One Down Eleven to go

January has come and left. Some newly discovered concepts and points of interest include a kick ass recipe for grilling Chile Rellenos on an outdoor charcoal BBQ, a 24 hour bowling alley in Huntington Park, a mixture of Southern Comfort and Jager doesn't sit too well in my stomach, the little Italian Restaurant by Pop's work isn't half bad, the Screamer will never grow up, and Dodger penny pinching is at an all time high. (No Manny, and no love for Either. Next stop arbitration) Oh well at least I'm not dead and UCLA basketball is competitive. Next stop February.

My 27th Spirit Formation Anniversary

Well I called it. In my previous post I revealed that every year on my birthday something memorable happens. This year was no different. It started off with my friends and I catching a super secret double feature of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight at Universal City IMAX. As an added bonus we each suck in a bottle of his or hers favorite alcoholic beverage. As the movie played on the level of intoxication rises and by the end of Begins we run out of booze. (Well not me I still had a pint of Jack. I didn't wanna share.) As luck would have it a buddy of mine (the Tooth) was getting off of work when the first movie ended and being he was only a quick jog up the 101 he decided to take me to get reinforcements.

By the time all was said and done I was drunk. It was 2am and the rest of Citywalk had emptied out her drunks and miscreants. All of us decided to rendezvous near Cal St. LA and crack open a few more bottles. The Tooth said he had a bunch of Pozole at his house so we would stop by and take some back for everyone else. As we entered the on ramp onto the 101 (the one near the In-n-out) something happened. I guess it was a combo of rain soaked pavement and the Tooth pushing the speed limit (he wasn't drinking) but whatever the case may be we got into a little fender bender. We slid and hit the guard rail and did a 180. My leg was slightly bruised and the truck received some damage, but the real causality was my buzz.

Being the committed goon that he is. we carried on and drank until the sun came up on Friday morning. The celebration carried over to the final two days. Nothing else really happened. I got to drink 100% free on Sat. in Whitter and my buddy gave me a kick ass UCLA beanie and Dodger mug. It's not that I'm unappreciative or anything like that but it's kinda cool that I cheated death once again. Maybe I do have the Force after all...

Obama, Chick Flicks, and Kobe's 81

It sure has been hectic in the world lately hasn't it? Personally I can say that I have been drunk,tipsy,or what ever way you want to put it,more days than I have been sober in 2009. Along the way I have some thoughts about current and on going events:

*On Obama: Okay I'll admit, I usually vote Republican. Usually this annoys some people and I get reminded of my political preferences in the most inopportune time. But ever since he gave that speech at the DNC he's sort of changed me. Some of my closest friends still can't believe I voted for him. Today's events really put things into perspective. To see our country come together to watch our 44th president be sworn in was truly history in the making. Yet again my bitch ass shed a tear. Special day indeed.

*Chick flicks: Speaking of tears I have this theory that every guy has a secret chick flick that he secretly likes. I mean everyone has a musician or band that they secretly like but they wont admit to, so this theory isn't too far off. My belief in that was strengthened when I was informed that one of the scariest looking dudes I've ever met (think of a mix of John Favreau and Bane)gets a huge boner for the movie Jersey Girl. Anything's possible I guess. (for the record my fave chick flick is a tie between Love Actually and Steel Magnolia's. I blame the latter on my Madre.)

*On Manny: What is with the lag? SIGN HIM NOW!!!

*On my b-day: Every January 22nd for the past three years something eventful has happened. 2006 saw Kobe score 81. 2007 had the official news that Rage Against The Machine was reuniting at Coachella and 2008 brought the unfortunate and untimely death of Heath Ledger. But usually it's just an excuse to drink for two weeks straight. I don't think anything will happen this year and quite honestly I'm fine with that. Like the great Sam Cooke once sang "A Change is Gonna Come".

Thank God it's finally here.

Bedtime

I had a unusually productive shower tonight. Lately I have been questioning the validity of some relationships and I realize sometimes I put too much stock on all the little random signs that one gets every now and then. (i.e. stupid little things like certain songs, the mention of that name in the most unlikely of places, and other things of that nature) Call me stupid but I used to be a big believer in signs and coincidence. Still sort of am although it kind of shames me to admit it. Guess that's the Madre in me.

Supposedly wisdom comes with age and experience. Although I may not have the age, I do consider myself to have a (excuse the vulgarity ) butt load of experience. Thanks to my infamous wild streak, eternal love of booze, countless hours spent in the proverbial punk rock/rockabilly scene, and general contempt for all those in charge, I think I have put myself in situations where much life experience was gained. But now I'm getting off track.

