Happy St. Patrick's Day from Ric

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Groovy

Everything is groovy like a movie. More details tomorrow.

What's Next?

I was raised a Roman Catholic and I am a member of the Knights of Columbus. Every year during Lent, we celebrate the season through three different practices: 1. Prayer 2. Fasting 3. Generosity. This year my father and I have decided to attend Mass every single day during the 40 days of Lent.
It really is not as difficult as it may sound. The weekday Masses are only 30 minutes and Sunday Mass is one-hour long. More important, for my Dad, it is giving him a routine and he has an opportunity to meet with people closer to his age. We attend the 8AM morning celebration which allows us the rest of the day for other activities.
Yesterday, we went to Jimmy's for breakfast (after church). Just as we were arriving to the restaurant my Pop informed me that he had to go to the restroom (he urinates quite frequently). So he went ahead to the restroom, while I got a table. Ten minutes later, he had still not returned. I smelled trouble. I went to look for him. I passed a line of women waiting to enter the Women's restroom, and discovered my Pop was NOT in the Men's room. No, in fact, he had inadvertantly entered the Women's room.
Hence, the ladies waiting in line. I asked my Dad why he went in the wrong restroom, he said it was an honest mistake and that it was "no big deal" (in his reality nothing is a "big deal"). I apologized to the ladies, who all took it in stride and I made a mental note to never let him go to the restroom alone again.

The Trouble with Jesus Updates

It has been more than a month since I have posted anything; it has been a very busy time. We celebrated my father's 8oth birthday on Feb. 2nd with a live band playing 60's pop and rock. We had over 100 guests throughout the day! I even rented a dance floor and everyone was up dancing at one time or another. Even my dad was dancing, at one point he was dancing with three lady friends at the same time.

On another note the local PBS TV station (KPBS) came out in late January to film a segment on both my pop and me. It was for a one hour special on Alzheimer's which will air on February 21st on KPBS at 8PM (PST). It will also be available on the web. The show is called Envision San Diego.

The reporter and cameraman actually spent over six hours following us around. My dad really comes off quite gracious and humorful during his interviews.

I will post instructions on how to view it via the Internet once I figure it out. I also promise to post more frequently now that things have settled down. Groovy.

2008 Has to be Better

It has been well over a month since I have posted anything on this blog. My only explanation is that it was the first holiday season without my mother. The holidays were busy enough, but Christmas Eve would have been my mother's 75th birthday as well. Needless to say, my pop and I were a bit sentimental to say the least. As if that were not bad enough, we went to visit my mom at the cementary on her birthday early on the 24th. That is when my cousin Gabriel informed me that our other cousin Abram, had lost his seven-year-old daughter to a kidney infection. Destiny (her name) had passed-away two nights before Christmas. Obviously, 2007 was a terrible year for our family.
My father somehow comprehended that things were not right. Somehow we managed to survive the holidays. I only hope that 2008 will be better for all of us.
There were some good moments, I got to see all three of my daughters and my grandson Julian. Nevertheless, it is amazing to me how much my mother's presence is stll felt among both my father and me. We miss her very much.

Merry Christmas Soldiers

When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get. A Great Idea!!!

When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:

A Recovering American Soldier
C/O Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001

If you approve of the idea, please pass it on to your e-mail list, thanks and Merry Christmas!

Please Tune In

I will be hosting the launch of LOV Engineering's first live broadcast via the Internet! This Saturday, Dec. 1st at 1PM (PST). Just log in to www.onac.com -then click the LOV Engineering logo to see me in action. The show will be 30 - 50 minutes; however, it will be rerun during the week. Please, family and friends: check it out: www.onac.com

Jesus says: ¡Orale!

Good for Siggy

My friend, Siggy just called me to inform me that he has met the love of his life. He actually said that he is considering the "M" word" - which means marriage. He has secretly been dating her six months (who knew?).

I'm happy for him, but that means that I am down to two good "single" (meaning divorced friends) that I can still hang out with.

I do not hang out with my married friends, it is just not feasible. Except for family reunions, but, those generally are not my train ride.

Besides, right now Jesus, my POP is numero uno in my book. Today, he took his dog for a walk. This is good; the MonaVie might be working.

NOTE: Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. (John 8:51)

Feedback is Good

I really appreciate all of the feedback that I have been receiving via both blog comments and e-mail (r.gomez.roji@gmail.com) regarding: The Trouble with Jesus.

This blog is becoming my outlet to vent; a self therapy of sorts. I have an important meeting next Monday with a representative from the Alzheimer's Association (see link on the top far right column) and apparently she is going to educate me on the many options that I have available.

I look forward to that meeting, also, to confirm if I am heading in the right direction in regards to pop.