The Shadow of Your Smile // La Sombra de tu Amor

This was just so beautiful I couldn't help but post it. A reference to the entry below... the only known time Juanes sings in English (and Tony Bennett sings in Spanish!)

The Shadow of Your Smile - duet with Tony Bennett & Juanes

Another Amazing Colombian Artist #1 - JUANES

The story of the first time I saw Juanes in concert is actually quite sad. I had a boyfriend in college, a serious one, and somehow I fell into Juanes' music. I found out he was coming to perform at Jazzfest in New Orleans. And so on Valentine's Day, my boyfriend at the time gave me 2 tickets to Jazzfest to see him play. I was so excited, I couldn't wait. Unfortunately, we broke up a few days before the concert, and since he wasn't a fan, he let me have his ticket. I didn't have anyone to go with. As it turned out, I went last minute with a Colombian classmate of mine, which was then the start of something spectacular...ly life-changing... But I'll never forget that day. I think it was one of the last times I was happy, you know, that pure, carefree kind of happy.

A little about Juanes... he is really amazing. Like many other Colombian singers I love, Juanes is a Leo (August 9) born in Medellin, Colombia. His interesting name actually comes about when his father used to call him Juanes, a short form of his name Juan Esteban. During the 1980s and 1990s, Juanes was a member of heavy metal band Ekhymosis but disbanded the group in 1998 to pursue a solo career. Juanes is also known for his humanitarian work, especially with aid for Colombian victims of anti-personnel mines. And among other things, he is an activist for the Spanish language and will not himself sing in English in order to best express himself (since he thinks and feels in Spanish) and to promote the Spanish language. One exception was his duet with Tony Bennett for the song "The Shadow of your Smile."

To watch Juanes perform live is truly a soul-lifting experience. I hope that I can recreate some of the magic here.

Juanes - "Me Enamora"

Juanes - "A Dios Le Pido"

Happy Birthday John McCain

So John McCain revealed his running mate today, on his 72nd birthday, which will be Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, a 44 year old social conservative and self-proclaimed "hockey mom." Nice move. My congratulations to McCain for a good choice. And while McCain supporters were busy attacking Obama for his choice in VP as an "admission of weakness" I can't help but think of McCain's choice as a cheap theatre trick executed in part to have the appearance of support for a minority group and partially with the possibility of luring ex-Hillary supporters looking for a way to release their anger at their candidate's unfortunate falling out. But the truth is, Joe Biden is no more of an admission of weakness as Sarah Palin is a walking "Look! We care about minorities!" sign on the Republican Party. It's just a running mate. As we know their job is mostly just to break ties in the Senate.

But a "maverick" social conservative? That is the last thing America needs. I hate to say it, but what we need is change. What we need is diplomacy. What we need is intelligence. What we need is limited offshore drilling with an investment in alternative energy sources. I really hope Hillary supporters aren't moronic enough to vote for a ticket just because there is a woman on it. If Hillary's intelligence has any reflection on her supporters I'm sure they won't. We should vote for the candidate, not the color, not the gender, not the age. And if we don't like any of them, we can just stay home.

So it comes to this... a Leo versus a Virgo. Just like an old relationship. And man did we fiiiight... This election is going to be a hell of a ride...

Another Amazing Colombian Artist #2 - JERAU

"Que.. estas conmigo mi amor, muñequita de mis sueños ven a mi..."

It was September 2006, Bogota, in La Kukamakara club when I first heard this song. We were ordering bottles of rum and coke when Daniel, one of my Colombian friends from Tulane who was also a trader in the hedge fund with me (top trader in fact), asked me to dance. He said it was his favorite song. He and his cousin had just seen Jerau in concert that day. And so we danced... and I fell in love with this song.

Jerau (Jerry Rodriguez) is an up and comer from Cartegena, Colombia. Born into a family of actors, he wrote his first song "Buscar Otro Amor" when he was 12. His secondary studies lead him to Bogota with the intent of studying business, but he ended up breaking into the world music stage instead. He's really got soul.

