Book of D: Furry Baby Seeking Its Human 'Rents

   

Book of D: Happy June Pride Month 2022

 

  

Book of D: A Day of Mourning Loved Ones

My brother-in-law Jabier (J) lost his last-living brother, Jesus (Chuy), today. I am so sad and sorry for my b-i-l. Jabier was born into a large family (11 siblings) and is the baby; something I can relate to being the youngest of my own family of six siblings (now five). It is a scary feeling to be the youngest with odds positing that you, as the baby, will outlive your parents and siblings. It is a burden that brings great despair and despondency. Anyway, with gratitude and privilege, I can say I met J's mom and dad, both whom have been deceased for a while, and all his brothers and sisters. His parents were very nice people. His mom always offered me something to snack on whenever I visited. His dad was quiet but welcoming. His siblings were all different but each one was funny and mindful. To date, my bro-in-law J has survived five brothers and three sisters. J is now the lone brother to two living sisters. 

It is sad how such a large family can dwindle to just a trio. My heart breaks for J. He is like a brother to me; he has been in my life so much more than my own blood brother was; my brother passed away last June (2021). J has been like a father to me, too. I had a wonderful father, but he passed away much too soon, so J, in essence, became a paternal role model for me. My bro-in-law took on many roles in our own family. He was a source of strength whenever our family needed him to be. He never asked to help, he just dove in and did whatever he could; often filling in any gaps left by sorrow, financial burden, or other life-hewn complications. J's ability to be there for others is stellar. I admire him very much. Watching him mourn another loved one, a sibling, is difficult. But, I will be there for J as much as I can; hopefully able to fill in any gaps without having to be asked to do so. Like J would do and has done for me and mine. Rest in peace, Jesus (Chuy) Hernandez.

Book of D: I Have A Lot to Say But Words Escape Me

It's been a lot. 

Without having to remind anyone of the issues plaguing our world recently, it just a lot! 

The sadness is often stifling but always maddening. It pisses me off to no avail!                                    

So much sorrow, but not enough empathy. 

So many excuses but not enough change for the betterment of the whole. 

Individualistic views supersede familial mores. 

It's a fucking madhouse, and nothing is copacetic. 

I don't dare hold my breath for when things will ever matter.

Book of D: Broken Hearts in Uvalde, TX - Forget "Thoughts and Prayers" - We Need "Policy and Change"

I was prepared to write about tonight’s final episode of “This Is Us,” but the shootings in Uvalde, Texas superseded everything I had hoped to say about the wonderful television series. Instead, I find myself mired in ambiguity and angst. I find myself talking about more needless deaths because of bad policymaking. Those fucking “thoughts and prayers” comments are a cacophony of bullshit cited by heartless, sycophantic politicians who would rather protect the 2^nd amendment than the lives of their constituents by continuing to ignore “policy and change” regarding gun control. It’s freaking madness. The GOP is lame and hellbent on telling children which books they can read, which bathrooms they can use, and which pronouns they can chose instead of protecting them - literally, from guns.

The GOP has a long history of shamelessly trying to convince people that something very sinister is transpiring, and that only the Republicans can save them. OMG. The audacity of these old WASPS. No wonder the younger gens are turning against the “grand old party”: the GOP is nothing but a bunch of old, vile, Jim Crow-loving, racist, angry, scared boys. They would rather take away a woman’s right to choose than to enact sound gun laws. Look, no one wants to take away anyone’s right to bear arms, the thing is that no one needs to have a stockpile of guns, even if it is protected by the 2^nd Amendment, because some right-wing nuts are supposedly scared of the very government they want to control and overthrow. . . remember the Capitol insurrection of January 6, 2021 (rhet.). Unsettling as it is, the research shows that white men are stockpiling guns mostly because they're anxious about their ability to protect their families, insecure about their place in the job market, and beset by racial fears. Moreover, people stockpile because they’re mounting some sort of resistance while others get a sordid rise out of a finely tuned machine that can pierce a distant target, cut down an animal or intruder with a single precise shot. For many, it is a bully’s toy of black plastic and metal that delivers a gratifying blast of adrenaline while delivering an imprudent embodiment of an antiquated Americana. 

