Chapter 2: Looking Ahead
Most of you know I do not plan to live in Orlando after March when my lease is up. Yet I still have only one option at the moment and that is Charlotte, NC. It seems to be the most reasonable place to go only because I have family near by and it’s cheap to live. Although there are many places I would love to live I cannot justify the means at the moment. Yet, whatever door opens with the best opportunity I will most willingly pass through. So you my much loved readers are at the beginning of a bigger journey; my life’s options.
It’s the little things in life that matter most to me. I like the simple things. I love waking up to a fresh cup of coffee and sitting outside enjoying my cup of good morning America. I like light cool breezes and a day where everything is simple. Perhaps I need a routine in my life. I know it sounds a bit boring but having a routine is less stressful and will make more appreciative of a random road trip or vacation. As an aspiring writer I think I need that. I believe not having a normal routine has made it hard for me to focus and write constantly. Writing a blog is easy because it’s completely random. Yet writing a movie or a play is very different. Several of you have asked me to make this into a book. Yet I’m still looking for the drama unless of course my daily life is dramatic enough to keep you wonderful readers reading.
I also acknowledge the other little things that drive me nuts. Like, coming home to a broken air conditioner. Or finally coming to turns that my driving is in complete total sync as truck drivers. Weird huh? I’ve noticed that whenever I enter a highway a semi truck is barreling down in the right lane every time I’m merging on. Or that no matter what I’m going to be driving behind a semi and not be able to move over to pass it. Or exiting off a ramp and being behind the semi. Coincidence I think not. I will finally be able to move over to the left lane and at the exact same time the truck driver will move over too. You may all think this silly but I’m on the road everyday and everyday it’s the same. Except today, rain was added to the equation.
I’m sitting in a Panera Bread in between presentations here in Melbourne, FL. South of Cocoa Beach on the east coast of Florida, it’s a little over an hour drive from Orlando. So this week is wake up early, drive an hour present and then drive an hour home. Today is quite nice yet annoying simply because I drove an hour and only have to do 3 presentations which isn’t bad but was it worth a drive since I was here last month and half the students have already seen this presentation already? Yeah, this school is pretty much covered.
I’ve learned recently that I’m booked through Christmas so I can’t slow down now. Although, it doesn’t help me plan my life after March. I’ve talked to my boss the other day and she assured me that what she has planned in the spring (trips) I wouldn’t want to leave. Well, like I said, I’ll consider my options.
The Dream:
If you remember one of the dreams I listed in a blog recently about the time where I was driving on the bridge and ran off it and drowned? I looked up the meanings and this is what it said. Here’s the original dream just to refresh your memory.
I dreamt that I was in car driving over a bridge. Freezing rain pouring down. My windshield starting to freeze over and I couldn’t see where I was driving. I knew something tragic was going to happen yet I continued driving. Next thing I know I slam into the side of the bridge, my car falling off the side and slamming into the water. The car begins to fill with water and I think to myself, I’m waking up now.
Driving: To dream that you are driving a vehicle signifies your life's journey and your path in life. The dream is telling of how you are moving and navigating through life. If you are driving and cannot see the road ahead of you, then it indicates that you do not know where you are headed in life and what you really want to do with yourself. You are lacking direction and goals.
Wind: To dream of blowing winds, symbolizes your life force, energy, and vigor. It reflects changes in your life.
To dream of strong or gusty winds, represents turmoil and trouble for you. You are experiencing much stress in some waking situation.
Blizzard: To dream about a blizzard, suggests that you are feeling emotionally cold and frigid. You are feeling excluded and left out. It may indicate a lack of love and the absence of warmth within your own family circle.
Bridge: To dream that you are crossing a bridge signifies an important decision or a critical junction in your life. This decision will prove to be a positive change with prosperity and wealth in the horizon. Bridges represent a transitional period in your life where you will be moving on to a new stage.
Drowning: If you drown to death, then is refers to an emotional rebirth. If your survive the drowning, then a waking relationship or situation will ultimately survive the turmoil.
I believe that pretty much gives you an idea on where this is all headed in Chapter 2. Will Pete stay in Florida? Will he end up somewhere we least expected? Does he actually write something? I’m wondering the same thing.
TO MY READERS:
So my devoted readers you thought that was the end. No, that was just chapter 1. Yet I hope to make this a bit different. Not as much of a travel log although I still have a lot of traveling ahead of me. This also will be more sporadic than the last chapter, which means that I may write once a week or once every two weeks or several times a day. We’ll have to see or when the mood strikes me.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Sunday, October 28, 2007
It All Comes to an End
Every Christmas when I was in show choir in high school, are group would go from house to house to the parents of each singer. We would sing Christmas chorals then jump into the car and go to the next house. Through the night there would be three houses where the parents would feed us. One house would be appetizers the second house dinner and the last house would have desserts and then our chorus group would exchange gifts to our dancing partners. It was a good time every year. Yeah, this week in Long Island was nothing like that…
Except that we would all go to one high school set up our tables, reel in prospective high school students for an hour, tear down and drive to the next school. Instead of a three-course meal we had a choice between un-toasted bagels, donuts, coffee and tea. I may be a snob but I can’t eat un-toasted bagels and only have one-maybe two donuts before I get a sugar high. Now I’m not a coffee snob per say, but I will drink bad coffee all day so to mix sugar donuts with 10 cups of coffee is a deadly mix. On top of that, one school would have me listed but another school would not, which means more work and more lugging equipment around. Usually I was listed so it wasn’t too bad. At one school I would not have any students come up to me and yet another I would be the belle of the ball.
Every morning I would drive to the school early, hoping to get a jump-start on traffic. Then I would get lost finding the school. Long Island roads like Dallas is set up where the highway is in the middle and the one way streets on either side of the highway which makes it extremely difficult if you miss one turn. Of course if you’re a local it doesn’t really matter but for us visitors you cannot navigate through the town effectively. So after asking myself why a hundred times I just came to annoyingly deal with it, which all of us have to do on a daily basis.
Most of the schools the tables were set up alphabetically which means I would be sitting next to the same people over and over. Luckily I was sitting next to so awesome ladies. Kim, Mary and Emily were my neighbors. Most of the reps at these fairs know each other. Their territory is NY/Long Island so they all see each other constantly. Sometimes it’s a hard niche to break into but these ladies welcomed me, which I strongly appreciated, or perhaps they didn’t really have a choice. Kim was reading a book called the Plain Truth and I was hoping she would finish it by the end of the week. She kept giving me daily updates and now I have no idea how it ends. Emily and I would evaluate each fair. From the lighting to the students to our exhausting drives. Mary works for a college where my favorite college rep works for, so we had her to talk about. Like I mentioned before, college reps are all in the same boat. It’s actually kind of nice to be able to swap stories of our adventures, gossip about schools and know that I’m not the only one getting lost in the morning. The reps are my comfort food on these trips. Being able to look across the room at a rep and they look back at you with that same expression that says a thousand words means a lot.
Storms rolled in, winds were heavy and the sky was dark. Days where your body wants to shut down and lay in bed all day. It made me feel sick and exhausted. I couldn’t complete my scavenger hunt for that reason. Besides the fairies to the Fire Islands had shut down and thought of driving another hour to Mautack was not really something my body could take. Instead I opted to rest in my hotel and check out a couple of movies at a near by theater.
On my last and final day of this 25-day adventure was nothing but bitter sweet and routine. I woke up early. Checked out of my hotel. Packed my car and drove to the school in the rain. I was the first rep to arrive at the college fair entering a dark gymnasium and set up my display. I sat and read the newspaper until the others arrived. I sat and chatted with Emily for a while until the students arrived. An hour later we packed up and drove 22 minutes to Amityville High School and set up. Amityville from what I saw was a beautiful little Long Island town. Yet the high school was terribly scary. It looked more like an old prison rather than a school. Although, I have to admit I did very well there. At the coffee table where I refreshed my travel mug and tried to decide what sugar rush of a donut I needed I met Jolene. We talked briefly and then she mentioned the Amityville house. I told her about my scavenger hunt and she added that the house was actually just around the block. She had planned to go see it, but no one wanted to go with her. I accepted graciously to at least get one checked off my list in Long Island.
After tear down and good-byes to people I’m sure I’ll never see again, I contacted Brit to make sure we had the right address. Jolene doing some searching herself since I told her the address had changed to prevent people like us from annoying the current owner, we found the address. I followed her to the house on Ocean Avenue and there it was. It was nothing like the movie. I had looked it up on the Internet before I left for this trip and know that the owners redecorated it. The half moon windows are now square and the front chimney is now all but disappeared. Yet if you look across the street, the house there looks exactly like the movie which means a lot of these houses did look like the one from the movie some time ago. Jolene and I parked on the side of the street and took our pictures. We decided to walk around the neighborhood and ended up on the canal looking out at the water. It was nice to actually share a moment with someone and talk about what we just saw and about other random things. I appreciated her company.
I drove for the next half hour into NY. I dropped off the white lion at Enterprise and took the van to the air train. I lugged all my stuff onto the train and got off at terminal 3. Down elevators, across streets and up ramps and around buildings sweating profusely with bags in tow I finally check in. With four hours to kill I decided to go through security and have lunch. I sat at a bar looked over the very unappealing menu ordered a 3-dollar glass of coke and sat. My computer’s battery was dead and really nothing to do. After drinking my coca cola that cost more than two 2 liters I walked around the airport finding another restaurant. After finally weighing my not so many options sat down at a place. I had a 10-dollar sandwich the size of my fist and over cooked French fries that were actually better than the sandwich. I found a plug and this computer center place and tried the Internet but got nothing. So I decided to go back to my gate sit relax and watch CNN.
Finally we board. Now I noticed the girl in front of me had seat 14F. I had 13F and thought for a sec, she’s sitting behind me. We get on the plane and me and another fellow help the girl put her suitcase on the overhead bin. Looking down at my seat I see an old woman occupying it. She obviously decided that she was not going to sit in the middle no matter what while I constantly look at my seat assignment on my ticket and the numbers overhead. I’m not one to make much a fuss over things so I was considering my options. Make a fuss to the old lady, or be gentlemen and sit in the middle next to a Dutch kid. Then a twist, the girl in front of me jumps right into the middle seat unaware that her ticket was behind her in the open window seat. So I tell the older couple behind my seat assignment that the open window seat is mine and they happily let me slide through. Success!!! I lay my head against the window and quickly fall asleep.
I wake up an hour later and see that we are still on the tarmac. Apparently because of the weather there’s a traffic jam. If I would have known that, I would have stayed awake. Now I’m wide-awake and this flight is going to be long. Getting up in the air they turn on the TVs which helps make the flight go by faster. They show an episode of the office, a travel channel show and How I Met Your Mother episode. It did make time go by fast. Arriving in Orlando an hour late, I walked to baggage claim and picked up my luggage. Dragged it to the transport and took the bus to my car. My car was intact with no cracks in the windshield. I drove up to the lot and paid the 130-dollar parking fee and drove home hitting every stoplight on way.
Movie Reviews:
Gone Baby Gone
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/gonebabygone/
Sometimes I get weary when people talk about how much they despise a certain actor. How they refuse to go their movies etc. People’s personal opinions matter, I know that, but come on. Take Keanu Reeves for instance, sure he’s a one-dimensional actor but I have enjoyed some of his movies. I enjoy the Matrix movies, I had fun at Speed and I think he was perfect in My Own Private Idaho. People may not like him as an actor but he’s smart to often pick quality projects that people go see. Give the guy a break.
Now lets take Ben Affleck. A lot of you have a problem with Ben because some of his movies are cheesy and he seems to take on rolls that are big budget sell out films but is he really that bad? I know a lot of you love Armageddon. I think he showed strength as an actor in Hollywoodland and the guy did win an academy award for writing Good Will Hunting. So the guy is pretty smart. Now what is he like as a writer director? Pretty darn good, actually! I’m not a strong fan of procedural crime movies but this movie has a raw intensity and with a 3rd Act that makes the entire movie worth watching and debating over. I’m waiting for someone to see it to discuss it with. The acting is top notch from everyone involved so I think this will be on my top 10 of the year. I’m sure it will receive some Golden Globe and possibly some Academy Award nominations. We’ll have to wait and see.
Across the Universe
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/acrosstheuniverse/
From the first time I saw the trailer I really wanted to see this movie. I love Julie Taymor as a director. She has a visual style that I absolutely love. She’s done movies like Titus and Frida and directed Broadway shows like the Lion King. Now she’s directed a movie musical with nothing but Beetles songs. I’m in heaven. Then I read the controversy on how she didn’t get final cut and how she was a tyrant on set then the movie finally came out and got mediocre reviews. So it started to drop down on my list of movies to see.
The movie has bouts with brilliance and moments where I cringe. I still love her style but for some reason I think that the style really got away with some of the story. If you are one of those people who hate musicals where the characters just burst into song then you will hate this. Especially if you love Beetle songs and think you will hate all the songs being covered by the actors. Some burst into song moments I hated others I didn’t mind so much. I do recommend it simply because it is different and Julie’s visuals are so cool and it does have those moments of brilliance but my heart wasn’t as warm as it should have been at the end I was actually kinda ready for it to be over.
Lars and The Real Girl:
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/mgm/larsandtherealgirl/trailer/
Ryan Gosling has cemented himself as one of the best actors of our generation. The guy is brilliant. In this movie he’s playing opposite to a doll and being a delusional extreme shy guy works perfectly for him. Although, I think the movie was just okay. There’s not much conflict in the film and it starts to drag on. Again my emotions really weren’t tugged at the end and were predictable. It’s a dark feel good movie that is simple. It doesn’t offer any twists and just stays true to itself, which I did like. Yet I didn’t walk away feeling any different from when I came in. I recommend it on Ryan’s performance and again something that’s quirky and different. I did like how an entire community goes out of their way to help Lars. It was very sweet. I know a lot of you will probably like it much more than me. So please, go enjoy.
To My Loyal Readers:
Now that 6 States in 25 Days is now officially over I want to thank you for going on this journey with me. I cannot tell you how much it means to me for all of you who read these. Your comments meant the world to me and made me feel less alone on these travels. Your love and support warmed my heart everyday. I hope my ramblings made you feel comforted as well and hopefully you walked away knowing me a bit better and learned something. I have learned so much about myself in ways that are good and bad. Their are things I really need to focus on and change about myself. The one gift that I did learned was that no matter what I will never be alone with friends and family like you. How at the end of the day no matter if it was good or bad that I have loved ones all around me. Knowing the support that is around me, it’s time to fix the things in my life that need fixing and start being the person I want to be.
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you.
AMITYVILLE HOUSE
Except that we would all go to one high school set up our tables, reel in prospective high school students for an hour, tear down and drive to the next school. Instead of a three-course meal we had a choice between un-toasted bagels, donuts, coffee and tea. I may be a snob but I can’t eat un-toasted bagels and only have one-maybe two donuts before I get a sugar high. Now I’m not a coffee snob per say, but I will drink bad coffee all day so to mix sugar donuts with 10 cups of coffee is a deadly mix. On top of that, one school would have me listed but another school would not, which means more work and more lugging equipment around. Usually I was listed so it wasn’t too bad. At one school I would not have any students come up to me and yet another I would be the belle of the ball.
Every morning I would drive to the school early, hoping to get a jump-start on traffic. Then I would get lost finding the school. Long Island roads like Dallas is set up where the highway is in the middle and the one way streets on either side of the highway which makes it extremely difficult if you miss one turn. Of course if you’re a local it doesn’t really matter but for us visitors you cannot navigate through the town effectively. So after asking myself why a hundred times I just came to annoyingly deal with it, which all of us have to do on a daily basis.
Most of the schools the tables were set up alphabetically which means I would be sitting next to the same people over and over. Luckily I was sitting next to so awesome ladies. Kim, Mary and Emily were my neighbors. Most of the reps at these fairs know each other. Their territory is NY/Long Island so they all see each other constantly. Sometimes it’s a hard niche to break into but these ladies welcomed me, which I strongly appreciated, or perhaps they didn’t really have a choice. Kim was reading a book called the Plain Truth and I was hoping she would finish it by the end of the week. She kept giving me daily updates and now I have no idea how it ends. Emily and I would evaluate each fair. From the lighting to the students to our exhausting drives. Mary works for a college where my favorite college rep works for, so we had her to talk about. Like I mentioned before, college reps are all in the same boat. It’s actually kind of nice to be able to swap stories of our adventures, gossip about schools and know that I’m not the only one getting lost in the morning. The reps are my comfort food on these trips. Being able to look across the room at a rep and they look back at you with that same expression that says a thousand words means a lot.
Storms rolled in, winds were heavy and the sky was dark. Days where your body wants to shut down and lay in bed all day. It made me feel sick and exhausted. I couldn’t complete my scavenger hunt for that reason. Besides the fairies to the Fire Islands had shut down and thought of driving another hour to Mautack was not really something my body could take. Instead I opted to rest in my hotel and check out a couple of movies at a near by theater.
