Ana Castillo

2008-07-08T14:42:00.004-05:00

Bad or otherwise useless advice to avoid in the pursuit of The American Dream:

1. All you need to do is work hard & you will achieve whatever you desire.

Since Mexicans were Mexicans they have been building the United States. Yes, some move up the social ladder, others were born w/ some privilege. As for the majority... More importantly, the economic system of free enterprise depends on someone being at the bottom.

2. Every immigrant group must pay their dues.

People of Spanish origin in the Southwest are not immigrants. Until 1848 it was Mexico. This is a very long time to be paying dues.

3. Racism is a fabrication. Learn English and you'll do all right.

Ask any African American or Native American if they would agree.

4. Assimilate (i.e. act white) and obey the law and you'll be treated equally and fairly as an American.

Ever gotten stopped by the chota?

5. Work hard and you'll be substantially rewarded.

Yeah. That's why a law had to be passed that if an employer called the migra on his workers before paying them, he'd have to pay them b4 they got deported. It was a long time convenient way that gringos had to get free labor.

6. There's no such thing as discrimination. Ungrateful "Chicanos' made that up in the 70s pretending they were part of the Black or indio movements in this country.

If it wasn't for the Chicano Movement the discrimination against Mexican workers today would be very further compounded. The Chicano Movement advanced the cause on behalf of all Latin Americans as well as all oppressed peoples in the world. Like Gore thinking he was a better 'citizen' than Bill and distanced himself from Clinton during his campaign and lost--new immigrant/migrants should take a moment in reviewing recent U.S. history and see who their allies are based on mutual goals. Instead of throwing their chips in with 'the American Dream' gringo version, they might want to learn how they are indebted for the countless U.S. Mexican born who have worked on their behalf. And are still working.

7. This is the U.S.; bilingual education has no place here.

Spanish is guaranteed by the Treaty of Guadalupe. Like all the treaties the U.S. government signed with Native Americans it has been grossly violated. However, this does not mean the Treaty of Guadalupe is invalid. It means that English-Only Laws in former Mexico are invalid. As for the hard earned bilingual education programs--how self-loathing and fearful can people be who are Spanish speaking immigrants and are fighting to teach their children only English?

8. The "Chicanos" saw and see themselves as victims. Distance yourself from them if you want to succeed in this country and just work hard.
Only through political activism are laws changed. As we work toward our goal to become a democracy (we are not there yet even if in comparison to places like Afganistan and North Korea it looks like paradise here) it is only by voicing your under-representation does legislature change. On the other hand, silence and assimilation are complacency.

9. Women who call themselves 'feminists,' or 'Chicanas,' are just angry women. Obviously they have never known the kindness of a good man. And they are the ones who are racist against all the other people who make this world a wonderful rainbow.

We'll wait for the memoir to see as to whether or not Ana Castillo ever knew the kindness of a good man (or a few) but regarding the definition of racism, let's get it straight. Racism can only be applied by those in power. If your group is not in power you may have some discriminatory or prejudicial views against others, especially those people in your experience who have treated you poorly. But you have no power over them. Therefore you may discriminate to the best of your ability but you are not a racist.

Speaking of learning English, let's learn what these terms actually mean.

10. You only have to work hard and you can make it.

Uh yeah, back across the border for next time they need you...
Or better yet, stick around a few generations as a "Mexican." Check out any U.S. border town and see how much Mexican/Hispanics are enjoying the American Dream.

2008-07-05T16:32:00.007-05:00

Interview on the run

[Frequently asked questions]

Q: Miss Castillo! Is that really you? Oh my God. I knew it was you. I said to myself, is that Ana Castillo over there playing those one cent slot machines? I recognized you from a poster my moms keeps in her office.

A: It’s was a one dollar machine and I wasn't playing the slot machines. I was trying to get my friend to stop.

Q: Great, great. Hey! For the benefit of our readers, do you think I could ask you a few questions? I mean, I don’t want to interrupt if you’re in the middle of something important.

A: Unless by interrupt anything you mean my life, then no, I’m not busy. Go for it.

Q: Great. Uh, well, let’s see. Man. I’m kinda nervous. Oh yeah, I know. I’ve got a question for you. Are you working on something now?

A: Yes. A new bathroom.

Q: Huh? Oh, ha. Okay. Cool. But that's not really you working, I mean, you're probably watching over some guys at your house back in Chicago installing the plumbing or whatever.

A: No. I meant I am working on a new bathroom.

Q: Anyway, what I meant was-- are you writing a new book?

A: Always. It's an addiction. Kind of like the one some of these people here have in the casino but with a bigger rush. That's one reason I've never been into drugs, despite what people think of my generation.

Q: Yeah, yeah. I know. You're probably gonna say you just tried it once or twice in college, like Obama, right?

A: Lil gal, you don't want to interview me about what I've tried once or twice. That's not for public consumption. Let's stick to my books. Anyway, I started something earlier this year, which I’m anxious to get back to. It’ll be a novel.

Q: Far out.

A: Far out?

Q: Well, I've been watching all those old George Carlin performances. Man, that guy was funny and so smart...

A: I agree. I remember when I went to see him in concert back when I was in college.

Q: Wow. Man. Well, yeah. That guy was pretty old, huh? Listen,do you have a minute? Can you tell our audience anything about your new project? What it’s about, I mean. You got a title yet?

A: “Waiting for Gordo”

Q: Isn’t that title taken already?

A: I don’t think so.

Q: Cool. No disrespect. It just sounded sort of familiar. Hey, are you still painting?

A: I haven’t had a chance for a while but I’m feeling the urge. It’s safe to say I’ll be back to the canvas this summer.

Q: Wow. That’s so cool that you’re so creative. How many books have you written? I mean, my mother used to read your books when she was young and in college.

A: I don't know the exact number.

Q: I meant, how many have you published?

A: Still don’t know.

Q: Hey, uh, speaking of Obama, do you mind telling us who you're gonna vote for? I mean at my house everyone's all for themselves. Some want Obama. Others are for McCain--I guess they want to keep the war going. I mean, I know it's not a war but my cousin, Eric was killed in Iraq anyway. My mom says she's gonna write in Gore's name on her ballot.

