Space
Palm Beach, FL You don’t realize how alone time can recharge you. During my month of travel, I had a lot of me time, but it was always driving, or sleeping, or walking. Yesterday was the first day I actually had a house to myself. I had stayed with people along the way and when I do that, I try to be conscious of not being in the way or being a hassle. When you camp, you’re always a bit on edge because of the unknown. A bear could try to meet me. An inebriated camper could do something stupid. I could set up camp wrong. When you stay in a hostel, you’re surrounded by other...
Read MoreNew
Palm Beach, FL I learned last night that I’m not cut out for the late night party scene. I got home and to bed at 7 AM. No more of that. I guess some people live for it and can do it. I guess I am somewhat programmed for the up early and in bed not too late. I hung out in downtown Fort Lauderdale at the penthouse of an apartment complex. The balcony set you right above the intracoastal. I met some new people, didn’t carry on too much conversation with anyone though. We came late and most of the people had left. Me and the boys were disappointed in the fact that the female contingent...
Read MoreCinco
Palm Beach/Fort Lauderdale After going back and forth, I’m out the door to head to Fort Lauderdale to see a childhood friend, Mark. He’s been there about a year. If you know him, you know he’s a character. It should be interesting to see his scene down there. He came up here with a friend of his and the 3 of us hit Juno Beach today. Very nice, but the waves were the biggest I’ve seen so far on my trip. I didn’t get in. I didn’t want to fight the current. I have a reddish hint to me now. A shower and shave energized me to the point of making the drive to...
Read MoreThe Gardens
Palm Beach, FL I left Daytona this morning at about 9:30. It was great to be around the academic world again. I miss these types of conversations. Bob and I spoke for a while this morning and then I was off. Awaiting me was a key at UPS Store #313 that would get me into my residence for the next few days. I’m sitting in a screened in porch in Palm Beach Gardens staring at the Intracoastal Waterway. This differs form Daytona. Here, there is a marina right in front me. I can see some major yachts and big sailboats. I guess I never realized how water based Florida is. I’m not...
Read MoreMore water and some intellectual talk
Daytona Beach, FL I tied up some loose ends bill wise today in Orlando and didn’t leave for Daytona until 2:00. I guess no matter how free you think you are, the end of the month comes and student loans, cell phone bills, car payments, and car insurance and everything else hits. You can’t go back to being 17 with nothing but the hassle of waking up early for school. I made it to Daytona, in this case, Port Orange, which is just outside of Daytona at about 3:30. I was going to visit/re-meet my Aunt Diane’s sister Marilyn and her husband Bob. Marilyn had given me directions and she said...
Read MoreThe Turks
Jacksonville, FL I’m back… I’m sitting in the kitchen of my newly adopted Uncle Glenn and Aunt Ginny. I got in from the islands last night at 9:30. This was a vacation you needed a vacation to recover from. I have a lot to write, especially since I could not use email or cell phone for the past week. It was very freeing to be away from technology. Now, I could have used the CPU if I wanted to pay for it, but, I was in the islands. And, it was $4/minute for dial up or phone usage and also $1/minute to use their internet connection. Where to start? I guess with the excitement...
Read MoreLast in Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL Today was a day to catch up. I had a lot of emails to look at and some pictures to download. I did what I could and then set off with my hosts to see some of Jacksonville. The downtown is set right on the water/river. You could see the football stadium. We walked along the river and across the way to the Landing, a mall type area where a jazz festival was going on. One of the Florida storms blew in, so we did not stay long. Long enough for an ice cream cone though. The Super Bowl will be here in 2005. I can see why. The buildings and downtown are very cool. I hope...
Read MoreNew Family
Jacksonville, FL I am sitting in my Dad’s cousin’s place in Jacksonville. I met Glenn and Ginny for the first time today. I arrived at noon and waiting was one fatty of a meal. I was starving and salivated as I entered. Food would wait as I met members of my family. We talked for a while, walked out back, and fed the fish. We were to eat at 1:00. Their son Dennis and his family came over. More family. I met Denise, his wife, Rebecca, 5th grade and Jonathan, 3rd grade. I haven’t cooked a whole lot lately, so this meal was a treat and then some. Meal: london broil on the grill....
