Cactus man place

Blog Critique

2007-01-16T16:43:00.000+11:00

Lawaloca.com

This Mexican blog is important to the community as it reflects the actual culture of a major section of Mexican youth; at the same time it reflects the complex multicultural society that Mexico has developed. There are many publishers, which means the blog has already got a big community that reflects different opinions and approaches towards different issues. The content of lawaloca is from art, technology, popular culture, politics, sports and many other general interest posts. I am not sure when did the site started, but the oldest post is from the 17 of October 2003, which means the site has been online for quite long time. The blog has got impact in local newspapers of the country since some posts were related with local stripper’s clubs in northern Mexico. It is possible to say that this blog is a popular opinion maker amongst a significant group of people as a large number of comments for each post can be appreciated. Referring to style used, there is a notorious emphasis on Mexican flag’s colours, the layout and design reflects purely male interests and the language used goes from slang to semi academic style. The audience is quite big, as more and more bloggers have been incorporated also there have been many national contest and the community integrates people from most of he Mexican territory. In addition there is no censorship or persecution faced by he author although the blog has changed from serve several times due its content and extension. Some of the blogs, specially the ones that talks about politics have links to information sources, which make lawaloca an objective yet, no journalistic blog. I think the site has a big potential to become a professional enterprise as it already have advertising and a vast community and audience. Thinking about he future lawaloca may have a crucial impact on future generations about the way information and new costumes are received.

A divided world

2007-01-15T16:03:00.000+11:00

As conflicts in the Middle East intensify, it is easy to say ideological movements are dividing the world. This time is Latin America that is suffering of this ideological fanatism. The recent visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Nicaragua has obviously concerned American interests on nuclear arms and the Iranian intervention in the Iraq conflict. It is already evident that left wing leaders in Latin America are against neo-imperialism, countries such as Venezuela and Bolivia that are also included in president Ahmadinejad tour through South America.

The world is being divided according to political and economical interests as it become more evident who is the enemy according to the American point of view. Could it be possible that after the Middle East crisis Yankee troops will come again to Latin America to impose their system although people did not choose to follow it? I am afraid that a bigger conflict is about to start and there will not be neutral stances this time. Every day empowered groups across all nations become more and more extremist on their way to gain control over their so-called habitants. Let us hope that mankind is not to stupid to finish everything we have because few fanatic but power groups are exposing the worst characteristics human beings are capable to display.

Google as a terrorist tool

2007-01-15T15:29:00.000+11:00

A British security officer confirmed that active terrorist groups use Google, the Internet searching service, to plan attacks to British miliary camps in Iraq. They use Google earth to get access to satellite images, documents showing the exact location of British troops, weer found. Once again a product of the enemy is used to attack allies of he so-called western democracies. Such an interesting phenomena on unstable times, a google’s spokesman declared that the company is conscious that the information resented can be use for good or bad and they are ready to listen government petitions.

It is quite naïve to think in restrictions by the government to Internet. Which is hilarious in this situation is that a weak point has been found. The point of tis is the way in which Internet is changing the world; I think this is just the beginning of a crucial change in communications and the way in which information is distributed. This time irony has come again to show us that no system is perfect or eternally stable. I wonder how internet will start having a bigger impact in global issues.

Compact Culture

2007-01-12T17:12:00.000+11:00

As a recommendation of Russell, one of my teachers at Insearch I've read the San Francisco Compact blog. I think is a quite positive form of human evolution. The ‘compact culture’ gives quite a different alternative to American consumerism by 3 main aspects:

1) To go beyond recycling in trying to counteract the negative global environmental and socio-economic impacts of U.S. consumer culture, to resist global corporatism, and to support local businesses, farms, etc. -- a step, we hope, inherits the revolutionary impulse of the Mayflower Compact
2) To reduce clutter and waste in our homes (as in trash Compact-er)
3) To simplify our lives

That is what Rachel, and undergraduate student from San Francisco and author of this blog gives as justification to this alternative movement. There are some other rules such as buy second hand items, borrow instead of buying new, support local markets. However there are some exceptions, for example it would be ok to buy food, drink, necessary medicine, necessary cleaning products and socks, underwear and pyjamas “utilitarian--non-couture or ornamental”

The blog also provides the evolution of this movement as it shows incorporation of more and more individuals decided to stop and change this alienated state of consumerism imposed by big corporations. In order to achieve this on-line communication has played a crucial role as it informs and connects people from different cities and even countries.

It is quite interesting the psychological and sociological issues rose by this ‘compact culture’, for instance she describes the way she become more possessive with her belongings or the way in which being poor is not bat at all. Definitely is just magnificent the way in which people respond, some posts reveal the change in education to children, as their parents teach them that there is more than ephemeral material happiness. Is not that just great?