A: Yeah, those of us who voted for him should have run out in the street to riot eight years ago with the Bush coup but many new voters were in middle school back then. It's ancient history. Every new generation bears an extremely low tolerance for the past generation's mistakes. But your mom should reconsider and make her vote count. It's our deluded right in a country still about a hundred years away from becoming a true democracy. That's if the species is still around.

Q: Huh? Oh yeah, you like to talk about all that. My mom has that book that you made, The Massacre of the Dreamer. I mean, like she read it all the way through.

A: It's Massacre of the DreamerS. There was more than one dreamer...

Q: Yeah, well, anyway, one last pregunta, if you don't mind. I don’t want to keep you from stopping your friend from spending all her loose change..heh-heh. But uh, okay—I got another good question. What’s your writing process?

A: Interesting turn of phrase. I’m not sure what you mean by ‘process.” Do you mean like cheese? How do I churn out the writing or how do I get a book completed or how do I come up with the ideas to write or what is m ‘writing day’ like? How do I decide what will be poetry and what will be a story or a play?

Q: Uh…who’s doing the interview here, anyway? Like I said, it was my mother who read you in college…

A: And what did you read in college?

Q: I was a computer science major.

A: No English 101 or Humanities 101 required courses to coerce you into reading imaginative literature? No p.c. required courses to make you choose between an ethnic studies, women studies or world lit course? Any kind of forced motivation by the state college system to get you to read outside a Mac manual?

Q: You know I heard you were difficult…aloof.

A: Aloof means detached not difficult. Who said I was difficult?

Q: See what I mean? My moms did, actually. I don't wanna bust her but she told us she went to one of your book readings one time, back in the day and she waited in a long line for you to sign her book.

A: And then I didn't sign it? That doesn't sound like me.

Q: No. You signed it. She got a picture with you and everything.

A: I'm not sure then what her complaint was.

Q: Me neither. I think she just thought you and she could have become friends or something and then you just signed her book. Anyway, I think you’d better get back to your friend over there by the slot machine. It looks like she’s trying to kick the crap out of it.

A: Well, that’s what happens when you try to rip off a Xicana.

Q: OHHHH! That reminds me. I did have a question, me and my friends asked ourselves this but maybe you can give us YOUR answer? What’s a Xicana anyway? I mean, we call ourselves Hispanic and sometimes Latina. Me, personally I like to say American but then, like everyone always asks where I’m from, man. That's not cool.

A: Where are you from?

Q: Right here, dude. Las Vegas. My family's from Bakersfield. But my parents came out here to start a business. My dad builds swimming pools. My mom teaches elementary. Anyway, what do you think Xicana means?

A: That’s easy. Read my books, girl.

Q: Huh? Oh yeah, right, okay. I got you. Sure. You wanna sell some books. That's understandable, like we all gotta make a living, right? Which one would you recommend?

A: All of them.

Q: Cool. Peace.

A: And peace be with you too...

Q: Aww, Ana, dude, I didn't mean it like we were in mass or anything. Oh, never mind. I can't wait to post this on my MySpace page. Anyway. Well, bye, Ana Castillo! I can't wait til I tell my moms I met you. We usually just meet up with celebrities--me and my dad when we come by the hotels to work on the pools...

A: That's fine. Hey, you dropped your wrench.

Ana Castillo 7/2008/USA ©
(What yesterday's 'bubble' was supposed to read.:-))
Document2.doc Document2.doc

2008-07-04T18:12:00.003-05:00

July 4th--Mexican workers make ur holidays happen.
Someone told me that Las Vegas is like a sanctuary city--undocumented would-be workers know if they make it to w/in those city's limits, they're safe. Hey, somebody has to keep the underpinnings of Vegas moving smoothly. And there are jobs for anyone--not just the expected chambermaid and buser jobs but the "British castle guard" at the Venitian had a distinct mestizo je ne c'est quoi, the hotel managers and casino dealers. And speaking of the casinos, it's well known that a highway is being built from Anaheim directly to the famed adult playground but for Pete's sake, it ain't Disneyland. I'm w/ Hugh Hefner, there's a place for family values and it ain't Vegas. Nevertheless, there you have it, young families strolling their babies through casinos, dazed pre-teens following along as dad and mom drop their pocket of quarters in machines that don't dole out quarter returns anymore but let you lose them all unless you want to cash out and who bothers doing that unless they hit it rich.

Took a few days off from 6 months of non-stop work related travel, book research, teaching and public appearances. (Uh, did I say 6 months? Can we roll it over from last fall?)
A long hot summer of writing ahead 4 moi and then we're all off and running with a presidential election this fall--
& Ana la Amazona w/ a new paperback in hand--in case you were waiting for the cheaper edition--it's what you might call, a 'timely' story.
Obama is moving toward a centralist position and he is bound to disappoint many of those who were behind him. But McCain is not an alternative. Bill Clinton ran as a centralist and he set the stage. You could hardly tell the Dem from the Rep during Bill Clinton's campaigning.
(Asian) India and China on the rise as world players. (Racism be damned when you know how to make a dollar.)
Russia fell apart, Castro is dying and China has a billion workers to keep at below minimum wage.
Middle East has the oil business sewed today. Thanks Bush family.
Drug and body trafficking are the biggest world business and subsidize a lot more than just extreme guerrilla fighters in South America.
And while I am not in the business of making psychic predictions, political or otherwise, the years to come see low if any wage raises for working mexicans whether in US., Mexico, or in Europe...but the upside is, you can look forward to the spread of taquerías everywhere in the world... If nothing else, the world loves our tacos.

Ana Castillo copyright 2008.

2008-06-27T12:07:00.002-05:00

U.S.-Mexican Border since 1848 the new Afganistan?
But wait! Aren't we still 'fighting' those tenacious Talibanes?
Beheadings seem to be coming back in fashion. Maybe the School of the Americas training held a course 'in case' of civil unrest?
The hit list grows in Juárez with decapitations, shoot-outs in broad daylight, kidnappings and yes, many victims caught up in crossfire. Most recently the cuñada of U.S. Senator Silvestre Reyes whose influence managed to free the Mexican family member.

