Pauley's Tavern and Pool Hall

Daydreams to cope with sometimes take on lives of their own....

al·le·go·ryˈ (aləˌgôrē) noun

plural noun: allegories

   "A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one."

   “An Allegory is a form of extended metaphor in which objects, persons and actions in a narrative, are equated with meanings that lie outside the narrative itself.

The underlining meaning has moral, social, religious or political significance of abstract ideas as charity, greed and envy.

Thus an allegory is a story with two meanings, a literal meaning and a symbolic meaning.”

   Yes, I looked it the f*ck up and with that you know what is needed to be known to understand what the Pauley’s Tavern and Pool Hall book series is about.

  Oh I should add that the censor is pretty much off most of the time. PG this story is not. PG13 neither. R yes; but beyond that?

Shhh....

Now some background info on the place ”The R*tards" go to play.

(Pauley’s term of endearment for his patrons that don’t act their age, especially when sh*tfaced.

Think about what "r*tarded" means, then how it's used in every day language to be an insulting description.

Just like calling a child a "b*stard", some words should be questioned as too f*cked up to use like they're whatever.

"Wh***" is another one with an edge, and yes these words among others will be questioned, but you as readers decide the fate of these words as they apply to your personal vocabularies.)

   Pauley’s Tavern and Pool Hall is a sort of 'speak-easy' name for The Iron Horseshoe Tavern established back in 1974 by Paul "Pauley" Kelly.

It’s called this to keep what are now known as 'hipster' invaders away, and its whereabouts only known by word of mouth.

Is it elitist?

Perhaps.

Or it is about self preservation and preventing as long as possible, their haven from being taken over by those that do not honor tradition, nor would uphold Pauley's Code of Conduct.

  New folks are welcome, as long as they can respect the School House Rules and don't complain when Lucy gets unplugged; otherwise foos are getting their a*ses expelled!

   Over the years The Tavern has become a home away from home club house for old timers and mostly blue collar roughneck man children with its latest motley generation currently in their 30’s, give or take.

Some married with children or divorced with visitation on the weekends.

They have bills to pay, money to save, jobs to not f*ck up in order to do both.

Occasionally these a*sholes may brawl and Pauley’s shotgun Grace taken out to dance, with Jukebox Lucy playing the soundtrack; but overall the place is mellow on a weekday afternoon.

   The crowd that made The Tavern its watering hole is loyal and there is a sense of kinship between the boozer drunks.

Stories this tavern has no lack of thanks to the antics of the patrons, which also include my own.

   I wrote myself in as a character using my real name because all this stemmed from a daydream I had, to keep me company while I went for long walks with detours, in my new town of residence;

Boyle Heights, California.

   Though home for me will always be my beloved

East Los Angeles, Califas

   One day I thought of a man that didn’t exist to help me move on and let go of the past, by focusing on the existing hope of the present and lessons learned.

  Perhaps it was my way to prepare myself mentally for the future because I don't have much to my name other than my imagination.

 “Mikey, Jacob, Bobby, Joe, Paul, Davey, Alex, Dennis and Lou”

   Names of made up men that are a close knit pack of pals I will never forget.

They all represent an aspect of the men I have known, both in the good and bad; but they are human, even if fictional.

They are part of the details to the symposium full of zanies.

   This story experiment at times is a sort of open love letter to men that have shown their integrity even as they also try to get things right.

These men are strong but also weak.

Happy but still stressed.

Hopeful but discouraged at times with what they feel is out of their control.

It’s a mix we all endure, but with them; I feel how unequal men still are when it comes to expressing their feelings on it all.

How do I know?

I'm a daughter of one that expressed them regardless.

   The women in this saga also are shown going through their own life roller coasters and attaining their triumphs for they too are strong and capable.

It’s just with them, the way their stories are told is different.

How different?

The goal is to show we could use a little bit of understanding from the fellas.

With their stories, I hope to tell men that not all of us are their enemies or psychos, that more often than not, there was an issue with communicating and emotions go on edge.

We can be worthy of trusting and also respecting.

I hope to tell, we can have our bad days too, even if our hairstyles look nice; and we don't always know what the f*ck we're doing either.

We do know we could be wrong also.

No really.

Women are capable of knowing they can be wrong. Getting us to admit it, now that's something else.

*cough*

I want to show the men I was able to reach through to, women can be their friends as well, and shoulder part of the old burdens that say a man must bare these alone.

