I'll have the #3- No pickles!

And Done!

2009-01-02T00:04:00.000-08:00

Well- I guess that's it.
This was a 1 year project whose contract has run out.
Thanks for visiting this site...
and a real BIG Thanks to all of you who had really kind words to say about this little project-
If anyone wants to know what Im up to- please check the following site:
LUIS FELIPE FARFAN. BLOGSPOT .COM

NYE/SAVED

2009-01-01T23:47:00.000-08:00

A rude waitress and severe traffic did not crap out me and Coco's eve...
We dashed over to the Standard Hotel in Hollywood for a party and then rushed to downtown for a very intimate countdown on the rooftop of the LAAC.

We had a huge bottle of champagne (stolen from a Marc Jacobs Halloween party at the Chateau Marmount)
and 213 dollars waving in the air!! The radio played REM's "It's the end of the World as we know it" and we jumped up and down
for about 2 minutes..

then we went to bed and watched a Twilight Zone marathon on the Sci-Fi network.

NYE/DUSTED

2009-01-01T23:40:00.000-08:00

NYE started off on such a sour note it made my stomach upset....
A rude waitress/waiter on any given night out really can put a slight damper on things.

No tips given out tonight.

The Dawning of a coming Apocalypse

2008-12-31T01:40:00.000-08:00

T-minus 3 years folks....
Grab your love and watch it all come down.
Not even the coming nuclear holocaust can crush the best of our human emotions.

In Sickness and in Health

2008-12-29T21:53:00.000-08:00

My friends make me sick... or I should say, the expired ass food they leave lying around for people to eat makes me sick....

Why would you do that to me Andy?
You know the 1st thing I do when I come over is look for cereal and cookies or any suitable substitute thereof.
Why would you leave out something of a peanut butter nature for me to see, you know I'm gonna eat it-

That fucking Cliff Bar from your fruit bowl made me puke as soon as I got home from your place.... thanks buddy!
Was it sabotage? Did you not like the socks I got you for Christmas???

Boxing Day

2008-12-26T02:13:00.000-08:00

Today's Boxing Day in the old continent AND Canada (love Canada).
This boxing day will be spent eating out of paper plates and laying waste to 2 big cheesecakes and 5 mini, cupcake sized cheesecakes.... Needless to say I have a problem with self control.

Coco's coming by to watch movies with my folks and I.
We highly recommend you watch American Crime, you wont regret it.

ALSO- go find the new Barney Bubbles book that just came out- It's brilliant!

XMAS FOR THE MEXS

2008-12-25T01:40:00.000-08:00

I love traditions- the regularity of them, the rules and conduct, and most of all, the feeling that surrounds traditions.
It's a very comforting feeling- no matter what's going on in the world that day- there is some normality to life.

3rd World Countries

2008-12-21T11:11:00.000-08:00

It's a truism of the 3rd World-
you have to spice up an otherwise bland plate with whatever you can.

In the case of India- they tend to over do it with the spices.
They need to tone down the Kashmir flakes on the potatoes-
after eating this I smelled like Ghandi for a while

Old Carbs

2008-12-21T10:55:00.000-08:00

I've been sidelined by my age and betrayed by my once stalwart physique.... I am not as flexible as I once was.
When I was a kid I could climb up trees, jump off them, land on my knees and immediately get up and do it again-
Even a decade ago, when I would ritually abuse my body night after night, came morning I was alright.

Not until last week did I realize that you can't do that forever...
It's cold and the Brits have granted me some holiday vacation time, I'm screening my calls and not going out.

As Rene put it, I've gone "dark"

EL CLASICO

2008-12-13T15:10:00.000-08:00

We celebrate the Clasico with fruits and vegetables
not chips and beer as it's accustomed.

Birdman

2008-12-12T19:01:00.000-08:00

In most circles, it is completely against the rules to give yourself a nickname... it's just NOT allowed.
Black gentlemen, however, are excluded from this. They are the only people in the world that can re-christen themselves with any ridiculous name or symbol that's to their liking (i.e.Prince) and we must all abide.

Coco and I ran into Birdman at a local Hamburger joint.
He was trying to hit on my lady but I quickly iced the situation...
he ended up giving us advice on love and life-

Amongst other things, he said women are always right and that men have to realize that in order to be happy with a woman.
Then he said that all women should "know their place" in the relationship...

His neo-progressive-machoism really threw me for a loop-
Coco smiled politely and laughed.

