Into the Light: In the past month there have been people coming out of the woodwork like cucarachas. And if you are aware of the nature of Hispanics, you know that this is event cause enough to be skeptical. Why now? I already mentioned my ex's son, Jerry showing up out of nowhere with his news ad surprise (which really wasn't). But just over the weekend, while I tried in vain to recoup from Carlos' hospital stay, I also received a call from Barbara. This cannot be a coincidence. Those who know me know that Barbara (Carlos' & my ex's niece) had a HUGE falling out a few years back. The details are personal, sordid and confusing so I'll spare everyone. No, really. Can't post EVERYTHING to the blog otherwise you won't read my book! Even yesterday one of Carlos' brothers (who has a long-pending feud w/ Carlos AND would never show his face in the broad light of day) left a birthday message. He even said, "I love you". WEIRD, right? So now I'm wondering what the hell is up with everybody?! My initial reaction is one of shock and awe. My secondary reaction: What do you want? Most Puerto Ricans know that there is always a grassy knoll and that Chupacabras DO exist. That being said, here are a just few reasons that people re-connect after long periods of no contact:

1. Money - Everybody's looking for a hand-out...
2. Maldiciones and mal-de-ojos - No well-wishers here. What is known by the overly superstitious as "The Evil Eye" can also refer to the bad intentions that others bestow. The evil gift that keeps on giving.
3. Insatiable Curiosity - It's the car accident concept. You always turn your head hoping that no one is hurt but secretly wishing you could see a little blood or a (GASP!)decapitation. C'mon, if you NEVER thought those things while passing, you're lying.
4. Boredom - Scenario: You're at home pondering your existence, going over your Rolodex database. All of a sudden, a distant memory comes to mind and you figure, I would love to know what so-and-so is doing right now. Next, you find yourself running a query on Yahoo! people search...
5. A Room W A View - This usually goes hand-in-hand with Reason #1. If someone is doing badly financially, they usually want to also find a place to rest their weary heads. But just so we're clear on this: DON'T ASK ME.

But what are your stories of woe? I'd like to know...

Later Gators!

It's the Bloggiest...and so good for you! So kiddies, where have I been you may ask? Nowhere. I've just been adjusting to my crazy life (aka La Vida Loca). Carlos returned to the hospital...again. This is what, the three-billionth time? Give or take a few. At least he WAS in the hospital. Now he's out. And don't even get me started on the health care system in Jersey...I'll be here forever. So what with my tripled chores and busy workload et cetera, et cetera...I haven't been able to write. Had a wonderful ray of sunshine among the dark clouds. A complete surprise. A visit from one of my ex's sons, Jerry. (He's the one on the LEFT)

A Green Day Night: On 9/1/05, I went to see Green Day at Giants Stadium and it was a great concert. This was my 3rd concert of ever, the first two being: NIN and The Rolling Stones. I attended those ages ago. I couldn't help thinking that this concert was unbelievably distinctive on so many levels. Don't hate me, but I really wasn't a Green Day fan. I really only wanted to surprise Carlos because if I heard him sing "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" one more time, I was going to go completely insane. But here's what I loved, loved, loved about this concert: it was inclusive and chaotic and true to the punk tradition. Billy Joe rocked from beginning to end. He never lost momentum. The band's message was a perfect mix of anti-war politics and bad-boy mischief. They played all of the songs that made them famous. There were fireworks, audience participation, and a general 'good vibe'. Their version of "Shout" and "We Are the Champions" converted these two familiar tunes into something fresh, new and interesting. The finale of "Good Riddance: Time of Your Life" made me want to cry. Seriously, it was that good. More Matter, Less "Art": Which brings me about the latest topic I've been dying to rant about: Art. This weekend's The New York Post reported the latest 'artistic' venture in lower Manhattan. Yes, apparently the craze of cheesy, no-talent, tasteless expression is still running rampant. So now it's US bashing with standard everyday household materials doubling as works of art. The exhibit described has heaps of garbage, a Bible with a makeshift bomb in it, and a pipe bomb. True that art is intended to motivate and ignite commentary (enough to make Page 11, anyway). But is this particular exhibit really effective? Does seeing a Bible bomb really make a statement about politics or the world? Does it move people or revolt them into forgetting the intended message. This is an old argument. It's almost as if artists' wells have run dry of original ideas. No one knows what sort of buttons to push to get people riled. Television and information overload has made people more impervious to the shocking and surprising. But for artists who are starved for the next best thing, I suppose it is so much more interesting to paint in elephant dung or display tampons to instigate the masses. Ugh.