Facebook Killer

Derek Medina and Jennifer Alfonso

“Murder begins where self-defense ends.”~Georg Buchner

Okay, so already some of you are whining and complaining about gender bias and how I made females look crazy because I posted about female killers.

Well, I have two things to say to that: MEN do stupid things too, and women (no, not all) will often times be so jaded by them that the good men of the world suffer for it. AND the other thing I have to say about it, is here’s the “other gender” story for you. So just calm down!!

This story I found particularly insane as there’s no ending to it as of yet.

31 year old Derek Medina is now awaiting trial, being charged with the shooting murder of his wife, 26 year old  Jennifer Alfonso that occurred on the 8th of August of 2013.

This murder was so weird and odd because not only did the husband allegedly shoot and kill Alfonso, but afterwards, he took photographs of her dead body and then guess what he did? 

HE POSTED THEM ON HIS FACEBOOK PROFILE!!

(Edited here for obvious reasons. Here’s the screen cap of his Facebook profile on the day he shot and killed Alfonso. Through some good searching, you can find the unedited photograph. Not suggested though.)

And the only question I have is WHY????

Not WHY did he kill her, but WHY did he take a photograph of her laying there either dying or already dead, and post that on Facebook???

What kind of person does that?

Derek Medina is now charged with her murder.

He admitted to killing her. But Medina is ALSO stating that he had killed Alfonso in self-defense. Medina is always saying that he had gone through abuse by the hands of Alfonso. Which is not uncommon, but really never is heard of in today’s  news and society. Its possible she may have been abusive to him in some manner. But whether or not this death was because of self-defense…… nobody knows. 

A tentative date for his trial is just around the corner. And we’ll see if his “self-defense” plea holds up in a Miami, Florida court of law.

Autopsy reports are out as well as Medina’s 26 page report of when he finally turned himself in to the authorities. Autopsy shows that Alfonso was on her knees and has wounds to her arms, as if to protect her face. That doesn’t sound like someone who is giving abuse to another person to me. It rather sounds like someone scared for their life, and in this case, rightfully so as Alfonso was shot MORE than six times.

But as I said, we’ll see when finally Medina is brought to trial.

A Risk In The Balance

“At a time when we’re having to take such difficult decisions about how to cut back without damaging the things that matter the most, we should strain every sinew to cut error, waste and fraud.”~ David Cameron

My heart and prayers go out to those people effected by the events that transpired in Boston, Massachusetts today.

I sit here this evening with four days left before the birthday bash for Chuck Williams of SIX MINUTE CENTURY. I have yet to even buy my bus ticket and usually I would have had that done by now.

But about a week ago, I became sick. And its a long and gruesome process to feeling better. I have to take things day by day.

Sufficed to say that Saturday and Sunday were very good days where there was not a lot to contend with. Today however just wasn’t up to par with the past weekend. And I still have that decision to make whether or not to go to Houston this Friday evening.

The thing about Friday night shows is that it always comes up so quick. And I cannot explain it but Saturday shows they just arrive.

I know that I won’t be 100% by Friday. That’s a given. But I keep thinking that in the back of my head that IF this Friday could be like this past weekend then I won’t have much of a problem. However I am not assured of that to happen.

I could medicate the hell out of myself with medicine, but I won’t be as clear and “all there” so to speak. But if I pass on this weekend, it will be the second time I have missed the birthday celebration for lead singer Chuck Williams.

Last year was just a tragic time as I had lost my brother-in-law. I think a better way to define it was bad timing. It just wasn’t something that I had any control over.

But will my going to Houston this weekend cause me to pay a price that I truly am not able to afford? Had I been asked this question either last Saturday or Sunday, I would have told you that I had NO problems whatsoever.

I also don’t have the plans for a possible option B in place as far as traveling back home as I was offered a ride from one of my colleagues. I’m just not feeling 100% on that either. Perhaps I need more faith.

