Sunday Afternoon

"Son of A King"--He Would Say
Sunday still. I’m shooting to catch up on some blogging. I’m waiting for my wi-fi to connect with the Pepperdine business school’s network. It’s across the street from Howard Hughes Promenade. Whenever, I come by here I think of Prince. He was my VP. Good man. He promoted me to Sales Manager at Garden Grove. He also sold me his Honda Passport when my Integra was stolen. I believe he lives down the street. I should look him some time. Today is not that time.

If things go well, it should be Ostrich, Oceans, and Oscars. We’ll see. It’s 2 pm now. Jason got me a Starbucks chocolate something. I was expecting Hot Chocolate but Chocolate Shake something.  Yummy. It’s been like that a lot lately. Events have been turning out better than expected. I was supposed to meet Jason at the parking lot across the street at the Spectrum, but I wasn’t really listening and ended up paying for parking. I got a great pic over the freeway. Lucky I had my money in the backseat versus the trunk where I usually keep my stuff. Lucky for me my car loss its juice and I got a jump from this guy pulling in. Lucky I put my backpack in the backseat.

Lucky I waited to eat at Mickey Dees versus stopping by Charlie Brown’s and getting my first Ostrich burger. Stopped by got some picks of velociraptors and brachiosaurus. I wasn’t going to drive down to LA because of whatever reason. Decided to get up and go. It was and still is a beautiful day. Called Jason from the intersection of Sepulveda and Jefferson. He was the same intersection across the street at the same time. Went to go see Tatay and Rochelle, it’s been too long. 

Speaking To The Dead
Never spoke out loud talking at cemetery. Today, I did. In a generation, no one may be visiting them. To the nephews and nieces that will follow, they will just be plaques in the ground. They will never know how much any of them have meant to me. No one will never know the importance these people had on the people to come. 

Their lessons, their stories are not their own. They are mine. True, they may never have to chance to learn from the originator. Guess, we are carbon copies of the one’s before us. How many know our great, grand parents? How many know our grandparents? How many know our family's children? How many know your own children? Well, unlike many in the future, the virtual reality we live in just virtual. A dream.

Grafitti, High Scores, and Blogging
Beginning to understand the people who wanted to have their high scores on the video arcade games. I understand why taggers leave their markings on the overhead pass, on the walls of the freeway, on the sides of the road. They simply wanted to be remembered. If they are lucky, their tag will not be removed for awhile. Too bad, their tags are just lines on the road equated of with a troubled youth. Not growing up in the “Boys In the Hood” areas, I don’t understand the language. These messages are sending are gibberish. To me, its just a sadness. The best they got is spray paint on the road.

So much beauty out here and all they could do is inject into our memory a $1000 fine their parents have to pay because the best they can do is leave spray paint on the wall. Their best has created a government program unit to wipe any memory of their existence. That’s all they got. Sure. Some graffiti is beautiful, artistic; However, when they tag over others painting, it only illicits sorrow. Guess, their souls hurt deeply. Its true: Misery likes company. I hope these taggers find hope in their heart and better things to come. Maybe, they can find beauty before too long?

Artists All
I’ll admit my tastes are different than most. I like comics. I like unusualness. I like works that illicit intellectual gravitas. Give me John Byrne. Give me Frank Miller. Give me Piers Anthony, John Clancy, and Anne Rice. Give me Leonardo da Vinci. Give me Sting. Sarah McLachlan. Matisyahu. Nina Simone. Muhammad Ali. Bruce Lee. Whoever are your muses, look with softer eyes in people. Look at their aura. There’s pain there. There is anger there. Some are that are lost and unaware there’s something better—and they deserve that Goodness. People have goodness. It’s there. Don’t sympathize, empathize. Their actions are theirs to own.

“Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them”--Bruce Lee 

As my cousin Vince posted on his Facebook page, “All of us have Love in us. It’s just are harder to find in some.”

