TeenCultural Networking

Almost two weeks ago I went with my teenage sons to a museum exhibition for them to appreciate the Anish Kapoor art at the MUAC, this is part of their cultural background, and also a homework for a class. The thing was that one of my kids was really interested in doing this job, the other one, not so much, but he came with us.

The one that has his homework, insisted 2 or 3 times to visit the museum so we decided and went a Sunday morning to the exposition. I feel really glad that both of them not just liked the experience, but also became involved in it, just by watching the first 2 artworks they both were throwing "OOOOOHHHH's" and reading about the names, asking to the volunteers for the meaning, and doing this exercise for each piece.

It was an interesting experience, museums now are quite different as they used to be, and there are a lot of features that explain you about the art and become an interactive experience. At the end of this exposition, we realize there were 2 more exhibits, and of course we all wanted to continue the visit.

And because we were already there, and that the first experience was quite good, we thought that the other exhibitions were also good. One of them was called "Los Carpinteros" (The Carpenters) and was about the art that could be produced by this craftsmen. The third exposition was a sound exhibit, and you were introduced into a closed room, with the lights off, so you could pay attention only to the sounds and have the feeling of them. The visit was quite interesting.

After that we went out and walked through this space that is an art place from the UNAM and at the room on the side of this museum, called Sala Nezahualcóyotl, there where a lot of people, elder people in their majority, but we approached and realized that it was going to be held a concert by the Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería (Symphonic Orchestra) in one of their season concerts, this event will start 4o minutes later.

In front of the fact that the 3 of us haven't being at a symphonic orchestra concert, we thought that it will be interesting to stay and also listen to this concert. There where more than 50 musicians up in stage, of course master performers. This opportunity to live a concert with 2 teenagers was also an interesting experience, in fact, because their point of view is quite different from mine. They perceive this experience with their own approach to their past living and knowledge.

For example, I was quite impressed, that the first music, was identified by both of them as the soundtrack from Indiana Jones, but not the familiar one, else wise was the one used in the scenes about the spiders inside a cave. I didn't identify anything, even though I presented to them some years ago this movie trilogy.

We commented about how the musicians sharpened their instruments, how the orchestra director coordinates all the performance, how each musical instrument has their special place at this performance. We also commented about the "movements" and that in between them we shouldn't clap. 

My own reflection has to do with:

1.- Appreciate cultural expressions, is better when you can share them with more people and talk about different perspectives.

2.- Is more interesting if you prepare a little bit in advance for the experience. My kid that has the homework was better known about the artist against me that I didn't had the complete context.

3.- If you haven't prepared previously, you may do it latter, and get to know better about the performer. In my case I wanted to learn more when the concerts are held, so I can previously arrange my weekends to listen with a better organization.

And you... Can you tell us about your own experience?

Premier Networking

The past week I had the opportunity to be invited to the movies for the National Premier of the wedding movie from my friends Javier and Juan. Usually this events are held in a private environment, like in a weekend, and with some family and friends. In this case, Javier has created expectations among his friends because he decided to be the editor and producer of his own movie.

I just want to remind that less than a year ago, I posted some events and activities they have being doing as preparation to their wedding party. Remember the time I write about the mask producing and the paper flowers? I also dedicate a post to their wedding event at a garden in Morelos State.

This time I couldn't miss the opportunity to tell you about their commitment to their own events, the work and dedication they put into this movie premier shined all over. First the idea of renting a movie place, I think it was awesome. They could invite at the same time to all their family and friends again. Javier again make some "Save the date" invitations. He also previously asked me if me or my team will have an event on that same day. If he was so careful with me, I can imagine how about the rest of his friends. How could I miss this Premier then?

Of course the event details couldn't be forgotten, we had a red carpet, memories photographer, posters, after party, decoration, toast. Everything you could think for a movie premier, but in this case all the memorabilia will refer to their wedding.

As I told you before, the movie was edited and produced by Javier, and he prepared the best shots, paying attention for not being to long or boring. The movie lasted one hour, and included also pictures and moments that the grooms had with their guests.

At the end of the movie, and when the credits were passing by, they dedicated time to print the names of all the people that in one way or another contributed to their special moment. They thanked the maids of honor, the invitation makers, the mask creators, the food tasters, everyone had their name on the credits. Personally I liked a lot reading my name in this credits, it was an extra plus for this event.

The after party consisted in a toast in the cinema cafeteria and they also thanked the guests again. Of course almost everyone asked them to make another wedding the same as fun as the first one. It was a innovative and different event.

Y left here some recommendations I had about this experience:

1.- Details matter, if you have the time, the observation skills and the ability to put some interest in details, make sure you include them, if you do not have this qualities, make sure you ask someone that does, so your event will have the best of your intentions.

2.- The event is for your guests, you want them to have fun and enjoy, so dedicate some time to know if the date is an available one, if it is accessible, if they could participate in activities, like the red carpet. I can assure you that your friends feel included.

3.- Seize the chance to become closer to your friends, every time you consider them and have some details, they will be considering you for further invitations.

Vlogger Networking

Fernando Mol, finally decided to start a new venue and start his Video Comments in YouTube. As I told you before, he is this Blog editor, and is the most influential person on this proposal. So when he launched his Vlog I immediately get in touch with him to know what it was about, and also why he started this adventure on his communication proposal.

