Ice on Car - 24 December 2009 ========================= From December 24, 2009 =========================
Another year coming to an end and we wake up to some ice on our vehicle again. If you remember back on the 5th of February of 2008 I was also able to capture ice on my car.
Holiday Play! - 19 December 2009 ========================= From November 19, 2009 =========================
These are the photos that I took at a Holiday Play that Armandzraven's niece Kateri participated in. It was held at a house and as you can see it was packed with parents and family members. Decided to add a frame on the ones where you see Kateri to better focus on her.
Audio: "Christmas Village" by Aaron Kenny from the YouTube audio library.
Profile Photo Flashback! - 05 December 2009 ========================= From December 04, 2009 =========================
Although I'm not one who changes/updates profile photo often, I do update it from time to time. When I do update it, I like for it to be unique. On the 4th of December of 2009 I trimmed my face from a photo that was taken by Rocio during the road trip for Reventon Super Estrella from 2008.
After cropping the photo to be just my face, I turned it into grayscale, then changed it to a black and white silhouette. Those are the images you see on this collage
The chronology follows the creation/edit date.
If you want to see the original unedited photo, go to minute Four Fifty One of the Reventon Super Estrella 2008! ~ From Rocio https://youtu.be/XcLWlJ4Qgpo
Audio: "Uh Oh" by Slynk from the YouTube audio library.
Fruit - 04 December 2009 ========================= From December 04, 2009 =========================
A random photo that I took of fruit in a bowl.
One thing I've noticed as I've gone through my photo albums, and perhaps you may have too as I share them via these photo/video collages, is that many times the random photos are something I found interesting at the time. Perhaps it's appreciating and capturing the small little moments. Life passes by so quickly that we need to pause from time to time to just take it all in.
Hopefully, you are enjoying a small view of my life as seen through my lens, occasionally through the lens of family & friends, as well as the occasional audio/video/game/etc. that has shaped and continues to shape my life.
Audio: "Carried" by Lauren Duski from the YouTube audio library.
Celebrate American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month! - November 2009
=========================
From November 2009
=========================
This is from the November 2009 diversity calendar where we provided information American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. Read below for the information.
American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month
• At the turn of the 20th century, people began making proposals for a day to honor Native Americans.
• In 1914, Red Fox James, a member of the Blackfoot tribe, rode horseback from state to state in the hope of gaining support for a day of tribute.
• The following year, Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a member of the Seneca tribe, persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to designate a day of recognition for Native Americans.
• New York was the first state to observe American Indian Day in 1916. Over the years, other states followed suit in designating a day to honor Native Americans.
• In 1976, Jerry Elliott (High Eagle of the Cherokee/Osage tribe) authored congressional legislation that was signed by President Gerald R. Ford. The legislation declared the week of October 10-16, 1976, as Native American Awareness Week. Elliott served as national chairperson of the event.
• The celebration was expanded to a month in 1990.
Theatre for Everyone! - 12 October 2009 ========================= From October 12, 2009 =========================
This is a photo of the booklet and ticket stub I received for the play "Honus and Me," a play adapted from the book, which was part of Childsplay's 2009-2010 season of Strikingly Original Theater for Young Audiences and Families.
I was able to watch the play at not cost because I volunteered along with #TargetVolunteers to help stamp and pass out books for the upcoming shows that were part of the Target Storybook Season.
This was photo taken a day or so after the event, was my third time participating in this type of volunteer event, and originally blogged about it a few days after the event.
Fresh & Easy Lamb! - 04 October 2009 ========================= From October 04, 2009 =========================
These are photos taken of lamb purchased at Fresh & Easy back on the 4th of October of 2009. There's a bit more story on original blog post from the 12th of October about a search for lamb.
Dinner at Pan Asia! - 03 October 2009 ========================= From October 03, 2009 =========================
These are photos of dinner at Pan Asia, a restaurant that no longer exists. It was a sushi Chinese fusion restaurant located in the South Phoenix area at 2485 E Baseline Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85042.
As you can see, the photos came out much better than the previous time because I used the better of the cameras I had at the time. It was a Sony Cybershot DSCW100 camera.
