We Are Under Snow

Introducing... Seattle’s winter snow storm. This just happened today, only a few blocks from our place, and more snow is on the way. We are freezing!

Loving your neighbor as yourself?

Check out this beautiful video by Blaine Hogan (artist+actor+designer+writer) at MGHS

World Reaction

Worldwide Reactions to the U.S. Election by NYT

Many abroad embraced Barack Obama as America's next president, proclaiming that America is once again an example for the rest of the world. ::: Watch Video Here :::

Seattle Reaction

Last night...

'UNO'

Chicanos Going to Hell?

So here's a link to the SeattleWeekly column - Ask A Mexican about... well you can read it for yourself. Here's the beginning statement:

'I am a chica struggling with coming out to my parents about my sexual orientation. My family is Catholic and my parents are old-school. While we are very close, I am scared of how badly this can go. My parents have been living in the U.S. about 45 years, and they have adopted some American attitudes about life. What are your thoughts concerning those of us who juggle Catholicism, homosexuality, and old-fashioned (but great) Mexican parents?' (Full-Article)

A Decade Under Chavez

Venezuela expels Human Rights Watch activists last night, after they expose ‘A Decade Under Chavez’ report. “Our expulsion reveals yet again the degree of intolerance of this government,” said Mr. Vivanco.

"Ten years ago, Chávez promoted a new constitution that could have significantly improved human rights in Venezuela. But rather than advancing rights protections, his government has since moved in the opposite direction, sacrificing basic guarantees in pursuit of its own political agenda. "

-- José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch

Once-Upon-A-Time

As we continue to learn about what is to be a ‘Writer’, a ‘Reader’, a ‘Reader of Story’, ‘How to Read Others’ and so on… Allender asked an amazing question during class…Why do all stories have to begin with - Once Upon A Time?
… Once… Upon… A… Time….
Many stories come to mind… some that you wish had never happened, some that bring joy, pain, loss, and adventure.
… Once… Upon… A Time God, Grace & I… went for coffee.

How To Read...

So, in our Hermeneutics class we are re-learning what is ‘The Art of Reading Scripture’ (the postmodern way) – To say the least, it has been a very interesting and engaging time.
The prof. opened the class time with a quote from St. Augustine, and then allowed us to go into group discussion… in a large classroom, and many denominations all mixed together, you can imagine the thoughts and ideas.

“Love, and Do What You Will”
Aurelius Augustinus
Sermon on 1 John 7, 8

Meditation // Graduation

So, my first week of school, and I find myself meditating on… Rap Music.
What? Do I even like Rap? For some reason I have found myself listening to Kanye West lately. Maybe I miss Miami or something, or maybe I like the rawness of Rap’s lyrics at times.
As I met some of my new classmates/ profs/ & faculty... I meditated.

Kanye West // Good Morning

Good morning, look at the valedictorian
Scared of the future while I hop in the Delorean
Scared to face the world, complacent career student
Some people graduate, but we still stupid
They tell you read this, eat this, don’t look around
Just peep this, preach us, teach us, Jesus
Okay, look up now, they done stole your streetness
After all of that, you receive this…
… I guess this is my dissertation
Homie, this shit is basic, welcome to Graduation

To Vote or Not

Check-out this article by McLaren

A 'Postmodern Negro' Perspective on Not Voting

(by Brian McLaren)

O A S I S -- Seattle

What a night, what a show! Live at the WaMu Center - Seattle.
OASIS were at their very best at last night’s concert… same wardrobe, four really cool screens, a new drummer, and ‘Pure-Brit-Rock-N-Roll’. Enjoy!

Baby - Lane

Ok, it appears that everyone decided to have babies in 2008... Well here they are!

My cousin Carlos and his new crew: Carlitos & Sofia Pravia

Marcos & Joshua S. Ruiz

Gerardo's Son - Lucas Leiton

Scribes... in Seattle!

Scribes working on The Saint John's Bible created their own goose-feather quills. Quills are more supple than metal pens and allow the ink to flow freely, producing fine hairlines at the end of strokes.

For a city that apparently is 'the most unchurched city' in the country, there's a lot of cool-spiritual-things going on... by the way, there's a lot of churches in town!
::: Read the Full-Article ::: by the SeattleTimes.com

Air-Raid

So today... around 1:30pm, as we were getting ready to eat some lunch, we began to hear this incrediblly loud noise, navy jets flying over our neighborhood. The Blue Angels, are in town for the AirShow... very cool. - The F/A-18 can reach speeds just under Mach 2, almost twice the speed of sound or about 1,400 MPH -

No Line On The Horizon by U2

Last night an insider said the U2 machine is gearing up for the release of one of the most keenly-awaited albums in recent years...

It's the beautiful day millions of U2 fans around the globe have waited patiently to see for the past four years. Now we can reveal details of the supergroup's long-awaited new album. It is believed to be titled No Line On The Horizon and will be on sale in music stores on November 14... "But the word coming out is that the band is very, very happy with the end product and when U2 are happy it should be quite a piece of work. They're not easy to please." Legendary producer Steve Lillywhite, who has worked with U2 for more than two decades, said the new album had blown him away. ::: Read Full Article ::: by @U2.com

S.S.S.

This story almost sounds... unbelievable!

(read the full story) ::: Here :::

Summer in Seattle!

Pictures by Jennifer Dorado

We have arrived... and it's not raining!

El Cuatro De Julio

Check-Out this cool little article by Flavorpill...

