Play videos for soundtrack
“Walk in the rain with me…”
By L.G. Flores
Thursday, October 11, 2012
The Lighthouse/My Apartment (Sleep Palace on the 2nd Floor)
Boyle Heights, CA
9:22am
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong- “Isn’t This A Lovely Day”
I woke up as usual, not sure of what day it is. I fold back my Koala blanket and try to remember what I dreamt of. I forgot. I get up out of bed and I feel the chill in the air from leaving the window open. I can hear that it had rained earlier. The cars driven over the wet asphalt have a distinct sound. I don’t feel like having coffee today, it feels like it should be a calm, mellow sipping tea day.
Being that it’s cold, I felt like having a warm breakfast of Malt O’ Meal sweetened with brown sugar. I look out the kitchen window and it seems it will be overcast all day. I look for my cell phone to see what the weather forecast will be. There is a problem. My cell phone feels wet which pretty much tells me I’m assed out. I really don’t need this.
I look at my cell phone not responding to my attempt to dry it out on top of the stove between the burners where it’s warm. Dang, yet another expense I wasn’t counting on. I pretty much accepted I got to bite the bullet and suck this cost up too. I also have to pay my cable internet bill before the due date. I get dressed even if I don’t want to, but I got to get to this. I put on my blue jeans, my Beatles’ Abby Road tee, MC and driver cap. For the kicks, I stick with my tennies since I haven’t bought new padded inserts for my boots, besides I do not impress anyone. I see out my bedroom window, it isn’t raining. I step out without an umbrella.
I walk to the Metro Gold Line train station and I remember how yesterday I lucked out not getting a ticket for hopping to Union Station. There have been a lot of cops at the stations lately; perhaps they need to fill their quota. I paid for another month on my disabled bus pass and sure as shit, there was a cop checking the Tap cards at the Soto stop. I saw a chick that wasn’t as lucky. She was getting a $250 ticket, sucked to be her.
I take the train to East LA Civic Center and walk to The Time Warner Cable office. I was dreading it because I called customer service and was told I owe $73 because of the deposit balance I was surprised with. When I get to the office, I get good news. I didn’t have to pay that much, just the $33 for my monthly service charges. I was cut some slack, and I could pay that deposit in 4 payments. I take the train back home.
I go up the stairs of my apartment building. My cell phone still was a glitch and I couldn’t respond to the text messages I was getting. Only reason it got wet was because cabrona was spazzing about not finding the office of my shrink that I recommended to her. I was taking a bath and well just goes to show how much I'm willing to put other people first and at times literally at my expense. I could have ignored her texts and relaxed in the tub as I was trying to get sleepy, but I knew it was her first time ever speaking to a psychologist to help her with the issues that needed a fresh and trained perspective.
I look for the cell phone "Ziggy I" that was the last one I used before getting my current cell phone I didn’t name. My plan was, if I can take that phone in and get a new one that works that would be cool. If that didn’t work, then it was putting Ziggy back online and save up for one of those smart phones I’ve been resisting. I’ve seen too many with cracked glass to trust those.
Well I went to the Metro PCS where Food 4 Less is and I almost forked out $109 to get a new one. Then I was told I could try their corporate office about the exchange. So back I go to the starting point. I considered walking back home to layer my top under my MC and take out my umbrella. Though I already walked in the rain, I didn’t and decide it was indeed a lovely day to walk in the rain. I check my pocket for change, I had enough to use a public payphone to call my mom so she would know my situation and not worry because I didn’t answer my phone with her daily early evening call. She picked up and I told her what was up. She wasn’t going to worry which is good. I return to walking towards the bus stop on Soto and 1st.
My thoughts hold a conversation within. Though I listen to them, I hardly spoke making it seem I am quiet. If I was, it was because the raindrops were more interesting; along with the flashes of lightning and seconds passing to tell how far away they were with their sound of thunder. I get to Soto and catch the 605 that would take me to Lorena and Whittier. I ride that bus and see the wet aisle between the seats, and the different colors and patterns of umbrellas. I still am okay not having mine with me. What I thought was nice, the bus passed King Cole’s Pizza on Lorena that has Beer and Wine on its sign along with a Free Large Pizza offer. Perhaps Mikey would like to go with me and drink beer or wine and chow down. My stop came up and I step off.
I cross the street to catch the 18. I’m cold and wet, but it’s bearable. The 18 going to Montebello Station stops and I get on. I take a seat next to a man and I put my bus pass back in my wallet and put that wallet in my back pocket. Again I look at the wet aisle and the umbrellas of those that came prepared. I get to my stop and look for the Metro PCS office that I was told is next to a Jack in a Box. I considered stopping by to get their tacos, fried cheese sticks and jalapenos poppers, but I told myself to be good. I find the corporate office. I couldn’t get a replacement for my phone, because it did look like water damage so whatever warranties there was were void. This meant Ziggy I came back out of retirement. It will take me a lot of months to save for a new phone with a QWERTY pad and a touch screen. This I’m willing to compromise on.