Read MoreHostel
Savannah, GA Last night was my first night every staying at a hostel. I entered a bit leery of staying in a room with other people, in bunk beds. After checking in and not finding anyone to go out with, I ventured about Savannah. I made a journal entry (Boba!) and began to walk around town. It was a clear night and a breeze blew through the streets. I walked and walked a little more. I’d duck into a bar, grab a to go, and walk. I didn’t have much interaction with anyone. I heard a guy play a little Van Morrison in an Irish place. That was cool. But he stopped and I headed out. At...
Read MoreBoba!
Savannah, GA I finally made the move and left the incredible confines of Charleston, SC. I spent a great week there and am thankful my hosts, Kevin and Cathy, did not get sick of me. At least, I don’t think they did. There is no spellcheck on this thing, so good luck. I’m sitting at the City Market in Savannah, on the upper level of a coffee shop called Boba. I just spoke with the owner as I ate some chili and a ham wrap. Not too shabby. In the distance I can hear and sometimes see some fireworks that I’m assuming are coming from a van down by the river. I love fireworks and...
Read More“It’s like quicksand…”
Charleston, SC I met a girl here last Friday night. I did not meet “a girl,” just a friend who said something about Charleston. I told her on that night what I was doing and that I would be here for a day or two. Well, those days turned into a week. Things have been great here. I’m staying at a palatial house with a California atrium backyard. I’ve been to the ocean a few times. I’ve eaten great food and met some amazing people. But I’ve got to go. I can’t stay here for my trip. Although, I could. Yesterday was a fun time. I was glad to learn my...
Read MoreP Boy
Charleston, SC Playboy emailed me back. Andrew, Unfortunately, I can not fulfill this request. Our list is for local media only and is presently full. My apologies, __________ Oh well. I guess I won’t meet a bunny. That’s probably better. I already have too warped of a definiton of what beautfiful is. I still haven’t heard back from Elizabeth Dole’s folks. I’m off to Beaufort, SC.
Read MoreThe Big Chill
Charleston, SC I just finished The Big Chill. Surprisingly, I had not seen it before. If you haven’t seen it, see it. It sent me high and low. I hope all of us have been lucky enough to have a group of friends like that. My over analyzing mind says: It’s weird how the relationships you made growing up differ from the ones you make now, when you’re older and supposedly wiser. I don’t know why it is that way, because I have some great friends I’ve met in my later years. But, there is something about the innocence of youth that allows you to give more into the...
Read MoreBeaufort
Beaufort, SC The travel bug even gets you when you’re traveling. I decided I needed to head out of Charleston for a while, so I packed my camera and a notepad and headed down I-17 to Beaufort, SC. Here is what I wrote while there. 3:35 PM I’m relaxed and fidgety at the same time. I had to get out of town, not sure why. In front of me sits rippling water, some sandy/marshy area about 500 yards ahead, and a bridge looms deep in the distance. The breeze is strong here because there is nothing to block it coming across the water. I’m sitting by myself in a rocking two seater. I...
Read MoreP Boy
Charleston, SC Playboy emailed me back. Andrew, Unfortunately, I can not fulfill this request. Our list is for local media only and is presently full. My apologies, __________ Oh well. I guess I won’t meet a bunny. That’s probably better. I already have too warped of a definiton of what beautfiful is. I still haven’t heard back from Elizabeth Dole’s folks. I’m off to Beaufort, SC.
Read MoreCuz’s Bday
Charleston, SC Today was my cousin’s birthday. Happy Day Kevin. He and I both worked today. We both did some emails and phone calls. I actually made contact with the PR person from Playboy, yeah baby. Their 50th Anniversary Tour will be here tomorrow and I tried to swing an interview. I got a pretty standard PR rep response. I’ll let you know if I interview a bunny or not. That would be cool. But PR people want to know how many people the interview will reach and what’s in it for the client. If I contacted the client directly, my chances would be much better, but PR people have...
