La Vida Yaya

Funny how people treat you differently when you stop caring what they think and start doing your own thing. I'm not trying to write a cliche motivational speech, just an observation about the psychology of human behavior in reaction to things that are somewhat outside of the norm. Such is the case on those days that I remember to smear my favorite red lipstick on during broad daylight to accent my usual color pallet of red and black outfits, boots, scarves, and flowers. It's just lipstick but people treat me differently. I get more smiles from everyone, men, women, and children. People comment on my outfit as if it's the first time they've ever seen me wear it. They just can't seem to pinpoint why they feel the need to stare and speak. I get a kick out of it of course. I did spice it up even more today with an even bigger red rose pinned on my dress. When it's just the rose alone people know it's the rose they like but when it's the red lipstick, it'...

The HMFF is the largest tribute to Mexican film in the world and will again showcase the creativity, ingenuity and charm of Mexican cinema in six of the nation’s most influential cities: Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Washington D.C. Following the success of the Hola Mexico Film Festival (HMFF) in the United States in 2009, the renowned international festival is back for the second year on US soil commencing in April 2010.  The Hola Mexico Film Festival is the largest tribute to Mexican film in the world and will again showcase the creativity, ingenuity and charm of Mexican cinema. The international festival will screen contemporary films like the 2009 LA Film Festival award winner, Los Que Se Quedan (Those Who Remain) alongside classic films like Sexo, Pudor Y Lagrimas (Sex, Shame and Tears), paying tribute to Mexico's biggest hits. April 29 to May 4 General admission tickets range from  $8.00 - $14.00 and VIP tickets are available for $40.00. Vi...

The City of Los Angeles officially declares April 23rd, 2010 as “Ozomatli Day” to celebrate and recognize the fifteenth year of the LA-based and Grammy-award winning band, Ozomatli. This celebration will include a special presentation of “Ozomatli Day” by Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa and Los Angeles City Council members at the Los Angeles City Hall. I have followed Ozo for years, since I moved to LA in the early 90s. My college roommate was Rocio Marron who played with Quetzal. Our group of friends at USC's Latino Floor (residential housing) would follow Rocio around to all her gigs, see Quetzal play with Ozo and other LA bands like Aztlan Underground, Quinto Sol, Lysa Flores and other groups no-longer in existence like Mazzy Star. All very talented group of musicians and friends.Although I will always be a die-hard Quetzal fan, I can't help but feel an immense amount of pride for the Ozo boys. I've gotten to know them a little more in recent years being an official Ozohe...