Poignant Steps Around Our Father

Obituary for Manuel Rodriguez (February 12, 1948-May 16, 2012

 The following is the edited original paragraph of a story dedicated to Manuel Rodriguez. I have been omitted the first paragraph which was the set up for the dedication. You still check out the original Poignant Steps Around My Stalker if you wish which was posted on November 2, 2010. I have included the link to his obituary in which I had the honor to write even though it was something I wish I never had to do. To my family, Thank you for letting me share this. I will continue to update your words and posts in the future.

I have gained something unexpected from this situation. The father has become one of those repetitive words that were often a dream of mine even as a little kid. My stepfather has taught me more than my head could handle at times. He has been my source of sanity throughout the madness. He has said all the right words to keep me working through the situation versus quitting. The lessons were always there even when I was teenager. You got to understand at that time I still had hope that my biological father would step up. I am not putting the biological down he has been a good buddy and decent friend but a real man knows it takes more than that to be a father. My step-dad did the best he could with the bundle of damaged goods that fell from the sky into his old yellow van. He bought me my first pair of brand name sneakers when I was only the brother of the girl his son was dating.  I am almost sure they were a white pair of Reebok's but I got this black pair of black British Knights in my head. My mind was so closed then. I can only imagine what I would have learned with an open mind. My point is quite clear. I may have been through some major obstacles in what is hands down the greatest year of my life. Those obstacles have led me to finding the dream of finally being blessed with a man I can call Dad. I may still call you from your government name. I don't know call it my stubborn pride but in my head and heart I am calling you Dad. This is the story behind the show and it's dedicated to you with LOVE...

Sadly Manuel Rodriguez passed away on Wednesday May 16, 2012. I had just sat down with a friend and explained that he had a pacemaker put in the day before and was doing well. I was convinced that everything was going to be okay. I sat down for a rare lunch and I heard my oldest sister’s voice mail when I other sister called me. She told me what that he didn’t make it and the nightmare of losing someone I loved began. I have read this piece over and over again and remember how hard it was dealing with the situation above. The first call I would make was always to my mother’s house. Manuel would get on the phone with me and cut the wires of the ticking time bomb in my head. He was my greatest ally during this time. I remember he offered to drive me to this show and even offered me his vehicle to get to the Congress Theater that night. He understood what no one else seemed to get. He knew these shows were the fuel to my stories and wanted to hear the story afterwards. I believed things were going to be better with his health and had plans on giving him some more memories. I wish I would have had more to offer him when I was younger. I wish he would have been next to me at some of these events but I know he loved the stories. I would often go right over to my parent’s house share these stories with them as soon as I was done writing them.  He was the ultimate family man. He loved my mother so much and wanted to live just be sure she was taken care of and is still taking care of her even though he is gone. His life was incredible and he possessed all of the qualities a person needed to be looked at as a man. I am positive that these won’t be the last words I write regarding Manuel and I know his obituary will not be the last piece I ever write about him. I dedicated Poignant Steps Around My Stalker to him because he helped me overcome the situation above with success. I dedicate every word I word I write to him in the future and know he will be by my side at every event and show. This means I will cheer a little louder, sing along a little more, and be more of an example to the future I am blessed to be part of. I will continue to put my family first like he taught me and continue on my journey while sharing the story with people I love. “I will miss you Manuel and I promise you my mom is going to see places that give her new memories, she is going to be okay, and I know you will be there with us.” Love. 

Bueno! Bueno! Grandpa you are the talk of the town and your family is telling your story every day, we miss you and respect your legacy....

"Pa. You have once again taught me a lesson in life. That its to short and your never to old to say I love you. You are the man I will always look up to and thank you for being my father and never giving up on me. Until we meet again...

Love, Your son" -Manuel X. Rodriguez

 "Thank you all for all your kind words and wishes during this difficult time. Our hearts are all broken and we are still trying to cope with the sudden passing of my father in law this morning. This man was more than my father-in-law, as many of my family and friends know Manuel and MY mother met and then married a year after my husband and I. They have been married for 22 years. This is such a huge loss for all of us because he was such a wonderful Grandfather, Dad, and all around human being. He would do anything for anyone at the drop of a dime. I am at a loss of words." -Angie Rodriguez

My Father, May your soul rest in eternal peace forever. The last words you spoke to me were when I told you "I Love You"the night before you passed and you said " I Love You more Sweetie" I will cherish those words in my heart for the rest of my life. Our family will never be the same without you. Until we meet again...Your Daughter Yvette"- Yvette Markovic 

 "There comes a time in all of our lives when we have to say goodbye to someone whom we always thought to be invincible. I'd always hoped and prayed that the day would never come. But, now that it has I just wanted to make sure you know how grateful I am for all the love and support you've given me throughout my entire life. I want you to know that I will never ever forget you, you are one of my favorite people to have ever existed on the face of this earth. In between the tears are endless smiles, I have so many wonderful memories of you! I'm happy to know you're soul is safe and that you can finally rest peacefully. I will hold you in my heart until I see you again! I love you, Grandpa Manuel! ♥" -Ashley Rodriguez

