Saving the Earth is Optional

     I took this picture in the bathroom of a mall in Orange County, California. I was amazed to see the sign suggesting the use of a hand dryer above the paper towel dispenser. It's like having a sing for "Go Vegan" on the meat counter.

Room For 7: gardening

EDDIE: Nathan, who told you to hire those gardeners?

NATHAN: No one. I saw them working on the house across the street and asked them to work on my house. Why? Do you think I am paying them excessively?

EDDIE: Not if they do a good job! It doesn't matter how much you pay them. Look at the front yard? It looks terrible.

NATHAN: It looks normal to me.

EDDIE: Maybe to the untrained eye. The grass is uneven; The bushes on the right need some trimming; The palm by the pool needs a haircut. Jeez, I'm already getting a headache just talking about it.

NATHAN: Can you be the one--

EDDIE: Hold it man! I know I'm Mexican but that doesn't mean I'm born with the gardening skills.

NATHAN: I meant, can you find someone for me? I would like you to vet them and hire them.

EDDIE: Easy. Here's the card.

NATHAN: (reads card)"Rodrigo's Landscape. Rodrigo Trinidad, Landscape Artist. Los Angeles." This is first time I hear a gardener call themselves "Landscape Artist." 

EDDIE: Yeah, my uncle doesn't like to be called a gardener anymore. Once he learned how to master the art of Topiary, he upgraded his official title.

NATHAN: What was the most impressive work he has done?

EDDIE: You know regular stuff like elephants, rabbits, that twister thingy, a penis.

NATHAN: Did you just say, Penis?

EDDIE: Yes I did. He wanted to piss off one of my cousins and he trimmed his front bushes into the shape of a penis. I would call that impressive all the way. That was a good day laughter and joy.

NATHAN: Hire him please. Professional work, nothing of phallic nature.

The Domination of Fast Food and Ubiquitious Existence

California Tire Shop

Constant Relocation

Different places under stress

City to city and never settle

Never resting, never satisfied

Always meeting, always goodbye

Leaving people in distress

Across the country to the north
Leaving complication, devaluation and corruption
Little children dragged by force
My young life was gradually robbed
From one place to another
With alleged peace from this day forth

Schools gave me an interesting education
No use crying in the class
When I was punished with angry hands
Some will give you stars and others scars
Fortune if someone didn't give a damn
Rules change, people change
The learning and pain stagnant at every relocation

Jobs became colored pins on maps

I did what I could to make some cash

Working hard and learning new ways every time

It is the curse of moving so much

Working days came with caps

Had a girlfriend here and there

Like flowers in a garden

Love and friendship so brief

Blooms began and never fully opened

Lack of water and attention

Petals fall, color fades,

A lasting loving living beauty was rare

Friends are easy to find
And difficult to keep
Many names to learn and retain
Faces fade like pearls in vinegar
Voices lost like water on sand
One or two engrained in mind

Family is temporary
When loyalty is betrayed
The shun takes effect
Cicadas will emerge
Time will eventually decide
Until connection is stationary

I can count the constants of life with one hand
The sun, the moon and the stars up above
My child born with all my love
The thought that I will eventually die
And be once again dust in the land

Text for Crime

Texting and driving
Not a skill or a privilege
But a crime pending

A crime indeed
But lives can be lost
And so easy to impede

Let the ringtone play
The vibration continue
And no one has to pay

Forget jail or fines
No amount or sentence
Can bring back lives

The facts are real
Statistics are there
From events that don't heal

Don't think drinking is worse
Danger is equally there
Just a different course

Room for 7: nathan's parents

NATHAN'S PARENTS DINING ROOM

MR. GARLAND: You know if you feel managing your grandfather's home is too much, you can always move back in. Your room is still your room.

NATHAN: Thanks dad. I find grandpa's house quite convenient. Its close to USC and the firm. 

MRS. GARLAND: Are your roommates giving you any trouble?

