Buy the ticket....take the ride...

the drama continues...

2011-12-15T21:40:00.000-08:00

The last few days have been ok. Shit is still happening that is annoying but for the most part things are on the right track. I don't feel 100% but i'll get there.
I am doing better than my christian doppleganger. This blog is not going to become a repost of his life on facebook but when I got home I was in an iffy mood. Ate, started a movie and checked facebook for a second and this is what I found....

going to have a sad x-mas without the person i love hope she will come back...posted 3 hours ago ...

A little whiney but we've all been there right...
Scrolled down and found this...

need a roommate....posted 4 hours ago ...

I laughed out loud.
I know I've been hit by some busses in my time and everytime I learned and for the most part have not been hit (seriously) by the same bus twice. Apparently in alternate universes, I have not learned that lesson yet.

trip

2011-12-07T00:10:00.000-08:00

Ok, that last post was a downer. this won't be much better but at least its a different subject.

The plan for this years trip has been set for some time but now I'm going through the bureaucracy of getting government approvals and that blows. I'm still going, getting jerked around for no good reason is annoying.

I don't feel any better.

the facebook mirror

2011-12-06T23:52:00.000-08:00

Haven't posted a bit but things have been going on.
My last post was a little disjointed so let me clear it up.

On facebook, I added a bunch of Paul Caballero's to see if the life i'm living here is similar to the life I'm living in other bodies in other parts of the world. Apparently, I'm pretty much the same everywhere.

The most disturbing me is a Christian living in texas that does not write very well. He will go silent for a while then go on jags where he posts how great god is and to follow the word. Three four posts in ten minutes. Scary.

When I see him post I'm fascinated but scared. Is there part of me in there too? Probably. As we will see, definitely.

Broke up with the girlfriend. It's been a few weeks. I've been down but handling it.

Checking facebook...What do I see...these are direct quotes from psycho christian me...

BrokeN
This is for the broken hearted.
I know how you feel. Empty, betrayed, and no happiness whatsoever. You don't want to laugh, because you know it's not going to help, but you don't want to cry, because it will just make you feel worse. You feel like your heart is falling apart, but not only that, but you know soon your life is going to feel like it's falling apart too.

then days later...

You were my first love
The earth moving under me
Bedroom scent, beauty ardent
Distant shiver, heaven sent

followed by...

i feel so broken inside that it making me cry they said a man does cry i do that a lie when u love someone u cry like a babe plz can one or two of my tell me what to do

Holy shit...!
I'll spare the previous posts where in the space of 20 hours he professes his love for the girl that was his new girlfriend and now it's busted on the side of the road. I remember being that paul caballero...Not too long ago...whoa...

I wrote poems, I cried until my cheeks hurt but fuck I didn't even think I could remember those times.

I posted on the christian me's page to hang on, let it feel as bad as it does because it will get better.

I learned that lesson but wow...to see me having to learn it again....from far away...wow....

the internet is a strange place...

Interesting how the universe works

2011-06-07T17:11:00.000-07:00

I'm at the airport. Good trip. Dodgers lost but I had fun. Had some time between things so I check mail, facebook etc.

Checking facebook, the psycho Christian me on facebook posts this...

I had an ex from my past call me. She can't get over past can sum help her get past.

Come on! Really! Even my fucked up Christian self can't hit the fairway when it comes to women?

Plane is boarding.., it gets better...
Depending on how you look at it...

Facebook

2011-04-11T01:08:00.001-07:00

So I'm on facebook. I'm conflicted about it. It seems so self important, it brings out the narcissism in a lot of us, and there is alot of that going around in society.
So I thought I would at least put a spin on it.
I searched for Paul caballero's. Turns out there are a lot of them. I'm curios so I friend one in Columbia. He speaks only Spanish. I. Get updates from him I can't understand. I should but I don't. Funny.
I friend another one in new York. He's ok but a little quiet. I pick up one on no cal and another one I texas.
Interesting to think my other selves living my other lives.
So I check facebook occasionally and one night the Texas me posts three messages in about ten minutes... Crazy shit. Oh fuck! Texas me is a born again Christian! He's posting bible quotes and Sunday school stuff.
He freaks me out but I decide not to dump him. He is afterall my sort of brother and I have sides of me I don't like but I still keep on going.
Wacky Christian me is quiet a lot but every week or so blasts facebook with manic posts about god and the plan and bible quotes.
Weird.
I don't know where it comes from but I feel connected to all of it.
I'm not changing my course but it's funny when Christian me goes off and I think... What the hell am I talking about?
Colombian me speaks only Spanish and I can't understand and Christian me speaks English and I can't understand. Nice!

hot

2011-04-03T17:25:00.000-07:00

Came home the other day. My house was an oven. Heat coming from the floor it was so hot..but Vin Scully on the radio, Dodgers on the TV. Beat the Giants and everything is right.
I dragged myself into the new year. The birthday trip was good but not as exotic as I'm accustomed and the weather has been grey. Things seemed to be in neutral but now we are in the nineties. Dodger beat the giants two in a row and I went to park. Dodgers win, I got to stand in center field and watch fireworks.
Things are good.
Not perfect but when are things perfect really. Enjoy the moments when they come.

fumes

2011-03-22T14:51:00.000-07:00

Got up late. Checked the market. I'm down today.
Coffee and cake for breakfast. Out to see the seagram building. Have to see some landmarks and check them off the list.
This city is loud. There is always a conversation within earshot that I can't tune out. The street is ok but on the subway i'm trapped and the average conversation...

Saw the Seagram but did not go in to see the four seasons where the rothkos would have gone.

Down the street was MOMA. Went over to draw. Bad results.

Hungry.

I made a note from a travel channel show to get the beef sandwich at Brennan and Carr's in Brooklyn. It was a long way from where I was but I've been eating like a pig and a ride and walk would do me good.

A long ride and a medium walk and I was there.

Beef, Double Dipped. Beef dipped in au jus. Bun Dipped in au jus. great. gone in less than two minutes. I did not time it but it was pretty quick.

Worth the trip once.

Back at the hotel. The lobby is crowded. Most of the time. This morning I got a seat but that was the only time I've seen it.

I was just down there and it's packed. I found a seat only to be told it was reserved. Finished my pretzel and I"m going to lay down.

Plane tomorrow. Out tonight for something and plan the morning.

night

2011-03-21T22:51:00.000-07:00

fuck.
exhausted.
I'm burning as much as I can. Thursday back to work. I like my job but fuck, I have to make this time count.
Went to PS1 MOMA this morning. AWESOME! A converted schoolhouse turned art gallery. It would be worth it to just walk around th builiding.
Cheap chinese from an asian man with a thick grey floor broom mustache. He was a loud and happy guy. Lot of food. Ate the left overs in bed watching TV.
Nap then went to hear live jazz at the smoke club. Another good choice but now I'm beat.
2am here, 11 back home. I hope I haven't fucked my sleep schedule too badly.
more later.

done

2011-03-21T07:34:00.000-07:00

about 1230 yesterday, driving up the new jersey turnpike. I see it. The empire state builiding. I had an idea, a concept of being in this moment when I started this trip 10 days ago but that first glimpse was a little surreal.
Toll after toll then, the lincoln tunnel. $5 toll. White tiles underground then sunlight and I was here. The sound, the grime, the lumpy streets. You know you are in New York. Where else could you be?
I flashed back to leaving at 3am in Long Beach. On the road and the road I usually take to Vegas I turned right and now i'm here.
It was more exhausting than I thought it would be. I wanted to be home days ago but pressed. I"m glad I did.
I have nothing to do. No plan and today it snowed for a bit.
I went to a play last night. "Freud's Last Session" that was very well done and a lot of fun. My second play ever in New York.
It's cold and wet now, but from the news it's cold and wet in LA so, fuck, why not be in NY.
Changed hotels. The new one is very cool. LIke an upscale Chelsea Hotel, without the history.
Two more days then home.
Planning for next year.
I have an idea but ...it will take some work.

Busted...

2011-03-19T17:16:00.000-07:00

It's just not Vegas. In town up. Leave town flat. Not broke but even. I had one dealer that was fun and professional the rest douchy. Ha! Spell check thinks I don't really mean douchy.
I came for the experience and I got it. Hotel, clean up, rest. Maybe go for round two before I leave.

I should be in NYC in the morning.

That is really what this trip is about...
Later

Ac

2011-03-19T17:15:00.000-07:00

Sitting on the beach in Atlantic city. Last time I was here I stayed about three hours. Got my pin, lost 100 then bused back to NYC. Not pleasant.

I've been here about two hours. Lost 100 but I'm taking my time.

I put my feet in the surf. Picked up some black scallop shells and feeling the sun on my face.

This is not Vegas. I can flame out in Vegas and I still love it. The casino here was like a bus station with carpet.

The beach is nicer. No one is here. Well not right here. Down sways about 30 kids are gathering. I'm getting out of here.

Funnel cake bound...

green

2011-03-16T20:10:00.000-07:00

God where do I start.

Left Louisville this afternoon. Crossed the municipal bridge to Indiana where I had a turkey sandwich on foccaia bread that made me sink in my seat it was so good. The meal deal at this place gives you a sandwich, cupcake, bag of chips and a drink. I'm a genius. I talked myself into a second cupcake instead of the chips. Mortality wise it's probably a push but down the road with a cup of coffee I was again very pleased with my choices.

Somewhere in the east of Kentucky people started to drive 10 over the limit just like back home so I got a little more comfortable with my fellow travellers and I continued to notice the landscape.

Kentucky is pretty. Hills roll with brown veg and trees clumped together. In the spring the green must be deafening but even now the brown curving hilltops are something nice to look at.

I crossed into West Virginia. Mountains. Rolling up, down, up...up..Rocky sides on the roads. Nature had no need for this road man broke it down and put it in.

Richmond. Am I going to make Richmond.

I stoppped at a very very cool Folk Art Museum in Kentucky. Pictures of sharecroppers from the 30's and hand crafted carvings, scultures and paintings that were amazing. You could not get further from the art establishment. I wanted to stay but ...Richmond.

6pm.

West Virginia. Coffee won't help.

Fatigue.

Where to stop. What would fit.

WOW! Greenbrier! The golf resort and it's historical. I saw it on the history channel. Google it. Yes, google it.

It's a little extravagant but I eat cold cuts for a month sometimes to make sure I can do what I want on this trip and this was one of those calls.

I stopped at a mcdonalds, wified the reservation and pulled away.

It's dark now and I get to a gate.

...

The guard smiles and looks down at me...

Caballero....I say...

Yes Mr. Caballero....Up and to the left....

I drive up and it looks like the white house. NICE! Lite up and clean like my house isn't.

Since I had just booked the room they had trouble getting me settled so they upgraded me to ...something....

I got to the room and it must be a suite. 2.5 bath. The room is big. Well appointed. but...fuck....the room....has flowered wall paper...I mean 4 foot fucking flowers in walt disney colors. It's fucking loud...I layed down and I was pretty sure I could hear the wallpaper from the toilet.

The staff are very curteous in that professional way. I can't ask for more.

I go through the welcome pack turn on the tv to the hotel station...WTF! CASINO!
They just opened a casino down stairs.

!!!!

Shower. Sleep for 9 minutes...

FUCK!

In the welcome pack, the casino has a dress code. I like James Bond and all but I'm just not the jacket and tie type and I have ratty tennies. I NEVER anticipated I would be in a place like this.
I called down and they will loan me a jacket and they are not hard and fast about the shoes.

BOOM!

Tonya, the casino concierge, very sweet girl gets me a jacket and I'm in.

The craps table is packed. One table. Wall to wall gringos. Blue hairs on the southend Yuppsters on the North. The yuppsters had their own jackets.

The table is howling so I'm not getting in.

Slots.

Up...down....down...down...small bits....chipping at my stack.

Waiting for the table. They are wedged in .

Zues....I won big on Zeus in vegas....

bing bing bing! Win $100. Nice.

Now I have to get at the table. I ask the manager if he plans on putting a crew on the second table. He says no but there is probably room at the one that's open. He leans in a the older couple split. I'M IN!