A new crazy movement indeed, challenging conventional pattern of living, could it be an awakening of human kind? or just a fail in the system however is worth to have a look.

IRONY

2007-01-04T02:24:00.000+11:00

After so many laws and intends to stop the illegal immigrant flow from Mexico to the United States, the Golden State Fence Company was fined for employing Mexican immigrants to build the wall that divides Mexico’s northern border with the United States of America. The company had to pay almost $5 million in fines. In addition two executives from the company: Melvin Kay and Michael McLaughlin may face more serious consequences such as jail for hiring illegal immigrants to build the wall that would stop them to come and work in the

. This is not the only time that the company has been fined for the same “crime” which is giving opportunity and a chance to have a better life to people that could not find that in their own country. According to Richard Hirsch attorney of Golden State Fence Company “the case proves that construction companies need a guest-worker program”. Once again the system fails… how ironic can be that?

This is just a clear example that although the “American dream” is been harder to reach than before, there still labour that United States’ citizens are not willing to realize. Further is quite naïve the idea that a physical or a “virtual” wall may stop people willing to work and provide a better life for their families. Think how you would feel if it is you the one that has to leave your family and everything you have, then suffer from discrimination and exploitation just for trying to get a “better quality of life”

Info taken from here

Surrealism

2007-01-03T12:55:00.000+11:00

There are quite few pictures that can stay in the memory of generations. Such iconographic elements must be balanced and absolutely defined in terms of signification. This time Philippe Halsman a well-known photographer for his work on portraits came up with “Dali Atomicus” in 1948. This masterpiece not only reflects the fascinating and complex personality of Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali, but at the same time it reflects an impressive technique combined with a magnificent skill by Halsman. This picture succeeds as it incorporates time and space in a very unique way, the form and the movement perfectly reflects this surreal movement that could only be expressed and understood by some minds.

2006-12-01T14:20:00.000+11:00

The time before the next president takes possession over his charge is finishing. This election has been one of the most controversial in Mexican history. We’ve seen riots, media bias and a notorious division of opinions in the country. I do think one of the main problems is the apathy by the citizens. There is no point in dividing the country according to the interests of two “candidates” as they’ve said before, “u can choose is always the same, the puppet on the right or the one on the left”. It is totally unacceptable the way in which majority of voters give more importance to politic scandals rather than start thinking how can we help our country to develop. It is true in this last election we didn’t have much to choose from. Indeed this shows the lack of interest of Mexican people towards politics. It’s a real shame that people only wake up until a fraud has been committed. Now we’ve got a divided country that is facing more and more social conflicts. The big question remains: how will be the next 6 years when the beginning has been so chaotic?

Pd. escribo en ingles por que esta madre es pa' una clase y me estan calificando g' day all

This is how the place in which the posession ceremony will be looks like days before 1st of December:

"San Lazaro" a few das before December 1st

Such a common day

Security elements arguing with PRD and PRI representatives

Union Congress representatives supporting the new president

Mexico does not deserve a democracy traitor as president

No one over the constitution

Photos by Saul Navarro, Lucia Godinez, Notimex and El Universal

Hola Mexico Film Festival

2006-11-30T15:00:00.000+11:00

Last week I went to the "Hola Mexico" film festival, at the Chauvel Cinemas in Paddington. The festival was quite good as it helped to give a wider overview about a country that is more than a large dessert full of cactus and snakes located in "South America" and that has got to offer more than tacos, tequila and big hats. This film festival showed a bit more of this complex society and its rich cultural heritage. This festival was from November 21 – 26, it started with the Film “Only God knows why” and the opening night “fiesta”.

Basically there were 11 films and a short film special. Among this films there were new releases and classic titles such as “Los olvidados” (The Young and the Damned) and “El Santo contra las mujeres vampiro” (Santo vs. the vampire women), both quite a treasure of classic Mexican films.

Although I did want to see all films it was quite difficult because of school, work and money. However I had the chance to see “Histories of disenchantment”(historias del desencanto) by Felipe Gomez and Alejandro Valle. This movie is a post-modernist film that displays the misadventures of Ximena, a typical high school girl, and Diego a film artist. They both experience magic, drugs, sex and dreams as existence leads them to Ainda the harpy. Locked in a world of fantasy, magic, angels, harpies, demons, drugs and a very unusual notion of time and space both will face their most inner anxieties and doubts. It is a good proposition, proudly different from any Hollywood movie. However if you are not keen on surrealist-postmodernist movies or you do not like films by Jodorowski, Greenaway or Bunuel the movie might not be the right one for you.