Even as women, we can relate and be more than arm candy hood ornaments, "Honey can you bring me a beer?".

  But this is to reassure the males that are willing to read, they'll have a place in what is usually considered female terrain.

  Yes this is a quirky soap opera Spanglish novela, for a subculture of those that bought in to what a friend called:

"The Rockabilly Retirement Plan for Punks, Skins and Goths".

And what was surprising, the guys did get in to it as much as the gals. I mean, how can I write an open love letter to men, if I don't include what matters to and interests them?

  From the serious like Erectile Dysfunction or even the car not starting and being already late for work.

To the "Are you f*cking serious!?!" and the latter said in two manners.

One with enthusiastic glee like they scored, and the other in BOHICA despair.

Espeakin' of which....

This is a bedtime story dedicated most of all to Our Troops and 'Docs' green side or civilian; for I do know the power of a reality break, if not reading oneself asleep.

And this because I want to "Play It Forward" and yes I do mean play.

  The man I would spend countless silent moments, wondering about his happiness and safety; he was the life lesson I needed to get me out of a bad place; even as I felt helpless knowing which bad place he was headed back to.

This Army Coptor Doctor ridding one of Anansi's spiderweb threads, tied to the foot of a Dragonfly Dustoff back in Stan; reminded me why being able to control your focus, makes dealing with difficult things, easier to cope with.

The chaos will still be there, it's how you allow it to affect you, that makes a very important difference.

You either learn how to hold on and fight or you don't. That "don't" had been my concern for him.

There was a reason his story began to stand out to me.

"Yet for me that also came from the desert, compassion I also knew how to show...."

  Eyes like his and lack of smile, you don't forget.

He had the face of many that aren't returning all that well; but his face comforted me when it would look silly; but haunted when it was a stoic with unintended, resigned grace.

  So this allegory that aims to be a cult classic, does have its soul, as that odd daydream of mine, found a life of its own.

And it became a Shoretale Fable of Therapy in Motion and thinking up the answers that become the solutions.

It's all just rhyming for the reasons, that carry us through the seasons of change.

Suggestion: Look up Grandiose, Ostentatious, Pretentious, Narcissistic, Delusional, Self Absorbed Motor Mouth, but most of all Ironic Catharsis. Thank you.

Back To The Top Where It Starts

Copyright ©2017 Rev. Mother L. G. Flores. All Rights Reserved.

Heaven Please Bless All That is "Pauley's...." and May No Harm Come To This Therapy In Motion, Adult After School Special, What Happens Cuando Nos Ponemos Las Pilas, Mark In Miles Stones, for This Dreamer and Music Maker Shake, Rattle n' Roll!

Amen.

"Siempre Fiel En Lagrimas Y Sangre"

Press Play for Stray Cats "Gina" to Soundtrack Your Curiosity To See What I've Looked Like Over The Years

"There once was a little girl, with a little curl down the middle of her forehead. When she was good, she was really good, and when she was bad, she was human."

East LA, Califas. In "East Los Ponygirl" aka "Ponygirl Flores" mode. I was the 'sensitive one' it seemed with how affected I was by what seemed like pointless violence. I was more of a poet not yet done dreaming of the great, vast yonder. I was a girl version of"Ponyboy Curtis" it turned out, and I have no complaints about that at all.

December 2009 Age 31

 

 

Deuce Nine, Califas. My head was floating. Taken on the night of my return from the psych hospital. I was doing my best to smile anyways, and have fun with my camera. I'm told this shot doesn't look like me. That it looks like that of an actress. Considering the mask I wore, I pretty much was one.

2009 Age 31 yrs

Silverlake, Califas. "Kissing Body Insecurities Goodbye! She said. I'm making peace with my tummy rolls." I've made more peace with how my body shape and dress size fluctuates, but the life style make over that began to really take place in 2011, has lead me closer towards maintaining. I'm looking forward to the new self-esteem building photo shoot that captures what others see, not what I perceive. I like this. I like this very much.

2012 Age 34 yrs

San Pedro, Califas. This was taken shortly before we were t-boned by a crazy b*tch on a bicycle that was barefoot and headed straight towards traffic down hill. If we weren't there at that precise moment for her to hit us, she may have gotten really hurt. I open my passenger side door thinking I need to be first-aid, andI feel her grab my arm. I remember feeling really bothered she did that; like Death was on it. She walked away after apologizing, and the dent she made is still on my friend's car all these years later.

