An Open Letter To My Guys (An Ode To Mario Kart)
Well friends, we’re entering a Water Week — not just a Water Day.
So, the listening for this album is any version of “Cruisin” (originally) by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. That song has transformed across generations to some of the grooviest articulations and vibes of any songs you ever want to hear.
That’s why I will try to add every iteration (like this version by the legendary D'Angelo) that I like of this song to my 2024 play list.
A Water Week is a series of Water Days back-to-back until you feel like you’ve been on your own Odyssey (journey) in the span of seven whole days. It’s high pressure and intensive growth. In a good way. An exhausting way.
It’s letting your muscles heal after sprinting short intervals every day for weeks on end until you can run any relay race or out disc any competitor.
It’s letting your body rest while your brain breathes. This week we’re listening to a lot of earlier r&b voices like Anita Baker, Toni Braxton or even Teddy Pendergrass. It’s a “I’m homesick” kind of week, I think.
So, the listening for this album is any version of “Cruisin” (originally) by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. That song has transformed across generations to some of the grooviest articulations and vibes of any songs you ever want to hear.
That’s why I will try to add every iteration (like this version by the legendary D'Angelo) that I like of this song to my 2024 play list.
It was the song Ti-Ti taught me how to love after she introduced me to the film called Duets when I was probably 8 or 10 or still entirely young to understand that kind of rom-com.
It was an overwhelming film to watch and try to grasp the gravity of — still, I loved how many characters were in that film.
And if there’s anybody my mom loves more in this world than her own children or even her grand-dogs, it’s her second set of sons.
Think of Mario Kart. Think of the game. The race. The hustle. The bustle. The flow.
You guys are the best athletes of your generation made by one of the best athletes of his generation — your dad. He was the picture of devotion and dedication and hard work his entire life in a way you’ve never imagined having to experience. He’s earned those free hair cuts from you.
You are also made by one of best, most creative minds I have ever seen — your mother. She was the first one to teach me how to breathe. She’s been reminding me for the majority of my life, nonstop, how to keep breathing. “Lina, breathe!” She will sometimes remind me when I’m driving myself into some kind of state over the world. If you ever need a lifeline, she’s a real one.
All that to tell you what you should already know, if you can keep pace with both your parents then there’s no one that can outrun or out think you.
Remember that.
Now throw in some of that special Ti-Ti sauce and a little splash of your big brother and a dash of your cousins and you’ve got the recipe.
I was one of the first big cousins to hold you both and I tried to carry you guys the longest.
Manuel — I could never pick you up, because you were always this heavy little thing. Smaller than me for like a day, but always Sturdy. Pure muscle. Couldn’t knock you over ever, either. You were smaller than me, but you taught me what strength looked like from the jump. It’s why I had to learn how to move as fast as you — had to keep up somehow.
Jr. — you asked The Big Guy To carry you more. I get it — Big Guy rides are more fun. You can see everything, he’s got more muscles, and moves faster. Now, you’re a master of your art and you can outrun me a million, but I bet I can keep up. That’s all I ever wanted. To keep up with you. You were my second, first baby brother after all.
Teo — I carried you until I couldn’t anymore. It was my favorite thing in the world. You were 11 the last time I could pick you up without spraining something. You spent as much time watching me as I did watching you when we were both “little”. I miss those days always, but it’s ok — we can finally share clothes, which was always my dream anyways.
Now, onto the better stuff.
I had 9 uncles and more boy cousins than any one girl could count. I had your older brother coming up right behind me and my older brother changing the game. I had more best guy friends than most people meet in their lives.
I’ve also always had to out run and out think you boys, because you two came into this world like lightning.
So, you taught me if I wanted to keep up with you guys in the future, I had to keep sprinting.
The hard work has sorted itself out. Mostly.
Now it’s play time mode while I put all my practice into play. I’ve been doing this journaling thing my entire life and I’ve perfected my craft (for myself) to an extent that I’m comfortable sharing again.
It’s been eight years since I journaled this extensively and it’s fun again — finally.
So again, pause. Focus. Life is very much like Mario Kart.
You love Mario Kart, but it’s one of the most frustrating fun games you’ll ever play if you play with the right team.
And it’s the kind of game where once you get it, you’ve got it. But you have to keep on getting it or you’re gonna lose the plot.