It just really stinks because over the past couple of years I have become really good friends with Chuck Williams. His birthday celebration is actually ON his birthday. How cool is that?!??

Not to mention that I will get some face time with Dr. & Mrs. Froth which always something that I look forward to. And there will be others there that I enjoy hanging out with. Including someone that I just met last month at the WELL OF SOULS show that I actually have some kind of curiosity and interest in getting to know better… without saying where its going to go from here.

I hate the feeling of not going because of my illness because it does in fact feel like I am letting people down. Even though I am aware that isn’t the truth. Disappointed people? Sure. We are all human.

So I ponder the implications of going while trying to recover. Whether to go and heavily medicate myself to a point where I can manage pain. And whether or not that will bite me in the butt in the end.

I am sure that the Centurion family would tell me that if I am just not feeling up to it, then not to worry. But I worry still regardless. The least I can do for my friends is to show up. But there would be some who could argue that if I am not 100% … then I am useless to my friends.

As I said, today was so very difficult for some reason. But I still have just a small window to figure it out.

 

9 March 2012: The Pain’s Not Forgotten With Well Of Souls

“Skim MILF.” ~ Unknown

In seven days there was: 12 hours on the road, five bands, 2 venues, 2 hotels, and countless memories, hugs, and ultimately experiences to last a lifetime.

Two bands, one venue and hotel was already discussed in a previous blog post. But within a week’s time there was another.

It is fruitless to add that I was at the same Motel 6 where I had fallen into the pool last November. This time I was only there long enough to get a few hours of sleep. And being that there was evil thing called Daylight Savings Time, I would be up for  a full 24 hour period. Yippeeee!!

This show was compelling. It called out to me. Not to mention the encouragement of a few people in my ear. I HAD to go, if I found that I was able to. And obviously I was.

I did however get plenty of face time inside the House Of Froth, learning a new video game called Skyrim for much of the afternoon until it was time to go to the venue.

This show had appealed to me on two separate but equal fronts. WELL OF SOULS and BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE.

It had been nearly a full year since I had seen either band play live. And with that, I packed my luggage for an overnight stay and got up nice and early and left town.

I hadn’t heard of the other two bands before. I just had received a pep talk about what I could possibly expect from these groups. But both of them surprised me. 

Come to find out that there would never be enough counseling in the world to explain what I saw.

THE SCOURGE started things off with a bang from the moment they played their first note. After a very hard hitting musical interlude they played “Fuck With Fire” which was to be their first song.

Honestly, starting a show like that? Hang on to your leather pants, people!!!

These guys went out on stage like they had nothing to lose, everything to gain. And they ended up grabbing my attention to make me a new fan! For the love of anything good and pure… find me the merchandise table for these guys and buy in bulk!

They were put together nicely and I would not mind seeing them again. It turns out that they will be playing at BFE in April for the next show with SIX MINUTE CENTURY. The term “excited” doesn’t do it or them justice. My only hope is that I can make it there at that time. Even though it is part of the plan at this point.

After blasting some really awesome music and ripping apart people’s faces with excellent performances of a few cover songs, I could have just withered onto the floor. My only regret was being so far back that I never took any photographs of them while on stage. OR at all.

But I had to pace myself. BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE was next!

I hadn’t seen this band out of Waco, Texas since going to The Domain last year. And there was about to be some very obvious differences in performance as The Domain was more of an acoustic set compared to Acadia’s plugged in and full throttle event.

Not to mention that I didn’t have a camera then, but I did now!

I wasn’t sure if I should have called it “BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE: Plugged In” or something of that nature.

But there’s something more to it than that.

BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE has an energy about them when they are on stage. I saw that their music was pulsing through their veins and fire in their soul. Because of it, I moved up to the front of the stage.

Each of the band members greeted me with awesome hugs and smiles when they walked in the door. Even lead singer, Brenda Flores, complimented me on the leather jacket that I was wearing. I thought that was really cool. Find one thing about the person that you like and then start a conversation from there.