2010 Age 32

Deuce Nine, Califas. I'm doing the scrunchy nose in a guayabera I couldn't tax back *sigh*

2009 Age 31

Silverlake, Califas. I'm the 4th one in from the left. This was taken as part of a self-esteem building exercise. I was so disliking every second I was in the shoes I was wearing, but over all it was a fun experience.

2012 Age 34

East Los, Califas. My machine gun necklace I made back when I was 16yrs old, as my take on Sid Vicious' lock and chain. I was appalled that among my young brother's toys, was this riffle. I began thinking deeply about it, got lost; and then returned to see similarities in wearing a crucifix that also was used to kill. I had to use this as my point of argument with my probation officer that was ready to confiscate it. I lost this necklace back in 2009, to the high desert.

2004 Age 26 yrs

 

East Los, Califas. "Pretty In Punx" I was messing around with the timer of my camera phone, and took early 'selfies' that I have recently learned self portraits are now called. I did the standard kissy face chicks are notorious for. It's one of the few pics of me wearing my studded vest I still own, I just need to finish adding studs to it.

2004 Age 26 yrs

East Los, Califas. I was told I look like a female Johnny Cash and that "Defiance is sexy." I'm just happy my sneer and double bird salute came out cool enough to want to share.

2004 Age 26 yrs

East Los, Califas. This shadow self portrait has old memories attached to a fateful day of my own making.

December 2009 Age 31 yrs

 

 

Deuce Nine, Califas. There is something about a black and white portrait. The monochromatic look. The details that are crisp. Even as I looked tired, it still looked like my eyes were smiling. Well at least to me.

October 2009 Age 31 yrs

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East Los, Califas. I was doing a mix of 'Gothic Kimono' with my spooky eye make-up, Asian inspired top and hair sticks with dangly thingies. I got to play back home on my momma's porch, in East LA, before having to return back to Dodge. The storm was brewing, it was very angry; and after it hit, it was pictures of old smiles that reminded me, I was able to then, so I may still be able to smile now. I was able to smile and do at least once everyday.

December 2009 Age 31 yrs

Press Play To Listen To Joan Jett And The Black Hearts "Bad Reputation" For The Soundtrack

East Los, Califas. The years had passed, it was time to try to capture again, what I "currently" look like. I've lost weight since this photo was taken, but the smile is still the same. Crooked with one corner turned up higher than the other. It was nice to look like a girl, even if bundled up.

December 2013 Age 35

Various faces in Dia de Los Muertos sugar skull makeup, after meltdown. Halloween in East Los Califas

October 2015 Age 37

Who Be This L.G. Flores?

   Well for starters, L.G. means Lizett Gina. I'm young at heart yrs old. I have two kiddos from two dads from two failed unions and you don't divorce children, so I really have 3 in total--so far! (I still hope to be a stepmom again.) Divorce roughed and toughed me up. My family consists of relatives and friends. I am the middle child.

  I was born on the Virgo/Libra cusp and am more Libra it seems now in my life and I think I will go back and forth as needed and avoided. I belong to the Crow from the Butterfly Clan on the Medicine Wheel. I am a Horse and eat Chinese food. I can read Tarot and Angel Oracle cards. I am spiritual, not religious. I believe in Fairies and celebrate The Day of The Dead.

  I would love to be a Vaudevillian.

  I'm out of my Eeyore phase with a rain cloud constantly over my head, though I do zone under the shower head.

  I'm a foodie. I'm aiming for vegan, eco-friendly and socially aware.

  I used to enjoy drinking beer more than mixed drinks and wine; and it's rare when I drank booze straight. It's even more rare when I'm drunk because I rather avoid the hangover. I believe some of the best meals taste better with the perfectly paired beer. Benjamin Franklin did know what he was talking about.

However, Bengy, I feel like being sober now and switch to a 'Triple Half' or an agua fresca.

  I make obscure references. That's how I met a fellow Malkavian, and he showed me where he stores his cookies. I walk funny and the snozzberries taste like snozzberries.

  I walk, take the bus, ride the train or am a passenger in other people's cars, because I still don't know how to drive. I also don't know how to swim.

  I am a student of film, music, dance, art...

  I have a thing for squilles (squirrels).

 It's all about the tapioca pudding!

 I'm old enough to remember what SAP does on a television.

  My favorite name color is periwinkle, it makes me smile, along with the color. 

  Forget-Me-Nots and scented Roses are my favorite flowers.

  I prefer berry pies a la mode.

