No Football or Baskeball For This Kid

I have always been a man of many interests. Being vertically challenged I opted safer sports while in high school, so football and basketball were out of the equation, now baseball I couldn't hit the damn ball so we looked for alternatives.

We started a ping pong club which met every morning before school started and also during our lunch hour. Now what can be safer than that. However we all became pretty good at it, not Forrest Gump good, but good enough. Our paddles of choice were "butterflies" and at $30.00 buck a paddle back in the late 70s you can bet they were good paddles.

One of the benefits of the ping pong club or table tennis if you want to be PC about it was that the tables were way in the back of the campus in a restricted area and only members and our guests could go beyond that point. If you think us ping pong guys didn't have groupies, think again.

Well, obviously that was just a hobby, but our sport of choice was gymnastics. Our group was about 15 members strong, and we stuck together from Jr. High school and through our high school years too. Living in South Central L.A. and refusing to join any gangs we had to stay together and watch out for each other.

Gymnastics gave us the opportunity of releasing our energy and our frustrations in a different way. We tried everything, I was not as talented as some of my friends so the "long horse" and "floor exercise" were my two events, while some of them went on to do "side horse", "high bar", and even "rings". Gymnastics is all one team, no JVs or Varsity here, and for the three years I was in high school we were champions. To this day I still have one of my team jackets hanging in the closet.

A good way to practice our moves was by going to the local swimming pool and usind the diving bords. People thought we were on a diving team, except gymnastics and swimming/diving were in the same season, so it was either one or the other. We all chose gymsastics because we enjoyed it so much more.

Now when I see gymnastics on TV, I just laugh as our hardest moves are their easiest warming up tricks. Gymnastics was taken to a whole different level, specially women's gymnastics, when I see what they get to do now, I just smile and take my hat off to them.
It's the closest you can get to flying without wings.

Almost 1-year Old

Only a few more days and my blog will be one year old already. How time flyes when you are having fun. To this day my blog really has no theme. I write about anything and everything that may come to mind. I started it to write about things like "American Idol" and "So you think you can dance". I may also write about pieces of my life that I want to share with those of you that take the time to read them.

It's been fun and definitely a great experience for me. I think my writing skills have improved (or not) since I started it, and as I mentioned before, my writing does not come with an accent. I keep it clean because pretty much my whole family visits and reads what I write (even though they are the ones that never comment anymore). I know things get old right away, but for me the newness of the whole thing is still pretty much alive.

What has been the best experience so far is meeting so many of you that come back to visit, and that leave me so many encouraging comments. I know I am far from being a witty or intersting writer (I use the term loosely)and yet I have managed to pick up some of you as my regular readers, without mentioning anyone I know you all know out there who you are.

So as I approach my one year anniversary I promise you that I will keep my blog well about the same, only because I am still the same person I was when I started it. I am still a 100% family man that is still in love 100% with his "chica", his kids, and all his grandkids, and I continue to live the simple life I have lived to date, with its ups and downs and all the in-betweens that life thorws our way.

Unfortunately I haven't posted any motorcycle stories as my trusty bike has been parked in my trusty garage for almost a year now, but one of this days I will give it the necessary services that it needs, and put a new tire on it so that I can ride up and down the Arizona highways collecting pictures of the different places that Arizona has to offer. Until then hopefully you still enjoy the pictures I post on my Arizona... But it's a dry heat! photo blog

She Did It - Jordin Is Our New American Idol

As you may imagine here in Arizona specially in Phoenix the news stations took a little more that two minutes to highlight Jordin's journey to stardom. Have no doubt that from here on she will go on to bigger and better things, the future promises to be a bright one for her.

CONGRATULATIONS JORDIN ON THE AWESOME WIN!

After the Suns heart breaking lose, it is refreshing to be able to root for a hometown hero. Not to take anything away from Jordin but another girl from Arizona took second place on a show called "La Academia" which is the Latin version of American Idol. Yuridia a girl from Mesa took second two years ago and had since become huge in the Latin music world, and yes she has been more successful than the guy that took first.

"This Is My Now" has been playing all morning long on every single radio station here in Phoenix, and the more I listen to it the more I like it. Funny because when Blake sang the song I though of it as weak, but Jordin took it to the next level and showed us what a great song it really is.

