There is only one winner in boxing. Fighting against your opponent and fighting against your own inner demons become one in the same. Those who survive both in and out of the ring are beloved worldwide. Those who do not spiral downward into drugs, prison, and even murder. "[My] life's been pretty tragic," remarks Johnny. "But in the ring, it's been a blessing." Mi Vida Loca is not just a nickname for Johnny, but a legendary tale of a life lived over the edge and back.
This book is about what life was like in the twentieth century as experienced by one who was born in a small farming and ranching community during the Great Depression and grew up with, lived among, played with, and worked with people of Hispanic descent like himself, and then in a small New Mexico city among people whose descendants came mostly from Europe, Asia, Central and South America, and the Indigenous People who were here first. Almost his entire life and career were spent living among, and/or working with, and for the people of the Navajo, Zuni, Acoma, Laguna, Apache, Hoopa and Yurok Tribes and served in an Administrative capacity with the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs. From a small boy herding sheep in the foothills of the San Pedro Mountains of Northern New Mexico to a country boy living in the city, to a young man serving his country during the Korean Conflict (sometimes referred to as The Forgotten War and Frozen Chosin), to working for his Country in a Branch of the Federal Government that provides human services and assistance to the Indigenous Peoples of this country, to raising a family of eight children, and the adventures he and his family had along the way while living and working in various Indian Reservations located throughout New Mexico, Arizona and California. This was a journey of Learning, Living, and Loving that taught the author and his family the true meaning of the word love; love of God, love of self, love for one and other, and love for others. It has been a life mostly happy, sometimes sad, sometimes funny, sometimes full of grief and tears, but always full of love and thankfulness to our Creator who is the source of our strength and who makes everything possible. Everything that’s written herein has been gleaned from the life and experiences of the author during his eighty-five (and counting) years on this planet, conversations with his parents and his numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, co-workers, and other native New Mexicans who have lived and experienced the kind of lives written about in this book. For accuracy and veracity, he has referenced the works of other New Mexico authors and on-line services such as Wikipedia. He has tried to be as true and accurate as possible in his account and asks for the readers forgiveness for any information which may be found to be erroneously and unintentionally presented.
TOO HAPPY TO BE SAD GIRL: A Self-Help Memoir Written by an Iconic Brown Girl Boss!Are you looking for the courage to finally start living your truth? Are you ready to find happiness in yourself, stop struggling with self-worth, and finally kick anxiety to the curb? Now's the time! Too Happy to Be Sad Girl is an inspiring guide that will make you laugh, cry, think, and finally stand up for yourself!If you've spent years feeling like you've put everyone else's needs ahead of your own, struggling with self-esteem, or just felt like you were not living up to your potential, you're not alone. Every one of us has a unique journey, often filled with pain, hardship, and a hefty dose of dark times. Every one of us must find the strength and courage to live with and on purpose. Angel Aviles is one of those people who made a living making movies. In fact, in 1993, she appeared as the Sad Girl in the cult classic filmMi Vida Loca. She had a beautiful life in Los Angeles but at some point, her battle with anxiety and panic took her from heaven through hell. She fought for years to gain her self-confidence and learned so much in the process. In 2011 Angel began a side hustle as a life coach. Today, she's helped countless women find worthiness and happiness in themselves. With her book, you can begin the process of becoming "too happy," too!This book special because:It's an autobiography that reveals how Angel learned to use her anxiety and change her life.It's a straight-up guide to helping you understand who you are, what you want and find joy getting there.It's a riveting story. As you read, you will feel less alone and inspired to pursue your dreams.It's fun, it's adventurous, it's daring, it's sad, it's dark, it's everything in between. Angel is not your typical life coaching guru. In fact, she likes to think of herself as a comadre, a trusted friend, full of love and genuine advice.
"If I wake up, I know I'm a success. The day I don't wake up, I know I'll be home. I have one foot on this earth and one foot has crossed over. I didn’t just die, I lived.”—Johnny Tapia ...the ghost of Johnny Tapia lives on. “Mi Vida Loca” (My Crazy Life) was Johnny Tapia’s nickname and his reason for being. Haunted by the brutal murder of his beloved mother when he was a child, fighting and drugs gave him the escape he craved—and he did both with gusto. In The Ghost Of Johnny Tapia, Paul Zanon, with the help of Tapia’s widow Teresa, tells the harrowing and unforgettable story of a boxing genius who couldn’t, in the end, defeat his demons. The Ghost of Johnny Tapia is the second in the Hamilcar Noir series. Hamilcar Noir is "Hard-Hitting True Crime" that blends boxing and true crime, featuring riveting stories captured in high-quality prose, with cover art inspired by classic pulp novels. From the Foreword: "Johnny had incredible heart, was such a sweet man, but was also tormented. He had two sides to him. The sweetest, nicest guy, but then the other side which could probably kill you. He was tortured with his addictions, but Johnny was always pure emotion in that ring."—Sammy ‘The Red Rocker’ Hagar, Musician
If Jesus can change the life of a gangster, what could He do with you? After reading this book, you will have the practical tools needed for developing a deep, fruitful relationship with God. You will have the encouragement you need to see that Jesus is real and fully present in whatever circumstances you face. Discover the astonishing journey of Mondo De La Vega in My Crazy Life: The Moments That Brought a Gangster to Grace. Step into a world where respect, power, and money lure a young man into the dark embrace of one of Los Angeles' most notorious Latino gangs. But behind the facade lies a haunting reality of crime, guns, and the constant threat of death or imprisonment. Mondo's life takes root in a turbulent childhood, filled with abuse and violence. Escaping his reproachful father in Central America, he, along with his sister and mother, seeks refuge in families' homes, moving around from place to place in a small town in Central America, surviving undercover for over a year before their ultimate quest for freedom leads them to the brutal streets of Los Angeles. Driven by bitterness and anger, Mondo is pulled into one of the city's most notorious gangs, climbing its ranks and facing an inevitable future of either imprisonment or an early grave. Yet amidst the darkness, Mondo's sister refuses to give up on him. With unyielding faith, she prays for a miracle and receives a prophetic word that seems impossible to Mondo--a word that will change everything. My Crazy Life is a gripping narrative much like the story of Nicky Cruz, as we see God interrupt Mondo's path with His relentless love and grace. Through supernatural encounters, miraculous escapes, and undeniable fulfilled prophecies, Mondo finds the strength to leave the gang behind and embrace a new life.
