The Last Post

Mood: Complete
Music: "Auld Lang Syne" - Guy Lombardo


This will be the last post for The Many Adventures of Alex in Miami. Yeah, that's right. I'm closing the blog. Ending it. It's over.

I've been thinking about it for months now. And, I dunno, after much thought and deliberation, I decided it was what I wanted to do. Oh, come on! Seriously. I know you're not sad about it. But I am. A little. It's been a good two-plus years; it was fun. And although it was a pleasure sharing my daily "adventures" on this blog, I feel like the time has come for me to move on.

I want to thank each and every single reader who has ever come across my blog. And I want to especially thank the few who would return. If it wasn't for you, and you know who you all are, I don't think I would have kept this up for as long as I did. Thank you.

Happy New Year everyone. I hope you have it great in 2008. Have fun and be safe.

Peace, blessings and all my love.

Early Winter

Mood: N/A
Music: N/A

So I'm not sure why I've titled this entry "Early Winter." But yes, in case you are wondering, it's a reference to the Gwen Stefani song which is her best recording to date, ion my opinion, but never you mind that). All I can say is, as I sat here in bed I told myself, "I want to blog. And I think I'll call it 'Early Winter'." And that's the best explanation I have so it'll do.

I was at P's house today. For the most of the day. She says it's a "record." Yeah, yeah, whatever. Haha. It's funny how I went over to work and we spent 90% of the time on couch watching TV (Bravo, VH1 and TNT rock!) and then a movie. The movie was my Christmas present for Paola. I had read (or heard) about it somewhere a few months back and decided right then and there it was going to be Paola's Christmas present. She, Harold and I saw it tonight. We all enjoyed it. I really liked it. Odd as it was, hehe.

On the drive home from her house though I got to thinking about P. In all honesty, Paola is probably one of the closets friends I've ever had. Funny how life seems to work itself out, huh? Paola and I met outside Dr. Cal's class, during summer 2004. I just sat down right next to her and started talking to her about what we should do since we were one of the only fools sitting outside a locked classroom (and class didn't start for about another hour). LOL. Good times... good times.

I'm reading this book Humbe lent me. Well, first he recommended it, then he lent it to me. And although I will not reveal the title, I gotta say it's possibly one of the best books I've ever read. I put it up there with the likes of Catcher In The Rye. And yes, Cather In The Rye is my absolute favorite book in the entire wide world. Richard sort of mocked me when he found out. He hasn't been the only one either. I'm not sure why people find that amusing, though? But anyway. This book (that will remain nameless) is right up there with Catcher In The Rye. I'm exactly a third into it and I'm loving it. I can't wait to see how it ends. Any who... for anyone interested in the book, just let me know and I'll get you a copy. And no, I will not tell you what it's about or the title either. I'll just give it to you and tell you to read it. Although the title makes perfect sense to me, it's one of the titles that can immediately put someone off. I know this because it put me off the first time I ever saw it and read it.

But anyway...

Tomorrow's December 31st. New Year's Eve. Wow. Another year down, another on the way. It feels good in a way. I'm not sure why, but I just know that 2008 is going to be a great year. I just know it. I'm gonna go biking tomorrow, Tropical Park. I haven't been there in, I dunno, about two years? More. Actually, the last time I was there was on one of my very first "dates" with Richard, back in April 2005. So yeah... I'm going to go biking there tomorrow. The only thing I can't decide is whether or not I'm gonna drive there or actually bike there. Hehe... what am I saying? I'll decide tomorrow. Of course.

Good night everyone. I'm gonna go read my book.

Oh. By the way... I figured out why I titled this entry "Early Winter."

So long, Jimmy!

Mood: Sad
Music: "Peace" - Norah Jones

OK, so his name wasn't Jimmy. But the truth is I never knew his name at all. I just knew his username, toniti. But alas, toniti is no longer.

I think it was sometime last week, I had signed on to Multiply and search for the new Kylie album, X. I found it. The very next morning, I signed on again. This time to download some songs to complete my "Billboard End-of-Year: 2007" mix. The fuckers removed the music option. Can you fucking believe that?! Needless to say, I wasn't able to find the songs I was missing. But no matter, Google blog search helped me with that. But still! WTF?! No music search? I thought it was just like a one-day gimmick or something, a glitch. That they'd be up and running in no time.

But shortly thereafter (perhaps even that same day, I don't remember) Yessenia breaks me the sad news: "Multiply changed its system." And yeah, no more music search. Immediately I singed on to each of my bookmarked users and started downloading music up the wazoo! My favorite user though had to have been toniti. He had the best frigign site. Like 20 pages of pure, unadulterated music, and music alone! It was great.

Either way... I signed on yesterday, catch up with toniti and see if he had added anything. Unfortunately, toniti no longer exists on Mulitply.

I found Multiply a few months back. Maybe 6 or 7 months ago actually. I was so excited when I found it. All this music! It was great. I shared it with some of my friends, but I think the only person who appreciated its "generosity" as much as I had was Yessenia. And it looks like we're the only two as heartbroken about this than anybody else I know.

I want to take a moment of silence right here, to give my respects for toniti, and to remember how great Multiply was "back in the day."

[silence]

That is all.

I'm like "Uh huh. Okay. Wassup. Shut up."

