So yesterday I decided to walk home from work. Something I haven’t done in a very long time. I must admit it was tough walking 5 miles in the sun, but It felt great and sort of like an accomplishment. A race with no prize at the end, nor a crowd applauding me, just bragging rights i guess…

All I had was $2.52 in my pocket. I thought I could probably jump on the bus and get home sooner, but the bus took forever. By the time the bus drove by I had been walking 3.5 miles already. By then I decided to just keep strolling along. As I walked I started thinking…There are people out there who will walk for miles with no destination, no home, no money, and possibly  no family to get to. I thought to myself, this is probably what homeless people feel like. I can’t imagine a life with no destination… I looked around and begin to notice everything. Something I don’t do much when I drive thru this part of town. I began to waive at random old folks sitting infront of their homes, their tire shops and abandoned lots. I wondered what their everyday life was like. I saw Random BBQ joints, tons of churches and car dealers I’d probably never do business with. I ran into a few junk yard dogs but luckily one was chained and the other was sleeping.

As I looked ahead I could see downtown, but it was so freakn far. I was tempted to sit at the bus stop and just wait, but I pumped myself up  to keep going. Every time I glanced at Downtown Nashville, there was this sense of hope  knowing that eventually I’d get there. Interesting thought, when you can see your destination and goal, this huge sense of hope rises inside of you. Doesn’t it? I was in a rough part of town but it didn’t matter because I could see the downtown buildings. My apartment is literally about 5 minutes from downtown. So I kept going…

Then another random thought came to my head. As I walked I realized and accepted the fact that this universe does not revolve around my life, my music, my blog, my anything! I was this random guy, walking 5 miles home, with only $2.52 in my pocket. Nobody stopped on the side of the road to ask if I needed a ride, if I was lost or maybe I needed a cold drink. People went on ahead with their lives. Reality set in and prospective took control.  I am but a grain in the sand and nothing mattered on this lonely road. So I started to appreciate everything I take for granted. I felt selfish for constantly asking for more, when I have so much to be thankful for. I thought of my wife and my boys the whole way there, and our future.

When the bus finally showed up, I decided to skip out on it and keep walking some more. The more I walked downtown began to get bigger. My destination was getting closer and closer. I don’t recommend walking in Converse for miles at a time though…My feet were killing me…My calves felt like Popeyes calves. My fingers were swollen and looked like sausage links. My body was drenched in sweat. My eyes needed wipers to keep the sweat out. So I stopped to buy a Gatorade at a gas station and get some sort of hydration. By this time I had walked 1.5 hrs. Ironically the total for my Gatorade was $2.50 leaving me 2 pennies. That Gatorade must have been the best drink I’ve had in my life… Sometimes when I drive home I see random dudes walking on the side of the roads and I say, “where the heck are they going?” They’re literally on the highway!!!” Today I was that random guy in the middle of the intersection. Today someone said, “who the heck is that dude walking in the middle of the road?” This walk really did a number on me. I really feel in my heart God spoke to me through everything my eyes saw and everything I felt. So what’s the moral of the story? There isn’t one…I walked 5 miles home from work, and it was the coolest time ever. I recommend it to all.

-fuser+

Today is Reina’s Golden Birthday. I didn’t know what that meant at first, but I got the full history on it. Having a birthday on  Monday is always a challenge with work, school etc..So we’ve got a birthday bash set up and ready to pop this weekend in the windy city… So Happy Golden Birthday Reina!!! Hoping you have a blast with your crew, all the family and friends in Chi town this weekend!!! ” a bailar!!!

I’ve never paid attention to the lyrics on this song, but I know you love Jill Scott and the song says Golden…so here you go babe…Enjoy…

-fuser+

We moved to Nashville in December and  since then we’ve slowly grown to love this city. One of the top things on our list when we arrived to music city was to find a good, authentic, Mexican restaurant. At least to our taste buds, we never found that place. We searched, we researched and nothing caught our eye as the answer to our evening and weekend crave for Mexican food.

