12/09/2008
22/08/2008
My Phair Lady
It has been 15 years since Liz Phair released the album, Exile in Guyville, and it has been recently remastered and rereleased, which has led me to listen to it, non-stop, for the last week.
I remember when I first heard this album. It was love at first listen. The lyrics were like I had never heard, and the guitar work, while basic, was powerfully moving. It was rock and roll, angst and hope mixed in a blender and then delivered by the girl next door. My first impression was that these words could not possibly be coming out this angel's mouth.
The album stayed on heavy rotation in my house, for a year, only to be replaced by Whipsmart, which didn't provide the sophmore slump experienced by many whose first album was declared a masterpiece.
During these couple of years, I had the chance to see her live, a few times. I do believe that these were probably some of the few concerts where I actually tried to make my way up front, and stood there like a 12 year old girl at a Jonas Brothers's show, singing along with every word.
Then, she vanished.
But, she came back. Married, if I am not mistaken. Had a baby, as well. It changed her. Some claimed it made her soft but, to me, she just grew up. Her music was still good and relevant to me. She released Whitechococlatespaceegg, in 1998.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z36Z0Fo-7zQ&feature=related
Her latest releases have been panned by many longtime fans as being "sell outs". I would venture to say that a "sold out" Liz Phair is better than 99% of anything else out there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xG3KH8syKg&feature=related
As I said, I have been listening to a lot of Liz Phair, these days. I believe that music can play an important part in our lives. It plays a bigger part in mine than it does with the majority of the world. Liz Phair has taught me a lot about women and how they think and feel. I am grateful for that and thought I would share. Hope she finds a new fan, somewhere out there.
Back to more Indiana, next time out.
I remember when I first heard this album. It was love at first listen. The lyrics were like I had never heard, and the guitar work, while basic, was powerfully moving. It was rock and roll, angst and hope mixed in a blender and then delivered by the girl next door. My first impression was that these words could not possibly be coming out this angel's mouth.
-
6' 1"
-
I bet you fall in bed too easily
With the beautiful girls who are shyly brave
And you sell yourself as a man to save
But all the money in the world is not enough
I bet you've long since passed understanding
What it takes to be satisfied
You're like a vine that keeps climbing higher
But all the money in the world is not enough
And all the bridges blown away keep floating up
Its cold
And rough
And I kept standing 6'1"
Instead of 5'2"
And I loved my life
And I hated you
Its cold, out there
And rough
And I kept standing 6'1"
Instead of 5'2"
And I loved my life
And I hated you
-
Divorce Song
-
And when I asked for a separate room
It was late at night
And we'd been driving since noon
But if I'd known
How that would sound to you
I would have stayed in your bed
For the rest of my life
Just to prove I was right
That it's harder to be friends than lovers
And you shouldn't try to mix the two
Cause if you do it and you're still unhappy
Then you know that the problem is you
And it's true that I stole your lighter
And it's also true that I lost the map
But when you said that I wasn't worth talking to
I had to take your word on that
But if you'd known
How that would sound to me
You would have taken it back
And boxed it up and buried it in the ground
Boxed it up and buried it in the ground
Boxed it up and buried it in the ground
Burned it up and thrown it away
You put in my hands a loaded gun
And then told me not to fire it
When you did the things you said were up to me
And then accused me of trying to fuck it up
But you've never been a waste of my time
It's never been a drag
So take a deep breath and count back from ten
And maybe you'll be alright
And the license said
You had to stick around until I was dead
But if you're tired of looking at my face I guess I already am
But you've never been a waste of my time
It's never been a drag
So take a deep breath and count back from ten
And maybe you'll be alright
The album stayed on heavy rotation in my house, for a year, only to be replaced by Whipsmart, which didn't provide the sophmore slump experienced by many whose first album was declared a masterpiece.
-
Supernova
-
I have looked all over the place,
But you have got my favorite face.
Your eyelashes sparkle like gilded grass
and your lips are sweet and slippery
Like a cherub's bare wet ass ...
'Cause you're a human supernova,
A solar superman.
You're an angel with wings of fire,
A flying, giant friction blast.
You walk in clouds of glitter
and the sun reflects your eyes.
