“If only you could sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.” – Fred Rogers
Paco’s Tacos & The Garbage Truck
Farlo took a right onto Alameda. He straightened the truck out, and jammed the brakes. Unfortunately, he stopped in the middle of the road causing the car behind him to veer to left to avoid back ending the garbage truck. Veering to the right would have been a better course of action. The driven collied head on with Paco’s Taco food truck. Fortunately, both were traveling under the legal 30 MPH limit.
“You don’t know how to drive. I bet you don’t have a license,” said Joey G.
“Watch it, kid. Just because I gave you a name with an attitude, doesn’t give you permission to toss your attitude at me. Get out and get three bags of tacos from Paco. Use Martinez’s credit card. While you’re waiting ask Paco he knows the location of the crack house.”
“You are so prejudiced. How do you know the food truck operator’s name is Paco? The used it because it’s clever advertising. It’s easy to remember, ” said Joey G.
Farlo gave him a look. Then said, “I almost have my evening set up if we can rescue Harry J within the hour. Don’t mess this up on me. Take Tina with you for backup.”
Joey unbuckled, kicked around the Starbucks cups on the floor and the carry all. He got out, Tina followed.
“Where do you think you’re going?” barked Farlo.
“I’m going to get tacos and info,” said Joey G.
“Not until you police your garbage and clean your side of the car. You’re taking advantage of Martinez.”
“Me? You got to be kidding,” Joey G came right back.
“Tina!” growled Farlo.
Tina jumped on Joey G’s chest and went eyeball to eyeball, vicious mouth to quivering lips.
“Okay, okay, call her off. I’ll clean it up.”
“That’s better. Tina watch him,” said Farlo.
Ten minutes later Joey G returned to the garbage truck carrying three bags of tacos. Tina right behind him in case a taco dropped out of the overladen bags. He opened the door, climbed into the passenger seat. Tina crawled in behind him and waited for her feast. Joey put Tina’s bag between the driver and passenger seat. He didn’t have a chance to take the tacos out of the bag. Tina was all over it, like flies on flypaper, bear on honey, and plaque on un-flossed and un-brushed teeth.
“Well?” said Farlo.
“How did you know his name was Paco? Don’t tell me. I have more important information. The crack house is not a crack house. It’s a clothing store specializing in pants and underwear for plumbers. It’s just up the street.”
“I got to give them credit. Who would’ve figured that a crack house for plumbers would be a front for Manchurian mob?” said Farlo as a matter of fact.
“The Manchurian mob? Are they dangerous? What are they doing with Harry J? They’ll probably kill us. Can’t we say we tried and Harry J was collateral damage? Boy, these tacos are the best,” added Joey G.
Farlo took a bite, he turned to his right and saw Tina staring at him. Tina finished her six tacos and wanted to order seconds. Farlo took his bag of tacos and placed it on the floor. “Enjoy them girl. You earned it.”
Farlo put the garbage truck in gear and waved at Paco as he pulled by the food truck. Paco hollered, “Hey, the homeless creep who tried to tell me his name was Martinez didn’t tell me they was for you, man. Next time it’s on the house.”
“Not a problem, Paco. Give Maria and Paco junior a hug for me.”
“Will do, man. Be careful. There are some bad dudes in the crack house. They make me pay protection for selling on this street.”
“No more. You’re all paid up. I’ll talk to them,” said Farlo.
“You the man, Farlo. Anything I can do for you, you name it.”
“Adios, Paco.”
“Via con dios, Farlo,” said Paco.
Farlo drove under the speed limit down Alameda. He said, “It’s a bit more complicated. I promised Paco we’d convince the Manchurian mob to stop asking protection money.”
“Don’t forget about Harry J. How do you know Paco?” asked Joey G.
“It’s a long story. I’ll give you executive summary. I met him. I did him a favor. We have a history.”
“That’s an executive summary? You didn’t tell me anything,” complained Joey G.
