Another Year Cometh & Go.....

I'll let the Pics do the talking....

HAPPY NEW YEARS ALL!

Thankfully it's.............

Why do we need a holiday to be thankful for things? Why not do it all the time. Well I guess we forget to appreciate so we seperate this day aside. Thanksgiving is becoming one of my favorite holidays because it is the last sanctitude away from commercialization. Sure it started off rather differently, but over the decades, it has become something better.

Examples of victims are: Halloween, Easter, Mothers Day, July 4th, Presidents Day, and the ever infamous Christmas. Thanksgiving is one of the **BIG** truly American Holiday. By "American" I don’t mean citizens versus non-citizens, immigrants versus non-immigrants, blacks vs. whites, vegetarians versus meat-eaters, doves versus hawks, Republicans versus Democrats, Native-Americans versus Non-Native Americans, or rich versus poor. I’m not talking about any of the myriad things that divide us as a nation. I’m talking about all of us – the 300 odd million of us that make up America.

Admittedly there are a few holidays that are not fully invaded, like Veterans Day (unlike its cousin Memorial Day), yet it is the harbinger of that aformentioned Christmas shopping frenzy of black friday and the chaos that ensues. We are also often forced to the altar of the food gods for this holiday, but it isnt that bad giving our money for a Traditional Harvest feast to the farmers of america, if it wasnt for those twin evils of High fructose corn syrup and Hydrogenated vegetable oils. But yet I digress.......

For 364 days each year we may focus on other priorities in our lives. We are simply asked to reflect on the things that we’re grateful for. We don’t have to drink green beer, send gifts, carve pumpkins, buy cars, or shoot off fireworks.

We are asked, simply, to be thankful. And to this I wish to just say to all my friends, family, loved ones for bieng you - through arguements and disagreements, Good Times and rough, sour patches or overenthusiam, complaints and compliments; I am glad for those in my life. And if I don't say it enough, or sometimes forget to stay in touch - then know it is in my heart; Thank You ... all of you, for everything.

I hope your Thanksgiving is one of just that.

Responses to Notes....

So Jon asked the question: “what songs would be good to listen to when getting over someone” SO I came up with my CD’s worth of songs.

Some of the songs don’t always truly apply to all situations/girls, but what the hey. Here's a list in no particular order:

Corazon Espinado Santana with Mana
Oh, broken/pierced heart – whatever you want to call it….

Esa mujer me esta matando
Por mas que trato de olvidarla
Me a espinado el Corazon



Translated (loosely):
That woman is killing me
But no matter how hard (she) treats (me) I cant forget her
She has pierced my heart

Let Your Troubles Roll By Carbon Leaf
Also on Jon’s list but mine for the first stanza – describes a forlorn heart readily.

Love endures, it clings away
When asked to leave, it begs to stay
Like the perfect song, at imperfect times
It's the way the chords struck with the rhymes
So let your troubles roll by...

Goin Nowhere Chris Isaak
Truly a “Getting over her” song!

Like the stance, like the sky, likes the way you shake it.
You’re the kind of a girl that looks better naked.
You’re the kind of a girl I would say is goin' nowhere.
You’re goin' nowhere.

Precious pain Melissa Etheridge
A way of taking that hurt, how do we deal with it.

Empty and cold but it keeps me alive
I gave it my soul so that I could survive
Keeping me safe in these chains
Precious pain

Royal Station 4/16 Melissa Etheridge
Melissa does it consistently in her early career songs –
This one makes one think of how we must forge ahead .

I ain't got nothing to soothe my aching soul
Except this screeching and screaming iron
To tell me where I ought to go

Breakdown Jack Johnson
A simple song – when you just need to let go.

I need this here
old train to breakdown
oh please just
let me please breakdown




Breaking up Rilo Kiley
Ohhh it feels good to be free – well until we need that urge otherwise
Very – almost disco-ey?? Not quite but very upbeat

am i breaking up?
is there trouble on the line?
did your heart break enough?
did it break enough this time?

ooh it feels good to be free..........

