My Father

Has been fighting prostate cancer for over a year now. He is in the hospital trying to recover from an infection. The chemo pretty much fried his immune system so fighting off a basic infection is hard. He has also had a few other complications.

He needs all the good vides he can get. Send them often.

Gonna Rain. Again

Depression sucks.

After the death of my grandfather I had a few weeks were I felt pretty blue. I haven’t lost anybody in my life that was as close as my grandfather was. It feels so weird to know he is not at his home. Or when I go by he isn’t there. The dread of someone significant missing, just got me knotted up and tense. But I’m dealing with the grief the best way I know how, and that is just keeping busy with art projects, organizing my house, cleaning, oh yeah, and going to work.

The late issue. (I'm always late to everything) I had this thought that I was the weird guy in the movie The Office Space, the mumbling guy with the stapler. Because I woke up on time and got ready early and then I laid down until it was time to leave. And I fell back to sleep. I woke up at nine 9:30. The exact time I am supposed to be at work. I raced. And when I got there, nobody was around. Doors were closed. And I went to my back office and didn’t hear anybody until like 20 minutes later. Did they even know I was late?

In….tha….clear….woohoo

Cutest Ever

Major makes me happy even I am trying not to be.

Grocery Stores suc

Yesterday I got black marks against me because I got in the 15 items or less lane and I am sure I had more that 15 items. But to me that is just a guideline. Plus, it totally would have gone off well if the “15 items or less” person checking me out wasn’t a rather slow moving cashier and if the grocery store employees actually put price codes on their ready to eat meals. I found it kind of funny because I could see the people behind me with the look of frustration – a position I have been in many a time. And I couldn’t feel an ounce of remorse. The grocery store is a place I consider hell. It never fails, when I go there is always something – the coupon lady, the angry disgruntled cashier, the cashier in training, the price check, the un-witty banter between cashier and bag boy. Every time I have a bad time at the grocery store I vow to write a letter or call the manager and suggest customer service classes to the employees. But after I get in my car I always think – I wouldn’t want to work there either, so I can see how hard it is to be nice and chipper and helpful when all you want to do is pelt people with their $2’s a pound of nectarines. Yum nectarines

Castellanos, Joe V.

Last week I lost my grandfather, he was a good man. Somebody I loved very much.

JOE V. CASTELLANOS, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, a veteran of World War II, was called to be with his heavenly father on September 3, 2007. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and three sisters. Born on August 18, 1921 in Weimer, Texas, he made Houston his home after the war in 1945. A member of the American Legion Post 594 in Houston, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Vivian B. Castellanos. His daughters, Gloria and husband Dalton Alexander, Vivian and husband David Trevino, Norma Castellanos-Juarez and husband Javier V. Juarez, Paula Castellanos and husband Cesar Pulido; Grandchildren, Elizabeth Alexander, Emma Yvette and husband Mario Rodriguez, Athena V. Coronado, David J. Trevino; Great Grandchildren, Chloe Chantel and Jacob Paul Hinojosa, Jesse Rae and David Jr. Trevino, Mario, Nicholas and Isabella Rene Rodriguez. The family will receive visitors at the chapel of Felix H. ! Morales Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 5, 2007, from 1pm to 9pm with a Rosary to be recited at 7:30 pm. The funeral procession will depart on Thursday, September 6, 2007, at 9:30am from the funeral home chapel to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church for the Funeral Liturgy at 10am. Interment will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.

Hurricane Plans

This week in our staff meeting we got a pamphlet on preparing for a hurricane, titled “Are You Ready for a Hurricane?”

And I sort of know that I am not but I really want to try to be ready. I think about having a special shelf cleaned off in my garage and designate it the hurricane shelf. Put all the essentials there, the flash lights, the batteries, first aid-kit etc. I’ve also wanted to talk to my family and tell them we need to come up with a meeting place in case we have to evacuate and get separated. You know some random address in some random town that has a pay phone close by. After Katrina, it is a scary thought so I really want to be prepared but I just don’t ever do it.

The metaphorical hurricane

My 86 year-old Grandfather will only be here with us for a few more weeks. He is home with his family but the out come will not be good. We are just waiting. And I can’t track it and I feel like I am preparing for it in some kind of stupid way. At work I am trying to get all my tasks done. At home I am trying to have things in order – looking through clothes to figure out what would be appropriate to wear. I call my family regularly to ask for updates. But, I feel like right now I am calm and I understand completely what is to come but I just can’t feel it yet. Maybe we’ll get lucky and it will just miss us.

