two:thousand:eleven

What a year it has been. I can't believe how fast it went by. I can't say that all my dreams were fulfilled but I'm still here so I guess I did better than a lot of people. Almost exactly one year ago today I decided to create a blog. Who me? I don't know anything about writing. I can barely make proper sentences when I speak, let alone write something for human consumption. A friend of mine named Kimberly, was telling me that she had decided to start a blog. What you have to know is that Kim went to school to for this. She edits manuscripts in her spare time. The only thing I learned in school was how to hustle. I figured no one would read this. I started with the obvious.

Number 1

Yay!! We made it to the top of the list. I know Spook is dying to know what the top Ghettoblaster story was for 2011. The thing is he already knows. I think this one had a boost in readership, because at least 3 people reposted it on Facebook. This one even managed to get one of the guys I wrote about yelled at. I thought I was the only one that got in trouble with their mom for my writing. I guess it was the feel good story of the year because it was about people you know and because they were funny stories that some of us still remember.

I dedicate this one all my friends near or far, dead or alive. May God give me the life and strength to write all of our life stories. Much love and positive energy for the coming year.

The Little Rascals

DaPhukWuzDat???????

So, I'm on the green line this morning on my way to work. As usual, the seats are littered with Express newspapers. So people are headed to works, others are doing the tourist thing. I'm already paranoid of many things so I'm mean mugging everyone and keeping my hand tucked under my coat. I never make eye contact.

Number 2

Wow tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Too bad I have to work early Sunday, so I won't be able to party it up. Unfortunately with the work I do, I seldom have opportunities to stay up all night drinking. Most of the time I have to be in by 7pm. When I do want to let it all hang out, I have to plan and schedule specific days off.

Back in April I did just that. Originally, supposed to be a cookout, turned into a game night with the fellas and and friends. It was a blast. The next morning was not so great. Still one of the best times I had in 2011.

I'll never drink again.... this week

Number 3

Tick tock tick tock. 2012 is just a few days away. Are you ready? Are you sure. I don't think you are. I suggest that the first thing you should do is think of all the bad things that happened to you in 2011. Forgive the people that wronged you and leave all the negativity behind you. Don't bring that negative energy with you to the new year.

Forget resolutions. They never come true. You have a better chance of learning another language than sticking to your resolutions. Not to say that you can't accomplish what you set your mind to. The problem is, most of us say "I will do this this and this" and expect for it to just happen. If you haven't run a day in your life, you can't start jogging on January 1st. You will strain something, feel like shit the next day, and be discouraged to continue. If you smoke, you need to be prepared to quit. Whether it means reading, using cessation aides, or even getting help from your doctor. You cannot turn it off. Nicotine is a drug, and like any drug your body will react to deprivation.

The key to "sticking with it" is planning. Sit down and make a list of the things you want to change in the new year. Then create a timeline for each goal. Set (realistic) short term goals and check yourself. For instance if you want to lose weight. Don't go all P 90x in the first week. Do some research. Find out what diet suits you. Get rid of the things that will temp you and stock up on healthy filling snacks. Start slow alternating rest and exercise. As far as pounds go, weigh in once a week, and keep a journal. Remember not everyone loses weight at the same pace. The first 10 or so pounds will melt off, after that it will go slower. Stay positive and you will see results.

Now, back to why we are here. The 3rd most read story on Ghettoblaster is Son of a Farmer - Julio Guerrero - The Nicaragua years. This was one of my favorite story to write. It's about my favorite person in the world, my dad. It chronicles his life in Nicaragua before a civil war changed his destiny. I grew up listening to these stories over and over again. It was nice to revisit them and share them with my readers.

 Son of a Farmer - Julio Guerrero - The Nicaragua years

Number 4

We're with in the top 5 now. I understand why the remainder of the countdown is what it is, but this story surprised me by it's popularity. I wasn't writing about anything important to me like friends and family. I was a bit drunk late one night. The TV was on so I started to rattle off about things. I read it now and it's almost funny. For some reason my reader's loved it.

Late night whiskey fueled rant

Numer 5

It's crazy but I forgot to post my 5th most read blog yesterday. The ironic part is that I was hanging with the person that the blog was about. My  brother Spook was in town for the holidays. He knew that I would be disappointed if he left and we didn't make time to sit down with good food, drinks, and conversation.

So here it is How do I say goodbye?

Number 6

The last couple of days have been full of food fun and family. I really enjoyed the good food and laughs. Now I have two more days to recover before I go back to work.

Today on the countdown is Antiquing is my new best friend. This past summer my wife and I started spending a lot of time in the neighborhood thrift stores. At first it was just a way of filling my free time and not over spending. Then it became a serious hobby. I guess my addiction for thrifting also started because I discovered a show on the History channel called American Pickers. Basically these two guys, Mike and Frank, travel the country digging through peoples barns and homes for cool old stuff to buy and later resell.

My dad has been a lover of thrifting and antiquities for a long time. I always sort of had it in me. Since I began I've learned a lot as a far as what to look for and dating a item. It's really fun when you find some really old item in great condition that's actually authentic and a good deal. I've amassed quite a bit unique items over the past 8 months. About 3 months ago I made a game changing discovery. I found Shopgoodwill.com. I didn't have to leave the house anymore. The best part is that it works like an auction. You basically pay want you want and if your lucky you get for very cheap. I became addicted and is in part why I ended up with so much stuff. There is an EBay store in the works.

