the bad news week

So, you know when you get bad news and you think, nothing can top this? I totally wasn't even thinking that thought when I got my bad news, but somehow, I just kept getting more.

It started when I found out Azten, my boss's husband who's been in jail since March for possibly being involved in a double homicide after a drug deal gone wrong, received a letter in the mail that had my name and birthdate on it under the subtopic of OTHER CHARACTERS. I was now an official witness in Azten's trial case.

Apparently, one of the defenses is that Azten was working at the flower shop on the day the murder happened and I was the only one who saw him at the time of the murder. There's security camera footage, from the building that I work in, that shows me answering the phone, going outside and bringing in a large package. What was in the box and who delivered it to me? Hell, if I remember! But I do know it wasn't filled with drugs or a dead body. At least, I think so. I can't remember. The camera didn't show who or what dropped off the package but Azten claims it was him.

On top of having a life or life sentence decision hanging over the top of my head like a gloomy bad day rain cloud, I also found out my services were no longer needed at 520 Living Magazine, the magazine I wrote for. I had spent the better part of the month trying to get in contact with someone at the magazine, to figure out if we had any upcoming meetings for story ideas and when I would be receiving a paycheck for the last two stories I wrote. Finally, an answer came. It was Freddie, the art director.

Larry, the publisher and the guy who personally hired me, failed to come up with the money to publish the summer issue. He only managed to have enough for twenty copies, which he had planned to use as an example show future advertisers. Being that the first day of Autumn has just passed, I have no idea what an advertiser would see in a summer issue that never came out. On top of not being able to print out the summer issue, writers weren't paid. Neither were the photographers or anyone else that worked for the magazine. What happened to the money from the past advertisers? I have no idea. What happened to Larry? Well, he now works as the assistant manager at a Lowe's Hardware store.

A class action lawsuit is being filed against Larry and Dollarworks Publications, and though I know I should join my fellow writers and staff against the unfair treatment, I doubt any of us will ever see a single cent. So, is it even worth it?

But the biggest bad news I got this week was when I found out my friend Hadassah refused to put in a good word for me towards a job I really want. As some of you may know, Gwen, the coffee manager across our little flower shop is leaving in mid-December to be the manager of a clothing store in Milwuakee. The store would be owned by the sister of her current boss, Mike Lightyear, and Gwen personally suggested me as the clothing buyer based on my own personal style alone. It would be a fantastic opportunity, which would only be better if Mike Lightyear's secretary and right-hand man, my friend Hadassah, would give a recommendation. Except, she doesn't want to.

Hadassah has been coming up with the lamest excuses, like, my services are needed at the coffee shop to create new items for the menu or to write the menu on the chalkboard with my "perfect" penmanship. Okay, I'll admit, I've created a couple new sandwiches by suggesting some ingredient changes and my "R's" are kinda cool, but still! That shouldn't be the reason that keeps me from a great job opportunity. And I know that her excuses are to keep me from leaving Tucson, but shouldn't a friend help support another friend, rather than keep them in town for their own selfish reasons?

the anniversary party

Once upon a time, many years ago (25 years, to be exact) a prince followed his heart and married a young maiden, despite his family objections.

No one from the prince's family believed the prince's marriage would last, until one day, his beautiful princess bride revealed she was with child. A little baby boy named David was born. He was an absolute joy and the most absolute perfect baby of all time.


In fact, it's been said, that his magical smile and unforgettable laughter helped smooth out the strained relationship between both his parent's families, allowing them to live in peace. Who knew, his powers of charm would be needed once again?

The anniversary party began almost a week ago, as my entire family cleaned and decorated our entire backyard and prepared the food for the anniversary party this past Sunday.

Drama had already begun, when my mother had to tell last minute RSVP-ers that they could not come, since this was a formal sit-down dinner with only so much seating and so much food. One of the people most upset, was my Tia Marie.


She had invited all our family from Texas and was super pissed when my mom had to tell her to dis-invite family. In fact, she sat throughout the entire dinner with her arms crossed, claiming she wasn't hungry or thirsty. Talk about being an over-grown brat!