So I'm next to a very nice loud white lady that weighs about what a deck of cards weighs but howls "YO!" like a foghorn. To my left is a 6 or 7 foot white haired man with my jacket.

Hey, we are going to get along.

The dice are at the far and and the lady keeps talking to me. I don't like to make conversation very much at the table but sometimes it happens and soundtimes its fun so I go with it.

She wants me to wish for a 4. I guarantee it. 9 9 5 12 3 4....Hey. It's what I do.

Shooter rolls for a while. A good roll. Lady gets the dice rolls. Craps out.

This is what I'm here for. Now I'm still up for the gambling portion of my trip. I could play it safe but fuck come on.... really....why?

My point is five.
Dice...boom! roll
Dice...boom! roll
Dice...boom! roll
I lose one over the rail and I ask for it back. I can hear a guy at the other end of the table. "some people take long but this guy is quick"
Not with everything but ...thanks for the thought.
Dice...boom! roll
Dice...boom! roll
Dice...boom! roll
5
winner..
I'm betting across and hitting my points.
7 out.
I'm down a little but I love the dice in my hand.

There is a lot to see here so I have to be up early to tour the grounds, see the bunker and the gardens. Try to make Richmond or revise my plan.

I kept the jacket.
My plan may include the table .

sleep well.

Time

2011-03-16T17:41:00.000-07:00

During this trip I will knock off two things on my things to do list. I'm tired already.
Usually my birthday is an amazing day. Yesterday was nice but not extraordinary and that's ok.
When you consider all of the things going on in the world millions on people would give everything they could for just a taste on normalcy.

During these trips the experience is the thing. Seeing, being, doing, experiencing. Being exhausted. A little frustrated and tense is part of the experience.

Seeing, doing, writing and drawing it all and I can remember it.

Writing on the iPod is tedious so I'll stop here.

The hotel has a casino.

Later

Days with many parts

2011-03-14T23:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was in Oklahoma city. Saw the art museum which was nice. On the way out of town I went to the murrah bombing memorial site. It is very well done. Simple. Elegant. Horribly sad. The car ride softened the feel. Terrible there are two ground zeros in the US.

Drive drive drive. The plan was to get to Memphis but fatigue changed my plans.

I stopped in little rock.stayed at the Capitol hotel. An amazing building and a terrific hotel. I never would have thought I would want to return to Arkansas but I do.

The morning came and I went to the Clinton library. Remembering the 90s before Bush seemed so long ago.

Driving again. Memphis. Beale and sun studios. Great stuff! My group sang parts of great balls of fire and I walk the line in the same studio they were recorded in.

A good day.

I'll be out of touch tomorrow.
It's after midnight.
I'm 46.
I've come a long way...

I 40

2011-03-13T17:41:00.000-07:00

I'm slowing down. Not pushing for the next stop as I planned and using some of the slack I built in my schedule.
Stopped at four Indian casinos. Up 110 dollars. Nice!
Last casino hand playing card crap...boooooooo.
Coffee pie casino.....repeat.
Free wi fi at McDonalds . Thanks Ronald.
Later

ok ok

2011-03-13T12:07:00.000-07:00

Arrived last night from Santa Fe.
Shorter drive but still the drive is getting to me.
Ate. Slept.
Woke up this morning. Oatmeal is $5. Brought to the room. $8.
So I go down to the cafe. The hotel is very nicely done. Historic building with all new appointments. People are friendly. Genuinely friendly. The guy at starbuck could really give a shit about what kind of day I'm having. Here at least, they seem to care.
I sat down, unfolded myself and an older asian lady came to serve me. Her accent was charming and she moved like she wanted to go 90 mph but was told to go 30. I gave her my order and she disappeared.
I drew for a little bit and and came with coffee and turned her head down to talk to me like I was nine years old with a grandma's smile and eyes. It was nice.
Coffee in me, my eyes were cracked open and brain starting to shuffle, the lady...comes....she comes to the table with a plate with fruit and oatmeal...held like it was the kings crown and she says ..."Here comes the sweetie..."
I laugh to myself when I think of it. Those are the moments I love on these trips.
I had two more cups of coffee and finished all my oatmeal.
I asked her name and she told me, Kim. I thanked her for a great breakfast and she told me to come back soon.
So sweet.
Off to the OK art museum, a show on George Nelson. Had not heard of him but his designs I'm a fan of. One of those people whose work you know but have been invisible.
I'm late.
I'll be in Memphis late tonight or tomorrow.
Tired but not exhausted.

santa fe

2011-03-12T06:58:00.000-08:00

I don't know.
I planned on getting here in about 10 hours. No traffic and following the plan it took 17. Brutal. I stopped a couple of times to stretch, eat and gamble (I won $30 at a slot machine but lost $60 at the craps table).
Santa Fe just kept getting further and further away.
I left at 3am, about 5 the sun rose directly above the road ahead of me. I had to drive looking away from the road. NICE!
The redstone and desert were great to look at. The day turned the colors so there was always something to watch.
Coming in to New Mexico it was much of the same but the pueblo architecture was all around. There is a good art vibe here.
The hotel is great. Small. Intimate and full of character.
I slept like a log in a deep soft bed.
Now I'm up. 7. I'm never up at 7 but it's vacation and I get full of piss to see everything and keep moving.
I just walked around the St Francis area and it's great. I want to see the city but I have to be in NYC and get the car back.
I have slack in my schedule but I get the itch to move.
Should be in OKC tonight.
later.

Car

2011-02-07T20:27:00.000-08:00

Booked the car today.
I'm jacked up for my trip.
Seems my birthday comes along when I need it. Then comes baseball.
Life is good

The blog

2010-12-28T00:52:00.001-08:00

People ask why I hate facebook. I don't hate facebook itself, I hate the unintended sense of familiarity it represents.
I really don't have 60 some friends. I have people that hit a page and look at it to see what I'm up to with varying degrees of interest.
You can get a message out and reach a lot of people at the same time but I think there is something wrong when some things are too easy.
Ok, the idea is a little fucked up and cynical but so am I.
If you are reading this blog this is the end. I don't invite everyone here and not many people check it. This is where I write, vent, bitch and open up a nerve or two to let them breathe. I get to fifth gear now and again and the friends that know about this and the strangers that hit this page by accident, I thank you for your time.
I just put up more videos from Antarctica on my youtube and you can find the link on the right side of the page.
Peace everyone...

parrots

2010-12-20T16:35:00.000-08:00

It's raining. A lot. 3 inches yesterday.
Not a lot for some places but for LA it's a record.

There is a group of wild parrots that wander through my backyard for time to time. The make a wild clatter that is unlike anything I find in my day normally. When they come I feel like it's good luck.

Today, in the rain, they are here. In my neighbors tree in the backyard. I've been out listening to them. Getting wet and watching them run from tree to tree.

I decided to post and get a video and just happened to get the bunch moving out.

Very cool.

red red red

2010-12-12T19:48:00.001-08:00

I've been drawing for a few years and in the last couple of years I've been experimenting with colors. First pencils, then pastels and during one of my trips I bought some watercolors and have been using them when the mood strikes me.
I've been using green, yellow, black, brown and blue. They've worked but not for everything.
I missed the red. No problem right. Pick up a red when I can but...everyone here sells the watercolor sets not individual pans.
It got to the point where I contemplated going back to Italy to get a red pan of watercolor.
BUT! yesterday on the way to LACMA I stopped at an art store and I had to ask and they had rundown display of individual water color pans! 90% were gone and the pieces that were left were dusty but they had red. A dingy red but red.
I just did a test and it's great!
That is what I wanted for christmas and I got it.
My needs are simple.

Fear

2010-11-20T17:49:00.000-08:00

We all know fear.
When I was little I looked for comfort. Familiarity. Certainty.
I still like known qualities and surroundings as my base but...
That voice... In the back of my head... The fear voice... When it says "Fuck no! I'm not doing that!"
The instinct I developed to protect me I've learned to disconnect to drive, inspire and impress me.
I don't take crazy risks or break the law ( that I would admit) but I've been pushing back against my limits and really i can truly saw this is the best time in my life.

heaven's gate

2010-09-28T23:28:00.000-07:00

The worst movie ever.
No. Tedious. A resounding yes.
I watched the dvd with an open mind. How bad could it be, really.
After an hour I had to stop. To rest.
In the second hour I put it on fast play. 1.4x speed and STILL! it plodded.
My god!
COME ON!
I got to intermission and left.
I picked it up again 4 days later.
This was like a kid with a piece of gristle he had to eat. I was going to finish it.
Two days ago I sent it back to netflix.
One star.
I've seen zero star movies. Netflix won't let you go zero stars but it was better than that.
Unless you absolutely have a need to see it. Move on.

splitting

2010-07-24T20:39:00.000-07:00

I haven't ridden in a long time. I had a motorcycle safety class this morning and my coworker, through profound generosity, lent me his bike to ride for a couple of days.
I was beat last night and this week work was a bitch so this morning. I woke up at 8am. Missed my class but got some desperately needed sleep.
The day was hot and clear. The weather has been like this for weeks and I've been filing up with the sense that I'm missing the opportunity to ride. Today I had the means and the desire so this afternoon I was off.
Now last night I picked up the bike and rode on the freeway at night on a poorly lit stretch of the 71. I could feel my pulse pushing through my neck. The elevated overpass transitioning to the 60, heights freak me out and knowing I was up and on a motorcycle that could easily lose control keep me on edge. A few times the asphalt grooved and jerked the bike to the side or up causing a few episode of tense puckering on my part.
I was freaked but really down deep. I loved it. When I got home I felt like I accomplished something. I stayed alive, yes, a minor achievement but there were times when I wanted to pull off take a safer route but I pushed and kept to the original plan and did it.

This afternoon, I went to Cooks Corner. Down the 5 to the 55 up in the hills. The day was as promised. Hot but with my jacket open, perfect. A new band was playing covers of Zeppelin and the like. What a day.

After an hour or so, back on the road.

55
5..
Traffic.

Now I will readily admit.
I'm a pussy on a motorcycle.
I"m new. I don't push it. I rarely go over 70mph and I stay to the right when I can.
But..
I was feeling it. That nerve that will sometimes get hit that says...Go ahead...try it.
The nerve has a pretty good record so...
BUMP...BUMP...BUMP...
FUCK! The lane markers were uneven and as I was over them I knew I was going to go between cars, over the markers that could push me, left, right, fuck, I don't know.
BUMP ...BUMP ...BUMP...
Traffic slowed....
BUMP...BUMP ...BUMP...
Opening....on the right...

BUMP....BUMP....BUMP...
SUV on my left...truck on my right......BUMP ....BUMP ...BUMP....Truck moved....and I was three wide in two lanes....then I was clear....

Anyone that has been riding for a while can see this is a minor accomplishment hardly worth noting for two seconds in a conversation let alone to write down but FUCK YOU....I did it...and I did it again....
A long row of cars. Traffic. 20 mph...
BUMP...BUMP...BUMP...
This was it ...this was the real shit. ....
White car in the fast lane....VW sedan, grey in the second lane...
BUMP...BUMP ....BUMP...
White car moves over....and I'm in the crease....passing...passing...passing...FUCK! I'm doing it...I'm that guy!
Then open road!
wow! I nearly shit myself twice and I was three across a couple of times hoping neither one of my comrades in traffic would take a call, change a station or fart, swerve and kill me, but hey...this is living.

