Life as a rubik's cube

When life gives you lemons...

2009-07-04T16:31:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in a long time, mainly because I've been going through some growing pains and because I've been swamped with work, but recently, I found the need to get back into writing, to keep my sanity.

So, when life gives you lemons, what do you do? The obvious answer is lemonade, but yours truly isn't that simple (otherwise, why call this blog "life as a rubik's cube?" right?).

Lemon #1 - the beginning of the end or, is restarting allowed?
Relationships are strange and unpredictable. Mine has lasted well over 11 years and it took a "sour" turn a few months ago. I kept it pretty much in secret until now because I didn't know how to deal with it. Only my closest friends knew. Anyhow, I made some decisions, took life by the horns, and squeezed that lemon dry, only to find out that probably, I wasn't supposed to make lemonade with it. You see, as I began writing this paragraph, relationships are weird, so, I found out that the best way to deal with sours is to balance it with some sweets... maybe... so I'm still trying to figure it out, but trust me, the obvious option is not typically the right option.

Lemon #2 - lost support system, or, hello? is there anybody out there?
So, lemon number two is related to lemon number one. Why? Well, I thought I had a pretty good support system, meaning friends, but I was wrong. Personal problems are going to be faced in person and typically, alone. It doesn't matter how many friends you have, some of them are acquaintances who'd rather not get involved, and your friends can't make decisions for you. I love my friends and they love me back, but my assumptions of "total support" were not realistic and that hurt us all. I honestly felt shunned at times, and ignored. It came to the point that I thought my friends weren't my friends... but they were. So, obvious choice was to make lemonade, meaning, cutting them off my life... but again, that wasn't the right choice.

Lemon #3 - health problems, or how much worse can it get????
Welcome to the world of type 2 diabetes :/ so what do you do now?

Maybe all these lemons are pretty sour, and the situations they bring suck (not maybe, they totally suck), but it's really not the time to make lemonade here.

Why not? Because making lemonade is the easiest and obvious option. Because it requires no commitment or admission of fault. I screwed up for more than 30 years, not eating right, hiding behind my running lifestyle to eat whatever I wanted. I pushed away the people I loved and the people who loved me, only because I was feeling sorry for myself. I have to change, but physically and mentally, to be able to move on and move ahead.

The easy road, lemonade, is always appealing. But it's time to man up and take the long and winding road.

- M

The paradox of the "Pro-Life" movement (AKA, anti-abortion, but pro-death penalty and pro-killing-in-the-name-of-WTF"

2009-06-01T22:22:00.000-07:00

This weekend was a very sad weekend, no matter where you stand regarding abortion.

As a pro-choice, catholic raised, liberal minded guy, I've always had a problem in the way the so-called "pro-life" movement behaves, in particular, regarding activism and some ideologies that in my opinion are contradictory of their name (which, by the way, sounds very nice, but it's pretty empty once you pay attention to the people I know here in the mid-south)

Hiding behind, and justifying their position with old testament stories about how God allowed nations to be destroyed and ordered "righteous" killings, I always thought these were just a bunch of non-sense, extreme-right activist.

Now, not all of the pro-lifers I know are that radical, but in one way or another, they all were okay with "standing against the doctors and clinics that practice and promote abortion"... sounds good, until someone takes it to the extreme...

This weekend, tragically, Dr. Tiller was murdered at his church, sadly, by a member of an extreme right anti-abortion movement that glorifies this kind of "righteous-killing".

Rubbish!

Today, I question all those pro-life people who inundate churches with their extreme activism. Today, I challenge them: SPEAK UP! Denounce this wrongful killing of a human being in the hands of a sick person with a sick agenda.

I often take a lot of criticism for being catholic and not being pro-life and for supporting the pro-choice movement. I have even been told "you can't be catholic if you're pro-choice". To all those people, today, I say: you can't be pro-life if you don't stand against that wrongful murder of a human being, for a cause that in principle isn't bad, but in practice has become a twisted agenda that spreads fear and demonizes those who offer abortion services.

The challenge is out there. Speak up now, or shut up forever.

- M

Amazing live action and animation video :) ENJOY!!!

2009-05-21T23:31:00.001-07:00

Noteboek from Evelien Lohbeck on Vimeo.

Live life out loud!

- M

Face-time with doctors.

2009-05-18T19:12:00.000-07:00

Note to reader: I like doctors. They are good people, for the most part, and their jobs are often times not appreciated. However, this one is for the books.

So, it all started this morning at the doctor's office, bright and early I was there at 8:45 for my 9 a.m. appointment. A parade of patients was flowing through the doors. What use to be a small practice has become a multidisciplinary business, offering from aesthetics, to specialists, to even shrinks (sorry, psychologists and psychiatrists). Anyway, here's what happened:

Receptionist (1 of 4), loud voice across the room: Mr. X, can you verify your address please, we have a note here that you changed your address and no longer live at X.

Mr. X, about 30 feet away and surprised: uhhh. I moved from there four years ago.

Receptionist: We need your new address because it's not in our books and we need accurate information.

Mr. X: I know you have my address, because you sent me a reminder of my appointment and a bill too.

Receptionist: Just write down your address and at this time I will collect your copay.

2 minutes later.

Receptionist, again, yelling across the room: Mrs. Y, do you have your new insurance card, we still have your temporary card as the primary card in our files.

Mrs. Y: excuse me? I've had my regular insurance card for more than a year

Receptionist: That's okay Mrs. Y, you need to let us make a copy so that our records are accurate. Next time you change cards, make sure you let us know, ok?

Mrs. Y: but I did let you know. You've made several copies of my insurance card already.

Receptionist: Thank you Mrs. Y. At this moment I will collect your copay, please.

1 minute later:

Dude: I have an appointment with Dr. D at 9:15

Receptionist: please sign in and have a sit

30 seconds later:

Receptionist: Mr. Dude, Dr. D is not in today, you must have had your appointment scheduled for a different day

Dude: uuhh, nope, you called me on Friday to remind me of my Monday appointment

Receptionist: Well Mr. Dude, we can let the nurse practitioner see you, but she'll have to fit you in her schedule because Dr. D is not in today. Let me collect you copay please.

Dude: so, who's going to see me?

Receptionist: Has your copay changed Mr. Dude?

Dude: Not that I'm aware of, but...

Receptionist: Thank you Mr. Dude, it will be a few minutes and the nurse practitioner will see you. Have a seat please.

So, I had a small problem to solve over the phone, my doctor saw me, told me take your time, and I did. I missed my 9 a.m. appointment and had to wait until 10:30 to be called in.

Face time is important when you're seeing a doctor. All the people I saw coming in spent 30 minutes on average, and it made me realize something: the business had become so large for this particular office that their main focus is no longer face time with your doctor, any doctor, but more like a fast-food model adapted to a medical practice, in which patients go in and follow a sort of assembly line with nurses, lab technicians, and out of 30 minutes in, perhaps 2-5 minutes are spent with the actual doctor.

It's sad, but it has happened to me as well, that's how I know.

You may not agree with me, but one thing is true, and very important: a patient-doctor relationship needs to be that, a relationship, one in which as a patient you can ask questions and have some answers from your doctor, and at the same time, your doctor must be comfortable enough to tell you when you're messing up yourself or when things aren't as bad as you are afraid they are.

- Mano

In response to "a love letter to my dream computer" :)

2009-05-17T18:27:00.000-07:00

"Dear admirer.

I'm humbled by your beautiful letter, but at the same time, I feel like we need to talk.

First of all, what were you thinking when you chose a Windows computer over a Mac? Is it your workplace? The high price tag of that all my siblings share? One of my siblings was at an undisclosed location, and saw this DELL laptop bearing an Apple logo on it's cover :) so, even though you're using a Windows computer, you can always dress it up to show your true colors :)

Second, who said you can't have both?

You see, there's always middle ground and you could have the best of both worlds (seriously, the best of one at least and a Windows laptop with a monitor too). Bring your Mac to work day could be everyday!

You can do it!!!

Now, go get a MacBook or MacBook Pro and enjoy being an Apple user :)

Think different!

- Your dream computer"

^_^

Random stuff found during sleepless nights: Bohemian Rhapsody... a new twist. :)

2009-05-01T23:24:00.000-07:00

This is so cool :) Enjoy!

Super cool videos (kind of geeky, but cool)

2009-04-29T15:17:00.000-07:00

Magnetic Movie from Semiconductor on Vimeo.

totally cool "ghost" images from Russia:
http://sergey-larenkov.livejournal.com/

Treinta y cinco

2009-04-20T15:40:00.000-07:00

I have the honor of sharing birth dates with Robert Smith :) for that only reason, these are the songs from The Cure that have shaped (and still are) my life.

"we look before and after
and pine for what is not.
Our sincerest laughter with some pain is fraught.
Our sweetest song are those that tell
of saddest thought."
-- Shelley

From the edge of the deep green sea.

To wish impossible things.

Pictures of you.

Play for today.

Doing the Unstuck.

And my personal favourite: Plainsong

Plainsong

"I think it's dust and it looks like rain" you said
"and the wind is blowing like it's the end of the world" you said
"and it's so cold... it's like the cold if you were dead"
then you smiled for a second

"I think I'm old and I'm feeling pain" you said
"and it's all running out like it's the end of the world" you said
"and it's so cold... it's like the cold if you were dead"
then you smiled for a second

Sometimes you make me feel like I'm living at the edge of the world...
Like I'm living at the edge of the world
"it's just the way I smile" you said...

PLAY IT OUT LOUD!

- M

InsaniTEA

2009-04-15T03:52:00.000-07:00

:) well, don't they add the "tea" to "insaniTEA"? :)

Happy TAX DAY! Have some... tea??? Sure, let's protest for the tax hike on the rich, the tax decrease on the middle class, the money put in by the government to stimulate the economy (which is, for real, the paradox of thriftiness --- economics 101) --- :)

Sounds like "wine" rather than "tea" :) perhaps the White House should respond to the teabagging with trays of cheese for all that "wine" :)

Cuando el destino nos alcance...

2009-04-13T15:22:00.000-07:00

Note to reader: The title of this blog is Spanish version of the title for the movie Soylent Green, but the literal translation of that phrase is "when destiny catches up with us", in this case, my interpretation of destiny equals our future (as opposed to a consequential result of our actions, like in the movie).

Many of you, I hope, have seen Sci-Fi films in recent years, and perhaps wonder "how did they come up with this stuff?". I do. This video in particular, reminds me of the film Minority Report and the fascinating thing about it is: this video is for real.

Still under development, or work in progress :) but man, I'm so excited that these things are happening in our time and that I have the opportunity to witness its development, at least, from a web video :)

Enjoy this clip. It's fascinating!

- M

In the quest for equality, the last few days have been GREAT.

2009-04-07T21:46:00.000-07:00

First, Iowa, just a few days ago, passed a bill that officially recognizes same-sex marriage in that state, then today, Vermont, unanimously passed a similar bill recognizing gay marriage without residency restrictions.

2 more states :)

============

= RIGHTS 4 EVERY 1

- Mano

Fear of change

2009-04-05T22:06:00.000-07:00

This weekend was weird. Too many things going on with loved ones, friends, family, all in all, changes, changes, changes. The kind of change that keeps you awake at night sometimes, or the kind that seems silly when you're outside looking in. In any case, it made me wonder: why are we all so afraid of change?

Is it fear of the unknown?

Is it fear of getting hurt in the process?

Is it fear of hurting someone else?

Is it fear of making a fool of ourselves?

The only constant I could see is fear, and I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing.

So... what's the most fearful change you've ever been through? What kept you awake at night for days, or even weeks, when you couldn't make a decision?

I'm in a moment in life when change is not just an option, but an sort-of-duty or -obligation. Mid-thirties, must change habits, must eat healthier, must make a will, must must must must. All of these "must" are triggering some type of change in my life, and to be quite honest, I'm terrified.

Is change just a reminder to tell us that we're not here forever? A kind of sarcastic wake up call? Or is change just one more twist and turn in the highway of life? Or is it a rollercoaster that has slowed down only to approach a very steep fall? Should one just scream?

:)

Why I love trainstations :) not that this happens all the time, but it does :)

2009-04-03T05:16:00.000-07:00

They use to do things like this at Grand Central Station in NYC :) and this one is from T-Mobile UK for a special advert :) Enjoy!

In response to Joe the plumber's new purpose in life...

2009-04-02T09:59:00.000-07:00

Note to reader: This is my personal opinion and this blog entry is in response to Joe The Plumber's idea to eliminate the IRS, although a catchy and likely popular idea in this particular month, it's another misinformed attempt of someone to get the attention of the media and the public in general.

1 - You and your local / national / international charities
Did you know that the non-profit organizations that you raise funds for, donate to, or volunteer for, have to comply with a specific set of rules to ensure that your donations are used correctly and for the purpose they were meant to? Yes. Do you know who makes sure they comply and your dollars are used correctly? The IRS. Without the IRS, there would be no one overseeing the compliance of these entities with the code and rules that they have to follow. They could potentially make a profit out of your donations and not pay any tax on it. By profit, let's be clear, I mean, pocketing money for themselves. Everyone deserves to be paid for the work they do, however, no one has the right to ask you or me for money for a "great cause" and pocket it to pay for a vacation.