Now we move over to my second favorite show "So You Think You Can Dance". I grew up dancing so the show really appeals to me.

~~~~~~~~~~

Now back to a non idol-report. Tonight is ABF's annual suite baseball game and I am invited. So tonight I'll watch our Dbacks battle the Houston Astros from the comfort of suite 66, where drink and food should be aplenty.

I hope to watch a winning game, the last time we were there we left at the top of the eight with the Dbacks showing a deficit on the score board, however when we watched the news we found out the rallied and actually won the game after really playing bad all night long.

Who came up with the saying "It's not over until the fat lady sings". Proof that the game isn't over til' it's over.

Wish them good luck tonight, hopefully they'll play well.

Sparks Flew All Over the Kodak

I am not going to blog and give you a minute by minute play on the show, I think that if you watched it then you had to have seen the same thing I saw and heard the same thing I heard. If you didn't watch the show then it's probably because you don't care.

But for those of us that watch American Idol from the very first audition show and then sit week after week for an hour on Tuesday and then another half hour or full hour on Wednesday, it is important that the person that we followed from the beginning and made it all the way to the final showdown wins.

It just so happens that Jordin Sparks whom happens to be the daughter of a famous football player never used the name recognition to stay afloat in the show, instead week after week she gave solid performances that got better as the season progressed. Yes, I admit that Melinda was the stronger singer vocally but her popularity fell shy of making this competition. However Jordin's performances kept getting better and better and it's no gift (as it was for Blake) for her to be in this final competition.

Trying, (really I am trying) to give credit to Blake, I find it hard as the so called "wow" factor was not there for me, truth is it was not there for me all season long, and then when he performed the last song I thought he sounded OK but I actually thought that the song fell short and I told my daughter that I didn't like it. Not so much his performance but the song, but then Jordin comes out and sings the exact same song and I could have sworn it was a totally different song from the one that Blake sang. From the beginning of the song till the emotional crackling voice end of the song Jordin pretty much established without a doubt who should be crowned our 2007 American Idol.

Tomorrow we may gather here in my house to find out the results or we may go to Westgate City Walk here in Glendale where they will have a big gathering to watch the show on big screen televisions. I still don't know what we are going to do but either way it will be exciting to say the least.

The Wedding

Writing a post is getting harder and harder, after all life is very repetitious. I wish I could tell you something new but my life wonderful as it may be is pretty much routine.

Even our celebrations are becoming harder and harder to top as we have so many. Well such was not the case of my sisters wedding this past Saturday. It was at least 35 years in the making and it finally happened.

Friday we went to church to have an entrance practice. We were given instructions of the "do's" and "dont's", and also in which order we were going to march down the aisle. When the deacon asked whom was giving the groom away "mi chica" sort of kiddin-gly said she would. Well, the kidding became a reality as she was in fact the person that my brother in law took with him to walk him towards the bride as she came to meet him by the altar.

(Wow, baby I just realized that you gave him away but also you were kind of the "Best Man"... way to go "mi chica", you're the man... ma'am)

So, anyway practice went pretty good, we were to make sure that the following day everyone knew where to place themselves and what to do as they walk down the aisle and got to their places.

Me, I had the honor of walking my older sister in representation of my dad along with my mom on the other side. Both of us walked her down the aisle and that in itself was a great moment in my life.

Waiting for so long to say "I do" was worth it, the ceremony was beautiful, my sister took the church choir and they added some very harmonious songs to the mass. My niece also offered a couple of songs that she sang for them. It was all very beautiful.

We had the reception at my other sister's house, same as where we had my daughter's two weeks ago and are happy to say that no neighbors complained, so I guess we must behave pretty good. We had good food, plenty of drinks and fun music to dance to.

All in all, another great and successful celebration.

And Yet, Another Wedding

Well, is anyone keeping a tab on all the celebrations I've had to date. I pretty much posted on most if not all of them. So, the third wedding in two months will take place this coming Saturday.

After some 33 or 34 years of being married, my sister and brother-in-law will finally make it to the church and have their big church wedding. This is definitely an important event in our lives and one that we will remember for many years to come.

I think that there will be no more weddings in the immediate future after this one. I'll keep you posted and hopefully share a picture or two for you to see.

I told you that with such a huge family we almost have something to do every weekend. It just never ends, but at the same time it's fun.

Next month we have a "Quinceanera" and a in California.

Queen Without a Crown

As much as I would like to talk about American Idol, today I am speechless. I kind of expected it though. If Sanjaya lasted as long as he did, it was obvious that the best singer for the second year in a row was to be eliminated prematurely.

The only consolation I have is that Jordin made it, at home we jumped up and down when we heard she advanced, but the joy ended when Melinda received the news that she was eliminated.

And as we move on to next week, the anticipation is just not there for me.

Who Will Get the Boot?

I am keeping my fingers crossed for a Jordin/Melinda final competition next week. Although I still don't like Blake, he actually wasn't too bad tonight. Looking back, it really wasn't a bad season but I still don't think there will be many record deals awarded as they had last season.

Let's count the ones that did get a deal from last season:

Taylor
Kat
Elliot
Chris
Kellie
Bucky

Yeap, six out of twelve are being heard all over the airwaves and on TV, the question is from this season other than Melinda and Jordin who will have the power to sell thousands of records. OK, I'll include Blake as I know he as a huge following.

I guess we will have to wait and see.

