I’ve been looking for a job like hardcore. Been walking the streets under the blasting sun. I like the interviews. It gives me the chance to talk to strangers and talk about myself. But it can be difficult to walk into a place and ask them if they’re hiring.
Loans
I took out a loan of 2 thousand dollars because I’m running out of money. I must admit that I’m getting a little nervous that I won’t get a job.
Sports Addiction
Fuckin’ UFC has been taking so much of my time. There’s a match coming up with a boxer and a wrestler going at it. People are split on who’ll win. It’s a dream match of fighting styles and the personalities of the two are so different, too, which makes it even more captivating. They fight in two days and when all the fight build up ends I don’t know what I’ll do with my free time.
The fight was over in 5 seconds. Fuck that shit. I was robbed. I was robbed by the guy I was rooting for. Man, I’d still been satisfied if he lost, but at least make it interesting, but losing in 5 seconds is just wrong. His opponent, Jorge Masvidal, who is from Miami, making me his fan, won with conviction and flare, he deserves his due, but he’s still a prick, and will have to lose soon so I can like him again. He may be like Connor MecGregor II, lord help us. Now Ben is in an interesting position. He can’t boost like before, which was his calling car. If he’s going to make a come back it’s gotta be John Wick like. Like, he’s gotta tear everyone up and come back to go for the belt. A rematch with Jorge, if Ben earns it, would be a dream-fever.
Got Job, Bitch
Got a new job. I’m working at a swanky bar that specializes in cocktails. It’s called The Sylvester. They got really good cocktails. And I can tell you from the inside that it’s true quality. Today I mixed a batch of what we call “Avion Milk wash. We blend: graham crackers, milk, butter, salt, lime juice, and 5 bottles of Avion tequila. After we blended it we put it into a centrifuge to separate the heavy particles to leave just the flavored liquor. This took hours. And later this goes into someones drink. I never realized this. I now have more respect for these fufu drinks. I’m also happy to be working indoors in an air conditioned area. This I’ve come to appreciate in my middle years.
What’s Next?
I’m just been contemplating my next move, like where am I going to go after Miami. I want to go overseas obviously but I may not have the money and time is running out, so I may have to max out my credit cards and leave the U.S. and just say fuck all to the debts. I’m willing to do it. I’ve been living financial responsible all my life and look where that’s got me. I’m trying something new. Maybe to a heist for quick change. I detest working for my money. Well, not the idea of it but the action of it. Like, working that much for little cash(!), just ain’t worth it.
I don’t have a job again. I’m looking for temporary gigs to work. I stopped driving Lyft. So I have a lot of free time, which I’ve taken advantage of. Also, I agreed to star in a film produced by a good friend of mine, Stazio. He’s from the Canary Islands and we met at Miami Dade College Film school. His brother, Vito, attended at the same time. Years ago I was in one of Stazio’s films. It was called Closh and it’s a psychological thriller.
Then later I was in another one of his films and I took it seriously and gave it my all, he on the other hand just said, “Fuck it” and didn’t try to finish it appropriately and make a good film, in spite of having all the necessary ingredients for a fuckin’ classic. In class after he showed the film I exploding in anger and verbally assaulted him in front of everyone. I stormed out but another student coaxed me back into class. Interestingly, after about 5 minutes I calmed down and was normal again. I just needed to vent. Yet, I believe some of my classmates saw me as a weirdo from then on. I haven’t acted for him since. Now I’m hesitant and nervous because when I go into a role, I’m all in. I’ll do anything for the Director so I want to know he’ll do me right. I’ll do sex scenes, I’ll cry on camera…real tears. I’ll get nude. I’ll snort coke off a public toilet seat. You name it.
Financials are getting low, but my credit is still alive. I’m willing to max out my credit card to get by and not have to work a job that I don’t want. I’ve been applying for positions overseas, but nothing is biting.
Just been taking it easy everyday and give less and less a fuck. To not take life seriously. Fuck, nothing matters. Just money. I need that to continue my lifestyle. Drinking, druggin’ looking for jobs. Living off of credit. Fuck, don’t know. Don’t care. Thinking back in the Madagascar days.
