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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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...
Monday, December 8, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Playlist #1 + Ikea is evil (or I'm in love with Ikea)
Hello again,
I'm going to use a tactic to trick myself into posting at least once a week by introducing [insert drumroll here] a weekly music playlist. Essentially, it'll be a look inside my iPod, in a manner of speaking. It'll be music that'll fit my mood for the week, or just random songs that I'm in the mood to hear. It will be updated weekly and, on a personal note, will be interesting to revisit in the future to see where my head was at a week ago, a month ago, or maybe even a year ago.
With that said, here is this week's playlist featuring two songs for every artist that appears (always played in shuffle mode to surprise myself):
John Legend - Green Light (w/Andre 3000)
John Legend - Save Room
Jason Mraz - Geek in the Pink
Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
Rihanna - Rehab
Rihanna - Disturbia
Reik - Inolvidable
Reik - Vivo en Sueños
Pink - So What
Pink - Sober
If you are not familiar with any of these songs, I strongly encourage you to download them (as I shake my head and stare at you indignantly). Then again... it may not be your cup of tea so do what you will with the list.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
My new-found love affair with Ikea:
I had lunch at a quaint Vietnamese restaurant with my favorite little lady on Sunday - Sofia - and her parents. Jorge and Dana were telling me about their visit to Ikea this past weekend and commenting about the cute things they found for Sofia. Jorge, in his very Jorge-like way, raved about the food court there. Needless to say, I was compelled to visit Ikea myself. (For those who are wondering... NO... it wasn't the food court that sold me... lol)
Quite impulsively, I decided today was a good day to go. I drove down to Red Hook, Brooklyn to finally check out the furniture emporium. With Google Maps in hand (via my awesome Centro!), I made it to Ikea. Though even if I had basic directions, I would have made it. Every 200 feet there is a small green traffic sign leading you to "Ikea Plaza".
DUUUUUUDE!!! I do not believe this place. It is amazing! I now see what all the fuss is about. I was hardcore against the idea of Ikea back when they first invaded the U.S. But daaaaamn they know what they're doing. The layout is perfect for those who want to wander through. I went with the thought of making this a personal recon mission for my apartment. Instead, I came back with a catalog and thoughts of buying something every two weeks when my paycheck clears. LOL!
The place is evil! Evil I tell you.... and I LOVE it!! I can see myself becoming an Ikea-holic! If any of you know any Ikea Anonymous groups (or an equivalent Ikea-addiction recovery program), please let me know now so I know where to turn to when things start getting out of hand.
As Swedish names swimmed in my consciousness, I decided to follow the hunter instincts ingrained in my DNA to get me back to the Belt Parkway. Surprisingly, I inadvertently ended up on the left lane of a 3-lane road that led me directly to the Verrazano Bridge. I hadn't realize that this roadway was neither the Belt nor the BQE until I saw a sign indicating that the exit that I JUST frea-king passed (aaarrrggghhh) was the last one before the tolls. Ikea is EVIL!!! Plenty of signs leading you there and none leading you back to major roadways! *sigh*
And so, I ended up in Staten Island. Not for long, though, as I didn't want to get caught up in afternoon rush hour traffic. But damn it I paid to get into the forgotten borough, I could at least sight-see from the comfort of my car (and accompanied by a certain playlist that may have been mentioned above... ahem). There really is nothing special IMO but I might go back with my camera in hand to take pictures along the waterfront (which I didn't get to actually see... but I suspect I would be able to get some nice shots from that side of the city). Not wanting to be stuck in that part of the city for longer than necessary, I used Google Maps to get back to the Verrazano and I was back to home base in no time.
Anywho... these are my misadventures for today. Hopefully there'll be more as my wanderlust has not been satiated... I may need a trip before the new year... how many vacation days do I have left at work?? hmmm...
Until next time, faithful reader. . . . .
I'm going to use a tactic to trick myself into posting at least once a week by introducing [insert drumroll here] a weekly music playlist. Essentially, it'll be a look inside my iPod, in a manner of speaking. It'll be music that'll fit my mood for the week, or just random songs that I'm in the mood to hear. It will be updated weekly and, on a personal note, will be interesting to revisit in the future to see where my head was at a week ago, a month ago, or maybe even a year ago.