Outsiders say Miami isn't America. True, Cuban and Haitian flags wave in our city's windows more often than stars and stripes; the ability to speak Spanish is a necessity here; and 50% of the city's residents weren't even born in the US. But, while you won't see many towheaded children Yankee-doodling in Fourth of July parades, there is no other American city in which Independence Day means so much. Our families suffered and sacrificed to get here. We haven't had time to take freedom for granted. If we don't get a chance to stage a parade to two, it's probably because so many of us are still scraping to live a little piece of the dream — which, in fact, makes us the most American city of all.

- Brett O'Bourke

Managing Editor of Flavorpill.com/miami

Mo's B-Day

This is us, hanging (pigging) out at The Knife-Argentinian Steakhouse in the Grove. (disappointed cause the wine was finished)

Celebrating... Mo!

Barbero

Today you can say I suffered a loss, not huge, yet a loss nonetheless. As I arrived at my (cuban/hole-in-the-wall) barber shop this afternoon, I noticed my barber wasn’t there, and some other guy was cutting hair in his spot and chair. I was immediately approached by the owner as he greeted me and told me that my barber of almost 10 years had been fired by him, because he had almost cut someone’s ear off.
I was hit by a sudden sorrow, sadness, a bit of anger, and disappointment. I could not believe this idiot (owner) had fired my favorite barber of all-time, just because he had almost cut off another idiot’s ear! Anyhow, I asked the owner where the nearest bank was because I needed cash, and he said “no worries I take card” and I said “no, I’ll get some cash out anyway”. As I exited the barber shop in disbelief, you can guess what I did next; I got in my car and headed home.
I know, this in not like the loss of a dog, cat, etc. Yet this is the guy that knows your hair like no other, that talks to you about life, politics, religion, and books; offers you cuban-coffee, debates the other barbers and at the end, they know how to fix the world in the time span that you get your hair cut. A loss, nonetheless, yet a tribute to the greatest barber I’ve ever known… Luis.

Viva La Vida - iTunes

Watch Out U2, here comes Coldplay... this time they're for real!

Coldplay – Viva La Vida

Thoughts...

“Think of the love the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God’s children; and that is what we are.”
-- I John 3.1

The greatest gift I have ever received from Jesus Christ has been the Abba experience. My dignity as Abba’s child is my most coherent sense of self.
-- The Rabbi’s Heartbeat, Book.

'48th'

Killer Storm

Everyone... as you already know the tragic cyclone completely devastated the area of Myanmar.

Here are some links of humanitarian relief agencies, in case you might want to donate toward one of them.

They are currently on the scene, and their work is reliable.

Rupture

... Friendships in an organization tend to be less about seeking truth together and more about building alliances that secure power and safety… Furthermore, deceit grows in an organization when people feel like they have to hide in order to survive. The result of hiding is a labyrinthine litany of half truths and lies that eventually make the community cynical and mean. The mission of the organization is lost in the fury of people’s fighting to keep power and avoid being exposed.
Every organization has its zoo of unacknowledged elephants, and the unspoken rule is to not name what will make everyone uncomfortable. What results is a culture of hiding, game playing, and manipulation.
-- Dan Allender, PhD – Leading With A Limp

This paragraph hits close to home for me this week, as one more staff in my department was let go for unmerited reasons, especially after 15 years of service to the organization (a humanitarian/relief/faith based entity – that bears a Christian name)
… I struggle once more with these issues!

My Little Cousin (David)

a.k.a. (The Wedding Singer)

It Was A 'Beautiful Day'

I want to thank (You All) for making our wedding... an amazing one!

Jose (a crazy, messed-up Boricua from Berkeley, for coming all the way down to Miami - My big brother) Thank you Laura for letting him come!

Dario (Mi viejo hermano)

Moses (right there next to him)

Jonathan (Mi nuevo hermano)

Kerry (My new sister- maid-of-honor)

& Karina (Mi hermanita).

NonSense

As I sat throughout yet another Easter Sunday service, the preacher read a peculiar (yet very well known) passage, that for some ‘reason’, hit me right in between the eyes… and I didn’t even see it coming! …Ever happened to you?

…And they remembered His words, and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest…Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary… were telling these things to the apostles…but these words appeared to them as nonsense (an idea that is absurd or contrary to good sense - Webster), and they would not believe them. – Luke 24.8-11.

Now this to me, made total sense! Sometimes the faith-life seems like nonsense, the church-thing, the Bible-thing, the Christian-thing; even the, hi brother/sister-thing seems totally ridiculous and absurd... everything seems like nonsense, many times. And yet the account right after that, He appears to others, as they’re walking and chatting, and He says: ‘What's this you're discussing intently as you walk along?’ Freaky... & Beautiful!

Re-Thinking Passion

See the stone set in your eyes -- See the thorn twist in your side… -- Slight of hand and twist of fate… -- On a bed of nails… -- My hands are tied, my body bruised…

And you give yourself away -- And you give yourself away -- And you give -- And you give --And you give yourself away!

'With-or-Without You', U2.

BOSE

Once again we were off to another worship-experience. Jennifer got me tickets (Valentine’s gift) for a very much anticipated concert… Miguel Bose! – If you don’t have a clue who he is, no worries, those are the benefits of living in South America for many years; he just finished a wonderful compilation CD w/ top artists… they call him the Prince/Lenny Kravitz/Sting/Elton John... (You get the idea) of Spain. We were among passionate fans/sinners & saints/in the midst of culture/in the midst of history in the making/in the midst of wonderful music, etc.

Here’s a clip of the night, a very special moment when a 'surprise-guest artist' (Alejandro Sanz) appeared from backstage, to sing one of the popular songs! ...also waving a Venezuelan flag and showing his solidarity for the exile in Miami.

WedPlans

"dum-dum-durumm-dum-dum-durumm..." -- you know the rest of the song -- Today was 'Tux Day' - the fellas and I are making sure we look GQ-ish! for the grand-day.

Welcome - Bienvenidos!