Reunions and Looking Forward

Greetings,

It occurred to me today that I managed to upload pics from my trip to VA this past weekend to my Facebook profile but I still haven't posted my pics of my cousin Nelson's visit to NY yet!! What's wrong with me... smh. AH YES! I remember what happened now... Problems with the Facebook photo uploader. [Update: I managed to make it work while writing this blog entry. Hooray Beer!]

Speaking of VA, I HAD A BLAST this weekend catching up with old childhood friends in Richmond. This was the first time that all of us have been together under the same roof in almost a decade. We even made time (at the last possible minute, of course) to recreate the photo we took the last time we were together on that cold December night years ago back in T's house. This reunion also included a few new additions to the 'family' (a high school friend of T and Lex, and Lex's girlfriend, Cyn).

The only regret I have from this past weekend (it's a minor one, mind you) is that I missed out on the chance to check out the bar scene in downtown Richmond. I will say, though, that visiting Busch Gardens and spending time with childhood friends was a fair trade-off. On a related note, Busch Gardens was surprisingly fun and was better than Six Flags in NJ, if I do say so myself.

What else do I have planned, you ask? What's next for me?
Well... after talking with the fellas... we're trying set up a week-long cruise in Sept/Oct to the Caribbean. It'll be a chance for all the single guys of the crew to hang out and do our thing. Sorry Lex, though I'm sure you'd rather spend the time with Cyn anyway. =)

A few days ago, I had announced on Twitter that I was considering stopping by Atlantic City to get some money to go on this cruise (without having to tap into any savings) to which a friend responded: "geez vegas, road trips, ac, and a cruise! Lol crazy." I suppose it is... but I'm loving every second of it!!

To add to that "crazy" list of activities, I'm considering going skydiving in late August right before the Fall '09 semester starts. I'd prefer to do this with a friend but I'm willing to do it solo if no one steps up to join me. Anyone down?

I may also get my tattoo once the summer is over. I'll probably do it at the start of the school year (with that first paycheck of the semester). Some of you may have heard me talking about it since the start of the year but when deciding between ink or traveling, sight-seeing won over every time. I am serious about getting it so you can expect it to happen before the year's end.

There are a few things to sort out in my life between now and the end of the year but everything will happen in due time. Maybe I'll write about it next time, who knows.

Nevertheless, I have visions of craps tables in my head and may head out to Atlantic City soon. I've been dying to go since I've been back from Vegas. Wish me luck in case I decide to go!

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I added a new MCB playlist today. It's been a while and my apologies to those of you who actually tuned in weekly for them in the past. This week's playlist features Beatles songs. No real reason other than it's great music that will never go out of style.

I'm also working on some new "Ultimate" playlists so keep your eyes open for that. For those who haven't read some of my earlier writing, the 'Ultimate's are lists of quintessential songs that define a genre and are must-haves in anyone's mp3 collection. They're an excellent starting point for people that are new to a particular genre looking to build their musical collection. I've completed playlists for Salsa, Bachata and Freestyle thus far. The genres I plan to tackle next are Vallenatos, Merengue, and Samba. When considering 'Ultimate's for English music, it gets a little more complicated but I will probably work on songs by genre and decade (a.k.a. rock from the 80's, R&B from the 90's, etc)

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I'll leave you with this thought, borrowed from a blog I stumbled upon today:

"IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.
I'd relax, I'd limber up.
I would be sillier than I've been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously, take more chances, take more trips.
I'd climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice cream and fewer beans.
I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I'm one of those people who lived seriously, sanely, hour after hour, day after day.
I've had my moments, and if I had to do over again, I'd have more of them.
I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute.
If I had my life to live over, I would start going barefoot earlier in the spring, and stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances, I would ride more merry-go-rounds, I would pick more daisies."

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Until next time, faithful reader......

