I first met Junior when I moved to Albuquerque after graduating college. He was kind enough to give me a job and take me under his wing. I hold the highest regard for not only him, but his family as well:
"I am in a community now. That's what has been missing. But now I have it. And I am more than ready." There is not a more fit person than Junior to help execute an idea I have been pushing. I am one hundred percent convinced he is the guy. It is of the highest importance he understand my belief.
"I understand what you are saying, but it takes money. It's money that neither one of us have," he responds. I agree, it will take money to execute, but money is not what I am looking for from him. It's his expertise I crave - "Look," I say intently to him, "All I want you to do is come to North Las Vegas and look at what I am saying. If you don't see what I see, that's okay. But you must come look." We've had this talk before, and it was never right for him, but now things are changing. He is beginning to realize the potential in what I am saying.
"Okay, you've convinced me. Let me talk with Brenda and we will pencil in a time soon to come out and see you." I hold my hand over the phone as not to scream in his ear like a giddy school girl. I pump my fist a number of times in the air as if I had hit a game winning shot. I then compose myself and say - "Thank-you, when you see what I am saying. I guarantee you will understand."
Friday, July 31, 2015
Thursday, July 30, 2015
The village idiot of Las Vegas stares at the most beautiful girl in town.
Calling her beautiful, or gorgeous - no... she's exotic, or alluring, or magnetic. Do you want to know the truth? I struggle for the correct words to describe her:
The most beautiful girl in Las Vegas came into the computer lab today. I'm too big of a coward to say anything to her, so I smile...she smiles back. I try not to stare as she stands at the front desk chattimg with her friend. The task proves impossible.
She has the most gorgeous profile - I tell myself as I admire her mocha skin, hourglass figure, pearly white smile and beautiful dark hair with blond highlights. It's as if Aphrodite in the flesh had put on a black miniskirt and walked into the computer lab.
I better stop staring because it would be awkward if she catches me - I now tell myself intently as I look back at the computer screen - the task proves too difficult - I have never seen such a heavenly site. she is breathtaking - I tell myself as I sneak another glance at her. I then immediately look down again in the hopes no one will catch me staring at her.
Dude! Stop staring at her. You know it is not polite. If she catches you it's going to weird her out - I try with all my might not to stop. Again, my efforts are fruitless - How come I can't have a girlfriend like that? She is so beautiful. I wish I wasn't such a big loser and then maybe I would have a chance with a girl like her - self loathing consumes my thoughts as I watch her smile and laugh with her friend at the front desk.
Moments later there conversation ends and she prepares to leave. Before she does she glances across the lab and catches me staring at her. My face turns red in embarrassment. She gives me a radiant smile and leaves. I thought I was going to melt.
Moments later there conversation ends and she prepares to leave. Before she does she glances across the lab and catches me staring at her. My face turns red in embarrassment. She gives me a radiant smile and leaves. I thought I was going to melt.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
The village idiot of Las Vegas talks to Junior.
My BFF Junior lives in Albuquerque. The two of us have been friends for twenty years - yesterday he decided to listen to my spiel about an approach I have for organic growth (data base creation). Below is an excerpt of our conversation:
"Look," I say intently, "I'm talking about taking our combined skills and directing them towards the good of a community. I finally have that community in North Las Vegas. Now listen carefully, I am saying unequivocally a fruitful data base of twenty thousand is here, and we can have it - I need your help!" He's been half listening and mostly laughing the whole time, just like everyone else...The time to laugh is over! "Look, you are the best salesman I have ever known," I state emphatically, "Hell, I pretty much learned everything I know from you. What I am proposing is an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime. Actually, once in a lifetime is too cliche. Properly stated it's an opportunity that comes around once in every ten lifetimes."
I am fanatically convinced they're twenty thousand ready and able subscribers/users to a blog or website within walking distance of where I live in North Las Vegas (think about that statement for a moment) - I reiterate it to him forcefully, he says, "That's a bold statement." It's not bold - it's true! I share this sentiment, again, forcefully, with him, he says - "How do you make money? What would you look to sell?" I name a few immediate examples and state - "It's not the product. That's where people get confused. It's having a connected database. If you accomplish that. You can sell anything of value to it."
Thursday, July 23, 2015
The village idiot of Las Vegas gets a lump in his throat and a tear in his eye.