Jerau - "Estas Conmigo"

Barack Obama's Speech at the Democratic National Convention

Even though I am far away from my country, things like this still make me feel like I'm at home. This speech was amazing. Now I'm not exactly the strong patriotic type, but it almost made me cry it was so good. I know it sounds corny, but I have been waiting for a man like Barack Obama to say what I always wanted to say, to share my opinion on issues I care about, to be my voice. And he just did. I know what the media says, that Barack is not connected to the people. Well I feel he is connected to me. Even if he is half a world away.

"And we will keep our promise to every young American: If you commit to serving your community or your country, we will make sure you can afford a college education."

This is the link to the interactive video and transcript.
http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/president/conventions/videos/20080828_OBAMA_SPEECH.html#

Another Amazing Colombian Artist #3 - ANDRES CABAS

This spot was meant to be for Shakira, but since everyone probably already knows about her, I thought it would be more beneficial to introduce another lesser-well known, but equally amazing Colombian artist. (That, and the fact that I have more Cabas songs than Shakira ones in my iPOD.)

What can I say about Andres Cabas? He was born in Barranquilla and his music has become popular due to his catchy and Caribbean sounding songs. His old stuff (particularly Fiesta de Tambores or Ana Maria) is strong on the Afro-Caribean beat and is very authentic, folksy Colombian.

So the following video is a song from his newest album. It is the traditional story about a man not believing in love and feeling hopeless until he met that special someone. And married her. In fact, he wrote this for his wife. The video is very sweet, and surprising. I wanted to post this to show again how utterly romantic Colombians are. I don't think I've ever met a person more passionate & romantic than a Colombian. (Anyone care to prove me wrong?)

Cabas - "Bonita"

Another Amazing Colombian Artist #4 - FONSECA

Fonseca is one of my favorite artists, no wonder, because he is influenced heavily by another of my favorite artists of all time, Carlos Vives. A Gemini from Bogota, his music captures alot of the coastal Vallenato songs but mixes them in with catchy-rock beats.

One of my favorite songs in the world is already posted on this blog, it is so romantic, but I will post instead a song from his new album, Gratitud, out this year. His music is simply amazing.

"Enrédame" is another classic romantic song, and how can you not fall in love with lyrics like these:

Con mis ojos cerrados te doy un beso
Ay a veces no se si yo te merezco
Pero me encanta enredarme
Todas las noches contigo
Y si estoy loco vas a vivir
en un manicomio conmigo

Fonseca - "Enrédame"

(An English translation couldn't do it justice. Just one of those things that sound better in Spanish.. Okay, I will tell you this: there is a line that goes something like "Deliver me your nightmares, and I will give you my dreams..." Aww.)

My Text Message

I was woken up by a text message from the Obama campaign. "Barack has chosen Senator Joe Biden to be our VP nominee," the message said.


Joe Biden has represented the state of Delaware in the United States Senate since 1972, when he was elected at the age of twenty-nine. Senator Biden is recognized as a leader in foreign policy, as well as one of the nation's most influential voices on terrorism, drug policy, and crime. Nationally, Senator Biden has earned a reputation for working on a bipartisan basis with Republican colleagues and bringing real results that matter to Americans.

What Biden brings to an Obama presidency:


Larry King comments:

Another Amazing Colombian Artist #5 - GRUPO NICHE

A list of Colombian artists is never complete without a little salsa. Grupo Niche is a very famous Colombian salsa group formed Bogota, but they are now based in Cali. Cali is considered the "Capital of Salsa", if only for the Colombian style, salsa caleña. In all my years practicing salsa, their song Cali Pachanguero is one of the most classic and famous salsa songs.

Here is a video tribute to Grupo Niche and salsa in Cali. Hope you enjoy the moves...