NATHAN: Not at all. They are good friends and helpful. Jacob for example is a mechanic and  just did my brakes and did not charged me anything. I did buy the parts. Carmen likes to cook. Eddie, well you have know him since we were kids. Samantha likes to clean the house. Katie is my best friend. Dylan is, well he does not like to clean or cook but he helps all of us when we need something.

MR. GARLAND: You should let me buy you a new car and avoid any major repairs. I don't like the car you drive.

NATHAN: I like Grandpa's BMW. Brakes are disposable items. Any car new or old will need brake pads. Besides, with grandpa out of the country, the car would have been dormant in the garage.

MRS. GARLAND: If you change your mind let us know and we'll go to the Lexus dealer immediately. Also, If you decide the firm is becoming stressful we will support you if you decide to leave.

NATHAN: Mom, I like working for grandpa. If I am going to take over the company when I finish college, then I need to work there and learn everything about Garland Investments. There is nothing stressful about working part-time at my future business. I love grandma and grandpa. If you two cannot get along with them, I should not be placed in the middle. I love all of you. If we are going to have dinner once a week, I would really appreciate it if we could avoid any family-business conversations. Anything else is fine.

MR. GARLAND: Fine, we'll change the topic. If you and Katie decide to be more than friends, make sure you use a condom.

NATHAN: Dad!

MR. GARLAND: You said talk about any other topic. Add sexual relations to the list then.

The Vague Life of a Man

I live in the city
Tall buildings
Large population
And smog a-plenty

I work in a factory
Good products are made
My boss is nice
I keep the inventory

I have a red car
With brand new tires
Fuel efficient
And takes me far

My apartment is small
Two bed, bath and kitchen
A parking spot nearby
And that is all

I like reading books
And watch television
Sometimes go to the gym
Since I worry about my looks

Social media is all right
I have a profile
Videos, messages and friends
Follow me tonight

I met a woman
Had a red purse and dress
Good looking and nice
And perhaps a tan

I have a small family
Parents and siblings
A few friends around
Sometimes I get lonely

I'd like a whiskey on ice
To help me forget
About this hectic life
Another chance to roll the dice

Room for 7: utilities

NATHAN: Listen up everyone, I have a copy of everything due for this month for each one of you. It will show an equal, consolidated amount we all have to contribute to pay for the bills: Internet, water, gas, electricity, landscaping, trash, and pool maintenance.

(Hands out copies)

JACOB: $42.71. That's all? Cash all right?

NATHAN: I take cash, credit, PayPal, money order, and personal check. Though if the personal check gets rejected you will have to pay the fines associated with it.

EDDIE: Oh man, I only have Bitcoin.

NATHAN: I will look into cryptocurrencies if such method is preferred by you Eduardo.

SANDRA: I think he's kidding Nate.

EDDIE: Please call me "Eddie." Eduardo sounds so formal. It also sounds like when my dad was about to whoop me with the belt. Eduardo!

NATHAN: Ok, Eddie. Give me the money but no later than tomorrow please. I will give you a receipt.

DYLAN: Will it be a paper receipt or electronic?

(Everyone laughs)

NATHAN: Both actually. I have your e-mail addresses in file if you request going paperless.

KATIE: I want to go paperless!

NATHAN: Consider it done.

CARMEN: Not me. I want paper. If you look at my email banner on my phone you'll see over a thousand unread emails.

NATHAN: One thousand? I can't close my phone until I have checked every single one.

JACOB: You read all your e-mails? You are one weird dude. All I do is delete, delete, delete. If I get one from you man, I would probably delete it.

DYLAN: You know what I want to delete? My grades.

SANDRA: I want to delete myself from this centure for I belong in a different era.

EDDIE: Ok Miss Miniver Cheevy...I want to delete what i just heard.

NATHAN: Edwin Arlington Robinson. Very good refrence Edua--Eddie. Can I please have my money?

