Te amo Mami

Mi mejor amiga de toda la vida

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Builders´ love

Beef with Beef -part I

Interview by Gareth from Tourist 2 Townie

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Y.O.

Love you darling

Blog Action Day 2009: Ostriches on the terrace/avestruces en la terraza

I love to watch ostriches on the skyscrapers of Buenos Aires. Some years ago during springtime a female ostrich layed a couple of eggs on a notebook that a writer forgot on a building terrace and a male ostrich decided to nest them right there.

Nobody knows exactly how the birds reached the eleven floor´s terrace of that first building.
My husband says that the bats must have lifted them all the way up. He´s usually right when it comes to immigrants and cooperation.
My mother thinks that they passed by the neighborhood following some gypsies and stayed because they were tired of all the walking.
My brother feels that they came because they wanted to teach their kids to see the world from the urban perspective.
I think it has to be the changes in the Pampa´s lands that brought them here. They´re constantly pushed out of the fertile grasslands that once seemed endless and now they live on most of our buildings.

I love to watch the ones on the terrace across the street from my window...

When the weather is nice some tenants wash their clothes on the terraces. Sometimes one of them forgets a bar of soap and the ostriches come and eat it so that they can talk in bubbles language.

Sometimes the ostriches dance frantically tapping on the roofing tiles jumping and opening their wings. The neighbors don´t like that because think that they´re having tantrums but it´s just their way to call the butterflies.
Ostriches know that butterflies always bring stories and fruits from other lands.

I have to say that these birds are very respectful audiences. When the butterflies come they sit in circles and listen (or eat) without interrupting or making noises.
Some tales are so delicious and some fruits are so funny that the ostriches laugh in bubbles, clap with their toes and take the butterflies for rides on their backs through the roof gardens.

But sometimes the stories and the fruits are scary. Then the ostriches teach their charitos the correct way to hide their heads inside a bucket or a flowerpot.
I saw them many times telling their offspring in bubbles language that it works, that they learned this ancient technique of avoiding problems from us.
The charitos always look at their parents suspiciously. The rule never makes any sense to them but they generally obey like good kids.

Yesterday it was unusually hot for Spring and I saw something different.
A rebel charito was asking the butterflies if it was true that all humans worldwide hide like that to solve the mess they bring to the weather.
The butterflies must have been angry or something because they turned in spirals up and down moving the air so strongly that the explanation uncombed the charito and... judging by the expression on his face the answer must have been very very complicated.

The insects bubbling was too small to read from the distance and they seem to know a lot.
Next time I´ll use my dad´s binoculars.
I bet that the little rebel is going to demand more answers...




Me encanta observar a los avestruces en las azoteas de Buenos Aires.
Una primavera hace algunos años una avestruz puso un par de huevos sobre un anotador que un escritor dejó olvidado en una terraza y un macho decidió anidarlos ahí mismo.
Nadie sabe exactamente cómo pudieron subir los pájaros esos once pisos hasta la terraza de aquel primer edificio.
Mi marido dice que seguramente debieron ser los muciélagos que los ayudaron a subir. Generalmente él sabe bien de lo que habla en cuanto a inmigrantes y a cooperación.
Mi madre piensa que pasaban por el barrio siguiendo a unos gitanos y que se quedaron porque estaban cansados de tanto andar.
Mi hermano siente que vinieron porque querían enseñarle a sus hijos a ver el mundo desde una perspectiva urbana.
Yo creo que los trajeron los cambios en la Pampa. Están siempre corridos fuera de los fértiles campos naturales que alguna vez parecían interminables y ahora viven en la mayoría de nuestros edificios.

Me encanta observar a los que viven en la terraza de enfrente de mi ventana...
Cuando el tiempo está lindo algunos inquilinos lavan su ropa en la terraza. A veces algunos se olvidan algún jabón y los avestruces vienen y se lo comen para poder hablar en idioma de burbujas.
A veces los avestruces bailan frenéticamente pateando las tejas saltando y batiendo sus alas.
A los vecinos no les gusta porque piensan que los avestruces tienen rabietas pero es solamente porque están llamando a las mariposas.
Los avestruces saben que las mariposas siempre traen historias y frutas de otras partes.
Debo decir que estas aves forman audiencias muy respetuosas. Cuando las mariposas vienen se sientan en círculos a escuchar (o a comer) sin interrumpir ni hacer ruidos molestos.
Algunos cuentos son tan deliciosos y algunas frutas son tan graciosas que los aveztruces se ríen en burbujas, aplauden con sus patas y llevan a las mariposas a dar paseos por los jardines de las terrazas.
Pero a veces las historias y las frutas dan miedo. Entonces los avestruces les enseñan a sus charitos la manera correcta de esconder la cabeza en un balde o una maceta.
Los he visto muchas veces diciéndoles a sus crias en lenguaje de burbujas que eso funciona, que han aprendido de nosotros esa antigua técnica de cómo evitar problemas.
Pero los charitos siempre los miran con cierta sospecha. La regla nunca tiene mucho sentido para ellos pero generalmente la obedecen porque son buenos chicos.

