Sunday, November 29, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Chaine montagneuse
Les sommets souvent couverts même quand il fait beau étaient tous
dégagés. Je n'avais malheureusement pas mon appareil photo et ai du
utiliser mon téléphone. Depuis Gourbeyre nous avions une vue superbe
des trois Chutes du Carbet.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Rain and shine
Our tropical weather is the most unpredictable one. You go from blue sky and sunshine to full deluge in the middle of a sentence. The most unusual thing is when you still have sunshine and you look up and wonder where the rain is coming from. Here we have a saying when that happens: "The Devil is marrying his daughter behind the church". I can only assume that it was born from the un-natural experience of rain, blue sky and sunshine all at the same time.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Miami airport
this time flying from LAX to Dallas and then to Miami. I had chosen
that route because those flights had the most unsold seats although I
wasn't so sure once I got to the airport and saw the crowd. I tried
not to stress and did get a seat on both flights. My rationale for not
just buying a ticket is that I could spend that money on my family
instead. Is it worth a little stress? To me it is, even if each time I
say it's the last time. I had to buy a ticket from Miami to
Guadeloupe, so flying for free (except for the 2 boxes of chocolate I
bought for the crews) the rest of the way, is a good deal. I arrived
in Miami around 11:30pm and after getting my bags, went back upstairs
to find a quiet spot to spend a few hours. I had to check in at 6:30am
and decided it wasn't worth it to get a hotel room for barey 4 hours.
Well.... There are no dark and quiet spot in this airport. I found a
bench were I could lay down (most of them have armrests) and closed my
eyes. 6 seconds later, those announcements you barely hear while
you're rushing through terminals, all of a sudden were loud and
annoying. You have the one for the unnatended bags, the one for the
liquids and gels, the 15mn time check....in English then in Spanish.
Truly there are barely a couple of minutes without announcements and
those are filled with the background music.
So here I was trying to ignore all that on an uncomfortable bench with
the cleaners walking up and down the hall by foot or driving some kind
of machine and that voice that just would not shut up. I sat down and
read.
I would lay down again after a while but just couldn't fall asleep at
all. And to think that at home I can sleep with lights and the TV on.
Interesting.
At 4am people started to come in and by 4:30 it was like Grand Central
Station in rush hour.
Maybe next time I'll get myself tickets and a nice hotel room. Or not.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
This is not an issue anymore
Like Bishop John Shelby Spong, I am done debating the issue and trying to convince people of the invalidity of their arguments.
"A Manifesto! The Time Has Come!
I have made a decision. I will no longer debate the issue of homosexuality in the church with anyone. I will no longer engage the biblical ignorance that emanates from so many right-wing Christians about how the Bible condemns homosexuality, as if that point of view still has any credibility. I will no longer discuss with them or listen to them tell me how homosexuality is "an abomination to God," about how homosexuality is a "chosen lifestyle," or about how through prayer and "spiritual counseling" homosexual persons can be "cured." Those arguments are no longer worthy of my time or energy. I will no longer dignify by listening to the thoughts of those who advocate "reparative therapy," as if homosexual persons are somehow broken and need to be repaired. I will no longer talk to those who believe that the unity of the church can or should be achieved by rejecting the presence of, or at least at the expense of, gay and lesbian people. I will no longer take the time to refute the unlearned and undocumentable claims of certain world religious leaders who call homosexuality "deviant."
I will no longer listen to that pious sentimentality that certain Christian leaders continue to employ, which suggests some version of that strange and overtly dishonest phrase that "we love the sinner but hate the sin." That statement is, I have concluded, nothing more than a self-serving lie designed to cover the fact that these people hate homosexual persons and fear homosexuality itself, but somehow know that hatred is incompatible with the Christ they claim to profess, so they adopt this face-saving and absolutely false statement.
I will no longer temper my understanding of truth in order to pretend that I have even a tiny smidgen of respect for the appalling negativity that continues to emanate from religious circles where the church has for centuries conveniently perfumed its ongoing prejudices against blacks, Jews, women and homosexual persons with what it assumes is "high-sounding, pious rhetoric." The day for that mentality has quite simply come to an end for me. I will personally neither tolerate it nor listen to it any longer. The world has moved on, leaving these elements of the Christian Church that cannot adjust to new knowledge or a new consciousness lost in a sea of their own irrelevance. They no longer talk to anyone but themselves.
I will no longer seek to slow down the witness to inclusiveness by pretending that there is some middle ground between prejudice and oppression. There isn't. Justice postponed is justice denied. That can be a resting place no longer for anyone. An old civil rights song proclaimed that the only choice awaiting those who cannot adjust to a new understanding was to "Roll on over or we'll roll on over you!" Time waits for no one.
I will particularly ignore those members of my own Episcopal Church who seek to break away from this body to form a "new church," claiming that this new and bigoted instrument alone now represents the Anglican Communion. Such a new ecclesiastical body is designed to allow these pathetic human beings, who are so deeply locked into a world that no longer exists, to form a community in which they can continue to hate gay people, distort gay people with their hopeless rhetoric and to be part of a religious fellowship in which they can continue to feel justified in their homophobic prejudices for the rest of their tortured lives. Church unity can never be a virtue that is preserved by allowing injustice, oppression and psychological tyranny to go unchallenged.
In my personal life, I will no longer listen to televised debates conducted by "fair-minded" channels that seek to give "both sides" of this issue "equal time." I am aware that these stations no longer give equal time to the advocates of treating women as if they are the property of men or to the advocates of reinstating either segregation or slavery, despite the fact that when these evil institutions were coming to an end the Bible was still being quoted frequently on each of these subjects. It is time for the media to announce that there are no longer two sides to the issue of full humanity for gay and lesbian people. There is no way that justice for homosexual people can be compromised any longer.
I will no longer act as if the Papal office is to be respected if the present occupant of that office is either not willing or not able to inform and educate himself on public issues on which he dares to speak with embarrassing ineptitude.
I will no longer be respectful of the leadership of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who seems to believe that rude behavior, intolerance and even killing prejudice is somehow acceptable, so long as it comes from third-world religious leaders, who more than anything else reveal in themselves the price that colonial oppression has required of the minds and hearts of so many of our world's population.
I see no way that ignorance and truth can be placed side by side, nor do I believe that evil is somehow less evil if the Bible is quoted to justify it. I will dismiss as unworthy of any more of my attention the wild, false and uninformed opinions of such would-be religious leaders as Pat Robertson, James Dobson, Jerry Falwell, Jimmy Swaggart, Albert Mohler, and Robert Duncan. My country and my church have both already spent too much time, energy and money trying to accommodate these backward points of view when they are no longer even tolerable.
I make these statements because it is time to move on. The battle is over. The victory has been won.
There is no reasonable doubt as to what the final outcome of this struggle will be.
· Homosexual people will be accepted as equal, full human beings, who have a legitimate claim on every right that both church and society have to offer any of us.
· Homosexual marriages will become legal, recognized by the state and pronounced holy by the church.
· "Don't ask, don't tell" will be dismantled as the policy of our armed forces.
We will and we must learn that equality of citizenship is not something that should ever be submitted to a referendum. Equality under and before the law is a solemn promise conveyed to all our citizens in the Constitution itself. Can any of us imagine having a public referendum on whether slavery should continue, whether segregation should be dismantled, whether voting privileges should be offered to women?
The time has come for politicians to stop hiding behind unjust laws that they themselves helped to enact, and to abandon that convenient shield of demanding a vote on the rights of full citizenship because they do not understand the difference between a constitutional democracy, which this nation has, and a "mobocracy," which this nation rejected when it adopted its constitution. We do not put the civil rights of a minority to the vote of a plebiscite.
I will also no longer act as if I need a majority vote of some ecclesiastical body in order to bless, ordain, recognize and celebrate the lives and gifts of gay and lesbian people in the life of the church. No one should ever again be forced to submit the privilege of citizenship in this nation or membership in the Christian Church to the will of a majority vote.
The battle in both our culture and our church to rid our souls of this dying prejudice is finished. A new consciousness has arisen. A decision has quite clearly been made. Inequality for gay and lesbian people is no longer a debatable issue in either church or state. Therefore, I will from this moment on refuse to dignify the continued public expression of ignorant prejudice by engaging it. I do not tolerate racism or sexism any longer. From this moment on, I will no longer tolerate our culture's various forms of homophobia. I do not care who it is who articulates these attitudes or who tries to make them sound holy with religious jargon.
I have been part of this debate for years, but things do get settled and this issue is now settled for me. I do not debate any longer with members of the "Flat Earth Society" either. I do not debate with people who think we should treat epilepsy by casting demons out of the epileptic person; I do not waste time engaging those medical opinions that suggest that bleeding the patient might release the infection. I do not converse with people who think that Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans as punishment for the sin of being the birthplace of Ellen DeGeneres or that the terrorists hit the United Sates on 9/11 because we tolerated homosexual people, abortions, feminism or the American Civil Liberties Union.
I am tired of being embarrassed by so much of my church's participation in causes that are quite unworthy of the Christ I serve or the God whose mystery and wonder I appreciate more each day. Indeed I feel the Christian Church should not only apologize, but do public penance for the way we have treated people of color, women, adherents of other religions and those we designated heretics, as well as gay and lesbian people.
Life moves on. As the poet James Russell Lowell once put it more than a century ago: "New occasions teach new duties, Time makes ancient good uncouth." I am ready now to claim the victory. I will from now on assume it and live into it. I am unwilling to argue about it or to discuss it as if there are two equally valid, competing positions any longer. The day for that mentality has simply gone forever.
This is my manifesto and my creed. I proclaim it today. I invite others to join me in this public declaration. I believe that such a public outpouring will help cleanse both the church and this nation of its own distorting past. It will restore integrity and honor to both church and state. It will signal that a new day has dawned and we are ready not just to embrace it, but also to rejoice in it and to celebrate it."
- John Shelby Spong
"A Manifesto! The Time Has Come!
