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