The bit that matters is that eventually we were at Erik's back yard trying out new guns out.

They were packaged on this nice Styrofoam thingie, so we placed one on a table, standing up, and tried to shoot at it. It was great to see the things did go quite far away. But we all got super exited when I shoot the thing, and instead of it falling down, the pellet went right through it. He he he. You should have seen the look in our faces!!... Such glee!!... Yay!! Of course we started being silly and Victor asked me to shoot him. (We needed to see if they hurt you know?). Judging by his face, it did hurt!. He he he. So we all wanted to be shoot to see how they felt. Ouch. OUCH. It's not too much, but still!. Ha ha ha. All of a sudden we were divided in teams and it was Erik and my brother against Blanco and I... Good times.

We came up with rules, of course, and I actually think the next time we will be wearing goggles or something like that, to protect our eyes from being destroyed. :-S

Back at home we ate a lot, and had a lazy evening. We tried the PS of course, and all the games.

Dancing at the Bali

I felt so tried and lazy all of a sudden though, and the idea of going out didn't appeal to me at all. But I had told Allan I would go to the Bali Bar. And for some reason it felt right, and that hunch was stronger than my laziness. So at about 10:30 off I went.

We were supposed to meet there at 11, as usual I was early. The night smiled to me soon, and there was a friend that I had not seen in a while out there, talking with his primo. So I went to say hi to them. As we were talking this tall dude with a Caribbean accent and rastas approached us and talked us into going into this Axe Hot School bus. We were invited to go there, and while the two guys that I was with were thinking about it I said -sure I will!-... He he he. Of course they went in there too.

As I walked in there I was greeted by 3 great looking girls with those sexy school uniforms. I have to admit it, the marketing bastards from Axe knew what they were doing with that campaign. He he he. On the 1st floor of the bus there was this class room set up. There we were taught about all this ways to use the deodorant in order to make girls go crazy, or to keep them at bay. Riiight!. Ha ha ha. At the end we were asked some questions, and if we got them right we would be able to go upstairs. Of course we didn't. Only Jaime's primo did. Either way the teacher was nice, and she said we all should go up there!.

Up there... Wow. When you walk into a 2nd floor of a bus to can expect a lot of things. But not a room with mirrors all around, red and warm lights, a large bed with red blankets, some comfy leather couches, and what matters the most: a pole in the middle. Then this blonde girl shows up and said: "now we will show you what the axe-effect is like... no hands!", and they started dancing. Wow. O.o

I was smiling a lot... Not really because of the girls... I mean, they were great looking!. But I was amused by the entire idea of it, how odd it was... I mean, even surreal!!... My smile was not my "silly side smile"... It was more like a "sardonic I can't believe this is going on smile".

Allan was going to be a bit late, so we decided to get in there. As I was walking upstairs, I meet two girls that Blanco had introduced to me at a party. They greeted me quite nicely and all!!... He he he. The night was really smiling at me, and my hunch had been so right!. I already had 4 people to have a good time with, had seen those axe girls dance, and the guys I was supposed to meet had not even arrived yet!.

Eventually everyone showed up, and we had a blast. We were quite a bunch after all, and Blanco and I managed to freak the girls out with a couple of our steps. He he he. We danced, a lot, for hours non stop. Live music. Really great time. Damn, I was soaked by the time I took off. That's one of the things I don't like, the sweat... I need to get my self some proper clothes to go out dancing, ones that will not get like that!. Argh!. Anyway, you guessed: good times!.

Sunday?. Karaokulta meeting, everything is going great!. We have been in radio shows, there is an art expo currently showing our work, we will be at a panel in the FIL (International Book Fair), a lot of projects going on all over the place, and we are actually working on a lot of stuff that will get printed. It is nice to see it is starting to take on a life of it's own, and it's not even a year since we started!.

Ahh... life.

Anyway, off to a new week!!...

lifts up his mug and says: CHEERS PEOPLE!!...

Arts and Engineers

Yesterday I meet up with Jaime, he is yet another artist-engineer. I love talking with that breed!. I mean, how?, why?. The best thing happens when some people look at what you are doing and it goes a bit like:

them: wow!... That looks amazing!...
us: thanks! (smile)
them: so, what did you study?.
us: **** engineering... :-D
them: O.o
us: ¬_¬
them: what?....

