Thanks to Starbucks for WiFi

Oh my God! What would life be without Starbucks and WiFi? Got out from a chiro appointment and been wating here at the local Starbucks for the past 2 1/2 hours. Hey, nothing wrong with waiting, especially when you have great coffee within reach, but I'm a bit sore. I have not been to a chiro in almost a year and a half and I have to add that my back is curving or being straight in all the wrong places. For those of you who have been to a chiro or pay them regular visits you know that your first (or first after a long while) adjustment can be quite painful. OK, not the adjustment, but the soreness that comes afterwards. I have been doing some surfing, e-mailing a few friends and then just realizing that there is this one long-neglected thing that I could do. Updating my blog.

Yeah, I know, I'm not much of a blogger. First with all my short (very short) entries, but they are justified because I was doing that from a cell phone and my limit was 500 characters. And by reading some of those entries it is actually nice that I could have some coherent and interesting thoughts summarized in that short amount of words. While sipping my iced coffee, waiting for my ride and browsing some sites I decided to dedicate just a few minuets to this update.

While doing this I see that there is a solution to my “problem” of not having access all the time and thus getting a bit discouraged to the upkeep of this page. The solution being to prepare my pages early on. Do them without any regard to dates or anything like that and get them up whenever I get a chance. After all my mind has not stop running all over the place just because I don't have ready access to the net.

Thank you Starbucks for your service, both in the field of coffee and the field of communication.

Music & (Young, Very Young) Women

Slept more than usual last night, which was pretty good. Had to go in to baby sit a fashion show in the Pavilion. It was an easy low maintenance thing, just get the music running or stopped as requested. Did a bit of exercise for the arms and legs before leaving, just trying to use every opportunity that I have to fix this freaking body of mine and get things going back to normal. Spent a bit more than 5 hours doing this and by the end of this I was ready to keel over, had to rest a bit before doing coming back and putting the body in bed so that it could recuperate. I'm probably going to the pool tonight just to keep the working out thing in but also so that I can let it relax while in the water... then again as I see stuff being slid under my door I realize that I have a shitload of stuff to handle and may spend all this time catching up as I don't think that tomorrow I'll be in any condition to think straight... the pool plans just went to hell, I just received about 4 inches of paperwork to be done, of course it's needed to be done in the next day or so. I'll do this and then retire for the rest of the week... yeah right!

Got some new music onto my system. What kind?, all kinds. I have a very eclectic taste in music. On my iTunes library I have little over 12,000 songs. When you do the math, that's a lot of albums, about 800 assuming that each album has 15 songs, yikes!!! I have heavy metal, hip-hop, rap, rock, r&b, Spanish rock, Spanish pop, pop, classical, instrumental, country, you name it. I'll listen to anything and everything and if it's got some artistic value chances are that I'll like it. Lately though I've been listening to more and more hip-hop than ever before. Now that I've been listening and paying more attention to this type of music I am really appreciating it.

Got to say that women know how to manipulate men from an early age. You think I'm exaggerating? No, I'm not. This girl comes where I was working and wants to change the music, even if it is only one song. I still say no. Now that she knows that she failed she points to her friends, triplets of 4 year old, and says to look at them, how cute they are and how can I say no to them. Call me a sucker but I let them have their song.

Kids

I think that kids are the cutest thing in the world and bring tons of fun to those around them. This little ball of joy with me is Richie, my cousin’s son. One of those rare photos where he is actually looking at the camera… Well, maybe not the camera, maybe it’s my wife who is taking the picture. I don’t blame him, I was doing the same thing. The other cutie pie is my other cousin’s daughter, Nerisel. That was the day before having to return to LA and I was asking her to wink at me while taking her picture. Both of these kids are great and are the pride and joy of their parents.

Dealing with kids is easy. I can’t say that I know how to do it on a full time basis since I don’t have any myself but I’ve always have been able to relate to them and work with them. Some years back I was working at the Church’s summer camp. It was my first year doing this and it was a new church for me as it was my girlfriend’s. When the time came to divide up the groups and who would be doing what I was given the youngest ones, ages 5-6. I said sure no problem. Little did I know that these were the kids that no one wanted to handle as they were “difficult to work with” and since I was the new guy in the group they were thrown upon me. Luckily for the kids and me I didn’t have any preconceived ideas of what to expect from them. I can tell you one thing, these kids were amazing. I had 12 kids with me from 8am - 3pm until the parents came by to pick them up. I would greet them when they came in, get them to their assigned activities throughout the morning, take them for lunch and then a few moreAfter the first two weeks I was told the “real scoop” about the youngest kids and that I was really lucky that the kids that year were so well behaved.

