March 18th, 2008 | fongstarr |

The past couple of weeks have been pretty unspectacular (aside from the photo above that I took last week when I was sick in my apartment). I haven’t been eating too well and even when money has been slimmer then ever, I found myself buying a 30 pack of Coors Light over some proper food. But we can save my drinking problem for another post cause that would take some real personal motivation to even force myself to think that I have a problem, when I know pretty darn well that I do have one (they say admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery, but I really don’t have a problem, which is probably why I am not on the road to recovery yet). Anyways, I needed to get out of the East Bay for a weekend in hopes to just self-sooth myself and say “life is not that bad”. I grabbed some things and my camera and swooped on over to see a good friend of mine in Modesto.

I am realizing more then ever that I am at the end of an era of my life. This is my farewell tour per say. In only a year, things have changed so much. I still remember when it was said to me that it my life (with her) was stagnant. “Seasons change and feelings change”. Change has been a tough thing. All my friends as of late I have only met in the past year. I would have never even fathomed the thought of moving out of the Bay, yet it is so close that it is starting to scare me. Before I go, I need to spend quality time with the people that have been there for me. The people that I will never forget; the people that I will never lose contact with for the rest of my life.

The ride up. Very soothing. Very therapeutic. Very beautiful. Just the open road, myself and my camera. Sometimes I found it better with just silence but if there was a soundtrack to the trip, it would be to Jill Scott’s new CD. Listen to the song Crown Royal on Ice.

So when was the last time you even heard of anything to do in Modesto? You’d be surprised. After nice dinner and a glass of Chardonnay, we ran into the outdoor St. Patricks Day festival (no pics due to the fear of my DSLR being trampled by the masses) that seemed to be the hub of entertainment that night. Chicks running around in four leaf clover hats and guys carrying there bong-like booze all while dancing to a high strung techno version of “How Long” by the Red hot Chilli Peppers. These are rock and hip-hop mash ups are really taking a toll. I guess I’ve become that old retro nerd that wants to here “It’s a G-Thang” and reminisce on the times where sippin’ 40 bottles on the porch was somewhat a gangsta thing. Flo-Rider just sucks mad balls! 

The rest of the day was just good quality time. If there is a gem amongst all the Cambodians and Mexicans that live out there, it would be the abundant amount of taco trucks that are staggered on every street corner like hookers. I can hardly really remember the taste due to alcoholic numbness of the mouth, but I think I had a BBQ steak taco of some sorts. Tastier then it sounds. All in all, I can’t say Modesto will be in my heart like maybe say Chicago or even the Bay, but there is a new found respect for it which probably was admitted to me when I was on the toilet or something. Maybe I’ll retire out there and raise a farm full of asian kids that will do my dirty chores till I die. I have to thank Miss Phal for a wonderful time and just having the time to show a brotha a great time. Why oh why did we smoke that cigar like it was weed! Geez.