And every time the wind blows,
I can smell you in the sky.
Your kisses are as wicked as an F-16
And you fuck like a volcano
and you're everything to me...
'Cause you're a human supernova,
A solar superman
You're an angel with wings of fire,
A flying, giant friction blast
You're a giant, flying friction blast
'Cause you're a human supernova,
A solar superman,
You're an angel with wings of fire,
A flying, giant friction blast ...
During these couple of years, I had the chance to see her live, a few times. I do believe that these were probably some of the few concerts where I actually tried to make my way up front, and stood there like a 12 year old girl at a Jonas Brothers's show, singing along with every word.
Then, she vanished.
But, she came back. Married, if I am not mistaken. Had a baby, as well. It changed her. Some claimed it made her soft but, to me, she just grew up. Her music was still good and relevant to me. She released Whitechococlatespaceegg, in 1998.
-
Polyester Bride
-
I was talking, not two days ago
To a certain bartender I' lucky to know
And I asked Henry, my bartending friend
If I should bother dating unfamous men
And Henry said, "You're lucky to even know me.
You're lucky to be alive. You're lucky to be drinking here for free cause I'm a
Sucker for your lucky, pretty eyes."
And then he said, "Do you want to be a Polyester Bride?
Or do you want to hang your head and die?
Do you want to find alligator cowboy booths they just put on sale?
Do you want to flap your wings and fly away from here?"
I was sitting, not two days ago
Feeling lonely 'cause I'm just feeling low
And I asked Henry, my bartending friend
Why it is that there are those kind of men
"Princess, do you
Really want to flap your wings and fly...
Because you've got time."
He keeps telling me, "You've got time."
But I don't believe him
"You've got time."
I keep on pushing harder...
I keep on pushing farther away
But he keeps telling me, "Baby, baby, do you want to be a polyester bride?"
"Do you want to flap your wings and fly away from here?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z36Z0Fo-7zQ&feature=related
Her latest releases have been panned by many longtime fans as being "sell outs". I would venture to say that a "sold out" Liz Phair is better than 99% of anything else out there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xG3KH8syKg&feature=related
As I said, I have been listening to a lot of Liz Phair, these days. I believe that music can play an important part in our lives. It plays a bigger part in mine than it does with the majority of the world. Liz Phair has taught me a lot about women and how they think and feel. I am grateful for that and thought I would share. Hope she finds a new fan, somewhere out there.
Back to more Indiana, next time out.
20/08/2008
Help the Peanut Pet Shelter.
My friend, Rick, posted this on In The Roo. Andy and Jen do some really good work with stray animals in Playa. This is a labor of love, and they are wonderful people. If you are reading this, could you please take the time to register and vote. It only takes a couple of minutes and could mean a lot. Thanks.
Susie (a cardholder since 1978... errr...2000
) received an email from American Express about a project they are sponsoring.
She responded to the email and the rest will tell you what you need to know.
We need as many nominations as we can get to share in the prize package
Do we have a good chance? Who knows? But it’s worth the effort, don’t ya think?
Send the link above to everyone you know. The Shelter needs your votes.
If we get tons and tons of votes, well…this is how the prize is awarded.
We may not provide drinking water for the children of Africa, but I think the Peanut Shelter offers a hell of a lot to this community.
Just so you know, if you aren’t an AmEx cardholder, you will have to register as a guest. I don’t think AmEx is a huge spammer, so we should be safe providing our email address.
Vote People!!!!
Who knows? We may not be asking for money for a while. That’s an incentive to vote, eh?
Hurry…nominations end September 1st.
Susie (a cardholder since 1978... errr...2000
) received an email from American Express about a project they are sponsoring.She responded to the email and the rest will tell you what you need to know.
Quote:
| I'd like to tell you about a project I submitted to Members Project. It's called "Peanut Pet Shelter" and with your support it could get funding from American Express. To nominate this project for potential funding, please go to Peanut Pet Shelter Members Project is an exciting initiative that brings people together to make a difference in the world. It's simple. People go online to share ideas for projects — and ultimately vote on which projects will share $2.5 million in funding from American Express. In 2007, Members Project provided clean drinking water to children all across Africa. What will Members Project do this year? The decision is yours. Please nominate my project. Show Your Support membersproject.com  |
Do we have a good chance? Who knows? But it’s worth the effort, don’t ya think?
