tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112580482024-03-07T15:41:43.235-03:00good intentionsm a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-46926859308534195102009-09-25T14:51:00.001-03:002009-09-25T14:51:52.559-03:00chawarma and falafel<a href="http://bighugelabs.com/onblack.php?id=3571032018&size=large">View On Black</a>m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-26046397771703810292009-09-15T04:08:00.002-03:002009-09-15T04:35:27.680-03:00Seu JorgeI went to the Hollywood Bowl last night to see Seu Jorge and Bebel Gilberto perform with the LA Philharmonic. Seu Jorge was impressive, Bebel, was well - Bebel. She sounded like a Bossa Nova singer - pretty much could've just streamed her on my computer and gotten the same feeling. In terms of Brazilian female singers - Maria Rita still takes it, for the performance she gave at the bowl last year. Anyway, back to Seu Jorge - not only did he sing his ass off, he came correct with a fresh looking suit. I noticed that it was super fitted - maybe even a tad undersized, perhaps a nod to Wes Anderson's Marc Jacobs suits that he was rockin for a bit. Pinstripe shirt, bowtie, and his vibe, led to the conductor calling him Nat King Cole. Baller. He nailed "Carolina," and destroyed "Life on Mars," the David Bowie cover translated into portuguese that he did for the Life Aquatic Soundtrack. On top of that, and perhaps what made him really stand out, was his willingness to engage the crowd in portuguese, unlike Bebel. He laid it out saying he had to give props to brazilians, which totally was appreciated by the brazilian community, which roared back at him. For me, part of the joy of going to see brazilian performers, or going to a brazilian restaurant, or a capoeira roda is getting that piece of culture/brazilian vibe which is so important. I thought Bebel dropped the ball by just speaking in english the whole time. Oh well. <br /><br />So, after I got home I was feeling Seu Jorge, and did a little youtubing, which resulted in finding a couple of gems that I'll link here. I hope you enjoy.<br /><br />The first one is a cover of that song done for that movie CLOSER that he did with Ana Carolina. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9jD0XqnpO58&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9jD0XqnpO58&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Next is the LIFE ON MARS cut:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/w6l8zrsf4LY&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/w6l8zrsf4LY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Finally, CAROLINA, go figure:<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mgpf60JT3zU&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mgpf60JT3zU&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-47880222633490175272009-09-03T03:25:00.004-03:002009-09-03T03:29:18.305-03:00downtown pics<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisA7HbeK-MTT1L6Pbb1qRObPJz5Ch9BFHFcTMKObXiClfQoH-AcjP4rEVfzxl8lfx8EzAmjn_y-qfD0mWumnceAaUOPXcMTsDPaa3ngorj5KDtWQll5Wc5EqGqfAEAwuo-JpO1Zw/s1600-h/IMG_3501.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisA7HbeK-MTT1L6Pbb1qRObPJz5Ch9BFHFcTMKObXiClfQoH-AcjP4rEVfzxl8lfx8EzAmjn_y-qfD0mWumnceAaUOPXcMTsDPaa3ngorj5KDtWQll5Wc5EqGqfAEAwuo-JpO1Zw/s400/IMG_3501.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377124176363266514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEBS18Yz25cvofog1HBIrQlhOqG9yYzphjniYJVZGA4LVXt1fJFF11PiFxkNMskiXTezqChiu2kvthXB3eIOmHbgvweTmNUNGnSLAbGX6OXdqX7boBpfHQTAWYTRyny3LSMZvwQ/s1600-h/IMG_3499.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEBS18Yz25cvofog1HBIrQlhOqG9yYzphjniYJVZGA4LVXt1fJFF11PiFxkNMskiXTezqChiu2kvthXB3eIOmHbgvweTmNUNGnSLAbGX6OXdqX7boBpfHQTAWYTRyny3LSMZvwQ/s400/IMG_3499.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377123878410948306" /></a>m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-35652153050205872372008-12-12T06:57:00.002-02:002008-12-12T07:00:09.312-02:00Leisure<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/788230038/" title="IMG_6680.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1052/788230038_753c8477d7.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_6680.JPG" /></a><br />I wish this was me right now. I took this picture in Playa del Carmen in July 2007.m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-47102755924579333312008-11-21T05:56:00.002-02:002008-11-21T05:58:37.386-02:00STATEMENT OF PURPOSEI want to positively impact communities by helping to make them more livable, equitable, and sustainable. To realize this goal I must first further my knowledge of Urban Planning, so that I can influence change in favor of underrepresented communities and eventually help empower others to become agents of change within their own communities. Pursuing a Masters Degree in Urban Planning at UCLA will help me to attain my professional goals by providing me with a strong theoretical framework coupled with the necessary technical skills to make me an effective planner. In addition, UCLA’s commitment to social justice makes it the ideal program in which to study. <br /><br /> I first became aware of the Urban Planning field as an undergraduate student at UCLA while I minored in Policy Studies with an emphasis in Urban Planning. While surveying Professor Leo Estrada’s “Planning for Minority Communities” class and later through independent research with Professor Donald Shoup, I developed an understanding of the important role that planning played in shaping both the physical and social aspects of cities and communities around the world. Professor Estrada’s class was particularly interesting, because it looked at planning for multiple publics. As a Latino and as a non-native