After the previously leading foundation of the walk, AIDS Project Arizona, went bankrupt, the AIDS Walk didn’t happen from 2002 to 2007. The event returned to Phoenix in 2008 when Aunt Rita’s Foundation became involved.
You may have seen the photo I'd previously shared from 2008.
These are the handful of photos that I took at the AIDS Walk Arizona 2009. I participated along with #TargetVolunteers and forgot to take a group photo.
Audio: "Gently, Onwards" by ELPHNY from the YouTube audio library.
Official Xbox Magazine! - 26 September 2009 ========================= From September 26, 2009 =========================
These were a couple photos taken of my Official Xbox Magazine taken on the 26th of September after I had decided to cancel my subscription to the magazine.
Para el Recuerdo! Updated - 23 September 2009 ========================= From September 23, 2009 =========================
This is an updated/edited version of a video that my Tia Magda made in celebration of her son turning 14 years old. He is of course my cousin and also my godson.
Although my cousin's birthday is in July, because the 23rd of September of 2009 is when they shared the video with me, that's the date I've used as far as my chronology.
The original video that my aunt made had the song "First Touch" by Yanni as background that when originally uploaded showed a worldwide block when I had uploaded it as is back on the 9th of September of 2018. Such was the block that it was considered a copyright violation by an entity with the name Private Music that I chose to use the remove the music option provided by YouTube.
Now that I've reached the chronology of updates for my video uploads I decided to add music from the YouTube audio library. I've left that original upload without the music available.
Pizza Sunday! - 06 September 2009 ========================= From September 06, 2009 =========================
The pizza dough recipe is the same one I've used now for while. The only difference is that I included whole wheat flour for these. As you can see we made two types of pizzas. A typical American style pizza with the red sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni but with an addition of sliced black olives and one with homemade pesto sauce topped with chicken and fresh tomato slices. Additional Mozzarella cheese was sprinkled on top of both. Delicious!!
The pizza dough recipe can be found on the following posts and below.
1 package active dry yeast 1 cup warm water(105°F to 115°F) 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons olive oil 2 1/2-3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon cornmeal
Dissolve yeast in warm water in warmed mixer bowl. Add salt, olive oil, and 2 1/2 cups flour. Attach bowl and dough hook to mixer. Turn to Speed 2 and mix about 1 minute.
Continuing on Speed 2, add remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, and mix about 1 1/2 minutes, or until dough starts to clean sides of bowl. Knead on Speed 2 about 2 minutes longer.
Place dough in greased bowl, turning to grease top.
Cover. Let rise in warm place, free from draft, about 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk. Punch dough down.
Brush 14-inch pizza pan with oil. Sprinkle with cornmeal. Press dough across bottom of pan, forming a collar around edge to hold toppings.
Add toppings, as desired. Bake at 450°F for 15 to 20 minutes.
Yield: 4 servings (1/4 pizza per serving).
Audio: "Sunday Plans" by Silent Partner from the YouTube audio library.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! - September 2009 ========================= From September 2009 =========================
This is a from the September 2009 diversity calendar where we provided information about Hispanic Heritage Month. Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from the 15th of September through the 15th of October. The first image is what it looked like originally. The second is with some slight edit for readability.
The info from this image snap:
Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico declared its independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18.
The term Hispanic, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, refers to Spanish-speaking people in the United States of any race. On the 2000 Census form, people of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin could identify themselves as Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or "other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino." More than 35 million people identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino on the 2000 Census
If you'd like more specific information about the countries generally featured, go watch—and pause as needed—my video of the Celebration at Work for Hispanic Heritage Month, which took place on September 17, 2008.
These are photos of the Target Oahu-Honolulu West Store that a co-worker took during their trip to Hawaii and shared on August 21. This was one of the first two stores Target opened in Hawaii on March 4, 2009.
Audio: "Easy Seas" by Chris Haugen from the YouTube audio library.
These are photos of the event we put together to celebrate the Rakhi Festival. For the event we set up a table with the materials needed in order for participants to be able to create their own embellished threads.