2 - Funds going overseas to questionable destinations
Yes. You think you're donating to a non-profit organization that's helping rebuilt a village somewhere far far away... Think again? Most of us, don't. The IRS makes sure that those donations go where they are supposed to go without funding radical movements or acts of violence. Yep. The IRS helps us stay more secure and safe in the homeland. I bet you didn't know this :)

3 - Infrastructure
So you want the pot holes on your streets to be fixed. Street lights. Line markers for divided highways. Public schools. Mail delivery. The IRS helps in the collection of funds for the federal government to fund all these projects we all want. You see, our taxes are necessary to maintain the infrastructure of our government and cities. The word "free" in "free education" is a benefit to the taxpayers, yes, but it's funded by us, the taxpayers, as well. Without taxation and without the IRS, those "free" services and things we all get or assume we're entitled to, just wouldn't happen. Think about it this way: It's like if you get paid with a check, but you don't have access to a bank or bank account where you could deposit or cash the check. That money will be technically yours, but you wouldn't be able to use it, because it's only a piece of paper with your name and some figures, your plans for the weekend: gone. Your bills: probably unpaid until funds are available. The catch here is, you can't get paid any other way, unless you take less money and under the table, then your entire budget and plan would change... So, bye-bye "free" programs! :)

So, there are my 3 cents :) now, correct me if I'm wrong :)

Happy end of the work week!!!!!!

- M

To blog or not to blog... therein lies the problem... or should I ask first: where u at?

2009-03-29T16:19:00.000-07:00

I try to to keep up to date with a few different blogs and sites that, IMO, would help me with what I do on a daily basis --- forums about graphic design, communication, photography, and yes, my daily and nonstop dose of Tweets in my G1 smartphone --- so, recently I stumbled upon a long tread in a forum about social media at work and what to do to implement it.

Well... I have an opinion about it.

As a communicator, I believe we need to have the tools that enable us to stay in touch with our coworkers and that allow us to better perform our daily tasks. Email and a phone are two must-haves. Chat, blogs and IM, I'm not totally sure, but let's see.

Let's pretend your company allows you to have a chat/IM tool, always on, in your system. Let's say you're in the middle of a very important project, when all the sudden, pop goes the IM in the bottom right corner. It distracts you for a second and, your first reaction is to click on it. It's just "Bobby", your coworker, asking you "what u doin?"... right... back to work... then, pop again... "Bobby" sends you a smiley... you choose to change your status or to log out, right? But then, you miss the message from your director, who also has IM in his/her Blackberry and really needs your help with some figures...

What I described is the most common case of lost communication due to limited resources --- or in this case, really, tunnel vision from the users.

On one hand, the director should have sent an email to follow up the IM. A phone call probably would have been better, but hey, I don't know if he or she was in a situation where his or her Blackberry couldn't be used. So... Lost communication.

On the other hand, "Bobby" takes the approach to IM as anyone would: a social tool that he can use to check on his buddies or to mess with them.

So, my point is, IM or chat tools at the work place cannot be considered as a must-have. In my opinion, a phone call or email would actually do the trick.

Note to reader: I'm all about technology and advancement, but so far, I can't find a compeling arguement to justify IM at work. Seriously. If you find one, post a comment to my blog with a link to it :)

Now, someone else wrote, let's have a blog at work! Yeay!!!

One would assume that I would be all for it, right? Well, if it's not edited and it's really a blog, sure. A blog is a very personal way for us bloggers to communicate OPENLY about what we think, what's in our minds, what bother us, what we agree with, or about random stuff that we stumble upon. If a corporate blog doesn't have these qualities, should it be called a blog? I tend to think also that the reader can, in fact, interact with the blogger by posting comments about each entry... well, I'm not sure that happens everywhere. The forum I read in a PR site has all sort of stories about controlling and supervising comments posted to blogs, questions about the veracity or validity of the blogger, and so many weird things like that.

I think a blog is simpler. It's what I think. With my spelling errors. With my perspective. Yes, I choose the topic and the reader chooses to read or not, but that's the beauty of it. If I'm a good writer, I can only know if I have followers in my blog, or if they leave messages, or if I provoque discussion, open discussion.

A blog makes the web more human. More so than a chat room or IM. A blog has a personal signature that no emoticon can duplicate.

So, all that said, a blog, a corporate blog, can humanize a company, in my opinion, as long as it remains true to the escense of what a blog is.

Happy week to everyone!

- M

No lights for sixty minutes --- Earth Day 2009

2009-03-27T19:14:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, Saturday, 28 March 2009, is marked in our calendars as the day in which we're encouraged to turn out the lights for sixty minutes at 8:30 at night. But, what is the collateral impact of making such a statement?

Let's see... What can we do with the lights out? :)

Talk.
Think.
Go out for a walk.
Sit out on your patio.
Embrace your lover.
Teach your children the importance of conserving energy.
Light a candle.
Tell stories.
Use your hands to find your way.
Use your ears to discover new things.
Take a deep breath.
Throw back your head.
Sing.
Dance under the moon.
Look at the stars.
Make a wish.
Kiss your lover.
Kiss your children.
Think of that special someone who's not there with you.
Listen to your significant other.
Open your mind.
Say a prayer.
Thank God.
Make music with your body.
Have some coffee with a friend.
Plan your next vacation.
Make a bucket-list.
Tell jokes.
Laugh.
Practice a few yoga poses.
Be still.
Be quiet.
Listen to your heartbeat.
Think about your parents.
Bring back old memories.
Smile again.
Take your shoes off.
Wiggle your toes.
Stretch your arms.
Hug your significant other.
Thank God again.
Repeat.

It's only sixty minutes, but it's a start into the right direction. Turn out your lights this Saturday at 8:30 at night for one hour.

:)

- M

The Onion - My best picks! :)

2009-03-27T18:38:00.000-07:00

From total political incorrectness to F-bombs and drugs to cure chirpy people :) these, are my top 3 pics from THE ONION --- N-JOY!

Caution: lots of language, so, use headphones if necessary :)

FDA Approves Depressant Drug For The Annoyingly Cheerful

Apple Introduces Revolutionary New Laptop With No Keyboard

Prague's Franz Kafka International Named World's Most Alienating Airport

- M

Who'd known not all Mexicans swim :)

2009-03-26T23:01:00.000-07:00

So, I was talking with one of my best friends the other day about her recent vacation to The Bahamas. To give you a little background, it all started with a picture that reminded her of another picture that I photoshopped for her wedding a couple of years ago :) yes, she and her fiance were in separate pictures swimming with dolphins, so I thought it would be nice to surprise her with a "modified" version in which both of them were in the same picture with a bunch of swimming mammals :) so, it was fun.

Anyhow, she sent me a cool picture of them swimming with... sharks???? Are you serious???? After playing phone tag for a couple of days we finally got a hold of each other and talked and talked and talked. So the funny part starts here:

My Friend: Yes, I had to use some weights to stay at the bottom of the ocean
Me: I wouldn't need any weights :) I'm so freaking heavy that I would sink :)
F: hahaha, nope, the more fat you have the easier you flote
M: thanks! I feel much better now
F: hahahaha, I didn't mean that, you see, you will flote
M: no I won't, don't you remember
F: remember what?
M: I don't swim, you idiot :)

Mental break: yes, my best friend and I are quite honest and colorful when we talk :)

F: I don't think you told me you didn't know how to swim
M: yes I did, remember I told you I dived into X's swimming pool and hit the bottom :)
F: na-ah! really? I thought all Mexicans knew how to swim
M: why? because we swim across the Rio Grande all the time?

Mutual: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

M: it's a prerequisite to graduate at school, didn't I tell you?
F: hahahaha, from college?
M: college? you kiddin me right? elementary!!! we have to start young!

Mutual: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

F: so why didn't you learn?
M: cuz I crossed on the dry side, so I just had to run :) hahahah

Mutual: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

F: so you didn't have to wear the fins and the goggles and scuba gear :)
M: Nope, they just sent me with a backpack an a pair of cheap sneakers from Walmart
F: not a pair of Jordans?
M: no! Those have reflective stuff! No no no, that could attract "la migra"

Mutual: HAHAHAHAHAHA

M: we learn that in Border Crossing 101

Mutual: HAHAHAHAHAHA

Note to reader: yes, I know, I'm politically incorrect :) but it's so much fun :)

Hope you had a good laugh :) it's always good to be able to laugh at ourselves.

- M

"A moral wrong can't be a civil right" --- really???

2009-03-05T10:13:00.000-08:00

After not posting for more than three weeks, I'm making my way back into the blog-sphere with a bag full of topics that are bothering my little head, among them, proposition 8 (or prop hate and I'd like to call it).

Over the last few months there's been plenty of debate about the rights of human beings to have a marriage that's recognized by the state, regardless of religious views. Today, while reading my daily-dose of the New York Times (I guess by now you know I'm pretty far from the right side of the spectrum) I read about the signs that were held to oppose overturning proposition 8: "A moral wrong can't be a civil right".

Really? It makes me wonder... morally speaking, even biblically speaking, divorce is a moral wrong, yet, we all have the right to divorce, even for such a mundane reason as "irreconcilable differences", whatever that would mean, for what I've heard and experienced, people have divorced over snoring, eating habits, weight gain, and more.

My point is, regardless of faith or religion, we all have the right to have a marriage that's recognized by the state. Also, marriage is not a word, status or sacrament exclusive to any church, that's why we have in all states something called "justice of the peace" who can perform a state sanctioned ceremony in which one gets married.

State and Religion must remain separate. If one is to "defend" or "protect" the "sanctity" marriage by instating and supporting proposition 8, then those people can't be choosy. They are, by their own definition, morally obligated to abolish divorce. Otherwise, it's just a hypocritical movement that discriminates on the basis of religious views.

- M

In response to everyday mundane hands... My hand!

2009-01-22T14:46:00.000-08:00

LOL - don't they look alike?

A new presidency begins tomorrow... and with it, a new era?

2009-01-19T20:13:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is a very exciting day for everyone in this country we live in. After two years of campaigning, plenty of bitch-slapping debates and TV interviews, the inauguration of the new president of the United States happens tomorrow.

Today is MLK Jr's Day, I had to stop and think about the significance of these two dates and events in American history. One, a sad one, reminds us of a time in which prejudice and intolerance were part of everyday life and how they were slowly becoming something we despise. MLK Jr's assasination turn a really ugly page in history, but it opened doors to movements in favor of civil rights and minorities.

The second date and event, tomorrow's, it's a happier and more hopeful event. The first black president will be sworn in tomorrow and with that, a new chapter in the history of this country will be writen. But I wonder, does this new event render MLK Jr's dream come true?

Many will say yes, or no. Many will debate this statement. Many will find similarities and will post pictures of both Barack Obama and Martin Luther King Jr side by side. Many will find that offensive and many will disagree and will find that encouraging and empowering. Minority groups will stand proud and side by side, and in other countries, like Iraq, a group of african-iraquies will see this election and inauguration as a sign of hope and opportunity.

As an imigrant and part of a minority in this country, I feel happy and hopeful, and I can say three things that I believe are true.

1 - Tomorrow is a day to celebrate,
2 - Although history will be judge on how Barack Obama will be remembered 8, 20, 50 years from now, it's up to us who live and work here right now, to make sure that the change we voted for, the change we believe in, actually happens, and
3 - The dream, Martin Luther King Jr's dream, still lives on.

- M

11 years and counting...

2009-01-18T12:14:00.000-08:00

It all started in november of 1997, when I got a phone call from one of my best friends and mentor about a job opportunity in the US. At that time, I was finishing my third semester out of four in a graduate program in Editorial Design and Typography, and I was a successful consultant on labeling law and compliance for products in north America and Europe... But I wasn't complete.

My plan was to move to Switzerland. To Basel and continue my studies in typography. I was doing very well in graduate school and I had a letter of acceptance from the Schule fur Gestaltung in Basel, but I didn't have enough money to complete the trip and the first semester of school, so my friend's call was like an answer to my prayers.

So, I embarqued in a series of interviews with a brokerage firm that was running the show and finally we came to an agreement: six months in Memphis, possibly twelve, and an undisclosed salary and benefits. It was a good deal.

My journey to Basel via Memphis began on January 18, 1998. It was a cold overcast day. For the first time in my life, I was going to live away from home, alone. It was scary, fun and cool and the same time, and for the next few weeks, a long series of events shaped my decisions and the outcome of what began as "one-leg-of-the-trip".

By May of that year, I realized that the project was going to be a lot longer than anticipated. My boss had thought about that too and I was able to bring my own team to speed up things. It was a nice experience to work and live with people you knew before, but it was also very emotionally charged. I brought two of my closest friends and one of my best friends, but the project, and my actions, changed the shape of our friendship. To this day, I regret things I did, but there's not much to do now... We've all moved on...

