Clases de Pandero de Plena

En estos dias me matricule a tomar unas clases para aprender a tocar el Pandero de Plena aqui en Filadelfia. Si Dios quiere las clases comienzan el sabado 7 de noviembre del 2026. 

En el 2006 me entusiasme con tratar de aprender a tocar, y recuerdo que un dia dando una vuelta por el Paseo de Diego, compre un set completo de Panderos enla Plaza del Mercado en Rio Piedras. El set de Panderos, el Seguidor, el Punteador y el Requinto han estado por 20 años guardados en una gaveta acumulando polvo en mi apartamento. Voy a tratar de grabar la clase en video si me lo permiten.

The Trick To Motorcycle Solo Photography

As an amateur photographer, one of the disadvantages of not having a riding companion, is how to take moving or rolling shots of you and your motorcycle.

My solution to this issue is to setup the camera and tripod to take photos every 1-2 seconds or use a wireless remote. My preferred method is using the wireless remote.  The trick of solo photography is taking photos of you and your motorcycle on an empty road, to be able to take safe shots and without distractions. 

If you pay attention to my left hand on the first image, I am holding my keys and the remote with my left hand. This photo was taken inadvertently; I pressed the remote button when I was in the process of grabbing my bike keys with my right hand. Kind of like a behind-the-scenes picture. 

In a nutshell, this is how I take solo motorcycle photography.  It takes planning to do motorcycle self-portrait photography, because you do not have a riding companion to stop and shoot for you. Every image is a deliberate self-portrait or staged scene.

Motorcycle Ride On The Open Road

Nothing beats a long afternoon ride out on the open road with a motorcycle like the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14. Taking advantage of the nice weather we experienced this past weekend, I took my bike for a spin to upstate New York. 

This sport-touring bike excels on the highway thanks to its high-speed stability, massive torque, and surprising comfort. For a bike of its size, the Ninja ZX-14 handles amazingly, especially on the open highway.

Slippery When Wet

Riding a motorcycle when it rains is number one on my list of things I don't like. Cars drive too fast in the highway, and don't care about sharing the road with motorcycles. 

In the mid 1980's I was living in Brooklyn, NY, and got caught in a downpour without a rainsuit on my way to a motorcycle race in MapleGrove, Pennsylvania. I got completely soaked. 

Twenty six years later (2012), I found myself in the same scenario during a trip to Maryland International Raceway. This time I was living in Philadelphia and had a rainsuit available.  The only difference is that it was pouring rain for almost 8 straight hours. By the time I made it to the track, the race event was cancelled for the following day.  

I don't ride a motorcycle when it rains if I can avoid it. If I am on the road and it rains, I simply take my time and drive careful. I am also aware that even if you ride perfectly and safely, when riding a motorcycle, you are never safe.

Recordar En Fotos Es Volver A Vivir

Para mi es invaluable guardar fotos que en el momento de tomarlas, no son de mi agrado o no quedo como yo queria. Uno nunca sabe si la foto se va a poder mejorar con ayuda de nueva tecnologia en el futuro.

La primera foto fue tomada en el 2013, al frente de la entrada del Pennsylvania Civil War Memorial en Filadelfia. Nunca me gusto la foto original. 

Hoy, buscando otra foto, de casualidad  la encontre en un flash drive de los que tengo guardado. Usando nueva technologia disponible hoy en dia, en 20 minutos pude arreglar la foto y quedo mucho mejor que en el 2013. 

Decidi buscar en otro del monton de flash drives que tengo, y encontre la foto de el Muelle de la Libertad, en el poblado de Boqueron. Esa foto selfie fue tomada en el verano del 2023 en Cabo Rojo, P.R. Utilize el mismo metodo para arreglar la foto, y finalmente quedo como yo queria. 

Los nuevos metodos modernos de editar fotos, son una herramienta que permite arreglar fotos mas rapido y con mas eficiencia. Y eso de por si me da satisfaccion y me motiva a tomar mas fotos. Las fotos me permiten compartir recuerdos, historias para revivir aquel pasado y sentir nuevamente la emocion de aquellos momentos especiales.

