 Converse Menswear Low Ox$50.00  Vans Chukka Boot Cheap Monday Tor Parka$158.00  Spiewak McKenzie Coat KR3W Kosway Hoodie$125.00  Penfield Edgewood Fleece |  Lookout Mini Blinds Tee Freestyle Shark Watch Double Cable Knit Scarf Cheap Monday Inter Cardigan $54.00 |
Happy Turkey-day! Happy Thanksgiving! Happy T-Day! Feliz Accion de Gracias!
Everyone knows that today is a day to be surrounded by loved ones, but I would like to make an argument that that not be exclusive to this day, nor exclusive to the holidays. Surround yourself with loved ones at ALL times. Don't spend one day without loving and laughing. As many people have said, a day without those two things is wasted. Fill all your days with joy. And while you're at it, go ahead and count your blessings :)
Go forth, be thankful and joyous.
A couple of things I'm thankful for:
Take the time today and count your blessings. I promise it'll feel good. Yet, if it don't it means you're not trying hard enough. We are all blessed, loved, and worthy here on this earth -- otherwise we wouldn't be here in the first place!
BONUS: Xmas Video! (yes that's me)
Baby, It's Cold Outside -- SPHS '05 from Jordan Jubela on Vimeo.
Xmas Music! (no that's not me)
[[thx pic via rbeast]]
Been doing some updating lately on the ole' blog here. I'm constantly tinkering, adding, removing, and rearranging things to satisfy my small OCD perfectionist tendencies. The new snowflakes look is part of my attempt to bring some winter joy to the blog. Yah I know that the snowflakes have a tendency to make it hard to read text at times, but I'm just happy I figured out how to put them on. I'm no web designer. I just google and find smarter people than me who've already figured out how to do all this junk.
Anyways yeah, I like the new winter look, makes me feel festive :). Also there is a fun new feature on the posts here. At the bottom of each one readers can leave their impressions in the form of Yay (thumbs up), Meh (whatevs), or Nay (thumbs down). Although a handful of people visit this little site of mine on a daily basis no one ever seems compelled to leave a comment. Which is totally fine, I barely ever comment on things I read. I don't even comment on my friends profiles on facebook. But I'm thinking maybe the new quick responses might find themselves in wider use. Time will tell. Check 'em out down below, and while you're at it why not use 'em?
"Baby, It's Cold Outside" ft. Selma Blair & Rainn Wilson
This video just tickles me. I love the chemistry between the two of them, and Rainn at the end is priceless. GAP always makes xmas better. I feel like I should actually buy some of their totally generic clothing just to keep funding cute xmas videos like these. Or maybe not.
BONUS: My best friend Sarah and I performing the same song at our high school winter concert in 2005!
Baby, It's Cold Outside -- SPHS '05 from Jordan Jubela on Vimeo.
[[via GAP]]
Seems now that Roger Ebert has finally undergone his surgery to cut cancer out of his left-lower-cheek, he has all the time in the world to write. In his own words "I cannot speak, eat or drink..." Good thing he has his newspaper job to supplement his TV show. I do believe that the ability to speak is one of the prerequisites for television.It is useful, when you are fat, to have a lot of other things to think about. If you obsess about fat, it will not make you any thinner, but it will make you miserable. If you try any diet whatsoever you have read about in a magazine or heard about from a celebrity, it will make you even more miserable. I maintained tip-top mental health during all the years of my obesity.
"Nancy," said Gene to our makeup artist and emergency crisis counselor, "please bring Mr. Ebert a bookmark so he doesn't lose his chin again."
"Roger, when I need to amuse myself," [Siskel] said, "I stroll down the sidewalk reflecting that every person I pass thought they looked just great when they walked out of their house this morning."
Siskel & Ebert & the Jugular |
Millions of high-res professional photographs at my fingertips. I must be dreaming.
In case your slow and still don't get it. Google is now hosting all the photos Life mag ever published ever, and they're all totally available to the public. Let's plug some keywords in and see what pops up.
Times Square --
Depression --
Cowboys --
Well that was fun. I recommend trying it out for yourself!