The year 2000 came in with different things for me. I changed jobs, going from a consultant to an employee of the company I was helping, I got married, and I got deeply involved in volunteering projects in this city. Basel began to look like a far dream that I was still clinging to.

With the change of jobs came a literal change of duties. I stopped doing graphic design full time, and I focused translations and product placement design. It was a change I thought it was good but didn't feel quite right.

My life, I figured, has changed in two-year cycles. I've spent two years in every position I've had at work and I've moved on, but this time, it's a little different.

A few months ago I got a job offer, one that I was longing to get from the moment I moved here. My work as a graphic designer was being recognized and it was opening doors for me. When I got the offer, the idea of the school in Basel popped in my head, once again. The idealistic dream of being a typographer for a living, in a land that wasn't my motherland, far from family and old friends. I remembering telling the person who offered me the job that I needed a few days to think about it. It was a tuesday afternoon. I would know by friday, I said.

The next few days were a mix of emotions. Excitement. Fear. Pride. Humbleness. That wednesday I got an email from an old friend, now living in Austria. We chatted for awhile. I was brought back to college times and that helped me made my decision. On friday, I called the head hunter and declined the offer. Why? he asked. Because I'm happy where I am right now. I said.

My life has been an emotional roller coaster, specially in the last eleven years. I've lost best friends, made new best friends, lost hope and regained it, ran, got injured, and I'm running again. I wanted to do design, then I stopped, and now, I'm doing what I love again.

My life isn't perfect. I'm not perfect. But in more than one way, the journey that was meant to last six months and was meant to end in Basel, didn't. Instead, it took me through a path that was unplanned and unknown, a path that shaped the person I am now.

I told my new best friend a few weeks ago, that I had finally closed the circle, after more than ten years.

Today I celebrate my eleven years in Memphis, in my own personal way. Doing graphic design, writing a blog, running and training to run a marathon after my birthday.

Tomorrow, I may not feel as content as I feel right now, but I know that I can change that. I know I can.

- M

Sara is in the news... again...

2009-01-09T09:51:00.000-08:00

Note to reader: I watched and read the transcript of the most recent Sara Palin interview, and it has come across to me as some sort of "vindication" statement with hues of arrogance and "it's not my fault" messages. So here's my take on it.

A few months ago I made a few comments about her interviews on television and how her demeanor on the ABC and CBS interviews was -- although apparently less in-the-know -- more natural and genuine, as opposed to the interviews aired in Fix News, which to me were more coached and directed. In any case, we all learned the strengths and weaknesses of Sara Palin. Some of us feared them, some of us embraced them, and yes, some of us made fun of them.

Yesterday, it was Sara's turn to turn the tables on the media, or at least, it was her long-awaited, the-election-ended-long-ago response. An interview by John Ziegler (a conservative, LA based film-maker), took the airwaves yesterday. The interview shows a side of Sara Palin that we became familiar with during the presidential campaign: attitude, spunk, denial, arrogance and "it's not my fault" moments. But, if all this is familiar, why are we paying so much attention to it now? To me it is simple. In this interview, she goes on record about the Couric interview and says:

"It didn't go well, the first day, and then my question to the McCain campaign [was] why are we going to go back for more? ... They said, yeah, we're going back for more. That was not a wise decision."

This confirms my opinion that I'm glad she wasn't part of the winning ticket. A person who can't stand firm against a bad staff decision, such as the one she mentions, could not possibly lead a nation, much less, be part of the leading team of President/Vice President.

Although, some of you would say that she's reflecting on past issues, and you're entitled to your opinion :)

It is sad to me that Sara Palin had to come out in a vindicating interview after so long. It saddens me more the way she talks about it, taking no blame for any of her comments, lack of answers, or misinformation. I'd like to think I'm wrong. In my first blog posting about her, I was happy and impressed because I believed (and still believe) that women in power can do great things, however, her demeanor during the campaign and now after it's all history, makes me sad.

I guess our future conversations about Sara Palin would be filled with "would have's", "should-have's" and "maybe if's". I believe there will be many comments (from both sides) about the "liberal" media videos and interviews that "made her look bad" and that were "edited to make her appear uninformed and unprepared". But, if I can borrow a cliche phrase, at the end of the day, it's all on tape and it's all now history... not a story.

By the way, apparently this interview of Sara Palin will be included in a film that John Ziegler is producing. Not sure when it will be released, but I'm sure, even after all the blogs and discussions, we all will take, at least, a peak at it :)

Good luck, Sara Palin.

- M

My new year's resolution list :) because someone's got to do it :)

2009-01-03T21:43:00.001-08:00

So, I was talking with this guy about new year's resolutions, and he made a comment about how people always say "lose weight" and they join a gym or spa and work their butts off for the month of January and by February, the inspiration is gone. This comment, although I've experienced it and don't disagree with it, made me wonder... Why should I write down unrealistic yet nice-sounding goals for a new year? There must be something wrong in my head... right?

HEHEHEHEHEHE

So now I've decided to publish my own list of new year's realistic resolutions :) because someone's got to do it :) enjoy! and add some if you'd like :)

1 - Get a tattoo
I would love to be part of the aging group of middle age adults who permanently add shapes and colors to their bodies :) I've been thinking about a pair of wings around each ankle :) at least that part of the human body doesn't see much of the effects of gravity that other parts of the body do get with age :) LOL

2 - Dye my hair red (or purple, or green, but not blond)
That would be quite a site :) Let's try the washable kind of hair color first, just in case :)

3 - Speak with a different foreign accent every day for a week
What????? :) I already have a foreign accent, dummy! Can you picture me, a Mexican, with an Asian or African or Australian or Eastern European accent? That would be hilarious :)

4 - Change my name (for a day once a month)
Just on my name tag at work :) and count how many people actually notices it. Use a name like "Ocho Cinco", "Pierce Brosnan", "Bilbo Baggins", "Urasmus B. Draggin", or so :)

5 - Wear a kilt
I wonder if it would be office-approved attire? :) I know, my name would change to McXican LOL --- although I could go running wearing it... right?

6 - Rollerskate to work
Niiiiiiiiice :)

7 - Go to a foreign country without telling anyone
Then come back and share the post cards :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

- M

Tagging the rubik's cube :) --- or what's your 4th photo look like?

2008-12-19T11:42:00.000-08:00

Here’s how this one works.
1. Choose the 4th picture folder on my computer
2. Choose the 4th picture
3. Explain the picture
4. Tag 4 people to do the same

THE PICTURE.
Andy, Ashley and I were in San Luis Obispo, CA. We stopped there to visit a vendor and then we headed to Las Vegas for a vendor show. It was a really cool time. We had a lot of fun in California. Lots of work, but enough time to ride ATVs in the dunes. This picture was taken the evening before we left for Las Vegas.

Now... Who should I tag?????? :(

Politics as usual (or are you sleeping with the enemy?)

2008-12-18T21:50:00.000-08:00

Typically I would say, yes, politics as usual mean that you are indeed sleeping with the "enemy", and slapping their face, only to make out with them and go to bed... again. I know, the innuendos of politics are weird, but in that weird way they make sense to some, but tonight, not so much to me.

Today I learned about the person who's going to do the invocation during Obama's inauguration. Of all people, I was surprised, appalled, that Obama selected Rick Warren. I guess in trying to reach across the aisle, Obama reached a little too far to the right.

Now, in all fairness, Rick Warren is not an evil person, he's a big environmentalist and spearheads several initiatives to fight against poverty and AIDS, however, there's one area that he and I don't agree with and that makes a HUGE difference to me, in my humble opinion: Gay Rights, specifically, the right to marry. Warren was a strong supporter of Proposition Eight (or H-8, as I'd like to call it) and for that reason, it upsets me that he's going to be part of this historical moment.

But I'm also trying to pull myself out of this box called "I'm liberal with liberal views" and would like to give Obama the benefit of the doubt, but it's hard. I guess it's not only because of the person he chose for the invocation, but also because today, sadly, Bush passed a revision to a law that allows doctors, nurses, and health care employees to refuse to provide care, perform procedures or sell prescription drugs to anyone if that action goes against their concience (read: religion/morals/ethics). In other words, any health care worker can refuse to fill a woman's birth control prescription, perform in-vitro fertilization, and in some extreme cases, refuse to care for people with HIV/AIDS. The law, yesterday, mandated that these health care employees/providers would refer the patient/person to a different health care employee/provider who would be willing to perform the service, but today, that requirement is gone.

So, two for politics, zero for our rights.

Change we can believe in? Really? As a democrat, I hope so. As a liberal, I find it hard to believe. As a human being, I'd like to give Obama the benefit of the doubt... We'll see. At least it's not McCain or Palin, but in any case, we still have 30+ days of W and his last minute laws, pardons, etc...

But hey, it's politics.

-M

3:04:00 --- chronicle of 13.1 miles in Memphis

2008-12-06T21:18:00.000-08:00

There I was, in my running gear on a chilly Saturday morning in Memphis getting ready to participate in the Memphis St. Jude Half-Marathon. I have to say, I was a little nervous the night before. Why? Well, genius here didn't think about the fact that my office's Christmas Party was the night before the race, so my wife and I went to the dinner party and had fun, until around 10 pm. So I got about 7 hours of sleep before I went downtown for the race :)

Anyhow, I met a couple of my friends and we all talked about running together and keeping each other company, as well as for support :) so we headed out to the corral where we thought we would run well: 10:30-11 min. mile pace. Nice.

Runners were everywhere, some talking, some stretching, some jogging to warm up, when all the sudden, the notes of the national anthem began playing. Where we were, it was hard to find a flag to look at, so after a few discreet 360-degree turns, most of us turned West and looked at the flag on top of the building on Union and Main (sorry, don't know the name of the building), but the person in front of me, who had no visibility of the flag we were looking at, held his significant other (wife, I guess) really tight and said to her "oh! I have a flag on my sleeve" and they both looked at it while singing very proudly the American national anthem. I thought that was a cool moment, and it inspired me.

So off we went to the starting line and we ran. I'm not a talker while I run, but my running buddies are :/ so they were chatting and while I concentrated on the first mile. I admit, the first mile of any race is always the most dreadful to me, because it's during that time that my aches come up, so when I passed the mile 1 marker and I was fine, I just rolled through the next few miles and kept a nice 11 min/mile pace.

The cheering around the race was excellent. A couple of girls held signs reading "to me, y'all are Kenyans" and that was awesome. Complete strangers would tell you "you're doing great!" and you can feel they meant it, because to be out there by the Mississippi river in 32-degree weather just to say a few words to runners who, chances are, you don't know, you really have to mean it :)

Mile 2 was a breeze. We ran up to Beale Street and Front and took a short walk break then continued running on Beale Street, then on 4th, then to Poplar, and miles keep adding up behind us. We kept our pace, and with that said, we kept passing other runners, which is always motivating in a race. I kept paying attention to the shirts :) you see, I kept admiring the messages on them. Some were religious, some inspirational, some clever and in support of a cancer patient or a team running for someone. It was cool. This lady, I don't know her age, but she was probably middle-age, was wearing a Mrs. Claus outfit :)

Mile 6 was ahead of me when I felt a small pull on my calf... I walked it off and continued... mile 7 and 8 were behind me, and we entered Overton Park behind the zoo... It was the worst mile I've ever had. Not even 100 yards into the park my left leg locked in a cramp and I had to stop and stretch for about 5 minutes. I couldn't believe what was happening. I saw all my training collapse in a matter of 2 seconds. I was devastated. I kept wondering why while I was trying to overcome the pain. I couldn't see anyone familiar to ask for help. I thought of my wife and the motto that she tought me: "I know I can"... with that I moved on and walked until I felt comfortable to begin running again. I stopped three times before reaching mile 10.

So there was Poplar avenue, a long leg of the race and a hilly road. Hills are my friends (I want to believe that, really), so I looked at my watch and saw my time: 2 hours... 3 miles to go... I can do this... Again, "I know I can" was resonating inside my head and I ran... I found my pace in a few yards and I was rolling. In front of the Target House I was taken by surprise by a group of girls wearing fruit costumes, but the funny became not so much when one of them, the grapes, yelled "squeeze my grapes for good luck!"... I laughed! and I missed a step... and I cramped... bad... from there, it was a struggle. My legs were strong, but my left calf was cramping. I saw the minutes go by. I alternated jogging and walking as much as I could, stopping frequently to stretch the legs to feel some relief. Then, after a long Poplar Avenue stretch, we turned to Union. I was at the back of the pack and in a more than one way, I was feeling frustrated at my cramps. I kept saying to myself that my goal was 3 hours to finish the 13.1 miles, only because my foot has been hurting so much, but a week ago relief came in the form of new running shoes and I was feeling fine; in fact, my foot wasn't hurting at all!