I have made a decision. I will no longer debate the issue of homosexuality in the church with anyone. I will no longer engage the biblical ignorance that emanates from so many right-wing Christians about how the Bible condemns homosexuality, as if that point of view still has any credibility. I will no longer discuss with them or listen to them tell me how homosexuality is "an abomination to God," about how homosexuality is a "chosen lifestyle," or about how through prayer and "spiritual counseling" homosexual persons can be "cured." Those arguments are no longer worthy of my time or energy. I will no longer dignify by listening to the thoughts of those who advocate "reparative therapy," as if homosexual persons are somehow broken and need to be repaired. I will no longer talk to those who believe that the unity of the church can or should be achieved by rejecting the presence of, or at least at the expense of, gay and lesbian people. I will no longer take the time to refute the unlearned and undocumentable claims of certain world religious leaders who call homosexuality "deviant."
I will no longer listen to that pious sentimentality that certain Christian leaders continue to employ, which suggests some version of that strange and overtly dishonest phrase that "we love the sinner but hate the sin." That statement is, I have concluded, nothing more than a self-serving lie designed to cover the fact that these people hate homosexual persons and fear homosexuality itself, but somehow know that hatred is incompatible with the Christ they claim to profess, so they adopt this face-saving and absolutely false statement.
I will no longer temper my understanding of truth in order to pretend that I have even a tiny smidgen of respect for the appalling negativity that continues to emanate from religious circles where the church has for centuries conveniently perfumed its ongoing prejudices against blacks, Jews, women and homosexual persons with what it assumes is "high-sounding, pious rhetoric." The day for that mentality has quite simply come to an end for me. I will personally neither tolerate it nor listen to it any longer. The world has moved on, leaving these elements of the Christian Church that cannot adjust to new knowledge or a new consciousness lost in a sea of their own irrelevance. They no longer talk to anyone but themselves.
I will no longer seek to slow down the witness to inclusiveness by pretending that there is some middle ground between prejudice and oppression. There isn't. Justice postponed is justice denied. That can be a resting place no longer for anyone. An old civil rights song proclaimed that the only choice awaiting those who cannot adjust to a new understanding was to "Roll on over or we'll roll on over you!" Time waits for no one.
I will particularly ignore those members of my own Episcopal Church who seek to break away from this body to form a "new church," claiming that this new and bigoted instrument alone now represents the Anglican Communion. Such a new ecclesiastical body is designed to allow these pathetic human beings, who are so deeply locked into a world that no longer exists, to form a community in which they can continue to hate gay people, distort gay people with their hopeless rhetoric and to be part of a religious fellowship in which they can continue to feel justified in their homophobic prejudices for the rest of their tortured lives. Church unity can never be a virtue that is preserved by allowing injustice, oppression and psychological tyranny to go unchallenged.
In my personal life, I will no longer listen to televised debates conducted by "fair-minded" channels that seek to give "both sides" of this issue "equal time." I am aware that these stations no longer give equal time to the advocates of treating women as if they are the property of men or to the advocates of reinstating either segregation or slavery, despite the fact that when these evil institutions were coming to an end the Bible was still being quoted frequently on each of these subjects. It is time for the media to announce that there are no longer two sides to the issue of full humanity for gay and lesbian people. There is no way that justice for homosexual people can be compromised any longer.
I will no longer act as if the Papal office is to be respected if the present occupant of that office is either not willing or not able to inform and educate himself on public issues on which he dares to speak with embarrassing ineptitude.
I will no longer be respectful of the leadership of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who seems to believe that rude behavior, intolerance and even killing prejudice is somehow acceptable, so long as it comes from third-world religious leaders, who more than anything else reveal in themselves the price that colonial oppression has required of the minds and hearts of so many of our world's population.
I see no way that ignorance and truth can be placed side by side, nor do I believe that evil is somehow less evil if the Bible is quoted to justify it. I will dismiss as unworthy of any more of my attention the wild, false and uninformed opinions of such would-be religious leaders as Pat Robertson, James Dobson, Jerry Falwell, Jimmy Swaggart, Albert Mohler, and Robert Duncan. My country and my church have both already spent too much time, energy and money trying to accommodate these backward points of view when they are no longer even tolerable.
I make these statements because it is time to move on. The battle is over. The victory has been won.
There is no reasonable doubt as to what the final outcome of this struggle will be.
· Homosexual people will be accepted as equal, full human beings, who have a legitimate claim on every right that both church and society have to offer any of us.
· Homosexual marriages will become legal, recognized by the state and pronounced holy by the church.
· "Don't ask, don't tell" will be dismantled as the policy of our armed forces.
We will and we must learn that equality of citizenship is not something that should ever be submitted to a referendum. Equality under and before the law is a solemn promise conveyed to all our citizens in the Constitution itself. Can any of us imagine having a public referendum on whether slavery should continue, whether segregation should be dismantled, whether voting privileges should be offered to women?
The time has come for politicians to stop hiding behind unjust laws that they themselves helped to enact, and to abandon that convenient shield of demanding a vote on the rights of full citizenship because they do not understand the difference between a constitutional democracy, which this nation has, and a "mobocracy," which this nation rejected when it adopted its constitution. We do not put the civil rights of a minority to the vote of a plebiscite.
I will also no longer act as if I need a majority vote of some ecclesiastical body in order to bless, ordain, recognize and celebrate the lives and gifts of gay and lesbian people in the life of the church. No one should ever again be forced to submit the privilege of citizenship in this nation or membership in the Christian Church to the will of a majority vote.
The battle in both our culture and our church to rid our souls of this dying prejudice is finished. A new consciousness has arisen. A decision has quite clearly been made. Inequality for gay and lesbian people is no longer a debatable issue in either church or state. Therefore, I will from this moment on refuse to dignify the continued public expression of ignorant prejudice by engaging it. I do not tolerate racism or sexism any longer. From this moment on, I will no longer tolerate our culture's various forms of homophobia. I do not care who it is who articulates these attitudes or who tries to make them sound holy with religious jargon.
I have been part of this debate for years, but things do get settled and this issue is now settled for me. I do not debate any longer with members of the "Flat Earth Society" either. I do not debate with people who think we should treat epilepsy by casting demons out of the epileptic person; I do not waste time engaging those medical opinions that suggest that bleeding the patient might release the infection. I do not converse with people who think that Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans as punishment for the sin of being the birthplace of Ellen DeGeneres or that the terrorists hit the United Sates on 9/11 because we tolerated homosexual people, abortions, feminism or the American Civil Liberties Union.
I am tired of being embarrassed by so much of my church's participation in causes that are quite unworthy of the Christ I serve or the God whose mystery and wonder I appreciate more each day. Indeed I feel the Christian Church should not only apologize, but do public penance for the way we have treated people of color, women, adherents of other religions and those we designated heretics, as well as gay and lesbian people.
Life moves on. As the poet James Russell Lowell once put it more than a century ago: "New occasions teach new duties, Time makes ancient good uncouth." I am ready now to claim the victory. I will from now on assume it and live into it. I am unwilling to argue about it or to discuss it as if there are two equally valid, competing positions any longer. The day for that mentality has simply gone forever.
This is my manifesto and my creed. I proclaim it today. I invite others to join me in this public declaration. I believe that such a public outpouring will help cleanse both the church and this nation of its own distorting past. It will restore integrity and honor to both church and state. It will signal that a new day has dawned and we are ready not just to embrace it, but also to rejoice in it and to celebrate it."
- John Shelby Spong
Monday, October 26, 2009
Wailea
to lay-over. The new Infiniti pool is absolutely beautiful. I guess
now we will walk back to our own hotel. The weather is great and it's
so beautiful, it does not feel like a work out.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Debriefing
great crew, we are relaxing with snacks and a drink....or two. It is
always nice when you fly with people you like and get along with. We
were laughing and having such a great time, that even the passengers
commented on it. This is my last trip to Maui this month, hence the
little party.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Sydney
left which made it even harder. This is my last view of the city as we
took off this afternoon (well yesterday here since we landed in Los
Angeles before the time we left Australia).
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Commute
drive all the way although with traffic it took me almost an hour to
get here. Going to Australia tonight. I am very excited because I'm
working with people I know. That should be a great trip.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Bike ride, swim, hike
swam for a while and enjoyed the sun and the breeze then rode back to
the hotel.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Work
international line. Well to be fair, I have Hawaii trips, which
technically is still the US, but for us it is considered international
for rules, legality and pay purposes.
Since I have been based here at LAX, I have only held international
schedules twice before and that was during the months of December 07
and 08 when a lot of the senior people are on Christmas holidays.
So I was quite surprised and happy with the outcome for October. On
top of that a co-worker wanted two of my Hawaii trips for one of her
Sydney trips. Anyone who knows me, is aware of my love for Australia
and those lay-overs in Sydney. No matter which season I go, whether it
rains or shines, I have the best time.
So now I have Maui and Sydney lay-overs. This month could not be
better. I decided to take the season off from the Chorus which also
allows me more flexibility with work since I don't have to worry about
missing rehearsals.
Still lots of work with Production, but I can manage and do that on
any day off.
So today I am sitting in my briefing room, way early, ready to start
my month.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Foggy sun
Avenue watching the street vendors set up their booth for the fair.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Afternoon walk
in Mission Beach.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Honolulu
membership? I get fresh air, an awesome workout, and enjoy beautiful
sceneries. Definitely a bit more challenging than my walks in San
Diego. I think it's time I upgrade to Cowles Mountain.
Friday, September 18, 2009
New Toy
old so I knew that would eventually happen. I don't have any
information on it that is not backed up somewhere else so I never was
overly worried. I still was very careful with it and nothing bad ever
happened, except for a can of diet Sprite I spilled on the keypad
once. My luck was that the soda had no sugar and the machine came back
from Dell a few days later working like before.
The one thing that I only did on the laptop was my finances. I did
regular back-ups though, but where are they? On the laptop. Not very
smart.
Since my return I have been trying to find out what is wrong but keep
on getting the "blue screen of death" no matter what I do. No online
forum, no support chat have been able to help me. I didn't want to
take it to be repaired and have to pay the price for a new computer.