I'm not going to make a habit of this but from time to time....I like to see how the odds are treating me.
Peace fuckers...

blog

2010-07-04T15:19:00.000-07:00

I helped my brother set up his blog. His looked really good so I decided to take a look and see what I could do with mine. Been a while since I played with it.
Life is much the same. Nothing new to report. No trips or events really.
Tonight, fireworks at my oldest friends house. The guys, barbeque, and fire. What more could you ask.

plants

2010-04-26T20:58:00.000-07:00

Vegas weekend. Up. Down. The energy was different this trip. Each time has it's moments. I'm glad I went. Got away for a bit.
On the way back I left early. 2pm or so and wandered my way home. I wanted gas so I saw an ARCO sign at Minneola only to find every building was boarded up, empty or in the process of being slowly reclaimed by vandals.
I went a little further and pulled off in Barstow at Main street. I usually get a burrito, gas, coke and keep going but, since I was by myself, I made and executive decision and followed Main Street to see where it went.
Downtown Barstow reminded me of a corn cob that fell out of a trash can. At one time fresh but now dried up, cracking and faded. I kept going to see if it would get better but it didn't. I've seen worse...MUCH worse...I got out of my car at one point to get gas and I didn't feel unsafe but it's sad to see a place dimmed so much.
I got to Lenwood. Made a right to get to the freeway again and I saw a sign. DESERT PLANTS. Plants for sale out of someone's front yard. I like plants. I need some for the house and this seemed like an interesting place to stop.
Mostly dirt there were a few dozen cactus, succulents and stuff I didn't know what it was growing in pots, planters and in the ground. I picked up one and looked around for the owner. I walked around for a couple of minutes until a man, like a twig this guy, 6'2", glasses and a white beard that looked like a soap brush came out.
The man came and behind him three cats in about the same shape he was in, all of them calling, and hopping on table and plant.
This guy was seventy. At least. In the desert. Maybe younger but however many years they were hard, but he was smiley, polite and I could feel a big kind heart behind that beard. We chatted for a bit. Talked about plants. I picked up another plant and offered a bit more than he asked, to be polite. He told me I had to come back to get some Joshua trees he was growing.
Next time. I'm stopping.
I do need plants.
And it's not far off the Lenwood Exit on the 15. If you need a plant or just want to meet a cool old man trying to keep it going stop.
Lenwood and Main, Barstow.

two movies

2010-04-20T01:46:00.000-07:00

I use netflix and have for some time. It's interesting how when I put my list together, mostly at random in the middle of the night, how I end up with de facto film festivals, with an actor or director but tonight it was a theme.
On the menu tonight. Black Hawk Down and The Seventh Seal. Fuck....
They both wore me out.
Black Hawk Down I had to stop several times and rest because the sound, scenery and tension was too much. The Seventh Seal I had to stop once because my head got tired. Lot of symbolism running around and it's late.
I saw a documentary on the Bhuddah last week. Throw that in the mix and there is a lot of stuff going on in my head and in my heart.
Fascinating.
Lots of work this week.
Weather is good.
Tired.
But a trip to vegas and another round of motorcycles on tap for next weekend.
Life is good.

finito

2010-03-29T14:43:00.000-07:00

the last day in buenos. I walked in an eco park. Ate a salmon salad, then immediately came across and barbeque sausage truck....ugh...i made the right choice...BUT IT WAS RIGHT THERE! Ate a cookie, had some coffee. Museum. Walked.
Up to the top of my hotel for a last look, then the airport.
I did ok. Lines not bad. Had a good seat from argentina to JFK.
JFK to LA. I had to piss 5 times. 5! What is that! Guy next to me got up once! Steel plated bladder mother fucker!

I like when unusual things happen so I can check them off my list.
Peed in the airplane toilet during turbulance. Check.
Long boat ride. Check.

During the plane ride from NY to LA I got to check off another curious event.
Watching the movie an alert came up....ANY LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL ON BOARD PLEASE CONTACT A FLIGHT ATTENDANT. WE NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE. As this came up the flight attendants broke out the defibrillator. NICE! I thought we might divert or see some frontier medicine but nothing else happened. We disembarked with no other problems either so it might have just been gas. Whatever.

Home again. The airport ride pact has been completed once again and now will be renewed when my friend needs a ride and we renew the pact.

It's good to be home. I'm looking forward to going to work. The routine. Then soon enough....it will be time to plan next years journey.

The circle of life..sort of...

walking

2010-03-27T17:35:00.000-07:00

Last night in buenos. This is what I found. Headed out to the jazz club.
This is the second run at posting.
Will try again with more about what happened today.

last day

2010-03-27T16:58:00.000-07:00

I leave tomorrow. So I walked.
Picked up my laundry and head to La Boca. Guidebook says dont stray from the path. La Boca can be dicey. So I went during the day, completely off the path and yes, I saw, smelled, heard...
Wandering dogs of all sizes
Cooked and cooking dog shit
An abuela yelling for a kid
A kid wilding scuffling home because abuela was calling
Corrogated metal buildings two stories high
Two sixty year old men playing ¨Slugfest¨ and laughing in front of a tenement
Bars
Cracked concrete
Laughter
Men dragging parts of a falled tree through the streets

I didn´t feel threatened. It could be considered ugly but I saw it as just another scene. I liked it. I would go back just to take more pictures and draw it.

To get to this part I had to take a ride. I walked toward a tall orange bridge while I was in town. I got to the end and there were in fact two bridges. One new, tall and orange and a brown metal wreck. Now that the bridge was out people still have to get across right? So it looks like some twenty year olds put up 2 small buildings, three row boats and for 80 cents argentinian they row you across. Check the video. I kept thinking, this would never happen in the US, or the trip would cost nine dollars and be sponsered by citibank. It was very very cool.

I have a confession to make. Yesterday I did something that I did not write about in the blog because I was embarrassed and ashamed of. I bought some fruit yesterday as I did say but as I walked out of the store and down the street a kid about 20 came up to me as I was waiting for an opening in the traffic to cross the street. In my defense, my spanish is bad and it takes some time for me to compute, decide and respond when someone talks to me. This kid was fine, a little odd and uncomfortable so my guard was up and this was not a great part of town. He said something to me in spanish, pointed and I picked out the word, UNO.

Living where I live, I feel bad but my default setting when someone asks for anything in the street, is no. And that was my response, Lo seinto, no.

We crossed the street and he disappeared into a building then it hit me...this guy was hungry and asked for a piece of fruit. Damn. This kid looked uncomfortable asking and I thought he would feel even worse if I chased him so I could give him that stupid bag with a peach and pear in it.

I tried to minimize it but it stuck with me. It doesn´t seem like a big thing but really someone asks for some fruit and what kind of asshole says no. Fortunately, whatever forces at work yesterday were at work again today because coming back after my second boat ride across the water I walked through the park and up a hill. I was feeling pretty good because I thought I was really seeing and feeling everything around me. Taking it all in for those times when I´m at work or in line at DMV when it´s nice to go somewhere else in your head for a couple of minutes.

And I heard some very faint words. I almost kept going but I stopped and turned and there was an old man that looked like he was 6 foot squashed to 5 foot at the top of a grassy patch of hill. "Joven, Joven..." He was pointing at the ground and half smiling. I was quietly racing through every word this man said and I picked out "dame su manito por favor" So I walked up and gave him my hand and steadied him as he shuffled slowly across the grass, exposed roots from a tree and an uneven patch of concrete. He talked to me like my grandmother used to talk to me when I couldn´t understand and I was to stupid to listen then but I listened today.

He was smiling and made it to the path. He patted my back and told me thank you. I don´t even remember what I said I was just grateful to have that moment.

over and around

2010-03-26T17:20:00.000-07:00

My last hotel was nice. New and a little sterile. Modern. I needed to change so with the internet ...tap tap tap....new hotel, cheaper. Not a chain and great!
Both hotels have very annoying security software that makes every program and website very very slow. This wasn^t a problem at my first hotel but it seems to be an issue now. Oh well. I have old hardwood floors and a big window. Fuck it.

Change of venue is nice so I took a walk. I only brought three shirts and one pair of shorts on this trip...and a pair of pants extra. My antartica clothes were throwaways, dumped in Ushuaia to save weight but now I have smelly hold overs so I walked. I found two old ladies with five washing machines. My spanish sucks so I^m hoping I get clean clothes tomorrow.

While searching for laundromat I stumbled across a 114 year old cafe. Art on the walls and plaques everywhere from the city. I went in for lunch and it was nice. Just the kind of place I like. Old, filled with furniture not quite as young as the waiters. I sat and do what I do when my mood turned. I tried to figure out what happened and the sound of rumbling conversation was clearer...and in english...I looked around more closely and half the people had camera straps on their back and sitting ass forward in their chairs. Ugh....this place was a douchefest. The women at the table next to me spoke so her conversation was clear above even the clatter from the kitchen and the table across from her was talking lawyer this and movement that, FUCK! I had to get out. Check, cash, street. Pissed off again. Fuck.

So I walked. I^ve been pretty good with my diet and excercise on this trip so I picked up a pear and a peach from another local guy. He seemed happy. So was I. Keep the little guys in business.

I try and walk on a new street every time I go out. This time I was a block over but on the other side of town. Sidewalks seemed tight, dark, dirty. Buildings were the same size but sunlight seemed to be a weak yellow. This is where I bought my fruit. I didn{t feel threatened but I was aware of what was going on around me. I usually am when I travel but sometimes you have to move the defcon up a hair.

This city is full of fantastic old buildings with balconies and cafes pressed into facades. You have to see it. So different than back home and I don^t know why it has to be that way.

The fruit worked by the way. All systems clear.

Layed in the tub. May go to the jazz spot again.

more pics on flickr.

two days till the plane...
more later...

sour

2010-03-25T15:36:00.000-07:00

I got up pissed off. I didn't sleep very well and just have too much energy. Every year, I say I won't be gone for more than three weeks and week three comes and I'm pissed off. What a shock.
Walking in city I reminded myself, in less than a week I'll be shackled in a cubicle, ass deep in paperwork and emails so drink in any atmosphere I can because a lot of people aren't getting what I'm getting.
Walking I found another cafe. Old. You know I really like a restaurant with old chairs. Finish worn, chipped. Tables rubbed smooth by elbows from the hundreds of people, many now gone, sitting where I was. I sat by the window. The soccer game was on so about a dozen guys were sitting... watching...then GOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLL!!!!!!!
Everyone stood and pumped fist and puffed their chests. It was great. I was outside the thing but an interesting thing to experience none the less.
I had some odd coffee and a small cookie. They serve coffee with a shot of water to chase it, I think its a great idea and we should do it at home.
Before I got to the cafe, I bought a peach and pear from a man in a nearly empty shop. He seemed happy I was buying fruit that needed to be consumed probably by midnight. I've been eating fruit everyday.
The last night on the ship we had a huge steak and I've been trying to get the parade started ever since.
I got to the hotel about an hour ago. Ate the fruit. Nothing.
Jazz club tonight. Just down the street from the hotel.
Sleep.
New hotel tomorrow.
I hear that plane a' comin' coming round the bend...

back to the beginning

2010-03-24T15:18:00.000-07:00

it seems like a lifetime ago i was in buenos. it´s like a whole new vacation.

my hotel is in a different area and the vibe in completely different.

today is a national holiday. honoring the dead from the military coup twenty ...thirty years ago...i´m not to sure.

my puncutation is spotty because the keyboards here have a different set up. I hate reading text that has bad punctuation and formatting but under these circumstances everyone will have to bear with me.

I may forgo Montevideo. So much of this city I have yet to see and rather than spend more time in transit I may just settle and wait go a little deeper here.

Sun was out today. Very very nice.

Before I caught the plane in Ushuaia, on the way to the airport the sky was so clear you could see for miles and miles. During one of the zodiac cruises one of the guides told us to look down range at the continent and told us at the tip where we could see was about 100 miles...!!!! Imagine! Living in LA and seeing that far in the bluest sky you could imagine.

Landing here in the afternoon. Smog, heat but city. People. Traffic and motion. This is what I know. I¨m happy. A little dinner. Open the book . Talk to the concierge and see what they recommend tomorrow. Today is shot. Holiday.

But not totally. I was in a coffee house just now. Seemed from the 40´s. Antique wood cabinets. Tile worn at the edges. Every tile worn in deep blacks and burnt yellows you couldn´t find in a home depot if you had all the time in the world.

Anyway. I¨m going for a walk .

more later.

hope everyone is well.

I am.

Very.

seven

2010-03-23T08:55:00.000-07:00

back in ushuaia. computers are terrible here so no pics or vid until I get back to buenos.

On my birthday. We landed at hanna bay. Off the boat, after 2 days (yes I get sea sick and was miserable but better by this time) I dont remember ever being in a zodiac, so i was nervous. The boat bounced and rocked over the water. Cold but not life threatening like I was preparing myself for.
We got closer to the beach and first it was land, then land with spots then penguins. Hundreds of them. Everywhere.
I swung my legs over the side of the zodiac, into the water and up the rocks.