Book of D: YT Influencers - Don't Throw Shade at Hard Work & Job Application Etiquette

I follow several YouTubers. It's the current nature of the beast, is it not, to be influenced by YT. It's not your grandmother's YouTube anymore, y'all. Anyway, this particular YT influencer (Shawn Spencer of Spencer Lawn Care) reminded me of something: don’t throw shade at those who work hard and are able to afford nice things in life. The YT influencer mentioned how some of his viewers have made snide comments about the stuff he and his wife Savanaha buy. The viewers have said things like “you buy a lot of stuff other people can't even afford a house.” 

It made me do an eyeroll, but it sounds about right these days when some people are too quick to make negative comments and assume that people with nice things didn’t work their butts off to afford such things. The Spencer wife-husband duo have worked hard for what they have. I have been watching their YT channel for years. I wish they lived in Midland, Tx, and I would def hire them to take care of my lawn. I love the Grounds Guys who currently handle our lawn care, but if the Spencer's were here instead of in Canton, OH, I would fire the GG and hire SLC. Anyheooow, I have had people make smarmy comments about what my spouse and I have or what we can afford to do and what great jobs we have. We've had our ups and downs, but like I told the YT influencer, it is no one's business. 

BTW, this YTuber (Shawn) also mentioned how some people don't pay attention to or care about how their job applications / resumes look when applying for a job. I also commented on that. I don't look down on people who lack the skills to properly create and format a resume or those who lack the skills to fill out an application. Good grammar does not a good, hard worker make. The disconcerting thing is that there are tons of free resources available to help job hunters with resume writing and filling out applications, but they just don't use them. It's so sad, too.

I commented the following on Spencer's YT channel, “As a person who works in higher education, it is perplexing to me how people are not more mindful when applying for a job. Regardless of the type of job, a person really should take more care about submitting a resume and such. We have had a few applicants, mostly for student-worker positions at the university I work for, who submitted applications that looked like they were students in grade school (SMDH). Anyway, good job reminding others how hard you and TQ work for what you guys have; honestly, it's no one's biz what y'all can afford to buy and such, but good going explaining that you haven't always had it easy. BTW, I def believe in karma and reaping what one sows. My late Mom always told us that no one leaves this good earth without paying for their sins. He is always watching. Keep mowing, keep growing ... you know the rest.”

Book of D: This is Almost It for "This Is Us" - Go, Ken, Go

Seriously. Using a train as a metaphor to represent the journey that is life was genius. I love and adore this show. I have been an avid fan and viewer since it started several years ago. The series has literally provoked every fucking emotion imaginable from my being. I freaking love that. So, with airing of the series' penultimate episode 'The Train' (Season 6, Episode 17), many thoughts were awakened. The episode incited many memories of times I lost a loved one. For example, I was taken back to when my Mom died - especially to the night before she died. It was all kinds of feels time. I was able to watch the episode alone since my spouse has been on a business trip with her employees. It actually worked out well that I watched 'The Train' episode alone. I needed to embrace certain thoughts and come to certain conclussions. I sort of embraced closure regarding certain events. It was such a poignant episode. It bothered me slightly when Rebecca saw Miguel, and he said she was still his favorite person in the world, and she responded with a flip gesture, then he just disappears. I get it. Miguel always cared deeper for Rebecca than she did for him. She was his one true love, whilst Rebecca's one true love would always be Jack. But, in the hour of serious pondering and questioning the realm of heaven, just who the fuck do we actully end up with in this so-called heaven. Seriously, folks, there are many questions that need answers by those who believe in a heaven. Who gets to be with who up there. And it is really north of us. When we die, do we get to live out all eternity with our parents, siblings, lovers, spouses, cousins. Just because we might want to reunite with our mom or dad in heaven doesn't really mean we will get to do that, right? Because what if their wish is to reunite with their parent. I mean, who the hell gets to be with who. It's just not logical at all to believe in a heaven. It is nonsensical. It's yet another man-made false promise to get people to be nice while they are here on earth: to be good humans for a possible reunification reward with loved ones. That's the very reason religion was created: to keep us humans in check. I don't know that I buy the idea of a heaven. A big part of me tends to believe that when we die, we just die and our bodies just decompose to become worm food. 