It's a paramilitary atmosphere. Nothing new in Latin America.

I do imagine if the relatives of more U.S. Washington officials were kidnapped or otherwise, we might actually start seeing the selling of drugs in our schools and streets decline.

As for me, against the advice of my (very unconnected and politically non-relevant) loved ones, I was in Juárez doing what I had to do. But don't worry, gente, I'm always ready.
Mexicans always are.

2008-06-23T16:05:00.004-05:00

If it's mid-June it must be Ireland and still her birthday!

(I know I should've had a Guiness but...)

(Lasses go a-pubbing after a little souvenir shopping at a Carroll's)

(They must be Irish from Taylor Street, Chicago...)

(There are Irish wool sweaters and then there's...)

Happy Birthday, Doña:

Jiggin' at the Arlington Hotel in Dublin

2008-06-23T14:18:00.003-05:00

10th International Short Story in English Conference--
What we may all conclude (or what I concluded after my own reading and panel, when we know yours truly used the 2 languages she writes in) is that there is no such thing as a monolingual society no matter what official language legislation is passed anywhere in the world! No argument from the Irish there, of course.

(The title of the panel was What Is It To Be An American Writer? but ended w/ q & a about how Mexicans are being treated in the U.S.--and the Wall. Hmm. I wonder who got that topic going?)

(It's a conference where 'egos are to be 'left at the door,' the director told the group at the conference banquet--where it doesn't matter if you've written a short story or are thinking about writing a short story. After the East and West Coast events I attended this spring, it's a nice enough sentiment to hold indeed. Nevertheless, I can say--it's a conference where modest as they may be, some brilliant women--desde España a Lisboa and yes, even one or two 'ever-controversial 'American' writer meet eye to eye.

(Triskel Arts Centre--after my 3 hour writing workshop w/ Irish women writers (& one Caribeña who attended the conference), Robert Owen Butler followed up with his--great attendance, great fun, hard work despite pouring rain that day (thus the red slicker.)

(Reception for the Writers' Conference folks at Cork's City Hall.)

(Unidentified woman w/ the Lord Mayor of Cork having a 'word'?)

2008-06-12T11:14:00.003-05:00

THE FELICIDADES DE LA CUMPLEANHERA CONTINUAN--
DIAS LINDOS EN MI PUEBLO NATIVO
CHI-TOWN.
A FABULOUS MEAL AT A NEW CARDUCCIS--
A CELEBRATORY CANOLI (MUCH FANCIER THAN THE ONES I GREW UP W/ ON TAYLOR STREET AND I WILL SAY NOT AS GOOD AS IN THE OLD DAYS BUT HERE WE ARE IN THE NEW CENTURY WHERE WONDERFUL CITIES IN THE WORLD ARE MORE LEGEND THAN WHAT THEY ONCE WERE...

WHICH BRINGS ME TO MY NEXT STOP: IRELAND.
I AM SURE THERE WILL BE MORE THAN ONE DUBLINER WHO'LL AGREE WITH MY PREVIOUS SENTIMENT.

NEVERTHELESS, A-PUBBING WE WILL GO.
SALUDOS TOD@S MIS AMIG@S QUERIDOS.
FOR THE TIME BEING WE TAKE A BREAK FROM DWELLING OVER A PLANET THAT NEEDS ALL OUR LOVE.

2008-06-08T18:53:00.006-05:00

Happy, Happy Birthday, Baby!
What do you do when ONCE AGAIN your flight has been cancelled, non-challantly? If you have an 'angel,' he gets you out of the 100 degree El Paso temps and you both duck into the nearest theatre, buy a tub of pop corn and watch the 2 hour length continuation of Sex & the City.
How many manly men would be up for that? Well, the one w/ me counted precisely 3 in the theatre, I don't know how we're defining manly men but the 3 there seemed to enjoy the unbelievable cliché quartet.

I won't spoil it for you if you were a closet fan of the show, ok, I will, because it's my b-day month and I get to do what I want.
Instead of Steve cheating on Miranda they should have had her cheating on him w/ a woman and give a wink-wink to the audience.
Good for Samantha, the blond, d*** loving bomb shell whom I never believed would bother having 'girlfriends' much less Park Ave. girl, enough said about the one whose name I can't even remember.
The Sicilian wedding planner & Carrie's eccentric dresser gay friend give each other a quick kiss on New Year's Eve as if they were the last 2 gay men on earth and can't believe it. I guess that's millennea gay but in my day it wouldn't have stopped at a 14 yr.old peck at the strike of midnight. Unless you belong to the Christian fundamentalist right...
50-year-old Samantha is bitch slapped by a gay man and 'the girls' (except 40 pound Carrie, every girl's best friend, of course) for having put on a few pounds after breast cancer (in the show) and menapause (in real life), while in real life she has been indeed involved w/ a young man--a chef and good for her if she's enjoyed his cooking...
As for Carrie: Ever since she became executive producer of the show I think she was writing her personal fantasy. The kind of man who would love her in a fantasy life.
Fantasy, fantasy, fantasy, like in the 30s when people were scrounging around for their next meal for their families, Hollywood fed them rags to riches stories. That's the scoop, kids, whether you want to believe or not while you're considering siphoning out your neighbors gas to get to work tomorrow.
And when I saw a stroller, baby in tow, papi pushing it across me in the front aisle, over size Chicana mama leading her family in the see the show, or when I heard a child, about 8 at the box office telling her mom she wanted to see Sex and the City, she upstaged what's-her-name's movie daughter in my book when she hears the word sex and repeats it.
Uh, yeah, about my books...
When do you think this old broad will write her Carrie Bradshaw equivalent quasi memoirs?
Sex en la Ranchería.
The truth is I don't think my own 'romantic' life is anybody's business. Not that anybody cares...uh-huh. Never was. Not relevant now.
Suffice to say, someone took these photos when I got back home, bags packed, ready to try flying out again mañana. But like Senator Clinton has proven, for better or worse (for her) about women of our generation, it ain't over until you say it's over. (Keep that in mind, chiquitas.)