We filmed a ‘Pub Crawl’. An event where people paid a fee and picked up trash in between bars while their bar tabs were paid for. We took pictures, video, and drone shots. It was coordinated by The One Hotel. The drone shots were sick. There was a lot of good people picking up trash on the streets and beach and setting a good example. Video below.
Neal is back. He’s an old friend who, after living in Miami Beach for a few years moved to Connecticut, got married, got divorced, then moved back to Miami. On Craigslist he found a boat for rent. A boat you can live in. It’s got all the amenities. Like bathroom, shower, kitchen and bed. I helped him move in. It was fantastic. We were on the water. The sun was going down and we were jumping from the boat into the water and swimming around with beers in our hands. It was a different reality than existing on land.
I’m still job hunting. I’ve had a bunch of interviews but nothing is turning up. I could jump on a restaurant job fairly quickly but instead I’m holding out for something video or photography related. It’s been a few months with no steady job only various filming gigs therefore I’ve been using the hell out of my credit card and I’ll ask my bank for a loan very soon.
Conclusion
When life fucks you, go on a boat you’ll feel brand new.
The Beat continues. I’ve been filming with roommate, Gio. Today we filmed a telephone launch. The company, Plus One, released their phone in a few cities throughout the world. We were tasked to film the release at the T-Mobile store on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach. We took pictures, too. We would ask the costumers to pose for the pictures and do things like take selfies of themselves or do some type of mini-theater so our shots looked 100%. It was so fun. I was a little uncomfortabe approaching and asking things of strangers, but Gio took to it like a fish to water. I flew my drone in front of the store,too. Gio edited the footage and I edited the photos. We had a girl, Daniela, help us. She was great and enthusiastic. Video below:
And the client loved our work and gave us 5 Stars.
Avengers End Game
I saw a movie today with Gio in South Beach’s movie theater. “Avengers, End Game.” I don’t normally go to the theaters, but he invited me and I don’t turn down an invitation. It was a big production with all the roman candles. I found myself mesmerized with the film and the screen was so damn big and we were so close to the screen that I was looking left to right up or down to cover the frame, and it was a big frame. We had a few beers and were taking hits on a vaporizer. Also I found myself thinking about so many things in life. Theories and philosophy. I came to so many “genius” conclusions. I wanted to write them down right there. But I had no pen. Now I can’t remember them. Weed gives then takes away.
Work Ethic Litmus Test
It’s difficult to drive Lyft because you work when you want to. And when there’s something fun to do you can do that, instead. With no one telling you to work, you find out your true work ethic. I don’t excel in that area.
A Filming Gig
On Craigslist I found a 4 day gig working with a film crew from South Africa. I was their driver. The were filming a documentary about an MMA fighter who trains in Fort Lauderdale. The cameramen asked me if I could get some coke. I said yeah, for 200 bones. We had to discuss a few things. Like when did they want it? They said that night. But we still had two more days of work. So in a bar we discussed it and it ended up with me making them promise to not drag their asses the day after the night that they would do the coke. Funny, I barely met these guys and I’m basically their lackey, but at that moment I was acting like the boss.
The Dealer, Old Friend
So I bought the 8 Ball of Coke. It was from an old friend of mine. We waited tables together at Johnny Rockets on Ocean Drive back in 2008. It was great to see him. With his new job he bought a yacht. He posts his lifestyle on Instagram and he lives a luxurious life. Oh, and the film crew loved it. I dabbled a little but not much. It’s just not my thing.
Trash of Mistanked Identity
One day we were pulling into a Public’s parking lot. I entered an empty space and saw sitting on the ground off to the side, under where the driver side door would be, a paper cup and some trash. We parked and began walking towards the building and a guy walking by asked me about the trash. I gathered that he thought I left it there and he wanted me to “clean up my trash.” I had no intention of arguing with this guy nor picking it up. Gio came over, surmised what was going on, and took it upon himself to pick it up. I was impressed. That’s how Gio is, though. He’s an exceptional human being. He gets it. He fair. And even goes out of his way to do the right thing.
Family Reunion
I went to Chicago to attend my Grandmother’s funeral. A lot of people attended, family members I hadn’t seen in a very long time, and may never be in the same place ever again. I did lot’s of drinkin’. I tried not to, but family members kept offering me drinks, like early in the day. Or when we went to the Cubs game…plenty of beers there. I couldn’t say no, I was on vacation.
