Suicide at the Carnival

Suicide Nite

by Maria C

The carnival's in town. The first night it's open is usually known as 'suicide night'. I remember I used to beg my parents to let me go. I so wanted to be there to test drive the rides. There was something so mystical about signing a waiver releasing the carnival from any responsibility for the loss of my life. The darned bracelet was only $15 for all the rides I could handle. It was awesome! Unfortunately, I was never allowed to go. I guess I should be thanking my parents but I wish I had been there at least once on the opening night. I could've said I 'survived' the carnival. Pero nada.

I would get on some pretty big rides as a youngster. My tia would make us a ginger root tea to drink before we'd head out to tackle the rides. The tea was really nasty but it would supposedly help settle our stomaches. I guess it did because after some six rides, we were still going strong. We were some troopers. But I can't say the same for my poor mother. During one particular year, my cousins weren't in town to accompany me on the rides and my brothers are big wimps. My mom took on the role of 'partner-in-crime' for the night. I ended the night fine but she didn't get the memo on the ginger root. She did not have a good night. Some random street curb also ended up having a bad night.

I always look forward to the carnival, even though it ain't the same. I don't get on the rides anymore cuz my equilibrium is not what it used to be. Still, the whole atmosphere is so electric. It's so nice to see the kids get on rides and have them think that these are the only roller-coasters life will offer them. Ha. But go out and enjoy the event. Bring me back a candy apple on the way out. They're the best.

Get off the phone and order your sandwich!

 

 

 

Pickles, lettuce?

At the Subway, they're not messing around. When its your turn to 'build' your sandwich, they want you OFF the phone, now, pronto, ahorita mismo! After all, building the perfect sub takes art and skill. Distractions can't be had.

These are important times we live in.

Please refrain from checking your facebook while making your Sub

Time for Me

I have been getting loads of questions regarding my upcoming B-day sometime in the next month and in order to appease the masses, I will post on here ideas for what I want to receive on that festive day. These are just ideas. You are welcome to think outside my blog and buy me whatever you think is best.: TX Rangers season tickets, Star Wars Hans Solo autographed poster, New HD Canon Camara and BoomMic, etc. Again, just ideas. Or, you can get me one of these below.

A much needed watch to keep track of my peeps phone #'s

or

A good way to get me to blog on time

Patek Philipp watch if you are feeling generous

Ideas, ideas. Send all gifts and donations here

My Experience with Emilio (by Cindy)

My Experience with Emilio

by Cindy (guest contributor)

The year was 1994.  I can clearly remember waiting anxiously to go with my parents to the Casa Blanca baile.  The main attraction…Stephanie Lynn, Xelencia, and none other than Emilio Navaira.  I was in love with these Tejano bands.  I knew all of the lyrics to all of their songs.  I didn’t care if I was going with my parents for I was a teeny bopper, of sorts. Instead of crushing over Jordan Knight (which is a whole other article) I was in love with Emilio!  All I could think of was….”Como Le Hare” to get a picture with him and his chubby counterpart, Raulito!

I remember always nagging my parents to go see these bands, especially Selena and La Mafia.  I would plead…”but mom…what if something tragic happens and they die?!  We have to go see them today!”  And of course my mom would try to explain to me logically that nothing was going to happen and that we would go see them, “Next time, mijita.”  Well, sadly, these tragic things do happen.  I mean look what happened to Selena.  Who would ever fathom that her psychotic number one fan would shoot her and that her overly religious father would deny a blood transfusion that could potentially save her life?  I guess there wasn’t a next time for that one, Mom.  

Then, in 2008, another tragic accident occurred.  While driving back home after performing in Houston, Emilio wrecked his tour bus and landed in the hospital with a bad head injury.  Now granted, this accident could have been avoided.  He chose to drive extremely fatigued, intoxicated, and without a commercial license to drive that big bus.  But he’s Emilio Navaira... I’m sure he felt invincible, at some point in his career.  And I’m sure many of us have rationalized it the same way. "I’m sleepy, but I will make it home ok.  I’m not drunk, just a little tipsy… I’m ok to drive."

Well that accident cost him more than a head bump.  He was sued by his band mates, he confessed to driving while intoxicated and now he admits that he forgets some of the lyrics to his songs while performing due to his accident.  The biggest effect of this accident has been the public’s response.  People are glad he survived, but at the same time they talk, “How could he?! How dare he risk his band mate’s lives?  I can’t believe he drove drunk!”

He performed here at the Casa Blanca about 3 weeks ago.  The same Emilio that would sell out the venue, barely sold any tickets this time around.  The turnout was extremely poor.  I’ve seen more cars in the parking lot for a quinceanera than there was for his concert.  I was anxious to see how he looked. Did he have scars all over his face?  He stepped onto the stage and the first thing I noticed was that he looked older, masarrugas, but he looked fine.  No visible signs of that accident.  Despite all that, I was simply grateful that God had given him a second chance at life.  And sure enough, the first words out of his mouth when he stepped on stage were, ”Gracias. Muchas gracias!”  You could tell, that he was thankful for all of the prayers and for us giving him a chance to continue to do what he loves to do…sing.  

I think, as a society, we hold celebrities to a higher standard.  They can do no wrong in our eyes.  I admit, Emilio messed up.  He shouldn’t have driven that bus in his condition.  But I will not hold a grudge forever.  His music is, and always will be a part of my childhood that I won’t forget.  Maybe it just reminds me of a better time when my biggest worry was making sure I did my Algebra homework on time.  

Needless to say, I finally got a chance to take a picture with Emilio.  Thank you for the blast to the past.

Cindy w/Emilo OMG!

 (Thanks to Cindy for her special contribution to our blog.)

Cold Night

It was too cold last night, and the icy roads caused havoc all throughout Laredo.

Icy roads can't stop me

Crossing an overpass was also a fun adventure.

 This guy thinks its an IceRoad Truckers episode

 Local chain restaurant empty

I was out having dinner and it was practically empty. I guess everyone stayed home and ate tamales instead.

Target parking lot

You know it's cold outside when even the Target parking lot is empty at 8pm. People were to cold to shop. A bit of ice shuts Laredo down and brings us to our knees.

Frozen Mop

Then this morning, I was about to mop around the house, but when I went outside I discovered that my bucket was frozen solid. Needless to say, I was unable to mop and clean so I went back to bed, slid under the covers and played old re-runs of Chiquilladas on TV. Nimodo.com

Closede for lack off Bussines

In these tough economic times, many downtown stores are opting to close down due to sluggish sales. After shuttering their doors, some stores place a sign out front to let the customer know that they have gone out of business. Here is one such example below, that I found downtown. 

Of course, since this is Laredo, we go bilingual on everything, and pos, here is the gringo English version for you pochos que no hacen espeak Espanish.

A few errors in spelling and grammar

Good thing Mami Chulas is still in bussines and not closede.

Panaderia Showdown

 

 

It is finally here. Hold on to your bucket seats because I will soon bring you the showdown for the ages: Pano's Bakery vs. Polo's Bakery.

You 'member the Pepsi challenge, well this will be Pano/Polo Challenge. Which bakery will come out on top as having the better pan dulce? Which bakery will have the bragging rights as being a DeLaredo highly recommended panaderia? It's a prestigious honor for sure. 

Very soon we will answer the eternal question: Polo's pan ducle or Pano's pan dulce? Stay tuned...and bring your coffee.