June 16th, 1971/ Mama gave birth to a hellraising heavenly son…
It’s Tupac’s 44th birthday. Reminds of high school where for two years I had either Me Against the World, All Eyez on Me or The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory in my car stereo. Yeah, rolling around the Central Valley in a lifted Toyota Pickup or LandCruiser while bumping the greatest of all time. I’m not even sure why I was drawn to him. Probably because I was playing basketball at the time and almost all my teammates were into rap music. In retrospect, even when I stopped playing ball I still listened to him primarily even though most of my newfound friends were into Pink Floyd, Metallica, Nirvana and the like. I guess it was just the times, and I guess I had a pretty eclectic group of friends.
I eventually moved on from Tupac and added Springsteen to the mix while I was in college and Billy Bragg through a former girlfriend. The singular thread between the three is they’re all good lyricists and pull for the common man. They deal with the human condition. At least that’s my story.
**
It’s still technically spring, but if you live in the Central Valley, you’ve already felt the triple-digit heat. I’m actually more acclimated this year because I’ve been outdoors and walking around during the day. That’s not to say it’s not still absolutely scorching. Still skipped out on the County Fair. It’s just too hot and I’m not 10 years old anymore. Loved it back in the day. Actually won a few stuffed animals shooting at the bent basketball rims.
**
Game Six of the NBA Finals just kicked off between the Warriors and Cavaliers. Two minutes have gone by in the first quarter and Cleveland is up 5-2 in the game.
I loved playing back in the day. It was around this time of the evening when the sun went behind the Boys and Girls Club building and pine trees and you could finally play in the relative cool of the shade. We’d play until midnight sometimes when the light shut off. There were nights we’d even shoot in the dark. Working on muscle memory, I guess.
**
I’ve been easily annoyed with people lately, but it’s mainly people who are insincere. Pretentious. “Phonies” as Holden Caulfield would say. I’m not even a big fan of that book. But there are certain people who have a certain tone in their voice where I can’t believe anything they say. That, and some of their stories just don’t add up. I’d rather hang out with someone who didn’t speak much but spoke their convictions. I’m okay with awkward silences.
**
Been writing a bit but not enough to keep me happy. It might be time to go on the wagon again to concentrate on finishing these projects. Couple short stories and novellas. I’m almost done converting an old novel I have into a novella. Basically just concentrating on the first third of the book. I could always add the latter chapters to the saga if I want. (Golden State went on a run. They’re up 23-15 with 1:42 left in the first quarter.)
I’m thinking of making a collection of Mien American stories. It’ll be along the same line as Aiiieeeee!: An Anthology of Asian American Writers and The Big Aiiieeeee!. I would have to get better connected to some of the Mien writers, but I think it could be fascinating, now that Mien people have been in America for four decades. There has to be overlap of a few different generations. There has to be several perspectives: people who grew up in cities versus small towns, the white collar workers and the laborers, those who still farm versus those who have never had a home garden.
Hmm, that’s something to put on the to-do list.
**
I’m starting to think I’m not made for small towns. I need to have more people around so I don’t recognize everyone I bump into. It’s beneficial sometimes, but so is anonymity. I can’t remember the last time I walked into a bar in this town and didn’t recognize at least one of the patrons or the bartender. I need more places to be alone besides just my house. Oh well, it’s been more than three years since I’ve been back, so I’ll probably be headed out soon. Where to for the next adventure? The possibilities are endless. Maybe the Midwest or the North. I’ve never lived in either place and have had very little exposure to either. Maybe Vermont or the South. Hmm. I’ll have to do more research.
**
Golden State is up 39-33 with 3:23 left in the first half and it might be the last game of the season.
I apologize for any typos, bad grammar, etc.
Good night,
Mister Saechao
Mister Saechao 
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