My family in Chicago. Pic shot with my drone in the rain. I was nervous.
Socia Media Addiction Abstention
I’ve been watching lots and lots of Youtube videos, commenting on them, and interacting with others through the comments section. Many of the videos have been about Islam and how it’s meshing with western cultures, and American politics. I’ve always considered myself an Independent. I’ve never declared myself for a political party, but truthfully I lean Republican. They make more sense. Democrats are like the Mom and Republicans are like Dad, a Dad with tough love and I grew up with tough love.
Currently I’m on a fast….not of food but of alcohol, weed, news, and Youtube videos. I had to make the break. All of that was consuming too much of my time. And physiologically the alcohol was causing bad symptoms with skin and eyes. It’s been 6 days since the break and I’m very proud of myself.
Anonomyously Accused
I was driving Lyft on a Friday afternoon and business was biting. Then I saw that I was taken offline, like not about to pickup people. I’m like what? I don’t remember doing that. Then a message appeared,”Check your e-mail.” The email said that recently a customer had reported that I was driving drunk or on drugs, which was false.
I wrote Lyft some elecuent e-mails pleading my case. Once I knew that there was nothing more I could do, I went home and went to a bar to see some friends and had a coke. At 8am that morning I took 3 passengers on a shared ride from South Beach to Downtown Miami. One of the 3 was in a hurry and we arrived to her destination later than she wanted. She left the car angry. I said, “Good luck getting there on time.” I said it sincerely but possibley that could have been taken for sarcasms and exacerbated the already heat air.
Yet, honestly I felt like a weight had been lifted off me, because I was thinking of quiting anyway. Driving/sitting so many hours so many days straight was wearing on me. I was feeling it, too. It started to be uncomfortable sitting in the driver’s seat. Something was wrong with the pelvic area. But now what? I gotta find a job and quick.
I just fixed my drone. It was a deep fix with many steps and many opportunities for failure. I can’t believe I fixed it. I was hesitate to declare victory and then I turned it back on and it read: failure. Failure on multiple functions of the drone. I was so crestfallen. And the whole next day I was in a funk because of this. And then out of the blue while working an event, I remembered that there was one wire connection that I didn’t reconnect. So I went back to the house and opened it up, and low and behold that connection was indeed not plugged in. Plugged it in and turned it on…..everything was A-OK!
My new Neighbors at Design Place.
Lyft
Driving Lyft has given me a flexible work schedule. I was able to work for a production company that was in town to film a Doctor’s Conference at a swanky hotel, The Loews, on South Beach. The work was laid back and we ate what the Doctor’s ate so you know the food was first class! Meat, pork, fish, all the veggies, desserts to die for—literally!
The boss said he may call me up in the future to work for him again.
Girlfriend
I don’t have a girlfriend but I’m looking. I realize that I’m going to have to force this forward…..that I must initiate the process. Which is totally not me. But I got to do it. Even if it scares me. If I don’t succeed at first, learn, and move on.
Mom
I’m going to visit my Mom in Tucson. Been working and saving for that trip. Richard, my old friend, who I was staying with when I arrived in Miami, went on a bender and checked into de-tox at the VA Hospital. I’ve known him since our days in the military. He doesn’t respond to alcohol like he used to. And now when he starts he doesn’t want to stop for like multiple days. If I do a bender one night the next morning I definetely don’t want to drink.
Dentist
Saw the dentist. Got a root canal. He gave me a good dose of anesthesia so it was cool. I listened to an audio book during the operation. A story by Oscar Wilde. “El Fantasma de Canterville” It’s in Spanish, which makes the mind work while the teeth are being drilled.
Conclusion
My life has totally changed. 180 degrees. Went from small rural mountain town Madagascar to the big tropical city that doesn’t cool down. My mind is going through a transformation that I can’t understand, that I can interpret. How could I? It’s my own mind. It’s like trying to look at yourself without a mirror.
