So there I was, about to eat my veggie torta from Chapalita, when all of a sudden this happens. The yearly celebration in honor of Cuauhtemoc was going on today, these dancers were headed to his statue by Lincoln Park. By the time I got there it was all over cuz nobody was there.
Only on the Eastside.
“But what about the torta?” I hear you asking. Well here it is:
$4 with a soda. Not bad at all.
Happy Chinese and Lunar New Year!
It’s year of the rabbit or if you are Vietnamese, year of the cat. Read more here.
Alley fence in Lincoln Heights
On the walls, underneath layers of paint is our history. One day archaeologists will uncover the names of those we’ve erased.
“But at a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized — at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who happen to think differently than we do — it’s important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we’re talking with each other in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds. (Applause.)†– from President Obama’s Arizona Memorial Speech, January 13, 2011
The above quote by Barack Obama urges us to measure our words—because words are very powerful and we affect those around us with the words we use. A point in reference within our recent history was the affront of “bitches†used in hip hop songs, every other word. Political rappers took the stance to banish this word from their music because it disrespected and diminished woman-hood.
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Brutal Truth “Wilt”
[audio:https://laeastside.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/11-Wilt.mp3|titles=Wilt]
Despise You “Pig Mindset”
[audio:https://laeastside.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/32-pig-mindset.mp3|titles=pig mindset]
Lack of Interest “Nothing”
[audio:https://laeastside.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/23-Nothing.mp3|titles=Nothing]
i got to quito, ecuador and stayed with my friend lesly’s family. some of the nicest humans i have ever met. during the week, we explored the city together and they were extremely generous with their time. i watched a “beauty” pageant with the family.
their 8 year old son and i loudly rooted for méxico, high-fiving every time another country was eliminated. then we played ping pong. we attended an unforgettable baptism reception where i constantly asked the dj who he just played and wrote the names on a napkin. several women danced atop tables with a glass of rum in hand. it was even funnier than it reads.
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Why throw away money when you don’t have to? This here is my little contribution to helping you save maybe a dollar or two while you gather your ingredients for your tamalada, gleaned from my gathering of ingredients earlier today.
First up, Maiz blanco, base for your own nixtamal. For some stupid reason, my local Big Saver stopped carrying this item in the bulk bin, now they just have a few small bags at $1.99 a lb. Outrageous! I head over to El Mercadito where you can usually find everything at a good rate, but it turned out they were selling their maiz at $3 a lb! Now that is straight out gouging, knowing that people are going to be stopping by for their ingredients. Boo, Hiss! Chale, I ain’t having none of it. I drove down the block to El Super on Brooklyn and Lorena were the same maiz was being sold for $1.29 a lb. Now that’s a bit more reasonable.
