My 1st Quinceañera

So I attended my very first Quinceañera with Yvette, whose son was in it. How was this a first experience? It just was and I’m happy it was with her. Turned out she also did not know a single soul there so we were kind of partners. At least she had a clue what she was getting into because I was clue less.

It starts with a service, this one being at a Catholic Church. I opted out of this part because I really needed to do something and the setting felt too intimate for my liking. Something meaning going Sam’s to by a new TV and having a fucking anxiety attack. Besides, the other part I attended was from 3-12 and I knew I needed my strength.

It’s a meal and it’s a bunch of dancing. Also, the father was real quick to fetch the two of us some Dos Equis. Like, really fucking quick. I might also add that I was the only white boy there and no one was speaking English. I can pick up on some words but I can’t speak it back for shit. Now bless them, a few did address me in my native tongue. They probably took pity on how out of place we looked. Who is the pasty white boy with this beautiful Hispanic women. We did get glances, that’s for sure. Mainly from older people. We both don’t care and expected it.

I was anxious as I tend to get. I hide it well but anxiety rides with me at all times. I had that beer and it helped take that edge off. Maybe 100 people? Probably less but it was spread out at a lake facility. Once a number of more people and more photos taken, it was time for food. Do I have to say fucking amazing? It was fucking amazing. As authentic as it gets. Beans, rice, fajitas, the best guiso I’ve ever had. Hot sauce and really hot sauce. Guacamole. Pico. Salad. I was in Heaven. To be honest with you, I went back for more twice that night. Fucking pig I am for good food. They also had sweets which I cried I couldn’t have. You pick your poison and I chose the meal.

After that is was more drinks. The dance was next up at 7. Let me talk about what a dance it was. Wow. So much goes into these. I had no idea how elaborate they actually were. At one point they had a choreographed dance that looked like it came straight from Super Bowl Sunday. I shit you not. I have no idea how much practice went into that and I had no idea her son had that in him. Quit frankly, I was completely impressed by the spectacle.

After that’s was over it was Tim for the DJ to play for everyone’s dancing pleasure. This was also the time an open bar suddenly appeared. Before this moment it was only beers. As before, the father approached and offered drinks. I find it rude to turn down such great hospitality so I obliged. I also got more food.

Next came the band at 9. They could play. Tejano of course. I liked it. I’m rarely not a fan of music.

It was a fun experience and I was happy to share a first with Yvette. The setting was beautiful and the evening was nice. Everyone was really nice to this out of place gringo. The things that I’ve missed out on in life I didn’t even know that I was missing. We left together and kissed under a very visible Big Dipper and Orion due to that little lake light. Great Saturday.

Sunday Yvette’s oldest son had a mud bug broil at her house. Not the biggest fan, but for me he was doing some shrimp as well. I love the other fixings like corn, potato and sausage. They day began great than Yvette and I had a little misunderstanding. Was it at my house or hers. I thought it was at hers but she thought it was at mine. Miscommunications are a bitch in relationships. In life really. In the end it all worked out.

I arrived at her house around 5:30 with the propane and some margarita. The kids were all outside and the mud bugs were getting a bath. I’m very happy we ended up at her house because I was able to see the kids in their natural environment and it was the first time I really have spent time at her home, which I’ve really wanted to do. I know it’s silly, but I needed that. To feel more welcomed. We are always at my house so it was a nice change.

The mud bug broil was finally right for the mass execution. The slaughter. Poor bastards. 15 pounds. I’m a little sympathetic for them. I was somewhat traumatized by the first time I saw a live lobster meet it’s end in boiled water so I remember that whenever crawfish die. Seems so cruel. Also, I grew up not eating them but having them as sort of pets. They fascinated me when I would catch them. ANYWAYS, they died. When they were done we ate. I wasn’t planning on eating as many as I did but I just kept going. The talk at the table was a lot of fun and the laughter was great. Yes, I like her kids. They seemed comfortable and I really had not spent that kind of time with all 3 at the same time. I don’t know how she does it. I am sure my mother can relate having 3 boys. I was stuffed and had to excuse myself around 10 PM. Fucking Sundays and Mondays looming. I was just happy to have been “by default” welcomed into the family home.

We are going to blog about ghost real quick. It’s been a while. Hazel refuses to walk past the guest bathroom so she goes through 3 rooms around to reach the master bedroom. This has been for a little while. Sunday night while I was peeing my shadow moved. It reflected itself? It moved from one side of the wall to the other. I thought someone was behind me. A little freaked: yes. Scared: no. But what a nice way to say I’ve missed you. Weird as hell and I’m not making my ghost shit up. I know some of you probably think I’m on something when I talk ghost but I’m not. Ah, life.

Tuesday afternoon Yvette, Miami and I went to the campus green house “open house”. It was interesting. The last time I recall being in there was before Covid with Jody, Jamie and a few other on a private tour. They didn’t have a whole lot at that time but they sure do now. The guy giving the tour did well. He was a plant nerd through and through. I ran into a guy that works at ASU that knows all about cactus. He was there just to see how many of theirs they might be killing. Snob, but hilarious. He probably know more about cactus than most in town and they probably should be taking his advice in that section.

I like to watch people. We are fools. I’m not at all excluding myself. Just seeing what people do. What people do. We do some SILLY ass shit. Work was one of those days. Good day to observe. People are strange. One of the strangest amongst my people lost his wife. It was sad and proof life is cruel. People are weird. What we do on this planet is weird. I’m weird.

Happy Earth Day!! They had a nice little celebration on campus. Giving away succulents. Potting plants. Potting seedlings. Handing out free T-shirt’s. They also had a bunch of band students plays jazz music. It was really fun and the turn out was nice. I wished I could have stayed a little longer. I did make a point to observe some of the beauty that is the planet we all reside on and I imagined the beast that did millions of years again.