Soledades - Mario Benedetti

Ellos tienen razón esa felicidad al menos con mayúscula no existe ah pero si existiera con minúscula seria semejante a nuestra breve presoledad. Después de la alegría viene la soledad después de la plenitud viene la soledad después del amor viene la soledad. Ya se que es una pobre deformación pero lo cierto es que en ese durable minuto uno se siente solo en el mundo. Sin asideros sin pretextos sin abrazos sin rencores sin las cosas que unen o separan y en es sola manera de estar solo ni siquiera uno se apiada de uno mismo. Los datos objetivos son como sigue. Hay diez centímetros de silencio entre tus manos y mis manos una frontera de palabras no dichas entre tus labios y mis labios y algo que brilla así de triste entre tus ojos y mis ojos claro que la soledad no viene sola. Si se mira por sobre el hombro mustio de nuestras soledades se vera un largo y compacto imposible un sencillo respeto por terceros o cuarto ese percance de ser buena gente. Después de la alegría después de la plenitud después del amor viene la soledad. Conforme pero que vendrá después de la soledad. A veces no me siento tan solo si imagino mejor dicho si se que mas allá de mi soledad y de la tuya otra vez estas vos aunque sea preguntándote a solas que vendrá después de la soledad.

A walk on my Mac

My room has been invaded by Lady Bugs...they come at night, they stay with me, walking around on my computer while I'm working. Before I go to sleep I place them on the window and cover them with a piece of cloth so the wind don't blow them....

Next day I pick them up on a sheet of paper and put them outside, usually on a flower so they can eat.... after been feed, they came inside of the house again and the same story is repeated...

2010

Along comes New Year.

I will make this 2010 still; No resolutions, at least not from my end.

Thankful for family, friends, incidents and experience that by happening shaped today’s thoughts and feelings... here and now

And always wishing… Wishing for better;

The stronger be the strongest... no wind ever knock you down

For a mighty heart… stronger with each beat… so incredible that surprise science.

Great moments; sporadic or frequent, but full of laughs and enlightenment. Tolerance towards others… and more than anything spiritual well being…

be patience be still.

Blog Action Day

Because of difference in political beliefs or just plain ignorance, there's still people out there thinking that global warming is not happening. People clueless or maybe stupid enough to say that we are doing nothing to make earth a miserable place to live..... Today is the Blog Action Day and the topic to be covered is Global Warming. You could call it "Global Warming" or "Climate Change" I could care less about being "politically correct", but I won't stop trying to make conscience on how easy is to take action, make a difference and help protect our environment.

Plastic #5 Recycling Got You Feeling Blue? - Earth911.com

http://earth911.com/blog/2009/02/03/plas..

How to put it together…

Elements: color, shape, form, line, dimension, texture…
Principles: repetition, variety, balance, emphasis …
Results: Perfect Design… or Just lamp…

Details of Lamp at the Borgata Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, NJ

Let’s take some actions NOW… Make Everyday Earth Day

A few weeks ago I bumped into the pocket book “be green" by Monica Sheerhan. The book of course has to do with the Eco conscience that everyday grows stronger in each one of us. I went through it and at the end and as the author wittily mentions I made a pledge.

Start small and be committed to the pledge, me? promise myself never use plastic bags or plastic bottler ever again. It’s necessary to mention why plastic bags and bottlers are a huge bad impact to the environmental, is necessary to mention than although plastic bags consume 40% less energy to produce take 1,000 years to decompose. Plastic is made from petroleum and it lasts almost forever. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT EVERY PIECE OF PLASTIC EVER MADE IS STILL IN EXISTENCE ?? most surprising is that over 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps are consumed in the U.S. each year and according to the National Geographic magazine, more than 500 billion plastic bags are consumed worldwide in a year.
Because these plastic bags are not properly disposed they become decorative accessories of parks, trees, streets, oceans, beeches, neighborhoods, and roadsides causing harm to the wildlife. Every year it is estimated that 100,000 marine life animals are killed because of the amount of plastic bags that contaminate the ocean. It’s crucial that all people try to reduce their use of plastics, especially plastics we use only once and throw away. Plastic bags are not biodegrade, instead they breakdown into smaller and smaller toxic bits that birds feed their babies. Every year, thousands of sea turtles, seabirds, and other animals are sickened, injured, or killed because of trash in the ocean.