Point is I'm starting to move away from believing in coincidence to "just the facts mam". Is that bad? Am I becoming colder? This is probably just another rung on the ol' ladder of maturity but in a way this kind of saddens me.

Maybe I think too damn much?

An Admission of Sorts

Films that have made some sort of salty, watery, discharge leak out from my eyes

*Return of the Jedi
*Beauty and the Beast
*Schindler's List
*Million Dollar Baby
*Philadelphia

Now you can add Gran Torino to that list.

If you don't think I am a bitch and are not disgusted by this revelation, then I would hope you will take my advice and go see this movie. If you think otherwise I guess you really don't think much at all do you ?

Just A Thought

Fridays nights used to be about hanging out in Uptown Whitter. Dodging so called "skins" and playing "Hey Mister" outside the liquor store. Now it's usually all about homework and whatever else needs to be done around the house. I mean I still score the occasional bottle but I feel more at ease at home.

More Than Likely I'm Wrong but...

I think instead of writing huge long pieces I'm going to try writing quick short blurbs to let everyone know what's going on in my head. Like today for instance I've been think about honesty and when it should be used. Naturally it should be used 24-7 but come on, there are times when absolute honesty can really fuck things up.

Like Tuesday for instance. This person (the Screamer if you pay attention to my tweets) I was watching Scrubs like a good little boy and just as the second episode started on ABC (cheap plug) the screamer calls wanting to hang out. Even though I was already pissed that she called during my stories, I reluctantly agreed. Never mind the episode earlier in the day in which I was sorta bailed on, I decided to see if there was any sort of apology waiting for me.

Just as I'm getting ready the phone rings and I was informed of a gathering that would feature free booze and video games. I had a choice to make: either go with the Screamer and be mildly uncomfortable or go with the guys and drink. I decided to make it all about the booze. (yeah, big surprise) I grabbed the phone and tried to reach the Screamer but apparently no dice. Someone had the bright idea of turning their phone off. Long story short I'm in the doghouse.

I called the Screamer the next day and was asked for an honest answer why I bailed. Being the firm believer in honesty that I am I replied " I found something better to do." I know I screwed up by being THAT honest. (Granted I was still pissed about the day's earlier events and was kinda tipsy) But I believe when you ask for an honest answer you should get it. No matter how brutal it is. But then again I have been known to be called an asshole every so often...

Happy New Years

I barely finished my Rivalry Week series. I mean it's not bad but I was supposed to finish it up before the game. We ended up losing so I guess you can blame me. The holidays were hectic and the b-day is 17 days away. Hopefully I'll be able to blog more this year.

It's Been A Long Time Coming

1993-Three years after the birth of my little sister. Some guy named Clinton was running things in Washington and in November the Rose Bowl was on the line for both teams. This years version was to be held in the Colosseum and prior to the game some Bruin students tampered with(I say improved) the world famous Hollywood sign. All week I was counting down till Saturday and when the day finally came, I was nervous. I had a gathering next week with some relatives on my father's side (the sc side, ugh.)If we lost this game my father and I would never hear the end of it.

The Bruins dominated the first half and it was looking good. Wayne Cook wasn't fucking up and Stokes was in prime form. Halfway through the fourth quarter sc mounted a come back. Now usually I can remember all sorts of details and names when it comes to sports especially my Bruins but for this moment it wasn't about who won or lost but it was about the emotion that was expressed between me and my father.

Rob Johnson was leading sc to a tying score in the last minute of the fourth. As sc completed a long pass to make it first and goal my father and I both looked at each other with a look of complete diaspointment. After the game I figured we would dip into our all too familiar discussion of disappointing Bruin football.

First and goal, sc runs. Stopped short at the five (I think) *Thinking of how all my classmates will ridicule me on Monday.*

Second and goal. Another run and again stopped short of the goal line. *Oh man my aunts and uncles will never shut up!*

Now usually this is the part of the show where I bitch and moan about another close lost. But thanks to Mr. Marvin Goodwin that wont happen. On a third and goal he steps in front of an sc receiver to clinch the victory for the Bruins. My father ,who hides his emotions, starts cussing and screaming like a drunken sailor on shore leave. I was amazed that this idol of mine who famously frowns upon cussing was dropping f'bombs like there was no tomorrow. We hugged. We danced. We sang. It was the closest I have ever felt to my father.