TejanoJuanSays

We see funerals on the roads we drive on every so often. A funeral is the observances held for a dead person usually before burial or cremation. The procession, a long line of cars and truck, including the hears e and limousines, are part of the funeral.   I was taught to stop my vehicle and turn off the radio when a precession comes my way. Yesterday, I was part of a funeral, I was a pallbearer. I had not been a pallbearer for a while. This was different view of the funeral. I saw the friends pay their last respects. Then came the family, saying goodbye one last time before the casket was closed. The funeral director said. “take as much time as you need.” The family wept together and held each other as they exited the building to their vehicles. Then the directors took the drape off the casket and put it inside, they closed the casket and then tightened a bolt that sealed the casket. Under their direction, we lifted the casket, walked it to the hearse and slid it inside. ...

December 23 rd . Went to the mall for Christmas shopping today. It is two days to Christmas, so not last minute, I’d like to think. After spending 10 minutes on the expressway, the traffic slowed to a crawl nearing the cxit. This took about 15 minutes. Then to find parking another 15 minutes. Finally, an open space in all the traffic. Did not matter where I was parking, I knew I was going to walk around the mall store by store. Now to get to the stores. My phone counts steps. So far at 1500. Made a stop at Home Depot. Need to mow the lawn after shopping, depending on energy level. First stop Macy’s, first floor found perfume for wife. Nothing for daughter. Second floor nothing interesting. Third floor men’s shop. Cologne, wife will get that for me, hopefully the one that comes with the free watch. Leaving Macy’s at 2300 steps. Walking through the mall, people all over looking for gifts like I am. One lady was wearing an ugly Christmas sweater, did not know if I missed the cont...

The movie American Sniper is #1 at the box office once again. It aims to portray the effect war has on individuals and families. The reviews and audience reaction are good. What is not good is the debate over where the main character is a patriot or a psychotic killer. Some in Hollywood have express the dislike for the film, like Michael Moore and Seth Rogen, saying that Chris Kyle was just a coward and a murderer. Others have countered this argument with Kyle begin a war hero, Sarah Palin and all at Fox News. The director, Clint Eastwood, says he wanted to present how war is difficult it is for soldiers and families. The film is based on a true story, the film does not aim to be a true story of Chris Kyle. If that was the case, Chris Kyle’s book tour and his encounter with former Minnesota Governor, Jesse Ventura would have been presented. Actually, that encounter was redacted from the book because it did not happen. In all of debate, the movie studio continues to make money ...

I have given countless presentations and talks in my life. I have worked as a substance abuse counselor at methadone clinic and I also worked in a prison with substance abusing offenders. I also spent some time developing my routine as a stand-up comedian. In the last 5 years as a professor, I have prepared for class, local, state and national presentations. I still get nervous and I have learned to use that energy to my advantage. The most difficult presentation that I have done was a eulogy about six months ago. It was for my best friend, David. It was not a presentation that I had prepared for like all other presentations in my life. I remember the day that his brother Michael tried to find me. He called any and every number. He found my work number and I had just missed him. I sat at my home computer and decided to check Facebook. There was a direct message from Michael’s daughter, Angela. The message said to call her father Michael because David had died. At the time, Ange...