random kenndom featuring kenn bivins » kenn

1862 in the city of Puebla

kenn — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:07:31 +0000

I’m not a fan of ignorance – not even when ignorance comes in vacuum-packed, personal-sized, pretty packages that seemingly harm no one. I guess it’s just one of my pet peeves that some people choose to look the other way rather than question the what, where, or why behind something.

Cinco de Mayo or for you non-Spanish majors, the 5th of May, is upon us. It is not Mexico’s Independence Day which is in fact September 16. Cinco de Mayo is not a federal Mexican holiday at all. Its first observance actually began in the state of California. That’s right. The U S of A. To this day, the festivities include indulgence in traditional Mexican food, drink, music, and dance.

The why behind the celebration dates back to a history that is rife with Mexico’s refusal to make interest payments to France. The French’s decision to invade and occupy Mexico was initially successful, but the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 in the city of Puebla found the French defeated by Mexico’s fervor.

On September 16, 1862, President Juárez declared that the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla would be a national holiday, regarded as “Battle of Puebla Day” or “Battle of Cinco de Mayo”. Although today it is recognized in some countries as a day of Mexican heritage celebration, it is not a federal holiday in Mexico.

Meanwhile in the U S of A on Cinco de Mayo, the ignorant take time from bashing, banning, and blaming people of Mexican descent to “celebrate” Mexican heritage. They articulate this “honor” through debauchery, Mexican food, and an overabundance of alcohol while perpetuating the stereotype of sombreros and big mustaches. (sigh) I digress.

For the rest of us, we salute the fervor and heritage of both Mexicans and Mexican Americans.
Happy Cinco de Mayo!

b*tches in bookshops

kenn — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:19:06 +0000

Two beautiful book nerds, Shea Delaney and Annabelle Quezada, spoofed Jay Z and Kanye West’s
‘N*ggas in Paris’ with the witty ‘B*tches in Bookshops.’ Perhaps I, myself, am a nerd for posting this. Perhaps I’m a bigger nerd in that I’m proud of it.

“Read so hard, libraries tryin’ ta fine me.”

Pious, a commercial

kenn — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 02:48:15 +0000

For AP Lit class, my son had to produce a commercial of one of the novels that he read this school year. Without any coaching or assistance from me, he chose Pious as his subject. I’m very proud of the results. He produced his commercial with his Nikon D40, Photoshop and some ketchup. The kid’s got skills. It kind of runs in the family, I suppose.

Weetabix, a Girl and Dancing Bears – oh my

kenn — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:13:09 +0000

Commercials are meant to make you want to buy stuff that you don’t really need. This one does an amazing job of just that as it features a kid crunk dancing to dubstep after her imagination is fueled by eating a spoonful of Weetabix Chocolate Spoonsize. I suddenly find myself wanting a bowl full. Oh, and I’m compelled to dance with teddy bears.

And if you’re one of those people that are both impressed with this girl’s moves and the dancing bears,
here’s a clip that shows some behind-the-scenes making of.

corporate meeting

kenn — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:36:35 +0000

silent outside. restrained voices
and murmur or muffle of sound.
incoherent. beating irregular.

inside. behind the transparent walls,
shutting out the silence, I scream.
Shrieking. Clawing. Gasping.

Glass breaks. Metal crumples.
Concrete crumbles. Water violently sloshes.
Am I really here? Still?