Empathy is simply the ability to step into someone else’s shoes and understand circumstances from their point of view. This trait is one of the most important to possess if humans wish to fathom the varied states of nature and emotion. Within life’s daily interactions empathy can be the necessary tool to cope with a situation and quell a negative reaction. And in cases of dire events, it causes pain at the very thought of the tragedy. When someone else makes a sloppy driving mistake on the road, I recall my instances of incompetence, and when death occurs I shudder at the thought of that piercing my heart close to home.

I heard that a friend of a good friend had been charged with a murder he did not commit a couple months ago. Over that span of time, I’ve come to understand the fine details of the case and I believe that Tennesse native Eric Volz is innocent of murdering Doris Jimenez in San Juan, Nicaragua on Nov. 21, 2006. As he awaits his appeal in maximum-security Modelo prison beginning his 30-year sentence, I know that his plight and ordeal could have happened to me.

Eric’s case finally gained some national press attention here in the United States on Monday, when the Wall Street Journal published a front page article titled “Romance, a Murder And an American in Nicaraguan Jail”.

The article does not give Eric the complete benefit of the doubt, but it is somewhat holistic and nuanced in its presentation. Toward the end of the article the points are given that prove Eric’s innocence including:

1) Eric had seven eye-witnesses during the time of the murder, as well as cell phone records showing his location.

2) Eric was charged with rape, though the autopsy later showed that this did not occur.

3) There was no blood, hair, or other physical evidence that the prosecution provided to link Eric to the crime.

I’m just trying to bring some further awareness to this man’s situation. Here’s how you can help:

-Read more on his case at his family’s website and write to your congressman.
-Become his friend on myspace and get your friends to as well.

Just imagine if that were you:

Also check the new youtube of Eric Volz’s case.

Categories: Current Affairs, Latin America, Politiking, Thoughts as of late...
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The album begins with more distortion than we are used to previously. Cacophony screeches into full bloom at the inception of the first track, “The Birth and the Death of Day”. We are then struck by a tender melody gliding smoothly across electric strings, the steady galloping of drums, a crescendo sending the heart thumping and head banging, the sound oscillating between tragic thunder and glimmering hope. This is indeed a successful recipe for an Explosions in the Sky record. Fortunately for their fans, there is enough progression to sustain the excitement and not wear out the novelty just yet.

I couldn’t help but wonder if this latest album from the Austin quartet would be redundant. They definitely have a methodology to their music, so can they keep listeners pleased with their fourth full-length album of post-rock instrumentals? The answer is yes.

The latest round of arrangements are more rich and complex, possibly due to the help of renowned producer John Coggleton (The Roots, The Mountain Goats, etc.) It’s more of the same, but with just enough evolution and deviation to keep us wanting more from the four Texans. “It’s Natural to be Afraid” and “Catastrophe and the Cure” are the elongated 7 and 13 minute tracks we love from Explosions, this time requiring even more patience before the tracks completely envelope and unravel into ultraviolet radiance.

I see an image of a marching band strutting in unison, slow motion across a battlefield. They are of Union nature, unfazed by the combative movement of the Confederacy, as musket shots are fired and stream through the marchers’ bodies. Bloodshed encapsulates the scene, but the drummer doesn’t stop pounding and leading his regiment. This is a scene that’s been painted for me by this opus.

A friend of mine once said that Explosions in the Sky are “the perfect soundtrack to any journey. Tuning into them on a mundane trip to the corner store transforms itself into an epic odyssey.” They certainly continue this feat on their latest, “All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone.” Solace is brought and aesthetics are discovered during these cold winter days, struggling to make ends meet in the city. Explosions are singing, my hands are in my pockets, face ducking behind my scarf seeking to shield the winter claw. This music is the antidote and complement to this beautiful season.

Categories: Visine for the ears
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Stimulation is everywhere, a season is in full form, note-worthy happenings occurring - these are all due to my change in location - Brooklyn, New York.
Specifically, I’m living Downtown in between the areas of Fort Greene and DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge Overpasses). It’s exciting and I’ve romanticized New York City to the maximum, only to allow myself to comprehend and see Gotham - the darkness and dreary place that is lurking nearby. In your face at Union Sqaure, in the alley of Morningside Heights, walking home from Jay Street. It’s a feeling that people carry around. It’s the anxiety and the rage of travelling under close proximity to other humans. It’s the struggle that so many have to endure in order to survive here. It’s that insecure and uncertain eye-contact you receive in subterranea or on the sidewalk. Sometimes people give it twice, just for that reassurance. And you can only hope you are responding with a look of confidence and support.

But I’m digging the vibe and multi-culturalism of the NYC. This blog wil now focus on occurrences here, the ever-burgeoning “and what-nots”, live music, reviews on incredible records due this year (The National, Wilco, Stars, DNTEL, Deltron3030, need I say more?), politics (US-Latin America focused), food, and anything else that comes up.

Categories: Thoughts as of late...
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