On my last and final day of this 25-day adventure was nothing but bitter sweet and routine. I woke up early. Checked out of my hotel. Packed my car and drove to the school in the rain. I was the first rep to arrive at the college fair entering a dark gymnasium and set up my display. I sat and read the newspaper until the others arrived. I sat and chatted with Emily for a while until the students arrived. An hour later we packed up and drove 22 minutes to Amityville High School and set up. Amityville from what I saw was a beautiful little Long Island town. Yet the high school was terribly scary. It looked more like an old prison rather than a school. Although, I have to admit I did very well there. At the coffee table where I refreshed my travel mug and tried to decide what sugar rush of a donut I needed I met Jolene. We talked briefly and then she mentioned the Amityville house. I told her about my scavenger hunt and she added that the house was actually just around the block. She had planned to go see it, but no one wanted to go with her. I accepted graciously to at least get one checked off my list in Long Island.
After tear down and good-byes to people I’m sure I’ll never see again, I contacted Brit to make sure we had the right address. Jolene doing some searching herself since I told her the address had changed to prevent people like us from annoying the current owner, we found the address. I followed her to the house on Ocean Avenue and there it was. It was nothing like the movie. I had looked it up on the Internet before I left for this trip and know that the owners redecorated it. The half moon windows are now square and the front chimney is now all but disappeared. Yet if you look across the street, the house there looks exactly like the movie which means a lot of these houses did look like the one from the movie some time ago. Jolene and I parked on the side of the street and took our pictures. We decided to walk around the neighborhood and ended up on the canal looking out at the water. It was nice to actually share a moment with someone and talk about what we just saw and about other random things. I appreciated her company.
I drove for the next half hour into NY. I dropped off the white lion at Enterprise and took the van to the air train. I lugged all my stuff onto the train and got off at terminal 3. Down elevators, across streets and up ramps and around buildings sweating profusely with bags in tow I finally check in. With four hours to kill I decided to go through security and have lunch. I sat at a bar looked over the very unappealing menu ordered a 3-dollar glass of coke and sat. My computer’s battery was dead and really nothing to do. After drinking my coca cola that cost more than two 2 liters I walked around the airport finding another restaurant. After finally weighing my not so many options sat down at a place. I had a 10-dollar sandwich the size of my fist and over cooked French fries that were actually better than the sandwich. I found a plug and this computer center place and tried the Internet but got nothing. So I decided to go back to my gate sit relax and watch CNN.
Finally we board. Now I noticed the girl in front of me had seat 14F. I had 13F and thought for a sec, she’s sitting behind me. We get on the plane and me and another fellow help the girl put her suitcase on the overhead bin. Looking down at my seat I see an old woman occupying it. She obviously decided that she was not going to sit in the middle no matter what while I constantly look at my seat assignment on my ticket and the numbers overhead. I’m not one to make much a fuss over things so I was considering my options. Make a fuss to the old lady, or be gentlemen and sit in the middle next to a Dutch kid. Then a twist, the girl in front of me jumps right into the middle seat unaware that her ticket was behind her in the open window seat. So I tell the older couple behind my seat assignment that the open window seat is mine and they happily let me slide through. Success!!! I lay my head against the window and quickly fall asleep.
I wake up an hour later and see that we are still on the tarmac. Apparently because of the weather there’s a traffic jam. If I would have known that, I would have stayed awake. Now I’m wide-awake and this flight is going to be long. Getting up in the air they turn on the TVs which helps make the flight go by faster. They show an episode of the office, a travel channel show and How I Met Your Mother episode. It did make time go by fast. Arriving in Orlando an hour late, I walked to baggage claim and picked up my luggage. Dragged it to the transport and took the bus to my car. My car was intact with no cracks in the windshield. I drove up to the lot and paid the 130-dollar parking fee and drove home hitting every stoplight on way.
Movie Reviews:
Gone Baby Gone
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/gonebabygone/
Sometimes I get weary when people talk about how much they despise a certain actor. How they refuse to go their movies etc. People’s personal opinions matter, I know that, but come on. Take Keanu Reeves for instance, sure he’s a one-dimensional actor but I have enjoyed some of his movies. I enjoy the Matrix movies, I had fun at Speed and I think he was perfect in My Own Private Idaho. People may not like him as an actor but he’s smart to often pick quality projects that people go see. Give the guy a break.
Now lets take Ben Affleck. A lot of you have a problem with Ben because some of his movies are cheesy and he seems to take on rolls that are big budget sell out films but is he really that bad? I know a lot of you love Armageddon. I think he showed strength as an actor in Hollywoodland and the guy did win an academy award for writing Good Will Hunting. So the guy is pretty smart. Now what is he like as a writer director? Pretty darn good, actually! I’m not a strong fan of procedural crime movies but this movie has a raw intensity and with a 3rd Act that makes the entire movie worth watching and debating over. I’m waiting for someone to see it to discuss it with. The acting is top notch from everyone involved so I think this will be on my top 10 of the year. I’m sure it will receive some Golden Globe and possibly some Academy Award nominations. We’ll have to wait and see.
Across the Universe
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/acrosstheuniverse/
From the first time I saw the trailer I really wanted to see this movie. I love Julie Taymor as a director. She has a visual style that I absolutely love. She’s done movies like Titus and Frida and directed Broadway shows like the Lion King. Now she’s directed a movie musical with nothing but Beetles songs. I’m in heaven. Then I read the controversy on how she didn’t get final cut and how she was a tyrant on set then the movie finally came out and got mediocre reviews. So it started to drop down on my list of movies to see.
The movie has bouts with brilliance and moments where I cringe. I still love her style but for some reason I think that the style really got away with some of the story. If you are one of those people who hate musicals where the characters just burst into song then you will hate this. Especially if you love Beetle songs and think you will hate all the songs being covered by the actors. Some burst into song moments I hated others I didn’t mind so much. I do recommend it simply because it is different and Julie’s visuals are so cool and it does have those moments of brilliance but my heart wasn’t as warm as it should have been at the end I was actually kinda ready for it to be over.
Lars and The Real Girl:
Trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/mgm/larsandtherealgirl/trailer/
Ryan Gosling has cemented himself as one of the best actors of our generation. The guy is brilliant. In this movie he’s playing opposite to a doll and being a delusional extreme shy guy works perfectly for him. Although, I think the movie was just okay. There’s not much conflict in the film and it starts to drag on. Again my emotions really weren’t tugged at the end and were predictable. It’s a dark feel good movie that is simple. It doesn’t offer any twists and just stays true to itself, which I did like. Yet I didn’t walk away feeling any different from when I came in. I recommend it on Ryan’s performance and again something that’s quirky and different. I did like how an entire community goes out of their way to help Lars. It was very sweet. I know a lot of you will probably like it much more than me. So please, go enjoy.
To My Loyal Readers:
Now that 6 States in 25 Days is now officially over I want to thank you for going on this journey with me. I cannot tell you how much it means to me for all of you who read these. Your comments meant the world to me and made me feel less alone on these travels. Your love and support warmed my heart everyday. I hope my ramblings made you feel comforted as well and hopefully you walked away knowing me a bit better and learned something. I have learned so much about myself in ways that are good and bad. Their are things I really need to focus on and change about myself. The one gift that I did learned was that no matter what I will never be alone with friends and family like you. How at the end of the day no matter if it was good or bad that I have loved ones all around me. Knowing the support that is around me, it’s time to fix the things in my life that need fixing and start being the person I want to be.
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you.
AMITYVILLE HOUSE
Monday, October 22, 2007
The Last Four Days
Friday: Woonsocket, MEGAN!, The Art of Traffic, 4 Nurses and John
It says on the Woonsocket, RI town sign that it’s “A city on the Move”. I don’t know what that means really. It’s more like a city on the move out of town. Like a store closing at it’s changing locations. Woonsocket in its hay day probably once was a great small city. You can tell by the crafted buildings downtown and the huge New England homes on the outskirts. But now it’s all run down, broken windows, overgrown weeds. It’s a shame really.
I looked over my map before I left and drove the 1-hour scenic drive down here. The trees are all pretty much a spectrum of color. Beautiful. I enter Woonsocket and find a town sign and achieve my task for today. I drive towards the address on the map and realize it’s a Catholic Church. So I go around the church and see old men carrying a coffin out of the front doors down long stairs. I quickly learn this is not the right place. So I dash out of there before I get stuck in the funeral precession. I stop at a Dunkin Donuts getting a coffee and call the office. I have Estephany confirm the address. Of course the website I looked up gave me the wrong address and the school website was further downtown. So I drive into town and do not see the school at all. So I drive out of town and turn around. I stop at the beginning of town and park. I walk around Woonsocket because I have some time to kill, perhaps thinking I will spot it better on the walk. Nothing. So I go back to my car and enter the town’s visitor center. The kind lady gives me directions and still I can’t find it. So I end circling again and finally see it. It’s a small brick building with a very small sign in the window. Beacon Charter High School. Yeah, smaller than this 12point font. I finally found a place to park with 50 minutes to kill. So here I am in “Big Blue” as the sky has opened up watching it pour down rain as I reach out to you my dry readers.
It was that annoying rain where it drizzles, pours and then stops, like the weather couldn’t make up its mind what to do. My new plan was to head down to Pawtucket, RI. I’m curious what a socket or tucket is? I’ll have to look it up, is it like a ville? I was invited to a Jack-O-Lantern festival.
Megan
A couple of years ago Megan and I hung out in Los Angeles the day before Valentines. We met up at the Normandie Room and ended up running all over West Hollywood ending at the Abby. We were instant partners in crime. Her energy and uncensored personality drew me to her at a much-needed time. I believe I was currently working on Eight Below. After having so much fun we decided to be pseudo dates on Valentines. We went to see Pride and Prejudice and went to a restaurant/bar across the street. We ended up getting to know each other more in between the waiter constantly hitting on her. We were able to just talk about everything. It was a great Valentine’s “date”. We maintained a strong friendship in L.A. until she moved back to Worcester, MA. We’ve tried to stay in touch, but it’s hard sometimes, but I wanted to make sure, no matter where she was I was going to see her on this trip.
Her and her boyfriend work for this Jack-O-Lantern festival where they carve hundreds or thousands of pumpkins, I’ll have to show you the link it looked amazing. Unfortunately after my presentation she called and told me the festival was cancelled because the unseasonably warm weather and rain destroyed the pumpkins. So I decided to drive up to Worcester to at least spend an hour or two with her and quickly catch up.
I met her at Starbucks and she hadn’t changed a bit. Although, we were both exhausted we sipped on our coffee drinks and caught up wishing we had more time. For me it was nice to see a familiar face finally on this trip. I absolutely think the world of her and so happy we finally got to see each other once again. Oh, Megan, remind your parents they still owe me a trip to Cape Cod!
The Art of Traffic
Leaving Worcester it was prime rush hour traffic. Knowing that when I get into Boston I’m going to be stuck for hours. On the MA Turnpike I mentally prepare myself for I95 and settle in to “Big Blue”. I finally hit I95 with 22miles until my exit I am sardine canned in. You all know by now that I hate traffic. It’s my biggest pet peeve and yes I am aware that when I am stuck in traffic I am traffic. Sitting quietly in “Big Blue” no radio, my windows down I just take this time to think and relax, because I know I’m not going anywhere for a long time. Projecting movie ideas on the back of semi’s trailer door in front of me. Trying to figure out how to reduce traffic, and trying to tame this monster. When people exit the same amount of people enter merging onto the highway. I give up trying to fix it and sit back looking into the red and white lights feeling the breeze coming through my windows.
4 Nurses and John
I decide to go down to hotel bar. To the right of me are four nurses and on the left is John. John overhears the nurses are from Ohio instantly exclaiming he’s also from Ohio. The nurses and John sing the Ohio State school song and talk locations. The nurse next to me brings me into the conversation; I also talk to John about my family in Cleveland and Toledo. The Nurses talk about how they were thrown out of a bar downtown during the baseball game because they were yelling O-H-I-O. which I thought was hilarious. Never mess with Boston baseball!
I find out the four nurses on having a girl’s weekend in Boston. Two are married, one has children and the other attached to her phone texting her boyfriend. Out of respect for the ladies I will not divulge any of their secrets because the quote is (stolen from Vegas) “What happens in Wakefield stays in Wakefield.” John was trying to get to her alma mater Ohio State for the homecoming game, but because of the downpour his flight was cancelled and ended up in Wakefield. We were all six lost souls in Wakefield on a rainy night made the best of a night in a hotel outside of Wakefield on a stormy night. It was a lovely end to a week in Boston. Thank you ladies and John, I wish you all the best and had safe travels. Perhaps we’ll meet again in O-H-I-O.
Saturday
I slept in. I got up and cleaned out “Big Blue” I checked out of my hotel room and hit the road. I made it safely to Enterprise and said my good byes to Big Blue. I took the van to the airport and waited.
Honestly nothing really happened on Saturday. I started to feel my body slowly shutting down. The last thing I wanted to do was getting on another airplane and drive an hour to Long Island. The flight was bumpy and when we landed there was some frustrating excitement. We had to be towed in but the tow drunk was broke so we had to wait on the tarmac for a new truck to tow us in. Then the platform broke trying to connect to the plane and so we had to wait longer. Then a yelling match broke out between three passengers. Then finally we were let off. I waited for over a half hour for the luggage belt to start delivering our luggage. I then jumped on the Air train to get to the rental car shuttle area. I got on the wrong train then got off and then onto another train all while lugging all this equipment. I found the shuttle bus and ended up at Enterprise. I waited in line for a while and finally checked in. As we were walking out to the cars I saw my old friend Big Blue parked out front. I don’t know how he does it. The enterprise guy asks what car do you want? I say anything but a P.T. Cruiser. He responds what about a Jeep Patriot? Deal! I named him the White Lion after a car with the same name I had several years ago.
We drove to an hour to Long Island. It turned out to be a nice easy ride. Finding the hotel was easy and I pull in. I check into the hotel and get my room. Alas, I can relax. I end up going to the hotel restaurant and have a horrible dinner. Back to the room I cuddle up in the super comfy bed and fall asleep. It was 8:30pm
Sunday
I woke up at 7am. Well rested and but still jet lagged. I took my time getting showered and dressed. Drank coffee and sat in my room. I looked over maps on my computer until venturing downstairs to the lobby. I requested the shuttle to the train station and waited. The shuttle dropped me off at the train I purchased my roundtrip ticket into the city. I boarded the train finding a seat and settling in. The train ride went fairly quick. It didn’t seem like an hour. We entered Penn Station and I walked up the stairs and there I was. New York City.
I’ve always liked the vibe of NYC. A rich cultural city, building towering over you and crowds of people from all over the world walking the streets, there’s so much to see that it overwhelms me. I head up north to the 43rd street where I am going to see a show. I’m early so I walk a few blocks and try to find a diner. Of course there’s plenty of commercial restaurants but I want to find a true NYC diner. So a couple blocks west here in the theater district I discover the Theater District Diner. It was perfect. I order eggs and a waffle. The coffee was great and service really good. I just sit back and enjoy. Then I walk up to Times Square and 42nd street. Again, I am truly overwhelmed. I feel something on my shoulder and see that a bird made a dead aim letting go its doo doo on my shirt. Sigh. I find a Starbucks and clean off my shirt. I head back towards the theater and relax in the park. I forgot to mention last week that when I was hiking I twisted or pulled a muscle in my foot. It has been really hurting while I walk so that’s why I went to the park to rest my foot. It’s feeling better now so please don’t worry.
J.T. Patton
Back in junior high and the first few years of high school J.T. and I were inseparable. We were on the Speech team, in all the plays and outside of school constantly making classic films like: “Bob the Dog”, “Death of a Hero”, 454 Theater and many more. After high school we lost touched. While I was living in L.A. we somehow found each other’s email. I ended up in NY a few years ago and had breakfast with him for like an hour. This time we have a few hours. I’m going to see his Off Off Broadway show “They House of Yes”.
The show was well done and being able to see J.T. truly act after all these years was the best. The kid is brilliant. I’m very happy he stuck with acting and still is. He’s really good. After the show we stood around and talked. This was the last show for the cast so they all wanted to celebrate. A block away we entered a restaurant bar and all nine of us sat down.
I don’t know what it is about actors. I just love being around them. Sure they can be a bit dramatic at times but who isn’t? If you look at most of my friends they are artists in their own way. I just love being around creative people. I guess that’s why I love the NYC culture is that they aren’t pretentious as some of the people in L.A. Of course in L.A. my friends were not pretentious. It just seems like the people the artists in NY are aware they are in the same boat as each other. I could be completely wrong by generalizing but that’s been my experience. I like being around that. So we sat and we all talked about everything. So I need to give some shout outs:
Jason: Thanks for stepping outside with me and talking movies and ideas.
Alicia: Thanks for being so much fun and staying with us until the end.
Matt: Thanks for sharing your Across the Universe set experience; I still need to watch that movie.
Anne: It was so lovely to meet you especially someone has done some much as an actress.
Margaret: Thanks for being a good sport as I constantly insulted you ;)
Linnea: Thank you for your inspiring words and sticking with us also until the end even when you had a headache. I adore you.
And last but not least:
J.T.: Thank you for sticking with me after all these years. I’m so proud of you and I can’t wait until we are able to work together on our own projects.
I wish you all the best with all your adventures!
On the train I sat back and just thought. The hotel shuttle picked me up at the train station and I jumped into bed.
