mi madre...my hero

Today it marks 53 wonderful years of life that my talented and beautiful mother has shared with the world. I don't talk much about her, but let it be known that I am a splitting image of my mom and that she is my hero. I look so much like her that, in fact, on more than one occasion when I have seen older pictures of her, I think it's actually of me (hah hah - true story). I used to hate that fact with every atom of my being, but now I thrive off it. I figure if I can be half the woman she is inside and out, well, I'm doing pretty darn good in life.

What can I say about my moms? Mi madre is a kind and giving soul and truly is the glue to our family, both nuclear and extended alike. The oldest of 12 brother and sisters, she has wiped many asses in her days and can cook a hell of a meal. Other thing that makes my mom...well mom...is her love for working out (she works out religiously- like 5 or 6 days a week), reads trashy romance novels likes nobody's business, always watches QVC (it's like crack to her), dances to salsa/meringue songs that play in her mind while she cleans & cooks , and is addicted to playing online games while she's working. She has a killer smile and snorts sometimes when she laughs (thats when you can tell shes the happiest). Even though she drives an old rickety saturn half the time, when it's nice outside - she pimps out in my dad's Chrysler Sybring convertible - doned with her pink sunglasses & blaring salsa music doing her little happy dance behind the wheel - she's the most beautiful thing to behold.


FELIZ CUMPLEANOS, MADRE. I love you more than words can possibly say!

familia service announcement

I have been informed by a few sources that a few of my family members have been keeping up with my writing on this blog. And while I knew subconsciously that they may have one way or another found out about my (ever so public) writing vehicle, I never thought they would keep tabs on me. Since I have found out about this, suddenly I find myself hesitant to disclose certain facts about my life and wondering what they will think or say to some about some of my writing and/or thoughts.

That being said, my writing lately has been "carefully" written as not to disclose certain things or delve too deeply into facets of myself which my family may deem...ahem...naughty or surprising.

Well...no more! I shall fight the desire to be anything but myself. My writing is an extension of me, and dammit, I shall not be ashamed of who I am. So, my dear family members (you know who you are): if I shall offend you in any way and/or disclose something about me which you feel the need to gossip about behind my back, so be it. I am always open for discussion about anything and everything I write (if you know me at all, you know I am down for lively discussion any day of the week). Instead of animosity, hopefully, by reading my blog, you all should come to know me better, and just maybe-MAYBE-respect me a little more than you did in the past.

Peace n love to all (especially my blood).

and then there were eight

I have no idea why the stripping of planetary status of Pluto bothers me as much as it does. But, it just rubs me the wrong way that after 76 years of teachings that our solar system had nine planets, suddenly they decide Pluto doesn't qualify. It's now considered a dwarf...what the hell? It's like suddenly it's the unpopular kid, just kicked to the curb and never thought of again.

our solar system...sans Pluto

Just think of all the science books that will have to be chucked due to the inaccuracy; even such things as Trivial Pursuits answers must be updated to read 8 planets as opposed to the 9 we all know and love. What's next? A total revision of what consists of the earth's core? A miscalculation and apparent shifting of the equator line? It's maddening, I tell you maddening.

I, for one, think there's still room for debate. In my mind there will always be 9 planets in out solar system. I don't care what those hoity toity astronomers have concluded. I don't doubt their knowledge one bit, however, they have to realize: you can't teach an old dog new tricks...especially this old dog!

mmm..chocolate virgin mary ?

This morning while browsing the web I came across yet another story about people worshipping some type of food which THEY BELIEVE holds a likeness to the Virgin Mary. Just what exactly is it with people always seeing depictions of the virgin mary in food ? This time, it was found in a chocolate factory among scraps of other pieces of chocolate.

I don't know about you, but I don't see the likeness here at all (see pic below)...in fact, just looking at this picture of chocolately goodness is making me hungry. I understand that in these days and times everybody wants to take some comfort in their religion and salvation, etc...but just the thought of people literally worshipping a mis-shapen piece of chocolate with prayers and rose petals is just a little too much !! C'mon people..its a fucken piece of chocolate!!!! Get over it already.


depiction of the virgin mary or just a wonderful chocolatey replacement for sex?

the last few drops of summer...

I still can't believe the summer is almost over! In what appears like a millisecond's time since spring ended, the sun is starting to set earlier and earlier each day - and suddenly, the nights and mornings appear just a little too chilly to wear a tank top or my sandals when I'm walking my Taz.

