Fotorican ::: photojournalism, editorial, potrait and travel photography

Maintaining your digital rights

2010-09-22T06:49:00.001-04:00

This is an article from the folks who build FotoQuote and FotoBiz.

Last roll of Kodachrome

2010-08-24T11:49:00.004-04:00

I shot a little Kodachrome and a lot of Ektachrome when I started out as a pro photographer in the 80's. This is a nice piece by a shooter I've always admired but have never met, Robert Cohen. He was leaving South Florida when I was starting out as a Miami Herald intern there.
http://www.stltoday.com/news/multimedia/vmix_4e9f782a-aca0-11df-806f-00127992bc8b.html

After Charo and Mike’s Old San Juan wedding…a beer and some jazz

2010-08-05T09:29:00.001-04:00

The Island Wedding Fotos Puerto Rico team of Jose Jimenez, Isaida Ortiz and myself (Angel Valentin) shot Charo and Mike’s awsome wedding in Old San Juan last weekend. It was a hot hot Puerto Rico summer day. Destinations weddings in Puerto Rico in the summer are beautiful and fun, but HOOOOTTTTT. I changed shirt 3 times !

After the reception ended Isaida and I decided to grab a beer @ the Old Harbor Brewery (http://oldharborbrewery.com/) less than a block from the venue. Traffic out of San Juan was brutal and we were tired. To our delight Old Harbor had a jazz sextet jamming away next to the bar which is where we sat. Had a good hour or so of R & R with nice music, cold beers and some appetizers.

Here’s a snap I shot with a 5D Mark II and a 50mm 1.4 @ 2000 ISO.

Zmo in bikini, Miami

2010-07-16T11:55:00.004-04:00

Was in Miami recently and was recruited to shoot a promo campaign for a bathing suit designer. The model, Zmo is a good friend. This was fun and easy to do. The only problem was the underwater housing started leaking water in the middle of the pool shoot but the camera wasn’t damaged, I don’t think.

My Review of Flashpoint Vertical Battery Grip for the Canon 5D Mark II

2010-05-03T15:08:00.001-04:00

Originally submitted at Adorama

Flashpoint Vertical Battery Grip for the Canon 5D Mark II

Great (for the price...)

By Fotorican from San Juan, Puerto Rico on 5/3/2010

Pros: PracticalCheap

Cons: You get what you pay for

Best Uses: Portrait Photography, Digital Photography, Travel

Describe Yourself: Pro Photographer

I never buy 3rd party items. I only got this grip after a colleague's highest recommendation. I bought 3 of them, 2 for 5D2 and one for a 7D. Out of the 3 I only got 1 bad one. It sometimes fails to operate and when on disables the top dial on the body. This is frustrating when it happens in the middle of a wedding or news event. I called Adorama and was told to return it, no questions asked. I wish I'd had the money to buy the Canon brand ones but I didn't and I have to say that the other two I got work perfectly. I love the option to use the grips and to take it off when I do some jobs. I just noticed the price dropped. Nice.

(legalese)

Jobos Beach, Isabela

2010-04-12T17:18:00.000-04:00

I overnighted with some friends in their rental apartment last night. This morning I got up early, as usual, and drove around the beach and spotted this fisherman getting his “yola” wood motorboat ready to go out and check on traps left overnight to catch fish. Shot a few frames with my Canon S90 point and shoot but got the best frame with my iPhone. Go figure.

Federico y Kiki

2010-03-07T11:53:00.002-04:00

In the middle of a marathonic imaging session as I imaged photos for my upgraded wedding photojournalism website I decided to take a 15 minute break to shoot pictures of my min poodle Federico frolicking on the grass with my neighbor's weiner dog Kiki. I also used the opporunity to finally test my new 7D, a camera I know will only see limited action as I concentrate more and more on the wedding side of photojournalism.

Camera performed flawlessly and Federico caught up with the speedy Kiki. Good times !

La Vuelta de los 9 Faros, Puerto Rico, 2010

2010-02-10T07:03:00.002-04:00

I was recently hired by Bicycling Magazine to photograph a three day bike ride around the island of Puerto Rico where I live. The event, called La Vuelta de los 9 Faros, is a grueling 375 mile ride. Over 400 riders participated this year. I didn’t realize I would end up so tired. Each day started @ 6AM and would end around 5 or 6PM. The 1st two days I followed the different groups in my car and would stop to shoot the things they’d see along the way. The last day was the worst. I decided to ditch the car and jump on a chase truck to shoot the riders. I alternated between the truck and a couple of motorbikes that were ferrying photographers. I shot over 2600 photos. Edited down to 170 and now I’m waiting for the magazine’s picture editor to select her favorites so I can tone and transmit them. The article runs in the summer.

Here the riders are seen leaving Ponce @ 6AM to begin the second leg of their journey.

Haiti fundraiser, La Respuesta, Puerto Rico

2010-01-24T10:49:00.002-04:00

La Respuesta, without a doubt Puerto Rico's coolest spot to see live music, art and pretty people, held a two day fundraiser for victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Last night, Isaida and I went to see friends and enjoy the vibe.Our friends Tere and Xavier were there. We heart them both tremendously.

I shot a couple of snaps. This is a couple getting cozy lit by street lights.

(Shot on Canon S90 @ 800 ISO)

More Miami reaction to Haiti earthquake

2010-01-18T19:33:00.002-04:00

Sunday I went back to Notre Dame D'Haiti Catholic Church in Miami's Little Haiti neighborhood. Hundreds came to pray and pay their respects to the many victims of the natural disaster. Church in the Haitian community is always a moving and energetic experience. This Sunday's services had a very intense tone to it.

Miami Haitian's reaction to earthquake

2010-01-14T10:14:00.002-04:00

In Miami for a wedding and personal time when the 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti a couple of days ago. I normally travel with my passport. I didn't this time. I was actually called by an agency and asked to fly to Haiti for them but I had to turn that request down.
Getty Images's news picture desk hired me for a couple of days to shoot South Florida's reaction to the catastrophe. I went to several regular places looking for visuals. Veye-Yo is a Little Haiti gathering place for Haitians to discuss social and political issues. There were only two women present. A tv crew had just left. I figured I could make some general images with some of the flags and posters on the walls. A few minutes later one of the ladies who was sitting behind me, started singing a Christian Spiritual song. The lady in the photo started crying, screaming uncontrollably. I recorded a 2 min audio piece of the event. Real moving and emotional.

Please Help Haiti. You can make a quick $10 donation from your cell phone.
Faster than you can complain about some trivial crap today you can make a $10
donation to the Red Cross Intl Response Fund for Haiti. Simply text 90999 and write Haiti in the subject line. The amount will be added to your phone bill.
Also http://yele.org/, which is the Wyclef Jean organization, is a solid group.

Do it, please.

Happy New Year !

2009-12-31T21:36:00.000-04:00

I managed to make one decent picture to send off 2009. This is Isaida, my wife, texting away from inside her car in my brother's driveway in South Florida.

Have a great 2010 !

Franklyn (Frank) Georges

2009-12-20T11:47:00.001-04:00

I hit gold when I finally got a hold of my last subject, Mr. Franklin Georges. Frank, as everyone calls him, was amazing and basically saved the trip for me. He volunteered to pick me up at the airport, which is an hour away from the main town. On the way to town Frank asked me what I planned to do to move around town and I really had no plan other than to ask him to suggest a driver. To my surprise, Frank volunteered to do the job. This was crucial. I probably would’ve had to spend my own money for this
Frank was a mayor of a town in England where he spent well over 40 years after leaving Dominica as a young man to make a better life for himself. He had bought a parcel of land from a relative in Dominica and like many before him, decided to live out his retirement years back home. That’s what the story The Guardian hired me for was about, returnees.
After he picked me up @ the airport with his wife Veronica we took the hour long trip in his Land Rover, nicknamed “The Lady”. The hills were a challenge for the diesel powered SUV. A few days before my arrival her tank was filled with gasoline instead of diesel which I think would’ve messed up any regular car. Somehow she survived and according to Frank seems to be doing fine. Getting parts like a fuel filter for that car is a hassle in Dominica. Most goods have to imported from abroad and take much longer to arrive.
I shot Frank’s portrait the day I arrived to his house high up on a hill. When we were on the road down below he pointed to the house and said, that’s my house. I laughed ‘cus I thought he was kidding me. The place is huge and looks like a hotel ! He made it a point to tell everyone we met the story. My bad.
This portrait of Frank ran spread across two pages of The Guardian’s magazine.

