Ruben Navarrette can eat my shorts

I took my mom to the DMV to renew her license, there was a paper nearby and I read a column by Ruben Navarrette.  He is self described as the leading Latino columnist in America, this is like winning an ass kicking contest with a one legged man.  He wrote a column that he has no empathy for federal workers suffering during the furlough.  Why? I thing he needed self gratification that he is an important man, like the trolls who make incendiary comments on social media and have an orgasm when people respond.  He claims that he had a hard life and his ancestors thought work was "sacred"  I quickly typed out a response and couldn't get his email to work from my phone so I sent it to my self and then him.  this is my reply

I never know if a columnist writes a provocative piece to get a reaction,  is generally upset, or is a malcontent.  Maybe you feel the anger of your ancestors crying a river from the grave.

In any case, for the record, I retired from a state government job two years ago, I am Hispanic,  and if Ancestry dna tests are accurate, I am 51% European,  but the dominant is 37% Native American.  I don't have any attachment to a tribe.

I really don't see what your point is other than to complain about you and your family lot in life, and assuming federal workers are living off the fat of the land like the commerce secretary.  In this regard you and he are like two peas in a pod.  You assume the furloughed employees don't work hard, or think "work is sacred ",  capricious thinking at best, I have friends in Fresno and this kind of thinking isn't prevalent from what I saw.

We all have our stories and demons, and I admit i took a Government job because I saw my Dad's life destroyed when someone bought the company he worked at and sold the assets laying off 100 workers.  I doubt he expected you or any one to have empathy for him.  He just wanted to work.  I too worked about 13, vacuuming Aunt's beauty shop, putting leaflets on doors,  windshields,  later summer youth programs,  washing dishes, fast food in college,  etc...You shouldn't brag about a hard life when federal employees lose their income,  it makes you look like an A$$. 

I've been ambivalent about you columns,  it doesn't strike a chord with me, it could be that being a Hispanic in NM is very different than being from California.  I'm typing this on a phone while my 84 year old mother is renewing her driver's license.   So I'll end with her favorite comment.  " You should put a P on your Frente. so people know what you are thinking "

name withheld

Read  xxxxx Journal 

#rubenNavarette

Lost in Time

Things are getting worse

My Tribute to International Brotherhood Week from 1973

Goodbye DAD!

Dear Dad,

Your presence is missed, you filled a room when you entered

Mom expects to see you in bed, I keep looking to see you with a blanket over your head watching TV, I miss you calling out”Rosely” Every time you needed something and mom saying “ como molestas” .  You gave the family many things, you provided for us, we took many vacations, you worked very hard, you overcame the loss of a job that devastated you to find your true calling in selling insurance for the Knights of Columbus.

I remember the first trike, pedal car, training wheels on a regular bike, the Dodge Dart I used to wreak it and your truck towing it, I remember the MG Midget you got to replace it, and the help with my first new car.

I remember your stressing the importance of an education, guiding me to a degree, advice on a job

I remember you taking me back in after I separated from Gail

I remember going to the PIT while it was built when I was 4 or 5, I remember the season tickets, football games, the regional, the 1978 team that was supposed to go to the pit, the football games when I had season tickets, mostly I remember you getting angry listening to Mike Roberts call a game and describe how the refs were destroying the Lobos, I’ve never seen you get that mad, and mom yelling that you were going to have a heart attack, particularly last few years

I remember your disappointment being 10 people away in the ticket line at the 1968 regional when UCLA  

I remember watching All in the Family you you doing an exaggerate your laugh that would make mom mad, when a pretty girl was on tv you’d say”Rosely Dios de mi vida” and she call you an old goat, I didn’t get it at the time why you would tease mom, but I got it when I met Gail.

I remember the BBQ in the back yard, and mom complaining when you forgot to turn off the gas

I remember the vacations to Disneyland, Dallas, Denver, Seattle, out trip to Seattle for Andy’s Funeral and Pike’s market

I remember little league, the K of C basketball team that made it to the championship, Boys club ball, team parents, the K of C softball team-you were the pitcher

I remember the basketball goal , the first on using 2 x4’s and the metal one you had made at Crist, the gift that kept giving, used at least 10 years every year, the flood light you put in, the dirt court you later cemented when you expanded the house giving Angela her own bed room and me a room far away from the rest of you.  I never got as tall as Petey Gibson but I tried.

I remember you getting into the Final Four in 1983 only having a ticket for the semi’s but a guy from UCLA gave you his ticket after they lost so he could go to the Pueblos.

I remember we watched the Cubs and went out finally in 2004 went to see a few games, when they won WS last year you were really happy 

I remember In 1972 mom liked the song “ Take a walk on the wild side” and when it was on the radio she would call you and hold the receiver to the radio, I don’t think you ever understood what the song was about, which is really funny.  

I remember how much mom, you  57+ years, will never forget you calling out “ROSELY I Need help” many times a day, she made your life complete, you always worried  about her at the end

I remember the K of C , the church, and the Hispanic Cultural center was central to your core beliefs of faith, family, and focus on your life, and it touched the lives of others

I remember your smile, your laugh, the glare that turned warm when you he recognized someone

I Remember A warm smile, joy of laughter, picked up the check even if you were the honoree, I had to sneak the check in later years

You  had a presence about yourself, unmatched , everyone knew when you was in the room

I honor your memory by remembering your smile, your laughter, devotion to family, dedication to helping others, and smiling at his memory there are 100’s of dad jokes and stories……………. you are  a really good guy

You wont be forgotten, the picture is my favorite of you and I, I will miss you

Love

Daniel

My Dad is Dying

My Awesome dad is dying.  This picture was taken May 11, 2017, it was his last good day.  He has slipped the last 2 months.  We were celebrating my birthday and he became disoriented, lost motor control and he spent 3 weeks in a rehab. 