[[via swissmiss]]
think-make-think, by Clifton Burt
So my iPod Touch broke a couple weeks ago. And when I say broke, I mean that everything works perfectly fine EXCEPT for the fact that I get crappy sound quality from the headphone jack unless I constantly jiggle the little audio connector around. So now listening to music on my Touch is a big ole' pain in the tukus [sic] (aka I have no idea how to spell tukus). Luckily I brought my 1st gen nano with me to the Mex as well, so I haven't been without. It just all seems such a waste cuz my Touch works fine, except for the stupid headphone jack. I wonder what Apple would charge me to fix it. I guess I'll have to run over to the Genius bar once I'm back in the states.
Anyways in light of the brokenness of my Touch I am now doing some soul-searching about what I should buy to replace it. Another Touch? the new nano? a Zune? other off-brand mp3 player? I can't decide. I've decided to watch the apple and zune ads to see which one appeals to me more.
Zune --
iPod --
As y'all can see. I'm conflicted. I like them both, and I also like the idea of going off-mainstream with the new touch mp3/vid player from Cowon. I don't know what to do, just wish my Touch hadn't broken in the first place.
PS. Is it bad that I take pride in the vintageness of my 1st gen nano? Is it bad that I own more than one ipod?
[[zune ad via HRO]]
"An individual's capacity to establish a loving and long-term committed relationship with another person and responsibly to care for and raise children does not depend on the individual's sexual orientation." Moreover, "the exclusion of same-sex couples from the designation of marriage clearly is not necessary in order to afford full protection to all of the rights and benefits that currently are enjoyed by married opposite-sex couples." -- California's chief justice, Ronald M. George
"...the reasons for denying gay and lesbian couples the right to marry that served as the "factual" basis for Proposition 8 are but pretexts for discrimination."
"Proposition 8 was explicitly designed to relegate hundreds of thousands of Californians to an inferior legal and social status."
"...fundamental civil rights must be available to all citizens, regardless of race, sexual orientation or other intrinsic human qualities."
Gay-rights marchers gather by the thousands in Los Angeles and San Francisco, battling heat, expressing solidarity and debating proponents of the measure.
The rallies brought out a diverse crowd that included straight as well as gay families. Pam Chan and her husband brought their two children -- Kalea, 6, and Koa, 2 -- to the demonstration in San Francisco. "We want our kids to learn they can grow up in a place where everyone is equal," said Chan, 34. "Marriage is for everyone."
From the article:
Signs of protest
Many of the anti-Proposition 8 signs mixed humor with anger, often targeting Mormons who supported the measure."If heaven discriminates, I don't want to go."
"The same Bible was used to justify slavery."
"Hmm. . . . What's so traditional about polygamy?"
"Where's My Gay Tax Break?"
"Joseph Smith had 33 wives. Gays only want one."
"I was born gay. You were taught religion."
"My brother is getting married . . . again. Why can't I get married once?"
"Straight but not narrow."
"Only my wife should care if I marry a man."When told of the signs, Schubert [representative of Yes on 8] said, "It's unfortunate that the 'No on 8' campaign has devolved into personal attacks and statements of religious bigotry. If they think this is going to help their cause long term, they might want to consider a new strategy."
An Unusual Bride
During the course of a turbulent decade for gay marriage, the couple, Emily Drennen and her wife, Lindasusan Ulrich, have been married three times. "To each other," Ulrich quickly clarified.
They wed in 2003, before gay marriage was legal. A year later, when San Francisco began marrying gay couples, they married again, only to see the courts annul their union.
Last month, Ulrich, 39, and Drennen, 35, went through another ceremony in the wake of the state Supreme Court's landmark ruling that legalized gay marriage. "And we want to stay married," said Drennen.
If you are interested in getting involved and joining a rally then hop on over to www.jointheimpact.com
Upcoming Event: "No Gays for a Day", Dec. 10, 2008
I just got back from Mexico City and I'm spending my time skimming the numerous emails that have been waiting for me for the last three days. I receive news updates from the NY Times, LA Times, BBC, and NPR to my inbox everyday. And I am now taking the time to sift through all the headlines from the last few days. From all the noise, clutter, fluff, and mostly uninteresting news that gets published everyday, I have taken the liberty of compiling a list of a couple of gems.