Monday
Ten hours later I woke up. Feeling refreshed. I did some work and decided to get some lunch. I went to Applebee’s and sat at the bar. I always feel bad taking up a table so I usually go to the bar. No one was there except for me. Christina my bartender instantly became my best friend in Long Island. We were able to talk a bit and we made snowman at the bar with ice that I have no idea where it came from. She told me about how her husband and her just bought the house she grew up in. I thought that was pretty neat. We joked around and laughed. She told me where the movie theater was etc. It was just really nice. As more customers came in I finally am able to write this blog. Now I am back at the hotel doing my laundry. After this I think I’m just going to chill out. This is a perfect day to just STOP, and relax. As far as work, it’s going to be an interesting week. So today, is Pete time.
It says on the Woonsocket, RI town sign that it’s “A city on the Move”. I don’t know what that means really. It’s more like a city on the move out of town. Like a store closing at it’s changing locations. Woonsocket in its hay day probably once was a great small city. You can tell by the crafted buildings downtown and the huge New England homes on the outskirts. But now it’s all run down, broken windows, overgrown weeds. It’s a shame really.
I looked over my map before I left and drove the 1-hour scenic drive down here. The trees are all pretty much a spectrum of color. Beautiful. I enter Woonsocket and find a town sign and achieve my task for today. I drive towards the address on the map and realize it’s a Catholic Church. So I go around the church and see old men carrying a coffin out of the front doors down long stairs. I quickly learn this is not the right place. So I dash out of there before I get stuck in the funeral precession. I stop at a Dunkin Donuts getting a coffee and call the office. I have Estephany confirm the address. Of course the website I looked up gave me the wrong address and the school website was further downtown. So I drive into town and do not see the school at all. So I drive out of town and turn around. I stop at the beginning of town and park. I walk around Woonsocket because I have some time to kill, perhaps thinking I will spot it better on the walk. Nothing. So I go back to my car and enter the town’s visitor center. The kind lady gives me directions and still I can’t find it. So I end circling again and finally see it. It’s a small brick building with a very small sign in the window. Beacon Charter High School. Yeah, smaller than this 12point font. I finally found a place to park with 50 minutes to kill. So here I am in “Big Blue” as the sky has opened up watching it pour down rain as I reach out to you my dry readers.
It was that annoying rain where it drizzles, pours and then stops, like the weather couldn’t make up its mind what to do. My new plan was to head down to Pawtucket, RI. I’m curious what a socket or tucket is? I’ll have to look it up, is it like a ville? I was invited to a Jack-O-Lantern festival.
Megan
A couple of years ago Megan and I hung out in Los Angeles the day before Valentines. We met up at the Normandie Room and ended up running all over West Hollywood ending at the Abby. We were instant partners in crime. Her energy and uncensored personality drew me to her at a much-needed time. I believe I was currently working on Eight Below. After having so much fun we decided to be pseudo dates on Valentines. We went to see Pride and Prejudice and went to a restaurant/bar across the street. We ended up getting to know each other more in between the waiter constantly hitting on her. We were able to just talk about everything. It was a great Valentine’s “date”. We maintained a strong friendship in L.A. until she moved back to Worcester, MA. We’ve tried to stay in touch, but it’s hard sometimes, but I wanted to make sure, no matter where she was I was going to see her on this trip.
Her and her boyfriend work for this Jack-O-Lantern festival where they carve hundreds or thousands of pumpkins, I’ll have to show you the link it looked amazing. Unfortunately after my presentation she called and told me the festival was cancelled because the unseasonably warm weather and rain destroyed the pumpkins. So I decided to drive up to Worcester to at least spend an hour or two with her and quickly catch up.
I met her at Starbucks and she hadn’t changed a bit. Although, we were both exhausted we sipped on our coffee drinks and caught up wishing we had more time. For me it was nice to see a familiar face finally on this trip. I absolutely think the world of her and so happy we finally got to see each other once again. Oh, Megan, remind your parents they still owe me a trip to Cape Cod!
The Art of Traffic
Leaving Worcester it was prime rush hour traffic. Knowing that when I get into Boston I’m going to be stuck for hours. On the MA Turnpike I mentally prepare myself for I95 and settle in to “Big Blue”. I finally hit I95 with 22miles until my exit I am sardine canned in. You all know by now that I hate traffic. It’s my biggest pet peeve and yes I am aware that when I am stuck in traffic I am traffic. Sitting quietly in “Big Blue” no radio, my windows down I just take this time to think and relax, because I know I’m not going anywhere for a long time. Projecting movie ideas on the back of semi’s trailer door in front of me. Trying to figure out how to reduce traffic, and trying to tame this monster. When people exit the same amount of people enter merging onto the highway. I give up trying to fix it and sit back looking into the red and white lights feeling the breeze coming through my windows.
4 Nurses and John
I decide to go down to hotel bar. To the right of me are four nurses and on the left is John. John overhears the nurses are from Ohio instantly exclaiming he’s also from Ohio. The nurses and John sing the Ohio State school song and talk locations. The nurse next to me brings me into the conversation; I also talk to John about my family in Cleveland and Toledo. The Nurses talk about how they were thrown out of a bar downtown during the baseball game because they were yelling O-H-I-O. which I thought was hilarious. Never mess with Boston baseball!
I find out the four nurses on having a girl’s weekend in Boston. Two are married, one has children and the other attached to her phone texting her boyfriend. Out of respect for the ladies I will not divulge any of their secrets because the quote is (stolen from Vegas) “What happens in Wakefield stays in Wakefield.” John was trying to get to her alma mater Ohio State for the homecoming game, but because of the downpour his flight was cancelled and ended up in Wakefield. We were all six lost souls in Wakefield on a rainy night made the best of a night in a hotel outside of Wakefield on a stormy night. It was a lovely end to a week in Boston. Thank you ladies and John, I wish you all the best and had safe travels. Perhaps we’ll meet again in O-H-I-O.
Saturday
I slept in. I got up and cleaned out “Big Blue” I checked out of my hotel room and hit the road. I made it safely to Enterprise and said my good byes to Big Blue. I took the van to the airport and waited.
Honestly nothing really happened on Saturday. I started to feel my body slowly shutting down. The last thing I wanted to do was getting on another airplane and drive an hour to Long Island. The flight was bumpy and when we landed there was some frustrating excitement. We had to be towed in but the tow drunk was broke so we had to wait on the tarmac for a new truck to tow us in. Then the platform broke trying to connect to the plane and so we had to wait longer. Then a yelling match broke out between three passengers. Then finally we were let off. I waited for over a half hour for the luggage belt to start delivering our luggage. I then jumped on the Air train to get to the rental car shuttle area. I got on the wrong train then got off and then onto another train all while lugging all this equipment. I found the shuttle bus and ended up at Enterprise. I waited in line for a while and finally checked in. As we were walking out to the cars I saw my old friend Big Blue parked out front. I don’t know how he does it. The enterprise guy asks what car do you want? I say anything but a P.T. Cruiser. He responds what about a Jeep Patriot? Deal! I named him the White Lion after a car with the same name I had several years ago.
We drove to an hour to Long Island. It turned out to be a nice easy ride. Finding the hotel was easy and I pull in. I check into the hotel and get my room. Alas, I can relax. I end up going to the hotel restaurant and have a horrible dinner. Back to the room I cuddle up in the super comfy bed and fall asleep. It was 8:30pm
Sunday
I woke up at 7am. Well rested and but still jet lagged. I took my time getting showered and dressed. Drank coffee and sat in my room. I looked over maps on my computer until venturing downstairs to the lobby. I requested the shuttle to the train station and waited. The shuttle dropped me off at the train I purchased my roundtrip ticket into the city. I boarded the train finding a seat and settling in. The train ride went fairly quick. It didn’t seem like an hour. We entered Penn Station and I walked up the stairs and there I was. New York City.
I’ve always liked the vibe of NYC. A rich cultural city, building towering over you and crowds of people from all over the world walking the streets, there’s so much to see that it overwhelms me. I head up north to the 43rd street where I am going to see a show. I’m early so I walk a few blocks and try to find a diner. Of course there’s plenty of commercial restaurants but I want to find a true NYC diner. So a couple blocks west here in the theater district I discover the Theater District Diner. It was perfect. I order eggs and a waffle. The coffee was great and service really good. I just sit back and enjoy. Then I walk up to Times Square and 42nd street. Again, I am truly overwhelmed. I feel something on my shoulder and see that a bird made a dead aim letting go its doo doo on my shirt. Sigh. I find a Starbucks and clean off my shirt. I head back towards the theater and relax in the park. I forgot to mention last week that when I was hiking I twisted or pulled a muscle in my foot. It has been really hurting while I walk so that’s why I went to the park to rest my foot. It’s feeling better now so please don’t worry.
J.T. Patton
Back in junior high and the first few years of high school J.T. and I were inseparable. We were on the Speech team, in all the plays and outside of school constantly making classic films like: “Bob the Dog”, “Death of a Hero”, 454 Theater and many more. After high school we lost touched. While I was living in L.A. we somehow found each other’s email. I ended up in NY a few years ago and had breakfast with him for like an hour. This time we have a few hours. I’m going to see his Off Off Broadway show “They House of Yes”.
The show was well done and being able to see J.T. truly act after all these years was the best. The kid is brilliant. I’m very happy he stuck with acting and still is. He’s really good. After the show we stood around and talked. This was the last show for the cast so they all wanted to celebrate. A block away we entered a restaurant bar and all nine of us sat down.
I don’t know what it is about actors. I just love being around them. Sure they can be a bit dramatic at times but who isn’t? If you look at most of my friends they are artists in their own way. I just love being around creative people. I guess that’s why I love the NYC culture is that they aren’t pretentious as some of the people in L.A. Of course in L.A. my friends were not pretentious. It just seems like the people the artists in NY are aware they are in the same boat as each other. I could be completely wrong by generalizing but that’s been my experience. I like being around that. So we sat and we all talked about everything. So I need to give some shout outs:
Jason: Thanks for stepping outside with me and talking movies and ideas.
Alicia: Thanks for being so much fun and staying with us until the end.
Matt: Thanks for sharing your Across the Universe set experience; I still need to watch that movie.
Anne: It was so lovely to meet you especially someone has done some much as an actress.
Margaret: Thanks for being a good sport as I constantly insulted you ;)
Linnea: Thank you for your inspiring words and sticking with us also until the end even when you had a headache. I adore you.
And last but not least:
J.T.: Thank you for sticking with me after all these years. I’m so proud of you and I can’t wait until we are able to work together on our own projects.
I wish you all the best with all your adventures!
On the train I sat back and just thought. The hotel shuttle picked me up at the train station and I jumped into bed.
Monday
Ten hours later I woke up. Feeling refreshed. I did some work and decided to get some lunch. I went to Applebee’s and sat at the bar. I always feel bad taking up a table so I usually go to the bar. No one was there except for me. Christina my bartender instantly became my best friend in Long Island. We were able to talk a bit and we made snowman at the bar with ice that I have no idea where it came from. She told me about how her husband and her just bought the house she grew up in. I thought that was pretty neat. We joked around and laughed. She told me where the movie theater was etc. It was just really nice. As more customers came in I finally am able to write this blog. Now I am back at the hotel doing my laundry. After this I think I’m just going to chill out. This is a perfect day to just STOP, and relax. As far as work, it’s going to be an interesting week. So today, is Pete time.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Words of Wisdom
Yesterday, I was scheduled for three presentations and it turned into six. The teachers seemed to find it’s message important and the kids were very respectful. Every class clapped at the end, which is kind of a way to gauge their respect. Boston has overall been a waste of time, work wise. Students hear have an IV league mentality so it’s hard to get them to think about an alternative school. It’s been a curiosity of course, but my leads haven’t been that great.
After school I came back to the hotel exhausted and took a nap. When I woke up I drove to the closest restaurant for dinner. When I came back I just wanted to cuddle up in bed and be brain dead until I fell asleep. So that’s why the blog wasn’t posted last night. In about an hour, I drive to Rhode Island that will be my 5th state in this 25-day journey. My task today is to capture a sign of the town I’m going to called Woonsocket. After that I have another surprise in the works. We’ll see if it happens.
The Path Comments:
I received this comment via email in response to “The Path” posting. I haven’t asked their permission to post this so I’m going to leave it annoynomance just to make sure. But I think we all can benefit from their words. After reading it, it brought tears to my eyes and made rethink what I wrote. It’s a great response…. Thank You
The Comment:
Ever wonder if the forks in the road are supposed to teach you something that you didn’t know or give you an experience that you haven’t had? Sure your gut tells you to go the other way but yet you still take the other path. Why? Perhaps there is something down that ‘wrong path’ that you are supposed to experience. Maybe it’s not wrong … possibly it’s a journey you have to take. Sure you have to back track sometimes, or even carve a new path to find your original one, but maybe it’s not wrong at all. Something is drawing you down the ‘wrong paths’ even though you intuition says, “go the other way”. Sure, the experience may not be life altering; maybe it’s not an in-your-face lesson about life. Conceivably it’s just an experience to make you appreciate something else. Now, why would the path be so long and daunting just to learn how to appreciate something or experience something almost insignificant is a question for a higher power other than I.
Another thought on this is maybe it’s not a path for you. It’s entirely possible that you are supposed to give an experience to someone else down your “wrong” path, but it puts someone else on their correct path. God may think you are strong enough to take these detours in your own path to help someone else find theirs or be their voice if reason to turn around and take the other fork. Could you be someone else’s ‘intuition’?
Imagine a life full of knowing what to do and when to do it. Would it be exciting? Different for sure, but would it truly be worth living? Think of it this way if you will; how do you write about heartbreak if you’ve never experienced it. How do you write about a still black lake on a nice fall morning drinking a cup of coffee? How do you write about the joy of friends and the pain they can bring? How do you write about faith if you’ve never doubted or questioned it?
Perhaps “path” isn’t the word you should be concentrating on. Direction. If someone says go north, there are many ways to go north. From Florida do you go through Georgia or Alabama? Do you go through Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, then head north? Where is the final destination of “north”? Do you really think God would tell you or even show the exact way to go, really? If he did you wouldn’t have all the experiences you’ve had and will have. Yes, God can and will point you in the right direction but the actual ‘path’ may be up to you. Take a good look at a road map, you tell me if you see a ‘straight’ road or path.
Pete, my friend, you’ve always been heading the right direction, never forget that.
Great advice from my dear friend, my perspective has now been altered. I hope my weary eyed readers it’s brought something to you too.
After school I came back to the hotel exhausted and took a nap. When I woke up I drove to the closest restaurant for dinner. When I came back I just wanted to cuddle up in bed and be brain dead until I fell asleep. So that’s why the blog wasn’t posted last night. In about an hour, I drive to Rhode Island that will be my 5th state in this 25-day journey. My task today is to capture a sign of the town I’m going to called Woonsocket. After that I have another surprise in the works. We’ll see if it happens.
The Path Comments:
I received this comment via email in response to “The Path” posting. I haven’t asked their permission to post this so I’m going to leave it annoynomance just to make sure. But I think we all can benefit from their words. After reading it, it brought tears to my eyes and made rethink what I wrote. It’s a great response…. Thank You
The Comment:
Ever wonder if the forks in the road are supposed to teach you something that you didn’t know or give you an experience that you haven’t had? Sure your gut tells you to go the other way but yet you still take the other path. Why? Perhaps there is something down that ‘wrong path’ that you are supposed to experience. Maybe it’s not wrong … possibly it’s a journey you have to take. Sure you have to back track sometimes, or even carve a new path to find your original one, but maybe it’s not wrong at all. Something is drawing you down the ‘wrong paths’ even though you intuition says, “go the other way”. Sure, the experience may not be life altering; maybe it’s not an in-your-face lesson about life. Conceivably it’s just an experience to make you appreciate something else. Now, why would the path be so long and daunting just to learn how to appreciate something or experience something almost insignificant is a question for a higher power other than I.
Another thought on this is maybe it’s not a path for you. It’s entirely possible that you are supposed to give an experience to someone else down your “wrong” path, but it puts someone else on their correct path. God may think you are strong enough to take these detours in your own path to help someone else find theirs or be their voice if reason to turn around and take the other fork. Could you be someone else’s ‘intuition’?
Imagine a life full of knowing what to do and when to do it. Would it be exciting? Different for sure, but would it truly be worth living? Think of it this way if you will; how do you write about heartbreak if you’ve never experienced it. How do you write about a still black lake on a nice fall morning drinking a cup of coffee? How do you write about the joy of friends and the pain they can bring? How do you write about faith if you’ve never doubted or questioned it?
Perhaps “path” isn’t the word you should be concentrating on. Direction. If someone says go north, there are many ways to go north. From Florida do you go through Georgia or Alabama? Do you go through Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, then head north? Where is the final destination of “north”? Do you really think God would tell you or even show the exact way to go, really? If he did you wouldn’t have all the experiences you’ve had and will have. Yes, God can and will point you in the right direction but the actual ‘path’ may be up to you. Take a good look at a road map, you tell me if you see a ‘straight’ road or path.
Pete, my friend, you’ve always been heading the right direction, never forget that.
Great advice from my dear friend, my perspective has now been altered. I hope my weary eyed readers it’s brought something to you too.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Inspiration/Failure
Walden Pond
I hear birds and chipmunks scurrying through the grass. The pond is a few yards in front of me as I sit on tree stump writing this. I’m just 50 yards from Thoreau’s cabin ruins and I can see why he picked this spot. Long pine needles cover the ground. The sun backlights trees making the red leaves glow. I wish I could take a picture of that, but it looks over blown on my cameras.