Playlist #5 (The Ultimate Freestyle), Road Observations + My New Job

"Maria... the most beautiful sound I've ever heard. Maria..."
"I wonder if I take you home, will you still be in love, baby..."
"Where are you tonight, my love? In the arms of another man..."
"There's no reason for you to cry, my love, 'cause I'll always be around..."

If these lyrics mean anything to you then this list is for you!!

This weekend I've got the Ultimate Freestyle playlist for your enjoyment. I'm taking you back!! My list will lay out the tracks that are the MUST HAVES for the short lived genre known as freestyle. In it's time (mid 80's thru the mid-90's), it was a musical alternative to pop, rap (it wasn't quite "hip hop" yet), rock/metal, and the sappy music that would later be labeled as "Adult Contemporary".

Freestyle was born out the confluence of R&B, "underground" house music, latin music, and rap. Most songs were produced and sung by Latinos but adopted by everyone who loved a hot beat and lyrics that shared stories of love, heartache, and good times!!!

[Special thanks to Desi, Chulo, J, Doom, Mari, and Lizbet for their feedback]

The Ultimate Freestyle playlist
Maria - TKA
Change On Me - Cynthia
Spring Love - Stevie B
Where Are You Tonight - Coro
No Reason To Cry - Judy Torres
Without You - George Lamond
Show Me - Cover Girls
Take Me In Your Arms - Lil' Suzy
Dreamboy/Dreamgirl - Cynthia and Johnny O
Wonder If I Take You Home - Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
Within My Heart - Voyce
Silent Morning - Noel
Yo No Sé - Pajama Party
Love Letter - Giggles
Temptation - Corina
When I Hear Music - Debbie Deb
Let The Music Play - Shannon (credited as being the first freestyle single on the wikipedia entry for "freestyle")
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The Ultimate Freestyle Artists
Freestyle is unique in that there are a handful of artists that had tremendous success and who have many great songs the exemplify what freestyle is all about. Any songs by these artists are worth having in your freestyle collection:
- George Lamond
- Judy Torres
- Stevie B
- Cynthia
- TKA
- Cover Girls
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Honorable Mentions
Endless Night - Cynthia
Thief of Hearts - Cynthia
Bad of the Heart - George Lamond
Come into My Arms - Judy Torres
Diamond Girl - Nice and Wild
Together Forever - Lisette Melendez
In My Eyes - Stevie B
Can You Feel the Beat? - Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
Crying Over You - Coro
Point of No Return - Expose
Sincerely Yours - Sweet Sensation

[All this freestyle is taking me back... =)
There were PLENTY of songs not listed here. You can begin anticipating the release of the follow up to the Ultimate Freestyle list early in the New Year]

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VALIDATION OF MY THEORY::
Three examples from a busy driving day on Saturday, Dec. 27th -

(1) A driver cuts from the right lane to the left lane on the BQE only to go slower than the surrounding traffic (driving just under 40mph when the limit is 55)... in the left f*****n lane!!! The left-most lane is known to many as the PASSING lane!!! Slow vehicles to the right, passing vehicles on the left. It's not really too hard to remember. What is wrong with these people??? When I look over to the driver of this car, I see A middle aged South Asian male.
(2) Earlier in the day, again on the BQE: To enter the highway at this particular section, you must first stop at a STOP sign then merge into the right-most lane. One especially stupid person decided (a few cars ahead of me) that after waiting at the stop sign, that it was a good idea to change lanes (into the middle lane of a three-lane road) BEFORE getting up to highway speed!!! Another driver in that middle lane, traveling at a reasonable HIGHWAY speed, had to practically slam on his/her brakes and swerve to their left to avoid hitting this car. Thankfully, no one was in that left lane, otherwise, we would have had a very messy situation. Who is driving the car ahead of me, you ask??? A young Asian woman!
(3) Another slow driver in the left most lane (once again on the BQE) holding up the flow of traffic. Everyone (including me) decides that it is better to pass this car to their right (as opposed to passing on the left). Who is driving said vehicle, you ask again?? A middle aged male.