English speaker, who grew up in an Anglo dominated city in Orange County, I reflected on my family’s own difficulties with language and culture and consequently realized how planning decisions could have helped to alleviate problems associated with such differences. <br /><br /> Following my initial introduction to Urban Planning, I moved to Brazil to participate in the Education Abroad Program and complete courses for my Latin American Studies major. Having been recently exposed to the politics of planning, I approached Brazil with a zealous attitude towards planning; questioning and analyzing issues such as housing, transportation systems, and community development. Through a community development course at the host university in Rio de Janeiro I was able to gain valuable experience working in favelas, with low-income communities by volunteering with a health awareness project. This experience taught me the importance of fieldwork, because I was able to apply newly learned techniques to increase community dialogue, which strengthened the effectiveness of the program’s purpose. <br /><br /> As a result of my continued interest in Urban Planning I have consistently and actively sought out experiences that could help me to better understand the field. Upon returning from Brazil I worked with Professor Leo Estrada, conducting research with the Latino Community in Los Angeles. It was through my discussions with Professor Estrada that I was able to verbalize and better analyze some of the planning issues I encountered in Brazil associated with the urban poor living in Rio de Janeiro. As a result I was able to affirm my interest in the international aspects of regional planning, with particular interest on marginalized communities. <br /><br /> Under the supervision of Professor Donald Shoup and through an internship with the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C., I was able to conduct independent research pertaining to the use of Empowerment Zones (EZ) and Renewal Communities (RC) as a solution to economically depressed areas. It was through my fieldwork with the Baltimore EZ that I was able to compare a successful model of an EZ at work against other models that had failed to take advantage of the program and come to an analysis of what attributed to program success. In addition to my own research, I also gained invaluable work experience working on the Empowerment Zone and Renewal Communities Program Competition. The combined experience demonstrated that I was able to conduct independent original research that addressed questions related to the field of urban planning. <br /><br /> Upon graduating from UCLA I began working for an urban planning consultant in Orange County that serviced cities in Central and Southern California. As a program manager for mobile home rehabilitation and replacement programs, I worked to improve the quality of life of low-income households by aiding them in receiving federal and state financial assistance. In addition to managing the rehab and replacement program, I was also involved with interviewing laborers to ensure that they were being paid in accordance with the Davis Bacon Law. <br /><br /> Through my experiences working with and doing research associated with marginalized populations, it has become clear that I want to work to create planning solutions that help to reduce the disparities between the different classes in society. By understanding the different relationships within planning, I hope to achieve my goals of providing equitable housing and the development of communities that foster interaction and dialogue between all its members. My research interests will mainly focus on looking at how these goals can be achieved within the urban landscapes of Los Angeles and Northeastern Brazil respectively and then comparatively. <br /><br /> My decision to specifically pursue a Masters Degree at UCLA comes from my positive experience in working with faculty members Leo Estrada and Donald Shoup. Furthermore, I look forward to working with Professors Michael Storper and Abel Valenzuela, Jr., because of their involvement with planning issues in Brazil; specifically Professor Storper’s interests in regional development in the Northeast of Brazil and Abel Valenzuela, Jr.’s familiarity with built environment issues in Brazil through projects such as the “Community Development in Brazil” Seminar that he taught in the Spring of 2002. I also hope to work with Professor Vinit Mukhija’s, because of his expertise in housing policies in the developing world. In addition to the relationships I intend to seek out with the Urban Planning Department’s distinguished faculty, I also look to contribute to the Center for the Study of Urban Poverty and the Center for Globalization and Policy Research. <br /><br /> As a student in UCLA’s Urban Planning Program, I will bring conviction and enthusiasm to my studies in community development. My experience working with the public and private sectors of urban planning, as well as my regional and international experience has provided me with a unique perspective in planning. With my diverse background in planning, I look to contribute to UCLA’s continued focus on social justice, while gaining the necessary tools I need to become an agent of change for underrepresented communities.<br /><br />december 2004m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-60428521905237045572008-11-10T16:47:00.006-02:002008-11-11T08:10:08.563-02:00"you leave it up to me, I paint the white house black." -MC Breed<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/3018901819/" title="IMG_7977.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3009/3018901819_9d6c53ff8f.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_7977.