Heartbreaking

I was not a big Michael Jackson fan. I did listen to his music and was amazed when the “Thriller” video came out but I could not be counted as a die-hard fan.

When he started to fall from his dizzying heights, he would irritate me to no end. It was a time also where Prince was putting out his best material and I felt more attracted to what he was producing although Prince was never shy with his various eccentricities.

As Michael grew older, he had kids. How the children were conceived, who are the real biological parents, I don’t know and don’t really care but because he tried to protect his children to the maximum of his possibilities, I tended to see them as mute and covered puppets. Impossible also to forget the “South Park” episode with “Blanket”. Maybe not the best examples and moments but yes, I laughed and laughed again watching the duo of Parker & Stone have their moment with Michael.

I was shocked when I heard the news and even though I was not in the country, the media frenzy started that Thursday afternoon and I was able to follow the doubts about about his state then the confirmation of his death and all that followed. Of course the news talked about the children and I could relate to what they might have felt, to what they might have gone through that night and the days that followed.

I was able to stay away from all the madness, reading here and there a few tidbits but not falling for anymore of the coverage on TV. Even today, I barely read anything on my phone or PC and absolutely did not watch any of the memorial. Until I got home…

Reading some of what happened today, I was a little surprised to see that Paris, Michael’s daughter said something. I avoided all the clips from all the news sites until I gave in at the last site I visited.

I should have not done that.

She was brave enough to face everybody and tell them how great of a father he was and how much she loved him. And it was hard to watch this little girl talking about her dad that she will not see again, that she will not play with anymore and who will not be there to see her grow as well as her brothers. And that’s where it hit me. No matter how strange and bizarre Michael Jackson was, no matter how famous and how many famous people he knew, he was still a dad. A dad that was the best he could be to his children and was gone too soon. Yes, he is leaving a void in the musical world, leaving a void amongst his fans, friends and family but it will never feel as bad as it feels and will feel to his children.

I wish and hope they will find some solace and love to grow up and have a somewhat normal life but we all know that will never happen.

Good luck, kids.

Till then…

I’m baaack!

Catching up. Will talk about my trip soon.

Did you miss me?

Till then…

What can I say?

This morning, I was having breakfast and looking out of the window and I suddenly thought “how would the world react if Michael Jackson died?”

A few hours later, I got my answer.

R.I.P. Michael.

Till then…

A quickie

So, you really thought I would be able to stay away from the computer for a whole week? I’ve been trying to toy around with my BlackBerry but of course it’s never been the best tool to check and read blogs, plus the fact that I don’t really know how much my bill will be this month! I set it up accordingly to avoid having too many roaming charges but it’s only when I get the bill that I will be able to know exactly how costly was this folly.

I am in Santiago since yesterday afternoon. A flow of memories have taken over me and I still have not seen much yet. It has not been easy either to take pictures because I don’t want to be a target more than I have been already. A couple of kids latched on to us until we gave them some money but they were so sweet. And yet, with everything going around, I still find a way to cherish the fond memories I have of this place.

I have already decided I will have to come back next year but with my family. I have to show the SU and my daughter the place where I spent 3 years of my life, show them the places that marked me as a kid, although one of the places, the last office that my father had, has been converted into a fast-food place…

Anyway, I have to go but I will certainly try to come back tonight if the computers are available.

Till then…

I didn’t listen to Chris

My friend Chris is a flight attendant based in Paris, France but his company flies sometimes to Mexico and the Caribbean.

When I told him I was going to the Dominican Republic, he insisted heavily that I carry antibacterial gel and wipes but insisted even more that I carry face masks. As he was talking I could see myself walking down the streets of Santiago, a blue mask on my face. I already look like the perfect “gringo”, imagine seeing me with a mask too. All the kids and beggars would follow me around trying to get some money. I dismisseed the idea although I did buy the wipes and gel.

As I am sitting by the gate waiting for the plane, a group of 3 passengers sat across from where I am sitting. One of the passengers is holding… a box of blue face masks! And they look like they are Dominicans but they are not taking any chances. Let’s just hope that we can avoid catching anything while we’re there…

Till then…

Gotta plane to catch!

I’m done! Packed and ready to go. Let’s see how messy this is going to be at the airport now…

I’ll try to be in touch, if I can but if not, see you all next week!

