Thank You Internet - Globalization 3.1

I had to come out of blogging retirement for this one. Michael Jordan came out of retirement a few times... Why can't I?

Seriously though - this post possesses the power to change your life, that's why I'm writing this. It's the secret! It's not really The Secret, and it sure as heck ain't the Landmark Forum, that's a different post altogether!

It's the empowerment of the individual (YOU!), more and more with every second and byte that flies by us. I'm referring to Globalization. The World is Flat: A Brief History of the 21st Century, by Thomas Friedman opened my eyes years ago, but it wasn't until recently that I realized how it has and will continue to shape my life.

Friedman presents social and economic globalization in three stages:
1.0 - Nations and Governments reach out and establish the trade of goods and form alliances.
2.0 - Companies expand in the creation of global markets.
3.0 - The "playing field" is leveled with increased access to technology, specifically the internet;
allowing individuals to compete in global markets.

This youtube video is an example of the power at your fingertips, literally. Anyone with access to the internet can sit-in during Friedman's presentation to a tuition paying crowd at Yale, the school where Friedman's kid studies.

"The book was better" applies here... You have to read the book! If you don't think you'll get around to it, just watch this.

This blog is another example of globalization. An average Jose like myself can become a pamphleteer by creating or sharing media in seconds. Quite the jump from being the ONLY student to submit typewritten assignments when "typed" assignments became mandatory. It's not the best example of globalization's life changing effects (read "lucrative") on an individual or business, it's only a tiny speck in the big picture.

Job seekers don't walk door to door filling out "applications" anymore. Job listing sites like monster.com allow you to fill out one application, distribute that to companies listing employment vacancies, then follow that up with an interview on Skype conference. Most impressively, you can accomplish this in one day. Job seekers can use fewer resources and apply to more companies while employers receive abundant responses to skim through. I've been on both sides of that one; having to bcc my resume to email lists I compiled for different positions like administrative assistant, bookkeeping, shipping management (you can make ok money if you learn to use UPS WorldShip and FedEx Shipping Manager, you gotta start somewhere!!!). When I needed my own assistant, I did the cheapest and easiest thing I could think of, which coincidentally was how I found a lower level position with the same company. I posted an ad on craigslist.org, my inbox was flooded overnight. (Off topic: Some people need more than 24 hours in a day, I understand that. I sometimes have to work until the wee hours of the morning, it's cool. Props is you have that type of work ethic, but you don't communicate with people at those hours. Sending your resume at 2:30 a.m. can make people think that you're either a vampire or a party animal. Neither of those are good choices for businesses operating during regular business hours.) You can apply this to other situations also, as noted by Andre 3000 in this song.
Do you remember waiting for a response in the MAIL???

How do you get off the bleachers? I have no idea, that's for you to figure out. If you posses special skills that distiguish you from the "average Joses" of the world, you can promote yourself on the internet and offer your services or products worldwide. If you're bilingual, you can teach a language with skype and receive payment with Paypal. You can sell anything you make on sites like ebay or local listing pages. Soulja Boy Tell'em blew up on youtube, go on there and do something. If you think you're funny you can post skits or stand up routines on YouTube.

"Before you re-up get a laptop
start a business for yourself, boy set some goals
make a fat diamond out of dust and coals"
B.O.B. - Outkast

I can't help wondering what the next level of globalization will be, or it it will be the "D" word instead....

Movie Review - A Million to Juan (1994)

Characters
Paul Rodriguez - Juan Lopez
Tony Plana - Jorge
Bert Rosario - Alvaro
Polly Draper - Olivia Smith
Jonathan Hernandez - Alejandro Lopez
Edward James Olmos - The Angel (as himself?)
Cheech Marin - Shell Shock
Ruben Blades - The Bartender

Jurassic Park was my first movie theater experience, A Million to Juan was the second. Why start my movie review column (lol) with the second instead of the 1st? I'm glad you asked. This film ranks pretty high in my top 10. I recall being really excited about seeing A Million to Juan, mostly because I expected to understand the dialogue as it unfolded in front of my eyes. I can't pin point why, but my English improved dramatically between Jurassic Park and A Million to Juan. Jurassic Park was an amazing experience, but I didn't know what the heck they were talking about, even with the Spanish subtitles! Yeah, there were Spanish subtitles. It was a ghetto ass theater.

