A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A "WHINE AND CHEEZ" PODCASTER

Whine & Cheez Podcast, 3/17/19, L-R: Michael Rodriguez, Nurith Galonsky, Jim Barton, Erasmo, William Garza, Erasmo Castro

It's 1:15 PM Sunday as I open the door to Angelita's Casa de Cafe.

"Welcome home Jim!" shouts Martin Leal, co-owner.

"I've been arguing with Roman," continues Leal, referencing the political gadfly, self-confessed germophobe, suspected homophobe.

"He wants to replace you so bad as moderator," states Leal.  

"He says your questions are terrible."

Podmaster Erasmo Castro enters with a bluetooth hearing device in his ear, waving off conversation as he sets up the microphones and I- phone for the podcast.

Commissioner Candidate Michael Rodriguez, already in the house with his pretty wife and three very young kids, wonders aloud if he should wear his campaign t-shirt over his dress shirt.  He decides to do just that while Angelita Leal tucks in the shirt label in the back.

"Erasmo, I want you to change ties," laughs Angelita, as she hands Castro a huge green bowtie to wear for Saint Patrick's Day.

Delightfully self-effacing, Candidate Nurith Galonsky reminds herself to "project" her voice, as she takes her seat in front of the microphone, dressed in emerald green.  Close friend, Commissioner Ben Neece, sits supportively on one of the couches.

"My campaign is basically self-financed," explains Nurith to her opponent, Michael Rodriguez.

"I had one relative in McAllen contribute.  Thank you, Auntie.  But, I didn't have the name recognition you have, Michael, and my name is hard to remember, so I had to spend a lot of money to get my name out there," continued Galonsky.

"I look at as money I would have spent on my wedding and I'm not getting married," she laughs.  

Perennial candidate William Garza tries to minimize the fact that he's running for commissioner in District 1 despite not living there.

"What would you all do if I won?" asks Garza.

"I would move!," answers Rodriguez.

"I would put a 'For Sale' sign on my house."

Later that afternoon, I try to view a replay of the podcast, but I just don't have the patience for nearly an hour and a half. 

 

At 4 PM, 5 AM Philippines time, fiancee' Ana messages me, still annoyed over the jealous rants of the McAllen lowlife:

"He is impotent and thats why he is has hatred in his heart."

OK, Ana.  You may be onto something.  LOL!

When I tell Erasmo I have two At Large "A" candidates lined up for next week, he replies:  "Why don't we go with District 2?  I think we already had At Large "A" recently.

OK.  I need to message Jessica Puente-Bradshaw and Ismael Hinojosa and postpone their appearances.  

District 2 Candidate Pat Ahumada readily agrees to appear, just asking "what time?"

Jessica Tetreau is surprisingly hesitant.  

"I don’t like the combativeness that happened last time.  I will only agree if there is a professional decorum," she states.

"I think we were very genteel last time," I reply.

Jessica agrees to appear.

Caty Presas-Garcia also expresses reluctance.

"What will be the issues?"  she asks.

"District 2 issues," I respond.

"I’m fine I just hope it’s more of an actual informative conversations. The questions should be different to those that have served as City Commissioners versus those that haven’t served .. I will double check my calendar and will confirm with you on or before March 21st."

"Everyone will be asked the same questions, as always," I tell Caty.

"I will put you down as 'tentative.'"