Then there was the issue with the party coordinator. She felt that the head table had to be special and stand out, so she used a cotton candy pink and white striped tablecloth. Sure, it was a garden party, but aren't candy-looking tablecloth better for a circus than an anniversary?

At least, that's what my Tia Daisy thought. She and the coordinator had a big verbal fight over what the head table should look like, and it wasn't until I suggested we move the odd-looking table to the middle, which would change the head table but still keep the weird tablecloth, that peace was restored in our backyard.


I don't know what the hell the coordinator was thinking when she suggested the ugly tablecloth, and I felt bad that the servers my mother hired had to deal with her for the next few hours. According to them, she was a monster inside our kitchen walls.

The hours devours were not allowed to be served until a certain time, which meant guests that arrived early, would have to sit around outside and wait. The appetizers waited for so long, they ended up getting soggy and messy, which ruined the first hour of the party.

That and the unexpected guests.


People brought their dogs. Which wouldn't have been a pain, but they weren't even cute dogs and they weren't even trained to be still or quiet.

The mariachi band we hired arrived late and didn't know the words to some of classic songs.

And our little old German lady neighbor gave the oddest toast: "Here's to Mike and Ruthy and another 25 years. Well, ten, actually, since that's when our Savior comes back to earth."

I did my best to try and keep the party easy and laid-back by helping serve the drinks and food, start conversations between friends and family and being an all-aroun-charming-go-to type of guy. It wasn't my job, but I knew it had to be done. All in all, we really should have stuck with our original plan: a trip to Hawaii, with my parent's renewing their vows at sunset at the beach. Because, the more you try to make something perfect, the more un-perfect it becomes. My mom tried to have the perfect anniversary dinner and nothing went as planned. Which is kind of expected when you come from a family that is known to be loud and unexpected (hello, we are Mexican). Still, when you can make Spanish Fly from lemons, can you really complain? Lesson learned.

Next time, we eat Taco Bell in Hawaii and call it a day. Or a party.

until then, for now...

So, I know I said I would be more active in posting blogs, but these past couple of weeks, have taken their toll on me. Firstly, my boss Alice gave birth to a new baby boy.

On August 28, weighing at 7 lbs. and 13 oz., baby Alexander James was born. While his father, Azten, stayed in jail. If that wasn't a sign to leave your cheating spouse who continues to associate with shady characters that allow him to miss the birth of his first son (actually Azten has a son with his first wife, but this would have been his first with Alice), then I don't know what is. Alice, of course, doesn't see it this way, and continues to believe once Azten's trail date rolls around in December, life will be perfect. Until then, I have been put in charge of the flower shop.

It's been a little stressful, dealing with customers, impossible floral orders and a cooler that broke down last Thursday, but so far I've managed to keep up the shop while Alice is out on maternity leave. And even though it hasn't been my cup of tea, the one thing I can appreciate is the fact I know I do not wish to continue a career in the floral business.

As I came to this conclusion, another career opportunity presented itself to me. Gwen, the coffee barrista we all love but can never have, asked me what I thought about becoming a fashion buyer/manager for a new clothing store her boss's family was thinking about opening. Judging solely how I dress at work, Gwen thought I would be a perfect choice to help start the store. It sounded like such a great opportunity, until, Gwen told me where the store would open up at: Milwaukee, WI. That's right. I was asked if I would consider moving 1800 miles away to open up a store, which would be a cross between Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters and Buffalo Exchange.

It's all I've been able to think about for the past couple of days. That and my parent's upcoming 25th anniversary party. It's this Sunday and our house has been a whirlwind of designing and rearranging our entire house to accomodate all our family and friends. That in itself is taking its toll on my parents as my mom's guest list continues to expand, stressing my father even more. He originally wanted a party with sub sandwiches and a mariachi band, but my mother went for the formal route, with actual silverware and waiters. After Sunday, I'll be able to actually think a little more clearer, but until then, wish me luck!