The Adventures of Captain Imperfecto

You are here: Home » Silver Lining Forward Nico and Christopher in daddy's writing chair November 13, 2014 I glance into the heavily clouded sky and through the darkness and lighted ferocity of rumbling thunder and bolts of lighting I saw a sliver of light peering through the center of the clouds just above the western horizon. I immediately thought that that sliver of light was an omen, a silver lining, that was laid out before me as if it was a sign informing me that things that happen in life won’t control me. That at the end of the day, no matter what happened earlier in the day, there will be life tomorrow and things will be okay. But, as soon as the good thoughts enter my brain through the left hemisphere my right side hemisphere floods my brains, emotions and feelings, with negative thoughts. “I live in Florida so the sun breaking through a cloudy day isn’t unusual. And the message I was hoping for from this sighting wasn’t unusual either. And neither w...

You are here: Home »Your Disney Hosts Nico and Christopher Disney Resort Art and Animation November 5, 2014 "Let's do this," I told my boys once we arrived at Walt Disney World yet again. These trips are becoming a right of passage for my boys. And they are sure acting cocky about our frequent visits. They're likely not spoiled due to our Disney trips. Even though I went for my birthday in July, again in August, September, and now this October for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. After all, this family does hold annual passes, and the intent of the annual pass is to go frequently, isn't it? The boys are respectful, though, not selfish during these trips; they are polite and friendly and care for those around them, especially guests of Disney World. My boys act as unofficial hosts to the arriving visitors as if these people were visiting our very home. However, when Nico and Christopher walk around any Walt Disney Resort, they act as ...

You are here: Home »The Halloween Killer, a horror short story Left to right: Christopher and Nico at a pumpkin patch October 31, 2014 *A fictional story. A camp fire story,  best told around a fire with friends. It was Halloween night. The trick or treaters had gone. The bowl by the front door was empty. It was a good sign of a successful Halloween. But the night wasn't over yet. We didn't want it the day to end but we knew we would have to wait another 365 days until the next night of ghouls, would come. So to extend the weaning hours of Halloween night there was one final tale to tell.   It was Halloween night. Kids laughter left the night. Everyone was snug in there house. Seeking safety from the creeps and goblins that remained outside.... Joel knew his time was almost up. There was no way he was going to defeat the killer that he had just witness murder a person. Joel ran as fast as he could after seeing the horrific sight in the hopes h...

You are here: Home » The Beast Christopher sick at the pediatrician  October 20, 2014 The beast implants itself inside my youngest child. I noticed the onset of symptoms after picking him up from school. As a routine, my boys are wild, even after a long day in class. But today, Christopher was just lying on the couch, lethargic. Not even the Mickey Mouse Club on Disney Jr. could motivate him. His skin was warm, his body ached, and there was no smile on his face.  Like a fairy tale of fairies and mythical creatures, the mythical beast of sickness had found him.  I was hesitant to write about this because of the Ebola scare. Still, I can assure you, the reader, it wasn't Ebola. But this flu was a beast, unlike what I have ever seen since I became a parent in 2008.  As the evening progressed, my son wailed and moaned as if he were transforming into a legendary werewolf during a full moon transformation. His persistent howls made me cringe. As a worried ...

You are here: Home »Little Pirate Captain Imperfecto and Nico headed on a cruise  October 7, 2014 I took my six-year-old son, Nico, on a cruise, and his behavior wasn't bad despite all the excitement around him. His conduct was my main fear and trepidation when taking my young child on this cruise. I'll have to admit, as you can read so far in this first paragraph, I was expecting Armageddon when I unleashed my son on that Carnival cruise ship. And that havoc I thought would begin as soon as we got off that charter bus we took to travel the 70 miles from our house to the Port of Miami.  I had nightmares in the months since booking this trip. Nico somehow makes his way toward the control room by battling the crew as they try to thwart his mutiny in vain. Only to lose to his cunning, manipulative, six-year-old ways, and he would commandeer the ship! "Cap'n, a little pirate has taken to twelve decks and be forcin' his way into quarters!" ...

You are here: Home »Home Away From Home Left to right: Christopher, Captain Imperfecto and Nico waiting for football September 17, 2014 It’s a strange feeling to walk in a cemetery where I know I’ll be buried once I die. Death and being buried doesn't scare me and I didn’t choose to live my afterlife here. It kind of chose me. It’s the location where Mimie and I buried our twin daughters. And it is where I buried Mimie when she died in 2012. “I want to be here with my daughters,” Mimie said as we stood at the front of the grave marker of our little girls, Sophia and Gabriella. “I agree. Me too,” I said. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and we stood there as our silent tears slowly rolled down our cheeks. I have gone to the cemetery every two weeks and placed fresh flowers in the iron vase that is attached to the granite cover to Mimie’s mausoleum. I’ve been doing this deed for over two years now, since her death. I feel bad because I don’t walk...

You are here: Home »But I Don't Want to go to Bed Left: Christopher and Nico on Soarin' at Epcot August 27, 2014 “But I don’t want to go to bed.” It’s late, and tomorrow is a school day, besides there’s work, don’t be a jerk, lets hit the hay, before it gets too late. “But I don’t have to got to bed. It just isn’t time. ” We’re very tired. Please lets just go to bed. It’s time for goodnight, sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite, remember all that stuff. “But I don’t want to go to bed. I want to watch TV.” It’s been a long day, full of activity, we did so much and it’s that time. Come on lets go count some sheep and fall asleep. “This is unfair I shouldn’t be forced to go to bed because, it’s not that I don’t care. I don’t want to go to bed.” I’m making sure your fully rested for tomorrow. It was a long day today. It was a long day yesterday and we’re in for a long day tomorrow, surly you can see the bed was made for you and me. Let’...

You are here: Home » Death Sucks Left to right: Christopher, Nico and someone special August 11, 2014 Death sucks. That's a fact, and meeting our maker is a gimmie regardless of how many miles I run on my treadmill. Looking back at pictures of our deceased family and friends is painful in many ways. Not because they are dead but because they lived. I feel angry and defeated when I look at pictures of my twin daughters or wife. Their death was untimely and seemed unfair. I see my wife Mimie's smiling face in all those other pictures, which feels unreal. Like many pictures of deceased friends and family members, all of us gain a smile when we reminisce about the happy times. But our reality is that eventually, those thoughts and happy faces fade, and the pain of the fact is all too real. They are gone, and we yearn to hear their voice again. But they lived. They were here with us, and so the pain lasts, knowing that we won't see them again. If grandma die...