Miss me?

All of March.....

Yes, I dissed you guys for all of March and damn near all of April.

I am sorry.
In that time, I moved--and that took quite the adjustment for me. I am also getting a ringside seat into what it is to maintain a Rent Stabilized apartment in NYC. What a clusterf-ck this is...




These landlords are no joke--and they will not fix what's broken--so FYI it pays to know how to solve certain problems yourself--both legally and by way of repairs.

While I understand the value of a dollar and get that someone needs to get paid--the skyrocketing cost of living in NYC is doing a number on a lot of people. What is now considered affordable is simply out of line for some everyday people. While they do their very best to keep up, the fact remains, there is a real sense of fear that always underlines their concept of home.

I know because I've felt it before.

Subsidized housing (and I am including everyone--from the Projects to the Mitchell-Lama) is an amazing gift for many people and should be appreciated. Apart from the re-certification process, you are pretty much good--unless of course the Feds take their money away--which is not impossible--unlikely--but not impossible.

But Lord help you if you are Rent Control or Rent Stablized.

You see, I've realized that this status, especially in Manhattan, is a gift and a curse like no other. The one-two punch of landlord persecution and lack of apartment maintenance in many cases, is ridiculous. After time it can actually make a person begin to think that they are doing something wrong by living somewhere for a long period of time.

As if YOU had that audacity to think that housing laws set up to protect residents, could even remotely apply to you--let alone directly. I mean, how could you think that you would be able to stay in such a good neighborhood--you...you mere peasant. (that last part was for dramatic effect)


On the flip side, even if your position is like "Eff-that, I don't care how many times I have to go to court!" It is still a tricky, tricky mind game my friends.

So as you can see, this has been occupying my mind--and it sucks to see someone close to be go through that.

Changing gears now...

I have also been spending entirely too much money on exercise initiatives, all in the name of

                                                   "The Great Bikini Challenge of 2013"

I vow that if at some point I succeed in my mission to expose my midsection to the masses (something I have not done since 2002)  I will shamelessly post pictures on this blog--which is the closest I'll ever come to public nudity--so it's totally a big deal.

So in a nutshell--this is what I've been doing for the last 45 or so days. What about you?

xo.
Lalo

TMZ Needs ME!

Well maybe not me (though that doesn't sounds like a half-bad gig)--but they honestly could use  someone like me.

It seems that increasingly (specifcally over the past year), there have been several times that our #1 source for all things entertainment has seemed quite...well....ill-informed, when it comes to the Latino viewers that are without a doubt, certainly watching their program.

While TMZ routinely offends most people--and they are pretty, pretty, pretty good at it---the one constant is that they turn to their resident Woman, Black, Gay or even Overweight "authority" on the matter with no hesitation.

Except when it comes to Latinos.

When it comes to Latinos, TMZ doesn't seem to have a clue. It's like in the producer's mind--a super famous, super rich, super interesting, Spanish language, Latin celebrity is the stuff of myth and legend..

As if Latino celebrities are like these rare and strange occurrences on which there is very limited information available....

but NEWSFLASH Harvey,

But it's because of things like THIS (and the over 50 million Hispanics in this country) that there has to be be someone in that room who can add this perspective to the general conversation.  I get that it's Entertainment News and there isn't a whole lot of room for the heavy Race conversation, but what about the "light" one.

Again, TMZ seems to be an equal opportunity offender and as far as I am concerned, if it is funny--it's funny.   (Sidenote: your segment on my beloved island of Puerto Rico---NOT funny....at all.)

But in a Pop culture-obsessed newsroom, whose on-air schtick is to be non-PC and moderately offensive to all, it seems necessary to get a fellow Hispano in there to stir the pot, offer the occasional correction/reprimand or simply give a different opinion.

At the very least, it needs to be done so that this special TMZ token Latino can add to the current crew's consistently vague "this guy is a pretty big deal" nonsense....maybe they can even (GASP!) drop some knowledge.

You know what they say....

Like the fact that Mexican Rock Group Mana (you know, the band to which they posed this winner of a question last year) just one month before this segment aired, broke a record with 11 consecutively sold out shows in...no, not Guadalajara but at The Staples Center in LOS ANGELES, CA!

(Los Angeles...also Latino by default, name and history...but we won't go there.)

Then someone (my boyfriend) had to go and burst my bubble by asking me..."Erica, how do you really know there are no Latinos in that newsroom?'

Well....I don't. But if there is and that is a big IF...then it is high time that they chime in with some Latino knowledge. In other words--you better speak up, bro! No tengas miedo, mano.

Now, I do not think there is a Media outlet out there that hasn't recognized the Marketing dream/nightmare that is the Latino audience.

 "Wait...the Puerto Ricans are Liberals, the Cubans are Conservative--but not the ones in NJ..they are a little different. Chicanos, Colombianos, Dominicanos....oh my!"

We get it. We know it isn't easy: we're diverse and geographically different, Red States, Blue States, bla bla bla---you heard it all during election season--but we are a pretty understanding group and trust me--we can see and often appreciate it when you are at least trying to target some of us. And right now--you are failing miserable to include our community into your dialogue.