"It's been extremely difficult. This has been my family's darkest hour. The love we have for Manuel is beyond comprehension. Manuel was first in line to ask me about every wrestling show, every concert, and every event I attended. He already knew I had story for him when he asked, "What have you been up to Mijo?" He always told me, “Do everything you want to do in life now.” He loved me but most importantly he loved my mother. She searched for love her whole life. He loved his son Zavie and his eyes would light up every time he talked about his son. He treated my sisters Yvette and Angie like daughters and me like a son. His love meant everything to me. He accepted me when I did the opposite of everything I was supposed to do. He supported me when I was a mess. He always believed in me when I didn't even believe in myself. He made me the man I am today. I love you Manuel and will miss you every day. His obituary was the most difficult piece I have ever penned but I feel honored that my family allowed me to write it. I want to thank my family for being so strong and making me stronger in our darkest hour."-Christopher R. Garcia

  

"I love and miss you so, so much. RIP, grandpa. ♥"-Analyse Markovic 

"Hey Grandpa,
It's crazy... I never though I would have to talk to you without you physically standing hear next to me, listening to every word with an open heart. I know you ARE listening, but it's so difficult to speak when you're not hear to crack a joke at something I silly say.
I have keep reminding myself that you wouldn't want me crying for you though... You'd much rather see me smiling right now. In a sense, this gives me unimaginable comfort. I keep hearing "you look just like him!", and "the resemblance is uncanny!" and I just keep gleaming knowing that its just another part of you I will hold with me forever. It almost feels like since we look so much alike when I'm smiling, so are you! I guess it's silly things that comfort a person in times of distress... But hey, it helps. So, I guess I'll be seeing you on the flip side, huh? Well, you can wait, I'm sure. After all, a life time is only a drop in the sea of eternity.
See you soon, I love you grandpa!
~~~ Your little clone"

~ Xaundra Rodriguez

 "Grandpa when i see your face there is not a thing that i would change because your amazing just the way you are. Your only grandson."-Sage Rodriguez

This video really touched all of our hearts. Thank you Ashley!

A Life Well Lived, Grandpa Manuel - By Ashley Rodriguez 

Well Grandpa you continue to surprise us and set the example from beyond. You gave yet another moment that we will all remember. There were some tears because we all realized and understood that this was your last gift to us all. The tears quickly turned to smiles and gratitude as we searched my heads on ways to honor your wishes. The evidence was overwhelming that this was more than gift to us. There are talks of wedding which is proof that your family is making believers out of the world. Echoes and questions of, “What should I do with my life” filled the air. Your desire for us to do what we want is the next the chapter and I have feeling there will be some great highlights ahead. I will continue to tell you all about it and although I don’t have a specific memory in mind at the moment, I want to thank you in advance as our stories unfold.  -Christopher R. Garcia

PAPER BAG ON MY HEAD

Well I guess I have to welcome myself back. The 8R8 is awake. So what's going on? I got in the ring with myself and faced one of the biggest challenges to date. There was always noise all around me. I started to just sit back an observe it all from a distance for moment. Have you ever felt you were the best at what you do knew you were on the top of your game? I would so, even if it was something little you know you are the best at something in life. I was pretty happy with my life so when the opportunity presented itself to advance in life I started questioning myself once again. I was kind of stuck. My work here..the music..the shows...the people...the Generation Undefined. We needed definition were my words exactly and if I decided to stop advancing as a person I knew it would be contradiction to my own following. The idea of selling out was bothering me but just like my little blog it wasn't about the money it was about the opportunity. The competitive spirit from within started to take over and my choice was simple. The things I sacrificed make it all happen. When I say make it all happen I am talking about our dreams. It really hurt deep in my heart to miss some of the shows I missed in 2011. I felt like my connection to the music was getting weaker and weaker. I was really working for the moments I wanted to live. The moments started to come far and in between. I had to tell myself be grateful because your eyes have seen the people come together. I had to tell myself you ears have heard the sounds that were making the people's dreams come true. I had to tell myself trust in the Generation so that when you come back you can open new doors. My eyes weren't ready and my mind took over and now I am ready to talk about everything we have been living.

THE BACK OF THE BUS AT ENCLAVE CHICAGO

I have never done anything this before and I don't think Autumn is going to mind me sharing her story about Enclave Night Club in Chicago. When I read this I thought she is playing the race card but by the time I finished reading it I understood. I believe her story 100 percent. The sad part is this kind social injustice happens everyday and no one is ever held accountable for their actions. I urge the artist we love to read this and ask themselves, Is this the kind of place you really want to associate yourself with? This is part of the reason why I am retired from night club acts in the city of Chicago. The truth is this kind of stuff isn't going to stop until people stand up like Autum. This is her original post from May 6, 2011...