“Exactly. Get your head in the game. The Crack House is up on the right.”
Farlo took a right down an alley way and at the end of the alley way, he took a left down another alley way. Trash was lined on both sides of the alley. He stopped the garbage truck behind the Crack House.
“Get out and start collecting garbage and putting it into the truck.”
“Why? I’m not a garbage man?” said Joey G.
“You are now, kid. Get into the part before I toss you into the garbage.”
“You ever hear of the word please?” asked Joey G.
“No. Move it.”
Will Farlo, Tina, and Joey G finally rescue Harry J? Will Farlo convince the Manchurian mob to stop collecting protection money from Paco? Who’s Filo?
Quote For Today, November 8, 2017
When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. When I let go of what I have, I receive what I need. –Lao Tzu
Do You Have The Fire?
Do you have the fire? Is it burning bright enough to drive you through today? Is it burning bright enough to overcome discouragement, disappointment, and failure? The fire is within you. Perhaps it is only a glowing ember. Fan the ember, turn the ember into a raging fire. to fuel your passion. The following short YouTube video is one man’s story of rising out of poverty to achieve his goals. He talks about failure. He talks about discouragement. And, he talks about perseverance and the courage to continue to fan the flames.
Quote For Today – November 8, 2017
When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. When I let go of what I have, I receive what I need. –Lao Tzu
Commandeer the Garbage Truck
“You’re so tight, you squeak when you walk. I want to get paid. Can you at least give me an allowance?” pouted Joey G.
Farlo, had the B & W in cruise control at 95 miles an hour through a series of hospital, residential, and high end shopping zones where the maximum speed was 30 miles an hour. He was talking on his cell phone, looking occasionally at Joey G, nodding his head, and then balanced the steering wheels between his knees and started texting. His traffic violations exponentially adding up.
Farlo continued texting. He turned toward Joey G. Joey G screamed, grabbed hold of the steering wheel and pulled it sharply to the right, avoiding getting broadsided by a city garbage truck. The B & W instead, went through the plate glass window of Rokowski’s finest jewelry. The B & W came a rest with its hood smashed into a case holding expensive diamond engagement rings.
“I suppose you’re going to scream at me and give me a gig for saving your life. I don’t care anymore. Gig me. Scream at me. Make me do pushups. It doesn’t matter.”
“I was talking to Filo. You came up in our conversation. That’s all you need to know. BTW, you passed the toughness test, Joey G. You don’t care anymore. Let’s go, we’ll commandeer the garbage truck. You commandeer it. Use Tina, I’ll be right behind you. This is your first solo test.”
“Filo was talking about me? I passed the toughness test?” Joey G, beaming with pride, was out of the B & W first, Tina followed Joey out the passenger door. He sprinted out of the jewelry shop and headed down 4th Ave toward the city garbage truck that was parked at the curb with the driver and her assistant pointing at the jewelry store.
It took one minute, thirty-three seconds according to Farlo for Joey G to reach the garbage truck.
Joey G came to stop in front of the garbage truck workers, he said, “Police, the name is Martinez, I’m commandeering the truck, we’re on an emergency call.”
The fully figured, radiantly beautiful, African American woman garbage truck driver said, “Not so fast Martinez, who’s going to pick the trash on 4th Ave? These people have an expectation of the garbage department. We have high standards even though we pick up refuse.”
Joey G looked around for Farlo. There was no Farlo. He looked around for Tina. Tina was two stops ahead sniffing at garbage bags from Bubba’s Barbeque Shoppe.
Joey G said the first thing that came into his mind, “Don’t worry about the garbage, we’ll take care of it as soon as we respond to the emergency.”
The garbage truck driver looked at Joey G. “You don’t look like a Martinez, you’re too white.”
“I’m full bloodied Mexican Senorita. If you have time, why don’t we meet at O’Rourke’s for a margarita after my shift, say 9 p.m.?”
