Palmdale Here We Come

Just got the "Full Approval " call from Tony, our Loan Officer. 11 days to go and my family and I will be on our way. We'll pull up looking like the Beverly Hillbilllies.Check out the pic. And by the way. It's not actual size

Happy Birthday Brianna

Gotta wish my little girl a very very Happy Birthday. She's turning 12 today and the every now and then I get a glimpse of the little baby I once knew. The 1 year old with the curly pigtails and huge smile. The cutest 2 year old you'll ever see missing their front 4 teeth. I fell in love with her the first time I saw her and I know she felt the same. I think she knew I was right for her and her mom before her mom was sure.
She and I have shared plenty of Father/Daughter moments, and I look forward to many more. She feels comfortable talking to me and I hope that doesn't go away as she gets older. So Brianna, Happy 12th Birthday. I Love you

Turning the big 400!!!

Alright so according to Nike+ I have 399 runs that have added up to 1131.3 miles. Yeah I know the mileage could be higher but what's important is the next run will be the 400th. When I started running (cue the twinkling music and fog) back in 2006 , I didn't have a set number of runs as a goal. My goal was to lose weight. Lots of it. Months earlier I was sitting in the Dr.'s office being told I was near 300 pounds. It was the way he was talking to me that really got my attention. I felt like I was auditioning for a modeling gig of somesort and he was telling me I was a whale. He didn't say those exact words but I did feel like a peice of meat. A piece of meat with a lot of fat on it.

Anyway I have improved a lot since my first run in 2006. A single lap nonstop at a high school track was an accomplishment for me in the beginning. I couldn't run long even when I was a skinny kid but 1 lap shouldn't be an accomplishment. I've come a long way since then. In August 2008, my wife and I signed up for a Nike+ 10k race. I'll tell you right now I didn't win. I know we both felt like we accomplished something huge. The Kanye West concert at the finish line was sweet too. 2008 was also the year when I ran the the longest distance. I set out early one Sunday morning determined to make it to my dad's house in Echo Park. About halfway into my run my "crew" showed up told supply me with whatever I needed. My wife and my son were with me from that point on inspiring me to keep going. Anthony even joined me for a few strides.Literally a few strides. I remember as I was coming around the Police Academy in Elysian Park and I saw other people walking and running , I kept thinking to myself "I started my run in Pasadena and now I was about 14.5 miles away". Anna and Anthony, you kept me moving forward.

As a kid I was told many times how my Dad loved running. How he ran track in high school and I did go with him once to a 5k he ran as part of some work picnic or something. But I as of yet have gotten the chance to run with him. I biked alongside as he ran around Echo Park lake at least once way back in the day. I asked him to join us at the race last year but I had no luck. Maybe I would have had a better chance if I asked years sooner.

So Anthony, I'm still waiting to run with you son. Don't make me wait too long. I want to thank my family for helping me to achieve my goals. I love you all.

Going Looooong

Allright so I've had enough of Jay-Z in my ear constantly saying/asking " Get your swag back daddy, Where your focus at?" I hope yesterdays run will be enough to quiet him down for a while. My run was over 9 miles in about 1 1/2 hours.So I left the house before 6:30am and ran from home to a 7-11 in Highland Park. Anna had to stop at work so this worked out pretty good. I made it to Ave. 52 and Fig before 8:00 and she picked me up. Being that this was my longest run of the year, I think I did great. I wanted Tony to join me on his bike but when I tried to wake him up, all he said was, " Think about me when you're running" so I took the hint and ran like Han...you know.... Solo. He'll join me eventually. Maybe on my next long trip to Dad's house. He better be home next time. pretty good. Oh yeah just a tip for anyone who wants to run and take a Soy Joy with them. Make sure you have water to drink with it or good luck getting it down.

On The Road Again

You can call me Willie Nelson cuz I'm on the road again. I've put in 10 miles this month and though that may not sound like alot, the first six months of this year only produced about 80 miles so 10 in a week is pretty good. The most I've run in a week is 30 miles so I need to work my way back up. In 2008 I finished with a total of 639ish miles. So far this year I have a total of about 90 so if I stay focused this time I might be able to make it to maybe 400. We'll see how it goes. I do need some new music though. My motivating song right now is D.O.A. by Jay-Z. Any ideas?