With that said, here is this week's playlist featuring two songs for every artist that appears (always played in shuffle mode to surprise myself):
John Legend - Green Light (w/Andre 3000)
John Legend - Save Room
Jason Mraz - Geek in the Pink
Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
Rihanna - Rehab
Rihanna - Disturbia
Reik - Inolvidable
Reik - Vivo en Sueños
Pink - So What
Pink - Sober
If you are not familiar with any of these songs, I strongly encourage you to download them (as I shake my head and stare at you indignantly). Then again... it may not be your cup of tea so do what you will with the list.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
My new-found love affair with Ikea:
I had lunch at a quaint Vietnamese restaurant with my favorite little lady on Sunday - Sofia - and her parents. Jorge and Dana were telling me about their visit to Ikea this past weekend and commenting about the cute things they found for Sofia. Jorge, in his very Jorge-like way, raved about the food court there. Needless to say, I was compelled to visit Ikea myself. (For those who are wondering... NO... it wasn't the food court that sold me... lol)
Quite impulsively, I decided today was a good day to go. I drove down to Red Hook, Brooklyn to finally check out the furniture emporium. With Google Maps in hand (via my awesome Centro!), I made it to Ikea. Though even if I had basic directions, I would have made it. Every 200 feet there is a small green traffic sign leading you to "Ikea Plaza".
DUUUUUUDE!!! I do not believe this place. It is amazing! I now see what all the fuss is about. I was hardcore against the idea of Ikea back when they first invaded the U.S. But daaaaamn they know what they're doing. The layout is perfect for those who want to wander through. I went with the thought of making this a personal recon mission for my apartment. Instead, I came back with a catalog and thoughts of buying something every two weeks when my paycheck clears. LOL!
The place is evil! Evil I tell you.... and I LOVE it!! I can see myself becoming an Ikea-holic! If any of you know any Ikea Anonymous groups (or an equivalent Ikea-addiction recovery program), please let me know now so I know where to turn to when things start getting out of hand.
As Swedish names swimmed in my consciousness, I decided to follow the hunter instincts ingrained in my DNA to get me back to the Belt Parkway. Surprisingly, I inadvertently ended up on the left lane of a 3-lane road that led me directly to the Verrazano Bridge. I hadn't realize that this roadway was neither the Belt nor the BQE until I saw a sign indicating that the exit that I JUST frea-king passed (aaarrrggghhh) was the last one before the tolls. Ikea is EVIL!!! Plenty of signs leading you there and none leading you back to major roadways! *sigh*
And so, I ended up in Staten Island. Not for long, though, as I didn't want to get caught up in afternoon rush hour traffic. But damn it I paid to get into the forgotten borough, I could at least sight-see from the comfort of my car (and accompanied by a certain playlist that may have been mentioned above... ahem). There really is nothing special IMO but I might go back with my camera in hand to take pictures along the waterfront (which I didn't get to actually see... but I suspect I would be able to get some nice shots from that side of the city). Not wanting to be stuck in that part of the city for longer than necessary, I used Google Maps to get back to the Verrazano and I was back to home base in no time.
Anywho... these are my misadventures for today. Hopefully there'll be more as my wanderlust has not been satiated... I may need a trip before the new year... how many vacation days do I have left at work?? hmmm...
Until next time, faithful reader. . . . .
Saturday, November 29, 2008
The Believer
I was rummaging through some old papers I had stored away and I came across some old poems I had written over the past 10 years or so. But the one interesting item I found is actually not poetry at all but the recollection of a dream.
I recall writing this passage immediately after waking up one morning. Rather than writing out the details of the dream... it was as if I was doing automatic writing. The words just flowed and I put pen to paper. It's still surreal and dream-like (to me, at least... but only because I remember the dream... lol)
Hope you enjoy it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Believer
"I believe that was a Chinese proverb." she exclaimed after yet another nonsensical statement. "She" was a middle aged black woman with a weathered countenance giving her almost an elderly look. Her hair was tied back so tight that her hair opened up resembling a mini afro about half the size of her head. Despite the age on her face, her afro-puff showed few signs of age as only a few gray hairs were visible.
"Those Jehovah's Witnesses don't know a thing, but they good in my book because at least they believe in God and the Good Book." She tilted her head back partly in laughter but also to keep her horn-rimmed glasses from falling off her nose. The sunlight peeking through the bus window gleamed off of the silver house key dangling from the hoop earring on her right ear.
"Oh, Judge Brennan B. Oh, the biggest mistake you made was when you took my baby girl from me." Shaking her head, she raised her hand to her mouth. With a delighted sigh, she savored what was left of the glazed donut she held in her hand. "Oprah can keep her chicken wings in her trailer. Maya is the one I want to meet. Oh sista Angelou. You are my hero."
That last sweet bite of donut was washed down with water. She wiped her mouth with a flimsy piece of wax paper. "I believe I wouldn't be here were it not for my holy water" she proclaimed with donut crumbs flying in awkward arcs from her mouth. "Not like that Renee Washington! Everyone loved her. Never minding the fact that she was a PROSTITUTE. The whore had it coming to her."
She turned around and stared me in the eye. "You know what I mean, sonny?" There was a flash of momentary sanity in her gaze that compelled me to reply with a nod. She let out a laugh that woke me from my hypnotized state.
"I know YOU know what I mean, Mr. Bus Driver Man!" she yelled as she turned back around in her seat.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And then I woke up.