It´s interesting to know that a lot of the activities we start, answer to an internal need and a mental process to experience a new knowledge. In this case, even though that Profe Mol has previous experience in Blog Posting, writing Cinema Critics and also in Science Fiction literature, making this video comments will be the next step for making continuous innovations on his communication skills.

Considering that the technology is always transforming, and that the communication tools that are related to the technology do it so, sending comments by the social media, involves a learning challenge and also documentation. Learning in the way that he has to use different means and techniques to make the information get into the Internet and documentation to properly broadcast his comments related to his experience and with the subject he regularly speaks.

When I ask him about the format, he told me it will be a free style, based in his previous knowledge and experience, by blending 2 of his hobbies, the video games and the movies. In fact that is the visual proposal of this Vlog. He explained that when you are playing on line, you could find a video game screen that is shared by several players, and therefore, broad casted. Mol, find a way to use the YouTube tools and merged both technologies in his YouTube Channel, where he can approach several users, because there is no need to be exclusively in the gamer network.

And related to the time and comments, it will be about his own inspiration and related to the information he already has, without any previous edition, he will launch the information directly and also you may find it at his channel.

My personal comments to this adventure:

1.- If you want to start a new project, do it.... do not wait until every single element is perfectly established. The modern innovators haven't stopped  by fearing mess up things, with some time the projects can be upgraded and last for some time.

2.- Receive the comments of your followers and friends, without taking it personal, every criticism will help you to improve the process and will teach you the ability to learn from your own mistakes.

3.- Not every comment from your fans will be bad, in a lot of moments you will have positive answers and congratulations for your job. Learn how to thank this positive opinions, you will be encouraged and happy to continue with your venue.

4.- Don't worry if something or everything goes wrong, remember what the entrepreneurs say, they have failed in some of their projects, in order to learn and get some experience when starting new proposals. 

Baptism in a different way

Enrique is a friend of  mine, and had his baby born a few months ago, so he shared with me the story of the Baptism of his child. This type of events are a good opportunity to increase the friendship and of course a good way to do some networking.

In Mexico, in the Catholic Church the Baptism is done in a traditional way, this means that the Parents and Godparents go to the church, and after taking some classes, they could ask to Baptize the child. Then you choose a specific day to return to the church and the Priest starts Baptizing all the Children. This religious rite is done by pouring some Holy Water over the child's head. This is done in the Mexican Tradition.

In the case of Enrique, they had to travel to an American Church to ask for his kid to be Baptized. When they arrived to the Parish, the where asked if they wanted the Traditional Baptism or the Immersion Baptism, At the beginning, and without any knowledge, they choose the traditional one, the one I described before. But when they discover what an Immersion Baptism was, they give a second thought and ask for a change.

Instead of describing what happened at the Baptism, I want to share with you the following video so you can have the complete image of what happen at this type of ceremonies;

The elements that caught my attention of this ceremony where, that the water of this pool should be all Holy Water, that the Priest keeps his complete Cassock even if he is half body into the water. You may observe that in this pool are also stairs to walk in and walk out, for sure those are used to Baptize elder people.

The next thing you may watch is the Priest experience when he immerse the kid inside the water, on the first two times the boy just touches with his back the water, but in the third time, he is submerged completely into the water, and he didn't look worried at all. The best thing about this ceremony is that Parents and Godparents enjoy the moment and will always remember it.

If you had the opportunity, how do you like your Baptism to be? Tell us about it.

Ceilings of Hope Networking

In this summer vacations I had the opportunity to know and visit a little about the project Techos de Esperanza  (Ceilings of Hope) that is carried on by the Panama government at urban and rural communities. The idea is simple, give decent housing to families that have a piece of land where to place it.

The interesting part about this project, and what catch my eye is the networking type you could do, in this communities they have to give support to each other so the project function. Imagine that one day you receive the offer for building your own house, the only thing you are asked for is to have papers of your own land, and that such place has some basic conditions to build on, like having a level ground beneath or that the place is not in a risk zone.

Once you have your part done, then you receive the visit of the government deputy and the building company inspector (this time *Atlantic Projects, S.A. invited me to review the project), once every thing is in order, then if both sides authorize the material is sent to the zone and the crew of builders are selected to build the house. In 15 days the place is in black work and in one month the house could be delivered to the family.

Another interesting side business is the economic impact that this project bring to the communities where the building is done. Since its expected that the landlord brings the basic features, once a group of people from the community get to know about the project, they usually go for job hunting to make themselves useful and productive by building the houses. This job may last form more than one year in the same region. Furthermore their experience gets better, and they have jobs for considerable time periods.

Once the region is selected for the house building, there is a rising demand on side services like road use, transportation and feeding, this becomes an indirect way to improve the economy of the place.

During my visit I get to know Doralis Reina, who works at the Salamanca town hall, and she became our guide and contact with the members of the community. Doralis identify and get to know pretty well all the places and families that have asked for the government support. She told me that one important part of her job was to help the people to hand in correctly the paperwork so they could be considered for the support.

The Ceilings of Hope project, at the beginning, was planned to help 20 thousand Panamanian families, but it has had that much success that the government is now thinking in allocate more economic resources so the number could be raised to 40 thousand houses. The project now is thought to reach families that are in further rural communities and also for families that have a member with some impairment.

What type of social work you think your government could do in support of the community? Tell us about it.

*Atlantic Projects, S.A.

Dirección: Plaza Altos de Panamá, local 10, primer piso, Panamá

Contacto: Juan Antonio Belden

Teléfono: 507-3922213

Fax: 507-3922216