2008-06-07T23:41:00.003-05:00

It's still Cruces & El Paso not yet the big city pero not bad places to take a break from la ranchería

(Saying birthday brindis with Cecilia la Coqueta and my unofficial asst. Camila Sonsoneta)
Dinner repartee:
One never liked Hillary but she couldn't say why.
Another doesn't trust Obama's lack of experience.
And the third is deeply concerned that she has been cast in a medieval play where the people have nothing to say about what gas & war games entertainment the court has in store for other courts.

I also recalled how many DECADES ago I learned how as a woman I had full control of my life, not my daddy, mami, not The Man, no man, but me.

What a valuable nugget to be aware of.

Anyway, plebe, so you don't say que desprecio El Paso food. My favorite tamales in this area--

come from La Choza on Doniphan--queso con chile rajada.
Picked some up to take on the road...

Hey,
nobody but a very lost person would think that my 50 reasons not to kill yourself after 50 were meant to do anything but bring a sardonic smile to those who relate--we may be older chicks, okay, not chicks and not a good analogy anyway.
More like the cliché about vino that getting better with age, wine which we can now afford (and even if we couldn't, we've got the credit to order it anyway)_

Next stop: Well, uh, like, stayed tuned.

2008-06-07T18:28:00.004-05:00

Saludos de el rancho no muy grande

The celebrations here have begun. For one, my young worker who was stabbed on "Bloody Saturday" in Juárez survived and is back to work.
The killings continue. Innocent standy-bys, which include women and children.
The execution of choice by the cartels when they are not firing machine guns and have taken it personally are beheadings.

Here we had a birth the other night--our first foal! She's a doll, wobbly patas and all!
So I'm off to the world again to other cities, continents, worlds and I am sure someone will say when they meet me, "Gosh, I thought you'd be wearing your hat."
Nope. The hat and boots have their place and this fifty plus divota is still a city gal at heart--It took my 2 hours to pack 4 my next trip and the dusty hat and horse sh** boots don't come along!
Wishing all my June birthday amig@s a blessed year to come.
The Guardians paperback comes out Sept 8. If you plan to use it in your class please let me hear from you. We'll be posting the fall appearances over the summer.
Hope to see ya!

2008-06-05T11:14:00.004-05:00

SECOND LIST OF REASONS NOT SO MUCH WHY NOT TO KILL YOURSELF BUT TO EMBRACE YOUR LIFE! SPEAKING OF WHICH, EDITORIALLY DIGRESSING SOMEWHAT HERE: MRS. CLINTON, WE'RE ALL PROUD OF WHAT YOU DID FOR OUR GENERATION OF FEMINISTS BUT IT'S TIME TO LET GO. IT'S BEST FOR THE PARTY. IT'S BEST FOR YOUR OWN POLITICAL CAREER. AND MOST OF ALL, IT'S BEST FOR YOU. DIG OUT YOUR SWIMSUIT AND HEAD OUT TO A PRIVATE ISLAND WITH BILL AND CHELSEA AND TAKE A MUCH NEEDED BREAK. THE BATTLE WITH THE WAR-MONGERING REPUBLICANS TAKING THIS COUNTRY TO HELL IN A HAND BASKET IS FAR FROM
OVER)

Editorial commentary done and rants aside during my June month.

Look, even if you didn't run for president but ran a 7/11 and have been replaced by an upstart or if you're unemployed at the moment or you have a car but can't afford the gas to use it to get to work, or if you can't afford your home, just turning on the world news will tell you how lucky in life you still are. So here are a few reminders from the page of La Doña Ana, medicine woman who doesn't prescribe herbs but hopefully some sound advice, with a dose of a smile to brighten you day:

57. Who’d tend to your roses?

58. Your hair is going naturally platinum.

59. Bowling night.

60. Card night.(A married María Felix, her business husband away, found herself idle at one point. She put the word out that she wanted canasta partners and of course they showed up and made it a regular thing. You are not María Felix and neither am I but you can put the word out just the same and start your own card night. Out in el rancho not so grande there ain’t much to do after sunset so we enjoy our tournaments at home with friends. It’s turned out to be a fun intergenerational activity and keeps the cunnng part of your ever-enfeebling brain active! If you’re not into poker, there are tons of ever games you can try. If you don’t believe in gambling for $ & don’t want to strip there are other creative wagers to make.)

61. Fishing. (Get real you self-righteous vegans and learn to hunt for your food!)

62. Diving. (If you’re deep-sea-challenged—snorkeling is awesome too!)

63. Skiing. (Water, snow and on the hills in Grant Park in Chicago in winter if nothing else)

64. You can now get a discount at the car wash.

65. You can now get a discount at the movies.

66. You might be eligible for early retirement.

67. If you play it right, you can always get someone to carry your crap for you.

68. You haven’t made your funeral arrangements and you can’t trust anyone in your life to do it right. So put it at the bottom of your things to do list.

69. You’re not as concerned about making witty repartee at social events anymore as much as you are about keeping your wits. (especially after the second margarita but on the other hand, what good are wits if you can’t have fun?)

70. You have a child in the military.

71. Even if you are not a biological mom you can now hold the generation after yours (which you may not have wanted to hold.)

