In the News - Night Stalking in L.A.

One of the things I remember pretty clearly was Richard Ramirez, The Night Stalker. At the time I was about 8. Now, I am not saying that I followed the unfolding horror closely - sitting by the television waiting for the latest information about where he struck, the details of what he did to his victims, who the unfortunate people were - I was only a child. But it was impossible to ignore. It was splashed on the news everyday.


But I remember the genuine fear that gripped the city. I was completely aware of the uncertainty and uncomfortable feelings people had not knowing where he was, who he was - what he was. His pattern was erratic and indiscriminately. He would commit one murder and wait a few weeks or months to commit the next or there would be a quick succession of several in a short time span. As his crimes progressed, as he became bolder so did his assaults and atrocities. It was frightening to know he would not stop until he was caught. And we all knew he did. I was watching the news when this happened.

By this time people knew his name and what he looked like. In his effort to hide, he stood out. He became desperate and careless and that is when people recognized him. They beat the shit out of him. An incredible example of vigilante justice - people in a neighborhood becoming a mob. It was unreal. An the Night Stalker was caught.

A true story - during this time it was hot and muggy. Well, it was L.A. - it is like that most of the year. I spent a lot of time with my grandmother and stayed the night at her house often. She always slept - insisted on it - with the windows open. No matter how much I plead and begged she would open the windows at night and leave the front door open for my uncle. I would lay in bed at night and sometimes cry myself to sleep. I was that scared. I would even wait until my grandma fell asleep - and systematically close the windows and doors.

I still lock my windows and doors at night. Because growing up in time and place where there was the very real possibility a awful person, a stranger would crawl through my window or jimmy a sliding glass door or watch me through my window until I went to sleep makes me nervous.

Gen X - How I See it: An Introduction

Yes. Generation X is where I fall in this crazy, mixed up world. Between the years 1965 and 1980 most of us were born. I was closer to 1980 - not to brag, but just that is where I fall. I rather enjoyed the things I experienced and the events I witnesses. Growing up in The Valley put an additional facet to life. Being 3/4 Mexican American (3rd generation) and 1/4 of English/Irish desent, I feel I have a unique way of seeing things. Growing up was I was extremely free and expressive - partially due to my upbringing, but also partially due to the days and times I lived. I truely can not think of anything I missed or affected me adversly. I had a genuinely happy young life in California.

I started this blog because I want to share my loves, my life, my lessons, my laws. The things I experienced as a Gen X kid and how I feel they affect me today as an adult, a mother, a wife, a woman. In this blog I plan to share include my music, my stories, my news, my entertainment that surrounded me - that molded me. But I will also share my experiences and my culture and my feelings about the world around me. I hope that I can connect with others who remember life growing up in the 80s and 90s - the good, bad, and the ugly. I hope I encourage others to join in - to connect, to contribute. This blog is no good to me if others do not embrace it.

So travel back with me - to a time of hair bands and grunge, of day glo colors and biker shorts. Remember the people, places, and things that made your time a good time, the right time to be a young person in America. Let us remember what makes Generation X the people we are today...