The water in the pond is emerald green with a slight breeze making ripples. How I love nature. You do hear cars in the distance and airplanes over head. Tourists walk behind me knocking up the leaves and pine needles talking loud and being obnoxious. Yet overall I am at peace.
A woman yesterday told me that the pond wasn’t far. Since I had other tasks to complete I decided to wait until today since Belmont is not that far from here where my fair is tonight. I figure I’ll relax here for a bit, grab some lunch and complete probably the most challenging of tasks and that’s to find a sign with a Nobel Prize winner’s name on it. This one will be tough.
I am now distracted by a loud plane and voices screaming closer by now, why the yelling?
Now I am going to put my computer away. Sit on this stump and just be.
Belmont
I drove south to Belmont and found the school just fine. So I went off on my quest for Nobel Prize winners and food. I drove and drove taking left turns and right turns, finding nothing. Not even a restaurant. I started to get really hungry since it was around 3pm and I hadn’t eaten yet. The prizewinners can wait. I found a square that had a starbucks and an Italian restaurant. I went to the restaurant and ordered lasagna. It really wasn’t all that good. I guess nothing will be my grandmother’s but I keep trying. It was just one of those things that sounded good at the time. So after I ate and my stomach hated me I went over to Starbucks and got a cup of coffee.
I was able to steal the Internet from somewhere and looked online for Nobel Prize winners in Belmont. Nothing. I went on mapquest and look for a street name and found nothing. Time was running out. So I took some back roads hoping I would run into something that would have a name like Kissinger or Woodward and I didn’t see anything. Before long I end up at the school. Across from the school is a huge park. I start walking the trail and see monuments. The high flagpole is dedicated to the WWII vets a bench dedicated to a victim in 9/11 and a tree dedicated to a famous arborist. Still had nothing.
There was nothing I really could do so I had to improvise. I created a sign dedicating it to the Nobel Prize winners of Belmont and placed it on a bench. Me being the great writer I am misspells Nobel so I have to cross out Noble and put Nobel underneath it. So that was my sign and for those of you who call out CHEAT then I understand. It was a desperate attempt.
So I’ll leave it up to you. Do I get some brownie points for seeing Walden Pond and making my own sign or am I a complete failure? Tell me what you think?
The college fair sucked.
P.S.
Thank you for all your comments today. You all really reached out which was awesome and I felt so privileged that you were reading my blogs. I’m going to post two blogs tomorrow 1. For the comments you left today 2. For the day I will have tomorrow. It won’t happen until the afternoon so bare with me.
Walden Pond
Quote
The Site of Thoreau's House
The Chimney
Replica of Thoreau's House
Inside the Replica
Peter Vaughn Jervis is THOREAU
MY SIGHN DEDICATION TO ALL THE NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS OF BELMONT
I hear birds and chipmunks scurrying through the grass. The pond is a few yards in front of me as I sit on tree stump writing this. I’m just 50 yards from Thoreau’s cabin ruins and I can see why he picked this spot. Long pine needles cover the ground. The sun backlights trees making the red leaves glow. I wish I could take a picture of that, but it looks over blown on my cameras.
The water in the pond is emerald green with a slight breeze making ripples. How I love nature. You do hear cars in the distance and airplanes over head. Tourists walk behind me knocking up the leaves and pine needles talking loud and being obnoxious. Yet overall I am at peace.
A woman yesterday told me that the pond wasn’t far. Since I had other tasks to complete I decided to wait until today since Belmont is not that far from here where my fair is tonight. I figure I’ll relax here for a bit, grab some lunch and complete probably the most challenging of tasks and that’s to find a sign with a Nobel Prize winner’s name on it. This one will be tough.
I am now distracted by a loud plane and voices screaming closer by now, why the yelling?
Now I am going to put my computer away. Sit on this stump and just be.
Belmont
I drove south to Belmont and found the school just fine. So I went off on my quest for Nobel Prize winners and food. I drove and drove taking left turns and right turns, finding nothing. Not even a restaurant. I started to get really hungry since it was around 3pm and I hadn’t eaten yet. The prizewinners can wait. I found a square that had a starbucks and an Italian restaurant. I went to the restaurant and ordered lasagna. It really wasn’t all that good. I guess nothing will be my grandmother’s but I keep trying. It was just one of those things that sounded good at the time. So after I ate and my stomach hated me I went over to Starbucks and got a cup of coffee.
I was able to steal the Internet from somewhere and looked online for Nobel Prize winners in Belmont. Nothing. I went on mapquest and look for a street name and found nothing. Time was running out. So I took some back roads hoping I would run into something that would have a name like Kissinger or Woodward and I didn’t see anything. Before long I end up at the school. Across from the school is a huge park. I start walking the trail and see monuments. The high flagpole is dedicated to the WWII vets a bench dedicated to a victim in 9/11 and a tree dedicated to a famous arborist. Still had nothing.
There was nothing I really could do so I had to improvise. I created a sign dedicating it to the Nobel Prize winners of Belmont and placed it on a bench. Me being the great writer I am misspells Nobel so I have to cross out Noble and put Nobel underneath it. So that was my sign and for those of you who call out CHEAT then I understand. It was a desperate attempt.
So I’ll leave it up to you. Do I get some brownie points for seeing Walden Pond and making my own sign or am I a complete failure? Tell me what you think?
The college fair sucked.
P.S.
Thank you for all your comments today. You all really reached out which was awesome and I felt so privileged that you were reading my blogs. I’m going to post two blogs tomorrow 1. For the comments you left today 2. For the day I will have tomorrow. It won’t happen until the afternoon so bare with me.
Walden Pond
Quote
The Site of Thoreau's House
The Chimney
Replica of Thoreau's House
Inside the Replica
Peter Vaughn Jervis is THOREAU
MY SIGHN DEDICATION TO ALL THE NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS OF BELMONT
The Path
The Path
Every night I pray to God asking Him to keep me on path. Make sure my actions; my choices will lead me down the right path that He helps me do the right things that will guide me in the right direction. Today, I believe he showed me.
Chapter 1: Peace and Blueberry Pancakes
I dreamt that I was in car driving over a bridge. Freezing rain pouring down. My windshield starting to freeze over and I couldn’t see where I was driving. I knew something tragic was going to happen yet I continued driving. Next thing I know I slam into the side of the bridge, my car falling off the side and slamming into the water. The car begins to fill with water and I think to myself, I’m waking up now.
I grabbed a cup of coffee from the lobby and went outside looking for a place to sit down and enjoy the hot black water goodness. I strolled down near the golf course and found a bench overlooking a pond. I sat back thinking that I am in Massachusetts on this beautiful fall morning staring at a peaceful pond asking myself why do I get so glum on these trips sometimes. Of course I know the answer, but it was peaceful setting that I wish I could take in everyday. I didn’t have an appointment until 12pm so I had some time to relax and drink my coffee. I walked up to my room and sent some emails and did some work. It was 9am now so I decided to have some breakfast.
The restaurant is kind of shabby since the hotel is under renovation. I find a table and wait. I wait bit longer. I continue to wait until the waitress notices me. She comes over and asks if I want some juice or coffee. I choose juice since I’ve had enough coffee at this point. She fills my class with juice and walks away. I sip on my juice and wait. Finally another waitress comes up and asks if I’m doing okay and I say, “may I have a menu, please?” So I look over the menu and wait. The waitress comes back and I order blueberry pancakes. Sure assures me that the blueberries are cooked inside the pancakes just the way I like them.
The restaurant is a bit chilly so I wear my jacket and stare at a table full of Chinese people. Construction workers tool around the restaurant, which seems to be a bit distracting. Finally, my blueberry goodness shows up and the waitress brings me honey instead of syrup. I hold it up and she apologizes. I butter my hotcakes and she takes her time with syrup but it eventually shows up. I pour the pure maple syrup over the pancakes and dig in. They taste awful. Like the pancakes were pre cooked and microwaved for a couple of minutes and served hot. They were spongy and bland. I ate half of the three-cake tower and asked for my check. I handed over my amex and in know time she came back saying it was declined. I give her my personal card and signed the bill. I sat thinking; maybe I should have waited to go to the peaceful place after breakfast.
Chapter 2: The Lunch Time Representative
I made a few calls to work to get them to up my account once again. It’s all very confusing really. This expedia thing really has made it harder to regulate our accounts. They are learning that now, but nothing will be done. I jump into “Big Blue” and we cruise on the highway. Twelve miles later I’m in Lexington. I find the high school with no problem and park at the visitor’s space. I lug all my stuff to the main office passing by three other college reps sitting at a table. I sign in and they tell me to go to guidance down a long hall. I pass by the reps again and reach the guidance office. The lady then takes me down the hall once again with all my stuff to the tables where the college reps are. They give me a table and I set up. I mingle with the other reps that never heard of Full Sail and then the lunch bell rings. Students pass by looking over at my table with curiosity only a couple stop by. A couple of the reps pack up and leave me there alone. Apparently they had been there for a while already.
I watch students walk by looking at the table in passing. I felt belittled sitting there at the table. I never had to be that person sitting at a table in a high school outside the cafeteria. It felt degrading in a way. With everything that I have done, everything I’m trying to do it was one of those moments I felt like a failure. Then inspiration struck. Maybe the movie idea about college reps I have been waiting for. A shulb who was once an aspiring author takes a job at his old college the fictitious Merrimont College doing college fairs. I picture Philip Seymore Hoffman playing the guy who is quiet, awkward doing this to distract him from his work. There’s a story in this somewhere I know. My mind continued to watch this new movie in my head. The made time fly by. My time was up and I started to pack it up. That’s when several kids started to come by the table asking questions. I sold them immediately and they started filling out the forms. I went from one form to six in a matter of seconds. Still the movie continued to play over in my head so now I have a base to build on after having that useless dramatic feeling.
Chapter: 3 Battle Field Green
The next task was just a few blocks from the school. Lexington is a small historic town big on its history. I parked my car on the street and walk toward the monument. It was a monument created for the lives that fought on that day. The grass is a dark green well kept by the city. My task is to lie down on the grass of the battlefield green. It’s a beautiful 60 degrees and I lie down and close my eyes. I picture the moment at 1am in the morning where the first shots exploded starting the American Revolution. A rush of sadness surged through my body picturing the men who fell to their death perhaps where I am laying. Historical sites can be quite sad really. A lot of them are monuments of people who have died. Of course they died for something even greater than them but still in the simplistic basis, I am perhaps lying next to someone who was shot bleeding to death thinking of his life or family until passing on. I wish I could tell them what their sacrifice meant what their revolution became.
I walked over to a large statue of a Minuteman. Now for all you who I went to high school with I stood where the minutemen are truly represented. My high school was the Concord Minutemen in Elkhart Indiana. Now I feel like I fully understand the real meaning of what a minuteman is. I toured the one room museum and another park with other small monuments for other lives lost. I was now completely engulfed with history I realized that I was extremely hungry. So I ended up at a restaurant eating good old-fashioned Chinese food. Oh, the American Way.
Chapter 4: The Forgotten Path
I was excited to accomplish my next task. Finding the Brothers Rocks. I did much research before leaving the hotel to be able to locate this landmark. I drove up to Bedford and followed the roads. I turned right on this small road called the Old Causeway. Four houses line this single lane road and then to the left is a wildlife refuge. Trees lined the refuge while I’m looking for signs leading me to the trail. Nothing. I enter the Harvard Field Station where they keep goats and chickens looking around for any indication of trail to this historic landmark. I see a guy and pull up. I ask him about the Brothers Rocks, the trail and he has no idea what I’m talking about. I show him the map that’s on my computer and still doesn’t have a clue. He tells me to go to the Field Station office and ask. So I do and another Harvard student comes out. He has no idea either. So I drive down the Old Causeway and still don’t see any indication of a path. I turn right off the Old Causeway looking for signs, trails anything. I pass a boat ramp and come to another area on the other side of the bridge. A man is fishing by the river and I ask him. He has no idea what I’m talking about. He directs me to go further up the road where there’s a park. I do and know this isn’t it at all. I look at the map once again and see that it starts at Old Causeway road and ends on the south bank of the Concord River not the North and I know I am on the North side of the river. I drive back to Old Causeway road and I see nothing. Frustrated and time running out I decide to head back defeated.
I had text Brittany earlier claiming my frustrations and just when I was driving away defeated she calls. I tell her there’s nothing there and couldn’t see anything. I tell her I’ll turn around one more time and take a picture to show her there’s really nothing. So I go back and get out of my car to take a picture. I look through the dense trees and I see what could be a path. I walk closer and see that is a path, but where? It’s a wildlife refuge so I’m sure there’s a path but is it the right path? Am I trespassing? I park my car on the side of the road unsure if I should just leave it there. I decide to do it. I start following the path still unsure. The path forks so I take the one I think is north. The path leads me into a backyard of some residence. I turn back go back to my car again feeling defeated. I study the map on my computer once again. I debate and decide to try again. I take the other path pounding my feet against the ground in complete angry determination that I will find these rocks. I pass by a swamp, I look at the leaves turning colors, I continue following the path. Then another fork in the forest makes me even more frustrated. There weren't forks on the map!
I start going left and feeling my internal compass is off. I turn around and go the other way. I end up at a street lined with stacked rocks. Two small rocks sitting next to each other on the side of the road I ask myself this can’t be it can it? Knowing it can’t be I take a picture and text it to Brittany even though I know they aren’t the right rocks because they aren’t on a riverbank. So I turn around and head back. I get to the fork in the forest and have a choice, to either go with my first intuition or head back to the car. I go with my intuition. I walk for another ten minutes and come to another fork. Even more frustrated I stop to think. I start taking a path and just know it’s the wrong way. So I go back to the fork. That’s when I hear a motor of a boat. So I continue down the other path following the sound of the motorboat. A fallen tree blocks the path and I stop. I look down the path and really can’t see the river. So I climb over the tree. Now, I forgot to mention I am in my work clothes. I have on khaki pants and my Full Sail polo shirt. I’m really not dressed to be hiking especially when I have a college fair to go to in an hour. After climbing over the tree I continue down the path. Through dense trees I see the sun reflecting off the river. At the riverbank lies a huge rock. Ten feet away is another huge rock. Engraved on one rock says Winthrop 1638 and the other Dudley 1638. A moment of sheer excitement and accomplishment I have no idea what to do next. It’s muddy and wet so I lean against the Dudley rock and take it all in.
Chapter 5: The Shadow
I took the pictures I need to document this great find. I felt like that I was the first person do discover these rocks. Since no one ever has heard of them and later talk about it that night still find nobody even knows about this landmark I feel somewhat even more accomplished.
I head back down the path, the sun beating on my back giving me a shadow to lead the way out of the forest. While walking, I think about this simple journey. How I pray every night to stay on path. On this journey I constantly hit forks in the road where I didn’t go with my true intuition, which led me way off path. If I had just stayed with that gut feeling what I know was right the journey would have lasted only 15 minutes. The way there took me nearly an hour. I always come to these forks in the road with my life and sometimes I make the wrong decision that I know is wrong and get way off path. Some how though I stop or come to a dead end and get back on the right path only to come to another fork in the road. It was a reminder to go with what you know is right and stick to your intuition of what’s right. If not, no matter how fun it is or a different adventure it will be, it leads to a dead end and it’s exhausting to try to find your way back. I believe God was trying to tell me something.
I make it to the school with no problem. I unload my gear and try to knock the mud off my boots. I lug it into the school and find my table. I talk to the lady rep next to me about my adventure and she has lived here for a long time and never knew about those rocks. The fair began and it was very small. Not many students showed up but Full Sail sparked some curiosity in parents and students. It wasn’t a complete waste. Yet time went by fast and I was out of there in an hour and a half. The drive home was easy making it to my hotel just before 9pm.
I began writing this blog and realized, after a fulfilling day like today. Where I felt like a failure, honored the dead, became lost, discovered 300 year old rocks and made peace with God I decided to it was time to rest my body and fall asleep.
Epilogue:
Today I have some extra time. I think I’m going to do one thing that is not on my list of things to do, but every aspiring writer needs to do and that is…
Battlefield Green
Laying on the Battlefield Green: MISSION COMPLETE
Minuteman
Old Causeway Road
The Path
The Swamp
The Fake Rocks
A Rock Wall
The Concord River
The Dudley Rock
The Winthrop Rock
The Brothers Rock: MISSION COMPLETE
Every night I pray to God asking Him to keep me on path. Make sure my actions; my choices will lead me down the right path that He helps me do the right things that will guide me in the right direction. Today, I believe he showed me.
Chapter 1: Peace and Blueberry Pancakes
I dreamt that I was in car driving over a bridge. Freezing rain pouring down. My windshield starting to freeze over and I couldn’t see where I was driving. I knew something tragic was going to happen yet I continued driving. Next thing I know I slam into the side of the bridge, my car falling off the side and slamming into the water. The car begins to fill with water and I think to myself, I’m waking up now.