Damn, so much has been going on that I’ve been too busy to write. I like driving for Lyft so far. It’s been about a month since I began driving. This is a new type of job. I’ve never been able to work when I want. That means that if something fun pops up like a party I can attend it no problem. And I’m still getting use to having a car. I’ve never owned a car while living Miami, nor have I owned a car in over 10 years. I can zip around town whenever I want and I’m discovering new places in the city that I never knew existed. Like a part of town that has lots of Dominicans. Or a traditional English-looking bar down a side street in Coral Gables, or an area next to the Miami river with docks that remind me of some docks from New York. “We split up on the docks that night both agreeing it was best.”
A Friend from Out of Town
My Friend from New York, Oli, and I.
A friend from out of town recently came to Miami. She’s a photographer and a model. Her pics on Instagram are artistic and beautiful. I followed her Gram while I was in Madagascar. So while she was here we hung out, went to the beach, and had some coffee. We were suppose to meet at the nude beach but before I arrived she called to say that don’t bother that she was gunna leave because there were too many perverts there. We had a good time. I gave her a ride to the airport, she was going back to New York City. On the ride she asked me if I would be willing to be a sperm donor, if she decided to go down that route. I said yes. I’m getting older and I really want to have kids and I’m starting to realize that it may not happen by traditional means. Years ago, a girl who looked like Penelope Cruz asked me the same thing but I said no, but life has changed.
Working as a Valet Attendant
I’m also working a parking Valet job. I’m doing one or two days a week. I don’t need it, but it’s a great change-of-pace of my Lyft job. I like it, but the money isn’t great. I may not be working there long.
From the Beach to the Mainland
I moved from Miami Beach to Miami. To an area just north of downtown, near the Design District, which is quite chic. I love it here. Lots of space. And the neighborhood is safe and pleasant with friendly good-looking people around. There’s a pool and a gym and everyday I run around the the roads of the apartment complex which is formed in a circle.
I had a passenger in my Lyft car who I took to South Beach. While in the car he mentioned that he was looking for a videographer and I gave him my information. We made one video together. Before we made it we needed a girl and his idea was to walk Lincoln Road(a pedestrian Mall in South Beach) offering 100 dollars to girls to do a commercial in which she would talk about a health food product, mix it, and drink it. We got a Swedish girl who was on vacation. He convinced her and we filmed it as quickly as possibly. I edited it and it turned out well. He wanted to film more. He had grandiose plans. But then I told him that I was too busy to continue collaborating with him. He wanted to do a lot and it would have required lots of my time. And he was pushy. But I recognize that many successful people are pushy and I want to be successful. Also, I often thought, “Am I doing this because I’m afraid of responsibility, or failure, or success?”
I’ve decided to rent through and drive for Lyft. I pick it up next week. This will be the first time I have a car in Miami. I lived here 8 years before joining the Peace Corps and I always used public transportation or bicycle. Without a car I’ve been like a bird with its wings clipped, for so long.
Me and Natasha
Enter Natasha
No jobs on the home-front or da horizon. Yet, I got a hook up gig as a Production Assistant from an old friend, Natasha. We went to film school together at Miami Dade College. After school she moved to Los Angeles but is here to work on a commercial(Gatorade with Dwayne Wade) and a music video. I had the hots for her in school, but nothing ever came to fruition.
On Set
Production Assistant is like a jack-of-all-trades gopher on a film set. We do anything: odd jobs, run errands, fetch coffee, clean up, build something, take it down. I got paid 200 dollars a day. About 12 hours a day. I wish it was a permanant gig. The gig is a Commercial for Gatorade and stars Dwayne Wade and his wife Gabriela Union. I’m impressed how much money and attention to detail has been put into this 30 second commercial.
Deathguard Web Series
Natasha is there and everytime I talked to her I’m uncomfortable. I’m still attracted to her. We had classes together and we collaborated on a bunch of short films. She played a victim in my web-series “Deathguard” I played the killer and I choked her out. We did that on the beach during the rain. To get a shot from the water towards the beach without a boat I brought out a ten foot ladder. The cameraman, Giovanni, stood high on the submerged ladder. Natasha had to hold the ladder because the waves were so close to pushing it over. And it was raining. Those were the Film School Days.
First Day at Lyft
Last night I drove Lyft for the first time. It was pretty relaxed, easy, and interesting. For example I drove a group of orthodox jews. I’ve been on this planet for many years and I’ve seen many orthodox jews especially here in Miami, but I don’t think I’ve ever interacted with them. And I’ve wanted to, but I’ve never been put in a position to do and nor have I approached them and struck up a conversation. But last night I finally did.
