National Latino Congreso - Day One Addendum

I don’t know that women will necessary empathize with me but my feet really hurt by the time I got home last night. To be sure, I was not wearing SITC Jimmy Choos but my “dogs were barking”—to use the East Coast vernacular. That said, it was a fun and exciting first day at the 3rd Annual National Latino Congreso.

Nativo Lopez, National President of the Mexican American Political Association and Hermandad Mexicana Latinoamericana, spoke on the impact of methane gas and the virtues of the vegetarian diet at one of the later sessions--in the context of climate change. I will post on YouTube this week but the bemused moderator suggested he run on this platform and Lopez agreed. The result? "No Hay Mas Pedos."

This is probably true for other industries like entertainment and the law but I have always found that public affairs work--and especially working for an elected official--is like living in dog years. Every one year of service is like seven years of living out in the real world. Like any relationship, it is intense and invigorating, full of passion and excitement--at least in the beginning. But by the end (metaphorically speaking), the "slow burning embers" are generating little heart, there might be a "broken heart," and charges of "he's just not that into you" or "this just isn't working out." Nevertheless, I'm always amazed at people that stick with it. Public service is an honorable profession despite the "politics" of it and people like Congreso attendees Liliana Perez, Robert Perez and Mel Ilomin earn my esteem and affection.

The conference yesterday was at the Bonaventure Hotel and despite having lived in Los Angeles practically my entire life, I think I have only stepped inside the place once or twice--including today. Although recently reported shenanigins at the hotel may capture the imaginations of some, I still think of that cheesy Buck Rogers sci-fi show from 70's. It's incredibly hard to watch today but I remember the iconic hotel being in it. During a brief break in the activities I went across the street and took the above photo.

A number of people were at the dinner, including Benny Diaz and Gilberto Flores of the Orange County LULAC Foundation, Jorge Morales and Marco Soto (like Bert and Ernie, always mentioned as a pair '-), former journalist now communications dynamo, Jazmin Ortega, Dr. José Z. Calderón of Pitzer College (who shot an interview with Telemundo), Dr. Jaime Regalado of the Pat Brown Institute, and a host of others. I shot video of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, state Senator Gloria Romero and Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión, Jr. and will make that available in the coming days. I had an opportunity to sit at the Earth Day Network table and was successful in procuring more dinner rolls for its ravenous president, Kathleen Rogers, and pepper for my bland vegetable plate.

After the speeches were over and the people heading home, a number of us held court at the Suede Bar and Lounge, which just opened a few weeks ago. After ruminations, recommendations and reflections of Spain, Venezuela, the Latino vote, Y.M.C.A., the L.A. lifestyle, writing, relationships, Chomsky, the taxi business and the like, those with comandante en jefes left under the dark of night and visiting Congreso folks turned in.