Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Quote of the Day: Sigmund Freud

"I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection."

-Sigmund Freud

Today's quote is dedicated to one of my heroes. Someone I've looked up to my whole life.
The man who created me. He who taught me values, and morals. Right from wrong.

My dad has always been there for me. Not just for me, but for everyone in our lives. He never wavers from helping us with our problems, or issues.

He has lived a life filled with dignity and honor.

I am who I am because of his teachings, and his life style.

He is an amazing husband.

A looked-up-to brother.

Successful in his career.

Upstanding citizen.

Passionate about the people he loves.

He is one of the most genuinely, good hearted, men roaming this Earth.

I want to take this opportunity to Thank You Dad, for always being you. For believing in me. For allowing me to always follow my dreams. For giving me advice, for listening to my problems. For being a father, and a friend all in one. For loving me unconditionally, and never judging my decisions, whether or not they are right or wrong.

I only hope, I can one day become half the man that you are. To take care of my family and friends as well as you have. To find a woman to love, as much as you love mom. To be an honest, hard working, Man!

You are who I want to become.

I love you.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Bullying: The Great-American Past Time



A friend of mine posted this video to facebook, and it really affected me.

Bullying has been a major part of our society since the very beginning.

Being different, always threatens the insecure masses to act out, in an effort to make themselves feel better. But when is it enough?

There are so many young people in this world suffering the effects of bullying. They are being hurt emotionally, and physically. Worse still, they are being pushed to hurting themselves.

This topic is close to my heart, not because I was bullied as a kid. Thankfully, I was blessed. I grew up always being bigger than the other kids, but unlike those victimized by bullying, I was never subjected to that treatment. Unlike some others who were spared that treatment, I realize just how lucky I was.

Too many kids and adults alike are not spared, they are victimized everyday, and worse yet, all the anti-bullying bullshit movements, seem to convenient ignore everyday people who are bullied.

It's good for your resume to be apart of such a movement, but that is all it's good for.

I know you've seen the ads on television. Celebrities speaking about anti-bullying, they think that putting a commercial on television is enough. But it isn't!

We raise our children to fear what is different. We pray that they are "normal." Interestingly enough "normal" can not be defined, because NO ONE IS NORMAL!

Instead of talking about anti-bullying. Let's put an honest effort into stoping it. Let's take action, instead of just nodding our heads whenever we see the commercial with our favorite celebrities.

This movement is bigger than celebrities, it is bigger than filling our resumes to portray that we actually care.

The first step to stoping this tragic epidemic, is to raise our children to have open minds, and to be accepting of anyone who is different.

Don't force societal norms, down anyone's throat.

Look into this kid's eyes, see the tears stream down his face. (Don't worry if it's real or fake, that is irrelevant)

Let's do our part to end this. Not just talk about it, not just write about it. I will not only write about it, but I will do my best to put it into action.

I will befriend those who are different than me. I will defend the innocent people who are victimized. I will speak out, and I will teach my children (when I have some) to love everyone equally, and to accept people for who they are.

Christopher Columbus, came to this country, and bullied the Native Americans. They brought this horrible act to a peaceful country. Let's reverse the act, that this country has allowed to become a societal norm.

Just one time, let's do something to better humanity.

The next time you see someone who is different than you are, reach out your hand, and say Hi.

As cliché as it is, one handshake, one spontaneous Hi, Can save someone's life.

Think about it, if all you needed was a handshake and a Hi, to save your life, wouldn't you want someone, anyone, to reach out?

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Quote of the day: Brought to you by abraham Lincoln

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."

- Abraham Lincoln

Today's quote goes hand in hand with yesterdays post. I have learned that if we do not seize the day, and take advantage of every opportunity we are given to take a breath, then we are doing a grave injustice to ourselves. We must live each day as if it were our last, I know this reeks of cliché, but the meaning holds true.

Far too many of us complain every morning that it's too early to wake up, when we should instead be ecstatic that we were afforded yet another day to truly live. Far too many of us take life for granted, we're going to tell our families that we love them tomorrow, sweep the girl of our dreams of her feet tomorrow, take our vacation time tomorrow, save all of our money for tomorrow, but more times than not, that "dream" tomorrow never comes. That is why we must learn to live in the moment. Don't pass up opportunities to do the things you love. Don't hesitate to take a little vacation time with your family or friends. Don't leave for tomorrow what you can easily do today.

This quote says it all. How many times have you heard an older person tell you, "Man, if I were your age..." Well with all due respect, you were my age, and you had every opportunity to do with your life what you pleased. As a society we should aim to erase the elderly from feeling this way. I for one, intend on doing everything I can to live a full, happy life. So that if I get the pleasure of reaching that golden age, and I'm talking to my grandkids, instead of "Man, if I were your age.." I will instead say, "WHEN I was your age..."

I heard this other quote from, of all things, NFL Total Access, "Youth is wasted on the young." Sadly, I'd have to agree with that. Young people are the worst when it comes to taking life for granted. There some exceptions, but the majority feel as if they'll live forever. The reality is we should enjoy ourselves while we still could. While were young enough to enjoy it. What good is a million dollars going to do you, when you're 80 years old?

So my challenge to both young and old, who happen to read this blog is simply, Live Your Life!

Worry less about what's going to happen tomorrow, and more on what you could control today.

Rainy days come and go, but life is only a one way deal. You only get one chance to live. Don't waste it on the fear of what MAY happen in the future.

Check in tomorrow for another Quote of the day.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Enlightened Life

First let me apologize to my loyal readers for not posting as often as I use to. Your emails have been heard, and I'm pretty sure I've responded to everyone. Thanks for the kind words.

With that in mind, let me begin my new post.

Today I am going to write about something that is very close to my heart. As humans we have this universal weakness that things, in particular, bad things will never happen to us. We hear about bad things happening all over the world every day. We read about it in Newspapers, and we genuinely sympathize for those victimized by tragedy, but still ignorantly we whole heartedly believe that it will not, and could not ever happen to us.

A few months ago, my family and I naively thought the same thing. We believed that all those bad things would somehow magically skip over us and all the people we love. Then the bad finally knocked on our door, my aunt was diagnosed with brain cancer. Our hearts immediately dropped, as we scrambled to find the strength to take this tragedy head on.

Since her diagnosis, thanks to God, and all our family and friends prayer, she has been going through treatment and doing very well. But it left me very pensive about life.

This life we live, is so very precious and fragile. We take every breath of fresh air that enters our lungs for granted. This has given me more perception of the phrase, "live life to its fullest."

Every day really is a gift we receive, and we should take that gift and do something extraordinaire with it every single day. Because from one second to the next we could lose it all.

I feel blessed that we found the cancer early enough for it to be treated. I thank God every chance I get for all the wonderful progress he has allowed my aunt to go through.

Her strength, enthusiasm, and will has not only inspired me and my family, it has given me something to look up to.

Every time I see her smile, every time I watch her fight to walk around, and to get better, a little bit of my soul is empowered.

I know in my heart that together our family and my aunt will over power this cancer.

We have all gained enlightenment from this tragedy though. We have all realized that family comes first. We have learned to live each day as if it were our last.

Life throws us curve balls sometimes, but I am happy that our family has been able to knock those curve balls out of the park.

As the holidays approach, and you begin to spend time with your family, take a minute to look around you, and thank God that you are all able to spend this very important time together. Take the time to tell them how much you care and how much you love them.

Because when tragedy knocks on your door, it will be those times, and those words that lift you up from the mud, and motivate you to fight for just one more gathering.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

NaNoWriMo

Today is the first day of National Novel Writing Month!

This will be my first year participating, and I hope to reach the goal of 50,000 words by November 30th.

Wish Me Luck!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

One of My Favorite Quotes

"One thing you'll discover is that life is based less than you think on what you've learned, and much more than you think on what you have inside you right from the beginning."

-Bret Hart (Hall of Fame Speech)



This quote rings very true in my opinion. We put way too much value on experience and education. Sure those things are very viable pieces to success, but I believe that we thrive at life, not because of those things but rather because of what we were born with.

We all have natural talents inside of us. We are all born with a set of skills that if we tap into them and evolve them, we will succeed, this is not what I am talking about though.

What this quote means by "what you have inside you right from the beginning," is not those set of talents or skills.

