A Whole Lotta Britney

Britney Spears is currently doing appearances to promote her 7th album called Femme Fatale. One of those promotional stops included her GMA appearance which aired today on ABC but was pre-taped this past Sunday at the Bill Graham Auditorium in San Francisco.

I was unable to attend because ABC denied my press credentials (care to explain why you wouldn’t allow up-and-coming reporters to attend the show ABC???) Although I was unable to go I did keep up with all the tweets that mentioned Britney’s performance.

I was so shocked to read so many negative reviews about her 3-song performance, one of the comments that irk me the most was from blogger Perez Hilton who (and I quote) posted the following on his website: “The Britney that used to be able to dance fiercely is no longer. We're not exactly sure why she's gone, but - like we've said before - we'd love to find out!” I was quite infuriated and immediately tweeted him to voice my opinion against his statement. Let’s face it, he is no one to talk and although I also praise Lady Gaga for being talented, well, she is not the greatest dancer, yet Perez finds no flaws in her “dance” performances.

Here’s my take, Britney Spears has not done live performances in years, her last tour Circus was back in 2009 (it was fabulous! I attended the show in San Jose and can testify on how awesome it was.) I’d like to see all those people smashing her performances sell tours worldwide, have two kids, have a mental breakdown, put their lives back together and face critics and see if they can perform in front of thousands of people. 

Britney is fierce! She is no longer that shy teenager who burst into the scene back in the late 90’s, she is now a grown woman mother of two who is doing a fantastic job with her new CD.  If she would have done an elaborate and perhaps “risqué” performance, the critics would have panned her anyway, precisely because she is a mom who should not be doing those type of performances. Either way, to her critics she clearly won’t win.

However, to her fans, Britney is still and will always be the reigning Queen of Pop. She could just sit through an entire concert and people would still pay to see her. Why? Because she is Britney Spears, she has paved her way to a very successful music career and that despite the many obstacles she has faced, the support system behind her has helped her pull through and back to the top.

Britney – your fans LOVE AND ADORE YOU and wish you nothing but more success. We are all looking forward to an amazing tour and to many more albums to come.Your fans are rooting for you! SHUT DOWN the critics and continue being fierce and exude your confidence, you are THE ONE and ONLY Britney Spears!




 
Photo Credits: ABC.com

Ollie Wollie – The Loving Bunny

 


Ollie came into our lives on a warm and sunny Easter Sunday in 2008, my baby brother and sister were a bit sad because I was moving out of my parent’s house into my own apartment about 25 minutes away.

My boyfriend at the time had been telling me that he wanted to give my two little ones a surprise so they wouldn’t be as sad that I was leaving. He told me that he wanted to give them a bunny, but wanted to make sure that my parents would be okay with that. My parents love animals and the house already had a playful Labrador named Oreo, a shy but loving Border collie named Poppy, two chirpy parakeets and two feisty cockatiels.

I told him that my parents would be more than happy to add another member to our family and that everybody would love the bunny. He asked me to keep it a secret because he wanted to surprise the kids when he came over. And that’s when on that sunny Easter Sunday he showed up with little Ollie Wollie.

My two little ones were shocked when they got her; they filled her with hugs and kisses and could not be happier. They took charge to name her and my baby sister Azalea decided on Ollie. We told my grandma and she said: “What’s her name in Spanish? It should be Olivia”, and so it was – Ollie “Olivia.”

Ollie grew to be a healthy, playful and loving bunny, she loved to run around when she was out of her cage. She would chase you and run in circles to show you how much she loved you.

A time came when I brought Ollie to my apartment, much had to do with me being sad and feeling lonely living by myself and I knew that Ollie would be the perfect companion. She loved my apartment, she liked to explore every corner of my tiny one bedroom apartment. At first, she would chew on cables, couches and nibble on the carpet. Every time I was in the kitchen, she’ll hop around and during the summer she would keep me company in the kitchen by laying on the linoleum floor. At night when I would watch TV sitting on the floor she would lay behind me while eating carrots. She was the most lovable bunny ever. I must say that during my saddest times, playing with her cheered me up like no one else could.

Last summer she started getting sick – We were all puzzled because she was dropping weight fast. She used to be a chubby and playful bunny. My friends would make fun of her and call her “Olliezilla” because she was huge! The weight started dropping and she wasn't her playful self, so I asked my friend Alex (who is the greatest animal lover there is) as to who would be the best vet where I should take Ollie. She recommended Dr. Harvey and I immediately placed the phone call to set up and appointment and bring her in.

Ollie was slowly drifting away, besides losing weight she started losing control of her front limbs. She stopped using her litter box and she would just lay there looking as though she was in terrible pain. I brought her in to see Dr. Harvey and she ran some tests to check for common diseases in rabbits and they all came back negative. She was as puzzled as the rest of us, she ended up prescribing antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and some other medications.

The medication worked for a while but I had to bring Ollie in three more times. She was a fighter; all throughout her sickness she kept hope alive. Unfortunately her unknown sickness took the best of her, despite how hard she fought for her life she didn’t win the battle. She went from being a fatty Olliezilla weighing in at 15lbs to a tiny and fragile 4lbs little itty bitty thing.

