New Pod

We phone this one in, our schedules conflicted a little, we actually talk current events.  Juan dislikes Hologram Tupac but we both agree that there shouldn't be a tour.  We talk a little about movies and also both agree that Black Panther might not get a movie before Luke Cage.  Though i say if we just flip the Crocodile Dundee script and put Wakanda instead of Australia we'd have a hit.  Then a little about this and that, overall a good conversation.  Thanks for listening.


enjoy.

To my friend, Fernando

If you ever came across him as a teacher, a mentor or a friend you'd remember him for the rest of your life, and chances are he'd remember you too. What i remember the most was his amazing subtle way to let you know were doing something wrong, right, or disappointing but also to let you know that it was ok because it was part of life.
I met him 16 years ago as his student, it wasn't long before i was going back to him for advice or just conversation. He sent me inspirational postcards while i was going through boot camp, a letter here and there while going through life and lately the occasional message on facebook. Still in the challenge of "attempting to eradicate ignorance" he'd say about his current status.
It felt horrible to hear about his passing, but reading all the comments felt incredibly releasing to see so many people write all the things i was feeling. He will be missed, but not just by those who met him, but by those who never got the chance to.

Sincerely and forever in your debt,

Little Big Man

Still Around

I’ve been away for a while, was busy trying to finishing something I had been putting off for a while.  In the absence I realized that I’ve had this online journal, blog, for a year exactly.  The purpose of it when I began was to put myself out there, like my buddy Juan had recommended.  He basically said, you need to put yourself out there, so I did, with Twitter, Facebook and this.  I have to say it’s been fun, but the fruits for my labor have not been as sweet as I had anticipated.  So i’ve been down about the whole situation, not enough to call it quits, but enough to make want to change my game plan.  The fun of it is still there which is enough for me.  I’ve often said that you should do something until it stops being fun.  Pretty good rule to live by I think.  Mostly though I feel it’s because of my lack of bravado, I’m just not the type, yes I’m a definite alpha male, but not an asshole, which on the internet gets you nothing it seems.  So, I’ll keep doing this until it stops being fun, if I lag, I apologize, but I’m always around. I’m just always thinking that I should put something up that is worth reading and not just a page filler.  (is this is a page filler?)

Short Idea

KID gets to elementary school about an hour before anyone else, he cleans the area his is going to be in a little.  The groundskeeper walks by and greets him, gives him an apple.  Kids start to show up and just mingle in the area.  At a certain time he checks the school clock and stand before them all.  They all line up military formation style, about 12 of them in groups of 4, three groups.  The first member in each group reports in that everyone is in, second does the same but third states in member missing.  KID greets them all and speaks regarding the upcoming weekend and to be careful, very adult like.  He dismisses them in the area and the team members all come to him.  The stand in a circle and speak about the events of the day and week, bullies; the missing member; homework and teachers.  The huddle separates and each team leader gathers with their members for a few minutes.  KID watches them, his huddled army, standing tall and stoic among them.  He stands before them again and they form into their teams.  He addresses them one more time and dismisses them into school.
FADE OUT AND IN
KID walks out of the school's front doors to his teams already hanging around.  They gather and form.  He receives reports from his team captains, dismisses them and the team captains form on him again.  Huddled he discusses with them the day’s events.  Bullies were spoken with, homework will be assigned and a few members will be needed for weekend duty on a special assignment.  Each team captain volunteers a member.  The huddle breaks and each captain goes to his team.  Orders are given out, the occasional moan from the person who was volunteered and then they all form again.  A few more parting words and KID dismisses them.
Slowly each member leaves, some speak of the weekend events they have planned, some complain of the special assignment, others of how is the KID always the first one there and last one out.
Eventually everyone is gone and more time passes.  KID walks the area, looks into the school yard, picks up a candy wrapper and finds the proper place for it.  A female adult approaches KID, a teacher, Ms _______.  Sits with him, they talk. 
KID's mom works longs hours, she has to drop him off early to get to work on time and because of overtime and public transportation it takes her a while to get there.  Teacher wants to talk to her about leaving KID alone for so long at the school.  KID doesn't mind, he gets to hang out with his friends more time, and groundskeeper always keeps an eye on him, he is standing nearby gathering leafs.  KID pleads with teacher, his mother has enough on her mind than to worry about that, things will change and it won't always be like this he hopes.  KID looks weak because he's said it so many times before, teacher nods in understanding, gets up and goes back inside.  KID keeps waiting.
END

Podcast in 3-D

The Dynamic Duo were back in the same room.  Juan fresh from his trip to LA dishes on his travels.  Made me miss my city but it was great hearing all about it.  Enjoy and thanks for listening.

Listen here 

Also, don't know if you remember Juan mentioning he was in the Indie panel while at Megacon in Orlando, but that link is finally up.

Check that out here

Breakfast at McDonalds

McDonalds breakfast.