Two weeks later circumstances would prove to all of us that the kids were the same kind of kids from previous years and that I had a special understanding with them. While I was on my way back from running a couple of miles on my bike I had an accident, where I hit a car in front of me, went over it and rolled a couple of times on the ground. Don’t worry, I lived, or else I wouldn’t be writing this. Now, what does this have to do with the kids at the summer camp? Well, needless to say that I did not make it there for the next two days. It would have been maybe 3 or 4 but my girlfriend implored for me to come back. The kids were running amok. They would not listen to those who took over while I was gone. Lunch time was a mess with the kids things lost. They wouldn’t stay in line or be quiet while others spoke. It wasn’t until much, much later that I looked at this situation and figured out what happened. The kids were the same, their routine was the same, all their activities were run by the same instructors. I was only their leader, in charge of getting them from place to place and to keep them “in line”. So, what was it? The only thing that I could find out was that I never treated them as kids. For me they were part of the group. In the beginning the rules were set and they knew that good behavior would be noticed and I would work to get them special things, e.g., going early to lunch so we were first, getting extra dessert that we would share afterwards, working it out so that they could do more of things that they liked (painting was very popular). Years later I noticed that others would look down on the kids, whether young or old they were just kids. They would give orders and expect for those orders to followed blindly. I wish I could have put my finger on that and being able to communicate it to those in charge. Kids are people too. They are like you and me. They have feelings and understand what is going on. They may not have the same experiences and knowledge that you have, that is why you are there, to guide them and make sure they do not hurt themselves (too much) while learning about life.

And that my friends is my message to you. So my Way to Happiness includes this point of honoring and caring children, for they are the future and they are the ones that will end up taking care of us. For more info on the Way to Happiness go to www.TWTH.org.

NewLook

I’m trying to go for the werewolf look, but it just doesn’t grow right. Maybe the moon will help in the next cycle. Just kidding, this is just me trying to grow a beard, although it is proving more difficult than I expected. Thought that after 30+ years it would be easy but I was wrong. Guess that I’ll have that “eternal” baby face. No complaint when I state that my age is 26 and can still get away with it. The good thing about this is that at least I don’t have to shave every day. In fact I can get away with going 3 days without shaving. More than that and like one of my friends said, I’ll be going for the Fidel Castro look. The shades are not to my liking, however the bags under my eyes are a bit scary and I thought that I should spare you the scare. Yup, still doing kind of crappy in the sleep department, case in point, it is almost 5am and I’m still here typing away. Time to sign off and get 3 (hopefully) hours of sleep. Buenas noches!

One More Step

Ah, light at the end of the tunnel. Just a few more steps and the prize will be in my hands. I will have attained what I’ve been working for, for so long. But I’m tired. I ache all over. Sometimes I even doubt that I can make it up these few steps. These steps are just like any other steps. Just need to lift my foot, step on it and do the same with my other foot and step on the one above. And do this over and over until there are no more steps, until there is relief that the race is over. Just need to keep going until I find that I’ve reached the top.

If it is so easy, why am I not doing it? I don’t think that it is fear, yet I hesitate to take that first step, never mind the ones after that. Why? And then it hits me. I finally realize why I ache all over and why I’m looking at these steps going up. I was there at the top landing, but not anymore. This realization just brings up more pain and a sense of loss that is impossible to express in words. However that same realization gives me strength. Yes, strength, because I know I’ve been up there. I know that I’ve walked this path and climbed many other steps like these ones. I may not have the same vitality that I had earlier in my journey. But what I lack in strength I make up in knowledge, experience and persistence. A new sense of hope grows in me. A hope that stems from knowing what is at the top of that landing. A hope that again I can reach for the top. A hope that stems from knowing that the art of living life is not going through it unscathed or full of scars, no, the art if living life comes from knowing that after you fall all that you need to do is to get up and take that next step in the direction that you were intending.

I'm back!... sort of.