Dominica assignment

2009-12-11T08:32:00.001-04:00

The Guardian newspaper from England hired me to shoot a piece for their Sunday magazine in the neighboring island of Dominica. This assignment required a lot of phone calls and emails to the subjects I had to photograph. I had never been to Dominica and was at a loss for resources in terms of logistics. It took me three days to get this done but I wished I’d had at least an entire week to spend there.

I was blown away by the beauty and chaos of this small island. Dominica is the greenest island in the Caribbean. It’s a real dream for those who love hiking. There is a small Carib (indigenous people) population. There really isn’t much road infrastructure. About 3/4 of the island is mountainous. There’re no highways. The roads are narrow and treacherous. Traveling to Dominica is expensive. It cost me about $500 r/t from Puerto Rico, a little over an hour away.

The light in Dominica is magical. No real development means great penetration of light throughout the island. I managed to make a few photos in the afternoon light a couple of times. The people of Dominica are friendly and welcoming generally speaking. Beer is found everywhere and the food is awsome.

More to come.

More digi IR

2009-09-23T13:48:00.004-04:00

I've been busy, which is a very good thing. I've also had a bad last 7 days with cancelled assignments and a bad xperience w/a client but it's all good 'cus I'm learning about the business of photography. That part of making a living with photos can only be learned through experiences. I'm actually pretty happy about the things that are happening to me.

I went out for a ride yesterday to this awesome road I travel regularly but the weather has been stormy the last few days. I took a side road to a local fishermen association building near a river I didn't know was there. Stopped along the way and made a few frames before it got too dark.

Talk shop, G10 w/red filter and small (broken) Manfrotto tripod.

Ugly ass Cuban sato

2009-08-08T14:03:00.003-04:00

Cuba has some of the ugliest stray dogs (satos) I've seen in my travels. These things are all over the island. No hair and a cool mohawk. They remind me of Gremlins, the bad ones not the cute friendly kind.

Here's one I spotted napping in Vedado the other day.

Poetry Slam

2009-07-20T18:40:00.003-04:00

I went to a poetry slam in Davie's Nova Southeastern University a couple of weeks back. Isaida is on the board of the Write Side Poets, a group that helps kids write and express their feelings and life experienses through poetry.

I watched this kid, Gabriel de los Reyes perform a piece about a man who underwent electroshock therapy. It was very powerful. Gabriel received a scholarship from the University of Wisconsin which apparently has the only program in the country for poets.
I'm still feeling this performance by Gabriel.

The two poets in are watching him perform.

Shot with a Canon G10

Nice kid in Old San Juan, not

2009-07-09T11:07:00.005-04:00

I was recruited by a couple of friends to do some tour guiding in Old San Juan after the NAHJ convention a couple of weeks ago. We were walking along that fountain next to the Ballaja Cuartel and shot some pics of the children playing in the water. I was just shooting silhouettes when I spotted this kid who upon spotting me turned around to say hola in the best way a 3 year old can, by flashing me his middle finger and sticking his tongue out. HE did this several times. Nice huh ?

Out of sync iPhone

2009-07-02T11:14:00.005-04:00

Last week's NAHJ convention in San Juan started off with the tradidional Noche de San Juan on the beach outside the Caribe Hilton hotel. According to tradition folks are supposed to fall back into the water a few times and then something magical happens, sorry but that's as far as I know.

Since I only took my iPhone I decided to piggy back on a friend's flash to get some decent pics. I don't even know the speed @ which the iPhone shoots but it's definitely too fast thus all the pics were out of sync. However, I think some of the pics are interesting.

Tech: iPhone3G and a Canon strobe on my friend's camera.

San Juan snaps

2009-06-27T15:11:00.004-04:00

I spent some time walking around Old San Juan and Puerta de Tierra the last few days.

Hera are a couple of frames I made.

Tech: Canon G10

La Perla digi infrared

2009-06-27T15:06:00.003-04:00

La Perla

2009-06-26T20:35:00.002-04:00

La Perla is one of the oldest hoods in San Juan. It was founded in late 1600. Modern day La Perla is a jewel of a location and is home to a very diverse set of people considered by many a tough place.

I hadn't been in La Perla since 2002 when I spent a day photographing addicts for the AIDS IN THE CARIBBEAN piece that ended up as Pulitzer Prize finalist. I went there with a couple of new friends/colleagues and a local community activist.

GEAR TALK: iPhone 3G

Coqui coqui coqui

2009-06-19T05:43:00.000-04:00

If you come to PR you'll hear the sound of the Coqui all night long.
Coquis are tree frogs that allegedly are only found in PR. There was a
story in the papers not long ago that someone apparently took some of
these frogs to Hawaii and the things multiplied like crazy and there
non stop mating calls were driving residents insane. There was an
eradication effort and an outcry from Ricans who wanted to save the
lil bastards.

For the record what you hear is their mating calls, males say CO and
females quickly repond QUI. It's so fast that it sounds like one frog
singing COQUI over and over.

I found a song in iTunes that is probably the worst song ever
recorded. The singer basically sings coqui coqui coqui coqui coqui
coqui coqui coqui coqui the entire 4 mins.

This was shot with the G10, manual exp @ 200 iso.

Scouting snaps

2009-06-15T20:26:00.004-04:00

Was scouting locations for a workshop in the upcoming NAHJ (Natl Assocn of Hispanic Journalists) convention in San Juan, PR in a couple of weeks. I'm helping out in a photo workshop and offered to find a couple of places we could take some of the students. I found a couple of things I had to shoot.

The old man smoking is selling billetes, traditional P.Rican lottery tickets. The pigeons are in the Parque de las Palomas, Pigeon Park, in Old San Juan.

G10 pics.

Mija & Federico polarized

2009-06-13T17:17:00.000-04:00

Just playing around with the dogs and the iPhone.

More foto field trip: Arroyo and Salinas

2009-06-08T09:43:00.001-04:00

Digital Infrared=Salinas

2009-06-08T08:26:00.004-04:00

I went on a foto field trip yesterday w/my friend Xavier who works in a local newspaper. We've been talking about doing this for a few months and finally, yesterday, we took our first road trip.

Our first stop was La Villa Pesquera in Humacao's Palmas del Mar. We left in a hurry. It was a boring and sanitized scene. Then we made it to Arroyo and that was much better; a quiet Malecon, nice people and pretty visuals. We tried to make it to Guayama but all the streets were blocked for some event. Finally we made it to Salinas and to the Central Aguirre area. I'd never been there and was really blown away. Lots of abandoned buildings, nice plantation era homes, great scenery. Unfortunately it was late and there was almost no light. We will hit that area again next week.

Here's a "no light" 15 sec xposure w/my infrared set up on the G10.

More Digi IR

2009-06-05T07:50:00.003-04:00

Stock photos

2009-06-02T10:41:00.007-04:00

A couple of months ago I spent about 4 days bidding for a freelance project that I thought I wanted. I had to prepare a gallery of archive images showing my travel photography. Whenever I have to look for old photos it's a pain in the behind. I did it, found all the photos I thought worked and sent to the "client". Next day I get the news that I was "selected" from a bunch of finalists. This was a book deal so I was really excited about it until I read the client's contract and terms/conditions. Simply said, it was a terrible deal for me and a great deal for them. I asked for more money and some adjustments on the conditions. No go. They just wouldn't budge. In the end I'd end up giving them hundreds of photos from which they would choose what they wanted and they then would pay me a couple of months later. In the end, I'd only make about $10-$14 per image and create a bank of images for the client (which they'd keep for at least 6 years) to sell and split the revenue with me 50/50.

