Song of the Week / Canción de la Semana

Veinte Rosas - Los Ángeles Azules

I've never really been much of a romantic in my life. It's just hard to fall for all that gooey-lovey rhetoric of couples when most of it is driven by self-interested sexual needs. If anything it seems hypocritical to be making poems, giving chocolates, buying flowers, and going on extravagant dates just to get my partner more interested in me. I believe that when you are in a relationship you have to be as sincere about yourself as possible; putting all the cards on the table. That way you'll know for certain that if your significant other falls in love with you, it is truly you they are head over heels for and not an unrealistic façade you put on as bait.

Nowadays, our music industry seems to be struggling with this even more. Every time a love song comes out on the radio it's mainstream, bland, and just like our generation: degrading and superficial. It's no surprise. Artist are trying to profit from the our complete lack of sensibility. Just throwing in some humdrum lyrics like "baby, I like the way your body moves", "baby, I can't stop thinking about you", "baby, i'm crazy for you"
Yes, you can bet your pretty penny that any song with the word "baby" is not only an indicator of hardcore mediocrity , but a potential Grammy too.

And this is why i love Los Angeles Azules, because they are at the opposite end of the spectrum. The romantic music they make is just that: romantic. We were listening to their greatest hits album when we were driving back from L.A. this weekend, and I couldn't believe.As soon as 20 Rosas started playing, tears were starting to pour off the cliff of my eyelids! What happens is that the melody of their music follows the sentiment its trying to convey with its very poetic prose. This song is about a guy who is crushing on a girl, but, the thing is, she's not into him. And even though he realizes this, he promises to give her roses at the beginning of the year, at the end of the year, and on her birthday with the hopes that maybe "quizás" someday she will share the same feelings.The song's grace is further magnified with the delicacy of the lead singer's voice and the passion of his whispers. It is just overwhelmingly amazing and I can't get it out of my mind and soul. ¡Me está volviendo un adicto!


PS- They don't have a music video for the song...so umm, enjoy the the manga?

Rethinking Our Ethics

This afternoon I had an interesting experience that involved my actions in a time of action. I was on my way to pick up my friend, Deborah, at her house. As, I got off the van and headed over to the stairs to knock on her door, I hesitated when I saw a struggling middle aged woman wearing a backpack trying to lift a red suitcase with her, while systematically attempting to bring up a bucket too that she had left on the second step.

When she saw me she was jilted back with surprise. Seeing as it was going to take her long to do all this, she got down from the first step, and let me through so that I may get to my destination on time. Not really taking mine and her actions into consideration, I thanked her kindly, and ran up the stairs to get Deborah.

After Deborah finally stepped outside her door, we were heading back down the open aired hallway of her apartment complex, when I saw the woman finish her journey up the stairs. She didn't look necessarily tired out or exhausted, but she did have a satisfied face when she realized her hassle with the stairs was over. She breathed, got her key out of her pocket, opened the door to the first apartment and disappeared along with her items.

It wasn't until I got back to the van that I consciously took in what had just happened, when my observing little brother yelled out, "Ivan! You are so rude! Why didn't you help that old lady!"

Really, Why didn't I? How is it that on a Sunday, I could have the courage to get up on pulpit and exhort all my brethren at church to be a good Samaritan, to do unto the least of these, to love thy neighbor? What happens when I don't follow my own advice in a time when I should follow it most?

James from the Bible is famous for stating that faith without works is dead. In other words, It is pointless to be a religious or an ethical person if our actions don't match up to our ideals. As, I've been dwelling more into philosophy this week, I found a movie on netflix called An Examined Life. The whole purpose of the movie is to get off the orthodox method of studying philosophy through complex texts, by instead visually demonstrating concepts. Philosophers, mainly professors, are filmed doing simple actions such as walking or taking boat ride, while they talk about their views on philosophy (it's importance, study, experience, practical application, etc) By far it was probably one of the most boring movies I have ever watched, I'm not going to lie, but there was a scene that really stood out for me. The philosopher that was walking down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, starting talking about ethics. He said that in order to give purpose to our lives, it is necessary that we center our efforts around helping humanity. Because let's face it, like Siddhartha Gautama said, "All life is suffering." Then is it not our responsibility to help mankind, not because we are obligated to, but because as Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Blacks, Whites, Latinos, Straights, Gays, Men, Women and Humans of this world we have a heart that recognizes the vulnerability of our existing condition.

But it is not just preaching that that our love and charity for each other will give is purpose. It is actually making the efforts to demonstrate it through our daily actions and interactions with people, both familiar and strange. When it comes to the woman, what I did was wrong. It was unethical. I wasn't trying to harm anyone, but like the philosopher from An Examined Life continued to say, if we as human beings aren't anxiously waiting or seeking opportunities to help each other, and a moment without lending a hand or thinking of a way to better the world doesn't worry us, then we aren't living to our full potential and purpose.