It's not all that bad

2008-12-10T18:26:00.000-08:00

If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

Half a Plate

2008-12-09T20:00:00.000-08:00

Call me morbid, call me pale
I've spent six years on your trail
Six long years
On your trail

Call me morbid, call me pale
I've spent six years on your trail
Six full years of my life on your trail

And if you have five seconds to spare
Then I'll tell you the story of my life :
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
I went to London and I
I booked myself in at the Y ... W.C.A.
I said : "I like it here - can I stay ?
I like it here - can I stay ?
Do you have a vacancy
For a Back-scrubber?"

It's not the Heat, it's the HUMILITY.... or lack thereof

2008-12-09T19:36:00.000-08:00

If I've said it a thousand times, I've said it a million.

Those that come from the higher end of the socio-economic plank tend to be giant douchebags.

There is a small distinction to be made, however. And that is, that the douchyness tends to only apply to those that
were born into money, not to those that came about it later. This has everything to do with a person's childhood upbringing.

We all develop our persona's by the age of 5- If you are a spoiled, rich brat at 5- Chances are you are going to be a spoiled, rich brat at 25/ 35/45/ Corpse... No ifs, ands or buts about it- It's the truth.

Having said that I will say that racism in America is almost gone but Classims is alive and well.

The Freeze

2008-12-03T21:54:00.000-08:00

No one likes a headache, especially the frontal lobe ones that are caused by stress or popsicles.. the dreaded "Brain Freeze".

It's your body is punishing you for not taking it easy,
"settle down fool- take your time and enjoy this shit- it's good! don't rush it" is what your bod is saying.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOLASSOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-03T21:48:00.000-08:00

Vivimos la Pasión este ultimo fin de semana-
VAMOS U DE G!!
SI SE PUEDE!!

the End

2008-12-03T21:45:00.000-08:00

2008
It's been a year in food-
and sadly this little project has its days numbered.

Here- a photo printed in an American Photo mag this last spring.

Peppery Flakes

2008-11-27T21:11:00.000-08:00

Don't be how I sometimes am.... Flaky.

On the 2nd most American Holiday of the year I managed to flake out on my pal Dan and his lady Caitlin...

Truth is I started driving to their house but the 22 mile trek held me back and I turned around after driving for half a mile.
I'd spend all day with my folks watching the most recent exports of Mexican cinema, eating berries and chocolates and drinking black tea. Needless to say that "laziness" was the word of the day.

That is no excuse however, because I promised them I was gonna show and I did not- now I feel guilty
(but since I'm Catholic I'm used to it)

so please learn from my shortcomings and do not flake out on your pals.

The Final Solution

2008-11-27T15:19:00.000-08:00

It eventually comes down to this for many of us-
Though I am a traditionalist- I'm not a fan of certain rituals...

but I am very happy to see people find love and happiness.

Bizarre

2008-11-25T20:01:00.000-08:00

Mexico is the US's bizarro world.
Over there poor people eat organic fruits, veggies and nuts and anyone can get a shoe shine on any street corner or plaza.

Here you have to pay top dollar at Whole Foods for organic anything and only place to get a shoe shine is a fancy hotel....

what gives? you (fucking) weirdo Americans.

Giving a shite

2008-11-24T17:47:00.000-08:00

I like it when people give a shit- even a little bit of one- in whatever they do professionally.
That's something that gets lost in 1st world countries- Work Ethic.
I seldom see it in LA- even by very loose standards, people sometimes just refuse to do more that
they are asked to.. nevermind them taking initiative. It has to do with being well off.
As a country this one is better off than others. This is filtered to mindset of its citizenry and thus makes for a
lazy country......

Pan Dulce

2008-11-24T17:43:00.000-08:00

Though I contained my "fried tooth", I could not stop the barrage of sweet bread
that was coming my way- my love handles are out of control.
Resolution for 2008- no breads of any kind
:(

Stop in the name of Health

2008-11-24T17:39:00.000-08:00

Halfway thru our weekender in Mexico, I had to put a stop to the massive
consumption of fried goodies...

Devil's in the Details

2008-11-24T17:34:00.000-08:00

I believe that God is fair and just. If this is so then the person that invented the credit card will surely end up in hell.
Him and his long time budd- the dude that invented the variable interest rate...
those guys are gonna burn.

Salty

2008-11-18T17:56:00.000-08:00

It's not that I'm bitter ('cuz I'm not).