Mood: Real
Music: "Angels We Have Heard on High" - Christina Aguilera

People laugh at me when I tell them Trina is my role model, my hero. I don't know why they find that amusing. I mean, she really is my role model. Seriously, just briefly examine her life: hoodrat-turned stripper-turned multiplatinum recording artist. She's a true rags to riches story. What's not to admire? But if that's not enough, the bitch keeps it real. I mean, for real real. She ain't ashamed the fact that she's a hoe. In fact, the bitch brags about it like if it's the only way to be in life. What's more is that she even doesn't hide the fact that she's a nasty little hoe too. Talking about fucking n-words in the face and making them eat her out even when she's on her period. Whoop, whoop her ass too fat. I mean, damn! How much more real can you get? And have you heard her new material? "Single Again". Trina took the game to whole 'nother level with that joint! You know her shit is gonna be as raw as balls when it drops! Just from that one single it's clear to see that she has matured as a person and as an artist. And she singing the hook too! Not only she the rawest female MC out there, but she can also sing! Shit, you sold me! Trina? Bitch is the baddest bitch! And I know a lot of haters talking about how "she still got it." Mothafucker she ain't never lost it! Fuck that... Trina. Shit, like I said, you sold me.

Anybody else feel me?

Word.

And the 'winner' is?

Mood: Disappointed
Music: "Better Days" - Goo Goo Dolls

Britney Spears
Parade magazine recently polled online readers to weigh in on the biggest pop culture stories and personalities of the year. After nearly 2,000 votes the results are in. Good 'ol BS was a three-time 'winner.' Who would've thought?!

B-girl took the most votes in the following three categories:

• Which tabloid mom needs a parenting class the most? (67%)
• Who is the most overexposed celebrity? (50%)
• Who is the hottest mess? (37%)

And clearly, if any celebrity deserves any of those titles, who better than the Big B herself? I've been saying it since her failed attempt at a comeback this past September: if Britney doesn't get her junk together, she's gonna be the next Anna Nicole Smith (rest in peace).

"So sad but true (so true, so true)."

5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

Mood: Silly
Music: "Kiss Me At Midnight" - *NSYNC

I took my bike out today. It was fun. I went all around my neighborhood. Man, there streets I hadn't gone down in years! Years! But it was fun. I even remembered the little bike route I used to use when I was younger. It was fun. I can't wait. Tomorrow I'm gonna hit up the Grove and maybe even Key Biscayne. We'll see.

I did a lot of cleaning today. My room, the car, the bathroom. I even washed my car! Yikes! LOL. And as soon as my mom's done doing her laundry I gotta put my load to wash. I'm not sure what I'm gonna do tonight, but I'm kind of craving Chipotle. Yummy!

I hung out with Humbe last night. It was so great seeing him again. He invited to go visit him for his birthday up in Tally. I'm so there! LOL.

And speaking of... The Gomez put out a hit on a one Mc Chavez. The nann was lucky today, some story about being at work. But all I gotta say is that hoe can't be at work every day. Shit, San Andreas ain't got nothing on me, baby! Bitch ain't gonna know what hit her. Hell-to-the-motha-fuckin-yeah!

Bounce!

There's a duck in my front yard

Mood: Silly
Music: "This Gift" - 98°

No. Seriously... there's a duck in my front yard.

See. I told you. I'm gonna keep him and call him QuakQuak. He's not particularly cute. But he'll do. And in case I ever get a craving for curry duck, well, that's one ingredient i don't have to buy!

Merry Christmas!

Mood: Awake
Music: "Christmas Time Is Here" - Vince Guaraldi Trio

Nochebuena

Mood: Nostalgic
Music: "The Christmas Song" - Christina Aguilera

Ah, Christmas Eve! One of my favorite days of the year. In years past it's been cold. But sometimes, not so much. But all day long, you can smell food cooking, the puerco asado and frijoles, the yucca cooking. And at night, music and laughter fill the air. Cars line the streets. At dinner time everyone is talking about something or the other and . I love it.

When I was younger, and my great grandparents were living, I loved Nochebuena. That's what us Cubans (and other Hispanics) call Christmas Eve, Nochebuena (or Good Night). We always used to do it at their house, in West Miami. We always ate outside, the tables were set up under the car port; the two domino tables on porch. There was this flower my great grandfather, or Abuelo as we all used to call him, planted. It's a flower that only opens at night and has the sweetest smell. But it's real strong so that too fills the air. The kids, my cousins, sister and I, would play hide and seek among Abuelo's little garden. My father and tío-abuelos would stand with drinks and cigarettes in their hands, right smack on the pathway, and talk. My grandfather and grandmother would be inside, so would my uncle - he was always antisocial. The rest of the family would either be preparing the food, getting things ready or playing dominoes; Tío Elio, Rosa, and Moriama had permanent seats.

When my great grandparents passed away that tradition ended. Since then, Christmas Eve dinner is pretty much done separately. My family has usually does it together though - my family, my aunt's family, and my grandparents. And a few other relatives every now and then. First it was done at my aunt's house but as my grandparents have gotten older we do it at my house now. But each year the getup gets a little smaller. For as long as I can remember, we've already eaten outside. This year, Nochebuena will be inside. And instead of three tables, we're going to have two. And it'll more than likely just be the immediate family. I don't even think my cousins will be coming...

It's kind of sad, right? But, "that's life" as they say.

My parents were gone all weekend. They returned late last night. I spent the whole weekend out and about or at home watching movies. Today, I'll be delivering some of my presents. I'm sure I'll help out with the set up or clean up or something. And I have pants and shirts I need to iron.

Christmas wrapping

Mood: Thoughtful
Music: "Green Christmas" - Barenaked Ladies

I've got to be the worse gift wrapper in the world. No, really. It's pretty bad. I'm so bad in fact, I can't even "wrap" the presents I gift in bags. Whatever. It's sort of like my singing: no matter how badly I do it, it doesn't stop from doing it. Hehe. Whatever. Let's just put it this way, everyone who gets a present from me, gets a uniquely wrapped gift! So ha! Suckers...