Ok, so I have been harboring this little gem for roughly what, 12 years? I was in middle school band at the time, and we geared up for a performance at New Mexico State University for a competition that we had all practiced for months to go to. It was a big deal, we got off school early, packed our crap into three buses and made the 60 mile journey to Las Cruces for this competition.
Now, I wasn't the most popular in school, well, ever. I hung out with the few friends I had in school, and one of them (which my parent's never liked) was my friend Hector. Well, we actually placed well in our competition, considering in the middle of one of our best pieces our tubular bells literally collapsed in the middle of a pause between pieces. I remember wanting to laugh really hard, but was also scared shitless thinking we lost our chance of winning. Holding my trumpet perfectly still, I remember my eyes, as well as everyone else's widened at the sound, but we never panicked. After about 5 seconds we resumed the piece, without the bells.
Well, afterward, the judges found that the equipment loaned to us to use was faulty, so we weren't penalized, placed first, and were told to enjoy the rest of the performances in the audience. I met up with my parents and got the standard praises and was told to enjoy the rest of the evening with my classmates as they got into the car and went home. I met up with my friend Hector, found ourselves some seats and started to get bored.
Sitting behind Hector and I, was our assistant band director Mr. Castillo. Mr. Castillo was one of those late 20-something year olds with a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas and an attitude problem that made us wonder if he was really pissed he wasn't the head band director, instead of playing second fiddle to a younger female. Miss Blaine was a really good instructor, had an ear that could find an instrument just a hare out of tune & correct it and could play each instrument as if she did for years. You could tell there was some animosity between them, but rarely if ever let it show.
Mr. Castillo was single. This meant he was always on the lookout for some pussy to fuck, or some hot chick to talk to and get intimate with. Looking back I didn't know what the fuck he was doing, but it's obvious now. Well, Mr. Castillo sat about three rows above us with another single female instructor. He was woo-ing this trollop with more than likely his worst pickup lines when he saw Hector bothering me. Hector was pushing my head to one side & I was just about ready to get up and change seats when Mr. Castillo walked in front of the two of us, verbally scolded us & told us our dinner privileges were now taken away. We would then eat our dinner on the bus for misbehaving in front of other schools blah blah blah blah blah blah blah.
Well, we left the NMSU campus & went to get something cheap from Burger King. Hector and I were under strict orders to get our food and get back into the bus. The bus was hot and dark, we ate and waited what seemed like hours for everyone to finish and return. Mr. Castillo joined Hector and I in the bus and started to get pissed off at us telling us that we could have blown the competition because of what we did. Honestly, I don't think that would have happened, we were in the audience, in the dark, and no one but people above us saw us. Which is also why Mr. Castillo and his female friend were at the highest row in the auditorium...
So, we painfully slowly make our way back home to El Paso. All along the way Mr. Castillo tells Hector and me that he is going to talk to our parents when we get back to the school yard. IM fucking scared at this point, because I don't want my parents to flip out about something that I didn't start, and tried to stop. I saw my parent's car in the parking lot when we got there. Everyone got off the bus before Hector and I, Mr. Castillo told us to get our instruments and wait by our parents so he could talk to us. I got off the bus, saw my parents went to them, got in our car and left. I looked back to see Mr. Castillo talk to Hector's parents as we drove away.
The next day passed almost without incident. Hector was grounded for a month for what happened, and I thought that was the end of it. I remember at lunch Mr. Castillo was outside the school calling my name. I just looked around, saw him, stood still as he came up to me and got angry that I didn't stay so he could talk to my parents. At this time it was already over and I didn't care. Our ranking was still #1 and at that point there was nothing that could happen that could change it. Mr. Castillo then said he was going to call my parents and tell them on the phone what happened that night. He never did. I think he knew I knew what was really happening that night. He was with someone he shouldn't have been with, she saw what me and Hector were doing & spoke up. He was busted with her & was in more hot water than I was with Hector.
I thought it was interesting that he never told Miss Blaine about the incident.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Friday, May 27, 2005
I wasn't going to update
Ah, JoJo, this sort of thing has to stop. This is what JoJo sent me to my email this morning.
Oh, JoJo... You should know better...
First off, if there was an agency providing funds for this, it would be available for all 50 states. Second, it's half true. Living in the state of Texas myself, the phone number IS on the back of my drivers license, but as far as it's being a free thing, the call is free. The tow service will cost you.
If you think I am lying about this one, check out my resource page. Break The Chain.org is one of the best websites out there that will help you debunk any chain letter you get.
Subject: TX Driver's license
This was news to me. I got my license out and looked. Something all Texans should know, especially since this has received very little publicity. Your Texas driver's license has a phone number on the back, just above the bar code on the lower left side:1-800-525-5555. (It's VERY SMALL PRINT but it IS there.) Texas
Roadway Assistance. This number can be called for emergency assistance on the highway or wherever you might have trouble while in your car. A service truck will be sent to you. This service is state operated, paid for with your tax dollars.
