Why Hillary

So I've been taking some flak from friends for not yet getting on the Obama-rama Love Train of Change. I still support Hillary. Yes, that's right...that "polarizing" woman that everyone loves to hate but I honestly think she is best candidate out of two great choices. I don't even think that Obama and Clinton's ideals and goal are substantially different. I do like the man. Let's face it, Obama does indeed inspire and he gives great speeches but I don't know if that is going to be enough to get through to November.

So far Obama has captured the imagination of the public and media but what happens if, more like when, he is the only game in town? When his voting record and background are raked through the coals of the press, Karl Rove and conservative talk radio? So far, it seems like they have been going very light on Mr. Obama but every single day Matt Drudge can't resist an anti-Clinton article or using the worst possible photos he can find. And so he doesn't bore himself, Drudge will use the same tactics on an easier target like Bill Clinton and lately he must sigh in relief that daughter Chelsea now seems to be fair game.

Despite Obama's lead in delegates and apparent popularity, the right wing media hasn't taken any pause in shit bricking Hillary day and night which raises the questions, why do they still consider her to be such a threat? Why treat Obama with such kid gloves? Why do they seem to feel more at ease with Obama in the running?

While with Hillary, after 20 years of constant attacks, there is nothing new that the right wing movement can dredge up. The well is already dry and what more can they do? Dust off Ken Starr and open up the Whitewater files again? Probably not. For this reason, I feel more confident about about Hillary. What do the "vast right wing" conspirators have in store for Mr. Obama? Do they somehow consider him a smaller fish to fry? I don't know and I would not want to have to find out the hard way.

That said Hillary and her people have not handled this campaign well. Making attacks on Obama has not helped her cause, yet she keeps doing it anyway which makes her appear like the angry, sore loser who can't resist a cheap shot be it worthy or not.

Reality is a bitch, however, and it appears that Hillary may have to come to terms with her ambition and step down. She has to think about the party and not let it be divided for the Republicans to take advantage. In short, their goals and views are nearly identical but one thinks they can implement changes through inspiration and the other though experience. Obviously both are needed and hopefully these two will handle their differences gracefully and leave the party strong. And if Hillary steps down, I also hope that Obama can keep up the inspiration for a next eight brutal months and possibly beyond.

Random Memories: Wild Horses

My mind is always wandering - usually some place where it shouldn't. Whether it's meandering nostalgically in the past or wondering fearfully about the future. It's never in the present. It's never thinking about where I am at or what I am doing. The older I get, the worse it gets. Even writing has become a pain as I can barely sustain a clear thought long enough to write a single sentence. Yes, I am the owner of a wild,
undisciplined mind and it's caused me more trouble and grief than I care to think about.

For some reason, I don't know perhaps a random neuron fired off into the frontal lobe of my brain brought me back to the early 1990s in San Francisco. I started thinking about graffiti that I used to see in the Mission District where I grew up and lived. I didn't particularly care for graffiti but there was one artist, whose work caught my attention and imagination. The artist was called Reminisce and the images bombed on city walls were white horses in varying poses. So recently I just Googled it and found photos and learned more about Reminisce aka REM, who is actually an artist and sculpture named Ruby Rose Neri.

I had always wondered who was making these pieces and now because of the internet, I know. I don't know what it was about those pieces that struck me. Maybe it was the color, the size, or the illusion of movement. I have no idea but I still remember them all these years later.

Happy Valentine's Day: Perfecta

So I'm a pretty unsentimental bastard but occasionally a ray of sentiment shows itself. In this case, though my guilty pleasure for pop songs like this one by Miranda! and featuring Julieta Venegas, who's one of my favourite singer-song writers. Her talent for thoughtful lyrics and melody stretches across all borders and languages. She is the real deal.

They don't yet have a video with Julieta Venegas so this was the best I could find. The song is about friends that end up becoming life long lovers. "Perfecta" for Valentines Day. ¿Verdad?

"LOOKIN' GOOD FOR JESUS?!"

from BBC News
'Jesus' cosmetic row in Singapore

A leading retailer in Singapore has withdrawn a cosmetics range with a Jesus theme after complaints from local Roman Catholics, local media report.

The range, named Lookin' Good for Jesus, was on sale at three Topshop outlets in the Asian city state...MORE

To order these "amazing" products while you still can, click here!

MOVIE REVIEW: THERE WILL BE BLOOD

Directed By : Paul Thomas Anderson
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Dillon Freasier, Paul Dano, Kevin J. O'Connor

I'm sure everyone has heard all the buzz about Daniel Day-Lewis' acting performance in Paul Thomas Anderson's latest film and adaptation of Upton Sinclair's novel "Oil". I did before I watched the film and usually when I hear something that is so hyped, it tends to jade my expectations. Not so in this case. I'm of the opinion that Daniel Day-Lewis should just have the award sent to his house because it's deservedly already his.

Anderson goes in a different direction than in his previous films but even so, the intensity of each scene, each shot and each line of dialog is present just like in all his other work. Who can forget, for example, the drug deal scene in "Boogie Nights" with Alfred Molina?

The plot revolves around an oil prospector, Daniel Plainview(Lewis)and his son H.W.(Dillon Freasier)during the turn of the century in the American Southwest. Daniel is lead to oil in a small town and soon moves in to take over. Later, things get more complicated. A good example being the charismatic faith healer, Eli Sunday (Paul Dano), who is just as driven as Daniel.

The combination of a powerful actor and director makes for a satisfying yet at the same time, disturbing cinematic experience. One can't walk out the theater and not discuss this film. One of Anderson's strengths is that he creates fully realized characters and pulls no punches with their behaviour. It's as if the characters live and breath for their own sake and not for the audience's expectations of how they should behave. And Daniel Day Lewis, as usual, engrosses himself in his character, taking over the screen as he did in that seriously flawed "Gangs of New York". Thankfully, this time, there is no hackneyed Hollywood plot with Leonardo DiCaprio or Cameron Diaz to distract us. It's as if Lewis, in the film, is a sun about to go supernova with all the characters in orbit just waiting for the their moment.

Admittedly, this is not easy watching. It's a rather unsentimental portrait, but cinematic experiences like this don't come often and neither do daring, brilliant acting performances. "There Will Be Blood". See it! See it! See it!

- El Güero

SUN NIN FY LOK! GUNG HAY FAT CHOY!

Just want to wish a happy Chinese new year to all my Chinese homiez up the in the Bay Area and everywhere else and I guess to any one that celebrates the lunar new year. If was back up in the Bay Area right now, I would be freeloading at all my friends houses, making the rounds and eating all their food. In the Chinese Circles, I am known as the Bok Gwei or Gwei Lo. I'm not sure what it means but I think it's some where along the lines of "Evil White Monster". The Guero gracefully accepts the honored title. If you would like to send me any red envelopes stuffed with cash, I will gladly accept.

So this year is the year of the Rat. I don't know what that means but you can click HERE for more information.

TOTIS! TOTIS! TOTIS! CON CHILE Y LIMON!

So it's been a while. I know. I know. I started a few posts but never published and now they are outdated so whaddoya want?
I know what I want. I want more of my new favorite Mexican snack - TOTIS Donitas con Chile y Limon.
These little, tasty, fried flour donuts fused with artificial chile and lime flavor melt right in your mouth, which makes eating more easier than ever. This is probably why I just polished off a 2.1 OZ bag in one sitting.
TOTIS comes in many different flavors and types. Variety, after all is the spice of life, but my hands down favorite is the Chile and Limon.
Click HERE for their website so you can learn more about these tasty treats and enjoy the catchy jingle.