“Only a cool Mexican dude would hand me that line. The truck is yours, cool Mexican dude, see you at O’Rourke’s.
Joey climbed into the cab of the garbage truck. He called for Tina. Tina came galloping down 4th Ave. In two bounds, she was in the truck, the remains of three mostly eaten beef ribs from Bubba’s Barbeque Shoppe in her mouth.
He put the garbage truck in gear when the passenger door opened. Farlo jumped in as Joey was pulling out. “Good work Kid. Who’s going to pick up the garbage? The city garbage department has high standards.”
“Martinez?” Joey asked.
“I’ve got her from 8 to 9. I have Margaret from 9:30 to 10:30 and Kelly from 11 to closing.”
“You’re nuts, they’ll kill you. You can’t treat them that way,” said Joey G.
“You think they’ll mind when I give them a ring from Rokowski’s?”
“You stole the rings? You’re a thief on top of everything else,” said Joey.
“Don’t call me a thief until you walk a mile in my shoes,” said Farlo.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” asked Joey driving within the legal speed limit.
“Who the hell knows. It usually works and generates lots of sympathy,” said Farlo.
“Thanks for the tip. Do you mind it if I occasionally use it?” asked Joey.
“Not at all,” said Farlo.
“I think I’m getting the hang of working with you. The garbage truck driver is meeting me at O’Rourke’s at 9. Do you have an extra ring?”
Farlo looked at his cell phone. It’s 7:40. I’ll never make it in time for Martinez. I’m going to call and move her to midnight to closing. I’ll move Kelly back to 10 to 11:45, and I’ll put Margaret in from 8:30 to 9:45. Don’t bother me while I text. It’s getting complicated.”
“Alameda is five minutes away. How do you want to handle the crack house?”
“I’m dealing in human relations issues, don’t bother me,” said Farlo.
How will Farlo juggle three dates on the same night? Will the rescue Harry J? Do they even care about Harry J? Who will pick up the trash on 4th Ave.?
Need Great Advice? Watch This Video
For most of my life I had a valued, trusted advisor, Babe, my wife. When she passed, I entered a vacuum, I trusted Babe to give me honest, objective advice. I trusted her to not pull the punches. And, she advised me. It didn’t matter if I wanted to hear what she said or not. She gave me her honest opinion. Now, I’m flying solo, where is my advisor? The speaker in this brief YouTube video gave me the answer. If you’re seeking excellent advice when making a decision, this YouTube video is for you.
I Don’t Want To Compound My Felonies
Farlo’s driving the black and white, Joey is in the passenger seat, Tina is sitting on Joey’s lap with her head hanging out the window. Her tongue flying in the wind, her ears flapping. Farlo ignores stop signs, red lights, orange turning red lights, photo enforced red light intersections and signs prohibiting left turns, right turns, U turns, and one-way streets. Joey’s eye lids appear to be super glued together.
“Let me know when we get to the crack house,” he murmured.
“I’m worried about you, Chico. You’ll get the sniff of crack and fall off the wagon,” said Farlo clipping an SUV stopping a red light.
“What’s eating you, Chico?” said Farlo.
“What’s with the Chico bit? My name’s Joey, not Chico. You clipped the SUV, are you going to stop and exchange papers?”
“Why, Chico?”
“Stop calling me Chico and get this thing off my lap,” Joey Demanded.
Farlo did a quarter turn of his head toward Joey, “Joey doesn’t work unless it’s matched with a last name. What’s your last name? I don’t remember you telling me.”
“I thought you knew everything about me. You’re not so smart. You act like a rabid dog. You don’t think things through. That’s why we’re in deep trouble. I do not want to be in the same cell as you when we go to prison. BTW, it’s Ginarco.”
“I like it. From now on, you’re Joey G. That’s a name with an attitude. Now act like it,” growled Farlo and he turned the black and white into a Starbucks lot. He parked the car, reached over to the glove compartment, fished around, smiled at what his hand touched and pulled out Martinez’s police department credit card.
