Padded Walls & Straight Jackets

 Sitting here. Four walls, a window and a door. I feel immobile. My mind is racing and slipping in and out of this place, one moment I hear a male, a kind tone commanding attention. Attention that I can’t give him, I’m not present. I’m washed up by the ocean enjoying the warm breeze and waves are crashing into the sand, it’s warm there, children are running, laughing actually living. Families are there too, enjoying the day, they seem perfect mom and dad delightfully in love enjoying the look on the children’s faces, rosy cheeks and gleaming smiles. You can see who they use to be young lovers, infatuated with each other. Their past becomes vivid, passionate kisses on park benches, lazy boat rides amongst a wine filled lake, I don’t know their story but I feel the warmth she receives from his embrace, I can feel his want to protect her in his glare. They’ve built a world of their own, outside of rules and laws and the acceptance of others. They worry about nothing other than enjoying each others company.
Damn! I’m back the mans voice is louder, there are others around me all sitting immobile, uninterested. They are not present. I wonder where their minds go for these 3 hours. We all know the mans words are important but in this moment, we are just bodies, immobile. Prisoners of these four walls, of the society, of this world. I choose to be free, does that make me a slacker? Irresponsible? No, it makes me brave.        

España

I find myself in another world. One where family time is a priority, where love comes first, where there is no judgement, no need to explain, where the only thing that actually counts is how you feel. This place is real it exist and is very tangible, like all other places it has it’s cons but the pros out weight these cons into mere little stains. I’m fortunate, i’m blessed to find myself in this place with endless history in every cobble stone and every pillar. These streets I walk are the same streets that grand Victorian dresses swept. Royalty is here, instead of feeling small I am overwhelmed with a state of joy I feel no comparison, everyone here is the same all shuffling to their destinations with enough patience to appreciate the music playing by the metro and the exotic flowers being sold in the center. There is beauty here. Calories don’t exist, having a drink at noon holds no judgement. People have room to actually enjoy themselves and that is simply bliss to me.

Hello.

I’ve been pretty much placing this on the hold because life gets in the way. I’ve found myself in equal amounts of highs and lows. I had a conversation yesterday with my best friend and it was one of those conversations that allow you to speak yourself into clarity. As I vented, I stumbled into this weird place where I have no immediate control. Feeling at a stand still is always scary because as an individual we crave progress and change, anyone who tells you different is clearly in denial. I was told I was being repetitive and blind to the progress I’ve made to work on my patience and trust my instinct. The same words I’ve uttered to so many other friends before. Why does it seem impossible to solve your own dilemma’s? Or follow the advice we’ve preached time and time before. 

Hello, my name is Macie and I’m back.

Downtown Concert Series: Surfer Blood

On Friday, October 14th, The Hype Girls were in full affect, at Bayfront Park for the DWNTWN Miami Concert Series Season 4 Kickoff. Let me just say, if you weren’t able to make it, you missed a great experience under the stars surrounded by the beautiful cityscape of Downtown Miami.

The night was filled with amazing performances by Surfer Blood, Spam All Stars, and Ketchy Shuby. People were everywhere, on the lawn, in picnic chairs, and dancing! Vibes were positive, and many were so willing to make new connections while enjoying great music. Hipster city!

Surfer Blood absolutely dominated the show. From the very beginning of their set people were grooving to the sounds, ultimately leading to an on stage rush party! Everyone started jumping on stage to dance with the band and then the courageous crowd surfers became pumped with adrenaline taking their dives into the crowd some successful and others…. let’s just say not so successful ; ]

The food trucks were also there to serve up there delicacies lightening fast, while staying true to their names. Ms. Cheezious known as the “sexiest food truck” in Miami, held their own with their different arrays of the Grilled Cheese Sandwich’s and Alphabite Food Truck, the “tastiest bite in town” serving their dishes with the featured letter of the day.

Wynwood Art Walk

Saturday, November 12. Wynwood art galleries opened it’s doors to it’s monthly Art Walk, where as you know people scurry and mingle in the midst of stimulating art work and musical performances. 

My first stop Kawaii Universe!! Talk about cute! Everything from the colorful decor to the artist painting tattoos on people to the colorful ice cream cart vendors and who could forget Miss Kawaii Universe herself so fierce in her electric purple wig and baby doll hot pink tube top dress. There was no point in trying to hide a smile, in this gallery.

Walking out of Kawaii Universe, I found myself in the midst of artist doing live pieces that inspired me to become a little more curious, while others huddled in groups to watch the two artist create their masterpieces, like many others I became overwhelmed by three words plastered on a wall, “Forever Doesn’t Come.”
Art Walk wrapped with a great performance by Young Circles, the group had serious heart in their cool, calm, and collected vibes. Their message and sound literally had everyone at the Wynwood Walls near Wynwood Kitchen feeling like they were witnessing a band fresh out of their garage. These men were having a great time and it showed, bonus, ladies the lead seemed to resemble Robert Pattinson. F.Y.I definitely check out their song 99 Percent, you pay whatever you’d like for it ($1 minimum) and all proceeds go to the Occupy Wall Street Movement. Music for a cause, yes please.

Iron Fork

Miami NewTimes hosted their 4th annual Iron Fork, last Thursday, October 20th.This years event took place at the Ice Palace Film Studios in Downtown Miami, where the competition was as hot as the spices and the people. The event consisted of two chef’s competing in what NewTimes calls “kitchen combat,” while the guest were spoiled with tastings from a wide variety of restaurants from Barton G to Makoto to Misha’s Cupcakes. Let’s not forget the open bar with cocktails from Rums of Puerto Rico.

The competition was simple enough, the Chef Challenge Finals is where the Timon Balloo of Sugarcane Bar and Grill took on the returning champion Carlos Torres of De Rodriquez Restaurant Group. Each chef received a basket of ingredients, including one mystery ingredient, using their palette’s to steer them to victory and the coveted Iron Fork award.

Both Chef’s came out and put their best forks forward but the judges decided that the winner was Timon Balloo of Sugarcane Bar and Grill! Congratulations!

The live entertainment featured Big Poppa E & the E Band, Jon Saxx, and DJ Mike Tee. By the way, Big Poppa E, he’s quite the ladies man. Well, check out all the pictures here and remember to go next year!

New Beginnings

There’s something absolutely beautiful about starting over, the chance for reinvention is quickly presented, allowing for me to find out new things about myself. I’m there. This familiar “start” point, where new rules apply and newer rules are waiting to be made or maybe even broken. -.^ I like it here, confidence exudes from my pores and I am proud, proud of who I am, what I’ve done and who I will become. I apologize if you can’t follow what I’m talking about but really its a number of things, spiritually I’ve come into my own. Comfortably, Macielle Betances. Here in this moment every problem has a solution and every solution is tangible, that is while accompanied by a smile and fearless risk taking, and as always God. Sit back I got this, now watch me work.