Chasing Clouds In the Sky

Sunday morning—It was good rain last night. It’s going to be a good day today. Morning desert nothing really compares. Parked at the base of mountain I took some photos of mountains with the clouds hanging over the top. Originally, I was headed to 24Hours in Apple Valley, but the Buffallo Wild Wings Building got in the way. 

Then the hill got in the way. Then the powerlines of the Apple Valley Plaza got in the way. Finally pulled over to the sides, passed the horses, passed the Arby, passed the Sonic. Eventually, stopped and parked in the entrance area of the Apple Valley Union School District. Drove so long and so far, the magnificent clouds I was ready to take a picture of were gone.

So I sat there and just prayed. It was G-Time anyways. No sunrises, too cloudy. Thanked the Big Smile, Prece for doing well in the competition. Thanked for being able to hit at the Batting cage, play basketball, shoot pool, have good eats, and finally watch the last 10 minutes of 2012. Thanked the Angels for getting us to the house safely in the pouring rain and keeping my heavy eyes open. I just thanked for having great people in my life Kev, Luz, Eli, Dor, Prece, and Mom.

I prayed Chris would be safe in the AZ. I prayed that Jo would be strong for herself and baby Lyander and thanked the Big Smile a chance to talk with her for a bit. (The turtle is safe by the way, Lyander. The black light for turtle bowl fell in and almost shorted out) I thanked and prayed for giving me all of what I needed.

I looked at my dying phone. 10 messages. Vampire Clans sent message to chat. Someone I don’t tagged a photo of me in some photo album. Direct Buy something. . .Got some other mail and messages that no longer held importance. Sitting in the car and readying to leave, I turned on my blinker. I then realized another cloud came past and showed an even bigger and better picture. It made realize and hit home some things I knew, but forgot. The Big Smile’s delays are not his denials. 

There is a pause for things. There are times when other things need to happen in life before you get what you want and need. Others have needs too and we must allow certain things to happen before what you want happens. Its often that folly of young and new chess players to act too quickly. Dreams and wishes often do not come in the time line you want or supposedly needs. However, more and more, I realize they do come.

You’ll realize that the thing you at first wanted may not be what you really needed. Think of that movie that first came out and you needed to see the first showing. Think of the Tuesday new DVD release that was must get at Best Buy and which now sits on your DVD shelf. Think of the things that you were so desperate to get and now it is not so important. There are things that must be gotten at the time you need them, like Emergency Care. Like Spiritual renewal. 

Spent some time years ago at a beautiful home with many, many luxuries. But at what price? I fear a dear price was paid for such nice-ities. Hopefully, they will be forgiven. No things are worth giving up one’s soul. Yes, cryptic. Sorry. What needed to be said was. Others will judge. 

I leave at this. Hold precious to what is important. Realize there are price to be paid for some temporary pleasures. Take the Long view and short view of things at the same time. Know big and small. Be judging, look with softer eyes. Be right, do right. Follow your Heart and Let your Soul be your pilot.

Brevity calls today. Lakers vs Magic this afternoon and I still got a drive. I would like to get some catch up cardio done. 

Whiplash and Walnuts: This Ride Is Scarier Than Disneyland

Leaving Da Ville

Saturday—Headed to Walnut. On the road from Da Ville to the Nut. Its Aaron’s Birthday. It’s been some time since I was there last. Sitting right next to bags of siapao. Curry chicken is at my feet. Listening to some Taylor Swift’s Tim McGraw. Got to have a lot of faith when I drive with Aunt Tally. I’m lucky if I don’t get whiplash. She likes to brake—A Lot. A LOT. Whew, what one suffers through to do other things. I rather not drive. If I had a driver to get me where I wanted to go, I  would be in bliss. Actually, thinking about driving less. Get on the bike and just getting where I need to be. Kind of like the doctor in City of Angels.