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/3019719052/" title="IMG_7937.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3002/3019719052_b7c47dd650.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_7937.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/3018881181/" title="IMG_7917.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/3018881181_19763c8524.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_7917.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/3018883577/" title="IMG_7928.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3223/3018883577_10b9e96e50.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_7928.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/3019718578/" title="IMG_7935.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/3019718578_e8e59ce757.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_7935.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/3018895233/" title="IMG_7962.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3162/3018895233_4558efb500.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_7962.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/3019743310/" title="IMG_8002.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3018/3019743310_1e77b484b5.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_8002.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/3018956793/" title="IMG_8121.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/3018956793_606930f3d8.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_8121.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/3018943267/" title="IMG_8092.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3032/3018943267_55cb80b61b.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="IMG_8092.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/3019776338/" title="IMG_8094.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3187/3019776338_90cbec9e29.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_8094.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/3018941645/" title="IMG_8088.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/3018941645_f2c2450677.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_8088.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/3018940069/" title="IMG_8085.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3249/3018940069_993513a93a.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_8085.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/3018937811/" title="IMG_8080.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/3018937811_592f7160da.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_8080.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/3018936693/" title="IMG_8075.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3171/3018936693_f085ce758d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_8075.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/3019766368/" title="IMG_8069.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/3019766368_0d05501de4.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="IMG_8069.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/3019753824/" title="IMG_8029.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/3019753824_d334fd7b18.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_8029.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/3019747788/" title="IMG_8012.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3238/3019747788_1005f8dd28.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_8012.JPG" /></a>m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-55410665457595450182008-11-03T02:03:00.004-02:002008-11-03T04:45:21.674-02:00A week in black and white photography<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2991570626/" title="IMG_1668.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/2991570626_ce7fa88be4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1668.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2991571650/" title="IMG_1672.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3171/2991571650_57c244d970.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1672.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2991569470/" title="IMG_1663.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/2991569470_19f4ae0b25.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_1663.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2991578288/" title="IMG_1695.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3221/2991578288_95375b115b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1695.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2990713837/" title="IMG_1646.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/2990713837_5622b9a4af.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1646.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2991566068/" title="IMG_1643.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/2991566068_afcd0134e2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1643.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2991565222/" title="IMG_1639.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2991565222_7c38b2c859.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1639.JPG" /></a>m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-53296482617664031212008-10-08T04:59:00.000-03:002008-10-08T05:00:55.257-03:00absolut olivier<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/1612443774/" title="IMG_1675.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2356/1612443774_f6f86ea4cc.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_1675.JPG" /></a><br />I took this photo about one year ago in Mexico.m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-5942286312861344012008-09-30T05:53:00.001-03:002008-09-30T05:53:49.517-03:00ensenada<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/445864464/" title="IMG_1226.