I see her at McDonald's panhandling - I put my head down in hope she will not ask for anything. The gesture works. She passes by without saying a word. Thirty minutes later I exit McDonald's and walk across the parking lot to 7-11:
"Mister, do you have a few dollars you can spare? I want to get a hamburger," I had successfully avoided her at McDonald's, but now she had me cornered at the entrance of 7-11. I look to her and say - "You know what? I have five dollars and some change. I am going to use three fifty of it. I will buy you something with whatever is left." - I decide to make the decision for her - "Do you like Snickers? I will have enough for one," she looks at me with sad eyes and says - "I like Snickers." I walk into the store and moments later return.
"Here you go," I say as I hand it to her."Thank-you mister. I appreciate it," she replies kindly. What happens next will forever be etched into my memory. Without a moments hesitation she unwraps the candy bar and annihilates it. Her action reminds me of a cartoon character devouring a submarine sandwich, but not funny...not at all. I stand next to her until she finishes. I then ask a series of questions - "What's your name? How old are you? Where are your parents?" - she answers - "My name is Cecilia. I am fourteen. My mom is in jail right now." Hearing the answers to the questions causes my heart to sink.
"Cecilia, are you thirsty?" - she says yes. I walk back into 7-11 and buy a can of soda. When I return she is gone. "She couldn't have gone far," I think to myself as I circle the perimeter of the store in search of her...I was right. I find her standing next to the store dumpster with whom I would come to find out later is her younger sister. There are a few sacks stuffed with clothes setting next to them. "There you are," I say as I hand the can of soda to her. She thanks me. I then look at her sister. There is an awkward silence and I ask if she would like a can of soda as well, she nods yes. I walk back into the 7-11 and buy another soda, moments later I return and give it to her. "Are you girls living on the street?" There is an awkward silence yet again and Cecilia says cautiously - "Yes, but our aunt is coming from California Saturday to pick us up."
I ask if they had thought about checking into a shelter until their aunt picks them up, Cecilia answers - "I don't want to do that because they will split us up. We just have to be patient until Saturday. Our aunt will get us then." - I refuse to judge - so I wish them luck and head on my way.
I'm a fairly macho guy. I haven't shed a tear in I don't know how long. But I'll be honest - seeing these two standing next to a dumpster knowing they are living in the street and just how vulnerable they actually were. Well, it brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye. What did they do to deserve this?
"Mister, do you have a few dollars you can spare? I want to get a hamburger," I had successfully avoided her at McDonald's, but now she had me cornered at the entrance of 7-11. I look to her and say - "You know what? I have five dollars and some change. I am going to use three fifty of it. I will buy you something with whatever is left." - I decide to make the decision for her - "Do you like Snickers? I will have enough for one," she looks at me with sad eyes and says - "I like Snickers." I walk into the store and moments later return.
"Here you go," I say as I hand it to her."Thank-you mister. I appreciate it," she replies kindly. What happens next will forever be etched into my memory. Without a moments hesitation she unwraps the candy bar and annihilates it. Her action reminds me of a cartoon character devouring a submarine sandwich, but not funny...not at all. I stand next to her until she finishes. I then ask a series of questions - "What's your name? How old are you? Where are your parents?" - she answers - "My name is Cecilia. I am fourteen. My mom is in jail right now." Hearing the answers to the questions causes my heart to sink.
"Cecilia, are you thirsty?" - she says yes. I walk back into 7-11 and buy a can of soda. When I return she is gone. "She couldn't have gone far," I think to myself as I circle the perimeter of the store in search of her...I was right. I find her standing next to the store dumpster with whom I would come to find out later is her younger sister. There are a few sacks stuffed with clothes setting next to them. "There you are," I say as I hand the can of soda to her. She thanks me. I then look at her sister. There is an awkward silence and I ask if she would like a can of soda as well, she nods yes. I walk back into the 7-11 and buy another soda, moments later I return and give it to her. "Are you girls living on the street?" There is an awkward silence yet again and Cecilia says cautiously - "Yes, but our aunt is coming from California Saturday to pick us up."
I ask if they had thought about checking into a shelter until their aunt picks them up, Cecilia answers - "I don't want to do that because they will split us up. We just have to be patient until Saturday. Our aunt will get us then." - I refuse to judge - so I wish them luck and head on my way.
I'm a fairly macho guy. I haven't shed a tear in I don't know how long. But I'll be honest - seeing these two standing next to a dumpster knowing they are living in the street and just how vulnerable they actually were. Well, it brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye. What did they do to deserve this?