When I turned 16 and got my license, one of Daddy’s brothers wrote me a 4-page letter on how to drive in all weather, in all terrains.
That 4-page letter got me through 2 hydroplaning incidents when I was 17/18 driving my silver Jeep Cherokee like a ghetto fool trying to get to high school on time each day.
It also made sure I had a flawless driving record — no tickets, no accidents for going on 14 years now.
By the time you’ve gotten to 10, rinse & repeat until you’ve got it in your own time.
I love you both more than I love just about anybody including the dogs, so please pay attention to these 10 steps.
Here we go:
If you liked it, we loved it. Trust older vehicles first, because if it’s still on the road to this day there’s a reason. If you’re lost, point out the guy driving the beat-up pick-up truck in the middle lane and chances are he’s equally lost or he’s steady about where he’s going. It’ll at least buy you time to read a couple signs and get a sense of direction.
Note: I said older vehicles, not drivers. Because sometimes newer drivers are better than older ones, sometimes older drivers are better than newer ones. Again, look at how your everyone else arounds you handles their vehicles/drives. Do that, but better.
Drive like Ti-Ti but safer. Ti-Ti had 3 kids in every grade of school - high, middle & elementary. She was everywhere, always and she never missed one of your performances, either. Ti-Ti also has a smidge of a Lead Foot and taught your Dad how to speed in the pragmatic sense. Ti-Ti also helped your Mom learn how to be a Mom. Ti-Ti is your favorite for a reason so if she can do it safely, so can you — but at your own speed.
Drive like Your Grandparents — but on your rims. Do what they do, but maybe speed up by 5 mph if you feel like you can trust yourself on a corner or going through an intersection. If your grandparents absolutely wouldn’t try to make that light, then you don’t try to make that light.
Drive like your older friends, but move with equal grace. If you’re going to be the lead, be the lead. Don’t move to the front just to block the rest of the pack from advancing forward or getting ahead of the curve. Never hold anybody back. Let everybody move at their own paces and support them when they ask or show need of support. Be brave in caring about others just as you care about yourself and you’ll be a better driver for it. Pro-Tip: Make younger friends to keep your compassion, because their struggles will be different.
Drive like your favorite uncles in the world: As the 26th U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt once said, “Walk Soft, But Carry A Big Stick” — basically it means always be ready to stand on business. If you are about it, be about it — always. Don’t waver. Don’t be a Yes Man or Fickle. Don’t make waves and there won’t be waves. Just know that the faster you drive, the more people will be watching whether they have their phones out or not. Be careful.
Drive like your most favorite aunts, as well: Be smart about it. If you know your friend can’t be trusted to keep their phone safe, don’t expect them to keep you safe behind the wheel. If your friend is Mr. or Mrs. Unreliable, don’t be surprised when they reliably end up getting you harmed, because they ignored the check engine light for nine months straight and now you’re stranded in a dead zone with no 5G or 4LTE or WI-FI. Do you know any phone numbers by heart by the way? You ought to — because if you ever have to hike to a payphone or a kind stranger with a phone you’re gonna need it. Pro-Tip: Download WhatsApp or Telegram to help you communicate reliably outside of standard messaging.
Keep your tools handy, for the love of god. Keep a pair of back up jumper cables in your car. If it’s snow season, keep extra blankets and towels. Go to REI or a sporting goods store and grab yourself affordable camping kits in case you slide off the road or get stranded in the middle of a random blizzard. That happened to parts of the South when I lived there in the past, so be mindful.
Play good music — every drive should feel like someone directed a perfect route. Plan your directions with the least amount of stress — surface roads during rush hour or highway traffic? Hometown vibes or city vibes? Look for what you need always, but set a soundtrack to it. Catch a vibe and just cruise along for a while.
Just focus — sometimes driving with other maniacs can be overwhelming. Have you ever seen five drivers all break the law simultaneously (at the same time). It’s terrifying and I’ve seen it daily as a pedestrian, cyclist or skater, and as a driver in the cities. We all have to be aware of who is on the road so when you need to focus, turn your music down and focus. Don’t worry about trying to look cool for anybody.
No pressure, we love you. We want you guys to make safe decisions, because you’re some of the most interesting kids on the block right now. Keep being interesting and your very own unique self. We’re also all very proud of you guys, because we’ve seen the work you’ve put in to get so very far.
