Difference

My only hope in life is to improve.
In anything and everything- even in the most mundane things, like showering, or shaving...
I want a better shave than the last time- closer/smoother.
I want to perfect my showering technique- faster/cleaner.
All of this makes me tired and by the end of the day my head falls on the on pillow like a ton of bricks-I'm totally out and dreaming until I wake up and attempt to perfect that showering session.
If I fail in the shower and shaving techniques I at least hope to achieve some kind of success in other parts of my persona such as kindness and patience.
If I can get any of those 4 things down-better than yesterday... whoo hoo!

Untitled

It's 5am.
That stranger lying next to you is snoring, slightly but it's perceptible.
It would be cute if she was of the slightest familiarity but she's not.
You also now notice that you aren't at home.......


I took a deep breath and looked over my shoulder.
There's my pants, next to my shirt, good. Slide off the bed.. careful, gentle, done.
Crouch down grab pants, put on shirt.
Look for shoes and check for wallet/cell phone. Got everything- thank God. Ok now for the tip-toe exit.
Look back- still snoring.. do I have time to look for pills or rummage thru the purse?
Better not this time- bad karma and Lord knows I don't need any more.
I'll go to the clinic 1st thing tomorrow...
well... maybe the day after.

Influential People

Often times I find myself in places that most children of poor immigrants are not accustomed or invited to.
It's a very strange feeling to be surrounded by people that are different than you.
That the difference is so apparent and obvious that you can not help but to feel threatened.
I usually just find a corner and watch everything play out, like some sort of Natural Geographic videographer or a stealthy creep.
I tend to notice a few things by my quite observations, one thing I've always noticed is that the more money you have and the more important you think you are, the lesser the tips become. That is to say- people with money to spare rarely do.
Those that flaunt their importance often lack it.
The word "humble" clearly escapes their lexicon.

Going

Why is everyone always rushing?

Hold up homie-
Take a breather
Don't forget your wallet

Enjoy yourself
This is all coming to a screeching halt in 4 years.

Shit,
where's your cell phone?

A Promise for a brighter Tomorrow

Today is over. You can't get it back no matter how hard you try. It's Ok though, tomorrow is a fresh start. No matter how bad today was, you can always correct the errors that were made so they do not become mistakes...

Serious

There was some heavy duty desserting going on. In the states it seems like Chicago and NY are really great for that. Paris, Milan and Hong Kong are also good but getting there is not as easy or cheap from Los Angeles. Here one can not get the high level of cakes that are served elsewhere. Maybe its because LA (next to Miami) is the leader of health clubs and sports gymnasiums per capita in the world. Or maybe there is a more sinister happening that impedes Angelinos from enjoying the marvelous sweets of the world.

I've officially gained some major kilos from my trip to NY.

Monday morning I have a date with one of those sports gymnasiums I was speaking of.

Ludwig

You can't judge a book by its cover, but we often do anyways. Even those of us who make a conscious effort to live by this rule sometimes get it all wrong.. so very, very wrong.

Such was the case with my meeting of Ludwig.
Ludwig is a nice young chap. He's tall, thin, has dark, luscious, longish hair.
He's got high cheek bones and has a fashion sensibility not unlike that of a well mannered Dutch heavy metal fan. Upon meeting him I was convinced he was Scandinavian. He didn't really speak much but he did giggle at his American girlfriend's jokes... then finally Ludwig spoke.. with a lisp.. and an accent.

He was not foreign,
he was from Jersey.

Timing

They say "it's all about timing" I've never been quite sure of what that means to me or the relevance of this notion to the world around us. I understand time and I am a fan of it. It keeps things moving and in order. Sometimes it works in our favor- sometimes it works against us. Lately I feel like my relationship with time has gotten better. I feel like I got on its good side and is giving me a break. I made several apologies to it and I think we worked out our differences. I'm happy and confident that we are going to get along just fine from now on.

Eye Scream

Art should be free, so should music and books. If art was accessible to everyone across all social classes America would be better off. Unfortunately the public art programs are quickly dying and, in some cities, have been dead for a while.
In protest, I snuck into the Met. Along the way I fell in love with Giovanni Panini's "Modern Rome". Probably the single most amazing painting in the history of fine art. Best of all I saw it for free!
Take that Met

The Son of a Bolivian Diplomat

Gustavo is the son of Bolivian Diplomats and an experienced accountant. He has lived in 10 countries throughout his life and was very happy to not have to move ever again, as NY was now and his permanent home. As he paid for his meal he discreetly asked the waiter for my bill. He paid for mine and his, he also instructed me to enjoy the city and my life.

A few moments after meeting Gustavo I hailed cab. The cab driver was a young man of Afghan decent, born and raised in Queens NY since the age of 2. He is a medical student and currently on a summer break from school. He drives a cab and works the occasional odd job to pay for his tuition. We spoke about the frustration of traffic jams, the frustration of dealing with yuppies, and the privilege of living in a city where the ethnic demographic is vast and the benefits of living exposed to that. When we arrived at my destination he first refused payment for the cab fare and immediately took said fare off the meter, I insisted that I pay so he knocked 1/3 off. I thanked him and gave him a little extra for the tuition fund.

Friends and Fish

Started eating Fish about a month ago. It was a bit weird and I felt a little guilty about betraying my veggienism. I also felt a bit like a sell-out. I started eating it for its Omega 3 and Iron, my old self didn't care for that. It just stood there, looking at me, judging me, telling me how "soft" I had become and he reminded me how easy it was for me to turn my back on commitments.
That guy is a bit of a jerk so I just turned my back and ignored him.
Lisa Rondholz was very supportive and helpful during this argument. Thanks Lisa, for the support and for the fish. With friends like her who needs guilt?

Goodbye

See you later friends in Queens. I'll remember you fondly. I'll also remember that this is the biggest "super-fan move" ever in the history of super-fans. I mean, the guy moved up from Argentina and devoted his whole business and life to his team. All of his kids work there and his brother too. Well done friend, well done.

Bring It!

What do you do if the team is down???
You bring out the Congas and the Hi-Hat and start playing along (that's the owner of the restaurant BTW)-
Tell all the cooks and waiters to stop what they're doing and bring out the umbrellas, funny hats, and put on the team spirit!
The whole restaurant went into a full blown soccer chant... the place was ecstatic!!!!
The best bad meal I have ever had
DALE BOCA!

Boca Salad

The food wasn't the best and the team was loosing...
But wait, we have to turn this around somehow!

BOCA!

Queens, NY has numerous cultural advantages to Los Angeles, not least of which is this fine establishment.
The Boca Juniors Restaurant and Steakhouse!!!!
In case you don't know, Boca Juniors is the most important football club/team in all of the Americas
(and my personal favorite)...
I truly felt like the pilgrimage was worth while. Now I know what the Jews must feel like when they go to Israel. A blessing indeed.

Life

Just like my life, this picture seems to be a little out of focus, maybe its too busy but you get the picture.
Delicious French Toast and eggs...