– not Breakin up – but still good! - Paints Peeling



Start a New Life Let’s French
Title says it all

1234 Feist (no thanks to that new Ipod commercial)
How dare does one reverse their feelings? Surprising lyrics found in another very upbeat song

you're changing your heart.
oh, oh, oh, you know who you are.
sweetheart, bitter heart,
now i can't tell you apart.



Anemone Brian Jonestown Massacre (BJM)
BJM a psychedelic 60’s retro – Stones/Byrds/Dylan inspired west coast band puts out some amazing songs many based on rejection, love, (including unrequited) - my choices were hard to peg, so I narrowed it down to two: this one because by the end of a relationship “dragging me down” is usually the feeling - remind yourself youre better of “up”, not down

i only play it for-real
you should be picking me up
instead you're dragging me down
flying over my head
you're landing all over town

F*cker Brian Jonestown Massacre
My heart is mine – you have no reason to mess with it!

i've been sitting in my room so long
i think about the ways you've done me wrong again
f*cking b*tch she tried to break my heart
the way she loves me i just fall apart


Stupid Girl Garbage
Yep the girl is dumb if she don’t like/want me ! LOL!

You stupid girl
All you had you wasted



Float On Modest Mouse
Jon is right on this I just didn’t realize why…




Artists of Honorable Mention

More songs by Melissa Etheridge, BJM, Carbon Leaf, Rilo Kiley, & Chris Isaak’s Blue album and missing the cut were songs by Dido, U2, Sublime, & The Cars.
I wanted to add something from the Decemberists (My current fave band) but it doesn’t quite fit this category.


Continue the thoughts – and responses ( Don’t forget to put it on Jon’s comments – he is the master of this after all.)

Since there are none of the standard pics here, I leave you with my rejected entry (due to length) in last years Screen on J&D G You tube video festival – warning – NSFW but only due to a few cuss words…… How To Take Revenge on Your Cheating Girlfriend :

glumbert - How to take revenge on your cheating girlfriend

Note to Jon:
"But actually it makes things clear, you see, 'cause now I know exactly what I have to do"

What I Did This Summer

A.K.A. DO I Know What I Did This Summer......


Much like in grade school when your teacher would make you do a show & tell of your summertime antics, its time to reflect back on the season. Admittedly I didnt go anywhere MEGA interesting like Africa or as remote as Minneapolis, become a hardcore mountain-biking athlete, or have a major life event this summer, but events over the last few months have definately had (I think) profound effects on me that I am still not so sure about myself.

Yes I know many of you are thinking that summer was over a while ago, but remember my perspective growing up in South Florida where it doesnt get cool until maybe November. So in the ever muddling of my life B.D.C. and A.D.C. (before and after moving to D.C.), I attempt to find a middle ground. And thus it has been this summer - where is MY middle ground?

A month ago I started thinking of this with an unfinished post that went like this:

"A Tough Pill To Swallow

Its been a hard week the one after my birthday. I guess I wrangle with a few things on this page everytime I open it. Mainly how much of my personal life is too much for this very (potentially) public blog. I mean its not like I have drunken nights full of debauchery and I am not writing about college style exploits here."

Why I never finished that - well I am not sure if I am ready to share that, but I was feeling in a very low place, and feeling very confused about many things (even possibly a little betrayed), plus I am positive I made some bad choices also. But it did get me on the track to thinking - even if the thoughts have barely left the train station yet.

But I have been trying to think what defines the middle ground - my standards - someone else's?

Examples:


- Most people my age are generally married - and getting on with that stage of thier lives. Am I ready for that? Who knows (I thought I was 2 yrs ago). So its either single, coupled or married

- How does your job define your middle ground? satifaction vs compensation...

- Friends and Family time....

- Bieng a giver and bieng a taker: This is a tough one - really. I have always been a giver, constantly putting other peoples needs over my own. But I look back and I consider how much is too much (and I am not just talking about monetary/physical things). In many ways I have given of myself, let others take credit, and (yes as strangely as it seems) stood in the background, just about always refusing help from others.

But something has changed - I'm not sure I like the difference it has manifested - I feel dirty when I take (I mean I have never asked for help in moving, yet always help everyone else). I "think" I try to balance it now, but then guilt sets in, especially with my friends and family.