The Frankster & Co, Party To Go. Professional Mobile lighting, live sound, DJ & Karaoke. Top of the line equipment and modern music, with paid subscriptions for current, high quality song selections and up to date karaoke. Sound for basic bands, plus available slideshows, videos, music videos, sent to TV's or projectors. From casual to formal, from the barn to the country club, The Frankster and his wife Tammy bring high quality fun to any event. Also at any given time there are assistants and friends that help make the party. Anytime, Anywhere... The Frankster & Co, Party to Go!
The most important development in American culture of the last two decades is the emergence of independent cinema as a viable alternative to Hollywood's safe and innocuous entertainment. Indeed, while Hollywood studios devote much of their time and energy to churning out big-budget, star-studded event movies, a renegade independent cinema that challenges mainstream fare continues to flourish with strong critical support and loyal audiences.
THE KINGDOM OF FIENDs, is a fictional story about the gangs in Central America and the abandonment of members of a missionary youth group in a church located in the Slums of Torocagua in the fictional capital of Tengenalpa in the republic in Central America. The Mission group is witness to an assassination of a young boy by the 18th street gang- a violent group that rules over the kingdom. The missionaries are threatened by the gang and depart for the safety of a Hotel, but four lonely souls –the invisible ones- are left behind by an uncaring right-wing preacher that seems to have forgotten the teachings of the Bible. The young missionaries are subject to the gang's violence, the same violence experienced every day by the citizens of Torocagua. Some of the poor souls are killed, others are raped, kidnapped and taken to the compound of Gordo Félix the patron of the kingdom of fiends, the extortion king. A female MS13 gang - mortal enemy of the 18th street gang - member being held as sex slave by Gordo Felix helps the missionaries escape the 18th street gang compound. As corruption is common in the republic, the missionaries are not only hunted by the 18th Street gang once they escape – attempting to make it to the American Embassy- but also by a corrupt police search block trying to recover a cell phone because of compromising messages - police coordination and payoffs - with the gang. The less than Holy actions of the right-wing Evangelical preacher , Pastor Fermin, of The church of Latter-Day Saints of Jesus Christ attempts to cover up why the young missionaries were left behind at the mission in the slum of Torocagua, but his son, the youth pastor, Gregory, while tormented between telling the truth or continuing the lie to the public in order to protect his father finds his place where he can exist and have a sense of purpose in the chaotic world of the Kingdom of Fiends. Editor’s Note: “This story addresses the impact that corrupt leadership has on society, how it enslaves the ordinary person and forces them into a lifestyle they had never aspired to, which, in turn, supports the people in control, creating a self-perpetuating, eternal kingdom of fiends”. For the purpose of originality, there is dialogue in Spanish, but mostly in short phrases, by certain protagonist in the Kingdom of Fiends.
You've never used a video guide like this before. You loved Chariots of Fire and you want to see something like it. Where do you start? Look up Chariots of Fire in the index, and find it in Drama. There you'll see it listed under White Flannel Films: Welcome to the glory days of the British empire when the ruling class rode horses on large country estates, servants were in plentiful supply, and only an adulterous lover questioned the status quo. As in other costume dramas, the period details are celebrations of all that was brilliant and luxurious, with the camera sweeping over British, Indian, or African countryscapes and exquisite turn-of-the-century interiors. But all this lush upholstery doesn't cover up the intelligent, thoughtful stories -- usually based on Lawrence, Forster, and Waugh novels -- played by stellar British actors. In White Flannel Films there are concise, witty reviews of select movies like A Room with a View A Passage to India Heat and Dust The Shooting Party Out of Africa White Mischief and more There is also a unique ratings system that helps you distinguish the bombs from the sleepers. But the key is that all these films offer the same kind of viewing experience -- if you like one, chances are good you'll like the others, too. Seen That, Now What? is your own personal video genius, who knows everything about movies and exactly what you like to watch.