And I sat. On a hill, with the penguins.

You might think they would be curious about us but they could care less and we were instructed not to block them or agitate them. Let them come to you.

They were calm, gentle and very easy going. Hopping. Wadling. Thudding along around me.

We spent a few hours here. I walked down the beach and saw three kinds of penguins. A herd of elephant seals laying on the beach and fur seals playing on the beach.

It was amazing.

The next day. The sixteenth we landed at paradise bay on the continent. I carried my camera in my mouth out of the boat. About six of us were completing the continents on this trip.

I know I didnt cure cancer or beat the time in the mile but I did feel a sense of accomplishment. Ive seen parts of the world not a lot of people do and its changed me. I travelled with people that can share what its like to take an over night train where you dont speak the language, to haggle for nickels in an alley for a statue.

I wrote and drew and drank in as much as I could.

The boat was terrific and terrible. The last few days we had relatively bad weather and a woman became ill.

Im used to access to communication anywhere but on the ship I was cut off. I didnt anticipate how important being connected is to me. Now I know.

anyway. Im back. Off the ship and in ushuaia for a day then buenos.

Im hungry.
more later.

I can see my ship from here

2010-03-12T06:41:00.000-08:00

woke up this morning. All night the wind was blasting like a mother! I´m glad I wasn´t out in it. The neighborhood dogs were howling but I was warm under the covers.

I looked out of the window this morning and there it was at the dock. My ship. Holy fuck this is going to happen!

The hotel has several paintings from local artists so I asked the owner if the picture in my room was for sale. I´ve been in the room for two days and am comfortable with it so it couldn´t hurt to ask. He told me he would ask and let me know. I had a little breakfast and I heard a bit of the call and the manager told me he would be at the hotel in five minutes. Cool!

I checked out and went to the guy´s studio and saw some of his work. Water colors, acylics and drawings. Nice but out of my range. We talked about painting, drawing and learning how to paint and draw. He gave me some recommendations of books and stuff and encouraged me to keep pursing it.

It was a lot of fun.

I´m waiting. in about 6 hours I´ll be on the boat.

No internet or phone. In an emergency you can get me but I´m not banking on an emergency. my life is usually pretty good that way.

Next post, I´ll be 45. Happy birthday to me.
P

action

2010-03-11T17:33:00.000-08:00

ok, today It was raining. A little cold but i had better get used to it. I went to the end of the world museum, the yamana indian museum, coffee, bad lunch at a chinese argentian restaurant then back home. Checked mail, relaxed.

Thats what I did.

But in the back of my head.

The voice.

I determined on the way here the voice in the back of my head is sometimes Beavis. I know, it´s a little off but it makes sense...doesn´t it.

Anyway, Beavis kept going....all yesterday and all today. ¨crap table opens at 10pm¨ ¨you´re going right¨ ¨you gotta go¨ ¨whose going to play if you don´t¨

about 930 I got hungry. I put on my jacket and down the road. I found a shop selling empanandas. For 2 USD I got a ground beef and a something that tasted like seaweed pair of empanadas, crust warmed, inside cold.

I walked and ate one and a half.

I was close....2 blocks max. The casino.

I had been to the bank earlier so I was good. Nothing crazy but enough to roll and have fun. Yesterday I was crimped today I´d be looser.

I got to the door and no one was at the table. Two dealers standing there, the box laid out waiting to go to work. So I cashed in and went to the far end of the table. Then put the box up and dropped the dice. They looked surprised, like they weren´t sure what to do. This wasn´t the same crew as yesterday.

I knew the routine so I was smoother. Bet, dice, throw.

8

backed my bet up.

4
6
5
8. winner

Every throw. I listened closely. This is the best part. The call. ¨Juego Juego Juego¨ then stuff I couldn´t understand until I threw again then ¨Juego Juego Juego¨ again. All the dealers chatter.

6, place the 9
10
2
9, pays 24 on 20
What? Vegas pays 28 on a 20 dollar bet. Whatever. I like the action.
5
8
9, pays 24
6 Winnner.
The pit boss was at the far end of the table. He eyed me. I mean He LOCKED eyes on me while I rolled. I looked at him and locked eyes with him and he seemed unsure about me. I rolled ..and I won.
8 winner
9 winner
7 winner.
I made money on the numbers too. When I had made three more points after we had our eye crossing moment, He moved, across the table.....next to me. Fuck him...9 winner
Place the six, winner 20 pays 22. (vegas pays 24...don´t roll the dice at the end of the world, money is better in vegas)
I crapped out some and won some more.
I bet 30 on 6 and 8 and won. They pay 33 for 30...booooooo....
I was up and down but I rolled for half an hour, IN SPANISH! I called bets, asked odds, colored up in spanish.
End result.
After tipping the crew. I lost 2 argentinian pesos but I rolled, the way I knew I could.

I get on the boat tomorrow.
This was a good day.

rain

2010-03-11T06:29:00.000-08:00

I was beat yesterday. The plane rides are starting to drain me. It used to be off the plane and right in to it but now I get to the hotel, shower and nap. Getting old.

It´s cold here, not bad thought. 50´s 40´s something like that. I´m wearing my jacket and today i have on my thermals. Wind was blowing hard this morning so I could feel the building move. Now that´s wind!

No pictures, i tried to upload last night and the computer in the hotel crashed my camera so I´m not doing that again. I´ll try again when I´m off the boat.

So yesterday, I went to dinner. Casa de los Mariscos. I figured, I´m in a port, sea food must be good. I had arroz con mariscos and it was great! My waiter was some depressed goth kid made me uncomfortable to talk to but the owner came by later and brought me bread and more water so it evened out.

They call Ushuaia the end of the world. It´s on a lot fo the tshirts. Well on the way home from dinner I went to the casino. Yes, at the end of the world there is a casino and.....there is a crap table there.

The table opened at 10pm so I waited. Cashed in and took the dice. Now I usually pound the table grab the dice and roll. Holy fuck ! they did not like that at all. I was instructed with blistering eye contact and furious attention (in spanish) to recieve the dice, in my hand and throw. No other movement or contact. WTF?

Hey, whatever, I¨m a the end of the world and there is a crap table. I¨m happy.

I rolled for about 15 minutes and wasn´t feeling it. They´re chips are like funky kids buttons. shiny purples and pinks and rounded at the edges. Like little space ships. Weird.

I lost 88 ARS which is like 22 dollars US. Not bad. It was interesting. I didn´t really have that much fun...but I want to try again. I¨m sick that way.

It´s been raining and the wind has been a mother all morning but i´m going to run out again for a bit. See more of the town.

Tomorrow is the boat. 11 days.

I´ll post again before I leave...
later.

ushuaia

2010-03-10T17:10:00.000-08:00

I made it.
two days to the boat.
Colder here but not freezing.
Hotel nice but a little uneven.
More later.
Feel good.
This is the view from my room.

wood

2010-03-09T14:16:00.000-08:00

I didn´t want to let this pass so I´m posting twice so i can put a picture with it. I rode in a subway car today, twice actually, that was outfitted in wood. It was very cool. Windows had wooden frames, each seat was made of slats and the light fixtures looked like they were from the 40´s too.
I´m not sure how old these cars are but they seem like a real piece of history.

heat

2010-03-09T14:09:00.000-08:00

Nose is better, chest is still clogged but nose stopped running. Keeping the heat on and drinking a lot of water yesterday helped. But i´m spent. Did more walking today. Museum, hard rock, train station.
One thing I´ve noticed about this city is that were ever you go, even in a dense city spot I´ve seen butterflies at random. It´s kind of cool. Buses, motorcycles, cars drowning out any sense of quiet but a butterfly will pass you by or land on a window then leave.
I´ve also noticed the people here are fast movers. Everyone seems to be headed somewhere quickly but they are still polite and relaxed. Maybe I´m not as sensitive to people at home but here it seems people are more considerate.

ugggggghhhhh....

2010-03-08T16:58:00.000-08:00

I¨m sick. I´ve been fighting it but this morning. Headache, fever, runny nose, dense green flem, and my eyes hurt.
If i were at home I would lay in bed or on the couch making low gutteral noises and wait for the cat to try and bury me, but on vacation....fuck that!

I put on a thick cotton shirt and walked. Trying to get my temperature up to kill this thing. Maybe myself too but it´s worked in the past.

Regardless, I got some coffee at mc donalds, drew, caught the subway to try and get to the art museum and got lost.

I was on a subway line for 5 stops. The masses surrounded me. Now normally I hate people but when i travel this is one of the things i love. Strangers from another country just getting from a to b. Businesssmen, housewives, students, workers. Everyone, just riding together. We all know the rules and we are all getting along. Pretty nice.

So I¨m getting off the train. My head full of flem when i hear...¨dum dah dum dum dum DUM....dum dah dum dum dum DUM...´´ from a tinny guitar. Single strings, elementary but there...Happy birthday. Now i understand if you are busking and get a crowd of more than 30 people Happy Birthday is a statistical lock to make some money. I took it as a small bit of karma routed my way.

Anyway, on my way to the museum i saw this sign. My spanish is bad so I didnt even ask...WTF?

Went to the post office and picked up stamps. Post guy told me the post office down the block had nicer ones if i wanted something for my book. Now he told me it would be easier to take the subway, but I heard its too far to walk. If you really know me you know what coming...

So it took me about 20 minutes to walk to the next post office and the chairs were full. I pulled number 95 and they were on....I shit you not....22....it was like being at In and Out.

My feet were killing me and i needed to relax so I waited. I slept some and about an hour later I got another stamp for myself.

I got back to the hotel late and showered...then thought fuck...I need more than this...so I ran the tub and layed out. Before slipping into a coma I thought I would update the blog.

Tired now...

Museum tomorrow.
later

in the sun

2010-03-07T12:25:00.000-08:00

I had an indication this would be a good day when I woke in the middle of the night to find a documentary on the RAMONES on argentine TV.

I walked about a block from my hotel to find the San Telmo flea market in full force. Block after block, mostly junk, but some interesting art, photos, old watches and music. Music was everywhere. Guitars, drums. As one would trail off another would surge.

Here is a lesson. I stopped at a cafe so I could see an indian performer. I was hungry so I ordered a small cheese and egg thing. A place where the waiter has a napkin on his arm is a bad sign for me and it was. It was bad. The salad was ok and you can´t screw up a coke so that went as planned.

I walked about and after awhile I got hungry. Really hungry. Where am I going to find food? Looking at the restaurants, checking menus and prices. Weighing options. Then I was at the same corner I was earlier. In fact, across the street. Smoke. Good smoke. The smell of meat on a grill was coming from a vacant lot turned into a cafe by three guys with oil drums cut in half and turned into grills.

I¨m convinced no bad food has come out of a oil drum grill.

For a quarter of the price I paid at the brasserie I got a chorizo split in two with fresh tomato slice in a chili sauce and a coke from a trash can filled with ice.

I sat in the shade on a hand made chair at a hand made wooden table and ate. This is living.

Earlier, walking down Defensia the market street was ending but I went a little further and found an old man playing tango guitar and a couple dancing. There are a lot of street tango dancers but this is the only one I found with a live guitar.

Watch the video. The moment was great.

Back at the hotel.

Feet are killing me. I walked all day. Resting a bit until tonight.

We´ll see whats open on a sunday.

later....

buenos

2010-03-06T20:18:00.000-08:00

I slept in lima airport last night. 6 hours. and with earplugs and mask it wasn´t as bad as you might think. Fuck those pussies in the airport lounge. Warm towels and internet. About three hours before my plane a family did move into the seats across from me and two shrieking kids made me move but I made my plane and no problems.

Off the plane, I did puss out. I was going to wait for the city bus. 2 Argentine pesos and 2 hours. But it was 80 plus degrees. in the shade I could feel the chocolate bar (submlime extreme from Nestle, terrible chocolate by the way) turning into chocolate sauce, so I jumped on the shuttle 50 argentine pesos. Air conditioned and 40 minutes to the city. I¨m comfortable with the compromise since I was sweating into my shoes.

