i am a dancing machine

i want to talk about a few things on my mind today.

went to work around 7:30, got home at 8. there was three of us today; recently it's just been my dad and me. since school is starting soon, my dad is looking for a permanent worker. his last one quit at the start of summer because he found a better situation elsewhere. that's why i've been helping my dad so much. not for the money, because i don't need money right now. not in the way that if i don't have $50 i'll be homeless. the money comes secondary to helping my dad. and he does need a lot of help, because the work he does is tough. today, alone, i think i mowed the equivalent of 16 houses. let's see. . . 7 here, 4 there, the big apartments in Inglewood at least count as 4, then there's the 2 places across the street. Yeah, 16 or 17 houses. Plus, cleaning and raking and lifting heavy containers full of cut grass. Damn, i'm pretty tired right now.

oh yeah, this afternoon we were waiting in the truck for my dad, eating hamburgers for lunch, and the new guy played the same song on his phone for about forty-five minutes. he likes ranchera music. 'It is a beautiful day. . . Let's go out and have fun!. . .There will be woman, beer, and wine. . . OoOoOoOoooOOOOOhhh!'

I wish i knew what the song was. not really.

haha, i actually do really like that kind of music. i grew up around it, so how could i not? it's in my bones and muscle: the things i need to dance with the hips.

On the drive home, we also heard this one on the radio, which is a staple of any Mexican/Latin wedding/birthday/family gathering with 80 people/party, mainly with family, with 85 people. 'Oh how it hurts me, how it hurts me, how it hurts me, that they should take you out to dance!' They play this song every time. Every time. And everyone goes crazy! Instant dance floor filler. You thinking I'm kidding? I'm not kidding. Every time there's a DJ and a dance floor. This song will come on that night. People will get up and dance. Guaranteed.

haha, i'm nothing like that guy singing. i have been around that culture a lot, though. the macho man culture. boots, trucks, cowboy hats, tight trousers, exposed chest, drinking coronas. it's all there.



on the corner of western and 55th street today, a tall white cop was talking to a young black woman. he had shades on, and he was leaning with one arm straightened on the wall - like if he was at a bar chatting her up. the girl, maybe around 16 or 17, wore gray shorts with flowers on them. she had her hands behind her back, as she stared up listening to the cop.

i smiled when i saw a 30 year old black guy walking down the street with his 2 year old son. he placed his hand on top of his son's small round head, guiding him away from walking into a wall or something. his kid had a big protruding belly under a white tank-top, and his face was chubby and brown.

More Thing That I Like:
finishing work for the day
quiet car rides home - coming from a party or something
ice in my drink
that big stretch when you wake up
when traffic lights stay green even though i'm far away
when a song i like comes on the radio
putting on clean clothes
going to the movies by myself

...just thought of more
ranchera music - music of the rancho
absurd movies - zoolander, dodgeball, anchorman come to mind
eating fruit - especially if it's already sliced-up
being somewhere early - although i rarely am
getting up before sunrise
putting clean sheets on my bed
the chilly freeze of ocean wind - last time i said cool wind, which i felt didn't exactly fit
riding on a skateboard
thinking you'll see someone you don't want to see somewhere, and never seeing them
living through a fear and feeling okay


That's all i can come up with for now. there should be more. i'll come up with even more later.