I called the pic editor and told him I wouldn't be involved in the project. He was pissed and told me so. Oh well, I am new to the freelance world but I'm not new to photography.

The good thing out of of this bad experience is that I got a shoot list from the "client". I am now using that list to put together my own PR stock gallery which I will display/offer on my PhotoShelter page. I plan on shooting for that gallery every week in different parts of the island.

Here are a couple of pics I shot with that in mind.

gear talk: shot w/a G10, P mode

Campas

2009-05-31T20:25:00.006-04:00

I will blog regularly on Campa's, the best chicken wing place I visit in PR which is Piñones, about a mile from Loiza. The wings are deep fried in grease, yummy. Isaida, the wife, and Carlos Campas use to hang as lil chdildren and that's as far as I wanna know. I sort of inherited the place from her. Before I was "health conscious", I'd go every weekend and ate 10 wings and drink 5 Medallas. Now I go once/month and eat 5 wings and drink a few Don Q/Grapefruit or Coconut water... Today, I spent about 5 hours in the joint but hey, I got a free double Rum/Coconut water.

Here's a pic of one of the Campas brothers boiling potatoes which are then deep fried.
If you like wings, you will love this place.

Gear data: G10, ISO 80, Program Mode, -2/3 exp compesation.

G10 and Green wall

2009-05-31T11:22:00.005-04:00

Last Thur-Fri I worked for the NY Times on a local reaction story to the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the US Supreme Court. We went to la Placita de Santurce to get some local color and had lunch in El Popular. Afterwards, as I waited for Damien, the writer, I spotted this guy with a tall beer in his hands outside the bar.
Had to snap him.

Gear talk: G10 on Program mode, -1/3 expo compensation, ISO 80.

Pinchos (kabobs)

2009-05-31T10:40:00.005-04:00

I drive past this pincho stand everytime I leave my apt. The old couple who run the place only work Thur-Sun. I can honestly say these are the best pinchos I've had in PR.
There is a pincho stand in just about every corner these days in this island. The old lady sez the secret to a good pincho is marinating for one day and slow grilling on tin foil.
I'll show the actual pinchos later on.

Gear talk: shot on an iPhone (cus I was too lazy to get my G10 out of my car).

I'm back

2009-04-29T20:05:00.002-04:00

I've been away for a few months. Trying to figure out this freelance thing and what direction I wanted to take my photography. A coupla days ago I made some changes to my website, www.angelvalentin.com, and I ended up taking out my News Gallery. I wanna concentrate more on editorial magazine work, portraits and travel. It's a small adjustment but I'm officially no longer a newspaper photojournalist. I don't think I even want to freelance for newspapers unless the pay is decent and the terms are acceptable.

With my friend Jose Jimenez I started a documentary wedding photo business called Island Wedding Fotos, our site is www.islandweddingfotos.com. We're booking some weddings and talking to a few clients.

I think the hardest thing to do for me is selling myself to people in a few seconds. I'm getting better at it but it still feels weird to do so much shameless self promotion. I guess I have to get over that soon.

One thing I did was open a P-shelter service page (in the archives link in my site). It helps a lot for archival and photo delivery to clients. I plan on using it to do some ecommerce and offer some of my own photos as collections.

I'm also working on a light photo essay. If things work out I will be able to shoot a few enterprise essays a year and shoot a few weddings a month and take whatever magazine or corporate gig comes my way.

It's gonna be fine.

Santa in Calle 8

2009-01-02T09:01:00.002-04:00

Was walking around Calle 8 the other morning with my G10 trying to dome some street stuff. Ended up shooting a couple of frames and drinking a lot of coffee.

This is the main door to a costume shop near the Domino Park.

A little change to my blog

2008-12-26T16:27:00.002-04:00

I've decided to only allow comments from other Google accounts. I don't mind anonymous comments but if you're gonna dish it you gotta be able to take it back. Insulting and hiding is a punk ass move. Don't be a little bitch.

Feliz Navidad

2008-12-25T09:12:00.002-04:00

Of course I had to shoot the photo everyone has shot before. I was gonna try to put a cigar in his mouth but he chewed through 3 and I decided to go traditional.

Anyways, Feliz Navidad to all.

Federico rules

2008-12-23T10:26:00.003-04:00

We got Federico a couple of months ago from a friend who had purchased him from a puppy mill. Her children got tired of the dog and he was relegated to a bathroom. I convinced Isaida that we needed to adopt him and although our friend had plans to sell him we got him for free. His name was quickly changed from Coqui to Federico in honor of the fine men and women who law enforce in the Federal government.

I had only met the little devil once on my last trip to Miami. Now that I am an independent contractor ;), I have taken over the training and disciplining of the dog. Hopefully this will be easier than my last job.

Federico is a funny dog, smart and full of hormones. He will have his little marbles removed soon. Gonna wait until he turns 1 and then, snip snip.

Anyway, here's a pic of the dog and Isaida shot w/the iPhone.

Online arguments are stupid

2008-12-22T23:41:00.004-04:00

'nuff said.

Real men (boricua men) collect unemployment

2008-12-01T09:04:00.005-04:00

Well, I'm about to become a real certified BORICUA, I will start the process of collection of unemployment benefits. I keep thinking about that old song by El Gran Combo; "que bueno es vivir asi, comiendo y sin trabajar". I wish it was easy but it ain't; after 18 years getting paid by newspapers, not having a routine kinda sucks.

Since my dismissal I've been walking to the beach everyday and drinking gallons of Medalla. Now I'm starting to get a lil' nervous. Yesterday I spent well over 4 hours trying to decide which Apple laptop to buy. My current powerbook is not sturdy enuff to depend on. It's basically an internet surfing machine. I only had a lil' bit of cash in my checking acct to get by until the next paycheck. I spent $900 on a used MacBook. I really wanted a brand new MacBookPro but no way I could afford that. Today I'm posting my Hasselblad gear, a rarely used iPod mini and some Canon accesories on eBay to make up for that money I spent on the laptop. I may even sell my Ellsworth mntn bike, I can fetch 1k for it @ least. I have a few other things I can sell. That's one of the only good things about buying a lot of crap. I'm lucky I decided to buy a 5D before moving here. At least I have one body and the glass I need to work. I have to get a 2nd used body but I'll get by with a loaner from a good friend from here.

I found a cheap one way tix to Miami and I'm flying up next week for I dunno how long. I wanna be with Isaida, being alone and not working is not good. There I will sell my iMac which doesn't get used much and I'll leave the old PowerBook for Isaida to use in the meantime. My parents agreed to take care of Mija for me while I'm gone. I had never asked anyone to care for my dogs but now I can't afford to lodge her in the $20/day clinic. There's also the issue of my convertible bug to deal with. On my last trip to Miami I had it towed to a shop where they are finishing the restoration work on it. I think that will cost me an additional 2k. I left a 1k deposit when I took it there. I HAVE to finish that job and then I'll decide if I sell it or ship it to PR. Isaida will need a car and I can give her my Subaru and I can drive el volky. Not sure what I'll do.

Now to the positive, my biz partner and I are getting together today to iron out some final details on our freelance biz we're putting together. I wanna launch soon, maybe January. From MIA I will fly to NYC to see agency and magazine folks and introduce myself and show my work. I think I have a good chance of doing some corporate and travel gigs from here as well as some entertainment stuff. I've met some folks over the years and now I'm gonna knock on their doors. I think w/a lil bit of this and some of the freelance stuff we'll do here I'm gonna be fine. I have my fingers crossed that Isaida will land a gig here, we need her benefits to make it without tapping into some accounts we don't wanna raid. Of course, this is not the best time to be starting a business but I have no choice. If we had children I'd probly be working in Wal-Mart right now...

Wish me luck.

You're fired !

