2006 Christmas Tour

This weekend felt like the "Chriselo Family Christmas Tour" with back and forth traveling to malls and parties in three different states. Noella hung in there like a trooper, she had a great time Saturday (with my side of the family) and Sunday (with Chistine's side). It was good to hang out with my side after not seeing some of them for almost two years! Christmas Eve, as always, was the time to continue our tradition of dinner, merengue, and opening gifts. "Pelito", Christine's grandfather was there again like at Thanksgiving. This may very well be the last time many of us see him, and though we never spoke it, we all thought the same thing as we said our good-bye's. By looking at the growing younger deneration, I could tell Christine's family is accultuating much the same as my family at least thirty earlier. It's good to see her side is able to hold on to more traditions from the motherland. We need to pass those forward as much as possible.
Monday was time for a quiet dinner in my house with my mom. It was relaxing to finally be home, and it was special in it's own way. My only wish is for a peaceful and prosperous 2007....

The State of Things

One day at a time. One choice at a time. One action at a time. There is only what is immediately before you in the swirl of chaos that is everyday life. If one so chooses, becoming a 'Master of The Multi-Task' can yield prodigious results. Where does it end though? There is always the next task no matter how many times you clone yourself.

My wife sent me a poem by a teenage cancer patient with six months to live. "Slow Dance" is a well written encapsulation of regret and advice to those who don't slow down to enjoy the simple things. It was my wife's way of telling me I'm missing out on things, and she's right...

I'm always trying to "turn the corner" at work yet never seem to get there. My involvement in community matters has taken up quite a bit of brain power not to mention tapped quite a bit of my emotional reserves, and the rat race has only just begun. My homegrown remedy: I bought my first electric guitar yesterday. That plus the next two weeks off will go a long way toward getting me in touch with the state of things.

I'm living in two worlds: Work/Community & Home. I wish the two wouldn't feel so mutually exclusive. It's hard to stay grounded when you are under attack on one side and painfully missed on the other. I'm nothing without my family, yet the pull to do more is so strong. One day at a time. One choice at a time. One action at a time....

TBP Part 4: Congressional Scandals & The American Political System

The Jack Abramoff Scandal may very well be remembered as a watershed in American history. Slowly but surely, the influence of "big money" and corporate interests in our political system has devolved our democracy into a modern day resurrected Feudal System of Lords and vassals. In time leading up to the Jack Abramoff Scandal you could sense the nerves rattling on Capital Hill as if people were saying on the inside that "the jig is up", or that a house of cards were about to fall. Down they fell, from Randall Cunningham to Bob Ney, Tom Delay, Mark Foley, and a host of other leaders and associates. Republicans were swept into a deadly rip tide of their own creation, and that political ocean current was fed by the category 7 Hurricane "Bush's-Failed-Iraq-Policy." Churning and stationary that storm is still building strength, but most of us are not aware how deadly this storm can be since it's still located "off-shore." The tide swept through Congress, the Republicans were felled on The Hill, party control shifted in governorships and state legislatures, and the White House lost Rumsfeld (or placed him on the sacrificial altar).

It's been said that "Absolute power corrupts absolutely," and that has never been more true than has been the case these past six years (and longer if you start to analyze it thoroughly). The progressive programs and policies of the last 60 years that began under the Roosevelt Administration's "New Deal" and expanded under the Johnson Administration "War on Poverty" have been reversed. Angered by what they perceived as social program excesses, conservatives worked slowly over several decades to change the landscape by: swinging southern conservative Democrats to their cause, forging alliances with Christian groups, mastering grassroots politics, supporting conservative candidates in local and state races, and controlling the message through conservative bought and operated media outlets.

