* JuanMapu - Vida en Nueva York

The media scientist I try to hide comes to surface. American Idol is a show one doesn't need see to know what is about. The name is pretty eloquent. I had never watched a single show until last Thursday, for the last show of the season, the finale...and it happened when I was high as hell.

Here some notes:
- Reality shows have been around for a while but I don't believe hyperreality is understood as the latest thing in mass media, the latest spectacle. Here Middle America celebrates itself, whatever it believes it is.
- Have you JuanMapu.info reader, while watching a reality show, ever asked yourself, Why am I not the one there? Why am I not the participant? Pierre Bourdie has stated that for some "existence is about being on TV"; still AI participants are courageous although it takes a lot of humiliation.
- The AI finale is a night of awards too. The show gives awards based on what happened within the show during the season unlike the Oscars or Grammys, which cover a whole industry. The awards night implies a parallel reality therefore expanding the sense of hyperreality.
- Nominees to the new American Idol -the main award that is not presented as an award- are granted to sing along with an "Idol." (Cindy Lauper, Lionel Ritchie, Kiss, Rod Stewart were there this year.) However, it is clear the participant will remain as a participant, the wannabe. They are the stars of the show while they keep their status of an average person, which is what the show is about.
- Of course the winner carries a different aura, especially after being named. It is graduation time. He is one step ahead from the others. He is ready to record, begin this journey, and probably become a celebrity. There will not be all that time on TV. The winner biggest trophy is that he can resume his life. Of course he took a tortuous shortcut.

It is true that our Latin America leftist presidents are populists and non-sophisticated -especially when it comes to public speaking. However, I have not found a reason to distrust them or despise their leadership. Actually, the world's most powerful countries have been governed by rich and educated people and the world is a mess: "20% of the world's population control 80% of global wealth. The richest 500 people in the world control as much wealth as the poorest 3.25 billion," say reports from organizations such as the World Bank. Nonetheless, right wing sympathizers say oligarchy has nothing to do with it; poverty is cause by laziness, mediocrity or even junkiness.

Another reason I have to keep trusting leftists is the quality of their officials. There is a huge difference between the cabinet of the removed president of Honduras Manuel Zelaya and the one of the Nazi regime lead by Roberto Micheletti. One can tell the new officials are about the money and increasing the capital of a minority. They talk like Paris Hilton!

Zelaya was removed because he was looking to get reelected. Many prominent intellectuals from Spain and Latin America have condemned the Coup against Zelaya, but not without pointing that Zelaya's big mistake was "his will to perpetuate in power."

It is a scandal that Chávez has been in power for the 10 years or that Zelaya is pursuing another four. However, the more than 150 years of social inequality, slavery and repression are ok.

It is really hard for me to understand how some people insist in keeping the status quo. Honduras has been an ally of the United States for years and Hondurans have not seen any benefit from it. (Well, a few of them, people like Micheletti, have benefit from it of course). Anyway, it is a scandal the foreign interference of Hugo Chávez, which is a thing of cheap oil for Honduras and the struggle to find a communal, sovereign and sustainable way to develop. The democracy mainstream media and opinionators proudly advocate for is far from real; what people really need are reforms in their favor and the only way to guarantee them is to keep oligarchies away from government and commit to socialism.

A natural contract is on the way and there is no way to keep piling up wealth. That is what the ones in favor of the coup don't get, neither the educated ones against our will to guarantee people's rights and a fair society.

So we said good-bye to Michael Jackson and it was a massive spectacle.

My roomy F. F. anticipated the whole thing and recalled the situationist concept, meaning he didn't have any intention to watch the memorial service. He just got home and turned on the TV but spent most of the time on the phone. (He did bitch though, and so did I, about the performance of the kid from "Britain Got Talent" show.)

Friends and acquaintances facebooked and twitted their TV or Harlem Street experiences. Cata V. smell something wrong when Magic Johnson mentioned MJ's affair with Kentucky Fried Chicken and her status changed to "kfc should pay for the advertisment ???? "

DJ Velvet, someone who plays MJ in most of her gigs, didn't give a shit about the memorial. She has been living in a world without Michael Jackson for more than a week already.