2008-11-26T08:33:00.003-04:00

I got fired yesterday. So much for the triumphant homecoming. I now have to make a t-shirt that sez El ex-jefe. I can't say I'm really pissed about this. I hated that job and I hated not having a life, living in PR but not seeing PR. Driving home every night exhausted knowing I'd have to do it all over again the next day and the day after that. Knowing that every day off I had I'd still be working the phone or the laptop reassigning people and fielding calls from motherfuckers who didn't read my email telling them I was OFF. I won't miss none of that shit.

I saw that train coming. I had been given an ultimatum over a month ago so after that initial shock, I knew I was fired. I put together a freelance biz plan which I think will be awsome. I'm now looking around for some gear I still need and we'll get this baby off the ground soon. In the meantime, I'm gonna fly to Miami to hang w/Isaida who's been so incredibly supportive of me.

What next ? well, since I knew this was gonna happen I started talking to a good friend photog here. We decided to start a freelance biz together offering 3 photo products that are somewhat inter-related. We're in the process of printing the different photo books to promote this thing. We both think it's gonna be great. My partner is a great shooter and friend.

But first I'm gonna enjoy some time off, lose some weight and get a darker shade of brown on my skin.

Wish me luck.

Salinas

2008-10-18T00:45:00.004-04:00

My parents just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. My brother Angel flew down from PR to be here with us, my sister didn't bother to call, she must be busy you know, working part time and all... I'll post the wedding vows pics later, right now I just wanna show the big ass chillo I ate in Salinas with my folks and brother !

Adios

I can vote !

2008-09-15T18:07:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I decided that I was NOT gonna let the upcoming gubernatorial elections pass by without me having my say. For months my mother has been subersively telling me I can't register 'cus I haven't lived here long enough. I knew she was full of shit, I mean, I work in a damn newspaper I ask people who know about these things. The reason she's been trying to get me NOT to vote is that she and all her siblings and relatives are hardline statehooders. Most of my aunts are Rossellistas who will write in the hijoeputa. Mami knows I will probly vote green or orange. But, I'll let you in on a secret; I will cast a vote for Tomas Rivera Shatz. This is one of the most hated statehooders in PR. He's really special. He makes enemies really fast. He was a Rossello's enforcer. Very abusive with his rethoric and demagoguery. After Rossello's fall from grace, he joined forces with the pussy who defeated his jefe in the primaries, Luis "el bisco" Fortuño. The same guy he had demolished verbally when Rossello was his man. Anyway, why would I vote for a statehooding fascist ? Well, back in 1984, I was struggling to pass the 12th grade in el Colegio Santa Cruz in Trujillo Alto. No matter what I tried I couldn't get a passing grade in the accounting class. One F and I would not graduate with my classmates. Here is when my loyalty to Tomas Rivera Shatz was born. You see, back in '84 we knew Tomas as Tomito, Colegio Santa Cruz '84 class president. Tomito's dad was the mayor of Trujillo Alto. The motherfucker always won the ever present political debates in our classes, especially the history class where our former teacher Mr. Toraño, would always instigate a political debate between the pro-independence faction of the class and the statehooders headed by Tommy. Anyway, thanks to his debating prowess and "patea's en el culo" style, he actually talked the accounting teacher, who hated me like poison, into giving me a passing grade. I actually found out about this several years later. So, Tomito, has my vote, and some orange or green party will get the rest of my X's.

Oh yeah, I forgot, it took me all of 4 hours to get my g-damn voting card. My neighbor got to the registration place early, got me a number. I arrived half an hour later. and was ready to wait up to 5 hours. A lucky break came when someone left and dropped his/her number. It was 187. I got it from the lady who picked it up and got out about 1 1/2 hours ahead of time.

I'm voting bitch !

El mardito marbete

2008-09-09T12:40:00.004-04:00

I had to renew the inspection sticker known as el marbete for my car last month. My license has to be renewed each year. YOu also have to get a compulsory insurance for your car @ a cost of $99. I got a full cover for my Subaru so that is covered but because I got the old license from the dealer I had to get a new one and pay for the insurance and marbete and then get reimbursed. Got it ? I didn't either. Lemme just list all the things I had to do to get my marbete:
1-Inspect the car (about 45 mins, $11)
2-Go to the insurance company to get a document so I wouldn't have to pay the $99 insurance. Couldn't get the document 'cus I have an xpired license from the dealer.
3-Go to Banco Popular to try to get the marbete. Couldn't get the marbete there.
4-Go to a Texaco to get the marbete 'cus the Banco Popular folks told me I could get it there. Couldn't get it there. Was told to go to the place I had the car inspected.
5-Went to the original garage. Couldn't get it there and the inspector dude told me he didn't keep copies of my license which is BULLSHIT ! I know he did 'cus I gave him the 4 original copies.
6-Go to the Colecturia in Fajardo to get the marbete. Couldn't get it 'cus I had to get the new license i the Obras Publicas office.
7-Go to the casita amarilla to get a photo copy of my driver's license.
8-Back to Obras Publicas, GOT A NEW LICENSE FOR FREE !!!
9-Back to the Colecturia to pay for the marbete, pay $185 and GOT MY MARBETE !!!

All this took one week.

I drove without the thing for 9 days. The fine is pretty nasty; $500, the cop takes your tag and the car is towed away @ your expense.

Bottom line, if they had automated systems in PR one wouldn't have to do all these hoop jumping. This of course would mean efficiency and a smaller government payroll. This of course is a problem in a colony where @ least 60% of the labor force works for the government. Most of those jobs are political appointments which translate into votes for the same politicians who appoint them. Understand now ? That's why it takes almost 2 weeks to get a stupid sticker for your car.

Push this bitch...

2008-09-08T20:43:00.002-04:00

So it's been pointed out to me that the door sign picture is not mine ! Holy shit, I stole a picture and didn't even know. For the record, I've seen something like that, but now I'm thinking I saw it in my damn computer. Sorry David, however I think it's a compliment that I thought one of your pics was so good that I shot it...

Fidel se murió

2008-09-08T12:10:00.004-04:00

This was the last Fidel se murió crazy Miami Cuban reactionary party in front of Versailles en la calle 8. I've no idea how many times I've covered Fidel's death in So/Fla. The worst time the SS was trying to get me and a reporter to Cuba based solely on a rumor. I had a visa that had just expired a couple of days before. That's my friend Alan Diaz from the A.P. who although he looks like he's getting a closer view of the nice Cuban Chonga Q-lo, is actually trying to avoid walking in the mamacita's stand up shot.

Hay razones para el optimismo

2008-09-08T12:08:00.004-04:00

My favorite road sign in all of Cuba. I've shot this one a ton of times, every time I drive past it I get out and shoot it. I'm with Sun-Sentinel former Cuba correspondent Vanessa Bauzá.

Camp Elian

2008-09-08T12:01:00.002-04:00

I have this old pic from the Elian Gonzalez media camp. I started out with a 3 foot ladder and gradually moved up to a 5 footer, then a 6 and finally a 12 footer.

GhettoRicanWrestling

2008-09-07T20:06:00.007-04:00

I was on my way to my regular waste of time in Kiosko #6 in Luquillo when I spotted a crew putting up a ring in the parking lot of this colmado/liquor store in the Fortuna section of Luquillo. For some reason I thought they'd have the local borrachos duke it out after a few canecas de Palo Viejo. So I went home took a bath and drove back @ night to find over 100 locals, women, children and viejitos watching a full wrestling show. The likes of El Convicto, Llurin el Tramposo and Surfer Boy were entertaining the audience. The evening couldn't go on without the obligatory alambre de pua tag team battle. That was great ! Blood and a bunch of cabron, maricón and hijo 'e putas for the entire family and the lil' children to enjoy. I've no idea what HSW stands for, maybe Hoy Soy Wei, but the wrestlers are basically your loser next door types.

Anyway, I wasn't really planning on shooting but after a few pinchos with too hot hot sauce and about 3 Heinekens I decided to whip out the 5D and snapt a few frames w/a cold beer in my back pocket.

I loved shooting something fun again.