What went wrong was what almost always happen when you have too much of a good thing: you abuse it. Conservative administrations our recent conservative Congress have become corrupted by money and power the same way their Democratic/Progressive counterparts were during their excessive reign. Money controls access and having access helps to set the agenda. Today lobbyists have become a quasi third branch of government, and the average American will never have the same level of access that lobbyists and their special interest clients currently have. The Congressional Scandals are disaffecting the Republican base and Americans in general, but what the situation highlights is how far removed from the our founding father's vision we have become. As long as money remains the overwhelmingly dominant determinant of access, a "government of the people, for the people, by the people" will remain an elusive concept once dreamt about eleven score and ten years ago...

A Life Deferred

"What happens to a dream deferred?" - Langston Hughes

I studied Langston Hughes in college, and this poem has always remained in the back of my mind. It's a question I ask myself everyday in some form when I go to work; so many lives put on hold by lack of opportunity, limited skill sets, and poor choices. Stepping back and seeing the enormity of the challenge for what it is can be intimidating. It seems almost futile at times, and then there are times when you feel you've made a difference. This week has been hard...

A young man who turns twenty today sits in Riker's Island prison accused of murder. This is a young man I have known since the age of seven. Is he a killer? No. Is he guilty? Probably. Is he stupid? Yes...that is my "non-P.C." way of spitting out my frustration with the fact that he is functionally illiterate and has made a string of very bad choices. When his parents came to the United States from the Dominican Republic, I doubt their vision of the American Dream was incarceration for their youngest child. This is more than a dream deferred, this young man has become a statistic; another life deferred.

The plus side to his downfall is the fact that other "borderline" youth have taken some of our programs at Inwood Community Services, Inc. a little more seriously. My colleagues and I are swimming in a rip current trying to follow a diagonal track toward shore. I'm a firm believer in planting seeds and hoping for the best, but this one hurts. As a parent, I can identify with a parent's hope that your children will turn out okay. This is different. I've worked with literally hundreds of youth, but no turn for the worst has ever blindsided me or touched me as deeply as this. Why? We held him under our wing for a few years...very closely as a matter of fact, but then our project "lost funding" and many of our initiatives and participants scattered.

Damn...

He could have been saved. There are many we can't, and many we won't. I know he could have been, and that hurts...

Being Thankful

It's easy to take for granted what previous generations have done for us. I don't feel like an immigrant and neither does my wife. Though we were born here in NYC, our families are first generation immigrants from the Dominican Republic. Both Christine and I are literally a few life circumstances away from having been born in another country, never meeting each other, and never having the opportunities that we have been afforded us being born a U.S. citizen. This Thanksgiving, my mother-in-law hosted a dinner for forty family members in honor of a special 91 year old guest: her Father. "Pelito", as he is affectionately known, came to the U.S. for the holiday season from a town named 'Mao' in the Dominican Republic despite his increasingly frail condition. The picture above is of Carlos being introduced to his great grandfather by his mom, Angelica, and aunt, Christine. Noella was able to meet her second great grandparent (the first being my grandmother.) When they get older they'll be able to understand the significance of having a connection, however brief, with a generation that made all the difference in their parent's lives. I've recently imagined where I would be today if I was born and raised in D.R.? I probably would have married and raised a family in Santo Domingo or Santiago, would have been a womanizer (common among Dominican males), been owner of some kind of entrepreneurial business, would know some English and have attained some education, and would have gone into Dominican politics. I can't imagine what Christine would have been doing today? One thing is for sure, our life paths would have been very different.

The picture of Baby Alexa on the right was taken by Carlos, her proud big brother (it's one of literally a dozen he took). He doesn't have to say it, but he loves being a big brother and, in his six year old way, is very thankful to have her in his life.

All Adriana's guests, from six months to 91 years old, took part in a great feast that included a 20lb turkey, three roasted pig shoulders (perniles), a whole other baked turkey breast, two huge pots of morro negro (rice cooked with black beans), a tray of lasagna, green salad, Dominican style potato salad, a few dozen Cornonas and Heinekens, and tons of desert (including five pies brought over by Alexa's dad, Alain).

