First Night Back Home

So I got to visit my hometown for the last time in a long time. My parents have moved from my hometown so there really isn't a lot of reasons for which to return. Watsonville will always be home for me in many ways, but the reality is that I haven't lived there in the physical sense in a long time and now I'm just a NYC boy. Moving on...here are a few pictures from the first night I was home.



This is my buddy who goes by many names: Riiiiigs (that's i=e for the non-Spanish speakers), David El Pocho, and of course just Dave. Of course I would have loved to spend more time with Dave because we always roll pretty hard when I go home. But Dave was having some drama with his girl and decided she was more important to tend to than his friendship of some 20 years. Like I've always said, some guys put blinders on when it comes to friendship when they have a girl. Me, well I know where my bread is buttered and my friends have always been there for me. I don't blame Dave to be honest, but in all honesty, he should know better. So Dave I know you are reading this...get a blog and you can roast me if you wish...but you know the truth homie...my last time in Watsonville and you pull that...boooooo!



These two foolios have been rolling together for many a year. Uncle Joe and D-Money. What can I say, these guys have the good life. They live off funds they make on-line, live like rock stars when it comes to following porn conventions and just cruise trough life in chill mode. Good stuff. I'm not sure how long D-Money and my Uncle Joe have been friends but they look out for one another and that is what a guy needs...a buddy who will be there in good and bad times. On another note, I got to see some of the EuroCup with D-Money when I was home (uncle joe was at the gym) and poor-poor D-Money...his team, Netherlands, took a bad beat by peaking too early and getting spanked in the knock out rounds.



This was the first drink of the trip so I had to get on film. I think this toast was done at El Palomar in Santa Cruz.



This is some girl that Uncle Joe knows. I'm not sure why but she insisted on taking her dog into this bar. Not going to say anymore about that topic...but honestly, I know it is Santa Cruz and all...but who takes a dog into the bar?

Need I say more?

Once this fine young lady asked me if I thought we would have beautiful children. Hummm...interesting question for a first date. I explained to her that I would have to see pictures of her family because although she was fine and all...well sometimes it skips a generation. Thus, if her mother was beautiful then all would be good.

In any case, when it comes to my side of the family and looks...well I really don't like to brag or boast...cough!cough! But as you can see in these pictures...well as they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

With that being said, if we were to go by family pictures and my ability to reproduce beautiful kids then my cousins here would be all the proof a girl would need.

Pictures!!

Norma and Cynthia. Congrats to Cynthia who is now engaged.



It is the Cougar Hunter and Two Possible Victims.



Comadres: Norma and Letty.



Rey "El Rey" Contreras and Leslie.



Spencer always looks hard like that people. He's with the very beautiful Elena.



Jenn, Adam and Me. On another note, Adam is one of the funnest people to party with in the city. Always nice and the ladies love it that he's a gentleman...why he hangs with me is another story.



Me and Angelica. Yes, I did call her Norma above. But her name is Norma Angelica and when it is her and me: Angelica.



John "The General" Lee and Ruby. Need I say more? Serious, Ruby is so damn sexy.



Picture of the fountain in Central Park.



Lee is such a pimp. Holla at your boy, Lee!!



Need I say more?



My girl who is now in South America for like three months. Tarah, holla at your boy when you get the chance. Hope you are having a blast down there. Practice your Spanish, mija.



Taking care of the baby.



Lina and Mel. Fun hanging with these two girls. Not to mention they love to dance!



G-Money! Cinci's finest in this picture. 513 top of the food chain!



The Poker Blogger Bar.

Good-Bye George

The Upper West Side of NYC has lost a legend. Rest in peace, Mr. Carlin. Oh, and in the words of Frankie...you did things your way. Amen!

Ramblings

I'm going home for the last time in a long time this coming week. My folks have purchased a home in Az. so they are moving out of California. I'm not sure how I feel about this? I'm sure there will be a string of emotions that will run both high and low. Many of the best memories of my life were made in that town. Yet, and like everyone, with those good memories some not so pleasant one's will come to mind. As I mentioned in my previous post, I will run like hell to avoid those bad memories.

But what I have learned that in the end what I have learned is that I have good friends that will listen if I need to talk. With that being said, here a few pictures of me this past two weeks. If you notice The Rooster has his pimp hat in full effect. Oh, and I wanted to thank Claire for situating our last gathering in the park...of course it was awesome.

Dark Places Call For Running

I always laugh at my inter-dweeb friends when they are in a funk. Maybe I laugh because I know them and I can see them kicking themselves in the ass and there is a comedy about that to me. Yet, I can see when they are in a rough patch and fighting demons and it makes me sad. I know what it is to deal with those demons...those dark places that people need to go into to confront those demons are scary and not safe places. For their courage, The Rooster is in awe.

I, myself, The Rooster, have left my demons from my past there...in the past. I’ve never really confronted them, I just ran from them. It was just easier for me to run than to stand and fight. I did a great job of running, too! I went to the top colleges in the nation and ended up in what can be argued as the greatest city on earth, NYC. I beam with pride at my accomplishments. I have good friends who are always there for me when I need them. Yet, for the first time in a long time those demons are coming back and haunting me.

Some would tell me to stop and fight them. Me, I don’t have time to sit there on a couch and talk it out or even hug it out and I have been in too many battles with them in my past. I’m a runner so I will just keep running. Call me a coward if you will...honestly, I’m o.k. with that title. It is much better than getting in fights, being thrown in jail, getting kicked out of school and having enough anger in your blood to kill if need be. I’m not that boy anymore. I'm better than that and I’ve done it by running away. But I wish I could sit that young angry boy down that was me and tell him that life is brutal with its twists and turns. I would shake him and tell him not to be so angry with the world, the people around him, and don’t be angry with your family. Because in the end, those people continue to live their life and you are stuck in anger.

So even now...when I don’t know who I am and my hands shake as I type this. I have to remember that I’m o.k., I’m not a monster or bad person, and that trials come and this is just another. That those dark places do catch up from time to time and I can either flight or fight. But I must always remember that life is great and I woke up and could walk, smell, taste and I should smile about these gifts.

One day I might sit and fight but for me running for daylight has always been much safer and happier.

My Birthday Picture