Wilmero in Tijuana: 2008 Festival Impulse

Last Monday was the 15th of September. For those who don't find significance in that date it is Mexican Independence Day and this Wilmero found himself over the border in Tijuana celebrating with the masses. My girlfriend and I celebrated this years Independence Day at the 2008 Festival Impulse with many of Tijuana's young residents. The unifying event was filled with heart thumping beats and music that I'm sure lasted into the late hours of the morning. I personally left the adrenalin inducing mixes around 2 am and there seemed to be no slowing to the festivities, I guess I just can't hang anymore.

Mad beats were dropped, some accompanied by eye catching visuals, by a number of DJs, such as Etcheto, Bostich and Fussible associated with Nortec Collective and the Rapture. There was a singing music performance by Glass Candy that I found more ear pleasing than eye pleasing but i guess the ear part is the point. I personally super enjoyed the set by Nortec Collective and to me it seems that many others did too. I guess the crowd hopping was a good signifier of that. I had a great time with amazing music surrounded by Mexican national pride, happy anniversary Mexico. Que viva Mexico!   

Wilmas + Farmers Market = Curiosity

When the idea of a farmers market comes to mind the location of Wilmington, California (Wilmas) would not be one of the first places associated with that idea. On Thursdays from 10am to 1pm off of the major street of Avalon on L street there it exists in all its one block glory. The small section is blocked off from traffic and tents are erected to provide to casual shoppers fresh fruit and vegetables, varying types of eats to even jewelry.

Now I would like to be one of the first individuals to admit that I enjoy the idea of a farmers market in Wilmas and would love to know how this came to be. However if the idea were presented to me or many other Wilmeros over 10 years ago we would think you were not all there. For myself this has to do more with economics. Many individuals in Wilmas live under the poverty line, in fact for sometime Wilmas was considered as a low income community ( a ghetto to be exact ). This does not mean that the city has not improved for this weekly event to happen but it does bring into question who exactly shops at this market.

To be exact sections of Wilmas can be considered to contain ghettos but the real estate landscape is quite vast, meaning that different classes do live in Wilmas but are these the individuals that the farmers market is catering towards? I did notice many items for sale that the everyday Wilmero could afford but a few things seemed out of place. Now i am sure that the average Wilmero would enjoy some of the jewelry being offered but probably not at the prices being offered. Organic fruit and vegetables are something that many would pay more for but why when there are a number of markets that offer them for considerably less.

The one thing I can agree on is the offering of prepared foods. This is where i believe the farmers market really provides. There are not as many choices as I remember when i first attended the market, probably due to the high price being asked and lack of demand, but there are still many things to enjoy. Like in so many other farmers market kettle corn has its presence, Salvadorian food, and so many others.

Above is a picture of one of the yummy eats I personally enjoyed from the market. A hot dog wrapped in bacon covered with grilled onions and pepper with a generous slathering of condiments, very tasty, and this can be accompanied with an Agua Fresca of a variety of flavors.

Like I stated before I would like the Wilmington farmers market to succeed and continue to develop a long history with this community, however i feel this lies in the farmers market ability to adapt to the community, to be able to understand the people it is providing for.

Wilmas in Cinema: Terminator 2, Judgement Day

Back in the summer of 1991 a very successful sequel was released headed once again by its creator James Cameron titled Terminator 2: Judgement Day. The film starring our now California Governor Schwarzengger (I will not go into my political views on this man) was not only a well crafted movie of action and suspense but also contained some of the most advanced special effects of the period.

The computer generated effects provided by Industrial Light and Magic were amazing and award winning but the most amazing bit of movie manipulation comes in the third act when a specific part of Wilmington is extended through editing. In the exciting chase scene the short 47 freeway is used with cars and a helicopter. Now this freeway is tiny in highway standards and is a direct cut through route to reach the industrial section of Wilmington and Terminal Island. Through the miracle of editing parts of this small freeway which for the average rider would only take minutes to pass last for several minutes in the movie. Specifically when our heros are being chased by the villain, who has now taken up chase with a semi tanker truck, as they ride towards and over a bridge.