He has been stubborn about nourishment and it caught up to him.  He is suffering from Parkinson's and dementia.  He made his end of life wishes clear.  He received his final sacraments Tuesday, home hospice is involved.  I await his joining the universe.

He saw to it I finished college, he sacrificed to keep his family doing well, long after we were 18, he loved his wife, depended on her and took her on trips around the world.  He dedicated his life to helping others through the Knights of Columbus.  I will forever be in his debt     

https://goo.gl/photos/9L1BEVPwJx56NTrE7

Elton John

https://goo.gl/photos/9L1BEVPwJx56NTrE7

A new year and the summer of my content

Been sleeping late of late.  This is not booze fueled, but a result of staying up late watching reruns, a pointless endeavor.   At the ER with the DA, her neck hurts and she is waiting for a muscle relaxer shot, MA is sick at home , tired from the holidays, but might be sick, I got her Ginger Ale and chicken and chicken soup, my dad not wanting to be left out wanted canned pears.  It's hump day for the workers, for the retirement group, just another day.

Zen eats under the light of a super moon

TRUMP WINS

Its all over but the shouting, the people have spoken.  Minorities and unpopular religions are fearful, and I've believed that "Make America great again" meant "Make America WHITE again" the hatred I've seen is now legitimate, time for me to change my post retirement.  May we all fight for our rights.  Time for a healthy bowl of pinapple.

My Letter of Resignation

From: xxxxxxxx@state.nm.us>
To: NMDWS-xxxxxxx@state.nm.us>
Cc: Martinez, S, GOV, GOV <S.Martinez@state.nm.us>
Sent: Thu, Sep 29, 2016 5:18 pm
Subject: Good bye

Ma I made Parole

After 28 ¼ years of service in the same building, it is with regret and excitement that I am retiring.  I have met many wonderful people since starting on June 27, 1988, and I will Miss driving down Lomas and watching the TIWA building appear like an Aztec Temple surrounded by parking lots

I will miss the people, the kids who visited and whom I saw grow up from a baby to a college student or a mom in some cases.  I will miss the comradery, the esprit de corps that used to unite us, the stories I overheard about your weekends that made me blush and decide to wear headphones when I was in FMB, the jovial laughter, the celebrations for birthdays, weddings, births, and in a few cases those that left this world far too early.

All my life when I heard bad news, I was told that when one door closes, another opens, and in my case, many doors are opening.  I am leaving sooner than I planned but I will be able to assist my parents so I can pay back the life and gifts I received from them.  If you think your kid is or was hard to raise, imagine what my parents had to go through with me.

Don’t be afraid to set sail for uncharted waters, God Bless you all, I hope you enjoyed the Danny V experience and understand I did my job to the best of my skills, it isn’t fun to say no, if you have hard feelings towards me, please understand that to quote my mentor Zaphod Beeblebrox “you don’t have Richard Nixon to kick around anymore”

Peace to you all, Chale on, it’s always darkest before the dawn, and Metallica forever

It was a blast

So long and thanks for all the fish

Thank you all for the experience of knowing you

 

Retirement in 14 days

I retire in 14 days, almost packed , no one in charge has said anything

Retire in 37 days

I'm done in 37 days, they will not fill my position,  same sob who forced me out now wants my help to justify position. And trump sux

I'm retiring

September 30 I retire and will enter a new chapter

Kitty Malogato died 120 days ago

I miss my kitty Malogato a lot, the DA is no position to blackmail

Soul crushing arches

Once again I am trying a fitness revolution trial.   This is the third year but I dropped out last year and I guess I was not alone.  The challenge is easier this year I'm we set our own goals. 

I've not taken to the cold snap.  ZEN the feral kitty is doing ok.  Still can't get her to come inside.  The other kitties that have appeared want to .  There is a new kitty that may have been abandoned who the other kitties don't like and runs at the first sight of humans.
The DA is still alive and I'm supposed to get paid tomorrow.   350.00 I'm promised.  But she is hiding now she was supposed to go to doctor and clinics to get food stamps.   She is usually a chatterbox about that stuff, and no call just a text she will call later.
Have I mentioned I really don't like my job and my self esteem is a minus 6.

Tuesday with the fat man

Well another holiday gone no more holidays till May today is January 19th and I'm a very sad panda. Did the weigh in weight at 249 wrote the orherof the stuff down but it didn't stick I didn't save it somehow anyway I'm mad at the world again I'm out of the DA the day supposed to get me money today but we'll see still haven't talked about what happened a couple weeks ago it still too painful when we today off to get a workout in and start my BMI is 1000006 I hope you're all doing fine I didn't sleep well but then again when do I. I saw Zen morning so this new black cat looks pregnant morning.  I hate everything about everything

Getting Old

Getting old really bites, I had a intervention of sorts yesterday, and it was revealing how the passage of time has left me unprepared for my golden years.  more to follow

Using a real fat man

My new found thought

I really hate it here, my place of employment.  I hate it's location.   I hate it's existence,  I hate about 7 people here.   I hate myself for allowing it to happen.   I hate it's elevation,  I hate it's mission.   I hate coming here.   I hate leaving here because I hate having to decompress to come back here.   I hate what it did to my soul. Funny I can leave at any time and work somewhere else.  I want to sleep 8nterest an exciting city but never venture outside.