This film festival will be in Melbourne from the 29 of November until December 5. Everyone keen on Mexican movies or anyone hat is looking for an alternative to all this imperialism on entertainment should have a go.

You can have a look to their website

http://www.holamexicoff.com/

Quote

2006-11-03T15:19:00.000+11:00

Surrealism is destructive, but it destroys only what it considers to be shackles limiting our vision.

-Salvador Dali-

Wim Wenders

2006-11-03T14:22:00.000+11:00

Was born on the 14th of August, 1945, in Düsseldorf, Germany. Studied medicine and then philosophy in Germany, then he moved to Paris to become a painter. However he failed his entry test at the Art Academy. Instead he worked as an engraver in the atelier of the American artist Johnny Friedlander in Montparnasse. During that time he also became a regular visitor of the Cinemathèque Francaise, saw up to 5 movies a day and more than a thousand films altogether and got hooked on cinema.

His work includes Feature films. shor films and documentaries such as:

Paris, Texas

Wings of Desire

Buena Vista Social Club

A piece of: Der Himmel über Berlin

TMV in Australia

2006-09-08T14:46:00.000+10:00

Yeeeeeeeahh!!!

Deutsche Bande

2006-09-06T11:26:00.000+10:00

Unas fotos con Sara y Diana

Spanish FEsT

2006-09-06T11:01:00.000+10:00

EL fin pasado fue el Spanish festival en Sydney, montaron 2 escenarion y trajeron conjuntos musicales y bailes tipicos de España y Latinoamerica.

Mariachi tocando "Cielito lindo"

Son Jarocho

Pa' los que no creian....

2006-08-30T13:10:00.000+10:00

Miren lo que me econtre el otro dia en el super...

WelCoME tO B@t cOUNtrY

2006-08-30T12:48:00.000+10:00

Despues de una tarde en los jardines botanicos de sydney... fue bastante inusual encontrar "fire foxes" en los arboles... solo un poco mas de la fauna australiana y la simbiosis con el medioooooooo....

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After and evening on Sydney's botanical gardens... quite unusual to find some "fire foxes" aka. bats... lol hanging in the trees... just more of OZ's fauna and symbiosis wiht the medium...

Chi è la madre del sole?

2006-08-30T12:45:00.000+10:00

Even the most miserable life is better than a sheltered existence in an organized society where everything is calculated and perfected.

...La Dolce Vita...

Banda Corea/Japon

2006-08-30T12:33:00.000+10:00

rappeler...

2006-08-20T16:02:00.000+10:00

...

Ja ja ja esa mañana

El Segundo mes....

Te extraño mucho!!!

Ahhh sigan viendo tele toda via no estan!!!

uuuuuuuuuu......

Teclado Inteligente

2006-08-12T14:05:00.000+10:00

Los actuales teclados diseños de teclados para PDA's, celulares resultan un poco incómodos por el diminuto tamaño de las teclas. Ahora Smart Fabrics (australia) y su nuevo teclado ingeligente estan a punto de revolucionar algunos aspectos de la vida moderna en cuanto al uso de computadoras y "gadgets"

Funciona gracias a la tecnología "touch sensitive" o sensible al tacto. Este nuevo teclado peude ser utilizado en cualquier lugar y en cualquier momento, sólo basta con enrollarlo y es del mismo tamaño que el teclado de una computadora portátil. Otra de sus características es que es a prueba de agua.

Para más información visitar:

http://www.smartfabrics.com.au/

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Fed-up with the frustrations of keyboards on PDA’s and cell phones designed for tiny fingers?Wave those thumb cramping days good-bye with the latest material keyboard that can be rolled up and put in your pocket so you can use it anywhere and anytime. It’s called the elektex. It uses a Bluetooth connection and is 100% fabric so there’s no wiring. It’s the same size as a laptop keyboard. You can type out your text messages or emails and then just push send. Not only that, it’s built to take the knocks of the road.

For more information, visit: http://www.smartfabrics.com.au/

The unquiet landscapes of Rosemary Laing

2006-08-12T13:51:00.000+10:00

Rosemary Laing es una artista Australiana que comparte un sentimiento de armonia con los "lugares". Por el momento la exhibición se encuentra en el museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Sydney. Aun asi buscar algo del trabajo de esta excelente fotografa no esta de mas.

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Major Australian artist Rosemary Laing shares something of Mona Hatoum’s concern with ’place‘. The exhibition will be at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney untill 3 September 2006.

y se fue....