It is rather that hunger. That spark to always push through the rough times and persevere. We all have that hunger, but fear, lack of motivation, or just plain ol' laziness, hinders us from tapping into it, and using it to make our lives that much better.

So don't be scared to fail, don't forget that with high risk, comes high rewards.

Sometimes we just have to have faith in ourselves. The rest will resolve itself.

Like the portuguese proverb says, "Quem não arrisca, não petisca"

Saturday, August 27, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-30 What changed this month? what you hope will happen next month

Finally reached the end of the Challenge. I'd like to thank all my family and friends and anyone else who has been reading these along the way. I appreciate your interest. :)

Today's prompt is what has changed this month and what do I hope will happen next month.

Well like I wrote in Day 28, the month of August has been very very kind to me. If you want to know what changed read Day 28.

What I hope will happen next month:

I hope that the good fortune and blessings I've had this month carries over into next month. I hope to stay happy, and focused on writing and life. I hope my love life stays the way it is, because I'm happy.

I hope Rapaziada, gets together and jams some! I miss it.

I hope that everyone in my life has a great month with me.

In closing I'd like to once again Thank you all for reading! I appreciate it very much!

Please Stay Tuned for some interesting topics I'll be writing in the Future.

My next blog will be about one of my favorite quotes. Check in tomorrow to read about it. :)

Thursday, August 25, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-29 A picture of yourself

Today's prompt is simply a picture of yourself, but I decided to not only post a picture but explain why I chose the picture, where it was taken, and a memory I have of the picture. SO here goes:



This picture is a very meaningful one to me.

In this picture from left to right: my cousin Kevin James Caetano, Me, and my best friend Mike Machado.

It was taken in Artesia for a party known as "Festa da Bola" it takes place every year on Memorial Day Weekend, and is a soccer tournament, and an awesome party.

Kevin, Mike and I, and some others like, my cousin Kris, another one of my best friends Eric, and Jesse, etc. etc. would rent a van and drive down there every year for this party. We'd get there on Friday afternoon, Jeca (Mike's girlfriend, and now fiancé) who lived down there would meet us at the hotel, clippers in hand. She would give me a mohawk every year, it was tradition. She would also dye some of the guys hair, and bleach mine etc. etc. I'll never forget those drives up and down to and from that festa, I'll never forget the great times and great memories made at all the festa da bola's we went to.

We were of course under the age of 21 in this picture, and in order to drink you need a pink wristband. We had our connections, but on this particular day we weren't able to use our connections for some reason or another. So there we were wristband-less. Were trying to come up with an elaborate plan to get them, when our connection shows up with three of them. This picture was taken right after we got them, as you can see we were pretty excited.

I chose this picture because KEvin, Mike and I used to call ourselves the wisemen. We used to sit outside Mike's house, and talk until the early morning about everything. Life, Love, Fears, etc. etc.

This picture makes me smile, because it is a portal to every memory I have with both of these brothers of mine.

Everyday I think about Kevin, and I miss him, and these memories help to soothe that void that his passing left in my heart.

I know Kevin is up there waiting for us to get there, so we could continue our wise men conversations up in heaven.

Until then, all I have is memories, luckily I have enough memories to fill a thousand books.

So to the Wisemen, I love you guys, Thank you for everything you've down for me over the years. I am blessed to have people like you in my life.

Check in tomorrow for the FINAL DAY OF THE CHALLENGE with its prompt, "What changed this month, What you hope will happen next month."

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-28 The Month you Were Happiest This Year

This has been a very Good Year for me. I have received lots of great news, accomplished lots of things I set out to accomplish. So it's kind of hard to pick just one month. But since I have to, I'm going to choose the month of August, and here's why:

August is not only my birthday month, and lets face it everyone loves their birthday month.

But August has brought me lots of Good News.

First, my insurance accepted my claim for Gastric byPass.

Second, Barnes n Noble has contacted me to host my first book signing. (Oct 4th, 2011.. Come say Hi. :))

Third, my school contacted me to inform me that I would be one of ten featured authors at their annual event. (September 9th, 2011, Downtown San Jose, if you want to come let me know I can get you tickets free)

Fourth, I have a wonderful Girlfriend, who makes me extremely happy!

Fifth, I'm alive, and well. Always a good thing.

Sixth, my family is healthy, and also doing things they set out to do.

Seventh, I'm almost done with this challenge and will be able to blog about whatever I want soon.

Eight, My back has been getting better and better, and it is no longer a crutch for me.

Ninth. I'm almost finished with School (FINALLY)

Tenth, I just feel like my life is finally falling into place, and that is perhaps the best feeling in the world to know everything is resolving itself.

So those are Ten reasons why August has been the happiest month for me this year.

Check in tomorrow for Day 29 of the Challenge with its prompt, "A Picture of Myself"

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-27 Talk about your siblings

Today's prompt is for me to talk about my siblings. Well I only have one, my little Sister Alycia.

I can go a few directions with this post. I can be cheesy and nice, I can be cruel and funny. Or I can be a little of both.

MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA ( Evil Laugh?)

My sister and I are 7 years apart. You would think that being so far apart would make us not get along very well, but the truth is, Alycia and I are very close. We've always been close, and I hope we always will be.

She is a beautiful, Strong, intelligent, caring, ambitious, outgoing, woman.

She is a person of action. When she sets her mind to something, she will not stop until it is achieved. She's outspoken, and stubborn (not always fun) But she has a huge heart, and is always there to lend a helping hand to those she cares about.

There was a time that I thought I had lost her. I thought that our relationship had been destroyed. It killed me to think that she wouldn't come into my room and tell me about her day and her dilemmas anymore. She was slipping away from the woman she was destined to become. Then the "Cancer" that was pushing her away from her family, abruptly ended.

It hurt me to see her so sad. But she bounced back so quickly, her strength overpowered her sadness. I admire her for doing that. For never giving up hope that there were brighter days to come.

Today, she lives in Visalia (3 and half hours away) Not a day goes by that I don't miss talking to her. I find myself sometimes calling out her name, and then feeling stupid because she isn't here.

I am proud and blessed to have a little sister, like Alycia.

Ok so I went the cheesy gay route. Maybe there will be a part two to this post where I embarrass her a little bit. :)

Bottom line~ I love you Alycia, and I am proud to call you my sister, and one of my best friends!

Check in tomorrow for Day 28 of the challenge with its prompt, "The month you were happiest this year."

30-Day Challenge-- Day-26 Your religious beliefs

Today's prompt is something I think very radically on. I am not a big fan of religion. Now before you jump on my back let me explain.

I was born and raised into the Catholic religion. I was baptized, did my first holy communion and confirmation through the Catholic Church. I even taught Cathechism (equivalent to Sunday school). I just don't like the way religion has been turned into a profitable business. I don't believe in certain things that the church believes and shoves down our throats, and I don't particularly like the hypocrisy that runs rampant in religion.

I believe in God, and in Jesus christ, and in the Saints, and all that good stuff. I believe that our purpose here on Earth is to learn compassion, and ultimately be allowed into Heaven.

I don't believe that God have the lack of Compassion to not Forgive us. That's where the hypocrisy in Religion starts.

When preachers, and priests, begin to guilt trip the population into believing that if we don't go to Church every Sunday, or if we don't donate money to the church that we wont reserve ourselves a spot in heaven. They guilt trip us into thinking that we are bad people if we do not follow each and every command they spit out at us. This is just preposterous.

Just because a person goes to church every sunday does not mean they are more religious or deserve a spot in Heaven over me. I pray everyday, I don't to go to church to speak to God. God is everywhere and everything.

Another piece of hypocrisy is the bullshit that religious people are non judgmental and accepting.

That is a bunch of horse shit. Look around at people protesting Gay marriage. Most are brainwashed fanatics that hold up signs saying "God hates homos." that sure is nonjudgmental and accepting.

Look at people protesting soldier's funerals. With signs saying they are going to Hell. I'm sure that is exactly what Jesus would do if he were here on Earth.

It is absolutely ridiculous.

I saw first hand how judgmental some of these people could be. I was having a discussion with a devout christian, and telling her about my beliefs, and she was telling me about hers. In the same breath she stated, " We Christians are not judgmental. We accept everyone. I feel so sorry for you, because you don't know the TRUTH."

I couldn't stop laughing.