Grupo Niche - "Cali Pachanguero"

Another Amazing Colombian Artist #6 - ATERCIOPELADOS

A-ter-ci-o-pe-la-dos. That sure is a mouthful. This Bogota band was one of the first well known rock bands in Colombia. Their music really is haunting. Andrea Echeverri, the lead singer and accoustic guitarist, now has her own album out. It is beautiful. If you want to hear her individual album, go here.

This band has a lot of depth and is sometimes a little strange (especially their old stuff in the 90s), but they are entirely Colombian. This particular song, El Estuche, is my favorite. Listen to the lyrics, it is something Antonio likes to lecture as well:

Mira la escencia, no las apariencias
El cuerpo es sólo un estuche y los ojos la ventana,
De nuestra alma... aprisionada

(Look at the essence, not the appearances. The body is only a case and the eyes the window... of our imprisoned soul).

Lo que hay adentro es lo que vale

(What is inside is what matters).

Aterciopelados - "El Estuche"

Some of their old stuff (very rock-y):

Aterciopelados - "Baracunata"

Another Amazing Colombian Artist #7 - FANNY LU

When I first heard Fanny Lu (Fanny Lucia Martinez), I liked her right away. Turns out she studied at one of the most prestigious universities in Colombia, la Universidad de Los Andes, as did most of my Colombian friends. Actually, I almost went to Los Andes for a Masters in Political Science & Economics but instead I chose to get an MBA in IESE.

"No Te Pido Flores" is one of her most well known songs, it has a tropical feel to it, and in fact I think it sums up exactly how I feel about love:

no te pido que traigas flores
tampoco que me des bombones
yo solo quiero una caricia
que me digas que tu me quieres
no te pido que te confieses
ni que prometas ni que rezes
yo solo quiero que me digas
que no hay mujer que mas admiras

(I'm not asking for flowers or chocolates, all I'm asking is for your affection and that you love me. I don't want you to give me promises, I only want you to say that I'm the woman you admire most.)

Fanny Lu - "No Te Pido Flores"

Another Amazing Colombian Artist #8 - CARLOS VIVES

Carlos Vives is truly a monumental singer in Colombia. Born August 7 (a fellow Leo) in Santa Marta, he was the first mainstream singer to incorporate the Colombian folk sounds of Vallenato (which I love) into rock music. If you are used to listening to Western music, his sounds may come as a shock to you. But I guarantee that you won't go into any Colombian bar or club without hearing some Carlos Vives. Before he was a singer, Carlos was a major soap actor on many Latin telenovelas. He's one of my all time favorite singers.

Como Tu is a song about a guy who deeply loves and admires a woman... but she doesn't know it.

"Como tú, la primavera
Como tú, la vez primera
No haya nadie que me quiera
Como tú, mi vida entera"

I think the mood of this song captures the true spirit of the Colombia I've experienced - the freedom, the passion & the dancing - just living life and enjoying it.

Carlos Vives - "Como Tu"

Another Amazing Colombian Artist #9 - MAIA

Maia, from Barranquilla, is considered the most talented female artist to come out of Colombia since Shakira (though I think she is much better) and was even invited to perform at the White House for Colombian Independence day in 2005.

This pop song is very beautiful and incorporates the lightest Carribean and salsa influences to make it fresh & uniquely Colombian. It was also the theme-song of El Cachaco y la Costeña, a Colombian written and produced Telenovela that was really much better than all the usual telenovelas manufactured in quantity in Mexico and Brasil.

Niña Bonita is about a girl who wants to be more than just a pretty face in a guy's life.

Maia - "Niña Bonita"

Another Amazing Colombian Artist #10 - SAN ALEJO

So I've decided to pay a tribute to one of my favorite places in the world, birthplace to many of my favorite singers in the world. It's a countdown of the top 10 greatest singers & songwriters - Colombian style.

San Alejo is a Colombian Funk/Rock band whose members hail from Manizales, Colombia. They formed serendipidously when one of the members was invited to perform at a festival in Bogota. Realizing their chemistry together, they initially form a band named El Reblujo, but it wasn't until they encountered producer Jose Lopera and changed their name to San Alejo that they were recognized commercially.