Alright, this is me back on the saddle. Just don’t let the horse go too fast or go through a bumpy road my back is still out of whack. It is good to be back. If you missed me, thanks and thanks for checking again to see if this crazy person wrote anything new. If you didn’t and happen to come across this writing just know that I’ve been gone for 2 months. It wasn’t due to health issues. If it were due to those at least I would have had a good excuse for my absence. No, what happened was that my phone died and that was the way that I would get my writing done and posted. Of course it had to be a timing thing and my phone broke on Dec 20, bah humbug!!! So goes a barrage of belated well wishes. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Three Kings Day (if you celebrate this) and happy Saint Valentine’s Day. The fact that I’ve been gone for all these dates and have not done anything effective to come back on line does not speak well of me, I know. Fact is that I don’t care too much for these “special days”. To me, every day is special and deserves to be celebrated. It is not that I don’t like these days, no. What I don’t like is the commercialization and the fact that it is a series of dates to be “nice” or do better”. Hey, wouldn’t this world be a better place if these days where were to show our best behavior were just like any other day? Or better yet, this “best” behavior that we display is also used throughout the whole year. Isn’t that a novel idea?

If you think that I’ve been suppressing my rantings, well, you may be right. I try to be a nice guy and keep my disagreements to myself and not spread these around. I try, that is why I tend to vent in my writings and as you’ve noticed I’ve a little backlogged in that department. Here is my first rant for the day:

Politics as usual… This is really rich. This coming from a California Legislator, who can’t balance a budget and due to disagreements in principles can’t close a deficit of 42 billion dollars for the state. The only way that this was approved was because the speaker kept the Legislators in session for 2 days and I’m sure that after missing your bed twice the alternatives start looking better and better. OK, enough background. This person from the GOP is giving his views on the budget released by the President. Mr. Nunez kept stating how this was ridiculous how the budget kept getting higher and higher each year. How the national debt would double in the next 10 years. Then he brings up the fact that in the President’s plans to withdraw troops from Iraq will take 19 months instead of the 16 that he had campaigned for. Just more broken promises form a failed presidency. Give me a break! The man has been in office for a month and a week and has been given the reins of a horse that is running wild, towards a cliff. The only thing that I can say in Mr. Nunez favor is that at least he stayed in message and kept voicing his point of view.

If it weren’t for these guys that are so obtuse and can’t see beyond the ingrained ideas behind which they hide and can’t confront what is in front of them I would be a Republican. Yes, I am for gun rights, I am pro-life although I don’t believe in shoving my believes down other peoples throat, I don’t believe that the more you make the more you should be taxed, in fact I believe quite the opposite. However, when you look at the way this nation is at this moment there are things that need to be done, no matter how painful. Don’t worry, I’m not going to keep ranting here. My only beef is with politicians like Mr. Nunez, who can’t see beyond their nose, and that is because it is right in front of his eyes. Well, sir, it is time to look around and see what business as usual has brought us. It may have escaped your knowledge but the delay in getting an approved budget for the state of California lowered the credit rating for the state and caused thousands of state employees to take unpaid days off twice a month. Not to mention the 10’s of thousands of jobs that were in jeopardy because there was no money to keep funding them.

…it’s good to be back!

On My Way to Happiness - Take Care of Yourself

Do you floss? I must confess I'm a lazy bum when it comes to flossing.
My wife recently went to the dentist and got a lecture on flossing. I
know the lecture since I received it some years ago. And it all came
back as if I had just received the lecture at that moment, especially
when my wife asked if I was told the same. So I am flossing again. It
only takes a few minutes, and guess what? I feel way better doing it.
So flossing is one step on my way to happiness. Start walking, go to
twth.org.

How to Like Someone?

Finding out faults and reasons not to like someone is quite easy;
e.g., too tall, too short, crooked nose, they've got an attitude, etc.
Also, sad to say, it is easy to hide behind these since at best you
won't have to deal with that person again or at worst you'll endure
them for a bit. Want to change this? Try this, look at the person or
think of them and find something to like about them. Keep doing this
until you feel better about them. It may take minutes or hours. Try it
and let me know.

Perfect Timing

No, I'm not talking about my atomic clock I'm refering to the way life
works. Recently I posted a rant and my spirits were kind of gloomy for
a few days, which is really unusual for me. Then in the middle of all
this a letter from overseas arrives. As I excitedly open the envelope
I can't help but smile and think "my wolf is here". The sender,
Chrissy Marie, took upon herself the mission of touching others with
her art. All I can say is: mission accomplished, thanks.
chrissymaries.blogspot.com

Introduction to - On My Way to Happiness Posts

Those who know me know that I'm a Scientologist. Don't worry I'm not
going to proselytize here. If you want to know about it go to
Scientology.org or send me an email with your questions. With this
post I want to introduce a series of posts based on The Way To
Happiness. Written by L. Ron Hubbard to fill the moral void that was
left when religion altogether was banned from schools. Non-religious
in nature it is a guide to common sense behaviour. If you want to
learn more go to twth.org.