But I'm definitely a Salty individual....

and I'm completely fine with that

Naive or Optimism

2008-11-10T22:32:00.000-08:00

I refuse to speak about politics over food because it is very bad for digestion.....
I will say this though-
Americans that lie in the middle left ("liberals") are VERY sensitive about Obama.
Seems that any kind of negative comment or doubt about the man's intentions/ideas/plans are out of line. Even a crude joke about Obama is quickly discarded and the person who said it becomes an instant asshole.

This may be the dawn of a new Gestapo- a Naive and over Optimist one.
Where anything deemed negative will get erased- comments that aren't positive or favorable will be disregarded as fascist or racist and those that do not hold the popular opinion will not be invited to fancy parties.

Be careful "libs"... Don't act like all the ol' geezers and cunts that have been running things for a while.

Us Apolitical folk will be over by the pie table minding our own business.

Afternoon Fucking

2008-11-07T17:06:00.000-08:00

Nothing better in the world than having sex in the afternoon, preferable a weekday afternoon.
While the rest of the world slaves away you 2 are making sweet, sweet, sweaty love to each other.
It's sunny outside, not a cloud in sight, there's a cool breeze and you are gonna make it with the door facing the backyard wide open. You can see the bees pollinating the roses. Take a deep breath and hold her close- take a mental picture and hope you never get Alzheimer's.

We used to Party

2008-11-07T16:49:00.000-08:00

I remember them fondly, my early 20's, all 5 of them, half a decade of really great fun and miserable times- pathetic and glorious.
Not 1 of those years was normal by most people's standards, and it's taken me a while to realize that all of the misery added up to something. And that the fun will eventually morph into something else- something a bit more meaningful...

Though I cherish a quite evening at home with my girlfriend or an early breakfast date with my best pal Juan-
I still cant help but missing the sound of breaking glass

Condiments

2008-11-02T22:44:00.000-08:00

I keep trying to warn everyone about these condiments...
I ran into "Ketchup" last night.
Fresh from shooting up in his dressing room backstage- Ketchup comes out to play badly tuned guitar.

You should all be weary of his pal "Hot Dog" too- that guy is full of shit.

Stereotypes or Fun?

2008-11-02T22:33:00.000-08:00

Thanks dude! no, really, thanks for making the evening that much more special.
Seeing a Mexican kid dressed up like the Tapatio Hot Sauce guy was really awesome!
I bet there was a big Black girl dressed up like
Aunt Jemima warming up hearts somewhere in LA.

I used to hate Halloween, now I see it as an excuse to really be yourself..
-not pictured was the Asian kid dressed up like a calculator.

Condiments

2008-10-27T22:52:00.000-07:00

The city should really do something about these fucking condiments- they are ruining our cities.
They vandalize our town, hang out on street corners, smoke reefer, bully vegetables, and beat up old ladies for no good reason.

-photo by Jo

Easy Like....

2008-10-27T22:41:00.000-07:00

It took me a very long time to appreciate the company of my folks-
now, the one day I look forward to the most is Sunday-
specifically Sunday Mornings. The 3 of us spend at least 2 hours debating politics, history and and pop culture..
throw in a couple of jokes and a huge eggy breakfast and the morning really becomes a whole big, beautiful treat.

TACO-BOOZE= CELEBRATION

2008-10-20T22:59:00.000-07:00

On the 4th Anniversary of my acceptance and surrender to many serious things, my best pal and I went out for tacos and some ginger ale... I love life!

Is this the End?

2008-10-16T23:48:00.000-07:00

Jim Morrison said it was.. The Aztecs have it on the books and Nostradamus told it so.

Can all of these folks be wrong?

If you take a peek inside a newspaper, you would certainly think it was all coming to an anti-climatic and predictable conclusion...

But who knows?!? We may all live for another 2 thousand years.....
then what?

-photo by Rene Navarrette

Numerology

2008-10-15T21:42:00.000-07:00

Can't Live with it
Can't Live without it...

TRAFFIC

2008-10-09T20:37:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles is full of cars and people that don't know how to drive them.
Hey You! don't slow down to watch some guy change his tire on the shoulder of the 5 or 710 fwys.
ALSO- Don't slow down to watch that cop give that poor Mexican a ticket. You aren't gonna get to film the beat down the cop is about to hand out from the middle lane of the fwy going 30mph. Just fucking get over it and keep driving.