Antiquing is my new best friend 

Number 7

Hey it's Christmas Charlie Brown. I want to wish everyone a happy one. Hope you got what you wanted and had a safe and enjoyable one so far. Today on the countdown is A letter to my readers/Una carta para mis lectores. This was my first attempt at writing a post in both English and Spanish. I was trying to look for inspiration where I could. I was also proclaiming that I was here to stay even if you didn't share the same enthusiasm for my blog that I and some of my readers do. Now time for coffee and something good to eat so I can continue celebrating.

A letter to my readers/Una carta para mis lectores

100

Yo!! In case you  weren't keeping count, this is Ghettoblaster's 100th post. Wow, what a year it has been. Never thought I would still be around.

Enough about me. I wanna wish everybody the best Christmas ever. I want everyone to know that I love and appreciate you. There is nothing better than knowing that you have people that love and appreciate you back. No matter what you got or didn't get this year, remember that you have your health and another year of life. Don't take anything for granted, many people are hungry and cold tonight. There are others dealing with loss, mental illness, and addiction. So what if you didn't get the new Jordan's. No shoes are worth bleeding over.

I wanna thank all my friends and family that allowed to spend even a little time with them today. I think that so far this has been the best Christmas ever. I haven't even opened a gift yet. What ever I get will be awesome and the icing on the cake to a awesome day. Tomorrow the festivities with continue on into Monday. Eat drink and be merry. May God bless you all.

Number 8

Next on my top 10 is If your supposed to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Where do you keep your family? I think this was one of my favorites. Even if it was one the stories that upset my mother. I still think it's some of my most inspired work. I love my family, I just don't understand them. Things will never be up to my standards. While I'm on the subject of family, I wanna wish all my people a great and wonderful Christmas tonight. Even though I may not be there, I'm with you in spirit and only wish you the best. Love.

If your supposed to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Where do you keep your family?

Number 9

Today's 9th most read story of the past year is Divorce What is it good for? Absolutely nothing. I was dealing with a bit of family dysfunction during this time. Things have evened out but there is more drama in store. It seems that provocative stuff gets more hits. Say it again.

Divorce - What is it good for? Absolutely nothing

Ben and Alex

With Christmas just days away, and Hanukkah in full swing, I've decided to write about two very special gifts that some close friends of mine have recently received from God. What a better way to celebrate the holidays then with the birth of two healthy baby boys. Two boys that someday will grow up to be strong level headed men. How do I know this? I know because they come from two great families. People that I've had the honor of knowing for many years and that I consider family.

Number 10

As promised, today I begin my countdown of the top 10 most clicked stories in the inaugural year of Ghettoblaster. This story was one of the first that I did. From day one of the blog I knew I wanted to write this story. It's about my older brother Adolfo. In his hay day when he rocked Pumas with fat laces and a Kangol bucket. He threw down any time, any place. Since writing this story, even though a lot of things have changed in his life and in our relationship, I still love and admire him. So just click the link below and enjoy.

Adolfo: Break Master #1

Young Mr Pilotin

At the conclusion of my previous post, I invited my readers to choose their favorite Ghettoblaster story from this nearly ending year. IT was no surprise to me that my most staunch supporter, Mario, would be the first to comment. Not only has he motivated me to continue writing, but he has been part of more then a few of my writings. He is one of the guys I wrote about in The Little Rascals. I've written about his wonderful family. I've even written indirect messages that only he would understand. Sometimes being a responsible older brother is hard and it's best not to preach so I speak in code. He was also the subject of the note that inspired this blog.

A year in the life

It's been almost a year since I started the Ghettoblaster blog. Not something I planned to do. A close friend of mind began one, and encouraged me to try. I did it for shits and giggles and then I became hooked. I never thought I could actually write anything that people would be interested in reading. Like anything else I didn't always write winner's. Some of my blogs garnered more attention then others. It seems that the more controversial the subject matter, the more readership it received.

What kind of fu_kery is this (The Holiday Edition)

Yo!! What's up family? I've been meaning to write all week, but I was too busy. This being my day off and not having to worry about anything, my mind is clear enough to write. I hope everyone is doing well. I hope that you've all gotten most of your holiday shopping done. Remember to be safe out there. There are a lot of desperate so-and-so's out there this season. "I can't afford it, so I'll take it from hardworking people instead" We are all in need, but it's not right to hurt or kill for material things.

Bell's Palsey 1 month

Finders Keepers

It's 3:04 in the morning. I'm rushing down the stairs to grab something to eat and head to work. Mind you I'm supposed to be on the road by now, if I plan to arrive there by 3:30. Frankly I don't care. Sleep was scarce and I think I'm coming down with something. It took me 20 minutes to get in the shower. I just sat there daydreaming trying to figure out what I was dreaming about. I had a heated debate with myself on whether I should take the time to wash my hair. We settled on doing it in the afternoon. I didn't want to leave the house with wet hair. Not because I don't want to catch cold, rather because I didn't feel like hearing my mom pointing out that I was going out in the cold with wet hair.