Haiti and stuff

2008-09-06T20:49:00.002-04:00

I'm looking @ all the great pics coming in from Haiti and Cuba from this year's hurricanes and I'm thinking, hummmmm, shooting would be nice...

I'll fucking move to Panamá ! (shit, I gotta tell Isaida)

2008-09-06T20:35:00.003-04:00

So two fucking gringos who've lived in our possesed Banana Republic for over 10 years decided they needed a bilingual ballot so they can vote in our comedic elections and they sued and their whining made it all the way to the circuit federal court in Boston and guess what ? the motherfuckers won. So now, because two FUCKING yankis bitched, we'll have bi-lingual ballots forever. One of these days, we'll wake up and this fucking island will be a damn state and you know what my people will do, they'll just ask for another Medalla and when asked how things are, they'll say, "todo bien, gracias a Dios". I'm tired of submissive pussies who just take it over and over. Since 1952 two parties have been screwing us and for some reason my people seem incapable of realizing that the problem is those two parties. This is like changing the spark plugs in your car and the stupid thing just wont start. Hey asshole, maybe the car needs gas. Stop trying the same damn thing over and over. That's not the problem. I don't understand how people with access to information and with the freedom to complain just keep taking it in the national ass !
Fuck it, give me a cold Medalla and tomorrow I'll move my colonized hairy ass to Panamá.

Federico looks like a Poodle now

2008-09-06T20:32:00.002-04:00

After a nice grooming session Federico looks finally like a real min-poodle. Isaida took the little bastard to a local groomer and voilá.

Meet Federico

2008-08-25T19:17:00.003-04:00

Isaida and I adopted last night a new member to our family. His name is Federico and he's a 7 month old miniature poodle, or something along those lines. I'd told Isaida my next dog would be a smaller breed. I love boxers but I realize it's kind of a pain in the ass.

When I was a kid I worked in a small zoo that was @ the entrance of Piñones in Loiza (that was a long time ago). There they had 3 min-poodles that were trained and were part of the act. I got in trouble several times for making the dogs do tricks that I saw the trainers rehearse. I found out later those little fuckers are smart as hell.

We got Federico from a friend who is a Fed. She'd gotten him for her kids but after a few months they'd lost interest in him and he'd been relegated to a bathroom. They had named him Coqui which is a totally gay name for a small gay looking dog. Smart dogs like those can get really destructive if their intelligence and energy is not challenged and they are properly treated and made part of the family.

I was planning on flying to Miami to bring him to P.R. with me but Isaida wants to keep him and train him. This will be good. I'll play training consultant. Our neighbor Lucero has been hired to walk Federico every afternoon until Isaida gets home.

Anyway, here's a coupla of pics of FEDERICO.

Hottie @ Wal-Mart

2008-08-22T21:01:00.001-04:00

Saw a really hot girl @, ahhh fuck it I can't write this one. I'll keep it a secret...

Not all NewYoricans are assholes, but this one is.

2008-08-16T09:03:00.002-04:00

So I went to my new "for now" after hours fave bar, Kiosko #20 called the Lighthouse or Lightpoint in Luquillo. For those of you who don't know, the Kioskos are basically a row of kiosks that for decades (i'm no damn historian ok) have been open and where you can find most of the good/bad for your health shit ricans like to eat and like crack pushers like to force foreigners to try. I'm talking greasy bacalaos (like some cod fish and flour deep fried wafer), alcapurrias (more fried yuca and crab or meat shit) and a ton of other stuff. Anyway, I go to this Kiosko @ night 'cus it'one of a handful that stays open late. The place doesn't get crowded, has 2 pool tables and the beer (Medalla) only costs $1.25. Most of the clientelle when I get there around 11PM or later is the staff of another kiosk further down and a few locals. There really isn't a whole lot going on in that area, between Rio Grande and Fajardo. The jukebox has a ton of Reggeton, Salsa, Merengue and of course fucking B A C H A T A...

Enough history, back to the Newyorican in question.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love Newyoricans, especially the women. Man, talk about, how should I say this ? Friendly ? I have some very fond memories of some leideezzz. Ok, back to the #20, I went there last night around 11PM sat and had a few beers and this dude w/tats on his neck and baggy shorts sits next to me and starts talking shit to Joshua, the brand new (it was his 1st day) chef/cook, motherfucker's good ! Rican-Eminem starts, without anyone asking, to talk about how his company sent him to PR to do some work. How he has a nice hotel room in Isla Verde, how he will have a huge FREE breakfast in the morning @ his hotel and he will go to the bar and get free drinks. He couldn't stay with his relatives in I dunno where 'cus their place was too small and he needed his big hotel room that his company was paying for. He went on to tell me about his 14 PitBulls in NY, how he only sells them cheap to his Newyoricans friends but not to his white customers, they have to pay a lot more. Man there's a lot of crime on PR! he said, that's why I don't carry a lot of cash. My company puts all the money in my bank account and I use my ATM card, I gots crazy money bro ! He kept drinking Medallas and shots of Felipe II. Dude was fuct up ! I wasked him if he was driving like that, he sez, loco, yo voy suavecito por la orilla y ya. No me pasa na'. Si los policias me paran me hago el que no hablo español y me dejan ir porque esos cabrones no hablan ingles...So he decides he's hungry but doesn't have any cash and then remembers his ATM. Goes to the car, which btw, was an old Suzuki jeep. He xplained that his company woulda paid for any car he wanted but his Tio insisted he use his Suzuki. Comes back w/the ATM and orders some tostones rellenos con mariscos and wanted me to order some shit too, I politely said no thanks. A few minutes later dude goes back to his car and never came back. I had a free toston thanks to his sorry ass and I hope he got arrested for DUI.

Moral of this story, if you happen to somehow turn into a Newyrican, don't be an asshole.

Peace

Ricans can be Pen%$jos sometines...

2008-07-07T20:44:00.003-04:00

So it seems there are a lot of pendejos in Luquillo. I'ts just a thought that came to me while I walked to the town's plaza to check out the scenery during some kinda festival called "El Yunquetazo".
Oh yeah, I have some photo evidence to back up my theory.

I mountain bike.

2008-07-07T20:32:00.006-04:00

I got me a really nice mountain bike (Ellsworth Sub-22) a couple of months ago. I only really get to ride the thing once/week. There's a kick ass trail by my apartment, El Corredor del Este, between Luquillo and Fajardo. My first time there I rode for 40 mins and gave up. My lungs were begging for oxygen. This last weekend I rode for an hour and was feeling fine, although I hitched a ride in a pickup truck to get back to the top of a hill I flew down on. I only crashed once. The only really bad thing about El Corredor is that on my way back home I have to drive past the kioskos in Luquillo and of course I HAVE to stop and eat a few alcapurrias and piononos. This I think negates the excercise...

Why Miami is better than Puerto Rico (part 2):

2008-07-07T19:49:00.006-04:00

Isaida is in Miami.

Mike's Cigars.

Olguita lives in Miami.

Even the mannequins are hot in Miami.

Why Miami is better than Puerto Rico:

2008-07-07T15:55:00.004-04:00

I love P.R. ! So much so that after 21 GREAT years I left Miami for P.R. I love PR so much that I see myself spending the rest of my life here. This is where I was born and grew up, it's where my parents and family live and where I met my wonderful wife Isaida. BUT, there's one thing Miami has that Puerto Rico doesn't have: APPLE STORE (S). Several of them actually.
Here's the one on Lincoln Road on my last visit to Miami. Funny thing is I never really missed the Apple Stores because I had them so close.
What a geek !

Mija and the river

2008-07-07T15:44:00.003-04:00

Every once in a while I walk from my apartment past the Westin Rio Mar Hotel to the river Espiritu Santo (I think) which is about 1 or 2 miles away. I'd walk on the beach ever morning but since I take Mija with me on I don't. Direct sun would really drain her so I choose the main road which is cooler with all the tree shades. Anyway, Mija hasn't done any swimming, when we cross the river it's always shallow enough for her to just walk it. THis last time though, the water was waist deep so I decided to make her cross it swimming. She hesitated a bit @ first but eventually went for it and swam across several times. She wasn't all happy about it but she did it nonetheless.
I'm adding a snap of her chilling in a freshly dug hole behind my beach chair.