Miniver Cheevy (poem)

Dishes and Dreams

The year was 1997 when Pedro crossed the border from Mexico to United States. All his savings were used towards paying off the coyotes. The road from Mexico City to Tijuana was easy. The road from Tijuana to Calexico was challenging. The coyotes lead the way to a small fault on the fence. The coyote crawled under the fence when the sound of an SUV dissipated into the wind. Pedro was the last immigrant to go under the fence. Pedro followed the coyote to a spot behind a bush. They were told to stay down until the next SUV passed them. The coyote said it was important to run as fast as the could and to never look back for any reason and to never stop for anything. When the second SUV passed, the coyote and the immigrants ran as fast as they could towards the other fence. Pedro ran as fast as he could under the cover of darkness. The coyote made it to the other fence. Inches of metal separated Pedro to a better life. The fence was split from the bottom to a few feet to the top. As the coyote opened the panels of the fence, the immigrants entered into the city of Calexico. Once everyone was in, there was no going back. Four strangers crossed together and separated to different cities upon crossing. Pedro's only contact was his brother Joaquin in Anaheim.

     Pedro began the next chapter of his life as a dishwasher in a rather nice restaurant near Joaquin's apartment. He washed dishes, the bathrooms and parts of the kitchen on every shift. When the opportunity to acquire over-time presented, he took it without hesitation.

      All his clothes were purchased at thrift stores. Toiletries were bought at the dollar stores. When a tube of toothpaste reached the limit. Pedro split the tube with a knife and scrapped enough toothpaste for another two brushes. He bought groceries as cheap as possible. The only tine he ate chicken or steak was when the servers or the cooks at the restaurant made mistakes. His favorite was a well-done ribeye or an overcooked chicken breast. He took a cup full cup of coffee from the restaurant to reheat it in the morning. Leftovers were also taken home for his breakfast like soup, bread and side dishes. Aluminum cans were collected everyday on his way to work. Another small but meaningful source of income. Frugal was his life.

     One day on his way to work, Pedro noticed a banner in a high school which read "Free English Classes." Pedro enrolled and began his English education three times a week. It took him two years to learn the English language. Between school, watching movies with subtitles and asking people at work. He moved from being a dishwasher to a cook. His hourly rate increased and bought his first pair of Nikes.

    The teacher responsible of his English education suggested the next step of his education--his GED. The mornings were once again used for school. It was not easy since he was learning several subjects at the same time. Reading, writing, and problem solving increased dramatically. Within a year, he earned his GED.

    Pedro requested the assistance of an immigration lawyer to help him find a path towards legal residency. The lawyer suggested a work sponsorship. The general manager at the restaurant agreed to help him since he was the person who had to vouch for him. After thousands of dollars, paperwork filed, countless signatures and letters from his manager, he received one single letter from immigration for an interview. The interview was a success and Pedro received his long-awaited green card. As soon as he showed the document to his general manager, Pedro became the assistant manager at the restaurant. His salary allowed him to purchase his first car. A silver 2012 Honda Accord.

     The year was 2017. It was time for Pedro to submit his application for citizenship. At the same time he applied for a general manager position at another restaurant. Both applications were submitted the same week. The position for general manager became a reality. He was the person in charge of an entire restaurant. He was the boss. The salary allowed him to buy his first home. His position allowed him to take a vacation and travel. The first place he visited was New York City. He wanted to see the Statue of Liberty because it was the symbol of the American dream. A dream that became a reality. A dream which was further elevated when he passed his citizenship test. When he became a citizen of the United States, he celebrated with his brother Joaquin and his family and his old general manager. They went to a restaurant to celebrate. The plate used for the steak he ordered was similar to the ones he used to wash. He looked at it and reflected on his journey from Mexico to America. He cut into his medium steak and smiled. The End

American Spirit and the Weakening of Democracy

We take a stroll down democracy lane
Forty-five roads, this could be the last
Nothing matters except a chief starving for fame
Even if it means hurting us fast.

