I am so happy I've been able to rest for the past couple of days. I am ready to get back to the hectic days I live. Last night I went to the square with my mom and Mili to hang out and get some pizza at Tiny Tim's (the slowest place on Earth). We got the pizza and it was great, and it only took about an hour and 30 minutes to get. We took a bunch of pictures after that in the pretty light show in the square. I wondered how much electricity gets wasted there...
I'm about to jump in the shower and then leave to so some homework on campus... and do some painting. Man, I have so many paintings here at home that I don't know where else to put them. I need to sell some. Any takers? They're not super cheap, but I'm not Van Gogh so they're not millions of dollars (yet!).
And well, as you can see, I changed my background photo. You like?
Don't be fooled by its yellow skin... it was not yet done!!!! But I want to take the time to thank God for my family, my friends, and my life. I have had a great life. I have gone through some though times that have made me stronger and blessed. And I have been granted the friendship of many wonderful people. So thank you, God. And thanks for the food we'll be able to have tonight... even when the hen looks like she's talking to me :) Bless those that need you most.
I was studying for a test a couple of nights ago when I suddenly had to stop and write. I started thinking about my life a few years ago. I started remembering things I was afraid I had forgotten. I was reliving nights of peace and thought in my little room in that third floor of the building I think of when someone asks me for my home. And those memories led to others until I could almost feel the breeze coming from my window in those hot nights of the eternal summer in San Salvador.
Those thoughts don't come to me often, that's why when they do I have to stop and pay attention. Working on the last series of paintings has helped me visit places I might never see again. Places in my life that were so important to me. And people who've help me be who I am today. In that last painting series I worked from memory with the intent of representing places in my life that define me. I did two paintings of my room, but the third one (the biggest canvas) is still blank.
Thanksgiving holiday will be packed of work and painting. And I am thankful for that.
It's wednesday already. This week has gone by fast. I have many many things to do, but I want to take a moment to get excited because John Mayer will come to town on February 1. I'm getting my ticket on Monday... oh, he's so great! Besides Johnny Depp, is just Mayer that could steal my heart in a second... and maybe prince William, but everyone else would have to work very hard. I'm no easy love.
I found a neat photoblog today and even thought the images were awesome, what I liked the most was the about section. I thought it was fun and clever. And I wished I had a better camera... I need an upgrade but my economic situation is not very promising right now so I have to wait for that. Not much hope for Christmas either... I haven't gotten good presents since I'm about... 10 years old or so.
But well, I'm getting ready for the Talk it Out Diversity Forum. I hope people show up and not do me like yesterday that we had only 3 people in the Diversity Alliance team for Walk for CommUNITY. It was kinda disappointing, but it's a harsh reality so there's nothing much to do but keep working hard and smiling.
I'm also praying for a couple of people in my life. One is in Cuba working hard for his beliefs and vision and the other is going through a hard time after loosing her husband of years. They need some love and I can't be next to them to hug them, so Someone else has to do it for me.
The picture has nothing to do with anything... but I took it yesterday and I liked it.
Today is a Saturday like no other in this town. There's an (American) football game and there's some ESPN thing going on. I really know more than what I'm writing, but I just don't care. People are excited and loud. I wish they would take that same attitude toward things that matter... like social injustice in America, poverty, gender discrimination, etc... Oh, but no, please don't let us fall on that topic... let's enjoy the Razorbacks and their glory... It's sad to see where these people's priorities are.
But well, going back to what I wanted to show here today, following the video there's an article from the LA Times:
Two LAPD officers investigated in beating case By Richard Winton, Times Staff Writer 3:34 PM PST, November 9, 2006
Two Los Angeles police officers were under investigation today for allegedly beating a man during a videotaped arrest in Hollywood that LAPD Chief William J. Bratton called "disturbing."
The video of the Aug. 11 incident, posted on the YouTube website, shows one of the officers holding down William Cardenas, 24, as the other officer places his knee on the man's throat and punches him in the face six times.
Cardenas, who is lying on his back, is heard yelling, "I can't breathe!"
He was arrested on suspicion of using violence or threats to prevent an officer from performing his duty and was charged with two counts of resisting arrest, said LAPD Lt. Paul Vernon.
Cardenas remains in custody.
The tape was photographed by an unnamed neighbor who gave it to B. Kwaku Duren, a lawyer who represents Cardenas.
Bratton cautioned that the videotape only reflected a part of the struggle with Officers Alexander Schlegel and Patrick Farrell, who is seen punching Cardenas.
"There is no denying that the video is disturbing," Bratton said. "But as to whether the actions of the officers were appropriate in light of what they were experiencing, and the totality of the circumstances, is what the investigation will determine."
