Well, Summer is over and Fall is upon us, but what a Summer it was. I met a girl, I courted the girl, now the girl hates me; who didn't see that one coming? I got a couple of songs completed in the studio, almost totaled my car, but thanks to my friends, it got repaired. Not that it mattered to me, I was ready to buy a truck. Not that I can't now but, in case you haven't been keeping score, I'm lazy. I'll get to it when I can.
I may also get around soon to moving. I know, been saying that for fifty years now, but I am considering Iowa, Utah, California (Not California), New Mexico (maybe - been there, done that), Florida (Not really Florida). Actually, I think I am still wanted in Florida. True story. Then again, Georgia has been on my mind. Savannah, Georgia. It's so beautiful there.
I fractured my toe about a week ago. It feels a lot better now.
My promotional give-away earlier this Spring went well. I really enjoyed that. I spent a lot of money but I don't care. It was well worth it what with the magnets and posters. I had a lot of fun doing it.
Had a doctor appointment back in August and my diagnosis was superb! I have made a complete recovery and probably doing better than before the heart attack. It's now also been over a year since my last cigarette and two years since my last drink. I'm officially a dork now. Although, to be honest, I'm not really sure how much longer I can go without a smoke. I think about it from time to time. I really miss it. I REALLY MISS IT! Smoking was so great. I know there are a bunch of communists who are trying to get smoking banned everywhere and shit, and they do it by pretending that they care about your health, which by the way, is none of their damn business, but you are not going to live forever so if you get a chance to puff it up, go for it. The best time to light one is right after sex and or eating or both. (Think about it then think about it some more. Ha-ha)
I even have dreams of smoking. But funny enough, I am not craving the nicotine, it's mostly mental at this point. And people still find it hard to believe that I quit cold turkey. Hey, it's the only way to quit really. Using patches don't do it, you're still putting nicotine in your body. Slowly decreasing doesn't work either. Special nicotine gum doesn't work. Not that I could ever imagine. For me, if you want to quit something, you just do it. You just quit. But thank goodness for Lifesavers candy, lollipops, and Bazooka Joe! lol
Actually, the best way for me to fight any cravings is to get around someone who is smoking and breathe in their second hand smoke. A few good whiffs and my craving goes away. My second month was the worst month, after which I only craved about three days a month for the next six months then after that, maybe one day a month and now, I don't crave it at all - but I sure do think about it.
The girl and I broke up because she started talking about us moving in together. Hey, that's marriage talk for me. There may only be maybe three girls on this planet that I would consider moving in with and no, it's not Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez or Zendaya. ..... Okay, there are six girls on this planet that ........
Overall, if I had to grade my summer of 2015, I guess I would grade it a B Minus. There was room for improvement I suppose, but for what I was shooting for, it was okay. The worst part of it was almost losing my mother. She had a rough Summer, but now she appears to be back on her feet so, hopefully, all the surgeries she had fixed her right up.
I did have to take on a new writing job. It's not going to get in the way of anything really, I see it as part time but the democratic economics of the past 6 and one half years that includes high inflation, higher taxes and Obamacare, well, I had to find a way to generate some extra Benjamins. Better now than three years or so from now. I have kind of grown accustomed to my lazy lifestyle and I'd like to keep it. Currently, the policies of the democratic party scare the bejeezus out of me. We could end up with another democrat for president so a little more cash flow now should help out a lot towards the future. That age old question has been answered, "Am I better off now than when Obama took office?" - And of course the answer is a resounding NO! In fact, I am worse off. And so are many people around me.
I think the most surprising thing about the Summer of 2015 is, I actually said, "Wow, Demi Lovatto looks hot." - And yes, I remember saying that to someone.
"Hands Of Mercy" is my 9-11 song before 9-11. It was a response to the first World Trade Center attack. Shortly after that first attack, I began looking into these terrorists and this Osama Bin Laden guy and I came away with the understanding that there would be another attempt to take the World Trade Centers down, only next time they would try from the air or with a missile. As it turned out, they used hijacked airplanes and my premonition of a second attack came true. It was shortly after that second attack on 9-11 when I went into the studio and recorded "Hands Of Mercy". It's my personal reminder that sometimes, my writing is more than just for entertainment or expressing of feelings and stuff, it's also something more. Another reason I like this song a lot is that it is one of those songs where all four of us, (Preston, Mark, and Kent Robbins on lead guitar) get involved with my musical project. That's always a plus.
This story begins in a low-lit dive-bar on the south side of Columbus, Ohio, off Parsons Avenue. Back in the day, the south side was thug territory, but the girls were oh, so fine and ripe, ready to go.
