It still trips me out

Do you like this view?

Just a couple of pins!

It blows my mind that I broke my leg on October 1st 2011. That would be about 6 months today on the dot. I can't do a lot of stuff I used to. I can't do a squat. I can' t jump off the porch and run to my car. I couldn't chase down a hoodlum stealing an old lady's purse, and if a mountain lion was chasing me I probably wouldn't make it to safety. I have put on a little weight but I was a fat ass before the accident so my clothes aren't complaining.
Some good things have come out of the whole experience. My girl Jamee has taken care of me through the whole process. She has been amazing. I am going to marry that little beezy one day and not because she made me breakfast everyday for three months but because she has made sacrifices for me that not just anybody would make. The only problem is she steals all my jokes. All of them!

Another great thing that has come out of the accident is it keeps my butt in my desk. I get to work at 7am and I leave after 6pm, everyday, Monday through Friday. I have had the opportunity to build a business with my mentor and good friend . He gave me a chance to be a part of it and I jumped on it . So when I see people posting about their workouts, or other physical accomplishments, I don't get upset. Cause I have things in my life that people couldn't even touch no matter how many pushups they do.

Ouch

The CD of my Youth

Everyone has one. Everyone has that one or two CDs that remind them of their youth. The CD, that when played, can bring you back to times when being stupid was the norm and money wasn't part of the gig. That CD for me is The Click Down and Dirty. I can sing out loud every song from that EP. And I am talking about the original version and not that bullshit remix Jive Records put out a couple of year after the release. For me the The Click was everything I wanted to know about the Nor Cal gangster. It was all about repping your team and having your brothers' back. Or should I say Sohabs?  I mean what's better than some old school E-40,  D-Shot, B-Legit, and Suga-T? Songs like "Mr Flamboyant" and "Let's Get Drunk"  make today's music look like kiddie stuff. I think I was a freshman or sophomore in high school when I first listened to Down and Dirty. It literally changed my life. I have to give credit where credit is due and Darren Hair was the one that gave me my first listen to Vallejo's finest rap group. As I get older that CD for me was the one. I can't deny A Tribe Called Quest as another inspirational music group, but The Click brought it all together for me. "Ya I am hustler on the go"

Keep quiet. It's only Tuesday

I know it's only Tuesday, and I'm sick, but this weekend I am making a trip to South Lake Tahoe. It is for my soon to be brother in law Eric "Karl or Carl" Marks. I throw in the "Carl" to reference the children's book author Eric Carle and not the famous philosopher Karl Marx. Strangely enough they are both German . I bet for a minute you thought I was some sort of intellectual but I am merely a fan of books with pictures.
This weekend is his bachelor party. It's a one night event and probably one night is all we are going to need. South Lake Tahoe is almost like a hidden gem only known to Northern California locals. It is mostly a stop off from a weekend of skiing but to me it is a lot more. They have about six casinos that cater to the crowd passing through for a weekend getaway. I learned how to bet horses there and though I will always be grateful my wallet is not so lucky. I have also seen some Raider playoff games up there and was mesmerized by the Raider fans. I remember going up there and staying at THE BLOCK. It used to be a snowboarder motel with themed rooms. I have stayed in the Pac Man Room, The DVS Room, and the Vivid Room.  It was truly a sight. Always remember ,South Lake is cleaner than Reno, bigger than North Lake, and not as hectic or expensive as Vegas.

For The Love Of Chuck

I love him. I love Chuck. He doesn't go by Charles or Chaz . He goes by the name of Chuck Taylor. For me he usually comes in white, but he has thousands of other colors and sizes. To me he is the man. I have had him on my feet for over 14 years. It is safe to say that I am wearing Chucks ninety percent of the time . At first they were rigid and we didn't get along so well. I thought it was him and he thought it was me. But alas it was me that needed to conform to Chuck cause Chuck Taylor doesn't conform to anyone .