 ANYWAY . . . back to "This Is Us." So, at the end of her life, Rebecca was finally able forgive herself and find forgiveness from others who held key positions in her life. It has truly been a sublime series. But, it's what we've come to expect from "TIU" producer Ken Olin. Olin has been paramount in providing viewers quality storylines and loveable characters. After all, he first captivated our hearts in the late 80s as Michael Steadman in "Thirtysomething." And, who in the world can ever forget the episode when Gary dies. Ughhh. The heartbreak and jaw aching performance. Please, Ken Olin, bring us another masterpiece soon. 

Book of D: Fuel Prices in Midland, Texas - DAMN!

Before heading home from work on Wednesday evening, I fueled up Chewy II at the Sam's Club in Odessa, which is close to campus. The picture says it all ($45.20 for just 9.744 gallons, $4.63/gal. DAMN!). Even purchasing fuel as a Sam's Club member doesn't garner much of a discount. But, if high fuel costs help Ukraine win the war, then it's definitely worth it. As we all know, Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has driven up gas prices and food prices all over the world. A$$hole!

Book of D: End-of-the-Semester Appreciation Luncheon

Today, our Department of Student Affairs and Leaderhsip (DSAL) had it's end-of-the-semester luncheon. Our UT Permian Basin DSAL consists of about 65 people; several other departments on campus have been merged with DSAL, so it is a large group. I saw a few colleagues whom I had not seen for a while. I was so happy. Awards were given out and our Vice President of DSAL Dr. Becky Spurlock spoke about the many accomplishments we made, collectively and individually. For me, the Elimination of Tobacco Use (ETU) at the University of Texas Permian Basin was mentioned for having been nationally recognized as an outstanding program. 
And, we got nice gifts, too, like this tumbler. 

Later on following a yummy lunch, which was highlighted by the delicious Cordon Bleu, we were led by the Associate Dean of Students through a cooperative game of "tap a person who . . ." where everyone in the room remained seated with their eyes closed and five people were chosen at a time to walk around the room and tap a person who met a certain criterion (e.g., someone who is a good listener, someone you would like to get to know better, someone who makes you laugh, etc.). This was done for a total of about seven cycles. I was tapped several times, which was good; otherwise, I may have been triggered over not getting tapped. LOL. Kidding. It was actually a really good game.  

Changing the subject a bit, an odd thing occured upon arriving on campus this morning: I entered the building (the Falcon Center) where my office is located, and I heard people talking, but they were not in the first two offices, it sounded like they were in my office, which is the last office before you enter the conferenc room. It turns out that the gentleman (John) who is taking over the Coordinator of Student Veteran & Foster Alumni Services (VFA) position was allowed to work from my office since I have been telecommuting. It's okay that he is using my office, I guess. At the end of the day, I am a team player and do not mind sharing, but it would have been nice to get a heads up; afterall, it is my personal space. I am fine with John using my office on a temp basis; he used to be our campus Financial Aid Officer (SAP). John is replacing my friend Richard the current VFA Coor; Richard is leaving for greener pastures in the area of stand-up comedy. For real, y'all. Richard reminds me of a stand-up comic named Jose Sarduy whom I first saw at the Comedy Bar. LOL. 

Anyway, it was nice to be on campus today and seeing everyone. I am looking forward to returning f-t-f in July.