I probably could add some more details to this and touch it up a bit but this was what I had on paper and I wanted to stay true to the original work. Maybe one day when I'm feeling... inspired.. I'll fix it up and maybe add to the story.
I hope to see you back here soon. Until next time, faithful reader....
I recall writing this passage immediately after waking up one morning. Rather than writing out the details of the dream... it was as if I was doing automatic writing. The words just flowed and I put pen to paper. It's still surreal and dream-like (to me, at least... but only because I remember the dream... lol)
Hope you enjoy it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Believer
"I believe that was a Chinese proverb." she exclaimed after yet another nonsensical statement. "She" was a middle aged black woman with a weathered countenance giving her almost an elderly look. Her hair was tied back so tight that her hair opened up resembling a mini afro about half the size of her head. Despite the age on her face, her afro-puff showed few signs of age as only a few gray hairs were visible.
"Those Jehovah's Witnesses don't know a thing, but they good in my book because at least they believe in God and the Good Book." She tilted her head back partly in laughter but also to keep her horn-rimmed glasses from falling off her nose. The sunlight peeking through the bus window gleamed off of the silver house key dangling from the hoop earring on her right ear.
"Oh, Judge Brennan B. Oh, the biggest mistake you made was when you took my baby girl from me." Shaking her head, she raised her hand to her mouth. With a delighted sigh, she savored what was left of the glazed donut she held in her hand. "Oprah can keep her chicken wings in her trailer. Maya is the one I want to meet. Oh sista Angelou. You are my hero."
That last sweet bite of donut was washed down with water. She wiped her mouth with a flimsy piece of wax paper. "I believe I wouldn't be here were it not for my holy water" she proclaimed with donut crumbs flying in awkward arcs from her mouth. "Not like that Renee Washington! Everyone loved her. Never minding the fact that she was a PROSTITUTE. The whore had it coming to her."
She turned around and stared me in the eye. "You know what I mean, sonny?" There was a flash of momentary sanity in her gaze that compelled me to reply with a nod. She let out a laugh that woke me from my hypnotized state.
"I know YOU know what I mean, Mr. Bus Driver Man!" she yelled as she turned back around in her seat.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And then I woke up.
I probably could add some more details to this and touch it up a bit but this was what I had on paper and I wanted to stay true to the original work. Maybe one day when I'm feeling... inspired.. I'll fix it up and maybe add to the story.
I hope to see you back here soon. Until next time, faithful reader....
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Crazy text
Hey all,
So a few days ago, I received what has to be one of the strangest text messages I ever had the pleasure of reading (and responding to). Below is the transcript with excess and, at times, unnecessary commentary:
----------------------------------------------------
Unknown # (6:17 PM): Are u paying the daycare or I am being left paying it. It's the bitch bitchin
[Clearly, I was taken aback as I have no children - that I'm aware of - so I clearly had to diffuse the situation quickly without seeming like the idiot that didn't care about paying for the daycare expense of his kids. Either that or just ignore it... but I couldn't do that. This woman needs to know that I'm not the guy she thinks I am. Then again, why am I assuming it's a girl texting? How sexist of me.]
Me (6:23 PM): I don't know who u are and I don't know this #. I suspect your msg was not meant for me.
[This seemed like the best option for a reply. But I wish I had been able to come up with such a 'clever' and thoughtful response in less than 6 minutes. I'm losing my touch.]
Unknown # (6:27 PM): I am the mother of your kids. Don't worry we don't know you either.
[AW CRAP!!! Exactly what I was trying to avoid. I could see the venom oozing off the phone as I read this reply. I had tried to make her realize that she sent the message to the wrong person without having her interpret it as her man trying to skirt his responsibility - and thus upsetting her further. Instead, I got the EXACT reaction I was hoping to avoid. *sigh* What to do now? Let her cool off or reply immediately?]
Unknown # (6:29 PM): Sorry so sorry you're right wrong number truly sorry.
[THANK GOD!!! She figured it out without me replying and making her even more upset. *WHEW* wow... I hope she can get in touch with her baby daddy and get her $$]
Me (6:30 PM): No problem. I completely understand. Good luck.
[Eh... I figured I should reply and let her know it was no big deal... for me that is. It's still a big deal to her.]
Unknown # (6:37 PM): Thanks I need it. :)
['Nuff said]
----------------------------------------------------
Lesson learned:
The next time you find yourself with a random text message from an unknown number, it may not hurt to reply and give some encouragement to those in need.
'til next time faithful reader...
So a few days ago, I received what has to be one of the strangest text messages I ever had the pleasure of reading (and responding to). Below is the transcript with excess and, at times, unnecessary commentary:
----------------------------------------------------
Unknown # (6:17 PM): Are u paying the daycare or I am being left paying it. It's the bitch bitchin
[Clearly, I was taken aback as I have no children - that I'm aware of - so I clearly had to diffuse the situation quickly without seeming like the idiot that didn't care about paying for the daycare expense of his kids. Either that or just ignore it... but I couldn't do that. This woman needs to know that I'm not the guy she thinks I am. Then again, why am I assuming it's a girl texting? How sexist of me.]
