Eddie Arana, Rick Thibodeau, & Chris Bakunas San Diego, Ca. March 2012

Eddie Arana, Rick Thibodeau, & Chris Bakunas San Diego, Ca. March 2012
Eddie Arana, Rick Thibodeau, & Chris Bakunas at Luche Libre Taco Shop in San Diego, March 2012

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

The Truth Is Standing Naked Right In Front Of Us

The fact that Hollywood seems to believe that broadcasting movies that depict the ugliest, most vile acts that the human race has committed against each other - that is, War Movies - as a way of marking Memorial Day here in the United States is a good thing, is all one needs to know about the mentality of Hollywood.

Saturday, May 28, 2022

She Enjoys Doing Crossword Puzzles

She buys the New York Times on Sunday 
Just for the magazine
Because that magazine has a challenging crossword puzzle
She grabs a pen and begins with a quick review of the clue
"Blame Game" it is, and she gets underway

Down then Across that's just her routine
"Quiet the dog" (six letters), she jots down muzzle
Her eyes are alight as she writes Guru in for Mystic Hindu 
Then she frowns while she ponders "Fiji's ____ Day"
Mumbles something a bit obscene

Looks over at me and asks who else was Bill Russell
"Celtic great" I reply on cue and she looks a bit askew 
"Nope", she sighs, "It starts with a D as in dismay"
Try "Dodger great" I venture to subvene
She smiles and gives me a little nuzzle

Sports are not exactly within her purview
The only subject I suspect I may be asked for my say
On everything else she's the trivia queen
That's what makes her great, that big brain muscle 
It's her mind that made it easy to fall into



 
 

Friday, May 27, 2022

Capturing A Moment

 When you're feeling
                        Sunshine on your face 
Caressing your skin
                            And you're reeling
        Trying to keep pace
                  As the trees start to spin

             You want to reach her
                   In a way that makes sense
                          Exchange a sideways glance
Resist that magnetic allure
                 Enjoy the suspense
             As the spirits slam dance



Tuesday, May 24, 2022

The Unexplainable, The Inexplicable, The Excruciating

   It's all a bit too much, eh? Politicians fighting over who is responsible for the murder of children by children, jockeying for the best position, hoping to score points with the electorate. 

   

Art-As-Therapy Vs. Art-In-Therapy

   The other day I became embroiled in a discussion with a friend regarding Art used for therapy, with the two us firmly seated on opposite sides of the debate regarding Art and its role in Psychoanalysis.

   See, he was of the cockamamie opinion that it is the proper analysis of the art created by the person, as well as the person's choice of medium used for the creation, and the subject matter of the created artwork, that matters most.

   I on the other hand held (and still hold) the well-researched and reasoned opinion that it is the actual creative process that is employed as well as the commitment of the person utilizing their mind, imagination and what have you to express themselves in an artistic manner that is what matters most.

   To illustrate my point, I created a cartoon featuring him and his fatuous opinion being devoured by a large monster...which he promptly wadded up and threw in the trash.

   My friend definitely needs to learn a more creative way to deal with his anger.


  

    

Friday, May 20, 2022

Inversion

   Late May, 2022. 

   It was 87 degrees Fahrenheit yesterday afternoon, it is currently 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Those with the meteorology degrees are saying it will drop below freezing tonight (32f) and snow will fall. 

  Fortunately, I have yet to put away the snow shovels.

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

There Was A Crooked Plan...

 The left leaning journalist subtly affixes blame for whatever it is that's ailing the world on the right.

The right leaning journalist subtly affixes blame for whatever it is that's ailing the world on the left.

Sometimes, neither side bothers with being subtle.

And so it goes. Left blames right, right blames left.

And there I am, in the middle, learning to despise both sides of the story.

Monday, May 16, 2022

Number 834 Of The Best Statements I've Ever Heard

 You can be very smart and still do very stupid things. The two are not mutually exclusive.

Sunday, May 15, 2022

Dimly Remembered Distraction

 

          Colors shined so brightly made one wonder how
Must have been something in the water making them tap their feet
Waited on the encore or at least for the performers to take a bow
In sweat-stained shirts, vapor wicking off heads from the heat

Sounded almost as good as the Belly Up show
That was a good time for almost one and all
Muffled Pete lost his girl and got arrested though 
The price paid for starting a pointless brawl

Motivated by boredom, dying to be interesting
In someone's eyes, from someone's point of view
Waded through the crowd, mingling

The odds were against, the chances few
Hopes of meeting the one dwindling
As the band started into a slow number everyone knew 
To the point that no one was really listening

And he asked himself for the seventeenth time
Why do I ever come to these shows?
What a waste, driving all the way up to Anaheim
Why do I ever come to these shows?