Can't win 'em all, I guess. But like I said before... these people are the aberration not the rule. It's the 1 out of 20 that I expect to find. that means my my theory has held true 95% of the time. I'll take those odds any day.
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The brief story of my new job

Back Story - I have a friend who is a professor at Queens College [QC]. We actually became friends after I took a few of his classes and received a recommendation from him for a job on campus. He taught several electives in Sociology and one required course: Social Statistics. For a short time, I was the stats tutor for the department and I would see some his students and some students from other stats classes. It was during that time that I began noticing that I was making a real difference with the students I helped.

I stopped tutoring when I started in the Masters Program (in Sociology) at QC. People still came looking for me based on recommendations from friends of theirs, former stats students that had been at my tutoring sessions. While I was finishing my time in the MA program this past summer, I seriously considering teaching Sociology (specifically, stats). I knew several previous MA graduates that began teaching at QC as a springboard to something a bit more permanent in the "real world". My prof friend was one of the former grads that stuck around.

I had been asked repeatedly by some faculty members, who I happen to be friendly with, whether I would consider teaching in the Fall semester. I didn't think I was ready and I was more focused on completing my thesis, first and foremost. I also wanted to try and find a full time job. The last thing I wanted was to take on some classes during day time hours only to have a job offer come my way. I'd then be forced to either drop my day classes and potentially burn bridges or turn down the offer.

But now that my friend is newly married and planning to move out of the city, he lobbied to have me take over his courses in the Spring semester. And through some arm twisting and underhanded office politics, I managed to squirm my way into the position. OK, so it wasn't really that devious but I did ask some people to speak up on my behalf and it paid off. I e-mailed the chair of the department to let him know I was interested in teaching the evening stats class and the e-mail response was "Consider it done". I never thought it would be that easy!!

Now I'm scheduled to take over my friend's evening stats class and a day section for another faculty member who the department lost due to a severe illness and subsequent surgery. I'm going to keep working in that non-profit agency in Brooklyn, for better or worse, and simply enjoy the extra income from teaching. It will allow me to travel (which I have been DYING to do!!!!) and save some more money.

I'm leading the vanguard of new Soc Stats instructors at Queens College, bitches!!! Be ready for the revolution!

OK... maybe not. But I definitely feel like we've got a movement of some sort here. Built more out of necessity than anything else. And I know I will put my heart and soul into the class early on because I want these kids to learn. I want to know that I equipped them with the knowledge needed to use what they know in other Soc courses. Also, there are changes that will be made to stats in the next year or so and I will be there involved in the decision making process! Exciting times are ahead, folks. Stay tuned!!

Until next time faithful reader....

Playlist 3 (The Ultimate Bachata) + a brief update

Hello friend,

This entry is more of an update to life on Blogger as opposed to a unique, quirky, and mildly humorous post (that I often try to use).

As some of you may (or may not) have noticed, there is a new feature to my blog. Blogger has allowed users to include a music playlist powered by iLike. So every few days I will update the player with 3 songs. I call it the "Musical Coffee Break". You can find the MCB on the right column of the main page of the blog. There are no arcane messages hidden in the lyrics or the song choices. They just happen to be a few songs that you can listen to whenever you have a few minutes to spare. I thinking that every 2 weeks or so, I will post the list of MCB's that have been featured in case you missed it or want to DL the songs. Suggestions are welcome.

For a long time, I had some unresolved daddy issues. The holiday season usually would bring out some of the demons that I've felt were contained inside. Now that I've learned to deal with his "legacy", I've been able to look back at some of my writing from years ago that were inspired by him. In an upcoming entry, I will post some of the work and allow you to reflect on it and hope that none of you have had any similar experiences.