Not to belabor the point, but seriously...


If majority of your Latinos images are like this: 

And your knowledge of our internationally acclaimed superstar A-listers is like this:

Then it might be time to add some (forgive me), Spice to your newsroom......



See, we have a sense of humor too......

xo

Thank God I didn't post that!

So just before I wrote the post that you will read in a few minutes I think I was in the midst of having some form of a mental breakdown...seriously.

Had I written the ramble of self-doubting and anxious thoughts that have been occasionally occupying my poor, confused, creativity-logged mind lately, someone (probably from my inner-circle) would have called me with concern and quiet judgement.

Instead, I put on TMZ (not kidding) and remembered my best form of defense against that crap is humor, so I bounced back and decided to write something else.

I figure, instead of talking about me on this blog all the time, I would tell you how I feel about some of the tings that gwon' (my Jamaican version "things that go on") in the news lately...

Truth is, I can't tweet or update everything that comes to my head, so in the interest of preventing verbal waste, ladies and gentlemen....some consolidation.

Oh and click here for today's song choice.  

                                                             The Beyonce Come Up
Oh Beyonce Knowles. When you appeared on that stage back in January, dressed in your somewhat inappropriate for a morning event gown and dramatic black eyeliner, we just knew we were in for some serious singing. Pero, pa que fue eso (eloquent Spanish for..."but what was that for?") your trifling-ass, had the nerve to disgrace our country by lip-synching the National Anthem and we were like, seriously pissed about it.

After a secret conversation, that in my head, included Young Hova Ya Heard, Mr. "my opinion still counts" Knowles and an excitable sounding Kanye West (he was on speaker), Beyonce decided to go all acapella on us at the Superbowl press conference--afterwhich everyone promptly piped down.

Fast forward a few days to the afternoon of the actual Superbowl and the American public was already being fed Beyonce-isms (you totally saw that ecard in your newsfeed right?). The hype was moving along, full steam ahead. We began to questions ourselves... to think that maybe we overreacted--I mean it is hard to sing open air and she wasn't feeling well. So maybe we were a little harsh.. and whatever Kelly Clarkson--because you totally can't drop it like Beyonce--she's been wearing heels since 13 or something.

Anyway, we were ready to forgive, ready to break bread--but it was all hinged on the Superbowl halftime show. Thankfully, before we injured ourselves holding in the anticipation, the game hit its' halfway point and the Pepsi gods began counting us down to the impending epic event.

For the next roughly 13.5 minutes we were entranced by a bouncing beauty of thigh muscle, hair and adorable muecas for the camera--oh and she was obviously crooning live. It was full of flash and female kick-assedness, sparkles, wind, smoke, LEATHER and then..... it ended.

We stood there, stunned, trying to comprehend what just happened. Did we just get served? It was clear that somewhere Pitbull stood up from his chair and yelled out TOMA!

Meanwhile, the social media world lost its' shit. Seriously, some rather verbose folks on twitter could only say things like: WOW. OMG. FIRE.

We were speechless and sorry that we ever doubted her awesomeness. We were so impressed we didn't even care that those other two children of Destiny didn't have their mics on...we were still looking at Beyonce's legs wondering if she could crush coconuts with her thighs (at least I was) and thinking of ways to get back on her good side. 

well as we all know, post performance, the lights went out at the Superdome or more accurately put--the ENTIRE Superdome passed out from her greatness.

Coincidence......I think not!



and that ladies and gentlemen, is the "Beyonce Come Up"....

xo....

For Your Consumption...

its like i am being forced to do this...

In the most honest parts of my soul--I truly did not think that I was going to give in to blogging. Hence my "sometimes social media sidekick" "Lalo's Corner" has lived in a flip-floppy existence (much like my second project--but that is for another day).

Because see, in my most natural state I am tied to the earth in the most fundamental way. A Free bird. I suppose this is the Virgo in me--if you are all about that stuff, which I am not--but I concede that it could all be true--who am I to say otherwise and I do like earth tones and laying down in the sun. (click that "Free Bird" link for today's soundtrack)

Anyway...

So yea, my "natural state" relies on thought and conversation, live music and camping trips, refreshing breezes, grass and articles, novels, programs, movies and music provided by artists and those with genuine respect for their craft. I am not really keen on the idea that just anyone can have a blog and spill their poorly written thoughts all over the internet nor am I thrilled about the technology that just invades nearly every inch of my craft in a way that feels completely wrong. The old soul that lives inside me, makes it so difficult to embrace the social media and accompanying technology that is a must in my line of work. It feels shallow--and it is. The world increasingly is. As long as you and I can acknowledge it...we can move on and be ourselves. I acknowledge it.

Nevertheless--open up my friends...here comes the boom. An avalanche of shit (yes I am feeling fully expressive these days) that will serve as a place to put the thoughts that have been rejected by editors and stifled by life's chores. 


Unfortunately but very commonly, writing hasn't exactly been paying the bills these days. I am hoping to turn that around but let me tell you friends, this city has a way of swallowing you and your name like an insect near a drain.  A few times a week I walk through Times Sq. and you can quite literally feel the city sucking you in. And I know that constant paddle gets rid of many--but not me, not yet.