2006-08-03T14:08:00.000+10:00

El señor Ken estuvo de visita por tierras asutralianas, muy agusto esa semanita que se quedo, salieron muy buenas fotos y me paso bastante buena musica, ni modo se regreso a Mexico a los buenos taquitos y al bello DF ja ja un saludo al sñor ken y ya saben quien quiera caerle por aca no hay pex, tienen a donde caerle.

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My good mate ken just visited me in Sydney, quite funny week, a lot of good pics and a massive exchange of music. Anyway he've reurned to Mexico to have some taquitos and back to the beautiful Mexico City. All the best for Ken and to anybody, if u want to come jsut tell me u'll have a place to crash in.

Sir ken

Chelitas y hamburguesas

El ken haciendo su horario a las 2 am.

Despedida en el aereopuerto

La primera visita fue de mi hijita Zazu en eastern (marzo)

Quien sera la proxima visita meine mutter o el claus?

YYY2

2006-07-30T15:23:00.000+10:00

Un buen concierto, al principio un wey tocando la guitarra y muscia depresiva, pero despues entro Van She y animaron bastante bien antes de que entrara karen o vestida de negro y con un gorro con forma de dragon. Afortunadamente en este concierto me dejaron tomar fotos cosa que nunca sucede en Mexico, pues un buen concierto y aqui unas fotos.

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Really good concert, in the beginning we had some suicide guitar music, then Van She rocked and prepare the stage for Karen O who was wearing black and some sort of dragon bennie. I was able to take some pics something that doesn't happen in mexico very often. Anyway a great concert here some pics.

SEXY Karen O

Playing Maps

I went with Joycee, thanx had a great time

Playing Gold Lion

Playing Date with the night

BarBot

2006-07-20T14:13:00.000+10:00

El Barbot es un robot que adora la cerveza y que siempre esta en el bar. Su unico proposito es pedirle dinero a los clientes para ir a comprarse un trago. El nunca va a "pichar" una ronda, y, a diferencia de los demas robots este no fue hecho para hacer nuestra vida mas facil.

Asi es este robot vive en Austria, supongo que una ves agarrada la peda es divertido interacrtuar con el.

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Barbot is a beer loving robot who hangs out in bars, and operates purely for his own selfish interests. His purpose is to sit at the bar and beg for money from the other patrons so he can buy his own beer and drink it. He doesn’t know the meaning of “your shout” and, unlike other robots, wasn’t made to make our lives easier.

This robot is from Austria, I guess once you are drunk, could be quite nice experience.

Dreams for Free

2006-07-19T13:28:00.000+10:00

Para los que olvidaban...
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Don't forget...
Clip from the movie: "Waking Life"

NAVY

2006-07-13T11:37:00.000+10:00

El buque de la Armada de México “Cuauhtémoc”,desembarco en el puerto de Sydney la semana pasada. Despues de ver a los marinos en las calles de Sydney fui a visitar la embarcacion que se encontraba en "Circular Quay" que es donde se encuentra la "Opera House". Los marinos fueron bastante amables hasta que me preguntaban de donde era, y pues al saber que era originario de la bella Ciudad de Mexico cambiaron bastante su actitud hacia mi... me da mucha pena que aun por estos lados siga esa mentalidad retrograda que solo divide al pais y nos tiene como estamos.

En fin “Cuauhtémoc”, zarpó este jueves a las 10:30 am, se dirigne con rumbo a Nueva Zelandia, un feliz viaje.

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Navy ship from the mexican army “Cuauhtémoc”, stayed in Sydney for about 4 days departing this thursday at 10:30 am, their next destination is New Zealand, good trip to all of them

Callate Pinche PEJE!!

2006-07-07T17:16:00.000+10:00

El "Peje"

Felipe Calderon

Vamos MEXICO!!

Una vez mas como cada 6 años, se llevaron a cabo elecciones en Mexico para elegir presidente. Despues de una de las elecciones mas polemicas y competidas en la historia del pais, el IFE presento a Felipe Calderon como ganador con 15,000,284 votos que representan el 35.89% del total de votos. Por su parte el candidato de de la coalición Por el Bien de Todos, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, depues de haber obtenido un recuento despues de los resultados del 2 de Julio, recurrirá al Tribunal Electoral del Poder Judicial de la Federación (TEPJF) para impugnar el proceso. Creo que hablo en nombre de muchos mexicanos que estamos en contra de una posible revuelta en el pais, Lopez Obrador firmo un convenio en el que prometio que respetaria los resultados de esta eleccion.