Well yesterday I got so frustrated that I went to the store and bought
a MacBook Pro. I was going to wait until my birthday next March but
figured I would just give myself an early present. The machine is
absolutely beautiful. I don't think that anybody can beat Apple when
it comes to aesthetics or usability. Is the stiff price tag worth it?
Well I guess that is why I live in California and not in a small town
in Nebraska. We have to pay for what we truly want.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Simple fun
to the park and played on the slide for an hour. We went up and down
at least a hundred times, racing, tumbling and laughing. Those simple
pleasures are so rare nowadays. I know that in a few years, like most
kids, Alexandra will be playing with her Nintendo DS, or surfing the
Internet, or saying how bored she is because she's not allowed to
watch TV. But for now, she is still laughing at her uncle making funny
faces, or tickling her and I will enjoy that as much as I can.
Friday, September 4, 2009
What a difference a day (or 2) makes
I was scheduled to leave Guadeloupe on the 25 of August but couldn't get a seat on the plane to Miami (the joys of flying stand-by). The agents were neither nice nor helpful, but I was at their mercy and had to be "nice" no matter what since they have the power to give me a seat or not. I was not stressed or upset (except for the wasted afternoon at the airport) and decided to try 2 days later.
The agents working that day were different ones, and from the "Bonjour, puis-je vous aider?", I realized that this time I would be cared for in a totally different manner, wether I ended up with a seat or not. The details would be boring, but even though the flight was scheduled to be full, I did get on the plane and went to introduce myself to the Purser, Muriel, and the Captain (general courtesy on another airline) who were both very nice. Muriel, right away told me to take a sit in Business (our discounted tickets are for Coach only). At the stop-over in Haiti, all transit passengers had to disembark as well and I was a little worried because this is the segment that is usually oversold. We got back on the plane and Muriel offered me the same seat, again in Business. I was in Heaven. Both Muriel and her co-worker Sylvie, took excellent care of me and were a delight.
I have dealt several times with different airlines and can never understand when people are mean to others, especially when doing the same job or working for the same company or in the same industry. I know that we have rules that we have to follow, but sometimes bending the rules just a little bit, helps someone or changes the whole experience altogether. I believe that was my best experience with Air France in all the years I have been using them to go to Guadeloupe either from Paris or Miami.
It doesn't take much sometimes to help someone out if one is willing to. The little gestures can make a big difference and one day the roles might be reversed. They do say "what goes around, comes around".
The agents working that day were different ones, and from the "Bonjour, puis-je vous aider?", I realized that this time I would be cared for in a totally different manner, wether I ended up with a seat or not. The details would be boring, but even though the flight was scheduled to be full, I did get on the plane and went to introduce myself to the Purser, Muriel, and the Captain (general courtesy on another airline) who were both very nice. Muriel, right away told me to take a sit in Business (our discounted tickets are for Coach only). At the stop-over in Haiti, all transit passengers had to disembark as well and I was a little worried because this is the segment that is usually oversold. We got back on the plane and Muriel offered me the same seat, again in Business. I was in Heaven. Both Muriel and her co-worker Sylvie, took excellent care of me and were a delight.
I have dealt several times with different airlines and can never understand when people are mean to others, especially when doing the same job or working for the same company or in the same industry. I know that we have rules that we have to follow, but sometimes bending the rules just a little bit, helps someone or changes the whole experience altogether. I believe that was my best experience with Air France in all the years I have been using them to go to Guadeloupe either from Paris or Miami.
It doesn't take much sometimes to help someone out if one is willing to. The little gestures can make a big difference and one day the roles might be reversed. They do say "what goes around, comes around".
Monday, August 24, 2009
Une journèe de pluie/A rainy day
Jusqu'à présent j'ai eu pas mal de chance. On est en période cyclonique mais le temps a été parfait à part les pluies tropicales habituelles qui ne durent que quelques minutes.
Hier nous avons eu une journée très belle, parfaite pour les heures de VTT passées en mer et dans la mangrove. Une averse, même très courte aurait pu être déplaisante surtout pour les enfants.
Départ tôt le matin pour arriver à Vieux Bourg (Morne à l'eau) retrouver notre guide, Guy, de "ARCHIPEL Aventure des îles". (www.archipel-aventure.com)
Nous avons appris pas mal de choses sur la nature, la faune, la Guadeloupe et tout cela en faisant de l'exercice et en s'amusant. La Guadeloupe a le plus haut sommet (1467m), la plus grande barrière de corail (25km) et plus de mangrove que toutes les autres îles des Petites Antilles réunies. 80% de toutes les espèces marines de la Mer des Caraibes passent par la mangrove de la Guadeloupe. C'est un pourcentage incroyable. La mangrove sert aussi de couche protectrice pour l'île surtout en période de pluies ou de cyclones d'où son importance souvent ignorée ou diminuée. Malheureusement quand on parle d'argent, la nature perd toujours.
Après avoir pedalé pendant des heures hier, aujourd'hui nous avons eu une journée tranquille à la maison. Un peu de nettoyage le matin puis la cuisine avec maman et Patou. Au déjeuner un de mes plats préféré: une "brandade de morue". J'ai bien sur mangé plus que je n'aurais du. Ce soir "gateau et chodo" pour couronner le tout. Aujourd'hui les calories ne comptent pas.
******************
I've been pretty lucky so far. We are in hurricane season but the weather has been perfect except for the usual tropical showers that only last a few minutes.
Yesterday we had a beautiful day, perfect for the hours spent on the sea and in the mangrove. Even a quick rain shower would have been very unpleasant, especially for the kids.
We left early in the morning to get to Vieux Bourg (Morne à l'eau) to meet our guide, Guy, of "ARCHIPEL Aventure des îles". (www.archipel-aventure.com)
We learned a lot about nature, our fauna and Guadeloupe itself while having fun and excercizing. Guadeloupe has the highest peak (1467m), the longest coral reef (25km) and more mangrove than all the Lesser Antilles islands put together. 80% of all marine species in the Caribbean Sea, come through our mangrove at some point. That's an incredible percentage. The mangrove also serves as a protection blanket especially during the rainy and hurricane seasons hence its importance often ignored and/or diminished. Unfortunately, when money is involved, Nature always loses.
After paddling for hours yesterday, we had a quiet day at home today. Some cleaning and cooking in the morning with mom and sis. For lunch we had one of my favorite dish "brandade de morue". (a dish made with potatoes, milk and shredded dried cod fish). Of course I ate more than I should. Tonight cake and "chodo" (a drink made with condensed milk, eggs and spices). Today calories don't count.
Hier nous avons eu une journée très belle, parfaite pour les heures de VTT passées en mer et dans la mangrove. Une averse, même très courte aurait pu être déplaisante surtout pour les enfants.
Départ tôt le matin pour arriver à Vieux Bourg (Morne à l'eau) retrouver notre guide, Guy, de "ARCHIPEL Aventure des îles". (www.archipel-aventure.com)
Nous avons appris pas mal de choses sur la nature, la faune, la Guadeloupe et tout cela en faisant de l'exercice et en s'amusant. La Guadeloupe a le plus haut sommet (1467m), la plus grande barrière de corail (25km) et plus de mangrove que toutes les autres îles des Petites Antilles réunies. 80% de toutes les espèces marines de la Mer des Caraibes passent par la mangrove de la Guadeloupe. C'est un pourcentage incroyable. La mangrove sert aussi de couche protectrice pour l'île surtout en période de pluies ou de cyclones d'où son importance souvent ignorée ou diminuée. Malheureusement quand on parle d'argent, la nature perd toujours.
Après avoir pedalé pendant des heures hier, aujourd'hui nous avons eu une journée tranquille à la maison. Un peu de nettoyage le matin puis la cuisine avec maman et Patou. Au déjeuner un de mes plats préféré: une "brandade de morue". J'ai bien sur mangé plus que je n'aurais du. Ce soir "gateau et chodo" pour couronner le tout. Aujourd'hui les calories ne comptent pas.
******************
I've been pretty lucky so far. We are in hurricane season but the weather has been perfect except for the usual tropical showers that only last a few minutes.
Yesterday we had a beautiful day, perfect for the hours spent on the sea and in the mangrove. Even a quick rain shower would have been very unpleasant, especially for the kids.
We left early in the morning to get to Vieux Bourg (Morne à l'eau) to meet our guide, Guy, of "ARCHIPEL Aventure des îles". (www.archipel-aventure.com)
We learned a lot about nature, our fauna and Guadeloupe itself while having fun and excercizing. Guadeloupe has the highest peak (1467m), the longest coral reef (25km) and more mangrove than all the Lesser Antilles islands put together. 80% of all marine species in the Caribbean Sea, come through our mangrove at some point. That's an incredible percentage. The mangrove also serves as a protection blanket especially during the rainy and hurricane seasons hence its importance often ignored and/or diminished. Unfortunately, when money is involved, Nature always loses.
After paddling for hours yesterday, we had a quiet day at home today. Some cleaning and cooking in the morning with mom and sis. For lunch we had one of my favorite dish "brandade de morue". (a dish made with potatoes, milk and shredded dried cod fish). Of course I ate more than I should. Tonight cake and "chodo" (a drink made with condensed milk, eggs and spices). Today calories don't count.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Time flies when you're having fun
I'm still not pulling my hair out and screaming "get me out of here now". My family and I are having such a wonderful vacation. The only time I have been away from them is when I went to a birthday party with one of my childhood friends. Otherwise we've been together 24/7 using my sister's house as our "headquarters". My brother Paolo and his family have been staying here this whole time even though they live 5 mn away, stopping home just to feed the dog and the cat. My brother Pascal and his son, my mom and myself all stay here as well. Most of the time our childhood friend Christine whom we've known for 30 years and who is included in all family activities spends the night as well. What a full house. It makes deciding what to do or where to go each day, easier though. Everybody is right here and once the decision has been made we can just all leave. We don't have to meet somewhere or wait for someone. We just pack the cars with what we'll need for the day and go. No stress.