72. Who will be there for your grandkids when they start to hate their parents?

73. You’re in-laws are now dead.(Let’s face it, there are still some out there that made life hell long enough.)

Follow the lead from Ana la Amazona’s livin’ la vida loca in her mid-years

74. You haven’t yet swum with the sharks at the Galápagos Islands.(Take it from me, you haven't lived until you.)

75. You haven’t yet seen the Sphinx. (Riding a camel.)

76. Been to Petra in Jordan. (Remember Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom?)

77. Floated in the Dead Sea.

78. You haven’t been to Macchu Pichju (and if you have it’s worth going back a second time.)

79. You’ve not gone to Paris and walked in the rain.

80. Italy any time, anywhere.

81. Italian men

82. Italian women.

83. Italian food in Italia.

84. Italian fashions

85. You haven’t seen the David yet.

86. Oh hell, anything Italian.

87. Goya’s “Neptune’s Children” in the Prado (

88. Van Gogh’s museum in Amsterdam.

89. The girl and boy from Ipanema.

90. Brazilian beer.

91. The Alhambra.

92. You haven’t gotten lost yet in Mexico City.

93. You haven’t tangoed in Buenos Aires.

94. You haven’t learned to tango yet.

95. Gardel

96. Amalia Rodriguez.

97. Edth Piaf.

98. You haven’t learned to clap with flamenco music yet. (Palmas.)

99. You’ve never been flirted with yet by a gypsy.

100. (Beethoven wrote) “Ode to Joy” (after becoming deaf.) Shut out the world for five minutes and just imagine what your creative mind will open up for you if you listen.)

102. You haven’t finished reading Don Quixote.

103. You haven’t finished Dante.

103. You haven’t read all of Shakespeare.

104. Poetry.

105. Lorca.

106. Neruda

107. Your poems need to be published and who will see to it if you don’t?

108. You need to organize your first one (man/woman) show (even if it will be in your own home).

109. Maria Callas.

110. Arias

111. Everyday you can witness the miracle of a sunrise.

112. And every evening the sunset.

113. A martini at sunset (or as in my case vino or cava.)

114. Pretty soon you can fly to Cuba any time to have an original mojito.

115. You haven’t discovered Tina Modotti --her full life and her photography. And when you consider she didn’t live to see 50 and all she accomplished it should light a fire under your butt to get something going.

116. Fresh ceviche and redsnapper cooked on an open fire off the coast of Cozumel.

117. Chicago pizza. (My birthplace. Holla.)

118. You haven’t gone to Istanbul yet and sang “It’s Istanbul Not Constantinople” and shimmying while drinking raki) on a terrace with friends and a view of the Aegean.

119. The Mediterranean.

120. Ephesus awaits your footprints.

121. Peyote--once, with medicine people.

122. You’ve never spent a night in the desert, any desert but especially in Mexico.

123. The smell of jasmine in the air.

124. Lavender.

125. Gardenias.

126. The feel of a lover’s soft breath against your neck while you sleep.

127. A baby’s.

128. Or anyone’s who you are smitten with and doesn't need an Altoid.

129. Or speaking of which, your dog or cat’s if they haven’t just eaten a bird.

130. You can still learn to play the piano (or have your first recital—as my 76 year old aunt did not long ago. See last blog entry—we’re dancing at her 75th birthday party. Party on, Tía!)

131. You can still learn to ride a horse

More suggestions from the page of life and how to live it no matter what age:

132. Willie Nelson will be back in concert next year.

133. Santana is pushing 60 and still tours (So is Tina Turner!)

134. You’ve finally learned to text.

135. You haven’t written your memoirs.

136. Madonna is 50 and still rocks with a hit pop album.

137. George Clooney is technically available.

138. If you’ve lived long enough to see a Black man be nominated for President of the United States imagine how much more great sh** you’ll get to see in the new millennia?

And the list continues…but I must move on to get some livin’of my own done.

Let me hear from you what brings you joy about livin’ through your mid and late years in life?

2008-06-05T09:37:00.004-05:00

LAST OF THE LIST, HONEST!
JUST FIFTY REASONS TO STICK AROUND ON THIS PLANET IN THIS BODY EXPERIENCING THE LIFE YOU HAVE? PUH-LEASE! GET READY.

54. If you think you'll show all those who hurt you by killing yourself, you will only show them how pitiful they thought you always were...and then they'll move on, without the burden of guilt for being such assholes to you.

No. The best revenge is to be happy. And you can do it. I'll give you a head start in the next list of reasons to embrace this world!

55. If you’re single an ‘earth angel’ might be out there looking to meet you. (Isn’t that right, Ángel?;-))

56. You can do the chicken dance at family reunions and not be embarrassed (although you should be, but you don’t give a damn.)

57. And finally, (drum roll, please!) In general, regarding what other people think, you don’t give a damn.

2008-06-04T19:35:00.003-05:00

FINAL FIFTY WICKED REASONS NOT TO WACK YOURSELF AFTER FIFTY (AND BTW I LIED, THERE ARE FIFTY-THREE)

47. The line is moving anyway so why butt in?

48. God is watching you.

49. Jesus is your friend.

50. The Buddha will just send you back. (You can count on the self-righteous to let him know.)

51. There aren’t 72 virgins waiting for you.

52. There’s nothing waiting for you on the other side.

53. There is but you won’t like it.

2008-06-04T18:18:00.004-05:00

FIFTY LIST CONTINUES INTO HAPPY HOUR IN VIEJO MÉXICO THE STATE FORMERLY KNOWN AS NEW MEXICO. WHETHER YOU ARE FIFTY FIVE, TWENTY FIVE OR EIGHTY...let's not push it, eighty's good enough, BEFORE WE CONTINUE, MUJERES (AND HELL, HOMBRES TUNING IN, TOO) GET YOURSELF A SHOT OF TEQUILA AS WE LAUNCH THE NEXT WICKED REASONS ON OUR LIST & FIRST CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO TO GET YOU IN THE MOOD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdONjEg8HZ0

30. If you’re a man going grey you can finally pass yourself as distinguished.

31. If you’re going bald you can shave your head and pass yourself off as a retired world champion, or at least, a fireman.

32. If you’re a man who has gone entirely bald you can pass yourself off as sexy.

33. If you have hair you are sexy.

34. You can now date women half your age legally.

35. Viagra

36. Cialis

37. The pump.

38. If you’re a woman with a man over fifty, all of the above.

39. Forbidden fantasies are not so forbidden anymore.

40. Vibrators.

41. (For both women AND men:) The clitoris is as frisky after menopause as it was before

42. You don’t have to worry about birth control.

43. No more periods(!)

44. You want to outlive your ex.

45. You have outlived your ex.

46. All kidding aside, ancient cultures believe in respecting the sagacity of their elders, which typically starts at fifty. At this age you KNOW where there is smoke there is fire. Each and every time. Staying true to that instinct, remembering the lessons from hard knocks and not festering over the hard knocks themselves is what wisdom is all about.

copyright photo: Robert A. Molina/USA/permission only (W/ la poeta sabia Demetria Martínez in Albuquerque last summer--my fellow cincuentona and still going strong!)

