Friday, September 07, 2007

CHAVELA VARGAS - MY IDOL

La incomprable, la mejor de todas Chavela.



Chavela Vargas is a mexican-costa rican singer born in San Joaquín de Flores (Costa Rica). She mostly sang rancheras, a folkloric musical form widely popular in Mexico. She dressed as a man, smoked cigars, drank heavily, carried a gun and was known for her characteristic red poncho.

In a Colombian television interview in 2000, she openly admitted she was a lesbian. Vargas was born Isabel Vargas Lizano in Costa Rica on April 17, 1919. At only 14, she fled the country because of its lack of opportunities for starting a musical career, seeking refuge in a more sophisticated Mexico. For many years she sang on the streets but in her thirties she became a professional singer.

Her first album was released in 1961 and she has recorded over eighty albums. She was partly retired in the late 1970s but came back in 1991, and debuted at Carnegie Hall in 2003 aged 83, at the behest and promotion of Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, a long-time admirer and personal friend of Vargas. She is featured in many of his films, in both song and video.

Vargas appeared in the 2002 Julie Taymor film Frida, singing "La Llorona". Her classic "Paloma Negra" was also included in the soundtrack of the film. Vargas herself, as a young woman, was alleged to have had an affair with Frida Kahlo, during Kahlo's marriage to muralist Diego Rivera.

She also appeared in Alejandro González Iñárritu's Babel, singing "Tu Me Acostumbraste", a bolero of Frank Dominguez. Joaquín Sabina's song "Por el Boulevar de los Sueños Rotos" ("Through the Boulevard of Broken Dreams") is dedicated to Vargas.

Chavela Vargas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thoughts Become Things - A Message from the Universe

Whatever, Araceli.

I really mean that.

Whatever, whatever, whatever.

You can have it.

Whatever,
The Universe

www.tut.com

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Friday, August 24, 2007

My Favorite Passenger

This is a long-overdue posting. This is dedicated to you- "My Favorite Passenger".

Last winter I lost both my cars. This was right after I had started a job in Davis (California) as some of you may or may not remember. I had to commute from Sacramento to Davis for almost 5 hours each day, round trip. I'd leave my house by 5:30 and was back at night around 8 p.m.

I clearly remember the dread and unhappiness the very first day I had to wake up at 4:30 a.m. to be out the door by 5:30- to figure out my routes and schedule, etc. That first day was total chaos. I know, I know, it may be nothing to some, but to me, it was truly a lesson. Especially considering everything else I was going through, but all that is a different story.

I felt lost and distant from such an experience, at least here in the USA anyway. Little did I know that during this period of time I would experience some of the most profound life lessons. I may go into some of those later on. A few months ago I published a posting titled "Home". You just might remember.

When I discovered My Favorite Passenger's route, right along Sutter's Fort, I began the true learning experience I was bound to live and survive. Thanks to My Favorite Passenger and "The Bus Driver from Heaven", their wonderful personality, kind smiles and patience, my learning experience was anything but painful.

While it was still tough to get up so early every morning and ride RT for 5 long hours, experiencing the cold, the rain, the darkness of the early morning in Downtown Sacramento; the fear of being late to catch the bus; arriving late at work, the street noises and just the view of life, as raw as it is, out in the streets of Sacramento- sharing a moment in time with both My Favorite Passenger and the Bus Driver was definitely something I will always remember. The ride from Sutter's Fort to the heart of Downtown went by so quickly. The more "torturous" portion of the trip was from Downtown Sacramento to Davis. Different route, different bus, different people.

My Favorite Passenger was a beautiful thing to look at, just everything about him. The hat, the glasses, his calm and relaxed attitude, the look in his eyes; his polite "good morning"s and "have a good day"s were incredible life lessons. Days and days went by before we even exchanged a word.



One morning, without consulting the Driver, I dared to take pictures of My Favorite Passenger. While some of the other passengers were clearly bothered by my audacity, I tried to ignore it in an effort to capture exactly what I felt when I looked at him. I took these pictures with his consent of course. For that too I will always be thankful.

When I finally was able to purchase a new vehicle, I experienced bitter-sweet emotions the last day I took the bus. I didn't even have a chance to say goodbye to either one. I didn't even mention it. Maybe I just didn't dare to say I wouldn't be taking the bus again, at least for a while.