The little green bridge I speak of is a metal draw bridge near the end of the 47 freeway before one reaches Ocean Blvd. This metal connection, traveling at the posted speed limit of 30 mph, will take someone less than a minute to cross. In the film the length of the bridge lasts a few minutes while actin is taking place. And if one notices closely part of the bridge displayed is a projection behind the actors so the illusion of travel takes place while they are out of harms way.

Once again even though it may not be popular knowledge Wilmington (Wilmas) has taken its place in the history of film locations. Thanks to the magic of movie editing Wilmington had more screen time during the movies suspenseful chase scene.

Birthday Shout Out: Melly

Here is a Birthday shout out for someone very special to me, my babe, Melly. Of course i wish her the very best not only for her special day that signifies her entrance to the world but for the year to come. I would continue to write wonderful things about her but they would all be biased since i am her boyfriend.

The picture above was taken on a trip to D.F. (Mexico City). Its one of my favorite pics of her...

Cows on the move

Often times one may hear of stories, gossip or rumors when it comes to the contents of a cargo shipping containers but it is rare when a longshore worker actually gets a glimpse of the transported merchandise. The truth is the average port worker has no idea what exists in the regular 40 or 20 foot steel container being moved to or from the vessel.

This doesn't mean that symbols or a system doesn't exist to notify personal of the cargo being moved. A complex placard information system is in place but to notify of dangerous and hazardous materials that exist but the rest of the commodities are a mystery. 

I myself have heard of the story of animals that have traveled through the Los Angeles ports but wouldn't have believed it if I had not seen it with my own eyes. The images accompanying this post are of cattle that were transported from Hawaii. It was definitely strange to the senses. To smell them first then finally see them in their mobile home and to hear their out of place "Moos" in a location that is usually absent of animal life.

After this reality was absorbed some questions immediately followed: Why are cows being moved from Hawaii to California, final destination unknown, when there are some neighboring states that are famous for their beef? How are the cows cared for during their voyage at sea? 

Wilmas in Cinema: Get Smart

(picture from exclaim)

When it comes to locations in the history of cinema there are few locations due to their fame where they could easily be recognized, for other places it may be harder to near impossibleto tell where they are. Wilmington (Wilmas to the Wilmington native) is the latter of the two in cinema. 

In the third act of the recent release and remake "Get Smart" much action and chase takes place in the city of Los Angeles. Not just any part, a good amount of a chase seen is done on the little famed 47 freeway which leads to the LA ports. This is a freeway that travels through the industrial section of Wilmington. Port cranes, refineries and the quirky green lift bridge can all be seen in the background of the action. I'm sure this particular freeway was used due to it being small and can easily be closed down for filming. In the history of 47 it is not the first time it has starred in a few feature films. More details on this in future postings.

"Get Smart" is an entertaining film that does not just copy its origins but takes it in a new direction without ruining the concept. The film maybe misleading, it does contain humor as the trailers and TV spots emphasize but it works better as a full fledged spy film that contains humor.

Graduation Salute: Melly

When most of us escape high school we are unsure what we can demand or deserve from the world, better yet what one can contribute. When it comes to Latina/os few of us make it to the next level of interest and education, but some do continue to the next step and manage to finish this particular chapter of their life with tremendous difficulty.

One of the few has managed to do this. This strong Mexicana, Melissa, has just graduated class of 2008 with a degree in Literature from the University of California, San Diego. I salute her accomplishment not only for the respect i have to overcome the obstacles that stood in her way but also because she is someone dear to me, my girlfriend. I am proud of her but nothing in comparison as to how proud her parents must be of their child. Congratulations Melly!

(The image above she is turning her tassel to the proper side to signify she is now a graduate.)

