Donald Byrd Tribute - Hump Day Music

You guys probably don't know this, but I have kind of a thing for music.

Musicians as well. Trumpet players + Percussionists especially. I've dated both genres, and for the former, I don't know what it is, but something about a guy who can blow a horn while simultaneously magically work his fingers to make beautiful music... it just makes me smile. And makes him oh-so-sexy. The percussionists... Well, they're just sort of inherently fun!!

But back to the trumpet. I also have a thing for jazz. I have always loved working while listening to Miles Davis. Chet Baker. Dizzy Gillespie. and Donald Byrd.

For fellow trumpet jazz musicians, you've probably hear Donald Byrd passed a few weeks ago.

And whilst looking for some inspiration to work, I came across this tribute to him which got me going this morning I wanted to share with you!



Listen, Love, Work, Share. And always remember Donald was the man.

Also, if you are a trumpet player, or know of any you'd like to introduce me to, I always love making new friends whose musical ambition I admire :-) 

Immigration Reform 2013 - The Facts!

As those of us who have followed this blog throughout the years, you probably already know that I'm pretty pessimistic about immigration reform in the US. I've been studying and writing about it since 2002 (one year after the last reform), and I always hit a dead end because there are too many political misunderstandings, interpretations, and down right ignant people out there.

With this new proposition that President Obama has set to work on reform once and for all, there have been a few really good articles out there that give economic reasoning as to why we need reform, and a path to citizenship for millions of the immigrants in the US today - and also why immigration to the US should not and can not stop - for the sake of the economy. I talk a lot about economy because I've learned that, it's when you mess with people's pockets that you get them to listen, so this is why you, American reading this post, should listen and tell all your friends about it!

First, what Obama said:

Watch More News Videos at ABC | Technology News | Celebrity News

Now if you don't read Economix, the NY Times blog, you should start. It has great, short, easy to read articles on anything Economic going on!

Two that I found particularly interesting were:

Immigration and Innovation - Talks about how a lot of the innovation and development of  new technologies involves international doctoral/masters/university students. About half of Silicon Valley startups alone, are founded by immigrants (and this number falls every year)

and

Are Immigrants Taking Your Job? - NO. They're NOT. Get OVER YOURSELF.

Foreign Policy is another favorite of mine in reading up on international politics, and they just published a great article called, "Don't Fear the Migrants" - which tells us how the US needs immigrants. Legal ones. For myriad reasons. The skilled and unskilled kind!

I thought this was interesting - one article said the Republican party could become extinct if they don't pitch in with this immigration reform now!

Oh, and stop calling it illegal immigration, would you?

"When you inaccurately call me 'illegal' – no human being is illegal – you're not only dehumanizing me. You're offending them." - Jose Antonio Vargas to the US Senate. 

Have you guys seen any good articles on reform lately? I'd love to see them and hear what you think! 

ps - I'll write up on Carnaval next week :-) 

Carnaval 2013 Has Begun!

Next week? Nope. Carnaval started yesterday for me! There were a bunch of bloquinhos in my neighborhood this weekend, so we decided to join in on the fun.

a. Because they were free.
b. Because there's awesome Carnaval marchinhas and music.
c. Because the guys who attend are SO cute.
d. Because it's the weekend before Carnaval and why the hell not?

If you want to read more about them, here's an article I wrote on Carnival 2013 in São Paulo.

As for my weekend? Here's the photographic evidence!

trying to find a place to stand! loving the costumes

packed!!! Bangalafumenga!

Sargento Pimenta records

some of the girls. you can't tell because my binti fell off, 

but i was dressed as an 'indian girl' as my costume

i love how in Brazil soda's the same price as beer

the end of the festivities on sunday

bloco Cordão Carnavalesco Confraria do Pasmado

taking over the streets of vila madalena!