I went to meet a friend of mine for a drink and to watch what turned out to be the last game of the World Series. When I arrived, I saw my friend sitting with another guy. "I brought Chuck along in case you didn't show up." He told me. I understood. I do have a history of getting sidetracked a lot. I introduced myself to ole Chuck by extending my hand. "I'm Carroll." I said. I sat down next to Giovanni on his right side. I ordered my drink and the early evening was in full swing as the pregame bullshit festivities started to wind down and the first pitch was finally thrown.
Our conversation was light, if at all. Chuck appeared to be the more talkative one, whispering to Gio every other pitch. He didn't appear to mind. From a few key words I could gather here and there, he sounded like he was having girl problems.
Then she walked in.
A pretty petite blonde with a tight little ass that just would not quit. She was wearing the standard style for the time and the place, tight blue jeans, pink shirt, and a beautiful smile. I admit I took a couple to a few quick glances but Gio and Chuck stared her down.
Besides us, there were maybe a couple other people sitting at the far side of the bar and another couple sitting at a table. Then there was the bar-keep. She was a woman in her early to late forties named Margie. She knew me and Gio well because this was basically our primary hangout on the weekends. This was a Tuesday night appearance due to the baseball game. I wasn't there to pick up girls tonight, I was there to watch a game with my friend.
Still, this little cutie pie who sat down across from us on the other side of the bar was gonna be hard to resist. Chuck wasted little time in taking the long walk around to greet her. (About ten minutes). Meanwhile, Gio and I continued to sit there at the bar and watch the game. I would steal a few more glances her way, I mean, she was cute as hell. I noticed her stealing a few glances back at me as Chuck laid down his best pickup lines I'm sure.
Suddenly, I could feel the moment happening. I have felt this before. It's a warm feeling that travels all throughout my body and ends up nesting in my loins. I was all kinds of horny. And it happens on the spur of the moment. But I also knew that SHE was going to be mine.
It may have been fifteen minutes or so when the girl went to the bathroom and Chuck made a bee-line back to Gio and I. He sat back down and I heard him ask him for a twenty dollar loan in so he could buy this girl some drinks. Maybe my horny radar is off tonight. Maybe the poor sap is gonna get lucky after all. Gio handed him the money as the girl then returned. Chuck rejoined her.
She kept on glancing over at me periodically (radar is fine) as Chuck spent every last dime he borrowed from Gio on this girl. It was when he went to use the bathroom when she got up off the stool and onto her feet and strolled ever so delicately to where Gio and I were sitting. "Here she comes." Gio whispered right before taking a drink of his beer. I think he knew what was happening, we have been friends for a long time, he knows my M.O. and tactics when it comes to the art of picking up girls.
"Hello." She greeted, sitting down next to me. "I'm Lacey."
I smiled. "I'm Carroll."
"Nice to meet you, Carroll. Can I buy you a drink?"
"Sure." I answered, when she got right to it. "I didn't think you would come over to talk to me so I hope you don't mind me taking matters into my own hands."
All I could think to say was, "Chuck just walked out of the bathroom."
She turned her head and we watched as he sat down where they were seated prior. He looked around for a moment, maybe thinking she went to the restroom too, until he spotted her next to me. He had a confused, if not worried, look on his face. Gio must have thought there was gonna be a fight. Wouldn't be the first time. I did hear him mumble, "This can't be good." And he took another swig.
Lacey and I began talking as the game was almost over. It was about ten minutes before Chuck decided to join us. He even brought over her cigarettes and lighter that she left behind. How sweet of him. He looked me over real hard a few times before I decided to buy a 12-pack to go. Gio did some preventive maintenance with what was almost a scuffle. "I need a ride." Lacey blurted. That's all I needed to hear.
Well, we made it out of there without incident. That was fine by me because I was in a love mood, not a fighting one. Hey, I get it, I stole his gal, and he after spending that borrowed money buying her drinks. That's the way it goes. You got to be tough on the south side.
Yeah, we made it to my house in good time, drank a few more beers on the couch while making out and eventually, upstairs to the bedroom. I had a waterbed at the time. Just saying. Waterbeds rock.
She ended up spending the next few weeks with me. Every night, romancing the bone, if you know what I mean, and I think that you do. We couldn't get enough of each other. But then, right before Christmas, she left. She disappeared. It wasn't until mid January did she show up one late night at my door. This became our relationship. A few days together, a few weeks apart.
The winter days, weeks and months passed and soon, it was early Spring. Unseasonably warm. I was getting ready to go out bar hopping to meet various people when she showed up after about a month hiatus. We looked into each others eyes as we stood on my front porch. "Why do you disappear like that on me?"
"I don't know." She replied with her head down.
"Where do you go?" I asked her.