Bratton said that Cardenas was not seriously hurt. "The guy got punched but that is not life-threatening."
The chief also pointed out that the incident showed that a federal oversight program of the department -- imposed under a consent decree -- was working. Even before the video became public, an investigation of the incident was underway based on the officers' report and interviews with witnesses, he said.
"All the steps of consent decree have been complied with," Bratton said. "That is the good side. There is no taking away the beating itself."
The incident began when the officers spotted Cardenas, a Gordon Street gang member wanted on a felony warrant for stolen goods, and he fled, police said. During the subsequent arrest, a struggle ensued and the officers reported that they used force to subdue the suspect.
After the arrest, witnesses told investigators that they saw the officers punch Cardenas in the upper torso, Bratton said.
During a preliminary hearing on Aug. 29, Cardenas' attorneys produced the beating video that was subsequently turned over to prosecutors and police, the chief said. The officers have since been assigned to desk duties while the investigation continues.
The district attorney's office is also reviewing Cardenas' case, said Jane Robison, a spokeswoman for the office.
"Policing is often not pretty," Bratton said. "Looking at a slice of [the video] makes it look less pretty, but my obligations is to wait until all the facts are in."
While we still wait for Virginia to see if the Democrats win the U.S. Senate in addition to the House of Representatives, I'd like to extend my congratulations to President George W. Bush. Just when everyone thought he couldn't do any worst he comes and ruins it for his party, and that might be the best thing he's done for his country since he got elected. But he didn't even do that all by himself, he got some great help from Mark Folley and from a good christian preacher, Ted Haggard... who really had it coming, because no one can be so hateful and hypocritical and still expect to be treated with the respect he never showed to those "sinners" he condemned. Just wait, Ronnie Floyd, your time will come too.
As a christian, I am sadden by how the church treated Haggard, how he was ousted instead of showing him the mercy and grace that Jesus IS. Don't we preach that we have to follow his footsteps? BUT as a human and a feminist, I am glad to see that maybe Haggard will learn from experience that hate is not a good thing...
But well, with the Democratic win and with Nancy Pelosi as the first female Speaker of the House, things couldn't look better at the moment (well, they could, but let's just enjoy this very moment). Maybe the U.S. troops will come back to the country soon.
I know Jacob has been smiling big since last night... :)
I have not been neglecting my blog, I just have been dealing with a killer migraine that got me since I got up Sunday morning. I don't know what it was, but I got up at 7 am with a terrible pain in my head that made me want to vomit. I took some medicine and went back to bed where I turned around for about 2 hours fighting the pain. I finally went to back to sleep only to wake up a couple of hours later to find that the headache was still there.
The day went by and the headache didn't go away. I took a lot of medicine just to keep me from getting sicker. But the pain never went away completely. And I got up this morning with a little pain, that was nothing really, compared to yesterday. So I went to class, and then to work, and then back to class. And right after that it came back. So I couldn't go paint because the fumes in the studio would have made it ten times worst.
And I got here, and I shouldn't be in front of this computer, but I wanted to write and upload a couple of photos.
I had a great time in Colorado. I didn't do very well with the altitude change, and I think that had a lot to do with the migraine, but I enjoyed the trip. It was hard, I even got a bloody nose (like when I was a kid), but I handled it well. Those years of practice served me well.
I saw the most magnificent mountain scenes you can imagine! I had only seen them in calendars or postcards and now I have them in my life as memories and photos. It's amazing, and I realize that I am privileged to see such wonders. I realize I am very blessed. I even saw a shooting star on Thursday night... I am very grateful.
And on the way back, I couldn't have asked for a better trip. I got a window seat and I got to see the sunset from above! It was so beautiful! I took about 100 pictures just from that little window, and I thought of so many stories and scenes of angels resting on top of the clouds played in my head a few times. The sun was amazing and the clouds got the form of an infinite cotton ocean.
I enjoyed my time. And later on (when the migraine is history) I will tell you about the conference, the art gallery walk, the nights out sledding, and my opinion on the Ted Haggard deal.
I just came back from Colorado. Needless to say, I have some serious resting to do... Here's a picture to give you an idea of what I'll write here later on.
I haven't packet yet. I have to go to the store and get a few things I need, including body lotion. I'm cold. And I'm feeling Jen's pain. I'm praying for her family, she lost her grandpa. And Nancy, she lost her husband.
Life is but a breeze.
I'll be gone for a couple of days. Not seeing this place will refresh my living. And my mami probably needs some time alone. I've been so busy that this little break is just what I need. I'll come back fully charged to keep painting, designing, memorizing dates and names, learning how to trick you into buying a toaster oven or a pair of jeans, etc.
I want the window seat tomorrow. I like that view.
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