It is about 7am right now and it's time for my daily walk. The only way I've been able to not gain weight since I arrived, because we surely do eat. My mom and my sister have been cooking all my favorite food and it would be rude to say no, right? Swimming and hiking help too. Hopefully I'll get back to San Diego close to what I weighed when I arrived.
13 days here that feel more like 4. A week left. We have so many more activities on our program; and I have so many more people to see. I might need another 2 weeks. Time does fly when you're having fun.
It is about 7am right now and it's time for my daily walk. The only way I've been able to not gain weight since I arrived, because we surely do eat. My mom and my sister have been cooking all my favorite food and it would be rude to say no, right? Swimming and hiking help too. Hopefully I'll get back to San Diego close to what I weighed when I arrived.
13 days here that feel more like 4. A week left. We have so many more activities on our program; and I have so many more people to see. I might need another 2 weeks. Time does fly when you're having fun.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Second day - Deuxieme jour (Lamentin)
We went to the river this afternoon for a "cold" swim. Not my favorite. The spot is awesome, still very wild, the water is just too cold for me.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Second chances?
It is 6:23am and they are just opening the check-in counters. I thought I was early since the flight isn't until 9:30 but there are already about 50 people in line.
I stopped here yesterday to buy my ticket and saw the agent who didn't let me on when I went home last year. He could have easily upgraded me because the Economy cabin was full (that's where our discounted tickets allow us to be) but decided not to, even after 3 of his collegues told him to let me on. I remember being mad at myself because I had hoped he would be the agent available when my turn came. He was "the gay" working that morning. Well I should have gone to the ladies. When I saw him yesterday, the bitterness came back and I truly hoped he wouldn't be here today. But there he is. I tried to rationalize it and told myself everyone deserves a second chance. After all he had done nothing but go by the book last year and I couldn't be mad at him just because it didn't work in my favor.
Still I must say I was relieved when I got in line and a lady was working that counter. It wouldn't matter this time since I had a full fare ticket, but I don't know if I could have been gracious to him. I am sure he would have no idea why I would be mad anyway, but I was still glad I didn't have to deal with him.
It is funny how our perception of "nice" is not really objective. We can attribute it to looks, to attitude, to apparently belonging to a same group of sort...etc. Like me assuming this agent would be nicer to me because he was also gay (another assumption since I don't know him).
Now my bag is checked, I have my boarding pass in hand and can relax. If all goes well I will be in Guadeloupe in less than 7 hours. I think from now on I will be buying tickets to get home. With less planes in the air, it is increasingly harder to fly stand-by, the last benefit from working for an airline. Empty planes although great for me are obviously not good for the industry so airlines overbook every flight hoping to fill in every seat counting on no-shows and misconnections. I don't stress about getting on or not but it is just very annoying to never really know when you'll make it to your destination. Today was my second try and so far so good.
Let me tell mom the news.
I stopped here yesterday to buy my ticket and saw the agent who didn't let me on when I went home last year. He could have easily upgraded me because the Economy cabin was full (that's where our discounted tickets allow us to be) but decided not to, even after 3 of his collegues told him to let me on. I remember being mad at myself because I had hoped he would be the agent available when my turn came. He was "the gay" working that morning. Well I should have gone to the ladies. When I saw him yesterday, the bitterness came back and I truly hoped he wouldn't be here today. But there he is. I tried to rationalize it and told myself everyone deserves a second chance. After all he had done nothing but go by the book last year and I couldn't be mad at him just because it didn't work in my favor.
Still I must say I was relieved when I got in line and a lady was working that counter. It wouldn't matter this time since I had a full fare ticket, but I don't know if I could have been gracious to him. I am sure he would have no idea why I would be mad anyway, but I was still glad I didn't have to deal with him.
It is funny how our perception of "nice" is not really objective. We can attribute it to looks, to attitude, to apparently belonging to a same group of sort...etc. Like me assuming this agent would be nicer to me because he was also gay (another assumption since I don't know him).
Now my bag is checked, I have my boarding pass in hand and can relax. If all goes well I will be in Guadeloupe in less than 7 hours. I think from now on I will be buying tickets to get home. With less planes in the air, it is increasingly harder to fly stand-by, the last benefit from working for an airline. Empty planes although great for me are obviously not good for the industry so airlines overbook every flight hoping to fill in every seat counting on no-shows and misconnections. I don't stress about getting on or not but it is just very annoying to never really know when you'll make it to your destination. Today was my second try and so far so good.
Let me tell mom the news.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
The joys of flying
I flew from San Diego to Los Angeles last night and leaving home I knew that was the only sure bet out of my four trips to get to Guadeloupe (well as sure as one can be with the airlines anyway). It was on United Express and we got to LAX on time.
I walked over to Terminal 5 thinking it would be faster than wait for the shuttle (that was my workout for the day; next time I'll wait for the shuttle) to check in at the American Airlines counter. The agent, a charming gentleman, checked my suitcase and wished me good luck since the flight was full. Big difference with some of our agents at UAL who scare you the minute you get to the podium by telling you there is no way in hell you will get on. Then you DO get a seat and even have empty seats on the plane. This has happened so many times that now the rule is not to leave the boarding area until the plane pushes back. People check-in from home, different cities or even countries and for whatever reasons never make it to the flight. So I was hoping that someone's misfortune would help me. I got to the gate and found out I was number 7 on the stand-by list. Not good. Everybody showed up and they did not take any stand-by. Went over to the next gate for the second flight. Now I was number 8 and the flight was delayed. The delay did not bother me but it gave people who might have been running late a chance to make it. Again counting on someone's bad luck. Pretty sad way to travel actually. It was not meant to happen; again no stand-by got on board. By that time it was close to midnight and the first flight was scheduled for 6:30am. I settled in one of the very uncomfortable chairs and watched Slumdog Millionaire before finally closing my eyes for a couple of hours.
I walked over to Terminal 5 thinking it would be faster than wait for the shuttle (that was my workout for the day; next time I'll wait for the shuttle) to check in at the American Airlines counter. The agent, a charming gentleman, checked my suitcase and wished me good luck since the flight was full. Big difference with some of our agents at UAL who scare you the minute you get to the podium by telling you there is no way in hell you will get on. Then you DO get a seat and even have empty seats on the plane. This has happened so many times that now the rule is not to leave the boarding area until the plane pushes back. People check-in from home, different cities or even countries and for whatever reasons never make it to the flight. So I was hoping that someone's misfortune would help me. I got to the gate and found out I was number 7 on the stand-by list. Not good. Everybody showed up and they did not take any stand-by. Went over to the next gate for the second flight. Now I was number 8 and the flight was delayed. The delay did not bother me but it gave people who might have been running late a chance to make it. Again counting on someone's bad luck. Pretty sad way to travel actually. It was not meant to happen; again no stand-by got on board. By that time it was close to midnight and the first flight was scheduled for 6:30am. I settled in one of the very uncomfortable chairs and watched Slumdog Millionaire before finally closing my eyes for a couple of hours.
After freshening up a bit I went to the gate and was unhappy to see I was still number 6 on the list but happy to see a 767 parked outside. Bigger plane equals more seats. I finally got my boarding pass. 37C never sounded so good. I fell asleep before the plane even took off.
After an uneventful flight, we landed in Miami and I spent the next hour trying to find a way to get to Guadeloupe that night to no avail. I had to accept the fact that I would have to wait one more day before seeing my family. I called home and found out that my brother had arrived safely from Paris with my nephew. At least one of us was there.
It was time to find a hotel for the night.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Punk-rock
some crazy pants for our concert. I believe for $1 a yard (I bought
less than 2 ) I'll have some very cool pants. I already have the top
and the hair. I stil have to find the right shoes and I'll be set. 80s
here I am again!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Watermelon is the answer
When we don't know the words of the song we are singing during a concert, we use the watermelon trick. "Watermelon, watermelon, watermelon....". The word has enough syllables and different sounds to make your mouth and lips look like you are actually saying something.
In one of my magazines, I found the "Watermelon Credo" written by Wally Amos in 2002. I started to read truly just because of the fruit in the article's title and discovered a few words of wisdom, some of which I try to live by every day. It goes like this:
W-Whatever you believe creates your reality. Believe that life is a positive experience and it will be.
A-Attitude is the magic word. It is your greatest asset. Be positive regardless.
T-Together, everyone achieves more. There are no limits to what we can accomplish together.
E-Enthusiasm is the wellspring of life. With enough enthusiasm you can accomplish much more.
R-Respect yourself as well as others. When you respect yourself your whole world changes.
M-Make commitments, not excuses. There is overwhelming power in the words "Yes I will".
E-Everyday can be a fun day. Fun is the lubricant that keeps life moving forward. Laugh a lot.
L-Love is the answer, always. It's the greatest force in the Universe.
O-One day at a time. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. All of life happens in increments of one.
N-Never give up or become a victim. If you do you are guaranteed to lose.
Who knew watermelon was such a versatile fruit? A big slice refreshes you on a hot summer day; saying it allows you to still look cool when your memory fails you during a concert; and now it provides you with those lines of wisdom. Everyone should have some watermelon in their diet.
In one of my magazines, I found the "Watermelon Credo" written by Wally Amos in 2002. I started to read truly just because of the fruit in the article's title and discovered a few words of wisdom, some of which I try to live by every day. It goes like this:
W-Whatever you believe creates your reality. Believe that life is a positive experience and it will be.
A-Attitude is the magic word. It is your greatest asset. Be positive regardless.
T-Together, everyone achieves more. There are no limits to what we can accomplish together.
E-Enthusiasm is the wellspring of life. With enough enthusiasm you can accomplish much more.
R-Respect yourself as well as others. When you respect yourself your whole world changes.
M-Make commitments, not excuses. There is overwhelming power in the words "Yes I will".
E-Everyday can be a fun day. Fun is the lubricant that keeps life moving forward. Laugh a lot.
