"Don't Rain On My Parade"

photography by: Wojtek Urbanek

The lovely, Limaris Torres, proudly and boldly wearing her country's flag. When Lima first approached me with the idea of creating a costume for her to wear to the Puerto-Rican Day parade, I was thrilled and flattered; for her to believe that I was capable of creating a piece that would be 'show-stopping' and 'vibrant' enough to create a buzz.

And A Buzz, We Did Create. Critics and admirers all a like had something to say. And Nay-Sayers who wish they were capable of  ever being balsy enough to stand-out in a crowd, looked on in dismay. This, Ladies & Gentlemen, is called: Walking Art. Not because the costume is hand-crafted, but because the act of simply doing, saying, or wearing something that will stir emotions and/or opinions, good or bad, takes a lot of cojones (a.k.a. balls).

"When a thing ceases to be a subject of controversy, it ceases to be a subject of interest."
-William Hazlittm

"We said our dreams would carry us , And if they don't fly, We Will Run..."

I can't wait for Santigold's new album "Master of My Make Believe" to be released this May. "Disparate Youth" is one of her first singles off of the album. The message behind this song is about fighting for what you believe in, for  the goals you'd like to accomplish, and the dreams you have that others may frown upon or deem as "impossible." It's an inspiring song,  as well as artistically and visually pleasing video. We need more artists like Santigold. Love it.

Lyrics:
Don't look ahead, there's stormy weather 
Another roadblock in our way 
But if we go, we go together 
Our hands are tied here if we stay 

Oh, we said our dreams would carry us 
And if they don't fly we will run
Now we push right past to find out 
Oh how to win what they all lost

Oh ah, oh ah 
We know now we want more
Oh ah, oh ah 
A life worth fighting for 
Oh ah, oh ah 
We know now we want more
Oh ah, oh ah 
A life worth fighting for 

So let them say we can't do better 
Lay out the rules that we can't break 
They wanna sit and watch you wither 
Their legacy's too hard to take 

Oh, we said our dreams would carry us 
And if they don't fly we will run
Now we push right past to find out 
Oh how to win what they all lost

Oh ah, oh ah 
We know now we want more
Oh ah, oh ah 
A life worth fighting for 
Oh ah, oh ah 
We know now we want more
Oh ah, oh ah 
A life worth fighting for 

In their heads pledging their beds 
In their eyes it shows
When the freedom breaks 
Well then if you ask and they don't know 
Oh tell me that
I turn my back while the odds all stand beneath me 
And they all said I was mislead 
But now the odds all stand beneath me

Oh ah, oh ah 
We're frozen to the core
Oh ah, oh ah 
A life worth fighting for

Oh, we said our dreams would carry us 
And if they don't fly we will run
Now we push right past to find out 
Oh how to win what they all lost

Oh ah, oh ah 
We know now we want more
Oh ah, oh ah 
A life worth fighting for 
Oh ah, oh ah 
We know now we want more
Oh ah, oh ah 
A life worth fighting for 

We hear them run but don't hear what you say
Now here we come can't throw nothing in our way
ay yo
We hear them run but don't hear what you say
Now here we come can't throw nothing in our way.

Economy Of the Disillusioned: Generation Invisible

Generation Invisible (Article from Long Island Pulse Magazine) 

I went for a Doctor's check-up several days ago. As I am sitting in the waiting room dreadfully equating how much this Doctor's visit is going to Cost me now that I no longer have Health Insurance, this Magazine Cover caught my attention. So I picked it up and in all of it's Irony, I chuckled to myself thinking, "Yep, I feel your pain."
Long story short, the article hit home, for me and I'd say for almost about everyone I know in my age bracket. We grew up being told, "You can't get a decent paying job with out getting a college degree." And yet, after investing all of our hard earned money, time, and dedication into obtaining a College Degree in our desired fields of interest, here we are left.... Struggling, with No Jobs in our fields, No Money, and Huge college loan Debt! Talk about disillusionment, all of that hard work and money has yet to "pay off ."
Anyhow, enough with the Negative Nancy talk, because as the saying goes, "Where There Is A Will, There Is A Way."
Thinking positive and being pro-active is the only way out, which is why I feel that it is important to pass this around:
Student Loan Forgiveness Act Petition.
This Petition is requesting consideration on developing a steady Law that will lend a helping hand to those struggling under massive amounts of student loan debt. 

Click Here, for some of the Key Points in regards to this Act.

"Student loan debt has an undeniable and significant suppressive effect on economic growth. The Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012 directly addresses this enormous boot on the neck of the middle class and represents a glimmer of hope for millions of Americans who, with each passing day, find that the American Dream is more and more out of reach."

It's Simple, all you have to do is click on the link, fill in your Name, Email Address, Country, & hit Sign. 

So C'mon "Generation Invisible",
let's make a difference and show them how "Invisible" we really Aren't.

Once Upon A Time in Mexico (Continued)...

Once Upon A Time In Mexico...

Mayaland

The traditional Mexican dancers take a break to count the tips they've made

Custom Mexican dress

"Blue Agave The Future of Yucatan"
(Tequila Plant Fields)

Young girl selling handmade purses and bracelets on the side of the road

handmade wood carvings

Super Market at Isla Mujeres

Innocence in a state of deep thought
He Stole my heart. I wonder what he was thinking. 

La Hacienda Mortero - Cancun, Mexico
03/2012

I know what you're thinking...What the hell was I thinking, traveling to Mexico amidst the drug wars, kidnappings, and crazy violence going on right now. Well...I was thinking..."Cheap Air Fare & Hotel Rates? WooHoo!" Haha. No, No, I swear I am not as reckless as I sound. I of course did my research before deciding to go on this trip and was sure to stay in the "Safe Zones." 