Me Gusta is a very sexy song with a certain passionate urgency about it.

Ansío el momento de tenerte encima
quisiera estar adentro de tu cuerpo caníbal

(I long for the moment to have you under me, I want to do the nasty with you...)

San Alejo - "Me Gusta"

Por Colombia Ojala Pueda Ir...

Perhaps the newest talent to come from Cartegena, Colombia... if you want to escape for a minute from your responsibilities, take a trip through Colombia. This video has a light, carefree feel to it and might just bring a smile to your face.

Jerau - El Viajero

Wandering Around Switzerland: Zurich, Zug, Lausanne & Geneva

Two weekends ago, Xavi came down to visit me and Sam in Zurich and Cham. Cham was boring so we went to Zurich to see how Sam was doing.

Zurich.

We ended up going to a nice, minimalist wine bar for dinner, then down to Longstrasse to wander around a bit. But we couldn't find any decent bars and Portuguese Miguel called, so we met him and some others at a bar in a docked ship by the lake. After that they went clubbing and we hung out in a dark, chill-type bar for some mojitos and quasi-martinis (just ask Sam what they tasted like: salty "something")
Zug:



The next weekend, I headed up to Lausanne for Swiss National Day. We had a BBQ, beer and fireworks. Could have sworn I was in the US. I guess I missed my national day this year, and I got to replay it Swiss-American style. The conversation went a little like this:

Me: Yeah, my apartment's on the lake.
Xavier: Your apartment's not on the lake! Mine is!
Me: Okay, it's by the lake.
Richard: You know, you could be in Real Estate.
Me: I could say, my apartment is so great, it's right under the sky.
Richard: Which guy?

That's when I fall out of my chair...

[For the non-native English speakers, say "the sky" really fast until it starts to sound like something else].

Actually, Xavier's apartment really is on the lake:


Next day headed up to Geneva:

Huge... chess... pieces...

Private Banking buildings on the lake in Geneva. Sounds like the perfect life.

That night, there was a festival going on. (When is there NOT a festival going on in Switzerland in the summer?) Later we watched a short salsa performance then headed out to the docks for more fireworks.

After a while, I left to freshen up, and upon going back to meet the group, I was strangely lured by some familiar vallenato music. It seriously pulled at my heartstrings. I just could not avoid it. I followed the music to the Colombian stand where I was welcomed by a big yellow, blue and red Colombian flag and super friendly people, which was a refreshing break from Switzerland. Also finally speaking Spanish again was a refreshing break from not understanding any German or French. And the music was amazing I couldn't help but dance: Juanes, Carlos Vives, cumbia, and of course, lots of salsa. I met a Colombian guy, and his family, and we ended up doing aguardiente AKA "firewater" shots together. And as the sound of Juanes -Gotas de Agua Dulce- filled the air, I couldn't imagine why I ever left Colombia. The people, the fashion, the culture, the food, and especially the dancing... It honestly felt perfect for me.

After a while, the fireworks were over, so I met up again with my friends who were looking for a beer. We ended up going back to the Colombian place, where the music, the people and the drinks were pretty good.
We spent the night dancing, drinking aguardiente, and eating some delicious Patacones.

It turns out that night was my 26th birthday. I couldn't have been happier spending it with great friends, Colombian salsa, cumbia, vallenato and aguardiente. One of the happiest moments of the night was when I was dancing a cumbia song with one of the Colombians I met that night. Colombian dancing just makes me feel so free. And I felt free that night.

Speaking of free, when I came back to Zug I had decided to write off that little investment of the heart I was holding onto. Although I really thought he was special, that our connection was so innate, sometimes you have to cut your losses and move on. Especially when he forgets your birthday.

Happy Birthday Barack Obama

I almost forgot... and how could I forget? The man's birthday is one day after mine.

The Famous Obama Celebrity Ad

I urge the Barack Obama campaign not to stoop to this level.