If you know anything about me, you know that I am not the best photographer in the world, not truly a photographer for that matter. Definitely not like my dear friend and colleague Marlene Hawthorne, yet still I dare to share my eyes with you.

For-ever thankful to you, My Favorite Passenger and the Bus Driver from Heaven.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

La Violeta

Coleccionó 3,000 mil canciones. Vivió intenso, tan intensa Violeta Parra. Tocó tantas vidas. Se quitó la suya un día de Febrero de 1967.

Para mis colegas y amigos de Paloma Negra y para Patrick Grizzell.

She collected 3,000 songs. She lived intensely, as intense as she was, Violeta Parra. She touched so many lives. She took her own one day in February of 1967.

To my colleagues and friends from Paloma Negra and to Patrick Grizzell.

Gracias a la vida....

Gracias a la vida, que me ha dado tanto.
Me dio dos luceros, que cuando los abro.
Perfecto distingo, lo negro del blanco.
Y en el alto cielo, su fondo estrellado.
Y en las multitudes al hombre que yo amo.

Gracias a la vida, que me ha dado tanto.
Me ha dado el sonido y el abecedario.
Con el las palabras que pienso y declaro.
Madre, amigo, hermano y luz alumbrando.
La ruta del alma del que estoy amando.



Gracias a la vida, que me ha dado tanto.
Me ha dado el oído que en todo ancho.
Graba noche y día grillos y canarios.
Martillos, turbinas, ladridos, chubascos.
Y la voz tan tierna de mi bien amado.



Gracias a la vida, que me ha dado tanto.
Me dio el corazón, que agita su mano.
Cuando miro al fruto del cerebro humano.
Cuando veo el bueno tan lejos del malo.
Cuando miro el fondo de tus ojos claros.


Gracias a la vida, que me ha dado tanto.
Me ha dado la marcha de mis pies cansados.
Con ellos anduve ciudades y charcos.
Playas y desiertos, montañas y llanos.
Y la casa tuya, tu calle y tu patio.


Gracias a la vida, que me ha dado tanto.
Me ha dado la risa y me ha dado el llanto.
Asi yo distingo dicha de quebranto.
Los dos materiales que forman mi canto
Y el canto de ustedes que es mi propio canto.


Thursday, July 26, 2007

NCLR Annual Conference in Miami Florida

A little souvenir. Yes Barack Obama himself... Thank you Eric!

Photo Courtesy: E.P. Nealy

While this is not the view from my room at the Radisson, this is a beautiful view taken by Marlene Hawthrone... from her own room.


This was an intense weekend for me and all others attending. The Conference was packed with presentations, luncheons (The Latinas Brunch with Hillary Clinton, etc.), workshops, concerts, exhibits. We attended a great concert with Luis Fonsi on July 22 and the following night a special concert at Bongos Cuban Cafe with Elvis Crespo all to ourselves! It was all very impressive.

I had an opportunity to meet wonderful people from Latino organizations based in different cities and states. I am very fortunate to have been there, to share and learn, but most importantly- to serve.

Here is a great picture taken by my friend and colleague, Marlene Hawthrone. I only wish you could see this man's beautiful face. So sweet and gentle. Thank you, Marlene!


Photo Courtesy: Marle Hawthrone

Here are a couple of other pictures I've received from a colleague in Miami. I will share more as they come.

Unfortunately I left my camara behind in Sacramento and had no chance of taking any pictures myself. My only option was my cell phone. I'll share those as soon as I am able to download them from its memory :)

These pictures are also from the Naturalization Workshop we held on Saturday, July 21, 2007 at the Convention Center. Nearly 500 people participated in the workshop. It was an amazing thing. The second one is a picture of Luis Cerros from Democracia USA.



Thanks to Julio, Luis Cerros, Rudy and my new primo Rafael Collazo from Democracia USA for their hospitality during the Naturalization Training in preparation for the Workshop.

Photos Courtesy Democracia USA

Monday, July 16, 2007

Gloomy Sunday

To Life. To Death!

I've always had a thing for Sundays. A colleague and I were actually discussing this theme during this past Monday. That dreadful feeling you experience during the late afternoon... as night approaches... on Sunday.

This song, Gloomy Sunday, is one that I particularly love. It confronts us to one, if not our biggest fear... or is it our biggest escape? Our biggest dream? Death. Death is no dream... goes the song.