My wife and I were born and raised in Chicago which I consider the Mecca of all food. Name the country you feel like dining at and you can find a restaurant that will take you there.  Mexican food is Reina’s favorite food and even though she is Puerto Rican she gives my Momma a run for her cooking in the kitchen. So as you can expect, we went to Mexican restaurants in Chicago all the time. Let me rephrase that. We went to  Mexican joints in Chi town, ALL THE TIME. The best of the best are mom and pop joints with nothing fancy about their place, just amazing home cooked dishes.

Tonight everything has changed for us here in Nashville TN. Tonight we can finally say, OH MY GOODNESS…Amazing freakn tacos, 3 minutes from where we live. I was skeptical at first since we struck out so many times, but hidden in a East Nashville neighborhood was an amazing Mexican taco stop shop!  When I drove up to their parking lot there was no fancy sign, no valet parking, no flapping banners, just a hand written sign saying “MAS TACOS”. It felt like I was driving up to a roadside taqueria in Mexico, in the middle of nowhere.

Until a month ago, MAS TACOS was simply a 1974 Winnebago that drove thru town making tacos for all walks of life in Nashville. The only way to find out where they would be was to follow them on twitter.  Seems like word is getting around like wild fire, as it should be. They are  pretty rad.  So not only do they travel Retro style, they now have an open pit stop HERE! Since then I’ve been following them, waiting for the right moment where my soul longed for a taco and I would make my way to that exclusive part of town that night, to test the waters…That day came this evening. Instead of regular water, I had a fresh watermelon water. I ordered a chicken taco with the works and a pulled pork taco with the works. The sauce on these tacos blew up in your mouth with flavors of Mommas kitchen spices and the kick of spicy heat! Diego enjoyed a corn on the cob that I believe is grilled and slightly toasted. It had a distinct flavor, like nothing I’ve ever had.  It was incredible. My description of the tacos, the food and fresh drinks  do not give them justice. The menu is insanely awesome.

When you walk into Mas Tacos there is nothing glamorous about it, but a totally rustic and trendy place that was creatively restored.  They did a great job of recreating a road side taco stop in Mexico for sure. From the random art work on the walls, old faded wood, a vintage fan, to the un-matching chairs and tables.  If you peek into the kitchen you get a front row view of the chaos going on, with wooden crates full of Coca Colas from Mexico, fresh veggies all around, pots cooking, cooks sweating, your order being written on the paper plate it will be served in. One of the cooks looked like he played basketball for a 1970 team… A  young lady colored in beautiful art happened to sit at the table with my wife and boys to talk about MAS TACOS and how it started. She turned out to be the founder and owner. I never would’ve guessed it. She was super cool.  She is a Tennessee native, a chef who traveled through Latin America, worked in NY kitchens, only to return back home and do what she loves best. Glad you came back!!!

Not only do they make amazing tacos, but what an awesome story. You better believe we are going to be regulars at MAS TACOS. This place is a must!! Follow MAS TACOS and bring your friends. You are gonna dig this joint, I guarantee it.  You’re gonna wish you lived in East Nashville! Tonight’s menu was going to feature Cactus(nopales) with Chorizo. Soon they will be open for authentic breakfasts, including  Chilaquiles! Haven’t had that in a while.  There are a few things I would love to see on that menu and on the path MAS TACOS is going, I know I will see them being served very soon! What else can I say? We found what we’ve been looking for. I am already thinking of what I will have next time we dine in…“MAS TACOS POR FAVOR!!!”

Tell them “fuser’s blog” sent you!

-fuser+

Proud moment in the Santoyo headquarters…Zion Max finally took his first steps …Life is gonna  change around here, really quick!!! Exciting times!!!

First steps… from Jesse “fuser” Santoyo on Vimeo.

-proud fuser+

Sometimes pictures portray things that aren’t. They should say “False advertisement”.  Sometimes it seems things are better when you are up closer…Like the famous saying goes, “the grass is greener on the other side”… We all know it’s not…Only in our dreams…and even then it’s cutting it close.

