View from a Window

This image was taken during the 1980′s. It was taken from my childhood window, facing Webster Avenue in the South Bronx (I lived on Washington Ave. It needs to be mentioned as there was a big rivalry and if I don’t acknowledge Washington Ave, I will certainly be looked down upon). This was a common sight in my neighborhood and the surrounding areas. The 1970′s brought a lot of arson to the Bronx, landlords no longer wanting responsibility so they burned their problems away. What you see is the result.

It has taken many years to truly understand what growing up with this backdrop does to someone. Don’t get me wrong, no regrets. I was born into a set of circumstances that brought me to where I am today. I am eternally grateful for the lessons learned and the skills acquired because of this. However, there are side effects. To this day, I will stop in the street and let someone pass me if I feel they are walking too close, or use windows and mirrors to check who is behind me. Forever implanted into my brain is the memory of walking down Main Street in my college town and ducking under a car when hearing a loud noise, to the amusement of my “non-urban” friends.

With this said, I confess to feeling like a privileged child. I came from a two-parent home and have always found an amazing support system wherever I go. My parents had themselves overcome great odds to get where they were and had developed amazing survival skills. This was naturally passed on to me. I was always first in my class (this quickly changed once I stepped out of that bubble and into the “real world” of academia). However, for many of those that I met, cared for, and loved growing up, this was not the case. They often struggled with a one-parent home, or in the care of a grandparent. They were also told they wouldn’t amount to anything even if they tried (I was witness to such conversations).

I’ve given you this sneak peek into my autobiography in order to explain why I was so captivated by a man named Bill Strickland. Bill is a thinker, and I’ve got a thing for thinkers. People who see the world and don’t simply accept it. They start asking questions (the question mark is clearly the sexiest of the punctuation marks) and shape the world with the answers they find. This is exactly what drew me to  him. Bill Strickland believes that everyone should get a fair chance to prove themselves. He also believes that often we are influenced by our surroundings in a profound way (which I am sure was influenced by The Broken Window Theory. Bill has  a slide show to demonstrate what he did to prove his thoughts. In my humble opinion it is nothing short of extraordinary.

I was introduced to Bill through the site www.TED.com. The idea behind this site is simple: to make great talks by innovative thinkers available for free online. TED is a nonprofit organization that started out as a conference on ideas and has since ballooned into more conferences, projects, and the website I have just mentioned. Now here is my confession: I never had any intentions of visiting this site. Rather, I was on You Tube, no doubt looking for the next “Single Ladies Clown” video. However, once introduced to this site, I was overwhelmed. Bill’s video is 35 minutes long, an ETERNITY in internet time. I didn’t move an inch until it was done. It spoke to me in such a profound way that by the end of it I had tears in my eyes.

This is not to say that you will have the same experience watching Bill Strickland’s talk. I spent time at the beginning explaining my childhood because that is precisely why I was captivated. Bill spoke to something so deep in my core that I couldn’t help but be mesmerized. The rest of the day was spent thinking of his speech and how it matched up with what I had felt for many years but could not express. He found a way to put into practice what many of us living in urban neighborhoods often felt, that we simply deserved better.

And I think that’s the point. These videos on TED.com are there to inspire. We spend hours on end searching YouTube (how many of you actually looked up “Single Ladies Clown”) and watching “reality” programming, all of which has its place but does nothing to fill the soul. If we can spend time doing that, surely we can take a few moments to check out videos that might inspire us to change the way we think. This site is filled with ideas that will take your breath away. I challenge you to go on the site and find ONE video that speaks to you. Share with me which ones have moved you. I’d love to check them out myself.

And if you are interested in seeing Bill’s video, here is the direct link:

Bill Strickland makes change with a slide show

I’ll even give you one more suggestions but only if you PROMISE to leave a comment! (Okay fine I will put it on your tab.)

Check out Bobby Mcferrin’s three minute demonstration that will surely make you smile:

Bobby Mcferrin Hacks your brain

Thank you!

Thank you to Ricardo Abreu Bracho for being my 500th reader!

I would also like to thank everyone who has read this blog so far. I was not aware of how this would turn out when I first started and I am inspired by the reactions  to it. I now get many compliments on this blog outside of this forum, and even suggestions for future posts. There have been those who offer me ideas and even gadgets to try out! This is more than I expected and I am so appreciative. I hope this blog continues to entertain and that you keep reading and commenting!