ACT 1

I don’t do hangovers anymore, my body is too old, now it just feels it, like I’ve been in a boxing ring for a few rounds.  I do have trouble sleeping over 6 or 7 hours though when I’ve had a few in me.  So I left my house earlier than usual and 10 min from work I realized I was going to be 25 min early, so I exit the freeway and see a McDonalds.  Now normally I don’t do fast food, never for breakfast, but I do admit that McDonalds has some pretty good coffee.  Since my boycott of Starbucks is on it’s 16 year anniversary and my body is in definite need of some grease and coffee I park and go inside.  I place my order, medium coffee no cream 4 sugars and 3 hashbrowns (don't judge me).  I stand back and wait.  The person after me got his order first, then the one after that got his order and in my head I’m thinking, that’s not right, right?  Considering, I could go behind the counter and really prepare my own order, it’s that easy.  So I walk up the counter and inquire about my order, according to the name tag the manager says “I don’t see your order”

“She just took it, coffee and hashbrowns?”

“No.”   And almost to himself he says “Where’s the receipt?”

“It’s right here” as I pull it out of my pocket.

“Well how am I supposed to get you your order if you have the receipt” he snatches from my hand.

“Well SHE gave it to me” but it’s futile cause he’s already turned around and tuned me out.  I’m more in shock than pissed and really, not the fight to fight today.  I get my shit , give him a dirty look and I leave. 

ACT II

It’s been a few weeks, apparently I lost the fight and my body is hurting for some coffee and grease again.  Same McDonalds is right there and I have the time, why not?  Park, go inside and wait my turn.  Same order and I make sure she has the receipt and stand back.  Now, there were some red flares being shot up.  One, it’s the same McDonalds.  Two, this is Miami we’re talking about, they aren’t known for customer service.  Three, from that dumb smile in her face she’s obviously new.  She carefully arranges the receipts and some one keeps coming to check them to see what they need to prepare for the order.  Slowly they are preparing the two orders before mine.  Some one’s orange juice, some one’s got coffee, a frappe (I don’t know if that’s how it’s spelled, don’t care, don’t judge me, trying to rant).  She keeps standing there, looking around, praying for another customer to come in cause at this point I am shooting daggers at her with my eyes.  Seriously, it’s a coffee and 3 hashbrowns! I am not asking for you to go out back and peel some potatoes.  Just turn the hell around and pour a cup of coffee and grab the hashbrowns, they’re already there warming up on under the heat lamp, it’ll take you 30 seconds.  Sigh, I walk up to the counter.

“Hey, ummn, don’t you think you could just grab my stuff since the others are working on those orders?”

“  “

“I mean, it’s just coffee that’s right behind you and some hashbrowns over there”

“  “

“It can’t be that hard right?”  I swear the more I looked at her doe eyed, deer in the head lights look the more I wanted to shake the hell out of her.  Not saying that would be ok, but I wouldn’t hit a woman, shaking, I’m on the fence about.  (Having never done either, really just talking out of my ass.)

Eventually another person came up behind her, noticed what we were talking about and 30 seconds later I was walking out the door with my order.

ACT III

I’m just a glutton for punishment aren’t I?  I mean, two acts of solid misfortune and still I place my head on the guillotine again.  Several weeks later, knocked out and not looking for a rematch I look at the time and realize today of all days, I do not need to be at work that early without some coffee and something greasy in me.  (Insert homoerotic joke here)  I park and at this point I really have surrendered to the fact that this will not go well for me, since of all the times they have not felt bad about what has happened, it’s a classic relationship where I’m being taken for granted.  I walk in and place my order and I kid you not am out in less the 2 min.  The man behind the counter took my order, saw the simplicity of it, or the emptiness in my soul, turned around and made my order magically appear.  I’m in shock as I drive to my office.  I sit down eat a hashbrown as I prepare my coffee.  Since it’s always too hot I keep a mug on my desk and I pour it out to cool it a little so I can drink it.  I’m not the type to serenade a cup of coffee, I tend to make it; buy it; pour it and drink it.  I need it inside of me as quickly as possible (that’s what she said).  Lo and behold it’s not black, it’s caramel colored, yeah, I didn’t check my coffee when I got it. I didn’t taste it in the car cause it was hot and I was still in shock.  My coffee had cream in it. Son of a bitch!

Music post

ALBUM:  RELATIONSHIP OF COMMAND

ARTIST: AT THE DRIVE-IN

YEAR:   2000

 

With the announcement that At The Drive-In will be reuniting it made me remember another album i've been listening to for the last 10 years.  Relationship of Command was released in 2000, a was deep into alternative music at this point and this came out at a peak time for me.  I remember only hearing one song on the radio for it, the music was a great mixture of punk and hardcore and metal but very obvious that it wasn't meant for mainstream radio. I honestly don't remember the other singles from it, the song One Armed Scissor got me good though.  The vocals were surreal to me, Bixler had something different in his voice that gave the lyrics a separate life from the music.  Not to undersell the music, the guitar is undoubtedly some of the best i've ever heard and that fast paced drumming was amazing.  I never got to see them live, but i imagine it was just a super charged performance.  They came together and formed a great album from start to finish.  It sucked that i caught on to them so late, i did catch up with their previous albums but they did not compare to Relationship.  So it's the album i've stuck with for the past decade.

Lyrics that sum up the album:

this syringe will take a lifespan
it's filled with bait and tackle
try and catch us if you can

If i had to pick a song