And so it goes for a while... It seems that the fact that you have a technical background, and may actually be good at it, should render you artistically crippled. And not only you have to have bad taste you, for no reason, should not be making any sort of art. Or else something has gone terribly wrong in the balance of the world. Well, it has.

Jaime is taking some pretty cool model pictures. When I see his work, and Tomas', all those pictures of pretty girls, something makes me think I made a bad carrier choice. He he he. Still!, don't worry!. For some reason, so far, I have been able to steer away from photography... Focus, focus.

The day ended nicely, with a great chat at msn with Luna, it's nice to talk "live" to someone with whom you have exchanged emails and words for a while!. I hardly ever log in there, yet I felt like doing it last night, and it was well worth it.

By the way, I got this CD... It's amazing.

* Cheers people!!... Have a great "closing week" day!.

Just thinking...

Yesterday I read this short writing by Warren Ellis. He is a great comics book writer, author of titles such as Transmetropolitan and Planetary. That story made me wonder a lot...

He goes further, and finishes with a phrase that gave me goose bumps... But that idea is something that I had already played with in my mind. A lot. Whenever we look into the sky, we are looking at the past. In such a way that a planet that is millions of millions of kilometers away, could, if they come up with a super telescope, look into the surface of the earth and see nothing but dinosaurs walking around... They would get old light... Shadows of some past long gone.

Then again... Does our existence echo like that all through eternity?. Do we exist always, all the time, from our birth to our death all over the place?. Does the fact that I am conscious of this here and now make it the actual here and now?. Or am I living through the past misfits of a me that is probably already death?...

Damn... I do get weird ideas sometimes...

- Cheers

When bad days go good...

Yesterday was a very weird day... It went by terribly slow. At some point I saw the time and said -damn!, I can't believe it's only 10:00am!!-. Usually I cannot do all the things that I want to, yesterday I couldn't find stuff to entertain my self... It felt heavy, and thick... I so needed to get out of my office.
Eventually I did. And that is when my bad day started getting good, and when all the thickness and slowness went away to be replaced by a bunch of cool events that flew by!.

Remember Tanya?. The girl I used to date sometime ago?. Well, we did meet yesterday for coffee. I know, I know... The thing is that I really wanted to see her, and she kind of wanted to talk to me to. We have chatted and exchanged emails since we broke up, but never really talked like that again. She was in a relationship, and a few days ago the moron broke up with her. (I know, I know).

Still, I had a terribly good time, and it was just a nice talk with a friend. I was so pleased things went like that, it didn't get weird, or awkward. And I have to admit I was afraid... About 3 hours flew by, and all of a sudden it was time for her to get back home.

I feel like I have to say a lot about that talk, about being with her, etc. But words don't come out. Maybe later.

Anyway. After that I went to Allan's house because they had a little get together due to his birthday. Before though, I decided to do something out of the ordinary and called Mishka!. He he he. Yes!. That is what happens when you mention your number to me!. I was so nervous, and it was odd to be nervous like that. Then again, I was going to make an international call to talk to someone who's voice I had never heard, yet I had come to care about... I don't know!. I was, he he he. Damn phone card!!... It lasted so little!!!... Argh!!... He he he. Either way, it was a very nice fun talk. The freaking phone card died on us though!, we didn't even had a beep to let us know and say good bye or anything... Argh... Oh well.

The internet is so weird... Latelly I have been thinking about this overcaffeinated guys and the cool talks we have there. This are people I have come to care about, and I sometimes even miss them. I want to meet with them and share in person. And hopefully one day it will happen... But, I mean... We are just used to it, but it is kind of like magic the way we can just share like that from all over the world... Mishka makes me smile, Luna makes me crave for cakes and get into new kinds of music, I mean, my life is being influeced by theirs, yet we have never meet!!... Am I making too much of a deal?. It's so cool, yet so strange... Isn't it?. Again... Too many ideas. I have to organize them!.

...