Pirates at Zions 1st Bday

The truth is I, Reina, Diego and Zion don’t have it all together. We love to share our pictures, our adventures, our thoughts, our dreams, our art and our faith. It may seem everything is perfect…but it’s not. It is very far from it. I am not the greatest dad, I try to but I don’t quite get it all yet. Just when I think I have disciplined my boys right, they’ll make a public show, where I get punked…  I am not the ideal husband. I’ve dropped the ball in our marriage plenty of times and messed it all up too. I’ve managed to  scrape by here in a new city doing what I can to keep the lights on. Working odd jobs when inside I feel I am capable of more…Seems like I have an amazing musical  and acting career, but I really don’t. Working at it though… So don’t be fooled by our pictures, videos, blogs etc…It’s not what we are trying to do.

The little Pirates

One thing is for sure. We enjoy doing life and sharing it. We are passionate about art, faith, music and it’s the reason we share it. We are passionate about people. Y O U..It is why we do what we do… No matter what has come our way, we’ve remained happy. No matter how tough things have gotten we have not given up. No matter how much of a rookie Dad I am, I am on a quest to be the best Dad I can be. No matter how much I may have screwed up in the past, my wife loves me and I love her, and we’re in this for the long run… No matter what, we have a blast doing life and sharing it with you! The people! It’s amazing to be who you are and know you are not defined nor judged  by how many times you fall, but how many times you rise above the obstacles.

One thing of the many we don’t know how to do is TO GIVE UP… That is not part of our vocabulary…I love heroic war stories…Not only of actual wars, but war stories of ordinary people facing life and who triumph despite of __________________. I am sure we can all fill that blank. Be encouraged. Rise above the mess, leave it behind and live the greatest life you ever have and share it… That is the whole point…Make a difference in the world you are part of…Don’t be afraid to share what you’ve gone through or may be going thru…It’s a valuable story worth telling. It’s meant for someone out there to hear. I love the saying at our church… “Everyone is welcome, Nobody is perfect, and anything is possible”…I think that’s how it goes…close enough…

hasta luego

-fuser+

One day my kids will open up this book filled with stories, thoughts, triumphs, failures,prayers, songs, ideas, photographs and sketches. They will sit around the fire place and tell these stories to their kids. It’s the story of our lives. The memories of their fathers, the lessons they learned and the most amazing adventure we had together. I keep this in mind everyday when I wake up and tuck them into bed at night.

What will your book say one day?

-fuser+

Reina and I were in college when we talked about what we would name our kids one day. I remember writing down the name “zion max” in a notebook, we both liked the name and promised each other we’d use it. Last year, today  our 2nd boy was born and we named him Zion Max Santoyo.  I remember early on in the pregnancy Dr.’s telling us there were complications and the pregnancy would have to be terminated. We were devastated at the thought of losing our child who wasn’t even born yet…We received the bad news on a Friday. That weekend our friends and family prayed for us. Sunday morning came and we got great news that everything was back to normal and things would be ok! Months later Zion Max Santoyo was born on July 6th 2009 in Homestead FL. He’s brought so much joy into our life. He has an amazing smile, an adventurous charm, a never ending appetite, and a passion for music.

I have learned so much from Zion and continue to do so…He has truly been an amazing gift and blessing from God. This evening we got him a cake, sang happy birthday and kicked off the festivities a day early…I can’t believe he is 1 already. Diego was such a big brother, and helped Zion with blowing out his candle. Moments like this get me all emotional as a Dad…Time flies way too fast. Seems like just yesterday the nurse handed Zion over to me straight out of the oven for his first hello…I will never forget that day.

Happy birthday big boy! Daddy and mommy and your big bro Diego love you so freakn much! I am glad you are part of this journey with us. I promise to be the best dad, role model, artist, friend, spiritual leader I can be for you!

