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.
21 March 2011
19 March 2011
Busted...
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
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
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...
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...
16 March 2011
green
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.
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
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
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
14 March 2011
Days with many parts
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...
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...
13 March 2011
I 40
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
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
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