So... At Allan's I had so much fun. I walked in there feeling in super good spirits, joking and all. We kept throwing jokes at each other back and forth, had some nice home made chocolate from Alba, and just fooled around a lot. Eventually Alba did some cards reading for us, about girls and all that, and it was very entertaining.

I didn't really asked heavy questions, just stuff like who is more kinky?, and whatever silly things we could think of!. That is why we laughed so hard because of it though. Oh man.

Apparently to that reading though, it doesn't seem that I will have a lot of luck with the ladies... So... I will totally ignore it and take it as the joke it was. Because it was... Right?.

At some point I found my self having a good talk with Victor in the kitchen about each of our days, and then readying good ol' Harry Potter in my bed. Eventually morpheus got me for good, and it was a good night.

Let's see how today keeps flowing... So far, I have to say: so good.

* Cheers!!...

The Red Star Tattoo

There is a girl on this building that has a red star tattoo, decent size, with kind of a thick blue outline. Right on her lower back. It looks sexy. And when she sits down it's just right there. There is no way to miss it, and she doesn't care about hiding it...

The thing is, I don't think it's nice to stare at it. It would make her feel weird I bet. So I get this glimpses sometimes.

She is decent looking, but that tattoo... Damn.

Those tattoos, in those places, make me sigh...

* sigh *

- Cheers for that tattoo and his girl!!...

ps. My brother is making fun of me because I write "sigh" too much... Argh!.

PowerPuff Yay!!!...

Yesterday was one of those cool art days. One of the nice things of having the guys from karaokulta in my msn is that they keep sending me all this great looking links, and art they are doing themselves. One such great link was THIS ONE!!... Yomero sent it to me. Wow, and if you look into the art section you will see all sorts of toon characters rendered in his animesque style... Good stuff!. (The stories and writing maybe so so, but the art is good).

I've been thinking that it's been a while since I wrote about whatever I am reading. Could be because I haven't been super thrilled by anything, but the truth is that last week I was VERY hooked on something. I read two graphic novels from Miller in his Sin City series... WOW... I read The Big Fat Kill and A Dame to Kill For. Please, if you like comics give your self the chance to read those. I now understand why they make such a big deal about them. They are so cinematic, the cameras, the pacing, and the storytelling... They are really good.

On the other hand Memo lent me a couple of comics on the Sandman universe. I always tried to steer away from those. It was as if someone wanted to write stories with tolkien characters. At least in my mind. And although there could be great stories, it didn't feel right. Lucifer I liked, it was well written and it kept me turning pages. But I have to admit that Destiny... Well... It just didn't cut it for me. Great art, and interesting situation, but there was just something missing.

...

... Yay!... I was just given a free coffee coupon from the Mondo!. Yum yum... Whatever else I wanted to write just lost all importance... He he he. So, off I go!.

* Cheers!

Let go, hmmm, let go....

For some messed up reason I have this frou frou song, entitled let go stuck in the back of my head. It's soft music, weird... I wouldn't be able to talk about the style, so if you feel curious check their site. I think it's worth every second you invest on it.

This weekend has a lot of tibits worth telling... And I am afraid about one of those never ending posts... Again. He he he. So, I guess I could talk about the highlights mostly. If you read Sergio's site you realized we agreed on meeting this Friday night. So we did.

I arrived home early and had two options: sleeping till it was time to meet Sergio, or play WarCraft... You know me. I know better than sleeping. Of course time flew and all of a sudden I was waiting for sergio in the Arcos de Zapopan. I was a bit early, so I had time to just sit by this huge mountain and see this group of percussionists do their thing. They started playing a rhythm called kassagbe. Damn... So many things I remembered. I was once part of such a crew, and it was fun. I knew that rhythm, and well... Those guys kind of didn't!... He he he. I wanted to go and play... But I decided to, instead, just sit and listen. Close my eyes, listen to the water in the fountain, the noises of the people... It was nice and relaxing. Then Sergio showed up.

We stayed listening to those guys for a while. Sergio is one of those few people with whom you can share silent times. Eventually they stopped playing, and we clapped. He he he. Of course, they liked it.

There are a lot of tiny bars out there, all together, just 3 meters apart and all of a sudden you listen to completely different sorts of music, see different kinds of people. All the chairs and tables in the outside. A lot of people walking by, and a guy with a huge carrito full of candy, cigars and such things, always smiling and selling his goods. If you are lucky the bar you are in will have some outside heater, and when things get cold they turn them on and it's all good.