Like most of his fans, I reviewed Michael Jackson musical legacy shortly after the news of his death. Of course I believe Off The Wall is the best album ever produced. But in the myriad of video posts from people, DJ/Producer Solo Muzika put the one of "Show You The Way To Go," a lovely sexy jam, which led me to buy a compilation of The Jacksons.

As a DJ that mostly plays disco music, I found The Jacksons appropriate for my sets. It is romantic, sexy and very danceable era of MJ. The mellow guitar and the vocals were made for the dance floor. It also has the sense of unity and brotherhood that made of House Music a spiritual thing.

It is true Michael Jackson was a wonderful child that reminds us the sense of unity and growing as a family, like the teachings of Elegba, an Orisha often represented by children. The NYTimes got something in a report about the fading of black ambivalence after his death.

Thus, the messages about MJ's love for humanity weren't vain. Something I liked from the memorial was that it went back to the beginning, with the Jacksons and a wonderful child on stage.

Thank God for Internet in times of recession cause there is no other way to read the news.

Trying to have a new feature, here is my first New York News Mix:

Manhattan City Councilman Miguel Martinez admits he stole tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars - Daily News
Martinez admitted he was able to steal because he was a councilman. He is from Uptown Manhattan. Bad, very bad. More>

Police Say 'Fight Club' Inspired a Bomber - New York Times
No wonder why "Mr. Fincher and Mr. Palahniuk, through their agents, declined to comment." Stupid cops. More>

Death to Cupcakes: When will we finally be rid of the little bastards? - Village Voice

Village Voice bitter writing one more time. One thing about cupcakes is that someone always finished asking everyone to take some home. More>

The Billyburg Bust - New York Magazine

We all love to talk shit about Williamsburg. He is more. Please keep in mind how New York Magazine keep the dream of a New York life attached to Manhattan. More>

Did you think this feature would last just one week? Wrong.

We agreed there is always something to do in NYC and we spend a lot of time out in the street. What about rainy days? What about "the waiting for something at home" days? NYC based publications are putting a lot of resources on the their interactive online features for our virtual city experience. Here some samples:

The Neighborhood News - New York Magazine

A very simple map with weird news headlines. The map tunes you up with the city. The headlines are surprising. More>

Press Clips - The Village Voice

The Village Voice is dedicated to bring independent info and points of view. However, the Press Clips sections opens up to the rest of the NYC's press and the clips come from everywhere. More>

We You Love New York - Daily News

The populist tabloid let people create the city guide. More>

Murder: New York City - New York Times

It is a sad feature, but this map gives you and idea about crime in New York City. The NYTimes team of cybergeeks is the one leading the paper's transition into a new economic and social model. More>

Food, NYC crime, capitalism greed and a rapper in this week's mix:

Straight Out of Brooklyn, the $5 Slice - The New York Times

Apparently an amazing pizza is worth $5 per slice. I feel like trying it. More>

Vicious knife-fight in Brooklyn puts 8 in the hospital - Daily News

Knife and blood showcase in Brooklyn. Unfortunately was a Latino party. Five people taken to the hospital and no arrests have been made! More>

Tenacious G - New York Magazine

Extensive feature about evil's bank Goldman Sachs. NYmag waits some months to come out with this kind of features, however, the bring a broad picture. more>

Who Is Fabolous? - The Village Voice

Bed-Stuy rapper has a new album and the Voice breaks it down. Thank god everything is not indie rock. more>

Strawberry yogurt, granola, banana.

To avoid writing personal stuff is becoming a hard task. Half of the of problem is a voice's issue, the other half has to do with synchronizing ordinary events and daily notes.

I'll been waiting for news about the new, trying to keep one's composure, away from desperation and stupidity. A Yoruba priestess twitted, "Remembering that who u are under stress is very much who u really are."

In the pursuit of a calm mental state, I remembered to expand present life. The Internet has helped a lot. I've been stumbling upon sites, twitting and reading twitts, voyering people, gaming online. I hooked up this blog with new features and friends. I got new deals for Manzana Pecosa. The second edition of my book Mango Preacher is coming along thanks to my browsed discoveries. (I did not find new tools to make it, but I woke up after all!)

That's why yesterday I twitted, "I do better with my own hands." I believe that goes for anyone. It is who you are. It is like my brother sticker, "______It's in your hands." Even a mind thing like stress.