Say NO to plastic bags and bring your F#$%^& reusable bags!!!

Don't know who you are but may God bless you with the perfect man,
a great job, a beautiful mansion, healthy twins and a closet full with Manolo Blahnik

Readers let’s take action or at least I will, open your eyes, listen to your planet, everyone can make a difference and help protect the ocean and their marine life. Here are some things that you and your families can do:

1. Use reusable bottles for water and other drinks. (By using just one reusable bottle, you will keep 167 single-use plastic bottles from entering the environment.

2. Bring cloth or reusable bags to the grocery store to carry your things. (For each reusable bag you use, it will save approximately 400 plastics from being used).

3. Reuse or recycle the plastic bags you already have. (For every thirteen plastic bags you don’t use, you will save enough petroleum to drive a car one mile).

4. Learn more and share ideas with others on how to reduce plastic use.

5. Don’t litter. Ever. (But you knew that already) REUSE!!

Facts and information from:
www.earth911.com
http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home
www.sierraclub.org
www.Oprah.com

Two or maybe twenty for the price of one!! and the best cover up for lazy readers

Today I come across with Australian artist Victoria Reichelt. An amazing artist who has been awarded with multiple art prizes and who also put together two or my favorites things: art and books ... unfortunately this is not a real deal, they are not real books stock on shelves but photo realistic oil paintings! This collection belong to her project: “ Bibliomania: The Bookshelf” Either because you want to go green and save some trees or just because you find her work surprising visit her website www.victoriareichelt.com

Anecdote

People who know me are familiar with my fascination with Peruvian writer, politician, journalist, and essayist Mario Vargas Llosa. After loving Mario since I was 15 and after a lifetime of reading his literature finally I got the pleasure of meeting him at El Museo del Barrio. In this event Mario along with Isabella Rossellini were presenting “La Fiesta del Chivo” (The Feast of the Goat) a movie based on Mario’s latest and highly acclaimed book with the same name.

Isabella Rossellini, Luis Llosa, Mario Vargas Llosa, and author Carmen Bullosa

I was so excited, so in love that technically I was walking on clouds, a friend of mine asked me “V you do realize the man is 72 years old right?” With the enthusiasm blocking my intelligence and actually not getting his point I just answered “so?” I planned my outfit for days. What do you wear when you are going to meet the man of your dreams? I have to mention that there was not a single possibility I would meet him face to face, same way there was not a single possibility my senses would assimilate that fact. Everything had to be perfect my hair, makeup, my phthalo blue coat - J.Crew Fall 2007 Collection - because in an event where, for sure, 99.9% of the intellectuals would used dark colors, I had to make myself stand up.

Mario Vargas LLosa

I just wanted two things from Mario, actually three: I wanted to touch him, to kiss him and listening to his voice up and close. Those were my secret intentions, the reality: when you are face to face with a man who’s been on the Nobel Prize road since he was in his mother’s womb, last thing you want is to look or sound silly, therefore I had two smart questions plan, by the way I also had three books he should sign.