Life Sacrifices

In my future, Earth is not doing well. People migrate to other
planets, in return you work for the government for 10 years.
Everything is heavily regulated and you barter with those in power and
you can acquire things to make life easier or prettier. A friend gave
up having children for a fish tank, I did it for a vacuum cleaner,
everybody does this... It's been years since I saw children playing.
We're just cogs in the machinery of this planet, without them there is
no future worth living for.

Reasons To Be Thankful

I'm thankful for many things in life. For a roof over my head and a
warm bed at night. A wife that loves me, my quirkiness included. I can
write what I feel without fear. I'm still playing the game while some
friends have begun a new one. I have friends who care (I'm still
reading the dream). My father celebrated his 61 birthday in a year
where he spent 3 months in a hospital's ICU. All in all, I'm thankful
for all the good which makes me happy and the bad which teaches how
not to do it. Thanks!

What's With the Cult of Authority

"The eminent Dr. Professor Emeritus Supreme Authority says it is so,
therefore it must be so." Next time you're faced with a statement like
that one take some time and examine the facts of the situation and
form your own opinion. I have an engineering background and was taught
to look for and work with facts, use those that work, discard those
that don't. An engineer does this, otherwise that tunnel collapes or
the plane won't fly. Open your eyes be your own authority, trust your
own judgement.

Just Blowing Up Steam

Apologies, but I am going to rant. I am so jacked up it's not even
funny. The cojones this guy has. No conmunication for months and the
first thing that comes out of his mouth is an attack. Now if you know
me I am a very mellow guy and seldom get mad but this guy found the
button and pushed it, hard. It's been over 23 years since I wanted to
smack somebody. In the end settled for a kick to the dresser. It's
just not worth it. Experience tells me he will fall, harder. And I'll
keep going my way.

An Expensive Puppet Show

Rumors have a lot of weight when you're dealing with confidence. More
so during this financial crisis. Look for them, Bear Stern was plagued
by rumors that plunged its value in the eyes of the customers.
Followed by more rumors about Lehman Bros, AIG, Fanie and Fredie and
others, the result is a market with very little confidence. Next in
line is Citi Group. I never believe in coincidences so I always look
for who is to benefit from this. So in this puppet show, who's pulling
the strings?

Money

What is money? It is an idea backed by confidence. That's all. Meaning
that you know that the piece of paper in your hand has some worth. But
this trust also extends to others, like the the grocer, he knows that
the paper that you're handing over to him has value proportionate to
the goods you're getting. That's all there is to the subject. Others
may say otherwise but that is to justify those years in college
studying a myriad of books that say the same thing in many other
words.

Spanglish

Sometimes my Spanish gets mixed up with my English. My old math
teacher would say that I am bilingual. Meaning that I couldn't
properly speak either language. I'd rather say that it is Spanglish.
And it has nothing to do with me being surrounded mostly by English
speaking friends and co-workers. No, this started back in Puerto Rico.
From 3rd grade on most of my books were in English. Movies were
subtitled and even a popular Cuban program was in Spanglish. My
defense, I'm continuing my education.

I'm Becoming a Gringo

I was born and raised in Puerto Rico for the first 23 years of my
life. Spanish being the main language and English being something to
be done for school. Don't get me wrong you're exposed to English left,
right and center, even to the extreme that 90% of the text books are
in English even though the classes are in Spanish. Now after being in
the US 12 years the balance has shifted. This was gradual and I only
realized it when picking up Hundred Years of Solitude to read in
English! Ay Dios mio!

Caution: Contents Hot

Some years ago a woman sued McDonalds for a million dollars because
she burned herself with the coffee and she wasn't warned it was hot.
The fact that a court of law took up the case and awarded her what she
wanted tells you the sad state of affair of our legal system. Nowadays
it is practically impossible to find a coffee cup or lid without those
words of warning. Instead of labeling stupidity of the act the courts
rewarded it. Next step suit for false advertising, contents isn't hot.

Know Your Human Rights

Sometimes I wonder why there is so much abuse of power, such blatant
violations to our basic human rights. The basic in the link of this
long chain of abuses is education, or rather the lack of it. It is
easy when you see millions displaced, fleeing for their lives to say
"hey, that's wrong!" But before that happened there were a lot of
little violations that few argued against. Why? Because while it felt
wrong there were not enough who knew why. Educate yourself, visit
viewyourrights.com.