Handball superstars, Frank McCourt's widow, Nancy Giles on Janet Jackson, a leftist expert on Obama's economic measures and the race for NYC's Mayor in this week's mix.

Race for Mayor heats up as Bloomberg and William Thompson trade barbs over protecting renters - Daily News

Love the News boxing graphic and the word brawl to identify articles about the race for Mayor. And don't miss Michael Bloomberg and William Thompson takes on rentals. More>

A Marriage That Made A Masterpiece Appear - New York Times

A sweet note on Frank McCourt's muse. More>

Is Janet The Most Annoying Jackson? - Village Voice

I needed to introduce some people to Michael Musto's style + Nancy Giles is clever! More>

Ka-Pow! Bang! Crash! Down Goes Another Bubble! Doug Henwood in Conversation with Christian Parenti - The Brooklyn Rail

Let's welcome beautiful Brooklyn Rail to the mix. Doug Henwood gives some hope but the recovery has a long way to go. More>

Talk to the Hand - New York Magazine

Handball is the sport I most admire. This is New York baby! More>

Visit www.jacksonpollock.org and do something like this (thanks Milton Manetas):

I kinda like the idea of being a weekly informer. it's been a hectic week but here is the mix: a bag lady inheritance, celebrities in the bathroom, store owner self-defense and NYC's emptiness:

Manhattan mystery: Who's the bag lady who donated $100,000 to Hebrew University? - Daily News
Well, this is more about my girlfriend and I (and her ex too) but it is a very NYC's story anyway. And you can participate if you know something. More>

Back at Work, Harlem Store Owner Recounts Shooting - New York Times
Some crime blogging by the NY Times. More >

Celebrity Bathroom Stories - The Village Voice
Michael Musto for second consecutive week. This time from his blog. More>

The Too-Quiet City - New York Magazine
I don't agree with this article althought it has some points. For me this is the latest message from this week. I'm gonna stay in this city yo! More>

Skateboarders, New Yorkers on Health Care Reform, a vinyl release about music screams selected by NYC's music store clerks, and Quentin Tarantino in this week's mix.

Primal Snippets, on Vinyl - New York Times
This is what I call a smart project. LeRoy Stevens released a vinyl a music screams with the help of NYC's music store clerks. Beautiful! More>
Quentin Tarantino: The Inglourious Basterds Interview - Village Voice
I have ruled out movies and made others a must-see after reading a Village Voice's critic. This is not a critic, but a Voice's interview with Tarantino is something worth. More>

The wheel New York: Skateboarders are ramping up the action in parks across the 5 boros - NY Daily News
I never skateboarded but I have two persons in my life who make love skateboarding. This is for you guys. More>

Unhealthy Debate - New York Magazine
The results of a Health Care Reform poll with 100 NYC's pedestrians. More>

Subway reading, jealousy, a Voice archive and a writer's NYC diet are my highlights of the week.

Clip Job: Mailer's LEGO Vision of New York - The Village Voice
A Village Voice's archive about late Norman Mailer and his vision of NYC's architecture. It was written before the Twin Towers. More>

Brooklyn gun horror: Young wife shot and jealous husband nabbed as horrified passersby watch - NY Daily News
I always say "Love is such a mad thing", but this is not love at all. The use of video in this reports tells how the tabloid is doing its online job. More>

Reading Underground - New York Times
I like this article because reading in the subway is the reason I don't have an iPod. More>

Writer Tao Lin Devours Baby Watermelons, Staves Off a Love of Meat - New York Magazine
I never put attention to Grub Street but now I will. I'm always curious about eating habits. More>

Politics in my neighborhood, 9/12, a slob, Madoff properties and a ripped Manhattan District Attorney candidate in this week's mix.