Mario Vargas LLosa

The day finally came, the presentation was a hit (as everything he does) and when the theater was almost empty and he came down the stage there I was. Did not think, did not plan, forgot about the two questions that were supposed to make me look smart. I run to him, took a non authorized picture and setting free all my hermetically sealed feelings told him“ I LOVE YOU MARIO!…. I ALWAYS HAVE!” … Never knew what surprised me the most; those words coming out of my mouth or what happened next; he coming toward me telling me “How cute” and giving me the warmest hug anyone ever gave me or at least that's how it felt. I embraced him, closed my eyes and deeply breath, holding that endless moment in the most secure place of my soul and body, I also thanked my lucky star, Jesus, Holy Mary, his mother, my mother and last but not least God for allowing the alignment of planets. We talk about my country Dominican Republic the time he spent there while filming “Pantaleon y las Visitadoras,” another movie based on one of his books, surprised me he is a regular in my country… I was in heaven, didn’t mind the disappointment of his voice, Mario’s voice is pitchy like a kid suffering the changes of puberty... kind of annoying if you don’t love him… my secret intentions were all full filled, except the kiss… I wanted to kiss him so bad… didn’t know how much this desire showed on my face until I was in the train, open one of the books he signed for me and read what he wrote.

"Para Virna con besos en las mejillas" MVLL
("To Virna with kisses on the cheeks"... MVLL)

It’s all about good food and special people…

For this post I didn’t do lot of researching, actually the idea came to me while having a pleasant meal at one of my favorite places. Today I’m presenting one of the number 1 restaurants in Jersey City, "Taqueria Downtown.”

Taqueria Downtown - 236 Grove Street Jersey City, NJ

On Saturdays late afternoon and after a crazy shopping day there is nothing more comfortable than stop by and have some steak tacos and rajas at Taqueria Downtown. This restaurant is cheerful, funky, with a great and relaxed atmosphere. A wall covered with 70's and 80's memorabilia, music from The Beatles, The Who, Vicente Fernandez, Jimi Hendrix, El Tri, Rolling Stone, Los Tigres del Norte among others set the mood for a perfect good time with friends - don’t know who Los Tigres de Norte or The Rolling Stone are? Who cares when you are eating the best authentic Mexican food in town.

I’m not just sharing a cool and affordable place to eat but the accomplish of my two good friends and owners of Taqueria Downtown: Andrea and Felipe, who religiously follow the ten commands (not Moses commands) on how to be loyal to authentic Mexican food. In this post I’m sharing the good news that Taqueria Downtown was presented on New Jersey Monthly Magazine as one of the most “adventurous spots” for brunch service. WHAT A HONOR!!

New Jersey Monthly - The New Brunch - 2009 February Issue
Andrea and Felipe - This is not their actual picture

Guys keep up the good work, steak tacos, chicken flautas and tamales... and more than anything, Andrea please keep “sacando mi flan debajo de la manga.”

All the weight on my boots….

One of my uncountable resolutions this year is to notice and appreciate things that usually I just walk through; noticing how easy is to find peace in the middle of Wall Street anarchy and how tourists, after all, are not that bad, actually they are fun to watch… "All the leaves are brown…and the sky is gray... I’ve been for a walk on a winter’s day"*

Overwhelmed by police cars, traffic jam, buildings blocking the sunlight and tourists I went for a short walk. I passed by the cemetery next to Trinity Church on Broadway and Wall Street and wondered if the corpse buried in there have found peace in the middle of that chaos, if they did why couldn’t I?

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Trinity Wall Street Church

It is amazing how the church, not been as tall as the rest of buildings, has their same magnificent and imposing presence. It was this thought that made me stop and get inside the church, and while listening to the chorus (they do sound like angels voices) and like hundreds of tourists visiting the church, I found serenity... “Stopped into a church… I passed along the way…Well, I got down on my knees”*

While waiting for the night to fall I got into conversations with some tourists. These were not like any others tourists (those who step on your toes, take their time walking, stop suddenly so your face bump into their backs, etc.) these were nice tourists: a couple posing for photos; cute and lovely, hugging each other, posing, smiling and… over of sudden the girl pushed the boy away, in an act that to me clearly read “now me without you“ and asked for a pic by herself… I smiled to the boyfriend who, with a big smile, celebrated her actions and step away…. aaaaaw! love is a beautiful thing .... I also meet three guys from Uruguay, talking to them and comparing New York and Latin America hospitality, weather and Christmas parties made me realize how much I wish to come back to my country Dominican Republic where I feel safe and warm. Guys thanks for the good conversation, you are such of charming and charismatic boys, take good care of yourselves and have a safe trip... "California dreaming… on such a winters day…"*

