Studio
Charleston, SC 7:44 PM I type this atop the second floor of my cousin Kevin’s studio (picture will be entered at some point). I am now in Charleston, SC. A beer is on the desk. Kevin and my other cousin Kyle (no relation to Kevin) are outside having a smoke. Van Morrison’s Common One is playing on the record player. Yes, a record player. For those of you that don’t know, Van is the man. Kyle flew in from Rochester today. I picked him at about 6 from the CHAS airport. Rush hour wasn’t too bad and he was waiting outside for me. I talked to Caytie today and she said it had snowed in...
Read MoreSheet Rockin’ Panthers
Charlotte, NC 10:17 PM And now I’m here, at the kitchen table of Mike and Veronica’s. The Real World is on the TV, they are in the living room watching, and I’m typing. Ashlie, Veronica’s daughter, is in bed. My contacts need to come out and better yet be thrown out for some new ones. My time here ends tomorrow, but my day today was awesome. My wake up call from Mike came at 7 AM today. Veronica’s dad was coming over to hang sheet rock in the nursery they’re building. 7 AM was early and I didn’t like the call, but I knew once the sheet rock was done we were headed to see the...
Read MoreUptown/Downtown
Charlotte, NC 7:05 PM Last night turned out to be a bit crazier than planned. After lunch with Mike and Jake I made my way down to south Charlotte. Mike (different Mike, old roommate) and Veronica let me come into their house before they came home from work. I had just laid down to try and recharge when Mike called for a ride form work. He had a car issue. No nap for me. Into the traffic I went, but it was no big deal. Mike, Ryan, and I made our way downtown for the night. Mike and I used to live right in the middle of Charlotte. We had a few places we frequented and we started back at Stool...
Read MoreCurry makes you sleep
Charlotte, NC 10:36 AM I made it back to Charlotte yesterday in no time and made my way to the library. I got out my computer and a book and killed some time in a free and productive way. My cousin works at this library but I didn’t say anything to him until I left. My attention span runs in weird stages. I read for a few minutes and then my mind wandered to the trip and what was next. I turned on my CPU, but it was too loud for me to type much on it. You don’t want to be that guy at the library. I was there for about an hour or so and said hello/goodbye to Colin and made my way over to...
Read MoreThe day after
Charlotte, NC 9:04 AM The oatmeal is in the sink, the TV is tuned to CNN, and my eyes are still recovering from trying to stay up and see a winner last night. I’m glad I turned it off. I’m sitting in a new leather chair at my old roommate’s house. It looks like a Bush W. I will say Kerry fought hard. From what I’ve seen and heard, it would be incredible for Kerry to pull Ohio out. Regardless of who wins, it was incredible to see people so passionate about their choices. I’ve never seen people aged 35 and below so fired up about government. I will say most of the...
Read MoreThe Vote
Charlotte, NC 5:05 PM It was as they said. I pulled into the Harrison Untied Methodist Church in Charlotte to see a line out the door. Luckily for us it was a cloudy day. It was humid, but not too bad to be outside. I packed my backpack with water, my walkman, and my notebook. I got in line. Someone was nice enough to explain that I needed to go inside to get signed in. They had waited 50 minutes in line before they were told. It was that type of feel in line today. People were very nice and talkative. In my line was a young guy voting for the first time. There was a 5th grade teacher who was...
Read MoreDrive on
Asheville, NC The morning came early yesterday. After weeks of sleeping until it was time to write, a 6 AM buzzer in my ear was not a welcome noise. I turned it off and was glad to hear Lake Ontario telling me to wake up. The waves were louder than usual and the wind was making its case. Mother Nature told me it was time. Rather than snoozing and laying there, I was up and headed down to the shower. I had a date with Black Beauty. She and I were making a run south, down to Asheville. I was excited at getting back on the road. 6 AM or not, I wiped the cobwebs out, got showered, grabbed my...