~~~~~~~~~~

Anyone that has been reading my blog for a long time knows that I am a huge dance fan. So, as much as I enjoy American Idol my other favorite show (not Dancing With the Stars) "So You Think You Can Dance" will start later this month. Looking forward to watching it. I watch from the auditions as well, it's a lot of fun to see who makes it and so on.

Jordin Sparks for President

Or at least for our 2007 American Idol winner!


Well it's down to the top three, how Blake made it this far is beyond me. Lakisha whom for the first part of the competition was my choice for second place was eliminated last week, I really hated to see her go, I think she should have gotten the third place slot, but hey the same thing happened to Chris last year, right!

Tonight is one of my favorite nights for American Idol, this is the one where the judges pick a song, then Clive Davis picks a song, and the contestant picks a third song. This night can make or brake the remaining contestants. I know there's many of you out there that really like Blake but I don't know dawg for me he just doesn't cut it.

It's no secret that I have been rooting for Melinda since day one, I really think she has proven she is the best singer, but my hometown girl Jordin has come a long way. She too has been consistent week after week and I think her youth and charisma may just take the title away from Melinda.

Unless one of the three really messes up, or comes up short on the long notes I believe that next week we should and will see a Melinda vs. Jordin finals.


I will be voting for Jordin because I really have to support our local talent, but the realty is that she is that good, and she has proven it.

So don't be shy and join me in voting for Jordin Sparks and maybe just maybe crown her our next American Idol.



Tonight after the show vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks,vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks,vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks,
vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks, vote for Jordin Sparks.



Well get the idea, just help me rally and vote for Jordin.

The Battle Rock Spot

Friday, May 11, 2007
It's Over

Today I graduate from law school. Tonight I drink. The rest is just details.

This is today's post of a friend of mine and of many of you. You have read his posts, you have voted for him many times, and I know you agree with me when I say that his is one of the best written blogs.

Please join me in congratulating him, if you don't know him here's a great chance to meet him.

The Battle Rock Spot
Click Here

Now, let me go and drink a beer or to for him.
Cheers amigo!

You Are a Woman... So You Think You Are Bad?

As a motorcycle rider I have seen an influx of women riders emerge. Most look majestic riding those big machines and they gain my respect immediately. It's not easy being in command of a machine that weights over 600 lbs., and yet they seem to be very comfortable doing it.

In the past only the man used to provide for the family while the wife stayed home to take care of the kids and do the shores. But now it's not rare for a woman to bring home the bacon so we can fry it up in a pan. I make decent money but truth be told in "mi chica's" line of work when it gets busy she can kick my ass hands down.

The reason I'm writing about this is because I read a riddle in my ABF's newsletter that got me thinking.

I'll write it for you, then tell me if you solved it.

A man and his son are in an automobile accident.
The man dies on the way to the hospital, but the boy is rushed into surgery.
"I can't operate on this boy," says the surgeon.
"He's my son!"
How is that possible?

If you had to think hard about what the answer is, then you still live in an era where you think men are the sole providers. Otherwise, you would have immediately solve it: The surgeon was the boy's mother. (Duh.)

Now I see more women wear tattoos, I mentioned once in a previous post that where I work almost every woman that works there has a tattoo while only 1 man has one. I get women truck drivers making deliveries and they park the big rigs easier than some of the man drivers (I hear our parking pit is a hard one to get into). I see many women riding their own motorcycles instead of riding in the back. They are boxing, wrestling, car racing, and they are doing just about everything us men do. But the one constant that only women can do is... give birth.

You are a woman... So you think you are bad?
I say so.

Latin moms celebrate "Mother's Day" on May the 10th regardless of what day of the week it is. Here we will celebrate it on Sunday. So my shout out to all Moms goes out today.

MAY ALL OF YOU MOTHERS OUT THERE HAVE A GREAT "MOTHER'S DAY" WEEKEND

American Idol Top Four

I have been saying that there's Melinda, then big gap, and then everyone else. Well, last night in my humble opinion Jordin narrowed that "big gap" to the point of being a worthy contender. I think it's obvious who should be in the final. As for Blake, I say see ya.

Addendum:

If our Arizona girl Jordin wins, I am 100% OK with that. She may not be a better singer than Melinda but she is more of the complete package we all want.

When I Said I Do

Here I am walking my daughter Michelle down the aisle.

Finally after so many hours, days, months of planning, of making invitations, decorations, and party favors the day finally arrived. May the 5Th will go down in our history books as the day that Michelle and Junior said those two little words "I do".
It was hectic at times and the budget shrunk way before they were even done buying the stuff they needed, but by pulling trick out of our hats and tightening their belts the did it.