I always look forward to taking time out to celebrate our family, to recognize where we have been, where and who we are today, and what lies ahead for us. In the hustle and bustle of time's passage, one easily takes for granted what is and what could have been. Being thankful is the least we can do, yet giving thanks and providing recognition reinforces our bonds with each other. It's good to remember to do that every now and again....while we still have the opportunity to do so....

Happy Birthday, Noella!!!

Five years! How time flies? I have always heard parents say that in reference to their children, but to live it and experience the passage of time is something else. This was probably the best party we've thrown for Noella; kids AND adults had a great time at 'Crazy City' in the Palisades Mall. Despite the location's name, it was relaxing for me considering a party usually invovles logisitics, coordination, and a healthy dose of running around. Noella also received a heck of a lot of gifts considering we only had eight kids there? We had a nice balance of guests with old friends, new friends, school friends, to family all present around the table.


Happy Birthday Noella! We Love You!!!

Abbey Road

[Picture Removed]

Do You Believe in Miracles?!

If you asked me one year ago that I would get the chance to meet David Gilmour during a private taping at Abbey Road Studios, I would have told you that wold be a nice fantasy. It's impossible to wrap my head around, but it actually happend! Thanks to a person I met from the David Gilmour Blog, Tomasz, who won tickets to go to Abbey Road, I was able to meet my music hero at the recording studio that is considered the "Mecca" of the music industry.

It was a whirlwind 36 hours starting with a flight to London on Air India, then a walking tour of London, a cool hang with Tomasz, a dreamlike three hour performance at Abbey Road, a chat with most of the band including "the man" himself, more walking, crashing for two hours in a small london corner, an insomniatic stroll through pre-dawn London, and a flight back to NYC.

[Picture removed]

Here's my view from the balcony of famous Studio One (courtesy of Tomasz). Did this really happen? How could I have been so lucky? How blessed am I that I was able to "tour" around like a deadhead and follow Gilmour? Never would this have been possible without the support of my wife....

And now that I look back and see my corner of the web-iverse has become a quasi-fansite, it's time for me to return to the matters that I started this thing for in the first place. Abbey Road is an excellent way to close this chapter......for now......

One issue: Damn, I have to lose weight!!!! Look at my mug for crying out loud!
-------------------

It appears as if I made a "boo-boo"....I'm not allowed to share pictures from Abbey Road. My apologies to David Gilmour's management and Abbey Road if I breeched protocol. If anyone is reading this, take my word for it: the view was great and I was FAT!

-Angelo, 12/12/06

David Gilmour: Finale

What a way to end this ride! I got to see meet a whole slew of David Gilmour blogger, see David Gilmour live on Jay Leno from right next to the stage, hang with more bloggers, and see Gilmour again at the Gibson Amphitheater!!! I have really been one lucky dude this year...

Here's Gabrielle from Washington State & Susan chatting it up before Leno....

Kevin from Michigan (who flew in just for Leno!) and Erin with her "Thanks Fed" T-shirt ....

W1P & Tom from the Gilmour Blog having a Floydian debate...


Susan meeting Patrick Eaves and guest....

And Chris who was convinced by the Tonight Show Page to see the Leno studio taping...

Here we are (Mike & wife, Renee, & Erin) eating garlic fries on a garbage can!!! We missed meeting Brad and Tim. I wished we could have, we could have really made a nice crowd...

I wonder if the FEd will ever get to see this?

And here we are right before we went in to the Amphitheater with John from Florida and his wife between Erin and Mike.

I spent the next day just driving around taking in all I could of California and what this whole David Gilmour experience has been like. I can't put into words what a great experience it has been. I've been a fan since I was a kid, but I never really got to experience "fandom".... I may have missed out back then, but, boy, have I more than made up for it!.....

David Gilmour: Reprise

Here are my pictures to Los Angeles, California. I have plenty to reflect on, but they'll be time for that later....

April 19th, 2006 at THE KODAK THEATER:

The venue......