Lyft
I’ve decided to rent through and drive for Lyft. I pick it up next week. This will be the first time I have a car in Miami. I lived here 8 years before joining the Peace Corps and I always used public transportation or bicycle. Without a car I’ve been like a bird with its wings clipped, for so long.
Enter Natasha
No jobs on the home-front or da horizon. Yet, I got a hook up gig as a Production Assistant from an old friend, Natasha. We went to film school together at Miami Dade College. After school she moved to Los Angeles but is here to work on a commercial(Gatorade with Dwayne Wade) and a music video. I had the hots for her in school, but nothing ever came to fruition.
On Set
Production Assistant is like a jack-of-all-trades gopher on a film set. We do anything: odd jobs, run errands, fetch coffee, clean up, build something, take it down. I got paid 200 dollars a day. About 12 hours a day. I wish it was a permanant gig. The gig is a Commercial for Gatorade and stars Dwayne Wade and his wife Gabriela Union. I’m impressed how much money and attention to detail has been put into this 30 second commercial.
Deathguard Web Series
Natasha is there and everytime I talked to her I’m uncomfortable. I’m still attracted to her. We had classes together and we collaborated on a bunch of short films. She played a victim in my web-series “Deathguard” I played the killer and I choked her out. We did that on the beach during the rain. To get a shot from the water towards the beach without a boat I brought out a ten foot ladder. The cameraman, Giovanni, stood high on the submerged ladder. Natasha had to hold the ladder because the waves were so close to pushing it over. And it was raining. Those were the Film School Days.
First Day at Lyft
Last night I drove Lyft for the first time. It was pretty relaxed, easy, and interesting. For example I drove a group of orthodox jews. I’ve been on this planet for many years and I’ve seen many orthodox jews especially here in Miami, but I don’t think I’ve ever interacted with them. And I’ve wanted to, but I’ve never been put in a position to do and nor have I approached them and struck up a conversation. But last night I finally did.
Team Bonding Gig
I did a Team Bonding event in Fort Lauderdale at a hotel on the beach. It’s a gig that pays 125 dollars. Immediately after that I drove Lyft for a few hours. A fare took me north to Boca Raton, which is over an hour north from where I live. I’d never been up there so it was an opportunity to explore. I worked the Raton streets for a few hours. Money wasn’t anything to get hard over so I returned to MB. I felt like Robert De Niro.
Team Bonding Gig
I did a Team Bonding event in Fort Lauderdale at a hotel on the beach. It’s a gig that pays 125 dollars. Immediately after that I drove Lyft for a few hours. A fare took me north to Boca Raton, which is over an hour north from where I live. I’d never been up there so it was an opportunity to explore. I worked the Raton streets for a few hours. Money wasn’t anything to get hard over so I returned to MB. I felt like Robert De Niro.
And this time it was for real. Money almost gone and I had to get a job, but after Christmas and New Year’s eve. I stayed with Richard again and it was a relaxing stay. Every morning running and exercising in the park. Swim in the ocean. His apartment is only two blocks away from the beach.
Attack of the Drones
To make my filmmaking even better I bought a drone. A Mavic Pro Drone by DJI. It’s totally awesome and I was in love with it. I flew it everyday after I had it. In the first few days I almost crashed it, almost stepped on it and a mischievous kid almost rode over it with his bicycle when we told him he couldn’t fly it. As a pilot I wasn’t cautious at all. I was flying brazen like Icarus. And within the first week I crashed it into a building in the design district. I was taking risks that someone of my skill level shouldn’t have taken. I was sad that I crashed it so stupidly so soon after buying it, but deep down I knew there was no way in a million years I was going to fly cautiously until I crashed it. Another lesson learned.
Zen Moment
Do you ever think that if you were different person you could get to all your dreams, achieve all your desires? Do you ever think if you could change personality you could get what you want? Or I mean, you could be happy independent of getting what you want? But I’m learning that one cannot. We can’t just be a different person. And some of us realize that we’re not playing with a full deck.