Send the link above to everyone you know. The Shelter needs your votes.
If we get tons and tons of votes, well…this is how the prize is awarded.
We may not provide drinking water for the children of Africa, but I think the Peanut Shelter offers a hell of a lot to this community.
Just so you know, if you aren’t an AmEx cardholder, you will have to register as a guest. I don’t think AmEx is a huge spammer, so we should be safe providing our email address.
Vote People!!!!
Who knows? We may not be asking for money for a while. That’s an incentive to vote, eh?
Hurry…nominations end September 1st.
19/08/2008
Indiana - Part 2
Disclaimer: Blog.com has decided to deny me access to the font name and size, so who knows how this will look. Maybe they are taking cues from playa.info and are looking for a cut.
Anyway, after a good night's sleep, we awoke to some rather chilly (for us Mexicanos) temps. That didn't deter the kids from watching one of their new movies (I think it was Teen Titans) before breakfast.
Today, we were off to visit my grandmother. At 96, she rocks. She is an inspiration and I told her so. She has raised some good kids who in turn raised good kids (well, my sister at least. ;)) who are now doing their best to raise good kids. What better legacy is there?
After some time with Grandma, we took off back to Wabash. As I had spotted a Dairy Queen on the way into town, it was time to reward the boys for behaving so well (or was it me that behaved well? I can't rememember). As it seems customary to do so, I include a menu in my trip report.
We had Waffle Bowl Sundaes, which are pictured at the bottom left. Spectacular, and just the start of a week of good stuff not available to us, in Playa.
The rest of the day was spent shopping at WalMart and The Big R, where we found lots of summer clothes for next to nothing. Of course, you buy enough at next to nothing, and it turns into next to something, which is where we ended up.
The next day, we decided to tour around Wabash. Here are some shots. My sons love Abraham Lincoln (thanks to his appearances in The Fairy Godparents TV series), and were pleased to see a statue of him. Like most boys, they also like anything to do with firepower, so the war museum was of special interest, as well.
This concludes Part 2.
Anyway, after a good night's sleep, we awoke to some rather chilly (for us Mexicanos) temps. That didn't deter the kids from watching one of their new movies (I think it was Teen Titans) before breakfast.
Today, we were off to visit my grandmother. At 96, she rocks. She is an inspiration and I told her so. She has raised some good kids who in turn raised good kids (well, my sister at least. ;)) who are now doing their best to raise good kids. What better legacy is there?
After some time with Grandma, we took off back to Wabash. As I had spotted a Dairy Queen on the way into town, it was time to reward the boys for behaving so well (or was it me that behaved well? I can't rememember). As it seems customary to do so, I include a menu in my trip report.
We had Waffle Bowl Sundaes, which are pictured at the bottom left. Spectacular, and just the start of a week of good stuff not available to us, in Playa.
The rest of the day was spent shopping at WalMart and The Big R, where we found lots of summer clothes for next to nothing. Of course, you buy enough at next to nothing, and it turns into next to something, which is where we ended up.
The next day, we decided to tour around Wabash. Here are some shots. My sons love Abraham Lincoln (thanks to his appearances in The Fairy Godparents TV series), and were pleased to see a statue of him. Like most boys, they also like anything to do with firepower, so the war museum was of special interest, as well.
This concludes Part 2.
18/08/2008
Indiana - Part 1
Won't bore anyone with the transportation details but, suffice it to say that, we ran into the normal delays and airline excuses coming and going. Led to some unplanned running on the way there and some hours of boring delays, on the way back.
After our day of travel, we arrived in Wabash and settled in for the night. We had plans to visit my aunt and uncle at their lake home, on Sunday.
Took these photos on our last day, but will start with them. This is where we stayed, which is where my grandmother lived before moving into assisted living. Very quiet, and lots of room for the kids to play.
The field rotates, on a yearly basis, between corn and soy beans. This year, it was soy. Indiana sweet corn is the best, and we saw miles and miles of it.
The next morning, we woke up and headed to Lake Maxinkuckee, where my aunt and uncle spend their US time. They also have a house in Isla Mujeres. We could have spent the whole week, here.