So my beliefs on religion are simple. Be spiritual, have a relationship with God and Jesus, and the Saints. Be kind, and compassionate. Love those who are the same and those who are different. TRY to refrain from judging ( don't say you don't judge, everyone does) Accept people for who they are, and stay true to your own standards and beliefs. You don't always have to follow in order to know the "truth" The world needs leaders.

check in tomorrow for Day 27 of the Challenge with its prompt, "Talk about your siblings"

Sunday, August 21, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-25 Ten ways to win my heart

Today's prompt is about winning my heart. Here are ten sure fire ways:

1. Have a Sense of Humor

In other words be able to laugh at yourself, and take a joke. I love being able to joke around with people. If you are able to laugh at yourself and dish it right back out and make fun of me too, then you're golden.

2. Be intelligent

I'm not talking about nerdy brainy here. I'm talking about not being stupid. Be able to hold your own in debates, and add to the conversation. Be opinionated. Challenge me.

3. Be prepared to lose

This goes hand in hand with number 2. Challenge me, but be prepared to lose, because I always win! This also means know how to lose at things. Don't be a sore loser.

4. Be Honest

If something is bothering you spit it out. Give me the opportunity to take action. Communication is key in any relationship. If we could talk about anything and be honest about it, then our relationship will be limitless.

5. Laugh at my jokes

This is a no brainer. I'm hilarious, so when I make a joke (this will be often) laugh at it. It makes me feel good haha

6. Be appreciative

I like to do things for my significant other. I do these things because I want to, and not for recognition and not for any reciprocation. But knowing that the girl appreciates and notices the things I'm doing is always nice.

7. Enjoy reading,and/or music

I am passionate about writing and playing music. A world without either of those things would be hell for me. I'm not saying she has to read every word I write, or hear every note I play. What I am saying is she has to be able to have those days where we can just relax and listen to music, and laugh, or have those quiet nights when were both engulfed in a book.

8. Wear your heart on your sleeve

I am a Hopeless romantic. It isn't always a good thing, but I like the fact that I am able to show emotion and sensitivity towards things. I like doing some of the cheesy corny things we all make fun of. I'll probably make fun of it while I'm doing it, but she has to like to be romantisized(I know this isn't a word, but it should be!)

9. She has to have her own life away from the relationship

Clinginess is horrible. I think in order for my heart to be won, she has to give me a chance to miss her. If I see her every single day, eventually it'll get old. I have to be able to go out with the boys sometimes, and she has to have her girls to go out with sometimes too. Our own lives is a major plus in a relationship.

10. She has to love me for me

I don't want a girl who is looking to "fix" me. I want someone who can accept my attributes as well as my flaws(and trust me I got plenty of those) At the end of the day, she has to love my jokes, and my stubbornness. My good heart, and my temper. My smile, and my frown.

So those are ten things that will win my heart. There are other things that will help, but I want to stay a little mysterious haha.

check in tomorrow for Day 26 of the Challenge with its prompt, "Your religious beliefs."

Saturday, August 20, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-24 things you want to say to 5 different people

This prompt is one I am going to enjoy writing. I've decided that I am going to choose 5 people I don't know on a personal level and say what I need to say to them. Here goes in no particular order:

1. President Barack Obama
2. Moron.. uh I mean former Governor Sarah Palin
3. Republican people (Well the Rich ones)
4. Kurt Vonnegut
5. J.D. Salinger

1. President Barack Obama:

I voted for you, and bought into this massive Change you were supposedly going to bring to America. I defended you when people trash talked you, and said you were doing nothing. I believed you were what America needed, something fresh, and new, and progressive. The only change I've seen sir, is the color of your hair. What the fuck happened to that fighter, that scrapper that we voted into office? You have let me down, you have let your supporters down, you have let our great country down. And I have a hunch you have let yourself down as well. I do believe you will get re-elected, so lets make your second term, far greater than your lame duck first one.


2. Moron... Uh I mean former Governor Sarah Palin:

First and foremost let me just say, SHUT THE FUCK UP! You are an embarrassment to politics, and to women everywhere. Do yourself a huge favor, and disappear out of the public eye. I whole heartedly hate the stupid look on your stupid face every time any reporter asks you a question. I don't mean difficult questions either. You are dumbfounded and confused by every and any question spoken in your direction. I truly hope you don't decide to ever run for President of the United States, because as idiotic and stupid as I think you are, the American public just might be a little bit worse.

3. Republican people (Well the rich ones):

Stop with the fucking greed already. Do something to help this country for once in your pathetic golden spoon fed lives. You are the epitome of what is wrong with this country. You only care about the dollar bills in your account, and could care less about the ruins you leave your country in. Shame on you, all of you! There is one of you rich fucks who is smart. Warren Buffet! Please listen to this man, and pay the taxes you can easily afford, and help this country. You rich pieces of greedy shit should have all your money taken away from you.

4. Kurt Vonnegut:

One of my favorite authors. You sir, are the epitome of genius! Every word of every sentence in every novel is sheer perfection. I bow down to your mastery of the English language. I aspire to one day match even a quarter of your talent. thank you for classics like, "Slaughterhouse Five, The Sirens of Titan, Cat's Cradle, Galapagos, etc.) I love your writing, and it has inspired me thus far in my writing career.

5. J.D. Salinger:

When I first read "Catcher in the Rye," is when I truly knew I was going to write. Holden Caulfield, as awkward, and anti social as he was, inspired me. You wrote that character so well, and I could connect to him, even though we are not very alike. I fell in love with character driven fiction. Thank you for writing it. Thank you for inspiring me.

So those are the five people I have something to say to. I hope you enjoyed, and I hope I one day have the opportunity to say what I wrote and much more to any of these individuals. Obviously some of them will have to be in the after life.

Check in tomorrow for Day 25 of the Challenge with its prompt, "10 ways to win my heart."

30-Day Challenge-- Day-23 Something you always think "what if" about

So when approaching this prompt, I had a few routes I could go. I could go the sentimental route, the clever/witty route, the practical route the possibilities were endless.

I don't like to ever wonder "What if..." because I don't believe that regrets and thoughts of that nature is healthy. A person could literally drive himself crazy thinking about things like that. You know the classic "what if..." what if I was 10 years old but had the knowledge I have now. People always get off on the thought that they would go back and make a shit load of money, people forget that money doesn't make you happy. Sure it helps, but who's to say that you winning all that money wouldn't change all the great memories you have growing up. Who's to say you'd turn out the same?

I'm at crossroads here trying to decide where to take this prompt... Here's what I decided to do.

The "What if..." I'm choosing to talk about is What if I had gone to a different high school. ( I know intriguing and interesting, etc. etc. lol)

I chose this one because I loved my high school experience. I made great friendships, and strengthened old ones.

If I had not gone to San Jose High Academy, there is a big list of things I would have never done (probably)

1. I would have never met my best friend.

2. I would have not been able to write and speak as fluently as I do in Portuguese.

3. Rapaziada, would have never existed.

Just those three things and really only two of them are important to me.

When I met my best friend, he knows who he is haha, we didn't really get along. I didn't like him, I didn't know him. But as gay as it sounds, I thank God everyday that he didnt listen to me when I told him to get the fuck away from me. I would be a much different person today if I had never met him.

As a result of our friendship, Rapaziada was born. I would not trade those memories for all the money in the world.

Had I gone to another school, maybe I would have focused more on school, maybe I would have become a more professional person, or successful even. But I consider myself one of the luckiest guys in the world, to not only have the friends I have, but the memories and life I have.

Going back to the classic "What if..."

Being rich is over rated. That's why so many rich people end up killing themselves. More money, More problems!

Check in tomorrow for Day 24 of the Challenge with its prompt, "Things you want to say to 5 different people."

Thursday, August 18, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-22 Ten things about you people don't really expect.

This prompt is super tough because I live my life as an open book. I don't keep anything from my family and friends. I've been sitting here close to an hour thinking about what I could write about, and I have nothing. Not even one little thing I can list that people don't know about me.

So this prompt is a dead end for me. There isn't ten things people don't really expect. They expect everything that I am, because I'm consistently myself.

Instead I'm going to write about Ten things that I didn't expect to happen in 2011.

1. I didn't expect to have successfully published my novel. I was pleasantly surprised, and

truly proud of myself for doing such.

2. After years of having the insurance company fuck with me, I'm happy that I will finally get

my Gastric bypass surgery this year.