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
The village idiot of Las Vegas is convinced his ex wife shot a place up in North Las Vegas.
"Where the fuck are you?" - I say to her in a direct tone - "I don't appreciate it when you direct vulgar language at me," she responds. "Sorry," I say sheepishly, "It's just that you really fucked up this time. Did you really have to use an AR-15 to shoot the place up? Jesus, every cop in North Las Vegas is looking for you."
Last week someone used an AR-15 to shoot up a house on Star Manor during a drive by. After hearing the news I immediately called my ex wife to inquire about her whereabouts. "Why is it every time someone gets shot, or a place gets shot up, you always call me? Last week I was in Texas," she then bellows angrily, "It wasn't me!"
I don't believe her and tell her such - "Look, don't give me anymore bullshit. I know it is you. The suspect description is the same over and over again. A middle age lady driving an Explorer with a party color toy poodle sitting in the passenger seat. It can't be a coincidence anymore. I refuse to believe that!" I then ask when she got an AR-15 - "None of your goddamn business," she replies forcefully...she then ends the call by saying - "Look, I am getting ready to take Pepper for a walk. This conversation is over!"
Last week someone used an AR-15 to shoot up a house on Star Manor during a drive by. After hearing the news I immediately called my ex wife to inquire about her whereabouts. "Why is it every time someone gets shot, or a place gets shot up, you always call me? Last week I was in Texas," she then bellows angrily, "It wasn't me!"
I don't believe her and tell her such - "Look, don't give me anymore bullshit. I know it is you. The suspect description is the same over and over again. A middle age lady driving an Explorer with a party color toy poodle sitting in the passenger seat. It can't be a coincidence anymore. I refuse to believe that!" I then ask when she got an AR-15 - "None of your goddamn business," she replies forcefully...she then ends the call by saying - "Look, I am getting ready to take Pepper for a walk. This conversation is over!"
Monday, July 20, 2015
The village idiot of Las Vegas and the Donald Trump piñata.
Quinceanera - celebration of a girl's fifteenth birthday in parts of Latin America and elsewhere in communities of Latin Americans. The birthday is celebrated differently from any others in that it marks the girls transition from childhood to womanhood.
Source *Wikipedia*
As most of us know Donald Trump made some incendiary remarks about Mexicans a few weeks ago. Now, it's not that I am mad about it. After all, I live in America and people are entitled to their opinions (whether I want to hear them or not). Any way, if I was Donald Trump, I would definitely steer clear of the south side of North Las Vegas:
Yesterday I was walking down Owens when I came across a quinceanera at the corner of Owens & McDaniel's. They're fairly routine happenings in the neighborhood. Who knows - one of these days I may get invited to one. Any way, as I am walking by I notice a large group of people gathered around a young lady who was blindfolded. She has a wooden baseball bat in her hands and is swinging it violently at a Donald Trump piñata tethered to a long piece of rope being pulled up and down by a man standing on the roof. It is a comical site.
"Almost," a voice yells from the crowd as she takes another erratic swing - the Donald pinata bobs up and down a few more times and the girl swings and misses again and again. And then the crowd yells in unison - "Now!" This time the girl's violent swing connects squarely thus causing it to rip three quarters apart. The crowd goes into a wild cheer as she slips her blindfold off.
The girl is now standing next to the piñata as it hangs by a thread. The crowd is still cheering - she turns to them and gives a precocious look - and then, at the top of her lungs, yells - "Viva La Mexico!" And with one last violent swing strikes the pinata thus causing the untethered part to travel fifteen to twenty feet in the air. I found something strange about the whole incident. There was nothing in it. I thought piñatas were suppose to have candy in them.
Source *Wikipedia*
As most of us know Donald Trump made some incendiary remarks about Mexicans a few weeks ago. Now, it's not that I am mad about it. After all, I live in America and people are entitled to their opinions (whether I want to hear them or not). Any way, if I was Donald Trump, I would definitely steer clear of the south side of North Las Vegas:
Yesterday I was walking down Owens when I came across a quinceanera at the corner of Owens & McDaniel's. They're fairly routine happenings in the neighborhood. Who knows - one of these days I may get invited to one. Any way, as I am walking by I notice a large group of people gathered around a young lady who was blindfolded. She has a wooden baseball bat in her hands and is swinging it violently at a Donald Trump piñata tethered to a long piece of rope being pulled up and down by a man standing on the roof. It is a comical site.