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Juan Manuel, Santi and Ricardo, three cute guys from Uruguay

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*Lyrics from California Dreaming - The Mamas and the Papas

Welcome to Polyvore... girls you thank me later

Polyvore.com is a great place to satisfy each girl fantasy - no you cannot find the perfect man in here - other than that if you are fascinated with anything that has to do with fashion trend, style, design, and decoration this can be your new playground. Because Polyvore.com is listed in hundreds of magazines and millions of blogs lately, I wanted to know what the whole new thing was about. Well this place is wonderland! At Polyvore.com we shopaholics have a blast mixing and match items from different websites to create own and unique styles for our wardrobe and houses if you are no the creative type you can always copy an artist or designer style…Things I like the most are that girls not only get to pick, mix and match their favorite fashion trends, but! each item is linked to the store website so the purchase is just one click away from their fingers, no browser necessary HOW CONVENIENT!… last but not least the selection and arrangement of items give viewers a good 15 minutes of magazine layout design… Give a try you will love it, at least Zeu (my younger sis) will … your wallet not that much

Find me on PolyvoreV'sStyle
also check http://blog.polyvore.com

Long Live the Butterflies!

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
History of the Day

Previously, 25 November was observed in Latin America and a growing number of other countries around the world as "International Day Against Violence Against Women". With no standard title, it was also referred to as "No Violence Against Women Day" and the "Day to End Violence Against Women". It was first declared by the first Feminist Encuentro12 for Latin America and the Caribbean held in Bogota, Colombia (18 to 21 July 1981). At that Encuentro women systematically denounced gender violence from domestic battery, to rape and sexual harassment, to state violence including torture and abuses of women political prisoners. The date was chosen to commemorate the lives of the Mirabal sisters. It originally marked the day that the three Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic were violently assassinated in 1960 during the Trujillo dictatorship (Rafael Trujillo 1930-1961). The day was used to pay tribute to the Mirabal sisters, as well as global recognition of gender violence.

The Mirabal Sisters

The three sisters, Patria, Minerva, and Maria Teresa were born to Enrique Mirabal and Maria Mercedes Reyes (Chea) in 1924, 1927 and 1935 respectively in the Cibas region of the Dominican Republic. All three were educated in the Dominican Republic, Minerva and Maria Teresa going on to achieve university degrees.

All three sisters and their husbands became involved in activities against the Trujillo regime. The Mirabal sisters were political activists and highly visible symbols of resistance to Trujillo's dictatorship. As a result, the sisters and their families were constantly persecuted for their outspoken as well as clandestine activities against the State. Over the course of their political activity, the women and their husbands were repeatedly imprisoned at different stages. Minerva herself was imprisoned on four occasions. Despite Trujillo's persecution, the sisters still continued to actively participate in political activities against the leadership. In January 1960, Patria took charge of a meeting that eventually established the Clandestine Movement of 14 June 1960 of which all the sisters participated. When this plot against the tyranny failed, the sisters and their comrades in the Clandestine Resistance Movement were persecuted throughout the country.

In early November 1960, Trujillo declared that his two problems were the Church and the Mirabal sisters. On 25 November 1960, the sisters were assassinated in an "accident" as they were being driven to visit their husbands who were in prison. The accident caused much public outcry, and shocked and enraged the nation. The brutal assassination of the Mirabal sisters was one of the events that helped propel the anti-Trujillo movement, and within a year, the Trujillo dictatorship came to an end.