I grabbed a cup of coffee from the lobby and went outside looking for a place to sit down and enjoy the hot black water goodness. I strolled down near the golf course and found a bench overlooking a pond. I sat back thinking that I am in Massachusetts on this beautiful fall morning staring at a peaceful pond asking myself why do I get so glum on these trips sometimes. Of course I know the answer, but it was peaceful setting that I wish I could take in everyday. I didn’t have an appointment until 12pm so I had some time to relax and drink my coffee. I walked up to my room and sent some emails and did some work. It was 9am now so I decided to have some breakfast.
The restaurant is kind of shabby since the hotel is under renovation. I find a table and wait. I wait bit longer. I continue to wait until the waitress notices me. She comes over and asks if I want some juice or coffee. I choose juice since I’ve had enough coffee at this point. She fills my class with juice and walks away. I sip on my juice and wait. Finally another waitress comes up and asks if I’m doing okay and I say, “may I have a menu, please?” So I look over the menu and wait. The waitress comes back and I order blueberry pancakes. Sure assures me that the blueberries are cooked inside the pancakes just the way I like them.
The restaurant is a bit chilly so I wear my jacket and stare at a table full of Chinese people. Construction workers tool around the restaurant, which seems to be a bit distracting. Finally, my blueberry goodness shows up and the waitress brings me honey instead of syrup. I hold it up and she apologizes. I butter my hotcakes and she takes her time with syrup but it eventually shows up. I pour the pure maple syrup over the pancakes and dig in. They taste awful. Like the pancakes were pre cooked and microwaved for a couple of minutes and served hot. They were spongy and bland. I ate half of the three-cake tower and asked for my check. I handed over my amex and in know time she came back saying it was declined. I give her my personal card and signed the bill. I sat thinking; maybe I should have waited to go to the peaceful place after breakfast.
Chapter 2: The Lunch Time Representative
I made a few calls to work to get them to up my account once again. It’s all very confusing really. This expedia thing really has made it harder to regulate our accounts. They are learning that now, but nothing will be done. I jump into “Big Blue” and we cruise on the highway. Twelve miles later I’m in Lexington. I find the high school with no problem and park at the visitor’s space. I lug all my stuff to the main office passing by three other college reps sitting at a table. I sign in and they tell me to go to guidance down a long hall. I pass by the reps again and reach the guidance office. The lady then takes me down the hall once again with all my stuff to the tables where the college reps are. They give me a table and I set up. I mingle with the other reps that never heard of Full Sail and then the lunch bell rings. Students pass by looking over at my table with curiosity only a couple stop by. A couple of the reps pack up and leave me there alone. Apparently they had been there for a while already.
I watch students walk by looking at the table in passing. I felt belittled sitting there at the table. I never had to be that person sitting at a table in a high school outside the cafeteria. It felt degrading in a way. With everything that I have done, everything I’m trying to do it was one of those moments I felt like a failure. Then inspiration struck. Maybe the movie idea about college reps I have been waiting for. A shulb who was once an aspiring author takes a job at his old college the fictitious Merrimont College doing college fairs. I picture Philip Seymore Hoffman playing the guy who is quiet, awkward doing this to distract him from his work. There’s a story in this somewhere I know. My mind continued to watch this new movie in my head. The made time fly by. My time was up and I started to pack it up. That’s when several kids started to come by the table asking questions. I sold them immediately and they started filling out the forms. I went from one form to six in a matter of seconds. Still the movie continued to play over in my head so now I have a base to build on after having that useless dramatic feeling.
Chapter: 3 Battle Field Green
The next task was just a few blocks from the school. Lexington is a small historic town big on its history. I parked my car on the street and walk toward the monument. It was a monument created for the lives that fought on that day. The grass is a dark green well kept by the city. My task is to lie down on the grass of the battlefield green. It’s a beautiful 60 degrees and I lie down and close my eyes. I picture the moment at 1am in the morning where the first shots exploded starting the American Revolution. A rush of sadness surged through my body picturing the men who fell to their death perhaps where I am laying. Historical sites can be quite sad really. A lot of them are monuments of people who have died. Of course they died for something even greater than them but still in the simplistic basis, I am perhaps lying next to someone who was shot bleeding to death thinking of his life or family until passing on. I wish I could tell them what their sacrifice meant what their revolution became.
I walked over to a large statue of a Minuteman. Now for all you who I went to high school with I stood where the minutemen are truly represented. My high school was the Concord Minutemen in Elkhart Indiana. Now I feel like I fully understand the real meaning of what a minuteman is. I toured the one room museum and another park with other small monuments for other lives lost. I was now completely engulfed with history I realized that I was extremely hungry. So I ended up at a restaurant eating good old-fashioned Chinese food. Oh, the American Way.
Chapter 4: The Forgotten Path
I was excited to accomplish my next task. Finding the Brothers Rocks. I did much research before leaving the hotel to be able to locate this landmark. I drove up to Bedford and followed the roads. I turned right on this small road called the Old Causeway. Four houses line this single lane road and then to the left is a wildlife refuge. Trees lined the refuge while I’m looking for signs leading me to the trail. Nothing. I enter the Harvard Field Station where they keep goats and chickens looking around for any indication of trail to this historic landmark. I see a guy and pull up. I ask him about the Brothers Rocks, the trail and he has no idea what I’m talking about. I show him the map that’s on my computer and still doesn’t have a clue. He tells me to go to the Field Station office and ask. So I do and another Harvard student comes out. He has no idea either. So I drive down the Old Causeway and still don’t see any indication of a path. I turn right off the Old Causeway looking for signs, trails anything. I pass a boat ramp and come to another area on the other side of the bridge. A man is fishing by the river and I ask him. He has no idea what I’m talking about. He directs me to go further up the road where there’s a park. I do and know this isn’t it at all. I look at the map once again and see that it starts at Old Causeway road and ends on the south bank of the Concord River not the North and I know I am on the North side of the river. I drive back to Old Causeway road and I see nothing. Frustrated and time running out I decide to head back defeated.
I had text Brittany earlier claiming my frustrations and just when I was driving away defeated she calls. I tell her there’s nothing there and couldn’t see anything. I tell her I’ll turn around one more time and take a picture to show her there’s really nothing. So I go back and get out of my car to take a picture. I look through the dense trees and I see what could be a path. I walk closer and see that is a path, but where? It’s a wildlife refuge so I’m sure there’s a path but is it the right path? Am I trespassing? I park my car on the side of the road unsure if I should just leave it there. I decide to do it. I start following the path still unsure. The path forks so I take the one I think is north. The path leads me into a backyard of some residence. I turn back go back to my car again feeling defeated. I study the map on my computer once again. I debate and decide to try again. I take the other path pounding my feet against the ground in complete angry determination that I will find these rocks. I pass by a swamp, I look at the leaves turning colors, I continue following the path. Then another fork in the forest makes me even more frustrated. There weren't forks on the map!
I start going left and feeling my internal compass is off. I turn around and go the other way. I end up at a street lined with stacked rocks. Two small rocks sitting next to each other on the side of the road I ask myself this can’t be it can it? Knowing it can’t be I take a picture and text it to Brittany even though I know they aren’t the right rocks because they aren’t on a riverbank. So I turn around and head back. I get to the fork in the forest and have a choice, to either go with my first intuition or head back to the car. I go with my intuition. I walk for another ten minutes and come to another fork. Even more frustrated I stop to think. I start taking a path and just know it’s the wrong way. So I go back to the fork. That’s when I hear a motor of a boat. So I continue down the other path following the sound of the motorboat. A fallen tree blocks the path and I stop. I look down the path and really can’t see the river. So I climb over the tree. Now, I forgot to mention I am in my work clothes. I have on khaki pants and my Full Sail polo shirt. I’m really not dressed to be hiking especially when I have a college fair to go to in an hour. After climbing over the tree I continue down the path. Through dense trees I see the sun reflecting off the river. At the riverbank lies a huge rock. Ten feet away is another huge rock. Engraved on one rock says Winthrop 1638 and the other Dudley 1638. A moment of sheer excitement and accomplishment I have no idea what to do next. It’s muddy and wet so I lean against the Dudley rock and take it all in.
Chapter 5: The Shadow
I took the pictures I need to document this great find. I felt like that I was the first person do discover these rocks. Since no one ever has heard of them and later talk about it that night still find nobody even knows about this landmark I feel somewhat even more accomplished.
I head back down the path, the sun beating on my back giving me a shadow to lead the way out of the forest. While walking, I think about this simple journey. How I pray every night to stay on path. On this journey I constantly hit forks in the road where I didn’t go with my true intuition, which led me way off path. If I had just stayed with that gut feeling what I know was right the journey would have lasted only 15 minutes. The way there took me nearly an hour. I always come to these forks in the road with my life and sometimes I make the wrong decision that I know is wrong and get way off path. Some how though I stop or come to a dead end and get back on the right path only to come to another fork in the road. It was a reminder to go with what you know is right and stick to your intuition of what’s right. If not, no matter how fun it is or a different adventure it will be, it leads to a dead end and it’s exhausting to try to find your way back. I believe God was trying to tell me something.
I make it to the school with no problem. I unload my gear and try to knock the mud off my boots. I lug it into the school and find my table. I talk to the lady rep next to me about my adventure and she has lived here for a long time and never knew about those rocks. The fair began and it was very small. Not many students showed up but Full Sail sparked some curiosity in parents and students. It wasn’t a complete waste. Yet time went by fast and I was out of there in an hour and a half. The drive home was easy making it to my hotel just before 9pm.
I began writing this blog and realized, after a fulfilling day like today. Where I felt like a failure, honored the dead, became lost, discovered 300 year old rocks and made peace with God I decided to it was time to rest my body and fall asleep.
Epilogue:
Today I have some extra time. I think I’m going to do one thing that is not on my list of things to do, but every aspiring writer needs to do and that is…
Battlefield Green
Laying on the Battlefield Green: MISSION COMPLETE
Minuteman
Old Causeway Road
The Path
The Swamp
The Fake Rocks
A Rock Wall
The Concord River
The Dudley Rock
The Winthrop Rock
The Brothers Rock: MISSION COMPLETE
Monday, October 15, 2007
Fall River
There’s something special about Boston. I felt it the last time I was here. If you fly in on a clear day and you’re sitting on the right side of the plane look down, you’ll see a lighthouse standing alone on rocks in the Atlantic just a couple of miles from the airport. I’ve decided that’s where I want to write all my movies from now on.
When I went to the Enterprise I was greeted pleasantly and Mike took me outside to re introduce me to my old friend. That’s right “Big Blue”. The same PT Cruiser I had in Maine, the exact same color. I asked “Big Blue” how he got all the way down and he didn’t really want to talk about it. I mean we aren’t the best of friends because we argue a lot but it’s always good to see a familiar face.
Getting lost in Salem was quite the experience, which now is going to be a common theme I’m finding out. Salem was a pretty cool town and being here during Halloween was a rare treat. It’s funny, I didn’t even think of it until I was there. As you walk around you can’t shake that eerie history that happened so long ago. When you walk around the cemetery you just have that strange feeling. It’s kinda touristy but that’s expected. Hey, I’m tourist or do I not count since I got lost and ended up there? I’m glad I ended up getting lost there.
I’ve learned that I have picked the most secluded out of the way hotel in North Boston. There is nothing literally for miles. There’s only one easy to get to restaurant and I went there yesterday. It wasn’t very good, but the apple dumpling was amazing. Yet this over priced golf resort wannabe is nothing special. The room is like every other plain jane hotel. It’s still under construction and it’s smoke-free. Which I don’t mind if there’s a bench our something outside to sit at, but there’s not. The pool is located down the way in another building. It’s a wacky set up but whatever, I have things to do.
I woke up at 5am and took my time this morning. My presentation wasn’t until 11am but it was an hour away. You see, I’m really not in Boston. All my school are on the outskirts of Boston. So I probably won’t make it into the city. Today’s school and Friday’s school are way south of MA. My other schools are North Boston. So “Big Blue” and I will be driving around quite a bit. A lucky for me, I decided to leave the hotel at 7am prepared for a Boston morning rush hour and I got it. Mapquest stated that my drive would take me an hour to get the school. It actually took me an hour to get to the city of Boston at that was just 11miles. I still had another forty miles to go. I cranked up NPR and enjoyed my morning coffee in stop and go traffic. Finally it cleared up a bit. Cruising down the highway a rock jumps up and slams into my windshield making a dime size crack. What is it with windshields and me lately? While thinking of that I realized I got off the wrong exit. I went off exit 6 instead of exit 5. Of course there wasn’t an on ramp south bound so I had to go north to another exit and then head back south. I finally get to my exit and pull into a shopping center. I call enterprise and no one picks up the phone. I call 3 times. I call my boss and again no one picks up the phone. Urgh. Oh well. I grab a cup off coffee at a bagel shop and look at the clock. I realize I have time.
I drive down narrow one-way streets of old New England homes, strange intersections until I get to 2nd Ave. I drive up several blocks growing frustrated. I turn down a side street and around back on 2nd Ave. At the last moment I see it! I drive around a couple of blocks and park. I put a couple of quarters in the meter and start walking down the block. Tucked away in between buildings is Scavenger Hunt Quest #2 Lizzie Borden’s Home. Of course it wasn’t going to be open to the public until 11am and if you wanted a tour it would set you back 10 dollars. Though looking at the house, you kinda wonder how you’re going to get 10 dollars worth from a tour in a small house. I was hoping for a gift shop at least, but all the doors were closed. Though the hunt said I had to drive by it, which I did twice and leaving it 3 times, I stood back and took a picture on my cell phone. So…
COMPLETE: 2. fall river - drive by the house where lizzie borden
killed her parents (now a b&b):
http://www.lizzie-borden.com/about.asp?SiteSectionID=1&SiteSubSectionID=1\
The presentation went well. The kids were really receptive. I was only there for an hour and a half, less the time it took for me to drive down there. That’s okay, at least I saw Lizzie’s house and for you that aren’t aware of her story, she was the O.J. Simpson of her time.
Driving back I had no incidents. I made it to the hotel in an hour. Then I had a swell idea to grab dinner and catch a movie. Well after getting lost to the movie theater and finally finding it I realize there’s no restaurants anywhere near by. So I turned around drove back up the US 1 and found a place to eat. Now, if you never have driven in Boston, it takes a master skill. No matter what the speed limit you have to drive 20mph over it. So in a 30 you have to drive 50. At some point you may have to turn left and then right and then left to stay on the same road constantly looking at signs while going 50 in a 30 on a two-lane road. Sitting at the restaurant exhausted on US 1 I decided to skip the movie. You can’t just get on US 1 you have to scheme your way between cars and if you need to go south instead of north you may be able to do it if the exit you get off lets you. US 1 N and US 1 S is divided by a wall you cannot cross over it unless at an exit (maybe) So as I am going back to my hotel on US 1 N I find the exit. Well I have to turn left, but it won’t let me. So I turn right and see a church on a hill that I will pull into and turn left out of. Well, on a two-lane road where cars going 50 in a thirty and the traffic don’t let up makes it almost impossible. So I wait several minutes and get defeated so I turn right and drive to a stop light take a right and enter an elementary school and turn to the stoplight. Sure a few miles out of my way but needless to say I make it back to my hotel just fine…letting out a long exhausting sigh.
So here I am back at the hotel where I’m going stay in for the night. I have two things on my list that I have to do tomorrow so I have to get some much needed sleep. Oh by the way, I did get ahold of Enterprise, they told me not to worry about the crack. I just feel sad that Big Blue has not got a Black Eye.
My body is beginning to shut down from all the traveling. But hey, if Mick Jagger can do it, so can’t I!!!!
P.S. I figured out how to get pictures from my cell phone.
Lizzie Borden's House, Fall River, MA
Old Burying Ground, Salem MA
When I went to the Enterprise I was greeted pleasantly and Mike took me outside to re introduce me to my old friend. That’s right “Big Blue”. The same PT Cruiser I had in Maine, the exact same color. I asked “Big Blue” how he got all the way down and he didn’t really want to talk about it. I mean we aren’t the best of friends because we argue a lot but it’s always good to see a familiar face.
Getting lost in Salem was quite the experience, which now is going to be a common theme I’m finding out. Salem was a pretty cool town and being here during Halloween was a rare treat. It’s funny, I didn’t even think of it until I was there. As you walk around you can’t shake that eerie history that happened so long ago. When you walk around the cemetery you just have that strange feeling. It’s kinda touristy but that’s expected. Hey, I’m tourist or do I not count since I got lost and ended up there? I’m glad I ended up getting lost there.
I’ve learned that I have picked the most secluded out of the way hotel in North Boston. There is nothing literally for miles. There’s only one easy to get to restaurant and I went there yesterday. It wasn’t very good, but the apple dumpling was amazing. Yet this over priced golf resort wannabe is nothing special. The room is like every other plain jane hotel. It’s still under construction and it’s smoke-free. Which I don’t mind if there’s a bench our something outside to sit at, but there’s not. The pool is located down the way in another building. It’s a wacky set up but whatever, I have things to do.
