Graffiti: Legal Urban Art?

Apparently the Miami, Windwood area doesn’t seem to mind the new adopted decorations, despite the fact that it’s streets are constantly patrolled by cops on a daily basis, the graffiti just keeps on popping.  In my opinion I think authorities are starting to enjoy it and view it as another art form as well as the members of the industrial artsy community.(Many which I suspect are behind all this) On my way back home from work I usually cut through North Miami Ave heading towards the Design District and I have been enjoying the variety in color, style, and texture of some of these works of art for months already and they keep coming, very impressive indeed.  Funny, Graffiti has been around since the cave man era, some of it dating back to 30,000 BCE in the form of prehistoric drawings on caves, rocks, animal bones, etc. It seems to be a necessary form of expression for humanity, especially in densely populated neighborhoods where the majority of the families make very low income. Some think of graffiti as being part of the hip Hop genre style and although it may have started that way I believe it has grown into a culture for the Urban Youth of all backgrounds and is receiving huge acceptance from the new generation of Yuppies roaming the Miami Soho Spots.

Re-Birth of an Industrial Wasteland

My Mother: “The Eternal Miss Congeniality”

Style, beauty and poise never lacked in this native cubana, armed with an endless sense of humor, a truck load of courage, and the determination of warrior, she has conquered life among other things…Since I can remember my mom has always been surrounded by great friends so I grew up learning to appreciate friendship thanks to her. It’s incredible till this day she still maintains close relationships with most of her childhood friends regardless of the fact that they are in different countries.

Most of my childhood memories have to do with my mom doing some kind of singing or dancing… oh and laughing profusely about silly things. During the course of her career as an English teacher while I was still a child she managed to never lose track of her loved ones and she played the role of motherhood to perfection. We had many dogs roaming our house when I was kid because my mother loved animals and always did her best to rescue them and protect them, this love taught me humility and kindness and it has inspired me my entire life. Thanks Mom!

Not all has been fun and games for her unfortunately, my grandmother who was scheduled to travel with us when we first came to the US from Cuba back in 1993 suddenly passed away 2 weeks before our departure. The loss of my grandmother was devastating for both of us, specially for my mom who had lost my grandfather the year before and which need to cope with the fact that she was going to be completely alone in a new country with a 10 year old to raise (Me) by herself.

Upon our arrival to Miami my mother immediately found a job and enrolled in night school to learn computers and to re-enforce her knowledge of the language, in only a few years she re-validated her degree from Cuba and went back to teaching middle school, not really happy with the pay she decided to go into the postal service and has been a happy mail carrier for many years now.

Despite the struggles we faced she managed to raise me by herself without any help from anyone and give me everything I always wanted and more. I have a great relationship with my mom and can tell her anything, thanks to her easygoing and approachable persona. She is fun to be around and everyone that knows her loves her. Even now after the big 50 she is still remains a happy silly child…judge her yourself from the photos below taken this past Sunday on Mother’s Day.

Her name “Alina” is of Greek origin, and its meaning is “light”

Who Said Living Under A Bridge Was Ugly

If you are ever tight on money you can always consider going under A BRIDGE…imagine; free roof over your head, plenty of food if you can catch it, waterfront property with a swimming lake, well ventilated on both sides(perfect for Miami’s hot weather) and let’s not forget beautiful sunrise/sunset views, Pet friendly, plenty of Privacy from the neighbors, no condo or homeowner’s association, and finally no property taxes…Just kidding Homelessness is a serious issue and that deserves much attention from our community. Meanwhile have you ever seen been under a bridge during the twilight hours – its amazing! See below;