So how much is too much? I dont know - it's just one of the cars on that train thats just leaving the station. One thing that I know... one area that I still give, give, give - is the romance department - but thats a total failure. Seems that I overinvest in those I am interested in, then of course Viola- my heart hurts to no avail. Gosh am I stupid for letting these things happen.

Someone please give me a freaking clue cause I have none.....

Which brings me to all these pictures - and something touched upon before on an earlier post. Once again hounding me is the same general thoughts - its just this time it has catchy initials: WDYDWYD and is a two edged sword into my soul. Why Do You Do What You Do? is a pretty simple concept, in describing yourself in simple terms. Then I see this second picture.... same initials, and cuts into the deep of it.

Coupled with the pictures here as just a sample, it is a powerful question in its simplicity. I have been looking at them and pondering since I saw them from my variuos friends who went to Burning Man. It's impact strengthens that questioning I have been doing lately. But for now - its a different post .....


To be Continued.........

A Wedding Trip & Reunion

SO last week I went to Boston in about 15 years. I really dont remember much from that trip other than visiting the actual Cheers Bar (called the Bull & Finch back then before they changed the name over) , touring the U.S.S. Constitution, and seeing the fireworks in celebration of troops returning home from Operation Desrt Storm (yes, me a loooong time ago).

SO this was kind of a reunion, in more than one way. it all started with having to endure the worst airport/airplane experience EVER (you don't really want to read a boring rant now do you) - and mind you I have flown ALOT since my mom worked for the airlines for a while. So my first experience as I step off in mid August and its 65F !! What is that! Luckily it got warmer after that......... Needless to say I got to see a bit, even if it was the rushed tour through the lens of my camera.... no big deal I have done it before, most notably on my first trip to Paris when I was in the N.A.V.Y.

But I'll live. I get to experience the "T" to my hotel where they promptly loose my reservation. Luckily I convince them to give me a room at the reservation rate. Yet another minor hurdle solved. SO I get dressed and head over to the Hilton by the airport for the main purpose of my visit (about time I get to it!) my brother Carlos Miguel's wedding. Ok technically on Friday its only the rehersal party. But still its great seeing my Dad and Chata, my godmother (Madrina) and cousins, etc. I hadn't seen most of them snce my last visit to Puerto Rico about 2 years ago.


Siblings, a parent and a niece: Raul, Carlos Miguel, me, Dad, Ana Marie & Alexia -->

The wedding itself was wonderfull - the reception lots of fun (one can always count on my Madrina and her kids to really get the party started!) Its good to see how well my Dad has porgressed in recovering from cancer, and it really warmed my heart. You can call & talk all you want, but actually seeing , is a relief, and it makes you really want to thank whatever powers that be are out there.

Somehow this weekend, Boston really made an impression with me. What an amazing city, what history, architecture, and the PEOPLE!! It feels more personable than DC for sure.... maybe what I miss from the OLD Miami. A little more laid back, genuine, etc. in the end I should really find a job in the carribean somewhere... I think it truly fits my style more...

Linda & Carlos Miguel ---->

Ok so I have a running dialogue of my trip around Boston, just clicky here as usual.

So You Want to Start a Revolution

So, last night (Friday) I was invited at the very last minute to the SilverDocs Festival in Silver Spring. I had never heard of the movie Chicago 10. But I was not in the mood for a large crowd, and was informed of Dave Connelly’s Happy hour at RFD a bit to late.

The evening started off a little disappointed; great company with Jon, Darren & Ann at one of my favorite restaurant Cubano’s. Unfortunately I ordered the Masitas de Puerco, and this was the first time I have EVER been disappointed in the food there (luckily everyone else’s was very good, as usual). Surprisingly, we met up with Brandon, Candice & Kelly who had dragged the siblings to the Cubano’s on my recommendation from when I told her over the Memorial Day Weekend.

Anyway the whole point was to go see the Chicago 10, which as a minor aside should really be named the Chicago 8, and I still don’t get the number difference after looking up some of the history….