A quick ride on the subway and I made it to the hotel. Hotel Moreno in the San Telmo part of town. Tomorrow is supposed to be a flea market. Should be cool.

I checked in and slept for 9 hours.

hungry.

Its 2am.

We´ll see what happens.

more later.

lima

2010-03-05T22:46:00.000-08:00

midnight. I got here. There was a plane to buenos at 125AM But there was an earthquake last week in Chile, 8.8, that jacked up all the schedules so I´m here until 730am. Five hours from now.
I´ve been through the duty frees. Snacked on free chocolate covered fruits. Sipped short cups of complementary coffee in the shops. I sacked out on the floor and listed to some locals in front of a shop in the airport, and I just had a 20 minute massage for ten USD. NICE! but I still have five hours to kill before i´m moving on.

I could go to the vip lounge. They have a few. One is 50 USD and seems nice but somehow to me, it´s cheating. Part of the fun of these trips are the inconviences, annoyances and bullshit I have to go through to get from a to b.

The last few years I´ve been getting soft. Fewer hostels, less street food. Last year I had a suite on my birthday. C´mon! So I´m drawing the line at the aiport lounge, at least at this point. I swiped the plane pillow and blanket and í´ll camp in behind a kiosk and wait it out.

It´s a little sick but it´s fun. The airport is still kind of happening even at 2am here. Music. People. Shit I´m blogging and there are still plenty of people up here.

I´m beat.

a small bottle of diet coke and free chocolate is not a great way to fuel up.

Great. 4.5 hours left.

Next stop . buenos.
later...

HA!

2010-02-24T22:58:00.000-08:00

Bought my clothes...mostly...booked my hotel...have the book...and I"m ripping through work so I can climb on the plane free and unfettered. Thats right I used the word unfettered, I went to college.

Last few years I haven't really be jacked up for my trip until I got on the plane but this year work has been grinding me and a bunch of other stuff I let pile up started to weigh me down but I'm getting that feeling early.

This trip will cross off a big milestone off my list. After this I'll be really over a big set of expectations I've had since I was little.

Nine days until the plane.

Nice...

getting ready

2010-02-08T01:48:00.000-08:00

I've been lagging on firming up the arrangements for this years trip. I'm getting burnt out on traveling too.
It's in my nature to rebel against structure, even if the structure is my own design so I'm going to change things a bit.
I've been down for a while. Rallied but down again.
It's temporary but part of the process I go through.
This trip is coming at a good time.

banners

2009-10-28T02:12:00.000-07:00

Lots of sports this year. Dodgers lost the NLCS tonight I saw the Lakers raise the Championship Banner from last year. I've never gone to a ring ceremony. It was pretty cool.

NLDS!

2009-10-08T21:18:00.000-07:00

Dodgers Win! The game was iffy at best. Cardinals were on top of the game all night. The crowd was up and down but in the bottom of the ninth the last out was DROPPED! Everyone was up! Waving towels! Screaming! It was the loudest game I've ever been to, and after a hit batter and a couple of hits the dodgers stole the win! I hugged a guy I didn't even know.
It was much better than being at work.

Jury Duty

2009-07-28T00:58:00.000-07:00

I've wanted to be on a jury. See the process and I got my chance. PERFECT! Downtown LA. I get paid for not being at work. I see downtown everyday, (fuck I fight traffic going and coming but I park for free) write, draw, see.
The jury process is very inefficient but that's the way it goes. We don't see all the workings so it might be more productive that we think but I'm still having a fun.
Rode a motorcycle this weekend. Jury duty. Life doesn't suck.

eating

2009-07-08T11:29:00.000-07:00

everything. Everything reminds me of food.
I'm in a weigh loss compettion at work and I've been doing better. During trips I walk a lot and the temptations aren't as bad but the last couple of days with falafel, hot dog and kabob carts on every corner it's been tough.
I'm waiting out the time until I have to get on the train to the airport. The day is great. I walked through central park, got to a museum and had a small piece of fish, potato and a plum and a peach for dessert.
Tomorrow I weigh in and I have to get to work.

it's been good. Life is good.

fire!

2009-07-05T21:28:00.000-07:00

This baseball trip happened to fall on the forth of july so I got to see the fireworks in new york for the first time.
Now everyone knows, I hate people but really it's the average man I hate, and the average man was out in force saturday.
People standing in front of others, muscling their way into spot obviously taken,general inconsideration.That's what I hate.
The fireworks were ok. I'm glad I did it and would not make special effort to see them again.
Checked into the Chelsea again today and met one of the artists in the hotel. Tomorrow, new yankee stadium and the game.
I'm having fun this trip but I'm tired.

the wrong way to get directions

2009-07-03T22:13:00.000-07:00

I'm in New York. I finished way too much pastrami so I wanted to walk back to my hotel. I walked a bit. Picked up some fruit at a small shop and asked the guy behind the counter which direction central park was. He didn't know but a couple with austrailian accents chimed in to help me find the way. Now mind you I just wanted a vague hand gesture to confirm I was headed in the right direction (turns out i wasn't) but the guy started with a four street turned list of how to get to central park. But the woman decided to tell me how to get there faster with a six turn route. Swear to god, they were there about 2 minutes deciding which way to send me.
I was polite and stayed for the whole discussion but come on. Really, how hard was it.
Just go up 5th that way. That's all it really required.
Their heart was in the right place which is why I stayed for the whole process but... let's go people.

burning the candle

2009-06-28T00:59:00.000-07:00

It's deep into baseball season so I'm traveling. I've seen three new stadiums this year. Just got back from Minneapolis and Chicago.
I'm having a great time but I'm a little tired.
Some think its odd that I go so far to see games I could see in my own town, but it's not about that.
I'll see, eat, and do as much as I can until the dirt goes in my face.
I suggest you do the same.

ahhhh ...fate

2009-03-28T20:54:00.001-07:00

I thought, maybe I'm being greedy. After two weeks in italy and a couple of days in London, I worked a couple of days and jumped a plane with some friends to try and see the northern lights in Alaska. The time of year was supposed to be ideal so I booked it.
However, an eruption of a volcano, YES A FUCKING VOLCANO!, cancelled our flight and left us in Seattle for a night. We got turned around pretty quick and it wasn't terrible. I fortunately the group I was with was good. Not a whiner in the bunch, so ...eh...I didn't see the northern lights but....they'll still be here and It's actually good to be home...to unclog my shower...yeah..my tub is full of black crap from the sewer...NICE! welcome home...

sick

2009-03-23T09:26:00.000-07:00

fucking airports and planes! airports 90 degrees airplanes 30 degrees! WTF!
I got off the plane in boston with a severe headache and then boarded the plane with a screaming baby.
I got home about 930 last night. I thought I would be able to work around the house and relax but I just crashed. I may be getting a cold.
Good news. The market is up and my bed is warm.
It was a great trip.

nothing...

2009-03-21T13:00:00.000-07:00

I had a big mac today. I've been eating pretty well and walking alot. I walked through kensington and hyde parks and got hungry. All the grease and salt wiped me out, so I went back to the hotel for a nap.
Woke up had some fish and chips at a pub. Watched Ireland beat Wales in the 6 Nations final and came to post.
It will be a quiet night. Have to catch the plane tomorrow and it will all be a memory.
later...

wandering

2009-03-21T03:11:00.002-07:00

Out to see the two tates yesterday. Rode the ferry on the Thames and got a meat pie at the subway station...MMMM...I remembered how good those things were.
Last full day. Off to the parks and another museum.
Catching the plane tomorrow.

triumph

2009-03-21T03:11:00.001-07:00

london

2009-03-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

HA! citibank at $3!!!! YEA.... well that's another post.
I landed a couple of hours ago. Checked in to my hotel and showered.
Lost my subway ticket but found cheap and reliable internet. Pluses and minuses.
I'm still a little tired. The plance ride from venice to london was only 2 hours but i'm still feeling it. It's probably the realization I have to be at work in a few days.
Actually, the sick fuck that I am... I'm looking forward to getting to work. Contrary to popular belief I work hard and I love my job. But it wears me out, so when I get to get out in the world I really recharges me.
Anyway, the one thing I'm getting adjusted to is hearing conversations in english and not hearing the work "TUTTI" punched up in every sentance. I think it means everything or all in italian and the italians use it ALOT! I won't really miss that.
I just had bad falafel and a warm diet pepsi.
I'll be out in the town tonight but have to get up early tomorrow.
More later people.

venice

2009-03-17T06:06:00.000-07:00

I'm spending the day just wandering. I went to the doge's palace and it was amazing but just walking the streets and crossing the canal back and forth is enough. Just being here and taking it is is reward enough for the plane ride.
There are alot...alot of tourists here and they tell me this is an off year. I still hate people...it could be worse though.
Catch the plane tomorrow.
later.

yesterday...

2009-03-16T10:41:00.001-07:00

I arrived on the noon train from Bologna. I walked out of the train station and there it was. Venice. It was like a movie. Water, boats, people standing around smoking. I stopped and made sure I had caught up with the moment. My travel karma is still untarnished. I constantly checked the weather before I came and was worried about forecasts of rain, but yesterday, a few clouds and sun. SUN! I caught the number 2 tragetto down the canal for 6.5 euro.
Im telling you this is the best ride in the world for 6.50...I could have ridden all day. The water is a deep jade green pushing the boat from side to side. I lucked out and caught a seat in front under the sun.
Unfortunately video is slow from the spot near my hotel, but I will put up what I have when I get it.
I splashed out on my room. Its bigger than Ive had on this trip but not huge but I do have a balcony over looking the canal and sipped coffee with some pastries this morning while the sun was coming up.
Im off to a Vivaldi concert tonight after a day of hopping to Burano island.
HA! the internet shop here has an english jazz station on! NICE!
Anyway. more when I get a chance. Two more days in venice...

morning

2009-03-15T01:47:00.000-07:00

actually afternoon.
I°m up and checking the directions to the hotel.
I love bologna especially this hotel. I Portici Hotel! Look it up! Stay here if you can! They treated me very very well!
Anyway, Ill be gone in few minutes on my way to the train.
later...

Asinelli

2009-03-14T12:14:00.000-07:00

Heres what I did this morning....

italy

2009-03-14T12:07:00.000-07:00

You know I was wondering the city and looking at all of the buildings. Hundreds of years of history. Red brick everywhere. Towers. Gates. Ive taken so many pictures I had to stop because the pictures just arent enough. Being here, listening, seeing, absorbing everything is what I want to take back and pictures and movies are just slivers of the experience.
I was thinking today. "this is my favorite city" this is after I climbed to the top of the tower. And then I remembered. Ive said that after each of the cities Ive been to. I can only imagine what venice will be like.
I got some great help from my hotel regarding a motorcycle but no Ducati here in Bologna. I wanted to ride and italian bike through the italian countryside. Apparently only in Rome or Milan. Probably other spots but not in Bologna. I could get a BMW F650 but I rode one already and didnt particularly like it.
This will have to wait for another time.
More later.

after the fight....

2009-03-13T09:46:00.000-07:00

taking in some music...

bologna

2009-03-13T09:44:00.000-07:00

this is what I saw a few hours ago...

leaving florence

2009-03-13T09:42:00.000-07:00

this morning...

http://www.youtube.com/v/XL3ZYJR7ROQ

like a dog...

