Estar Guars

For those who are not up to date on current affairs, today is the 30th anniversary of one of the greatest movies ever. And if I may be so bold, a film that has been a big part of my life. So on this day, I was planning to write a scholarly essay on the merits of Star Wars and how they can be used in every day life, etc. But I've decided to go with this story instead entitled "Mr. Vader will see you now."

Last year, between January and September, my #1 goal was to find a job. I was stifled (to put it mildly) at my current employer and was so eager to jump ship. So I met with many different agencies in the Los Angeles area in hopes of a new gig. But through out the interview process, I went out on a lot of first dates... and a few second and third dates, but no one was making any offers. I tell you this because I think this will help explain the dream I had around this time.

I saw myself entering a large black building in downtown Los Angeles. I took the elevator to the top floor. Standing in the elevator alone, I made sure I looked presentable in the reflection of the closed doors. I was wearing my freshly pressed black suit with my favorite blue shirt and a blue power-stripped tie. My hair was combed, glasses were clean, shoes were shined, resumes in my portfolio and I was giving myself my ritual pre-job interview pep talk. The doors opened into a bare lobby...

Where a Stormtrooper sat at the front desk answering phones. I signed in and told him I was there to see Darth Vader. He made a quick call and said the HR person would see me first. A few minutes later, Bib Fortuna (the door man for Jabba the Hutt) came out to greet me. We walked to his office where he had me fill out some paper work and he gave me standard speech that included information on salary, vacation, insurance plans, summer hours and other perks that would come along with becoming the VP of Marketing for The Empire.

Darth Vader then entered the room. I stood up and shook his hand. Bib handed him my resume and paper work and after reviewing it he said, "Impressive. Very impressive." I followed him as he gave me a tour of the Death Star. We passed by a large conference room where various new Stormtroopers (the regular kind, sandtroopes, snowstroopers, scouttroopers, all kind of troopers) were in orientation. We passed by a freelancer named Bobba Fett who was on his way out to follow up on a lead. One of the Emperor's Royal Guards approached us to let Vader know that his meeting with Jubba the Hutt was rescheduled to later in the day. Obviously he was not happy, but we moved on.

We entered his office where we talked for a good hour. He asked me various questions and a few what if situation questions. He told me about The Empire's plans for the next five years and it sounded exciting. I made him laugh a few times with my answers which was funny to see I thought. Our conversation was very relaxed. We got along very well. As the interview ended I got up to shake his hand and I remember how amazing the galaxy looked from his office. As he walked me to the door, he mentioned that an admiral was having a party at his house that night and it would be great for me to stop by especially since the Emperor will be there too. I said great and that I would see them there.

Later that night, as I was driving towards Pasadena on my way to the ching-ding, I started thinking about the position. The interview went really, really well and the package was amazing but I kept thinking about the fact that I would be working for The Empire and this bothered me. And I kept on thinking of this, and thinking and thinking. And as I pulled up to the colonial-style house with a few speederbikes and Tie Fighters parked outside, I made a decision that this was not the job for me. So I called Darth Vader and let him know that I would not be attending the party and as for the position, it was a great opportunity but after thinking about it - it was not for me. I did thank his profusely for his time and the opportunity. I never heard back from him...

And then I woke up. That was a real dream. Pretty cool huh?

Happy Birthday Star Wars!!!

On a Sunday Afternoon

On a particular Sunday, my family drove east to her families home for a meet and greet. Since we are to wed in less than five months or 139 days, we thought this to be appropriate.

We arrived with a lovely fruit basket in hand and her and I introduced our respective family members. After the introductions were completed, my family quickly made their way to one end of the table and her family went to the other end of the table. Her and I were in the middle.

Dinner was served and we all helped ourselves to the delicious meal. (Special note: Great Googley-Moogley! The meal was way above and beyond delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed it.) There was some conversation between the families but then back to their respective ends of the table.

"Hmmm, this is not going quite as I expected?", I said to myself.

Dinner was finished and desert was brought out which everyone partook in. My oldest niece decided that she was tired of being still and was determined on letting everyone know. So she made her rounds up and down the table with a melting popsicle in hand. She walked up to her nephew - our godson - who was sitting underneath a tree who had his own melting ice cream in his hand.

She waved hello and he closed his eyes and sat still hoping that she would not see him. She got closer and gave him a kiss in that one-year old baby kind of way where it is more of a face butt than a kiss. He quickly wiped his face clean as she walked away smiling.

The families laughed and started mingling. Conversations and laughter could be seen through out the table. The families continued to talk and laugh as the sun set. It was good.

A few more dinners - or any other type of meal for that matter - and I think it will be just right. Good thing her and I will have the rest of our lives to bring our families together.

This entry written while listening to the album "The Impulse Story" by John Coltrane.

Scenes from an Airport

These are true observations...

A 50-ish year old man with a broken foot steps out of 1960-era Bonneville and points to a passing 1950 Cadillac and tells his 70-ish year old father, "I'm liking that Cadillac!" His father nods in agreement.