My Friend Giovanni
I started hanging out with a good buddy from film school again. His name is Giovanni, Gio for short. We’ve made many films together. In addition to his videography work he works as a bartender. And he’s a good bartender. And he’s sharp and charismatic. A combination we don’t see together often. Also, he’s from Queens, New York and his personality matches. He’ll talk like a dude from the street but behind that is an intellect like someone from an Ivy League school. We hang together and do our share of smoking and drinking. He likes to go out and it was always fun going out with him. And it looks like I’ll be moving in with him, which I’m happy about because we can now easily team up our film making skills to bring us success. One thing we teamed up for was filming a promo video for our friend Grant’s new shop, Nlite, that he opened in the popular Wynwood district.
Work At Airbnb?!
It was coming down to crunch time. Still no job and the bank account is running dry. I was getting nervous. I’ve been staying at Richard’s but after this long time, I’m thinking about paying rent. I tried to start advertising my photography services on Airbnb, but I was denied. And they didn’t tell me why. Damn, like what? How can I fix it if you don’t tell me why I was rejected?!
More Interviews:
I’ve been to so many interviews. I was really enjoying them. And was rejected many times. Yet, I took it better than I ever have. And I was going into the interview a little more playful because I didn’t care as much. I didn’t seek their approval as much. Perhaps that hurt my chances.
Grandma
My grandmother was on her last few days it seemed. I talked to my Dad and my older brother Kelly about it. She was 96. We talked about a possible funeral in Chicago. My Dad mentioned that money from Grandma’s savings could help pay for my plane ticket to Chicago. He and my family know that I’m an often penniless rolling stone and have accepted this.
A shot of Miami Beach (north side) with downtown Miami in background.
We had the ayauasca ceremony at a yoga studio. We sat in a circle on the floor. In the middle was flowers, ayauasca, San Pedro, tobacco, copala, a chalice for the charcoal, and a lot of candles. We all told things we were grateful for and and passed around a thick blunt of very natural tobacco then imbibed the first of two batches of San Pedro, a pychodelic cactus from South America. It began to effect but just lightly. Then we had a shot of ayauasca. Yeah, it hit. Very relaxing. Many of us layed down. I was in and out of sleep. The Medicine man, Yuri, played songs and sang. Him and his wife Mili played together, she sang and pumped the shaker and he played the water drum. My high was over pretty soon; a lot sooner than acid and sooner than shrooms. I took another shot. The 2nd one hit the spot. Maybe he gave me more. It made my whole body relaxed. It had never been this relaxed in all my life. I meditate almost everyday trying to relax my body, but I had never reached this level.
We ended it smoking tobacco and telling about our experiences of the ceremony and how it effected us and how we felt. I wanted to say more than I did. But, I felt that if I did say all that I wanted that it would have been self-indulgent.
Farm Airbnb
An example of an Airbnb at the Farm.
After it was done Richard and I went back to the Airbnb that we were staying at because Yuri and Mili were staying at Richard’s apartment. This Airbnb consisted of a couple acres of land on which was jungle and various dwellings that they rented out. We got the cheapest, a camper. They had an outdoor kitchen, and a tree-house. It was like being back at the Shire in Middle Earth. An outdoor shower. I could see the stars. I saw the moon in the sky and a swaying palm tree in the same shot. It was warm, balmy and I thought of where all my friends in the Peace Corps were at. They in their world and I in mine. But at one time we were in the same world.
The Dominican Republic
I went to the Dominican Republic which is the last Spanish speaking country that I’ve never been to. I spent the first 2 days in Santo Domingo in the colonial section, and since this is the first European city in the new world it’s kinda a big deal. But you don’t see many European lookin’ people. I know that they’re out there. But you don’t see them them often. They’re like the Himalayan snow leopard. I filmed the old Spanish forts. I love old Spanish Caribbean forts. I’ve seen plenty starting with the old fort in Porto Bello, Panama. My and Richard use to go there when we were stationed in Panama. We’d rent a dug-out canoe and paddle out to the Spanish Forts overrun with jungle and moss. And with a case of beer, of course.
Outdoor Nightclub in Santiago, D.R.
Up North
I went to a small town called Mao in the north of the country. I wanted to go to a non-touristy place. Actually I didn’t want to go there, I just decided not to get off at my destination. This town of grid like streets with about 50,000 was pretty clean and organized. Doesn’t feel 3rd Worldy. People were polite. Everyone left me alone when I walked down the street, even though it was quite obvious that I wasn’t from there. When I run out of money I’d have to go back to Miami and work. So I was trying to put that day off as far as possible.