Basically in a nutshell, the movie depicts the events of the Democratic Convention of 1968, and the ensuing riots, and the trial that came after of 8 people who were charged with CONSPIRACY to incite riots across state lines, etc…. Now most people would think.. uughhh a documentary… and normally I am not one to shy away from them (former History Channel addict here). But this was definitely a new direction for this style of film.

The director Brett Morgen, uses no current interviews – instead he uses extensive archival footage to let the viewer experience the events as one might have during that time, albeit from the safety of your theatre seat and condensed (supposedly from over 700 hours of footage). He then interspaces that with the trial, depicted in rotoscope animation style, with actors reading/depicting from the transcripts. It is a VERY UNIQUE way of presenting a documentary for sure. Although the director says (he was present and supposedly said) that he leaves the viewers to make their own conclusions from the material, there is an obvious editing process. He was also trying to draw some parallels between the situation in Vietnam and Iraq with some eerie footage of LBJ saying almost the same as GWB, and thus sets a nice POV to make the actions somewhat contemporary.

It was also, it would so seem to me an obvious miscarriage of justice. How common is it to bind and gag a prisoner in the court for requesting the ability to represent himself? I was left stunned needless to say.

I think one of the thoughts that still definitely swirls in my head is our true ability to influence politics in this country as the protest in Chicago was meant to be. It seems that our influence as a people is minimal – contribute to this – contribute to that. Only rarely do I see what I figure is a politician who really listens to the people. Its all about political wrangling and money…… I feel saddened, and disheartened. I mean if you really try to start something, it might just destroy you. Even though I don’t particularly like her, look what the anti-war campaign did to Cindy Sheehan – and to what avail… the politicians in charge continue to “stay the course” (I’m not saying I have the right or wrong answer, just an observation here).

So do we do enough for our voices to be truly heard?

(For those of you wondering - the title was inspired by: 1- Obviously The Beatles Song - Revolution - lyrics here and coincidentally was released in November of the same year, recorded just before July also, and... ; 2 - Those idiots who try selling you the "Stop Bitching, Start A Revolution T-Shirt... What revolution are they starting? a commercial revolution?? pppppffffftttt!!!!!)

The man who went up the Mountain .....

I Finally Hiked OLD RAG MOUNTAIN !! Yes after how many years of wanting to do a real hike in the mountains I finally did do it. It all stems from my first trip ever to some real mountains way back in like 97 to the Smokey Mountains. Back then I was in much better shape, and went with a group that I would have hoped that at least one or two wanted to do a decent hike. It ended up that not even once did they intend on going. I took a few short hikes in the forest next to the forest we were in, but there were no marked trails to do.


Before that, the most I had done in the mountains had been to as a child and back in '05 El Yunque Carribean National Forest located in Puerto Rico (happens to be the ONLY Rain Forest in the US National Park System). El Yunque has all these various small waterfalls that I just find amazing. What is really interesting is the way the cloud cover just rolls around it. It can be clear as a lighthouse lens one moment - then swirled over in a mist cloud the next. I remember as a child in Puerto Rico (mainly over the summers I spent there), how I would look out the windows of my Abuela Mercedes' condo; on one side the aqua blue ocean as far as th eye cold see to the north. To the South, we would see the cloud covered mountains. This on an island that you can drive cross-wise in 2 hours. Always we would look to the mountains for the coming rain that would cut our stay on the beach a bit shorter and send us inside, and on occasion, not even care - we had sand castles to protect!!

Well anyways, as usual I digressed (and will again for sure), not that it matters - I did mention that I rambled right?

So for this hike to avoid the crowds most of us awoke somewhere around the 5:30am, give or take - and met at a Starbucks. Settled into three cars and made our way to the trailhead by 8:30am. For me the hike seemed good for the first part - somehow thinking that I could keep up with Kevin & Jeffrey, even if for a short while. Well after 30 minutes that prospect was quickly fading - still not bad for me. I started to slow so that Alexandra passed me next...

Most of the hike I did mostly alone. Got to stop at a small stream going up the mountain where I refreshed myself. Took a few pics, and settled in to a good pace until I ran into Scott who was taking pictures of ... well everything. In a way I didn't mind doing a good portion alone - especially the switchbacks and all. It just really lets you concentrate on your little world, the here and now, only the breeze and birds making noise. Now it was useful to have Scott at this part - just having the extra person for the beginning of a rock scramble is re-assuring. Having only ever done the rock scramble at the Billy Goat Trail by Great Falls this was totally different!