Anyways…
It was an overwhelming film to watch and try to grasp the gravity of — still, I loved how many characters were in that film.
And if there’s anybody my mom loves more in this world than her own children or even her grand-dogs, it’s her second set of sons.
This is an open letter to my second set of brothers.
Guys, if I quiz you on this later, I expect a 3/5 on details.
To Mis Primos Favoritos:
This is how you get through the rest of and the best of your college years and those undoubtedly tough early adult years. You got this boys, you always have. Now…
Pause.
Think of Mario Kart. Think of the game. The race. The hustle. The bustle. The flow.
You are also made by one of best, most creative minds I have ever seen — your mother. She was the first one to teach me how to breathe. She’s been reminding me for the majority of my life, nonstop, how to keep breathing. “Lina, breathe!” She will sometimes remind me when I’m driving myself into some kind of state over the world. If you ever need a lifeline, she’s a real one.
All that to tell you what you should already know, if you can keep pace with both your parents then there’s no one that can outrun or out think you.
Remember that.
Now throw in some of that special Ti-Ti sauce and a little splash of your big brother and a dash of your cousins and you’ve got the recipe.
Do what everybody else did, but find your pace.
Breathe at *your* own speed.
Never let anyone rush you through your process.
And, Trust The Process.
Breathe at *your* own speed.
Never let anyone rush you through your process.
And, Trust The Process.
If Iverson did it… If Kobe did it… If the Birds did it…
I know for a fact that you can, too.
I’ve seen you boys grow for 20 years now and I’ve been your original big sister and one of your very biggest fans since day one. I’ve cheered from the moment you opened your eyes, wiggled a toe, grew a tooth, took a step, learned a song…
Everything you guys do is exciting to me, because your new milestone is sort of one for me too as a Big(ger) Cousin, too.
I know for a fact that you can, too.
I’ve seen you boys grow for 20 years now and I’ve been your original big sister and one of your very biggest fans since day one. I’ve cheered from the moment you opened your eyes, wiggled a toe, grew a tooth, took a step, learned a song…
Everything you guys do is exciting to me, because your new milestone is sort of one for me too as a Big(ger) Cousin, too.
I was one of the first big cousins to hold you both and I tried to carry you guys the longest.
Manuel — I could never pick you up, because you were always this heavy little thing. Smaller than me for like a day, but always Sturdy. Pure muscle. Couldn’t knock you over ever, either. You were smaller than me, but you taught me what strength looked like from the jump. It’s why I had to learn how to move as fast as you — had to keep up somehow.
Jr. — you asked The Big Guy To carry you more. I get it — Big Guy rides are more fun. You can see everything, he’s got more muscles, and moves faster. Now, you’re a master of your art and you can outrun me a million, but I bet I can keep up. That’s all I ever wanted. To keep up with you. You were my second, first baby brother after all.
Teo — I carried you until I couldn’t anymore. It was my favorite thing in the world. You were 11 the last time I could pick you up without spraining something. You spent as much time watching me as I did watching you when we were both “little”. I miss those days always, but it’s ok — we can finally share clothes, which was always my dream anyways.
Now, onto the better stuff.
As y’all know, I lost my dad at 12. However, I didn’t lose out on having great men in my life.
I had 9 uncles and more boy cousins than any one girl could count. I had your older brother coming up right behind me and my older brother changing the game. I had more best guy friends than most people meet in their lives.
I’ve also always had to out run and out think you boys, because you two came into this world like lightning.
So, you taught me if I wanted to keep up with you guys in the future, I had to keep sprinting.
The hard work has sorted itself out. Mostly.
Now it’s play time mode while I put all my practice into play. I’ve been doing this journaling thing my entire life and I’ve perfected my craft (for myself) to an extent that I’m comfortable sharing again.
It’s been eight years since I journaled this extensively and it’s fun again — finally.
So again, pause. Focus. Life is very much like Mario Kart.
You love Mario Kart, but it’s one of the most frustrating fun games you’ll ever play if you play with the right team.
And it’s the kind of game where once you get it, you’ve got it. But you have to keep on getting it or you’re gonna lose the plot.
When I turned 16 and got my license, one of Daddy’s brothers wrote me a 4-page letter on how to drive in all weather, in all terrains.