L-Love is the answer, always. It's the greatest force in the Universe.
O-One day at a time. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. All of life happens in increments of one.
N-Never give up or become a victim. If you do you are guaranteed to lose.
Who knew watermelon was such a versatile fruit? A big slice refreshes you on a hot summer day; saying it allows you to still look cool when your memory fails you during a concert; and now it provides you with those lines of wisdom. Everyone should have some watermelon in their diet.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Rochester
lay-over in Rochester, NY. I am going out for my walk and explore a bit.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Day of rest
Yesterday Michael, Norman and I spent a very relaxing day just hanging out at the house. That is what Sundays are for, right? Relax, rest and recuperate from a busy week and stressful life. Most of us do not do that very often anymore. Our weekends are usually as full as our weeks and we get back to work on Monday even more tired.
Yesterday was a very nice exception. Not planning anything, not having anything to do, not going anywhere, is seldomly an option as we think that we are not being productive and are wasting time. Well it surely feels nice to waste time once in a while, enjoy your friends' company and just be.
Yesterday was a very nice exception. Not planning anything, not having anything to do, not going anywhere, is seldomly an option as we think that we are not being productive and are wasting time. Well it surely feels nice to waste time once in a while, enjoy your friends' company and just be.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
In the news
Michael Jackson passed away yesterday June 25 2009. The King of Pop is dead, long live the..... I do not think there is any one out there to take over the throne. In the news they were trying to make people say who was the greatest entertainer between Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson. It's not fair because they were all great in their own way. However MJ did what no one had done before which is crossing colors, classes, religions,... He is known in every corner of the world. Even if you did not like his music, you knew who he was because of his accomplishments and of course the controversies that surrounded him in the last few years.
I do not know if kids in Mumbai or Rio could tell you who Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra are but I bet they could sing a Michael Jackson song.
I know that it is not good to have regrets but just like the Concorde was retired before I took a flight, MJ passed away before I could see him perform live.
**************
Governor Sanford of South Carolina has spent the past few days apologizing to anyone who would listen.
One more politician caught doing something wrong and going on a "recovery mission" trying to salvage his career. It is always hard to tell if they are sorry they lied/cheated/or whatever or if they are sorry they got caught.
Every time that happens, I am surprised at people's reaction: shock and then anger. If we would stop holding government figures and entertainment celebrities to higher standards, we would not need to kick them off the pedestal on which we place them. I do not care who they sleep with; that's between them and their spouse. Just do the best job for which you are paid.
I will not judge anyone, I am far from being perfect, but do not preach to me about values and tell me how I should live my life. Obviously you do not listen to your own speech. Now let's see who will be the next politician getting caught. A bathroom in Brazil maybe?
**************
I got a glimpse this afternoon of a story about a bill that was given to the senators today at 3:09am so they could vote on it during the morning session. The bill is several hundreds pages thick making it impossible for the senators to review. Was that done on purpose by the Democrats? If yes they are scooping as low as the Republicans. I am sure that is not the first time senators vote on bills they have not read. I find this outrageous. Noone should vote on anything unless they are familiar with the texts and understand them. Both Democrats and Republicans are guilty of trying to pass bills that the majority has not read nor understood. Should the Speaker of the House act as a teacher and ask for a "bill report" before every vote?
And how are they allowed to add articles to a bill, that has nothing to do with the bill's primary text? Why does everything seem to have a loophole that is never used for the greater good but for self-promotion and self-serving agendas?
I do not know if kids in Mumbai or Rio could tell you who Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra are but I bet they could sing a Michael Jackson song.
I know that it is not good to have regrets but just like the Concorde was retired before I took a flight, MJ passed away before I could see him perform live.
**************
Governor Sanford of South Carolina has spent the past few days apologizing to anyone who would listen.
One more politician caught doing something wrong and going on a "recovery mission" trying to salvage his career. It is always hard to tell if they are sorry they lied/cheated/or whatever or if they are sorry they got caught.
Every time that happens, I am surprised at people's reaction: shock and then anger. If we would stop holding government figures and entertainment celebrities to higher standards, we would not need to kick them off the pedestal on which we place them. I do not care who they sleep with; that's between them and their spouse. Just do the best job for which you are paid.
I will not judge anyone, I am far from being perfect, but do not preach to me about values and tell me how I should live my life. Obviously you do not listen to your own speech. Now let's see who will be the next politician getting caught. A bathroom in Brazil maybe?
**************
I got a glimpse this afternoon of a story about a bill that was given to the senators today at 3:09am so they could vote on it during the morning session. The bill is several hundreds pages thick making it impossible for the senators to review. Was that done on purpose by the Democrats? If yes they are scooping as low as the Republicans. I am sure that is not the first time senators vote on bills they have not read. I find this outrageous. Noone should vote on anything unless they are familiar with the texts and understand them. Both Democrats and Republicans are guilty of trying to pass bills that the majority has not read nor understood. Should the Speaker of the House act as a teacher and ask for a "bill report" before every vote?
And how are they allowed to add articles to a bill, that has nothing to do with the bill's primary text? Why does everything seem to have a loophole that is never used for the greater good but for self-promotion and self-serving agendas?
Friday, June 26, 2009
Welcome to planet Water
As I am laying on my "chaise longue" looking at the waves and out to the horizon I cannot help but wondering if all that the ability to think gave humans is the sense of entitlement and superiority over everything else.
We named our planet Earth when 71% of its surface is water. Granted at the dawn of civilization that fact was unknown. We also named the other planets before we knew they were deprived of life, not thinking for one second that maybe people lived there and already had a name for their home. We did that here countless times as well, renaming places regardless of what the native peolpes had already named them.
We sectioned the ocean and gave each part a separate name as we ventured farther away in the unknown. Clearly there is only one ocean on Earth. The Seas, even the closed ones, are also (or were at some point in time) part of this same ocean.
Would it be too confusing to rename things after we uncover some fact that changes our perception? Too much work changing all the books? Or is it just not in our nature to admit that we were wrong?
I guess if we had evolved into ocean creatures we would have named our planet Water or Ocean. Still everyday astronomers discover new spatial objects in the universe and name them. I know that recognition is only possible because of names allowing us to list, archive, and sort discoveries. The definitive and unquestionable aspect of it, is what annoys me.
Imagine people from the "red planet" landing on Earth tomorrow. The welcome committee's speech would probably start with: "People from Mars, welcome to Earth". The "Martians" surprised would say: "The name of our planet is not Mars". The delegate from Earth would answer: "Oh yes it is. WE named it".
We named our planet Earth when 71% of its surface is water. Granted at the dawn of civilization that fact was unknown. We also named the other planets before we knew they were deprived of life, not thinking for one second that maybe people lived there and already had a name for their home. We did that here countless times as well, renaming places regardless of what the native peolpes had already named them.
We sectioned the ocean and gave each part a separate name as we ventured farther away in the unknown. Clearly there is only one ocean on Earth. The Seas, even the closed ones, are also (or were at some point in time) part of this same ocean.
Would it be too confusing to rename things after we uncover some fact that changes our perception? Too much work changing all the books? Or is it just not in our nature to admit that we were wrong?
I guess if we had evolved into ocean creatures we would have named our planet Water or Ocean. Still everyday astronomers discover new spatial objects in the universe and name them. I know that recognition is only possible because of names allowing us to list, archive, and sort discoveries. The definitive and unquestionable aspect of it, is what annoys me.
Imagine people from the "red planet" landing on Earth tomorrow. The welcome committee's speech would probably start with: "People from Mars, welcome to Earth". The "Martians" surprised would say: "The name of our planet is not Mars". The delegate from Earth would answer: "Oh yes it is. WE named it".
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Lunch at C Level on Harbor Island
Lyle took me to a beautiful spot for lunch today just across from the airport on Harbor Island. I cannot believe that in 9 years I had never been there. The food is excellent and the view amazing. We shared the crusted Brie and then I had the rock shrimps quesadilla; both so so good. I wonder how their desserts are. I guess I will have to go back to find out.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Spring cleaning...of the soul
Last week I did my Spring cleaning. What an undertaking that was. I had slowly started to move toward the "less is more" every time I went through my stuff but I guess I was still holding on to way too much. This time I went at it deciding to clear as much as possible. Little did I know that by clearing space in my room, I was getting rid of some emotional bagage as well. I know that I tend to "oversave". Not that long ago I still had every piece of document gathered since I moved to the States in 1991. Every credit card receipt; every bank statement; every bill.... Imagine how many boxes that represents. Boxes filled with the accounts of my life for the past 18 years. Finally I let go of most of it, keeping only financial documents for the last 7 years in case of an audit from the IRS.
Going through the mountain of paper I wondered if one can really move on while holding on to the past so tightly? Of course I am not talking about bank statements anymore. But if I can hold on to those for 18 years you can be sure that more personal matters where simply put in the time capsule waiting to be unearthed again. I found things I forgot I had, others I knew I had but not seen in years. I truly never went through them every so often and reminisce. The fact that I kept them in the first place, must say a lot though.
Going through each piece of mail, note, photo, did not make me sad or wish upon times past. I was just amazed at how much I had kept over the years. I am sure love letters would be useful to whoever would be writing my memoirs after I'm gone....highly unlikely; so to the trash they go.
As the trash bags got fuller, I felt lighter. I think unconsciously hanging on to so much was not just space used but also emotional weight carried.
Don't I trust my memory? Do I really need to save everything and record each event in my life? I used to treat my calendar like a journal. I kept track of every phone call I made, each e-mail I sent, all the people I talked to and places I went. Truly who needs such a detailed picture of one's day? I thought I did. Maybe I am afraid that my memory will fail me more and more as I get older. Well if it does I am sure that life will go on. My friend Lyle says that holding on too tightly to the past is like driving a car while only looking in the rearview mirror. That is definitely not how I want to live my life. The view is too beautiful ahead.