This country has seen uprisings and falls
Some at the mercy of wars
Sons and daughters risking their lives
For an era of alternative facts.

Allegations are ending careers in a flash
Many of them losing fame and cash
Yet the chief seems immune to it all
Like a great, beautiful and impenetrable wall.

The most difficult job is the administration
Whatever the chief says or does day and night
Whatever the past has exposed to the world
Requires a face of steel for justification.

Our views have shifted left and right
Arguments get nasty, civil, heavy and light
Whether support or oppose truth or lies
It can change friend and family ties.

A voice is a spell used for love and evil
Fear not, protection is granted by norm
Yet usage is controversial by the ears of us
Causing riots and protests to upheaval.

The chief is a fraction of the American pie
A bicameral power split, unbalanced and stagnant
Places a burden to people and neighbors around
And feels like representation is nothing but lie.

It may seem like a heavy burden
Your voice needs to be heard very loud
Red, blue or whatever you choose
Vote, demand, think, research and stay strong with the crowd.

It doesn't matter what side is chosen
It doesn't matter what beliefs one lives by
It doesn't matter who is in the house
The important thing is the support of each other
And demand rights to keep our country stronger than ever
And keep the spirit of the Constitution at heart
And love the red, white and blue forever.

Room For 7: of tips and men

EDDIE: (lays on couch) Man, what a night.

KATIE: What happened?

EDDIE: It was busy at work. I had so many tables I lost count. But the worst part was the tips. I got stiffed a couple times.

KATIE: Does that mean you didn't get a tip from them?

EDDIE: Yeah and It sucks. If you can't afford to tip, go to McDonalds.

KATIE: I don't really tip. Its not necessary is it?

EDDIE: Not legally. What do you mean you don't tip? You get tips from the coffee shop. I've seen your tip jar. I have put money in your tip jar. So you really don't tip when you go out to eat?

KATIE: No. I just don't see the need to.

EDDIE: Do you accept the tips from the coffee shop?

KATIE: Yes. But that's different.

EDDIE: How is that different!? If you believe it's not necessary to tip then you should not be accepting those tips. Its the same thing. The only difference is that I get taxed on all the food and drink people consume because the government has found a way to tax me on my tips. I get taxed so much, my checks are like I work for a few bucks an hour. I'm actually shocked. I live with a stiffer.

KATIE: Sorry, I didn't know servers got taxed so much. I'll tip next time, five percent.

EDDIE: I can't talk to you right now. (gets up and leaves)

KATIE: What did I say?

Creative Writing Study: Embodying Abstraction

Love: A card and flower on the table

Anger: The unknown dent on the car

Stress: Twenty minutes away to a meeting in five

Happy: The laughter of a child

Scary: A howl in the dark

Pollution: Acid rain deteriorating the stone building

Monday: A football game on a work day

Generosity:  A coffee paid by the person before me

Beauty: The moon reflected over the lake

Waste: Clean water down the drain

Healthy: Oatmeal for breakfast before a run

Sweet: Hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream

Old: A head full of wisdom under silver hair

Silence: The sound of leaves falling on the grass

Sad: The recent loss of a loved one

Loud: Windows shaking to the music

Ubiquitous: Finding a McDonalds or a Starbucks without a map or GPS.

Watch the Road

Don't text and drive
Fight the need to reply
Or you wont survive.

Don't be a fool
Wait 'til you park
Then you'll be cool.

Hands on the wheel
Eyes on the road
That is the deal.

A simple message
It sure can wait
and avoid wreckage.


     I would like you to share this poem with everyone. Click on the link below and download the pdf copy of my poem. Send it to your family, friends, co-workers and any person you can think of. You can also print it and post it at work, the office, and any place people can read it. Texting and driving is not only a crime but also dangerous to you and your fellow drivers.