In an environment like that we had a very very good talk. Then I bumped into Pedro, a good friend that I used to hang out a lot with, serenatas and all, but life has managed to take us in separate ways. He sat with us for a while. We talked a lot about girls and all the reasons why they are crazy and messed up. (Yes, that is a recurrent topic on a guys-only gathering). Life and all that. Good beer, good company. I used to say I don't like beer... Now I don't know, probably it grows on you.

After that we headed somewhere else... There I bumped into yet another friend that I hadn't seen in a while, and who I found out was getting married. Wow. Was is it with people getting married?. Actually that was one of the topics that were discussed that night too. Eventually we just sat and enjoy the view, talked about the girls. He he he. Then we discussed how Luna and Mishka told us we men are so obvious about doing that. We so are. How do you girls do it?.

... Saturday?. Yes!... My Japanese class is over so we organized a pretty cool get together and we cooked some traditional food. A dish called Tsukiyaki or something like that. Yummy!. It was fun, slicing the carrots, onions and all that. Cooking I like. Washing the dishes afterwards is the part that sucks. That ended kind of soon though, and so I headed to a coffee place where I was supposed to meet with this girl.

Me and girls... We are in a weird spot at the moment. Since I am so sure I am going away I don't want to start anything with one. And I am of the nice kind, so it's hard for me to just go out with one just to have fun. Still, this girl had emailed me for a while, and I said -sure what the heck-. It's always fun to talk to someone new no matter what. And know this: I have an issue, I have the hardest of times saying no!.

So off I went. We were supposed to meet at 6. As usual, I am early. I have a good book with me so it's ok. The usual 15 minutes passed. Now she was late... 30 minutes. Ok, things are getting ridiculous. Should I wait longer?. Sure... 1 hour. ONE FREAKING HOUR. I called some friends, walked out.

What is the best thing to do when someone does that?. You call some friends and have fun with them. So I call Memo and we all agreed on going to the movies. We watched criminals, great stuff. I really liked it. Then dinner, and it was all good.

I am glad I went to meet with this girl, just for the sake of going and to give my self that chance. But I don't think I will again, unless she has the bestest excuse ever. Honest, I wasn't even sure about doing it. Argh.

...

Sunday, surprise breakfast with some family. They called and felt like having breakfast with us. He he he. A lot of work, but good times. We really like just sitting on that terraza for hours. When they left I went with my parents to buy some gifts. I got the coolest toy to this guy whose letter I adopted. I was even able to not buy anything for me!... He he he. My logic: If I don't buy something for me, then he gets something cooler. Still, it was hard!. They had the cool looking toon yoda from clone wars!!!... - sigh - Some other time.

I spent my evening sleeping!!... Then I woke up with a terrible stomach ache... argh... bad stuff was happening inside of me. :-S

Then I got this message on my cell from a friend that needed to talk, and wanted me to log in. Of course I did... We talked.

Eventually the day ended... I started reading the latest Harry Potter book, he he he. And off to sleep again. Great lazy Sunday... I feel guilty a lot of times about those, because I feel like I could do so much more stuff than sleeping... But then again, it's ok to do it sometimes, right?. Right?.

Oh well... Now a new week. It's late I am supposed to be working. - sigh -

He he he... CHEERS!!!...

Dreamers...

Yesterday I went to the movies and saw The Dreamers, this movie that my brother wrote about some days ago. In my mind, this must have been the best movie ever, because he wrote that watching it was the best bit of his weekend, and well, he was around while we were playing tag at night, climbing down ropes and jumping around roofs!!!!... He he he, so it needed to be great to beat that.

Has it ever happened to you that when you see a movie, and you see this actor you have seen somewhere else, you just die to freaking remember where it was?. Well, that happened to me, with this guy. And it bothered me all through the damn movie.

The movie was indeed good. Wasn't slow, but at a point I just didn't see it going anywhere. Eventually it makes sense.

It is a movie about dreams vs. reality, about thinking and talking vs. acting, doing. What the life of the dreamer is like, and how it has to metamorphose in order to become the life of a doer, a true agent of change.