2009-03-12T08:08:00.000-07:00

before I left I thought about a haircut. usually my thoughts about grooming on my birthday trip is that it really doesnt matter what I look like since this really isnt a social trip but last couple of days looking at myself in the mirror, I was starting to resemble a sheepdog, a round headed sheepdog. Now even I have some pride so Ive been keeping my eye out for a barber and while hunting for a restaurant open for a late lunch there it was "barber shop" in english on the window and a man in a black shirt reading the paper.
the most expensive item on the menu was 10 euro and I could go for that. Now rather than explain what I usually get in the worst possible italian and have this guy learn english, I waved my hand around my head and said....short. He responded "corti" and I said..."sure....corti" In a barber shop...what else is he going to say...really...
he put the bib on me and off we went. first he took the scissors to my sides. clipping and banking the scissors against the comb. It reminded me of when I got haircuts as a kid. I still remember the upholstered booster I used to have to sit on....anyway...
After the scissors he pulled the electric clippers. Now these things made a loud buzz every 2 minutes or so and it freaked the barber when it happened. I could tell he was a little off about it, but he fixed it...no shit...with a hair pin. Whatever adjustment he made worked because I lived to tell the tale.
He cut ALOT of hair and as the layers came off the snow white of my hair started to really come in. The last top layer was about 30 percent grey...now im closer to 60 percent.
He was about done but he had to do the finishing touches. Now before I had lasik alll this was just a fuzzy bunch of movements until I paid but now I saw the guy go back to the sink and get his straight razor. NICE! this could be it for your hero...
but where the girl from supercuts asks "straight or round" for the back, a man with a straight razor decides for you, and I have no problem deffering the choice in this situation. 10 euro and I was out of there.
Now, food. As I mentioned the afternoon alot of stuff closes until dinner so I ended up at a sandwich shop with a bakery. I had very nice roast beef sandwich and the hog I am I was sizing up the pastries. I chose a little cake with powered sugar on top and a macciato to go...
I walked down the street to have my dessert in the shade of a church, and you can see the scene in my picture.
I didnt know what was in the cake, if anything, and bit into it to find pineapple. Fuck! I love pineapple. I only had a thimble full of coffee so I had to measure each bit so I could finish the two at the same time.
I must say, the moment was nicely done.
That was about 30 minutes ago.
The internet at my hotel sucks so I stoppped here at an internet bar on a side street in town.
Im working on a few things for the trip. so Ill have more later.
later...

lunch

2009-03-11T12:02:00.000-07:00

After wandering through the city and the Uffizi Gallery all morning I worked off my breakfast and it was getting closer to lunch.
The guidebook had a small paragraph on Florence Beef, a local type of steak unique to this area. I'm all over stuff the locals eat, see or do (within certain defined limits pertaining to my own moral and ethical standards).
Anyway, I wandered a bit more trying to get a good hunger going. I looked at a couple of restaurants yesterday and saw they had Bisteca Florentina by the kilo, which tells me ...that's a big plate of food.
I found a restaurant that has been there since 1913 and went in. It was cool. Full of people and a little loud but I assumed that meant the locals were happy to be there, which is a good sign.
I ordered a homemade pasta with mushrooms and the steak, with a bottle of sparkling water. I opened up my journal and started writing about my day. The waiter, a kid, comes back with instructions from the chef. He says "Dude, the, uh...steak, it's 800 uh....grams....is that ok....we ...we can't you know....cut it down...." now for dramatic effect and to make this clearer for my people from california, the italian waiter did not say "dude" or "you know"...it just helps the story move so bear with me.
I told him it was fine. I was going to have the steak no matter now much it was....then I did the math....actually my calculator did the math. 800 grams in about 1.75 lbs. That's a pretty big steak, and I was having a plate of pasta. I was getting tired just thinking about it.
But before I could ponder the dilemma any further the pasta hit the table. It smelled like sauted mushrooms and olive oil and it was good. "hold on man!" I told myself, "That fucking steak is coming!"
I tried to pace myself but to no avail. The pasta was gone in a few minutes.
For about ten minutes I had to psych myself into a trance to be able to manage this steak which was on it's way.
I kept writing in my book and there it was. On a wooden platter just under two pounds of steak. It didn't look to bad. It smelled really good. It had that charcoaly smell like when you leave the meat on the grill to long and it burns. MMMMM....
I cut away some fat and cut into the meat. It was red in the middle and really juicy. My first bite wasn't that impresssive. It was a steak.
Now the last steak I had was from Black Angus. No offense to the Black Angus corporation and employees. You all do good work but this was better.
At first, I thought "hey, how good could a steak possibly be?" but as I continued the flavor of the grill and the tenderness of the meat I was started to have an expericence. Maybe it was being in a little restaurant in italy while my coworkers were up and down storage tanks but I was bonding with this steak.
I was slowly enjoying every bit. Cutting. Savoring. Repeating. Washing it down with some water and doing it again, until it was gone.
Now I was a different cat than they were used to. I could see they weren't getting one guy eating all that meat and writing and drawing in a book. They were polite but confused. They let me alone until I was done then the manager looked at me as smiled and I'm sure he thought..."wow...what else will this fucker eat?" and he offered me a drink, some coffee and pastry, etc.
I told him I was good and that he did good work, paid my bill and went off under my own power under the afternoon sun.
I feel pretty good. I completely recommend florentine steak by the way, if you're ever in the neighborhood.
more later....

backdated from rome...

2009-03-10T08:41:00.000-07:00

this just in...Im fat.
I went to st peters to climb to the top of the dome. I asked for a ticket. You buy with an elevator ride or with out. I asked for no elevator. I said it in italian. The guy glaced at me and gave me at ticket with the elevator.
FU dude.
I made it and I counted the steps. Those fuckers need an accountant, but brochure says 320 steps to the top.

off the train

2009-03-10T08:08:00.000-07:00

done with rome, I jumped the train to florence.
I wasnt sure how much time to put into seeing florence but I can tell it wont be enough. This is really the italian experience I was looking for.
I got a great room with 10 foot ceilings in a building on a long narrow street that looks like it was built in the 1200s and maybe it was!
I figured I would relax and hit the Uffuzi or the Pitti Palace but both have lines down the street. Im going to have to get up early and see what I can see but really Im sure the galleries, museums and palaces are spectacular but just walking down the streets would be enough for me. The colors, architecture and the sounds wash over you.
I had my first, second actually, italian pizza. It was good. Not amazing but good and I was starving it hit the spot.
For dinner, Im looking for bisteca florencia. Its a beef specific to florence. NICE!

ha! I can get up in the morning

2009-03-09T07:20:00.000-07:00

what to do in the morning...

2009-03-09T07:02:00.000-07:00

I got an early start and went to the vatican today. I read in my book that the sistene chapel gets really crowded and is hard to get to because the man puts it at the end of a long line of rooms and passageways.
The museum opens at 845am or so my book told me and I wanted to get there before every bluehair and high school jackass had the chance to take his picture with gods finger up his nose. The book said you have to sign up for a tour to even get to the chapel but I wasnt having any of that for the afformentioned reasons.
I got to the entrance at 820am. As I got there masses of tourists had just arrived. The doors were open so I went in. Looks like they opened a little earlier than the book said.
I went through room after room of paintings and sculptures. The man was not going to make this an easy trip. Luckily it seemed the groups behind me were stuck getting tickets and getting everyone to emply their bladders before going in so I had some time. I passed a couple of smaller groups already in the building and on their way to the chapel. I cut through them as they were frozen like deer listening to their guides in german french and japanese.
I finally got to the end and was amazed at how small and close the paintings were. The quality was amazing and the expressions were masterful.The didnt look like anything that I was expecting because I wasnt there yet. I was in the Raphael rooms. Great stuff, glad I saw it but not my final destination.
Literally, over and around more rooms, passages and stairs I finally got there.
The sistene chapel.
And there were about 70 people there already. Ok, 70 does not make for a solitary art appreicating moment but not as bad as it could be. People were quiet and the guide of the only group in there was talking in a low tone so I could enjoy it.
And I did, as much as I could because it was 850am and like being at the beach up to your waist I could feel the swell of people building. I could hear the chatter in the backround from the path I just came from. They were coming.
So I just took deep breaths and drank in as much of the ceiling and the surroundings as I could. And I enjoyed it, until 857am, when they started to spill in through the door. I moved to the smaller partitioned room, but it was no use I could feel the masses building so I left.
It was good but there are a lot of tourists here.
My luck with my birthday trip is holding true. I was worried about rain and it was about 70F today with just a few clouds to shade me.
I havent seen nearly enough of this city so I will have to come back.
I may be moving on Florence tomorrow.
Im off to see the pantheon.
later...

got here now what...

2009-03-08T08:12:00.000-07:00

I got in yesterday. The last flight and the tram to get to the city took the last bit of energy out of me. I got to the hotel (a good choice by the way, just 15 steps from the exit of the subway)took a quick shower and boom! asleep.
The voice on the tram from the airport was funny. In italian it was an italian guy, but in english it was a british guy. What the hell? Only the english can speak english? Which may be the thought process because for the english it was the english guy but when he got to an italian name....BOOM! italian guy stepped in and said MANZONI....then it was back to the british guy.
Interesting.
Shot a video of this morning, you may like.
and yes I did get up early. I couldn't help it I slept about 14 hours.
later.

layover

2009-03-07T01:13:00.000-08:00

This thing was going pretty well, only an hour layover in New York, but, I didn't look to close at the reservation at this point. I'll be in Brussels for 4 hours. It's a nice airport. High ceilings. Clean. And people speak mainly french here which for some reason makes me stand up a little straighter. Why? Who knows.
I've been on a plane for the last 14 hours and I'll be glad to get into a hotel, which is again half a day away at this point.
Take a look at the coke machine graphic here. Local airport culture. I don't even know what the coke machines in LAX look like.
I had a coffee and a biscuit. Which killed about 40 minutes. The day is plodding along. I'm beat. I'm going to be out in Rome this evening but I won't really appreciate it until I can recharge.
I'm running on caffiene and sugar right now. and I smell like ...well like you smell when you've been on an airplane all day in the same clothes.
I'll give my fellow travelers a break and brush my teeth.
What a saint I am.
Rome is next.
later.

PCH

2009-02-28T18:52:00.000-08:00

I went for a practice ride last week. A friend rented a motorcycle and we rode around an elementary school parking lot. It sounds lame but I dropped the bike once. I have a great deal of respect for the motorcycle and everything that it takes to pilot safely.

After last week I decided that I needed to go further, so this week I rented a bike and not going round and round in a parking lot I drove to my friend's house, with mapquest in my head and my stomach in my mouth I set off this morning. I felt like the first time I rode my bicycle into the next city over. I was extending my reach and I was nervous but exhilarated.

I made it to my friends house and we set out. Three at first then only two. We went down PCH and ended up at Laguna. AMAZING! I live in one of the most beautiful spots in the world. I hesitate to say that because there are too many people here already but it's true. We stopped at a spot and looked at the beach and sea lions on the rocks below and back out on the road.

Today was one to the best days I've ever had, and my birthday is only two weeks away.

rolling

2009-01-15T22:44:00.000-08:00

I'm a gambler. I love it. I can mostly control it. It's one of the sources of great pleasure in my life. When I started going to vegas I was intimidated by the craps table but now that's the only reason I go to a casino.
I was in vegas this weekend. I had the best run at the table I've ever had! I rolled for about 30 minutes. I made 4 of the 6 points. I didn't make a ton of money but more than I ever had, but the best part was I had the table howling. I've had that experience before when the whole table feels you are lucky. You feel everything is going right but could collapse at any moment and the dice stop, and the players look and yell, shake their head and smile. There is nothing. NOTHING like it.
I hit one of my favorite casinos downtown on this trip. I got to the table. There was just one other guy there. The dice came to me and I was rolling again. Making money and I did something I've always wanted to do.
I bet seven for a dollar....and hit it...parlayed...hit it...and parlayed it again....and HIT IT! I turned one dollar into one hundred and twenty five! I've hit three or four in a row but hadn't bet on it...and I've won two in a row...but betting for three and hitting them...it was great!
I didn't bring back all the money I won but I came out ahead, for only the second time in my history of vegas.
I have to let this adrenaline pass before I go again....that is going to take awhile.

4 to 2

2009-01-04T12:23:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine surprised me...HEY! We're going to get our motorcycle licenses! (We she meant a co-worker I'm good friends with as well) LET"S DO IT!.
Getting a motorcycle is on my list of things to do before I die, and I hadn't thought about it much so...WHAT THE HELL! With a little coaxing I signed up.
I failed the DMV test right off. Took it again. Failure. I was a bit peeved.
Yesterday and today I was at the riding class. Yesterday was the first day I've ever driven a motorcycle. I was very tentative. The exercises were basic and my comfort increased and today...I passed the certification! I'll get my certificate in a few day and I'm headed back to the DMV with a little more swagger than before.
I probably won't buy a bike unless a great deal comes my way. I'm not planning on riding a lot but I like to know that I have the ability.
However, I may just rent a bike on my birthday trip.

my new favorite saying...