I've always had an obsession with traditional Mexican culture. With my plethora of food allergies, I am the least allergic to Mexican food. Needless to say, it's my favorite. Including my undying love for Tequila. The typical  Mexican music is known as Mariachi & Ranchera, which happens to be one of my favorite types of music (i.e. Javier Solis, Lola Beltran, Vicente Fernandez).  Not to mention my favorite painter of all time, Frida Kahlo, whom is also from Mexico. Okay I can go on for days, so a long story short, I couldn't pass up on the opportunity to go! Who knows when would be the next time that I could afford this trip? 

Now was the time, So be it.

While in Mexico I was tempted to ask the cab driver about his take on the negative turmoil that Mexico seems to be facing right now and how he feels about the way their President is handling it. He seemed a bit surprised at first of what I was asking, but happily engaged in conversation with me regarding the topic. According to him, a lot of the violence and drug wars for the most part were taking place in Northern Mexico (the cities located nearest the United States). Which makes sense being that a lot of the guns being used by these drug trafficking gangs are coming from the U.S. That's the cycle, they provide us with drugs and we provide them with weapons. The gangs, otherwise known as Cartels, in an attempt to dominate one another and take over control have left Mexico in a state of terror,panic, and violence. And the people of Mexico have reason to believe that their President is involved. During his term of presidency, the rate of organized crime, violence, and drug trafficking has only increased.

Mexico is such an amazing, inspiring, and colorful country with so much culture and history. It's sad to hear of the turmoil they are facing right now. We can only pray and hope that things get better for them. I loved every minute of my stay in Mexico, and can't wait to go back. Hopefully I'll be able to further explore the country one day when the chaos has finally ceased.

...More Pictures Soon To Follow...

"Money Is The Anthem...of Success. So Before We Go Out, What's Your Address?"

I happened to come across artist, Lana Del Rey about a couple of months ago when I clicked on her Born To Die video while I was surfing YouTube. The title and dramatic sound of the song caught my attention. But it wasn't until I heard her song Blue Jeans that I cared enough to research more of her music. I Love it, her sound is Ironic, an angelic voice reciting cut-throat lyrics (which she happens to write herself). Half of the time when I'm listening to the lyrics of her songs, I'm thinking, "Wait, did she really just say that?!".It's actually pretty funny when you think about it, with an undertone of gloom. Which is what makes her music that much more interesting to listen to. Not your typical, bubble gum princess-pretty girl meaningless banter that most mainstream female artists offer nowadays.
When I Google searched Lana's name I noticed that most of the articles featured, were of people criticizing and bashing her style, her lips (claims of having collagen induced lips), and calling her fake due to the fact that she changed her real name, Lizzie Grant to Lana Del Rey to create a stage persona. My opinion on all of that: So What?!  I think people need to ease up on the hater-ade and really appreciate her work.
Have we forgotten that so many famous and influential artists' rise to fame has been through creating a stage persona? i.e. David Bowie, Madonna, Iggy Pop, Lady GaGa, Bob Dylan,etc. etc. And who cares if her lips are collagen injected or not? What matters here is her raw talent, her lyrics, her sound, her voice. It's rare, especially in today's music industry that seems to be filled with hollowed-out emotion.
Anyhow I posted this video, "National Anthem" because I find it catchy, and humorous in a satirical sense. I believe that this song is poking fun of the "American Dream". The fast life, the money, the cars, the diamonds, the drugs, the sex. The chorus repeats "Money is the anthem, of Success". When I hear this song, I can't help but be reminded of  the cult classic film, "Scarface".

Sink-Or-Swim

Catarata De La Fortuna, Costa Rica - Oct. 2011
(I went swimming in the "Waterfall of Fortune")

 "Ships To Sail...Sink or Swim", is the title of a 'To-Do' list that I created for myself after having quit my job working as an assistant designer in a corporate office job setting. To make a long story short, I was feeling uninspired by the routine, predictable, & mundane lifestyle I was living. Slowly morphing into another one of society's zombies who do nothing more than work-work-work, with very little to show for it. It seemed that I had forgotten what it was to live, to dream, to love, to be passionate, to be inspired. After 3 years I realized, I was no longer Living to Work for something I was once passionate for ( the Fashion Industry). I was Working to Live; doing something that exhausted my soul and energy to no end. A respectable title, a steady income & salary, insurance, and security - What more could you want in today's wavering economy, you ask? Sure, it was nice. But what good is a life without excitement? without challenge?  without passion? without creativity? without inspiration? without a dream??? These are the only things that make my life worthwhile.

So I quit my corporate job, went on a nice vacation to Costa Rica for 9 days, & on my way back, while having to transfer to a connecting flight in Florida, decided to stay.I mean, why not? I just quit my job, I had shit-else to do. Reality could wait a few more days for my return. I'd figure out how to make ends meet once I got down to my last penny. While in Florida, I caught up with family and did a lot of soul searching while trying to understand where I was headed next, my goals, my plans, & how I was going to get there, etc,etc.

This is when I wrote myself the "Ships To Sail...Sink or Swim" To-Do List. A List of creative & motivational tasks that I would complete during my hiatus' from the industry, in order to keep me focused on reaching and discovering my main goal. It was a 'Sink or Swim' risk that I was willing to take...Now, my only option is to Swim.

Task #2: Start a Blog -Check.