Father's Day Salute: hero

What is the true definition of a hero? For most of us during our upbringing we are influenced by tales of fictional beings of the super, incredible and other worldly. We are also taught to respect the ones that defend and protect the innocent in the name of the greater good such as policemen, firemen and soldiers. What of the everyday individual, what of the person that in compasses so many of these things but exists in a closer tangible form for some of us. I speak of the parent and on this day i speak directly of the father.

The one that protects us since birth which sacrifices not only moments but dreams and goals to help us along our path of development. A super hero personality is present when they express patience with our childhood tantrums and our teenage rebelliousness that sometimes breaks their hearts but they manage to overlook it and continue to love us.

In perspective, incredible can be applied for some when we account their history and the acts that lead to the present. Overcoming tremendous obstacles and odds to come to a foreign land to not only have a better life but to provide a secure future for their loved ones. This is the true meaning of courage which is an attribute of the hero, when you venture to a strange land but know you have to and are unsure of the outcome. A place that no matter the length of time one spends may not embrace you but ends in rejection and overlooks the value of one as an active participate of society.

The hero that we have been guided to praise are one dimensional being which we hear of their greats deeds but the human side is hidden from us. The human element, i feel, is important to connect with because the real world is much more difficult to navigate than the fictional world i use to see superman deal with in Saturday morning cartoons. 

This is my love and respect that i express to not only my father but to both my parents. Loved ones that I believe are not only proper role models but deserve my praise. Happy father's day. 

 

When form fails to location

Many of you may have noticed the aesthetically pleasing cellular towers that have been multiplying throughout the landscape of this country, maybe causing a double take in some cases in disbelief. For the last few years, depending on there location, cell phone signal towers have been incognito as nature. 

In California many take the shape of palm or sequoia trees attempting to blend into their surroundings. Others in the southern more desert dominant states have towers pretending to be saguaro cacti and the list of artificial nature continues. One reason for this decision in the change of tower appearance was due to commercial and upper class neighborhood influence. Both groups wanting their cell phone provider coverage but not wishing for hideous structures to invade their neighborhoods and mall type businesses the following sculptural solution was enforced.

The interesting thing I observed was that sometimes one aesthetic which replaces another can be defeated due to its location. In the above image, a lonely palm tree dots the landscape. The odd thing about this tree is not that it is an artificial palm but a tree in an area with less then .1 percent vegetation. The picture is taken at one of the Los Angeles Harbor ports on terminal island. If you are unfamiliar with the dockscape of the LA ports it is a waterfront cargo container terminal setting of concrete, asphalt and steel. The usual and only greenery present is in the form of a potted plant in one of the very few buildings on the site. This is the visual oxymoron that exists for this particular lonely waterfront palm and creates the question: was aesthetic form defeated due to its location? Was this a misplaced decision where the older, often considered uglier, towers would be more welcome to fit into its surroundings? It is a site that is easily overlooked but once witnessed there is an effect that something is out of place. 

Security at the Waterfront?

Since the events of 9/11 and the creation of Homeland Security this agency of the government has attempted to police ports of entry into the United States of America. This is an overwhelming task considering the thousands of miles of land and coast that has to be policed. Thus including hundreds of commercial points of entry such as the import/export cargo ship container docks of the Los Angeles Harbor.

The presence of Homeland Security at the Waterfront is something that has appeared in the last few years but has appeared with increasing force. The waters around some of these dock, which in Los Angeles are a combination of Long Beach, Wilmington and San Pedro, are now heavily more patrolled than in the past.

Many individuals from different parts of the Los Angeles County come to this area during the weekends to charter a quick cruise or take out their own boats unaware of many of the laws and rules that may work against them and their excursion. As many involuntarily find out when they travel too close to the docks and their cargo ships. Pictured above, these individuals where stopped for testing out their speed boat too close to the docks, they were detained for some time by the Harbor Patrol. It is unclear if they were let off with a warning or fined. This image can be seen more often and is having a negative impact as less private boats are seen in the water. Part of the Los Angeles Harbors appeal is not only to sail freely but to be able to view this amazing industry of the ports up close and at work.