So AutoZone Park was on sight when my leg locked again in a very painful cramp. It took me almost 10 minutes to get rid of the pain and be able to walk. It was then that I realized that I was already beyond 3 hours into the race, and just 50 yards from the entrance to the park. So in my head I butchered "I know I can" and mixed it with "Run Forrest Run!" to make a "run!!!!!!!!!" to the finish line.

I can't lie. I'm extremely happy I did this race. I trained hard and it paid off. Even with the cramps, I know I would have finished in 2:20 or less. Even with the cramps I know I did better than what I expected with my injured and almost recovered foot. I'm proud of what I accomplished :)

Today was a great day for running. Tonight, I'm a little sore, but happy.

13.1 ... been there, done that... again :)

- M

Ask a Mexican... Or how to weather the financial storm called recession

2008-12-01T20:51:00.000-08:00

I'm in my thirties and I remember back in 1991, when I was a freshman in college, the general opinion in my country (Mexico) was that we were leaving the "third-world country" category and entering the "first-world-capitalist country" arena. Prosperity was everywhere. Carlos Salinas de Gortari was president at that time and we all felt... rich... or if not rich, financially capable of anything.

I was full of hopes and dreams, my first year in college, my first job, my first check cashed for doing design work... everything seemed to be working just fine.

Carlos Salinas' term came to an end in 1994 and when he left office, he left us sleeping in a dream of prosperity that didn't last long. Ernesto Zedillo took office and soon he realized that the dream was over. Soon, millions of Mexican families will pay the price of poor financial decisions, both theirs and the government's. In December 1994, the Tequila Effect and the "Mistake of December" were born. The once "strong" Mexican peso was no more and the parity went from 3:1 to 13:1 and higher in 72 hours.

Mexico's financial problems had a domino effect in many countries. The U.S., under President Clinton, came to aid and helped us stay afloat. $50 billion were loaned to Mexico with very strict conditions. In 1996, after some serious restructuring of the economy and the financial models that Mexico was following, Ernesto Zedillo was able to announce in his address to the nation in September, that the economy had peaked at a growth of 7% and the parity of dollar v. pesos was now estable at 6:1. A year later, in 1997, Mexico was able to pay back to the U.S. for the $50 billion, ahead of schedule.

So, all this said, in Mexico we do know about these economic crisis, but, I do have to admit, we're not perfect, and here's the U.S. can benefit: learn from our mistakes.

I don't have the answer to the economic crisis or to the "oops! it's been here since December 2007" recession, but I can say with confidence: When you're at home, and your home catches on fire, it's your neighbour who typically helps you out. Mexico may not be able to give the U.S. $50 billion, but Mexico can give some sound advice: Reform. Restructure. And stick to the plan.

It's not rocket science, but it does take some self-honesty to start up progress, and even if it took 12 months to admit that we were in a recession, that's still better than denying its obvious existence.

Stay strong.

- M

Tank-Full ---- or my philosophy about being thankful :)

2008-11-26T19:25:00.000-08:00

So today is the eve of Thanksgiving, and it made me reflect a little bit (or a lot, actually) about my life and all that evolves around it. So I was thinking "what would be a good way to illustrate these thoughts I have in my crazy little Mexican head?" :) A car... go figure! I work for a company that sells parts for them :)

So if I was a car in this day and age, I would say that I would be a vintage sports car that was great in its prime time but now it's having the normal aches and repair issues that come with any old car, however, I'm still rolling. My tires are new and hug the road, just like new running shoes. I can roll around the country side and city streets and enjoy every curve and elevation of the road, just like when I go running.

My leather seats hug my kaiserin every time she takes me out for a ride :) just like I have the fortune of holding her hand when we drive along together. My headlights, although old, still illuminate the road at night and make wonderful things appear out of dark places, just like my old eye-glasses do every day for me.

I can still run strong for short distances, and I may not be able to take on a new sports car, but when I go out there, my form is still great and efficient, just like any good runner.

But going back to nowadays, today, I feel thankful for a tank full. That's right. This car, me, wouldn't be able to go anywhere without gas. And I'm not talking the $2 a gallon that you can get today, after many months at $4 and over, but the emotional fuel that keeps me running.

That's right. My tank is full of great things, memories, people, events and feelings. I may not be the latest model sports car, but my tank is full, and it keeps me going.

So today, I'm thankful for a tank full.

Happy Thanksgiving!

- M

Bailing out the car industry... or why should my taxpayer dollars pay for their poor business management?

2008-11-24T19:14:00.000-08:00

So there I was, reading about the new request to bailout the big three from Detroit... Personally, I think that once you bailout one industry, it's hard to say no to the next ones that will follow. What bothers me about this request in particular is the actions taken by them in previous months.

Earlier this year (July), GM opened a new assembly plant for the Chevy Aveo in the state of San Luis Potosi, Mexico (reference in Spanish: http://www.oem.com.mx/elsoldesanluis/notas/n792596.htm). This was a long and well planned business decision. I'm sure GM had their reasons to close a plant or plants in the US and move it or them to Mexico (or anywhere else). Call it revenue, cost of labour, avoiding unions, etc. It was a business decision.

Back in May, Ford announced to invest $3,000 million in Mexico as well (reference in Spanish: http://www.oem.com.mx/elsoldemexico/notas/n717979.htm) which is large amount of money by any standards, Mexican or American. Again, a business decision.

Some of you would wonder right now, why is this Mexican dude complaining? His country got the best part of the deal, new jobs, money flowing in, etc. But it's me complaining as a taxpayer in this country.

Yes, I pay taxes, just like you and everyone else. and I believe the money the government collects from me as taxes, should be invested to benefit the people of this country or at least to improve the infraestructure we have, so I find it very hard to understand or agree with the bailout of these large car makers, who started their business in the US, but because of business decisions, they've move some of their plants to other countries or are stuck with hefty pension plans for retirees of their companies.

Why should our taxpayer dollars pay for their business decisions? If I start a business here in the US but then expand or move operations to other countries and then my sales or numbers are not that great or at risk of going belly-up, why would anyone else but me as the business owner pay for the consequences of my business decisions?

Yes, I know, I can't have it both ways, be happy for Mexico but be pissed off at the US for trying to use the taxes I pay to save one of its industries. But, in my own defense, I've chosen to live here, obay the laws, pay taxes and get involved to improve our communities, so I feel I have the right to complain. You, dear reader, can disagree with me :)

Anyway, my point is, this is the land of the free, not the land of the free ride. It's the land of opportunity, not of opportunists.

Don't we all have to learn from our own mistakes? I hope so.

- M

Things I love (and don't) about my new phone: The T-Mobile G1

2008-11-19T19:14:00.000-08:00

So I've got this phone for almost a month, and there are several things that make me love it, but a few that I wish were different... So here we go!

LIKES:
1 - The operating system, very cool and easy to use
2 - Synchronization with Gmail and Google Calendar
3 - The keyboard
4 - The camera (great pictures for a cell/smart phone)
5 - The copy and paste feature
6 - Being able to use my songs as ringtones
7 - Some applications are great (and highly addictive!!!) - AccuWeather, PicSay, Trap!, WikiMobile, Maps, Nutrolog, HotSpot Locator, LightRacer, PacMan :)
8 - Battery life (it really improved after the first of three updates)
9 - the web browser is awesome
10 - The call quality and speaker phone

DISLIKES (OR WISH IT WAS BETTER)
1 - The Android Market. Just like Apple's AppStore, it's full of stuff, some of it useless and repetitive.
2 - The Facebook app... Just doesn't work :(
3 - The touch screen... I know, it's in, but just like the iPhone's touch screen, it gets all sorts of finger print marks and although the touch screen works great, having to clean it all the time is very annoying.
4 - There aren't a lot of choices when it comes to holsters... perhaps I'm looking for them in the wrong place :)
5 - It's big. I'm a runner, so I don't carry much around with me when I'm out there running, only my keys and cell phone, however, this new phone is a little large. I compared it to the iPhone and both are the same size (slight size differences) and then I compared it to a Blackberry Curve, which is smaller. I bought belt-pouch for when I go out running, and it seems like that has taken care of the problem... either way, it's still a big phone.

Those are my three cents about the G1 :) pretty cool phone :) with room for improvement.

- M

Secrets --- or how I had to keep your mouth shot about something really cool that I really wanted to talk about :)

2008-11-16T17:08:00.001-08:00

It all started a few months ago, when I was invited to take part of a really cool project to renovate the look and feel of the lobby in our office. I'm very fortunate, I have to admit, because I had the opportunity to work with great people in this project.

After weeks of planning, project bidding and brainstorming, we finally got ourselves a nifty little team of people who would drive this thing home, however, there was one little clause that hit me hard: be quiet about it.

Everyone who knows me knows that I talk... a lot... sometimes more than I should (:P hehehe), so it was hard for me to not talk about how excited I was every time I saw part of the project coming together, how the designers brought our ideas to a somewhat tangible proposal, how chairs, fabric, textures and carpet all were part of a unit that worked as clockwork.

I always get excited about design, in particular, about graphic and industrial design, but when it's combined with architectural elements, boy, I get a high :) and this project did just that.

I still can't tell you all that happened. Tomorrow is the BIG DAY. The unveiling of several months of work. I got a taste of it on Friday night, working with the designers who made art out of fabric, who made wonders soar in the piece of sky that our lobby is.

I'm fortunate. I'm proud. And this I can say: I would do this again, even if I have to keep it a secret :) because it's worth it :)

- M

Signs you're getting addicted to running (which is good :) LOL)

2008-11-15T14:14:00.000-08:00

1 - You look at the tennis shoes the person next to you is wearing. If they're adidas, Asics, Mizuno, Saucony or Pearl, you know they're a runner :)

2 - You get excited when you see the numbers 13.1 or 26.2

3 - You drive around town looking for new routes and hills

4 - You feel good when you're driving around and see other runners, and you feel like stopping the car and joining them

5 - You know what fartlek is and you like it

6 - Your Christmas wish-list has at least three running related things :)

7 - It's November, but you're already looking forward to the spring races (marathons, half marathons, 10Ks and 5Ks)

8 - Your watch has a chronometer with your last running time

9 - Your picky about your running shoes :)

10 - You know they only other athletes who can claim they have as good or better legs than you play soccer :)

When ideals become a marketable item (or get two for the price of one)

2008-11-12T10:28:00.000-08:00

So a few days ago I was talking about the election in the US and other significant events that happened at the same time, and I got into somewhat of an argument about two "hot" topics.

1 - Marriage
2 - Abortion

Not an easy subject, I should say. I think most of the people who know me know where I stand on both, but no one I know has been able to explain to me two things that I find ironic and hypocritical.

Note to reader: if you get upset easily when discussing or reading about these two subjects, especially if you think this goes against what you believe, I'd say, stop reading now, even though I don't know where you stand on these two issues.

First thing: the anti-abortion group calls themselves "pro-life", right? Cool. Catchy name, very deep... I get it. But the same people (at least in my experience) who belong to pro-life groups are supporters of the death penalty. I know English isn't my first language, but I don't think you can be pro-life and pro-death penalty at the same time. So I presented this question to a good friend who happens to belong to such group and is deeply involved with their activities. Very respectfully he said to me that it's okay to have someone killed for the actions they have done and even quoted Bible verses...

Additional note to reader: When it comes to the Bible, I get the message, but I can't quote passages and verses and books like some people do. It's cool if you can do it, I personally can't.

So anyway, I asked why not call the group "anti-abortion" rather than pro-life... The short answer was "because it doesn't have the same impact"... hmm... Interesting...

The second thing that I can't get is the "battle for marriage" and the "sanctity of marriage" deal that people use to ban gay marriage. I respect those opinions and religious beliefs, in fact, I share some of them (being Catholic), but what I don't get is what does the state have to do with legally defining what marriage is.

My argument is: 1) There are two types of marriage from the state's perspective: the one sanctioned by the state, typically executed by a justice of peace, that has no religious affiliation. The second one is the one performed in a ceremony at a church, which also follows religious tradition. So where am I going with this?

Simple: Let the state regulate the state-sanction marriage, which can include gay marriage and does not have to be defined by religious beliefs; and two, let the churches/religious organizations keep control over their own marital ceremonies. Wouldn't that be ideal? I would think so, but no.

That leads me to the second thing that gets me (again): If you're seriously promoting the sanctity of marriage, don't do a half-ass job by focusing on banning gay marriage (for whatever reason you may have). See the bigger picture: divorce is a sin against the sacrament of marriage, thus it should be banned... Strip clubs are derogatory and can potentially hurt marriage, so they should be banned. Divorce attorneys shouldn't exist, because they commit acts against "God's will", so they should also be banned...

Do you see my point?

There are more things that can seriously hurt marriage other than allowing two men or two women to wed. The state has an obligation to provide them the same rights that you and I enjoy as heterosexual people, but you and I don't have the right to impose our religious beliefs and shape them in the form of a law.

But who am I to argue these things?

No one really. Just someone who believes that you can't be pro-life if you are pro-death penalty or claim to be protecting the sanctity of marriage but care less about divorce.