Ayer estuvo increíblemente caluroso para ser primavera y observé algo diferente.
Un charito medio rebelde estaba preguntándole a las mariposas si era cierto que todos los humanos del mundo se escondían así para resolver los líos que ellos mismos hacían con el clima.
Las mariposas debieron estar enojadas o algo así porque se retorcían en espirales subiendo y bajando, moviendo el aire con tanta fuerza para explicarle, que despeinaron al charito y... por la cara que puso, la respuesta debe haber sido muy pero muy complicada.

Las burbujas de los insectos eran demasiado chiquitas para leerlas de lejos y parece que saben un montón.
La próxima vez voy a usar los binoculares de mi viejo.
Apuesto a que el rebeldito va a exigir más respuestas...

I see you too

Cuando camino por la calle
y del brazo vas conmigo,
me vuelves loca,
y cuando siento el sonido de tu risa
que me envuelve de alegría,
me vuelves loca.

Me vuelves loca
cuando empiezo a ver que el día
se comienza a despedir
porque al llegar a nuestro cuarto,
la de cosas tan hermosas
que me empiezas a decir,
me vuelves loca.

Cuando me pides por favor,
que nuestra lámpara se apague,
me vuelves loca,
cuando transmites el calor
que hay en tus manos en las mías,
me vuelves loca.

Argentina de luto por el Padre de la Democracia

Gracias Dr. Alfonsín por enseñarme valores democráticos que siempre seguirán conmigo.
1. Dos mensajes para el futuro

2. Anoche/Last night

Claro que lo recordamos... yo lo honro cada día

DAA Films #1 - Human Rights / Derechos Humanos

“THROUGH THICK & THIN”

STORIES OF LOVE AND DISCRIMINATION FROM SAME-SEX BI-NATIONAL COUPLES IN THE US

Democrats Abroad Argentina (DAA), under the auspices of the National Institute to Combat Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism (INADI) and in cooperation with the City of Buenos Aires Ministry of Culture, invites the public to attend the screening of the documentary "Through Thick & Thin". The film will be followed by a discussion with a panel of prominent journalists and political figures. The panel will be composed of Flavio Rapisardi, Coordinator for INADI Forums; Mike Skowronek, Chairman of DAA; Diego Trerotola, Cultural Coordinator for Comunidad Homosexual Argentina (CHA); and Osvaldo Bazán, journalist, writer and entertainment critic who will moderate the discussion with audience participation.

As part of its program of outreach and community awareness, DAA has plans for regularly scheduled documentaries targeted toward the local public and US citizens residing in Argentina. Argentine film director, Sebastian Córdoba's award-winning work was chosen as the first of the series which will be screened in The City of Buenos Aires' famous Recoleta Cultural Center. The series is free of admission and open to the public.

"Through Thick & Thin" is a documentary film focusing on issues affecting thousands of same-sex bi-national couples in the United States. The moving portrayal of seven different couples, was filmed in the US, France, UK, Canada, Argentina and Brazil. It premiered in non-commercial circuits and festivals in 2007. Its director, Sebastian Córdoba, is an Argentine living for more than a decade in New York City. His own personal history places him in an excellent position to capture crucial moments in the lives of the seven couples and attest to their efforts to stay together despite legal difficulties and impediments, and wherever possible, in a legal, stable situation. The film also shows, unfortunately, that love sometimes does not conquer all.

The issue of immigration rights of same-sex couples is a highly sensitive issue and features highly on the political agendas of numerous civic organizations in the United States. Presently, more than 100 members on Capitol Hill support the "Uniting American Families Act." (UAFA, H.R. 2221, S. 1328) a U.S. bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act in order to eliminate discrimination in the immigration laws. It would permit permanent partners of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the same manner as spouses of citizens and lawful permanent residents. The bill would also penalize immigration fraud in connection with permanent partnerships.

The UAFA was introduced in the United States House of Representatives on May 8, 2007 by New York Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY). There are currently 99 Co-sponsors of this bill in the United States House of Representatives. It was introduced in the United States Senate on May 8, 2007 by Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT). The initiative has been presented before the US Congress annually since 2000.

"Through Thick & Thin" has won awards in the most prestigious Latino, LGBT, and human rights film festivals in the United States, Spain and Latin America, including the "Big Three": the Frameline Film Festival, the San Francisco Film Festival, and New York's NewFest, among others.