Nothing is fresher then a new pair of Chuck Taylors and a clean white T from Nordstrom. Nothing. The world is your oyster when draped in those two items . There is also something about getting a new pair dirty that brings complete satisfaction. I mean Chucks look good new but they look even better dirty. My Chucks have been to Mexico, Canada, Hawaii, NYC, Florida, Portugal, Italy ,and Spain. They are, to say the least, appreciative world travellers. I can't thank them enough for the good times we've had. Hopefully one day when I am in an old folks home, kids will come to visit me, and we'll both be wearing the finest shoes ever made, Chuck Taylors.

Back to the Pool

Not me but you get the picture

I jumped back in. Into the pool that is. It's the only full body exercise I can do now while trying to get back to 100%. Having a broken leg means that I can't carry around a 45 pound plate, jump rope, do squats,or go for a run. I thought I was pretty limited until I found the pool. Despite the look of my body I used to be a water polo player and swimmer. If you don't believe me I have people out there that can verify. And I am not one to hold on to old accolades but if you want to see my 1996 HS Water Polo Section Title give me a day and I will dig it out of the garage for you . I have played in Hawaii and even a few Junior Olympic events. I had a good shot but I was better at defense and was a heck of a two meter guard. 

Enough of the reflection of the past. I am back swimming again. Not in a Speedo but regular old swim trunks. Part of my American Citizenship states that I will never where a Speedo again upon US held territory. I swim about 1,000 yards three days a week. That is roughly 120 laps a week. It beats the hell out of riding a bike and trying to find certain exercises that don't incorporate the full use of my leg. And swimming makes me happy . At 285 pounds I know I can still swim a mile or more if I had too. So if you want to drown me you're going to have to at least drop me off five miles out at sea

Just so we are clear on Bigfoot

I have always had an obsession with Bigfoot. Some people call the creature Sasquatch but for the sake of this blog we are going to keep calling them Bigfoot. I can' remember how old I was but I have always been fascinated by Cryptozoology or the study of unknown animals. I grew up and have always lived in the city but anything related to nature has caught my attention. My dad's family are cattle ranchers in Humboldt County and fondness for the wilderness has always been a part of their culture.  That being said I have religiously followed every website and television show related to the animal they call Bigfoot. Well it look like my prayers have been answered.
They will soon release the first scientific peer review of the animal that has lived side by side human beings for thousands of year. The head of the study is a lady named Melba Ketchum. She is a DNA scientist and an important person that has been brave enough to take a chance at proving Bigfoots' existence. She is not alone but her name will always be associated with the project. Proving the existence of Bigfoot is a small step in opening up the world and universe to the possibility that we are not alone and we are not even the only hominid living on planet earth. That's right Bigfoot is or will be proven to be  a form of Hominidae. I am not saying that they are human beings but they are part of the lineage that has evolved into a successful forms related to primates and even more closely related to human beings. This could change everything we thought we knew about our evolution and the evolution of all of nature .

It is a matter of time before the world will need to accept the fact that the creature called Bigfoot is a form of ancient hominin. It may have traits that we lost a long time ago in our evolution or maybe never had to begin with. I am very excited for the answers to be published. A few of the things I have heard is that Bigfoot is more closely related to us than chimpanzees which are currently our closest living relative. This doesn't make them an ape but something in between. The mitochondrial DNA that was tested points at lineage of  a human mother but the nuclear DNA may be from something we have never seen . I have followed a few of the websites like Bigfoot Evidence, North American Bigfoot Search, Bigfoot Field Research Organization, and the ever confrontational Robert Lindsay. It is safe to say that something big is about to happen in the world of Bigfoot that will and can change everything we have ever thought about our own existence. I cannot wait for the release of the information and to all the people that doubted the existence of Bigfoot, "I told you so".

