“As a couple we are stronger than any individual weakness that either of us may have.”  - Bill Torres, November 2004

 If you pay attention you can learn a lot of things. My name is Bill Torres. I’m married to Jackie Guerra. My wife has lost about 170 pounds and has kept it off for over 1600 days!  I count the days because we play it one day at a time. 

I’m a teacher, writer, former stand-up comic, and have done some acting.  I was on the last two episodes of Married With Children, acted with Bonnie Hunt on The Building, and I acted with Jackie Guerra on the first episode of First Time Out (CW Network) starring Jackie Guerra. Working with these talented people I learned many things. On Jackie’s show, Jackie’s character weighed 300 pounds and was fearless, funny, feisty, with BIG HAIR, BIG DREAMS, and a BIG MOUTH!!  In real life Jackie fought daily with the writers of the show because they wrote stupid fat jokes. Believe me, I know, I was one of the writers. I learned how obese people are viewed as invisible or less than human. I learned about how many women can’t love or receive love or share love because of how embarrassed they feel about their bodies.  I learned that it’s not “just a joke” when “fat chick” is the punch-line. Comedy should not be cruelty.  A joke is supposed to make you laugh, not cry. It is not that funny when a chubby fifth grader cries.   Today I do many things including being a fifth grade teacher.  Kids learn to be cruel. Kids can also learn to be positive and productive and a little less noisy.  Education is needed. Learning is needed.  I began to understand it then but I know it now. Jackie and I continue to try and learn each day.  Right now I have to figure out how to teach fractions. Until next time………..