Read MoreReady
Rochester, NY 11:42 The night comes to a close. I feel good that I was busy getting ready to leave today. I hit most of the things on my to do list: Bank Gas Bills Laundry Pack Clean Car Print directions I did these, some not to the max, but I am ready. I went out to eat with my parents and their friends for the 5:30 dinner. Good stuff. I found the card of the woman I met on the ferry on my way to Martha’s Vineyard. I had thought I lost it. That was a good thing to come from the cleaning/packing. Mapquest says 12 hours and 30 minutes. Close to 700 or so miles, I can’t remember and the...
Read MoreDrive the Vote
Rochester, NY 1:48 PM Two weeks ago I passed up a road trip. It’s rare for me to do that. My host family from Harrisburg needed help driving a car out to Washington state. It pained me to pass. I was into my writing and the timing was not right. Sometimes things have a way of working out. I have not been the most active person in government in my 29 years. As you may know, I have some opinions on things regarding our government. I learned today that if you are out of town (maybe traveling the country) you need to apply for an absentee ballot a month prior in order to vote. I am...
Read MoreIt’s all over
Boston I did my part to break the Boston Red Sox curse. I hit Fenway and Yankee stadium this year. After being to Fenway and feeling the emotion of their fans, I became a Red Sox supporter. My team, the Reds, usually stink and fall out of the playoffs. Up until this year I had always pulled for the Yankees. The times have changed. Congrats to Boston and their fans. They needed it and they got it.
Read MoreGreece Post #2
Rochester, NY Greece’s ‘seeker’ returns home – for now October 21, 2004 He’s busy writing a book about his travels and plotting part two of his soul-searching adventure. By MELISSA LANG / mlang@mpnewspapers.com Andrew Harrison spent five months on the road, living out of a car and acquaintances’ guest quarters, interviewing people from all walks of life and amassing more than 80 tape-recorded conversations – and he did it all so you won’t have to. “My goal is for people to realize, ‘Man, there’s more to life than just working...
Read MoreGame 7
Rochester, NY Wow. I am not a Red Sox fan. I am not a Yankees fan. I am a sports fan. To see a team and a city that needed to win so bad come back from near demise to win 4 straight, it was something to see. On my trip I saw a game in NY. I saw a game in Boston. The fans of Boston needed that win. New York expected it, Boston needed it. My dad and I satyed up and watched this game, and the last one, and the one before that. It’s been fun to do that. Now the question is can they get rid of the curse? 4 more to go.
Read MoreBack on the Interview Scene
Rochester, NY 4:26 PM I did an interview today. It had been a while, at least over a month. I was a bit rusty. I wasn’t sure exactly what it was going to be. The executive coach that I’m working with said this guy, Craig, would be a good person for me to meet. I emailed him yesterday and we volleyed some times back and forth today and met up at what I learned is an excellent coffee place, Spot Coffee. I walked in to a huge, high ceilinged room. It was 12:45 and there were people eating lunch and others sipping on a joe. That awkward “Who am I meeting?” came mover me as I scanned the...
Read MoreEarly Thanksgiving
Rochester, NY 9:05 AM When you get the chance to do what you enjoy, it’s a good feeling. I enjoy sports and eating. I excelled at that all day Sunday. I stopped at the store and picked up a couple of bottles of wine for the hosts. Ryan’s parents welcomed me into their house as if it were my own. The spread was magnificent. There was chicken wing dip, cheese and crackers, bread bowl dip, some beers, and of course the NFL. Ryan and his dad are Dolphin fans. I think his mom is a Bills fan. That game is a big rivalry up here. We snacked, and then the steamed clams were ready. There were tons...
Read MorePancakes
Rochester, NY 11:30 AM I type this with a tickle in ym throat and some pancakes on the stove. Dad left me the batter before they headed to church. Fall has hit in upstate NY. I played golf earlier in the week. Now it’s grey and cool. The leaves are pretty though. I went back down to Letchworth State Park on Monday. Took some great pictures and put a few on the site. There is an article in the paper this morning about a guy from my high school who was killed in Iraq. He was 22. I’m not sure if I knew anyone who had died over there. I didn’t know him, but he walked the same halls I did...
