from busses to bats

Here's one for ya:

yesterday i planned on catching the bus into 'town.' if you don't know the pass area, there's no point in trying, but i'm a few miles from where i grew up. it's all the same area (san gorgonio pass, on I-10 between L.A. and palm springs), but you know how it is growing up. i'm from banning, and i'm staying (for the moment) with my grandparents in cabazon.

anyhoo, i almost forgot i made tentative plans with my friend larry to see him practice with his band, fires of utopia. actually, it was just him practicing vocals, while the two guitarists in attendance (mike and jay) jammed along with (larry also plays the drums, for now). mind you, this follows the previous day where i missed the bus cuz the driver was 15 mins early (last run, trying to get home no doubt). i was pissed, but whatayagonnado?

so, i get on the bus. and for the next 20-30 mins (i tried not to pay too much attention) i listened to the driver and passengers talk about the new schedule and how messed up it is (while the driver is going slow, stopping in the middle of the street, etc.). all the while, i'm starting to sketch, cuz i made plans with larry to pick me up where i thought it would be convenient for him (near practice spot, jay's crib). so of course, i get off at wrong stop. when i realize, i get mad (surprise), and start walking through peacock valley (name of development). i'm thinking i'm gonna end up walking several miles to get out to el rancho (liz and richards). and just when i'm starting to seriously ponder breaking or at least hitting something, larry pulls right up.

"how the fuck did you find me?" sometimes i just can't help my mouth. but i was happy to be found, once i chilled out a little. we went and visited with some other friends (should have gotten whole plan before making stop decision) moe and matt before practice. good to see those dudes.

went to practice. first time i met jay, seems like real cool cat. had lots of fun (worked out for a minute, hit the bag which is always good for me if not for my wrists, listened to some recordings and some vocal practice, then told some stories imagine that) and i think they sound awesome. most of my readers probly can't hang with the metal they rep, but too bad. your loss.

by the time we bailed it was almost 11pm, and we were hungry. we hit del taco, and before i knew it we were halfway back to cabazon. that's what i get for not paying attention. i planned on going to the ranch or to larry's. but he took me 'home.' very nice, except that my grandfolx had locked inside door, for which i do not have key.

so, by the time i have figured out i can't get inside the house, to get the key to the motor home (for which i also do not have a key, even though i asked for one, for exactly this type of scenario), larry has pulled away. so i sit down on the front porch and eat. at least there is the motion detector light to eat by. and i was sort of hoping they would notice the light, or even that the sherriff would come by and hassle me, cuz at least then i would have reason to wake them up. nope. so when i'm done eating, i tried knocking. then again. but i'm not comfortable waking someone up to let me in, so i don't knock loud enough. never do.

eventually i decided to go round back and lay down on lounge chair on back porch. it took me a while to get to sleep (oh yeah, i still gotta go get my stuff from back there), but finally got a few hours. woke a few times, but when it was near sunrise, i opened my eyes and saw: bats. probly 20-30 in the backyard alone. i was surprised, cuz i ain't never seen nor heard of such round here. but there they were. i just watched for a while, cuz i didn't want to disturb them. then when it was getting closer to sun up i got up and they were about gone.

went for a walk round the hood. yesterday i made fun of some dude walking with a stick ("are there roving street gangs here these days?" i asked larry). but on one of the streets there was a dog up ahead acting territorial, so i looked for a stick. if you don't know what ocatillo is, lets just say it don't make a good stick to carry without heavy, heavy gloves. nor does cactus. but i finally found one, and sure enough, the dog tried to back me off. but most dogs don't want none of a stick held with confidence. unless they're a pack.

and sure enough, down the street was a pack. and they didn't look twice at me. interesting, but good for all involved.

i got to see the sunrise, went unmolested by canines (or kids waiting for the bus), got some walking in, and by the time i got back the granfolx were up. "how did you get here so early?" "i got a ride."