Jomichael Vasquez
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#6

3/14/2014

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The long lost roommate...

The following story is half true and half fiction. I will let you discern from there.

I moved to San Marcos, Texas in August 2007. I was off  to meet my roommate there who I had previously known in my community college years. We will call him Pancho.

I first met Pancho at my first place of employment which was South Texas College Health and Wellness Center. Working at this gym was the best job I ever had because I was addicted to working out, living a healthy lifestyle, and meeting new people everyday. Pancho was one of the "new people" that I had met  while working there. Our desire for achieving the ultimate body was our main goal when we worked out; therefore, we became great workout buddies.

We would share protein shake recipes, workout tips, tricks, and we would always achieve and surpassed our gym goals. 

Our friendship  extended beyond the gym to hanging out at local coffee bars and sharing computer related conversations. You see, Pancho was (and still is) very tech savy and worked for a computer company as a salesman. Pancho had a gift for selling stuff as he was always leading his store and sometimes district in sales.

When Pancho found out I was going to attend Texas State University in the Fall, he was excited because he was going there as well. It was then he pitched the idea of us being roommates. I thought it was a great idea and decided to make that happen.

And it was a good idea. I lived with Pancho for about a year and a half which made for great memories and helped me live my best years to the fullest.

For instance, Pancho was wealthy. He worked hard for his money selling computer parts and other electronics to consumers while banking on commission. He was so rich, money was never an issue for him. The apartment was pimped out with the coolest electronics known to man at the time. We had high speed internet, powerful laptops, an impressive home theater system, and our own weather prediction center. Why? Because Pancho could afford it. He even had a brand new Mazda 3 GTi which was envied by most of the college kids around the complex.

Most of the time he would buy lunch and dinner. When we ventured out to explore the town and Austin, he would always pay. He was so wealthy, he would tip the bouncer at exclusive clubs just to get us into the V.I.P. area.

Pancho's wardrobe was filled with designer shirts, jeans, pants, blazers, shoes, ties, and other fashionable accessories. He liked to keep up with the current fashion trends as advised in his monthly subscription to GQ.

During our second semester together, the recession finally hit Texas... hard. The computer company Pancho worked for closed down and he was laid off. The next few months, I saw Pancho go from living off steaks and protein shakes to noodles and cheerios. His attire went from Gucci to Gap.

Pancho tried finding other jobs, but no one was hiring.

Pancho sadly could not afford college anymore and had to go back home after completing his last full semester.

I remember him walking to his new car and cursing to the sky, "This really sucks!"

I looked down from the third floor and yelled back at him, "Hey! You are going to rise back up and become powerful once again! You will be filled with new powers that you have never experienced before! You will rule the world!" We liked to think were superhumans with superpowers... Shut up.

About six months later, I met up with Pancho back in his hometown of McAllen, Texas. It was great seeing him and finding out he got a job with another computer company selling computers and other electronics to people. This time it was different. His store was only a few miles from a bridge that brought traffic in from Mexico. Many of his customers were Mexican lawyers, doctors, and business men who spared no expense. Pancho was once again leading in sales and making it rain.

The last time I saw Pancho was when he came to visit me in Austin. He visited me to tell me how life has changed for him for the better. His plans at the time were to finish college and marry his girlfriend who he met back in McAllen. I was very happy for him.

That was four years ago.

Since then, Pancho has disappeared. Our mutual friends have not seen or heard from him in years. I am friends with him on Facebook, but he hasn't been on there since 2011.

I know somewhere out there, Pancho is living his dream. He finished college. Married the girl. Bought the dream home. Bought the boat... Not the farm.

I like to think Pancho is still selling electronics because that is his gift. He can sell car phone to a man with an iPhone.

I also like to think Pancho is out there coaching others who are struggling. He comforts them with his humor and wisdom from having being there at the bottom.

He probably uses the line from the movie Batman Begins.

"Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves back up again."

Pancho learned how to pick himself back up and is now living the dream... somewhere.
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#5

3/11/2014

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You are an astronaut. Describe your perfect day.

(Rap the following to the tune of "It Was A Good Day" by Ice Cube)

[Verse One]
Just wakin’ up in the mornin’ gotta thank God
I don't know but today seems kinda odd
The room felt warm and there was no alarm
And the captain nuked a big breakfast without doing us any harm
I got my grub on as I look out at the stars
Finally got the call that we’re gonna land on Mars 
(Word Up!) Suited up in my astro suit ‘cuz that what I do
Ponderin’ when if we will land in about 22.
I gotta jet and prepare myself for the drop
Cuz when the captain hits that switch, it will go POP! POP!
No need to fret as we got the green light,
Lookin’ at all them windows, not a Martian ship in sight
O-M-G! You know I am lovin’ this here flight
I cannot wait to land and embrace the sun light
Holler back at Houston asking “What it do?”
I hear ‘dem holler back, “Hey! We be takin’ care of you.”
My cosmic boots are so rad and ready for the red rubble,
Last week I polished ‘dem up to prepare them for trouble.
Freaking out ‘cuz I realized it’s my Birthday…
I can't believe my stars…

Today is a good day.