Adios

So, are you a model ?

2008-06-02T06:59:00.003-04:00

For those who dunno, I met my beautiful wife Isaida in a public AMA bus in P.R. Many years ago. When she sat next to me she was carrying one of those pretty girl mags Mademoiselle or something. I was a photo student then so I HAD to ask her; "are you a model". She snapped back @ me that she wasn't and went mute. Long story short; a few minutes later we exchanged numbers and I used my mojo on her and voilá. Truth is though, it wasn't a line. I really thought she was model pretty. I still do. I have no game, never really have had any game. The mojo line, that's talk. Sometimes I'd run into a girl who thought I was ok looking, but that was about 40 lbs, 20 years and a full head of hair ago...
Why do I share this ? Because the other night, I was ordering pizza in a small pizza joint in front of the beach in Luquillo. I was using the window on the side of the place and there was this girl working. She was nothing special, just a run of the mill "newsroom cute" girl. Of course, "newsroom cute" is not normal cute, it's just cute enough for the newsroom. She looked better than she really was 'cus the other 2 girls working were, how can I say this in a nice way, I can't so I'll just say they were NOT cute. So this dude comes up, he was about my age. So after a few minutes dude asks the not so ugly girl; ARE YOU A MODEL ? Guess what ? She actually blushed ! She even covered her face with her hands she was so embarassed. Dude made her blush with the world's oldest line ! I mean, the other line older than that is HAVE WE MET BEFORE ? Unreal.
So what's the point of this post ? None really, just me hablando mierda.

Peace.

My motherf&#@king neighbor in Miami Shores...

2008-05-30T14:19:00.008-04:00

When Isaida was visiting me in P.R. This is a long story and I won't really get into it yet cus' the matter's still fluid. Apparently the perp was the dude from across the street. Isaida notified the cops, the guy got arrested and spent 3 days in jail. Now he's back in the house. There's a case pending. I'm flying to Miami next week.
I just got Isaida a C2 Personal Taser. I doubt she'll have to use it.
To be continued...

cabron, mamabicho !

2008-05-20T00:21:00.003-04:00

So I was heading home after a day of shooting a mntn bike race, riding the trail and eating about 5 pinchos in the town of FLORIDA in the North/Center of the island. Really, fucking town is called Florida, lots of loud motherfuckers in bikes and cars with sirens. I've no clue why these assholes are so loud...
ANyway, on my way home I get on this road, two lanes turn into one. Some asshole in a BMW tried to get in front of me, even if I stopped the fucker wouldnt have been able to make it. SOB drove around me, stopped his car and got out and said "mambicho, cabron me blokeaste" ! I put my hads up as if saying, calm down asshole. I'm trying to think of how I can get out of this if the prick pulls out a glock or something. Only way out was to ram his car and hit him...Anyway, bitch behinds me jumps out of her car and yells back "tu eres el animal cabron, que lindo conn una cerveza en la mano". other chick behind her did the same. dude got in his car and left in a hurry.
So did I. Ive been told I'm ungrateful for not thanking those fine ladies.

I dont think so....

Ricans !

A

Plena pa ti, plena pa mi.

2008-05-05T17:08:00.003-04:00

I've been going to a few local spots to enjoy some kick ass plena music. Growing up in P.R. I was never into plena, bomba, salsa, merengue and definitely NOT into bachata. I'm still not into bachata and that's gonna hold no matter what. Tito Matos, musical director of Viento de Agua kicks major ass, funny, smart and a pretty awsome plenero. Here's a snap from last night on la calle Tanca en el Viejo San Juan. Isaida is blurred on the right wearing shorts.

Angels and short Ricans everywhere !

2008-05-04T13:12:00.004-04:00

I've been meaning to write this for a while but I kept forgetting. It turns out I'm no longer the only Angel in the photo department or the shortest guy in the newsroom. There is a shooter who is shorter than me. AND two other shooters share my 1st name and a freelancer my last name. There are also a couple other Angels in the newspaper and companywide there are several more.
I'll try to make a pic w/those short fuckers.
Peace, a not so short anymore Angel

Cabron salsero

2008-04-27T13:50:00.004-04:00

Man, I just got up from a nap. I'm dragging my feet. I now have Sundays and Mondays off. I actually picked those days myself. My new boss is really cool.

A few weeks ago I went to the Dia Nacional de la Salsa/National Salsa (music) Day. I'm not much of a salsero but I go anywhere there's good music, and fine jevitas. The show was in the Hiram Bithorn stadium. I think Hiram Bithorn was the first PRican major league ball player. Anyway, the HB is an old musty park. I sat in the sun drenched seats, lit up a cigar and just as I thought "all I need is a beer now" some dude selling beers walked by. I had about a 6 pack and had to take a leak when I ran into this dude w/his horns. I love self deprecating humor. This crazy cabron was funny. Called himself "el mas cabron". Good for you cabron.

Adios

El Yunque

2008-04-02T07:02:00.006-04:00

I live about 5 minutes from El Yunque rain forest but I hadn't had time to visit. The forestry dept (which runs the park) actually changed the name of the forest to some shit I don't even know. Doesn't matter to me, I don't really follow colonial rule here. When I was little my folks used to take the entire family to a little stream in the forest. I have to find that place. I remember it as an incredibly beautiful spot.
Anyway, I took a little drive to a trail near the top of the road and walked a few miles. I'll go back with a real camera later on and maybe a nekked model.

Car fires

2008-04-02T06:53:00.004-04:00

I've seen a couple of car fires on my way to and from work. I find that amusing since I hardly ever saw many of these during my years as a shooter in So/Fla.
Here are a couple of snaps I've made.

Isaida the poet: Candy for your eyes and ears...

2008-03-30T09:20:00.004-04:00

Go check her out Saturday April 5. She's a freaking superstar !
http://www.myspace.com/spokensoulshowcase

Stormy weather.

2008-03-21T13:35:00.002-04:00

The last few days the weather has been pretty stormy here. This is a pic this morning of the beach behind our condo. The water made it all the way up to the basketball court, that's @ least 125 feet inland. Our unit is a few hundred feet away, closer to the gate and the hill we'd have to get to in order to survive if things got crazy.

Iguanas everywhere.

2008-03-21T13:33:00.003-04:00

So there are so many freaking iguanas in PR. Driving on the streets here is like going to a fucking African safari. I know I'm gonna kill one of these fuckers soon. Here's one I did NOT kill. This is the road just outside our condo.

Jesus !

2008-03-21T13:31:00.001-04:00

I saw Jesus in Isaida's folks house the other day...

Anonymous wimps

2008-03-21T13:26:00.000-04:00

Ok, leave comments but show your faces !!!

One week and counting

2008-03-15T22:15:00.002-04:00

So I survived my 1st week as el Jefe de Fotografía in the paper in PR. I have to admit that I wasn't ready for the amount of work I've had to do. I have a good idea of what needs to be done. Changes are coming very fast.

Success today !

2008-03-08T17:19:00.003-04:00

I was able to get 3 required documents today, SATURDAY !
Got a certificate of good conduct from the police dept. An updated birth certificate and a marriage certificate from a fast and efficient government agency. I was in and out in less than 20 minutes.
I'm starting to like this.

Reciprocidad Total=Respeto AND Dignidad

2008-03-05T23:56:00.003-04:00

Today I got my PR driver's license. I had to make use of some smooth talk to convince the clerk that I was grateful for the great nation of PR's respectful treatment of a fellow driver from another country. Thanks to PR's "Reciprocidad Total" program, I was reminded of the great things that can happen when countries treat each other with honor and dignity. Thanks to the International treaty between the nations of Puerto Rico and Miami, Florida, I was able to obtain my license after only producing a birth certificate, passport, SS card, a printed copy of my Fla driving record, my old Fla driver's license, two bills showing my stated address, a letter handwritten by my wife confirming that those are OUR bills and a form w/a medical report, 3 passport photos, some rubber stamps and shit that I was charged $38 for. BUT, I was treated nicely.
Thanks.