Right after Ziggy gets reactivated, I get a text from Mari. It’s been a month since I texted with Ziggy and I had a bit of trouble remembering how he worked. With all the texted in blogs I’ve done before I had my own personal internet connection; I wore down his keys. I reply to Mari and asked her for Lola’s number since I seen she was the last one to text me and her number wasn’t in my contacts with Ziggy. We’ve been bonding and I like her too as a soul sister friend.
Not too long after texting Mari, Annie calls. I tell her what happened. We talk for a few minutes, and then hang up. I keep an eye out for Soto since the over head voice wasn’t announcing the stops. This makes me glad I wore my glasses. The 18 stops at Soto and I step off. I could have taken the 251 or 252 to avoid the walk up Soto. I decided I didn’t get to walk much in the rain last year, so it was a lovely day to get caught in the rain, walking the sidewalk and skipping puddles that I didn’t clear, making my socks get wet.
I walk and take in the weather. I pass Sam’s Tacos with a giant hamburger and elephant on its shack roof. I found it so East LA progressive paisa that they offer Wi-Fi access for their customers. Like” here, grub on your tacos and burritos and surf the web…” Who needs coffee houses when you got this?
I like this. I like that I am walking in the rain. I feel hungry and I’m craving meat. I haven’t eaten much of it because it’s expensive and besides, I got to watch my cholesterol; but I lost the battle with avoiding it and stepped in to the Carl’s Jr. on 4th. I look at the menu; I considered getting the Santa Fe chicken sandwich with Ortega peppers. I’ve made a close version before and contemplated buying what I need and making one myself, but the fried zucchini called out to me. I decided to try something different. I go for the fried Bacon Swiss.
I place my order to go and am given the #17 card and a small cup for my combo drink. I thought it was disappointing that the young girl that took my order had ‘eh’ customer service skills. I used to be a Carl’s Jr. employee myself and I rawked as a “Dining Room Attendant and Cashier”; so much so, I got recruited by the district and store managers for the Blockbuster Video that eventually closed down in Atlantic Square in Monterey Park. Hard to believe it once was the busiest and highest grossing store in LA for that corporation. The reason they asked me to apply was how I opened the door for them and had a genuine, perky smile. But today, I was reminded about the day I had to pick up trash in the parking lot of Carl’s Jr. while it was raining and I played in it. I guess it helped to keep me young. I wouldn’t mind playing in the rain with my soul sisters and if not with them, perhaps with Michael. I need to call him.
5:47pm
(Phone ringing--calling Michael)
“Hello beautiful.”
“Hello handsome. Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“Not at all I was just listening to some Amos Lee and sketching.”
“Which song?”
“Sweet Pea.”
“Nice.”
“I thought so. So what did you do today?”
“I walked in the rain without my umbrella.”
“You’re going to catch a cold doing that.”
“Maybe, but it felt good. Aye Michael, would you like to come over and walk in the rain with me?”
“Will we be using an umbrella?”
“If we have to.”
“Well in that case, yes. It may take me a while to get there with traffic though.”
“I can wait.”
“Okay, but think of me while you do.”
“I could do that.”
“Okay, I’ll see you in a bit. Bye.”
“Bye.” (Click)
Jukebox Lucy Sings The Soundtrack: Billy Idol "Dancing With Myself"
http://youtu.be/FG1NrQYXjLU
This song I can not stay sad when I hear it. I'll tell you a quickie story.
So I'm the pizza girl back at 2 For 1 Pizza in East LA that is under new management again and it is now known as Dave's 2 for 1 Pizza and order the Mexicana pizza that does make several appearances in "Pauley's..." but the sausage is switched out for pineapple for a more "Al Pastor" taste with the chorizo. It is my pizza pie of choice and heart attack on a plate.
Okay so I sling pizzas, even throw the dough in to the air to stretch it out, etc. and I'm closing that night which means I clean up the front where the tables are. This song came on the radio that at the time was on KROQ 106.7fm, that was where to tune in to for "Alternative" music in the 1980's-90's. Now it's too commercialized. The DJ's I remember were Jed The Fish, Kevin and Bean, Kennedy, and even The Poor Man that was the first host of Love Line with Dr. Drew; that makes a camio in the movie "Men At Work" with brothers Emilio Estevez and Charlie Sheen, I bet you had forgotten about it!. The show Love Line also comes out in the series.