Eight in Race to Replace Ousted Councilman in Dominican District 10 - www.WNYC.org
It is good to put something from WNYC in the mix. Check how Dominicans do old school politics in Washington Heights. More >

History Lessons in the D.A.'s Race: Leslie Crocker Snyder's Back Pages - Village Voice
I'm glad a person like Snyder has no chance to get elected. Learn the reasons. More>

Madoff Sell-off - New York Magazine
Oh Bernie, I just hope you find truth the rest of your life...And read the Ecclesiastes. More>

A Fortress City That Didn't Come to Be - New York Times
This is the story of the week. It is true, what's the deal with September 12th?. More>

Cops find man isn't dead, just a slob - Daily News
You gotta be very filthy if someone thinks you are dead. More>

Chance or not, I happened to visit the most Hispanic neighborhood in NYC the day journalist Geraldo Rivera talked about his new book "The Great Progression: How Hispanics Will Lead America to a New Era of Prosperity" on WNYC radio.

I went to 181st Street business district after I saw the advertisement of a Pollo Campero (a Latin chicken restaurant chain). It is the kind of place where meals are two or three pieces of grilled chicken, fried yuca or sweet plantains, plus rice and beans. (Normally you add a soda to the meal, but I was surprised by the fact Pollo Campero also carries Jamaica, Tamarindo and Horchata waters.) I have to confess a thought I had while eating my lunch: I feel proud about Campero-in the Latin proud sense. Excited about it, I began to think about how I target my career towards the U.S. Hispanic market and my reasons to do it. It is clear to me that my opportunities are where Hispanics are. I like the melting pot and the entire one world shit, but I'm a person in love with my culture.

Italian mafia, NYC's billionaire Mayor, Fordham Road, cassettes and organs delicacies in this week's mix.

The Bloomberg Years - WNYC
Trying to know more about Mayor Michael Bloomberg? Joyce Purnick gave a good insight in The Brian Lehrer Show. More>

Let's Go to the Audiotape - New York Magazine
As Herb Powell said in The Simpsons, "you just need an idea." My question is: Who is making cassette reproducers now? More>

Fordham Road, Where the Blight Stopped - New York Times
I walked Fordham Road a month ago and it impressed me. Here are more details. More>

Organs: Internal Delicacies from Across the Globe - Village Voice
I do like live and internal organs are my weakness. This slide show makes me hungry. More>

Junior Gotti's night to remember: Sister Victoria Gotti describes secret Mafia ceremony in new book - NY Daily News
This is The Godfather but the real thing. The Gotti's saga continues. More>

A woman in a men's jail, filmmaker Abel Ferrara, a reggae star victim of a wannabe samurai, the new director of the immigration services and a budget hotel entrepreneur in this week's mix.

Woman Mistaken for a Man in City Jail Sues Over Her Ordeal - Village Voice
Sometimes The Village Voice get into Daily News territory. I hope this woman finds some justice. Stupid judiciary system. More>

Abel Ferrara on Those Who Checked Out but Never Leave - New York Magazine
Mr. Ferrera is not one of my favorite directors, but he is a interesting character and Chelsea Hotel regular. More>

1980s reggae star Major Mackarel attacked by jealous neighbor with samurai sword - Daily News
I like this one because is so Tarantino. Hope Major Mackerel recovers soon to keep the jamming alive. More>

New Immigration Services Director - WNYC
Alejandro Mayorkas answers questions immigration from fellow Newyorkers. More>

Little Rooms, Big Profits - New York Times
This is how people make money in New York. This man has been bankrupted twice. More>

Frank McCourt H.S., Bars with Great Takeout Food, comedians in Astoria, New Yorkers to Cuba in this new mix.

Frank McCourt, Teacher - New York Magazine
I have never read him, but people in the city keep saying beautiful things about him and I believe them. I wish I can attend Frank McCourt High School in the future. More>

A Guide to NYC Bars with Great Takeout Food - Village Voice
I would like to have a car for a night and try some of these places. More>

Anybody Here From Astoria? - New York Times
I like the combination of NYC's comedians and the great neighborghood of Astoria. More>

Opening travel to Cuba for all draws closer - NY Daily News
Albor Ruiz gives an update regarding traveling to Cuba. I can't wait. More>

El Museo's reopening, a new use for Limelight, NYC's papers survival and David Letterman in this week's mix.

Limelight makes transformation from notorious nightclub to indoor market - Daily News
I never visited it when it was a church, neither as a nightclub, I might see the market. More>

Beyond the Barrio, With Growing Pains - New York Times
I was honored with two gigs there this week. El Museo rules. More>

How New York City's Seven Newspapers Are (Nearly) Surviving - Village Voice
I am fan of stories about media. This is a deep one. More>

Dave's Crushes - New York Magazine
I like the ilustration and the angle this story has about Letterman's affairs. More>

Haunted Bronx, Voice's best of NYC, the future of publishing and my good friend Blanka Amezkua in this news mix.