You, old lady- driving that old Caddy at 45mph on the fast lane-Why are you driving? Were you such an unfit mother that your children left your old ass to wither away and die alone? They certainly don't like you or any of us. If they did they would take you off the highway and drive you places... by the way- it's dark, your lights are off and
you are going the wrong way on a one way street.

You- Obama fan with your stupid bumper sticker on your hybrid- your driving's ok but you suck anyways- If your dude gets in get ready for a let down in a year and half.

I'm willing to bet my life savings he doesn't finish out his 1st term. (JFK)

Koreatown, learn to drive...please!!!

Georgina y´Lilly

2008-10-05T23:23:00.000-07:00

Geo for short, and Lilly is short for Liliana.
Two really lovely ladies with hearts of gold.
I keep them from doing any kind of actual work
for at least 1 hour every weekday morning-
We all feel ok about it since their boss is a bit of asshole
(he withholds their tips).

KEEP YOUR FINGERS NIMBLE

2008-10-05T23:09:00.000-07:00

You have to stay sharp, have your wits about you
and always maintain your skills in top form.
No matter how old you get or how "in the past"
your skills may be- once in a while you have to wipe that
dust off your shoulders and get back in the game.....
Even if it means stealing candy and putting teenagers
in their place....
The Rabbi and The Mexican are out of retirement and they
don't give a fuck...

Frankly, I'm a little afraid for what might happen.

On Puking....

2008-09-29T23:23:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately I do not have an old photo of puke

to post up-

That's right friends- It's been a while

since I've been on my knees in front of a

toilet.

Or out on the streets, hunched over

a sidewalk, holding on to a building that's swaying back

and forth...

I remember performing this ritual quite often,

(usually due to misadventure, seldom to illness),

it agonized me. How can something so good make you

feel so bad 10 hours later???

The ABSOLUTE worse of these many instances was on my 20th bday.

My folks decided to take me out to Red Lobster for dinner

(why they would take a vegetarian there is beyond me).

I showed up very hungover from the week long Luis-Palooza

that had been taken place in El Monte and Norwalk and East LA.

My dad recognized my condition immediately and shot me a look

of disappointment. My mom though I was...... my mom was in denial.

The kicker was trying not to puke in my mom's new Camry though.

Holding puke in is 100 times worse than trying to hold a shit BTW-

Anyways... I couldn't hold it much longer. I ended puking out the side

of the car as we approached the valet parking...

That's right folks, Red Lobster has a valet.

Worse night of my life (up to that point).

The Big P!

2008-09-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

It is fairly unfavorable (in my culture) to be an un-married man

at 30 but I'm ok with it.
Because you know, Marriage is only for the brave. The truly brave.
The whole thing goes against the most basic human urges and impulses.
The whole deal is a bit archaic and overtly complicated. Anyone entering

this is of a valiant nature.

BUT- when 2 people find each other, and love each other SO much that
they decide to enter this deal...well-

I have to really applaud and support
that.

'Aint NO Shame for the Shameless

2008-09-23T21:25:00.000-07:00

The reason I'm friends with those that I consider such is because
we all share one thing in common... We're all fishy.

It's true dudes- we know our secrets,
Thank God no one else does.

Q?

2008-09-23T21:20:00.000-07:00

Is it necessary to read about food as you eat?
I'm not entirely sure, but if I was a philosopher I'd be wearing a toga

KEV

2008-09-21T00:48:00.000-07:00

I've known this cook for a while. He broke up with a girl
and we bonded over
reggae and wine.
Summer/2001.
I love him.

Sometimes I get all existential and moody and try to come up with really long titles to blog post....I'm deep and I read a lot of books by dead people

2008-09-21T00:42:00.000-07:00

Yup- that happens sometimes doesn't it?

White Lies

2008-09-18T23:26:00.000-07:00

One of the everlasting, secondary effects of a brain
that has not quietly floated in a sea of liquor in a long while
is the inability to tell white lies.

I used to be a master at this craft.
Some said I should've gone into politics -I was so
good at it.

Well- I cant go into politics anymore
It's to the confessional for me.

THEY THREW ME AT THE LIONS AND SOMEHOW I SURVIVED

2008-09-15T22:50:00.000-07:00

If your 11 year old son is playing with carrots
(+ other vegetables of similar shape), and
sticking them up his butt......

Chances are he's gay.

Please spare him a teenagehood
of pain and come out to him before he comes out to you.