2008-06-04T15:57:00.007-05:00

FIFTY WICKED REASONS TO STICK AROUND AFTER FIFTY

18. Your favorite music is now classic.(C'mon, who can forget that timeless tune, 'Copacabana'?)

19. That goes for your car.(Imagine the gas you can save w/ your Gremlin, never mind that a bumper collusion might blow up the tank. Drive like the Miss Daisy you are.)

20. And all the clothes in the back of the closet. And if they no longer fit you can sell them as vintage chic.

21. You’ll get even more on eBay for all your memorabilia in 10 years.

22. Paper shopping bags are now chic (and environmentally-correct).

23.You can finally afford ‘good’ jewelry.

24.Regardless of what you can afford you now wear whatever the hell you like.

25. You know now that it’s not that important to always win (but when you do it still feels real good).

26.Everyday you get to say to an annoying upstart, “Been there. Done that.”

27.Half of what you can’t remember you’d prefer not to think about anyway.

28.If the person who dumped you decades ago calls out of the blue you’ll probably say, “Who?” (And whether your hearing isn’t what it was or your brain, it’ll make them feel like crap having to repeat their name.)

29.(& whether an empty nester, menopausal, on anti-depressants, newly divorced, widowed or for any other reason inconsolable today:) At this age, you know you can survive a broken heart.

2008-06-04T13:56:00.009-05:00

FIFTY WICKED REASONS NOT TO KILL YOURSELF AFTER FIFTY

On the top of the list I guess we should have Hillary. If she is still smiling this morning why shouldn't the rest of us old broads?

Some of us run for president of the United States and some of us aspire other goals:

Like singing an upbeat salsa version of Si Nos Dejan at the local Escándolo Bar in my nearby pueblo (just kidding. Maybe.).

Here we go, June 3 or is it 4th, you know at this age dates get away from us...

9. While you can’t see as well as you used to there’s a whole lot of ugly out there you’re glad you can’t see.

10. You now have the big boobs you always wanted (even if they are a little lower than your ideal.)

11. Anything that’s fallen can now be lifted with cosmetic procedures.

12. Your favorite telenovela is just getting real good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d16y7ju7hrw

(After the major success and remake of Los Ricos No Lloran...you must wait for the follow-up: "Pero Los Pobres Lloran Más")

13. Chocolate is actually good for you.

(Okay, now as this lady demonstrates that there can be too much of a good thing--from vino tinto to cosmetic procedures to just too much chocolate.)

14. Red wine does the heart good.

15. It’s getting easier to eat smaller portions of your favorite foods.

16. Organic marijuana (which, at this age, can probably be medically prescribed. Y mujeres, check it out, is supposed to enhance ur sex drive.)

17. Ribbing aside: If you’re a cancer survivor you’ve learned to live with uncertainty--which is the ultimate secret of life. (Hell, after 50, by now you know that everything is uncertain. So, go w/ the flow & throw out the Paxel.)

2008-06-03T11:31:00.006-05:00

Fifty Wicked Reasons Not to Kill Yourself After Fifty

Now I know some of you out there are thinking to yourselves, "It ain't killing myself that I'm worried about, Ana. It's everyone else out there that gets on my last nerve on any given day."

I know, I know. I have those moments too.
But it's just us kids talking here now. And deep down, behind closed cyber doors, we can talk. We know that we haven't survived a half a century without feelin' the love. As erratically as it may have been and as less frequent as the creak in our bones increases, nevertheless, we are still as capable of passion for life as we were decades ago.

Take the examples of a 70+ widower who is throwing himself a party this month. His new girlfriend, whom he met while traveling in flying in to celebrate. Another, 70+, a writer on ecology emailed me the other day and said she has a list of all the things she wants to do, including more travel. She's planning a trip to the U.S. very soon.
Another friend, definitely 60+, skis most of the winter and plays tennis most of the summer has just returned from a trip to New Zealand and Australia.

But even if you're not a jet setter and hat love is found in a margarita light on the salt after work.
Or buying Victoria Secrets to wear when you're away at a conference.
Here are the first eight on the list. If you don't relate don't hate. Remember there are many more reasons to come & you may find yourself there. (You can always email me with your personal favorites. Not every 50 year old has lived the same life as the next.) I hope it brings my fellow cincuentones y plus a smile as we enter a new long hot summer. And all this Gemini is looking for here is to spread the smiles this birthday month. :-)

1. Who would feed the cat? (Or by the same token, who would possibly care for your pooch with as much love as you do?)

2. Golf

3. All your ideals are now realistic. The good news: therefore, achievable.

4. Your last kid has finally moved out.

5. Your last kid has moved out and you can go around the house naked.

6. Your last kid has moved out and you can move up cocktail hour to before noon if you feel like it.

7. Your last kid has moved out and you can do whatever the hell you want in your own house now.

8. You finally own your own house now.

The Screaming Orgasm

3/4 oz Kahlua
3/4 oz Irish Cream
3/4 oz Amaretto
3/4 oz Vodka
ice

2008-06-03T10:50:00.002-05:00

Speaking of reasons not to kill yourself after fifty: In the country that has considered itself leader in democracy no woman has been permitted a seat as president. While many countries have had women leaders, often enough women whose husbands were former leaders, we're not there yet. But Hillary Clinton did prove one thing to her male colleagues in Washington, a woman can be strong enough and iforemost ntelligent enough to do the job.

As with all the roads paves by 'minority' activists, women and people of color, it seems it is the succeeding generations that will reap the rewards.

This, today:
WASHINGTON - Hillary Rodham Clinton will concede Tuesday night that Barack Obama has the delegates to secure the Democratic nomination, campaign officials said, effectively ending her bid to be the nation's first female president.