I could have never expected the electric atmosphere that BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE brings with them on stage!!

There was nothing to compare it to. And there still isn’t. BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE is a band that is on top of their A game and they remain standing on the top of that hill. They were lost in their passion for music and it showed. The performance overall was top notch in my opinion.

Brenda Flores did mention me by name after playing “Nearly Forgotten” and I was surprised by it. A dedication came out to me and appreciation was expressed that I had come that long way to get to the show. Although I’m still a bit hazy and confused as to which song was dedicated. Was it “Nearly Forgotten” or the song that they played after it? It remains a mystery. Meanwhile, Mrs. Froth screamed to her hearts content when I was mentioned. I felt all bubbles and goo inside as the goosebumps shot up my spine. I am so loved and that’s no doubt!

By the time BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE reached their final song of the night, I noticed that their bass player, Maribel was motioning for me to get even closer to the stage. The last part of the song, both her and Auggie Del Ray came off of the stage and rocked it to the end. Maribel being right in front of me only a few short inches away. I didn’t know if Auggie was going to encapsulate me to the other side or not but he just let it all out to what he had and they finished their set on stage.

Holy Crap!!! More that I did not expect or see coming. Was she gonna climb up on my lap and hammer out the rest of the song while standing on my knees? And would she find it funny if I started throwing dollar bills on the floor? No, I remained still until the end then she hugged me.

BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE took the time after their set to talk to the people who were the most animated during their performance. Photographs were taken as a sign of the band’s heartfelt appreciation.

And as they were finishing up loading their gear, the entire band came back inside and ALL of them were total smiles as they came in my direction. They took pictures with me. And I even handed out my own camera to have pictures done. I suspect that most of the fan photographs will be either posted on Facebook or their own website, or both.

As I looked over their merchandise table, the only thing that really didn’t have was a keychain. Ultimately that was simply given to me by the band, and now I am the one full of appreciation. I wanted one of their new t-shirts but they didn’t have my size. I hope to try again and get one in the future.

They all hugged me before leaving. I’m still working on NOT fearing Auggie Del Ray and his muscles galore as he can break me in half. But I still appreciate and love their music. Proud to be a part of The Pride.

After that it got DARK. It got GLOOMY. It was the headliner WELL OF SOULS of doom metal fame.

The time they spent on stage just gripped on to me like a horny vampire and wouldn’t let go until it consumed every ounce of my soul. John Calvin’s stage performance and appearance still creeps me the hell out. But he’s awesome in what he does!

But where does that accent come from when he is singing? Anyone know??

Combined with O.J. Morris and Tim Wayne on guitar and of course Dr. Froth on bass, and Chris Kotlarz as their hired hand on drums, this band also had their shit together and made for a powerful and memorable performance.

To be honest, I wasn’t a doom metal fan at all before I heard them. And I’m slowly starting to warm up to them. But it is clear that WELL OF SOULS welcomes me into their fold with open arms. Both by the band and by their circle of family and friends.

Then there was We, The Enemy.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over???

Just a few songs played and then they were done. What happened? What was going on?

The urban legend was later told by Dr. Froth that he had stepped outside and that band was pissed off because one of the guitarist kept screwing up and couldn’t efficiently play because he was extremely drunk.

But nobody noticed. Nobody knew what was going on. They could have played the rest of their set with their guitarist screwing up left and right and never had been exposed to it. So many people were confused. A lot speculated that the band was upset because after WELL OF SOULS had played, Acadia cleared out. But they did have a fan or two left. One that was actually in military uniform. But no. It was over. They packed up their gear and split.

Maybe we’ll see them again soon somewhere down the road. But for now it appears that they are sorely butthurt about their guitarist.

After that was the usual out to eat experience. Which was crazy insane in and of itself.

Then crashing at the Motel 6 at 4 AM. Did I mention the stupid time change? There was no time to fall into the pool. There was no time to mess with their stupid television or be annoyed by the fact that they are STILL remodeling.