The odds were against them but they prevailed, it makes me proud to see that they did what was necessary to assure this event would happen.
The weather was supposed to be hot, normally by this time of the month we are already in shorts but for the weekend we had beautiful sunny weather that came with heavy winds, making it easier to bear it. Yes, it was hard to keep the table cloths and center pieces in place as the wind kept knocking them off but that was a welcomed trade as we all agreed that we preferred that to near 100 degree weather with no wind.

I don't drink coffee but I need a little caffeine.

Sahuaro Ranch was a great place to hold the wedding. The gardens were full of roses. Chickens and peacocks and rabbits run free on the grounds and the birds also come to visit. The ranch is a historic landmark, the guest house was available for us. Actually the bride got dressed there as she was helped by her mom and maid of honor.
The ceremony was short and sweet, as they exchanged their bows they also shared the intimate moment with their two kids Diego and Alayna.

The reception was pretty fun too, as usual there was plenty of food. Once the music started it was dance till you drop, at least for me because Oscar decided to crash the party again, so all the men went inside to watch the fight. The photographer actually took some pictures of Michelle facing the TV screen and pretending she was the one fighting with Oscar de la Hoya. Too bad he lost, I heard it was actually a pretty boring fight, that has all the makings of a re-match. Maybe next Saturday I'll sit and watch it on HBO and see for myself how bad Oscar lost.

Mi chica and I minutes before the wedding.

Some of you asked me to post some pictures so if you care to see some of them

CLICK HERE

Oscar Crashes My Daughter's Parties

A little story:

Once upon a time just a few years ago "mi chica" and I gave this huge "Quinceanera Party" for my daughter. This was the older of my two daughters and that being the first party it cost an arm and a leg.

Her birthday is in October but we had the party a little earlier. We had it on September 18 (which happens to be my birthday), the hall was huge and all of a sudden it got empty, only women remained, which in my case means that I danced all night long.

So where were the men? you ask. Well, on that particular night one Oscar de la Hoya was fighting Felix Trinidad for the first time, so quietly but surely one by one all the men left the hall and rushed home to see the fight. Oscar lost that night because he thought he had it won and danced around the last four rounds, remember... you remember don't you.

Fast forward a few years and guess what? Yeap, same daughter now is getting married this Saturday. And what is happening this Saturday? Yeap, Oscar is fighting AGAIN!!!!! However, my son told my brother in law to purchase the fight and said that he would pay for it, that way the men will remain in the same house.

My daughter just laughs, because well it's funny how Oscar crashes her parties. I do hope he wins though. Gotta root for "La Raza".

The Anticipation Mounts

The anticipation thickens, only three more days til' the wedding. As the funds got tight, the hope is that all the planning my daughter has done over the last three months will pay off. Thank God she has not turned into a bridezilla, even though she thinks she is one. The guests should start coming in as early as tomorrow and last minute preparations will make the girls in my life run like chickens without heads just trying to tie all the loose ends. But in the end, I am confident that we will have a fantastic celebration that will leave timeless memories etched into our memory bank.

As a remainder to Junior:

But I loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she'd find you someday
But it still hard to give her away
I loved her first
---Heartland

American Idol As Seen By Joe Cool

So it's a family habit, but tonight I was dumped. Yes I had to watch American Idol alone. Not my favorite night but I must be becoming a seer, I knew exactly what Simon (Yes, I'm singling Simon) was going to say about the contestants. Truth is he was in some morning show and when asked he said then exactly what he voiced during the show, in his eyes Phil has to go, and he won't mind if he takes Chris with him.

So again, it didn't matter to him how well Phil would perform, his mission was to trash him as he has done in the past. He is the better guy singer but won't make him any money. I don't know why he is so afraid the first, second, and third places belong to the girls.

So I don't need to write a million word essay on a show that only lasts about 35 to 40 minutes. It is obvious that what I see is not what Simon, Randy, and Paula sees. I have no monetary interest in the outcome, they do. So they'll try to tweak America's votes in their favor and not the deserving contestant.

So, I think that Chris and Blake should go home, (yes I know that what I think doesn't matter) but I have not liked Chris since the start, I am truly surprised he's still in the competition. As for Blake, I am not a girl so I won't vote on his looks, he did not bring it when he sang "Imagine" and in my opinion and obviously Bon Jovi's too, he took a song that we all like, and like it just the way it is, and stuttered it trying to sing it as if he was a sound ma-ma-ma-mamamama-chine. So don't take on Whitney or Mariah or Celine or Stevie but take on a sound machine... great!

I used to like Lakisha for second place, but now Jordin my hometown girl is my candidate for second. First has belonged to Melinda since the day she auditioned. There's Melinda, then a gap, and then everybody else.

Am I a good critic or what?