3. I didn't expect to find a girl that truly gets me. Someone that makes me as happy as I

am.

4. I didn't expect my sister to move away so soon. I really miss her, but am truly proud of

her for all her hard work and great accomplishments.

5. I didn't expect to have two pygmy/nigerian dwarf goats as pets. They are as playful, tame

and loyal as dogs.

6. I didn't expect that this list would be so hard to write...

I tend to expect the unexpected so all I could think of is 5 things. So sue me for false advertisement. :-)

Bottom line is I am thankful for all the good things in my life, and in the lives of the people I love. May we all continue to reap the benefits that comes with being Good People.

Check in tomorrow for Day 23 of the Challenge with its prompt, "Something you always think 'what if..." about."

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-21 Something you can't seem to get over

Today's prompt is very near and dear to my heart.

I'm going to keep it short and sweet, because this is a topic I can go on and on about.

5 years ago, one of bravest, most amazing people I've ever had the good fortune to know was taken from us. He was only 22 years old, but in those 22 years of life, he truly touched every person he came in contact with. I always admired him for being original, for being himself, in a world full of clones. He didn't mind being different or straying from the pack. He was one of the most caring, loving kind people in the world, and I miss him and I think about him every single day.

I'll never forget all the amazing time we had together. Lots of them coming from Rapaziada gigs. We partied, played music, and slept in hotel rooms up and down California with a tight knit group of brothers like I've never seen.

Rapaziada wasn't just a band, we were a family! We are a Family!

Sometimes, especially now that we haven't been playing, I think back to all the gigs, and all the songs, and all the parties, and it chokes me up. I genuinely miss being on stage with those brothers of mine, rocking out. I miss looking over to my right and seeing Kevin holding his trumpet and screaming I LOVE THIS BAND! I miss Tiago walking to the front of the stage to play his solo on Chorando se foi. I miss Makadoo's stick counts, and Cesar's mess ups. I miss Roger's Michael Jackson yelps, and Eric's fog machine antics. I miss Paul jumping up on stage and tripping over a bail of hay. I miss little Kevin's Disappearing acts, and John crying about not getting a solo on I wanna be like you.

I miss it all.

I hope we decide to play again. Because even though Kevin is up in heaven now, every time we play a gig, I know he's there!

Check in tomorrow for Day 22 of the Challenge with its prompt, "10 things about you people don't really expect."

30-Day Challenge-- Day-20 Make a playlist to someone and explain all the songs.

Well today's prompt is rather tough. It involves actual work, looking up songs, figuring  out which ones fit with the person you'd like to dedicate this post to etc. etc.

So, I've decided that I'm going to dedicate one song to a few of the most important people in my life. I'm not going to name them, for those who know me well, it'll be obvious which songs are for which people.

This will consist of TEN songs.

1.     Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd


This song brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it.  It reminds me of great memories, and while my tears flow, I can't help but smile and laugh. The person this song is for, made a huge impact on my life. I love you Kevin James. R.I.P. (I know I said no names, but this will be the only name I drop)

2.  Another One Bites The Dust by Queen


This song might be a bit pre mature, but the person it's for knows exactly who he is. This person also made a huge impact on my life. He's like a brother to me. Someone I know will always be there. And he's a stupid bitch too.

3. We've Only Just Begun by The Carpenters
.
This song goes out to two of the most amazing, wonderful people walking the face of the Earth. They motivate me, inspire me, and love me unconditionally. Two of the best role models anyone could have.

4. Bass Solo by Billy Sheehan
.

This Solo goes out to another one of my best friends. Another one of my brothers. Another person I know will always be there for me. Another Stupid Bitch!

5.White Liar by Miranda Lambert


This song goes out to someone I love very much. Someone I will always cherish, and protect, and be there for. Someone I very proud of. Someone who is string, beautiful, intelligent, and most of all someone with a very good heart.

6. Let it Be by The Beatles


This goes out to another one of my brothers. A Person who I've known for 20+ years. One of the best people I know. Someone who I know will always be there when I need him. Another Stupid Bitch too.

7. The Fire Man Song by The Firemen

This ridiculously stupid song goes out to another of my brothers. This person is a person I always know I can turn to. He served as inspiration for my book. Another Stupid Bitch.

8. Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars

As gay as it sounds, this song describes the person I'm dedicating it to perfectly. She makes me smile, she makes me happy. She challenges me to be better, and I hope her and I stay together for a long time.

9. My Nose Is Big by Anonymous

This song is for a certain someone who I've grown very close to in the past few years. She is a lot younger than I am, but she's family and I love her! I am very proud of the woman is she is becoming, and although I joke with her a lot, I hope she knows that she's beautiful inside and out!

10. Rosa Baila by Eduardo Paim


This goes out to the rest of my brothers. You know who you are. Here's hoping we get together and play some music real soon.

So this is my playlist, Nothing special, I repeat myself a lot, but it is what it is. All these people are special to me and big way. I love you all.

Check in tomorrow for Day 21 of the Challenge with its prompt, "Something you can't seem to get over."


Monday, August 15, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-19 Something that never fails to make you feel better.

There are lots of things that never fail to make me feel better. What I have chosen to write about though is my writing.

It doesn't matter what kind of day I've had, from Amazing to completely Awful, all I have to do is power up my macbook pro, open up a word document, and start beating at the keyboard.

I write because it brings me joy(especially on difficult days). It allows me to openly express my emotions and inspirations. It alleviates my stress, and empowers my confidence. It gives me an outlet to vent frustrations, or to praise successes. It allows me to let it all out, instead of bottling it up inside.

I have been writing poetry, short stories, and fiction since I was in Middle School. It has never failed to put a smile on my face, or make me feel better.

Just a side note, the same could be said for playing music. But that is another topic all together.

Check in tomorrow for Day 20 of the Challenge with its prompt,  "Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs."

Sunday, August 14, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-18 Disrespecting Parents

Today's prompt, is about disrespecting parents. Here's what I think:

Firstly, I consider myself to be one of the lucky one's, both of my parents are amazing, loving, and caring people. They have suffered and worked their asses off to raise both me and my sister.

They instilled in us, values, morals, the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, and most of all how to live. My parents are my heroes, hands down.

I see a lot of my generation, treat their parents like shit. I see a lot of disrespect all over the place. And it makes me question our society's values. We have given up our values, as a society, for political correctness.

Our parents generation, had no choice but to respect their parents. If they didn't they'd swallow their teeth.

Here's what I see. two extremes, that don't work.

Our generation- disrespects their parents.

Our parents generation- Feared their parents.

So here's where I think we should live. The gray area. We have to want to respect our parents. We have to realize that they are the one's who gave us everything. Without them we would be nothing, we wouldn't even exist.

I think that arguments with parents are natural. Everyone is going to have them at one point or another. The point is even in the most heated of arguments, the respect must always be there.

We only have one mother and one father in this life time. We should do everything in our power to honor them, and show them that they raised us right.

check in tomorrow for Day 19 of the challenge with its prompt, "Something that never fails to make you feel better."

Saturday, August 13, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-17 Things that make you scared

Today's prompt is about things that make me scared. I try not to fear too many things, I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason and that everything resolves itself. (Wishful thinking sometimes)

Some people fear death. Not me. When it's my time to go, I want to make sure I did everything in my power to have lived a life to its fullest potential. I know the day I perish, that anyone who looks back at my life will be able to say, "He lived." Because so many of us never really live, I really like the famous quote spoken by William Wallace (Mel Gibson) in the movie Braveheart, "Every man dies, but not every man lives." I intend on being one of those who really live.

I am scared of failing. Now let me explain that a bit more. I'm not talking about failing my math test, or failing to watch a football game on sunday (even though that would be tragic lol) The failing I'm talking about is deeper than that.

I'm scared that all this reaching I'm doing for the biggest of my dreams, will Fail.

I'm scared I wont succeed in life the way I plan to. That I'll fall just short of reaching the top tier of my goals.

The fear though, only serves as a motivator. As I mention in my earlier blogs I am super stubborn. The thought of the challenge, definitely pushes me forward. The fear also pushes me forward, it helps keep me balanced, not cocky, and focused on what I need to do.

If I didn't fear Failing, I would have no consequences for not achieving my goals, and without consequences one rarely sees results.

So Im thankful for this fear, this chip on my shoulder, because I know it will inspire me to keep on truckin'

Check in tomorrow for Day 18 of the Challenge with its prompt, "Disrespecting parents."


