Category: Hugo

Election Day

Come what may I promise to celebrate but not gloat. Should it not go my way I’ll commiserate but won’t despair. In either case I am Thankful for the right to cast my choice just like the rest of you good people. Times ahead may be easy or they could be a tough beat. But I have promises to keep, and miles and miles to go before I sleep

Musing at the Amusement Park

My mama would wake us up way early and while my Squid sisters and I got dressed she finished packing the egg-tortas and stuff into the cooler. My pop made sure he had a couple of VHS tapes ready and the camera was fully charged. We drove a while and parked at either at the Donald lot or Chip & Dale. I think Cars land now lies atop our old spot. The day was long and worth it. We do it different now. I can’t imagine my dad ever hunting for a specific nerd shirt to wear. 
Fingerprints now get you in the park. King Kong is digital and most kids don’t know who Boris Karloff is. Then again…lines can still get long, hot is hot in California and most things are way too expensive. 
Oh yeah…and New Yorkers still stand out in a crowd!

Fine Dining

I don’t know much about a heaven but let me tell you about my afternoon. I cut into the flank steak that had been grilled to just medium-well before I got home from my business meeting. Glasses of delicious water at the table, a Cider drink for her and a full glass of Red wine resting. Steam rose off the black beans and I crumbled Blue Cheese a top them vigorously. Baby carrots were an option and though I don’t care for veggies I caved and had some with a dab of Italian dressing. I contributed Santana’s Supernatural playing off our old Crosley CD player. We dined talking about the day as the light from the kitchen shifted from glowing to contemplative. 
Dessert ain’t coming because it’s a school night but you won’t hear me complain.

Your Truth vs Mine?

I surmise that a great tragedy of our times is that we believe our own personal truths to be self-evident and that those of others aren’t equal. That while endowed with so many opportunities to share we sometimes fail to really listen. I’m guilty of it though I strive for better because I realize that “our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.”

Cartoonish Aspirations

When I was a boy I used to need to read the funny-papers. 
I’d laugh at Chuck; puzzle over Doonesbury, though Cathy was cute, Garfield needed to lay off lasagna, or thought Family Circus was far fetched. Most off the characters were my friends and I got to see them on the daily. 
Several times I’d ponder about the talents behind the panels. How could people keep on coming up with quirky ideas and silly observations on a daily basis and get them on the page so often? They would have to be super smart, observant and obviously cool. I wanted to be just like them. Sadly I can’t draw and so my wish never came through but I still read the funnies when I can and still chuckle anytime Marmaduke eats something he knows he shouldn’t have.

You Can Say That Again

So I sit here and I listen intently because my friend is telling the story with such delight. She’s gesturing and pausing for effect. You can sense the excitement as she relishes in the details. Funny thing is she told me the exact story just two days ago as I sat in the same spot. But I’m enjoying the double-feature and wondering…will I in my later years apologize to folks for bugging them with my tall tales twice…have I done so already and haven’t been the wiser?

When Snail Mail Counts

My parents were Catholic, Conservative and proper so we didn’t really talk about it. I had a lot of questions but it was better to stay clear. Was super interested in High School but outside of a few opportunities here and there I didn’t partake too much. College was different and I experimented. Maybe too much. My late 20s and 30s cemented a lot for me but there’s always wiggle room and who knows what changes my 40s and beyond will bring. Politics are my sport though and even at their grimiest I still seek the rush of Elections, debate and how Democracy evolves

Give me a Break

My dad and I got on the 60 Freeway going east at about 5:00 pm one day. I was 16 and it was a driving lesson. Back then our family had an old Ford Econoline van and I was in charge of it’s 5,000 pounds. Traffic was light as I got on the road and I was having fun feeling the van taking speed as I pressed on the accelerator. I kept on looking down at the Speedometer, proudly conscious the effect of my pressing foot and how it then moved the needle. I was so mesmerized that I didn’t really see the red lights in front of me and the traffic that had begun to stall. Right under the 710 freeway my father yelled at me to stop and by luck I found the Brake. The van’s wheels screeched and I felt my dad’s hands at my chest. When we were stopped he looked at me for a while and then we had to move on. I didn’t drive again for a while and I can’t say I blame him.

Boy and his Dog

My boy fell ill. His little body aching and tears streaming down his cheek. We put him to bed because he needed to sleep. As I turned off the light to the bedroom and urged him to rest I noticed his dog sitting right next to him. He was looking at his kid and would not move. He laid there most the night. My kiddo is tough and is alright now and for the record his dog and I don’t always seem to see eye to eye. But he loves my tyke unconditionally and that’s all I need to know.