That 4-page letter got me through 2 hydroplaning incidents when I was 17/18 driving my silver Jeep Cherokee like a ghetto fool trying to get to high school on time each day.
It also made sure I had a flawless driving record — no tickets, no accidents for going on 14 years now.
TO LONG DIDN'T READ (TL;DR -- because I know you Teo):
I’ve condensed it to ten Mario Kart-ish steps with the most important to start.By the time you’ve gotten to 10, rinse & repeat until you’ve got it in your own time.
I love you both more than I love just about anybody including the dogs, so please pay attention to these 10 steps.
Here we go:
If you liked it, we loved it. Trust older vehicles first, because if it’s still on the road to this day there’s a reason. If you’re lost, point out the guy driving the beat-up pick-up truck in the middle lane and chances are he’s equally lost or he’s steady about where he’s going. It’ll at least buy you time to read a couple signs and get a sense of direction.
Note: I said older vehicles, not drivers. Because sometimes newer drivers are better than older ones, sometimes older drivers are better than newer ones. Again, look at how your everyone else arounds you handles their vehicles/drives. Do that, but better.
Drive like Ti-Ti but safer. Ti-Ti had 3 kids in every grade of school - high, middle & elementary. She was everywhere, always and she never missed one of your performances, either. Ti-Ti also has a smidge of a Lead Foot and taught your Dad how to speed in the pragmatic sense. Ti-Ti also helped your Mom learn how to be a Mom. Ti-Ti is your favorite for a reason so if she can do it safely, so can you — but at your own speed.
Drive like Your Grandparents — but on your rims. Do what they do, but maybe speed up by 5 mph if you feel like you can trust yourself on a corner or going through an intersection. If your grandparents absolutely wouldn’t try to make that light, then you don’t try to make that light.
Drive like your older friends, but move with equal grace. If you’re going to be the lead, be the lead. Don’t move to the front just to block the rest of the pack from advancing forward or getting ahead of the curve. Never hold anybody back. Let everybody move at their own paces and support them when they ask or show need of support. Be brave in caring about others just as you care about yourself and you’ll be a better driver for it. Pro-Tip: Make younger friends to keep your compassion, because their struggles will be different.
Drive like your favorite uncles in the world: As the 26th U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt once said, “Walk Soft, But Carry A Big Stick” — basically it means always be ready to stand on business. If you are about it, be about it — always. Don’t waver. Don’t be a Yes Man or Fickle. Don’t make waves and there won’t be waves. Just know that the faster you drive, the more people will be watching whether they have their phones out or not. Be careful.
Drive like your most favorite aunts, as well: Be smart about it. If you know your friend can’t be trusted to keep their phone safe, don’t expect them to keep you safe behind the wheel. If your friend is Mr. or Mrs. Unreliable, don’t be surprised when they reliably end up getting you harmed, because they ignored the check engine light for nine months straight and now you’re stranded in a dead zone with no 5G or 4LTE or WI-FI. Do you know any phone numbers by heart by the way? You ought to — because if you ever have to hike to a payphone or a kind stranger with a phone you’re gonna need it. Pro-Tip: Download WhatsApp or Telegram to help you communicate reliably outside of standard messaging.
Keep your tools handy, for the love of god. Keep a pair of back up jumper cables in your car. If it’s snow season, keep extra blankets and towels. Go to REI or a sporting goods store and grab yourself affordable camping kits in case you slide off the road or get stranded in the middle of a random blizzard. That happened to parts of the South when I lived there in the past, so be mindful.
Play good music — every drive should feel like someone directed a perfect route. Plan your directions with the least amount of stress — surface roads during rush hour or highway traffic? Hometown vibes or city vibes? Look for what you need always, but set a soundtrack to it. Catch a vibe and just cruise along for a while.
Just focus — sometimes driving with other maniacs can be overwhelming. Have you ever seen five drivers all break the law simultaneously (at the same time). It’s terrifying and I’ve seen it daily as a pedestrian, cyclist or skater, and as a driver in the cities. We all have to be aware of who is on the road so when you need to focus, turn your music down and focus. Don’t worry about trying to look cool for anybody.
No pressure, we love you. We want you guys to make safe decisions, because you’re some of the most interesting kids on the block right now. Keep being interesting and your very own unique self. We’re also all very proud of you guys, because we’ve seen the work you’ve put in to get so very far.
Anyways…
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