Till then…

I don’t think it gets any weirder than this.

I took my little blue pill just a few minutes ago and I washed it down with Cherry Coke Zero and yet my mind is fuzzy and my fingers cannot keep the pace of my thoughts and each word ends up being misspelled.

As many of you know by now, I am leaving tomorrow to the Dominican Republic, “my fadda’s land” to paraphrase an old friend of mine. This trip is full of mysteries, full of unanswered questions but also something that does not allow for a full sentiment of joy and anticipation. I almost tend to think that there is much reluctancy on part of my mother, when in fact it was her idea and we talked about it while she stayed with me last February as my son was being baptized and I turned 45.

Because of my insistence to spend Father’s Day with my kids, I turned down the offer to leave today which would have saved us a full day’s work instead of having to wait until Tuesday to get the first meetings and discussions going. But on the other hand, waking up in the heart of the Old Colonial city, enjoy a breakfast by the pool and being able to forget our everyday frustrations and problems? Priceless!

The Dominican Republic I once new has of course changed throughout the years and yet some places don’t and I could reach those places my eyes closed. And yet, because of all the problems we have been having for the past 30+ years, my trips end up being very extremely frustrating. Every time I go and it’s time to go back home I am fuming and even more determined from the trip before that the other family members are far from playing fair, especially for those of us whose life make sense and know what they want to do of their lives and not just obtusely camp on their selfish positions.

This trip is going to be weird because it’s been 35 years this month that my father passed away. The 35 years that have completely changed my life for bad of for good. To people who asked me what would have been my life if I had stayed after June 6, 1974, I say that I would have been a doctor, playing the violin and with at least 5 or 6 kids. And which life I would like better, that life or the one I am living right now. And because of all the things I have gone through in different places, I think my life makes more sense even if I am not a rich man.

I am getting old. I have other priorities and it’s making me have a nasty moment. I am getting scarier and scarier of flying. My fears are not related to my sole disappearance but to the disappearance of 2 young children’s loving dad. Most probablty, nothing will happen and I’ll be walking in the halls of the “Aeropuerto Internacional de las Americas” around 8:30pm, hoping that my mother had a pleasant flight and is waiting for me to start our adventures.

My laptop’s battery died a while ago and I never tried to look for one or order one. The consequence is that I need to have it plugged to the wall at all times if I want to do anything at all. Plus the fact that it is pretty big and heavy absolutely discouraged me about thinking to carry it around me. So I looked for a netbook and I did find something I liked but in any case it could not have been delivered to me in time before my departure. And the other reason was because of the for some detox. So many hours spent a day in front of a computer for various reasons, whatever they might be. My idea is to leave with a paper notebook and write down what I would otherwise be posting here or at FaceBook or Twitter. Write down everything the old fashion way and see what will come out of it and if anything could ever be posted somewhere. I do not intend on running a humongous roaming bill just to keep in touch with everybody everytime like I do right now.

The blue pill is in control of my mind, so I guess it’s time to go to sleep. Many, many more things to do in the morning.

Till then…

Om nom nom…

That was a delicious Martini. Too bad I didn’t have anyone to drink it with me…

Till then…

But… But… I didn’t know!!!

Did you know that today is National Martini Day? No? Neither did I! I happened to StumbleUpon the page for the celebration and could not believe I was almost going to miss it!

Excuse me for leaving you so promptly, but I have to go and get the shaker going…

Till then…

Slavery redux

British Airways has asked its 40,000 staff to work without pay for up to a month as the ailing airline seeks to cut costs.

So, BA workers are asked to work for free to save the company. How are those employees supposed to pay for rent, food, gas, clothing e tutti quanti?

I understand we are going through some tough times, but honestly, who can really afford to do that?

Willie Walsh, BA’s chief executive, has now gone a step further by asking staff to volunteer for between one and four weeks of unpaid work in what he says is a “fight for survival.”

Mr Walsh, who said last week that he would work for free in July, has set a deadline of June 24 for employees to volunteer for unpaid work.

I am sure Mr. Walsh is not by any means making minimum wage and can certainly afford to forgo his salary for a month. But to ask the same sacrifice from all his employees? Sure…

If only there was a way to turn back time to the days of slavery…

Till then…