I was glad that I had Dr. & Mrs. Froth hang out with me during those last few minutes that I was there before getting on the bus and headed home. Its a lot easier to wait when there is someone to talk to. Someone you click with. And it also makes it difficult. But I’m getting better at it.

No crazy women cussing me out, no strangers handing out money as it was last week.

It will be a few weeks before the show by SIX MINUTE CENTURY featuring the birthday of Chuck Williams. Now I am on my knees, praying that it happens. But I have no regrets showing up for this show.

Fanaticism Gone Very Wrong

“Fanaticism consists of redoubling your effort when you have forgotten your aim.”~ George Santayana

I suppose that it is okay to write about this since giving the latest news of what has been going on has seemingly come to an end. I don’t know if I can confirm the latest news and it would be a shame if it were true, particularly the last parts of it.

I have been reading this blog for a while now about a man, who for safety’s sake, I am going to call him “Josef”.

Josef is a man who lives in Eastern Europe. Serbia or Croatia, I believe. But he has gained a little of a cult following because of his fanaticism and his choices which has led him to his own personal demise. Part of his passion seems to be the draw to his blog and for others to keep in touch with what he has been doing.

Josef is a big fan of Céline Dion and her music. And he is not afraid to tell that to anyone.

Much like any of us who has a certain passion for musicians or artists, Josef’s life seems to be encompassed by it. The only problem for Josef was that he’s never seen a concert in his area. For him to see a live show, he would have to travel to another country. And it was something that he found difficult to do.

But it didn’t stop him from being a fanatic. Instead, his own memorabilia collection has grown. And he’s not been shy about showing that off either.

So up to present day where Céline Dion (again) has a show in Las Vegas for the next few years. Josef wanted to go but knew that it would be terribly expensive. His options of seeing her live were dwindling.

And then Josef’s blog was totally shocking to his readers as he announced that he was planning on selling everything that he owned just so that he would have enough money to fly to the United States of America to see Céline Dion perform in Las Vegas. And that’s exactly what this twenty-something year old European fan did. He sold everything!

With the exception of a few essentials (clothes, etc.) he took everything that he had and sold it for some kind of profit. Although it is up to debate on what he truly kept and what he sold. His goal was to be able to stay in Las Vegas for as long as he could and see as many shows as possible. And a personal goal was that maybe he would get to meet Céline in person.

He sold his vehicles, his furniture, his belongings, and his house. He even quit his job so that he could travel. And as a bonus for cash, he would do smaller jobs, such as yard work for others. His last day of his employment was the day before he was planning on flying over to Las Vegas.

He was quite successful. As he began a large stash of money, he began to plan what he had called his “once in a lifetime opportunity”. The conversion rate actually had worked in his favor to have more in US dollars.

According to his blog, he went to Las Vegas either in June or July. Everything that he wrote about was always “after the fact”. It appeared that he had enough money to stay for close to a month. But Josef did not consider any of the consequences of his actions.

He chronicled each time he went to a show. Sometimes he was in the front row and other times he was not. But he had at least ten different entries on show appearances and reviews alone. Not to mention the posts of what he was doing in Las Vegas when there was no show to attend. He attempted to keep track of what he was spending, but ultimately had failed.

According to his blog, he did not gamble at all. And he was not spending big either. But his opportunity had come and he was totally elated.

He originally was staying at Caesar’s Palace. But for reasons that Josef did not disclose, he was removed and he had to find lodging somewhere else. He was able to find some place that was cheaper. And that allowed him to have more money.

I knew that it would be interesting to see how he adapted to life once he returned to his home country. He would be homeless & jobless. Going back to his blog posts that were written prior to his journey, he mentioned once that his family was not in his corner and begged him not to go through with the plan of selling everything. And from my perspective, it sounded as if his own family went through great lengths to warn him not to do this, to the point where they said that if he did follow through that they would not help him out when he returned home.