Obama is 40 delegates shy of clinching the nomination, but he is widely expected to make up the difference Tuesday with superdelegate support and votes in South Dakota and Montana. Once he reaches the magic number of 2,118, Clinton will acknowledge that he has secured the necessary delegates to be the nominee.

The former first lady will stop short of formally suspending or ending her race in her speech in New York City.

She will pledge to continue to speak out on issues like health care. But for all intents and purposes, the two senior officials said, the campaign is over.

Most campaign staff will be let go and will be paid through June 15, said the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to divulge her plans.

The advisers said Clinton has made a strategic decision to not formally end her campaign, giving her leverage to negotiate with Obama on various matters including a possible vice presidential nomination for her. She also wants to press him on issues he should focus on in the fall, such as health care.

Universal health care, Clinton's signature issue as first lady in the 1990s, was a point of dispute between Obama and the New York senator during their epic nomination fight.

2008-05-30T11:52:00.003-05:00

FIFTY THE NEW FORTY? NO FIFTY IS FIFTY. THANK GOD.
June is approaching. Happy birthday to all June babies and of course I say that because it's my month. Time to celebrate life and not rant about its many downsides. Men, unless you are a metrosexual you may want to check out this month while I revel in my love for being a woman along with all my other readers who are closet 'girls' regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, financial means.
These are unprecedented times in terms of aging where we push the envelope to the edge. Feminism, the Civil Rights Movement, the large population of Baby Boomers, independent women in the work force, pharmaceuticals, etc., have more people out there who once were seen as having life for all intents and purposes behind them, are out and about, active and strong participants in all levels of society.

My career women friends weighed in about happy benefits of their age--some past 50 and some lively women past 60. These reasons didn't make the suicide watch 50s list:-) but the embracing your blessed life in a country where our generation has made it possible at last to have the realistic possibility of a woman or a man of color as president. We'll take a break from nat'l politics, cartel beheadings across the Border & my novel The Guardians coming out in paperback this Sept. and be happy to be the women (and men) that we are and of course, any gender variation we choose.

Cecilia, a widow and grandmother who loves to dance has discovered younger men...

like older women. Norma, originally from the Borderlands considers depilating now optional and not mandatory.
Bia who likes a deal has just joined AARP.
Recently widowed, Ann just took her first motorcycle ride.
Yoly who took early retirement to look after her health (and loves her water aerobics class where she is its youngest participant) is enjoying all the 50+ discounts" in L.A. which include movies and car wash.
As for Ana la Amazona? Pues, aqui les va...

2008-05-28T13:02:00.005-05:00

Water crisis, human violations and corrupt officials:

I made a point to watch the PBS Frontline program last evening & I am glad I did.

I'm not sure what the point of the story about the corrupt gringo Border Patrol agents was. I grew up in Chicago. The Windy City wasn't called that because it is a windy city. In the 90s, the abuse of Chicago's finest I grew up around was brought out in the open. Besides torture of suspects, strip search of females, another notorious practice was taking mordidas. Your car could be pulled over and be given a bogus excuse, broken tail light (I recall being told that and later when I checked it was fine), all for the sake of helping subsidize their salaries.

The two other segments were about subjects that also struck close to home. My play, Psst...I Have Something to Tell You, Mi Amor is about the tail end of long era of huma rights violations in Guatemala. After decades of military repression by mere chance tons of documents were discovered that give testimony to the disappearances of thousands.

The last segment about an activist and musician in Mozambique. One plan of action he has brought to his impoverished village is the concept of the ecological toilet.
My character Mike-Miguel in THE GUARDIANS talks about the benefits of eco-toilets (which are being employed by activists in some poor areas across the border). Water shortage and water contamination is a world problem but we don't have to go to another continent to express our concern. The Southwest of the U.S. (Viejo Mexico) is undergoing a water crisis. The ground doesn't know about political lines and walls so the water shortage is shared all along the border, both sides.

I can't help but feel disturbed to some extent when political officials and celebrities are so invested in poverty and human rights in other countries. To get the BORDER WALL up people are being pressured into giving up their ancestral lands, the Apache people included. And as soon as the housing development crisis goes over its hump you'd better believe that developers will be taking over abandoned New Orleans. Meanwhile, the long time N.O. displaced residents?

Summer has scarcely begun & most Americanos don't know whether to be happy about it or not with gas hikes, airline hikes, job and house losses and non-affordable school costs to not look forward to in September.
But back to just plain water, the most precious element for sustaining life:
You may think you are lucky if you live in an area that is not experiencing drought or threatened with a crisis in the forthcoming decade.
Keep in mind we all share the same planet. If you are not worried today you will one day. Meanwhile, altering lifestyle behavior would be prudent. Recycle water. Use bath/shower for plants. Don't let water run uselessly when washing dishes. Instead of throwing out your half drunk glass of water or ice throw the rest in the cat or dog bowls or in the ficus. Get rid of the lawn and put in some chad, go zero land scaping. Use your garden hose for keeping trees alive if they are there. If you decide to garden veggies make sure they get eaten, if not by you, someone will want them. Dig out a compost hole for your veggie scraps. Everything should be recycled. One day you will be, too.
--Saludos from the rancería--where the men are hombres (they break in horses, build houses, don't drink beer and do pick up after themselves indoors), women...do what they want, the dogs are free-range and the horses are beautiful!

2008-05-27T15:20:00.001-05:00

I was asked to write about a childhood memory regarding Chicago's Mediterranean Lite Lake.
At your news stands now. Sheck it out.
¡Gracias!

2008-05-27T12:11:00.004-05:00

I Love La XICANADA SPIRIT DE L.A.

I know I am in Mecca but sometimes I really do miss my old homestae of Califas.

