Tio Manuel - Rest In Peace
July 2nd, 2008I’ve been wanting to kick off a new entry, but procrastination has had the best of me. That is, until my Uncle Manny kicked me in the butt.
I posted this on the main page of the site a few weeks ago. I read this at the funeral and I was asked my some family members to re-post it. Well, here it is…
It’s been a few weeks since I last wrote down some of my thoughts. Things have been very challenging over the past month.
I will be traveling to Albuquerque, New Mexico this week for a funeral. Funerals are bitter sweet. We get together to mourn the loss of our dear friend or family member who left us. Funerals bring together family and friends and give us the chance to remember our recently deceased.
It’s been several years since we had a death in the family. This funeral is bringing together family from all across the country. I am saddened by the reason for this gathering, but also excited to see the many relatives I haven’t seen in far too long.
My “Tio” Manuel was a prankster. He was always telling jokes and getting people to smile & laugh. Many times his comments would elicit a frown or the stirrings of anger till you noticed the big smile on his face letting you know he was just kidding around.
For those who knew him, we knew to take his comments in stride. For those who didn’t know him, many expressions of confusion & uncertainty would cross their faces until they realized Manny was just pushing their buttons.
He loved to “shock” people. Whether it was from his crass comments combined with colorful language or things like walking around with syringes sticking out of his belly for all to see.
My uncle loved family gatherings. He loved to see the smiles on peoples faces. He loved making new friends anywhere he went. Even when he had trouble walking, he would take his motorized scooter and venture all around the neighborhood talking to everyone he met.
“Tio” Manuel was an interesting guy to talk to. He had many great stories to tell too. No matter what you were speaking about, he always had an opinion. That opinion was the one that would elicit the most controversy too.
I look fondly over the time I spent with him. I know he’d be excited and happy to see all the family who gather in his honor. We love you Tio Manuel.
Manuel Z. Estrada - Born: March 30, 1938 - Died: June 14, 2008
Rest in peace.
Tofu Alan
Memories - 
LindyGroove - 
The Stinking Rose - A Garlic Restaurant - 
This is a restaurant for garlic lovers. The Stinking Rose jests that they “season their garlic with food”. I’d say 95% of the menu has garlic as an ingredient. They even have Garlic Wine, Garlic Martinis & Garlic Ice Cream.
Millennium Restaurant - 
Cinnamon Vegetarian Restaurant - 
Cinnamon is a wonderful vegetarian restaurant in Highland Park, (Los Angeles). It has a Mexican flair that does honors to our neighbors to the south. I’ve always thought that “Vegetarian Mexican Food” was an oxymoron, but Cinnamon does a fantastic job of putting that thought to rest. If you’re in a hurry, make sure to call in your order ahead of time. When you have time, Cinnamon Vegetarian Restaurant is a great place for a leisurely meal. It’s a great space to hang out, and the many times I have been there, people take time to enjoy their meals.
When you visit Cinnamon Restaurant, be sure to try the vegetarian carnitas either on a sope or in a burrito. The cheese enchiladas are also very tasty. (I usually order these as an appetizer).
If you have a sweet tooth, (like I do), then visit Madeleine Bistro for a wonderful treat. I think Dave is best known for his vegan desserts. My mother is a hard core chocoholic and very hard to please. She has given 2 thumbs up for David’s famous Flourless Chocolate Cake. All of his desserts are tasty. These sweets may be vegan, but they leave you wanting for nothing, but more room in your tummy for an extra bite.