Signs

2008-09-11T22:40:00.000-07:00

They are all around us.
We either pay attention to them
or we don't.
Either way things tend to get kinda muddy.

I used to think that the world
was black and white.
It is about 90% of the time.
That other 10% though-

That's the real killer

Childhood Dinner

2008-09-09T23:34:00.000-07:00

My aunt Chayo used to make me
and my cousins pancakes for dinner.
This was a real treat for me as my mother
never would have made me such things to eat
late at night.

Now, I often times indulge in my most novel
and simple pleasure, no matter how nostalgic
it might be.

N/A

2008-09-09T23:25:00.000-07:00

I've become quieter and a bit more introverted
as these years move along. For better or for worse.

Then, sometimes it all comes spurting out.
Like a freshly tapped oil well-
BOOM!!!! (Feelings and thoughts).

It can be a bit much, especially to people
whom you've just met.

Will we ever be together like this again?

2008-09-06T21:29:00.000-07:00

Terminations are hard. Separations are harder.
With a termination you know it's over and done with.
Separations are a total gray area.
There is alot of uncertainty involved
and can be full of sad surprises.

Danka!

2008-09-05T19:24:00.000-07:00

Thanks to he good people at the PNCA for taking me in.
Now I need 80k.
If you're rich and read this from time to time
(Mr. Kassim from United Arab Emirates please call me)
pitch in a few bucks and make an immigrants dream a reality......

Keep on Believing

2008-09-05T19:11:00.000-07:00

It's hard out there. Harder still is finding someone that will accept you despite all of your
financial and aesthetic shortcomings. When you find that person- hold on to them like
they were the last life jacket on the Titanic.

Faith in the Future

2008-09-01T23:13:00.000-07:00

I'm very bummed out over some deeply personal things...
I will say that having faith in the universe is completely
essential to living on this planet and is helping me in this difficult time.
How else could anyone possibly function?

I'm not talking about religion or anything organized with rules
and traditions and formalities (though I am a proud Catholic).

I'm just talking about the day to day business of being human.
It's hard to live with cognitive thought and opposable thumbs.

We have this heavy burden on our shoulders,
the burden of thinking- the capability of thought is both wonderful and very disturbing.

It means that we are constantly thinking about things- everything from the mundane to the fantastical.
Somewhere in between we make decisions that will impact our lives in ways that we will not be totally sure of
until years later.
This is a very scary prospect.
We are speculating on the outcome of our decisions and we will have to
live with the consequences perpetually.

This is totally fucked up.

Service

2008-08-28T22:09:00.000-07:00

I'm a stickler for manners.
I like good manners.
I take great pride is saying "thanks" and "please" to others as needed.
Some people don't really worry about these sorts of things,
In Los Angeles and New York I seldom encounter a person that possesses this particular trait.
(The middle of the country does fair better however).

Having said that- I could never ever be in the service industry.

It's literally a thankless job-
Next time you eat out- please be polite to the person
serving you food.
They are an integral part of something very intimate that you will be doing.
Make sure you leave an appropriate tip as well.

thanks!

2ND'S

2008-08-28T22:04:00.000-07:00

Folks brought back some chocolate contraband
from San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

I can't stress enough the deliciousness of these treats.

Comfort

2008-08-24T21:35:00.000-07:00

I used to watch the news religiously.
BBC World Service, ABC Nightly News,
TVE Noticias, etc.

Lately, instead of feeling informed about the goings on
of the world, I just feel depressed.

Housing Market in the US and Britain has gone to shit.
Japanese people are broke.
Canadians aren't fairing much better.
Mexico is lawless....
Russian invasions and Iran might get bombed...

Solution???

COOKIES!!!!!!!

On the Road Again

2008-08-24T01:02:00.000-07:00

No matter how hard you try-
you really can't run away from away from your problems.

It's a cruel reality, cruel to those of us
with problems to run away from.

In my case it's not problems that can be fixed by
money or the such.
Mine are problems of time-

I have a problem with time-
the way it treats me, the way it just flew by with out leaving anything substantial
behind.

?!?

2008-08-18T22:28:00.000-07:00

I don't want to get all preachy
but- THIS is why I don't eat meat...
It looks like a burnt turd for Christ's sake!
Why anyone would ingest this is beyond my comprehension.

But this brings upon a bigger issue-
that of manners.