  "The Star Spangled Banner" has choked me up. Also Beethoven's "Ode To Joy" and by the way, he rolls over for NO ONE!

  I sleep with my stuffed "Grampa Bunny" and "Koala" security blanket that do radiate love, when I'm feeling low, or in the mood to snuggle.

  Jumping in puddles and blowing spit bubbles hasn't gotten old. Neither has shadow play.

 Rainy Days I feel have a sense of whimsy to them, because they are not common in Los Angeles.

  I rate a park based on their swings. Eugene Obregon Park so far has the best.

  First book I ever wrote was in 1st grade about a space shuttle rocket ship that picked up some alien monsters and befriended them and took them back to Earth. As a grown up I seen a bit of an unintended Amistad. It was written in Spanish.

  First book I ever bought was "Feather Fin" from the Serendipity series. My most favorite book to recommend is "100 Proof". I'm aiming to write more books for a living.

  I believe a book makes a lovely gift.

 

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Press Play To Listen To Sid Vicious Covering Eddie Cochran "Somethin' Else" For The Soundtrack

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Doing a makeup and lighting test in Guadalajara, Mexico this past May 2016 for "Cooking In The Barrio with Gina From East L.A." It's nice to wear a light color top. I still have a lot of black t-shirts, but my 'Spy vs. Spy' is my cheer me up t-shirt. It's good to have practical items to help make us smile.

May 2016 Age 37yrs

  

 

 

East Los, Califas. In my softened pachuca look while wearing chucks. This outfit got me stopped four different times in a matter of 2 1/2 hours. I was complimented first by these veterano kats "Excuse me Miss, I wanted to say I like your style."

Next one I get a couple asking if the wife can pose with me for a picture. I'm game. A lady at Mercadito, where this took place, seen this and then asks me if I was a movie actress "incognito". I softly say "No." and she insists she's seen me before. I've been told I look like Minnie Driver.

Finally on the walk back home, a car full of young bucks in Lakers and Dodgers tees, are waiting for my mom, a friend and I to cross, they have their windows rolled down. The one riding shotgun says "Excuse me Miss, you have a cool outfit." considering it cost me under $20, I guess I got the look for less.

2015 Age 36 yrs

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East Los, Califas. I was at Thai Daily BBQ off Cesar E. Chavez Blvd. (Brooklyn) and N. Rowan Ave. when Bobby the owner seen me with my little pomp, looking very California with my shades and IN-N-OUT t-shirt. He asked if he could take my picture. I posed with one of his menus and reading material on Buddhism. He's a kool kat and my favorite item to order is off the menu. I love Tom Ka Tofu which is the coconut chicken soup without the chicken, but with tofu instead.

2015 Age 36 yrs

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I was cheering up with my neighbor after my date bailed on me, making me cry for a tiny bit. In retrospect, I had more fun hanging out with my neighbor than with the guy that honestly, his voice was weasely like he's shady. He also didn't look like his pictures that I cough were recent. In this one I was surprised my butt fit on that tricycle.

2015 Age 37 yrs

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East Los, Califas. My nightstand video blog spot. I was checking the angles and I made a pouty face while wearing eyeglasses. For the four eyes out there, work the specs and rawk the braces if you have 'em! I may have not been able to handle that combo as an adolescent, but now I'd be happy to see better and have straighter teeth. The beauty I invest in is more inner, but for outer, I'm still more of a greaser punk that likes classic and comfortable.

2015 Age 37 yrs

Press Play To Listen To Social Distortion "When She Begins" For The Soundtrack

  As the years passed, I was shocked at times that I really did survive the worst year of my life, back in 2010. In the Pauley's Tavern and Pool Hall book series, when it's not practical entertainment with a romance sneaked in there, it's autobiographical. Sometimes it's best to take breaks in between writing in order to process what it is that gave me an emotional enema.

  There is a lot from 2010 that I haven't told my dearest friends. Stuff I couldn't tell my Priest, though he knew for all that went down the year previous, going to Saint Mary's on 4th Street and Chicago Ave. in Boyle Heights, I was at the right place. There I met Saint Rita that is the patron for abused women and the impossible. I was meant to know her name. And she's been with me, along with Our Lady of Guadalupe that I refer to as my Abuelita/Grandmother.

    2010 is also the year Oshun introduced herself in a vivid dream, and though I do not practice Santeria, (I'm actually more of a hybrid of Mexican Catholic with New Age with a strong connection to Angelology) she smiled anyway. After learning of her story, I understood why she took pity on me and joined the effort to save me from it all completely crashing down with me stuffed in a box six feet under. I affectionately call her my "Tia Madrina (Godmother Aunt) Boxing Coach."