Maybe it all just got lost in translation...

- M

A weekend with AIGA (or putting a FACE to some graphic design questions)

2008-11-09T19:20:00.000-08:00

Note to reader: Saturday was an eventful day. It all started with a very important conference, to me at least, at the University of Memphis campus: The FACE design conference by AIGA. The event had four conferences in the schedule, touching various subjects, from motion design, to responsible web design, to editorial design. So here's my account of what happened.

There I was, pulling in the parking garage of the university at around 9 a.m. rushing a little bit so that I could get a nice seat at the auditorium. I'm the kind of geeky graphic designer who enjoys a good conference and the debate and questions raised by the presenters, so I wanted a seat close to the podium. I have to admit, I had no idea what the auditorium looked like. I've been to a few venues in campus, but not to this one in particular.

As I was walking out the garage, I saw familiar signs on 11x17 paper. The colored squares of the AIGA event were all over it, and for a moment I thought two things: 1) brilliant! it can't get simpler than this, right?... and 2) cheap. But hey, we're talking about design on a dime here, besides, the signs worked. So I went on to follow the signs.

I walked up a small hill to the psychology auditorium and a huge sign on the glass doors at the entrance. I was there. I felt so excited.

As I pushed the doors to walk in, I was cheerfully greeted by fellow designers from AIGA. It was a very informal atmosphere, so familiar amongst designers. Took my small name-tag sticker and headed into the auditorium... surprise.

It was almost empty. I checked my watch to make sure I wasn't too early... 9:15 a.m., just 15 minutes ahead of schedule. I headed towards the front of the auditorium and made my way to a seat close to the front. My concerns became a little more evident as I saw two guys trying to hang one of two banners from the front wall of the stage. I've become very anal about some things, perhaps because we hold ourselves to a very high standard at work, so watching these guys hang a long banner by just one point at the top, allowing it to warp in such a way that it made a good banner look bad... well, it irritated me... So I did what I thought was best: I ignored that and took my little G1 out of my pocket and began logging into Facebook... I've become addicted to my phone and its capabilities, I have to admit.

5 minutes went by and a few more people came in. A minute later I started having a conversation with a designer from a local agency. It was a nice conversation. I made a good friend :) so I have to say, that took my attention from the really badly placed banners that were hanging on the stage :) anyway...

The conference was scheduled to start at 9:30, but it was 9:40 already and some people were still trickling in. As I said earlier, I've become very anal about these things, especially when it comes to paying a premium for something like this... So I continued my conversation with Brian, the designer. Soon after Dan joined the conversation and the atmosphere began filling in with designer words. It felt good.

The first conference began several minutes late. It was presented by Jake Sargeant and it was about motion design and the role of graphic designers in this type of work. Jake had some really nice samples of his work. As a designer, I can tell you I enjoy looking at someone else's work. I believe there's great creativity in everyone, but it is us, the designers, who have the tools to turn ideas into tangible objects.

I thought the best part of the presentation was when Jake told us about how he collected samples and things from all over, and how he got his hands on some x-rays from a hospital and ended up using parts of them in the "House" tv show intro (BTW, he and his team were nominated for an Emmy Award for the "House" project... VERY COOL). He touched a sensitive part of my designer psyche: be curious and stay curious.

I was enjoying the presentation when "oops, we're running out of time"... well, what can you do, right?

So off the stage with Jake and in with Luke Hayman, a graphic designer from England who's been instrumental in various re-design works for magazines (or what we call, editorial design). His presentation was short, sweat and to the point, with many flashes of wittiness :)

So, incredibly on schedule, we went off on break at around noon. My designer psyche was hungry for more. How could we break for almost 90 minutes??? Anyway...

Additional note to reader: I really enjoyed the conference, I promise :)

The third presentation, to me, was the best. I guess we all were expecting some talk and examples about good and bad design, however, Hannah Donovan actually made us interact with her at a level that we (I assume) weren't expecting.

Social responsibility is in the heads of all designers. At some point in our designer lives, we all want to make a difference and change the world, but it is seldom times when we think about designing our products WITH people and NOT FOR people. Hannah challenged us to ask her questions during her presentation. She removed the veil of darkness that protected us from the presenter, that blocked their view and allowed us to continue our text messaging frenzy, or yawn when we thought it was boring. She challenged us once, then twice, then a third and fourth time. Finally, the questions began pouring in. It was great.

The fourth presentation was by Patrick Coyne, the face of Communication Arts magazine. It was a well thought presentation. I felt like he took his time to work on it and that made me feel special. It wasn't improvised, even though scripted, it was professional. It was refreshing to see examples of great design, especially after the awakening that Hannah had put us through :)

So the afternoon ended with a few notes, some great design presentations, a renewed (or new) perspective on our audience and our responsibility towards them, and a few new friends :)

It's not the last conference. As I said earlier, my designer psyche is hungry. Over the next several months, and building up to October 2009, there will be several work shops, conferences, many ways to get that curious part of our minds into what graphic design is.

Design is like coffee: a shot of it in the morning wakes you up, during the day, keeps you focused, in the afternoon and evenings, it bonds you with friends, books magazines, or that crazy little gadget that's in your pocket right now :) Once you've had a taste of design, like with coffee, you're always looking for it, for better flavors, richer mixes, bolder experiences.

Have a cup of design on me today. And many of them with AIGA, Memphis Chapter.

- M

And so it begins.

2008-11-04T06:09:00.000-08:00

Today is not the typical Tuesday for many Americans. Today, some of them woke up early and headed toward the closest voting facility. It's around 8 a.m. --- There are signs of excitement, of annoying waiting periods, of long lines, but all in all, that's a good sign.

It's coming down to the last minute for many voters, some of them would tell you they waited until today because they haven't made up their mind about the candidates' position on some issues, some would say they haven't got the time to do the "early-voting-thing" or they were afraid their vote wouldn't count, but you can tell today, it is a big deal.

As a foreigner living the United States, it's a bigger deal for me, a permanent resident, to see the events develop in front of me and not be able to take part of it with my vote. It's one of those odd situations in which you know that whatever the outcome of the election, your own future is going to be affected. But it makes me feel better to see the response of the voting population. I've always found it odd that only a relatively small percentage of the would-be voters were registered or actually voted. Today it's different. It feels different.

So, if you're reading this, take a moment to look around you. Think of what you have at home, what you're planning for the next few months or years. Think about your family and loved ones. By now, I hope, you know what candidate you'll vote for, but don't just vote republican or democrat because you've always belonged to that party. See the bigger picture. Then go out and vote.

And so, today, it begins. The new presidency of the United States is being born as we speak. Tonight, we'll have a new leader --- unless there's a chad here and there that will hold us back :)

Have fun! And go out and vote!

- M

A night (or many nights) at the Opera[Memphis]

2008-10-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

I've been very fortunate of riding along with my wife in her once-in-a-lifetime experience of being part of the cast of the opera "La Traviata", which had its opening night yesterday at The Orpheum theatre in Memphis.

It all started back in February at the "Wild Game Gala". My wife's always been a very driven person, someone who likes trying new things and enjoys life. That night, we were trying all sorts of game foods, and it was nice, but the main "dish" per say, was not edible. In our program there was a list of items that were part of the silent auction, but what caught her attention was one in particular: a singing part in "La Traviata". We went for it. She went for it. It was a live auction and she was competing with other people in the audience, for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity :) she won.

Months went by and the ultra-nice Michael Ching called us, then he talked to Sheli, and the ball was rolling.

So a few weeks ago we get to come to Opera Memphis for Sheli's first official rehearsal. I say we because Sheli and I are attached at the hip and go everywhere together :) So anyway, we met with Sarah. It was an interesting meeting, not because of who we met, but because of what happened: 10 minutes in, we saw police officers with weapons drawned outside the building and knocking at the door... apparently, somehow, the silent alarm went off, with the "hostage situation" code, no less :) so you could say that it all started with a BANG! :)

Days went by and Sheli's rehearsals were by herself and with the help of Steve. Then finally, the rehearsals with the entire cast. It was an interesting moment to say the least. We both were out of our element, and although we love the arts and have links to the art scene in Memphis, it was really the first time that either of us was in an actual play with people who do this for a living. It all went well, even with a few "hickups". The guidance of Kallen, Benjamin, Karen, Quinn, Kearsten, Bill and Michael were key to Sheli's growth in the rehearsals.

So, days and weeks went by. She got her line and timing just fine. Dress rehearsals were due. The night before the show went slow. And finally, it was Saturday.

An almost-full Orpheum theatre hosted the opening night of "La Traviata". The show started around 7:40 p.m. -- the first act went well, the audience cheered and applauded at every solo performance. The key moment of the first act, when Quinn finishes singing his solo part, telling his son, Bill (Alfredo) that everything's going to be okay. It was so emotional, loaded with passion. The audience roared and applauded for more than one minute after Quinn finished.

The second act starts and my kaiserin comes in :) I'm as proud as anyone could imagine and I almost start clapping :) the act goes on, the party on the stage keeps developing, the scene is a little tense, because two antagonistic characters are playing their role, and then, my kaiserin breaks in and shouts: "La cena e pronta!" and everyone follows her :) once again, I'm about to start clapping :) I feel very well, very proud, it's an unbelievable feeling.

The third act goes well. I have to say, I would have enjoyed it better if it wasn't for the person who was snoring like crazy and didn't wake up until the end of the third act (the entire 25 minutes). Yes, I have to bitch about it: if you can't stay awake, leave, don't sleep and snore. And if you're with that person, don't act like you're annoyed, ask the person to leave. It was a lady, and her companion only did what a teenager would have done: rolled his eyes, covered his ears, and sat on the edge of the seat to "avoid" the loud snoring by his ears... I have to say, they looked very much awake when they left the theatre, right before the lights came back on. Obviously, they didn't want to receive a standing ovation for such a magnificent performance.

Anyway, so now that I've bitched :) back to the opera.

The third act was fabulous. The light effects were awesome. Then it was all over, and Sheli and the cast bowed in front of a cheering crowd. I can't say or describe how proud I felt. It was awesome.

Thanks Sheli. Thanks Opera Memphis.

- M

When the last place feels like a first place :)

2008-10-16T10:07:00.000-07:00

I was at one of my coworker's desk yesterday and I saw a small trophy that caught my attention. I asked what was it for, she handed it to me and said she played golf at a tournament we had with some of our vendors. She was happy :) i saw the inscription in the trophy: Last Place.

I was surprised. It was such a nice detail that they gave out a trophy for the last place. I know i don't play golf, I can't even hit the ball if you ask me :) so I know that if I would have been at that event, "playing", I probably would have been out there "competing" for the last place trophy :)

Anyway, the trophy is proudly displayed at my co-worker's desk :) which I think is VERY VERY COOL :)

Why I love running.

2008-10-13T17:29:00.000-07:00

Running is a sport. Running is a lifestyle. Running is my alone time and my social time. Running keeps me in pace and keeps me moving. Running is an opportunity to see the streets and roads from a completely different perspective. Running makes me speed up and slow down at the same time. Running give me time to think, to admire the sunsets and sunrises. Running makes me happy.

And the most insane: Running makes me take on hills that I never noticed when I drove by them, and when I get to the top, it's like getting to the top of a mountain.

- M

Truly inspirational: The Maryland School for the Deaf football team and cheerleading squad

2008-10-12T20:44:00.000-07:00

I was watching the Patriots' game last night, when at half time, a segment called "the line of scrimmage" by Toyota caught my attention. It featured the football team from the Maryland School for the Deaf. I was touched. An entire football team of kids who are hearing impaired and have won 59 of their last 60 games.

So, after watching my team lose badly against the Chargers, I went online, and did what anyone (I think) would have done :) I googled the video.

So, I didn't find the exact video that was shown during the halftime show, but they have another one, from the same school. Cheerleaders.

The power of human will keeps amazing me. The human potential is never determined by a disability. These kids are remarkable.

Enjoy the clip.

- M

Electric cars at Paris Auto Show 2008

2008-10-10T19:59:00.000-07:00

So there's a trend by car makers to create highly efficient and eco-friendly automobiles and the Paris Auto Show was a platform for them :)

Of what I've seen so far, I really liked this one.

Enjoy!

- M

----------------------

Nissan NuVu

Thirty percent

2008-10-10T10:08:00.001-07:00

That's the magic number, which in this case, it's not good magic, but quite a sad number. While most of us (or some of us, I don't know), have been watching our politicians take swings at each other, while we learn about AIGs execs weekend at the spa, while nothing's being done to punish the financial institutions that got us in this economic mess, while the media takes sideS, either to the left or right, no one, not one candidate, has come up with a plan to address this number:

Do you know that this number represents? It represents the average loss for anyone's 401k account in the last few weeks. 30 percent is a big number.

I personally can't see any good side to this. A friend of mine said to me "at least we had some money to lose to this bad economic situation... I guess it will take us around 5-10 years to recover from that loss"...