But when the money ran out, Josef took everything that he collected during his visit and came home. Or at least to the country from which he lived in.

Josef had to rely on the kindness of his friends or even strangers because he had no place to sleep. Or he would sleep in the parks or the forests. His family and some of his friends who threatened not to help, kept their word. The exception being that this family would from time to time give him something to eat so he didn’t starve to death.

And now there’s this wild story being spread that Josef has found it so difficult to survive without having a place to stay or a trying to find a job. His old job wouldn’t take him back. What is worse is now lately, there is a buzz about Josef having killed himself because he couldn’t handle it.

His blog has been silent for a few weeks now. There’s been nothing. The last submission was basically a cry for help. He was looking for a place to stay and was willing to do some kind of household work in order to stay wherever. He also was asking people locally to help him find a job. But he didn’t sound too positive about it.

Nobody can say for sure what has happened to Josef. I personally just sit and wait to see if there is to be any kind of update or blog post to confirm that he is still alive or if someone would write a post, announcing that his death is not a rumor.

There are several words that come to mind when considering Josef’s story: Insanity. Obsession. Stupid.

People often do things that are inexplicable. Especially when it comes to their fanaticism about something or someone. In this case, I found his story to be way over the top and perhaps unnecessary. But because of his hellbent attitude and his enthusiasm… he did get to do what he wanted in the end. But he did not consider what it would do to him.

A lot of people who either know about or have read about his story often argue that he should have kept everything and just saved his money a little bit at a time until he had enough. But for Josef, he found the quickest and easiest way to get what he wanted. For him to have saved the money instead, would have taken time. He obviously didn’t have the patience for it.

There are fans even within the United States that would love to go to Las Vegas, but cannot afford it. For some, they are able to. It simply is a case of how much desire a fan has in order to make that happen.

But I personally had a feeling that something like this was going to happen to Josef. Reading his blog and watching him descend into chaos was kind of similar to watching a train wreck. It was going to happen, but there was nothing that anybody could do to stop it.

Some fans have argued that he should have waited for the next world tour. And while he waited, he could have saved money to enter into another country to be able to attend the concert. But I get the sense that Josef felt like he was running out of time because there’s been no talk of a world tour. There’s only been talks about Céline Dion staying in Las Vegas for a while with her show.

Personally, I believe that Josef went way out of line. Mainly because he had no plans on what he was going to do with his life once he returned to his home country. He should have either saved his money slowly or drawn the line.

I know that for myself, with the things that I am ultimately passionate about that I am able to fulfill those desires of being there and participating, if things would change where it would become different, then I would draw the line.

As much as I love the music (and the people) of SIX MINUTE CENTURY for example– if I was told that from now on, their live shows would only be played in Paris, then I would draw the line. I would still support them because I do enjoy their music, but I would not do the same thing that Josef had done and sold everything just to go to Paris.

I honestly hope that the stories and rumors that I hear about Josef are false. And I will keep an eye out to see if by chance he surfaces again. Like I said, he always writes in his blog “after the fact”. But if it is true that he did kill himself because he couldn’t handle the fact that he had nothing, and his family refused to help him, then this is definitely a case of fanaticism gone VERY wrong. And hopefully each of us can learn something from his story and evaluate what we are doing as fanatics of the things that thrill us the most and figure out whether it is bringing us joy and enlightenment OR leading us down the path of disaster.

 

 

 

An Absolute Literary No-No

Well fans, I have returned for another blog entry. Although I seriously would like to dedicate this entry into more of the “WTF moment” of the week.

I won’t say too much about this, but I feel kind of sorry for all involved. This is a definite case of literary career suicide. Writers, do not try this at home!!

http://booksandpals.blogspot.com/2011/03/greek-seaman-jacqueline-howett.html

I will warn though, NOT to go and cause more problems or harrass the author or any one else who may have decided to add comments. I would suggest that you do not comment anything at all. Do so, at your own risk.

I promise to come back soon with a more personal blog entry when time becomes available.