"Look," she began, "do you want me to hang out with you for a few days or not?"
I shrugged my shoulders. "Sure. Want to go bar hopping with me?"
So we went to a few bars to drink, dance and shoot some pool when we bumped into Gio and his wife. By a little past midnight, they called it a night. I thought Lacey and I were going to do the same except when we got into the car, she had another idea. "Let's go to a porn store."
I grinned at the notion. "Why?"
"Just because." She excitedly answered. And so off to a porn store we went.
We walked into the doors and walked around. We didn't buy anything, we just browsed around for about thirty minutes. I wanted to take her into the back where the movies booths were and have my way with her but she didn't like the idea, fearing sanitation concerns. I then somewhat agreed, so we left. Back in the car and heading home, or so I thought, she quickly proposed an alternative to the nights events. "Get onto 270". She advised.
"What?" I gasped.
"Just do it!" She shouted, laughingly, then she began to remove all of her clothes. It quickly dawned on me what she was recommending.
For anyone living in Ohio and has been to Columbus, 270 is the outer-belt that circles the entire city. At about two in the morning, traffic is very lite. I quickly got onto the highway and put the car in cruise control. Lacey leaned over, completely nude, and began removing my pants and boxers. It was all I could do to keep us on the road. Once removed, she took her place on my lap. "I do love you." She whispered passionately.
I quickly turned on my car radio, which also had CD capabilities. I had a CD already inserted and pushed play. The first song on the CD was "Passion" by Rod Stewart. I pushed the repeat button. What a ride. Over and over that song played throughout our encounter.
I cannot begin to tell you how difficult it was to do what we did and keep us from crashing at the same time. She straddled and rode me like a wild horse. I was horny, and frightened at the same time. But I will be damned if we didn't make it completely around until we were finished.
She scooted back to the passenger side as I finally took it off cruise control and steered us back to my place where we fell asleep. When I awoke, she was gone. Again. Little did I know at that moment that that would be the last time I would ever see her again. She never reappeared. No phone call. Nothing.
I often look back at that time in my life and wonder whatever became of her. Maybe she had someone else on the side or maybe, as someone else once suggested, she was married and going through a rough patch herself, who knows? But one thing I will never forget is that long ride around the city on 270 that early morning and making love to her. It was the most erotic moment of my life, and sometimes, I can hear that song in my sleep. In my dreams. When I dream of her.
A lot of people visit my blog, and for that I am grateful and deeply appreciative. Some of those folks even take time out of their busy day to drop me an email to share their thoughts on a particular subject or two and or to thank me for a post. These things mean a lot to me. My grandfather told me that when people make the effort to reach out, the polite thing to do is reach back. Well, I think it's more than polite, it's social protocol, and I am always happy to make a new friend.
In this case, it was Mr. Ray J. de Aragon who reached out to me after reading my post about Billy The Kid. I posted that post because I too have a strange liking towards the legend of The Kid. His life was fascinating to me and his death - to this day - is still clouded in a little mystery. Still, these people who came out of the early days of this country have filled many young minds of the modern day with wonderment of the past. I mean, to even think about the fact that these folks didn't have a tenth of the luxuries that we have today is mind boggling as to how any of them even made it past the age of twenty.
But legends they are and the fantasies continue. Whether it's Wyatt Earp, Buffalo Bill, Geronimo or Calamity Jane, many writers past, and present will pen amazing stories of fiction using their real life hero's as their book hero. Mr. Aragon is no exception. He read my post and emailed me his thoughts and appreciation to the life of The Kid. From there, the door was opened for me to get to know this man a little bit better.
Carroll:How long have you had this interest in the life and times of The Kid?
Ray:My
interest in Billy the Kid began as a young child. When I was a little
boy I got to see The Left Handed Gun starring Paul Newman. The film
really impressed me. Plus my family had a connection to Billy the Kid.
According to family lore, my great-grandmother who was a curandera,
medicine woman, had treated Billy the Kid and they had become friends.
Carroll: What prompted you to write this book?
Ray:I
had written several articles in the past on Billy the Kid that had
appeared in Western journals and newspapers. My research went
off-the-beaten-path, searching for unanswered questions that have always
perplexed historians about his life and death. I followed a trail to
clear up certain mysteries, and the book is the result.
Carroll :Do you have any other hero's from the early western days that you might write a book of or about?
Ray:I’m
working on a second book on Billy the Kid since that is one of my main
interests. It appears that there is always something more to write
about him. For example, his connection to certain towns he frequented,
and the Hispanic population of New Mexico that he identified with has
never been written about.
Carroll:When did you start writing?
