It’s Friday night in the Mission. It’s a clear, dark Friday evening in mid-October with the usual stuff that you would encounter in this neighborhood at night. There are lots of people walking through Mission Street, hitting up the various bars and clubs bumping until early morning. Many are waiting outside different venues to either be let in or take a break from the indoor excitement. Yes, it has been a while since I’ve written anything for the blog. What’s been happening on my end? Well, last week I was performing as a comedian for three nights at the Mutiny Radio Comedy Festival. Overall, I think I did well with the various audiences I encountered on the three days. My last day had the largest audience, so I saved my best jokes for that day. I would’ve had a better experience if I didn’t find out last week that I was getting laid off in December. How it was handled was quite unprofessional and I’m surprised the level of pissed off I am about it. It was a job that didn’t treat me well. I wanted to leave on my terms. Now I’m left to scramble to look for another job I will most likely not enjoy. Why should I feel like this about a job I have no love for? If I liked my job that’s one thing. But no, I feel like shit about being laid off from a shitty job. I don’t know if I’ll be content again soon. These are the thoughts and questions that have been circling my mind for the last several days.
This time around I’m with my girlfriend at a restaurant that opened during Labor Day weekend. I would’ve visited on opening weekend, but I was out of town. It was reported that they were giving out free tacos during opening weekend to celebrate and promote the business. It’s a place I’ve visited several times already so I thought it would be best to write about it finally. I’m currently eating while feeling fucking miserable at El Rey Taquiza Artesanal.
It’s mainly a beer bar that serves tacos. It’s a large space covered with black, white, and yellow. Vintage-inspired posters of various cities in Mexico adorn the uninterrupted wall. Flatscreen TVs are playing the latest soccer game. Music in Spanish is blasting through the space to the point where I’m having a shouting match with the person in front of me. People are enjoying the space with their company with tacos and beers in hand. The loud music isn’t helping with my mood. I’m just staring awkwardly at my girlfriend at this point. Fuck, I’m hating life right now.
I’m currently eating three Estilo Tiajuana Tacos, corn tortillas topped with guacamole, cilantro, onion, and salsa with Suadero (Beef Brisket). The plate comes with slices of lime and a single roasted serrano pepper. I eat the pepper immediately. Yes, the pepper has a smokey deliciousness while it sets my mouth on fire. I’m fully appreciating the burn today as it’s making me feel something other than miserable. It’s a painful, yet needed distraction. The tortillas are soft and holding all the toppings together. The guacamole is creamy and nicely seasoned. The cilantro and onions are fresh. The suadero is delicious, providing meaty pieces of protein with bits of fat. It helps that the tacos are reasonably priced. This is a comforting experience that’s unfortunately barely making a dent in making me feel better.
I had good intentions of going out tonight. I needed to take my mind off of things. I’m not good company for my girlfriend at the moment. I’m still in a shitty and unpleasant headspace. I feel like an idiot. It’s difficult to conduct myself properly. It’s to the point where it’s almost an idea that I regret doing. Why the fuck am I out and about? I might as well be at home if I’m this miserable. I feel like I’m just wasting time and should be feeling like shit alone instead of in front of company. Fuck, I feel stupid right now.
I’m enjoying the tacos. I’d imagine it’s a great place to visit when you’re hammered or a place you’d want to get a beer with friends. It’s a place to shoot the shit and to have a good, casual time at. I’m certainly not unfortunately. I thought being here would make me feel better, but my rut is too shitty. Yeah, life is sucking for me and this might last a long while. Okay, it’s time to get going. Fuck.