I had a private "party" there and was told that I could get whoever I wanted in for free as long as I had a table/paid for bottles. I had a mix of friends (3 white, 2 black, and an asian to be exact- you may not think this matters but you will see- it did). I noticed that there weren't many black people in there, and that it was predominantly white people but it was early. Later I had three friends text me and tell me they were outside. They told me that the bouncer wouldn't let them in. They weren't even drinking yet, and were dressed up looking very sharp all in our twenties. When I walked outside I asked the bouncer why he wasn't letting them in. He told me that they would have to pay the cover charge when it was their turn. I was ticked off, but handed him the cover charge for all three of them because I knew they had paid for babysitters already and didn't want them to think the club promoter went back on his work when he told me I could have as many people as I wanted (which he obviously did go back on his word). I didn't want to be a problem though. I went to my friends in line and apologized and told them it would just be a couple more minutes in line and they were taken care of. I went inside to get my jacket for the girl for extra warmth, and when I got back they were the next in line to get in. I stayed watching knowing that I paid their cover so I was making sure the bouncer wouldn't make them pay again. Just then the owner comes out, and brings the people that were behind my friends in line, inside. Then the owner walks them in, comes back out, whispers something in the bouncers ear, and brings the next three people standing behind my friends in. I walked up to the bouncer to see what was going on, and he said that he had no idea and I should ask the owner. I politely introduced myself to the owner, and he said "what, you want your friends in?" I told him that would be great, I had a table, I would be winning to buy another bottle at $310/bottle and that I already paid for their cover and they had been waiting for 2 hours while people behind them were getting in. He looked at my friends (2 black guys, and a black girl) and told me that they wouldn't be coming in because they didn't "fit in." I asked him what that meant and he said "take it how you want to but we try and keep the headcount of certain people to a minimum, and they don't fit in." Just then he let a white girl and two white guys in- same age-dressed similar and everything. I thought he was joking, so I asked him if there was some misunderstanding or they were underdressed. He took me inside the doors and told me that they weren't coming in his club. When I asked for a reason, he said that ultimately he has the right to refuse anyone he wants by law and make up any reason he wants. I told him that both men who were with me had a doctorate and the woman was pre-law. He said their education didn't matter, and proceeded to open the door and let the next five people behind my friends in the door. He looked at me and said, "now there are plenty of prestigious customers who would love your table, are you ready to leave so I can make more money?" By then I was pretty upset, and thought about calling the cops, but I thought that no matter what happened, it wasn't going to be solved and I didn't want to be there. I got inside and told my couple of friends inside that we needed to go. They charged my card $600 for a party I didn't even have. We decided to go to another club (a black club where I as a white person felt very accepted), and when we got there the promoter from Enclave texted me saying that the owner had no idea who I was and the owner was so so so sorry and the owner offered to buy us two bottles of Dom if we would come back. I told him that racism isn't covered by bottles of Dom and the damage was already done. I told him that no matter who I was, no one deserved to be treated like that no matter the race too, and that I would never be returning as well as putting my story up on every site I could for people to see. Review by Autum

LMFAO: SORRY FOR PARTY ROCKING REVIEW

The Grammy nominated Kings of Party Rock LMFAO have returned with a new album. Are you looking to sing the sophomore blues? There are no apologies needed but you shouldn’t pass on Sorry for Party Rocking. The established genre of Party Rock has become a worldwide phenomenon of style and sound. The single, Party Rock Anthem, was released earlier this year and has shuffled its way onto the radio giving the duo of Red Foo and Sky Blu enough ammunition to have another hit dance record. The catchy beats and lyrics have made this the kind of music that just grows on you until you find yourself spitting a hook or rocking a beat at any given moment. The title track Sorry for Party Rocking is a rebellious track that pretty much answers the group's critics before they can judge the album. Party Rock music and style gets an instant reaction from the masses but LMFAO and the fans are just having fun.  This track will ease the tension of those awkward stares from the members of the public that just don't get it. "People always say that my music's loud...Sorry for Party Rocking." Champagne Showers featuring Natalia Kills will give you visuals of your favorite model standing soaking wet on the box while you are throwing your fingers in the air. Take It to the Hole features Busta Rhymes, who is looking to find his niche in the Electro genre like LiL Jon and other rappers. Champagne Showers is one of those banging summer Jams that makes normal everyday people at work break into flash mobs of movement. The champagne is spraying as this is one of the strongest tracks on the album. Put That A$$ To Work keeps the momentum going with another solid freakish beat. It is a track that will keep the ladies bouncing on the dance floor all summer. The group is talented and they do a tremendous job on this album keeping up lyrically to hard Electro beats. LMFAO stays true to the Party Rock genre by making music for the club that ignites a party wherever ears can consume sound. The album defies today's pop formula while never loosing the spotlight of contemporary heat. LMFAO gives us just enough to be happy about by making songs that make us feel good. Although every track on the album may not be strong, there still enough to make you dance. Some of the sampled hooks are repetitive and corny but you will still find yourself singing along because hooks and lyrics are to remember. I think this group is still young and having a Party Rocking good time. They are not shy of confidence lyrically which makes them believable. When you see them perform live you can feel the elements of soul behind their voices. I truly feel that the moment they decide to step away from the auto-tune, something special is going to happen. The group seems to be extremely busy as they are featuring new Party Rock remixes, and there are rumors that they may be appearing on the new Pitbull album. That kind of momentum gives LMFAO credibility and could means that we will be hearing Rock the Beat III on the group’s third album very soon. Sorry, but it's difficult to dislike LMFAO for Party Rocking on this album.