They have a wonderful home surrounded by beautiful flowers. I couldn't do it justice with my camera.
The lake is very big, and we decided to go out on it and check out what the neighbors were up to.
These neighbors were probably out looking for someone to clean all those windows.
Benji drove for a bit, until he wanted to go "super rapido" and discovered the throttle.
Along the way, we cruised by Culver Military Academy, which is a private school (obviously). My aunt told me that 40% of the students are foreign, and many of them are latinos.
On our way back, we had to gas up and Benji decided it was a good time to pose with his new sunglasses.
We made it back to land, where our private transport was awaiting.
We made it about 30 feet when the kids saw the tree swing.
My uncle cooked up some NY strips, my aunt made some side dishes and we spent the rest of the day vegging in front of the TV, watching the Olympics and catching up. A great day.
And, a great dog. This is Sam (Samantha). You won't find a sweeter canine.
After our day of travel, we arrived in Wabash and settled in for the night. We had plans to visit my aunt and uncle at their lake home, on Sunday.
Took these photos on our last day, but will start with them. This is where we stayed, which is where my grandmother lived before moving into assisted living. Very quiet, and lots of room for the kids to play.
The field rotates, on a yearly basis, between corn and soy beans. This year, it was soy. Indiana sweet corn is the best, and we saw miles and miles of it.The next morning, we woke up and headed to Lake Maxinkuckee, where my aunt and uncle spend their US time. They also have a house in Isla Mujeres. We could have spent the whole week, here.
They have a wonderful home surrounded by beautiful flowers. I couldn't do it justice with my camera.
The lake is very big, and we decided to go out on it and check out what the neighbors were up to.
These neighbors were probably out looking for someone to clean all those windows.
Benji drove for a bit, until he wanted to go "super rapido" and discovered the throttle.Along the way, we cruised by Culver Military Academy, which is a private school (obviously). My aunt told me that 40% of the students are foreign, and many of them are latinos.
On our way back, we had to gas up and Benji decided it was a good time to pose with his new sunglasses.
We made it back to land, where our private transport was awaiting.
We made it about 30 feet when the kids saw the tree swing.
My uncle cooked up some NY strips, my aunt made some side dishes and we spent the rest of the day vegging in front of the TV, watching the Olympics and catching up. A great day.
And, a great dog. This is Sam (Samantha). You won't find a sweeter canine.
07/08/2008
Going Back to Indiana
My family and I have not been back to the States in over two years, so we decided to take a trip, this Summer, to visit my grandmothers. Both are well into their 90's, and we figured that there might not be too many more opportunities for them to see the kids. My parents are going to meet us there, and we are all pretty excited.
Although our destination isn't the most exciting of places, I have fond memories of Indiana. Both of my parents grew up there, my dad from Wabash and my mom from Logansport. The two towns only separated by the town of Peru.
Wabash is the more famous of the two (you know, the Wabash Cannonball and the Wabash River). As you can see, it was also the first electrically lit city.
It is the type of town referred to as "fly over country" and would be a poster child for Middle America. People love their country, and celebrate it as often as possible.
It is also the home of the Ford Meter Box Co.. If you ever look down, on the street, and read the water meter (which most people don't, I imagine), you are likely to see this.
I spent many a Summer in Wabash, and have very fond memories of life there. When my family returned from living in England, for 5 years, I lived with my grandparents for a semester of school. It was during the winter, and we did a lot of ice skating, ice fishing and sledding. It was also the first and only time I ever saw a demonstration by the KKK (which, unfortunately, was founded in Indiana). My cousins and I did not know any African Americans, but we knew we didn't like the KKK. We spent the afternoon strategically firing snowballs at the 5 or 6 racist fucks that were spewing their hatred from street corner. We weren't alone, either.
We will also be visiting Lake Maxinkuckee, which is a very large and beautiful lake. It is where the Culver Military Academy is located. Last time we were there, we were able to watch the Notre Dame football team practice, as this is where they do their preseason practices.
We will also be visiting Logansport, which is a little bit different from Wabash. Years ago, it was a lily white town. When the meat plant opened, a lot of Mexican immigrants made their way to town to work. You can even find Bimbo products, in the local grocery store. We will probably go to Sunday Mass, in Spanish.