If you're my age, 5-10 years is a long time. If you were planning to retire within the next week, month or year, you've probably taken a big hit.

I wish at least one of the candidates come up with a plan to help us, the average person, recover from this economic crisis. In our case, it would be a rescue plan, not a bailout like what we had to have in the last several days.

Well. My glass, it's literally, half full... or is it half empty?

- M

GET INFORMED. GO OUT AND VOTE!

Looks can be deceiving :)

2008-10-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

How many times do we look at someone and wonder "what kind of music do they listen to?". I think most of us assume that one listens to a certain type of music, or no music, depending on what they look like :) and that's not totally wrong, but it's interesting the kind of reaction that one can get once we say "I never thought you would listen to that!" :)

When that happens to me, my mind goes back to that WONDERFUL film: Office Space, the scene in which Mike Bolton is singing rap music in his car is priceless. Who'd have thought that he likes rap? right? :)

Anyway, so that takes me to my latest and greatest :) what kind of music is in my iPod?

If you know me in person or by blog, what do you think I listen to?

So here we go:

Topping the list is my favourite band and then all the rest that I listen to, in random order. ENJOY.

The Cure
CSS
Juli
Wir Sind Helden
Vangelis
Placebo
The Sounds
Pet Shop Boys
U2 (who wouldn't? right?)
Soda Stereo
La Maldita Vecindad
Natalia LaFourcade
Nena
Silbermond
Death Cab for Cutie
Arcade Fire
She Wants Revenge
Depeche Mode
Paul Oakenfold
Alanis Morissette
America
Annie Lenox
Aterciopelados
Indigo Girls
Cowboy Junkies
Beck
B-52's
Count Basic
The Crystal Method
David Bowie
Dave Gahan
Dido
EMF
Zemfira
and more... :) too many to list :)

So... What do you listen to?

Gone - a song that kicks you on the nose and makes you get up, get out and get gone!

2008-10-08T23:03:00.000-07:00

My favourite band: The Cure.

- M

Tired of being sexy - CSS

2008-10-08T22:54:00.000-07:00

One of my passions is music, and one the bands I listen to is called Cansei de ser sexy (literally, in Portuguese, tired of being sexy). Their clever lyrics and cool tunes made them one of my faves.

Anyway, here's one of their latest videos, what's very clever is the polaroids, look at them and enjoy :)

Wouldn't you want to cover your ride in polaroids? Or someone else's? :)

Live life! Get your move on :)

- M

Top three moments of the 2nd presidential debate (and after)

2008-10-08T12:50:00.001-07:00

So last night, the second presidential debate, didn't really bring anything new to the table. It was, as expected, a constant back and forward of hits thrown at each other and, for the most part, not answering the questions that were asked. But I have to say, from last night, there were three moments that IMO, were memorable (and funny :) LOL)

Countdown:

#3 - The only question that was actually answered. I have to give this one to Obama. When the gentleman asked "what's in there for me regarding the bailout plan?", McCain went round and around talking about how he "suspended" his campaign but really didn't and how he went to Washington to get the bailout bill passed. We now know, the first round of the bill didn't pass --even after republicans tried to credit the entire bill on McCain. Anyway... Obama addressed the gentleman and responded to his question. That was, in my opinion, the only question that either of the candidates actually answered.

#2 - When senator McCain described himself as "talking soft but carrying a long stick" or something like that. Well, senator Obama responded with something on the lines of "senator McCain thinks I'm a little green behind the ears... and that he's all somber and carrying a long stick", then senator McCain interrupted him and said "Thank you!", to what Obama immediately added "this is the man who said 'bomb, bomb, bomb Iran', 'annihilate North Korea', and 'next stop, Bagdad'." I don't think I have to comment about this, do I?

#1 - Gretta's On the Record - Carly Fiorina... If you recall, many weeks ago, Carly Fiorina, former HP executive, did some TV interviews in which she said that neither of the presidential or vice presidential candidates were qualified to run a corporation (9/16) and she also mentioned that it was okay that McCain didn't know anything about economics or finance. Mysteriously, she stopped being senator McCain's top financial adviser thereafter and was not allowed to comment to the media for awhile... Well, she came out yesterday, talking to Greta of Fox News. She praised senator McCain's vast knowledge in economics and strong plan to purchase all those bad home-mortgages...

Wait a minute... Let's look at this. Plan? McCain surprised everyone, including his own party, with this bold statement, yes. But that's not a plan, that's a statement. A plan has strategies, tactics, time lines, etc. With all due respect, senator McCain's statement was bold, but it wasn't a plan. Secondly, Fiorina did say before that it was okay that senator McCain didn't know about economics or finance... Wasn't senator McCain's statement made based on his knowledge of economics and/or finance?... So... Did he all the sudden become a "genius" in those fields?

I'm not saying McCain is bad, but the people around him who make statements on his behalf make him, by association, look bad.

He's statement was bold and it could boost his campaign. Is it feasible? I personally don't think so, especially because the policies that would control such purchases and qualifications would have to be developed and be fair. Could he make it happen? I don't know. Even if he doesn't get elected president, if he meant what he said, he should follow through.

It's interesting though that McCain's statement is a move towards a socialist government, in which the government controls and owns the citizens' most valuable asset: their homes... We'll have to see if he follows through. But remember, senator McCain is against government funded health care, which is, at least in paper, less expensive and less socialist than the bad-mortgage buyout he just announced he would do.

Anyway... Those are my top three moments.

Get informed. Read more sources. Register to vote. And VOTE.

- M

Thank you goes a long way =)

2008-10-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

Note to reader: At my work place, we have a very complex recognition program in place and the level of recognition one gets is represented by each of the different categories: Extra Miler, WITTDTJR, Shrinkbuster, etc.

I want to start by saying this: "Thank you" goes a very long way, especially when you know the person who says that phrase to you really means it.

I have the fortune of working with many people I like working with :) in different functional areas, and I'm also fortunate of having random knowledge of stuff that comes very handy at times, in this case, DTP products (desktop publishing). Anyhow, yesterday I received one of the nicest surprises of the year while we were having our functional area meeting. My friend Lili publicly recognized me and awarded me a WITTDTJR pin for helping her by giving her some answers or clues to some projects she's been working on :) It was a cool moment, but what made it more special was the fact that I knew she meant every single word of her speach :) it was awesome.

Additional note to reader: WITTDTJR stands for "what it takes to do the job right".

A "thank you" goes a long way, and I guarantee that when you say this to someone, and you demonstrate that you mean it, you can make that person's day :)

Thanks for reading, for commenting and for putting up with my blog-sarcarms sometimes :) LOL

Have a great day! Mine was excellent yesterday, and the feeling is still fresh in my mind. A thank you goes a long way.

- M

Impossible is... nothing???

2008-09-30T21:31:00.000-07:00

Note to reader: I love adidas products, so I'm not trying by any means to steal or hurt their slogan, it just fits ironically well to my next posting :)

I was having a bite with my wife last night while we watched the news, you know, the election, the debates, the bailout plan, all that stuff. I've considered myself, at times, a conspiracy theorist :) because, just for the fun of it, I like looking at the same information from as many angles as possible at a time, and this time, well, we talked about Sara Palin.

I have to admit. When McCain announced her as his running mate, I thought it was a clever decision. Being a Hillary Clinton supporter and a democrat, I thought he was aiming at those of us who were a little dissapointed that Hillary didn't get the nomination... Anyway, recently I've noticed a bunch of reports that claim that the good ole party and some of their key members are "not content" with Palin, and apparently, some are calling for her to leave the ticket and claim that "she wants to spend more time with her family", to save face... Now, true or not, she's had a tough time the last couple of weeks and it seems like the expectations for the debate on Thursday are really really really low... but, who knows.

I don't know Sara Palin well enough to judge her or to even validate any opinion published by any reporter out there (being Fix News, NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, etc), but I have to say that in my opinion, she appeals to many Americans for a few reasons:

1 - She's not a politician we know too much about. This is a double edge sword. On one hand, that's great, because there is no history of partisan decisions or Washington-like business practices or infamous reputation. On the other hand, I'd like to vote for someone I kind-of know or at least, know of.

2 - She's spunky, much like a teenager. Best example: She was interviewed by Katy Couric and she made a comment about Biden "he's been in Washington since I was in second grade" :) now, doesn't that sound like a teenager? Like a smarty-pants coworker at the watercooler? Come on! You have to admit that the fact that McCain is six or so years older than Biden makes her comment even funnier :) In my opinion, it was like a "yo'mama" kind of response. I think most Americans identify with that type of spunky sarcasms :) On the other hand, I personally think she has the attitude of a freshman on the first day of school in a college far far far away from home: "I'm scared sh**less but I'm going to give my best impression" :) That's a scary thought, at least, for someone who could potentially end up being president, but hey, if I was in her shoes, I'd be scared sh**less too.

3 - She acts like anyone's (or everyone's) mom. Yes. It's a scary thing, too. We love our mothers and even when they're wrong (or when we think they are wrong) we do what they tell us to do. So, how do you argue with her when she doesn't answer your question or when she inserts her foot in her mouth? The same as if it would have been your own mom: "She didn't do it", "you didn't get what she said", "you're just immature, grow up (or grow a pair)". However, I don't know anyone yet, except probably Palin's children (or Chelsey Clinton) who would like their mom to be president :)

Anyway, when the conversation turned scarier was when we considered who would replace her, if that would happen. You see, although I align with the views of the democratic party and I do support Barack Obama, however, I have to say, I didn't really see the Clinton's 100% support of Barack Obama. In one instance, Bill Clinton spoke very highly of John McCain, but didn't extend the same courtesy to Barack Obama... BTW, I do like Bill Clinton :)

Now, the conspiracy theorist mind kicks in... What if, only if, Palin does resign to the vice president ticket? What if her replacement is not Lieberman or Romney? What if her replacement is Hillary Clinton?

Impossible? It's a conspiracy theory, remember :) and it that kind of thinking, well, impossible IS, for real, nothing.

:) M

When hybrids meet insanity

2008-09-27T23:45:00.000-07:00

Note to reader: I believe in human ingenuity and creativity. I believe in our intelligence and ability to learn. I believe too that there's a place called "no-waysville" in which insanity is the name of the game...

So I was watching the TV and waiting for the presidential debate and setting up the VCR to tape it (my wife and I were going on a date to a concert, so we weren't going to watch the debate live). Anyhow, as I finished setting the VCR and my wife's finishing getting ready, a commercial pops up: the new Cadillac Escalade... Hybrid????

I know we love our monstrous SUVs and pickup trucks, but there's a moment when car manufacturers have to be more conscious and responsible about the products they bring to us. Cadillac as a brand is an American icon, however, given the situation in this country, with gas prices above $4 per gallon in some places, and knowing that bigger isn't better, GM decides to try again, try to sell us a huge SUV that promises to deliver an asthonishing 22 mpg city... ESTIMATED...

Additional note to reader: I live in the US, and as a resident of this country, I support local economies as much and as often as I can.

Really? A hybrid? I'd like to see the actual fuel economy and carbon foot print of this massive vehicle before calling it environmentally friendly.

As consumers, we must set higher standards for the products we purchase, this includes cars. If we keep lowering our standards for gas mileage, safety and environmental friendlines and responsibility of products nothing is going to change.

Now, a Cadillac Escalade is just a symbol that says "I have money". At a price tag of more than $55,000, the average American will not go for this type of vehicle, so the question is, who's going to buy it and why? The vehicle seats up to 6 people, and fully loaded, the fuel efficiency decreases by at least 25%, so that means soccer moms (or hockey moms, or ballet-class moms, or cheer-leading-squad moms) who want to "drive in style", would actually have to make the same number of stops to the pump than if they drove a Hummer (or the current Escalade)... So much for better fuel efficiency.

So... Is this hybrid a good buy? Or a good-bye?

You be the judge, however, we really must keep our standards high.

- M

An android is coming soon to my home :)

2008-09-26T12:32:00.000-07:00

Yes. It's arriving on Oct. 22! It's the new T-Mobile G1 powered by Google's Android operating system. Although it's not an iPhone, it's a serious contender to that phone (although, I have to admit, I really like the iPhone, I just don't like AT&T), but the G1 has a few other features that iPhone doesn't have, one of them is having a full QWERTY keyboard, and it's open :) that is, anyone with the right knowledge can write cool applications to run in this device.

Now, on the flip side, I've heard it's heavier than the iPhone. I think that's okay. Right now i'm excited for this new phone. I'll keep you posted!

To learn more, click on any of the following links:

www.t-mobileg1.com/

http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/23/t-mobiles-g1-gets-release-date-and-pricing/

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10048708-1.html?tag=txt

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10049397-1.html?tag=txt

A culture that knows no borders

2008-09-24T20:58:00.000-07:00

Note to reader: Today was the general session of our national sales meeting. A meeting that sets the tone for the new fiscal year. In it, we have all our store managers, the best of the best, from the US, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Today is a great day to be an AutoZoner.

