This morning I saw this story on Human Echolocation. Muy interesante. I wont be complaining about a bad day for a while. Maybe like a month or so.

Imagination is like running perception in reverse

A few months ago I read an article in Fast Company magazine titled, "Neuroscience Sheds New Light on Creativity,"and it had me thinking about my creative process. One of the factors which leads to creative thinking is the exposure of a new environment of which one hasn't experienced before. Many of my creative bombshell moments have been around my college friends which would usually begin with a,"Boom, I got it," and the usual, "or nah," or "I am DOWN!" type of reaction. This year I am trying to keep track of my ideas in a little black book. Hopefully I can remember some of the old ones. Check out the article, I am you sure will enjoy it and if not then you just lost a couple of minutes out of your life by reading this.

H.S. days...the music side of it.

Not most folk know that I went to PPAS and played the alto saxophone. Most folk know of the school because Alicia Keys graduated there as well as other actors, and musical theater folk. I did get to meet her when she visited randomly during my junior year. I remember coming into school late with my usual bacon, egg and cheese sandwich and a Tropicana. Not only was I surprised that I had to report to the gym for an assembly, which rarely happened, but I was the only late one walking in to the assembly. I remember everyone looking at me as I opened the door. For a brief second Alicia and I stared into each others eyes and then I was told to find a seat. Back to my music thing.

Four years of jazz band definitely changed my outlook on music. The best/funniest part of the instrumental music program was my music teacher, Mr. Kelvyn "Kelvynator" Bell. I wish class had been a reality show because the ratings would of been through the roof. We had the craziest group of personalities who were being taught by an even crazier personality. Mr. Bell would go off on his rants of when he had his funk band jamming out in the 90's or just shout to me, "Boy, I dont want to hear the macaroni, just play the damn song," or "Boy I'm the STL MO314," as he swayed his dreads all up in my personal space. Of course you know my reaction was more of, "and I'm from BK all Day, Everyday." Aside from all the jive, he actually threw some knowledge my way on music and on life. I was surprised to find this video of him on youtube. He was very into funk music as you can hear but also had some nasty chops.

Through all the broken music stands, comedy hour/rehearsals, wrong notes played on purpose, and freestyle sessions, I still miss those days. I have to find some of my performance videos.
More to come.

I Reminisce ..

Today I was having a conversation with one of my childhood friends and started reminiscing the elementary school days.

Can you remember your 1st -5h grade teachers? (bonus if you remember kindergarten)

Kindergarten- Ms. Naccion
1st - Mrs. Martin
2nd- Mrs. Ortiz
3rd- Mr. Stein (Gave me extra points for finding out movie quotes)
4th- Mrs. Cavanaugh
5th- Mr. DeFrancis (he screamed really loud & turned REALLY red..picture a skinny Santa with a trimmed beard)

96'-97'
I would say I enjoyed 5th grade, not only because my crush would come to my house and do homework, but because I was a future teacher. Yea, I know it may sound nerdy but it was the best way to get out of class for 1 or 2 periods. Future teachers helped out the 1st and 2nd grade classes with tutoring. I had the opportunity to help out a special ed. class. Some of those kids were special cases but they were cool in getting to know. The one kid I helped out was named Shameek, and boy was he a funny dude. When I had to take him to the bathroom he would run around in his underwear for like 3 minutes. Of course I let him enjoy his jog. I did not want pee stains on me. The best part was taking naps in class with the kids. Shameek of course was restless and never slept. On a side note, my crush's little brother was in that class so you know I got some brownie points there.
Those were the days where $5 made you feel like you had loot and if you had a $10....WOW! You were BALLIN! That would be when the whole squad would ask, "Yo lets go to Vicente's or Boricua Lou's after school." Now just $5 and $10 don't last you a day. I wonder what a snap shot of the Class of 97' now would be like. Convicts? Lawyers? Cops? Single Mothers? Producers?

2009. - - - > New beginnings

Yea, the new year is here and I still havent decided what to do with my hair.