A lot of time will be spent in WalMart, K-Mart, Target, Sears and any other stores we can find to buy clothes for Playa. As it is the end of Summer, in Indiana, we hope to score some cheap summer clothing (year round wear, for us). The kids are excited to play putt-putt, and I am looking forward to eating some good Indiana corn on the cob. In any event, we are off this Saturday. Nowadays, I feel like a foreigner when I am in the US. I automatically say "gracias" at the check out line, and get nervous going through immigration with the family. Despite this, I want my kids to get a taste of Americana and to see their bisabuelas, before God calls them home.
Report when I get back.
Although our destination isn't the most exciting of places, I have fond memories of Indiana. Both of my parents grew up there, my dad from Wabash and my mom from Logansport. The two towns only separated by the town of Peru.
Wabash is the more famous of the two (you know, the Wabash Cannonball and the Wabash River). As you can see, it was also the first electrically lit city.
It is the type of town referred to as "fly over country" and would be a poster child for Middle America. People love their country, and celebrate it as often as possible.
It is also the home of the Ford Meter Box Co.. If you ever look down, on the street, and read the water meter (which most people don't, I imagine), you are likely to see this.
I spent many a Summer in Wabash, and have very fond memories of life there. When my family returned from living in England, for 5 years, I lived with my grandparents for a semester of school. It was during the winter, and we did a lot of ice skating, ice fishing and sledding. It was also the first and only time I ever saw a demonstration by the KKK (which, unfortunately, was founded in Indiana). My cousins and I did not know any African Americans, but we knew we didn't like the KKK. We spent the afternoon strategically firing snowballs at the 5 or 6 racist fucks that were spewing their hatred from street corner. We weren't alone, either.
We will also be visiting Lake Maxinkuckee, which is a very large and beautiful lake. It is where the Culver Military Academy is located. Last time we were there, we were able to watch the Notre Dame football team practice, as this is where they do their preseason practices.
We will also be visiting Logansport, which is a little bit different from Wabash. Years ago, it was a lily white town. When the meat plant opened, a lot of Mexican immigrants made their way to town to work. You can even find Bimbo products, in the local grocery store. We will probably go to Sunday Mass, in Spanish.
A lot of time will be spent in WalMart, K-Mart, Target, Sears and any other stores we can find to buy clothes for Playa. As it is the end of Summer, in Indiana, we hope to score some cheap summer clothing (year round wear, for us). The kids are excited to play putt-putt, and I am looking forward to eating some good Indiana corn on the cob. In any event, we are off this Saturday. Nowadays, I feel like a foreigner when I am in the US. I automatically say "gracias" at the check out line, and get nervous going through immigration with the family. Despite this, I want my kids to get a taste of Americana and to see their bisabuelas, before God calls them home.
Report when I get back.
25/07/2008
La Feria and Luna Blue Buffet Nights
As I have probably mentioned, before, I don't go out much. Not being a drinker and leaning towards the shy side (believe it or not), I prefer to stay home with my angel and our offspring or go somewhere as a family unit. Last weekend, we decided to go to the annual Gran Feria (the fair). Of course, I forgot the camera. In any event, it was surprisingly big and full of things to do. A stage, in the center of the fairground, hosted a variety of acts which included bands, merengue dancers (girls in g-strings always interest me, no matter why style of dance it may be), and comedians. There was also the requisite Yucatecan dance troupe, which I believe passes for Quintana Roo culture. We played games of chance and the kids rode a merry-go-round, mini roller coaster and some other rides. I joined Aaron in the bumper cars, which were pretty hairy due to to noticeable lack of seatbelts. We chowed down on some tacos and fresh chorros.
We liked the fair, so much, that we plan a return trip, this weekend. Churros, g-strings and bumper cars. Can life get any better?
Well, yes it can. Last night, I did go out. My dear friends, Tony and Cheri, host a series of Jimmy Buffet nights at their hotel's bar. The hotel being the Luna Blue.