2008-09-04T23:59:00.000-07:00

A wise friend from work recommended seeing the movie "Zorba the Greek". It's been on my list for some time but in the back...not at the end but not near the middle either.
My friend asked me to rent it for someone and loan it...so I did. I saw it ...and here is my new favorite saying about living and being alive...
Zorba...

fucking people...

2008-08-10T11:25:00.000-07:00

I hate people. Well, the average american anyway.
I was at the dodger game last night. I got a great seat. Four rows back, 3rd base side. Right where I wanted to be.
Next to me, two slightly above average chicks. Things are looking good, but when the game starts they start talking. And talking, and talking. They talked for 4 innings straight, about nothing. Not Seinfeld amusing nothing. Clothes, phones, who broke up with who, hair highlights. Holy fuck, the caveman head bashing instict was kicking in hard.
There was an older couple in front of me and the wife kept shooting looks back as if to say "SHUT THE FUCK UP!" in a more polite manner actually, more like, "would you please shut the fuck up, we're watching the game."
I'm getting better seats lately as my circumstances have improved, so the problems have evolved. In the cheap seats I would contend with drunk guy, likes to fight guy and I have to scream at how lousy every player is no matter what, guy.
I thought when I migrated the experience would be better. The sights are better but now I'm contending with kids and others who got their tickets from someone and have to call everyone they know to tell them they are at the game, or calling people at the game to see if their friends can see them, or like the game I was at, chicks that use the game ...to catch up...
People! Save your money! Go to a bar, chat, get drunk! Whatever! Don't do it at the game! I'M WATCHING THE GAME!
And I would make this same post had the dodgers won. Honestly, people suck.

minor issues of life and death

2008-07-19T16:05:00.000-07:00

My car is a piece of crap. I know it. I've lived with it for years. I've been holding on and holding on because I just hate the idea of spending a lot of cash on a car I'm just going to drive on the weekends.
However, I realized that my car is a symbol of some of the worn out, torn up things I have in my life that I need to upgrade.
Last week, I started to smell oil...burning...when I was driving. Now I made this mistake with the first car I owned. I drove it until it died an undeservedly shabby death, stranding me on the freeway, once, twice, three...possibly more times.
I've been looking at a few cars. Upscale and not. Wednesday I decided I need to get this done, So I made some calls. I ended up at the Scion dealer near my house. I want to keep the local economy going and dealt with a car salesman.
My opinion car salesmen are all the same guy. Half human half....something. The something varies but it's not good.
The new car part was straight forward. The basic car has everything I want and it's an easy deal. I wanted to drive down the price and was prepared for war but first we had to deal with the trade in. Which, in hindsight was a mistake. Deal with the hard work on the new car price, get it as low as you can and then deal with the trade in and get as much as you can. Next time my plan will be better.
Anyway, the piece of crap was on the lot. The used car guy went out and looked at it. 1993 honda with 180K + miles. Bruised, dirty, smelled like oil, french fries and a few old girlfriends. hehehehehehe

anyway...used car guy comes back and in a sympathetic voice, "we can't do anything with that car, I don't want to insult you by making an offer" So I told him, OK. And got up to leave. I learned a while back in any negotiation you have to be ready to pick up and walk out so the boundaries are set.

As I got up the guy asked if that would kill the deal and I told him yes. His eyes shifted and he took a couple of short hard breaths. "Hold on" he said. He disappeared and resurfaced and told me the dealership wouldn't make any money on my car and in fact they would lose money by taking it but they would ....give me.....$500 just to make the deal go. " Now imagine his voice trying to make me feel sympathy for a car dealer. It really made me feel a sick sort of pride to see him squirm this way. I'm sick in the head but...it's true.

I told him I need $1200 for my car or I wouldn't make the deal. I wasn't a dick. I just told him the truth. Friendly and matter of fact. It's not my style to pound the table and make demands. The gentlemanly approach is more my style. I wonder why?

Used car guy seemed a little off. He came back with $850. The best he could do.

I told him no.

"but..." he added "$850 is so close, it's such a small difference between $850 and $1200"

I smiled and agreed. "You're right. So ....give me $1200 and it's a deal."

Now this part pissed me off. He looked at me. Dead in the eye. We locked in and I could tell he was looking for weakness. His little black moustache pinched up just below his nose but his eyes stayed on mine. I could feel the tension on his side of the table but I was relaxed. I knew the one thing that was key. He had a car. Cars are everywhere. I could go across the street and get another car, but I had money. And everyone, EVERYONE likes money.

"OK, $1200 but promise to give us a good survey"

I smiled, "Sure" and shook his hand.

For other reasons I didn't pick up the car that night I came and got it today and my mistake I was tired and really just wanted to get the thing done so rather than go three rounds with this guy over the price I moved some things around and bought it cash.

I've had the car for about 2 hours now and it's nice.

BUT, the highlight of my day, year....

My phone rang about 40 minutes ago.
My salesman called.
"Paul, how do you this $1200 car started?"

The saying goes timing is everything and it has never been truer than that today because as I was backing my brand new car in to my driveway my old Honda was gasping and gurgling it's last breath. I can imagine if it had a hand it would be out stretched with middle finger extended screaming "I'll see you in HELL!" as it drew it's final breaths and the dealer and sales people stood around slowly shaking their heads.

Timing=everything.

ugh...home

2008-03-19T17:53:00.000-07:00

I spent about 24 hour total in transit since I left my hotel in sao paulo and put the key in my own lock at home.
I'm spent, but I can't sleep. I don't know what clock my body is on buy I'm exhausted but I can't go to sleep. I'm sure I'll pass out eventually.
I wasn't really into this trip for the first few days but getting into the colonial towns brought me around. The slower pace and tremendous artwork got to me.
One thing that caught me by surprise on this trip, was something the brazilians did. Subtle but really charming.
I got stuck short of cash at the post office. I thought I would just go to the ATM and pull some cash but it turned out to be more exhaustive, but anyway, I told the lady behind the counter I was short and I would go, get cash and come back. Rather than roll her eyes or have security throw me out, she looked me dead in the face gave me the slightest nod and gave me the thumbs up. Not a dufus, grinning thumbs up you get in the states but her fist was firmly clenched, thumb tight against the index finger and with that look and the gesture I felt connected. She was telling me, "don't worry, we'll make this work."
I thought this might be just a moment with a lady who had some kind of character, but this gesture and attitude was everywhere in Brazil. A bum was hassling me at lunch and the cook came by and got rid of the guy. I told him thank you in portuguese and he gave me the dead eye stare and the thumbs up. The same one.
It's a very unique kind of dynamic I wish I found more on this side.
Anyway, that's one of the best things I got from this trip.
I"m home so no posts for a while unless some weird shit happens or a wild hair grows.
later all
Your humble narrator,
P

Se

2008-03-18T10:49:00.000-07:00

The sun is back. It rained a little last night and when I got up this morning it was hot. Brazil hot! So hot after walking two blocks I had to buy another shirt hot.
I went to the sao paulo art museum. Saw some interesting artwork hada little lunch . A little coffee...a little dessert. NIce little afternoon trip before I catch my plane.
I shot this video before I went to the museum. Se park is pretty cool.
I~m pretty comfortable here . I like sao paulo. this city has a lot of character.
I^m off to shower and catch some bbc before the airport.
See you on the other side.
P

sao paulo rain

2008-03-17T11:31:00.000-07:00

So the first half of this trip was HOT! Hot, muggy and sticky. Last few days it's been raining.
I wanted to go out today. Tomorrow I catch my plane in the evening so I wanted to wander a bit more an see more of the public art. There are sculptures in the parks and the subway stations have local art.
I bought a $4 umbrella and walked around. This city has some great looking buildings and in the 30's it must have been amazing. Alot like Egypt. Now the buildings are dark, dirty and patched up to function. A little sad but what can you do. it~s expensive to maintain infrastructure.
I stopped off at mcdonalds so see if the coffee tastes the same here as in the states. They have apple AND bananna pies here. Fried, but no coffee at this mcdonalds. NO COFFEE! WTF!
OK, not a big deal. I stopped by bakery around corner from my hotel and got a coffee to go and watched BCC and ate my pies. Very nice.
The bananna was basically a bananna and cinnamon filling in a crust. My first hotel in rio had sliced bananas with cinnamon served as part of breakfast. It~s simple and tastes great! How did I never think of that at home?
I~m still out wandering. The pies will not last in my system long and I'll need to find real food sooner or later. I'll check my book and see what they recommend.
I'll see what's around tonight. I'll see if there are any music clubs open during the week
later

iguazu

2008-03-16T13:47:00.001-07:00

I wasn~t too sure about this spot for my birthday as the day approached but Ive had good instincts about these things in the past so I went with it.
Flying in getting a hotel, then booking everything was a hassle but only moderately so.
The day started with a bus ride which almost took me to argentina but turned around and got to the brazilian side of iguazu. I got in the park and the first stop was a boat ride into the falls. IT WAS AMAZING! We were in the falls! Unbelievable! the boat ride was fun too....
After the boat I went repelling and walked the trail to the observation point at the devil's throat.
The trip was totally worth it!
I flew in to sao paolo last night and will be here for a couple of days before I go home.
Í'm wiped out and I have no clean clothes left.
Brazil has been nice, but hot!
The brazilains I've met have been pretty friendly and the food is pretty good. I've been sticking to simple stuff and walking alot. I^m trying to keep my weight in check so I have to be mindful of what I'm eating. This portuguese keyboard takes some getting used to. My powers of punctuation have not failed me, things are different here.
One thing I have learned about brazil. They use very little material in making their toilet seats. Everwhere I~ve gone, top to bottom the toilet seats have been the absolute structual minimum in material. They must replace these things with regularity or our building standards in north america are radically overcompensating for something.
Anyway, I walked about sao paolo today. Saw the musueum of modern art and wasn~t really impressed. Ate some good feojada and walked all day.
My hotel has a good view of the city but only gets bbc in english. I killed two mosquitos watching tv this afternoon. I hope I got them all.
I~ll write more tomorrow.
later....

in transit

2008-03-14T02:45:00.000-07:00

all is going according to plan. I took the overnight bus from ouro preto back to rio. 7 hours on the bus and I smell terrific! It's drizzling here, weather in iguazu looks good. I'm back at the hostel I stayed at last week. The internet is reliable and they don't mind me hanging around until my plane leaves.
I feel pretty good. I've been walking as much as I can and ouro preto was really hilly so my knees and stomach are burning.
My plane leaves at 3pm so I have a lot of time to kill. I'm dying for some coffee. I've had a couple of nice cups here. You have to watch what you order. just coffee gets you the little bitter cup, and I prefer the large smooth drink, like in the states.
Anyway, Im off to find some coffee and consume my left over cookies.

ouro preto

2008-03-13T04:36:00.000-07:00

So I got here last night, tired, filthy and a little annoyed because of the scheduling but this place was completely worth the effort.
Its like tiradentes but on a much larger, grander scale. Everything is closed right now but just walking the streets and taking in the views I~m emersed in the town.
My posada is terrific. Wide plank floors, art work, exposed beams. Spectacular.
Make the effort to come here if you can!

rain!

2008-03-13T04:34:00.000-07:00

I had to catch a later bus from sao joao to ouro preto. I went for a walk and BOOM! Rain! The clouds have been threatening for last few days but here it was.
I ended up making ouro preto at about 1030PM

sao jiao

2008-03-12T09:09:00.000-07:00

I got up early to tour a pewter shop in town. I wandered in yesterday after tiradentes and talked to the guy. He invited me to see the factory and see some of the new pieces they were making. It was pretty interesting.

I went into the main part of sao jiao del rey. The churches here was spectacular. This has been the best part of my trip so far. These little towns are much more relaxing and theraputic than the grafitti riddled bigger cities.

I got back to the bus station and tried to get an early bus to ouro preto but the only bus I could get was at 530. The puts me in ouro preto at about 9pm. Too late for pretty much anything but sleeping.

