The Catholic-school-boy son of a Cuban American cocaine wholesaler in Newark, New Jersey. Motherless.

The ex-football captain, young Karate black belt who saw through the façade of the American Dream. A Generation X college grad who'd rather surf, pursue a sense of personal, spiritual and artistic freedom then commit to a 9 a.m.- to 5 p.m. reality... a fool. A fool to pursue literature. A fool to realize too late that one can neither eat nor sleep comfortably under a roof of ideals.

Loading trucks.

Roofing.

Two-bit journalism for the Hearst organization with a side of outdoor cannabis cultivation.

... cage fighting as a viable alternative?

No. Once the Paris Hilton "That's hot" consciousness completely engulfed the mindset of desirable New York female forms ... once war and corruption was no longer something to fear but enjoy as entertainment on CNN ... a strategic retreat to Puerto Rico. Third-world living. Big wave surfing. A front-row seat to new madness. A clearer perspective.