Comedian Drew Carry walks by talking to his traveling companion. Both are laughing as they tell their stories. A driver walks behind them as he struggles to push a cart carrying their bags.

A Tibetan Monk stares at the arrivals monitors. He pulls out his cell phone and calls a friend to pass the time.

A sun burnt mommy crouches close to her children to talk to them.The little girl holds on to her Bratz roll-away suitcase as she listens. The little boy pushes his Dora the Explorer roll-away suitcase away to get a better look at the passing suitcases. The dad barks at him to get back. He is sun burnt also.

A wall of black-suited drivers pushing empty carts and holding up signs for their intended passengers. Names include: Asopa, Lindberg, Wanger, DaBoub and Newcomb Link.

A young college aged girl weaving through the crowd carrying her copy of "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

A single lacey black bra going around in circles on the #2 baggage claim carousal. I'm assuming it fell out of slightly opened suitcase.

A daddy hugging his two boys tightly after being away from them so long. Or maybe being away from them for only a day.

Me smiling as I see my fiance come down the stairs. I say hello, hug her and kiss her.

Happy Friday

I was accused of being an "Emo Boy" today - which I resent but after listening to my previous entry, I could see where the accusation came from.

The same person who tagged me with the moniker is the same person that I've known since the 9th grade and has for as long as we've had cell phones has reached out to me (almost) every Friday (as well as any other day of the week) to provide me with happy greetings along with lightning-fast stories of her adventures. For which - I must admit - I live vicariously through. I listen as she makes her way in the big city (currently the one by the bay), through scholarly endeavors, adult-drink filled evenings and sometime pesky yet funny relationship misadventures. I return the favor by passing on comedic tales of servitude in corporate America, adventures in geekdom, and the work that goes into making a long-lasting relationship... and lately sprinkling in stories of a guys point-of-view on "How to plan a Wedding for the Modern Mexican-American Couple."

Each conversation always ends with an appreciation of our friendship and wishing the other luck and happy adventures.

This entry written while listening to Bob Dylan "Biograph".

Thursday 1 Me 0

After days of sunshine and heat, today is a lovely gloomy day. My eyes are on fire because of lack of sleep. My thoughts are clouded by what if..., I should have..., why didn't I...., I could have... My head hurts as well as my fingers (because I have a tendency of going above and beyond biting my nails when I'm stressed) because every time I answer the phone or open an e-mail, it is just another dang project that I need to complete yesterday.

And it is only 10:08 on Thursday morning. Now it is 10:09 AM.

Bad Mickey Mouse

Recently, a Mickey Mouse wannabe (and a very poor one at that) has been seen on a Palestinian children's show echoing the preachings of one of the... how shall I say this "not so friendly towards the U.S. and Israel" groups in the area. Now, I don't what to get into what they said but how they said it.

Is it just me or is it odd that as they railed against the West and all they they stand for, they used an icon of American capitalism to promote their teachings? Also, are those Western-style numbers in the background? I'm just saying.

For the members of the FBI who may be reading this entry because I accidentally used a key word: Hello. Please note that this entry is only for comedy sake and in no way supports or promotes anything.

On another note, for my Latino readers, doesn't this Mickey Mouse remind you of a bad piñata we had as children?

For the members of the FBI who are still reading this entry: Still using comedic liberties and in no way implying that Latinos support any of those radical groups.

May the 4th be With You!

Star Wars holiday it is. Celebrate you will. So in case your calendar's do not denote it, today - May 4th - is National Star Wars Day. So let me be the first to greet you with the official salutation - May the 4th be With You! (See what we did there - replaced the Force with 4th. A little play on words if you will.) I know what you are thinking. You are saying to yourself, "Is he serious?" But search your feelings and you will know it is true... or you can also go to any search engine and type in the title of the holiday or the greeting to verify my claim. While you surf the net for proof of this most festive holiday, I would like to pass on a few tips to help you celebrate.

1. Watch any of the Star Wars films. Although I would only recommend Episodes IV, V or VI. You can skip the first three unless you really need to watch them.
2. Hunt down Mr. George Lucas like your name was Boba Fett and give in to your Dark Side. Now I know this may be counter intuitive, this being National Star Wars Day and he being the father of said films. But seriously - Jar-Jar Binks? Plus not to mention Episodes I, II and III as well as releasing all the different versions of the original films?
3. Howl like a Wookie - I know I will.
4. While we are at it - do or do not. There is no try.
5. For the Spanish-speaking fan in your life - wish them a happy National Estar Guars Day!
6. Hum or whistle the "Imperial March" through out the day.
7. Destroy a Death Star.
8. Use the Force to open a door... at your local grocery store.
9. Hug a Wookie or an Ewok. Your choice.
10. Attempt to levitate an inanimate object using the Force. Be careful with this one - I got a wicked headache trying this last year.
11. Greet people all day by saying "May the 4th be With You!"

I hope these tips are helpful. May you have a very merry National Star Wars Day and remember, May the 4th be With You... always!