A brief summary of Rakhi:
Rakhi, also known as Raksha Bandhan, is a traditional Hindu festival that celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. It typically falls on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Shravana (usually in August). On this day, sisters tie a sacred thread called rakhi around their brothers' wrists, symbolizing love, protection, and lifelong commitment. In return, brothers offer gifts and promise to protect their sisters. The festival transcends biological relationships, often extending to cousins and close friends, and emphasizes the values of family, unity, and care.
Audio: "Bageshri" by Aditya Verma from the YouTube audio library.
My Collage Art Piece! - 03 August 2009 ========================= From August 03, 2009 =========================
These are photos of a collage art piece that I started working on. This was to be part of a larger overall piece, however didn't get to complete the rest. Perhaps one day I may finish the rest, however first I would need to locate this portion of it.
Audio: "Drifting Sands" by JAde Wii from the YouTube audio library.
Celebrate Obon! - August 2009 ========================= From August 2009 =========================
This is from the August 2009 diversity calendar where we provided information about the Obon Festival. Read below for the information.
Obon Festival
Obon is one of the most important traditions for Japanese people. It is a Buddhist event and is the period of praying for the repose of the souls of one's ancestors. People believe that their ancestors' spirits come back to their homes to be reunited with their family during obon. Obon is an important family gathering time and many people return to their hometowns.
People clean their houses and offer a variety of food such as vegetables and fruits to the spirits of ancestors in front of butsudan (Buddhist families altar). Butsudan is decorated with flower and chouchin (paper lanterns). On the 13th, chouchin are lit inside houses, and people go to their family's graves to call their ancestors' spirits back home. It's called mukaebon. In some regions, fires called mukaebi are lit at the entrances to homes to guide the ancestor's spirits. On the 16th, people bring the ancestor's spirits back to graves, hanging
chouchin painted with the family crest to guide the ancestors' spirits. It's called okuribon. In some regions, fires called okuribi are lit at entrances of homes to send the ancestors' spirits. During obon, the air in houses and cemeteries in Japan are filled with the smell of incense called senko.
Toro Nagashi (floating paper lanterns) is a custom often held during obon. On the evening of the 15th, people send off ancestor's spirits with a paper lantern, lit by a candle inside and floated down a river to the ocean.
Audio: "Ether Real" by Density & Time from the YouTube audio library.
Random Car Accident I Spotted! - 29 July 2009 ========================= From July 29, 2009 =========================
As I was heading home after work on the 29th of July, I spotted a random car accident that happened at the intersection of Baseline Rd. and 16th St. in South Phoenix. These are the two photos that I took.
Audio: "Carried" by Lauren Duski from the YouTube audio library.
Ice Cream Social! - 29 July 2009 ========================= From July 29, 2009 =========================
These are photos of a social event at my then place of employment where we encouraged fellow employees to celebrate, learn, and provide ideas for diversity activities. The below is what we had sent as an invite communication.
-----
Diversity Ice Cream Social!
When: Wednesday July 29, 2009 Times: 11am – 1pm & 4pm – 6pm Where: Building A in the café Why:
• To celebrate Diversity! • Learn more about how you can participate in upcoming Diversity activities! • Opportunity to offer suggestions for upcoming activities and possibly win a prize in the process! • Share your email address to stay informed on current Diversity initiatives. • Foster an inclusive culture in which people from diverse backgrounds are respected and valued!
-----
During the event we had a table with a tri-fold display that included photos of past events, a sign up sheet for employees to provide their email to stay informed, a drop-box where they could leave their ideas and if they provided their name they could win a prize, and of course we had ice cream for all to enjoy.
After the event, we sent an email with photos of the event and winner of a prize.
The photos you see at the beginning of this video were taken by Robin who sent me the images to share with the communication. She inadvertently sent me some images of her pets at the time. I decided to leave those in and include the photos that I myself took of the event following them. My photos also show a bit of the prep work inflating balloons.
Audio: "Ice Cream" by Joey Pecoraro from the YouTube audio library.
Coffee! - 24 July 2009 ========================= From July 24, 2009 =========================
These are photos that I took on the 24th of July. I named the folder I saved them in, "My coffee with Splenda and organic vanilla soy milk." By now, you may have watched some of my videos featuring random photos. Often, I take photos like these with the intention of posting them on one of the social media at the time, even if I never end up doing so. Now that I finally have some time, we get to revisit them in a sort of throwback.