Friday, August 12, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-16 Three things you are proud of about your personality

I hate prompts that make me talk about myself. But here goes:

I am very proud of my personality in general. But if I had to choose three to talk about I'd have to go with, Sense of Humor, Honesty, and Good Heart.

First my Sense of Humor:

I consider myself to have a very good Sense of humor. I am sarcastic, witty and clever. I can laugh at myself, and I try not to take life too seriously. My outlook on life in general can be attributed to my sense of humor.

Second is my Honesty:

I have a tendency to be very opinionated, and honest. Sometimes that is a bad thing, I love to communicate my opinion and am rather blunt. But I do believe honesty is the best policy. If people don't like me for being blunt and honest, then they don't belong in my circle of friends. Honesty also ties into loyalty, I am a very loyal person. Once I befriend you, I'll always be there, even if we haven't spoken for ten years.

Lastly, my Good Heart:

I believe I have a Good Heart. I am always ready to help a friend out no matter what is going on in my life. I put my stuff on the back burner (not always a good thing for myself) to help others out.  I get a lot of happiness from doing that. I rather see my friends succeed, and me fail, than I succeed and watch them fail.

So all in all I'm a pretty good guy lol. Wouldn't you say?

Check in tomorrow for Day 17 of the Challenge with its prompt "Things that make you scared."

Thursday, August 11, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-15 (Scenario) your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?

Today's prompt is kinda stupid. If my best friend and I had gotten into a fight, and I'm talking drag out knock out knuckle fight to the death kinda fight and then he got in a car accident, I would be there by his side right away.

I am a very stubborn person, but my best friend is like my brother. Brothers fight all the time, but five minutes later everything is back to normal. So this prompt is stupid because, if that's your best friend, then no matter what has happened you will be right by their side after a car accident.

Of course, if it's just a little fender bender and no one is hurt, your intentions for being there might be to poke fun at them, but intention is over rated sometimes lol.

The point is, no matter what, I'd be there for my best friend.

check in tomorrow for Day 16 of the Challenge with its prompt, "3 things you are proud of about your personality."

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-14 Your views on Gay Marriage

Today's prompt is about my views of Gay Marriage. I am a firm believer in equality, and am of the opinion that gender should not be a determining factor in whether or not two people who are in love should or shouldn't have the opportunity to get married.

I wrote a piece on this issue back when it first passed here in California, and people began protesting. It is a bit raunchy, and foul mouthed, but it depicts my opinion perfectly so here it is:

have kept quiet about this long enough, and feel the need to throw my two cents into the piggy bank. California has been in an uproar recently due to a Gay Marriage law being passed. Some people are opposing it others embracing it; I for one embrace it, and here’s why. For years and years there have been homosexual people roaming the earth. They have been ridiculed, humiliated, shunned, disowned by family, stepped on, beaten to death, misunderstood, and have been the focal point for societies finger pointing and laughter. In my humble opinion, I believe whole-heartedly that they not only need, but deserve equal rights to wed the person of their choosing. It is not right for them to live with one another, share their lives together but never be given the opportunity to participate in a wedding, or share the benefits that marriage brings. California is on the forefront of left wing liberal attitudes. We are straddling the edge of a new chapter in America. I think it is unfair for people to believe they have a right to keep two people who are in love whether they be both female or male apart. It sickens me to see protesters with signs saying ‘God HATES Homos’ or that Gay people will rot in hell for delivering the devils whatever… the sick feeling in my stomach stems from two major ideas. One, who the fuck are any of these people to speak for God, especially state that God have the lack of compassion to hate anyone. If memory serves correctly aren’t we all here on Earth to suffer in an attempt to gain compassion? I see preachers and head’s of churches out on the street with bibles in hand. And it dawns on me, aren’t some of these the same priests who molest little boys? I shutter to think what God thinks of these adult men who swore the oath of the lord, touching little boys. And wait….. boys are males, and priests are males.. hmmm does that not constitute the extremity of homosexual tendencies? Secondly, I hate the fact that the leader, the chief if you will, of California Arnold “Governator” Schwarzenegger has the audacity to release a phony bullshit statement concerning this law being passed. He has opposed it several times, and hopes it will be shunned in November. This is the head of a liberal state. Someone we are supposed to look up to, and say That is California’s leader. He is just a bullshit actor wearing a suit and playing political leader. He needs to fall in line and look up to mayors like Ron Dellums of Oakland, and Gavin Newsum of San Francisco. These two men, demonstrated that two heterosexual men, could securely support the Gay Community. They embraced the law, with eloquent speeches, and attended a few ceremonies in honor of the shunned community. These mayors are the future of California. Perhaps they have gotten in trouble before, performed some scandals; ultimately California needs the open minded, non-judgmental attitudes these two men bring to Sacramento. Congratulations to all the newly wed couples in California, may you always be treated with the equality and freedom of self-expression that you deserve.


So in conclusion. I hope we as a nation open our eyes to the fact that everyone deserves to be EQUAL.


Check in tomorrow for Day 15 of the Challenge with its prompt "(Scenario) your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-13 A date you would love to go on

At the risk of sounding ridiculously cheesy, it is my belief, that a date is made by the company you keep, and not necessarily by what you do. If I'm with the person I like or love, then anything we do will make me happy. But for the sake of the prompt, here are a few date's I'd love:

1. Simple and corny, Drive out of the city where we could actually see stars. Little picnic,
    lay out and talk, and enjoy each other's company.

2. Simple and corny part two. Invite her over to my place, cook her dinner, snuggle up on
    the couch watch a few movies, and fall asleep in one another's arms.

3. I'd love to go on a date to Central Park in New York, and just walk around, and then
    grab dinner at nearby restaurant.

4. Take a nice drive on a summer day out to Monterey or Santa Cruz, the whole way there
    listening to good music, and singing along (horribly I might add) Then have dinner
    overlooking the ocean. Then cap the night off with sitting on a blanket on the beach
    watching the waves crash, and talking.

There are many other little cutesy, corny dates I'd love to go on. But I'm sure these four will serve as enough inspiration for my friends to make fun of me.

Check in tomorrow for Day 14 of the Challenge with its prompt "Your views on Gay Marriage."





Monday, August 8, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-12 Things you want to say to an Ex

Today's prompt is things I want to say to an Ex. Interestingly enough this will be a short blog. Heres what I have to say:

In all of my relationships, I never held back. I always spoke my mind, whether it was good or bad, I communicated my thoughts to my significant other. I believe that it is very important to be able to disagree with your significant other once in a while. I think it's healthy for people to discuss their thoughts, and feelings, and opinions. Because even if it causes a knock down drag out argument, in the end it should resolve itself, because both parties spoke their minds, their feelings.

I don't have anything to say to any of my Ex's because I already told them everything I had to say. They are Ex's for reason right? I don't like to wonder what if. What if I had said this or that... Nope! I let it all out.

I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason. I do not believe in second chances. Therefore I leave it all on the table, and if doing so causes us to break up, then we didn't belong together to begin with.

So to all my Ex's: I hope you are all in a better place than you were when you were with me. I hope you have found what you were looking for. And most of all, I hope you are all Happy.

Check in tomorrow for Day 13 of the Challenge with its prompt, "A date you would love to go on"

Sunday, August 7, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-11 A hero that has let you down.

Today's prompt is about a hero that has let me down. I thought long and hard about this prompt, because I wanted the words that I wrote to be absolutely perfect. And that's the irony of it all...

All my hero's have failed me. That's right. Every last one of them. They were all human. The difference here is, I never expected them to be perfect. I never held them so high and mighty that I thought they could never make a mistake and fall.  My hero's are all amazing, inspirational, loving, caring, HUMAN BEINGS. I found it ironic that I was searching for the perfect words to describe a "flawed" hero.

Every single person I consider a hero to me, are considered such because of the great impact they've had on me. Just because they make mistakes here and there, doesn't mean they stop being heroic in my eyes.

Once a hero, always a hero.

I cannot in good conscience honor them for their achievements and heroism if I do not also have the courage to be critical of their mistakes.

I love you all, and you all are special to me. I never allowed myself to blindly believe you were invincible. I'll always allow your flaws to inspire me just as much as your achievements do.

Check in tomorrow for Day 12 of the Challenge with its prompt "Things you want to say to an ex."