How do you tell someone who invites you over for dinner that their
food sucks? Or that it tastes bad and you refuse to eat it- that you'd rather
eat out of a garbage can before eating anything they made in that dirty kitchen
of theirs... HOW do you tell them?

*note:
photo not taken at Cam+Juan's bbq

Illegal Deals

2008-08-18T22:13:00.000-07:00

The point of sale of every illegal purchase in the world,
(be it drugs, guns, gucci bags, bootleg porno, drugs, or guns)
is the trunk of a mid 80's American made vehicle.

Even in the Middle East and Asia,
if you see an '88 Buick Skylark parked somewhere
you know there is some illegal shit
being sold from it.

These hazy transactions occur all around us.
We must be vigilant.

Work

2008-08-15T00:35:00.000-07:00

They don't call it
"Super Bombastic Awesome Fun Milkshake Time"
(well.. maybe in Japan they do)

In the rest of the world, they call it WORK.

I lucked out though- to an extent.
Though it is work,
the perks are good, my boss is nice
and I enjoy a fair amount of freedom.

On some days though- I can't help recalling
the lyrics to
"Junkie's running Dry"

OlymTea

2008-08-09T22:24:00.000-07:00

Coco loves the Olympics. Andy thinks we should boycott them.
Kevin couldn't care less, Dan is uninterested (I think),
and somewhere in Eagle Rock Jeremy is Tivo'ing all of it.

Hopefully Black September is fully retired by now.

Daniel

2008-08-09T22:21:00.000-07:00

Dan Monick has found love.

Yay Dan Monick!

B

2008-08-09T22:05:00.000-07:00

The crowning achievement of the
LA County Public Service Department
is their restaurant grading system.
It's very effective in telling people how clean and safe a restaurant is.

An "A" restaurant meets or excels in food prep and cleanliness standards.

Anything under an A (B, or C) is gambling with your wellness.

On this day- Gabriel and I were fooled by the shadiness of this establishment.

Summer?

2008-08-03T23:30:00.000-07:00

I've been hearing a lot of talk about the lack of Summer
this year.

Coco isn't happy, neither is Andy.
They want the heat and they want the beach.

Personally- I couldn't be more thrilled about the lack of heat waves.

I look forward to a cool Fall and cooler Winter.

ALSO- the colder seasons will curb my ice cream cravings.
(If I continue my current rate of Ice cream intake I will surely develop diabetes and/or a pot belly before my 31st bday).

Robin

2008-07-29T22:23:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned that my local
supermarket is owned by a drug cartel
and that the market is a money laundering front?

Well, it is.

Thank god for them.
Cheap groceries are really hard to come.

You can get boxes of cookies for half of
what you would pay for them in
lawful establishments,
Ditto for delicious fruits and veggies.

Let's support our local drug cartels!
Modern Day Robin Hoods.

Where Eagles Dare

2008-07-28T22:09:00.000-07:00

We walk the streets at night-
We go where eagles dare
they pick up every movement they / pick up every loser
with jaded eyes and features you think they really care!
I ain't no goddamn son of a bitch / you better think about it baby!
I ain't no goddamn son of a bitch / you better think about it baby babe.....

Catholics

2008-07-27T00:27:00.000-07:00

Mexicans are Catholic.
(we have the Spaniards to thank for this)

Catholics are guilty and have an inferiority complex
therefore
Mexican are guilt ridden and have an inferiority complex.

Hundreds of years of Catholicism leads to signs like these.
it reads
"For suggestions or complaints"

Gabriel A.

2008-07-27T00:09:00.000-07:00

Gabriel Alejandro Farfan is all of 24-
24 going on 18.
To say he's a little green is putting it mildly.

In 5 short weeks he'll be Japan
doing God-knows-what with God-knows-who

He's a sweet kid with no ill intentions,
he's the perfect pray for pickpockets, the Yakuza,
petty thieves, common bad guys/ et all

I hope he makes it past the airport
I really, really do

I love him dearly

American Dreams

2008-07-18T22:24:00.000-07:00

Luis Zapata loves candy- this is a fact.
Francisco Javier Arredondo loves all things sweet.
I vividly remember them downing 2 liter bottles of Coca-Cola with 3 large swigs.
They'd drink that and a 6-pack of Bud and work on their cars.

Their brother Lupito was a real gent and not as brutish-
he bought me my 1st favorite shirt-
(it was a green camouflage shirt with Sgt. Slaughter screened on the front).
and used to take care of me from time to time.