Hopefully tomorrow I~ll tour the city and off to rio.

I had a great cup of coffee and a small chocolate cake/tart thing. It~s the first really good coffee I~ve had here. I had a terrible cup of coffee after the pewter shop tour and I didn~t want that to be my lingering impression of Brazilian coffee.

No usb port here at the bus station so more pics and video have to wait.

later

tiradentes

2008-03-11T14:01:00.000-07:00

the book 1000 places to see before you die says tiradentes was an amazing place.
I don~t know if I had to see it before I die but I did get the feeling about an hour in that I was probably the furthest away from LA that I could possibly get.

the town is hundreds of years old. Dotted with churches and authentic buildings. The govenment designated tiradentes an historic area so the buildings, materials and colors have to be authentic.

So you have rustic buildings, stone roads and sidewalks, surrounded by jungle and mountains. The sound of cars in around but horses walk the streets and kids run around between the buildings. Its difficult to describe the feeling.

I shot a video but can~t load it from my location right now. I may try again later.

I came in by bus from belo horizante where I just flopped for the night. I~m planning on ouro petro tomorrow. Another must see colonial town.

The trip is getting better. The heat makes doing a lot difficult so I~m paring down my itinerary accordingly.

I~m still on track to make the falls on my birthday.

I need a shower and to unload. I^m still carrying my feojada from when I was in rio. I know it~s coming. I~ve been hoping it wouldn~t demand an exit while I was on a 7 hour bus ride.

I have a good spot here in sao jao del rey. I got lucky. It looks like it~s a brand new posada. The operator seemed very happy to see me and to give me a room.

People have been very friendly. I was worried about the crime and I have heard of some but not experienced anything bad.

Because of the heat I~ve only been out at night once and I~m pretty careful in general regardless.

I heard a guy got his camera stolen and he had to pay just to get the memory card back. He was at a whorehouse but still it can sour an evening.

And the general fights and stolen wallets from guys at bars.

I´m pretty sure I miss a lot of the danger since I don~t drink. Alchohol seems to be an important ingredient when things go bad.

I~m off for a shower. I need it.
later

maracana

2008-03-09T16:56:00.000-07:00

Flamengo beat Americana 3-1 and I was there. I~ve heard about atmosphere at a soccer game in brazil. this was apparently tame. Only about 10,000 people were there because americana is a second tier team and they really didnt put up much of a struggle in the game.
Big flags waved and there was non stop drumming and singing all over the stadium. It was really pretty cool.
I went with a group from my hostel. The guide kept us in a safe area but it was all pretty much safe since americana didn~t have one fan in attendance as it seemed.
I had a hot dog and coke, as is my habit at a game. Venders were all over us since we were clearly foreigners and loose with our money.
There wasnt a fight and the game was ok.
I~m staying in rio a little longer than I planned so I can arrange my trip to iguazu.
Next stop belo horizante.
later

meat!

2008-03-09T06:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got a lot done. I rode three buses. Picked up my Hard Rock pin, Walked on the beaches at Impanema and Copacabana and had dinner. NOt just any dinner. The local thing on saturday is Feiojada. The book said its a local favorite so...where do you go for feiojada, but ...casa de feiojada....
I walked around all day so I was hungry. I knew it would be lot so I paced myself for the experience.
The waiter brings a small bowl of beans ...as an appetizer. This bowl is like a shot. You drink it then the mean comes. Cool, I guess..but then THE MEAL COMES!
A bowl of meats simmered in beans, a bowl of beans, rice, seaweed, fried...potatoes, banana, jicama...I still don~t know what it was but it was all good.
I~ve been watching what Ive been eating for weeks and now...MEAT! Meat of all kinds in this bean-meat war in this bowl. It was all really good but too much for one man, and they kept wanting to fill the meat bowl and the rice plate....I was going to panic, but I kept my calm.
I ate as much as I could...relaxed. Drew a little. and left.
The owner sat me next to two women. New yorkers. After they found out I was from LA, the first thing. "you know you people can walk you know...." People indeed suck.
Anyway, they left...I ate...then I left.
Now for breakfast I had an omlette and fruit and juice and coffee.
When I travel one of the keys to success is managing my digestive system. With the breakfast I had and the freight train of fat and protein moving through me I was in a dangerous situation.
I walked about three blocks to catch the bus and across the street I saw two buses waiting, and I thought....Hmmmnn....should I shit now or wait until I get to the hotel. I realized in this moment, it~s the same question as if you say to yourself, should I break up with my girlfriend now or wait for things to get better.
1) If you have to ask you need to and 2) if you wait things are only going to get messy.
I searched the street. Down at the end ...five blocks or so...Mercure Hotel...5 star...nice shitter....to my left....brazilian hotel....2 maybe 3 star...Id be rolling the dice...but I~m a gambler.
I went to the local hotel and asked in my worse portuese for the toilet...it was clean but so small I had to literally shit sideways. Unfortunately my deposit was so foul I flushed twice and felt like leaving a tip and an apology.
Instead, I calmly left and without making eye contact said...Obrigado....
I^m at a hostel today. This environment is much much nicer than the hotel. Cool people around. NIce music and I~m going to maracana stadium to see soccer! What could be better.
later!

The tram

2008-03-07T06:58:00.001-08:00

I just came back from corcavado. The tram ride up was nice but when I got to the top the place was filled with tourists. Dozens of people trying to take their picture with their arms stretched out. It was nauseating. I hung out for a while and headed down. On the ride down there was a five man samba band working for tips. They were pretty good and really picked up my mood. I~m smelly and sweaty again. back to the hotel for a shower. It~s another broiler today.

Rio

2008-03-07T01:50:00.000-08:00

16 hours on the plane. I went LA to DC, then DC to Rio. I've had long plane rides before but that one seemed longer than it was. When I came back from China the last time I was wedged against the window by two three hundred pound women. THAT!, was a long trip.
Anyway, we landed and everything went as I planned. I found the bus in to town fine. Got on the subway and found my hotel.
My room has a great view of the bay and the air conditioning works, THANK GOD! Yesterday had to be 90F and humid. I was soaked and smelling by the time I got to the hotel. They moved up my check in time because....I was ripe!
I went out last night when I got up and had a acai drink. It's a local thing. Made from an amazon fruit. It wasn't bad. I'd have it again.
Got up this morning for the sunrise and the comp breakfast from the hotel.
I'm going to the park then up corcovado to see jesus.
later

airport

2008-03-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

Leaving for the airport in about an hour.
I couldn't really sleep all night.
I was lucky to pick up my visa and passport on Monday, ahead of schedule so everything is set. I'm not as up for this trip as I usually am, but having caught up on work and leaving it all behind is definitely coming just in time.
I have a new camera that I'm not sure will do everything I want so my pictures and videos might not be as I want them to be.
Two weeks and I'll be back.

chelsea

2007-09-01T22:19:00.001-07:00

here's what it looked like

gay red sox fan v. gay yankee fan

2007-08-29T08:43:00.000-07:00

I was at the game last night....being at Yankee Stadium, so much history....the pain of 1977 and 1978 comes right back...anyway...
Yankees win...Red Sox choke...

But during the game there was a guy wearing a Red Sox Veritek Tshirt...the guy had popcorn chucked at him and a lot of comments during the game...

So after the game I'm on the subway. Veritek guy is on the train with five of his friends and there are two obnoxious yankee fans on the train.

Now as a disclaimer, I sat next to two yankee fans that were fine. Cool guys...the people around me were mostly yankee fans and there were good, into the game and glad to be there. There were that 1 percent that had to go the extra mile...any strike out or bad play AAWWWWWW!!!!!, WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!...any good play...YEAAA!!! TAKE THAT FAG SOX! But for the most part....yankee fans were ok...

Except these guys.

As does happen, Yankee fan started calling veritek gay. It's the card some guys go to automatically. Veritek guy goes with it...tells the guy to sit on his lap, for him and his friend to come over...says he's staying downtown, they should party....I mean he's going the extra mile...

Yankee fans say...no...we don't go that way Boston...Yankee fans are straight...

But Veritek guy won't leave it alone..."I can handle you and your buddy....Let's get this done..."

Neither of these camps is backing down.

Now, it gets weird.

Yankee fan says "well, if you want it so bad ...lick my ass....." He moves in front of the Veritek guy and waves his ass in his face....Veritek guy says "come on..."
Then Yankee fan pulls down his pants and his ass is about a foot from Veritek's face...

Now ass licking did not occur on the D train last night but it was pretty damn close...

For me the philosphical question, does it mean your gay if you have emotional feelings for me or if you drop your pants on the subway and offer your ass to a stranger...hmmmnnnn.....

Now Yankee fans friend is horrified but tries to play it off and moves down the car and pulls his buddy with him. They start talking to another group of people at the other end of the car and I started talking with some people about what we had just seen...

I missed what happened next but then....Veritek's friend and Gay Yankee fan and fighting! Gay Yankee fan has a cut on his eye and every one is worked up...but at least they have their clothes on.

It goes back and forth...they go to fight then pull back...fight...pull back...

Then they all left the train.....

That's New York....You never know what you're going to get....Yankee win, Gay sex on the subway....fight...or all of the above...

I ended up at the Blue Note for jazz after the game ...and it was great...I put the subway out of my mind...until...I wanted to write about it now....

On my way to the airport in a bit....
Later

WOW!

2007-08-27T22:50:00.001-07:00

I checked out of the Waldorf this morning. It's an Icon, there's history so I thought I would give it a try but really, it's a small, old ...hilton. Service, marginal. Most people were nice but once I was checking out...they were polite but I don't feel like part of a family...
So I saw Letterman...which was cool. Not great but well what do you want it's a tv show.
I moved to the Chelsea Hotel, after leaving the taping.
Now the Chelsea also has a long history. Artists, writers, Musicans have lived there for years and years...Mark Twain, Dylan Thomas...Sid Viscious Killed his girl friend at the Chelsea...and Arthur C. Clarke wrote 2001: A Space Oddysey while living there.
I though, "hey..another icon..." but really this place has a great feel. It is undeniably unique...my room has a balcony, I can walk out on ...look down on the street...Most places, you're sealed up, like living in a chinese food container....The room here breathes...the doors and windows don't fit. Over time the joints and seals have become misshaped and everything has changed since it was built. Art is on every floor of the stairs....I walked top to bottom just to see it all. The roof has a patio...with no childproof, 10 foot high protection....I leaned over just to look down....I held on to the stone ledge and it scared the shit out of me....but...I was really experiencing something....and to me the best part of all, and I'm taking as a statement....No Gideon Bible! It's the only time I'm seen it! No Bible! Awesome!
I even worked on my journal and some of it was better and different than I have ever done...
It's a pretty good day....I'm only here for two more days....but this will be a great place to come back to.
they even have a kinko's 24 hrs around the corner so I can post with pictures!
The little places....
If you come to NYC you have to check this place out!

times square

2007-08-26T09:51:00.000-07:00

There are a couple of internet spots in times square so this is where I'm posting from. The hotel room internet is pretty much crap. When you sign on it tells you your information may be comprimised...What the hell is that? Check your email and for the rest of your life the Hilton owns you? I'm not that impressed with the service and the hotel itself really....Anyway,
The game was postponed from 1:10PM to 8:05 PM...I made a trip out to the park for nothing...but it was nice to take a walk around with out a lot of people...The new park, Citi Park is being build right next to Shea, just like new Busch and old Busch in St. Louis. Signs say will open in 2009.
I'm excercising and watching what I eat. I'm in a bet at work...who loses the most weight. I almost fell of the wagon last night...after a lot of walking I was itching for cheesecake and coffee...but I held out...I'm down 6 lbs...only what? 24 to go...
more later...

NY

2007-08-24T18:53:00.001-07:00

I got to the airport yesterday... and had to take a massive dump. I had a couple of minutes so went...The stall had the spare tire size roll of toilet paper....but ...no paper! F. I made do with the spares I carry but....I hope it's not an omen.
I'm in Times Square at Burger King with internet. The city has changed even from 2005 when I was here.
Dodgers v Mets tomorrow