It made me think about my obsession driven life, more like a dream driven life. And probably the reason why I jump from project to project is really that one. I love being a part of a dream, being passionate about it. But the minute it starts becoming a reality I start loosing interest. As stupid as that sounds. The minute the dream becomes real you have to deal with all the real stuff about it, and the reality that comes with it. He he he.

I was talking about that with a friend the other day. Good talk. Anyway, I know it is sort of an issue, so believe me, I am slowly finding a spot in life for me and the way I work. Somewhere where I belong, and where I can just live my life. And that somewhere is not just a place or a profession, it really is a state of mind.

... I'll let you know when I get there.

- lifts his mug... smiles... and says: - CHEERS!!...

ps. A good quote in the movie was: "everybody likes other people's parents better than their own, but everybody knows their grandparents are better than anybody else's".

Know thy roots...

Yesterday I had one of the nicest conversations with my father. Probably the one I will remember the most in later years. It all started while we were on the car, driving home, and I realized I knew very little about my abuelo, his dad.

"Hey dad... What did your father used to do for a living?"... I asked, puzzled at the idea that I really didn't know.

That one question led me to listen the coolest heart to heart talk ever. From when my dad was a little kid, about 4 years old, riding his cow and herding the cattle. To the point in which my grandfather passed away peacefully, all of a sudden.

All the details between those two points matter. The fact that my grandfather was a huge jack of all trades him self. A self taught engineer, veterinarian, and psychologist. He would eat entire books about anything, and then discuss them with my father as he was growing up. He didn't study, didn't have the time, or money. But the did study, and knew a lot. He only had to stop practicing engineering stuff when a legislation came that required people to have a degree. Even so, everyone around knew that he was the one who knew better in town.

He he he. I feel proud.

Wow... There is no point in writing everything that was told. It would almost be boring I bet. I feel like writing more like a tale about it all. Eventually I know I will. But the whole story of my abuelo, of his father, and my dad's childhood really almost made me cry... I almost lost it when my dad was taking about the day my abuelo passed away.

- sigh -

I wish I had known him more. It seems he was a pretty cool guy. I am amazed I knew so little about him. About my dad's childhood. And I was amazed to see how it all was... So different. Rural... My father is a good storyteller.

* Cheers

I am weak

We went out for lunch to Plaza Galerias. There is this great Chinese place that has a weird chicken thing that makes me go crazy, and I have been craving to have some for about two weeks. The food was reaaaaally great, and now my stomach is way too full... I need to sleep. He he he.

The problem though happened when we bumped into this huge toy store. Damn... I get lost in those places. I walked in there looking for an specific toy that this little kid wants. (I kind of adopted a little kid for this Christmas, I got his cool letter, and now have to buy what he wants... He he he). Anyway, as noble as my goal was, the minute I stepped in there I got lost.

They were selling the coolest toys from the Tortugas Ninja!!... This awesome full sets will all sorts of mini enemies, and all the mini turtles where there!, cars, everything. Like a lego thing, but it was really nice!. It even had a little kind of real ooze!!... Remember that one?!?!... Then I looked a little to my left and there were huge, HUGE, fantasy sets with little dragons, and orcs, and knights, and vehicles and damn!!!....

I just sat on the floor and started looking to all those boxes!!!...

... Then I saw this super cool star wars action figures, like the ones of the cartoon network animated series!!... They had Obi!!... Obi I am telling you!!!...

The only reason why I didn't buy a set, is because I couldn't think of a good enough place to keep it... (yet). But I walked out of there with Obi on my hand. Didn't even want a bag!. I had to be looking at the guy as I was walking back. People had to see my new toy!.

Damn... I am such a kid...

Thank God I forgot I had my debit card with me... O.o

Zombie mode

My long awaited afternoon of sleep and slumber went down to the drain yesterday, I had one of the most interesting times around the net looking for a song based on that poem I posted some days ago. I mean, the poem doesn't even have a proper title!!... It was hard, way too hard. This song was recorded sometime in the 60's or 70's, and of course it never became a classic.