With 8ft drops straight down (wasn't so bad once you figured out there was a tiny ledge about 3 ft down), and a 3 foot jump from one boulder to another of which I worried way too much about since I was alone at that point, and worried about my knee at that point. In the end after 5 minutes of trying to find a different path around, I just shrugged and jumped.... rather easily in hindsight. The other big hurdle was a crevisse which was extremely difficult to get up to get up as there were no foot or hand holds. I caught up to AB at this difficult point (but she had some stored up energy and took off like a bat out of hell after she got up that part) and this was probably the closest point to actually hurting myself here when my foot started slipping, but somehow I just grabbed hold of something readjusted my foot and pushed off just enough to be able to wedge myself somehow, then reach for something a little bit higher where I was able to pull myself up. In retrospect - I was lucky.

But there were so many cool rock formations. Round boulders balanced precariously, triangle shaped caves, cool steps that apparently were similar to some on the Inca trail (according to Carmel), and this amazing massive boulder that just overhung somehow from the rest. The vistas were like nothing I have ever seen before. But as I kept being amazed, I would go just a bit higher, and see one even better, until finally I reached the summit (3,291 ft. !!) and was TRULY surprised at the view, and AMAZED that I had completed this hike up (going down is always easy for me).


Jeffrey had warned me that it could get cold at the top, and he was correct (Darn him again!!). Yet despite a thinner layer than the others already there (Jeff, Kevin, AB) , I enjoyed being at the very summit for about a good 20 minutes before we looked for a sheltered spot for lunch as the others trickled in. In a humorous twist on the hike, I had lost my visor early somewhere on the hike, and I wasn't worried - it was a cheapy hat bought going to Assateague last year with Carmel & W. Dana since I had forgotten one. Yet ironically (or not??) it was Carmel who found it on the trail! When she reached us, I didn't even notice that she had it on!

Well at the top we had our lunch, took photos, and rested a bit before being invaded by all those on the trail behind us: Church groups, young Marines contingent, the "Hansen boys", etc.... it got noisy where there was silence. So we packed it up and started on our way down. Most of it was easy (well for me) and there were no spectacular vistas going down the fire road (a few day shelters only). I did for the first time in sooo many years held a Centipede in my hands! (thanks AB!!) . As children we are fearless - we pick up anything, play with it and so forth. But at some point you are told - be careful of this and that - and you stop doing what was fun - sure it was risky, but it was fun. So picking up this centipede from AB, and letting it crawl on my hands was like a re-awakening of another part of me (combined with the hike) , that is ingrained upon us as kids - don't do this - don't do that. Why not do this- why not do that?? We are ingrained and slowly convinced to agree with society's rules of do's & dont's - we stick to our imagined worlds that has been created for us by others, and breaking free to experience life on our own is a challenge.

Our lives are our experiences. As of late I started thinking to myself this motto of :
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, Chocolate in one hand, a MOJITO in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming WOO HOO what a ride!"

Of course I modify the phrase to include a mojito instead of a martini or such. But it was about a few days ago, that my friend Eric from Philly found (and I just read it a day or two ago) a much deeper way of saying it:

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

This statement was from a man who was a sickly child, yet went on to become a bold and brash President that transformed our country: Teddy Roosevelt. Ultimately that is what this hike presents to me. A milestone in experiencing things that I had forgotten to experience, touch things I was afraid to touch, do things that a year ago I couldn't do. And for that, I am grateful to my friends (& family), because as always - it is from them that you get your encouragement, your motivation, your inspiration and ultimately your achievements.

Thanks to all who came on the trip - pushed me to do more than I thought I could, and just have a fun time doing it all (Jeff, Kevin, Alexandra, Diana, Jaime, Carmel, Scott, Mary and Rob).

Oh & I almost forgot - Burgers n Things - the best roadside food near Sperryville, VA - well especially since we were starved!

For more pictures from the hike click here !

Pho Ball Fun!