Now, I am not a huge Jimmy Buffet fan, by any means. In fact, I prefer the sounds of dental instruments to Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw. However, I am a huge fan of T&C. Last night, there were some special people in town, and we decided to get together for some conversation and cheeseburgers (Tony's cheeseburgers rock!). The thing is that I have met all of these people on the net, before I met them in person. Living in Playa and frequenting Playa forums, I have "met" many people in cyberspace. Some, I get to meet in person. While some are completely different than they present themselves on-line, others are exactly as advertised. The group I spent time with, last night, falls into the latter category. Genuinely nice and interesting, Melliedee, Red, Ginger and John, along with T&C, make for wonderful company. I could have spent hours more, chatting. Instead, I had to go tuck the kids in and get some sleep, myself. It has been a busy week.
If you get a chance, I highly recommend Jimmy Buffet Night. Nice, relaxed and the perfect way to spend a night in Playa. If you don't like Jimmy, bring you IPOD. No one will judge you. Much.
Edit: We went back to the fair with some friends. Here are some photos.
We liked the fair, so much, that we plan a return trip, this weekend. Churros, g-strings and bumper cars. Can life get any better?
Well, yes it can. Last night, I did go out. My dear friends, Tony and Cheri, host a series of Jimmy Buffet nights at their hotel's bar. The hotel being the Luna Blue.
Now, I am not a huge Jimmy Buffet fan, by any means. In fact, I prefer the sounds of dental instruments to Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw. However, I am a huge fan of T&C. Last night, there were some special people in town, and we decided to get together for some conversation and cheeseburgers (Tony's cheeseburgers rock!). The thing is that I have met all of these people on the net, before I met them in person. Living in Playa and frequenting Playa forums, I have "met" many people in cyberspace. Some, I get to meet in person. While some are completely different than they present themselves on-line, others are exactly as advertised. The group I spent time with, last night, falls into the latter category. Genuinely nice and interesting, Melliedee, Red, Ginger and John, along with T&C, make for wonderful company. I could have spent hours more, chatting. Instead, I had to go tuck the kids in and get some sleep, myself. It has been a busy week.
If you get a chance, I highly recommend Jimmy Buffet Night. Nice, relaxed and the perfect way to spend a night in Playa. If you don't like Jimmy, bring you IPOD. No one will judge you. Much.
Edit: We went back to the fair with some friends. Here are some photos.
11/07/2008
Life in an AI, Not as a Guest
I have been spending quite a bit of time, recently, in one of the area's biggest hotel complexes. We currently have a contract with the hotel and it sends us about 120 students, per month, to study English. There are a couple of other large hotels that do the same but this specific one is the most serious about making sure its employees can communicate at, at least, a basic level of English. It is, also, one of the few hotels willing to pay for its employees to learn. In an area where most hotels pay about the same and offer the same benefits, this extra benefit is seen as a draw to many of its employees.
They have now offered us space, in the hotel, to offer classes to those employees that find it difficult to come to Playa to study. Some live in towns like Tulum, Carrillo Puerto and Coba, while others work split shifts and cannot come in the hours we offer classes. That is the reason I have been spending time in the hotel.
The hotel complex (5 hotels, with another being built) employs over 3000 people. 2400 of them live in the "poblado", which is a large housing complex for the employees. Within the poblado, there is a large dining area, a mini-grocery store (with discounted prices), basketball courts, a soccer field and, soon, an internet cafe and game room. Depending on the employee's position in the hotel, the apartments hold from 1 to 8 people. Managers are afforded small houses, while garderners will share with 7 of their co-workers. Housing and meals are considered as part of the benefit package, and most employees earn between 2500 and 8000 pesos a month. Receptionists, guest service workers and others, with a higher level of English, earn more.
I have been told that the turnover rate is around 400 employees a month, which keeps the HR department at full speed. Frequent recruiting trips are made to villages, towns and cities, including as far away as Chiapas. Transportation, for those who do not live on-site, runs on a regular schedule to Playa, Tulum and Carrillo Puerto. Some wake up a 4AM and return to their house at 10PM. 10 hour days, split shifts and 6 day work weeks are the norm.