October Fall Foliage

October fall foliage is here in Pennsylvania. This is my favorite time of the year to ride a motorcycle. October offers great riding conditions, and personally I believe weather-wise it is the best time to go on motorcycle rides. I am looking forward to enjoy this upcoming weekend! 

The GoPro Hero9 and the DJI Mic Mini

After going back and forth for a while, today I finally made the purchase of a DJI Mic Mini for my GoPro Hero9. After years of spending money buying and testing various microphone brands, I am hoping my search is over. 

I am not asking for much. All I am asking is for a simple easy-to-use great sounding microphone, using the physical receiver with an adapter for my GoPro Hero9 with the Media Mod. Only time will tell. 

Esta Foto Me Recuerda Los Colmados de Antes

Recuerdo cuando ir al colmado era mucho más que comprar… era encontrarse con los vecinos, escuchar las historias del barrio y ver una buena partida de dominó mientras esperabas tu turno.

La balanza de hierro, la caja registradora, las latas acomodadas en los estantes, las pavas… y aquel famoso letrero que nunca faltaba: “AQUÍ NO SE FÍA”

Eran tiempos más sencillos. Quizás teníamos menos cosas, pero sobraban las conversaciones, la comunidad y esos momentos que hoy se convierten en recuerdos.

Motorcycle Road Trip To Monument Valley

Riding the American West to Monument Valley and Page Arizona on a motorcycle photography road trip, was on top of my bucket list for several years. These thoughts began brewing in my mind after graduating from Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) in 1986, as I was riding my Kawasaki KZ900 from Phoenix, AZ to Brooklyn, NY.

At the beginning of 2020, before the COVID pandemic shutdown and stay-at-home orders, I had already begun to plan the motorcycle trip to Monument Valley. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park closed for approximately 17 months during the COVID pandemic. For almost an entire year I religiously monitored the park website looking for a park opening update. After a year, I gave up on that dream. If I wasn't such a chronic travel procrastinator, I could've probably waited a little longer and continue planning the trip.

It is amazing how thanks to Artificial Intelligence, I can make me feel like I was there, in the middle of a place I've never visited before.

Feliz Cumpleaños Numero 90

¡Feliz Cumpleaños Numero 90 A Nuestra Querida Madre En El Cielo!

Happy 90th Birthday To Our Mom In Heaven!!!

Routine Dental Cleaning

A Routine Dental Cleaning At The Dentist Today. My Dentist Is Amazing!!!

Cita Con El Dentista Hoy Para Limpieza Dental de Rutina. Mi Dentista Es El Mejor!!!

Taller de Mecanica de Motoras en Puerto Rico

Anoche tuve uno de esos sueños que parece tan real, que a veces pienso que lo estoy viviendo en ese momento. En el sueño sale el tema de mis motoras y le estoy diciendo a las personas que estan conmigo en el taller de mecanica en Puerto Rico que aparte de la Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14, tengo una Kawasaki KZ1000 y una Kawasaki Z1 900. Uno de ellos menciona que conoce donde venden otra motora Kawasaki de los años 70's. 

En realidad, la posibilidad de encontrar una motora de esas o piezas para ellas en Puerto Rico es casi imposible. Yo espero que cuando ya este establecido viviendo en la isla, y participando de eventos de motoras, la cosa cambie y sea mas facil conectar con personas que tengan informacion sobre ellas. 

Ambos Eventos Se Vieron Literalmente Frustrados Por La LLuvia

Es dificil hacer planes para participar en un evento de motoras en esta fecha del año. Cuando no es que la actividad es afectada por la lluvia, lo es por el frio. 

Gracias a Dios me demore en alquilar el hotel en Maryland International Raceway o comprar la entrada en New Jersey Motorsports Park en Millville, NJ. Las carreras de motoras de circuito en New Jersey, y las carreras de drag-racing en Maryland han sido afectadas por una fuerte tormenta del nor'easter azotando la costa de Nueva Jersey, Maryland y la región de Filadelfia este fin de semana. Tendremos lluvia desde viernes hasta el lunes.