My lucky streak continues. I found hotel space behind the Kodak Theater (That one's for you Christine. See what I mean?)

Jorge and I at the Pig-n-Whistle on Holywood Boulevard.

Fans patiently waiting for autographs and hour after the show backstage.

I don't care what anyone thinks: the LA show was a hell of a lot louder and rowdier than the Radio City show with people taking pictures and calls of "WOOOOOOOO!!!". It was in a way more intimate as well, however, with about 3,400 people there.

After the show people came out flabbergasted...

We met the nicest fans, too. Here are the Cole's from Palm Srings, California. Mr. Cole, a life long Beatle fan and ex-roadie, said there is nothing to compare to this show in his concert experience. Here we are where we met at Mel's Diner on Highland at 2am. Damn camera phone....bad shot!

So, there's plenty of space on the Walk of Fame for David Gilmour star? Where do I sign up!

Noella's Dora Adventure

Today was Noella's turn to see an "icon" at Radio City Music Hall. This was the picture I took after we saw "Dora's Pirate Adventure", a cute show that had Noella on her feet most of the time. We started with hot dogs at Gray's Papaya's on 72nd Street and made our way down. Why Gray's Papaya? Five hot dogs at Gray's: $4.75. One hot dog at RCMH: $3.75!

This was our first little trip together anywhere in a very long time, and it was well worth it. Everything from taking the train to just walking down the street was new and fresh...much better than hanging out in a mall somewhere. During the show she sang and interacted with a huge smile on her face. I think we spent most of the time watching her watch the show!

We're now considering a family trip to California as a follow-up to my lone trip in a few days to see David Gilmour again. I've realized that it's way too easy to get into a routine which itself can become a rut. Work is becoming a larger uphill battle than I've bargained for, and family life at home has been condensed into a two and a half hour exercise of getting ready for bed. It's getting warmer out, and Christine and I need to start planning family activities consciously and with regularity. Going away on a long trip maybe a nice way to mix things up a bit....

...now on to packing for my Gilmour pilgrimage out west....

Aww, I'm gonna miss these guys...

Welcome Alexa Christie!!!

Angelica and Alain welcomed their new daughter into the world today at ~8:10pm. Alexa Christie weighed in at 8lbs 6oz and was wide awake and very healthy!!! Here she is at one hour old. Everybody in our immediate family was there to welcome her to the world.

Mom and Dad arrived to the hospital at 9am. It was a day filled with plenty of contractions, ice chips, and visits from their anesthesiologists!

The doctors waited as long as they could for the baby's head to decend, but it didn't happen quickly enough for them.

At 8pm they prepped Angelica for a cesarean section which went off without a hitch!


Here's the proud Papa with Alexa Christie and a curious big sister, India, looking on.

Here's her very happy Abuela holding her fourth grandchild.
Noella and Christine get in on the action.
That is a pure natural reaction from her "Titi." That is a really cute baby!!! I think we're going to love having this little one around...

From David to Dora, & Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Now it's Noella's turn. She loves all things Dora, and how could I have turned up a chance while at RCMH last week to buy tickets for us? Well, on Sunday we'll be taking her to the same place I saw David Gilmour. I'm sure she'll have a blast, but I'll be seeing hallucinations of David Gilmour soloing to the Dora Theme Song...

She's never been to RCMH and we have pretty decent seats, so it should be a good experience. These tickets were pretty expensive so it better be! One ticket costs more than what I paid to see David Gilmour!!! Come on, it's a cartoon!

On another note, today is my mom's birthday. She's been so kind to me over the years (okay, I've been spoilt rotten being her only son). Noella has really taken a liking to her this past year as she has filled in babysitting for us. She turns 63 today.

We bought her a little cake, and Noella wrote a special note in her card. Here's Noella singing "Happy Birthday" to her Nana Flora. It was a rough start between them, but they really have grown to love each other. There's lucky little Shaggy-Precious who we found abandoned as a puppy in an empty lot Thanksgiving 2004. She's brought plenty of joy and companionship to my mom since then.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!!!