“Let’s go in and order. We need our energy if we’re going hit a crack house. I’m going to get a half dozen of somethings with meat, eggs and cheese for Tina.”
“What if they ask for ID?”
“Where’s your attitude Joey G? Use it,” snarled Farlo.
Tina heard the words meat, eggs, and cheese and jumped off Joey G’s lap and headed to the back seat where she sat on her haunches eagerly expecting a lavish meal.
Farlo opened the door, got out, stretched his arms over his head, wiggled his back, heard it click in place and turned toward the car. He glared at Joey G sitting in the passenger seat, still buckled. “What do you think you’re doing Joey G? Get your butt out here or you don’t eat or drink.”
“I don’t want to compound the ten felonies we’ve committed.”
“I’m signing your name to the voucher. Your butt is cooked and I’m going to char it,” snapped Farlo.
Joey G unbuckled, got out of the B & W and slammed the door. “That’s it. Give me the card,” he demanded. His fists were clenched.
“You’re going have to take it from me. Let’s see how tough you are, Joey G.”
Joey G came rushing at Farlo, his eyes closed, his arms flailing, throwing punches from every angle. Farlo sat down on a chair at an outside table and watched Joey G flail off the sidewalk and fall onto the drive through roadway.
“Why didn’t you tell me I was going to crash?” Joey G said siting on his butt looking at the tear in his sweatpants, and dabbing at his bruised knee with part of the sweatpants fabric.
“You know who wore those pants before you? You might be dabbing an infectious disease into your system. You don’t think of possibilities, Joey G.”
“I do to.”
“Do not. I’m hungry. Let’s get some coffee, food and talk about what we’re going to do when we hit the crack house.”
Farlo and Joey G stepped into Starbucks. We’re here to get our coffee, grub, and rescue Harry J in the next forty-five minutes if I’m going to make it back in time to meet Martinez at O’Rourke’s. It’s doable if you don’t screw things up again.”
“How did I screw things up?”
“Do I have to remind you of your stupid karate move?”
“I was channeling Bruce Lee.”
“It looked like you were channeling Big Bird.”
“That was before I was known as Joey G.”
The beautiful dance major female barista looked at Farlo, then Joey G. He said, “Officer, this homeless bum with you?”
“No. He followed me in looking for a handout. His shopping cart is parked in a handicap zone.”
The barista, looked at Joey G, “Don’t give me any trouble.”
Farlo winked at the barista, and said, “If he does, I’ll use him for field goal practice. You give him a coffee and an egg sandwich on me.”
“Besides being the most handsome cop I’ve ever seen, you’re a humanitarian. I get off at ten, want to meet at O’Rourke’s?
Farlo gave the barista a smile that would melt an iceberg.”
“Everything’s on the house, what’s your name? Mine is Kelly. Here’s my cell number,” said Kelly scribbling her cell phone number on the back of the receipt.
“Farlo.”
“Not the Farlo. For real?”
“For real.”
“OMG,” Kelly clutched her heart with her two hands.
Joey G gasped, stifled an acid reflux, and headed for the restroom.
Five minutes later they were in the B & W and headed to Alameda and the crack house.
Will they rescue Harry J? Is it too late for Harry J? Did Joey G find his groove? Who’s Filo
Chase Your Dream – Don’t Quit
A dream is a dream until you and I make a commitment to achieve the dream. The dream may be far off, but each day, with committed effort, we draw closer to the dream. We won’t let discouragement stop us. We won’t let naysayers convince us to quit. We have a dream and the desire to chase it to the end. The following short YouTube video will inspire you to keep chasing the dream. Go For It.
He’s A Righteous Dude
Farlo slid to a stop, ten feet into the East wing. He pivoted, military style, turned and waited for Joey to reach him. Tina sat on her haunches. Joey walked toward them like the hunchback of Notre Dame.
“What do you think you’re doing, kid?”
“I’m getting into character,” said Joey.
