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March 22, 2007

Showin’ some love: Haj20, Latin American music connoisseur

I hated eating in the MEChA office. Inevitably, one of the older students would respond too enthusiastically to my polite question, “anyone want some?” By some I meant, one of whatever I had, but the older student would take some to mean lots. The mooching always bugged me even though I’d been taught to share and never fight about food. Still, I couldn’t help myself from glaring at the older student as she grabbed her fifth french fry. Still chewing, she’d grab her backpack and head out to attend the last half of her political science class.

“Thanks, Cindyluuuuu,” she’d call out in a singsong voice. “Remember, sharing is caring.”

I may not want to share my french fries, but I will share music, rides and reasons why grad school is for suckers. I also really like people who share good music.

Hector/Haj20 is one of those people.

A few years ago he sent me a few CD’s filled with some of the best music from Latin America I’d never heard. Hector introduced me to some of my current favorites, like Babasónicos and Liquits. Hector sens me music he thinks I might like and finds the latest album by some band I’ve just heard about and want to check out. All I have to say is hey, “do you have the new ____?” Even if he doesn’t have it, he finds it.

Hector shares his love for Latin American music with anyone who wants to download one of his mixtapes. The most recent one features 18 songs by 18 Latinas (4 Mexicanas, 4 Brasileñas, 4 Chilenas, 3 Argentinas, una Colombiana, una Puertorriqueña, y una Dominicana).

Visit Diga no a la piratería to download any one of his five mixtapes.

Filed under: Amigos, Appreciation | POSTED BY cindylu AT 12:10 am | 7 Comments

March 15, 2007

Showin’ some love: Rio, artist and photographer

Members of the Okayplayer messageboards used to regularly make appreciation posts. The initial poster would start a thread and rattle off a list of things that made the subject of the post worth of appreciation. Others would chime in and add other great things about their online friend. I always liked appreciation posts since it was a welcomed break from all the hate on the boards.

In the vein of the Okayplayer appreciation post, I’m starting periodic appreciation posts of fellow bloggers, friends, family and anyone else I want to publicly acknowledge.

First up?

rio Rio Yañez

Last week, Rio emailed me telling me about an idea he had for a new digital drawing. He asked for a photo to use as a proxy for a model. Once I sent him a few that met his criteria, he got to work. A few days later, I found a cool portrait similar to the Jesus/Mary is my homeboy/homegirl drawings in my email inbox, except I’m the homegirl (finished “cindylu is my homegirl drawing”). Rio was also nice enough to make a lotería stlye card from a self-portrait I took at the beach (link). It was the first time he’d made a portrait of someone he’d never met. A couple months after that, we met up for ice cream and shopping at H&M in San Francisco.

I appreciate Rio not only ’cause he’s a badass artist. He also has a great sense of humor (check out his blog); knows how to tell a hell of a story (check out the ghetto Frida series); makes the best Valentine’s Day cards; makes time to get the best ice cream ever at Mitchell’s; and offers his protection from shady guys on the street.

I hope he does get some of his work printed on t-shirts. I’d be the first to buy one with the simple yet poignant illegal is beautiful piece.

Oh yeah, have you seen his work (and here)? I’m sure you’ll appreciate him too.

Filed under: Amigos, Appreciation | POSTED BY cindylu AT 10:34 am | 3 Comments

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