I really am making it sound more complicated than it needs to be (hence, you notice the influence of philosophy in me) but really what I'm trying to say is that when we live our average lives, if we see someone in need, even if it's the dumbest little thing or something they can do by themselves, we should try to offer our aid, because doing that is what's going to truly make us better people in a better world.

And as Mormon Scripture quotes "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass." -Alma 37:6

Young Love

It's interesting to realize how shocking it is to be so young yet feel so old. This happened to me today while I was on a double-date with my immaculate little brother. We went to the dollar theater to watch the oh so predictable thriller, the Roommate. Because the theater was nearly empty due to the fact that it was Monday, and I wanted nothing more than to have a whole row to be alone with my girlfriend, Deborah, the kids sat a couple seats ahead of us. After countless minutes of watching an obsessed mental lesbian throwing cats into a drying machine, i observed that my brothers head was tilted. An immediate lighting bold of shock struck me. It could only mean one thing.

Yes...

they were cuddling.

The turds! I mean, i know my brother has had "girlfriends" in the past. But what does that even mean? Those were elementary school sweetheart, and well, this is a high school sweetheart. There's a difference. I just know there is... Besides, he's never really been the ladies' man. Of course he's had an admirer here and there, but it's always been my job to have the messed up relationships. Now he's old enough to date(at least by my standards). And that's probably what left me blown away. The small stubborn child that used to torture panicking fire ants by unmercifully dipping them in water and freezing them overnight right next to the blue otter pops was no longer there. Instead, I saw a growing young man. He's going through high school and life. I'm witnessing him dealing with the same situations i did when i was his age whether it's school work, friends, sports teams, or dating. It's like watching a movie all over again. The only difference is that it's his movie this time.

Now all i gotta do is get myself some buttered popcorn, sit back, and enjoy as i watch this slap stick comedy of an awkwardly nice jock that meets an awkwardly nice girl...

My Heart Weeps

It's so sad to belong to a country that doesn't want you. To base your dreams and your hopes on a land that rejects you. To aspire great things for a nation that is blind to your patriotism. Here i live in the United States of America: the land of the free and the home of the brave. Yet, i have been robbed. My identity as a human being has been stolen and I am not allowed to be the American i grew up to be.
My roots grew from the fertile Pampas near the coast the River Plate, but my branches have stretched high to where the Eagle soars and the Spangled Banner drapes over the sky.

I don't have a piece of paper to prove anything or a document to claim my rights. I only have my soul, to say:

I am an American. And I love my country.

Out of patience

Spring Break where are you?

Dream House

Ok, so i've recently gotten the craving for searching appartments in Buenos Aires. I have no idea why, i'm just have this whim about stuff like that. So, along my travels through the amazing internet, I found these totally awesome apartments. They are called "Departamento tipo casa" or "House-like appartments". Their abbreviation is PH for penthouse, even though they're not necessarily the same penthouses we have here in the US. Pretty much they are an antique version of a condo. The majority were built around the beginning of the 20th century, during the jazz age, or as Argentina knows it, the tango age. What makes these little buggers so cool is their unique European architecture. French doors and windows, balconies, checkered tiles, and even interior patios.

This one is in the Boedo neighborhood. Look! It has a super cool entrance hall :D

This one shows the style of the French windows. Aaah so artistique

Here you have to cross the patio to get from your room to the kitchen



Oh my goodness! I could play chess in the computer room!


Check this out. The hall that goes into the bedrooms has no ceiling



And here's the best part... The roof! Yes, each PH comes with its own flat roof.
What's better than owning a roof?!

These babies used to come at an affordable price during the 60-70's, but after the fall of Argentina's military dictatorship, the government encouraged foreign investment. This caused Buenos Aires to become more economically competitive, thus raising the price of all homes in the city (or so my mom says). Right now, a typical 3 room PH in the colonial neighborhood of San Telmos could cost the same as a 5 bedroom house by the Timpview foothills in Provo.
:O shocking, isn't it? But enough about my weird likes. Tell me about YOU! What is your dream home like? or what are your architectural preferences?

Giving it another go

I swear this is like my 8th blog. I've been trying this since i was 12, but i miserably fail to keep posting and eventually forget how to log in to my previous blogs. Blogs are like journal writing, if not worse. When you buy a new journal you make a goal to yourself that you're going to write every day, but then you're brain unconsciously realizes that you've just committed yourself to more responsibility. Thus destroying all the fun and excitement....

But hey! i'm gonna try to be more positive about this one. At first i was going to make it one of those deep intricate blogs about how depressing life as a 16 year old boy living in Utah is. But then i got bored with the idea...so i moved on

and here i am :P