Oh that heavenly dish called Pho! This Sunday I participated in my friend Linny's 1st annual Pho-ball fest. We ate appetizers, pho, and waaaaaaaaay too many sugary snacks. Though that I discovered that there existed GIANT POCKY was well worth all the sugar and sodium ingested.

This definitely helped flush out everything from my system from the previous day apparently you can get the Champagne of Beers for just 1.50 at the Hard Times Cafe in Clarendon. Alison was nice enough to buy me 3 of these watery pieces of junk - Hey Big Spender! Of course 3 beers doesn't do a person in... I'll attribute that later on when I went to my neighbors party....

Needless to say I missed the next days Billy Goat hike in Great Falls.

After enjoying Pho - Linny decided it was Pho-ball time, and was joined by here brother, Andrew, Kevin, Randy, Darren& Jon, even Joel. We managed to have a VERY subdued cheering section, so subdued that we forgot they were there. On the field, despite a gimpy knee I managed to not contribute much other than a bunch of chaos to the game, but thats fine - its just going to add to my Crazy Cuban Uncle persona that I apparently need to fill in my family. One of the first catches I got on a kick off, I got a nice scrape to commemorate my first pho-ball event ever... 2 days later... yeah it still hurts.

Though mostly I just ran allot, I generally didn't throw all that well (very rusty) , didnt get passed to all that often - though in the end, when we all put the whole game into the team that would score the next TD, I managed to get that win! (where are the cameras when you need them?) I won the impromptu Pho Ball Trophy for my troubles, and kept my knee in one piece!

I'll definitely say that I was tired that night and took a VERY restful nap.

Since I really don't have pictures to share about Pho-ball, instead I put pics up of the next night's dinner with Dave, Allison & Denise while house sitting for my sister, needless to say - a very nice evening (especially since everything goes better with wine!)

A new chapter in Life

So today starts the new chapter of my life in DC. Where it takes me I don't know yet, but as I start searching for something that finally fits in my life, at least I start it off with a bang.

How about an awesome camping trip to the mountains; along with some of my closest friends (albeit missing a few good peeps). The abridged version for now (since I do have to job search to continue) : 12 of us went to beautiful Morris Cabin in the Shenandoah Mountains. We spent a good night around a roaring fire well into the night enjoying cigars (thanks to Jeff), drink, companionship and Icelandic Black Death. Although it didn't kill us, it might have made us do funny things.

The next morning we headed out on an adventurous hike. It all seemed simple enough with a nicely marked set of blue blazes going down hill, until we stumbled upon a shack at the end of the trail. It's too bad the rest of the group didn't take time to take a short trip up a small beautiful waterfall. Unfortunately I say as they all missed the tranquility of the scene, plus they all left without me!

What a bunch of YAHOOS !! Well luckily good ol' Alexandra and Eric came back down to find my dead carcass on the forest floor, otherwise I would have REALLY missed out on the true adventure. So back up we go along a different trail until we hit a dead end.....

Luckily Jeff decides that he knows the way up (so he says... we don't even have a compass)...and straight up the side of the mountain we go! Thus starts the 3 hour tour, and we all know how Gilligan's Island went... (incidentally we were 7 - the same number as on Gilligan's Island). Thus encouraged, off we go making our own trail straight up 1000 feet up the mountain! Although it was extremely steep and taxing, (how did we get passed those steep rocks, barbed wire, and all those BRAMBLES!!!) we were rewarded by the best view of the Shenandoah Valley I have EVER seen. No picture can do it justice.

We were lucky that we then found a blaze (and the trail) and came out within 1/2 mile of the cabin. That was lucky, quite a few of us came back to the overlook after a well deserved lunch and to relax for the afternoon. Dinner was a wonderful evening with friends especially since I discovered a new type of Brownie Sm'ores - YUMMY!

It all seemed to short by the time we woke up on Sunday morning to pancakes, eggs, coffee, etc.
On the ride home AB was decent enough to point out the WAWA - very cool as I had never been to one before!

So this weekend was just what the doctor ordered for this new phase in my life. (Plus thanks to Carmel for supplementing a few pics for this trip!)

click here for more pics