Google maps image - street view

We watched A Million to Juan at the campus theater, located on Vermont Ave. - at the Santa Monica Blvd intersection, across from the metro rail station. This is the theater that all the Latino families packed into with Subway sandwiches and soda bottles stashed into someone's purse, backpack or jacket sleeve. I've even taken a burrito from Mariela's (click here for restaurant review). If you've been there, you know what I'm talking about! Seconds into the movie previews, you hear sandwiches being unwrapped, bags of chips rustling, and the gas being released from the 2 liter bottles. Shortly after that, the dark theater is illuminated as the side door is opened to sneak people in. Again, you know what I'm talking about... The floors were stickier than those at adult theaters... I imagine... Despite all of that, I love this theater. It was air conditioned, cheap, and served as a haven when I wanted to run away for a few hours, or a day. This was THE THEATER for Latino families!

A Million to Juan is an adaptation of Mark Twain's "The Million Pound Bank Note," and 50's film titled the same; although released as "The Man With a Million," in the United States. The film is set in Los Angeles during the early 90's. Juan is portrayed by the legendary Latino comedian, Paul Rodriguez. Juan, like Henry in Twain's piece of literature, "Had nothing to depend on but his wits and clean reputation." He is confident that these traits would prove to be plenty in achieving eventual success.

"I was alone in the world, and had nothing to depend on but my wits and good reputation; but these were setting my feet in the road to eventual fortune, and I was content with that prospect." Henry in The Million Pound Bank Note by Mark Twain

During the journey to success, Juan has to make ends meet by taking up odd jobs; shoe shiner, parking attendant, roach coach cook, panaderia baker, raspado vendor, dishwasher, tire shop man?, elote salesman, cook , construction worker, and street side orange vendor. His son Alejandro, quotes him as often saying funny things like, "I've never met an odd job that didn't like me" and "If variety is the spice of life, I'm over-seasoned!"

Juan and his son live with Tio Jorge, a carpenter and Tio Alvaro, a gardener. Both of the uncles are novela (Spanish Soap Operas) fanatics. I'm not a fanatic, but if you're latino, you know you've seen at least one novela in your life! Don't be ashamed, it's ok. I've seen Marimar, Dos Mujeres un Camino and a few others I can't remember now. Alejandro's mother died three years before the film began, she's out of the picture.


Juan is discouraged by a streak of bad luck with his streetside orange sales, relationship, and uninhabitable apartment. Adding insult to injury, Shell Shock (Cheech Marin), takes over his spot on the sidewalk with a "war vet" begging gimmick. Shell Shock's presence takes away from his already measly sales. Juan's integrity shines as he questions Shell Shock about his morals. Later that day, a white limo pulls up and arm dressed in all white stretches out of the window to hand Juan an envelope. He pays no mind to it and stuffs it in his pocket. Despite all of the terrible luck Juan continues to plug away with the orange sales until his shopping cart is empty. On his way home he's approached by the neighborhood hustler and proudly announces that he "Made some Feria!!!" I know that very feeling. I remember announcing to myself "Rent is paid!" and then preparing to eat cereal and mac and cheese until my next pay check. lol...

Juan finally realizes that the envelope that was handed to him contains a check for $1,000,000 to his name and a letter stating that he is the unexpected participant in an experiment.

The film winds to a feel good ending that is more cohesive than Twain's, in my opinion. Check it out!

This film deserves a 5 of 5 Baleada score despite the poor sound and lighting. It's not that type of critique (obviously since it is rated on a Baleada scale), it is a "5 Baleada film" because of the overall message of adherence to integrity and perseverance despite all of life's little hurdles. This film is special to me for many reasons; it led me to research and read Twain at an early age, it reinforced my personal beliefs, and it opened my eyes to what it means to be an "immigrant" in the US. The day I saw this film, I knew I had to get on the grind!

Common Sight and Sounds in Honduras - Funny Signs IV

Not even if I was a 200 Lbs rabbit! (Please read the following in your beast Tracy Morgan impersonation) That's Crazy!

The Best Raspados in Los Angeles

This is the BEST, I mean ABSOLUTELY THE BEST, raspado vendor in Los Angeles. My favorite flavors, Tamarindo and Nance, are served with pulp and even the seeds. Handmade Tamarindo syrup and pulp over ice shavings, there is no better way to overcome the L.A. summer heat.

Back in the day, I used to take him the fast food souvenir cups; the ones they give away when super duper sizing your combo, to fill for $1!!! I know he hated that, but he filled it anyway.

This is the google maps print screen of 2nd / Mariposa. It's very fitting that he's on Google, because that's the spot he's posted up at most often. The google maps image is pretty darn close to the view out of the window in my mom's apartment. I think I was his best customer for a few years. Him posting up there definitely helped that cause.



Selling a raspado to a Virgil Middle School student, obvious by the grey and maroon uniform... Thank goodness for me going to Emerson MS instead, that's and ugly combination!

Needless to say, this post also receives the "You know you live in the ghetto when..."