Going through the mountain of paper I wondered if one can really move on while holding on to the past so tightly? Of course I am not talking about bank statements anymore. But if I can hold on to those for 18 years you can be sure that more personal matters where simply put in the time capsule waiting to be unearthed again. I found things I forgot I had, others I knew I had but not seen in years. I truly never went through them every so often and reminisce. The fact that I kept them in the first place, must say a lot though.
Going through each piece of mail, note, photo, did not make me sad or wish upon times past. I was just amazed at how much I had kept over the years. I am sure love letters would be useful to whoever would be writing my memoirs after I'm gone....highly unlikely; so to the trash they go.
As the trash bags got fuller, I felt lighter. I think unconsciously hanging on to so much was not just space used but also emotional weight carried.
Don't I trust my memory? Do I really need to save everything and record each event in my life? I used to treat my calendar like a journal. I kept track of every phone call I made, each e-mail I sent, all the people I talked to and places I went. Truly who needs such a detailed picture of one's day? I thought I did. Maybe I am afraid that my memory will fail me more and more as I get older. Well if it does I am sure that life will go on. My friend Lyle says that holding on too tightly to the past is like driving a car while only looking in the rearview mirror. That is definitely not how I want to live my life. The view is too beautiful ahead.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Park in the park
cheese croissant in town), Lyle and I took a long troll downtown San
Diego. It was still early and the city was just waking up with places
opening and people going to work. I rarely am downtown unless for a
specific event or occasion so that is a side of our city that I do not
often see. There are still a lot of empty front windows reminding you
about the economy. On the other end there are still quite a lot of
constructions going on. Condos being built all over town with a
starting price still not as low as I would have thought in these bad
financial times. I could not afford to buy something big enough to
have a roommate to help me pay the mortgage. Even rent is
astronomical. I guess you do have to pay for the privilege to say "I
live downtown". Places the size of my appartment asking for $1500 more
than what I pay (granted I do have a sweet deal, but still). Even some
low income housing appartments were more expensive than mine. I guess
I will have to stay in North Park for now. Who needs a view of the
stadium. I do not like baseball anyway!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Every little step
A Chorus Line opened on Brodway in 1975 and became a huge hit winning 9 Tony Awards and the 1976 Pullitzer Prize for Drama. A movie version of the show came out in 1985. I have only seen the movie and although reviews were not very good, as a former dancer I could relate to the characters.
The musical is the story of dancers and singers auditioning to be in a...musical. Michael Bennett, the creator and choreographer, spent one night talking (and recording) to friends about their respective experiences as artists trying to break through in the business. From these recordings lyrics and stories were pulled to write songs, Marvin Hamlich wrote the music,and a show was born. The audition process must have been very interesting since the cast was going to play people who audition for a show.
Every Little Step is a documentary about the revival of the musical in 2005. Again it is odd to look at dancers auditioning to play dancers who audition. The film gives you an incredible insight on the lives of artists and the struggle they go through to pursue their dream. The process can be long, painful and not for the faint of hearts. Just imagine interviewing for your current job every day. It is difficult for all artists I guess. Most of us with a "regular" job only go through this a few times in our lifetime. An artist has to get so many "no" before finally getting "yes".
All this put things in perspective for me. I often wonder "what if" I had followed a different path; "What if" my parents had supported me and pushed me; "What if" I had taken more chances?
I started to dance when I was 10 and for the following years thought that was my calling. I lived for rehearsals and loved being on stage. I had found something that brought me joy above everything else. Even though back then (and especially in the macho Caribbean environment) guys did not dance, or have earings or long hair, nothing could keep me away from Wednesday rehearsals. For 7 years, I stuck with it (the longest involvement in any activity for me at the time). I realize now that although I did work hard and practice a lot, opportunities came easily. Guadeloupe is a small island, and once you have done one thing people noticed, others ask you to participate in other events. Besides the annual big show we also performed at small events all over the island. On the side I did some commercials, fashion shows, music videos....I never ask for anything; those fall in my laps. So when I moved to Paris, I really thought it would be the same. Well I had a big wake up call. Where back home I was one of only a few, here I was merely one more fish in the ocean. I took dance lessons and went to auditions for a while but I quickly wondered if that was the life I wanted. Dad was paying my rent and my lessons and it was the endless "being a dancer is not a job" argument. I started to work and the more I worked the less I danced. Dancing is not something that you do on your spare time if you want to be if not the best at least among the best. It takes hours of daily practice and more time to go to auditions. After a while something had to give. I chose the easier route and kept on working, becoming financially independant and changing my life altogether by moving to the U.S. in 1991. It has not always been easy but I know that my path has been lined up with opportunities and people that brought me to where I am today. I had always dreamed of coming to the States and I love my life here, but I can't help but wonder sometimes on which stage and with which company I would be dancing if I had made different choices.
The musical is the story of dancers and singers auditioning to be in a...musical. Michael Bennett, the creator and choreographer, spent one night talking (and recording) to friends about their respective experiences as artists trying to break through in the business. From these recordings lyrics and stories were pulled to write songs, Marvin Hamlich wrote the music,and a show was born. The audition process must have been very interesting since the cast was going to play people who audition for a show.
Every Little Step is a documentary about the revival of the musical in 2005. Again it is odd to look at dancers auditioning to play dancers who audition. The film gives you an incredible insight on the lives of artists and the struggle they go through to pursue their dream. The process can be long, painful and not for the faint of hearts. Just imagine interviewing for your current job every day. It is difficult for all artists I guess. Most of us with a "regular" job only go through this a few times in our lifetime. An artist has to get so many "no" before finally getting "yes".
All this put things in perspective for me. I often wonder "what if" I had followed a different path; "What if" my parents had supported me and pushed me; "What if" I had taken more chances?
I started to dance when I was 10 and for the following years thought that was my calling. I lived for rehearsals and loved being on stage. I had found something that brought me joy above everything else. Even though back then (and especially in the macho Caribbean environment) guys did not dance, or have earings or long hair, nothing could keep me away from Wednesday rehearsals. For 7 years, I stuck with it (the longest involvement in any activity for me at the time). I realize now that although I did work hard and practice a lot, opportunities came easily. Guadeloupe is a small island, and once you have done one thing people noticed, others ask you to participate in other events. Besides the annual big show we also performed at small events all over the island. On the side I did some commercials, fashion shows, music videos....I never ask for anything; those fall in my laps. So when I moved to Paris, I really thought it would be the same. Well I had a big wake up call. Where back home I was one of only a few, here I was merely one more fish in the ocean. I took dance lessons and went to auditions for a while but I quickly wondered if that was the life I wanted. Dad was paying my rent and my lessons and it was the endless "being a dancer is not a job" argument. I started to work and the more I worked the less I danced. Dancing is not something that you do on your spare time if you want to be if not the best at least among the best. It takes hours of daily practice and more time to go to auditions. After a while something had to give. I chose the easier route and kept on working, becoming financially independant and changing my life altogether by moving to the U.S. in 1991. It has not always been easy but I know that my path has been lined up with opportunities and people that brought me to where I am today. I had always dreamed of coming to the States and I love my life here, but I can't help but wonder sometimes on which stage and with which company I would be dancing if I had made different choices.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
The days after
Last week was long and stressful and I am glad it is over (for now) but at the same time, to think that all this work was just for two days, is a bit unnerving. I woke up Monday morning around 7am, which is my usual time, wondering why I was alreday up. With the lack of sleep from the previous days plus the stress and the fatigue, I thought I would be in bed for at least 12 hours straight.
I started my day normally and I had plans with some friends later on. As I was doing things around the house I could tell that I was still tired. I would forget what I was doing or where I was going. I could not remember where I had placed some items I had in my hands minutes earlier.
The feedback from the performamces has been incredible (see Rob Appel's review in previous post). We get better with every show and can tackle more challenging pieces than the previous season.
I enjoy producing more and more. I always end up doing more things myself than I had anticipated but everything always comes together in the end. I am very excited about our next show. I lived through the 80s and grew up with the music. I cannot wait to see what my team and I will come up with. Just think colors, shoulder pads, big hair.....
Daniel
I started my day normally and I had plans with some friends later on. As I was doing things around the house I could tell that I was still tired. I would forget what I was doing or where I was going. I could not remember where I had placed some items I had in my hands minutes earlier.
The feedback from the performamces has been incredible (see Rob Appel's review in previous post). We get better with every show and can tackle more challenging pieces than the previous season.
I enjoy producing more and more. I always end up doing more things myself than I had anticipated but everything always comes together in the end. I am very excited about our next show. I lived through the 80s and grew up with the music. I cannot wait to see what my team and I will come up with. Just think colors, shoulder pads, big hair.....
Daniel
Sunday, May 3, 2009
All in a day's work!
"As with San Diego’s ‘dance community’, San Diego is also blessed with some of the finest choral ensembles…. and, whatever questions may have existed in the minds of serious choral music lovers, they should be laid to rest this past weekend, with the level of class and quality of the 61-member Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego. In the 1st show of their 17th Season, their recent outing with REALLY BIG SONGS at the La Jolla Sherwood Hall, GMCSD Artistic Director Gary Holt put forth a program par-excellant of challenging grand opera selections, combined with Broadway, POP, and of course, even a touch of the foolish!
It is so good to see and hear a vocal concert appreciate and utilize a proper amplification sound system. Accompanied by principal pianist Glenn Ward, with able second pianist Ronel Wishnuff, and support percussionists Heather Barclay and Jon Wishnuff. (As per director Holt) “Although I originally envisioned this program as one of great opera choruses, the music selection soon evolved into a pot-pourri of opera, operetta, oratorio, Broadway, POP/folk, and 20th Century contemporary choral music. The unifying theme of our music is ‘big’ … either in its scope, sound, or textural message. The result is a diverse program that entertains and inspires, as the music showcases the chorus’ depth and breadth of choral artistry.”