Saturday, August 6, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-10 Your views on drugs and alcohol

Today's blog is about drugs and alcohol. My opinions on both are rather liberal, here's what I think:

I'll start with alcohol. Alcohol is a vice in our society that causes many tragedies. When abused alcohol can literally kill someone. But I do believe that in moderation alcohol is fine. I love to go to a party or to a festa and have a few beers and a couple shots, and have a good time. My issue with alcohol is what one does after the drinking. The key incident is driving. Driving under the influence is a very scary thing. Not only do people put their own lives on the line they put the lives of every other driver out on the road in jeopardy.
I thank God every night that all the people I love and care about made it home safe. So again I think alcohol in moderation is fine.

Drugs one the other hand is a 50/50 shot with me. I do not include Marijuana in the same category as drugs, because it grows from the ground, and its effects are minuscule compared to other things. I think drugs like Cocaine, Crystal Meth, Crack, Heroin, etc. etc. are far worse, and way more effective in ruining lives. It's a no brainer I think, people know that those drugs are bad and that they shouldn't do them.

I'm going to take it a step further and comment on this country's other drug problem. Oh you haven't heard of the other major killer in this country? Well I'll tell you.

Prescription Drugs, are the number 1 or 2 killer in this country. Doctors, unethically might I add, push certain pills down our throats so they could get paid. People get addicted to pain killers, and other form of prescribed drug, and it takes a major toll on their life. The movie "Sicko" by Michael Moore depicts this incredibly well. Our health system is filled with criminals, who take the power they possess over us to feed us pills we don't need, just to make an extra dollar.

So my conclusion is, Moderation is key when it comes to alcohol. (Which by the way is also a huge killer in our country) and "Drugs are bad MMMKAYYY"

Check in tomorrow for Day 11 of the Challenge with its prompt "A hero that has let you down."

Friday, August 5, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-9 Something you wish you HAD done

I try to live my life with no regrets. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and to live a life with regrets is unhealthy. But there is one thing I wish I HAD done.

July 15, 2006 I went up to a hospital in Pismo, Ca to visit my cousin who had been in a tragic accident. My best friend and I had the opportunity to go into the ICU and talk to my cousin. Then came time for us to leave, I had to play music the next day in Petaluma with the Portuguese Band of San Jose. Three of us walked into the room to say goodnight, my friend Paul, my best friend Mike, and me. We sat for a few minutes and talked to him, and gave him some water through a sponge. He joked, and laughed, always trying to make us feel better, never caring about how badly he felt. He lay there the definition of brave and Self-less.

He looked in my direction and asked, "you going home tonight Primo?" I answered, "Yea, I gotta play music tomorrow."

The words that came out of his mouth next, are words I cling to on days when I miss him more than usual. I cling to these words every time I get that painful sensation in my heart for not having stayed by his side. He said, "Thank you for coming Primo. I love you." I told him I loved him too, said goodnight and we walked back through the double doors to give the rest of the family a chance to come in and say goodnight.

I wish I HAD stayed. I know there was nothing I could have done that would change the horrible outcome. But I know my cousin Kevin would have been at my side day and night if it were me in that bed.

I will always regret walking away from that bed, from that hospital, on that day.

Kevin James Caetano is up in heaven looking down on us all. Protecting us from all the injustices and harms we encounter in this life. Every night before I fall asleep, I talk to him, and I apologize for not staying by his side.

RIP Kevin, you are truly loved and dearly missed.

Check in tomorrow for day 10 of the challenge with its prompt "Your views on Drugs and Alcohol."

Thursday, August 4, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-8 Something you're currently worrying about.

I am constantly worrying about something. Not that I'm a worry freak or anything, but people come to me with their problems a lot (and I love being there for them) and so this causes me to worry.

As of today, I'm worried about a whole bunch of issues, but I'm going to focus on one. That one is my upcoming gastric by pass surgery.

This worries me because, I like to prepare myself for things by thinking of worse case scenarios. I figure if I expect the worst, if it actually happens then it won't be a surprise to me. In this situation though worst case scenario is scaring the shit out of me.

All in all, I know that this surgery is something I have to do, and it will help me reach a healthy weight. And all this worrying (hopefully) will be all for nothing.

Check in tomorrow for Day 9 of the Challenge with its prompt, "Something you wish you HAD done"

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-7 Your opinion on cheating on people

Today's prompt is one that really resonates with me. My opinion on cheating in general is something that I find relates to morals, values, ethics, loyalty, honesty and so many other aspects of life.

Here's what I think about cheating:

I think that first and foremost cheating is completely and utterly unacceptable. There is never ever ever ever (get the point?) a reason for someone to cheat. I feel that if you don't want to be with someone, if you don't care about the person enough to monogamous than you shouldn't be with them, or with anyone really.

I am of the opinion that if a person cheats once, they will always cheat. I know this a bit ridiculous, because we all want to believe that there is that special person out there that rids us of all our flaws and bad qualities, but in reality that special person cant change us. We are who we are, we make our decisions based on our philosophies, and our morals and our values, it's a cop out to blame cheating on someone on the "fact" that were just not into our significant other, or it was JUST a lapse in judgment, or "I was super drunk," or any other ridiculous bull shit excuse. People cheat because they are insecure, selfish and most of all dishonest.

Our society puts so much emphasis on "second chances," and it becomes an enabler to cheaters. People want to believe that after they catch their boyfriend or girlfriend or wife or husband cheating on them, that it'll stop. But it doesn't. Giving that second chance only solidifies their motive to cheat. They think,"They forgave me then, they'll always forgive me." And sadly it's true.

Cheating is one of the lowest forms of malice in a relationship.

Even worse, and this is always the case, when someone is cheating they become this jealous insecure hypocrite.  They begin suspecting the other person of cheating. I always find it so depressingly amusing, like watching a train wreck, its gruesome and sad, but you can't stop staring. When people who are cheating, and obviously so, begin accusing their significant other of cheating. All the while portraying themselves as victims. And whats even more depressing is the other person who is truly being cheated on, feels like they must defend and prove themselves. They feel like they are doing something wrong, something that is pushing their partners to cheat.

No one is ever forced to cheat. It is a conscious decision people make. They know it's wrong. They know its hurtful. They just don't give a shit.

So to all you cheaters out there... FUCK YOU! I hope you all get caught, and suffer the consequences that cheating brings.

Check in tomorrow for Day 8 of the Challenge with its prompt, "Something you're currently worrying about."

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-6 The person you like and why you like them

The person I chose to write about knows who she is. She is someone who has the power to make me smile and happy and in the same breath frown and angry. She is beautiful, intelligent, funny, opinionated, ambitious, strong, and many more wonderful adjectives.

I like her because, I know that she will always be there for me. Know that I can count on her to put a smile on my face no matter how crazy my day goes. She makes me want to be better. I look into her eyes, and I know she belongs in my life, even if it's just as a friend she belongs here.

She's amazing, and someone that I can see myself with for a very long time.

Sometimes we fight, and argue. Sometimes it gets real ugly. But we always seem to find resolution, and I think that is a very important quality to have. We don't just sweep things under the rug, we talk it out, we fight it out, but it gets Resolved.

The person I like is very special to me. I hope I show her just how special she truly is.

So, Josephine Rebecca Jerviss, you are the person I like, and all of the above is just a tiny scratch on the surface as to why I like you.

Check in tomorrow for Day 7 of the Challenge with its prompt-- "Your opinion on cheating on people."

Monday, August 1, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-5 Five things that irritate you about the opposite sex.

Five things that irritate me about the opposite sex:

Double Standards


I know, I know double standards are usually complained about from the other side. Women complain about double standards, and I don't blame them, because double standards suck! What irritates me about double standards in relation to women is:

They complain about double standards, but when they commit them it just gets swept under the rug. I believe in equality, and if I can not use double standards on you, then you shouldn't be able to use them on me. I don't mean for anything too big either. I'm talking about little things like, what I can and cannot bring up in an argument, or I can't throw something in her face in a discussion, but she could say the most hurtful things that come to mind during an argument, and throw everything including the kitchen sink in my face during a discussion.

Nope! I definitely hate Double standards.


Crying


This is a big one for me. It breaks my heart to see a woman cry. I hate it. And whenever I see a woman cry, especially someone I love, I can't help but drop everything and comfort them and try and make them feel better, it's who i am.