Ray:I
had my first published piece when I was a high school student. It was a
short historical fiction story titled RETREAT TO STARVATION PEAK that
appeared in Highlights Magazine. As a university student I began to
write historical features that appeared in newspapers and other
publications.
Carroll:Who (or what) inspired you to become a writer?
Ray:I
enjoyed reading as an elementary student. I especially liked Grimm’s
Fairy Tales and New Mexico Spanish folktales. I had a vivid imagination
so I started creating my own little stories.
Carroll:How many books have you written?
Ray:To date, I’ve written and published twelve books of fiction and nonfiction.
Carroll: How much research do you put into your books?
Ray:When
I first started writing I spent countless hours in libraries doing
research for a book. Now with the Internet everything is a fingertip
away. It is much easier to do research. However, I still spend
countless hours doing research on a particular subject.
Carroll: Do you travel to places in your books / stories?
Ray:I
have to personally feel and have an attachment for the places, events
and people that are the subjects of my books so I do travel to the
environments that I write about.
Carroll:Do you have a favorite character in any of your books, and if so, who are they? Ray:My
favorite characters are those of Spanish legends such as La Llorona,
the famous Wailing Woman ghost that appears in the darkness of the
night. I also grew up hearing of Billy the Kid and played him as a
child.
Carroll:If you were to write a biography for yourself, what would the synopsis read like?
Ray:As a university student I was quite involved in the Civil Rights Movement so my biography would revolve around those years. Carroll:Are your books available in E-nook formats and published print?
Ray:My books are available both in print and e-book formats. Carroll:Any up-coming appearances or promotions for your book(s) that you would like to share?
Ray:In September I’ll be doing book signings at some New Mexico museums and special collections libraries.
Carroll:What has been a highlight to your career thus far?
Ray:A
special highlight was a book signing at Costco where people were in
line for two hours waiting to purchase a book and have it signed. A
hundred and twenty five copies sold and the enthusiasm from the crowd
was an inspiration for me.
Carroll:How often does your writing interfere with other things in your life?
Ray:Everything revolves around my writing.
Carroll:Have you other interests and or hobbies going on?
Ray:I’m also a visual artist so sometimes I combine writing with my art.
Carroll: Have you any secrets on getting through writers block you care to share?
Ray:I
have never experienced writer’s block. I think it’s because I’m
fascinated with history, legends, and myths. There is so much to write
about that subjects are endless.
Carroll:Have you any advice for young writers?
Ray:Book
writing and book publishing is a totally different animal today from
what it once was. Now a book has to be pretty much totally completed
and put on a thumb drive. The writer has to be thoroughly familiar with
all of the technical aspects of book production. When submitting a
book proposal the best advice is to zero in on the type of books that
each individual publisher produces and make sure that your project
absolutely fits the needs. A book proposal has to motivate and attract
the commissioning editor so a great deal of effort goes into selling
your book. The book has to be completed and ready so one cannot sell an
idea. A new writer has to know what is already available out on the
market and has to produce something fresh and new.
And so there you go everyone, a look into the life of author Ray J. de Aragon. You may check out his Author Amazon Page I want to thank Ray for his time in doing this interview. I wish him continued success. I also hope all of you enjoyed learning more about Ray J. de Aragon.
This is a new song. I just wrapped it up on the last day of August, 2014, and there are many little secrets about this song in both the writing of it, and the recording.
I was in Los Angeles for a few days during one weekend in the late summer back in around 2002 when I left my hotel room and took a cab to a street where Richard Rodriguez (The Night stalker) had walked during his days of terror. I wanted to walk that street and so I did. I could feel a lot of energy all around me. In fact, there's just a lot of energy throughout many places in California.
When I returned to the hotel room, I took a shower and was carted off to a private party where I would get to meet Lisa Marie Presley. She didn't stay for long, and neither did I. I left shortly after she did. I decided to take a long walk in the late / early night / morning. I know they say that New York is the city that never sleeps but, Los Angeles has some all-nighters too.
With everything I saw and experienced that weekend, when I returned home, within the first few days I was able to capture it in this song.
During the recording process, it was determined that a few lines should be dropped and so me and Preston did. When Mark came over to lay down the vocals, he let loose and brought back one of the lines that we dropped. It worked out well. Then when we began to listen to the finished product, in the beginning of the song, Preston caught Mark and I talking to each other by accident. I knew when we heard it that he was already planning to delete it after the song played out but when the time came, I was quick to say that I wanted to leave it in. You will first hear me and then you'll hear Mark, and then there's a pause as the music has already began and then Mark starts singing.
I really like how this song turned out. I hope you do to. But if you don't, no biggie. Life will go on. Besides, most of the great songs were written and recorded in the 60's, 70's, and 80's.