Beach Town
I went to a beach town called Las Terrenas. It was bohemian and full of jungle and palm trees, bars, motorcycles and the ocean is there, too. I stayed at a hostel called Dan and Manty’s Guest house. The 2nd floor was all open air. There was a roof but no wall on one side. I went out every night. It was fun and I met lot’s of Dominicans. If I would have stayed longer I would have had some lasting friendships. Strange, in addition to the bars and clubs being open until midnight there were barber shops and hair saloons open until 12:30 a.m. I met a group of Americans there. We hit the clubs one night. I got hella drunk and met an attractive girl at a club. It was a whirlwind night I barely remember then I found myself in a room with two prostitutes. With clothes still on I fished through my wallet and realized I didn’t have enough money. And I’m glad I didn’t. I left happy that I didn’t give in to temptation on something that I wouldn’t recall. The next day we were all hung over. My last night I joined a street party. And they were cooking some big stew on the street in a big cauldron on a campfire on the street.
Julia Tuttle Bridge with Miami Beach in the background
I arrived by bus. Back in Miami Beach my home before going to Madagascar. I love this place. There’s beaches, wild-life, iguanas, dolphins, Manatees, and great food, and great public transportation. But money was running out and it was time to look for a job. But I was in no hurry.
The Neighborhood
View of North Beach looking north.
Went to North Beach, which is the northern 3rd of Miami Beach. The streets and palms trees were as I remembered them. This part of Miami hasn’t changed in like 30 years. It’s like walking into as episode of Miami Vice. But it isn’t as exciting as GTA Vice City. People aren’t getting shot left and right. But there are guns. I’ve had a few pulled on me. I hit the beach and started looking for work.
Ayahuasca
Also, I was helping Richard, who I stayed with to organize an Ayahuasca ceremony. Ayahuasca, aka the 3rd eye. It opens up doors pass self-debilitating thinking. I did it in Brazil. We danced at the end of that ceremony and ate some sweets after that. And it did help me overcome a certain level of depression. I would advise anyone to do it.
Full Moon Beach Gathering
Also, during my first week back there was a full moon party a few blocks away at the beach. Back in 2009 when I chose to move to this neighborhood that was the deciding factor. Any place that allows an un-organized, just organic party on the beach is a place for me. Every full moon the cops know and let it happen then break it up at 12 midnight. Most people have packed up ‘cause we all now it’s going to happen.
Stazio
I’ve been laying low, not hanging out with friends. It’s that the majority of my Miami friends drank beer and I’m trying to cut back. But I gotta get back with the buds, even if it’s just for beer one evening.
I went to film school with Stazio back in the day. He’s a wild-eyed film maker. His movies are very unique and strangely mesmerizing and I was lucky enough to take part in one of them. He’s from the Canary Islands and now he’s back living with a good friend, Patricia. She’s from Bogota, Colombia and works for Telemundo. Stazio and I have been hanging.
Haitian Rap
We went to Ogun’s fancy apartment in downtown Miami. Ogun is Stazio’s friend and a rapper and singer from Haiti. Pretty good music, too. He lived on the 11th floor of a high rise on Biscayne Bay. Stazio has filmed videos for him. Anyway we went to the rap artists apartment. The view was fabulous. It was the total bachelor pad. He lite a blunt and talked to Stazio about filming some models for a music video. I saw the models on the laptop dancing in bikinis.
From Arizona I went to the Tampa Bay area to visit an old Miami friend, Oppie. He’s called Oppie ‘cause his last name is Oppenheimer. About 8 years ago we met in Miami Beach, but he’s originally from Tampa. And happily for me, he starred in a few of my short films and comedy sketches. He’s a natural actor, and with a good sense of humor when called upon to use it, which is often. He moved back to the Tampa Bay area to be with his father who has cancer.