So it all started at 4 a.m. when my alarm went off. Trying to not wake up my wife, I got out of bed and quickly went out the room and took a shower in the other bathroom. As the water was flowing down my face and waking me up, I started to think about my day, trying to organize it so that I had no surprises, or at least, an answer for any possible surprises. After a while, I did some work at home and then, I headed to work... early... very early.

It was almost 6 when I was at the office, taking care of last minute deals. 6:30 and I was at the Cook Convention Center, taking notes and once again, going over today's agenda. I was nervous, or I should say, I was excited, like a teenager. This isn't my first sales meeting but somehow, I knew something was going to happen and I didn't have a bad feeling about it. I felt I was going to experience something cool and unexpected, but I wasn't sure when that would happen.

At 7:45 I was by the stage of the Cannon Center, a beautiful venue that's ideal for concerts and large meetings. In there, when the room was empty, I felt small. The magnitude of the building, the lights, the number of seats, everything just came down on me like rain... a light rain, like one that cools you down when you're running and tells you "I'm here to stay for a while..." I was really getting the sense that this meeting was going to be cool.

It was at 8:03 when it happened. It wasn't the keynote speaker, it wasn't our CEO. Although both of them had great speeches. It wasn't the stories of AutoZoners doing great things and providing great customer service. Nope. The room was quiet. AutoZoners were almost all in their seats. A sea of gray shirts was flooding the room when suddenly a clapping, the familiar clapping that starts our Cheer, but this time, this time there was something different about it. My eyes followed the source of that sound to the second floor, to a small group of AutoZoners I know and are dear to my heart: Domingo, Fabian, David, Gama, Luis, Scott, Jose, Misty, Caroline, Mark, Austin, Owen and all the gang: The Mexico Team. The Mexico AutoZoners kicked off the cheer off with our Cheer and Pledge in Spanish. As soon as the sound of "dame una A-U-T-O-Z-O-N-E" started, the room went silent, and the voice of those AutoZoners became louder and louder and more powerful. Each line of the Pledge flowed and filled the room and even though most of the AutoZoners didn't know the Spanish version of it, they felt the electricity that it generated. When the Mexico Team finished the Pledge, the room filled with a roar that rock stars are used to. It was then, I knew it then that our culture has not borders. Our culture, AutoZone's rich customer-service-oriented culture, knows no borders. And those AutoZoners, speaking a foreign language, were able to transmit the a passion that needed no translation.

It was a great way to start off the general session.

If Pitt would have been there, he would have said one of his favourite phrases: We are an organization where ordinary people do extraordinary things.

- M

Joe Theisman.

2008-09-23T19:50:00.000-07:00

I was very fortunate to attend our awards and recognition dinner tonight at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. To give you an idea, this dinner typically sets the tone for our general session, which in turn, sets the tone for the entire fiscal year, so it's a big deal. It is at this dinner that we get to meet and talk with our store managers, the people who make things happen. Tonight, I also had the honor to listen to Joe Theisman talk about leadership and customer service.

What stuck on me, of the 45 minute speech (which by the way, felt more like a conversation :) and that's way cool), was his story about the two rings in his hands. One for Superbowl 17, one for the NFC championship the next year. His Superbowl ring reminds him of how great he is. He's been there. A football champion. But his NFC championship rings tells him that he can't live in the past, especially in past glory. He set the bar the year before, but he didn't pass the bar the year after. He talked about that game against the Bears, and how he thought he had the experience of the previous Super Bowl, and how he really didn't prepare for the match. It's a very honest and inspiring story, and that wasn't all he talked about, but that stuck on me. Why? Because I believe that we all achieve great things everyday, but it's by striving to be better the next day, the next time, by surpassing the bar that we've set, it's how we become great.

He also touched on customer service and to sum that part of the speech, he said: People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

So, I say, let's not stop caring about our customers, our co-workers, our families, our significant others. Be on time. When you're next to them, be there, listen. It makes a big difference.

Take care.

Running as a lifestyle - What happens when you can't do what you love and how others overcome that problem.

2008-09-18T20:04:00.000-07:00

Last night I was reading this month's Runner's World magazine looking for some tips about how to heal my right knee, which has been bothering me since last week. Anyway, I glance at a bunch of small articles then looked at a few past issues and when I was almost about to give up on the magazine and run for the internet, this month's feature caught my attention.

The story of Tom White, a doctor and lifelong runner who lives in Colorado, starts with a view of his day-to-day activities, from his 1-mile walk with one of his daughters to school, to memories of his long runs with his wife, all within the frame of the pain he was suffering at that moment. As a runner, I could identify with him, I felt his pain and frustration when an injury occurs and your lifestyle, running, suddenly is put on pause, indefinitely.

Tom had a motorcycle accident when he was around 20 years old. He almost lost his foot but thanks to the advances in medicine at that moment, doctors were able to put the injured limb together, but the consequences were inevitable: Tom had to stop running. At least for a while.

I started running when I was in college, and I still remember the fast pace that I used to have :) Today, at 34, I'm much slower and heavier, and that has taken a toll on my knees. I'm training for a half-marathon race in December. Almost two weeks ago, on a Saturday morning, my schedule called for a six-mile run, so after planning my route that morning, my wife took me to a park nearby our home. She was prepared to wait on me and cheer me up at my return, which was really cool. I finished my run at 12-minute/mile pace, non-stop. Not bad for a "big-guy", however, my knees were starting to disagree with me. That evening, the pain started. It's been hurting on and off now, but what bothers me the most is not the physical pain, but the inability to run, to do what I love.

So now I'm back to Tom's story, reading line after line, learning how he made a decision that most of us, me included, would be really afraid to make: He decided to amputate the lower part of his leg.

Tom's leg has had a bad time since the accident. He had to re-learn how to walk and run. When he finally was able to run, with a self-described "unusual gait", he found himself whole again. Now, the pain was unbearable. Not only the pain had taken running away from him, but the joy of running with his wife every morning, and pretty soon, he feared, walking with his daughters. Something had to be done.

Tom went through some tough times. He's now an amputee who found inspiration, courage and knowledge in other amputee-athletes. He's back on running, taking trail runs with his track students. He can walk with his daughters and run with his wife. He's whole, once again.

His story gave me inspiration in a moment in which I'm doubting everything about running, healing, and everything in between. To me, running is a lifestyle, one that I chose many years ago, left alone for a while, and resumed about a year ago.

There's a road to recovery ahead of me. But if Tom was able to pull through his situation, I know I will be able to go through mine :)

Run.

- M

PS - I thought about putting a link to the online version of this story, but apparently it is only available in the printed version of the magazine. I really recommend that story to everyone :)

Hi, can I sell you a ticket to board the Titanic?

2008-09-15T20:24:00.000-07:00

Note to reader: Sarcasm aside, seriously, would you board the Titanic on its first trip knowing that it will sink?

Politics. These days we can't live them and we can't live without them. Almost everywhere we look at there are signs of the political turmoil we're living in, and whether you're a republican or democrat, there are also other signs that we just can't ignore.

Although not all of us majored in economics or work in the financial market, we all try to balance a budget at our homes. We bring X number of $, some go to utilities, mortgage, rent, groceries... You get the picture. But have you noticed that your dollars don't go as far anymore? Have you noticed that you pay more for products and services, but you are not being payed more for what you do? We all have noticed it. And it's not because our bosses are evil and don't want to pay us, they're in exactly the same situation as we are. Their income is also shrinking, and the higher cost of raw materials, labor and more, don't make it any easier. They're also having a hard time balancing their own budgets... So, what does it mean when your purchasing power shrinks and your production slows down or, in some sad cases, stops?

That, dear reader, is called recession.

"Wait a minute! Our government have said everything's okay and that we're not in a recession."

If you want to believe that, it's fine with me, but if you and I, regular folk, can understand that our economic situation is not pretty, why would any candidate aspiring to lead this country for the next four years would say "the fundamentals of our economy are strong"?

The definition of insanity is "doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results." Given the facts available to everyone through many sources, like Lexis-Nexus, the federal government (if you figure out how to read between the lines of rhetoric), and even your own household experience in balancing a budget, as the head of your family, when there's financial trouble, you are expected to correct the course, to take action immediately to solve your family's financial trouble, put your family's needs first, and bring the boat safety to shore.

The same task is expected for the next president of this country. If he can't see the signs or if he sees them but can't read them, well, he's selling you a family-ticket to board the Titanic.

"Hey! No one could have known the Titanic was going to sink! You can't predict the future like that! Give us a break!"

Sure, nobody knew the Titanic was going to hit an iceberg and sink... That's true, but in our case, in our own 2008 version of the ship we're being invited to board, one candidate tells us that we can expect, and achieve, different results by doing the same think that the current administration has been doing over and over again. It doesn't take a rocket scientist or Ms. Cleo to tell you what's going to happen.

So, when you get your next paycheck and you go put gas in your car, and when you go buy groceries you choose bargain brands because your budget has shrunk, and when you're plans for your children's education are more uncertain because you don't know if you'll be able to afford their tuition, then, at that point, I'd like you to think about it...

Are you seriously going to board the Titanic and bring your family for the ride?

- M

Re-branding --- or hello, it's same ol' me, just with a different face :)

2008-09-08T19:53:00.000-07:00

Note to reader: As a designer, a typically engage in debates about branding and what's right, wrong, indifferent or unethical when it comes to a brand redesign, aka, re-branding, so with that in mind, enjoy this posting :)

So it all starts with a well known name trying to change their old image for various different reasons, call it marketing, competitors, or just a refresh to keep them cool. In the process, many people get involved and bring new ideas to the table, all in an effort to depict what the ideal image of that brand should be.

In today's world, in p articular, in this country we call home, the re-branding process happens every four years, with every election, when both parties, the democratic and the republican, in an effort to capture new voters, re-invent themselves and launch some of the most creative campaigns -- with a few exceptions :) but hey! who's paying attention to that, right? :)

Four years ago, the republican party launched a campaign that effectively positioned President Bush as a brand with the use of the now famous black decal with the letter "W" and the phrase "The President" right underneath. The decal became the common identifier of almost every republican in the United States and also became a unifying symbol. As a response by the opposition, similar decals were launched with a diagonal red bar across the "W" (the international symbol of "prohibited" or "no") and in some cases the letter "W" was replaced by the letter "F". But the branding strategy of President Bush's marketing group made those attempts innefective --- at least until his approval rating went down...

Last year we saw a similar example on how to create a brand from a political candidate. Barack Obama presented his "O" symbol, a red, white and blue field that went into a horizon and sun formed by the negative space of the letter "O" --- wow! I sounded REALLY nerdy :) --- that symbol hasn't changed at all during the campaign. Some would argue, the "O" was already used by Oprah, or Overstock.com, or that the symbol looked like the Target emblem. Regardless of that, it created the type of buzz that makes a brand effective.

So, what's next? Should we all trust the brand? The tradition? The change? Whether the brand name is "Maverick", "Change", "Country", "Hero", "Rock Star" or "Hope", that becomes irrelevant at this moment. A brand is a promise -- and will always be -- it is an ideal that identifies people, customers, readers, users, voters. A brand is not only a graphic or a symbol that looks cool or has a nice patriotic slogan. If the brand is empty, it doesn't matter how nice it looks or how well it tries to depict the values or personality or ideals of the branded person or product. Without substance, the brand is powerless.

Today and in the next several weeks, we'll see a lot of branding around the two candidates, Obama and McCain. "The Maverick" vs."The Change". In that arena, like in a supermarket, will you choose the brand you've always bought? Or will you try something new? Will you buy Kellogg's because of tradition, or General Mills because of the Box Tops program? Will choose Coke or Pepsi? Or will you go for the bargain brand? Anyway you choose, make sure The Brand (formerly known as "The Candidate") you choose, has the substance you want to bring in your house. After all, our vote is our currency, and it's not only purchasing The Brand, but out future.

GO OUT AND VOTE! :)

- M

Gina - it's all about flexibility

2008-09-08T11:11:00.000-07:00

Note to reader: I'm not a freak :)

I met Gina a few months ago at a museum norther Munich in Germany. She arrived in secret all clothed in black :) At first, I thought she wasn't much different or unique, but a closer look revealed not only how flexible she is, but how creative those who conceive them are.

Enjoy. Gina. By BMW.

In France for the weekend.

2008-09-04T19:43:00.000-07:00

I was updating my Facebook the other night when I noticed one of my friend's status changed to "In France for the weekend". I have to say, it made me wonder a little bit, so when I saw her at work the next day I went ahead and asked her what was that about --- I know, I know, I'm very politically incorrect, nosy and I ask the wrong questions most of the times, but I have pretty smile :) hahahaha just kiddin'

Anyhow, she's going to France for the weekend.

That made me think about my vacation plans and how we spent so much time planning and making sure we have the perfect vacation, when sometimes, the best trips are those driven by spontaneity, those are the ones that have left some of the fondest memories in my mind...