What irritates me about women crying is:

When they use it to take advantage of situations. Be it during a heated discussion, an argument or just to get their way. I can not stand it when a woman brings out the water works to end an argument or get her way. It bothers me beyond belief. Because it doesn't help resolve the situation, it merely once again, sweeps the issues under the rug, and eventually that rug will need to be cleaned.

Selfishness


This is a no brainer right? No one likes selfishness. Especially when it comes to the opposite sex, and relationships.

If she can not keep from thinking solely of herself, than she doesn't belong in a relationship. I think it's one of the hardest things to deal with when you're in a relationship. Knowing that your significant other is selfishly only thinking of herself and no one else.

So don't be Selfish :)

Stubbornness


Who am I to say anything about stubbornness right? I am one of the most stubborn people I know. But I try my best to push down that stubbornness and swallow my pride. I do think effort is important.

Heres what irritates me about stubbornness in women:

When I'm in a relationship, be it romantic or just friendship, I tend to swallow my pride often for the well being of the relationship. This doesn't mean I forget about it completely, I just swallow my pride, and then when we're both calmer I bring it up again and we continue our discussion. What bothers me is, in my experience, when a woman is stubborn she doesn't work on it.

She never ever swallows her pride, and doesn't even acknowledge that you've swallowed yours. She only has her eye on one thing, thats her thoughts, her dispositions, her outlook. She wants things her way, or no way. The worst is when a woman takes her stubbornness and adds in crying, and selfishness. That's when things really get fun. But like I said, EFFORT is very important. And if a woman actually tries to "fix" this issue, I commend her for it, and appreciate her for it.


Ignorance


Finally ignorance irritates me. I don't mean stupid people (although stupid people do annoy the shit out of me) I mean women who make themselves blind to certain things.

Ignorance irritates me and this is why:

A woman holds all power in a relationship. This is just a fact fellas, as much as we hate to admit it, facts are facts. The ignorance I'm talking about is when a woman forfeits that power, and makes herself blind to things.

Whether those things are that her boyfriend is cheating on her, treating her badly, or just a shitty person. Then when people approach her to say something, she denies it vehemently, and worse yet turns her wrath to those trying to help her. All the while ignorantly, protecting the scumbag that is her boyfriend. I've seen this happen countless times, to good people, and it irritates me to no end.

Here's a news flash ladies, If someone goes out of their way to tell you that your boyfriend is cheating on you, or what not. Take a step back, and realize that that person isn't just trying to bring drama into their lives. They didn't just wake up and say, "hmm my life is drama-free I know I'll ruin so n so's relationship today."

Accept that they are a good friend, and make sure your boyfriend is held responsible for his actions. Investigate at the very least. For God's Sake. You look so fucking stupid when you brush off countless informed messages on what your boy friend is doing behind your back, stay with him, and lose good friends in the process.

Don't be ignorant!

So these are five things that irritate me about the opposite sex. Mostly I think that all five count easily be avoided and worked on. I know that I've fallen for girls with some or even all five of these attributes.

I guess I like a challenge. :-)

Check in tomorrow for Day-6 of the challenge with its prompt-- "The person you like and why you like them."

Sunday, July 31, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-4 Something you hate about yourself.

I try to be a very positive person, and focus on the things I love about myself, and not the things I don't.

But if I had to choose one thing I hate it would probably be my extreme stubbornness.

I come from long line of stubborn people, and am pretty set in my ways. If I think and believe the sky is red, no on will convince me otherwise.

This attribute sometimes gets me in trouble, people get angry or frustrated when they are involved in an argument or discussion with me because I will not let up. This especially causes issues when I'm in a romantic relationship. Thankfully, I have tweaked and fixed how extreme my stubbornness used to be. I now know how to compromise and let things go... Sometimes...

While this attribute gets me in trouble, it also is a very viable asset. If set out to do something my stubbornness will not let me give up, or not achieve it. If I trying to solve a problem, i will not quit until I get it.

If someone tells me "You can't do that" that is usually when i try extra hard to do it.

Bottom line, I hate that I'm so stubborn, but I wouldn't necessarily change that about myself. It allows me to pursue the things others would never dare to.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-3 What kind of person attracts you?

I'm attracted to good hearted people first and foremost. I don't like shady individuals.

I'm attracted to people with great personalities, who are honest, and loyal, have a great sense of humor (ability to laugh at themselves a big plus) ambition, intelligence, opinions.

I'm attracted to people who are strong and people who fight for what they believe in. Not afraid to be vulnerable.

Morals and Values must be high on the priority list.

Physically I'm attracted to eyes. Color doesn't matter, sometimes just looking into a persons eyes allows you to see who they really are.

This has been a short blog, because I am attracted to very simple attributes. I just like GOOD PEOPLE.

Check in tomorrow for Day-4 of the challenge with its prompt-- "Something you about yourself"

Friday, July 29, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-2 How have you changed in the past 2 years?

The past two years have brought me a lot of change. Most positive, some not so positive.

First big change is I started getting serious about my education. I enrolled at University of Phoenix and am very close to getting my degree in Psychology and English.

Secondly, I've gone from writing hopeful, to published author. Which is a huge accomplishment in my eyes. I know how hard it was to not only write a novel from beginning to end, but lose it in a cup of water to my keyboard accident, and have to re write it all again. Good times!

Thirdly I am finally at a place in my life where my health is a priority. I am scheduled to get my gastric by pass surgery this summer. I've been pushed around and played with by the satanic insurance companies for years. Finally it has stopped.

Fourthly, My family life is as wonderful as it has always been. We are all happy, and well, and on our ways to succeeding.

Finally, this is more on the negative side, my band Rapaziada is no longer playing. After 8 years or so, lots of memories, Great Times, tragedy, and everything in between we decided to "retire." I miss it terribly, and hope we will decide to play some more.

It's crazy to look back in time and see how much has changed. Two years ago I was 24 about to turn 25. I never could have predicted what has happened. I think that as we grow, and as life passes us by, we tend to forget about the past a little bit.

I mean, we remember some good times, we remember the bad times. But we never look back and thank God for all the progress we've made. Even if it was just a baby step or two forward, we have to be thankful that we moved forward and not backwards.

2 years ago, I was living a very different life. Not better and not worse, just different. I've grown into the man I am today. But I know that two years from now, if i I have to write this again, things will be even more different. More changes, More successes, More failures. Good times and bad times. It'll all be there, all over again.

Check in tomorrow for 30-day challenge truth blog Day-3 with its prompt "What kind of person attracts you?"

Thursday, July 28, 2011

30-Day Challenge-- Day-1 Something you love about yourself.

Something I love about myself... Should be easy right? I mean I consider myself (hopefully others consider me too) to be a good person. I value loyalty and honesty, and principle. The one thing I've chosen to speak of though, in accordance to the prompt, is my sense of humor. I love my sense of humor, and here's why...

I believe that in a world like ours, and more specifically a society like ours, a person with a sense of humor allows for all the injustices we face each day, and throughout our lives to bounce right off.

It allows someone like me, to brush certain circumstances and road blocks aside. We are each dealt a hand in this life, some of us get full houses and four of a kinds right off the bat. Others must discard and draw until they feel content with the hand they hold. Still others, unfortunately muck their hand and ruin their lives.

I thank God everyday that my hand included a sense of humor.

It's important to be able to laugh at myself sometimes, it helps the healing process, it pushes me forward and not backwards. It allows me to be comfortable in my own skin. Far too many of us are not so comfortable.

So once again, I love my sense of humor.

Check in tomorrow for Day--2 of the challenge with its prompt-- "How have you changed in the past 2 years?"

I gave in and decided to participate in the 30-day Truth Blog challenge

Here are the prompts for each day.


30-Day Truth Blog Challenge


Day1. Something you love about yourself.


Day 2. How have you changed in the past 2 years? 



Day 3. What kind of person attracts you? 



Day 4. Something you hate about yourself.


Day 5. 5 things that irritate you about the opposite sex/same sex.


Day 6. The person you like and why you like them. 



Day 7.Your opinion on cheating on people. 



Day 8. Something you’re currently worrying about.


Day 9. Something you wish you HAD done.


Day 10. Your views on drugs and alcohol. 



Day 11. A hero that has let you down.


Day 12. Things you want to say to an ex. 