Anyhoo, I'm blasting the radio and I'm cleaning the front and mind you the front wall where the door is, is all glass; and with the light on, you could look in, but it's hard to look out. I hadn't gotten to the table tops yet with soap and disinfectant, but as soon as Billy came on, I got up on to one of the table tops and started dancing with myself too! I was pogoing, doing the Molly Ringwald dance from Breakfast Club and just getting in to it with my tight black jeans rolled up, showing off my Harley knock off boots, 'coz my look had a bit of SID to it. I made my boss laugh, but that was just how punk I was... OI!
So m'kay, enjoy the flashback and remember:
DANCE WITH YOURSELVES!!!
~L.G.
Sunday November 3, 2013
The Lighthouse/My Apartment
Boyle Heights, CA
2:46pm
13 More Days To Go Before Turning In My Keys
I like how the "Force" of the Universe works sometimes when I get a cool giddy tickle hee hee...
So yesterday for those of you that didn't know, was the holiday of "Dias de los Muertos"/"Day of the Dead". I had contemplated dressing up and going somewhere where the festivities were happening. I looked up online to see if Olvera Plaza (La Placita Olvera) was doing anything. It was about 5pm when my friend Ana called and we spoke about hanging out for a bit. Anyway, I slather on the Sugar Skull face paint and put on a Mexican embroidered white cotton top that was actually embroidered in Chiapas. I put on the "head dress" I bought at Mariachi Plaza this past Summer of ruby glittered roses with black leaves and a skull in the middle rose.
The plan was to go to Target in Alhambra, then her drop me off at Olvera St. where I would take the Gold Line home from Union Station that is across the way; and yes I got funny looks at Target. The cashier that rung up our merch, she was an older Latina lady that said I made her smile seeing me in traditional folk dress with the make-up, and honoring the holiday. She also said seeing me mad her sad for a moment because she thought of her brother that passed away the month before. I gave my condolences, but we finished crossing paths, smiling.
Well plans changed after we seen on 1st St. Mariachi Plaza was also having an event for part of the main drag was closed off for the celebration held there. After Target, she drops me off down the street. Passing the coppers assigned to the event, one older gent gave me kuddos for my outfit as did others. It was an awesome friendly event and next year, Heaven willing; I'll post for y'all my own pics of the experience that includes my very own shrine and walking in the procession over at Olvera Street. I also may try my hand at baking some authentic "Pan de Muertos" or bread of the dead which is a yeast, sweet roll with "crossbones" and colored sprinkles; it's almost like challa bread which is a Jewish bread eaten on Sabbath and holidays. Pretty good stuff though I prefer dipping it in Mexican hot chocolate rather than champurrado which is really more of a thinned out sweet gravy that is drinkable. It's not bad, it's just, I like the hot chocolate better if there isn't pecan flavored atole, which is a hot milk drink that is made during tamale season which is approaching the colder the days get; and yes my 1st generation American Mexican ass will be trying my hand at making some. I want to make the traditional Mexican kind that uses corn husks, but also the tropical Latin versions that uses banana leaves and yucca root for the masa (dough). Where was I? Oh yeah...
I walk up and listen to this goth sounding band. They were okay, but I seen that on the opposite end of the closed off strip, there was another band playing in the gazebo. Their sound was like vampire Dick Dale surf guitar meets a stoned Santana jam session. I walk up and I'm looking around without my glasses on, and I was surrounded by many also wearing skull paint on their faces. I'm listening to the band when I look over and see a short, older gent that looked familiar. I call out "Don Raul!" and he turns his head and it was him! My little old man friend that is a troubadour/minstrel and painter returned to Boyle Heights. He recognized me under the face paint and we embrace, I right away knew that the evening began just as intended I feel, by the mysterious force of the Universe and Fate. If I stuck to my original plan of going to Olvera Street, or staying home packing, I wouldn't have run in to him. So yes, I took running in to him a kick down that would make my day/night.
Don Raul and I hung out in to the wee hours after coming back to my apartment to share a 12 pk of Tecate and a pack of smokes. I think it was around 5am when we finally called it a night and he slept in my arm chair. We were supposed to hang out today, but I woke up hung over and I didn't write down his new phone number. I know where I can leave him a message, at the restaurant he performs at, and I trust it would go through if I don't see him there myself first.
Hanging out with Don Raul was awesome because when we do, story time comes out and so does the guitar. I have one my second father in law gave me for Christmas some years ago. I ask Don Raul if I made dinner, would he teach me how to play. He is very accomplished with that instrument and also cooking. I played some rockabilly tunes I like, with a galloping beat; and just by ear, he was able to play it back. I forget how many decades he's been playing the guitar, but he says you never stop learning and it is all committed practice. I invited him to my house warming party I hope to have by early December. Nothing huge, just some close friends and grub I cook, besides bake. I'm really looking forward to baking again, chyeah!
Okies well that being said...
~L.G.