At first I felt like a cool hacker clicking all over the place, cross referencing, this and that, but after a while I just felt plain stupid and tired. Then, my mom showed up. Apparently she used to love the freaking thing, and she did remember the name of one of the guys who sang it. One more reference. Eventually, I got it. Of all the peope around the world, only one guy had it on kazaa... Yes, one. And about halfway through the bastard logged out!!!!.... Argh!!!... I had to start over again, looking for more performers... Blah.

Eventually I got it. After like 3 failed download attempts and a good deal of swearing. And, of course, the song isn't that good.

... Then, as I was sending a large email I decided it was a good idea to open msn. That thing is the devil!!... Of course, I went to bed quite late. And again I am in zombie mood. Yet feeling in good spirits, and somehow smiling. He he he.

---

This freaking post of my brother has placed me in a weird mood... And as much as I feel about it, I do not know what to write about it. The part that sucks is that it makes sense.

---

Sometime last week I finished reading "something positive". Don't you hate it when that happens?. All of a sudden you find a cool web comic that has been running for a while, and you have tons of material to read through... And then you read them all, and have to wait for an update... Argh!!!....

Anyway, go read it, it is very very good. You have to get in the black humor mood, sarcastic, dry, and all... But then it makes sense. That or I am just as sick as the guy who makes it.

Any suggestions for a new one to waste my time with?.

The night the ghost got playful

In the Centro de Medios, where I work, it is said there is a ghost. I know all about how the rumor started, etc. Interesting story by itself. Either way, it's been some years now since that idea came out, and by now everyone is pretty sure about it. It even has a name, and the students from the labs here sometimes dedicate their works to her.

[I know of some girls that won't go develop their film alone, because they can feel it's prescence there. He he he, after all, the whole thing started right on that lab. Spoooky. Oh well.]

Anyway, all through this weekend Erik and I worked on this animation, well... Most of the weekend. I have to say that working with him is amusing, and as much as we do work, we always have good times and laughs.

Saturday night at about 12 I got this call from my brother that went like:

victor: so... what are you guys doing.
hector: hmmm... working.
victor: yeah right...
hector: really!...
victor: how much longer?
hector: no idea.. still quite a while.
victor: ... argh!...
hector: what?!...
victor: blanco and I are bored, is it ok if we go there?.
hector: ...
hector: dude!, we are working!.
victor: so... you don't want us there?.
hector: ... You guys can come, but we will be working.
victor: you are soooo boring... so yes or not?.
hector: sure... whatever.

About an hour later Blanco, Celina and Victor showed up. With pizza, two bags of chips, a lot of soda... And a bag pack full of beer. He he he. Oh my!. We would be in so much trouble if we had been seen with that beer here in the buildings.

We ate, we drank. We hid everything terribly fast when a security guy started knocking on our (luckily) closed door... He he he. We had good times. The best happened when we decided that it would be fun to explore the building.

The same place you are always in transforms at night. With all the lights off it becomes a full source of mistery and thrill. While we were in the janitorial area we saw this series of metal handles popping out of the wall. Click!. Large stair leading to the roof!!... Yay!!!... Those stairs freaked me out, but still, it was a great view!!!.

We made two teams, set up two bases in different spots and an special item on each. Each team had to retrieve the item from the other team, and take it to their base. All lights off. We could "kill" each other by taking the paper piece that each of us that around our belts. Of course, we had the time of our lives!. Setting obstacles up. All of a sudden you see this full grown guy walking around with a large-heavy table as a shield and you know there is magick going on!. He he he. Blanco and Erik threw some rope from a second floor and climbed down through it. (Stairs should have been much easier!... But who cares about safety?, he he he, it's all about the fun).

That went on till about 4:30 am. Until then, Erik and I picked up on work, and dealt with it for another two hours. All through sunday we worked too, and got it done. Yay!.

---

Our team won most of the time, but on the last round they "killed" me early. As I was laying there, all dead and all, I started thinking a lot of things. Mostly about the fact that we were having such a great time, being so silly in this "serious" university facilities. I wondered for how long would I be doing stuff like that. I saw my self going at it with my hair gray and a wrinkled smile!... I wondered though, if I would always have such playful mates around to share that part of me with.

** cheers