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/248/445864464_51d85c20de_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="IMG_1226.JPG" /></a>m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-15725692557156079752008-09-29T03:56:00.000-03:002008-09-29T03:57:04.595-03:00alcapulco, mexico<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2106921106/" title="IMG_3843 by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2079/2106921106_7fe35d1b9d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_3843" /></a>m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-6204518742385498642008-09-29T03:54:00.001-03:002008-09-29T03:54:46.374-03:00coke bottle<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2106174831/" title="IMG_3870 by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2372/2106174831_ebe3e8218f.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_3870" /></a>m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-6087482899369809072008-09-22T20:12:00.001-03:002008-09-22T20:44:01.176-03:00<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/244765259/" title="IMG_3069.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/82/244765259_5a251e3f8e.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="IMG_3069.JPG" /></a>m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-25536475652956022042008-09-22T19:07:00.001-03:002008-09-22T19:07:53.961-03:00Think Cure<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2838259469/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2419/2838259469_54b8818c0f_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2838259469/">IMG_7231</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/xxmarcelxx/">xxmarcelxx</a></span></div>RIP Tio Eduardo. Thank you for your wisdom, laughter, and guidance as my Godfather.<br clear="all" />m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-40802277678667401482008-08-18T14:06:00.001-03:002008-08-18T14:10:27.231-03:00Bowling at the Shatto 39<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2773416853/" title="IMG_0479 by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/2773416853_1149661b76_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMG_0479" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2774294626/" title="IMG_0511 by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/2774294626_fbe338a22a_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="IMG_0511" /></a>m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-57578175019809223572008-06-07T15:17:00.003-03:002008-06-07T15:55:18.475-03:00swing of thingsYesterday was the end of the first week at the new job. Leaving City Hall on my first Friday and making my way through the maze of hallways and back entrances - I quickly made my way to the Civic Center Metro stop, intent on meeting Alex and Sylvia at Fat Fish in K-Town, and tired from walking in overpriced outlet Ferragamos. Crossing Main Street, I quickly realized that I wasn't exactly sure where the metro stop was. "Perdon," I asked this woman, who I sized up to be a transit user, from the hanging wallet on a strap that was hanging from her neck, and mini lunch cooler in tow. She turned around and looked at me. "Where is the nearest metro station?" I said, quickly shifting my language to English, not wanting to assume/offend her for thinking that she didn't speak English. "Second and Grand," she casually spoke with a soft accent of a Spanish speaker who had been speaking English for the past 30 years. I thanked her with a slight up and down nod, not too different from a bow that I would give my exgirlfriends Korean parents, and strided towards my new destination. I exited Vermont and Wilshire, experiencing the TOD recently built within the past year as a way to increase density and ridership along tranit routes. Unfortunatley, a quick glance left much to be desired. Perhaps not enough seating area - maybe a water fountain would have worked - maybe not enough cafes. I noticed two miserable benches that were fixed - unable to provide choice and flexibility in where people gathered. Oh well, I thought. Fat Fish Sushi was my priority. Again, I asked for directions. This time, in Spanish, and definitely because this woman looked more Latina, indigenous even. "Quieres ir al West," she told me. She was right I was looking for West Sixth Street. I took off, passing the bacon wrapped hot dog vendor, zipping down Wilshire, right on New Hampshire and left on Sixth Street. Alex had said that it was right next to Pink Berry. Of course. I passed Berendo and then this great Old Fashioned Hamburger Sign and storefront. Closed. It was one of those places that you could imagine foodies writing about on food blogs. Shit, I wanted to discover this place and tell all my friends about it. Out foodie those of my friends not that into hunting for new places, like I tend to do. Oh well. Fat Fish. Sylvia and Alex were seated at the bar staring at the tiny plates of sushi on the conveyor belt, and trying to hold off their appetites. Sylvia couldn't. As I walked up she was biting into a spicy tuna avocado dish. Perfect. 