I have titled this part of my life conflicted b/c that was the state I was in while in high school. On the one hand I was a student destined to attend college, gifted in music and in sports, while on the other hand I held a lot of secrets. The next few short stories will give you an idea of how God's mercy allowed me to excel in school while partaking in all the sinful pleasures of the world. Here's the 1st one:
Band Geek?
Even though I got made fun of for being part of the band, I still really enjoyed it. The membership allowed me to gain a group of friends with common interests, while building a sense of responsibility as well. We would travel around Cali competing in different competitions and performing for many audiences.
What I soon realized was that the friends I hung out with had more in common with me than just playing an instrument. They liked to get loaded, high, whatever you want to call it. We used to leave school and go to a friend's house near by. Pounding beers, smoking weed, and being just straight up foolish was our pleasure.
The crazy thing about it was that we were all stupid enough to go back to school after partying all afternoon. I remember being stoned in Spanish class laughing at everything I heard. I even played my clarinet high on several occasions. Talk about playing out of tune. It's amazing that we never got caught or even talked to.
It is evident now that GOD allowed me to live this life to see its pitfalls. GOD'S mercy is awesome. I deserved to be expelled or even suspended. Sorry for being a stupid kid LORD. This isn't the only time Im gnna say sorry. Thanks for listening. Amen.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
RIP Tre Green
When I was in 5th grade my mom got remarried and we were forced to move up to the top of Altadena. The neighborhood was a typical working class one, but hidden behind the uncut grass was a mystery to me. A lot of the kids we hung out with were what I would call "STREET SMART". Some would just say GHETTO but whatever, you know what I'm saying. I could tell you stories of playing ball in the street, swimming down the street at Mr. So & So's house, but as I told you before, GOD wants me to be as TRANSPARENT as possible.
Tre was a kid who lived down the street from me. He was a great athlete and I enjoyed hanging out with him around the neighborhood and at his house. I recall spending the night at his house one night and finding out what boxers were. That was funny. I guess Tighty Whities were my thing. That wouldn't be the only time Tre would introduce something to me for the first time.
Weed, Mary Jane, or whatever you want to call it always had a familiar scent to me. It's aroma was quite pleasing to me as a kid. I guess it kinda still does. My uncle would always enjoy the cloud of smoke in my Nana's garage. It seemed as normal to me as Papa listening to the Giants game on his AM radio. I had smoked cigarettes several times by the time I had entered 8th grade, as I already shared. So when my homie Tre offered me a hit of a joint in the back of his neighbor's house, I didn't really trip. We smoked it, laughed, and shared stories as the ashes slowly fell to the ground.
I probably was 14 when I felt that high for the first time. I didn't know that this would shape my life to come. I also didn't know Tre, my homie from the neighborhood, who shared childhood memories with me would get shot in his front yard. He was only in his early 20s. RIP Tre Green.
Tre was a kid who lived down the street from me. He was a great athlete and I enjoyed hanging out with him around the neighborhood and at his house. I recall spending the night at his house one night and finding out what boxers were. That was funny. I guess Tighty Whities were my thing. That wouldn't be the only time Tre would introduce something to me for the first time.
Weed, Mary Jane, or whatever you want to call it always had a familiar scent to me. It's aroma was quite pleasing to me as a kid. I guess it kinda still does. My uncle would always enjoy the cloud of smoke in my Nana's garage. It seemed as normal to me as Papa listening to the Giants game on his AM radio. I had smoked cigarettes several times by the time I had entered 8th grade, as I already shared. So when my homie Tre offered me a hit of a joint in the back of his neighbor's house, I didn't really trip. We smoked it, laughed, and shared stories as the ashes slowly fell to the ground.
I probably was 14 when I felt that high for the first time. I didn't know that this would shape my life to come. I also didn't know Tre, my homie from the neighborhood, who shared childhood memories with me would get shot in his front yard. He was only in his early 20s. RIP Tre Green.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Joe Camel
Back in the day I was fascinated with Joe Camel. He was cool and slick with his shades and blazing cigarette in his mouth. See my dad used to smoke Camel cigarettes so it only seemed natural for me to want to smoke as well. For some reason the markets had the cigarettes for sale by the checkout stand. You could literally grab them and put them on the counter to buy. The smokes were located where the candy is for sale now. Well as a young kid I remember leaning towards the cigarettes and putting several packs in my pocket. I think my stepdad was in line with me which is just crazy.
I soon realized that there were vending machines around town that had cigarettes for sale. Much easier than stealing them. These events happened around the time I was about to start the 6th grade. Crazy to think. But that was me once again. A young kid fascinated with sin. A world I longed to be a part of.
I soon realized that there were vending machines around town that had cigarettes for sale. Much easier than stealing them. These events happened around the time I was about to start the 6th grade. Crazy to think. But that was me once again. A young kid fascinated with sin. A world I longed to be a part of.
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