Monday, November 30, 2009

el tigeraso video!


El Tigeraso

MALUCA | MySpace Music Videos


"Dominicans call the bad boys on the corner who are up to no good–but who have mad swag–Tigeres. 'El Tigeraso' is the game or swag. Growing up, I would go visit my cousins or grandma Uptown. Back then, you couldn't get from one corner to the next without those "Tigeres" trying to holler at you. It was kinda outta control. Especially if you walked down Broadway. So the song "El Tigeraso" is poking fun at that whole situation. When I say 'throwing all that Tigeraso in air,' I mean: 'You're throwing so much game at me (literally it's in the air... kinda like a fog) that I can't even get to the next corner. Wassup wit that?' "
(via mun2)

Sunday, November 29, 2009

back away from your credit card


Yes, Reverend Billy and The Church of Life After Shopping is pretty extreme, but you know there is something wrong with our society when somone gets trampled to death for a good deal on a flat screen television. And if Black Friday isn't enough, we now have Cyber Mondays! There are some people out there who think that consumer spending is going to save our economy like the birth of baby Jesus. If that is true, then that makes us a nation that is only as strong as the things we can buy. and frankly, that's a pretty sad state of affairs. what happens when people can no longer afford to connect with one another without the aid of a third party? what happens when you can't provide the DS or the iTouch for your loved ones? will we actually have to start connecting with each other? hmm. that's a thought. the truth is, the holidays are looking real slim for many people. hopefully, this year we learn that doin' it big doesn't leave us with anything more than empty pockets and empty hearts.

try something new this holdiay...do a good deed for a stranger, sing a song, play twister--connect and contribute something to humanity that you can't put a bow on!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

one note samba


thanksgiving night ended with some samba at vovó's.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

more than you know


thanksgiving dinner soundtrack

thankgiving simplified





thanksgiving was simple. we did away with the turkey this year and had salmon instead. that left us time to just hang out and actually enjoy the holiday. i can remember years when we were so tired from cooking that we barely had enough energy to actually taste the food! i think that the theme of simplicity is going to serve us well this holiday season.

so much for the turkey

"Now here comes the barbaric finale."

a wonderful thanksgiving moment brought to you by one of my favorites, gary larson. in a recent yard sale dig, i found the holy grail of far side comic books. this guy had every far side comic book ever published. but alas, i made a pledge to myself to only own as many books as i could fit on my shelf. i ended up settling for "far side gallery", the first of the series. waking up and reading this at breakfast has made my mornings a little more bareable.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

dj io jade



On Friday, Io was gifted with her very own record player by our good friend, Gavin. Fortunately for us, Gavin's mother had the foresight to save the record player along with a small collection of 45s. Among them was Puff the Magic Dragon, Winnie the Pooh, Bambi, The Three Little Pigs, and, of couse, in true Gavin-form, The Beatles. "She Loves You" gets played over and over and over again. The look on her face when she woke up in the morning to play with her new toy was priceless.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

pulling arame



Arame is the wire that is used to string a berimbau. This wire is pulled from the inside of a tire. From everything that I had heard, it is quite a laborious effort. It's not for the weak or the meek. It was suggested that I save myself the trouble and buy some piano wire. That might work for some people. I'm just not one of them. Instead I walked over to the tire store up the street, got me a tire, and rolled it home. Baby girl thought it was hilarious and wanted to help. By the time we got home my hands were completely black and baby girl's whole left side was tire greased.

The tire sat in my yard for a few days while I contemplated my plan of action. Everyone had an array of tips, which were all helpful. (Thanks everybody!) The most crucial part of the process is a good knife. I was hesitant at first, but I decided to use the Miracle Blade, which was sitting unused and collecting dust in the kitchen. (Thanks Dad for your love of info-mercial products!) I figured if it can cut into tin cans and still slice tomatoes, I ought to give it a try. It worked out pretty good. After shaving away at the rubber, I did the one thing that nobody suggested. I used end cutting pliers (see left) and instead of pulling the wire out the tire, I cut the whole wire coil free from the tire. I used the pliers to cut around the wire until I could fit the knife in between and I just cut it out. It didn't take long at all. Then I was able to unwrap the wire no problem. I think this might be the best way to avoid kinks. I used the knife to get rid of the extra rubber and then sanded it clean.

I can't say that it was easy, but I can say that I did enjoy the challenge. Before you get any ideas--NO. I am not pulling your arame for you. Love is in the doing. F$%& a piano wire. Pull a tire!

io's surprise

io likes to surprise me with stuff like this.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Monday, November 2, 2009

hallow's eve

princess