The SAFEWAY...

"My Pac-man maze"...

We lived across the street from this grocery store, Safeway, in the city of Pacoima. Whenever my dad, mom, or older brother wanted to go I was always ready and willing to go every time. Only because they had one of my favorite games over there titled: Berzerk. And,my older brother had this quarter with a hole drilled in it with a string attached to it so we could play countless games whenever we wanted to and keep that same quarter, providing we wouldn't get caught, you know. :)

During my exciting battle against these evil robots, my brother pulls me aside to tell me something. He wants me to help him with something. What?? I ask what could be more important right now than destroying these robots? He insists that I just follow him. With little debate I eventually follow. "What's so important?" I ask. He tells me to put a small canister of Binaca (mouth freshener) spray into my pocket. "What?? You want me to steal something? Why? Why should I?" I ask. "I will let you keep that quarter with the string" argues my brother. Hmmmm, I thought... Sounded fair to me! So, as easy as he said it, I put the mouth freshener spray into my pocket.

He had me follow him down an aisle in the store. He had with him a pack of Marlboro Red cigarettes. He looked with a quick left and right then tried to stuff the pack into his pocket. He struggled a little too long with it as I watched him do it and as did our father while turning into the aisle where we were at. When our father approached us, I could almost swear my brother was as white as a ghost. "What's that in your pocket!?" with a stern voice asks our father. "Uhh... It's my Pac-Man maze!" said my brother with utter dismay. "What! Don't lie to me!" said our father. "It's my Pac-Man maze. It is!" said my worried brother. "Show me! Take whatever you have out of your pocket, now!" insisted our father. At this point I was already worried I was next. So, I quickly pulled out the Binaca I had and confessed on the spot. My dad was quite surprised I had stolen something, too. But, he had his eye on my brother. We were both BUSTED!! He told us he was going to have a talk with us when we get back home. Being 8 years old myself and my brother being about 11, we knew what that meant. The "CINTO"!! Which was a good ole butt-whooping with a thick leather belt.

We got home and got what we expected except for me. I was puzzled as to why I didn't get the "cinto" but, our father explained that my older was responsible for my actions that day. And, that he should be setting good examples for me, etc. I believe my brother learned more than I did that day. For me, it was just...

The Safeway...

United We Stand, Divided We Fall...

Let us be grateful for the freedoms we do have and for all that America has to offer us. At times, I may not agree with the politicians, leaders, and/or their true motives behind world affairs, but as a nation let us not forget that we must maintain a unity between us, we the people.

For, it is a nation divided that shall collapse. Too much disdain will only breed strife, animosity, and confusion. Now, don't get me wrong. I do not mean to shut your opinions, beliefs, and/or influence, but rather encourage you to understand that in order to remain a strong nation we "must" show it.

This means "war/battle/fight" whenever necessary. I do not mean we should go around the world and bully everyone, but we must keep our perspective for a strong military. Kinda like a man in jail must "prove" his own strength along with having a strong group having his back. It's the way of the world, like it or not, it just is. If you show weakness, someone in the world will punk you or bully you. And, take away your possessions of value.

I believe at times we might cross the line a bit, but I would rather be on the side of strength than on the side of weakness. Let us teach our next generation to be a proud and strong nation, but never a nation of ignorance.

Semper fidelis...

-ErieOne-Strong.Tough.Proud.