The wrong question asked at the wrong moment
Should have been savoring the experience
Notorious, vainglorious, spurious
Attempted to place himself above the current
Rode high and dry and serious
Delirious, precarious, imperious

Motion, slow and consistent
The crowd moving without intent or destination
just inclination

Still, wondering how the colors got so bright
Realized no one was drinking water
And no one was tapping their feet
And the band had already bid the crowd goodnight
The lights were up and the curtain down
And the crew was sweeping up the debris
People milling about discussing after show plans
Late night food across the street
Or beat the traffic home and hit the hay
Alarm comes early for those that have to work

Motivated by boredom, dying to be interesting
In someone's eyes, from someone's point of view

Food was decided, CoCo's or Norm's
Really didn't matter did it
Except Norm's would have girls from the dorms
Those attending UCLA, majoring in English Lit 
Or USC to study the sex lives of earthworms

And he asked himself for the eighteenth time
Why do I ever come to these shows?
And he asked himself for the eighteenth time
Why do I ever come to these shows?

Didn't have to dig too deep to know why
If he could be bothered or prodded to be honest
It was the chance of crossing paths or catching the eye
Of a young (or old) lonely deuterogamist 
Sliding into the booth with a smile and a sigh
Sitting like a disgraced, fallen Mahayanist

Motion, slow and insistent
Just the two of them moving without intent or destination
Temptation

Saturday, May 14, 2022

Thursday, May 12, 2022

The Worst Accident In The Best Circumstances*

   The motorcycle lay on the sidewalk, the side in contact with the ground busted up, the front tire bent as if a giant had pinched it between his thumb and forefinger.

   The short faring had broken off when the rider had passed through it after being launched off the bike when it came into contact with the rear of the car that had shot out in front of the motorcycle.

   Roughly twenty feet from the mangled bike the rider lay on his back, his left arm and shoulder throbbing from the impact with the ground. Voices, some reassuring, some just making comments or observations, could be heard from the crowd that had gathered around him.

   "Try not to move an ambulance is on the way. " "I saw the car that went through the light and I think I got most of the license plate number." "Thank god you were wearing your helmet." "The police are on their way, they should be here pretty soon." "Can you move your legs? Do you feel anything broken?"

   He couldn't really hear what anyone was saying. He wanted to sit up but there were a couple of people holding him down. Someone had removed his helmet but he couldn't seem to focus on any one person. He thought to himself that he really got his bell rung and he wished his head would stop ringing.

   It seemed like an hour passed before the ambulance showed up, but he was told it took less than ten minutes for the paramedics to get to him, being as the accident occurred less than 4 miles from the hospital. 

   That, the Doctor told him, was what probably saved his arm, if not his life.

*Based on an accident I once witnessed.


Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Sunday, May 8, 2022

Last Dance In The Middle Of The Day


 Whistling, tapping fingers, shuffling feet
Looking around for the right opportunity
To fall into your lap
Might happen today, might happen tomorrow
Would you be ready, would you be prepared
Could you could you could you could you
Handle it
If it wasn't what you were hoping for

Thursday, May 5, 2022

That First Meeting, When It Was Easy To Laugh

 Man, I'm telling you now she was the best kisser ever
Though with her fingernails kept short 
I thought she was a Lesbian
When she introduced herself to the group 
                                               while staring at me 
                                               It piqued my curiosity

Then we found ourselves standing next to each other 
                                         By the stereo
It was one of those old fashioned credenza-looking ones, clunky and uncomfortable

She smiled and I smiled and we both laughed
She smiled and I smiled and we both laughed
Then she asked if I smoked and when I said no 
She said I hope you don't mind if I do
And I lied with my brightest smile and said 
I don't mind at all

And then I lied with my brightest smile and said
I don't mind at all

We talked for awhile and people we both knew 
                                        Stopped by and said 
Hey, do you two know each other?
I said no we don't and you're not making it any better
She said no we don't but we are trying to correct that oversight
Then we both stared out into the aether 
                                               While waiting for some privacy

She smiled and I smiled and we both laughed
She smiled and I smiled and we both laughed 
Then she lit up a cigarette and said I'm glad you don't mind
And I lied with my smile and said yeah it's cool you know 
I used to too

And then I lied with my smile and said yeah it's cool you know I used to too

The night turned into morning and the party 
                                  Turned into sober goodbyes
We talked about finding the birthday boy and saying 
                                             Happy birthday once again
It was a warm night and neither of us wanted it to end
Though both of us said we had to work in the morning
                              Me and my imaginary job
I walked the plank and asked for her number what the hell

She smiled and I smiled and we both laughed
She smiled and I smiled and we both laughed
When she handed me her number she said call her after three
And I lied and said I might be still at work 
                                 So it might be closer to five

And then I lied and said I might still be at work 
                                         So it might be closer to five