I woke up at 5am and took my time this morning. My presentation wasn’t until 11am but it was an hour away. You see, I’m really not in Boston. All my school are on the outskirts of Boston. So I probably won’t make it into the city. Today’s school and Friday’s school are way south of MA. My other schools are North Boston. So “Big Blue” and I will be driving around quite a bit. A lucky for me, I decided to leave the hotel at 7am prepared for a Boston morning rush hour and I got it. Mapquest stated that my drive would take me an hour to get the school. It actually took me an hour to get to the city of Boston at that was just 11miles. I still had another forty miles to go. I cranked up NPR and enjoyed my morning coffee in stop and go traffic. Finally it cleared up a bit. Cruising down the highway a rock jumps up and slams into my windshield making a dime size crack. What is it with windshields and me lately? While thinking of that I realized I got off the wrong exit. I went off exit 6 instead of exit 5. Of course there wasn’t an on ramp south bound so I had to go north to another exit and then head back south. I finally get to my exit and pull into a shopping center. I call enterprise and no one picks up the phone. I call 3 times. I call my boss and again no one picks up the phone. Urgh. Oh well. I grab a cup off coffee at a bagel shop and look at the clock. I realize I have time.
I drive down narrow one-way streets of old New England homes, strange intersections until I get to 2nd Ave. I drive up several blocks growing frustrated. I turn down a side street and around back on 2nd Ave. At the last moment I see it! I drive around a couple of blocks and park. I put a couple of quarters in the meter and start walking down the block. Tucked away in between buildings is Scavenger Hunt Quest #2 Lizzie Borden’s Home. Of course it wasn’t going to be open to the public until 11am and if you wanted a tour it would set you back 10 dollars. Though looking at the house, you kinda wonder how you’re going to get 10 dollars worth from a tour in a small house. I was hoping for a gift shop at least, but all the doors were closed. Though the hunt said I had to drive by it, which I did twice and leaving it 3 times, I stood back and took a picture on my cell phone. So…
COMPLETE: 2. fall river - drive by the house where lizzie borden
killed her parents (now a b&b):
http://www.lizzie-borden.com/about.asp?SiteSectionID=1&SiteSubSectionID=1\
The presentation went well. The kids were really receptive. I was only there for an hour and a half, less the time it took for me to drive down there. That’s okay, at least I saw Lizzie’s house and for you that aren’t aware of her story, she was the O.J. Simpson of her time.
Driving back I had no incidents. I made it to the hotel in an hour. Then I had a swell idea to grab dinner and catch a movie. Well after getting lost to the movie theater and finally finding it I realize there’s no restaurants anywhere near by. So I turned around drove back up the US 1 and found a place to eat. Now, if you never have driven in Boston, it takes a master skill. No matter what the speed limit you have to drive 20mph over it. So in a 30 you have to drive 50. At some point you may have to turn left and then right and then left to stay on the same road constantly looking at signs while going 50 in a 30 on a two-lane road. Sitting at the restaurant exhausted on US 1 I decided to skip the movie. You can’t just get on US 1 you have to scheme your way between cars and if you need to go south instead of north you may be able to do it if the exit you get off lets you. US 1 N and US 1 S is divided by a wall you cannot cross over it unless at an exit (maybe) So as I am going back to my hotel on US 1 N I find the exit. Well I have to turn left, but it won’t let me. So I turn right and see a church on a hill that I will pull into and turn left out of. Well, on a two-lane road where cars going 50 in a thirty and the traffic don’t let up makes it almost impossible. So I wait several minutes and get defeated so I turn right and drive to a stop light take a right and enter an elementary school and turn to the stoplight. Sure a few miles out of my way but needless to say I make it back to my hotel just fine…letting out a long exhausting sigh.
So here I am back at the hotel where I’m going stay in for the night. I have two things on my list that I have to do tomorrow so I have to get some much needed sleep. Oh by the way, I did get ahold of Enterprise, they told me not to worry about the crack. I just feel sad that Big Blue has not got a Black Eye.
My body is beginning to shut down from all the traveling. But hey, if Mick Jagger can do it, so can’t I!!!!
P.S. I figured out how to get pictures from my cell phone.
Lizzie Borden's House, Fall River, MA
Old Burying Ground, Salem MA
The Scavenger Hunt
This trip is going to be different. My friend Brittany has conceived a game for me to play while I am on this two week trip. I am in Wakefield, MA just 12 miles North of Boston. I’m pretty much going to be in the outskirts of Boston and probably not going to make it into the city. So Brittany has devised this game to keep me entertained while I am visiting these suburban towns. Here’s the Game:
1. boston - throw a tea bag into the boston harbor
2. fall river - drive by the house where lizzie borden
killed her parents (now a b&b):
http://www.lizzie-borden.com/about.asp?SiteSectionID=1&SiteSubSectionID=1\
3. lexington - lay in the grass of the battle green
(where the first shots of the battle of lexington and
concord were fired):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexington_Battle_Green
4. bedford - visit the two brothers rocks (When
Governor Winthrop and his Deputy Thomas Dudley viewed
their lands in early 1638, they decided to use two
great stones on the site to divide the property.
Winthrop claimed the land to one side of one rock;
Dudley claimed the land on the other side of the other
rock. They named the rocks "The Two Brothers." Over
the years, the two men had many differences; however
they learned to work together and even considered
themselves "brothers" by their children's marriage.
The rocks have come to symbolize the men's sprit of
cooperation and democracy. The two brothers can still
be seen near the banks of the Concord River in the
Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.): you can find
a map here, http://www.bedfordmahistory.org/free.htm
5. find a sign (anywhere, saying anything) referencing
any of the many nobel peace prize recipients or other
famous people who have lived in belmont: scroll down
to notable residents:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belmont,_Massachusetts
6. salem - visit the burying point (oldest cemetery in
salem), where you find the with trials memorial as
well as the grave of one of the witch trials' judges,
john hawthorne (an ancestor of nathaniel hawthorne,
who wrote "the scarlet letter"):
http://www.salemweb.com/guide/tour/attract3.shtml#OBP
7. woonsocket - oh, that town name is so awesome, just
take a picture of any sign with the town's name on it
8. long island - visit fire island!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_Island_National_Seashore
9. long island - drive through the hamptons
10. long island - visit the beach at montauk (like in
eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!)
http://www.onmontauk.com/
11. new york city - visit the five points area (like
in gangs of new york!):
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=worth+st.+%26+baxter+st.,+new+york,+ny&ie=UTF8&om=1&z=16&ll=40.714362,-74.000452&spn=0.006408,0.021629&t=h
12. amityville - well, yeah, duh. here's some more
info: http://djtricities.com/amityville/location.php
(like the address isn't 112 ocean drive anymore, even
though it's in the same place).
When I arrived at the Boston airport I picked up my car without any problems. I started driving north and there were these roundabouts. I accidentally took the 1A instead of the 1 so I kept driving not realizing at the time they were different. After knowing that they were different streets I just kept driving since turning around would just be a pain. Looking at the map I found that the highway did cross the 1A just a few miles north. The 1A just happens to run through downtown Salem.
It’s that time of the year in Salem where people from all over the world come to visit in the month of all hallows eve. The witches were all in costume in this downtown festival. People lined up for the Witch Museum. Street vendors lined the streets selling kettle corn and other foods and novelties. From my list I was to see the old burying ground. I stepped into the crowded visitors center and asked a lady where it was. She pointed me in the right direction and one block away there it was. The old stone graves lined up in this small cemetery. It was amazing looking at these stones that date all the way back to the late 1600’s – 1800’s. On a street next to the cemetery was a haunted house tour. The festival was busy on this beautiful Sunday Afternoon. The weather was 60 degrees. I was happy to be walking around even though I was lost and tired. Salem was a gorgeous town. I may go back if I have time, it’s really not far from my hotel so who knows.
COMPLETE: 6. salem - visit the burying point (oldest cemetery in
salem), where you find the with trials memorial as
well as the grave of one of the witch trials' judges,
john hawthorne (an ancestor of nathaniel hawthorne,
who wrote "the scarlet letter"):
1. boston - throw a tea bag into the boston harbor
2. fall river - drive by the house where lizzie borden
killed her parents (now a b&b):
http://www.lizzie-borden.com/about.asp?SiteSectionID=1&SiteSubSectionID=1\
3. lexington - lay in the grass of the battle green
(where the first shots of the battle of lexington and
concord were fired):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexington_Battle_Green
4. bedford - visit the two brothers rocks (When
Governor Winthrop and his Deputy Thomas Dudley viewed
their lands in early 1638, they decided to use two
great stones on the site to divide the property.
Winthrop claimed the land to one side of one rock;
Dudley claimed the land on the other side of the other
rock. They named the rocks "The Two Brothers." Over
the years, the two men had many differences; however
they learned to work together and even considered
themselves "brothers" by their children's marriage.
The rocks have come to symbolize the men's sprit of
cooperation and democracy. The two brothers can still
be seen near the banks of the Concord River in the
Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.): you can find
a map here, http://www.bedfordmahistory.org/free.htm
5. find a sign (anywhere, saying anything) referencing
any of the many nobel peace prize recipients or other
famous people who have lived in belmont: scroll down
to notable residents:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belmont,_Massachusetts
6. salem - visit the burying point (oldest cemetery in
salem), where you find the with trials memorial as
well as the grave of one of the witch trials' judges,
john hawthorne (an ancestor of nathaniel hawthorne,
who wrote "the scarlet letter"):
http://www.salemweb.com/guide/tour/attract3.shtml#OBP
7. woonsocket - oh, that town name is so awesome, just
take a picture of any sign with the town's name on it
8. long island - visit fire island!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_Island_National_Seashore
9. long island - drive through the hamptons
10. long island - visit the beach at montauk (like in
eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!)
http://www.onmontauk.com/
11. new york city - visit the five points area (like
in gangs of new york!):
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=worth+st.+%26+baxter+st.,+new+york,+ny&ie=UTF8&om=1&z=16&ll=40.714362,-74.000452&spn=0.006408,0.021629&t=h
12. amityville - well, yeah, duh. here's some more
info: http://djtricities.com/amityville/location.php
(like the address isn't 112 ocean drive anymore, even
though it's in the same place).
When I arrived at the Boston airport I picked up my car without any problems. I started driving north and there were these roundabouts. I accidentally took the 1A instead of the 1 so I kept driving not realizing at the time they were different. After knowing that they were different streets I just kept driving since turning around would just be a pain. Looking at the map I found that the highway did cross the 1A just a few miles north. The 1A just happens to run through downtown Salem.
It’s that time of the year in Salem where people from all over the world come to visit in the month of all hallows eve. The witches were all in costume in this downtown festival. People lined up for the Witch Museum. Street vendors lined the streets selling kettle corn and other foods and novelties. From my list I was to see the old burying ground. I stepped into the crowded visitors center and asked a lady where it was. She pointed me in the right direction and one block away there it was. The old stone graves lined up in this small cemetery. It was amazing looking at these stones that date all the way back to the late 1600’s – 1800’s. On a street next to the cemetery was a haunted house tour. The festival was busy on this beautiful Sunday Afternoon. The weather was 60 degrees. I was happy to be walking around even though I was lost and tired. Salem was a gorgeous town. I may go back if I have time, it’s really not far from my hotel so who knows.
COMPLETE: 6. salem - visit the burying point (oldest cemetery in
salem), where you find the with trials memorial as
well as the grave of one of the witch trials' judges,
john hawthorne (an ancestor of nathaniel hawthorne,
who wrote "the scarlet letter"):
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Once
I know some of you have showed interest in the movie “Once” that I had mentioned and declared the best movie I’ve seen so far this year, so while I was trying to find the DVD release date I came across these tidbits.
Sources say the movie comes out Dec. 6th.
Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg was quoted as saying "A little movie called Once gave me enough inspiration to last the rest of the year.
Shot for only $160,000
As of October 7, 2007, the film had grossed more then $10.5 million worldwide including over $9 million in the U.S
male lead to be played by actor Cillian Murphy but later dropped out.
Shot with a skeleton crew on a 17-day shoot
The stars, Hansard and/or Irglová composed and performed all but one of the original songs in the movie.
On the May 18, 2007 broadcast of Ebert & Roeper, both Richard Roeper and guest critic Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune gave enthusiastic reviews. Phillips called it, "the most charming thing I've seen all year," "the Brief Encounter for the 21st century," and his favorite music film since 1984's Stop Making Sense. Roeper referred to the film's recording studio scene as "more inspirational and uplifting than almost any number of Dreamgirls or Chicago or any of those multi-zillion dollar musical showstopping films. In its own way, it will blow you away."[
Sources say the movie comes out Dec. 6th.
Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg was quoted as saying "A little movie called Once gave me enough inspiration to last the rest of the year.
Shot for only $160,000
As of October 7, 2007, the film had grossed more then $10.5 million worldwide including over $9 million in the U.S
male lead to be played by actor Cillian Murphy but later dropped out.
Shot with a skeleton crew on a 17-day shoot
The stars, Hansard and/or Irglová composed and performed all but one of the original songs in the movie.
On the May 18, 2007 broadcast of Ebert & Roeper, both Richard Roeper and guest critic Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune gave enthusiastic reviews. Phillips called it, "the most charming thing I've seen all year," "the Brief Encounter for the 21st century," and his favorite music film since 1984's Stop Making Sense. Roeper referred to the film's recording studio scene as "more inspirational and uplifting than almost any number of Dreamgirls or Chicago or any of those multi-zillion dollar musical showstopping films. In its own way, it will blow you away."[
Friday, October 12, 2007
On a Good Note: Farewell to Pasco County
Thursday I have to admit was a good day. The teacher was awesome and the students were well behaved. This teacher was the first person who ever asked me if I smoked. After I said yes, during our break we walked down stairs, through corridors and behind this long gate. There was a patio on dark side of the compound where teachers all sat smoking and bitching about their students. I felt like I was apart of the elite group, this secret society. All the teachers huddling, name dropping students good and bad and giving each other the 411. I asked myself if high school had this secret space on campus. It was amazing.
Of course I still believe this school isn’t the greatest. A fight broke out before school leaving one student in bloody pulp. I only received the details from the students. The day prior my teacher had a substitute and during the day someone in the class swiped her wallet. So the cops came in during one of my presentations which was a bit of a disruption but quickly ended. Overall my day was good.
I went to the coffee shop and did some work. I am confirmed to leave on my next trip on Sunday. I booked my hotels and my car. I then grabbed some dinner. As soon as I got back to my room to my surprise I had the internet. My last night at the hotel and doing all my work at a coffee shop, I finally get the internet. I just laid in bed silently going over my thoughts until I fell asleep.
Today I go back to the classroom from hell and do two presentations and them I drive back to Orlando. I have so much to do tonight and Saturday. On Sunday I’ll be on the road for two weeks straight so this could get really interesting. Stay Tuned my weary readers.
Of course I still believe this school isn’t the greatest. A fight broke out before school leaving one student in bloody pulp. I only received the details from the students. The day prior my teacher had a substitute and during the day someone in the class swiped her wallet. So the cops came in during one of my presentations which was a bit of a disruption but quickly ended. Overall my day was good.
I went to the coffee shop and did some work. I am confirmed to leave on my next trip on Sunday. I booked my hotels and my car. I then grabbed some dinner. As soon as I got back to my room to my surprise I had the internet. My last night at the hotel and doing all my work at a coffee shop, I finally get the internet. I just laid in bed silently going over my thoughts until I fell asleep.
Today I go back to the classroom from hell and do two presentations and them I drive back to Orlando. I have so much to do tonight and Saturday. On Sunday I’ll be on the road for two weeks straight so this could get really interesting. Stay Tuned my weary readers.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Gloom and Doom Wednesday part 2
Yes my friends it is that time of the week. It’s Gloom and Doom Wednesday!!! I’m currently sitting outside on this clear blue sky with a nice breeze coming off the gulf listening to an eclectic mix here at starbucks. I’m sipping on a vanilla bean frap and recounting my day in my head to you lovely readers.
Let’s recount the events I had planned out from last night’s blog. Today I had a nice plan of sleeping in, eating a nice lunch and taking in a picture show. Sounded great didn’t it? It was a dream a hopeful wish that didn’t come true.
At 8am I awoke from my dreamland to the sound of my ring tone. I slowly slid out of bed like a zombie and saw that it was from my boss. I listened to the message and she asked where I was. In a panic I called immediately. I apparently was supposed to be in a classroom at 7:30 this morning. Due to a schedule shift on the excel spreadsheet, my dates are now off. I was supposed to be at the College Fair last night, at a presentation today and tomorrow and back in the office on Friday. So my schedule showed I was at the fair tonight and presentations tomorrow and Friday. That my friends was the start of my day.
My coordinator called the teacher and called me back. She tells me the teacher will be expecting me at 10am. I quickly jump in the shower, get dressed and fly out the door. As you all may know since you know me, obscenities were my declaration to the world. I arrived at school in the nick of time for 3rd period. I have to say, the students couldn’t have given a damn if I was there or not. I did two presentations in a row and the teacher did not once keep her class under control. I had a two-hour break for which I grabbed coffee and a sandwich at a coffee shop with free wifi. I was able to try to correct the schedule problem. I went to the last class and again, they had no interest in me what so ever except maybe a couple people. Yeah, maybe that’s cool that one or two had an interest in me but when you have students talking or smacking each other during the presentation it’s not cool. I don’t care what they say, I enjoy going to ghetto schools because those students are well behaved. Prominently white schools could care less.
After class I went back to the hotel and went to sleep.