Live in the moment, enjoy every second of it, and have no regrets :)

- M

Parking etiquette part 2 -- If your vehicle doesn't fit, don't park there!

2008-09-04T19:35:00.000-07:00

OK. This is a continuation of my previous rant, I know, I just really need to let this out of my system because today it REALLY bothered me... :(

I know, everyone I know either loves their vehicle, or likes them in a way or two, and that's fine. But seriously, if you're driving a HUGE Ford F250 quad cab or a Nissan Armada, your vehicle falls in the category or LARGE vehicles. In fact, larger than average. So, why in anyone's right mind would a dude with an uber huge truck think he can park in a mid-size or smaller parking spot??? It blows my mind everytime I see that. And it's not just the stupidity of lack of size perspective the dude (or dudette) has, it's the fact that it creates a seriously dangerous situation for the vehicles moving in the parking garage.

I mean, c'mon! Your truck is sticking out 5 FEET!!! Don't you think that's a problem????

I'm so frustrated... But I let it out :)

- M

Parking etiquette - or if you're not disabled, please don't take their spot!!!

2008-09-04T19:23:00.000-07:00

Note to reader: I believe in equality, but I also believe in fairness. If you are a person with disabilities and you have a legitimate decal, hang-thingy, or plate, I'm cool with you parking in a reserved parking spot. It's not my business to question if you're disabled or not.

So anyway, at my workplace we are lucky enough to have a garage downtown, attached to our building none the less, which is pretty cool in many ways. As many parking garages, there are reserve spots for special employees (lucky ones who've gone the extra mile) or people with disabilities.

Now. If you arrive in the office after 8:30 a.m., it is likely that you'll have to park elsewhere, since the garage is first-come-first-served. If you leave the office for lunch and drive out, the spot you left, which is not "your spot", most likely will not be empty. It's not rocket science. Everyone's figured that out already...

Anyhow, so it's a little after 5 today when I'm ready to leave the office and as I make my way to my car I noticed this guy (won't say names, but he drives a large SUV), and I saw him making his way to his windshield, where a nice parking violation ticket was placed... He parked his gas-guzzling vehicle in a reserved spot for people with disabilities...

What happened next is what bothered me the most: He read the ticket and with an angry gesture made a nice little paper ball of it and tossed it inside the truck... I stared at him trying to understand if that could have been a mistake, but the look he gave me made think otherwise... you know, that "busted" look :)

I don't care if you're in a rush or if it's raining outside (which I think was the case). The spot this guy took is assigned to a specific person, who happens to have a disabilty. If the spot was empty when he came in (obviously), that's LARGE blue sign doesn't dissapear and it doesn't change to "TAKE ME! I'M AVAILABLE!".

PLEASE! Respect those reserved parking spots.

- M

McCain - Palin --- WOW!

2008-08-29T09:16:00.000-07:00

Note to reader: As established before, I tend to lean more towards the democratic party views and positions, but I have to be fair when giving my opinion to remain true to myself.

Just when you thought Barack Obama's show at the DNC was going to be a tough act to follow by the RNC and John McCain, he makes a very drastic and intelligent move in choosing Gov. Palin as a running mate, effectively establishing the first female vicepresidential candidate from the GOP (and as far as I know, the first vicepresident female candidate in the history of this country... but I could be wrong).

Yesterday's news were the emphasys that Barack Obama's speech gave to women's rights and equality. Today's news are Palin running for vicepresident in the republican ticket.

I have to admit. Years ago, I liked McCain, but not in recent years, in fact, I'm still not a supporter of his campaign and current views, but I have to say and give it to him: this has been the most intelligent move his campaign has made and in my opinion, it gives a tough, very tough blow to Barack Obama and his quest to gain support from Hillary Clinton's supporters.

WOW. Only in America. And only in a democracy one can see such events happen.

GO OUT AND VOTE!!! :)

- M

The DNC, Obama's speech and the visual aids around the event.

2008-08-28T22:07:00.001-07:00

Note to reader: This isn't a design or politics essay, but a reflexion on how visual aids help deliver a message ---everywhere.

I was watching the DNC coverage last night on MSNBC, and I noticed a few things that, maybe, everyone else did, too. The visual aids.

By visual aids I don't just mean the signs and graphics that were designed to support Barack Obama's nomination during the DNC, but all the rich visual, human and architectural elements that took part of this event.

Let's start with the venue: The mile-high stadium in Denver, CO. Not only is a huge venue, but also has, in my opinion, a great significance to the audience: 1) We can almost reach for the stars, 2) Look mom! This is as big as the Super Bowl! 3) It shows a large crowd of supporters.

The stage: Pretty nice, very traditional in my opinion, compared to the contemporary look of the Obama emblem and his personal image. The roman columns made me think of empowerment and stability. What was interesting was the incidental view that a football stadium gave to the stage: The capability to use a flying camera that gave the viewer at home a magnificent perspective of the stage that generated an interesting sense of pride... sort of like "it's our time, we're ready and we're going for it!" kind of feeling. It felt like a sports event. At one point before Obama's speech I thought the Olympics were still going on :)

The camera takes: I wasn't able to see all stations at the same time (okay, I meant, ABC, CBS, MSNBC and Fox), however, I think the takes by the camera checking on the audience were fine. Not extraordinary, just fine.

The ties: Everyone wore suits. What was interesting to me were the tie choices of the speakers. Gore, love him, he came up with this cool blueish tie that felt very eco-friendly :) almost like a polar cap :) the tie made him kind-of hip I think. On the other hand, Obama's wore a tie with a traditional look in navy and red, which made him look not only mature, but also gave you the idea that the tie was a "flag-look-alike" thing. Smart choice. I noticed the pin was an interesting one, but I couldn't tell if it was an American flag or something else.

The speech was great, with plenty of "ooh!", "yeah!", and "heck yeah!" moments.

Anyway, this is my take on a great speech :)

The power of our example is not the same as the example of our power.

2008-08-27T19:33:00.000-07:00

Note to reader: I love political speeches during the national conventions and I tend to adhere to the views of the democratic party in this country, but aside who's running and what their views are, I listen to those speeches with the advantage of being an immigrant in this country and without the inherited political view of family and friends.

Anyway, tonight was one of those nights in which I was home jumping back and forth between channels, trying to find the golden nugget in the cable line up, when I switched to MSNBC to see what was going on at the democratic national convention. To my fortune, president Clinton was about to begin his speech.

3 minutes in, and the crowd was still cheering for him. Then came the speech. Short, sweet, heavily supportive of Barack Obama, and to the point. What was interesting to me where the unspoken parts of the speech: the camera switching between Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton, the candid shots of American democrats cheering and enjoying the speech of Bill Clinton, and the "simultaneous" ticker that MSNBC had on screen with some of his words (or key phrases)... Pretty normal... right?

Well, so what's new? What stuck on me was a key phrase that Bill Clinton said about this country and the influence it has in the world (and I'll paraphrase a little bit):

People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power.

Then it hit me. This phrase trascends beyond a political stage or an election. It's the very escence of what makes us human beings and what allows us to leave a positive mark in our communities, our work places, our cities, and in our families. This phrase made me believe more in how capable we are of influencing a child's behaviour, how we can mentor and lead them into a path of self steem and personal success.

I don't know who will win the election and I can't make that kind of prediction, but what I know is that tonight, a phrase in the speech of someone who is not running for president, made me believe that I can be a better human being.

Cheers.

- M

My top 5 Olympic stories

2008-08-24T21:07:00.000-07:00

After a little more than two weeks, the 29th Olympic Games have come to an end, and I have to say, there were many things around them that will make them memorable, and in my opinion, we will keep talking about them for a while. So, here they are, Mano's top 5 olympic stories. BEWARE: Some are good, some are not so cool :)

1. Michael Phelps' 1/100 second win.

Call it a decisive extra stroke, luck or divine intervention, Michael Phelps victory over Milorad Cavic from Serbia was controversial. And for a few minutes we all debated in our minds "how did that happen???", "how was he able to come back after being behind at the turn?", "how did he manage to touch first the wall first?". There aren't simple answers, but a very clear photograph published by SI demonstrating how Phelps touched the wall first. What's also clear is that it wasn't luck, or divine intervention, it was Michael Phelps' determination to win that kept him going and that propelled him to come back and do that last stroke. It was amazing, and in my opinion, that was his greatest victory in the Olympics.

2. Brazil v Argentina 0-0 draw in football (soccer).

What can I say? When you say football around the world, one country's name always is considered a synonym of that word: Brazil. The beginning of the end for the quest for gold for Brazil started when they couldn't win their match against Argentina, and granted, the "albiazules" had a better team and ended up winning the gold medal, the "verde-amarela" came to Beijing with a the names and the stars. On the flip side, it was Nigeria who brought the Cinderella-like story, and won a silver medal that could have been gold.

3. Mexico's Tae-Kwon-Do gold medals.

Two great athletes: Maria del Rosario Espinoza and Guillermo Perez. Two gold medals :) I'm just really happy for them. What made it more special in my opinion was the coverage by TV Azteca (one of the two largest TV networks in Mexico) and how the event became a sort-of national celebration :) it was great. Music, food, family. A great Mexican celebration in Beijing.

4. Women's Gymnastics.

OK, I have to say this first: What a performance of the US Olympic Team! Those athletes really did an awesome job. Too bad the sport was surrounded by the controversy of under-aged athletes. Last night I was watching the news and there was still no final determination on the issue. It's sad when things like that happen in sports.

5. Family and athletes.

I was gladly surprised by the demonstration of affection and support between the athletes and their parents. Three of them stood out in my opinion: The parents and coaches of the two Mexican gold medalists in Tae-Kwon-Do, Michael Phelps' mum, and Nastia Liukin and her dad. It was great to see them all supporting their children, their professional athletes. It was their shoulders that these kids look for in uncertain moments, and they looked for their parent's faces when they won a competition. It was very cool :)

I'm sure there's many other things that happened, but these five stuck on me more than any others. It was a great Olympiad. I can talk and blog about it all night long :) about volleyball, beach volleyball, basketball, handball, tennis, mountain biking (which was a great final race!)... Maybe next time :) right now, I'm glad I witnessed (if only on television) some really cool sport performances from great athletes from all over the world :)

- M

I'm going to be an uncle :)

2008-08-23T11:48:00.000-07:00

Note to reader: I'm in my thirties and the oldest of four siblings, so as in any typical Latin American family, I was expected to be the first one to marry and the first one to give a grand child to my parents :) so, this is how that didn't work, but how it is working for my sister, one of the persons I admire the most in the world.

So anyway, back in December, Sheli and I were in Mexico for holiday and as usual, the question was asked during one of the many dinner table conversations we had: When are you guys having a baby? Except for this time, the one asking the question was my sister Ale. Her next comment was "if you don't hurry, I'm going to beat you". Hahaha. I laughed and didn't think much about it, although we've talked about the fact that we both were getting older and she was really entertaining the idea of having a baby as a single mum.

A few months later, in March, my mum rings me up and tells me with a very relaxed and calmed voice: Ale is pregnant. I was shocked. Not because my sister would be pregnant, but because my mum wasn't freaking out. You see, I come from a very conservative family that sees marriage and children as something serious and inevitably complement of one another. So, the fact that the child was the product of a formula that didn't include marriage (or a boyfriend) and she was so cool about it, really shocked me.

But I have to say this: My sister is so brave and I admire her and love her to death. She's chosen to be a mum, a single mum, in a world where she's handling her own destiny, working a full time job, making a living and having fun. I can't say I would have the courage to do what she's done. But the coolest thing about it is the support she's got from all the family. I'm really fortunate to have a family that pulls for you, that's in your corner for every challenge or victory.

I talked to her the other day and she just returned from the doctor. She's having a boy :) and she's chosen the name Santiago. Beautiful name :) from a beautiful mum-to-be.

- M

Me and the prepositions --- or how to survive the English language as a foreigner

2008-08-22T10:44:00.000-07:00

Note to reader: I actually love languages, particularly the English one with all its variations and accents :) but hey, learning how to use the prepositions is hard :(

So it all started with a phone call to a friend of mine, about a CD I'm preparing, when I just said "I'll bring it up to you"... Laughing!!! She said "to the roof?" which really and totally confused me. For about 30 seconds I was still translating in my head what she meant until I finally asked "what do you mean? are you in the picture I'm taking later?" HAHAHAHAHA, now that I'm writing about it I'm actually rolling :) it's funny. We never think about prepositions when we're learning a new language. I thought the hardest part when I learned German was to make sense of the order of the words and how they would combine, but now that I speak English pretty much all the time, my nemesis has become the use of prepositions... Who and how was it determined that "up", "on", "in" and all of them were supposed to be used in a sentence or phrase??? :)

I wonder... is there a book that could teach me how to properly use the prepositions? Is it a battle I'm even suited for? :( what to do?? :( Toast Masters? Back to school and take an English grammar class?

So, needless to say, prepositions get lost in translations, at least, in yours-truly's brain :)

- Mano