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+

-fuser+

Some of you are just an email away.  When we arrived to Nashville TN, we knew we had our work cut out for us. We knew just a hand full of people here in town that would initially show us around and give us the 411 on Nashville.  After that, we were on our own to connect with the city, the community, a church,  other artists, and the work scene. This would be vital to our existence and future in Nashville.

I had to get out there and network with people! I had to find work, and find ways to connect. This wasn’t easy, but something extremely necessary.  When you are the new face in town, it isn’t always the easiest thing. So what did I do? I found the people, within Nashville, that I admire and look up to online through blogs and twitter. I sat at home, gathered my thoughts and sent out an email to them. I kept it real. I explained first and foremost that we were new in town, that we were working to make Nashville our permanent home, I briefly explained a few of the things we are passionate about and are hoping to pursue, and how we can definitely use some advice and guidance… I expected to never hear a response, which in most cases happened. But there were a few amazing and talented people who took time off their busy schedules to sit and have coffee with me to hear my heart and our plan as a family…Why? All because I took the chance to reach out and send that email. The coolest thing is that once upon a time these world changers/mentors and artists were in my shoes… In those simple coffee meetings I gained some of the greatest advice ever.

Don’t be afraid of being rejected and ignored. Don’t feel insecure about your passions. Don’t go with the crowd and accept the horror stories of trying to connect in a new city. Someone will respond and It will most likely be the people you least expect. You’d be surprised! So go for it! Gather your thoughts and words, and honestly…Just keep it real and  PRESS SEND…It will make a world of a difference.

-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+

I share my story and journey very often, through music, poetry, design, photos, conversations, film ideas, food and more. I never get tired of it, cause it’s constantly moving with new chapters and episodes. To be quite honest, it’s because it is all I know. I constantly read blogs, listen to music, watch films and search for all sorts of inspiration.  I wonder if I can ever be as good as them… The answer is no. I can only be me. I am not good with fancy words nor philosophical thoughts. Though, I am constantly impressed by those that pull it off well and are just brilliant by nature in doing so. Some people are just great!

It takes me a bit longer to learn stuff, but once I figure it out I hit the ground running. I’ve tried covering popular songs in the past, but I am just not that great of a musician to pull it off. I enjoy writing but it doesn’t reflect much in my grammar. (need a full time editor) I don’t read music nor can compose a classical piece, but can I start to write you an original melody and song that is  in my head, in  just  a few minutes.  I stay close to what I know, cause it’s my strength. Which I know isn’t always the greatest choice. I have to continue to push myself to grow as an artist. I have to work harder at it!  So I stick to creating from what’s inside and sharing my story. I ride my past,my  present and future story to the max. I find different ways to tell it. Different colors to paint it. Different melodies and words to sing it. It’s the most valuable thing on this God given journey. My story and I want to share it with YOU.

I challenge you to stop trying to find the perfect story outside your own. Stop pretending to be someone you are not.  Stop hiding behind what appears to be perfect when you know it is not. This world can see straight thru us. Tell your story! Keep it real, keep it true.  There is beauty in the imperfections. The impact of your story is far greater then what you think it can be. Your story can change the world. Your story might be the only “Jesus” people will ever hear and see on this earth. Your story is the greatest song ever written.  There is no greater way to fail and to succeed then as who God created…Which is YOU. So be kick ass, be YOU my friends!

How do you share your story?

-fuser+

What matters most, to you?

-fuser+

Arthritis Foundation: Keep Movin’ from Easyfeel on Vimeo.

-fuser+

What artists inspire you lately?

-fuser+

If you don’t speak up, someone else will, and YOU will never be heard.

-fuser+