-fuser+

-fuser+

Creating culture begins at home. Every evening, me, Reina and the boys have dinner together. For Reina and myself this is new. It wasn’t common for us to have dinner with our families at one table and all together when we were growing up. I remember when my Mom cooked dinner, everyone ate at different times. Sometimes I ate dinner watching TV, ate dinner outside but it was rare to have everyone together at the table. Unless it was a family gathering or party.  When Reina and I got married, we wanted to start a new culture in our home. One being that we would eat together at one table with our kids.

So every evening  right before dinner, the TV goes off, we all set the table together, Diego prays for our meal and we dig in. We play music while we dine, we laugh and we watch Zion make a mess with his food. It’s amazing. It is something new for us, but normal culture for the boys. One day our boys will grow up with memories of dinner at the table together while the songs of Ruben Blades serenaded us. One day our boys will pass on this new culture to their children and share stories of their childhood.

I look back and remember many things from my childhood. Some are great memories and some are not so great. Regardless of it, it’s part of my past but doesn’t necessarily have to be part of my future. I can sit here and complain about how things could have  or should have been…But instead I choose to create a new culture in my home.  A new foundation. You can do the same. This can be the case for many areas of our lives. Don’t accept things for what they are…You have the power to create a new culture in you and those around you.

-fuser+

One of the many reasons I came to Nashville was to make music and write songs. I can’t really imagine my life not doing that, it’s encoded in my DNA…Whether it be professionally or not, it will be something I do till the day I die.  It’s been tough surviving here In Nashville so far… Landing a job has been a constant mission. With a Communications Degree and proven experience in the creative and broadcast world, it’s still challenging? Though I have landed random temp gigs and promising interviews, I am yet to land a solid and stable job. I’ve done a few acting gigs in town that have helped make ends meet, but as you know, in the world of entertainment  it takes time and lots of patience. Yeah times are tough, but it all comes with the package of the journey right? Nevertheless, writing music doesn’t stop, dreaming and planning doesn’t stop, our joy doesn’t stop.  It keeps going no matter what. Reina and I constantly remind each other, ” no matter what happens, we keep going”…I look at my two boys and the passion burns even more inside my heart to go for it. We are humbled by the constant support from our close friends and family! I am looking forward to taking a design class starting next week at Watkins,  courtesy of our friends…I have no words to express our gratitude!!! Sometimes other people believe in us, more then we do  ourselves… I have recieved random emails from people believing in us and in our journey…It’s awesome.  Reina returns to school this fall with a full ride! That is a HUGE blessing! Soon she’ll be designing homes for the world…  It’s awesome to see many things fall into place, while we work on getting the rest of the pieces together and finally make this city our home… So now what? Well it goes like this…1. I am finalizing some of the songs I have been writing for my solo EP, in preparation to hit the studio this fall with this amazing song writer/producer. I am super excited about it! This will be the first EP of a few in the making. With works in Spanish and some other cool stuff to follow…I won’t spill all the beans.  I will share this though, me and the fellas in TSP are taking off a weekend and heading to Atlanta for a writing session, stay tuned for updates and the scoop on that!

As far as the solo EP goes, this will be the first time that I venture into a music project as a solo artist without a band. The creative process will be an adventure in itself. This project is going to mean tons for me and my family.  It will reflect this journey we have taken, in pursuit of our passions. It will also be my  first project out of  Nashville, and a road towards becoming a better songwriter.   I am reaching out to all my faithful supporters to thank you and hope you guys will join me on this musical journey that has begun and will build up some momentum.  I have tons of music for you. Now the task is to get it recorded and out to your ears. We’re working on raising support for these projects and  many other creative endeavors.  We’re Looking for designers, film makers, photographers and more…If you want more info and feel you wanna be part of the creative chaos and help us with support and get this first of many rockets off the ground, please feel free to email me at jessesantoyo1@gmail.com. Thanks again.

Yours truly,

-fuser+ and the crew

“hasta la victoria siempre”