Rodrigo
Date
Time
Place
Slug
December 6, 2025
11:00am
West Village, New York
“Bullet”
Big City Sluggers.
The Great Boscolini.
Bosco. Mr. Bosco. Mr. Boscolini. The Sultan. These names belong to a cat. One single cat. A cat fathered by one of my best friends, Rodrigo Elias. This Slug Story isn’t about Rodrigo‘s cat. I just felt it was right to introduce it with the Great Boscolini. Anyways, this Slug Story is about Rodrigo, our friendship, and his trip to New York City.
Miracle Morning.
I met Rodrigo in the fall of 2021. I moved into my friend Busby’s house in Miami during graduate school. Rodrigo had moved in to the house during this time, and we immediately became great friends. Rodrigo is from Mexico, Chihuahua to be exact. One of my earliest memories of Rodrigo was in the beginning of the semester, he invited me to LIV nightclub with his friends. We ended up staying out till at least four or five in the morning. Actually, I’m pretty sure I left without him because he wanted to stay longer lol. That move was very representative of Rodrigo’s love and desire to live life to the fullest, something I admire greatly about him.
At the same time, he had just begun training for a big role for a Netflix show. Rodrigo is an actor, someone who is always watching movies, always studying the greats, and doing whatever it takes to get into character. I watched him wake up at 5am, sometimes even 4am to work out for roles. He would read books, take singing lessons, visit places all to improve his understanding and skills. During that time I was inspired to do the same. I woke up early. I worked out early. I read and journal everyday. We did something called the “Miracle Morning”, a sure fire way to have a great day. Throughout the years, we’ve experienced so much together in our creative pursuits. After years of not seeing each other after graduating, we agreed it was time for us to link again. Rodrigo made his way to the big city, the Mecca of Acting, New York, New York.
Adding Yaari to the Mix.
On arrival, we resumed our friendship like we had just seen each other. I wanted him to meet my friend Yaari, who is an actor as well. We decided to make a film for Slug. We met on a Saturday morning in the West Village. Rodrigo in his all black attire, me in my normal winter wear, and Yaari in this Air Force 1s. Rodrigo had this idea to showcase “carrying love” with the Slug around the holiday season. This was one of the first non-scripted Slug Stories, a more documentary style video. It felt amazing to just naturally interact with people in the city, and have Slug be the catalyst for that. People were so surprised and positive to receive those roses we were giving out. We shot in Central Park, Rockefeller Center, and my sister’s apartment.
To the Crazy Ones.
I’m so grateful to have people like Rodrigo in my life. Whenever the world gets overwhelming, we must go back to the people who make us feel less crazy, less alone, and more at peace. Thank you Rodrigo and once again, Mr. Boscolini.