Otro Dia

The last day of the year. This should be a reflective entry...about how time passes so fast, and there good and bad memories this year. but i think i say that enough. Today will probably be like most days. I was considering watching Alien vs. Predator: Requiem but decided against it. Instead I went to pay a Home Depot bill (there goes most of my money) and trying out something [Bamboo Fun] I bought four months ago but haven't tried out. Supposed to be a edit/paint/draw/write tool for the computer and it comes with an electronic drawing board (main reason for purchase). Although I can't draw or paint...maybe it can still be of use. I'll put something up here to show off my skills. Otherwise today is about cleaning the backyard(like most of the week has) and trying to enjoy what's left of vacation...imu

post-holiday

Christmas is over and just New Years day is left for vacation to be over. I did not see my dad, but I had the chance. I think I shied away because I didn't know what to say. We didn't talk before either, so not much difference. But maybe it had some sentiment of closure. I won't feel so bad if I exploit him in my writing.
Is there anything else worth writing on here? Upcoming events, no? Life Crashes, no? Today is solely December 29th, a few days after Christmas and few more before New Years. South Texas cold front getting ready to leave.
Vacations need to last longer. imu

Pocho?

I haven't read reviews or criticism of this book, but after reading Pocho by Jose Antonio Villarreal I am confused by his intent for the novel. I see a battle between the "old culture" and the "Americanized" but each seems to be portrayed by its negative. The machismo of the Mexicano and ruthlessness of American. The most I saw of the pocho, that person caught between two of everything, is Richard's separation from both. Perhaps this is an early description of pocho, and maybe it has changed. The interest this book has generated is mostly to attempt and analyze the evolution of the word. But I felt the book was a coming of age story, halfway through the realization of pocho. So much was left out. The interaction of culture is ommited, only when mentioned in terms of "white", "Italian", and "Jap". Maybe it's just California, and a way of living I haven't seen.

Release

It seems nearing his 40's my brother has let go of his rage towards our father. My brother and I talked earlier and we are planning to meet with our dad. It has been a couple of years since I have seen him, I don't know how many for my brother, but perhaps more. What is to be expected? We have had separate lives for 14 years. I feel that I may be exploiting my father for the sake of writing. But maybe that's how I feel about everyone. In some way, I hope my brother doesn't call for us to meet up, but I don't know how to explain this feeling. It is not dread, it's not knowing where to start or finish. Maybe for my brother it is closure. I can't let go that death is always near, and on some days I wonder how I would react to my father's death. Maybe my brother is thinking, it's best to say goodbye one last time. Maybe he's noticed age is fragile.
Everybody else doesn't feel the same. They would still see my father of 15 years ago, instead of a mid 60's man, arthritis, unable to work as before, aged by the south texas dirt.
What will I see?

Fish sticks

Is what's for lunch, or at least they appeared to be fishsticks [with no bag]. Meanwhile, a random fly picutre, which was stuck on my indoor windowsill for the past months. I couldn't bare throwing him away without encasing it in some photogenic amber. Maybe it seems insignificant, but when I pay attention I notice many flies dead on the window. Reminds me of how it's not common to see dead flies when we live with the blinds and windows open. We are also encased. Adios mosca, aver si nos encontramos otra vez.

Otro "Spoiler" Movie Review

© Mindlight Films


What I had seen of Welcome Back to the Barrio (2006) from IMDB looked promising, but I read up on the wrong movie. And little did I know this was another “Amigo Films” production until the opening of the credits. I made the instant connection to Chicano Blood (2008)and though...crap. But this review doesn't go that way because I was surprised by the decent acting and cinematography. It's another movie about duality and the course of lives after friends have separated. Okay, so the idea isn’t new aka Boyz n the Hood (1991), but the movie feels more like home (and not East L.A): bilingual dialogue, protective parents, and ese amigo that never seems to do right. Moves slowly and that’s the pace of the day up to the point of the party which dragged for a while. Still in the end it's all violence, sacrificing a life, and there's nothing to do but leave until next time. Asi es el barrio? That's what the movies say.

Welcome Back to the Barrio (2006)

Mindlight Films in association with Orta-Mex Films
Directed by Jaime Mariscal
Produced by David J. Miller
Co-Producer Juan J. Frausto
Written By Jaime Mariscal & David J. Miller

Staring: Ramses Jimenez, Tony Ramirez, Antonio Zurito, David Marrero, Christian Rousary & Yara Santillian

---

Side Note 1: Amigo Films

Side Note 2: instead of trying to make the next blockbuster action film, why doesn’t Damian Chapa produce algo mas honesto? Pero, don't we love those big films anyway?

This Morning

It's monday morning. I'm awake at 7 a.m. as every other day, but today will be different because it's the official beginning of my two weeks of from work. I haven't had two weeks off in three years. The last time I had one week off from work I did so to attend an intensive school program. So, this should be nice, but I have to remind myself to make it worthwhile. I have have the tendency to loaf inside.
As a note to myself, I will be taking photos and posting them online. I will be watching movies, but reviewing them here. and when I read or write, I will talk about it. It's not enough to simply do something and cherish an accomplishment; now the accomplishment should be shared to develop meaning.
I go back to work on Jan. 5th. I have until then for more than one meaningful/expressive occasion. If I consider when school starts, then that is Jan. 12th. I have a lot of time.

Random Lines:

Empty
is the space
falling between
your lips,
abriendo
para decir
vacío

Azltan is Reborn

Unfortunately, it's in a gangster film where Chicano strength transforms into a story of ruthlessness. The plot is simple: Chicano fights against the Russian, unable to overcome the guilt of their previous conquest. I was interested about the possibilities, because I’m always up for blaming others, but I want good acting with it. The film didn't feel Chicano, and the attempts of culture,some candles in view and a mother curing with an egg, are lame. All the wrongs aspects are glorified:violence, lesbians, and sexuality. Wrong because the women appear naked as accessories.
If there was any admiration of the movie, it was for attempting to create a story where a Chicano becomes an urban folk hero.
But really, the movie was just terrible. Terrible for whichever ethnicity would have stared in the film, and much worse for calling itself Chicano.

Chicano Blood (2008) (V)
Director:Damian Chapa

Writers:Damian Chapa (writer)
Ignacio Rinza (writer)

Release Date:13 May 2008 (USA)

Long Enough

It's been long enough. Now I'm back. For good I say this time, but I haven't proven myself yet. On the academic update: Three A's. Folk medicine was a bit tough, but very educational. Beginning to work on my thesis. I plan to do a lot of reading. I'm starting on the list. Any suggestions? I will also begin writing movie reviews. Currently I'm watching Chicano Blood (2008)(V). Should be up later today. The interest in film was there, increased with the film course and directed by an introduction to film theory by Chon Noriega.
It's good to be back, and even more so to be asked. gracias
-ic