Anyway...here's what has been keeping me busy in these dog days:

1) Forcing myself to work out 3 times a week on my elliptical machine - no matter how lazy, tired, or busy I seem to be

2) Procrastinating on posting pictures to Lollapalooza 2006- which I attended at the beginning of the month. You guys can see what little I do have posted from the grand event here. The pictures at night which are barely visable are of Red Hot Chili peppers and Kanye West shows. (more on my lollapalooza experience below)

3) Starting the whole process of appealing my cook county property taxes all by myself (they are proposing to raise it by an astonishing 30%!!!). That craziness being said, I've done quite a bit of research on my neighboring buildings and read almost every piece of literature on the subject that I can get my hands on. I refuse to go quietly into the night!

4) Reading to my hearts content, because in less than a month when I start school I won't have that luxury anymore!!

As for Lollapalooza 2006, what more can I say other than it was such a kick ass experience! The weather was perfect in Chicago and most of the bands we saw were actually very interactive and sounded pretty good acoustically. As the days progressed, we did start getting to the festival later and later due to fatigue setting in and the fact that most of the bigger acts were later on anyway. Some of the bands we did check out were: auqualung, death cab for cutie, stars, gnarls barkely, the editors, the shins, kanye west, red hot chili peppers, blackalicious, and common. I was really bummed I didn't get to see the subways, ohmega watts, or kill Hannah, but what can I say ? You have to schedule your time wisely and if two good acts are going on at the same time at different ends of the park, you just can't be in two places at one time. Three whole days of live music for $140 was definitely worth it and I plan on going again next year if I can!

war...what is is good for ?!!

More and more, I wonder if the end of the world is upon us. Every time I turn on the tube or search news websites, I am inundated with pictures and words of large scale destruction, meaningless killings and bombings, and most of all, deep rooted hatred affecting countries near and far. I am not a very religious gal, however I do consider myself pretty spiritual...and I can't help but wonder, "is this just the beginning of the end?"

No one can deny there is something terribly wrong with the world as it stands today. Thousands upon thousands of helpless people are caught in the crossfire, being killed just because they live in the wrong place at the wrong time. What is all this hatred for? What does it serve? What good is power and/or politics if all your people are dead? I just can't see how things can continue on this path of death and war without heavy consequence for everyone around the globe. What's most astonishing to me is how the value of life has been diminished to nothing and how much hatred there is going on around us. I can't comprehend why war and hatred have reigned supreme on almost everything. It's like the world has gone crazy.

This is not the way life was supposed to be. It was supposed to be filled with family, friends, love, and respect for others (even when you don't necessarily agree with others). Life is far too valuable to be wasting it on hatred based on differences of opinion, religion, and politics. Most all war is built upon trivial bullshit put into play by people who want the world to be a homogenous replica of what they themselves believe in.

Why can't we just get along...or at least just let each other be. One thing is for sure: with the state of the world as it is today, I find myself clinging to and appreciating family and friends a lot more than I used to...

In the words of the late, great John Lennon "some say I'm a dreamer..but im not the only one..."

Promoting Literacy in Chicago's Latino Community

I just received email from The Chicago Latino Network and wanted it to pass the information on to others which may feel compelled to help Latino children in need in Chicago.

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) launched a new parenting and literacy pilot program last year called Padres a Padres for 3 and 4 year olds. It enrolled about 30 children who did not have other available preschool options into a special program. CPS set up a preschool classroom at a park district field house and got the kids and parents together twice a week. Each week, along with other activities, the teacher read a book and the children got to take a copy of the same book home with them. The parents were in the classroom learning how to read the books to their children to instill a love for reading and learning in their children. The class is taught in Spanish and all books are Spanish language. The program also includes an outing to the local library and home visits by CPS staff. This program has a wonderful parenting component and focuses on closing the book gap ('well-off' kids have hundred of children's books in their homes; 'poor' kids have only a handful).

CPS is planning to expand the program this Fall to include both a West side and a North side location, hoping to enroll up to 200 kids. Buying books are a large part of the budget for this fledgling program and they could use help as they expand the program.



Several local organizations, including the Chicago Latino Network, are taking a 200-book challenge to help defray the costs of expanding this wonderful program. Please join us!

The Chicago Latino Network asks its members and friends to donate new copies of the children's favorite, El Conejito Andarin, in hardcover format to the Padres a Padres Literacy Program at Chicago Public Schools. We are looking to collect 200 new hardcover copies of El Conejito Andarin by the Fall!

Among other places, the book is available online at:
Amazon.com for $15.60 (free shipping if you buy 2) - click here
Walmart.com for $11.18 (with $.97 shipping) - click here
Booksamillion.com for $12.46 (free shipping if you buy 3 copies) - Click here
Barnesandnoble.com for $10.95 (free shipping if you buy 3) - click here

Prices and promotions subject to change.

If you are ordering the books online, please have them shipped directly to
Luz Maria Solis
Chicago Public Schools
125 S. Clark St., 9th floor
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: (773) 553-2019

Put "Donation for the Padres a Padres Program from [your name]" in the gift message.