  I consider that year a 'Brothers Grim Urban Fairytale', where I had to have my spiritual reawakening and rekindling for honing my 6th sense as a healer. Now I live at a calmer pace. I hardly drink, and if I do I limit myself. 2010 was the last year I ever crawled in to the bottle. I was self medicating because I wasn't under managed medical care, so I went there.

  That's the year I came dangerously close to ending it all. My heart was left really beaten. My mind was weary. Finding hope was hard, but help arrived. I checked myself in to the psych ward I went to before to catch my breath because of my son's father stressing me out something fierce. Now I was back in there because he pushed me over the edge again, with a fury that is not from a sound mind.

  I rested there, then moved in to a nicer apartment in Boyle Heights and in 2012 inspiration hit after a daydream I used to deprogram my feelings for an unlikely, developed a dark plot twist, and I was overcome with emotion. I left my apartment to walk to Tenno on 1st Street and Soto Ave. I toasted him with a pint and then I went for a very long walk.

  After I got home, I began to sketch a pack of friends that were in my age group. Also retired punk rockers that got in to rockabilly. Some were married, others divorced. Some with children, others with little black books. But whichever different roads they walk, they meet up at their club house, a tavern with a funnie name meant to throw hipsters off. The inspiration that occurred took my daydream where I went there again, and hooked up too fast with a guy I hardly knew. We have our moment, but unlike others, he sleeps over.

  In this daydream, the guy took a liking to me. He joins me for my early morning walk around the neighborhood. We talk and have the conversation I craved, because it didn't lead to arguing or steering it towards the physical. This guy was a gentleman and in this daydream, he embodied all the qualities I seek in a mate. Him leaving me a widow was exploring what else could crush me next to the custody nightmare I'm in.

  The daydream was given new life and looking back on the last 6 years since the clusterf*ck of a lifetime began, I do see I'm in a way better place. I'm sober and clean. I take my medication and check in with my therapist as needed. My pills dispenser is the one that writes my letters of stability, because he's seen since I began going to his office in 2011 I'm not the same patient that walked in. My Doc seen the contrast of improvement, so much so I need a lot less medication. My PTSD isn't in control of me. I'm healing.

  The following four pictures are from a selfie series simply named "Faces" and they show a side of me that isn't done wanting to fall in love with the right for me fella, not in a rush to leave. So yeah, I'm being flirty with the peek-a-boo.

September 2010 Age 32 yrs

(July 25, 2016)

 

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City Terrace, Califas. I read somewhere that is you think of someone you like when you pose, your smile is more genuine. Here I am taking a picture of a picture. I dolled up hoping to find the sensual side I used to have before I got shanghaied in 2005.

 

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My Billy Idol sneer. Yup, I'm a clown at heart in a push-up bra.

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I would describe this look as showing my French roots while I'm praying at church.

"Lemme get this straight. I survive the clusterf*ck of 2010 and write about it, I'll find my niche, and then get published? Riiiight...."

*smiles*

May 2017 Paranormal East L.A. Magazine published "Standby-Part 1" in their debut issue that is now a collectable I'll be fundraising with. First run sold out at the first ever East L.A. Comicon.

I guess perseverance with lucky breaks made the difference I didn't feel was probable in 2010.

I was worth more than another story of "wasted talent of a life that ended too young". With help I hung in there long enough to get to where I was much better off, with a renewed sense of hope in my life being one of triumph over adversary; and 'a little engine that could' spirit that didn't give up on life making sense.

For the joy in surviving, I'm not a hot mess anymore, chyeah!

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Weeeell, it is a new chapter in my journey as a writer getting published.... So I suppose I can share more pictures and blurbs. Going back to my roots as a "Punxrock Grrrl"

Press Play To Listen To The Dead Milkmen "Punk Rock Girl" For The Soundtrack

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Copyright ©2018 By Rev. Mother L.G. Flores. All Rights Reserved.

Heaven Please Bless All That is "Pauley's...." and May No Harm Come To This Therapy In Motion, Adult After School Special, What Happens Cuando Nos Ponemos Las Pilas, Mark In Miles Stones, for This Dreamer and Music Maker Shake, Rattle n' Roll!

Amen.

"Siempre Fiel En Sangre y Lagrimas"