Thursday, April 20, 2023
Cuenca Perspectives by Jim: THE PACO'S BLUES PERFORMED AT JOHN VITALI'S 80th ...
Cuenca Perspectives by Jim: THE PACO'S BLUES PERFORMED AT JOHN VITALI'S 80th ...: THE PACO'S BLUES PERFORMED AT JOHN VITALI'S 80th BIRTHDAY PARTY FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2023 Barbie De Pa...
THE PACO'S BLUES PERFORMED AT JOHN VITALI'S 80th BIRTHDAY PARTY
THE PACO'S BLUES PERFORMED AT JOHN VITALI'S 80th BIRTHDAY PARTY
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2023
Barbie De Palma threw an 80th Birthday party for her hubby John and about 100 guests in the course of the afternoon were in attendance for the afternoon festivities. John and Barbie are known for entertaining, and John's party was a smash. There were lots of very friendly folks, some of us not having seen one another in years. Great food and desserts, as the ribs and chicken by the hosts were complemented by the side dishes and desserts brought by the guests.
The event was blessed as for the second day and evening in a roll Cuenca was without rain, which has become an oddity as we transition out of the La Nina into the El Nino weather pattern. Yet a cloud cover help to keep the Equatorial sun from beating down on us, which made for perfect atmospheric conditions for the afternoon backyard festivities.
The kickoff and finale for the party and everything swinging in-between were the Paco's Blues. I assume most of the guests heard Paco's Blues in one of the venues in town, but it was my first time. I had met the drummer, Jeff Jones and his wife, Mary at various occasions and over short conversations on the street, but I never heard Jeff play. The rest of the band was new to me. Wow, were they dynamite. I enjoy the blues, and everything the Paco's Blues played was top notch. It was a lively party, and I was amazed at how they played for three and a half hours and only took one ten minute break. As you will see these guys are not kids, so their stamina was very impressive. Most of all, they were really enjoying themselves, which put the entire guests in a big party and dancing mood.
Awesome, is the vocal singer, Roxie. Besides being attractive, as I sat next to her eating a plate of food before the music began. I was informed by her or other people at the table that she was the vocalist. Roxie is not a large woman. I was amazed at the power that came from her voice. She did a James Brown number, and I thought James Brown had spirited down to the stage for an encore performance. Unfortunately, the two numbers I enjoyed hearing her sing the most, and neither were the numbers I recorded. I encourage you to see the last video link in particular. Roxie has more than enough energy to energize the entire planet. I also must admit that Paco. the other lead singer and one of the three guitarists in the group has put together an excellent band, and I hope they stay together for a long time. I asked my two jovens how old they thought Roxie was from the videos they saw her in this blog? Both of them, without hesitation, said sixteen. Whether it was her youthful looks, her enormous energy, or a combination of both; compliments to Roxie.
Not everything this sensational group plays is strictly blues, there's room for rock, r&b, and soul. I apologize for not having the names of every member in the group. I tried to find them on their Facebook page, but they must be a modest group. Paco's Blues is all I can find after the founder of the group. Maybe, a stalwart fan can fill me in on the names of the two other guitarists. At which point, I will update my blog post. This group is best to hear live. The sound leaves something to be desired on a cell phone and even a laptop. I have my laptop also connected to my television, and the television or a bose-type speaker is the way to go for real sound enjoyment of the group.
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John Vetali and Barbie De Palma
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Maria Isabel Latta |
Jim Mola, blogger, and Marie Isabel Latta |
John Vitali's 80th Birthday Party, Paco's Blues Band - Part 1
Roxie, Linda and John Lewis, and Maria Isabel Latta wishing everybody greetings at the end of the video.
John Vitali's 80th Birthday Party, Paco's Blues Band - Part 2
John Vitali's 80th Birthday Party, Paco's Blues Band - Part 3
John Vitali's 80th Birthday Party, Paco's Blues Band - Part 4
https://.be/5cy9eVvmI3Y
The Paco's Blues version of Happy Birthday, while John and Barbie get down.
John Vitali's 80th Birthday Party, Paco's Blues Band - Part 5
John Vitali's 80th Birthday Party, Paco's Blues Band - Part 6
"Rolling on the River"
John Vitali's 80th Birthday Party, Paco's Blues Band - Part 7
"Ain't No Sunshine When He's Gone"
John Vitali's 80th Birthday Party, Paco's Blues Band - Part 8
https://youtube.com/shorts/5qcaZdIcYdw
John Vitali's 80th Birthday Party, Paco's Blues Band - Part 9
https://youtu.be/kyevHNWEdhY
John Vitali's 80th Birthday Party, Paco's Blues Band - Part 10
"Mama, I'm Coming Home"
John Vitali's 80th Birthday Party, Paco's Blues Band - Part 11
Roxie on fire.
https://youtube.com/shorts/7sqgAzrLzQ8
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Cuenca Perspectives by Jim: GRAFITTI; MIAMI WYNWOOD WALLS MUSEUM FEBRUARY/M...