FilmCritic.com

75%The Movie Quiz

FilmCritic.com - Movie Reviews

The Simpsons

Instant Karma

Instant Karma, the Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur

This is a really great CD plus proceeds going to Amnesty International

Darfur

Museum of Fine Arts Houston

Hello Asia at Museum of Fine Arts Houston Saturday, July 21 at 4:00 p.m. Part of the Red Hot - Asian Art Today From the Chaney Family Collection, On view July 22 - October 21, 2007 at the Audrey Jones Beck Building.

www.mfah.org

I think I misuse words

I remember that I had this conversation with someone and I use detrimental thinking it was a good thing. Now I know better. I must have been like 20 or something but it still haunts me to this day. I like the second half of that word mental, as in you are detra-freaking- mental.

There are certain phrases that I am not really sure they mean what I think they should mean, or maybe I am over analyzing it, phrases like “survival of the fittest.” Of course I understand the idea of evolution but it is that phrase that bothers me – “survival of the fittest”, what does it really mean? Does it mean the physically and mentally strong survive and those that aren’t - what, die?

In my experience there are many who are physically challenged that survive quite well. And in regards to mental fitness, there are a few people (that I know) who amaze me as to how they have gotten this far in life.

And what about natural selection does it mean if you are fit enough you just won’t get devoured by a pterodactyl because you can out run it? Or does it just mean those who are fittest mentally/physically are therefore the prettiest, the most successful and the happiest and those that aren’t, are coked out crack whores with a limp.

I am sure all these questions could be answered by reading Darwin’s book or just researching the evolutionary process. But I rather like my questions, they make me laugh.

Happy Trees

I know I shouldn't enjoy this seeing as it might be bad for my soul but I can't help it.

click here for fun

Movie List One

So, I don’t go to see many movies at the theater only because I can’t stand the crowd of teenagers on Saturday nights. So DVD’s, HBO and my DVR are my salvation. Here along with my witty repertoire are the most recently watched.

Star Wars: HBO showed the Star Wars movies, over a two week period. After watching II and III I realized that Anakin Skywalker was a whiny bitch – I mean Luke suffered more losses then him and he resisted the dark side.

Soylent Green: It is one of those cult movies I had to eventually watch. It is a great story but it’s also made in the 70’s and the attempts to look sort of futuristic is a laugh compared to today’s standards. But the back story about the Greenhouse effect and the lack of food was very poignant. This might not be the movie to watch if you have something better in your queue because it so needs a re-make. I tried to come up with recent actors who I think should play the title characters. I am still working on this list but so far the only person I can imagine playing the lead is Mike Rowe from Dirtiest Jobs (discovery channel) – he sort of reminds me of Charlton Hesten.

Side Note: I have been having an online conversation with friends about the fascination with apocalyptic themed movies. My conclusion was, that watching an attack on our basic foundations, food, shelter, safety etc… can show the true nature of humans and if you then throw in there some sort of commodity (blood, brains, gas) bam you have a movie of survival at any costs. I think apocalyptic movies are about fear, what we as a society are scared of, somebody destroying our safe worlds. And that godless technology will be our undoing. We will be enslaved and become part of a machine that either uses us for battery power (matrix), or food (soylent green).

Jesus Camp: speaking of apocalyptic themed movies the most recent movie I watched was Jesus Camp and talk about being afraid of somebody messing up my safe little sinned filled world. These people scared the crap out of me it is a mix of Nazi Youth training and Children of the Corn. It was exhausting to watch and it reinforced my fears of the religious right. I recommend this only as research to see the indoctrination of children and how dangerous it is.

Nothing but good things to say about Paris Hilton

Words I hate:
1. Baby Bump
2. Man Date
3. Paris Hilton

I know that there are far more important things going on in the world. Issues of importance such as racist attacks on the brown folks - in the form of immigration reform. I am still waiting for somebody to ask me if I am legal so I can sue the fuck out of them. But I digress.

