Surfing Montreal - the JAVO point of view

El adjetivo ingles ludicrous tiene como definicion “so foolish, unreasonable, and out of place as to be amusing; ridiculous” y deberia de haber una foto a un lado de esa definicion, la foto de la pista de hielo en el zocalo de la ciudad de Mexico. Y no es por que Mexico tiene una temperatura promedio/alta de 21 grados C. durante el invierno, o que el abastecimiento de agua es uno de los principales problemas de la ciudad, o que la infraestructura electrica no esta instalada, o que el zocalo fue renovado hace poco, no, ese no es problema. Lo que me cae mal es que la OCDE le ponga tachita a Mexico en educacion, en pobreza, en corrupcion, en desarrollo economico, o que los recursos en Tabasco sean limitados y el problema real ahi es que no hay suficiente apoyo (por lo menos no esta nevando y no se congelan!) y que se construya una mega pista de hielo (una? no TRES!) con capacidad para 1200 personas! No, el problema es que el gobierno local quiere sus puntos buenos, sus payasadas para que puedan decir que hicieron algo, que no se gastaron tanto por que la inversion fue semi-privada (con quien si los hijos de Martita ya no estan tan limpios? con beneficio de quienes?). Ok, les concedo que las actividades ludicas son importantes para el buen desarrollo del ser humano y que poner ‘al alcance de todos’ la experiencia del patinaje sobre hielo es un acto de buena fe. Me pregunto, ¿estamos volviendo a las epocas romanas de pan y circo? En que es indispensable patinar en hielo antes de tener una inversion semi-privada en educacion, seguridad, transporte o salud? No creo conveniente que el proyecto sea calificado como un acontecimiento nacional (o partidista) de honra, yo lo veo mas como un presagio de la decadencia politica en que es mas importante gastar el dinero en entretener al pueblo en lugar de desarrollar proyectos que son urgentemente necesitados y vinculados directamente al beneficio del pueblo, en que crean mas conveniente buscar su estrellita en ‘entretenimiento’ en lugar de los estatutos que califica la OCDE. Nadamas con que no se les ocurra tocar las campanas en catedral durante el acto de ceremonia.

Yo ya compre mis patines.

Pues, despues de un periodo de abstinencia blogistica hago mi regreso con una pequena recapitulacion de mi vida. Estuve en Francia con Chachis, entre al selectivo del MBA International Case Competition Team, estoy buscando trabajo, y mi equipo de futbol es el campeon de la division! Aqui les dejo el link para que se lo chequen!

Saludos!

http://athletics.concordia.ca/campus/outsoccer/outsoccer_champions.html


We are the champions!

Pues si, asi como se escucha, me fui a ver a los Simpson. Mi jefe, como recibe pases para screenings, y no le gustan los simpson, me los dio. Fui con un amigo, Raffi, y la neta, esta buena. Me gusta que respeta lo que son los Simpson, el mismo humor que los hizo y los mantiene. No se intento hacer algo mas complicado, ya que como Garfield comprobo, si eres caricatura y no eres superheroe, quedate como caricatura.

La trama simple y, valga la redundancia, estupida. Como siempre Homero divierte por su estupidez y aunque intermitente, gran corazon. La pelicula se siente como una episodio largo, la calidad de la ‘caricatura’ es mucho mejor que en la tele (bobiamente) y tiene algunos efectillos sencillos pero interesantes. Highlights del largometraje son el puercoaraña, la india tetona, y Homero... ah si, no se pierdan las primeras palabras de Maggie al final en los creditos!

Su amigo amarillo,

Javarney

What a game, what an atmosphere! It will always be impressive to see and hear 40,000+ chanting ME-XI-CO! in unison and in a foreign country. This edition of the Under 20 FIFA worldcup in Canada gave us 6 good days of 9 games in total, with the highlight being, of course, MEXiCO! In general, working as a surveyor was great. Yes, I know, who wants to work during a soccer match, but the great thing is, we COULDNT work during the match, we had to do it BEFORE, and during half time. This gave us enough time to see some great playtime! The ‘pasión’ is there, but after Toronto’s Police display of violence, I dont know if Canada is ready for a big cup. Imagine the Argentinians facing the Hooligans... Harper would call the Army for sure... They could send the police to europe for some soccer training, so as to not just attack at the first fast movement. Anyways, keep scoring mes amies!

javogol

Recently I came across this article about Big Brother Australia defacing the Mexican flag, and hurried to youtube to watch the video (which I wont link as I find offensive). One team of contestants had to throw chili-filled balloons against the flag while another team had to ‘defend’ the flag. In any case, I feel it is disrespectful, and out of line. It even makes me doubt of the australian IQ if they found it in the least amusing, I mean, the whole idea shouldnt have even been on a storyboard!

Their response: the colors where off and inverted (like looking at it on a mirror). Im sorry, but people will still know it is a Mexican flag, just as they would know it is an australian flag if you change the position of the stars, or the American flag if you take a few stars and stripes out, it is a symbol!

I dont know how they would feel if the positions would be inverted, no matter what flag it is, it is just disrespectful of other cultures, but even if someone would start throwing stuffed koalas soaked in bad beer to the australian flag, it would not have the same effect of chili on white. So far there is nothing in YouTube. I’ll keep looking.

jav

The Festival International de Jazz de Montreal is here! Last night I saw half a show, after a long game of poker (came in third) in which I got caught in a bluff. Cant always fake it... Anyways, so this year’s jazz fest looks promising, Van Morrison, Pink Martini, Bob Dylan, its all quite an ensemble, specially with the hundreds of free outdoor concerts. It is amazing the whole enchilada, when you go into Place des Arts you just feel the massiveness of the event: 4 or 5 big stages, a few smaller ones, vendors here, there everywhere, Heineken, Amarula, SAQ, jazz paraphernalia, and to top it all, a Dixie-land Marching band (Lousianna style, even dressed with the ubiquitous red/white stripes)! If you are in town during this fest, it is a not to miss affair.

This sunday, MANU CHAO live, outdoors, I am there.

jazz-cat javo

Well, after the Gold Cup fiasco (Mexico loses against a lucky USA - again) I’ve decided to take on a new soccer initiative: I will be working at the upcoming FIFA World Cup Canada 2007 Under 20 as a survey coordinator - I tried playing but my legs seem to prefer the couch. My job will consist in leading a survey team before the game and at the intermission, with enough free time during play time to see the new set of teams running for la victoire. So in the next few weeks, you know where I’ll be!

Mexico will be playing Portugal at Toronto the 5 de julio, so be prepared!

Un mot pour Annie, blog more, facebook notes less.

Last night Ottawa was red, red with illusion, red with pale ale, and red with pride. Last night we ventured out of Habstown just to experience Ottawa’s redness, and I must say, it was amazing! I got dropped off at a local watering hole with the funniest name, “The Honest Lawyer”, about 530pm, and since then you could see people around gearing up for the game, sporting their red Sens shirts. The place is great, its big, it has all sorts of entertainment (hoops, bowling, boxing, horse races, pool tables, hooker tables) and a very friendly staff. The place got really packed at around 7 and by the start of the game, you couldnt even stand up without stirring things up. The place is full of screens, so you always have a chance to see the action (shouldve been great for World Cup), but the best of the place, without a doubt, were the chicken wings! The game started on a high note, with a very supportive audience and a well performing Ottawa. The game was pretty physical, lots of goals, and well, a sweet red victory. The last period was amazing. The Sens were able to stand their ground and mark a two goal difference, trailing by one game after game 3 for the Stanley Cup. It was a great weekend, hope the sens can make it till next saturday. I will be in town!

jav