Read MoreIdeas Happen
World Wide Web I have entered my journey into an idea contest. My savings are low and they offer $25,000 for the winners. I ask that you go check it out and see what you think. Also, it’s not too late for you to submit an idea. http://ideashappen.msn.com The easiest way to get to my entry is to go to Advanced Search. Then type in my username, which is iamontheroad.com Click on my record. If you like it, click on I’m Feelin’ It. Check it out. Think of an idea and enter. I recommend doing a search if you think you have one. I had another, business type one, but after putting...
Read MoreHomes
Rochester, NY 11:58 PM You don’t know why things happen like they do, but things happen. When you are young and people your age die, it has an affect on you. As I write that, I guess death has an affect on you no matter what your age is. As I was at the funeral home tonight, I heard what a lot of people said at my Nana’s funeral. “It’s good to see you. I wish it wasn’t for this.” I saw a lot of people I hadn’t seen in years. My sister saw a lot of people she hadn’t seen. In your life you only come in contact with a certain amount of people. You keep in contact with some and...
Read MoreJail
NY 11:15 AM I was a bit leery as I sat out in the parking lot, staring at the high fences with barbed wire all over it. I wasn’t sure if I really was supposed to go into the jail to meet inmates. I wasn’t sure if what my parent’s were doing was the right thing. Why are they here for the whole weekend? There was a group of about ten in the parking lot, waiting to go in. They were doing the same thing I was. I let them be together for a while. I listened to the football games on the radio (Cowboys stink) and ate a little leftovers I had brought (porkchop, rice, and pineapple). I had sat...
Read MoreSaturday
Rochester, NY 11:00 AM It’s Saturday morning. That means different things to different people. It used to be the day we’d be scrambling around to get ready for soccer or basketball games. Then it grew to the day where I could finally sleep until noon. Then it turned into the day where I’d get up early, work out, shower and get a bunch of errands done. I’m not sure what my Saturday’s have turned into. Today I sit at the same kitchen table at the same house of my parents where I’ve been for the past month. A month goes by fast. I’ve been writing and trying to put my sales hat back...
Read MoreMaybe I should’ve been…
Rochester/Tampa A lawyer. August 12, 2004 County Courts Traffic Tampa, FL Affidavit of Defense or Admission and Waiver of Appearance Citation No. XXXXXXX Dear Judge, This letter is in reference to Citation no. XXXXXXX which was given to me on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 at approximately 10:00 PM. The citation is for improper entrance/exit at the intersection/entry ramp of Hillsborough and 275. I am writing this letter because I am from out of state and can not be present at the court date of September 8, 2004. I was in Tampa on the above stated date and time. I am from Charlotte, NC and made my...
Read MoreThe Lane
Rcohester, NY 10:10 AM Memories can make you young again. Last night I was sent back 11 years. I was back in high school. Josh and I were over at Lynne’s house where Beth was sleeping over. We, and others, used to hang around a lot, before life made us grow up and have to decide things. This was part of my group. I used to talk and the phone with Lynne for all hours. She would have to hear me complain about things. I guess I still do that. It’s funny how I used to be able to talk on the phone for hours and hours. Now 10 minutes is a long one. This is 2004. We went to Lynne’s house....
Read MoreLittle things
Rochester, NY 9:56 AM It was a pretty quiet week. I type today alone at my parent’s house. It was kind of nice last night to come home and have this place to myself. It’s been rare to have the run of the mill. They are off at a retreat. I felt like a kid talking to my friends, “My parents are out of town.” I didn’t use it like I would have 10 years ago. I wonder if they say that when I stay out, “OK, he’s out for the night.” Monday through Thursday was spent writing and thinking. I’m coming up with some pretty good ideas and thoughts. My writing is coming along, but I think,...
Read MoreStill here
Rochester, NY 9:57 PM I’m still here. I haven’t written in the journal much because I haven’t been doing much. It’s been great to be home and relax. My parents have been great about putting me up and putting up with me. I feel like a kid again, having dinner with them nightly and talking to them about jobs and my writing. It’s been good for me and my dad to watch football together. I watched a ton of it this weekend. South Carolina lost a hard fought game to Georgia. Dallas lost not a hard fought game with Minnesota. I won my first fantasy football game, but two of my receivers got...