I dedicate this posting and this song to all of you out there who share the dread of Sundays, a pain similar to the one conveyed so clearly in these lyrics.

Call me crazy, but I also wish to inaugurate the "Gloomy Sunday Club" from Sacramento and the rest of the world. Share songs, poems, thoughts, ideas, pictures that may reflect a "gloomy Sunday".

While I absolutely love Billie Holiday's version of this song, in my opinion, Sara McLachlan is the best version ever. Her beautiful vocals extract every bit of poetry, every bit of pain from it. The simple guitar arrangement is perfect for her vocals.

I wanted to find Sara singing it on youtube.com but I found this clip with her version. Thank you EngelFin for posting this video.




I encourage you to research a little on the subject and if you come across the original lyrics by those mysterious hungarian composers, please pass it along.

To Life. To Death! Gloomy Sunday.


************

Gloomy Sunday

Sunday is gloomy
my hours are slumberless.
Dearest the shadows I live with are numberless.

Little white flowers will never awaken you.
Not where the black coache of sorrow has taken you.

Angels have no thoughts of ever returning you.
Would they be angry If I thought of joining you?
Gloomy sunday.

Gloomy Sunday,
With shadows I spend it all.
My heart and I have decided to end it all.

Soon they'll be candles and prayers-that are sad, I know.
Let them not weep.
Let them know that I'm glad to go.

Death is no dream for in death I'm caressing you.
With the last breath of my soul I'll be blessing you.
Gloomy Sunday.

Dreaming...
I was only dreaming.
I wake and I find you asleep
in the deep of my heart, dear...

Darling I hope that my dream never haunted you.
My heart is telling you how much I wanted you.
Gloomy Sunday.

Go figure! I wanted this post to be pushlied on Sunday and it took me about 30 minutes to write it, between typing the lyrics, finding the video, etc. Hmm... Just pretend it's still Sunday.



Love,

Araceli

Saturday, July 07, 2007

Thoughts Become Things/Los Pensamientos se Materializan

Spanish version of text follows each paragraph in English.

This has been my slogan for the past several months... I believe it's true. I know that our "guidance system" is our emotions and feelings. We really do materialize that on which we focus.

Este ha sido mi slogan por los pasados meses.... Yo creo que es cierto. Sé tambiénque nuestro "sistema de guía" son nuestras emociones y sentimentos. En verdad maerializamos aquello en lo que nos enfocamos.

I want to share this exceprt from an electronic magazine I receive concerning an experiment on DNA.

Deseo compartir un fragmento de un artículo que recibí en una revista electrónica con respecto a un experimento de DNA.

I realize this posting has nothing to do with my music- yet I am sharing it because it has everything to do with me and how I choose to view my ever changing life.

Entiendo que esta publicación poco o nada tiene que ver con mi música, pero lo comparto porque tiene todo que ver conmigo y con la forma en que elijo ver mi tan cambiante vida.

On a separate note, I will be performing with my good friends from The Premiers tomorrow at Carmelita's, off of Sunrise and Fair Oaks from 7 to 10 p.m.. An incredible place to be, excellent food, outstanding service.

En una nota aparte, quiero compartirles que me presentaré mañana Sábado con The Premiers en el restaurant Carmelita's, sobre la Sunrise y Fair Oaks Blvd. de 7 a 10 p.m. Un increíble lugar, con excelente comida e increíble servicio.

Soon enough I will be performing there with my new ensemble (Patricio, Dominic and Rene and many guests musicians). I'll keep you posted. Thoughts become things!

Pronto estaré presentando mi nuevo ensamble (Patricio, Dominic y Rene). Los mantendré al tanto. Los pensamientos se materializan!

Enjoy this article and the weekend!

Disfruten el artículo y el fin de semana! (Ofrezco una disculpa porque no traduje el artículo, pero si alguien lo necesita traducido, por favor me avisan :)



1) ASTONISHING DNA EXPERIMENT

Below is an experiment which proves that DNA can heal itself according to the "feelings" of the individual as reported recently by Gregg Braden. He says living cells communicate through an energy not affected by time and distance, an energy that already exists everywhere, all the time.

The experiment was done by the Institute of Heart Math.

