Keep safe during the Holidays

The holidays are among us and with them it should bring joy and happiness as friends and family celebrate all the good things we have done throughtout the year. Its a season to reflect, to celebrate, and to count all the blessings we have been showered with. This Christmas, take time to be grateful for the good things in life. Sometimes it seems as if nothing can go right, but you have to keep looking harder and realize that good times with friends and family need to cherished, for none of us know when we will be called. Be careful during these holidays. If your going to have a good time and drink, don't drive. There are always too many accidents that tend to ruin the celebration of the magic of Christmas. Be good out there Laredo! And may all good things continue to come your way.

Shoes on the telephone lines

Someone please explain to me what the hell the shoes on a telephone line means. I don't get it. In any case, I saw a pair over in some 'colonia' east of Bordertown Pulga and I thought it was golden. I snapped the picture and took off because I was getting hard stares. Still, the shot was worth the risk.

Appliances for sale

So I just got my own place and I was in the need for a stove when I came across this yard sale over in Los Tanquecitos (outside citiy limits on the eastern part of town). I did a double take as soon as I saw it. Stove, fridge and boiler (?). Awesome! I really dont know why I took a picture of this. Something about it just screamed Laredo.

Riding in style

When I was a kid, I couldn't even afford a go-kart. Now however, kids don't ride around on bicycles, they drive in style on their way to the park. I saw this kid riding around the streets of the western part of the city. Just goes to show, since an early age, a kid has to have that bling bling ..and the spinners on their wheels, well, that is the next step.

The power of the blog

This just goes to show that blogging does work. See, I was visiting my parents in the south side on Saturday night when we decided to go out for some tacos. We debated just where to go exactly when I remembered that I read over at LaSanbe Blog that Tacos Ravi had opened up a new location on Market St. So, we forgo the other taco places and ventured over to Ravi because of LaSanbe's coverage. It just goes to show the power of the blog. See, there are readers out there; at the end of the day its that realization that makes it all worth it. That's why I sit in my underwear at the pc typing out silly blog entries, for I know that someone out there will read my words and take them to heart, memorize them, and engrave my words on their soul. That's what it's all about ,a que no?

Raspa Man 2 (revisited)

No way! Laredo is still a small dusty town. Turns out I took this picture of an unknown raspero several weeks ago. I had no idea who he was. Somehow (don't ask how) my father saw my blog and he recognized the raspero as a friend of his compadre. Next thing I know, he calls the guy up and tells the raspero that his picture is up on my blog. The raspero thinks he is going to be famous and tells half the city. Just goes to show that in Laredo you can't hide. Everyone knows everyone. That's just the way it goes here.

Upcoming short film project: 'The Purpose'

Its been a long time coming and a long time in production, but ,now very soon, my first amteur short film will begin production. The short is titled, "The Purpose" and it will be written, produced and directed by me. I'm still looking for some more cast members and crew as well so if you are interested drop me a line. I hope to finish the project around New Years time. The plot of the short film is about a man that is attempting to find himself in a sea of tempations. Stick around and I will keep you informed on the latest news.

Loop 20 Beauty Salon

Over by Loop 20 and Ejido St. is this golden beauty salon where for $5.00 dollars you can get the best fade ever. No kidding; I was a customer here for years being that I just lived down the street. The parking is ample, the scissors are efficient, the price is economical, and even though it doesn't look like much, the place is always filled with eager long-haired bushy customers. So if you find yourself in the south side and you need an express haircut, this is the place to go. In these troubled economic times, $5.00 is a steal worth saving.

Elotes Mexicanos

Driving around the south side of Laredo, I saw something really neat and peculiar: street vendors were hawking corn on a stick to passing motorists. Naturally, I pulled over to try one out, and much to my surpise they were quite tasty. Surely, the Laredo Health Dept. would object to this type of food selling tactics, but from what I saw, they seem to have a large clientele. Cars came and went and their corn seems to be selling nicely (at least its just only corn, but im sure other things get sold as well, but I didnt observe that). So, hey, its all good. Two dollar 'elotes Mexicanos', in today's economy, that's not a bad deal at all.

Store Closing and the bad economy

Laredo is also feeling the pains of the recession and the bad economy that has gripped the country. Mervyns at the mall is closing down, apparently they have declared bankcruptcy and we shall see if another store opens up once Mervyns has moved out.

On a similar note, I came across a very useful, informative and fun site dealing with malls, closings and wasted space. Its deadmalls.com and I really recommend you spin by the site and check it out.

But back to the topic at hand, driving down by the river's edge over by LCC, I spotted an abandoned neighborhood grocery store and it reminded me of when I was a kid. I would run down to the corner and buy sodas, snacks and more from small stores like this one here in the picture. Too bad there are less and less authentic neighborhood 'tienditas' everyday. I miss that side of Laredo.

Drunk while Blogging

Every now and then, I take a break from driving around like crazy looking for dumb things to take a picture of around town. Blogging can be hard work, and looking for 'bloggable' material is time consuming. So, after a long day at work, its sometimes necesary to unwind, relax, kick back and drink a cold one. However, not just any old beer will do. In order to blog correctly and with the necessary passion, the right beverage must be consumed, if not it all goes to waste. Only Schlitz can get me in the right mindset to get blogging on the right foot, however, I can only drink it incognito. So, next time that you see me around town, offer me a cold Shlitz and I might even put you on my blog (aint it great.)