2 Drinks Today

Whoops. In a whirlwind fit of birthday celebration giddiness it seems that somehow I have allowed 2 alcoholic drinks to enter my system today, and it's only 2:33 pm and I'm here at Job #1! Oh well, if this were Europe it'd be totally acceptable. And if this were Mexico again it wouldn't matter b/c I'd be at home, enjoying my siesta. Today is S. S-S's b-day and we began the morning at 9am at one of our local friendly neighborhood gay bars where I had a "Madras", or vodka/cranberry/orange juice. Chased by a kolache. Then I came to work for a couple of hours. Lunch found us all celebrating S.'s birthday at Rudz where I had the beer/burger special accompanied by the Nuts and Bolts fried appetizer delicacy. It's Friday!!!

In documentary latest, I have bad news and good news. The bad news is that last night I called the widow of my fallen cadet brother to try and set up her interview--which she'd already agreed to--for next weekend's shoot. She told me however that after speaking with her dead husband's family she can no longer participate in the film b/c they have forbade her to do so. I was shocked, confused, offended. She offered to have his eldest brother call me to voice his concerns/questions, but somehow I am a little skeptical about receiving that phone call... not sure why, I just got that feeling. I told her, very respectfully, that I am still dedicating the film to her husband and that we are still discussing him in it. And I didn't tell her this next part, but I guess if I will not get her cooperation I may have to use the one photo of him that I have that belongs to the Sheriff's Ofc. instead of a very nice one of him I have from his funeral program (his family may not allow me to use it for all I know, now).

The good news is that last night I went to the Academy to ask my final 4 cadet candidates if they will be in the film. First I worked out with them in the hot parking lot, good-naturedly doing everything they did, sit-ups, push-ups, squat thrusts, etc. Then the deadly Sgt. S showed up and we ran them through some defensive tactics drills. One cadet had a hurt knee so his partner couldn't use him, so I volunteered to hold the pad against my common peroneal and let the cadet kick me over and over again--BOTH sides. He really let me have it too! I was aching but manned up and took it--'cuz I AM The Man! Today I am pretty sore and surprised I'm not all black and blue up and down my thighs. But when the class took its 1st break and I asked the 4 cadets to come and talk to me and explained about the documentary and asked them to be in it, they all agreed!!! I suggested they talk to their families about it and get back to me officially after that and I would send them the interview questions and the release forms. They said they were flattered. I hope none of them change their minds b/c I gotta shoot next weekend!!!