Reciprocidad Total my ASS

2008-03-04T20:38:00.002-04:00

So this morning I went to get my P.R. driver's license, reciprocidad total and all. I went to the right bldg., paid for my MEDICAL, photos and stamps. $38. I wait in line only to be told I have to come back w/a couple of official bills w/the address of the place I'm gonna live in. Also, birth certificate, s-s card, passport and a printed copy of my Fla Driving record. WTF ? I'll try again tomorrow.

Reciprocidad Parcial y Total

2008-03-03T20:53:00.002-04:00

So the gov. agency that regulates driver's licenses has a system in place that grants full driving rights to people from SOME states and GERMANY ? The rest of the States drivers are screwed or @ least have to take the written test. But if your DL is from one of 4 these states; Hawaii, Rhode Island, Washington and Oklahoma, you have to take the written AND driving test. Fortunately, I have a Fla DL and I qualify for the FULL RECIPROCITY program. This makes no sense. I mean, I understand Oklahoma, but Tennessee and South Dakota also qualify for full reciprocity.
I love red tape.

A coupla things

2008-03-02T19:54:00.006-04:00

So I bought a car, a very vanilla Subaru Forester. I confess I blew this one. I probably coulda haggled a bit more. On top of that, I didn't realize the spare tire was bad and there was a broken fog light AND the digital compass/watch thing didn't work. I shoulda negotiated a better deal. Still, the car is sweet. Blue Book value was about 2k more than I paid. I get about 300 miles per tank of gas. My old Element used to give me 240. This is my 1st ever automatic car. I always wanted a Subaru.

Mija is a hit with everyone she meets. Her good manners and friendliness are winning everyone over. I get stared @ when I scoop her dumps. I'm so freaking civilized.

I got laughed @ the other day in the local supermarket. I brought an earth friendly bad for my groceries. The cashier mas mocking me for doing that even though I xplained the benefits to the environment. Nada, the bitch still laughed @ me. It's all good. I don't care.

I miss my Sunpass. PR's version, the AutoExpress system is fine but you only save .05 each time you roll through the booth. You do save time.

Traffic in PR SUCKS !

For $99 you can get the mandatory $3k insurance coverage. Full cover for one year is about $600. Not bad.

Living on the beach is awsome btw !

Oh yeah, reggaeton sucks too. Pero Tego rules.

I got another hammock to hang on some palm trees on the beach.

Mangu and drugs

2008-02-28T20:54:00.003-04:00

I spent a good 5 hours today in a clinic where I was sent to take several medical tests. I thought it would be a quick pee in a cup drug screening thing. WRONG ! Turns out I was screened for everything. I thought the doctor was gonna put a latex glove and ask me to bend over. I was told by a nurse that if I was hungry I could go to the corner "cafetin". Turns out this was a Dominican joint that had the best freaking Mangú I've ever had. Just awsome ! Only cost $4. I'm gonna enjoy the holes in the wall places. The wait didn't seem that long after I had that meal.

Pain in the koolow...

2008-02-27T08:53:00.004-04:00

I thought the toughest thing to do would be announcing my departure to my ex-boss @ the Sun-Sentinel. That wasn't it. Leaving my good friends and colleagues wasn't that hard either, mostly because I know we will always have them, they're not just our neighbors anymore, they're family to us. South Florida will forever be part of our lives. We own a house there and if we ever sell it we'll buy a condo. The toughest part of leaving was the logistical pain that is flying with a large dog. Basically, the airlines have restrictions on the temperature in the departing and destination airports. It depends on whether you have a snub nosed or regular nosed dog. Since the kennel goes in the cargo hold of the plane, and sometimes planes sit on the runway waiting for whatever, the temperature will affect your pet. If it's too hot it will die, if it's too cold, it will die too. Either way, you wouldn't wanna put your beloved pet through that. In my case, when we showed up @ MIA with Mija @ 8AM, the temperature in San Juan was 81 and climbing. Miami was also over 75 degrees (max for snob nosed dogs like our boxer). After a back and forth with the useless a-hole from American Airlines, I decided to try later on. We went back to MIA @ 6PM for a 9PM flight. We had to wait until the very last minute to check the weather in P.R. Still off by one degree, a supervisor approved it and we sent Mija off. We both cried like little punkasses when she was carted off. Murphy had to strike and I sat on the runway almost 2 hours as the crew waited for passengers from a Chicago flight.

I really hate being this angry but here goes it;
AA Flight 1555 2/25/08, 9PM (scheduled departure) 10:45 (actual departure):
I have to write a graph about the WORST FUCKING CREW I've had the displeasure of dealing with. After several "we'll push out of the gate in 20 mins" updates from the captain, some passengers clearly showed their frustration. These asshole WAITERS IN THE SKY, had the cojones to actually get beligerant and mouthy with whoever complained. They were saying things like "what do you think, that I wanna be here dealing w/people like you?", "if we tell you what's going on you're angry, if we don't you're angry too", "we already gave you water once". From the head "waiter" down, all of them are assholes and cunts ! I will single out the PUTA, Betty Boop/J-Ho PENDEJA who thought she was in charge. This CABRONA even said on the P.A."remember, your flight attendants are in charge in the cabin". I kept quiet while she went on verbally abusing the old guy sitting in front of me, bitching about "la negrita" old lady who needed assistance getting out of her seat and finally the businessman sitting next to me. I finally asked her name, I figured I'd write a letter to someone, like the PIO for AA in MIA. The tough/gangsta hoe from the block, suddenly decided she wasn't that much of a badass. "I don't have to give you my name". I told her she was a classless, disrepectfull, bitter individual. Bitch I hope someday someone kicks your sorry NEWYORICAN PUTA ASS back to whatever shithole you came from.

There, I fell better already.

We landed in SJU @ 2AM. Mija was freaked out, planting like a maniac. She must've drank about half a gallon of water when I finally got her out of the kennel in the car rental lot.

After waking my folks up when I realized my apt keys didn't work, I finally laid down @ 4:30AM.

Yesterday, Mija was a bit stressed out still. Took her to the beach, first time for her, and she seemed to enjoy it a lot. Ran around on the sand, skipped some waves on the shore and laid down under a palm tree to rest. Today we walked a couple of miles and will hit the beach in a few minutes. I have to head out to look @ used cars and later to El Dia to do some paperwork.

Here's a snap from yesterday with Mija on the beach.

Peace and Smiles :)

Angel y Mija

Morning fog

2008-02-02T07:58:00.000-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I noticed the heavy fog that blanketed So/Fla. This was around 6AM. Isaida was too sleepy to pose for me so I went to my default model, Mija. I got to use my 5D which has been sitting on a couch for the last few weeks. It will be used a lot soon. I can't wait.

Mija again

2008-01-15T07:51:00.000-04:00

With my 5d and my cheapo 50mm 1.8 ($49 from Adorama). I think this lens was made in Thailand or the Dominican Republic. Plastic, light, may not even be glass. Still makes a decent pic.

Mija w/my 5d

2008-01-13T00:10:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I got me a used 5d, a sweet full frame Canon digital. I always wanted one. After getting a 40d last week, I found out my friend Patrick Murphy/Racey was selling a like new 5d and decided to sell the 40d a week after getting it to get the 5d. Now I don't have much money to spend on great lenses so I got a couple of slow but L zooms. I also got a cheap, plastic, imported 50 f/1.8. Yeah yeah, laugh all you want but I gotta tell you, this is a very nice glass (if it is glass!). I'll post a couple of snaps. I've been shooting in the house. Here's Mija, when I don't walk in the morning she gets fat.