Hokie Town
So I was staying with Oppie and his girlfriend, Thu, she’s from New Jersey but moved to Miami years ago. Like many she came on vacation and decided to stay. They’ve been together for a while and moved to Tampa with Oppie. Tampa, like Miami, is green and tropical with lots of water, and as Oppie says, “Very hokie.” “What’s hokie?” I asked. He explained it’s the beachy decorations, sometimes tacky, that you see in many Florida bars and restaurants. He continued, “You know like the Jimmy Buffet thing.” I’ve always had an affinity for that vibe. It’s one of the reasons I moved to Florida in the first place.
PJ’s Oyster Bar: Hokie 101.
Thu at the Salvadore Dali Museum.
Spanish Conquistadores
We decided to stick to our tradition and do some camping, and we chose an island just south of the of the metropolitan area on the big peninsula. It’s called Fort DeSoto Park. It was named after the Spanish Explorer, Hernando de Soto, who played an important role in Pizarro’s conquest of the Inca Empire in Peru, but he’s best known for leading the first Spanish and European expedition deep into the territory of the modern-day United States (through Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and most likely Arkansas). He is the first European documented as having crossed the Mississippi River. De Soto died in 1542 on the banks of the Mississippi River, rumored to be Louisiana or Arkansas, nobody’s for sure.
Camping
We pitched tent on the water in the mangroves. The first night was a beer-drinkin’ hum-dinger. The raccoons moved in and staked out our campground as we unpacked. When we turned our backs they darted in and stole off with a pack of hotdog buns. We were shocked and crestfallen because we lost our buns and in a very inglorious way. We were ashamed to have been fooled so easily. Then I thought: for a raccoon, a bag of buns can be heavy. “Let’s go get him!” Thu and I took off and barged in on the neighbor’s campsite with flashlights waving and chased that little bugger through the bush and trees. We cornered him and he dropped the bag. He had chewed into the bag and sullied one bun. But we got our buns back!
Egmont Key
The next morning we woke up early to catch a ferry to go to a neighboring island called Egmont Key, no one lives there. Well, one guy: a grumpy Park Ranger who has his perfect job. As you can imagine we went to bed late and woke too early and reluctantly drove to the pick up point..on the beach. Our gas tanks were almost empty on little sleep. We waited at a picnic table near the beach and under shade. There were some German tourists, over weight and approaching obese, waiting there too. Oppie said, “Don’t the europeans call us obese?” On the boat ride to the island Oppie said, “On the way back I think we’re going to be a lot more fun.” He said this because we had shrooms. “Comin’ back on the boat like,’Hey Captain!” We walked across the island. It was virgin tropical vegetation on white sand. In 1898 a military base was built there when a war broke out with Spain, but the war only lasted 3 months. The Spanish never attacked and all that’s survived are a couple of big gun forts. We passed them by like they were ruins of an ancient civilization and struck camp on a beach with palm tree shade.
Me on Egmont Key.
Shrooms
We cracked some beers and lay out the mushrooms. 20 minutes after eating them it started, which felt cool, but then I got a stomach ache. Oppie went for a walk and Thu sat at water’s edge. I was able to step out of being me and see how negative I have been about life, and under that palm tree, I decided to be rational instead, and be happy ‘cause life is fabulous. I know that consciously but I don’t behave that way. Sometimes, I worry about money and lament over things that I have no control over. Like I was fretting over how much money I spent the day before and really thinking hard about it and not feeling good about it which lead to an unhappy face and body posture. But come on, the money is already spent. Move on. I came out from under the tree and met with Oppie by the waves lapping the beach. He said he took a slippery #2 in the ocean. “I was out there up to my waist, just letting it flow when I saw the german lady. Our eyes met and I could tell she knew what I was doing. I felt shame.” We both laughed at this. I had done my business in the trees but the danger that someone could see me was always haunting me. I felt shame.
The Return
On the way back we explored the old Fort. Fort Dade. It was eery and we walked the walls of this deserted underground bunker. On the boat back we were the funnest people. I was talkative and everybody was watching us. I yelled,”Hey Oppie! There’s a bathroom,” I pointed at the boat’s bathroom,” just in case you want to go #2!” He was so embarrassed but he laughed. Later he said the German lady looked him in the eyes we I yelled that.
We got back to campsite beat like beatniks after an all-nighter in San Francisco, but we soldiered on and did it up right around the campfire. I got wasted. Thu and Oppie couldn’t find me and eventually I turned up in the car passed out. I woke and continued partying.
Wander and Ponder 