Taking a stance Value 1: Equality

Humans are not the same… and that’s a good thing.

In our heterogeneous existence, some of us are taller, shorter, skinnier, darker, more robust, fluffy, and hundreds of beautiful differences that help make us wonderfully different. But as humans go, there’s something that should be completely and unwaveringly homogeneous: our rights to equal treatment.

It’s 2015 and although I can accept that cars don’t fly, it’s a bit disconcerting to see that equality is an issue that we are still tackling.

Equality means for us to live and respect each other and coexist on common ground. Although we may have different skills and abilities, no one should be entitled to anything more than another person.

That laws actually exist to promote inequality is simply not good enough for these times.

We’re better than that.

The hand of justice must be level and fair.

Women deserve equal treatment and equal pay. I said equal, not preferential.

That’s an important thing to highlight. A lot of people insist feminists are working towards an inverted misogyny and I’m actually certain that some people would want that.

I don’t.

Many people don’t.

It’s about fairness and to balance out the scales while eliminating favoritism. That’s why I sometimes debate if I should say I’m equalitarian or something like that since to me I believe the topic of equality transcends gender and race, religion and orientation, caste and age.

Equality also applies to friends of ours who have a gay orientation. To me it’s insane that we allow laws to exist that allow companies to fire someone for their gender. Hell, even the military has at least taken baby steps to somewhat evolve in their handling of the topic at least accepting that the don’t ask don’t tell policy needed revamping and still does, by the way.

Gay, transgender or bisexual people deserve the same rights as anyone because in the end, they’re human; we are all human. I’m not saying you have to agree with them or their outlook on life. I’m saying that as humans, they don’t deserve an asterisk in their existence or conditional treatment.

The same with “minorities”. I put the word in quotes because to me it’s become a misnomer. Black people, Asians, Hispanics and other ethnicities make up a massive part of the US population and the world population in general. Treating anyone differently because of race is just silly. I’d say it’s childish except children don’t discriminate until they are taught to do so. There’s no logical reason to tolerate inequality or promote it either.

The field should be level. Rights should be equal. Our differences should be embraced and celebrated rather than feared or ostracized.

People deserve to have their rights as people and not have them encroached upon because we’re not mature enough to practice tolerance.

It’s 2015.

We’ve landed on the moon.

We’re exploring outer space.

We have found cures to countless diseases.

We’ve made computers we can carry in our pockets that allow us to connect to the world at large.

I think that tolerance and defending equal rights is not too much to ask for. 

I guess what I'm saying is, keep the flying cars... we don't need them a fraction as much as we do harmony. 

Taking a stance: an introduction

Values shouldn’t be something that change easily. They should be solid, based on information and your most honest thoughts. In the quest to please everyone, sometimes people forget what they believe in.

People can say a couple of things about me but anyone who knows me, knows my values have been the same for decades and I’m not of a mind to change values on a whim or to please someone, anyone.

I think we deserve to treat ourselves better than that, which is why I’ll be writing ten posts about 10 values I promote with my work AND my actions.

Opinions are welcome, even discerning ones because I love heterogeneity and because I believe that just because we disagree, doesn’t mean we can’t get along.

Method to Madness: Be a tease

Some books are nice, others are highly enjoyable and others you simply can’t let go of. That last type of book causes you to stay up late and lie to yourself constantly each time you tell yourself you will only read one more page.

When a book is good, there’s no such thing as just one more page. You don’t just want to read more, you need to.

Ok, so what’s the trick?

Be a tease.

Be a terrible tease.

Leave people needing to learn what will happen next.

And one of the best places to tease is at the very end of a chapter.

The beginning of a chapter is also vital, mind you. It’s what gets readers interested, but that last sentence in a chapter? THAT’S where you get someone hooked.

That’s where people fall in love with you and hate you at the same time. When I finish a chapter, I go all out with that last sentence and it’s for two reasons: to have readers want to read more and getting me to NEED to write more.

Think of that person you liked and you couldn’t wait to see again. Think of advertising and how effective it is at making you want more.

Tease.

Hold out.

Give just enough.

And when you’re certain you have their attention…

Tease some more. 

My first ever video

Here's to plenty more to come. If you have a question or comment, let me know. Who knows? Might video reply :D

Cheers

Demons for dinner

Although many of us have the intention of being good people, that doesn’t mean we don’t have a darker side to us. In most societies we are taught to omit, bury or drown our demons.

“If it’s bad, it must be rectified.”

It’s a common sentiment although for me, one that is risky. If we continuously bury our feelings and thoughts, eventually the reservoir may reach its limit or to put it another way: there’s only so much you can sweep under the rug.

I’m not saying to embrace your inner super villain, by the way. I’m just saying it might be beneficial to take a good look at your demons so you can understand them.

My experience is that the more I understand these demons, the more in control I can be. By better comprehending that darker side, I can grow from it and consciously choose how to act.

Morality as defined in plenty of religious contexts is often driven by fear or in the search of a reward. If you sin, you will be punished, so be good… or else.

When you take the time to understand these flaws, those sources of anger, frustration, fear and other negative emotions, you are giving yourself the best opportunity to freely choose your actions. You cease to act based on fear and you aren’t a slave to those demons.

By understanding your darkness, you can shine brighter. So by all means, invite those demons over. Chat with them. Don’t judge. Talk. Understand.

The more you do, the brighter you will shine. 

Writing helped me quit smoking

There’s a big reason why some of my characters smoke cigarettes: so I don’t.