Contest winner announced!

I have carefully considered each entry and have to say thank you to everyone who responded. I am happy to see creativity still flowing. Beth’s entry included a completely free option, as well as an option of varying degree (you could just buy the vinyl or add the clock kit or the frame.) It was the closest option to what the rules of the game were, as it not only used new tech (Pandora) but old tech as well (LPs). There were many great options and I hope everyone who reads this will consider them. For now congratulations to Beth for being this month’s winner (that’s not to say I will have a contest every month…but it could be an option). To everyone else, have a wonderful Valentine’s Day and thank you so much for taking a moment to read this blog. It is a wonderful present that you give to me each month. Keep on reading and posting!

Happy February Holiday!



As much as I could try to deny it, there is just something about the middle of February that makes my heart go pitter patter. I look forward to it year after year. Plans are made, and expectations are through the roof. Some years are unbelievable, others I could do without. I am such a sucker for the acknowledgement of passion, love, and dedication that takes place during this time. What better way to celebrate such energy then the NBA All-star weekend.

The highlight of the weekend: The Slam Dunk contest, displays the most inspiring move in all of sports. A move so tantalizing it allows us to believe, even for a brief second, in the possibility of human flight. A move so addictive, it was the cause of my first back spasm in college, and many of the after effects.

Believe it or not, it was this move and the contest that honors it, that got me thinking about the other holiday that occurs around the same time. A little known day called “Valentine’s Day.” See, much like the Slam Dunk contest, Valentine’s Day has gotten a little stale. I have seen way too many Jordan imitators and have tasted way too many of the “unpopular chocolates” (oh you know which ones I am talking about!). The common argument by the people I like to call “Holiday Haters,”is that it is just a day for companies to make more money. There is no creativity. No passion. You just buy a box of chocolates, a flower, maybe a card, (after all we are still recovering from a recession) then your job is done. I can’t argue with that, but it could be worse. In Japan, Valentine’s is broken down into two sections. On Valentine’s, the women give men chocolate. On “White Day” (celebrated a month later) the men return the favor. However, statistics show ( http://www.japan-guide.com/topic/0003.html) that more gifts are received on Valentine’s then on White day. I obviously live in the wrong country.

Here is my proposal for all the Holiday Haters: lets take this day back. Let’s start a movement to have this day represent creativity, thoughtfulness, and love that extends past the realms of romance. Add to this movement a challenge, that everything given, be free (or semi-free). Here is where technology can be a huge help.

I submit:

Do you have a loved one who is interested in history? Go over to http://books.google.com and find a magazine printed during their birth year. (I found Billboard, Boy’s Life, Jet, and many others printed during my birth year)

How about for that special someone who just relishes in finding the WORST movie ever? Or old cartoons? Old musicals? Surprise them with a selection of videos from www.publicdomaintorrents.com

Lover of music? Many Artists have remixes for free download on their website. Just find out their favorite band and bingo!(At the moment I am listening to Talib Kweli’s Mixtape “Reunion” which I downloaded at www.yearoftheblacksmith.com) You can even go to Amazon’s Mp3 section and search for free downloads (www.amazon.com/mp3). Or expose them to new music at www.hypem.com or www.swift.fm

Now I know many of these things are material, and the Holiday Haters are now complaining that its still about just giving. Fair enough…

I submit:

There are plenty of sites that provide information on attending events for free. These sites vary per city, but here are some ideas. (NOTE: I am putting these sites on here as a springboard for ideas. I have not used them personally so make sure to read thoroughly before signing up for anything.)

-Seat fillers- Make a date to attend the next big event (Oscars? Grammys?) as seat fillers.

www.1iota.com/ticketing.aspx

-Movie Screenings

www.filmmetro.com

-Discounted Theater tickets (or free regional Theater)

These will vary depending on what time of year it is. Here is a sample of what has been available in the past.

NYC- http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/features/75111/free-theater-in-nyc

L.A.- http://golosangeles.about.com/od/losangelescalendar/a/TheatreFestival.htm

-Free Musuem or Art galleries

NYC- http://gonyc.about.com/cs/museums/a/museumdeals.htm

L.A.- http://golosangeles.about.com/od/losangelesmuseums/a/MuseumFreeDays.htm

Chicago- http://chicago.about.com/od/artsculture/a/ChicagoFreeDays.htm

San Fransisco- http://sanfrancisco.about.com/od/museums/ss/freemuseumdays.htm

Ok thats it. I have given you enough. I mean the point is to personalize it for the individual.