Day 13. A date you would love to go on. 



Day 14. Your views on gay marriage.


Day 15. (Scenario) your best friend is in a car accident and you two got

              into a fight an hour before. What do you do?


Day 16. 3 things you are proud of about your personality. 



Day 17. Things that make you scared. 



Day 18. Disrespecting parents.


Day 19. Something that never fails to make you feel better. 



Day 20. Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs.

             (Just post the titles and artists and letter)


Day 21. Something you can’t seem to get over. 



Day 22. 10 things about you people don’t really expect.


Day 23. Something you always think “what if…” about



Day 24. Things you want to say to 5 different people. 



Day 25. 10 ways to win your heart. 



Day 26. Your religious beliefs. 



Day 27.Talk about your siblings. 



Day 28.The month you were happiest this year why. 



Day 29. A picture of yourself. 



Day 30. What changed this month and what you hope will happen next month.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

To Protest? or not to Protest? that is the question

San Francisco is up in arms because of a police shooting. According to protestors the police shot and killed a 19-year-old man for not paying his light rail ticket. Protests were running rampant on the streets of San Francisco, one protestor dropped a smoke bomb inside a light rail car, and another threw a hammer towards the Mission Police station window. 35 protestors were arrested for failing to disperse after a warning of unlawful assembly.

Here’s the problem I have with this protest. This 19-year-old man who was shot and killed was on parole for prostituting and pimping a 13-year-old girl, and was a person of interest in the murder of a pregnant woman in Washington. Also reports showed gun residue on his finger indicating that he fired the first shot into a crowd of police officers. 

People are not only demeaning the power of protest by backing this sick individual, but they are also making a mockery of the Oscar Grant case, by drawing comparisons.

Furthermore, when they drop smoke bombs in trains, and throw hammers at police station windows, that is a sign of violent initiation. Is this really the way to fight for the “honor” of the deceased? 

What happened to Oscar Grant, regardless of your opinion on the kind of person he was, or was not, was a tragic occurrence. He was shot in cold blood, and the officer who committed this horrific act was let off (in the eyes of many people)

He has to live with the guilt of shooting a young person in cold blood for the rest of his life. Anywhere he goes people will recognize him as “that cop who shot a kid.” 

Is that enough punishment? Probably not, but that’s how the justice system and life works sometimes.

The people protesting the shooting of this 19-year-old pimp from Seattle are like the people who protested Rodney King.

Don’t get me wrong; what happened to Rodney was flat out wrong. The police officers should never have administered such hostile acts. He was definitely a victim in that respect. 

But we forget that Rodney was the cause of a high-speed chase in a residential area where kids play, and was high as a kite. Had he hit, injured, or killed anyone during that chase people might have been singing a different tune.

The Rodney King protests were atrocious, people used it as an excuse to loot, and set local stores on fire, and they caused violence and mayhem everywhere. It makes the cause you’re protesting seem irrelevant, and ridiculous.

The bottom line is the protests being rendered for this 19-year-old pimp, are utter bullshit! Just another excuse for people to “fight the man.” Our country and society has become so focused on pointing fingers at people doing their jobs, that some people are prone to “human error,” because of the fear of having the public backlash.

People need to pick their battles. Not protest every shooting, or every thing a police officer does and fight it. Because sooner or later, you might need a police officer that has the courage to pull that trigger to save your life or the life of someone you love. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want second third and fourth thoughts going through that officer’s head if my life is on the line.

Sometimes, police shootings are necessary. Sometimes people deserve to get killed. It is better to kill one person who is guilty at the very least, of firing into a crowd first, then to lose a few people and then take action.

So the next time you read an article about a police shooting. And you can smell the media spin that reeks of “cops are bad” take a step back and look at the whole picture. It might just change your mind.




Friday, July 8, 2011

Discrimination or Greed?

Today’s topic is our society’s greed for money. I find it appalling what people today are willing to do for a buck. We have progressively thrown away values and beliefs that we used to hold near and dear, for a couple of little green pieces of paper.

A lawsuit has been filed in the city of San Francisco against the clothing giant Abercrombie and Fitch over an apparent discrimination against a woman of Muslim faith over her wearing a Hijab.

A hijab, for those who are not familiar, is the traditional head scarf that Muslim women are required to wear.

When I first heard talks of this case, everyone seemed to be solidly behind this woman. Her rights had obviously been violated, or so everyone said.

The more I thought about this case, the more I realized that this woman’s rights were not violated.

First let me spill some more details about this case.

She was interviewed while wearing the hijab. When she asked about it, the manager told her that so long as they were company colors that it would not be an issue. She was after all working in the stock room, and had no face-to-face time with the customers.

One day the district manager visits the store and sees her, and a few days later she is asked to remove the hijab. When she refuses she is suspended, and then immediately terminated.

Upon reading these details, I’m sure you’re shaking your head in disagreement, but hear me out.

First, she was wearing a bright purple hijab the day she was suspended and then terminated. This is not a company color.

Secondly, upon being hired she signed a paper agreeing to company rules and policies. Therefore surrendering some rights, as we all do when we are hired.

In this agreement a few things stick out. Aside from wearing company colors, it also states that all employees must dress in “ Classic American style.”

I know what you’re thinking; What the Hell is Classic American Style? Well I don’t know exactly what it is, but I do know it does not include wearing a bright purple hijab.

Lastly, I would be okay with her lawsuit and her being compensated for wages lost while she was in transition to finding another job. At first that is all she wanted. But then she said the few words that come out of people’s mouths when they are just looking to get paid.

She wanted compensation for her “ pain and suffering.”

Pain and fucking suffering! She violated company policy, and who knows if she was a hard worker or not. She disobeyed her superior (even though I don’t blame her for doing so, as wearing a hijab is her religious requirement) and she wants money for pain and suffering?

Greed is slowly but surely taking over our lives.

The saddest part is, she will probably win, or settle out of court for a giant wad of cash, just so the company could save face.

Because America has also become overly Politically Correct… But that is another issue all by itself.

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Thursday, July 7, 2011

From Justice to People and Everything in Between


“Justice doesn't mean the bad guy goes to jail, it just means that someone pays for the crime.”
                                    - The Movie Freedom Writers


I have a tendency to over think and analyze the majority of thoughts that find themselves stranded in my mind. As of late, I have been obsessing with a disgust for the way our society and the media seem to disregard the benefit of the doubt quality, and people’s privacy.

In over analyzing this idea, I have found viable proof that the media is filled with cold-hearted unyielding animals that would sell their children’s lives for a rating. It’s ridiculous how the media, not to mention our society, feeds off of tragedy and misfortune. Not their own might I add, but other peoples.

We find ourselves glued to the Television as we watch melt down after melt down, tragedy after tragedy. We all pretend to sympathize with the victims, some of us even send in donations to fight off the guilt in our stomachs. We have become a species too focused on others miseries.

Our society has morphed into this taboo-esque group that love to look down on people’s miseries, and kick them while they’re down.

Benefit of the doubt is but a distant memory in today’s world. We don’t trust anyone anymore. Our words are no longer our bonds. Cynicism is in, and everybody’s doing it.

Many would say our Media is directly responsible for constructing the monsters we have become. To desensitizing these gruesome acts and shape them into reality television, but I don’t think it’s entirely their fault.

We have allowed ourselves to lose all trust in people. A person can hardly say I Love You anymore without raising a few eyebrows.

This is tragic, a person who doesn’t trust anyone, is not a happy person. He or she is a very sad, paranoid, lonely person.

I blame us, for replacing the trust we had in people, with an unyielding trust in the Media.

We believe every spin, that animalistic journalists like Nancy Grace, and Rush Limbaugh (just to name 2 that I personally despise) throw in our paths. We buy into the sensationalizing of sensitive topics. We allow them to stick their opinions inside our brains and dispose of anything that resembles independent thought.

We have become a society filled with Herd-like mentality.

Justice, like so many other words, has lost its true definition. It no longer represents RIGHT over WRONG. GOOD versus EVIL.

It now represents what will make a good story. It’s almost like we’re living in a movie. Our Court system has become so ridiculous, we might as well start hiring actors to play the parts of judges and attorneys. Since we already have camera’s and play by play on every Medium of the Media.

It sickens me, that we have lost the courage to be individuals.

Wow, this blog has branched off into something totally different than it was set out to say. I apologize for my ramblings.