  Watch the Road (pdf)

Room for 7: coffee and bacon

JACOB: Is that bacon I smell?

CARMEN: Yes, I'm making breakfast. Did you smell the bacon from your room?

JACOB: I sure did. If there is anything that'll wake me up is the smell of sizzling bacon.

CARMEN: Did you even smell the pot of coffee?

JACOB: I don't like coffee. I tried it and it was nasty. I even tried it with sugar and cream and nothing. There are three kinds of people in this world: those who like coffee, those who like bacon and those who like both...just like you.

CARMEN: That's the dumbest think I've ever heard.

SAMANTHA: (walks into the kitchen) Yes, coffee. Thank you so much for making coffee.

JACOB: WOuld you like some bacon?

SAMANTHA: No, you already know I'm a vegetarian.

DYLAN: (walks into the kitchen) Yum, bacon. Has everyone had some?

CARMEN: Dont eat all of it big guy. Would you like some coffee.

DYLAN: Nope, all I need is bacon.

KATIE: (Runs past kitchen and grabs bacon) Bye, Bye, Bye, I'm late, I'm late. 

JACOB: I guess she likes bacon. And since she works at a coffee shop, then she likes both.

EDDIE: (walks into kitchen) The bacon smells delicious. Is there any o.j.

NATHAN: Good moring everyone.

CARMEN: Good morning Nathan. Would you like some coffee or bacon?

NATHAN: No thanks. I'll just make myself some oatmeal and some green tea with honey.

CARMEN: There! He doesn't like either one.

JACOB: Wait, he's a nerd so he's is automatically disqualified.

The Bus

Public transportation
Waiting at the station
I pay my fare
The driver gave a stare
I just smile and walk back
I found a seat with a snack
Half eaten on the seat
Sticky, gross and not to eat
A woman dressed in colors weird
A man with a very dirty beard
A classy lady in a dress
Another like a princess
This is the price of lack of car
A slower trip to take me far
But a dollar and change or pass
Beats a payment and lots of gas

Toast to Drink

One drink in
Two drinks cling
Three drinks sing
Four drinks sin
Five drinks fall
I can't recall

Room for 7: the bathroom

SAMANTHA: (knocks on bathroom) Hurry up! You've been there for an hour!

DYLAN: Chill you crazy lady! I'm almost done. (flushes toilet, opens door) There! Just so you know, my body likes to eliminate solid waste in the morning.

SAMANTHA: What the hell die in there? Gross! We eat the same things. How can men make the bathroom stink like a sewer treatment plant?

DYLAN: I'ts a guy thing, get used to it.

SAMANTHA: Really, an iPad? So magazines and newspapers are not good enough for you.

DYLAN: I don't read when I'm in the toilet, I play Candy Crush. Helps me relax.

SAMANTHA: My nose is starting to sting. I'm going to pass out if I go in there.

DYLAN: You can either wait until the smell dissapears or go in and get ready for work. Wow, look at the time, you're gonna be late.

SAMANTHA: Fine! I hate you for this. I hope you get constipated with your lunch. (slams door)

NATHAN: Does she know we have two other bathrooms?

Creative Writing Study: "The Imaginary City of Knives"

The morning fog slices through the city and turns everything grey and dull. Even though the sun cannot stab its way through the dense fog, the residents rise early and crowd the city to work, study or shop. Those who walk the streets ignore one another as if they fashioned razor-sharp barbed wire around them or held a blade ready to attack any one who made any form of contact. Those who drive cut each other like a hot knife through butter as they were on a race to the bridge or the highway. Once the morning madness ends, the sun carves its way into the city and slowly shaves off the cold, bitter and hectic morning. The sun finally brings healing to the incisions caused by the morning rush with beautiful sights of tall buildings, trees, museums, cafes, the bridge and the blue vast ocean. Nothing can cut tranquility away from the men and women of the city any more.