"Almost," a voice yells from the crowd as she takes another erratic swing - the Donald pinata bobs up and down a few more times and the girl swings and misses again and again. And then the crowd yells in unison - "Now!" This time the girl's violent swing connects squarely thus causing it to rip three quarters apart. The crowd goes into a wild cheer as she slips her blindfold off.
The girl is now standing next to the piñata as it hangs by a thread. The crowd is still cheering - she turns to them and gives a precocious look - and then, at the top of her lungs, yells - "Viva La Mexico!" And with one last violent swing strikes the pinata thus causing the untethered part to travel fifteen to twenty feet in the air. I found something strange about the whole incident. There was nothing in it. I thought piñatas were suppose to have candy in them.
Friday, July 17, 2015
The village idiot of Las Vegas goes over like a lead balloon.
North Las Vegas holds its city council meetings on the first and third Wednesday of each month. At the end of each meeting a public forum is held for all the people who have non agenda issues they wish to share. The rules allow three minutes mic time. Viewership for my blog has been stale of late - So I decide to exercise my three minutes and read a blog post in front of the council:
"Bob Astle, or it's Rob excuse me," the mayor called my number. It was time for me to do the thing I do best in this world...be an idiot. "Mayor, council members, it is good to see everyone again. I was in front of the council a few months ago sharing some ideas and I would like to share a post from my blog." I then begin reading before anyone is able to respond. Besides, I only have three minutes. It was going to take every bit of it.
As I approach the half way point of the reading I glance up to see the reaction of the council. A few are smiling. Seeing it gives me a jolt of confidence. I finish the post at two minutes fifty-five seconds. I look up and wait for a response. The mayor says something humorous. I thank him and the council for their time. I then take my seat. After the meeting adjourns I spend a few minutes politicking and then head for the door.
"I heard all about last night," an unidentified source at city hall informed me the next day that my blog reading had gone over like a lead balloon at the council meeting. I ask why, the source says - "Council meetings are for city business. It's not an open mic night." I inform him the rules state I am allowed three minutes, he says - "I understand, but what does reading your blog in front of the city council accomplish?" I answer - "Look, I know there wasn't much to be gained from the post I read last night. But if you look at a number of ideas I blog about. Some would fit North Las Vegas very well." My source then adds - "Whatever you do, just don't read your blog in front of the council again. I would hate to see you escorted out of the place. I have seen that too many times." We both laugh after the statement and I promise I won't pull the stunt again.
As I sit here putting the finishing touches on the post I think about all the opportunities I see in North Las Vegas. If I get the right people to pay attention to what I am preaching the results will be fruitful. Oh well - the village idiot is just getting warmed up.
Go to the 1:21:15 mark of video if you wish to watch the blog reading:
"Bob Astle, or it's Rob excuse me," the mayor called my number. It was time for me to do the thing I do best in this world...be an idiot. "Mayor, council members, it is good to see everyone again. I was in front of the council a few months ago sharing some ideas and I would like to share a post from my blog." I then begin reading before anyone is able to respond. Besides, I only have three minutes. It was going to take every bit of it.
As I approach the half way point of the reading I glance up to see the reaction of the council. A few are smiling. Seeing it gives me a jolt of confidence. I finish the post at two minutes fifty-five seconds. I look up and wait for a response. The mayor says something humorous. I thank him and the council for their time. I then take my seat. After the meeting adjourns I spend a few minutes politicking and then head for the door.
"I heard all about last night," an unidentified source at city hall informed me the next day that my blog reading had gone over like a lead balloon at the council meeting. I ask why, the source says - "Council meetings are for city business. It's not an open mic night." I inform him the rules state I am allowed three minutes, he says - "I understand, but what does reading your blog in front of the city council accomplish?" I answer - "Look, I know there wasn't much to be gained from the post I read last night. But if you look at a number of ideas I blog about. Some would fit North Las Vegas very well." My source then adds - "Whatever you do, just don't read your blog in front of the council again. I would hate to see you escorted out of the place. I have seen that too many times." We both laugh after the statement and I promise I won't pull the stunt again.
As I sit here putting the finishing touches on the post I think about all the opportunities I see in North Las Vegas. If I get the right people to pay attention to what I am preaching the results will be fruitful. Oh well - the village idiot is just getting warmed up.
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