The Old West

Holy crap, it's been forever. I'm so sorry, to both of you.

I have a lot to catch up on. Let's start! First, we'll discuss and relive my time in El Paso, TX, because it was totally awesome. Really, a lot better than I had ever imagined.

I mostly went to visit my sis and her kiddos which I had not seen in forever, but also for my 10yr high school reunion.




And yes, I'm that fucking old. I was only planning on doing one of the official reunion events, but I ended up doing all three because I was having so much fucking fun.

For the most part, from Wed 10/08 nite till Sun 10/12 nite, I spent my time playing all morning and afternoon with my Nieces and nephew and partying all evening and night with my friends and fellow High School Alumni.

Even if I wanted to sleep in I couldn't because my Nephew/Godson Sean and Niece Jasmine would wake me up to play.

"Nino, Nino.....let's play cards" (Nino means God Father in Spanish)
"Ernie, Nino, Tio, I wanna Dance Dance Revolution" (Tio means Uncle is Spanish)
(wow who knew this was going to be a Spanish lesson as well?)






So Ben (who got in on Friday) and I would both wake up at 8am to play cards, DDR, PlayStation 2, and the ever popular "throw me up in the air" game. Then in the evenings we'd be off to hang out with my best friends in El Paso, Adriana, Roman, and Janet.


Thursday was the Honored Ex Assembly at the football stadium.



After the assembly we went into the school and I showed everyone all my acting trophies and we also went to the Band room. It was a trip to go into the Band room and the practice rooms, in which, we all made out with each other at one point or another. Sometimes all at the same time.

Seriously, I have proof.

That's me in the middle. Yikes!

Thu nite we partied with the new Band Director (who was awesome) and my Old Speech Coach. After Logan's kicked us out, we did after hours at my Speech Coach's house.



Early Friday morning, Roman and I went to Band practice to speak to the students per the new band director's request. For those who didn't know I use to be a drum major.

See, that's me conducting the band in 1998.

Wanna see more?

That's me in my Drum Major outfit. That year we did a Circus Show, so I was a Ring Master. Also please note how I took my senior pictures at Glamour Shots. LOL








That Friday morning was also the homecoming parade which was actually rather impressive and long. Very long. I have to say that standing in front of the High School with all the other High School students I didn't feel old at all!

That night was the football game, which I was not planning on attending, but my Speech Coach now an administrator there, convinced to go because I wouldn't have to pay and she could get my friends and I on the field.


Yeah, it was cool. The other alumni asked me, "How the hell were you allowed to be on the field?"

My answer? "Ummm, VIP Bitch"


After the game, on Friday night Ben and I met up with my bestest friend Adriana and another girl named Sandra (both whom I met at my first job at the Amusement park when I was 16). We went to Grahams Central Station, which Adriana and I use to go to every Friday, for 25cent long necks. Yes, you heard me right, Beer for a quarter....that's El Paso!





After getting completely fucked up for about a dollar and seventy-five cents we went to The San Antonio Mining Company for dancing and after hours.

Saturday during the day I took my nieces and nephews to Insights Science museum, and Chuck E. Cheese, both which they had never been too. Just thinking about it again and seeing the joy and amazement in their tiny faces chokes me up. Ahh..okay breath.








Saturday evening was the semi-formal dinner and dance at the country club. Why was it so much fun? I have two words. Open Bar. The event started a bit slow, but by the end I was dancing with everyone!

Awards were to be giving out at this event and about 7mins before the presentation, the organizers came up to me and asked me If I could do the presentation because I'm so "animated and funny. "

I said, "Give me five minutes!"






I fucken killed. I totally killed. And I was nervous because those in attendance are not my usual target audience, I hadn't seen most of them in 10 yrs, and they were all straight. Anyway, I did it all off the cuff and it was awesome.

You know, how I've been contemplating whether I should go into stand up or not. Well, this totally convinced me that I can.

Luckily, on each award they had a post-it with some facts about that person and highlights of their accomplishments in the last 10years, which was great to make fun off. One of the recipients did get rather upset with me, but, if you were giving out, "The Most Little Indians Award," (our mascot is an Indian), so if you're giving out the award for the person who had the most babies in the class,where else would you go with that comedically?

I called it, "The Hoe Award"
The, "I can't keep my legs closed," Award.
The "Get another hobby award"...etc...

I said, "What, you've never heard of a condom, bitch? You know, there has been a lot of advancements in science and now we have these contraptions they can stick up in your vag and plug it up. Call 1-800-Mirena."

Anyway, she was upset that I failed to mentioned that she had been married for 8 years with the same guy...blah, blah, blah. I said, I'm sorry, but that wasn't in the post its they gave me. I also reminded her that it was all in good fun, and no one took it seriously. It was all good and we even danced some that night.

Oh and out of the five awards that were given out, I received one!

Sunday I spent all day with my Dad and my grandma, both whom I had not seen in a very long time.

This was one of my favorite parts of the trip.

Sunday night Roman, Adriana, Ben and I went to the Sundland Park Casino.

Ben and I broke even thanks to Ben. Roman lost all his money and Adriana won 200 dollars with only spending 10. She took us out to eat that night and then the next morning, early, I was off to Cleveland OH and Ben was off to Chicago, IL.

Adrania and I are fans of Chedder's Margaritas.

Here a picture taken May 19, 2004


I absolutely loved my time in El Paso. I got to see my best friends and some of my family. It was wonderful.

***Next time on Ernie's Blog****


"You want me to put that WHERE?"
"....and then, she died."
"yes you're right, I have been a dirty boy"

We'll also dive into my trip to OH, and The Comedy of Errors at the Canton Player's Guild.

As a special bonus for those of you who have not abandoned me because I had not blogged in a while.

Here are some more High School Pics.