The documentary also has the backing and support of many grassroots organizations and media, such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) www.aclu.org Out4Inmigration www.o4i.org GLA www.glaad.org Love Exiles www.loveexiles.org , www.immigrationequality.org , Immigration Equality and Human Rights Campaign www.hrc.org , all of which have played an important part in the acclaim the film has achieved in Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Fresno, Washington DC, Austin, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Bilbao, and in the last Melbourne Queer Film Festival.

As always, DAA will have volunteers helping to register new voters and answering questions about the US election process. In this case, US legislative processes will also be discussed.

“CONTRA VIENTO Y MAREA”
HISTORIAS DE AMOR Y DISCRIMINACION DE PAREJAS BINACIONALES DEL MISMO SEXO EN EEUU

La agrupación Demócratas en el Exterior de Argentina, Democrats Abroad Argentina (DAA), con el auspicio del Instituto Nacional contra la Discriminación, la Xenofobia y el Racismo, INADI invita a asistir a la proyección del documental “Contra Viento y Marea”(“Through Thick & Thin”) y su posterior debate con un panel de personalidades. Contaremos con la presencia de Mike Skowronek, Presidente de DAA; Flavio Rapisardi, Coordinador de Foros del INADI; Diego Trerotola, Coordinador del Área Cultura de la CHA y Osvaldo Bazán periodista, escritor y crítico de espectáculos quién moderará el debate.

En el marco de sus actividades de divulgación y de concientización, DAA ha ideado una muestra mensual libre y gratuita de documentales destinada a público en general y a ciudadanos americanos residentes en Argentina. Para ello ha elegido dar el puntapié inicial con la película de un director argentino.

“Contra Viento y Marea”(“Through Thick & Thin”) es un film documental que se centra en la problemática que afecta en los Estados Unidos a miles de parejas binacionales del mismo sexo. Haciendo foco en siete conmovedores casos, fue filmado en territorio estadounidense, Francia, el Reino Unido, Canadá, Argentina y Brasil y estrenado en circuitos no comerciales y festivales en 2007. Su Director, Sebastián Córdoba, es argentino y reside desde hace más de una década en la ciudad de Nueva York. Su propia historia personal lo ha situado en una inmejorable posición para captar los momentos decisivos en la vida de las siete parejas que en el film dan testimonio de sus esfuerzos por permanecer juntas a pesar de todas las dificultades e impedimentos legales y, dentro de lo posible, en una situación de derecho y estabilidad. Sin embargo, el film demuestra que, a pesar de todo, el amor no siempre todo lo puede.

El tema de los derechos de inmigración de las parejas del mismo sexo es un conflicto de alta sensibilidad, instalado en las agendas políticas de numerosas organizaciones civiles de los Estados Unidos. Más de cien legisladores impulsan actualmente en el Capitolio de los EEUU el proyecto de ley para unir familias, “Uniting American Families Act”. Dicho proyecto busca otorgar a las parejas del mismo sexo derechos similares a los que ya gozan las parejas heterosexuales. El proyecto de ley, presentado por el congresista demócrata por Nueva York Jerrold Nadler, reemplazará el término “esposo/a” por el de “pareja estable” en toda la normativa relacionada con los procedimientos, reglamentos y leyes relacionadas con la inmigración en este país. La iniciativa se ha estado presentando cada año desde 2000.

“Contra Viento y Marea”(“Through Thick & Thin”) ha sido premiado en los más prestigiosos festivales de cine latino, de derechos humanos y LGBT de los Estados Unidos, España y Latinoamérica, incluyendo el “Big Three” Frameline de San Francisco y el New York’s NewFest, entre otros.

El film cuenta además con el respaldo y apoyo de numerosas organizaciones de base y medios de prensa, entre los que se destacan la American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) www.aclu.org , Out4Inmigration www.o4i.org , GLAAD www.glaad.org, Love Exiles www.loveexiles.org , Inmigration Equality www.immigrationequality.org y Human Rights Campaign www.hrc.org , las cuales han tenido un importante papel en la convocatoria que el film ha logrado en las salas donde hasta ahora se ha proyectado, con funciones especiales en las ciudades estadounidenses de Filadelfia, Nueva York, Los Ángeles, San Francisco, Fresno, Washington DC y Austin, en San Pablo y Río de Janeiro (Brasil), en Bilbao (España) y en el último Melbourne Queer Film Festival (Australia).

Como es habitual en cada actividad que realiza DAA habrá voluntarios ayudando a registrar a nuevos votantes y respondiendo preguntas acerca del proceso eleccionario. En este caso además se acercarán los conceptos de la legislación.