Me (6:23 PM): I don't know who u are and I don't know this #. I suspect your msg was not meant for me.
[This seemed like the best option for a reply. But I wish I had been able to come up with such a 'clever' and thoughtful response in less than 6 minutes. I'm losing my touch.]
Unknown # (6:27 PM): I am the mother of your kids. Don't worry we don't know you either.
[AW CRAP!!! Exactly what I was trying to avoid. I could see the venom oozing off the phone as I read this reply. I had tried to make her realize that she sent the message to the wrong person without having her interpret it as her man trying to skirt his responsibility - and thus upsetting her further. Instead, I got the EXACT reaction I was hoping to avoid. *sigh* What to do now? Let her cool off or reply immediately?]
Unknown # (6:29 PM): Sorry so sorry you're right wrong number truly sorry.
[THANK GOD!!! She figured it out without me replying and making her even more upset. *WHEW* wow... I hope she can get in touch with her baby daddy and get her $$]
Me (6:30 PM): No problem. I completely understand. Good luck.
[Eh... I figured I should reply and let her know it was no big deal... for me that is. It's still a big deal to her.]
Unknown # (6:37 PM): Thanks I need it. :)
['Nuff said]
----------------------------------------------------
Lesson learned:
The next time you find yourself with a random text message from an unknown number, it may not hurt to reply and give some encouragement to those in need.
'til next time faithful reader...
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Calling all Facebook addicts
I thought some of you may enjoy this one... Consider this a stall tactic until my next post. ENJOY!
Why we’re no longer friends on Facebook.
Hi. This is awkward. Well, awkward for you anyhow. You might have noticed that I recently terminated our friendship on Facebook. Please try not to be too upset. This decision is by no means a reflection on you or on the validity of your thoughts, feelings, and posted items. I’m just really, really tired of hearing about them. The reasons for your termination include the following:
* Status updates that could apply to every single person on Facebook. Really, you hate Monday? You’re glad it’s Friday? You’re looking forward to the long weekend? Well somebody alert the goddam media.
* Using your status updates solely as a vehicle to promote your website, consulting company or crocheted cat sweater store on Etsy. Violation will be considered particularly flagrant if accompanied by a sleazy headshot and words like “Deals” or “Opportunity.”
* Gratuitous banality.
* Overuse of exclamation points and/or emoticons. If you need them to tell me how! happy! you are!!!!!! you should probably just work on becoming a more effective writer :) !!!
* Missing the irony
* The sincere belief that song lyrics express your unique emotions
* Repeatedly harassing me about your lil green patch. I do not want to know about the size and/or color of your patch.
* Posting things everyone has already seen, fifteen times, more than a week after we saw it. What? Sarah Palin made an ass of herself with Katie Couric? Well let me get right on THAT.
* I never actually liked you anyway.
Please note that the above list of Facebook Friend Violations (FFV) is not intended to be exhaustive and that we reserve the right to terminate friendships for any reason and without prior notice. Kthx.
[The above entry was "Borrowed" from http://urbzen.com/]
Why we’re no longer friends on Facebook.
Hi. This is awkward. Well, awkward for you anyhow. You might have noticed that I recently terminated our friendship on Facebook. Please try not to be too upset. This decision is by no means a reflection on you or on the validity of your thoughts, feelings, and posted items. I’m just really, really tired of hearing about them. The reasons for your termination include the following:
* Status updates that could apply to every single person on Facebook. Really, you hate Monday? You’re glad it’s Friday? You’re looking forward to the long weekend? Well somebody alert the goddam media.
* Using your status updates solely as a vehicle to promote your website, consulting company or crocheted cat sweater store on Etsy. Violation will be considered particularly flagrant if accompanied by a sleazy headshot and words like “Deals” or “Opportunity.”
* Gratuitous banality.
* Overuse of exclamation points and/or emoticons. If you need them to tell me how! happy! you are!!!!!! you should probably just work on becoming a more effective writer :) !!!
* Missing the irony
* The sincere belief that song lyrics express your unique emotions
* Repeatedly harassing me about your lil green patch. I do not want to know about the size and/or color of your patch.
* Posting things everyone has already seen, fifteen times, more than a week after we saw it. What? Sarah Palin made an ass of herself with Katie Couric? Well let me get right on THAT.
* I never actually liked you anyway.
Please note that the above list of Facebook Friend Violations (FFV) is not intended to be exhaustive and that we reserve the right to terminate friendships for any reason and without prior notice. Kthx.
[The above entry was "Borrowed" from http://urbzen.com/]
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