Meet Joel Cool | Writer, Corp Professional, Jack-of-all-trades Creative Goofball

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joel Cool and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joel, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I grew up in one of the coolest places in Southern California, Lake Arrowhead. It is a beautiful mountain town with winding roads, snowy winters, and a glistening lake meant for wakeboarding and high school dock parties. Yes, I was born and raised in SoCal, and I would not want to be anywhere else. This isn’t because I haven’t seen the world. I studied abroad 3 times in college (China, Chile and Argentina) and lived throughout Europe for ages 10 and 11, right after my parents separated. My single dad had his three adventurous boys, causing a raucous from London to Paris. We then spent a year in Louisville, Kentucky, before finally missing California too much. The places a parent’s job can take their kids can be so exciting sometimes.

I ultimately yearned to return home to the same place my parents met all those years ago, Lake Arrowhead. My mom was the flirty, happy-go-lucky Caucasian cheerleader with engaging blue eyes and blonde Cali-girl hair. She caught the attention of my dad, the charismatic, short, dark, and handsome dreamer who immigrated from Mexico. They then created three charmers that you’ll never forget. The family doesn’t stop there, though. There are still three unaccounted siblings who joined the pack and helped guide me into who I am today.

I love my mixed-race background and upbringing. It ultimately brought me amazing siblings, a love for quesadillas, and many cousins that I can’t even count. We had love, hardship, change, and excitement around every corner. It’s probably why I don’t find many things hard or difficult to get through now. The glass is always half full, and I enjoy drinking it. Shoot, I had to drink it before one of my brothers did!

My dad would say, “You get what you get, and don’t throw a fit.” Plus, I have enough people to lean on when times get tough. My siblings are my best friends, and my cousins keep me entertained. Yes, Mom, of course, I love you too.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a jack-of-all-trades creative goof because I don’t want to be limited. My ideal genre changes based on how I feel at the moment. I love exploring new creative paths and trying things out.

My love for writing started when I was in high school. I kept a journal, not a diary. I would journal all the things that were happening around me. It wasn’t about how I felt but more about what occurred. Sometimes, I read it over to laugh about the high school house party stories.

This writing bug followed me throughout life, but I didn’t give it the focus that I should have. My weaknesses stopped me from pursuing it. I know I am impulsive, with bad attention to detail and mediocre vocabulary. Who would publish me? I don’t know anybody. I also wanted to be someone stable, with an office job, who walked around smiling at their coworkers.

“Hey Jill, how was badminton this weekend?” I’d ask while filling up my water in the office kitchen.

“It was epic,” she gushed. “But I fell and sprained my ankle. Hence, the crutches.”

“Oh, I didn’t even see those,” I’d say. Positive people are more well-liked, so I try to be one wherever I go. “Well, it looks like you had fun!”

“I sure did. Thanks for asking,” Jill would respond.

Jill is the best. So that’s what I did. I am a successful Human Resources professional in an entertainment company. I love my job, and it has now given me the opportunity to explore my passions in my own time.

Writing my first book, The Ghost Guard, was challenging without a formal writing education or knowledge of the process. I didn’t know where to begin and didn’t think anyone would care. But the little martian inside of me said just do it. Write something and self-publish it. Check it out on Amazon. Also, be on the lookout for the Ghost Guard: Part Two in the next couple of years.

I want the world to know that we all have self-doubt. We worry that we won’t be good enough at something, which stops us from pursuing it. My self-doubt is no longer going to hold me back. I hope this article also pushes you to explore your curiosities and cross some things off that interest list. Some things may not work out but try to have fun doing them. Do you feel that struggle? You’re alive.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
What I love about Los Angeles is that you can find and do anything! You have to know where to look. My best friend Katherine is a little party animal. That was until she gave birth to her little rockstar. She likes good food, people-watching, and being in bed before 11 pm, which aligns perfectly with me.

Welcome to the Joel Cool & Krazy Katho LA stay vacation with cheap thrills and wholesome hangs. We are going to start mid-week because Mondays aren’t as fun.

Wednesday: My best friend is going to want In-N-Out when she arrives. The one below the airport is less crowded, so we will get two double-doubles and Neapolitan milkshakes.. We must go home and freshen up before heading to Moonlight Rollerway in Glendale for Rainbow/Disco Skate Night. It’s the best place to be on a Wednesday night. The music is a mix of pop and oldies classics. People show up in fun outfits and fall on their faces with glee. We’d end the night around 11 pm with tacos from El Sauz Tacos 2, just down the way. “Dos tacos de al pastor tacos y una quesadilla de asada, por favor,” I’d say. “O, tienes salsa verde, tambien?” You can’t forget that!

Thursday: We’ll start the day leisurely, waking up around 9 am and heading to Jacks N Joe off Figueroa near USC for a hearty breakfast. This place offers solid diner eats without the over-engineering of breakfast classics that some LA spots tend to do. We’ll indulge in a Pudgie Elvis, among other things, which is pancakes, peanut butter, and bananas, all covered in powdered sugar. After a satisfying meal, we’ll head to Will Rogers Beach in Santa Monica to meet up with friends. We’ll end the day with a scenic drive back at sunset in my topless white Jeep Wrangler and a cozy movie night at home, complete with Blaze Pizza delivery.

Friday: Friday morning would start with a hike! She’d want to see celebrities in normal clothes, so we’d head to Runyon Canyon. I would need a bagel to get through that, so we’d stop at my favorite spot, Brooklyn Bagel Bakery. I’ll take a sesame seed bagel with plain cream cheese and cucumber. She will want an asiago bagel with cream cheese. We will enjoy the amazing views and fresh air until lunchtime. I will take her to Spitz in Los Feliz so she can share the joy of a Street Cart Doner with fries inside! It’s epic. We got tickets to the Dodger game that night, and it ends with the fireworks (true story)!

Saturday: It’s Disneyland Day! I’ll be Goofy and her, Minnie. Enough said.

Sunday: Softball day, my friends! I play in the Greater Los Angeles Softball Association (GLASA), an LGBTQIA+ league. We usually play 2-3 games so that she will cheer me on. She will put a blanket out behind the dugout and laugh at me for striking out. We will grab Banh Mi’s for lunch from Banh Mi My Tho Vietnamese Sandwich in Rosemead, down the street from the fields. Sadly, she has to fly out after the games, which will conclude the amazing party for two weekend in LA.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This shoutout is dedicated to the family and friends who have supported me throughout every new wacky idea that crosses my mind. I am the type of person who wants to experience all the good times this world has to offer, but not alone. I also love exploring my curiosities and am not afraid to dive into something headfirst, even if it’s too shallow. My head might be a bit dented, but it was a good story. Thank you, siblings, exes, lovers, cousins, besties, parents, momma and coworkers. “You keep me young, and I love you so much.”

Website: theghostguard.com

Instagram: joelbcool

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelcamarena/

Other: TikTok: Joelbecool

Image Credits
Summer Krueger