Rather Ride, Than Drive

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy driving.  Rather take photos or write than be focused on the cars ahead, behind me, and to the sides. Too often, I get in my time machine and just drive. There’s so much out there one does not see when flying by. In the car, I miss much. We race  by and I miss the “California Lotto” sign next to me. I miss the cracks on the sidewalk. I miss the green, green grass.

 Breaking the Law

Uuugh.  She likes pot holes. Will not miss one of them. Not one of them. Not one. She's consistent that way. She's talking on the phone while she is driving. I try not to think about her not being focusing and just driving with no care in the world. It scares me. My heart can't take it. Yeah, we are merging on the freeway. Jerk, shake, brake. No, it’s okay. Breathe. The 16 wheeler semi is only 80 mph and we are going into his lane at 30 mph. Get off the F-in phone and pay attention. Breathe

Aahh, Thank goodness the Walmart truck has good brakes. I can still see smoke from the tires. Its so beautiful.  She still talking on the F-ing phone.  She’s not the smoothest driver at that. Hope we don’t flip it. We are only going 80 mph. She likes being really close to the steering wheel. At times, I think she is trying to read the license plate and bumper stickers. She forgot her glasses for this drive. Plus, she’s not that tall. About 4’ and some change. She has two pillows to prop her up. She is so small you can see her feet on her driver’s license. Let's put it this way, I feel like Yao Ming in a Toyota IQ when I drive her car.

Well, she has a crucifix hanging on the rear view mirror. I am reminded have to have Faith in others.  Yet, it is one of those times. I just close my eyes and pray we get there. No, two feet behind the Taurus in front of us is not tailgating. It's a 5 second rule not 5 milliseconds. Well, that is what she thinks. You see she knows-SHE KNOWS--SHE KNOWS--that the other drivers can read her mind and will adjust accordingly. We, humans, follow a different set of rule of following at least one car length per every 10 mph.  Those do not apply to her. She’s got superhuman reaction skills with *Optimus Prime brakes.  Well, that what I make myself believe when I ride with her.

Okay, I will take the phone from her. He's speaking to her son

Just spoke with Chris. He re-enlisted and is in the AZ now. I miss him already. Gave him some projects to do for me. Hopefully, he’ll do one of four. I asked him to follow me on my blog. Maybe, if I write about him he’ll read them. Looking to get a 100 followers. I guess, I can dream. Asked him to blog while he’s in the AZ.  Sunset or sunrise photo once a week. Post card once a month. 

Promises Made

Last task, Goofy picture at least once a week that has a toy in the background. It’s like the Verizon commercial with dad going to all these odd places taking pictures with a toy monkey.  The movie with George Clooney, Up in the Air something. He had a photo of his sister and her fiance. People all around the country would take photos  in odd places. It supposed to represent I guess that they are with them wherever they are.

So Far, Yet So Close

What I am loving about the internet, Facebook, camera phones is the ability to send people what you see instantly. Knowing that I could be there with you a click of my phone or mouse it makes me feel connected. I mean if you think about we are all connected. If we really want to get know each other we are just mouse click away. If you want to share your life with others get on Facebook. It’s not the same as the person to person contact, but if you think about we are really closer than you think. No one is ever really alone.

A Search for Mike. . .

I think of a promise I made. Visit Mike's grave. I have a half-brother Mike that passed away some years back. Never knew him that well and for some reason I been feeling this need to re-connect with family. It’s driving me to learn about them. This drive was calling me to visit my Dad’s good friend Marv. It’s driving me to learn about my cousin’s on my father’s side. Trying to learn of Father’s other family. I hope they will receive me. I know he passed but I still would like to say, “Hi.” I saw Mike’s picture when he was in band. He was on drum line and played football like my brother, Kev. Its on the Arvin Band website. Seeing his photos with his girl, it’s like . . .It feels right.  That’s enough for me.

Well, exiting the freeway now. Thank you Angels for getting us here.  I’ll live with the whiplash. Neck brace medium will do. Heart rate only 220 bpm. Got to cry now in joy and kiss the ground that we made it. Breathe

*Transformers--More than Meets the Eye