2 hours later, 40 tiny sushi plates, and 3 empty tea cups of beer, we took off back to echo park, to lay like the fat fish that we now were on the couch and not so casually be amazed by Cesar Millan as he trained humans and counciled dogs.m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-18411767368045689692008-05-22T06:00:00.003-03:002008-05-22T06:06:06.205-03:00Being AwaySo, being away means, really being away. At least, thats how I think people really see it. Living abroad for 10 months really made me understand what being away means. Being away means not being able to run home real quick for some of my mom's cooking, or to catch a movie with my dad. Being away means not being able to eat a nacho bellgrande from taco bell. Being away means not being totally familiar with everything. Being away has meant missing your friends and missing everything you are used to doing. <br /><br />So, here's the other thing about being away. Not only are you away in terms of what you experience, but you're away in terms of the way that people experience your friendship and love. Once you're home, you're accessible again, you are less scarce. There is the availability of you. YOu are less in demand, because you are closer. So now, being in LA, rather than in Mexico, makes me less scarce than X's friend who lives in Santa Barbara. Thanks. I feel better. <br /><br />So, I decided to go away, because being back in Los Angeles means that I am missed and desired in mexico city. Here I come guys. your desires will last a week. trust me. i know.m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-22151242250598329862008-05-22T05:47:00.001-03:002008-05-22T05:49:05.485-03:00happily unemployedhow else would i get to see my friends living in San Francisco?<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2513509666/" title="IMG_1924 by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2201/2513509666_463572264f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1924" /></am a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-20629994035528285002008-05-22T05:39:00.001-03:002008-05-22T05:42:49.359-03:00Zipcars, StreetArt, Architecture, and Tequila.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2513504002/" title="Mission Street Art by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2064/2513504002_7c4b8e6087_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="Mission Street Art" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2512677523/" title="In the MISSION by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2253/2512677523_d470331e70_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="In the MISSION" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2513505744/" title="Zipcars Live Here. Booyah! by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/2513505744_3443753d45_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Zipcars Live Here. Booyah!" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2512680211/" title="Mexico en San Francisco by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/2512680211_28b1519c7a_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="Mexico en San Francisco" /></a>m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-73841207229525197552008-04-22T20:11:00.001-03:002008-04-22T20:11:47.082-03:00California<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2435278982/" title="California by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2047/2435278982_1974bc64a2.jpg" width="500" height="475" alt="California" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span><span style="font-style:italic;"></span>Californiam a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-16708278950835176122008-04-17T19:46:00.007-03:002008-06-05T03:45:39.171-03:00Almost GoneSo, Im almost out of Mexico City for good. I´ve been here for almost 10 months, not counting the trips that I´ve taken to go back home, and out to the East Coast. 10 months is a long time. But short as well. <br /><br />You´re reminded how long, when that Mexico City sewage smells hits you.<br /><br />When you get tired of tacos - too long. <br /><br />When, you´ve been here long enough to experience a no smoking in doors rule go into effect.<br /><br />When you start complaining about tipping 10%.<br /><br />When you start haggling old ladies at the fruit market to save 50 cents.<br /><br />When you get too lazy to buy $1 bootleg DVDs.<br /><br />Ten months is too long when a friend of yours tells you they got robbed by a guy on a motorcycle.<br /><br />10 months is too long when you can´t wait to get out of the fuckin city. Anywhere. Just out. <br /><br />On the other hand. It can be to soon. The ten months seem to have flown by when you consider things like:<br /><br />Never having gone to eat at the best restaurant in the City. Damn.<br /><br />Its too short when you haven´t had enough time to get back into tacos.<br /><br />Its too short when you haven´t been able to win your rec league champíonship.<br /><br />Its too soon to go home when you´re leaving people you really care about.<br /><br />Its too soon to go home when you have to move back in with your parents.<br /><br />Its too soon to leave Mexico when you havent had the chance to travel everywhere. I still need Chiapas, Puerto Escondido, more beaches, more people, more experiences. Too soon.<br /><br />At the end of the day though. Sometimes its time to go. Be it too soon, or about time, sometimes its not up to you. Play the cards your dealt.<br /><br />So, at least I´ll be home, eating moms cooking, having good beer with friends, breathing less smelly air, playing in a new league, and having conversations with people who can relate once again. My friends.<br /><br />Peace Mexico. About time. Too soon.<br /><br />PS. My girlfriend was in her second bus accident of the week. A fellow passenger fell out of the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2306879568/">bus</a> while hanging in the door. Definitely time to go home. Fuck unsafe transportation in this City.m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-20717239738939899842008-04-08T14:50:00.001-03:002008-04-08T14:53:46.782-03:00Splash of Color<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2377552553/" title="IMG_1136.