Appreciate the Stress of the Life you Choose

I accept it. The stress that is. The stress of the life I choose. I chose to wake up at 5am everyday to go hustle in the mortgage business. I could be a barista or a janitor if I chose to be . Live a stress free existence . But that shit ain't for Cam Villa. But neither is speaking in the third person. I like the stress. Bring it all on me. I don't crack that easily. And if and when I do I will act accordingly. But do  really even know what stress really is? I don't have kids and I don't have a mortgage. I do still live paycheck to paycheck but it's getting better . Or maybe I am just getting smarter. I stopped drinking and doing hard drugs over 6 months ago and that has brought a mental clarity that has been amazing. It doesn't erase the stress but it allows me to cope. The more minutes of the day that I am myself , the more chances I get to get to succeed. And in this life it's about getting in as many swings as I can.

10 years of what?

Today it will have been 10 years since my father passed away. Sometimes it seems like a world away and other times it feels as if I just saw him yesterday. I miss him a lot but I also understand that a whole lot of him is in me. Therefore when I really miss him I just have to look into myself and I find it comforting .

Joe Marion Villa III was a good man. He had a pretty dry sense of humor and was a fabulous cook. He would bend over backwards for you but he was passionate about making sure you understand how respect and hard work are business partners in a thriving industry called "Life". We had become very close over the years before his death and I will always be thankful for that . He was quick to give you his advice on something but he never got upset when you didn't follow his words. I liked that about him. He didn't judge but he at least had to get out his point before you make a choice.

I know he is up there, here, by a beach, with Fran his wife, watching over my brother , sister, and all the people in our family . I miss you Joey V. But I want to let you know I am doing great , and if I can't see you I can always lead by your examples.

Ain't nothin like a cane

Firstly, I want to state that canes or any other walking apparatus that resembles a cane is only "cool" when you don't have to use it. That being said some days I look like an old man and on other days I look like a street hardened pimp looking for my next dollar. It all depends on my dress.  I have moved up from crutches to a walking cane about two weeks ago. I feel like I am starting to get this old life back. I can get around a lot better and I am able to do things like cook and carry my own plate. That doesn't sound like a lot but when you have a choice between eating over a sink and having to ask someone to carry your plate it starts to get frustrating . My doctor said I have come a long ways and the physical therapy I have been doing has shown. That being said I still am a long ways off from running, jumping, and the occasional flip off a diving board. But remember life is about progress, and I feel like I have made a lot of that. No one was against me during this process but a lot of people doubted I would be back at it so fast. They said I would walk for six months. But hey when you ain't got kids, a mortgage, and no car payment, you got some time to get better. I couldn't have done it without Jamee "Jimmy" Sims, but we don't have to tell her that cause she'll just read it in this blog. Watch out World!

I am man, hear me roar

Happy New Year everybody! I wish you the best in 2012.
About a year and a half ago I started this blog. I wanted to get some stuff off my chest and just talking about it wasn't cutting it.  I was at a point in my life were things weren't going the way I planned it. My job sucked, my alcohol and drug use were out of control, and the relationships with the people closest to me were stressed out or non-existent.  I was tired of life around me and just wanted to walk away. So I started to write this blog. Things started to make sense. I was able to go back and read my words and I started to see a change in my behavior. The things I learned, is that life is not my motion picture to direct. I can never be a director of my own movie and also hope to star in it. Life doesn't work that way. The only thing I can be responsible for is my own actions. That was a tough pill to swallow.

So in July of 2011 I made a conscience effort to be sober. No more alcohol and drugs to alter my mind and personality. It was tough at first but I learned that life has so much more to offer when I am not out chasing a high. Earlier in the same year I also decided to leave the place I was working and to start working with someone I looked up to with great respect. Making those two choices allowed me to focus my energy of growing in my personal life. To have the love of a partner is something that is sought by many and obtained by few . I have that and it is my oppotunity to embrace it and grow together. I am not perfect and for fucking god's sake I hope I never am. My life is just that, mine, and I hope that 2012 brings more happiness, more roadblocks to conquer, and new goals to focus upon. So again I wish anyone who takes the time to read this the very best of luck to you in this new year approaching .