Ultimately, my family and I made the decision to put her to sleep. We all knew that it was selfish to keep her around knowing that she was suffering. It was time for her to leave her sickness behind and go to heaven.

Putting her to sleep was one of the hardest decisions of my life, seeing her life slowly leave her body was devastating and painful but I knew that she was off to experience new adventures. Off to nibble couches in heaven, to chew cables and most of all to share her love with those up in heaven.

In the end, she knew how much we all loved her; how I did my best to make her feel better and I thank her for sticking through to give me another year and half of happiness. Perhaps some people might not understand what a pet can mean to you. The joy and love that they bring to your life and that in your darkest and saddest times their love and devotion can light up your life.

Ollie will live in my heart forever and I will treasure the memories that I have of her for life.

To Ollie: Thank you for the happiness that you brought to my life, your unconditional love was like no other, RIP my little Ollie Wollie.

Sunrise: December 15, 2007 – Sunset: March 26, 2011

Parceros Together Under One Roof

Photo courtesy of Mauricio Gonzalez-Valois

There is something so delightful about attending a concert and feeling the great vibes from those present and also be pleasantly surprised at the humbleness of the artist performing.

I attended Juanes’ concert this past weekend for the “Parce Tour." It was in San Francisco at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium where Juanes’ fans from all different ethnicities gathered for this amazing show.

I patiently took my seat and became drawn to the stage; I could see a guy piling up small screens which showed faces from what I assumed were fans of Juanes. As I paid close attention (I am blind) I noticed that the guy was part of the screen and it was actually a video. 

The time came for the show to start and Spanish singer Antonio Orozco was in charge of opening the show. He played a short but harmonious acoustic set and which was well received by the audience.
 
When Juanes came on stage the crowd went wild! Colombian flags were waving all across the auditorium, fans screaming anxious to hear him sing. He opened the show with the song Yerbatero from his latest CD. He also sang classics from previous albums such as La Paga, Hoy Me Voy, La Vida Es Un Ratico, Para Tu Amor, La Camisa Negra, Mala Grente and so many other amazing songs from his repertoire. 

Photo Courtesy of Mauricio Gonzalez-Valois

Juanes took the time to address his fans and thank them for attending the show. He was humble and appreciative of all the people who love and relate to his music. He was especially excited to be in San Francisco since that amazing city gave birth to the song Fotografia (which features Nelly Furtado.) He also introduced the members of his band who have been with him from the very beginning of his solo career.

Right before the performance of the song Odio Por Amor, he addressed the disaster that happened in Japan and his heartfelt words echoed among all the attendees.

He closed out the concert with an encore of not one or two but fours songs. At the end of the concert he brought out his cell phone and recorded the crowd cheering for him which he later posted on twitter.

I was extremely pleased with the show, more artists should take notes from him. We have Juanes el “parcero” for a very long time. 





Credits: Rogers & Cowan / Another Planet Entertainment

Lending A Hand - Let's Unite To Help Japan

Image Courtesy  Of  Steve Bocaranda

We are all still being haunted by the horrendous images from the earthquake that hit Japan last week. The devastation left behind, the tens of thousands of people dead and missing and the possibility of a nuclear radiation are all reminders that no country is exempt from a tragedy.

It is during this difficult time for all of our brothers and sisters in Japan that we have to be grateful that we are alive and well and that despite all of our financial problems we can still lend a hand to help out. Although we all have financial problems, every little cent counts, even if you can only donate $5. If every person in the country donated $5 it will be of great help for a country that will take years to recover from such a tragedy.

I was reading earlier of the two UCLA college students who posted horrific videos on youtube mocking what had happened and going as far as showing no remorse. I am disgusted by individuals like them and refuse to give them any more attention. We must all ignore the stupidity of individuals like them and instead show our compassion and help those in need.

After the earthquake happened, the internet was flooded with sites asking for donations for the “aid-relief.” Let’s be careful and not fall for the fake sites.  I have compiled a list of the most trusted sites where you can make your donation. In addition to monetary donations, local venues in the Bay Area have also offered to help. 

The Red Devil Lounge has launched a series of concerts and is donating the proceeds of the tickets to Doctors Without Borders. Papalote Restaurant & his owner Miguel Escobedo (who is also a well known DJ in the Bay Area) will have an event at Milk Bar on April 9th and proceeds will also benefit the victims in Japan.

The music world has also stepped to the plate, Lady Gaga designed a bracelet and 100% of the sales will help the relief aid. Blink 182 has just started selling a limited edition t-shirt to help Japan as well.

Here are the links to all the sites, check them out and please help out. As cliché as it sounds, every penny counts!

Hoy por ti, mañana por mi <3

1. Red Devil Lounge – In The Name Of Love 


2. UNICEF




3. World Vision 


4. Salvation Army - Text QUAKE or 80888 to donate $10

5. American Red Cross - Text REDCROSS or 90999 to make $10 donation by text message.

6. Doctors Without Borders

7. Lady Gaga – “We Pray For Japan” Bracelet

8. Blink 182 – Help Japan Now! T-Shirt  

9. Free Calls To Japan - check to see if your carrier is offering the free service