FINE, one more but after this I’m stopping.

You know how there is ALWAYS some old technology lying around your house? A VCR, old Stereo, computer etc. How about making use of it. Just hollow out all the insides, (recycle them please) repaint the case in your snuggle bunny’s favorite color, (you DO know their favorite color right?) Add some dirt inside and a plant and viola! A new pot and plant. Thank me later. (And please don’t use an old T.V to do this…there is some serious toxic stuff in there)

Now its your turn. What are your ideas to use tech for Valentine’s? How do you think you can recreate the meaning of this day? How about I make you a deal? Whoever posts the best idea in the comments section gets a Valentine’s day gift from me. You have until Feb 10^th. Go!

As for me, I am crossing my fingers to be impressed this February. My hopes are that those I have loved for so long will return the favor and I will see something I’ve never seen before. How about a 720 dunk? A double through the leg slam dunk?

Oh, you mean Valentine’s? A box of chocolates will do.

New Year’s refresh”mint”

It has, at one time or another, happened to you. Palms sweaty, lips tight, you approach your opponent. He is only 5’1” but at 300lbs (or more) can intimidate anyone. “I’ve been through this a million times,” you tell yourself. Slowly your hands reach out and repeat that lucky combination: down, down, middle, right. A few punches later, victory is yours. Reluctantly, that big heap standing in front of you, hands over a twenty dollar bill. You walk away triumphantly clutching your prize. Sure, you managed to win this time, but what happens the next time you come face to face with an ATM?

I fought this battle many times in 2009, and admittedly, was not always the victor. More times than I care to share, I walked away wondering how I left empty-handed yet again, and how I managed to misunderstand just how much money I didn’t have. Each time I took that walk of shame, I vowed to find a better way.

Enter the best corner man of our time, the internet. A quick search provided plenty of options for anyone interested in improving their financial situation. One site in particular kept coming up on sites that I trust: Mint.com (easy enough to remember, bonus points). So, I decided to start my resolution early.

Before I say anything else let me make this clear: Mint.com hasn’t paid me at all to say any of the things I am about to say. In my non-cyber existance, I have, as a paid actor, worked on voice-overs, educational and industrial videos, and other promotional events. This is not an attempt to recreate that. There is a certain feeling I get when I help others with all things technology. Most often we don’t get the most of these tools simply because of a lack of knowledge. We are bombarded with choices and opportunity. So many choices lead us to make no choice, and just walk away. This is my humble attempt to offer choices that I have found to be helpful in my own life.

Now, if you are anything like me (read: conspiracy theorist) you will immediately balk at Mint.com’s insistence that you provide your bank account information. Some of us still hold on to the belief that our information isn’t readily available to anyone who wants it and has the right credentials. However, rest assured that their security is sufficient as they use the same security that banks use.

On to the fun stuff. Once you are logged in and ready to go, you can see all your information in all sorts of colorful pie charts and graphs (I’m such a sucker for bright colors!). Once the initial kindergarten giddiness passes, you can get down to business. The site makes it easy for you to see how you spent your money this month, figure out your net worth, and plan for irregular income and expenses (an irreplaceable asset for those of us who freelance).

The site makes its profit by offering credit cards and other financial services, and is very open about it. However, it does so in a very discrete way. I am the type to be turned off by any kind of sales pitch. I even cross the street if I see someone begging for cash on a corner. Even with my “cheap bastard” sensors on full blast, I never felt that they were trying to reel me into some sleezy offer.

Finally Mint.com even provides some links for investment opportunities. You could easily go onto these sites yourself and get the same offers, but probably would not unless you see it as you are budgeting yourself. Too many of us grew up in homes where investing was not discussed. As such, it’s an unfamiliar and scary world for us to journey into. Let’s not forget about our corner man! Spending a little time on Google finding out the basics and researching for a while will get anyone up to speed on investing.

Check it out for yourself and tell me what you think. I won’t even charge you for the advice (this time). Maybe it’ll get you to search around for yourself. If you find anything else, pass it along my way.