Cuenca Perspectives by Jim: GRAFITTI; MIAMI WYNWOOD WALLS MUSEUM FEBRUARY/M...: In late February and early March I spent ten days in Miami. I enjoy Miami a great deal this time of year before the heat and humidity sets...
Sunday, March 19, 2023
GRAFITTI; MIAMI WYNWOOD WALLS MUSEUM FEBRUARY/MARCH 2023
In late February and early March I spent ten days in Miami. I enjoy Miami a great deal this time of year before the heat and humidity sets in. Temperatures in the upper 70's into the mid 80's were ideal. Most of all not a drop of rain the entire time I was there. When I returned to Cuenca, the city more than made up for the rainless days in Miami. Oh God, how I love the sunshine without the excessive heat and humidity.
My favorite place to visit in Miami is the Graffiti Museum known as the Wynwood Museum and the first in the world to be devoted to graffitti and their artists. When I first visited the area a few years ago, it was dead. I wasn't totally secure in feeling it was the best neighborhood to park in and to walk to the museum, which is basically outside with walls to protect the graffiti from tagging and any other destruction. Last year, I would see gentrification taking place and knew it was just a matter of time that it would catch up to the museum area. I wasn't sure what they would mean for the museum and immediate shops in the area. This year I was amazed at how the high rises, mainly condos, completely engulfed the area. Fortunately, the museum, the stores, restaurants, and clubs all survived, and the museum has become the nucleus for generally more sophisticated, vibrant area that was just filled with people, and yet attempts to keep a kind of hippy vibe feeling, that reminds of those days in Old Town in Chicago back in the late 60's.
Every six months new graffiti is presented, so one can visit the museum twice a year and see new offerings. Here, unlike the collection last year, I did not provide information about the artists. I am just letting you enjoy the images as presented. Every kind of material imaginable is used to created these art forms. See if you can figure out what some of these materials may be.
The above is my favorite. More for the subject matter than just the art, although the art definitely brings out the beauty of the subject matter.
I find the next three photos spooky. The kids are wearing these goggles as if they no longer function in the physical world, but perceive their reality through their technology.
These kids look almost robotic. The synthesis of man and the machine.
Notice the high-rises in the background, which were not there a year ago.
Below are three links to my videos of the museum:
Graffiti Museum Miami Part 1
Graffiti Museum Miami Part 2
Graffiti Museum Miami Part 3
For those interested in the exhibit at last years Windwood Museum, here is the link:
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/311130598749211263/9201378172075024225
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Cuenca Perspectives by Jim: CUENCA: JERRY RAMOS; A CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Cuenca Perspectives by Jim: CUENCA: JERRY RAMOS; A CELEBRATION OF LIFE: English followed by Spanish translation: Life is full of surprises. Many people like to believe they are in control of their lives, but the...
CUENCA: JERRY RAMOS; A CELEBRATION OF LIFE
English followed by Spanish translation:
Life is full of surprises. Many people like to believe they are in control of their lives, but the sudden and unexpected is always a part of life. Life may move us toward a fate not of our liking, or toward an elated destiny never imagined. Sometimes they are little things that we hardly notice change the pace and direction of the day or even of our life's direction. Other times the sudden and unexpected hits us like a bolt of lightning.
Last week a very good friend of ours who has lived in Cuenca for five years became unexpectedly ill and after one day in the hospital passed away. He was a friend to many, and generous with his time and his money to those more in need. Jerry was a enjoyable conversationalist and had a sense of humor and wit befitting his level of education that made him enjoyable company. It was not surprising that Jerry, who lived in the Palermo, left behind many friends. Jerry was one of those rare Gringos who persisted in learning Spanish to a high level and enjoyed reading the Spanish novels assigned by his wonderful teacher, Ana Luisa Cabrera.
Jerry passed away on Tuesday, April 7th at 5:00 a.m. in Santa Ines Hospital. I lost a good friend. We were able to share many stories from our lives and stories of our many world travels. He was always, like me, ready to hit a good restaurant and enjoy the food, the ambience, and the company. Jerry became very good friends with Jorge Montana and Janetta Barba, husband and wife who own the La Tapita Espanola Restaurant. We enjoyed birthday parties for Jerry there, and the couple were very gracious in providing in gratis their restaurant and the buffet of numerous sumptuous tapas as his friends gathered to celebrate Jerry's life and friendship on Monday, February 13th.
Jerry is survived by his sons Frank and Kip, brothers Ted and Don and sister Mary-Jeanne and their spouses, They will always remember him for his storytelling and his sense of humor.
Born April 22nd 1949
Grew up in East Meadow Long Island New York east of New York City
After high school he moved to Arizona and received a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
He then moved to El Paso Texas, studied mathematics and Civil Engineering while teaching high school math..
After achieving his Civil Engineering degree he went to work for the Department of Defense.
Assignments included work in Okinawa and Korea. (Where he was discovered by a movie director and acted in several Korean films!)
While with the Department of Defense he volunteered for multiple overseas tours in Iraq and Afghanistan building installations including schools, hospitals.
