Willamette River 2010

On Sunday August 15. 2010 I launched off Artimage park in Eugene, OR toward Wallace park in Salem, OR. According to the map I followed it was 101 miles but I have seen estimates of 94 and 96 miles in two other reference books I researched while preparing for the trip. All I can say it was a challenge and a better cushion on the kayak would have made a world of difference. The backpacking camp chair also needs upgrade. 

The trip lasted 4 days and three nights or 75 awesome hours of kayaking wilderness. I paddle 25 miles on day one. The current was swift and strong so it was an easy and fun paddle. Day two was 26 miles with currents slowing down and battling the over exposure to the sun. I did not feel how much sun damage I got from the prior day . Day three was a grueling 30 miles of relative flat water. It could be that I had already paddle 51 miles and had two not so comfy nights in the woods; and I was running out of wine which was demoralizing. God bless the kayak was also two days lighter on supplies. The last 20 miles went like they always do, not seen as part of the journey but as the last hump.

I documented as much as possible and tried hard not to be tiresome with the film. It was an excellent trip and one I hope to repeat next year. I hope you enjoy the movie.

Edit:

Technical difficulties: "There is an error uploading your video". I wonder if the file is too big.I guess I will edit this version a bit and save a lesser quality copy. Sorry. :-(

Edit:

Problem not solved:  A smaller file did not worked either; I believe it is a problem with Java script and Mozilla. I tried to post a scan of the river map but it was grotesque and It is after all about silly movies and not complete silliness. :-)

Edit:

Eureka !!!

I uploaded the film on "you tube". There was a way. :-)

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Eureka nothing: The file uploaded on "you tube" was too big and THEY deleted it. I am posting half the movie now and will work on the second part soon... before I loose interest in this movie or learn to hate it. :-) I hope you enjoy the changes.

Never mind it did not upload... Back to the drawing board. :-(

Edit:

I had to get a You Tube player in order to get it to work. It is working now so I hope you enjoy it.

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Never mind it did not work either. One way or another I am gonna get this video uploaded. :-) I am reformating from avi to mov. This will greatly diminish the size and quality of the film but I am hoping it will allow me to publish it.

Kayaking at Detroit Lake

Judi an I bought a tandem Necky Cruiser II kayak to paddle Mobile bay and its surrounding areas. While paddling the Mobile delta we had to watch for alligators watching Sizing us. While paddling at the gulf we had to watch for bull shark or dolphins. Here in Oregon all we need to worry about is hypothermia since the water is colder than I am used too. :-)

On 07/24/10 Judi and I drove an hour to reach this isolated (full of boats) lake. The paddle was uneventful. We kept near the shore to avoid high speed boats and their wakes. Besides near the shore we could appreciate the shore's beauty up close. The water was inviting and the sun was relentless. We pack a healthy and tasty lunch and kill the day basking in the sun. I hope you enjoy the film as much as we enjoyed the day.

Father's day 2010

I took this video the day before Father's day. I was in a silly mood and realized that time was passing fast and the herd was quickly getting old. Suave and Chester are now 7 years old while Morena and Campeon are 6 years old; Within the next 10 years we may have lost them all. Sad but a reality we must face. So in order to document Campeon's favorite activity we went to the park to shoot some film and take some pics. Couple of hours later, viola, the film was posted on FB (Facebook). I am not pleased with it but based on the amount of effort I put in it and capturing the herd in action, as they do so often, it is a worth to display movie.

Ese pobre lechon

The tittle "Ese Pobre Lechon" (that poor pig) is the title of a puertorican folk Christmas song about a poor pig that was slaughter for the Christmas feast. The song details the death, preparation (rotisserie), and consumption of the pig. Rotisserie pig over an open fire pit is the traditional main course during Christmas in Puerto Rico. Rice with Pigeon peas, Pasteles (plantain dough filled with pork), and Yuca (Casaba) goes nicely with the juicy meat.

Not long ago my sister was a grammar school actress aspiring to be a pianist, but became a dancer which led her into becoming a choreographer not long after. She been funny became a comedian and a radio personality.

This is her first solo show, which she also co-produced. The voice only character of Joselyn was born in the radio, this is the first time Joselyn appears in public.

A day in Maui

We were not planning to go to Hawaii anytime soon but an opportunity that we could not refused was presented to us. So we had to go to Maui for seven (7) wonderful days. While the film was tittled a day in Maui it is really a compilation of all seven days worth of pics and clips. This is one of those videos I am actually pleased with it, but what do I know? :-)

Danzan Ryu Demo

Here is a demo that we did at the Oregon State Fair on the 26th of August of 2008. I picked and used "Escape from the atmosphere", Fresh Aire V, by Mannheim Steamroller as a background music because its radical changes in tempo, just like Danzan Ryu. I am not too pleased with this film, but judge for yourself.

The Last Colony

People always ask me if I miss home, but of course, I do. I miss home and I miss Puerto Rico. Home is no longer reachable. My parents no longer live in the house I left them and my sister moved on, so home does not exist anymore. Puerto Rico in the other hand is always reachable. I miss the food and the traditions. I miss the weather, music and humor; and above all I miss Christmas in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico was discovered by Christopher Columbus on his 2nd voyage in 1493. Quickly becoming a colony of Spain. In July 25, 1898 United States declare War to Spain and invaded Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Guam and defeated the Spanish armada.

The people hoped Puerto Rico would be free and sovereign. 110 years later Puerto Rico and Guam still under the jurisdiction of United States. Cuba was free and sovereign, in the 50's Castro and Guevara led the revolution which culminated with Cuba as a communist country.

In 1950 the Law 600 created what is known today as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. In July 25 1952, the Jones Act allowed Puerto Rico to create its own constitution and Officially adopt its current flag.

WE, THE PEOPLE:

"We, the people of Puerto Rico, in order to organize ourselves politically on a fully democratic basis, to promote the general welfare, and to secure for ourselves and our posterity the complete enjoyment of human rights, placing our trust in Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the commonwealth which, in the exercise of our natural rights, we now create within our union with the United States of America."