I couldn’t think of anything I wanted to eat so now I am here at starbucks exhausted and hungry. I’m so over this week. I guess it’s just the way it is. I had two great trips to Indy and Maine. Now two bad weeks in Dallas and Florida, I hope the next two will be better.
So yeah, tomorrow I’m back at the same school talking to 11th graders and again on Friday to make up the two hours I missed today with that same teacher to a bunch of brats.
Sigh, if there wasn’t a schedule mix up I would have been back in my own bed tomorrow night. So I better inspire the next Spielberg or else!!!
Let’s recount the events I had planned out from last night’s blog. Today I had a nice plan of sleeping in, eating a nice lunch and taking in a picture show. Sounded great didn’t it? It was a dream a hopeful wish that didn’t come true.
At 8am I awoke from my dreamland to the sound of my ring tone. I slowly slid out of bed like a zombie and saw that it was from my boss. I listened to the message and she asked where I was. In a panic I called immediately. I apparently was supposed to be in a classroom at 7:30 this morning. Due to a schedule shift on the excel spreadsheet, my dates are now off. I was supposed to be at the College Fair last night, at a presentation today and tomorrow and back in the office on Friday. So my schedule showed I was at the fair tonight and presentations tomorrow and Friday. That my friends was the start of my day.
My coordinator called the teacher and called me back. She tells me the teacher will be expecting me at 10am. I quickly jump in the shower, get dressed and fly out the door. As you all may know since you know me, obscenities were my declaration to the world. I arrived at school in the nick of time for 3rd period. I have to say, the students couldn’t have given a damn if I was there or not. I did two presentations in a row and the teacher did not once keep her class under control. I had a two-hour break for which I grabbed coffee and a sandwich at a coffee shop with free wifi. I was able to try to correct the schedule problem. I went to the last class and again, they had no interest in me what so ever except maybe a couple people. Yeah, maybe that’s cool that one or two had an interest in me but when you have students talking or smacking each other during the presentation it’s not cool. I don’t care what they say, I enjoy going to ghetto schools because those students are well behaved. Prominently white schools could care less.
After class I went back to the hotel and went to sleep.
I couldn’t think of anything I wanted to eat so now I am here at starbucks exhausted and hungry. I’m so over this week. I guess it’s just the way it is. I had two great trips to Indy and Maine. Now two bad weeks in Dallas and Florida, I hope the next two will be better.
So yeah, tomorrow I’m back at the same school talking to 11th graders and again on Friday to make up the two hours I missed today with that same teacher to a bunch of brats.
Sigh, if there wasn’t a schedule mix up I would have been back in my own bed tomorrow night. So I better inspire the next Spielberg or else!!!
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
The Dream and the Internet Fiasco
I had a dream last night. I was living in a city near friends. It was raining and I was in my car driving. I saw a sign for a town I knew. I decided to drive towards it. The sun is shining and I drive into town towards a house of a girl I know. I see she’s having a party. I drive by then turn around and park down the street. I sneak through the back door and sit on the couch. She comes inside from the party and is happy to see me. She throws her arms around me and asks me to protect her. I find out what she means. She has been dating this Asian guy that she wants it to be over with. She invites me outside to the party and everyone knows me. From the front door my dead aunt Lucille walks out with an engagement ring around a charm. She doesn’t say anything, but just hands it over to me. The girl and I are the only ones that can see her. We both look at the ring and smile.
I wake up like it was a nightmare. My heart pounding and my covers wrapped around me laying vertical on the bed. But it wasn’t a nightmare I was happy and ecstatic. I woke up thinking I was now engaged and in love and wasn’t able to shake that feeling. At the same time I felt my aunt Lucille was in the room with me. That was the first time I ever dreamt of the dead.
So I am on my third state and I know some of you would argue this statement but I’m counting it simply because I’m not at home, but I am in Florida on the Gulf Coast. I am going to count it simply because my drive time is just about the same as me flying to any of the states I’ve been to.
So I drove up here on Sunday night after spending the evening with my mother, having dinner and doing laundry. The traveling is definitely catching up. I’m really dragging lately. I arrived at my Hotel in New Port Richey around 10pm Sunday night. I quickly learned that I didn’t have the Internet. It’s now Tuesday night and I still don’t have the Internet. I’m sitting at a starbucks coffee writing this. I’ve complained twice about the lack of the web at the hotel and the constantly say they are fixing it. Now I believe they are just saying that to all the customers. I may have to switch hotels tomorrow, urghh… it doesn’t make my work easy since next week is still up in the air. I’m going out of town next week, that’s confirmed. I just don’t know when.
I’m staying at a Quality Inn and the corporate slogan says that if I’m not 100% satisfied then I (Full Sail) get their money back. I can deal with the fact that the wallpaper is peeling off the walls and soap is like plastic. I can deal with that. I’ve stayed at worse at a highway motel but no Internet? Especially since I called last week and asked if they had it?
Well, the last two days have been tough. 5 or 6 presentations both days which makes it draining. The schools have been fine except one class. On both days I’ve had one class that have ruined it for me. Yesterday, I had a girl talk through the whole presentation and the teacher didn’t do anything. So I had to give her the evil eye. Today I was asked to stay one extra class at the end of the day and all the classes were great except the last class. The students could have cared less. First period and last period are always the hardest. For me and for them. So I usually have to give them the “Be Cool” speech. Which contains, if you’re not cool and disrespectful you’re not going to last long in the industry. Yeah, I know, but it works sometimes and in the film industry, it’s true.
Tomorrow I get to sleep in and relax. I have a college fair tomorrow night so that will be awesome!
Monday, after class I went out for sushi and a movie. I saw In the Valley of Elah. It’s Paul Haggis the director of “Crash” new movie. I give it up thumbs up. It wasn’t as powerful as Crash but it was good. Simple, matter-of-fact story telling. It’s not an anti-war movie at all but a generational movie. I’ve always thought about the comparison between soldiers of WWII to soldiers of today. Don’t get me wrong I am a strong supporter of our soldiers perhaps not the war but I do respect our armed forces a great deal. I’m proud of them. I just wonder sometimes as a generation. If you see the movie you’ll understand what I’m talking about. I guess that’s why I liked that movie simply because it asks that question. I don’t think it’ll be nominated for best picture but I do believe Tommy Lee Jones was really good in it so who knows maybe he’ll be nominated.
I don’t know if the title of the movie really fits the story. The David and Goliath aspect is way too simple. The metaphor is a man against the military. I don’t think that’s what the story is about at all. If you pick a bible story as the title it should be the Prodigal Son.
If I go to a movie tomorrow it will be “The Kingdom”. I’ll let you know about that one.
I also bought a new much-needed suitcase. I hope this one will hold up. Especially on this two-week straight trip starting next week. Wait? Who’s going to water my plants?
I wake up like it was a nightmare. My heart pounding and my covers wrapped around me laying vertical on the bed. But it wasn’t a nightmare I was happy and ecstatic. I woke up thinking I was now engaged and in love and wasn’t able to shake that feeling. At the same time I felt my aunt Lucille was in the room with me. That was the first time I ever dreamt of the dead.
So I am on my third state and I know some of you would argue this statement but I’m counting it simply because I’m not at home, but I am in Florida on the Gulf Coast. I am going to count it simply because my drive time is just about the same as me flying to any of the states I’ve been to.
So I drove up here on Sunday night after spending the evening with my mother, having dinner and doing laundry. The traveling is definitely catching up. I’m really dragging lately. I arrived at my Hotel in New Port Richey around 10pm Sunday night. I quickly learned that I didn’t have the Internet. It’s now Tuesday night and I still don’t have the Internet. I’m sitting at a starbucks coffee writing this. I’ve complained twice about the lack of the web at the hotel and the constantly say they are fixing it. Now I believe they are just saying that to all the customers. I may have to switch hotels tomorrow, urghh… it doesn’t make my work easy since next week is still up in the air. I’m going out of town next week, that’s confirmed. I just don’t know when.
I’m staying at a Quality Inn and the corporate slogan says that if I’m not 100% satisfied then I (Full Sail) get their money back. I can deal with the fact that the wallpaper is peeling off the walls and soap is like plastic. I can deal with that. I’ve stayed at worse at a highway motel but no Internet? Especially since I called last week and asked if they had it?
Well, the last two days have been tough. 5 or 6 presentations both days which makes it draining. The schools have been fine except one class. On both days I’ve had one class that have ruined it for me. Yesterday, I had a girl talk through the whole presentation and the teacher didn’t do anything. So I had to give her the evil eye. Today I was asked to stay one extra class at the end of the day and all the classes were great except the last class. The students could have cared less. First period and last period are always the hardest. For me and for them. So I usually have to give them the “Be Cool” speech. Which contains, if you’re not cool and disrespectful you’re not going to last long in the industry. Yeah, I know, but it works sometimes and in the film industry, it’s true.
Tomorrow I get to sleep in and relax. I have a college fair tomorrow night so that will be awesome!
Monday, after class I went out for sushi and a movie. I saw In the Valley of Elah. It’s Paul Haggis the director of “Crash” new movie. I give it up thumbs up. It wasn’t as powerful as Crash but it was good. Simple, matter-of-fact story telling. It’s not an anti-war movie at all but a generational movie. I’ve always thought about the comparison between soldiers of WWII to soldiers of today. Don’t get me wrong I am a strong supporter of our soldiers perhaps not the war but I do respect our armed forces a great deal. I’m proud of them. I just wonder sometimes as a generation. If you see the movie you’ll understand what I’m talking about. I guess that’s why I liked that movie simply because it asks that question. I don’t think it’ll be nominated for best picture but I do believe Tommy Lee Jones was really good in it so who knows maybe he’ll be nominated.
I don’t know if the title of the movie really fits the story. The David and Goliath aspect is way too simple. The metaphor is a man against the military. I don’t think that’s what the story is about at all. If you pick a bible story as the title it should be the Prodigal Son.
If I go to a movie tomorrow it will be “The Kingdom”. I’ll let you know about that one.
I also bought a new much-needed suitcase. I hope this one will hold up. Especially on this two-week straight trip starting next week. Wait? Who’s going to water my plants?
Saturday, October 6, 2007
The Great Escape
This episode takes place between 5am – 1am.
I wake up, shower, brew coffee and pack. I check out of my hotel room with no problems. I make the mistake of drinking my entire cup of coffee before I leave the hotel. I usually like to take a cup with me for the drive, but the continental breakfast hasn’t been set up yet. I leave early to be able to get some breakfast and relax before I get to the school. It’s 6:am and I have to be at work by 7:30am.
I get on the roads, missing ramps and exits until finally I get on the right road. I’m cruising down I-30W listening to NPR that there’s a road closure on I-30 because of an over turn semi. Having no idea where I am let alone where the closure is. Sure enough the closure is up ahead. I’m stuck in the middle lane for almost a half hour. The time it says it will take me to get to the school from my hotel. Of all the times where I don’t have a cup of coffee. Everyone merges to one lane and exits. Unfortunately there are not detour signs and I kind of follow the others. A stoplight separates me from the pack so now I just go on intuition. I drive on these back roads until I come to a major intersection. I make a left and voila! There’s I-30! After that 15-minute detour and on the road for close to an hour I’m cruising down I-30 towards Fort Worth. Morning rush hour is starting to show it’s ugly face. Several on ramps begin to merge pushing to the making this three lane highway into five. I now find myself in the left lane and see my exit far on the right. With my sloppy driving skills and a few obscenities I make it over to my exit in the nick of time. A few left and right turns I’m finding my roads okay until I end up in a turn only lane bunched into cars so my only choice is to turn left on the wrong road. Of course it’s the longest light in Fort Worth so it forces me to think about how much I hate driving in these cities. So I turn left and right on a side street that gets me back on the right road but I can only turn right to go the wrong way. So here I am stuck at the longest light once again having to turn left. It’s one of those five street intersections so a U-Turn is not a good Idea. I turn left and see a Wendy’s open for breakfast. I still have twenty minutes so I stop and grab some coffee. Finally I have coffee and end up on the right road. The school happens to only be two miles from that mess and I pull into the parking lot with 10minutes to spare. I grab my stuff and wonder around the school looking for the main office. Of course I’m going the wrong way and when I finally get there, it hasn’t opened yet. I wait a couple of minutes and the lady shows up. I sign in and she gives me directions to the teacher’s class. The office lady who hasn’t had her coffee yet gives me the directions to the classroom. I walk dragging my presentation suitcase behind me and carrying a box. I didn’t mention that this school is built on a hill so there are steps everywhere. It makes ten times harder to lug this gear around. I end up where I started when I was lost looking for the main office and now find myself lost again. So up stairs through busy halls I end up back at the office. The office lady apologizes because she realizes she sent me the wrong way. In fact the classroom is just around the corner from the office. After several internal obscenities screaming in my head I reach the classroom.
You know you’re a professional when you can turn off that negative hatred for your day and put on that nice fake “I’m happy to be here” smile on your face without anyone knowing. The art teacher is laid back and she’s liked the best friend or mom of the school, which makes me a bit more at ease. I set up and give my first presentation. I was still a bit frazzled so it wasn’t great, but the kids and teacher enjoyed it immensely. Of course her planning period is second period which means I have an hour to leave campus have a cigarette and gather my thoughts. The only problem with that is, is that I have six straight presentations in a row with a half hour lunch break. I show back up to the classroom and lucky for me the teacher has a coffee pot in the room and put it to use. I’m at ease now that I have coffee for the rest of the day. That’s always a perk when a teacher has coffee in the room.
After six straight and the teacher buying me taco bell for lunch I have finished inspiring young minds for the day. I pack up my things, study the map and make my way to the airport with six hours to kill.
I’m starting to crave ice-tea so I stop off the ramp at a McDonalds. The only thing that I’ve seen for awhile. I grab my ice-tea have a cigarette and relax before I turn in Big Boy. Well as the day has been going, it’s not that easy.
Of course the ramp that I got off at now merges with a bunch of other main highways and I end up on the wrong one. I exit and backtrack through a back road where it’s apparently the busiest back road in Dallas. Stuck on this two-lane road I see now where I have to go I just have to be patient and wait it out. Almost there, I’m in front of train tracks and you guessed it, a train comes. The train barrels by and I get on the ramp and start heading to the airport.
After a few swift turns I make it to the Enterprise rental car return. I take out all my stuff and hug Big Boy good-bye. I head on down to the busses and jump on one of them. As we start moving, the driver says we’re going to terminal E. I look up at the map and see that I have to go to terminal A. But the bus isn’t going to terminal A. So I ask her where I should go and she very politely (like this happens a lot) tells me to go up the stairs and straight out the doors and get on another bus to terminal A. Please!!! No More Stairs!! It’s an escalator and I’m okay with that. I go out and find the bus. It’s actually going to terminal C and A. Of course C is first. The driver is a young guy with big teeth. I think he’s a bit mentally challenged but he can’t stop talking about his girlfriend. More power this mentally challenged big tooth kid with a girlfriend…. just rub it in brotha! After being on the bus for over 20minutes learning everything I about this lovesick driver’s relationship I finally get off the bus. I have to drag my luggage a city block to the check in at the kiosk. I check in, look around and find a seat to sit. Finally I zip through security because all the restaurants are on the other side, which sucks and find my way to the gate. I still have four hours to kill. I find a Friday’s and have dinner for about an hour. I then wander around the terminal looking at shops all exclaiming how proud they are about Dallas and Texas. I feel kind of sick to my stomach. I then come across one of those airports massage places and nod my head. The room is quite inviting. Relaxed. I ask for the back and neck massage and they escort me to the chair.
After everything I have been through this was the best decision I had made all day. In the chair I realized I had made my great escape. Not the escape of leaving Dallas and the trials I had gone through the whole week. But the escape of doing something for me. Finding an oasis in the middle of the airport where I could shut down my head for a short time, enjoy being pampered, and enjoy this great escape.
My flight was on time and I boarded without any incident. I found my seat and buckled in. I grabbed the blanket and rested my head against the window falling a sleep to sounds of S80 engine and the rocking of the turbulence.
My car was intact, no cracked windows. I drove home hitting every red light there is on 436. After some more obscenities I laughed at the irony of being stuck in my car so close to home. I finally make it home, which I will stay for the next 30 hours.
I know a lot of you are in the same boat with me. Frustrated and worn down because of work or life. I encourage you to find one moment of bliss, spend an extra few bucks to be pampered or relax into something that will make you feel good. My moment in that massage chair lasted 15 minutes but it was worth every penny. So go when you can and find your Great Escape.
And yes, I have made peace with the fact that I still hate Dallas.
I wake up, shower, brew coffee and pack. I check out of my hotel room with no problems. I make the mistake of drinking my entire cup of coffee before I leave the hotel. I usually like to take a cup with me for the drive, but the continental breakfast hasn’t been set up yet. I leave early to be able to get some breakfast and relax before I get to the school. It’s 6:am and I have to be at work by 7:30am.