California vs. TX? I won't get into it. Remember, I've chosen N.M. (or as I said I would call it from now on, México Viejo. I'm in the Southern part of the state not the 'cool' Santa Fe land of the hispanos and queen land grants history. Aqui la gente is just gente.)
But only in L.A. (birthplace of the festive American holiday, Cinco de Mayo) would they party in retaliation of the ongoing migra raids. If you are in the area, check it out:

Fiesta Contra las Redadas / Party Against the Raids

Saturday, May 31, 2008 | 5:00AM
All Out Against La Migra!!!
Con Música, Baile, Comida y Discusión Política. There will be Music, Dancing, Food and Political Discussion. Auspiciado/Hosted By: FRENTE CONTRA LAS REDADAS y COLECTIVO LUISA MORENO
Category Fundraiser
When Saturday, May 31, 2008
5:00AM
Where United Methodist Church
1226 N. Alvarado Street
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Admission Price: $5.00 cover
Contact (213) 245-5230.

2008-05-27T11:38:00.002-05:00

Corruption amongst Border Patrol? Egads.
There's nothing new about corruption in general anywhere.

As for Bloody Sat. and the Cartel threat last week, the killings started Friday. The count yesterday was at 25.
Closer to home and I do mean closer to home a young man who works for me (and was given Sat. off to stay home & did) was stabbed in Juarez on Sat. in front of his house. It appears to be critical. He is a Born Again Christian and family and it appears he was a victim of the violence there.
More disturbing was that I heard the hospital in Juarez closed down on Sat., because of the Cartel warnings. Huh?
I don't want my blog to attempt to become the messenger of ongoing disturbing Border occurrences now that I'm back. That would be a full time job and behyond my capabilities. But I will post things periodically.
And as inappropriate as it may seem in this posting, I hope I can remember to keep posting items that bring me a smile to share during a time in this country and world when a smile is worth more than a hybrid.
For now, check it out, a documentary airing this evening:

CRIMES AT THE BORDER this evening on PBS

http://video.on.nytimes.com/index.jsp?auto_band=x&rf=sv&fr_story=ac99b24b8d28af0392645853235b10957c2ff3af

2008-05-26T14:50:00.004-05:00

We already know that media blowhards like Lou Dobbs are all and only about their ratings and by giving them attention we contribute to the rise of their careers and salaries.

I am from a different era as are all the baby boomers but in my day, as it were, it was the working class that did blue collar work and not the middle class, which were distinguished from the less educated, less privileged, most likely less white, women, etc., by having white collar jobs that also offered opportunities to move up.

Now, when I hear conservative media building up a case against undocumented workers as taking jobs away from the middle class (jobs long out sourced to places like India where they have the education but get pd considerably less than professionals are here) that are losing their California suburban homes to foreclosures, jobs, can't afford car payments and if they could can't afford to run them, etc., I look into my Bruja crystal ball & lo, I see no more middle class in the future.

As w/ Starbucks, that adds that extra buck to their coffee cup in order to pay for their employees' benefits, when that rule of thumb gets applied across the board, the middle class (not the onion pickers, hotel laundry workers, cannery workers, slaughterhouse labor--the operative words here are obviously WORKers and LABOR--but white collar that has enjoyed for some time tomatoes on their tables in January,Disney cruises with children and grandparents, going out to eat with the whole family whether it is McDonalds or the Olive Garden, day care, 2 car families, weekends away where they stay at the Comfort Inn...find all the 'entertainment' rewards that came easily with a college education and some dues paid in the white collar force, completely non-affordable because documented workers will be paid at least mininum wage and services (such as bussing and waiting tables) that will no longer depend on tips to subsidize their below mininum wage income have gone substantially up perhaps the ignorant here who have demonized the exploited undocumented poor here will realize how much they and their spoiled criaturas owed them for their 'middle class' lifestyle.

I hope I live to see the day.

Do Millinneals really think that when they are 30 or 40 years old, they'll still be the darlings of society, pandered to from school to job place and that they will not be competing with professional Asian and Indian professionals who come from educational systems and societies that made greater demands on them to do well that were no imposed here and will consequently find themselves as 'undesirable' in the world job market built by the ever-rising globalized economy? Many are already feeling it.

Now, I admittedly realize as I write this that I would be classified "middle class."
I have no problem with working class people getting wages that not only provide them with the ability to pay their bills but with dignity.
As for what I consider an entertaining Saturday night? A Viejo Mexico sunset, playing cards with friends & familia, cooking at home, having some summer ripened sandia (purchased from someone who picked it), all that is bountiful to me.
Traveling around promoting The Guardians (and finding much of the white American public antagonistic to Mexican labor) makes me appreciate being back home and living simply. And if someone might be inclined to cast an ageist (or citified) view on such a lifestyle (and while I don't violate my own privacy much less ever those of others in my life) these evenings have been enjoyably intergenerational. And with that said, I don't have to look into my crystal ball to still feel hope for the future of the planet.

2008-05-25T13:55:00.002-05:00

ECO-EATERS = Laws of the Land
Memorial Weekend and the old Americano traditions of bar-b-cuing animals for thoe holidays, not animals we raised and slaughtered ourselves, not animals we honor in their being sacrificed for our consumption, not to keep us alive, but to indulge in and enjoy like kings...

I am reminded of the ultimate decadance displayed in a Sex and the City episode. Okay, gente, don't lie, I know you watched Sex & the City. The ladies are in L.A., visiting Hollywood A NY transplant now acting like he has health consciousness and watches his weight, goes out for a steak. Instead of eating it, he chews it for the taste and then spits it out.

At the other extreme, was CNN news piece on Freegans. Middle class youth now scouring trash bins for food.

Besides the obvious bacteria they are picking up, as a person who grew up in the Inner City during the James Cagney gangster urban days (actually a couple of decades later but not much had changed) I had one immediate, lasting reaction to that lifestyle: rats.

Most of us are in between and that middle road is wide indeed, in more ways than one.

I've posted suggestions about eating, what to consume, buy and how not to waste. Maybe not enough. If you are also doing somethinga bout one more indication of why the U.S. is on the fast track to slipping from #1 to forever something less, one reason beause of our waste and stubborn luxuriating in the myth of being able to do so please send me an email and let me know. Also, tell me if I can post it and if I may use your name.