NY Times --
"I think we thought the Responsibility to Protect meant something. I remember when the responsibility-to-protect language came up at the 2006 United Nations General Assembly, and I remember thinking at the time: If this turns out to be nothing but words, the Security Council is going to have a real black eye, and in the Darfur case it has turned out to be nothing but words." - Condoleezza Rice
"Some security consultants and academics point out that at least the upper crust has options, while other Mexicans must rely on law enforcement agencies, known for their corruption and ineffectiveness, to protect them from the violence."
“For my children, they don’t understand,” José said. “They’re happy to have these [bodyguards] around. When they get out of school, there’s someone to take their backpack. There’s always someone around to play. I try to teach them that this isn’t normal. It shouldn’t be this way.”
“It is not our goal in this campaign to attack the homosexual lifestyle or to convince gays and lesbians that their behavior is wrong — the less we refer to homosexuality, the better,” one of the ward training documents said. “We are pro-marriage, not anti-gay.”
“Tenure is the holy grail of teacher unions,” said Michelle Rhee, Chancellor of Washington Public Schools, “but has no educational value for kids; it only benefits adults. If we can put veteran teachers who have tenure in a position where they don’t have it, that would help us to radically increase our teacher quality."
"...most of [the] victims have been bloggers, a reflection of the sloppy speed at which any tidbit, no matter how specious, can bounce around the Internet. And they fell for the fake material despite ample warnings online about [the source], including the work of one blogger who spent months chasing the illusion around cyberspace, trying to debunk it."
It's now almost 1 am and I have to get to bed. I will leave this list for now with these articles from the New York Times. Tomorrow I'll put up the rest from NPR, LA Times, and BBC.
paz y bienestar. buenas noches.
Here's a little game to keep occupied in the time between getting drunk this weekend.
Well, I'm off to Mexico City!
ciao. 1 beso
If I was in the US right now, I would be spending this weekend in the theater watching the following three movies. Alas, I am not in the US and so instead I will be spending my weekend in Mexico City, going to a Cruz Azul soccer game, touring the Anthropology museum, and seeing a play in Xochimilco. I guess the movies will just have to wait.
Everyday I receive the top headlines from a handful of major news organizations delivered straight to my email inbox. For a long time I used to only subscribe to the NY Times daily newsblast but recently I decided I need to diversify a bit more. I now peruse the headlines from NY Times, LA Times, NPR, and BBC World. These coupled with the numerous blogs I have in Google Reader and it's safe to say that I sift through a lot of information on a daily basis.
Below is a list of the most recent news articles I've found interesting, o sea, my news digestive:
On the side bar of this blog (right over there --> ) is a little widget called Curious Stuff. It is regularly updated with interesting posts that pop-up in my Google Reader. Also over there on the right is my blogroll which lists my fave blogs.
Happy reading :)
I have a couple more updates about the aftermath of prop 8. After making international headlines all over the world, next to the even bigger OBAMA, our cause in securing equal rights for all is getting even more attention. The rallies and demonstrations across the U.S. let everyone know that we are not done yet. One election does not make the world. As originally said by Martin Luther King Jr., "The road to freedom is a difficult, hard road. It always makes for temporary setbacks."
I am so proud to be a part of what is happening right now, and I want to bring attention to the most recent email I've received from the No on 8 people. It is a beautifully written letter that stresses the importance of unity, hope, and determination in our journey to equality.
Dear Jordan,
This has been an incredibly difficult week for Californians who are disappointed in the passage of Proposition 8, which takes away the right to marry for same-sex couples in our state. We feel a profound sense of disappointment in this defeat, but know that in order to move forward we must continue to stand together as one community in order to secure full equality in California.
In working to defeat Prop 8, a profound coalition banded together to fight for equality. Faith leaders, labor, teachers, civil rights leaders and communities of color, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents, public officials, local school boards and city councils, parents, corporate law firms and bar associations, businesses, and people from all walks of life joined together to stand up against discrimination. We must build on this coalition in order to achieve equal rights for all Californians.
