Memoirs of a Bako Carpetbagger – By N.L. Belardes

I wandered down to Dagny’s last week. You know, that coffeehouse hangout where journalists, photographers, etc., all linger? I met up with fellow blogger in crime Bako Carpetbagger, already a force on the scene with his left-sided political views that have got the attention of radio talk-a-lot jock, Lori Ingram, A.K.A. Inga Barks Too Much, and the local conservative newspaper. Personally, I’m more in line with that feisty Black Dog, who views the world from the middle of the road. Step left or right and you get run over is my philosophy. (Black Dog might bite my tail for including him on this one)

When I arrived at Dagny’s I was joined by none other than rock star supreme, Pablo Alaniz of Diary. He sat down with a tasty coffee and pulled out a copy of Memoirs of a Geisha. Strangely enough I began the very same book that morning. I’d already seen the movie. I dug the cinematography, the colors, the story of a poverty-stricken girl in love with a man who broke societal norms to show his love for a common woman with uncommon features.

Pablo and I talked about the book a little. “I read a lot,” he said. “But this one is going a little slow because I don’t know all the parts of Japanese society the book mentions.” He flipped it open, seemed about half finished with the novel. I was on page ten. I studied a lot of Asian culture in college. The movie was fascinating…

We talked about music, about how he’s been tapping into his roots with some Chicano-influenced tunes. “I really like Los Lobos. That’s not the usual kind of band people are into around here. But I’ve made a few songs that I’m happy with. I may share them soon.”

Of course I begged him for a few tunes. We’ll see if I get any. I promised to drop off some photos of his recent show with Diary at Jerry’s Pizza.

About that time Bako Carpetbagger wandered in with his daughter. If you think Mr. Moms don’t exist, they still do. He’s got a lovely little girl that Pablo and I thought was the cutest. Bako Carpetbagger even writes a blog about to being a father. Check out 'Daddy in a Strange Land'. This guy is devoted. And his kid loves bagels.

We spoke about blogs, novels, Memoirs of a Geisha and about the one book one Bakersfield memoir-writing workshop being put on by author David Masumoto. Mr. Carpetbagger plans on attending. (Must sign up by February 20th) He was genuinely excited about this up and coming literary event. Of course I recently wrote about my true-to-life fiction, The Citrus Girl, a novel built in part from memoirs, interviews, memory, letters, emails, and so on… “Memoirs of a Disgruntled College Student/Poet” that could have been titled. Probably should have.

And so the realm of writing goes onward. Once again, just as Howard Owens wondered why I met up with him, you all might be wondering why Bako Carpetbagger and I met up. He’s writer. So am I. Forget the “They’re bloggers,” bitching you might hear from the pretentious writer lot in Bakersfield who label non-journalists as simply 'bloggers' as they try to lump all online writers into one category, and that into some futuristic realm of writing. We’re writers, plain and simple. Besides, I don’t know many writers. Why not meet one?

This entry was posted by N.L. Belardes, on Monday, February 06, 2006. You can leave your response.