Yet, with all this, we have people lining up to take advantage of the courses offered by the hotel, through us. Almost all of the employees I talk to tell me the same thing. They want to learn English because they know it is their key to a better future. I am continuously amazed at the extent some people will go to better the lives of their family. I also have become more aware of just how much I used to take for granted. The attitude exhibited by these workers is exactly the attitude that is going to lift Mexico into an economic force to be reckoned with. All that is missing is the abandoning of some traditional thought processes that lead to corruption and too big a gap between have's and have not's. I have met a lot of people that will soon "have" and it makes me happy that I can get paid for something that is going to help in that respect.
In any event, I just wanted to offer a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes of an AI.
They have now offered us space, in the hotel, to offer classes to those employees that find it difficult to come to Playa to study. Some live in towns like Tulum, Carrillo Puerto and Coba, while others work split shifts and cannot come in the hours we offer classes. That is the reason I have been spending time in the hotel.
The hotel complex (5 hotels, with another being built) employs over 3000 people. 2400 of them live in the "poblado", which is a large housing complex for the employees. Within the poblado, there is a large dining area, a mini-grocery store (with discounted prices), basketball courts, a soccer field and, soon, an internet cafe and game room. Depending on the employee's position in the hotel, the apartments hold from 1 to 8 people. Managers are afforded small houses, while garderners will share with 7 of their co-workers. Housing and meals are considered as part of the benefit package, and most employees earn between 2500 and 8000 pesos a month. Receptionists, guest service workers and others, with a higher level of English, earn more.
I have been told that the turnover rate is around 400 employees a month, which keeps the HR department at full speed. Frequent recruiting trips are made to villages, towns and cities, including as far away as Chiapas. Transportation, for those who do not live on-site, runs on a regular schedule to Playa, Tulum and Carrillo Puerto. Some wake up a 4AM and return to their house at 10PM. 10 hour days, split shifts and 6 day work weeks are the norm.
Yet, with all this, we have people lining up to take advantage of the courses offered by the hotel, through us. Almost all of the employees I talk to tell me the same thing. They want to learn English because they know it is their key to a better future. I am continuously amazed at the extent some people will go to better the lives of their family. I also have become more aware of just how much I used to take for granted. The attitude exhibited by these workers is exactly the attitude that is going to lift Mexico into an economic force to be reckoned with. All that is missing is the abandoning of some traditional thought processes that lead to corruption and too big a gap between have's and have not's. I have met a lot of people that will soon "have" and it makes me happy that I can get paid for something that is going to help in that respect.
In any event, I just wanted to offer a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes of an AI.
02/07/2008
Graduation Day
Yesterday, our oldest son, Aaron, graduated from Kindergarten. I was reminded again about how blessed I am.
Pre-ceremony, on the red carpet. Aaron is wearing a Filipina by Roger de Merida and white slacks from the WalMart collection. Maestra Lidia Puc (the Mexican Joan Rivers) commented that he was the best dressed male, of the night.
Benjamin's class did an "adios" song for the graduates. He still has another year in Kindertown. (Benji is far left, with his brother's finger pointing at him).
Receiving his diploma from some local educational dignitary, whose name escapes me.
Striking a pose with the paper.
As you can see, the camera decided to take us back to its date of origin, which reminded me it is time to get a new camera.
Brother Benjamin singing the blues, as he will be "solito" in the school, next year. Aaron is moving to Monteverde, the Catholic school.
Aaron's class did a song and dance routine. Look at the Riverdance-style body language.
Proud mom
Pre-ceremony, on the red carpet. Aaron is wearing a Filipina by Roger de Merida and white slacks from the WalMart collection. Maestra Lidia Puc (the Mexican Joan Rivers) commented that he was the best dressed male, of the night.
Benjamin's class did an "adios" song for the graduates. He still has another year in Kindertown. (Benji is far left, with his brother's finger pointing at him).
Receiving his diploma from some local educational dignitary, whose name escapes me.
Striking a pose with the paper.
As you can see, the camera decided to take us back to its date of origin, which reminded me it is time to get a new camera.
Brother Benjamin singing the blues, as he will be "solito" in the school, next year. Aaron is moving to Monteverde, the Catholic school.
Aaron's class did a song and dance routine. Look at the Riverdance-style body language.
Proud mom
30/06/2008
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- Location:Playa del Carmen, Mexico
- Interests:Life, Living It, Not leaving it too soon
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