Audio: "Coffee Stains" by Riot from the YouTube audio library.
Exploring Los Angeles! - 19 July 2009 ========================= From July 19, 2009 =========================
These are the photos that I took during the road trip to Los Angeles with Rocio and Ene to attend Reventon Super Estrella 2009!
Because I didn’t take my camera to the concert, there are no photos of the concert taken by me. Thankfully, Rocio and Ene did bring theirs. Below are the videos I made with the photos they each shared.
Reventon Super Estrella 2009! - From Ene ========================= From July 18-19, 2009 =========================
These photos were taken by Ene from July 18th through the 19th during a weekend road trip taken from Phoenix, Arizona to Los Angeles, California for the Reventon Super Estrella 2009 concert that took place at The Staples Center.
Rocio and Ene drove from Phoenix, AZ to Los Angeles and I flew in from Las Vegas, where I had been celebrating Armnadzraven's birthday, to meet them.
Because I didn’t take my camera to the concert, there are no photos of the concert taken by me. Thankfully, Rocio and Ene did bring theirs. Additionally, I don’t have any memorabilia from this concert; however, these photos and the memories they bring are fantastic.
We then drove back together from Los Angeles, California to Phoenix, Arizona.
Audio: "Fin de la Noche" by Luna Cantina, "Bailando con el Viento" by Luna Cantina, "Latin Lover" by Quincas Moreira, and "Mariachiando" by Doug Maxwell and Jimmy fontanez, all from the YouTube audio library.
Reventon Super Estrella 2009! - From Rocio ========================= From July 18-19, 2009 =========================
These photos were taken by Rocio from July 18th through the 19th during a weekend road trip taken from Phoenix, Arizona to Los Angeles, California for the Reventon Super Estrella 2009 concert that took place at The Staples Center.
Rocio and Ene drove from Phoenix, AZ to Los Angeles and I flew in from Las Vegas, where I had been celebrating Armnadzraven's birthday, to meet them.
Because I didn’t take my camera to the concert, there are no photos of the concert taken by me. Thankfully, Rocio and Ene did bring theirs. Additionally, I don’t have any memorabilia from this concert; however, these photos and the memories they bring are fantastic.
We then drove back together from Los Angeles to Phoenix.
Audio: "Bailando con el Viento" By Luna Cantina from the YouTube audio library.
Las Vegas Birthday Trip! - 16 & 17 July 2009 ========================= From July 16-17, 2009 =========================
Photos from the birthday trip to Las Vegas, celebrating Armandzraven's birthday. My memories of this trip include a great birthday dinner at a Japanese restaurant, followed by hanging out at the pool and hot tub with Armandzraven, their brother, and their brother's girlfriend at the time.
Audio: "Uh Oh" by Slynk from the YouTube audio library and the ambient of the one video section that is very typical Las Vegas traffic honking.
Make Your Mark on Diversity! - July 2009 ========================= From July 2009 =========================
These are photos of a banner that was created with the help of participants by encouraging them to trace their hands and color them as they wished. What you see is the final result. Once completed, it was hung from the second-floor railing of the most trafficked building for all to see.
Though I can’t remember exactly when we originally placed the banner out for participants, I was in charge of sending out the wrap-up email communication, which included a photo. I took photos of the banner on the 4th and 5th of July and then sent the corresponding communication. The first image is of the communication, and the rest are the photos.
Audio: "Lost and Found" by Jeremy Blake from the YouTube audio library.
Celebrating Independence Day in Yuma! - 03 July 2009 ========================= From July 03, 2009 =========================
These are the photos and videos (previously uploaded individually) from the Independence Day celebration in Yuma that took place on the 3rd of July. It was a day and afternoon at the Colorado River by Pivot Point Plaza. We then watched the fireworks from parking lot of the Fort Yuma Quechan Tribe office that is up on the hill and overlooks Paradise Casino.
Audio: "Water Lily" by The 126ers from the YouTube audio library on the photo sections and the music/ambient of the videos.