I'm the type that gets misty eyed at the thought of "if I can make it here, I can make it anywhere". Ha...it is a Citykid thing--many of you transplants wouldn't understand.

I am a Bronx-born hustler.

I remember very well where I come from. Just not completely sure where I am going.



Don't you want to come with? I am going for a swim into the black sea of creatives and starving minds. 

Since making the biggest decision of my life thus far (leaving ABC News in 2007), I have embarked on a string of adventures and missteps while finding love and independence and suffering through some good old fashioned knowledge and hard truths. I have also had a flurry of hilarious experiences and exposures that I could not make up---all of it of course, in the name of the almighty dollar.

So while I have written many words--I have not offered nearly enough.

And while I have had many ideas--I have not executed enough.

And while Ive lamented over this--I don't suppose I have done nearly enough about it.

And that too, is ok because this isn't a race--despite how short life may be.

I'm 30 now, something new is coming. I believe that and I am finally ready to fully embrace the social media and technology that comes with it.

like i said, its like i am being forced to do this...

And besides, I am riding out a cold streak on the publishing end, so I will respect this forum as a genuine way of reaching readers.....for now.

 
Thank you for letting me into your world for a few minutes....

xo.
Erica

I just had a thought:

El Barrio really doesn't need hipsters because it is a mecca of cultural and artistic thought.

It contains people from all sorts of backgrounds, predicaments and financial circumstances--in fact, add the gentrification and it even mixes in that side of the proverbial fence!

But it also has an independent small business community that is really intersupportive. In my years of living "south of the border" (you know on 96th st) I have seen first hand the the overlapping of businesses and community support in Barriolandia and it is pretty dope.

I mean obvs, it is not all flowers and candy--but it is a real fact.

El Barrio loves El Barrio.

Not to oversimplify here, but if a decent balance of these juxtaposed realities could remain within this relatively small slice of Manhattan--how truly amazing would that be?

I just thought this needed recognition.

I mean, it's like the whole borough of Manhattan is going under a "Duane Reade-ovation". (you know losing some of that allure that comes with a scuff or scrape.)

Maybe I should spend more time in East Harlem Cafe--even if enjoy the occasional Starbucks...

Though I don't know her personally, s/o to Michelle Cruz, owner of East Harlem Cafe and her ability to raise 10K in 30 days to keep her business alive!

I should mention Kickstarter is a wonderful tool.


I should also get some sleep.
 ~ #Lalo.pez

Things I have learned today:

1. I enjoy being a reporter in the field way more than I enjoy being indoor and behind this screen. Maybe I'll be Lois Lane for Halloween.

2. Sugarbear is not just a pet name....its the cutest little marsupial that likes to hang out in pockets--they live for some-teen yrs too. Not sure how normal your friends will think you are if you have one though...

3. Random drinks at 11:45 are not always a bad idea. However when mixed with chunky chips ahoy--they can leave a underwhelming aftertaste. 

4. Apparently I do not possess risky cutting edge humor.  Personally, I disagree (and of course I would) but nevertheless SOME people think I suck. I have decided that this is ok.

5. I can continuously watch business news (as I did this morning) with a genuine desire to really, truly get it-- but it inevitably ends up sounding like background noise.

6.I will try this again tomorrow.

7. The U.S. did some real nasty stuff in Guatemala during  the 40's. Though there is something very strange about finding this out from Hiphopworld.com...check out the video below.

I won't say I am surprised....I will say that I think everyone in that control room cringed when the good Doctor got descriptive with the injection points. They wanted to know..they just didn't want to know all that....

Tsk Tsk....Land of the free...tsk tsk.

That's all I got for now.....most of my wit got used up on my unsuccessful pitch. That's probably what I get for making fun of the kids yesterday.

Ok Proud Parents....we get it.

Remember when bumper stickers were just enough....?

When bragging rights were merely quick glances at the back of someone's mini-van. Oh no....no longer...thanks to Facebook.

I know this may not sit well with everyone--but you know what? I've had just about enough of knowing who is starting their first day of what. I want mindless updates on your life, not your child's life...I did not friend 154, 7 year-olds.

Yessssss,  Johnny is going to kindergarten tomorrow, 1st grade--2nd grade (not even sure why that is worth a mention), junior high school (surprised that even still exists) and high school....yay. woop woop. Thank you and that's quite enough. Call your parents--they are the ones that want to know.

Me? I would rather an indirect rant about something that may or may not have to do with someone I know.

I mean really guys...social networking has taken mommy/daddy bragging to a whole new level.  No longer is it simply enough to "talk" at length about your child...but now we need to see your child in their first day of _____ outfit, in 4 different poses!

And yes, I understand that I don't have to click on these images--but I am a social networking junkie and I have no self control. Granted I would rather be looking at pictures of your end of the summer social gatherings--but if I must look at pictures of your children--I suppose I will.

Bottom line is at the end if the day..I am blaming YOU for backing me into this corner.

I guess there is one silver lining...at least your not apart of the group that MUST photograph their every meal and blast it out to the world....

or are you???????