Looking 4 Writers

Do you think you have what it takes to join the ranks of the fastest growing blog on the Rio Grande? We blog about everything, anything and nothing at all. Drop us a line and let us know about your writing skills, your wit or your appreciation of all things Laredo. We are looking for some daily or weekly contributors and columnists. Let us know if you are the right person for the gig. Write to us here.

Restaurant Review Project

Sometimes, every now and then, I get struck by a golden idea from the heavens. This afternoon, that was the case. I am going to start a project/experiment by reviewing different local eateries and promising these establishments that I will put up my comments on my blog regarding their food and service. The only catch will be that I have to eat for free at these restaurants. Now, I know what you're thinking, "Where is the integrity and the unbiased attitude?" But that's not the point. I will be doing the places a favor by giving them free promotion and publicity on my ever expanding and growing blog. You see, yesterday I had a record high of unique hits! Thirty nine people logged on to my blog on just one day. Yepee for me. Thirty nine in one day is the most ever for my blog. I know its a very low number, but I'm ecstatic. So when I approach these restaurants I can take them my numbers so that they will jump on the bandwagon and give me the free food. Anyone who is anyone is seemed to be tuned in to my blog lately. I have to take advantage of this new found fame! The first place on my list of high profile local eateries...Tacos Ravi. Let's see how it goes and we shall see in the next few days if they go for my plan. I will keep you posted.

Bat Man Dies (RIP)

Some of you out there might have heard last year the strange story of a trade regarding a player from the Laredo Broncos. It turns out that the Broncos traded for a pitcher, John C. Odom, and in return they gave the other team involved in the trade, ten bats. This caused a hysteria and made John C. Odom somewhat of an instant mock-celebrity. Also, it gave the Laredo Broncos some national publicity and the butt of more than one bar joke. Well, sadly, "Batman", as Odom was referred to in the press, died of an apparent overdose. You can read the story here. It seems as if the trade seemed to have affected him in negative ways. When at first he embraced his notoriety, it soon caused humiliation. I sure hope that the Broncos' front office dont have blood on their hands. In any case, Goodbye Batman. It was great having you in town.

Freddy Benavides: Where are you Now?

Down in south Laredo, behind Cigarroa Middle, is Freddy Benavides Park, named after the professional baseball player from our beloved city. I recall him from the early to mid 1990s and, if memory serves me right, he played for either the Atlanta Braves or Colorado Rockies. For a couple of years he was the shiz-nit here in town and he would always appear at all sorts of local gigs and events as a celebrity. At least someone from Laredo has been able to reach the Show. If anyone has more information on Freddy, leave some comments. Oh Freddy, where are you now?

El Otro Lado

I took a random trip down to San Ignacio, Texas with my dad last year and on the way back we ventured off HWY 83 to take a gander at the Rio Grande. The body of water that separates los Dos Laredos is one stinky river. I snapped this picture as my dad was looking out past the river, seemingly gazing at his past, or at his lost homeland. Things are always fun here, en la frontera. Sometimes its necessary to stop what we are doing and just reflect on things, both past and present. I like taking random drives on random Sundays.

George Washington Festivities in Laredo

As you might have noticed, I purposefully neglected to comment on any of the WBCA activities. However, ignoring these local events might paint a picture that im not proud of my hometown. I do not wish for this to be the case at all. I'm completely Laredo proud, but when it comes to the February Washington events, they sometimes seem a bit bizarre as well as culturally and economically discriminatory. Totally strange events like the "Pocahonta Pegeant" and the Martha Washinton Society Ball are wholly outlandish and downright pitifull. Laredo is made the butt of jokes by journalists in respected papers for our miss rooted fascination with all things Jorge Washington. Even the National Geographic has slammed our Grand Parade as just plain odd. I don't do the Jalapeno Festival, the Carnival, the Taste of Laredo, the Comedy Jam for George or any of the other WBCA sponsored activities. I just don't get it. I love my hometown. I'm Laredo all the way. February, though, is just a strange month for us.

Laredo Sunset (redux)

I was looking for an old picture on my hard drive yesterday and I came across this gem that I took of my nephew way back in 2005. I recall that day, a Sunday afternoon, we were just driving around and taking pictures around town, including some down by Zacate Creek and in front of the spooky old Mercy Hospital. Toward the end of our shoot, the evening glow began to creep up on us, so I snapped this pic of my kid nephew with the Laredo horizon in the background. I recall that day fondly, for it was a good day. I even had this picture on my first ever local site (delaredo.com) where it was seen by a total of about seven people (hits were hard to come by). Those were the good days.

Home Remedy

It was your typical WTH (What the Heck!) moment. Don't you just love home remedies; at times they are the most effective in curing all sorts of ailments. Turns out that the boy in this picture was complaining of 'air' in his ear that was bothering him constantly. The home remedy is to construct a cone-like sphere that slightly inserts into the ear while the opposite end is lit on fire so that, somehow, it drives the 'air' out of the person's ear. I have seen this in action hundreds of times and each time it works. So, really, don't knock a home remedy, but still it seems dangerous and it seems like its just one burrito away from everyone catching on fire. Heck, I guess thats just me.

Don't Call it a Comeback

(I've been here for years!) Comebacks are always easier to do on paper, but the difficulty is in the execution. You see, I had me a party of one tonite. I drank me a Schlitz and came to the realization that I just found myself and my comeback is all but certain. You might not know what I'm talking about, but trust me, it will be good. I have been walking down a slippery slope of self-destruction lately, but I had a momentary vision of wowness that I havent had since March 13, 2002. Sometimes life shows you the puzzle and sometimes it shows you a cheat sheet. Well, I just saw the answers, and believe you me, I'm most-def making a comeback. I'll drink my last Schlitz to that.

Mi Laredo I Used to Know

The Laredo I Used to Know

by JPC

Mi Laredo siempre me hace backstab

Con todas las lies que me dice everyday

And I finally can't stand this shit no more.

Es que ya son puras chingaderas.

This city ya no es mi hometown de antes.

What happend to aquel Laredo I used to know?

Now its all gunfights and gangsters

Peleandose por drugs, corners and dumpsters

And I finally can't that this shit no more.

Mi Laredo poco a poco me hace backstab

Promises me growth, prosperity y que de la chingada

Says now I'll have concerts, movies and events.

Pero nunca me dice nada del traffic, crime and congestion.

This city ya no es mi hometown de antes.

What happend to Beto and Kike singing the Tejano onda?

Now its all regue-tontos

Invading mis oidos con un noise rete-gacho.

And I finally can't take this shit no more.

Mi Laredo is not telling me the truth.

No es que me quiera ir; I still love it here.

I will will have to learn to put up with las chingaderas.

So when the traffic is driving up your ass,

and the loop becomes more congested than my nose,

and the crazy drug wars spill into my town,

then your going to ask yourself too.

What ever happened to mi Laredo I used to know?

Clamor en el Barrio

When I was in highschool, a girlfriend I had at the time, gave me a copy of Freddy Garcia's book, "Clamor in the Barrio". In its essence, the book is a conversion story of a delinquent gangbanger-turned preacher. I recall how at the time the book captured my attention, due mainly to the detailed drug use. However, about half-way through, I lost interest and set the book down. I forget all about the book until I came across a medium size billboard sign that stands in front of a residence in Laredo's west side, close to LCC main campus. Seeing that sign made me remember the book itself, but also that particular girl from highschool. It's crazy how one small thing can transport someone to 15 years in the past.