Opening with several selections from Gilbert & Sullivan’s THE MIKADO (at this Sunday Matinee performance) the GMCSD started off with (Japanese-costumed) soloist Henry Hofilena, showing a clear-pure tenor voice…lovely…and, perfect for the Gilbert & Sullivan genre of music. The subsequent tear-in-the-eye house reaction came with the famed DESSUN DORMA aria (from Puccini’s Turandot), resulting in the first ‘roar’ of approval from the audience. This was followed by Wagner’s Tannhauser anthem CHOR DER PILGER…furthering the obvious growth of musicality within the Gay Men’s Chorus. At this point in the program Holt added the guest percussionists, and doubled-up on the grand piano (to four hands), for the famed drinking song IN TABERNA QUANDO SUMUS from Carl Orff’s CARMINA BURANA … a choral piece, with its rapid-lyric staccato demands, and though, not frequently tackled by choral groups…here, was performed by the GMCSD beautifully! The Gay Men’s Chorus closed their all-classical first act with the music of David Conte’s INVOCATION and DANCE (to the words of Walt Whitman), offering two parts…the touching call-to-death-ballad, and the more upbeat salute-to-dance!
Utilizing often the Sherwood Hall front stage curtain (rarely seen at other concerts), the GMCSD opened Act II with perhaps the best ‘armography’ by Joe Gregore, and with the fun music arrangement of Larry Moore (performed with no conductor), IT’S HOT UP HERE from Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday In The Park With George ….and was an effective change of pace in Gary Holt’s programming. Then, under the direction of Steven Withers, the smaller 11-member group SWELL, brought forth the ‘campy’ bravura and humor (funny hats and gimmicks) the Gay Men’s Chorus is known for, in their Really Big Movie Themes (with special ‘Star Wars’ emphases). Conductor Holt returned with LOVE GROWS HERE, featuring Homero Escandon, Jeff Benson and Manny Lupian in COWBOY TAKE ME AWAY, and STARS I SHALL FIND, with the music of David Dickau and lyrics of Sara Teasdale….proving to be another reminder of the Gay Men’s Chorus fluid harmonies and solid training.
Closing out the concert event was their anticipated ‘touch of foolishness’ in Eric Lane Barnes’ PANSIES EVERYWHERE YOU GO …. with all in the chorus sporting pansies-head-gear (even Gary Holt) … the Gay Men’s Chorus gave out vocal cameo-spots to Nathan Fry, Dennis Huffman and Jeffrey Wells….and, one-and-all…had a ball! Following a rousing ovation, Gary Holt introduced his ‘new favorite song’ WHEN I HEAR MUSIC as the encore for the evening. Special ‘kudos’ is well-deserved by Music Director Gary Holt, Concert Producer Daniel Peccatus, Board President Steve Tiger, and all their leadership – both creative and administrative – as the Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego grows and develops into a first class choral ensemble!"
Rob Appel
It is so good to see and hear a vocal concert appreciate and utilize a proper amplification sound system. Accompanied by principal pianist Glenn Ward, with able second pianist Ronel Wishnuff, and support percussionists Heather Barclay and Jon Wishnuff. (As per director Holt) “Although I originally envisioned this program as one of great opera choruses, the music selection soon evolved into a pot-pourri of opera, operetta, oratorio, Broadway, POP/folk, and 20th Century contemporary choral music. The unifying theme of our music is ‘big’ … either in its scope, sound, or textural message. The result is a diverse program that entertains and inspires, as the music showcases the chorus’ depth and breadth of choral artistry.”
Opening with several selections from Gilbert & Sullivan’s THE MIKADO (at this Sunday Matinee performance) the GMCSD started off with (Japanese-costumed) soloist Henry Hofilena, showing a clear-pure tenor voice…lovely…and, perfect for the Gilbert & Sullivan genre of music. The subsequent tear-in-the-eye house reaction came with the famed DESSUN DORMA aria (from Puccini’s Turandot), resulting in the first ‘roar’ of approval from the audience. This was followed by Wagner’s Tannhauser anthem CHOR DER PILGER…furthering the obvious growth of musicality within the Gay Men’s Chorus. At this point in the program Holt added the guest percussionists, and doubled-up on the grand piano (to four hands), for the famed drinking song IN TABERNA QUANDO SUMUS from Carl Orff’s CARMINA BURANA … a choral piece, with its rapid-lyric staccato demands, and though, not frequently tackled by choral groups…here, was performed by the GMCSD beautifully! The Gay Men’s Chorus closed their all-classical first act with the music of David Conte’s INVOCATION and DANCE (to the words of Walt Whitman), offering two parts…the touching call-to-death-ballad, and the more upbeat salute-to-dance!
Utilizing often the Sherwood Hall front stage curtain (rarely seen at other concerts), the GMCSD opened Act II with perhaps the best ‘armography’ by Joe Gregore, and with the fun music arrangement of Larry Moore (performed with no conductor), IT’S HOT UP HERE from Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday In The Park With George ….and was an effective change of pace in Gary Holt’s programming. Then, under the direction of Steven Withers, the smaller 11-member group SWELL, brought forth the ‘campy’ bravura and humor (funny hats and gimmicks) the Gay Men’s Chorus is known for, in their Really Big Movie Themes (with special ‘Star Wars’ emphases). Conductor Holt returned with LOVE GROWS HERE, featuring Homero Escandon, Jeff Benson and Manny Lupian in COWBOY TAKE ME AWAY, and STARS I SHALL FIND, with the music of David Dickau and lyrics of Sara Teasdale….proving to be another reminder of the Gay Men’s Chorus fluid harmonies and solid training.
Closing out the concert event was their anticipated ‘touch of foolishness’ in Eric Lane Barnes’ PANSIES EVERYWHERE YOU GO …. with all in the chorus sporting pansies-head-gear (even Gary Holt) … the Gay Men’s Chorus gave out vocal cameo-spots to Nathan Fry, Dennis Huffman and Jeffrey Wells….and, one-and-all…had a ball! Following a rousing ovation, Gary Holt introduced his ‘new favorite song’ WHEN I HEAR MUSIC as the encore for the evening. Special ‘kudos’ is well-deserved by Music Director Gary Holt, Concert Producer Daniel Peccatus, Board President Steve Tiger, and all their leadership – both creative and administrative – as the Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego grows and develops into a first class choral ensemble!"
Rob Appel
Friday, April 10, 2009
Twilight
After resisting the craze over the books and the first movie, I finally gave in tonight. Michael bought the 35 discs Collector's set and invited me to come watch it. It was great seeing it there on the "big screen". I am not sure what I was expecting but I think after hearing Mike raving about the books and then the movie, it was a bit of a let down. The movie was not bad but I am not dying to see the sequel, nor did it make me want to read the books.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Gardening
I did some gardening at the church this afternoon working on the "Matthew/Daniel Box". Here are a few before and after pictures.
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Sunday, March 8, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The "Butterfly" with the broken wings
Articles from BBC News-Feb 12,16,17
Violent strikes on French island
Police on France's Caribbean island of Guadeloupe have arrested dozens of people as protests against the rising cost of living turned violent.
Officials said police responded after coming under a barrage of stones from the protesters in Pointe-a-Pitre. The protest's organisers said police used tear gas to disperse crowds and several people were injured.
On the neighbouring French island of Martinique, thousands of people held a rally, demanding higher wages.
The protests started almost a month ago, bringing life on the islands to a standstill. Thousands of tourists - an important source of revenue - have reportedly cancelled their holidays in Guadeloupe and Martinique.
The islands have a high cost of living and use the euro. Correspondents say many residents feel their salaries are not keeping up with rising prices.
---------
Four French overseas territories had the highest unemployment rates in the 27-nation EU in 2007, the EU's statistics agency Eurostat says.
The Indian Ocean island of Reunion topped the list, with 25.2%, followed by Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana, all in the Caribbean region.
The two Spanish enclaves in Morocco - Ceuta and Melilla - came next, with rates of 20.3% and 18.2%, respectively.
Guadeloupe and Martinique are currently in the grip of a general strike.Several dozen protesters were detained on Guadeloupe on Monday as police dismantled barricades erected by striking workers.The protests over low wages and rising prices have closed shops and schools on the two islands. The strike started on Guadeloupe four weeks ago, while Martinique has seen protests for just over a week.
The islands have a high cost of living and use the euro. Correspondents say many residents feel their salaries are not keeping up with rising prices.
According to the Eurostat figures, a total of 14 EU regions had an unemployment rate of 14.2% or higher in 2007 - a rate at least double the average in the EU.
Apart from the French overseas territories, the highest rates were in five regions of Germany, one region in Spain, one region in Slovakia and one region in Belgium.
Unemployment rates for young people - in the 15-24 age range - were lowest in Gelderland (4.9%) and Utrecht (5%), both in the Netherlands, and highest in Guadeloupe (55.7%) and Reunion (50%).
In more than 70% of the EU regions for which data were available, the youth unemployment rate was at least double the total unemployment rate, Eurostat reports.
---------
Tourism hit
The strikers have blocked roads and supermarkets, which they blame for the rapidly rising prices of everyday goods. Supermarkets on Martinique agreed earlier this week to cut prices on 100 top products by 20%. Unions welcomed that move but said they would not call off the strike.
The action has dealt a severe blow to the islands' important tourist industry, with up to 10,000 tourists reported to have cancelled their holidays.Visitors, most of them from France, are drawn to Guadeloupe's resorts, beaches, waterfalls and forests and the territory is a port of call for cruise ships.
Poverty and unemployment are more widespread on the islands than the French mainland.
Patrick Lozes, head of the French black rights group Cran, complained that "160 years after the abolition of slavery, the descendants of colonial settlers own 90% of Guadeloupe's and Martinique's wealth, but represent only 1% of the population".
--------
FACTS for Guadeloupe
* Status: Overseas department of France (France is divided in 100 departments - similar to US counties - forming 26 regions). Guadeloupe is one of the four overseas departments (the others are Reunion, Martinique and French Guiana). All regions have identical legal status as integral parts of France.