This Is Tony's Video. I should have put it up on his blog but he's grounded and I don't know his password. Thanks to Diana for the fine Directing/Editing work

A RUN WITH A VIEW

So this was my reward for the 3 mile run completed yesterday. People must have thought I was crazy running at 2:30 pm. It was super hot, my legs were tired and I didn't need my heart rate monitor to tell me that my rate was going crazy. After I finished resting and convincing the people passing by and driving below on the freeway that I had no intentions of jumping, I felt like instead of just turning around I would actually go higher so this next picture is pretty much what I saw when I reached the highest point of my run. The town I live in.

Check this out. Why didn't these cans ever make it to store shelves? They're made by Owens Illinois. This is a Glass Manufacturing company so it is kind of weird that these bottles are made of plastic but they do look cool. My dad works for Owens Brockway which is a division of O-I so that's why I'm writing about this. I don't spend my days thinking about the future of soda cans.

I left the house today feeling thankful
Maybe because Mothers Day is just a couple days away
I want to thank Mothers who have helped make a difference in my life
I wanna thank my Grandma Socorro. She contributed to my life's "Blueprint" more than she'll ever know
She'll never read this but she knows this "Pendejo" loves her
I wanna thank my Wife for giving our kids a great Mom to be thankful for.
If this sounds like I am accepting an award then good. It should
I wanna thank God for the Mothers He's blessed me with
And even for the ones he decided to test me with
So Thank you God. Thank you Anna. Thank You Grandma Socorro.

On a side note:
I am also thankful for Randy Newmans " I love L.A." I can't remember ever hearing that song so often. That doesn't belong on a Mothers Day post so sorry bout that

Just thoughts

So if 30' s the new 20...
Does that make Anthony a preemie?
If I wasn't his dad would he still want to be Me?
Because he's watching me as I watch him grow
I put in my miles daily on the straight and narrow.
My dad says when I need God my faith will save me.
I live strong for my son just like the name mom gave me .

All About You

I've been away for a while and although there are plenty of things I can write about like school or running or work I'm going to dedicate this post to someone of whom I am a very big fan of. I know she has at least a few (Milli) (sorry couldn't resist) other fans out there but I am certainly one of the biggest (don't mean physically). Any way I got a chance to see her the other day when I stopped by my Dad's house on the way home from work.She even caught me staring at her at one point. I was tripping out on her and she was trying to get used to my face with a beard on it so I guess we're even. Her personality is great. She's funny. I like how her voice raised the second time she asked my dad if he was going to the Convalescent home or when he and I were talking about something and I'm trying to pay attention to him and I can see her go straight into a dance routine. It's fun to witness the connection these two people have. A connection that at times I regret never having with my Dad the way you often hear a Father and Son should have. I made sure to tell the kids about these things she was doing when I got home. they look up to her. She's their favorite person to hang out with . I wonder if he regrets it too or more even or if he would even agree with that last sentence. I think it sucks that my sister and I never shared the "Brother and Sister" relationship either but it's not just because we grew up in two different households. Trust me that's makes no difference. I had 2 sisters in the house I did grow up in and look at us now. We don't even talk. Anyway maybe that just wasn't in the cards for any of us. I like where we are now, my relationship with my dad and my relationship with my sister. I hope the feeling of "somethings missing" goes away though. I 'd like to have that bond with my Son and Daughter but sometimes I find my self having too short a supply of patience (thanks Mom) to enjoy my kids and the things they likes to do. I need to be like Jim Carrey and say "Yes" more often I guess. Back to Diana though ....I kinda feel like one of those dead beat dads who finally comes around after years of ..well not coming around to jump on their kids band wagon when they become famous. (she's not that famous yet so I think there's still room) There's alot that I don't know about my sister but hopefully I'll get to learn (she's 22 so there's probably a lot she still doesn't know about herself yet either so I don't feel too bad)