The sisters, referred to as the "Inolvidables Mariposas", the "Unforgettable Butterflies" have become a symbol against victimisation of women. They have become the symbol of both popular and feminist resistance. They have been commemorated in poems, songs and books. Their execution inspired a fictional account "In the Time of the Butterflies" on the young lives of the sisters written by Julia Alvarez. It describes their suffering and martyrdom in the last days of the Trujillo dictatorship. The memory of the Mirabal sisters and their struggle for freedom and respect for human rights for all has transformed them into symbols of dignity and inspiration. They are symbols against prejudice and stereotypes, and their lives raised the spirits of all those they encountered and later, after their death, not only those in the Dominican Republic but others around the world.

Information Note from
UNITED NATIONS
INFORMATION CENTRE FOR THE NORDIC COUNTRIES
http://www.eurowrc.org/00.events/19.event.htm
More about this topic http://www.pedrogenaro.com/2008/11/dedicada-las-hermanas-mirabal.html

Remember we’re looking for the creative word …

Creative people has a peculiar way to simplify things that are already simple… here a proof of that… presenting today The Curiosity Shoppe a website where things out of the ordinary make you go “uhm?” Everything in there is beautiful, extremely unusual and more than anything inspiring beyond limits… whether is a good book, vintage prints and décor, note cards, affordable art, tools and accessories that our grandparents probably used, kitchen utensils, apple jackets (yes I said apple jacket), just think of anything or everything you will find it in there.

Apple jackets - you just want them to be safe from mushy right?

"Alfred Hitchcock Present" Bookshelf
clever idea, now where can I find Mario Vargas Llosa's?
Stitchable Map Postcard - Word Map, Europe Map and USA Map. Each card comes with a needle and thread so you can mark the journal to follow.

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In a century where cameras technology can’t reach their limits simply because there are not limits to reach, they have the Pinhole Camera Kit… an “assemble it yourself’ camera made of paperboard, they pledge there is not gluing or cutting involve and it actually works!!! … Can’t wait to see the digital version... God bless those Japanese!

Pinhole Camera Kit

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At the curiosity Shoppe having you regular cup of joe in the morning is more than an everyday thing, you have to make it special, you must to leave your mark with this Porcelain Coffee Cup, very sleek and unique, but I kind of miss the mermaid logo though … and in case you cup gets cold there is always knitted coffee sleeves to keep it hot. The big dilemma here: looking cool and creative with a knitted coffee sleeve that has to be washed, dried and carried around in your purse (back pocket if you’re a guy) or the paper disposable one, handy and free

Porcelain Coffee Cup

Knitted Coffee sleeves

Wait it gets better! My Favorite:

Cell Phone Headsets, oh yeah you may call this crazy but! I promise you; first: you won’t pass unnoticed, second: you will make a splash of impression on the street, doctor office and dates and last but not least: no one will doubt you’re a fearless person. For your own security not matter what do not use headsets while driving…

Cell Phone Headsets

Can’t go without saying this item made my Christmas shopping list easier, friends and relatives choose color: black or red!?

“ I don’t have to have a reason to bring you flowers”

and I don’t have to have a reason to post this...

En el Café
Ella estaba sentada de frente, bebían café y él no podía resistir a la ansiedad de que al abrir la boca salieran esa inumerable cantidad de huachaferías
retenía las palabras con ánimo fortuito
ella solo notaba esa apesadumbrada sombra
alguien que podía respirar haciendo grandes intentos por detener el corazon en su lugar
ella miraba a la taza fijamente pensando en un lugar lejando lleno de colores intensos e intentando dibujar en el color de la taza las tonalidades de lo que veía
no lo mira
no lo percibe
y eso hace que él se desvanezca en suspiros para hacerse presente
esas ausencias de ella lo enloquecen a cada instante
intenta ser algo mas valiente que suspiros y acaricia suavemente el perfil de su dedo meñique
su dedo pulgar parece desvanecerse cuando la roza
cuando siente la temperatura de su piel
se sobresalta y casi se escapa un gemido de felicidad
ella lo mira de pronto, fijo, a los ojos
y le pregunta
qué te pasa??
él no logra separar los labios para gesticular ningun sonido
se esconden las palabras y sólo le sonrie, con esa sonrisa de agradecimiento que un perro vagabundo ofrece a quien le lanzó un trozo de pan
ella se rie y dice con divertida voz
hasta con la mirada eres huachafo niño bueno.

clmc

In English? Lost in translation... totally

Naked...