Read MoreFrances
Rochester, NY 1:24 PM The sea is angry today. Frances has caused the lake to rage outside of the windows here. My typing is flowing more freely for this than the book. So I will go with it for a few. I saw the Butterfly Effect with my cousin Kyle a couple of days ago. Much better than I thought. Weird, but I like those kind of movies. Tonight is a big night. NFL kicks off! Sundays won’t be the same. I will know gain a few pounds sitting in the chair next to Dad on Sundays. I’m heading over to my sisters for the game. Pizza and wings and fantasy football action. My starters in our...
Read MoreRant
Rochester, NY 9:45 AM Time is short and my brain is focused on my writing, but there are a few things going on. I read the paper today. I don’t like to do that (other than sports) because then I am filled with thoughts that I have no power over. I saw we reached 1,000 soldiers killed in Iraq. I must have grown immune to the stories because it didn’t have much of an affect on me. It’s been going on for a lengthy time and there are stories in there often. How can I be immune to it? It’s not right, but I think a lot of us have. Then I read about our $422 billion deficit....
Read MoreDetails
Rochester, NY 11:35 AM The weekend has been all that you’d hope for a three day. The weather has been sunny and 70’s/80’s. It’s another big one today. I just got a call and passed on the chance to go see the Allman Brothers concert. It would be a party and outside on a perfect day, but why go there when I can shower, throw on a bathing suit, some sunblock, and snag a chair in the sun on the beach. That wins out, as it did yesterday (over golf), and the day before that. I have another lazy day in store. The crab leg dinner on Friday was killer. Fat legs, steak, potato, salad, were...
Read MoreIt’s the weekend…
Rochester, NY 2:25 PM It’s a perfect day in Rochester (finally). The sun is shining, the breeze is slight, and the day is open. I just got my oil changed, saw my mom and her friends at work, and had lunch with my dad. The car was a pain, as the Hyundai dealership only opened a week ago. They couldn’t swipe my debit card. So I had to go to BofA. Their ATM was out. I went in. It used to be a Fleet, but their CPU’s don’t talk yet. I had to wait 15 minutes to get the money. I got the money. Wednesday was pretty awesome. I got my dad to come with me to Letchworth State...
Read MoreUncertainty to clarity
Rochester, NY 9:19 AM Yesterday was a day of uncertainty. There is so much up in there in my life right now that it can stress me. “Where am I going to live? How am I going to bring in money? What have I just done? What is the point? Should I get a job? Should I write a book? Should I go shopping, it’s tax free? And on and on…” I was in a crap mood most of the day. I was supposed to go out and see a lady friend last night. I cancelled it. I hadn’t seen her in a month and I cancelled. Weird. I ended up grilling with my dad, watching a movie from the 2003 PGA Championship (we were...
Read MoreThe Vineyard – Saturday
Martha’s Vineyard I woke up to Stella on my head. “Chirp, Chirp,” she said to me. I was out of it. I let her sit there. I was under the sheet, but could feel her claws on me. It wasn’t painful, but a bit weird. I get freaked out when a bird flies at me, but this did not because I did not see it. She sat there and I tried to go back to sleep. It didn’t work so I had to brush her off gently. She flew back up and chirped. Pete and I got up a little bit later. We went up to the house where my programmed self had to wash my face, put in my contacts, make a deposit, and brush my...
Read MoreThe Vineyard
Rochester, NY 4:07 PM I’m back to normalcy. Or I’m back to as close to normalcy as I’m going to get while on this trip. I’m back in Rochester and type from the kitchen table of my parents which for ease of typing I am going to call home. This is as close to home as I have right now. James Taylor plays on the CD player. The sliding doors to the deck are open and a slight breeze enters from Lake Ontario. The beach shines form the sun. My aunt and a friend are sitting in the sun, to my left. A lawn mower shouts out from somewhere. I just came in from planting a few things for my mom. I...
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