OK I could probably go on but I think I've kissed her ass enough. So "Lady Di" congratulations on finishing college. Keep up the good work. You're a good egg.
Your Brother...... From another Mother sorry I couldn't resist that one either.It rhymed.
R2R0

My First Love

Almost 30 years, you and I, we go way back
So no matter who I'm with I'll slip away to find my way back
These memories are so clear they seem like just a day back
Like when my number used to start with a two five oh
Every time I'm up in you I feel alive...oh
Remember those times when I would sit out at night
My mom was out doing wrong but you made it all right
You would show me the skyline I would feel your concern &
You would keep me company 'til it was time to turn in
Or the times I would go down so I could see the real you
Bonnie & Alvarado fighting over who could feel you
You've had plenty of lovers and I wont be the last
Like guys who knew you as Eden.. we all have a past
In the blink of an eye time goes by too fast
Sometimes I wanna steal you but no I wont try to
Couldn't do it cuz so many love you just like I do.
There's no place like you, tell me I'm right sis
People who've met Echo Park know how I can write this

Restless

I'm at work right now but not "at work" right now.
Hey diana what were your plans for Saturday Night?
Do you have any? If it rains it'll suck and I guess the rooftop bar will be out of the question.
I'm also thinking of Old Town Pasadena as a back up. How does that sound to you guys? If you guys don't have plans already. Let me know. I'll buy you a drink for your birthday. Or you can just get drunk at grandpapas house and save me some money. There'll be plenty of Tequila at grandpas house but don't get into a fight there.
Laterz

Echo Park

Echo Park smile as summers swarm
over stucco- brown apartments
beaded like sweat.Lonely travelers
step out of torn screen doors
of the Paradise Motel and ride.

Carnival lights on a mud lot
beckon the street crawlers. The
amusements reach up to the sky
with colors splashing across the
night's palette in a silent brush.

Winitos crowd around the entrances
of the 24-hour Pioneer
Market, their crusted hands open
for change. Darla, la fea, accepts
change for back-of-the-alley favors

Echo Park's playground swells with children
who scramble around the swings,
and they swing and swing
while mothers on chipped benches
relate the nights and indecisions.

I've screamed here,made love here.
I've raced through the shadow of the trees,
While locos stalked the damp.
I've cried and laughed here - I once
held my daughter here who fell from the
monkey bars when I wasn't looking.

The lush of Echo Park calls to me.
Waits for me. Tells me lies.
And I believe them. Oh, take me back,
Echo Park, Merciless and naughty,
back to the dawn of guitar strings
and strained voices out of yawning windows.

Luis J. Rodriguez

Who you Are

So I'm still thinking of this tattoo I want to get. It's going to be my parents last names(one of which happens to be mine also) anyway the names are going to intersect and it's going to be in the shape of a cross "GONZALEZ" going down and "MEZA" accross. They'll cross at the "Z". I realize that this is uneven because "MEZA" is only 4 letters but hopefully with a little imagination I will be able to make it look alright. I'm thinking that the letters themselves will be the outline of the cross. So I will also need to work on that . We'll see if it ever happens.

"Though memories fade I got you name tattooed on my arm..."
Name that tune Diana

Be Thankful For What You Got

So my Wife has told me that it seems like I've been in a funk lately and I'm ready to admit that she is right....again. Can I blame it on the rain like Milli Vanilli? Tony Toni Tone Said it never rains in Southern California. The Mamas and The Papas said I'd be safe and warm if I was in L.A. I would have thought they were talking about Louisiana if they didn't say that during California Dreamin' ". Anyway let me get back to where I was going.
I've been paying too much attention to what and who I no longer have with me and instead I need to acknowledge the people I do have. I've got a better corner than Jessica Roberts in Pretty Woman. Wait that didn't sound right. Let me try it again. A better corner than Oscar De La Hoya. I'll explain 1. My Wife, my support, she's my biggest fan always behind me keeping me in line. She has stayed in my corner just like The Dells. 2. My dad gives the advise only a veteran can give 3. Finally my cut man Anthony. When I'm hurting, late into the fight his smile makes the pain go away. I love you all.
P.S. Sorry about all the song references.