That's how I feel when I show some of my artwork, probably that’s why it took me all this time to post it in my blog.

Hi everyone ! Today I'm presenting some of my pieces from Disforia, the serie that represents my awakening as a fine artist and the beginning of a new career. http://www.uconmag.com/vargas/index.html
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The artist's dream-35"x45"

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People can call me a graphic designer, an illustrator, a print maker, but after Disforia and more than anything I became a storyteller. Disforia is a representation of a journal; an individual diary of personal thought and feeling brought to form, allowing my feelings become the viewer's.

"darkness, loneliness, cold fear, exhaustion and a soft voice whispering on my ear: “virna... virnita...”

Feeling like I feel - 18"X24" One color lithograph

Augurio 17"x24" One color Lithograph

Feeling like a feeling on red 18"x24" -

One color lithograph on handmade red paper

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I big influence on what I do come from expressionist artists (German Expressionist to be specific) and like them I do seek to bring very basic instincts of the human condition into visual form.

Untitled 35"X45" - One color lithograph

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I could not come to this point of discover and experiment without the influence of the greatest Norwegian artist and print maker Edvard Munch; his works and his torment soul have been my inspiration and the key to get where I’m as an artist. Using his own life history which was indicated by suffering, illness, and death, Munch translated personal trauma into unique expressions.

The Scream by Edvard Munch. 1893.
Oil, tempera and pastel on cardboard. Nasjonalgalleriet, Oslo.

... go and see how it's done!

During October weekends, Madwell 1937 (also known as J.Crew’s smaller and more affordable sister) will be presented a series of artists to design customized clothing and bags… mark your calendars for Illustrator Jill Serra on Sat, Oct. 18th and printmaker Lis Timpone on Sat, Oct 25th - Madewell Soho, 486 Broadway. New York. NY 212.226.6954

Today I’m presenting Jill Serra lovely artwork:
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http://www.jillserra.com/

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I gotta have one of these!!

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http://www.jillserra.com/

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Viva Las Vegas...

Among lights, smoke, slot machines, senior citizens and thousand of disoriented tourists I tried my best to find inspiration in Vegas. I’m not a fan of gambling. I truly believe there are better ways to spend money than watching it quickly disappear into machines hungry for dollar bills, besides, it just makes me happier knowing where my money ends up, either is in my closet, my shoes racket, Sebastian (my Yorkie) needs or my house. One night I had a “palpito” (God feeling) that I’d win the big price, I even pictured the winner machine and the amount: 246 Grands! the problem was to convince myself that in order to win the big price I had to let go my money first…
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Bellagio famous dancing fountains

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Ignoring the issues mentioned above, Vegas is a city of lights, craziness and luxury reasons why it’s easier to find inspiration in simple things like the ceiling of Belagio’s lobby; otherwise you got feed up with overwhelmed decoration; there is not a single space where your eyes can rest… This ceiling is fantastic, the lamps are just amazing I took pictures until my neck hurt.

Bellagio lobby ceiling

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A “must see” Cirque du Soleil. I enjoyed “O”, a breath taking experience, and a living proof of that old feeling “why didn’t I come out with something like that?” or “I’d give a kidney (at least) to work for them...”

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Cirque du Soleil was also introducing the artwork of California contemporary and famous artist RICHARD MCDONALD

Enjoy his work at www.richardmacdonald.com/ (I want one of his serigraphs!)