David Gilmour at Radio City Music Hall: Coda

I took only two pictures inside RCMH. I couldn't help myself. I needed to have some visual record of my feeling that night. First, the scalloped dome and stage. It was from this vantage point that I witnessed what will probably be the most satisfying musical experience of my life.

(PICTURE REMOVED)

This one is from a DG Blog friend, Deborah, who sat just a few rows from the front. Then there was this picture below that I took during the end solo of "Comfortably Numb"...

(PICTURE REMOVED)

...I was in a Cathedral of Sound, and David Gilmour conducted his sermon to maximum effect. I'm already a convert, but man am I reborn....

David Gilmour at Radio City Music Hall: Day Two

Tonight was my turn to see David Gilmour at RCMH at long last!!! The performance was everything I expected and more!!! That may sound a bit cliché, but it's true.... There's so much to tell and not enough space to tell it in. Let's just try the pictures, shall we?

Here are more bloggermates at Heartland Brewery. From left to right: Yours truly (time to lay off the burgers and fries!!!), Deborah, Laurie, Stephen, and his son, Nick.

Here we are by the RCMH Stage Door entrance waiting for a glimpse of the man himself (notice Deborah's "Echoes Please" t-shirt?) Sorry you never got that picture of David, Deborah...you could have mine! And here are some of them below....

Heeeeey, Guuuuuuyy!!! Is that David Crosby and Polly sneaking in behind you? Below are more pictures, but look at the people's faces (there's one person in particular who stands out). The lust for autographs filled the air, unfortunately.

Hey, is that Richard Wright in the background? I never noticed him coming in? Somebody told me he went right in and refused an autograph saying, "No, not David's album." I don't blame him. The next two pictures of people wanting their photo's taken with David started to make me feel really uneasy about being there.

You see, there was a moment when David Gilmour looked at me and just smiled. I thought, "Hey, that's cool!" I smiled back and held his gaze for a moment without anything to say, then I realized he thought I was the photographer for the guy he was posing with. When I realized that, I gestured to the guy next to me. I woke up and took these two pictures in sequence just before he stepped inside, but I didn't feel right afterwards. Was I any different than that lady in the purple jacket? I'm not sure of the answer to that, but allow me to share this last picture which is my favorite of the set and was taken as a fluke random shot.

Everything in this photograph speaks volumes. I wonder if Polly would like this one?

Oh, and to all those fans who treat David Gilmour like a commodity....

:-)

David Gilmour at Radio City Music Hall: Day One

The sky cleared up and RCMH was ready to receive the Gaggle of Gilmourrim with open arms. The sound check was booming through the closed doors on 51st Street. Little did I know that the renditions of "Shine On", "The Blue", and some "harmony thingy" I heard included the legends David Crosby & Graham Nash! I may not have attended today, but I did get to hear them do those songs!!!

Here are DG Blogger mates who came to hang out before the show. There I am with Wendy, Sally, Tom, and guests before we went around the corner to Heartland Brewery.

Here we are at Heartland Brewery talking about all things Floyd, the David Gilmour Blog, and our fearless Features Editor (all positive, 'onest!)

My blogger friends encouraged me to try and stand on line and get tickets on reserve that were not picked up. I got to third in line, but no luck. But no matter....

...It's my time tomorrow night! As I was walking towards the train station, I snapped this shot of the 42nd Street/Times Square area. The picture doesn't do it justice. As chaotic as this town can get, I can think of no where else I'd rather live. This city, for me, embodies all that is dark about humanity as well as all that is good and beautiful. No example is more apparent than on that horrific day of September 11th, 2001 and the days afterward when everyone knew each other, held each other, grieved together, and rallied together to stand up in the face of tragedy to proclaim we would not give in to fear. Politics aside, New York City has rebounded 100% and then some. If you look into the eyes of a New Yorker, look beyond the attitude and see yourself in his or her eyes....