This is the experiment that relates directly to the anthrax situation. In this experiment, some human placenta DNA (the most pristine form of DNA) was placed in a container from which they could measure changes in the DNA. Twenty-eight vials of DNA were given (one each) to 28 trained researchers. Each researcher had been trained how to generate and FEEL feelings, and they each had strong emotions.

What was discovered was that the DNA CHANGED ITS SHAPE according to the feelings of the researchers:

1. When the researchers FELT gratitude, love and appreciation, the DNA responded by RELAXING and the strands unwound. The DNA became longer.

2. When the researchers FELT anger, fear, frustration, or stress, the DNA responded by TIGHTENING UP. It became shorter and SWITCHED OFF many of our DNA codes!

If you've ever felt "shut down" by negative emotions, now you know why your body was equally shut down too. The shut down of the DNA codes was reversed and the codes were switched back on again when feelings of love, joy, gratitude and appreciation were felt by the researchers.

This experiment was later followed up by testing HIV positive patients. They discovered that feelings of love, gratitude and appreciation created 300,000 TIMES the RESISTANCE they had without those feelings. So here's the answer to what can help you stay well, no matter what dreadful virus or bacteria may be floating around, stay in feelings of joy, love, gratitude and appreciation!

These emotional changes went beyond the effects of electromagnetics. Individuals trained in deep love were able to change the shape of their DNA.

Gregg Braden says this illustrates a newly recognized form of energy that connects all of creation. This energy appears to be a TIGHTLY WOVEN WEB that connects all matter. This is the science behind how we can choose a time line to stay safe, no matter what else is happening.

As Gregg explains in The Isaiah Effect, basically time is not just linear (past, present and future), but it also has depth. The depth of time consists of all the possible prayers and time lines that could ever be prayed or exist. Essentially, all our prayers have already been answered. We just activate the one we're living through our FEELINGS. THIS is how we create our reality - by choosing it with our feelings.

Our feelings are activating the time line via the web of creation, which connects all of the energy and matter of the Universe.

Remember that the law of the Universe is that we attract what we focus on. If you are focused on fearing whatever may come, you are sending a strong message to the Universe to send you whatever you fear. Instead, if you can get yourself into feelings of joy, love, appreciation or gratitude, and focus on bringing more of that into your life, you are going to avoid the negative stuff automatically.

You will be choosing a different TIME LINE with your feelings. You can prevent getting anthrax or any other flu, virus, etc, by staying in these positive feelings, which maintains an incredibly strong immune system. So here's your protection for whatever comes: Find something to be happy about every day, and every hour if possible, moment-to-moment, even if only for a few minutes.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

El Amor - Recital June 15 2007: The Summary



O.K. guys! Here it is. When I get off work, I will get back to you. In the interim, enjoy this summary.

O.K. raza! Aquí está. Cuando salga de la oficina, estaré de nuevo con ustedes. Por lo pronto, disfruten de este resumen.

Que viva el Amor!

Celi

Monday, May 21, 2007

El Amor - A Bilingual Performance

Hello, everyone! I apologize for my long absence. I've been busy :)

This weekend, however, I took the time to go for a nice, long drive to the Napa Valley and enjoyed an Italian festival, food, incredible wine and the company of our wonderful friend Felipe Davalos and his lovely wife, Ana Lilia Tovar. I promise to share a bit more on that later... it really was incredible. We tried to ride the Wine Train for lunch along the wineries but lunch was fully booked for the entire weekend. Now I know we need reservations :)

I resigned my position with Communicare Health Centers and accepted a full time position with NCLR (National Council of La Raza www.nclr.org). It's closer to home and a new experience I am willing to embrace and enjoy.

I am currently working on a couple of wonderful projects. I've met incredible musicians like Rene Paul, Dominic Garcia, Johnny Flores and Jerry Robins with whom I've had the pleasure of singing a little. I've let go of my project with a wonderful solo guitarist, Willie Chapin, as we both are working on projects that better fit our wants and needs. But the experience was incredible! I've put together about 30 new songs that I hadn't performed before.

I have a live performance before a crowd of 20 thousand people this Saturday in Vacaville, California. I'll be joining The Premiers- Jorge, Steve, Roberto and the incredible Oscar on base- with vocals!

Lastly, La Raza Galería Posada is featuring me on June 15, 2007 and would love to see everyone there.

I continue to do as best I can with what I have from where I am (www.tut.com).

Con cariño y corazón!

Celi