If you are ever stranded, just call the number on your driver's license...help is on the way. A state trooper will be sent to make sure all is well.
This one is worth passing on to all the Texas People you know!
Oh, JoJo... You should know better...
First off, if there was an agency providing funds for this, it would be available for all 50 states. Second, it's half true. Living in the state of Texas myself, the phone number IS on the back of my drivers license, but as far as it's being a free thing, the call is free. The tow service will cost you.
If you think I am lying about this one, check out my resource page. Break The Chain.org is one of the best websites out there that will help you debunk any chain letter you get.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Suppressed Memories
I worked at Western Playland 8 years ago, and had remembered some memories I had suppressed for a long time. One was a funny incident that happened while operating the Tilt-A-Whirl ride, more affectionately known as the Tilt-A-Hurl due to passengers inability to keep their nachos down.
It was a day when I actually wanted somewhat of a break from the monotony of the Himalaya ride I was more accustomed to operating, but I didn't want to get stuck working a kids ride, so they placed me on the Tilt-A-Hurl. I gladly accepted that ride over a kids ride any day. Remind me one of these days to talk about some of the stupid things parents used to do. It's almost a guarantee that sometime during the parks operating hours that at least one person would hurl either on the ride, or at the exit. I had lucked out most of the shift that everyone made it to the exit before letting loose chunks of corn, cotton candy & churros.
I was actually having a good day on the ride. Situated next to the Himalaya, I would often ask my friend who operated it to play a song or two, since I was in earshot. I was having a good time when I saw some college guys get in line for the ride. They watched the cars to see which ones would spin fast, and guessed that there were two that would be the best to sit in and ride. They were pretty far back in the ride, so when it came time for them to get on, they declined, cause they saw that the two were taken. They agreed to let others behind them get on, in exchange for getting on first to get the two cars.
Now, before I continue, let me explain the basic operation of a Tilt-A-Hurl. There are two switches that operate the ride, a foot switch that keeps the power on, and a power lever/ hand brake combo. When placed all the way backwards, the brakes holding each car are engaged, keeping the cars from spinning while passengers board. When the foot switch is pressed and the lever pulled forward to the 'neutral' position, the cars roll free, ready to ride. The entire ride is operated via cable (like a trolley car in San Francisco) so you need to gently ease the ride onto the cable to get it going.
I had let the ride set itself where the car I knew to be the fast one was on a slight slope, but looked rather straight. There were three guys, but they all didn't want to get in the same car, so they split, two in one, and the other in the second car. The two guys took the other of the two cars, and the single rider took the car I set up for one hell of a ride. They were joking with each other, and were trying to get the cars to spin with the brakes on, so I let them know that the brakes were on, and that I will release it when I start the ride. They sort-of knew that I could get a car to spin with enough force, so they begged me to make the cars spin fast. Problem was, the only car I was interested in was the one with the single rider.
So, the ride is full. I check the safety latches & make my way back to the controls. I set my foot in the switch and watched these guys try hard to make the car spin. I knew I was risking the cable snapping when I did it, but I wanted to make this guy's ride a living hell when I released the brake and shoved the control lever into the high position right away. The ride jerked & all the cars started spinning, but the solo rider's car was spinning super fast and pinned him harshly against the back of the car.
His head made an audible thud sound that I could hear over the music from the Himalaya, and saw the guy's two buddies feeling left out that their car wasn't spinning like their friends was. They tried to get it spinning, but they were working against the natural rhythm of the ride and never got one good spin. Their friend on the other hand was screaming at the top of his lungs out of sheer pleasure for the first :30 seconds. His eyes were clenched shut, and had a white-knuckle death-grip on the safety bar. He seemed to be enjoying it, until he started to realize the car wasn't going to stop spinning so fast.
Then, as I watched the people waiting in line laughing and pointing out the lone rider, I saw his friends beg and plead for me to make theirs spin. It was out of my control when I let off the brake. I now took notice of the fiercely spinning car and saw the guy's face change from trying to hold on for dear life, to trying not to barf mid-spin. I remember the guy was of light complexion, but I remember seeing the difference in his face each time he made it past my post. It changed from light, to pale in 2 revolutions. It was almost time for the ride to stop anyways, so I started to stop the ride.
I didn't hit the car brakes just yet, I wanted this guy to remember this ride for some time. I managed to park that guys car on a level plane and as soon as the ride stopped turning, let it freely spin for about :10 seconds. I felt a moment of pity and hit the brakes. His friends had started to get out of the ride and were laughing their asses off at their friend who was visibly dizzy from the ride, helped him up, and started to horseplay with the guy before he had a chance to get his bearings. He started to run towards the gate, and just made it down the stairs when he let loose his snacks into the bushes. Everyone in line watched and cheered & jeered when they saw him barely make it, got on the ride and enjoyed their turn.