I've been quite peeved that as a news junkie, my information is getting warped with constant reports on Paris Hilton. I even feel I have lowered my self by just typing this. But I want all white pseudo blonde media whores to leave my nightly CNN fix.

But I have to admit I listened to the Larry King interview and it was quite amusing to me. I especially found the part about how she wants to do some good now, which to me is an admission that she has done nothing but bad for society. So I say great start doing some good and you can start with me, stop appearing on my nightly news reports. I want to hear about gang shootings and teenager drunk drivers. Not freaks with too much money who have it so hard. If you want to do some good Paris, buy me a fucking stove and a plasma TV and get off my plant.

I think I feel better. Now back to your regularly scheduled program.

Drivers' Ten Commandments

According to the Houston Chronicle: "The Vatican issued a set of "Ten Commandments" for drivers, telling motorists not to kill, not to drink and drive, and to help fellow travelers in case of accidents." The "Drivers' Ten Commandments," are:

1. You shall not kill.

2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.

3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.

4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.

5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.

6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.

7. Support the families of accident victims.

8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.

9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.

10. Feel responsible toward others.

source:

What about thou shall not drive listening to music with the bass turned way up...

And thou shall not be caught ridin' dirty..

Who do I sign my soul to?

kidding about the soul thing. but this is probably one of the coolest looking phones out there. i was just so excited to get an upgrade to a razr.

Trying not to be judgmental

There are a few people in my life that I just want to say chill out why are you getting so worked up over some lame issue, such as paris Hilton. I don’t see the connection to your life what so ever. But at the same time it is just opens up a door for me to say how sad is your life that you are concerned with the way other people behave.

So to not pass judgment, I feel I have to distract myself with something fun. So I enjoy watching mindless television, but I feel I redeem myself by watching shows on the History and Discovery Channels. My favorite show right now is the Deadliest Catch on Discovery. www.discovery.com. I know nothing about fishing or boats but I feel I am learning. At least now I know where the Bering Sea is.


photos taken from discovery.com website

here

Dog Pictures

Cutest Dog Ever.

Season Finale

I need basic grocery essentials for the week. But I am not going to do that today. Tonight I will be sitting in front of my tv blocking out the real world and watching the season one ending of one of the best shows on TV right now.

More Congrats

From the City of Houston website: source
Officer of the Year:
Officer Emma Y. Rodriguez,
Juvenile Division

Houston Police Officer Emma Rodriguez of the Juvenile Division’s Juvenile Sex Crimes Unit has been so successful in working with child victims that she was named to the FBI’s Innocence Lost Task Force as the main interviewer of child prostitutes. The task force was formed to address the growing problem of children forced into prostitution.

Approximately 600 child prostitutes are currently working on the streets of Houston with a history of physical or sexual abuse. These children are usually runaways, and often come from dysfunctional homes. Most child prostitutes begin at the ages of 13 or 14 years old and become totally dependent upon their abusive pimps. Their stories are repetitious of unimaginable abuse, control and struggle for survival. As a result, the children are scared and reluctant to cooperate with authorities. Officer Rodriguez patiently and skillfully overcomes these barriers, and is able to gain their trust and confidence. Her professionalism and dedication as an investigator, and her talent in communicating with child victims, resulted in the identification of children subjected to sexual exploitation.

In 2006, in addition to working 197 juvenile sex crime cases and serving as a primary trainer for the Juvenile Sex Crimes Unit, Officer Rodriguez identified 15 victims of child prostitution. One victim was a 13-year-old who was taken from Dallas to California, then to Houston within a month’s time and used by four different pimps. Having worked for hours to build the frightened child’s trust, the 13-year-old disclosed that during her four days in Houston, she had made $3,000 for prostitution that went entirely to her pimp. In November of 2006, Officer Rodriguez interviewed a 15-year-old child prostitute who had left home after being molested by a family member. The child ended up under the control of a pimp who had burned and stabbed her. Because of Officer Rodriguez’ ability to extract critical information, eight pimps are facing 17 charges inclusive of sexual assault of a child, aggravated sexual assault of a child, promotion of prostitution and compelling prostitution.

In recognition of her initiative, professionalism and investigative abilities, the Houston Police Department is proud to award her as 2007 Police Week “Officer of the Year.”