Yeah! Great glittering galaxies!

Today is a good day.

Turn my headphones up in my suit!

Today is a good day.

[Verse Two]
0:42, I look out to see a peaceful meteor shower,
I didn’t even yak on the NASA bar I had devoured,
Just yesterday I had stomach issues at the midnight hour,
But today I feel like I cannot be bothered!
Mad respect to all of the crew,
as we all said to one another, “Here’s lookin’ at you!”
Went to the prep the landing gear and hit shuffle on my iPad,
The next thing is the theme song to ‘Breaking Bad’
Place the headphones on my ears, all I think this is “Yo! This is Rad!”
Strolling on up to the cockpit like a mill-yun!
Got my headphones cranked up to numero eleven.
I get back to chat with the crew at 0:27
I look out beyond the inter-galactic glow
When we all decide myself and Ol’ Glory will be the first to go.
All I can think and shout was “Hooray!”

Today is a good day.

Yo! I always shoot for the stars!

Today is a good day.

I cannot wait to roll on 24's on Mars!

Today is a good day.

[Verse Three]
I checked my bank account I just got paid!
Consider me as a Trump on my new pay grade!
I’m lovin it, I feel the atmosphere shift
Then the captain makes a quick air drift
I buckle up in my seat
Singin’ praises to the Lord above
For showin’ me so much love
0:13 and I can’t hold back all of my smiles
As we fly down for several thousand miles
I felt like I was Maverick from Top Gun
No worries felt as I embraced all the fun
Getting ready for that Super Sonic Boom, BOOM!
As we go zoom, ZOOM!
May we not be destined for doom, DOOM!
With only five minutes to go
I light up my suit and feel a sudden boost of MoJo
Cuz I will be gracin’ every cover of the newest issue of GQ 
Amazingly stellar best describes my IQ 
As we now embark to land on the Red Planet 
We all knew we couldn’t have better planned it.
I race for the door with Ol’ Glory in my hand 
Then the door finally opens to a new uncharted land…

Oh yeah, I got to say it is a good day.
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642 Things to Write About

3/3/2014

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For Valentine's Day, my wife bought me this book called, "642 Things to Write About".

It literally has 642 things to write about. Seriously. It has 642 prompts from the San Francisco's Writers' Grotto.

The prompts lead you to write stories, poems, and other random stuff for me to create. Some prompts require short responses or long responses. Either way, they are all witty and are geared at making you think outside the box.

So... I accepted the challenge to tackle each of the 642 things to write about and share my responses to each prompt with y'all.

Vamanos!

#1) "What can happen in a second?" (short response)

In one second I made the decision to jump to #2.

#2) "The Worst Thanksgiving Dish You Ever Had" (short response)

The worst thanksgiving dish I ever had was fruit cake made by a family friend. The cake pretty much smelled funky and looked like it was rejected by Oscar the Grouch. The texture was that of pudding with chunks of meatloaf in it. The flavor was blah! Just remembering it makes my stomach twitch.

#3) "A houseplant is dying. Tell it why it needs to live." (short response)

Houseplant! Oh, Houseplant! Don't go into the glorious rays of sunlight! I need you in my life to purify my air. The air that I breathe to continue forth with my life in this house which you made my home. Houseplant? Do you remember the day you were just a seedling in my hands? The day I took your seeds and placed them in the soil of this pot you sit in. It was that day which began my journey into horticulture. Because of you I have branched out to grow various jalapeno plants, tomatoes, and onions. All these crops have yielded great salsas. I am can make great salsas because of you, Houseplant! You made me a great salsa maker! Now, I can finally thank you by finding you a home outside in the elements where you can grow roots and live forever. You will no longer purify the air in my house... You will purify the air for all of the world. Stay strong, Houseplant, for soon you will grow and be a positive impact for all. Tomorrow, you will turn a new leaf. You will live boldly and freely in my garden where all the other crops will look up to you. Don't give up, Houseplant... I will not give up on you.

 #4) "Write your Facebook status in the year 2017." (short response)

I remember when Facebook was cool.

[4 down, 638 to go!]

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