The three guys came back an hour later trying to get that car again, but never got it back. The guy who had puked had asked if I did that to him on purpose, and I told him I didn't. Secretly I did, but I wasn't going to incriminate myself.
It was a day when I actually wanted somewhat of a break from the monotony of the Himalaya ride I was more accustomed to operating, but I didn't want to get stuck working a kids ride, so they placed me on the Tilt-A-Hurl. I gladly accepted that ride over a kids ride any day. Remind me one of these days to talk about some of the stupid things parents used to do. It's almost a guarantee that sometime during the parks operating hours that at least one person would hurl either on the ride, or at the exit. I had lucked out most of the shift that everyone made it to the exit before letting loose chunks of corn, cotton candy & churros.
I was actually having a good day on the ride. Situated next to the Himalaya, I would often ask my friend who operated it to play a song or two, since I was in earshot. I was having a good time when I saw some college guys get in line for the ride. They watched the cars to see which ones would spin fast, and guessed that there were two that would be the best to sit in and ride. They were pretty far back in the ride, so when it came time for them to get on, they declined, cause they saw that the two were taken. They agreed to let others behind them get on, in exchange for getting on first to get the two cars.
Now, before I continue, let me explain the basic operation of a Tilt-A-Hurl. There are two switches that operate the ride, a foot switch that keeps the power on, and a power lever/ hand brake combo. When placed all the way backwards, the brakes holding each car are engaged, keeping the cars from spinning while passengers board. When the foot switch is pressed and the lever pulled forward to the 'neutral' position, the cars roll free, ready to ride. The entire ride is operated via cable (like a trolley car in San Francisco) so you need to gently ease the ride onto the cable to get it going.
I had let the ride set itself where the car I knew to be the fast one was on a slight slope, but looked rather straight. There were three guys, but they all didn't want to get in the same car, so they split, two in one, and the other in the second car. The two guys took the other of the two cars, and the single rider took the car I set up for one hell of a ride. They were joking with each other, and were trying to get the cars to spin with the brakes on, so I let them know that the brakes were on, and that I will release it when I start the ride. They sort-of knew that I could get a car to spin with enough force, so they begged me to make the cars spin fast. Problem was, the only car I was interested in was the one with the single rider.
So, the ride is full. I check the safety latches & make my way back to the controls. I set my foot in the switch and watched these guys try hard to make the car spin. I knew I was risking the cable snapping when I did it, but I wanted to make this guy's ride a living hell when I released the brake and shoved the control lever into the high position right away. The ride jerked & all the cars started spinning, but the solo rider's car was spinning super fast and pinned him harshly against the back of the car.
His head made an audible thud sound that I could hear over the music from the Himalaya, and saw the guy's two buddies feeling left out that their car wasn't spinning like their friends was. They tried to get it spinning, but they were working against the natural rhythm of the ride and never got one good spin. Their friend on the other hand was screaming at the top of his lungs out of sheer pleasure for the first :30 seconds. His eyes were clenched shut, and had a white-knuckle death-grip on the safety bar. He seemed to be enjoying it, until he started to realize the car wasn't going to stop spinning so fast.
Then, as I watched the people waiting in line laughing and pointing out the lone rider, I saw his friends beg and plead for me to make theirs spin. It was out of my control when I let off the brake. I now took notice of the fiercely spinning car and saw the guy's face change from trying to hold on for dear life, to trying not to barf mid-spin. I remember the guy was of light complexion, but I remember seeing the difference in his face each time he made it past my post. It changed from light, to pale in 2 revolutions. It was almost time for the ride to stop anyways, so I started to stop the ride.
I didn't hit the car brakes just yet, I wanted this guy to remember this ride for some time. I managed to park that guys car on a level plane and as soon as the ride stopped turning, let it freely spin for about :10 seconds. I felt a moment of pity and hit the brakes. His friends had started to get out of the ride and were laughing their asses off at their friend who was visibly dizzy from the ride, helped him up, and started to horseplay with the guy before he had a chance to get his bearings. He started to run towards the gate, and just made it down the stairs when he let loose his snacks into the bushes. Everyone in line watched and cheered & jeered when they saw him barely make it, got on the ride and enjoyed their turn.
The three guys came back an hour later trying to get that car again, but never got it back. The guy who had puked had asked if I did that to him on purpose, and I told him I didn't. Secretly I did, but I wasn't going to incriminate myself.
Monday, May 23, 2005
My contribution to El Paso history
I have created a new blog. I will update it with as much as I can. If you have photos and memories you would like to contribute, feel free to send them in.
For now, you can see whats left of Magic Landing.
For now, you can see whats left of Magic Landing.
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