Por otro lado es increible la division politica que sufre el pais, y que fue mas que evidente durante estas elecciones con todo respeto bueno, mejor no al candidato de coalición Por el Bien de Todos

CALLATE PINCHE PEJE

Estamos hartos de la division que tenemos en el pais estamos hartos de tus intentos de alterar la situacion politica actual qeu de por si da pena, que bueno que un hombre qeu firma tratados y hace promesas delante de los medios y no las cumple no fue electo para presidente.

De todas formas a ver como resulta el gobierno de Felipe Calderon, aun asi es un candidato que no ha convencido y que continuara con la politica economica del presidente Fox que ha dejado en duda el crecimiento econoico y social del pais, esperemos que el sistema empieze a dar resultados o realemnte sera tiempo de preocuparse.

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Once again as every 6 years millions of mexicans have voted to elect a new president. This was one of the most controversial and competitive elections in mexican history. The winner was Felipe Calderon with 15,000,284 votes that represent 35.89% of the total. Oppsition candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (aka "el peje") has called to a

It is incredible the political division that Mexico is suffering the only thing I want to say to Mr. Lopez Obrador is SHUT YOUR FUCKING MOUTH and respect the results.

I think I'm speaking for millions of mexicans that are tired of his tries of start a social conflict although he said he'd respect the results no matter who would win.

Anyhow let's see how this new president result, to be honest he hasn't convinced and he's repeating the echonomial policy of actual president Vicente Fox that hasn't showed a significant growing, let's hope this system starts to give results or it will be time for true preoccupation.

World Press Photo

2006-07-01T14:21:00.000+10:00

La exposicion fotografica holandesa que ha recorrido mas de 50 ciudades al rededor del mundo ira a Mexico del 13 de Octubre al 12 de Noviembre. La expo ya estuvo aca en Sydney, la verdad vale la pena ir a verla, hay algo de basura pero tambien hay fotos increibles.

http://www.worldpressphoto.nl/

La cita sera en el Museo Franz Mayer:

Visiting hours:
Tuesdays 10.00 - 17.00
Wednesdays 10.00 - 19.00
Thursday - Sunday 10.00 - 17.00

Address:
Museo Franz Mayer
Av. Hidalgo 45
Plaza de la Sta. Veracruz
Centro Historico
Mexico City

Organization:
Museo Franz Mayer, tel. +52 55 5578 2266

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The photographic exposition that has traveled through more than 50 cities around the world will go to Mexico from october 13 to november 12. The expo has already been in Sydney, is worth to go and have a look, some crappy pics yet some amazing ones.

http://www.worldpressphoto.nl/

Visiting hours:
Tuesdays 10.00 - 17.00
Wednesdays 10.00 - 19.00
Thursday - Sunday 10.00 - 17.00

Address:
Museo Franz Mayer
Av. Hidalgo 45
Plaza de la Sta. Veracruz
Centro Historico
Mexico City

Organization:
Museo Franz Mayer, tel. +52 55 5578 2266

YYY

2006-07-01T13:56:00.000+10:00

Hey asi es, los Yeah yeah yeahs vienen este 20 de Julio, me siento afortunado ya que prometiron no regresar a MEx dspues de que un wey se subio a patear a la SEXY Karen O.

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That's right YYY are comming nextx 20th of July, I'm quite lucky since they promised they won't go back to Mexico after someone kicked sexy Karen O.

Thu 20 Jul - Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Enmore Theatre, Sydney: Box Office Opens : 9:00am
Doors : 8:00pm
Van She : 8:45pm
Interval : 9:25pm
10:00pm - 11:00pm : Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Rotten Ball Photo

2006-06-29T12:21:00.000+10:00

Despues de problemas con el hosting de la pagina, finalmente esta lista el link es:

http://greatcactusman.googlepages.com/home

Solo sean pacientes son 3mb, tal ves se tarde en cargar pero si sirve.
Muchas Gracias a Ingrid por sus fotos.

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After some troubles with hosting, the site is finally online just clik:

http://greatcactusman.googlepages.com/home

Just have some pateince is a 3 mb file so it take a bit to load anyway is working.
Thanks to Ingrid for the pics.

Hey

2006-06-27T14:40:00.000+10:00

Esta es mi primera entrada, mi blog es para compartir las cosas que le pasan a un mexicano por las llanuras australianas, arte, cualquier tema de interes publico, buena musica y todo lo que a la buena banda le interese espero les guste y comenten lo que quieran aqui no habra manipulacion de opiniones ni represion del libre pensamiento.

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This is my first post, my blog is aimed to share everything that happens to a mexican guy living in australia, but also art, common interest affairs, good music, etc hope u like it and feel free to add any comments in pro of freedom of speech

Enjoy