We achieve nothing if we isolate the people who did not stand with us in this fight. We only further divide our state if we attempt to blame people of faith, African American voters, rural communities and others for this loss. We know people of all faiths, races and backgrounds stand with us in our fight to end discrimination, and will continue to do so. Now more than ever it is critical that we work together and respect our differences that make us a diverse and unique society. Only with that understanding will we achieve justice and equality for all.
Dr. Delores A. Jacobs, CEO, Center Advocacy Project
Lorri L. Jean, CEO, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
Kate Kendell, Executive Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights
Geoff Kors, Executive Director, Equality California
My friend posted a bulletin on my MySpace yesterday about a rally they were holding in Rochester, NY in response to the passage of prop 8. It's so wonderful seeing people come together to fight for this great cause.
There's a rally TONIGHT at 6pm
Near the Liberty Pole in the city.
It doesn't matter if you're straight, bi or gay
Come fight for rights well fucking deserved.
I refuse to hate.
In fact, I love and support.
Do you?
Come show your face.
All that has happened in the last few days gives me confidence that we will win out in the end. We will win because we have to.
Here's a fun fact for today. "On Nov. 6, 1860, former Illinois congressman Abraham Lincoln defeated three other candidates for the U.S. presidency" (nytimes). He definitely makes the list of my top 5 favorite people of all time. Everything from his stature, his style, his oratory presence, to his pure strength of will and clear concept of right and wrong. He is iconic and a role model for the world. And any English teacher will tell you that the Gettysburg Address is probably the most concise and powerful essay ever written at only 266 words. I mean honestly, who ever said quantity meant quality?
Today I also received the official email (click to read) from No on 8 confirming that in California proposition 8, which eliminates gay marriage, has indeed been passed into law. Although it is a sad time, we must appreciate the amazing steps that have been taken by all and recognize the it passed by a very narrow margin. It is said that this was one of the largest civil rights campaigns ever. It is only a matter of time before equal rights are granted to all citizens unconditionally. American history has taught us that equality wins in the end. It has to. Someone once told me that the unconditional acceptance of homosexuality would destroy our society, but I say that the real threat is INEQUALITY, the real threat is denial of basic human rights to all people of all walks of life.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." (Declaration of Independence)
A couple days ago I finally downloaded a good quality, extended version, of Eric Prydz' fantastic Call on Me. I can't believe it took me so long. I really honestly love this song, and Eric Prydz. I kind of went on a Prydz download spree. Most people only know Call on Me, but definitely vale la pena look-up some of his other tunes. I recommend his remix of Pink Floyd's Another Brick in the Wall (drop.io) (see video below).
On the topic of music, I'd like to point out a fantastic new music video website that has practically every music vid released in the USA since like the 60's. Even better, all vids are high quality and embeddable (see below) just like youtube. This is all thanks to a rather obvious yet surprising source, MTV Music. I won't miss having to sift through millions of home-made music vids on youtube when all I wanted to see was Madonna's Hung Up:
or Eric Prydz' Proper Education (mp3 download above):
Two weeks ago I went to the Cervantino festival in Guanajuato, MX. I had a great time and absolutely fell in love with the city. I can't think of a place that is more buena onda. I loved the people, the music, the style, the cafes, the performers, the multi-colored houses, the colonial influence, and pretty much everything else. I will be going back someday.
[entire album on flickr]
There is a new special someone in my life. Things are so far so good.
Hope I didn't just jinx it.
Halloween just happened. I was a hipster vampire. :) The costume cost me all of $7, makeup and outfit included.
All in all great things happened, happen, are happening.
The other new yorkers and I have been working on a radio program for the past few weeks and it's really starting to come together. I think we're going to have something great on our hands when all is said and done.
I've finally found my rhythm in tennis. It's nice to be getting back into the groove with that.
We're starting our television project now. Pitter and I will be investigating the culinary school at UPAEP. Should be pretty tasty.
Cinema class is coming up. I'm really looking forward to hours of Mexican art cinema that I won't understand. :)
We have a trip to Guadalajara next weekend. The city comes highly recommended. They say it's pretty urban which is what we're all about.
A week or so ago I cut off all my hair. I like it a lot better now
Oh, and yesterday I got another piercing. It's nothing crazy. I'll try and put a picture up soon.
--
paz y bienestar. 1 beso
