Such hypocrisy on the part of some of our “leaders.” You’re worried about immigration but yet our country has managed to wreck other countries economically, culturally and of course politically. You think Uncle Sam hasn’t played a significant role in the incompetence that has reigned over the ruling of Mexico and the rest of Latin America?

Just like Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof had his conversations with God, I too do the same.

God, I know you have a lot of things to tend to like natural disasters, war, world hunger, etc., but one of these days is it possible that you help the Mexican national team win the World Cup? It would bring so much happiness to a country that has suffered much and fill its citizens with optimism. Perhaps it would be the springboard to a better Mexico. Whenever you have time God. It may be a lot to ask for but hopefully you will consider it one day. In the meantime I thank you for giving me a real bad cold because it helped conceal my pain at the defeat. The sniffles weren’t a result of some virus but instead were caused by the tears that I shed. I know that no one wants to see a grown man crying, so once again I thank you. (originally written in 2006)

» El Tri – Si México Ganara el Mundial

I am speechless and sick to my stomach. Although, Armando Galarraga’s Perfect Game won’t appear in the record books EVERYONE knows what went down tonight. Go Tigers!

I’m 2 for 2 in reviving iPhones that have been accidentally dropped in the toilet (it doesn’t matter who dropped the iPhones ok).

1. Quickly take it out of the toilet and blow-dry the phone on low for about 15 minutes. Do not get the blowdryer to close to your phone. Do not try to turn it on or plug it in to a power source.

2. If it’s a nice warm sunny day leave it outside to dry. If not, you can place your iPhone in a bowl of rice (not cooked!) to help with moisture absorption.

3. Take the iPhone with you to work and leave it in the backseat of your car (Not in direct sunlight). If it’s a warm day, when you finish your day at work, your phone should be good to go (Do not turn it on though or plug it to a power source quite yet). The days that I did this the temperature in California was about 80 degrees.

4. At home lay it somewhere at room temperature and forget about it for a day or two.

5. The following day plug it and you see that beautiful power-up apple logo.

Note: Even if you drop your phone in water make sure you check the iPhone’s “liquid contact indicators.” These sensors are found at the bottom of the phone (dock connector) and inside the headphone jack. Although unethical, if these sensors have not turned a pink/red color you might be apple to claim that your phone simply stopped working if it is still under warranty. Worst case scenario though, if your phone is dead you can always get a replacement iPhone regardless of whether it is out of warranty or not for $199.

When we arrived back to school I warned my fellow teacher (didn’t go on the trip) about this particular parent. Low and behold parent came in pitbull-attack mode and she pretty much wanted blood. She told my colleague that I was unprofessional and was disrespectful to her on the phone. If we reprimanded her child the teacher (me) must be reprimanded as well. At this point I nearly regretted speaking Spanish to her over the phone. I was trying to bridge the communication gap by speaking Spanish since she didn’t speak English and this is how I was thanked for the courtesy. I speak Spanish better than most but do I speak the language like my cousins in Mexico or my friend from Madrid? (an appropriate response would be hija de puta I suppose) Of course not. After a 15 conversation she left hugging her child all the way to her car one-hundered feet away. Ay pobrecito. Why do children behave the way they do? Blame the parents.

I love this Colbert poster. Classic! It’s too bad that NBC has flubbed their coverage of the Winter Olympics. Any genuine sports fan will tell you that sporting events are made to be seen live and not pre-recorded. Give me a break! We’re in the same time zone for crying out loud and I’m forced to watch events that happened hours ago. Does the World Cup do this? Hell no. Do the fans out there care? Nope. In 2002, I remember getting up at some ungodly hour to watch Mexico play Italy. It was well worth it even if I woke up at 4 in the morning.

A common argument that I hear when discussing immigration is that immigrants should stay in their home country and create change there, (whether that needed change is due to a dictatorship, narco-violence, human rights violations, etc.) instead of looking for change here. I always come up with some counter argument essentially glossing over this interesting point that is made. Why do immigrants not create change in their home countries? I guess it’s the same reason why people don’t create positive change in their own country. One looks at cities like Detroit and quickly dismisses it as a has-been city and the butt of jokes. Why haven’t former Michiganders created a better Detroit instead of simply abandoning it? In the valley, we suffer from enormous brain drain. A significant number of our brightest people go to school elsewhere and never return. Why not come back to the valley and make it a better place? I guess the bottom line is that people go where opportunity exists. Why be an agent of a change that is going to quite possibly take a lifetime when one can simply move somewhere else. Is this right or wrong? I have mixed feelings. I stayed in the valley not because I was fearful of leaving. I stayed in the valley because this is my home. This is where I grew up. If my parents had never left Detroit I would probably still live in Detroit. Regardless of the reason, any individual should have the right to move where opportunity exists. Although I wish that there was change that would swiftly move Mexico in the right direction, at this point in history, that seems to be in a far off future. Until then I am happy where I am at now.

In the above pictures you can see a photograph of my former elementary school in Detroit, as well as a picture of an alley that led to my house…the same alley that would fill with snow…the same alley where we played with our Star Wars action figures.

» Unknown Caller – No Line On The Horizon U2
» 21st Century Breakdown – 21st Century Breakdown Green Day
» Wilco (The Song) – Wilco (The Album) Wilco
» If You Ever Go to Houston – Together Through Life Bob Dylan
» The Wrestler – Working On A Dream Bruce Springsteen
» Beyond Here Lies Nothin – Together Through Life Bob Dylan
» No Line On The Horizon – No Line On The Horizon U2
» Hearing Damage – The Twilight Saga: New Moon Thom Yorke
» Constellations (with Eddie Vedder) – En Concert Jack Johnson

We’ve really become fans of the Ginkgo tree to the point that we have have planted two at our house. If it wasn’t for the size of our lot and the many other trees that I have already planted, perhaps another would be in order. The thought of planting a companion Ginkgo to the one shown above has crossed my mind. My hypothesis on my tree obsession is that once you get to the age of 30 your perspective on life automatically changes. Things that were insignificant to you as a youth are now the complete opposite. The beautiful colors of fall finally catch your eye. The golden leaves of the Ginkgo are a yearly occurrence that last just a few weeks and then the leaves fall until the upcoming spring, but in the time what a sight to behold.