* Population: 445,000 (via UN, 2006)
* Capital: Basse-Terre
* Area: 1,705 sq km (658 sq miles)
* Major languages: French (official), Creole dialect
* Major religion: Christianity
* Life expectancy: 75 years (men); 82 years (women) (UN)
* Monetary unit: euro
* Main exports: Bananas, sugar, rum, vanilla
* GNI per capita: US$14,088 (UN, 2003)
Head of state: (French) President Nicolas Sarkozy
Guadeloupe is administered as a part of the French mainland.
Paris is represented by a prefect, appointed by the French president. Regional and general councils, elected by popular votes, oversee legislative and day-to-day affairs. Guadeloupe sends representatives to the National Assembly and to the Senate in Paris.
Violent strikes on French island
Police on France's Caribbean island of Guadeloupe have arrested dozens of people as protests against the rising cost of living turned violent.
Officials said police responded after coming under a barrage of stones from the protesters in Pointe-a-Pitre. The protest's organisers said police used tear gas to disperse crowds and several people were injured.
On the neighbouring French island of Martinique, thousands of people held a rally, demanding higher wages.
The protests started almost a month ago, bringing life on the islands to a standstill. Thousands of tourists - an important source of revenue - have reportedly cancelled their holidays in Guadeloupe and Martinique.
The islands have a high cost of living and use the euro. Correspondents say many residents feel their salaries are not keeping up with rising prices.
---------
Four French overseas territories had the highest unemployment rates in the 27-nation EU in 2007, the EU's statistics agency Eurostat says.
The Indian Ocean island of Reunion topped the list, with 25.2%, followed by Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana, all in the Caribbean region.
The two Spanish enclaves in Morocco - Ceuta and Melilla - came next, with rates of 20.3% and 18.2%, respectively.
Guadeloupe and Martinique are currently in the grip of a general strike.Several dozen protesters were detained on Guadeloupe on Monday as police dismantled barricades erected by striking workers.The protests over low wages and rising prices have closed shops and schools on the two islands. The strike started on Guadeloupe four weeks ago, while Martinique has seen protests for just over a week.
The islands have a high cost of living and use the euro. Correspondents say many residents feel their salaries are not keeping up with rising prices.
According to the Eurostat figures, a total of 14 EU regions had an unemployment rate of 14.2% or higher in 2007 - a rate at least double the average in the EU.
Apart from the French overseas territories, the highest rates were in five regions of Germany, one region in Spain, one region in Slovakia and one region in Belgium.
Unemployment rates for young people - in the 15-24 age range - were lowest in Gelderland (4.9%) and Utrecht (5%), both in the Netherlands, and highest in Guadeloupe (55.7%) and Reunion (50%).
In more than 70% of the EU regions for which data were available, the youth unemployment rate was at least double the total unemployment rate, Eurostat reports.
---------
Tourism hit
The strikers have blocked roads and supermarkets, which they blame for the rapidly rising prices of everyday goods. Supermarkets on Martinique agreed earlier this week to cut prices on 100 top products by 20%. Unions welcomed that move but said they would not call off the strike.
The action has dealt a severe blow to the islands' important tourist industry, with up to 10,000 tourists reported to have cancelled their holidays.Visitors, most of them from France, are drawn to Guadeloupe's resorts, beaches, waterfalls and forests and the territory is a port of call for cruise ships.
Poverty and unemployment are more widespread on the islands than the French mainland.
Patrick Lozes, head of the French black rights group Cran, complained that "160 years after the abolition of slavery, the descendants of colonial settlers own 90% of Guadeloupe's and Martinique's wealth, but represent only 1% of the population".
--------
FACTS for Guadeloupe
* Status: Overseas department of France (France is divided in 100 departments - similar to US counties - forming 26 regions). Guadeloupe is one of the four overseas departments (the others are Reunion, Martinique and French Guiana). All regions have identical legal status as integral parts of France.
* Population: 445,000 (via UN, 2006)
* Capital: Basse-Terre
* Area: 1,705 sq km (658 sq miles)
* Major languages: French (official), Creole dialect
* Major religion: Christianity
* Life expectancy: 75 years (men); 82 years (women) (UN)
* Monetary unit: euro
* Main exports: Bananas, sugar, rum, vanilla
* GNI per capita: US$14,088 (UN, 2003)
Head of state: (French) President Nicolas Sarkozy
Guadeloupe is administered as a part of the French mainland.
Paris is represented by a prefect, appointed by the French president. Regional and general councils, elected by popular votes, oversee legislative and day-to-day affairs. Guadeloupe sends representatives to the National Assembly and to the Senate in Paris.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
IPhone
I finally gave up. I bought an iPhone. Although I think the phone is awesome, I really did look to see what other options were out there. After weeks of research, I was down to 2 choices: the Instict from Sprint and the Storm Blackberry from Verizon. I read so many reviews to try to find out how they compared with the iPhone. At the end of the day reviews for the iPhone were still overall better for what I was looking for in a device. 2 other reasons that helped me also to finally make my decision are the fact that some of my friends also use AT&T so now we can talk for free, and I get a substancial discount from my company. For the past 2 days I have been playing with the phone, getting tips from Norman. It will be a while before I discover all it's secrets. I am still learning things about my Mac I bought over a year ago.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
25 random things about me
1) I love my family above all. I am still a "mama's boy" and will be lost if she "goes" first. Although I know the other way around would be unbearable to her.
2) My siblings and I actually DO get along. We are friends.
3) I have 3 adoptive families (who consider me like their son/brother). 1 in Guadeloupe, 1 in France, and 1 in the US.
4) My best friends are listed under "Family" in my address book.
5) I have lived in 11 cities in 3 countries (Guadeloupe, France, USA) in 41 years.
6) I have lived in 5 cities in the US (Highwood and Chicago in IL-San Francisco, San Mateo and San Diego in CA).
7) I have been a Flight Attendant for 14 years and still love it even though our working conditions have been deteriorating since 9/11.
8) I have traveled quite a bit (for work and for pleasure). I love discovering new places, cultures, foods, etc...
9) Most memorable trip: Egypt. I will go back because there is so much I did NOT get to see. Ancient Egyptian history has always fascinated me.
10) Most beautiful city in the world: Paris, France. The "City of lights" still holds the number 1 spot for me. You have to stroll down its streets and enjoy the surrounding beauty and history to understand.
11) Favorite lay-over: Sydney, Australia. This city is just the perfect mix of ancient and modern architecture complimenting one another. The harbor is beautiful. The people are also extremely nice.
12) I speak 3 languages fluently (French, Creole, English) and I can get by in Spanish. I want to learn Portuguese, Italian and Japanese but am too lazy.
13) I don't have a favorite book or a favorite movie, but I love books and movies. I wish I could read more.
14) My favorite song of all times is "Sailing" by Christopher Cross. (Please do not laugh!) I don't know why but hearing just the intro gives me goose bumps. No other song does this to me. Another song that helps me relax and calm down is "Lucia Di Lammermoor" performed by Inva Mulla Tchako (on "The Fifth Element" soundtrack).
15) I always have been artistic. They say that is a characteristic of Pisces.
16) My first passion was dancing (from 10 to 17yo; I thought I was pretty good)
17) I have always loved to sing as well (I never thought I was good). Ironic that I joined the Chorus.
18) I know how to sew, knit, crochet, do embroideries (thanks to mom).
19) I wish I knew how to draw, paint, sculpt, play an instrument...I admire people who do.
20) I love being on stage with the Chorus and I love producing shows for the Chorus.
21) My favorite colors are olive green and burgundy.
22) My favorite foods are (in that order) Mexican food, Caribbean food, French food.
23) I have been single for almost 5 years. My boyfriends tend to leave town!!!
24) I think I'm Cinderella and my Prince will come on a white horse.
25) I need to be the Prince.
2) My siblings and I actually DO get along. We are friends.
3) I have 3 adoptive families (who consider me like their son/brother). 1 in Guadeloupe, 1 in France, and 1 in the US.
4) My best friends are listed under "Family" in my address book.
5) I have lived in 11 cities in 3 countries (Guadeloupe, France, USA) in 41 years.
6) I have lived in 5 cities in the US (Highwood and Chicago in IL-San Francisco, San Mateo and San Diego in CA).
7) I have been a Flight Attendant for 14 years and still love it even though our working conditions have been deteriorating since 9/11.
8) I have traveled quite a bit (for work and for pleasure). I love discovering new places, cultures, foods, etc...
9) Most memorable trip: Egypt. I will go back because there is so much I did NOT get to see. Ancient Egyptian history has always fascinated me.
10) Most beautiful city in the world: Paris, France. The "City of lights" still holds the number 1 spot for me. You have to stroll down its streets and enjoy the surrounding beauty and history to understand.
11) Favorite lay-over: Sydney, Australia. This city is just the perfect mix of ancient and modern architecture complimenting one another. The harbor is beautiful. The people are also extremely nice.
12) I speak 3 languages fluently (French, Creole, English) and I can get by in Spanish. I want to learn Portuguese, Italian and Japanese but am too lazy.
13) I don't have a favorite book or a favorite movie, but I love books and movies. I wish I could read more.
14) My favorite song of all times is "Sailing" by Christopher Cross. (Please do not laugh!) I don't know why but hearing just the intro gives me goose bumps. No other song does this to me. Another song that helps me relax and calm down is "Lucia Di Lammermoor" performed by Inva Mulla Tchako (on "The Fifth Element" soundtrack).
15) I always have been artistic. They say that is a characteristic of Pisces.
16) My first passion was dancing (from 10 to 17yo; I thought I was pretty good)
17) I have always loved to sing as well (I never thought I was good). Ironic that I joined the Chorus.
18) I know how to sew, knit, crochet, do embroideries (thanks to mom).
19) I wish I knew how to draw, paint, sculpt, play an instrument...I admire people who do.
20) I love being on stage with the Chorus and I love producing shows for the Chorus.
21) My favorite colors are olive green and burgundy.
22) My favorite foods are (in that order) Mexican food, Caribbean food, French food.
23) I have been single for almost 5 years. My boyfriends tend to leave town!!!
24) I think I'm Cinderella and my Prince will come on a white horse.
25) I need to be the Prince.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
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