Thoughts on Immigration

Excuse me while I ramble for a second.

7 months ago I'm not really to sure I had an opinion on the rights of illegal immigrants in this country, (or any, for that matter). In fact, I know I still have a lot to learn in regards to the matter.

What I do know is, these people work harder then anyone else I know. These people know the value of a dollar, and will pour their heart and soul into a job that is suited for them.

They come from all different parts of the world for a better way of life, to live the 'American Dream'. They pay thousands of dollars to get here, then go through the hassle of creating fake documents just to survive and find a job.

I'm not to sure where I'm going with this blog to be honest. I'm going to commit now to learning more on the subject, and educating myself as much as I can. I wish it were easier for these people to obtain a stable way of life.



Le amamos M**** O****.

The Man Who Saved My Life

At the age of 15 or so I discovered Pink Floyd.

I must have bought Dark Side on CD for my Dad as a gift a few years before. I didn't really pay much attention, but some of the songs are ok. Actually, my first memory goes way back. I remember listening to Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2 when we had JR, so I couldn't have been any older then five.

For whatever reason, my interests/tastes in music started changing when I got to high school. Like a lot of kids now, I went through a very strict Beatles/Floyd/Zeppelin stage. I still LOVE all of these bands, but I feel like that classic rock sound was IT during my teenage years, and nothing else really mattered.

There was something about the Floyd that really stuck out to me. They seemed....different, smart. Their core albums came together as pieces and as a unit. Each song flowing into the next, the music never ceasing. All amazing in their own right, but none of them as influential as The Wall.

From sophomore year through graduation...this was my go-to album. As far as I was concerned, nothing else mattered. Crafted solely at the hands of leader/bassist Roger Waters, telling the story of a washed up rock star looking back at what brought him to his isolation.

I always felt like Waters was talking directly to me. Like he knew exactly what I was going through. I was by no means a loner, but I wasn't exactly the most popular kid in school. I had my few freakish friends....and that was it. With no nerve to tell my beautiful best friend how I really felt, and a starving Mother that I tried to avoid, I always felt so alone. I could lock myself in my room and drift away to The Wall and everything just seemed alright....

I guess as I grew up, and matured a little bit, I lost touch with some of these feelings, though the album still remains a big part of my life. When I heard that Waters would be doing a tour recreating the album and bringing it back to life, my jaw dropped and I knew I couldn't miss it.

Last night nostalgia (x100) really set in as I sat through the performance in Boston with my Dad. It was so emotional on so many levels, it's hard for me to put into words. The excitement of actually being able to see this come life really floored me. I never thought in a million years I'd see the day.

But at the same time, sadness. Hearing the music and seeing those images brought me back to dark room on Lunns Way and being by myself. Images of her sitting in Mullet's passenger seat pulling out of the PSHS parking lot. Images and nightmares of finding Mom passed out in her room. Threatening to call 911 or finally toss that damn bottle of wine against the concrete floor. It also reminded me that these memories don't really go away, and they crafted the person I am today.

After last night, it donned on me. Roger Water's was the savior of my teenage life, and gave me a reason to wake up every day. I am forever grateful.