We´re only waiting

My light

A brillar mi amor, vamos a brillar mi amor...

You can only shine when there´s a light.
I found my personal light in Havana, Cuba a couple of centuries ago. We met half way in the planet and I have to admit that it was a very wise idea from our teethless Angel Amber (I might bother you with her story another day). She was smart because otherwise we would have been walking upside down for the rest of our lives.

Yep, my light came from the other side of the world. An unexpected, impossible, magic encounter at a time in which I was just a sketch. A good old project.

He came to my life floating on a stream of soft music but I didn´t recognize him at first. It took me two or three mojitos and a strange request at the Malecón :
- Buy me a love song...

I´ve never done any of those things before but the night had been weird enough up to that moment so I did. I bought him a bolero. While the singers were playing bésame, bésame mucho, and as I was listening to his stories I realized that I was beginning to glow.
Me and the singers were pale phosphorus green glowing!

He told me he was the first of a bunch in a baby boomer family and that he grew up as a dirty road boy in a black neighborhood. I never knew until then that there was something called Midwest the size of my own country, Argentina. He smiled at my accent when I told him I was very "yurban" but he was kind enough not to laugh out loud when I took Chicago as a sleepy town in the middle of nowhere.

Then when he mimicked the way he used to call for buyers as a popcorn seller at the circus, Northern Lights of an unknown Aurora Borealis slowly bathed every single being around.
I think the singers vanished because they were just scared after that.

He went on softly speaking about his life as a traveler and as a blues band leader. I had to come closer to him because the more I shined the more he lowered his voice. He whispered things about his times as an air force secret language interpreter, as a political sciences researcher, as a director of some big company, as a cats lover.
It was passed midnight when he tried to reach for his sun glasses. He couldn´t find them so he closed his eyes and I had to grab his hand. And he kissed me.

I realized that we needed a shelter when a fluorescent Cuban passing by shouted at us:
- Hey you, get a room!I don´t know if he heard it or not. With his eyes still shut he said:
- Marry me...

I didn´t say yes immediately but I looked up and there were no more stars or moon. Instead, diamonds were hanging on our heads. I took that as a good sign.
And we married.

Time passed and we run many adventures together although much less that the ones awaiting. The stream of brilliant plasma around me never fades away when I´m with him. Well, in fact it happens to everybody near him. What reminds me,

Hey baby, tomorrow is your birthday
so what do you say if we go out and shine out the city my love?
Vamos?

Happy birthday baby!

Día de la madre/Mother´s day

En el día de la madre les dejo como regalo un link para recorrer...

Women´s International League for Peace and Freedom

... y este video sobre el peor presidente posible y cómo muchas mujeres americanas recomendan actuar para detener sus actos y evitar que otros lo imiten.

(cuidado: el contenido es fuerte; ustedes deciden si quieren mostrarselo a sus hijos)

Today is Mother´s day in South America. This link is my gift...

Women´s International League for Peace and Freedom

... and a video on the worst president ever and how many American women are recommending to act to stop his actions and for avoiding any other to imitate him.

(warning: the contents is tough; you decide if you want to show it to your children)

Peace takes courage
On October 27th. stand up for peace,
join the National Mobilization from your city: OCT27.org

The family

Yellow up!

A rose and a taco

Sweet Home Chicago,
and what the thought of old Maxwell Street reminds me of
- long title, sorry -

The Little Prince,
because it is invisible and still essential

That a rose is a rose is a rose,
because things, streets and people are what they are no matter how you call them, where they come from, how long they stay

Aretha Franklin,
because a "Rose is still a rose" no matter how much time passes

The Jewish market,

and a lost battle to save the heritage

Corn tortillas, chilies and tacos,
On a typical visit to the old market, for example, we might feast on freshly roasted corn (50 cents), wonderful freshly grilled steak tacos ($1.00), and freshly peeled mangoes on a stick. We could also listen to free live blues, buy funky old china or clothes, locate a good used book, find interesting spices, and buy fresh roasted unsalted peanuts and inexpensive Islamic baked goods. Among our most memorable purchases were a beautiful Revlon 'glamour' doll from the 1950's, with her complete original outfit ($2.00); a pair of slightly battered but very serviceable high-top roller skates; colorful plastic picnicware from the 1940's - service for six, in it's original box - for $4.00, photographs of blues musicians, and many other interesting paper items such as old Elvis magazines... (more by Barbara Balkin,95)

and

"Joliet" Jake and Elwood Blues, brothers, on their mission from God
(and Ray too, of course)

I´m a Chicagoan now,
thanks to my husband who made me love Chicago through his own soul

YEAH! I feel good...

Beauties

as seen from Heaven