Celebrating Independence! - July 2009 ========================= From July 2009 =========================
This is from the July 2009 calendar that as you may have guessed is Celebrating Independence.
The Declaration of Independence
“We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.”
The Declaration of Independence document proclaimed the independence of the 13 British colonies in America and was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The declaration recounted the grievances of the colonies against the British crown and declared the colonies to be free and independent states. The proclamation of independence marked the culmination of a political process that had begun as a protest against oppressive restrictions imposed by the mother country on colonial trade, manufacturing, and political liberty and had developed into a revolutionary struggle resulting in the establishment of a new nation.
Audio: "True to the Flag" by United States Marine Band from the YouTube audio library
Jalapeños! - 20 June 2009 ========================= From June 20, 2009 =========================
These are photos of Jalapeños from the 20th of June. The photos we choose to take and keep is interesting. This one I had listed as Jalapeños from Fresh & Easy that I stuffed. They were probably delicious as stuffed jalapeños is one simple dish that I've almost never messed up. One thin is for sure is that Fresh & Easy was my favorite go to store when it existed. Wish it would make a comeback.
Audio: "Eternal Garden" by Dan Henig from the YouTube audio library.
The Life of My Plants! - 13 June 2009 ========================= From June 13, 2009 =========================
These are photos of my plants taken the morning of the 13th of June 2009. All those basil sprouts grew exponentially and they eventually took over that whole window sill. You can also see tomato plants bigger and a few new seedlings of other plants.
Audio: "Eternal Garden" by Dan Henig from the YouTube audio library.
Celebrating Pride Month! - June 2009 ========================= From June 2009 =========================
This is from the June 2009 calendar Celebrating Pride Month. The first image provides the top portion of the calendar that provides a brief history of Pride Month. Decided to share a snap of what the complete calendar looked like the rest of the images. I believe this may give you a better insight into what the Diversity Calendars we created during this time looked like.
June is Gay & Lesbian PRIDE Month.
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community worldwide events are held in June to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion in New York City on June 28, 1969, which most historians consider to be the birth of the modern GLBT civil rights movement. At the time, police raids on bars catering to GLBT patrons were common, but that night, the patrons of the Stonewall Inn fought back. While historical accounts of the night vary, the violent response ignited a national firestorm of activism that brought new visibility to the struggle for GLBT equality.
Audio: "Dance 4x" by TrackTribe from the YouTube audio library.
Homemade Pizza: It's in the Dough! - 16 May 2009 ========================= From May 16, 2009 =========================
These are photos of when I made homemade pizza with my go to pizza crust recipe. I'd originally blogged about this with a bit more story on September 06, 2009 via my No Tan Diario Chronicles ~ Pre-2025 Blog. If you want to read that you can go to my It's in the dough blog post.
Although the recipe is geared to use a stand mixer, you can certainly mix by hand.
Crusty Pizza Dough
1 package active dry yeast 1 cup warm water(105°F to 115°F) 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons olive oil 2 1/2-3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon cornmeal
Dissolve yeast in warm water in warmed mixer bowl. Add salt, olive oil, and 2 1/2 cups flour. Attach bowl and dough hook to mixer. Turn to Speed 2 and mix about 1 minute.
Continuing on Speed 2, add remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, and mix about 1 1/2 minutes, or until dough starts to clean sides of bowl. Knead on Speed 2 about 2 minutes longer.
Place dough in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover. Let rise in warm place, free from draft, about 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk. Punch dough down.
Brush 14-inch pizza pan with oil. Sprinkle with cornmeal. Press dough across bottom of pan, forming a collar around edge to hold toppings.
Add toppings, as desired. Bake at 450°F for 15 to 20 minutes. Yield: 4 servings (1/4 pizza per serving).
Audio: "Seaside Piazza" by Aaron Kenny from the YouTube audio library.
The Life of My Plants! - 14 May 2009 ========================= From May 14, 2009 =========================
These are photos of my plants taken the morning of the 14th of May 2009. At the end of this one you see some trees and some of their dropped seeds from the place of my employment at the time.
Audio: "Veracruz" by Quincas Moreira from the YouTube audio library.