Congratulations

Carolina Monsivais graduated from New Mexico State University with a Master's in Fine Arts - Creative Writing. We are very proud of her accomplishment. And it was her birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! CARO.


pictured with her aunt and mother.

Robin

My Friend Robin, she looks like J-Lo in this shot.

2007 Houston Palestine Film Festival

Voices Breaking Boundaries

Check out the first annual Houston Palestine Film Festival brings an honest and independent view of Palestine and its diaspora’s society, culture, and political travails through the art of film. This group of groundbreaking cinematic texts rise above the degrading stereotypes or reductively politicized depictions that are so familiar to Houstonians. A major goal of the Festival is to directly expose our local community to the perspective of artists as a first step toward circumventing the many government and media filters that pollute our understanding of Palestine and the wider region.

Song Lists

Itunes has this celebrity song list section, where famous people list songs they are listening to or songs that really inspired them, which I hate, cause like I care. Okay, I’ve looked a just a few of the lists.

So I decided to come up with my own song lists.

Dig by Incubus, from Light Grenades supposedly a sensitive love song, but the line I like is “we all have something that digs at us. At least we dig each other. So when weakness turns my ego up, I know you’ll count on the me from yesterday.” To me that says even though you’ve known me I am not the same person I was. or at least that is my interpretation.

Lazy Eye by the Silversun Pickups, just because they sound like the Smashing Pumpkins.

Hang Me Up to Dry by the Cold War Kids, it is a little campy but I love that it’s a relationship being compared to the wash.

Sunday Morning by K-OS, who doesn’t love a song about Sunday mornings?

Naïve by the Kooks.

Killing Loneliness by H.I.M, which for some reason reminds me of that song I’m Not in Love by 10cc, which was redone by Ms. Tori Amos.

Not Ready to Make Nice by the Dixie Chicks, just cause it is cool song.

And the Killers, who doesn’t like the Killers?

Proud of my Cousin

HPD Officer Receives the 2006 Lynn B. Clooney Memorial Award

April 22, 2007 - Houston Police Officer Emma Rodriguez was named “Officer of the Year” by the Houston Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association in a ceremony held on April 5, 2007 at the Houston Police Academy.

Officer Emma Rodriguez joined the Houston Police Department 10 years ago when she began her career at the Southeast Patrol Division. For the past six years she has been a member of the Sex Crimes Unit. She is being recognized for an arrest made on November 26, 2006 of a suspect wanted in the assault of a child in December 1992. The victim refused to speak about the incident and recanted her statement given to Child Protective Services because her mother threatened her. The case was cleared unfounded in March 1993. Officer Rodriguez located the victim again and then gained her trust and confidence. The victim put aside her fears and pursued charges against the suspect. Officer Rodriguez presented the case to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and charges were accepted. Because Officer Rodriguez took a closer look at this once closed case, a predator was taken off the street and is now in the Harris County Jail awaiting trial.

Lynn Clooney was a founding member of the Houston Citizens Police Academy formed in 1989. Although she died in 1993, she spent many years serving the men and women of the Houston Police Department in her role as president of the Positive Interaction Program (P.I.P.). The Lynn Clooney Memorial Award was established in honor of Ms. Clooney’s contributions to the Houston Police Department and to recognize those officers who “go the extra mile” to serve the citizens of Houston.

Houston Arts

I was recently introduced to this theater company, they take classical plays and update them in various ways. I have yet to see a performance from them but it seems really cool. Check out their website Nova Arts Project. This was the poster that caught my eye:

I like this T-Shirt

I know a few people I could buy this for:
Found at perezhilton.com

Arts in Houston

This is a really great Houston Arts Calendar. It is maintained by Houston Arts Alliance where I am employed. Check it out support the arts by attending some great events. artshound.com

life casting

This is from justin.tv
He is broadcasting live video of his life 24/7 to the internet. He started Justin.tv because he thought it would be awesome for people to see what it was like to be Justin.

He convinced three of his friends (Emmett, Michael, and Kyle) to join him out in San Francisco. Now, they're starting a company to make broadcasting live video on the web easy.

Gifts I would buy

From Paper Source, this site was made for me. Link here

I found this to be cute:

This would make a good mother's day gift filled with flowers, also at Paper Source.

Favorite way to waste time

I know the skill level isn't very high but this is one of the only crossword puzzles I can complete:

USA Today