He had a love of international travel including riding the Trans-Siberian, touring most of Europe, Asia, South East Asia, and South America.
He had an strong interest in military history especially World War 2 and the American Civil War.
His “trip of a lifetime” was touring Normandy France and the Battle of D-Day, followed by other tours in Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Germany.
After retirement he moved to Ecuador and fell in love with Cuenca where he found friendship, comradery and peace.
Died February 7, 2023
All of us will always remember the laughs and fun times we have had together with Jerry.
Below is a video in honor of Jerry. A gift created by the Rios Family, especially Maria Rosa and her son Mathias Rios in memory of Jerry. Jerry will be missed deeply by many of his friends and family.
Link for the video in YouTube:
La vida está llena de sorpresas. A muchas personas les gusta creer que tienen el control de sus vidas, pero lo repentino e inesperado siempre es parte de la vida. La vida puede llevarnos hacia un destino que no es de nuestro agrado, o hacia un destino exaltado nunca imaginado. A veces son pequeñas cosas que apenas notamos cambian el ritmo y la dirección del dÃa o incluso de la dirección de nuestra vida. Otras veces lo repentino e inesperado nos golpea como un relámpago.
La semana pasada un muy buen amigo nuestro que ha vivido en Cuenca durante cinco años se enfermó inesperadamente y después de un dÃa en el hospital falleció. Era amigo de muchos y generoso con su tiempo y su dinero para los más necesitados. Jerry era un conversador agradable y tenÃa un sentido del humor acorde con su nivel de educación que lo convertÃa en una compañÃa agradable. No fue de extrañar que Jerry, que vivÃa en Palermo, dejara muchos amigos. Jerry era uno de esos raros gringos que persistÃa en aprender español a un alto nivel y disfrutaba leyendo las novelas en español asignadas por su maravillosa maestra, Ana Luisa Cabrera.
Jerry falleció el martes 7 de abril a las 5:00 a.m. en el Hospital Santa Inés. Perdà a un buen amigo. Pudimos compartir muchas historias de nuestras vidas e historias de nuestros muchos viajes por el mundo. Siempre estaba, como yo, listo para ir a un buen restaurante y disfrutar de la comida, el ambiente y la compañÃa. Jerry se hizo muy buen amigo de Jorge Montana y Janetta Barba, marido y mujer propietarios del restaurante La Tapita Española. Disfrutamos de muchas fiestas de cumpleaños para Jerry allÃ, y la pareja fue muy amable al proporcionar su restaurante y el buffet de numerosas tapas suntuosas mientras sus amigos se reunÃan para celebrar la vida y la amistad de Jerry el lunes 13 de febrero.
A Jerry le sobreviven sus hijos Frank y Kip, los hermanos Ted y Don y la hermana Mary-Jeanne y sus cónyuges. Siempre lo recordarán por su forma de contar historias y su sentido del humor.
Nacido el 22 de abril de 1949
Crecà en East Meadow Long Island, Nueva York, al este de la ciudad de Nueva York.
Después de la secundaria se mudó a Arizona y recibió una licenciatura en psicologÃa.
Luego se mudó a El Paso, Texas, estudió matemáticas e ingenierÃa civil mientras enseñaba matemáticas en la escuela secundaria.
Después de obtener su tÃtulo de Ingeniero Civil, se fue a trabajar para el Departamento de Defensa.
Las asignaciones incluyeron trabajo en Okinawa y Corea. (¡Donde fue descubierto por un director de cine y actuó en varias pelÃculas coreanas!)
Mientras estuvo en el Departamento de Defensa, se ofreció como voluntario para múltiples giras en el extranjero en Irak y Afganistán construyendo instalaciones que incluyen escuelas y hospitales.
Le encantaban los viajes internacionales, incluido viajar en el Transiberiano, recorrer la mayor parte de Europa, Asia, el sudeste asiático y América del Sur.
TenÃa un gran interés en la historia militar, especialmente en la Segunda Guerra Mundial y la Guerra Civil estadounidense.
Su “viaje de la vida” fue recorrer NormandÃa Francia y la batalla del DÃa D, seguido de otras giras en Bélgica, Luxemburgo, Francia y Alemania.
Luego de jubilarse se mudó a Ecuador y se enamoró de Cuenca donde encontró amistad, compañerismo y Todos nosotros siempre recordaremos las risas y los momentos divertidos que hemos tenido juntos.
Murió el 7 de febrero de 2023
A continuación se muestra un video en honor a Jerry. Un regalo creado por la Familia Rios, especialmente Maria Rosa y su hijo Mathias Rios en memoria de Jerry. Jerry será extrañado profundamente por muchos de sus amigos y familiares.
Friday, January 6, 2023
Cuenca Perspectives by Jim: LATTER CHRISTMAS SEASON 2022
Cuenca Perspectives by Jim: LATTER CHRISTMAS SEASON 2022: LATTER CHRISTMAS SEASON 2022 Well, life is always full of surprises and the unexpected. We started off the Christmas season in the previo...
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