It's a miracle they're still alive- they've all lived incredible harsh lives.
If I got into in detail it'd be a VERY long post- and I'd probably end up crying.

I've not seem them in a decade and a half.
I miss them.

Robot

2008-07-18T21:55:00.000-07:00

I love my friends.
They're the only ones more degenerate then I.
I mean that in the best, most endearing way possible.
They are completely irrational but are so set in their
convictions and beliefs that, after a while,
they (inexplicably) start making sense.

The onset of Adulthood

2008-07-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

It hits some of us harder than others.
Some don't even realize they're knee deep already.
And others......
others never fully come into it.

A select few skip it altogether.

We have been let down before

2008-07-13T21:31:00.000-07:00

I don't understand people that get overtly into friendly (i.e. non-professional) competitions.
Relax dudes! Take a chill-pill. It's not like we lost the championship of champions of the universe.

We totally got our asses kicked this last Saturday... the AdiCup was an AdiDisaster.
I had fun though.

Don't tread on me, I have the ability to inflict Pain

2008-07-10T23:29:00.000-07:00

Dear NPR,
I like you, I really do. Most of the time you are right on the money with your views and commentary. Your shows are good and they make my drives way smoother than what they would be if you weren't there.
However, You REALLY have to stop it with this "Latino" Vote specials that you keep doing.

Calling a Hispanic person Latino is like calling a Black person Colored, or an Asian person Oriental...
(they're not fucking rugs are they- they are people! thus, I'm not a fucking bad bar night somewhere or a type of Jazz!!!!!)
We're Hispanic not Latino- live it- love it, get used to it.

If you keep pissing us off we'll vote for this guy
who, really, should have been the President of this country long ago.

sincerely,
Luis Felipe Farfan-Arredondo

WOW!

2008-07-10T23:14:00.000-07:00

The good people at JPG Mag. have decided to publish one of the photos from this here blog. Thanks for that guys, and extra thanks for the check!
Look for it in newsstands in the coming weeks, issue 17.....

In other news- I will either be super stoked or super bummed this Saturday night. My football squad "All Faith F.C." will be participating in the 3rd annual AdiCup, sponsored by Adidas. If we win, drinks are on me...

Lastly the weird people at Harper Collins hit me up about doing a diet book for them. Serious.
I told them I needed 100K, up front in cash, all 100's... and complete creative freedom AND I choose the editor for the book.

I'm waiting to hear back but honestly, with demands like that I'll be very surprised if they say yes-
If they do, however, look for me at the Bellagio Casino in Las Vegas. I'll be at the roulette table.
(too bad there's no Russian Roulette there).

Independent

2008-07-05T15:29:00.000-07:00

Independence day in America means preparing meat in BBQ grills AND using ancient Chinese pyrotechnical procedures to create multicolor explosives for entertainment purposes.
Go America!

Into the Fire

2008-07-03T19:29:00.000-07:00

Indeed we are in the midst of the strangest, most fucked up times in modern history.
Disturbing was the fact that scientist recently announced that in the next few years the Southern California area will experience an increase in temperature between 5-10 degrees.

It's already over 110 Fahrenheit in some places.
People weren't meant to live in 120 degree weather, only cactus was.

Actually, I've never even wanted to live here-
I'm obliged to live in this hell because I have chosen to be a good son to my wonderful parents.

I hope that science will scare them back to our home in Aguascalientes, Mexico.
If they do move- I'm immediately moving to any Nordic country.

Hurting

2008-06-29T16:01:00.000-07:00

While many folks in the US are hurting due to the recent economic downturn and exceedingly high gasoline prices, there are still a few young hold-outs that don't care about CNN or Obama.
They spend their evenings dancing, sweating, kissing, and drinking domestic lagers.

Thank God for youth!

Flagrant

2008-06-27T00:12:00.000-07:00

WOW! People are really douchy now-in-days.
The whole meaning of friendship has really gone by the waste side.

What a bummer!

It seems the Los Angeles is going thru an upswing in the scumbag dept. lately

Way to go guys!
Way to-fucking-go!

Fascination Street

2008-06-24T17:35:00.000-07:00

At times I've been fascinated by seemingly random things.
I only know this because its been pointed out to me by past and present lovers.
Pointed out as a flaw of mine that they are comfortable with.

This week its been the production values of the
Lil Wayne song "LaLa".