Photo Miami

2007-12-16T09:38:00.000-04:00

Went to Photo Miami w/my friend Zayra the other day. Man, there are some people charging a lot of money for photos, some great others not so much.
Here's a lil' snap w/the G9 inside the show tent.

dragging shutter today

2007-12-10T02:01:00.000-04:00

Went to Foto Miami/Art Basel today and saw many many pics selling for a crapload of money. Was feeling artistic and of course, what's more artistic than dragging a shutter ?

Adios Orange Bowl

2007-11-15T21:54:00.000-04:00

I went to the Orange Bowl in Miami last Saturday to help out my friend Jim Virga's U.M. photo students. They were working on documenting the final day of the legendary stadium. I was supposed to help as somewhat of a photo coach/advisor. Jim had it all under control. I was able to eat a $5 dollar hot dog from a vendor outside and I also got to see Omar, pain in the ass wonder intern.

My red convertible bug

2007-11-11T14:45:00.001-04:00

I've finally gotten serious about finishing the restoration work on my '70 vw bug convertible. I got this car back in '99 I think, can't really remember. It belonged to our friend Veronica Costello and it was in bad shape when I got it. There are some pics around that I will find someday of the vert when I got it. I don't remember the order but I think I drove it home from Ft Laud and then had it towed to the body shop in Oakland Park. The body shop guy, named Jose, was a dick, but that's another story. After the floors and paint were done I towed the car to my house. From there I towed it to the interiors/top guy. I left the car there for about a year. I then had it towed back to my house where it sat for the last 6-8 years in the garage. Isaida's been nagging me about fixing it and taking it out of the garage, we need the space since our house is a small 2/1. Like I said before, I've been putting off the work until now. Later I'll xplain why I'm in a hurry to finish it. Anyway, the car needs some heavy duty work. 1st, the engine is dead, no carb mounted, no battery and I bet ALL the electrical needs replacing. 2nd, the engine is probly locked. Unless it can be fixed, I'm probly gonna need to purchase a rebuilt one. 3rd, and I think this is gonna be a pain, I have to get the hard to find/fix window regulators for the rear seat windows. I'm hoping these "minor" things wont cost more than 3k. I dunno. I will post more pics as the project progresses.

Help has arrived

2007-10-22T20:25:00.000-04:00

Today we got some professional help. Mr. Henry, the pest control guy a friend of Isaida's uses came to the rescue. He used his professional poison and did exactly what I've been doing; tossing some blocks in the attic. He's coming back w/some custom traps he makes to trap the rats. We'll see if he get the job done.

Sad news, I trapped and killed a bird w/my rat traps.

2007-10-22T20:20:00.000-04:00

I didn't shoot apic of it but I somehown managed to kill a little sparrow w/one of my rat trap assault contractions. Apparently it was lured by the "meant for rats" peanut butter/dcon mix. Oh well, I tossed the dead bird in my neighbor's backyard. Maybe her annoying late night yappers will eat it...(just kidding) I wish I'd thought about that earlier though.

Losing the fight

2007-10-20T23:20:00.001-04:00

NO rats yet on my traps. I dunno what else to try. Bummer.

Ohhh, they're sooooo gonna die !

2007-10-19T10:12:00.000-04:00

Last night I stayed up until 4AM. Fucking rats kept running around and while Isaida slept like a baby I read and read and read online boards where people explained their rat-ridding techniques. This morning I rushed to the local Home Depot and bought all the parts to build my very own "rat trap assault rifle". I put two together and placed one up in the attic. I mixed peanut butter with D-con pellets and put some on the board to entice them to the traps. The 2nd one goes outside later tonight near the spot where it looks like they're getting in. I noticed that they ate some of the D-Con poison bars I placed yesterday. I'm concerned about the smell of poisoned rats in the attic if they die there but I think we can survive a few days @ my brother's if we have to.
It's on BITCHES ! Or to paraphrase my close personal friend Samuel L. Jackson: "I'm sick and tired of this motherfucking rats in this motherfucking house", or something like that.

Shooter

2007-10-15T23:08:00.000-04:00

I've been playing sharp shooter the last couple of days. Seems the critters we had in our attic have moved to a gab above our kitchen cabinets. Last night I shot one mouse as it came up from under the plastic covers I had gaffered taped over the cabinets. Later in the night another mouse came up and I shot @ it and missed. This morning I adjusted the sight on my pump action bb gun ;) and took several practice shots. I was dead on and then, the mouse came up again. I got so exited that I shot once and missed. Now the fucker won't come up. It stays in the crawl space gnawing @ something. Tomorrow morning I'm buying a few traps to nail the SOB. I'm fucking stressed out. I hate critters.

Life near the beach

2007-09-20T20:50:00.000-04:00

After 20 years living in So/Fla I've decided to hit the beach @ least once/week. This was last Sunday. This is a quiet beach near 71 street and Collins. BTW, I got stung by a jellyfish. Ouch.

Waiting for bags

2007-09-15T07:17:00.000-04:00

Isaida reads her book while waiting for our luggage @ FLL airport a couple of weeks after flying back to Fl from Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rican grass

2007-09-12T18:02:00.000-04:00

My dad is re-sodding his house in Rio Grande. This is a slow process as he drives his Toyota Rav-4 to the grass place which is about 10 miles away, buys 38 blocks of sod and plants it. He's done this quite a few times. He prefers to take his time and not pay someone to do this for him because they won't do as good a job as him. Isaida and I took one trip w/him and filled my rental Mazda 3 with sod. Isaida returned later w/another 38 blocks. I tried to convince him to get a truck load of sod to get the trips over with. He vehemently said, NO WAY. He's in no hurry to finish the job. He sez this is a good therapeutical endeavor for him. Plus, if he finishes this project too soon my mother will something else for him to do...

Rata, Raton !

2007-09-04T09:21:00.000-04:00

Hemos estado en Puerto Rico desde el 25 de Agosto. Decidimos quedarnos par de dias extra porque la 1ra semana estuvimos comprando los materiales para la renovacion del baño del apto de playa. Nuestra vecina Norma descubrió que tiene rataS en su apto. Ayer ella y su hija formaron tremenda griteria y cuando entre a su casa a averiguar lo que pasaba vi la cola de una rata enorme que se escondia detras de unos gabinetes. Esta mañana como a las 6AM toco nuestra puerta. Encontramos a esta ratita muerta al lado de su refrigerador. No se, pero me parece que hay mas animalitos...

We've been vacationing in Puerto Rico since the 25th of last month. We stayed a few extra days to enjoy our visit. The 1st week we spent most of the time buying materials for the bathroom which will be done soon. Our neighbor Norma has rats in her apartment. Yesterday she and her daughter started screaming and when I rushed into her apt I saw the tail of a huge rat hiding behind some cabinets. This morning @ 6Am she knocked on our door. One of the traps her husband had set up had caught a rat. This one is smaller than the one I saw. I think she has more critters...

Is it wrong to NOT go back to work ever ? We don't wanna leave P.R.

Chicago

2007-08-23T18:07:00.000-04:00

So I flew to Chicago last Monday to shoot a portrait of Chicago Bears star Devin Hester. The worst trip I've ever taken, period. But I'll post something on that later on. Now I just wanna share some random snapshots.

6 XL

2007-08-17T13:13:00.000-04:00

I was in the studio Thursday shooting football fans for the ALMOST FINISHED pre-season section covers. One of the subjects is a Jason Taylor (Miami Dolphins) fanatic. A writer brought his size 6 XL Taylor jersey to use on the fan. I had to try it on, I had no idea they make shirts that big. I had to use clothes pins on the back of the shirt to make it look decent on the lady/fan. Sports intern Perry Gattegno shot these snaps.

Gainesville, G-Town, GainesVegas, The G-Spot

2007-08-12T07:22:00.001-04:00

With assistant, and former El Sentinel intern, Andrea Morales in Gainesville. Andrea is crashing at a friend's house near UF. This is the back porch/patio.

T A L A H A S S E E

2007-08-12T07:11:00.000-04:00

I misspelled this freaking name 3 times in my last 3 blogs.