From age 16 til I was 26 I smoked cigarettes. It never was due to addiction, meaning I was never a pack a day smoker. I just enjoyed smoking… for however dumb and retarded a habit it was for me.

It took 3 attempts for me to finally be able to quit. The last time I actually did quit (the others were failed attempts), I had 3 solid motivations to stop:

1.        I was getting colds that lasted 3 months or more.
2.        I almost drowned while surfing when I got caught by a set inside.
3.        My wife was highly allergic to smoke.

If you’re wondering, no one asked me to quit. It wasn’t imposed and I just saw clearly when it was time to stop. Mind you, I made this decision at a point in my life when I could get free cigarettes by the carton because I worked on the advertising account of one of the major tobacco companies.

I should also clarify: I never smoked because of peer pressure or to please anyone. If that had been the case, I would have tried plenty of other drugs, which I never did because I was never interested. Trust me, on more than one occasion I had to firmly say thank you but NO thank you.

I smoked out of curiosity and eventually I grew to really enjoy cigarettes and still fondly remember sharing a cigarette or three over good conversation.

Luckily, I realized it wasn’t worth it and I quit.

I’ve been asked more than once about why a character in my book smokes so much.

Liam Dalrey is a vampire who is ashen colored, is several hundred years old and smokes incessantly.

The reason for this is far from noble: he smokes so I don’t.

You see, to cope with any desire to smoke, he takes one for team Estrada, which is why he’s so special in my life. Thanks to him, I don’t need to smoke. Plus, he smokes also because he’s a vampire. Unlike humans, he won’t get throat, mouth or lung cancer. He won’t get yellow fingers nails or month long colds. Between that and being captured in my stories, he can live forever…. And at the same time, he helps me live a little longer and a little healthier as well, which isn't half bad for a writer who has a lot on his mind.

Here's to living healthy with whatever help we need.

Peace, love, and maki rolls. 

Nepal is still happening

The death toll in Nepal after the earthquakes was staggering. Thousands of people have been found dead and many more may pass way due to the conditions and the challenges present at the top of the world. I am reminded of Chile, of Japan, of Indonesia and China, of India, of Haiti and even Katrina.

In their hour of need, we are facing social issues in various countries over several areas of interest. There are conflicts in Russia, Turkey, Lebanon, Venezuela, Sudan, Syria and beyond. There has been civil unrest in Maryland and plenty of other places. I’m not saying that Nepal deserves preferential treatment, but I am saying that maybe we can help ourselves by helping each other and reaching out to those in need.

Kathmandu is a grim reminder of how vulnerable and defenseless we are when nature decides to highlight how much of an advantage she has. Those other places I mentioned are a reminder of how delicate peace can be as well.

On one side of the world, we are fighting against each other while halfway across the world, people are fighting to survive. In the entire world, we’re being offered an opportunity to give our best and to pull together. So maybe it’s time to ask ourselves how we can get that done and all survive and thrive in harmony regardless of what life throws us.

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If you'd like to donate to the Nepal Relief, click here for the cause I supported. Cheers

My version of a get well card

So a friend of mine has a friend who almost died. He got leptospirosis which is a disease you get from coming into contact with rat urine, which can happen more commonly than you know. He was at the verge of death and I mean it when I say this, kidney failure, lung failure, affected organs and a very bad prognosis. Someway, somehow he pulled through and is doing a great recovery. That said, my friend in question wanted to get him my book as a get well present and he asked me if I could make a dedication using black humor. I decided against the dedication in the book being made with such humor and wrote it very honestly…. And I also wrote this piece for him because I wanted something written for him and offering my full take on black humor, because why not? I thought some of you might get a kick out of the most random get well note I’ve ever written.

Cheers,

JD

NEWS REPORT: Pissing rat found dead in an alley

The rat in question, Mighty Mick, was last seen alive exiting a local Puerto Rico brewery. Eyewitnesses report that the suspect was indeed under the influence of alcohol, at least 4 types of rat poison amphetamines and a belly full of government cheese.

A local rat snuff film dealer, the latest enterprise in his rodentgraphic empire included a new burgeoning golden shower series that went ratinum in the Adult Rodent industry. Puerto Rico government officials declined to comment on the situation, insisting this was an isolated incident.

The suspect in question was also under investigation for 5 cases of statutory rape and suspected mice pornography.

“I’m happy he’s dead,” said a resident iguana who lives near the scene of the crime who wished to remain nameless. “He was a dirty rat and was always trying to give laced cheese to younglings of all kinds. A rat that gives an even worse name to rats.”

Further investigation yielded information that his line of golden shower rat films had landed him a large publishing deal and the night in question was “all about celebrating what we worked so hard to piss away.”

Investigating reporters questioned local security personnel of the brewery who confessed that “there was a large party of rats mixed with other vermin, drinking and doing drugs.”

Mick, aged 38 months was reported to whip out his “cheese grinder” to make it rain on a batch of local beers that remained soiled. The company in question is being investigated by the authorities and at least 8 sanitary violations have been reported, 4 specifically from the Mick Shower Incident as this crime is being referred to.

Mick was found at the scene of the crime covered in Krazy Glue, with two broken paws and a discharged M80 firework halfway up his rectum. The apparent cause of death was anally ingested smoke intoxication.

Local residents are less than cooperative and only one report indicates the presence of an adult human, mid-thirties, bearded that responds to the name “Rafa”. There were also two additional objects of note at the crime scene: a mint condition edition of Only Human, a work by local author J.D. Estrada and a spray painted message on the wall that reads:

Get well soon.