He’s Channeling Dirty Harry

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Three tough looking dudes and one tough looking dame came out the back door and stared at the garbage truck first, Farlo second, and Joey G third. The dame stepped in front of the two dudes and spoke to Farlo, “What gives? Trash pickup isn’t until tomorrow.”

Farlo said, “I know that. You know that. You know who doesn’t know that?”

The tough dame said, “Who?”

“The city. The buffoons who run this show are squeezing the crap out of the little guy. They got us working a double shift. It’s thrown everything off.”

The taller of the tough dudes said, “I think he’s right. There sons of bitches down there. I remember when I was busted for dealing dope, they didn’t let me call my lawyer for twenty-four hours.”

Farlo said, “You still selling? My partner and me can use some.”

“It depends,” said the taller of the two tough dudes.

“Depends on what?” said Farlo.

“How much cash you got,” said the taller of the tough dudes.

The smaller of the tough dudes and the tough dame were now interested in the conversation.

“Let’s see the color of your money,” said the taller of tough dudes.

“It’s green. Don’t give me the stuff you watch on cable TV. I’ve been around the block. I don’t think you’ve got drugs. You want to take my cash. Not going to happen taller of the tough two dudes,” snapped Farlo.

“Wait a minute old dude. How do you know my name?” said the taller of the tough two dudes.

“Who you calling old dude? I hope you were talking to small piece of crap next to you and not me. Because if you were talking to me I’m going to give you Harry Morton’s number.”

“Who’s this Harry Morton? He wants some drugs?” asked the taller of the tough two dudes.

“He’s over on Rey Street, he’s an undertaker. Because you and your two stooges are going to be laid out there. He does the pro bono work for the city.”

Joey G had worked his way back and opened the passenger side door, “What are you doing. These guys are bad. Let’s get out of here.”

“Go back to the last pile of garbage you picked up and see if you dropped your attitude in there,” growled Farlo. Tina said, “Grrrrrrr.”

Joey G ran around the front of the garbage truck. He stopped in front of Farlo’s door. He spread his legs apart, he placed his hands on his hips and stared at the two tough hombres and one tough mujer. “You want a piece of him, turkey. Maybe I should say gerbils, you have to come through me. If you want to come through me, you’re going to be in rehab for the next five years.”

Farlo reached out the window and tapped Joey G on the shoulder, “What the hell are you doing?”

Joey G half turned his head around and said, “I’m channeling Clint Eastwood from one of his Dirty Harry movies.”

“You know they were movies, right?” said Farlo as he opened the door. Farlo stepped out of the garbage truck, pushed Clint Eastwood or Joey G, take your pick, aside.

“You want a piece of him, you’re going to have to come through me,” snarled Farlo, taking an aggressive step toward the three stooges.

The tough dame took a step forward, “I’m not afraid of you, old dude. Before I take you out, I have a question.”

“I only have time for one question, so don’t try to sneak two questions in to your one question. I can spot the double question as easily as a robin finds a worm. But if you got a question and want an answer, I got a question for you. I’ll ask mine first, then you can ask yours second.”

“Yah,” said Joey G backing up Farlo.

“That’s not fair, I said I had a question first, so I should go first,” said the tough dame.

“Yah,” said the two tough guys in unison.

Farlo said, “I got back up in the front seat. You want a piece of her there won’t be enough left of you to stuff a turkey on Thanksgiving.”

The smaller of the two tough guys said, “There’s only one dame who’s tougher than us and it’s the tough dame right here.”

The tough dame did an Arnold Schwarzenegger body builder’s pose and flexed her right bicep.

Joey G whispered to Farlo, “She’s got great guns.”

“You three really want to dance? You can save yourself a lot of pain by packing up and moving out of town. Before you do, I want to know where you’re parking Harry J.”

Joey G whispered, “Offer to have a beer with them like you did earlier with the Nazi’s.”

Farlo whispered back, “Channel the caped crusader.”

“I don’t like Batman. I like Ironman.”

The three stooges locked arms, stood in front of the door. The tough dame said, “You want Harry J, you’re going to have to come through us.”

Will Farlo, Tina, and Joey G rescue Harry J? Will they find out why Harry J is so important? What is Filo’s role in all of this? Who is Filo?

Quote for Today – November 9, 2017

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“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

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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

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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?

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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

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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

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“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

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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

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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

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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.

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