How do we celebrate my mom's 60th?

It was my mom's 60th b-day so how did we celebrate? By doing the Harlem Shake (see video below). It was so much fun. The kid in a Spider Man outfit is my nephew. My mom is the lady on the left wearing a green dress. The guys on the background are my cousins and my brother in law. My cousins,sisters aunts and friends were all there to make this a special night. I made a fool of myself dancing with a monkey but tequila will make you do crazy things.

My Family doing the Harlem Shake

Racist Commercial? (see video below)

One of my favorite activities which amuses me to no end is to point out to my friends the most subtle and no so subtle racism in commercials. Why, for example, does the Spanish guitar have to play when the main, Mexican character appears. It happens with Asians also. Remember a little movie in the 80's called the Karate Kid? Every time Mr. Miyagi shared his wisdom with "Daniel Son", a bamboo flute played in the background? How freaking racist is that?

Oftentimes, "Mexican" men are seen as dumb and/or lazy, even when they are asking for your vote. Yes Pedro I will vote for you.  (see Nacho Libre. Every adult male acted or looked retarded) Pollo Loco commercials are especially good at reinforcing the stereotype of the suave Latin Male with the worst stereotypical Hispanic accent.

This brings me to the El Paso commercial below several things to notice:

1- The Kids are NOT even Spanish, native speakers. If you're going to insult us, at least hire REAL Mexicans.
2- Mexicans don't wear bandanas any more. That's old school 70's cholo shit. In fact bikers probably wear bandanas more often than Mexicans.
3- How stereotypical is it to have the mother bring out food in a giant sombrero?
4- Did you catch the little girl enlighten adults with the suggestion that there is more than one way to skin a taco? (You know because Mexicans are dumb)
5- I love how the whole community rejoiced and salsa danced the night away.

I admit that I laughed at all the stereotypes and innuendos in the commercial. This brings me to a bigger question: Can racism be funny? I don't know. I champion myself as a person that believes that political correctness has run amok. At the same time, I laugh at racist shit all the time equally. I'm an equal opportunity offender. A part of me believes that the world is a better place when we can all laugh at each other. Where is the line? I wouldn't know. I'm too dumb to figure it out. (Spanish guitar solo).

What do you think senor?

The issue that has divided my people

The Jokes are back! 1-18-2013

It's been a while since I've posted jokes mainly because my life feels like a giant punchline but the recent headlines made it too tempting to ignore and if you cant laugh at life what can you laugh at? Enjoy

Did you hear about this football player from Notre Dame, Manti Te'o who fell in love with am imaginary person? It's crazy what Mormonism will have you believe. Yes, he is Mormon)

 In an interview with Oprah, Lance Armstrong did little to rehabilitate his image by appearing smug and mean. But I'm not one to bust his ball.

 A same-sex Army wife was denied membership into a Walmart club for military spouses in North Carolina. Had they been a straight couple in sweatpants showing butt crack...

 Michael J. Fox had harsh words for Taylor Swift, warning her that she needs to stay away from his son. Upon hearing of their relationship, he was shaken up.

 The body of a lottery winner will be exhumed because his death is being investigated as a homicide. And also to look at the guy with the worst change of luck.

 I can't wait to see this years biggest horror flick, "Mama". It's a frightening tale of a lady that constantly reminds you of your weight gain and bad life decisions.

Deadly Fun

In the 80's, Oingo Boingo told us, "It's a dead man's party who can ask for more.Everybody's coming leave your body at the door. Perhaps Oingo Boingo was was talking about Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead.) Speaking of the dead, I've been dead to the blogging world but like a good zombie, I'm never really gone forever. This weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the annual Dia De Los Muertos celebration in East Los Angeles. It's like a big block party where they block off the streets and vendors, artists, and the whole community gets together to party, Dia De los Muertos is a holiday that commemorates the dead loved ones that are not physically with us anymore. We celebrate death but not in a "I'm trying to cash in on the 72 virgins deal." It's more of an acknowledgment that we are mortal and should rejoice while we still can. It is also a time to remember loved ones and party with their spirits. I remember taking a "death and dying course" in college and we studied how we, in the West, act like Grim Reaper doesn't exist and worse yet, we fear death. (Except for Blue Oyster Cult who advocated that we NOT Fear the Reaper. Can you hear the cow bell? I can) Evidence of this apprehension can be found in the many euphemisms we use for death. In America a person does not die, they "pass away" like an eternal quarterback throwing to his/her celestial angels. In America, one "crosses over". Mexicans do this too but we call it "migration". Jan Brewer that joke is for you. Here people "go to meet their maker" like we are a mass produced widget. Dia De Los Muertos is a departure from that. People dress up like skeletons. There is imagery that reminds us our future home- that snug coffin. The emphasis is on the "now" on the living, while still remembering the dead. If any readers are ever in Los Angeles during the Halloween season, you have to visit E.L.A and attend a Day of the Dead celebration. I posted some videos of the event along with a picture of a couple we met at the event. I hope you can feel some of the jubilation I experienced at this event. While there, I began to reflect on all the people that have "passed away" (I do it too) such as family and friends and I had peace in knowing that it's all one. We are all one giant consciousness and the memories we have are eternal and will outlive us. The most vivid memory I have, and the one that left the biggest impression on me was this chubby Mexican guy who had a portrait of his grand parents. While, the band played, he kept raising his hands with the portrait of his dead grand parents, dancing while celebrating their lives. I guess life is like a song.

Dia De Los Muertos Art from East Los Angeles, CA