Day 09 (Weds., June 8)

Before I start talking about photos and work today, I want to remember a quote Sal told me last year at some point during the summer internship. He said "man, you really don't hold back on what you put on the web site, do you?". Hell no! That's pretty much how I answered. When you meet me, or any of my different personalities, you get what you see. I don't hide anything and I don't act like something I am not. Ok fine, I try to act normal when I first meet people. But that doesn't seem to work either. My crazy dorkyness (is that a word) usually stands out. Anyways, with that thought in mind I would like to apologize to anyone who is my friend and/or I consider my friend. You're an influential part of my life if I ever get to talk about you on my journals and/or to my other friends. I make people my priority. I hold on to friendships very dearly and I like to share it with everyone. By reading my previous journals, you can see that I am pretty open about who, what, where, when, why and how I do things. Especially the "who" and "what" part. I really love to share important things with everyone because it makes me who I am. So, if any of you ever make the web site journal and I am offending you, please do not take it that way. I am just shining some light on what's important in my life. Things that are not important in my life don't even get mentioned. Anyways, I hope that those who were harmed in the making of this journal understand how important they are and that I am just showing people who and what I am all about. Ok, and as they say in Hollywood: "the show must go on!"

Today was really cool. I got a chance to follow two local celebrities -- Stampede quarterback Brian Villanueva and radio personality Jay Michaels. They were taking part of a program that delivered meals to the elderly this morning. The photo that I submitted is scheduled to run "big" on the front page of tomorrow's paper. I hope it does because it's a good one. This is my professor Todd Bigelow and my former photo editor Roberto Sanchez' teachings. They taught me all about composition and moment. Arthur Spragg, one of the three staff photographers here at the Standard-Times calls this "MOS" as in moments of significance. Since the football player was delivering food to the elderly, the photo below fits PERFECTLY! There you see Mrs. Rice in the middle "wowing" at the sight of the starting quarterback while volunteer Evelyn Estes pulls on his jersey to show her who this big guy at her porch is. Professor Bigelow has three requirements for a good photo: 1. composition. 2. light. 3. moment. I think I got all three on this one. I guess busting my butt this past semester really paid off. Thanks prof.

Later on I was sent out to the local country club. It got hot! It was very hot and I was dying. Man, you can tell I am not from around here. I was sweating and shinny as I ran around the club shooting photos. Then again, I was the only idiot wearing pants on a hot day. Everyone had on their cool shorts and all. Oh well. I shot the following photo. Not the greatest, I know.

I was starving when I got home. That's when I realized how long I have been in San Angelo. Today's my one-week anniversary of my arrival. Man, I can't believe how quick a week can go when you are learning and doing fun things. I have been working for six consecutive days and I am not tired at all. One indicator that I have been here for a week was that my fridge is completely empty. So, I decided to go do a little grocery shopping. This place is sooooooooo cool. It reminds me of my home in Tepexpan, Mexico. I can walk to the grocery store and come back while seeing just a few cars. I walked to the store and it was so peaceful. Too peaceful, if you ask me. It's making me real concerned how peaceful it is around here. It's changing who I am. For example I have no idea how to act since I like to be quick, loud and obnoxious. I don't want to scare people. It's just hard to know what and how these people live around here. I hope I don't learn about them when it's too late and I must go home. It's just hard to even talk to them. They are too friendly. Kinda scary for a big city boy like me. I had trouble coming up with the right thing to say to the pretty girl at the store that smiled at me as we crossed paths on the isles a few times. Dang, I can't believe that. Well, since this is a small town and all, I am sure to see her again. Who knows? Maybe next time I'll have the right thing to say. For now, just smile timidly and act like if she's not "that" cute. Ha!

While doing some of my grocery shopping I remembered that there is still a lot of missing things in my kitchen. I don't have a lot of utensils as I left most of my stuff up in Dallas last winter. I am hoping to get them back soon so that I can have more stuff to work with. Well at least I got a spatula, hahaha. Those of you who know me from last summer know that I kept on forgetting to buy a spatula. Everything (from forks, knifes and spoons) served for the cause in the kitchen last year. It's funny how I have been managing to eat off 2 flat plates, a coffee mug, a cup and a set of utensils. When I come back from Fort Worth later this month, I will have all my kitchen set again. It's funny, this week I have been eating cereal on a cup. Haha. Today while shopping at the grocery store I bought me a bowl so that I can eat my cereal right. But in deciding what bowl will fit me right, I came up with a great idea. Today, since I have been labeled as a "dogg" by many womyn who know me, I felt I'd give y'all (as they say here in West Texers) something to fit your description of Who? Leo! (That's Julio, if you're slow) I bought me a doggie bowl, which is pictured below. I don't care what people call me. If I am a dogg, then I am a dogg. I guess I shouldn't challenge anyone's opinion on me. Even if it's a bad and inaccurate one. I once heard a great quote that said "I don't care if you talk good or bad about me.. just, please, talk about me". That's how I like it. If someone is talking about me, then I made an impact. When you stop talking about me, then I'll worry. Man, I am so arrogant, aren't I? Well, that's the type of person I am. I am not your cookie-cutter type. I do what I want, when I want. I love to take risks and learn from them. I guess it's a good thing that I am single and don't have any kids. I get to do what I want. Otherwise, I'd look like a bad parent, who doesn't know how to take care of his kids. I broke the stereotypical look of your average Chicano or Mexicano. I am beyond 25, have yet to get married and no kids. Sad to say, that's a huge goal in my society. I've beaten the odds and not just a statistic. I like it. I am proud of it. And I guess I am arrogant for saying so. If not arrogant, then a dogg as most have labeled me for doing what I want, when I want. So with that in mind here's what I had for dinner:

Huevos rebueltos, some kind of meat and roasted corn. YUM! The food of champions.

This was my breakfast, lunch and dinner as I was so busy today that I didn't even had a lunch break.

This dawg is refined. Only quality at this table. Arriba el America (Go America!)

That's the life of a dawg. The one who people want to stay away, but cannot. The one your mother warns you about. The type who is so crazy that puts his stuffed animal to eat off the same dish -- but will refuse. (hey Tania, how's this for a CM fix? You thought you've seen all the cool Cookie Monster pictures, huh? Think again.)

That's who I am. Arrogant, doggish (is that a word?), crazy foo Who? Leo!

I'm done. Good nite!

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