"But I'm a champion...so I turn tragedy to triumph.

I didn't really want to go back to the last entry but one of my sisters' entries reminded me of someone who had high hopes for me. He was the next best thing to a father to me and at times he had to be. My Grandfather Ignacio Gonzalez or "Grandpa Chino" as everyone called him was a soft spoken guy and he was the one who held the family together and when he passed away, sure enough, the family fell apart.
So it got me thinking that just as my Grandpa believed in my potential and I believe in my sons', I need to teach him not to let it go to waste. I signed up for a business class at P.C.C. I run by there all the time and I actually used to make my way inside. It's been a while but it'll be good to be back. My goal is to get a degree in Accounting. We'll see how it goes. My youngest sister graduates soon. I am so proud of you Diana!

From the time I was a kid, my Grandpa and I never told each other goodbye. We always said "Aye te watcho" which is slang for I'll see you later. I was holding his hand as he left this world to enter the next when I said it to him for the last time.

Did you realize....that you were a champion in their eyes?

Runners will tell you that putting in miles gives you a chance to clear your mind, a good chance to solve problems or maybe enough peace and quiet to try to think about where you left the remote control. I had said when I started blogging that I wouldn't get too personal but.....A lot of times when I'm out running I start to think about where I am in life and what kind of person I have become. In my mind I am wondering what kind of expectations my parents had for me and where I have succeeded and failed in meeting them. They never told me what they expected of me or told me what I could expect out of life. I tell my son as often as I can that he is a champion and I expect great things of him. He is stubborn like his Dad (and Grandpa) so I'm afraid sometimes he'll repeat the same mistakes I've made.My dad has always been my hero and I hope I am my sons'.

I apologize to the people I've failed and I forgive the people who have failed me.I appreciate my wife for loving me and I love her for appreciating me. I am who I am and no one knows that better than she does. I realize the it's important to learn from your mistakes and move on because just like I run with one foot in front of the other, the hands of time move in the same direction. Time stands still for no one.

"Let me know if you feel it man.
Cuz everything I'm not made me everything I am"

Longer, Better, Faster, Stonger

Th-th-that that that don't kill me. Can only make me stronger.

So I've been trying to work on my speed and trying to become faster. I keep reminding myself to push er myself especially when I'm almost done and I'm headed back up the hill. I've got Jay-Z in my ear saying , "...Go farther. Go further. Go harder. Is that not why we came? And if not, Then why bother? ...

and I can't help but notice the skunks, cats and squirrels on the road who might also have benefitted from a little interval training. (Note to self: "Don't end up like them") Maybe they would have lived to run another day.

Speedy Gonzalez was way faster than his cousin Slowpoke Rodriguez. Was it interval training or did Slowpoke just smoke too much weed.

Running In The Rain

Alright so I went running in the rain for the first time last week and I've got to say it is a great feeling to be out there running without a care. I mean my shoes are mesh so they were soaked and my jacket was wet on the inside and outside. I did have to worry about my technology staying dry though. I run with my ipod on my arm and a watch on each wrist. I just started using a Garmin Forerunner 305 and am liking the accuracy way more than the Nike+ that I have (and have racked up over 1000 miles with). I wear the Nike Amp on my right wrist to remotely control my ipod. I think I'm gonna ditch that watch while running and I would've ditched the whole Nike+ in favor of Garmins GPS abilities but the Nike+ website is cool.Anyway back to my story
The rain wasn't coming down too hard until I got about half way into my run but then by that time what could I do but run home. A couple of people were walking their dogs, some people were walking their kids to school and some people were driving by looking at me like I was crazy. Maybe they thought , "Wow that guy is determined". Maybe not. When I do see people out running I wonder how many people will be inspired to get out and run. Sometimes I see older people out putting in their miles and they inspire me. I hope I inspire people.

R2R0
(My sister inspired me to write this.
What's up Diana?)