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063/2377552553_c322edb9ff.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_1136.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2377550549/" title="IMG_1133.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2082/2377550549_bdccd00e37.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_1133.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2377556401/" title="IMG_1142.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2337/2377556401_541d1a6890.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1142.JPG" /></a>m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-86169252109558076272008-04-05T14:29:00.003-03:002008-04-08T14:56:26.301-03:00Oaxaca is for Mezcal Lovers<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2362789704/" title="Oaxaca Mezcal by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3196/2362789704_b663586e24.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Oaxaca Mezcal" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2362793784/" title="IMG_1059.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2239/2362793784_12e617e74b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1059.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2377518573/" title="Mezcaleria Oaxaca by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2184/2377518573_cdf6dcc03f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Mezcaleria Oaxaca" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2361957767/" title="IMG_1043.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2382/2361957767_f79b663dec.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1043.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2361950133/" title="IMG_1030.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2055/2361950133_b94b03186f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1030.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2361960017/" title="IMG_1053.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2103/2361960017_9a398b4a03.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1053.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2361924509/" title="IMG_0992.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2211/2361924509_82fcbc14ff.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0992.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2361936653/" title="IMG_1010.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2338/2361936653_b7d056397c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1010.JPG" /></a>m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-75647237854060500112008-03-03T01:29:00.003-03:002008-03-03T01:55:11.278-03:00old vs. new<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2306879894/" title="IMG_0289.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2263/2306879894_13982e3834.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0289.JPG" /></a><br />Metrobus Line. Organized. Bus Rapid Transit. Standards. Efficient<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2306879568/" title="IMG_0293.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3202/2306879568_0074038571.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0293.JPG" /></a><br />Pesero. Dangerous. Polluters. Add to traffic. Poor standards.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2306104311/" title="IMG_0295.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3086/2306104311_52ee6fb519.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0295.JPG" /></a><br />Inside View of a Pesero Bus. Bucket of water next to battery? WTF? <br /><br /><br />Lastly, in peseros, drivers handle the money and drive, at the same time. This is so dangerous. Drivers of Metrobus don't handle money, because fare is prepaid like in metro systyems.m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-69076739175202727082008-02-29T16:57:00.001-03:002008-02-29T16:59:42.505-03:00camera features<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2295303652/" title="UNAM by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/2295303652_be2a59c16d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="UNAM" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2294510041/" title="GF by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3139/2294510041_bff1780053.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="GF" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2294511913/" title="mexico is crazy by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/2294511913_abb5ca2843.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="mexico is crazy" /></a>m a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11258048.post-13789783941093627762008-02-28T12:53:00.001-03:002008-02-28T12:56:36.220-03:00photo mix<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2294624674/" title="IMG_6278.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2036/2294624674_f92bf640b2.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_6278.JPG" /></a><br />FIRST AID STATION<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2294542570/" title="IMG_6293.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2318/2294542570_a6180bf6e6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_6293.JPG" /></a><br />View of the Zocalo from the Torre Latinoamericano<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxmarcelxx/2293714139/" title="IMG_6205.JPG by xxmarcelxx, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2400/2293714139_8822053fa7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_6205.JPG" /></a><br />Mexico City Street Shotm a r c e lhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13926418270380720364noreply@blogger.com0