As for the end of this weekend, I have compiled the Ultimate Bachata list. With the emergence of "Urban Bachata" in the past year, I felt it was necessary to look back at the roots of Bachata when it became a popular music genre. I could have dug deeper and found some truly classic bachata but no one would recognize any of them... So, if you're not familiar with any of these songs, I'd recommend downloading them because I'm pretty sure you've heard them. And if it turns out you don't know them, then consider that your bachata music lesson. =)
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The Ultimate Bachata playlist:
Raulin Rodriguez - Medicina de Amor
Frank Reyes - Quien Eres Tu
Antony Santos - Voy Pa Ya
Luis Vargas - Volvio El Dolor
Aventura - Obsecion
Raulin Rodriguez - Arrancame La Vida
Frank Reyes - Nada de Nada
Monchy y Alexandra - Dos Locos
Hector Acosta - Me Voy
Alex Bueno - Que Vuelva
Yoskar Sarante - Llora Alma Mia
Kiko Rodriguez - Ella Se Fue
Zacarias Ferreira - Si Tu Me Dices Ven
Joe Veras - Que Se Mueran De Envidia

Honorable Mentions:
Kiko Rodriguez - El Verde de Tus Ojos
Raulin Rodriguez - Nereida
Raulin Rodriguez - Mujer Infiel
Yoskar Sarante - No Tengo Suerte en el Amor
Yoskar Sarante - Guitarra
Zacarias Ferreira - Amiga Veneno
Zacarias Ferreira - Dame Un Beso
Aventura - Mi Corazoncito
Aventura - La Guerra
Frank Reyes - Te Regalo El Mar
Monchy y Alexandra - Perdidos
Junior y Jorge - Piensa En Mi
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Despite having ripped it off of Stephen King (thanks for blowing up my spot, you-know-who-you-are), I will continue to thank you for your loyalty with my regular sign-off...
Until next time faithful reader...

Playlist #2 (The Ultimate Salsa) + your comments/suggestions are welcome

This week's playlist is my attempt at creating the quintessential Salsa playlist. The "Ultimate Salsa" list, if you will. The idea came from a thought I had recently: What songs would I play for someone who is listening to Salsa for the first time? This list attempts to answer that very question.

There are plenty of GREAT songs that can be cited... but there are a select few that truly define the genre. The songs that are universally known, immediately recognizable. Some get people off their butts whether it's at a club, a bar, or a house party while others are lyrical masterpieces paired with magical music set to the rhythm of the clave. Feel free to comment and add other selections to the list.
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Ultimate SALSA playlist:
(Updated 12/9/08 - 1:10PM)
Oscar De Leon - Lloraras
Joe Arroyo - Rebelion
Fruko y Sus Tesos - El Preso
Gran Combo - Brujeria
Frankie Ruiz - Mirandote
Hector Lavoe - El Cantante
Willie Colon - El Gran Varon
Africando - Yay Boy
Adolescent's Orquesta - Anhelo
Grupo Niche - Una Aventura
Marc Anthony & La India - Vivir Lo Nuestro
Johnny Rivera & Rey Sepulveda - No Vale La Pena
Tito Gomez & Tito Rojas - Dejala
Sonora Carruseles - Micaela
Justo Betancourt - Pa' Bravo Yo
Eddie Santiago - Lluvia
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Honorable mentions:
Frankie Ruiz - La Rueda
Willie Colon - Gitana
Orquesta Guayacan - Cali Pachanguero
Larry Harlow - Se Me Perdio La Cartera
Puerto Rican Power - Paginas De Amor
Hector Tricoche - Un Lobo Domesticado
Grupo Niche - Sin Sentimientos
Grupo Niche - Buenaventura y Caney
Tito Rojas - Lo Que Te Queda
Willie Colon & Hector Lavoe - La Murga
Adolescent's Orquesta - Arrepentida
Adolescent's Orquesta - Persona Ideal
Angel Canales - Lejos De Ti
Mickey Taveras - Quiereme
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On a side note::

I'm suffering from a case of writer's block... and though I have a lot to write about... I want to take some time before I get into what's been happening lately. Not that *I* need the time as much as others seem to need it. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then the info will come as big news. If know then... well, you know. hahahah.

Until next time, faithful reader...