Yo prefiero no manejar la moto cuando llueve; una lastima que el Jeep Grand Cherokee esta en Puerto Rico. El pronostico del tiempo en el otoño es impredecible; cuando no es una cosa es la otra. 

Hoy Mayagüez Esta De Cumpleaños

¡Hoy Mayagüez esta de cumpleaños! Nuestro pueblo celebra 266 años de fundacion.

Today is Mayaguez's birthday! Our town celebrates 266 years of its founding!

Chicharron de Bayamon

Antes de que se construyera la autopista, los que viajabamos de Mayaguez a San Juan teniamos que cruzar el pueblo de Bayamon manejando por la antigua carretera PR-2 (La Militar). Cuando yo era joven, habia muchos negocios a la orilla de la carretera vendiendo el famoso chicharron de Bayamon. Era costumbre de las familias que viajaban, parar a la orilla de la carretera a comprar chicharron.

Este proximo domingo es el desfile Puertorriqueño en Filadelfia, y en muchas esquinas hay negocios ambulantes vendiendo comida en la calle.

Ayer, tuve la oportunidad de comprar chicharron en Filadelfia. Dicen que el cerebro guarda los olores y los sabores de la niñez. Con tan solo probar el primer bocado de chicharron, automaticamente me transporte a aquellos años cuando nos parabamos a la orilla de la antigua carretera PR-2 en Bayamon. Buenos recuerdos de aquellos tiempos.

Minimalist GoPro Accessories and Mounts

I seriously need to come up with a way to travel light with the least amount of GoPro accessories and mounts during my motorcycle adventures. Throughout the years I have accumulated too many mounts and accessories, to the point that I had to purchase a case to carry most of them. 

The problem is that my motorcycle has limited space to carry all the GoPro accessories and mounts, plus my three GoPro's, my Nikon DSLR and the tripod or Playpod. I am trying to avoid using my smartphone to video record my rides if I can; the three GoPro action cameras should keep me busy at this time.

One easy solution would be to record short GoPro video clips on different days, weather permitting. I should have an answer to this dilemma in the following days. 

Are You Ready For Fall Foliage Motorcycle Rides?

I am not ready because it reminds me that winter is around the corner. Riding in the fall often means riding through lots of fallen leaves. The fall is perfect for leaf peeping/watching and taking pictures, but with so many leaves on the road during peak foliage in October, we have to be extra careful especially around the curves.

Picture was taken near Lake Nockamixon State Park in Bucks County, about 45 miles from Philadelphia. 

1984 New York Amazin Mets at Shea Stadium in Queens, NY.

A mami le encantaba el beisbol, y era la fanatica numero uno de los Indios de Mayaguez. En 1984, mami pudo vivir en persona un partido de los Mets en el Shea Stadium por primera vez. 

Mom loved baseball and was the ultimate Indios of Mayaguez fan. In 1984 mom got to experience a Mets game at Shea Stadium in person for the first time. 

My Dogs Are Barking

The phrase "my dogs are barking" is an old American idiom that means your feet are tired, aching, or hurt. I've been living and managing Rheumatoid Arthritis since 2009. 

I am 70 years old and for the last few years I have been looking for a pair of comfortable pair of shoes or sneakers that I could wear all day pain free. I tried many other quality brands that fell way short. Today I received a pair of Orthofeet Tilos Orthopedic sneakers. Orthofeet Tilos are by far the most comfortable and supportive shoes I have ever worn. I love these sneakers. 

Tomorrow's LOVE Park Salsa dance, with Salsa dance lesson at 7 pm, and dancing until 10 pm will really put the sneakers to the test. Wish me luck.

Lebanon AIDS Community Alliance

While I was packing some things last night, I found the promotional poster of the first ever Lebanon County AIDS Walk that I was a part of when I was working for AIDS Community Alliance in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. 

Those years living in Lebanon, Pennsylvania were the best of times, and it was the worst of times of my life. It was one of the most significant chapters of my life, personally and professionally. 

Navigating through that period of my life was exhausting and incredible rewarding, while I learned to focus on personal changes. I am grateful because it shaped me into the person that I am today.