That and a homeless crack head who's name is the same as mine-
I have to look for him, find him, and capture him on film or audio- what a sad story his is.
Future Basketball Star turned homeless crackhead.
I hope he's not dead or in jail-

The Spanish

2008-06-22T15:30:00.000-07:00

I'm in a state of struggle with myself and my heritage.
Should I identify with my conquerors or with my indigenous blood?
What parts am I more of? I'm not sure- I know its a mixture but I'm unsure of the exact ratio.
In the end, I'm an eternally proud Nationalist, for better or for worst.

Today, in the Nordic states, the conquerors beat each other- Italy and Spain.
It was a thrilling bout-

Getting Gypped

2008-06-22T15:06:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles sometimes makes me feel like I'm getting gypped.
I ended up here by circumstance and have not left due to loyalty.
At some point I have to throw this by the waste side. Hopefully I'll end up in Brussels or Vienna.
You see, it is because Los Angeles is a city which is constant with its allusions of grandeur.
I don't trust it.
It's gypping me of a true international, cosmopolitan living.

ALSO-its 300 degrees outside and traffic is an absolute nightmare.

The Excitement

2008-06-17T23:25:00.000-07:00

That palpitating of the heart. How it comes up to your throat, the pupils, dilated. You start to feel the sweat and begin to shake slightly.
It's good to be alive....... or terrible at times
BUT this feeling of excitement really makes things interesting.

Boooooo!!!!

2008-06-15T14:28:00.000-07:00

I will be doing a live art critique this coming Wednesday night at a solo show for a guy that is desperately trying to be the next Banksy.
I will post up a comment and a grading scale on 11x14 inch paper next to the piece in question.
I will most likely use an adhesive spray to post up the critiques.

I might get kicked out or booed out of this thing.
We'll see.

Millions

2008-06-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

The history of sugar is actually quite fascinating.
I'll give you the quick synopsis;
in 530 AD- Indians (dot not feather) discovered how to crystallize sugar.
A few hundred years later, Whites took the Indian technology to the new continents-
enslaved millions of people darker than themselves and sold sugar back to the people who discovered it.
Whitey made millions-

the longing of separated lovers

2008-06-09T22:37:00.000-07:00

There are harder things in life, but fewer are the things that can make you feel so lonely that you cry yourself to sleep.

Harmony

2008-06-07T15:03:00.000-07:00

My next door neighbors are a family from either Jersey or Florida or some desert city somewhere.
They are fans of 80's Hair Metal and I consider them to be "metalheads" of the classiest order.
The dad and his 2 sons have a band and rehearse just about everyday, no originals just a bunch of covers
(Poison, Motley Crew, GnR, etc.).
Lately they have been working on a rendition of the classic Beatles tune "Day Tripper", an amped up, more metally version.
I guess things weren't going the way they should because the father (bass) went into a real tiff:
"It's the God-dammed Beatles for fuck's sake!!! It's about the fucking harmonies!!!".....

I'm not one for child abuse so I highly disagree with all of their behavior, yet somehow support their artistic efforts.
I'm very torn by them.

Before+After, knife and forks

2008-06-02T23:03:00.000-07:00

I've been referred to as a "trashcan".
Not by people who hate me, but by people who absolutely love me unconditionally.
This caused some laughter, that good hearted laugh, the kind where you laugh at your misadventures.
It's robust laugh and it comes from your soul.
Indeed there have been a few misadventures and more than a few close calls.

But in the quiet- you start thinking of what you were and who you are now, I truly am a lucky man.
Somewhere along the line- I stopped being a "trashcan" and became...... I don't know what I became/or have become but the word "trash" does not feel apt anymore. It once did- and I didn't care.

I read this recently and It hit me very close, its funny what one can relate to:
"It's not that I wanted to die, its just that I didn't want to live anymore"

I do now, and I'm very happy about this turn of events!

Apple Tart

2008-06-02T22:57:00.000-07:00

It's all too confusing at times.
We always want something that we don't have- then when we get it, we wondered why we wanted it.
We curse it and ourselves and return to the misery we only left for a fraction of a second.
(While the unattainable was attained)
And then reality came crashing down on us.

Difference

2008-05-29T23:43:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-26T20:53:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-25T11:09:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-23T00:22:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-23T00:13:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-18T01:57:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-18T01:26:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-16T20:50:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-14T21:52:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-13T21:38:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-13T21:23:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-11T17:43:00.000-07:00

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.