I get on the roads, missing ramps and exits until finally I get on the right road. I’m cruising down I-30W listening to NPR that there’s a road closure on I-30 because of an over turn semi. Having no idea where I am let alone where the closure is. Sure enough the closure is up ahead. I’m stuck in the middle lane for almost a half hour. The time it says it will take me to get to the school from my hotel. Of all the times where I don’t have a cup of coffee. Everyone merges to one lane and exits. Unfortunately there are not detour signs and I kind of follow the others. A stoplight separates me from the pack so now I just go on intuition. I drive on these back roads until I come to a major intersection. I make a left and voila! There’s I-30! After that 15-minute detour and on the road for close to an hour I’m cruising down I-30 towards Fort Worth. Morning rush hour is starting to show it’s ugly face. Several on ramps begin to merge pushing to the making this three lane highway into five. I now find myself in the left lane and see my exit far on the right. With my sloppy driving skills and a few obscenities I make it over to my exit in the nick of time. A few left and right turns I’m finding my roads okay until I end up in a turn only lane bunched into cars so my only choice is to turn left on the wrong road. Of course it’s the longest light in Fort Worth so it forces me to think about how much I hate driving in these cities. So I turn left and right on a side street that gets me back on the right road but I can only turn right to go the wrong way. So here I am stuck at the longest light once again having to turn left. It’s one of those five street intersections so a U-Turn is not a good Idea. I turn left and see a Wendy’s open for breakfast. I still have twenty minutes so I stop and grab some coffee. Finally I have coffee and end up on the right road. The school happens to only be two miles from that mess and I pull into the parking lot with 10minutes to spare. I grab my stuff and wonder around the school looking for the main office. Of course I’m going the wrong way and when I finally get there, it hasn’t opened yet. I wait a couple of minutes and the lady shows up. I sign in and she gives me directions to the teacher’s class. The office lady who hasn’t had her coffee yet gives me the directions to the classroom. I walk dragging my presentation suitcase behind me and carrying a box. I didn’t mention that this school is built on a hill so there are steps everywhere. It makes ten times harder to lug this gear around. I end up where I started when I was lost looking for the main office and now find myself lost again. So up stairs through busy halls I end up back at the office. The office lady apologizes because she realizes she sent me the wrong way. In fact the classroom is just around the corner from the office. After several internal obscenities screaming in my head I reach the classroom.
You know you’re a professional when you can turn off that negative hatred for your day and put on that nice fake “I’m happy to be here” smile on your face without anyone knowing. The art teacher is laid back and she’s liked the best friend or mom of the school, which makes me a bit more at ease. I set up and give my first presentation. I was still a bit frazzled so it wasn’t great, but the kids and teacher enjoyed it immensely. Of course her planning period is second period which means I have an hour to leave campus have a cigarette and gather my thoughts. The only problem with that is, is that I have six straight presentations in a row with a half hour lunch break. I show back up to the classroom and lucky for me the teacher has a coffee pot in the room and put it to use. I’m at ease now that I have coffee for the rest of the day. That’s always a perk when a teacher has coffee in the room.
After six straight and the teacher buying me taco bell for lunch I have finished inspiring young minds for the day. I pack up my things, study the map and make my way to the airport with six hours to kill.
I’m starting to crave ice-tea so I stop off the ramp at a McDonalds. The only thing that I’ve seen for awhile. I grab my ice-tea have a cigarette and relax before I turn in Big Boy. Well as the day has been going, it’s not that easy.
Of course the ramp that I got off at now merges with a bunch of other main highways and I end up on the wrong one. I exit and backtrack through a back road where it’s apparently the busiest back road in Dallas. Stuck on this two-lane road I see now where I have to go I just have to be patient and wait it out. Almost there, I’m in front of train tracks and you guessed it, a train comes. The train barrels by and I get on the ramp and start heading to the airport.
After a few swift turns I make it to the Enterprise rental car return. I take out all my stuff and hug Big Boy good-bye. I head on down to the busses and jump on one of them. As we start moving, the driver says we’re going to terminal E. I look up at the map and see that I have to go to terminal A. But the bus isn’t going to terminal A. So I ask her where I should go and she very politely (like this happens a lot) tells me to go up the stairs and straight out the doors and get on another bus to terminal A. Please!!! No More Stairs!! It’s an escalator and I’m okay with that. I go out and find the bus. It’s actually going to terminal C and A. Of course C is first. The driver is a young guy with big teeth. I think he’s a bit mentally challenged but he can’t stop talking about his girlfriend. More power this mentally challenged big tooth kid with a girlfriend…. just rub it in brotha! After being on the bus for over 20minutes learning everything I about this lovesick driver’s relationship I finally get off the bus. I have to drag my luggage a city block to the check in at the kiosk. I check in, look around and find a seat to sit. Finally I zip through security because all the restaurants are on the other side, which sucks and find my way to the gate. I still have four hours to kill. I find a Friday’s and have dinner for about an hour. I then wander around the terminal looking at shops all exclaiming how proud they are about Dallas and Texas. I feel kind of sick to my stomach. I then come across one of those airports massage places and nod my head. The room is quite inviting. Relaxed. I ask for the back and neck massage and they escort me to the chair.
After everything I have been through this was the best decision I had made all day. In the chair I realized I had made my great escape. Not the escape of leaving Dallas and the trials I had gone through the whole week. But the escape of doing something for me. Finding an oasis in the middle of the airport where I could shut down my head for a short time, enjoy being pampered, and enjoy this great escape.
My flight was on time and I boarded without any incident. I found my seat and buckled in. I grabbed the blanket and rested my head against the window falling a sleep to sounds of S80 engine and the rocking of the turbulence.
My car was intact, no cracked windows. I drove home hitting every red light there is on 436. After some more obscenities I laughed at the irony of being stuck in my car so close to home. I finally make it home, which I will stay for the next 30 hours.
I know a lot of you are in the same boat with me. Frustrated and worn down because of work or life. I encourage you to find one moment of bliss, spend an extra few bucks to be pampered or relax into something that will make you feel good. My moment in that massage chair lasted 15 minutes but it was worth every penny. So go when you can and find your Great Escape.
And yes, I have made peace with the fact that I still hate Dallas.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
To the ones I love...
I do appreciate all the advice I received from everyone regarding last night’s rambling throw down. All of it helps in the construction of anyone’s or mine journey through life. Without the questions we ask answers will never rise. Everyone’s trials are their own their trials may be simple compared to someone else, but they are our own. Our situation that needs to be thought out or found in our own way. Ignoring questions is a way of giving up on our daily trials.
Positive mental attitude aka: PMA is a great way to live your daily life. Being positive when you wake up to the time you go to sleep is important. Having that positive energy changes the energy around you and everything else, but we all know we have those bad days where PMA is thrown out the window. No matter what happens to me I always end up having a good day eventually. When things are out of your control you have to throw up your hands and let life sort it self-out. Majority of the time you always find that it works it self out and worrying about it doesn’t accomplish anything other than stress and sleepless nights. Yet sometimes you can’t control it whether it’s a mental condition or a situation that was in your control that eats away at you. The month of August I was a recluse because of little things added up and I was being torn down. It took family and friends as well as my job for making me leave Florida to pull me out of it. Now I’m a recluse because of my job not because I want to be. Yet, everyday I try to inspire young adults, explore a new place and retreat back to a small room. But isn’t that why I write these blogs? To connect to all of you, my dear readers.
I have had this dream since before I was six years old about what I’ve wanted to do with my life. I’ve been persistent and patient. I’ve succeeded and failed. As the years go on reality sets in and you end up knowing more about the “real-life” of your dream and you have a choice to continue on or give up. Although, I have wanted to give up many times in exchange for a more simple life, I just can’t. So I will journey on.
My father brought up the differences between “want” and “need”. I debated him on the difference but I understand what he was saying. For example: I want a camera because I need to make movies to help me get ahead. But the difference is more internally than physical. The simple fact life is not fair and not matter what it will always be bad, bad, bad, good, bad…
For those of you who know me know, I enjoy my little blessings and never take them for granted. I’m sensitive to the things around me and I’m vocal about my emotions to which I have no shame. You know me when I’m serious and when I’m just being a dirty old man. My dry sense of humor has gotten me into trouble a hundred times over and my sarcasm can sometimes can be misunderstood by even my close friends. I’m a fan of the half-truth and I enjoy living in the gray area.
This blog thing is new to me and I love it. I will be able to tell my friends and family who cannot see me everyday look inside my mind for a few moments everyday. For my mother and father to better understand their son on how he ticks. My cousins to be better explain who I am to their children, faux cousin/friend to build to make our relationship stronger, high schools friends to see that we haven’t changed only grown up, new friends or people that don’t even know me that we are all in the same boat and my closest friends to let them know I’m alright and their love means so much. I write to you as an outlet for me because I trust and admire all of you dearly. I’ve said this often and I will continue, but without all of you I would be a lost soul. If God chooses to take me home tonight or years from now I will at least have this. If I lose any of you, I know I can call upon any of you to cry on your shoulder. I move around a lot especially now and it’s hard to say where’s my home. My home is inside all of you.
I’m like all of you. I have my good days and my bad days. I see challenges and victories all in one day. I ask question looking for answers. I question faith and rely on it. I give out the good and fuck up sometimes by being bad. Set backs makes us strive to be better. I believe people are all the same inside. We hope, dream and wish for certain things. We are all trying to do something. From the religious radicals to the impaired, belief is a powerful thing. We all believe in something and that’s what’s makes us similar it’s just our beliefs that makes us different. If I had born in a different time or different culture my belief would have been different. I was born to two loving parents, wanted to make movies and have strived to make that happen. I’ve seen most of the United States, met some of the most beautiful people in the world, loved, seen and experienced so many things in my life like all of you have. We live in a beautiful world where bad things happen.
Oh, I’ll question the bad all the time because that’s what’s going to add drama to all of this. Hell, I’m waiting for something controversial to happen real soon to keep you guys interested. It can’t be all roses. To be honest, I kind of feel a bit censored only because I respect my mom and dad so much, but I’m slowly going to break down those bridges. Not like anything like this has happened but what if I have a one-night stand at my hotel, what will you all think? I guess that remains to be seen. I suppose that will be all a part of this whole story of this one man’s journey inspiring high school kids and seeing the country.
Thank you for being a part of my journey and being my home. I love you all.
For the ones that read this and don’t comment let me know you exist. Say hello or make a statement.
Dad: you don’t have to scroll down to the bottom of the page to comment, you can comment at the end of each post. I want to make sure people read your comments every day.
Mom: You have so much to say, even if it’s a bad day. People can learn from you and your disease. I don’t know if my blog reaches those people, but you are wise and we youngin’s can learn from you.
Michael: Aka: Fairy God-Mother, along with my mom and dad you helped raise me. You have been patient, supportive and dealt with the most shit out of anyone. Nothing is hidden between us and I love you for that. You are a part of my family…period
Brit: What can I say that I haven’t said already? You Rock!!! Yeah, that’s frat boyish and unintelligent, but I’m allowed because you know the true meaning behind all of it. I love you dearly and forever. Everything you write is absolute brilliance.
Glenda: Thank you for helping with my mother now stop working and rest for one second, especially now you deserve it.
Stacy: Oh Stacy, what can I say. You are more beautiful than the first time I met you. You and Rob are amazing people and two of the most important people in my life. You guys shaped me at such an early age. Tell your step dad that I’m still sorry.
Brent: Where the hell have you been? I’m sorry if I contributed to your smoking but it felt right at the time. So awesome to hear from you, thank you!!
Ragan: I wish I could give you a hug right now. You have been reading these blogs and have been so supportive. I’m so sorry for everything you’re going through right now and we need that drink.
Carrie: I can’t imagine my childhood without you. Thank you for finding me.
Stephanie: You are the cousin that was with me the whole entire time. I miss you dearly and I love your children. I hope someday we can be closer but always know you’re in my thoughts constantly.
Aspen: I have no idea who you are, but your advice for Maine was awesome!!! Thank you sooooo much!
For the rest of you who haven’t commented or I didn’t mention…. COMMENT damnit and let me know you’re out there. I love you all…
Positive mental attitude aka: PMA is a great way to live your daily life. Being positive when you wake up to the time you go to sleep is important. Having that positive energy changes the energy around you and everything else, but we all know we have those bad days where PMA is thrown out the window. No matter what happens to me I always end up having a good day eventually. When things are out of your control you have to throw up your hands and let life sort it self-out. Majority of the time you always find that it works it self out and worrying about it doesn’t accomplish anything other than stress and sleepless nights. Yet sometimes you can’t control it whether it’s a mental condition or a situation that was in your control that eats away at you. The month of August I was a recluse because of little things added up and I was being torn down. It took family and friends as well as my job for making me leave Florida to pull me out of it. Now I’m a recluse because of my job not because I want to be. Yet, everyday I try to inspire young adults, explore a new place and retreat back to a small room. But isn’t that why I write these blogs? To connect to all of you, my dear readers.
I have had this dream since before I was six years old about what I’ve wanted to do with my life. I’ve been persistent and patient. I’ve succeeded and failed. As the years go on reality sets in and you end up knowing more about the “real-life” of your dream and you have a choice to continue on or give up. Although, I have wanted to give up many times in exchange for a more simple life, I just can’t. So I will journey on.
My father brought up the differences between “want” and “need”. I debated him on the difference but I understand what he was saying. For example: I want a camera because I need to make movies to help me get ahead. But the difference is more internally than physical. The simple fact life is not fair and not matter what it will always be bad, bad, bad, good, bad…
For those of you who know me know, I enjoy my little blessings and never take them for granted. I’m sensitive to the things around me and I’m vocal about my emotions to which I have no shame. You know me when I’m serious and when I’m just being a dirty old man. My dry sense of humor has gotten me into trouble a hundred times over and my sarcasm can sometimes can be misunderstood by even my close friends. I’m a fan of the half-truth and I enjoy living in the gray area.
This blog thing is new to me and I love it. I will be able to tell my friends and family who cannot see me everyday look inside my mind for a few moments everyday. For my mother and father to better understand their son on how he ticks. My cousins to be better explain who I am to their children, faux cousin/friend to build to make our relationship stronger, high schools friends to see that we haven’t changed only grown up, new friends or people that don’t even know me that we are all in the same boat and my closest friends to let them know I’m alright and their love means so much. I write to you as an outlet for me because I trust and admire all of you dearly. I’ve said this often and I will continue, but without all of you I would be a lost soul. If God chooses to take me home tonight or years from now I will at least have this. If I lose any of you, I know I can call upon any of you to cry on your shoulder. I move around a lot especially now and it’s hard to say where’s my home. My home is inside all of you.
I’m like all of you. I have my good days and my bad days. I see challenges and victories all in one day. I ask question looking for answers. I question faith and rely on it. I give out the good and fuck up sometimes by being bad. Set backs makes us strive to be better. I believe people are all the same inside. We hope, dream and wish for certain things. We are all trying to do something. From the religious radicals to the impaired, belief is a powerful thing. We all believe in something and that’s what’s makes us similar it’s just our beliefs that makes us different. If I had born in a different time or different culture my belief would have been different. I was born to two loving parents, wanted to make movies and have strived to make that happen. I’ve seen most of the United States, met some of the most beautiful people in the world, loved, seen and experienced so many things in my life like all of you have. We live in a beautiful world where bad things happen.
Oh, I’ll question the bad all the time because that’s what’s going to add drama to all of this. Hell, I’m waiting for something controversial to happen real soon to keep you guys interested. It can’t be all roses. To be honest, I kind of feel a bit censored only because I respect my mom and dad so much, but I’m slowly going to break down those bridges. Not like anything like this has happened but what if I have a one-night stand at my hotel, what will you all think? I guess that remains to be seen. I suppose that will be all a part of this whole story of this one man’s journey inspiring high school kids and seeing the country.
Thank you for being a part of my journey and being my home. I love you all.
For the ones that read this and don’t comment let me know you exist. Say hello or make a statement.
Dad: you don’t have to scroll down to the bottom of the page to comment, you can comment at the end of each post. I want to make sure people read your comments every day.
Mom: You have so much to say, even if it’s a bad day. People can learn from you and your disease. I don’t know if my blog reaches those people, but you are wise and we youngin’s can learn from you.
Michael: Aka: Fairy God-Mother, along with my mom and dad you helped raise me. You have been patient, supportive and dealt with the most shit out of anyone. Nothing is hidden between us and I love you for that. You are a part of my family…period
Brit: What can I say that I haven’t said already? You Rock!!! Yeah, that’s frat boyish and unintelligent, but I’m allowed because you know the true meaning behind all of it. I love you dearly and forever. Everything you write is absolute brilliance.
Glenda: Thank you for helping with my mother now stop working and rest for one second, especially now you deserve it.
Stacy: Oh Stacy, what can I say. You are more beautiful than the first time I met you. You and Rob are amazing people and two of the most important people in my life. You guys shaped me at such an early age. Tell your step dad that I’m still sorry.
Brent: Where the hell have you been? I’m sorry if I contributed to your smoking but it felt right at the time. So awesome to hear from you, thank you!!
Ragan: I wish I could give you a hug right now. You have been reading these blogs and have been so supportive. I’m so sorry for everything you’re going through right now and we need that drink.
Carrie: I can’t imagine my childhood without you. Thank you for finding me.
Stephanie: You are the cousin that was with me the whole entire time. I miss you dearly and I love your children. I hope someday we can be closer but always know you’re in my thoughts constantly.
Aspen: I have no idea who you are, but your advice for Maine was awesome!!! Thank you sooooo much!
For the rest of you who haven’t commented or I didn’t mention…. COMMENT damnit and let me know you’re out there. I love you all…
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