The Bronx is haunted by ghost stories, says historian Stephen Paul DeVillo - NY Daily News
News trick or treat. More>

Best of NYC 2009 - Village Voice
One the greatest things the Village Voice does. More>

Backlist to the Future - New York Magazine
Some input about the post book publishing era. More>

Jogging to Start, and Ending With Art - New York Times
Yes, my friend and great artist Blanka Amezkua filling the pages of the Times and the links of JuanMapu. More>

Sesame Street, "Precious", Eva Mendes in Soho and New York Public Library in this week's mix.

How We Got to 'Sesame Street' - New York Magazine
I forgot "Sesame Street" is a New York story. Here is a reminder. More>

Precious Is the Diary of a Sad Black Woman - Village Voice
I have gone to movies after reading a Village Voice review. "Precious" has turned into a must see movie for me. More>

New SoHo Calvin Klein billboard with Eva Mendes in sheer lingerie has residents hot and bothered - NY Daily News
Soft porn comes to billboards. Awesome. More>

Secrets of the Stacks - New York Times
The New York Public Library gave me internet during my early few money days in NYC's. Now I should see its jewels. More>

Yoko Ono, Murder in the D train, chicken soup and Green Harlem for this week's mix.

60 Minutes With Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon - New York Magazine
Yoko One has a new album and I thought about her this week. Here she is. More>

Next day stories: the D train murder - Village Voice
Bloody NYC. This a Voice's mix of the Daily News and New York Post D train Friday night murder coverage . More>

For the Soul - New York Times
If you have people from everywhere in NYC, then you have many choices of chicken soup. Have a healthy winter. More>

Affordable housing units in Harlem will become the first green block in nation - NY Daily News
This is the block where the best YMCA is located. I used to go there during a very special year of my life. Congrats. More>

Con los jabones me pasa lo mismo que con el resto de las cosas. Mi preferido apareció en Nueva York. Antes no pude dar con uno. Nunca descubrí la "atractiva suavidad" con Camay ni sentí la frescura incondicional de Rexona. En cambio he acogido el ABC moral del jabón mágico de Dr. Bronner desde el primer día. La idea de leer algo en la ducha fue el gancho. Además algo con sustancia. "Somos todos o ninguno" y más mensajes por una humanidad unida. La primera vez fue una experiencia holística. Una menta poderosamente refrescante cambiaba mi forma de ver la vida. Sensación de limpieza plena. Cuando compré mi primer Dr. Bronner me gustó saber que los ingredientes eran orgánicos y comprados con justicia.

Del bienestar aromaterapeútico al porqué de ese ABC Moral. Menos mal no era el único con preguntas. "Dr. Bronner's Magic Soapbox (2006)", un documental de Sarah Lamn, tiene todas las respuestas. La historia del Dr. Bronner tiene todo para anexarse a la "Historia de la locura" de Michel Foucault. Un inmigrante judío alemán, de tradición jabonera, se obsesiona por unir a la humanidad al punto de abandonar a su familia. En su proselitismo es declarado demente y enviado a una institución mental de la que se escapa después de unas cuantas descargas eléctricas. Establece residencia en California y reactiva su vida como fabricante de jabón y profeta de la unidad. Reúne a sus hijos. La empresa crece. Enceguece. El ingrediente principal de los jabones es el aceite de cáñamo, primo de la marihuana. Dr. Bronner se vuelve un ícono de la contracultura de los sesenta.

El documental muestra la expansión de la empresa, hoy administrada por hijos y nietos del Dr. Bronner. La fábrica es todo un ejemplo de humanidad. Además de comercio justo y la promoción del cáñamo en procesos industriales, Dr. Bronner's Magic patrocina programas para la reinserción laboral de ex presos. Las ganancias extras van a la caridad y apoyo de campañas sociales. El tope de los salarios de los ejecutivos es limitado a cinco veces el menor sueldo de la compañía.

Otro mundo es posible. Un último dato: el jabón de Dr. Bronner lo limpia todo.