All the way back in my freshman year of college a resolved young professor assigned us a book about Manhood whose title I can
De Escalation – Tensions are high but they could be diffused more often if we had a better outlook.
Hugo was an angry young man in Los Angeles during the late 90s and 2000s. Luckily his anger didn’t land him in serious hot water. Now at 40 plus years he has rethought his approach to dealing with situations where tempers are flaring and how that could impact the lives of his kin. Your thoughts and comments are always appreciated.
Today on the Show:
Boyz n the Hood clip: https://youtu.be/W1fv8bPOwGk
Subscribe to the Podcast or you can find Hugo on Twitter at @hugosposts on Insta at @hugotorres or his blog at sangabrielvalley.blogspot.com
Wanderer Me
They say I have a bad habit of wondering off. Locking onto a sight, a sound, an aroma or a memory and drifting away towards it.
El Tango de Hugo – Hugo is startled from a dream and suddenly he starts answering some crazy quandaries and questions.
The cold and cough season continue to plague the Torres household and after a long night of short dreams and then little sleep Hugo takes some time time to ask some pertinent questions. It’s not quite everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Hugo but were afraid to ask but we’re getting there.
Today on the Show:
Tango – Por Una Cabeza: https://youtu.be/SJ1aTPM-dyE
Andrea Bocelli Por Una Cabeza: https://youtu.be/m8AnS9Lnpw0
Game Played is Crazy Quandaries Published by Simply Fun Games https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/37591/qrazy-quandaries
Subscribe to the Podcast or you can find Hugo on Twitter at @hugosposts on Insta at @hugotorres or his blog at sangabrielvalley.blogspot.com
End of and Era
End of an Era. After Eight years of Christmas parades, Jog-a-Thons, Monrovia Days, Field Days, MEOs, a Yearbook Cover, Fall Festivals and more…it is time to pass on the paws to another.
Bobcats through and through!
Going on Thirteen
Funny how we decide to mark certain days. Today, for instance, I choose to mark this day as the first time my son’s gaze and mine met at the same level. Standing in front of him I looked into his bright birthday eyes and realized that come this time next year there’s a good chance he’ll be looking down at me. In that transitory moment I took stock of him and still registered his renowned goofiness, sweetness, confidence and happy attitude. He is still my guy to care for and teach. He is still growing and maturing. He is a better version of me in so many different ways. That all included in the mental mark I’ve made for myself on his special day.
Now bring on the Teen-Age years!
An Earned Diploma
The first credit card ever issued to me came in the mail a few days after I filled out an application offered to me at the University
Peat Coat
Other than my receding hairline I possess very few physical reminders of my father. Today I noticed a large tear and missing buttons from his olde peat coat and panicked. I
A Brown Boy’s Wish
The North Star reflected off the eye of the brown little boy who beheld it that evening.
A salty tear had well up and now trailed down his cheek that still smarted from the earlier slap that was now starting to turn his skin red even in the dark of his room. His back stung from the belt lashes too but those were familiar and less agonizing. He stood there at the window wishing to the star at the north for a different reality but unlike the movies the twinkling never materialized into a fairy godmother to grant him his wish.
His Hands
I was the first person that has loved him to touch his hand. His bright blue eyes would meet light for some time and in this brave new world touch was all he had. With his wrinkly miniature hand he grasped my trembling finger and I felt his hearty grip as he squeezed. Years have passed since then and now his paws are as big as mine. They are thin, smooth and would be flawless if he didn’t chew on his nails. They are in contrast with my sun beat skin, protruding wrinkles and a slight tremble at some fingers. His grip is much stronger now and when we play he’s hurt me and I’ve told him countless times to take it easy on me. I can beat him at a Thumb War but my days are numbered. He talks with his hands like I do and I get a chuckle every time he gets animated and those palms are moving a mile a minute. He reaches out sometimes on a walk and I will never deny him that feeling that I’m there for him.
I could not bear to be without him and not have another chance to feel his hands. That is why the passing of young people hurts so much even when they are not mine.