“And, what character are you channeling?”
“Rocky, from the Rocky III or the Rocky IV or the Rocky V movie. I still trying to get it down.”
“You look worse than the old guy, Mickey, who played his trainer. If you’re going to run with the big dogs, you got to pick up the pace. It’s about time you developed a character with an attitude.”
“I don’t mind running with toy poodles,” said Joey.
Tina growled at the word, poodle.
Farlo grabbed hold of Joey’s bicep and squeezed, “Let’s go, Kermit.”
“Yeow! That hurts, let go of me. I am not a frog,” hollered Joey loud enough to cause two beefy looking attendants at the end of the hall to look up from their smart phones.
A baldheaded attendant with a swastika tattooed on his skull called out, “You need some help with that frog?”
“I’m not a frog. Ouch, let go,” said Joey.
Farlo yanked on Joey’s arm and started walking toward the attendants. Tina walked alongside Farlo, her eyes on the swastika dude. The other dude’s face was a cross between a pit bull and an angry Rottweiler.
Joey whispered, “You’re going to get us killed. They’re killers, I can tell.”
Farlo whispered back in his gravelly voice, “We got them outnumbered, they’re three of us. That is, if I count you. Counting you is against all reason and logic.”
“Don’t count on me. I want to make love not war,” said Joey.
“With your wimpy attitude you think you’ll ever have a woman fall for you? We both know the answer, so don’t make a lame excuse.”
“Where you going with this piece of crap masquerading as a frog?” the Nazi said.
“I’m Maxwell, this piece of crap can identify Harry J. Where is he?” Farlo commanded.
The Rottweiler dude said, “You’re not Maxwell. I know Maxwell he busted me for sexual assault, armed robbery, and attempted murder. I got probation because I only had ten priors. My partner is my intern. Who the hell are you?” The Rottweiler took a menacing step toward Farlo.
Farlo stood his ground, he let go of Joey’s arm. Tina sat on her haunches awaiting a command. Farlo put his right hand to his chin. Then said, “You got a mother?”
“So. Everybody got a mother.”
“She alive?”
“She’s doing time at the woman’s prison. You want to make something out of it?”
“No. I wanted to know where I send the sympathy card.”
“The Nazi took a step toward Farlo. You’re going to die and your mama ain’t going to get a sympathy card.”
Farlo said, “I wasn’t going to buy one, I was going to send an e-card. They’re free.”
“No kidding?” said the Rottweiler.
“I didn’t know that,” said the Nazi.
At that moment, Joey jumped two feet in the air, landed, stumbled, fell to a knee and came up in a karate stance he learned from watching an old Bruce Lee movie. “Hi Yee,” he screamed.
The two attendants started laughing. Farlo looked at Joey and shook his head. He turned back to the two mean dudes, “What do you say we get this done, then go out and have a beer. First two rounds are on me.”
The Nazi said, “You are righteous man. I got no quarrel with a dude who wants to drink with me.”
“Me neither. I can’t wait to tell mom about you when I visit her on Sunday,” chimed in the Rottweiler.
“Can I come?” Asked Joey.
“No,” The Nazi, Rottweiler, and Farlo said in unison. Tina barked.
“I’d like to help you out with Harry J. That was his room over there. But, they took him over to the crack house on Alameda. What’s your real name?” asked the Rottweiler.
“Farlo.”
“I’m sorry,” said the Nazi
“Me too,” said the Rottweiler.
“Don’t tell Filo on us,” said the Nazi.
“Don’t hurt us,” said the Rottweiler.
“Can we still have our beers?” they both asked in unison.
“Will this ever end? Who’s Filo?” asked Joey.
Farlo fist bumped the two guys. Pulled out his smart phone. He called Duffy, owner of Duffy’s. Told Duffy to let the two guys drink as much as they wanted and to put it on Filo’s tab.
Poor Harry J. Will they rescue him? Who’s Filo? Will Joey get his act together?