Read MoreActivity
Charleston, SC Today was a busy and prosperous Monday. I started off with some phone calls and set up 3 interviews for the day. The first was with John Duckworth, a rising artist in Charleston. I went to his downtown studio, climbed the flights of stairs, and sat down with a breeze blowing in from the open French doors. His studio had creativity running through it. John’s true calling is art. He also does some graphic design and marketing/PR work. He had a great story and is a truly good guy. I’ve hung out with him in the past and I really like him. He and his wife, Megan, are...
Read MoreSunburn II
Charleston, SC I take back all that fluffy stuff I said about sunburn. The top of my feet itch and my arms and back have a constant roastiness. It took a few turns and ouches to get the water right for the shower before bed last night. Sun and fun are great, sunburn, not so much. I’m off to set some interviews. I have one with an Executive Producer of a local TV station this afternoon. Hopefully I’ll have some success setting others.
Read MoreSunburn
Charleston, SC I haven’t been in front of a CPU lately. I’m just coming in from sitting by the pool with Kevin, my cousin. He’s a good dude and a guy that seems to know everyone in Charleston, SC. He has such a positive vibe; that rubs off on you. He and I are about to try and make a map to put on the site. It’s a perfect 80 degrees here. I had a great time yesterday. I met a lot of new people in Charleston and Myrtle Beach. I did 3 interviews yesterday and worked at a soup kitchen in Myrtle. I’m not in the mindframe to sit and type a lot. I’ll come back to...
Read MoreCousin’s
Charleston, SC I haven’t been in front of a CPU lately. I’m just coming in from sitting by the pool with Kevin, my cousin. He’s a good dude and a guy that seems to know everyone in Charleston, SC. He has such a positive vibe; that rubs off on you. He and I are about to try and make a map to put on the site. It’s a perfect 80 degrees here. I had a great time yesterday. I met a lot of new people in Charleston and Myrtle Beach. I did 3 interviews yesterday and worked at a soup kitchen in Myrtle. I’m not in the mindframe to sit and type a lot. I’ll come back to...
Read MoreOcean in the AM
Myrtle Beach State Park, SC I wrote this entry in a notebook and inputted at a later time. It doesn’t get much better than this. A cloudless, sunny morning, a chair, the beach, and the sweet music of the ocean’s waves. I’m sitting 15 feet in front of the foam yo-yo, a school of seagulls move close and fly away. I hope they don’t drop anything on me. Last night started off with some trepidation. I was unsure if the whole camping thing was right. All of the kids and people running around, and then me. But, as I laid in the tent, all of that went away. I felt at peace...
Read MoreMyrtle Beach State Park
Myrtle Beach, SC It’s funny how things work out. I arrived in Myrtle Beach with no place to stay and only a camping book. I pulled into Myrtle Beach State Park and was overtaken but the beauty. The drive in is a covered drive, covered by big trees and colorful flowers. You drive back for a mile or so and then you see the ocean. I’m thinking, “Sweet.” Then I arrive to the camp sites. They are good, but I thought I’d have more space around me. We are all on top of each other. I almost pulled back, got my money back and caved for a hotel. “Suck it up,...
Read MorePolice
Raleigh, NC This is based on yesterday. It was a day that was exciting and one that did not end until late, so I crashed out before I could make an entry in the journal. I started off the day doing my usual, running around late for an appointment that I had plenty of time to get to. Some of my friends say I’m a piddler, but whatever it is, I’m always stressing at the last minute trying to get out the door. I had a 10 AM interview with Charlie Hinton, a prominent lawyer in Raleigh. He happens to be the father of Morgan, the wife of the couple where I’ve stayed this week. As I...
Read MoreFalls of the Neuse
Raleigh, NC I’m sitting on the couch, next to Bob. He’s getting ready for a presentation tomorrow. He had a big day, passing step 1 of a big certification. Congrats sir. I had my interview with Bill Riddick this morning. I learned about a guy from a small city who has made his way. He owns his own IT company with 50+ employees. Very down to earth. Cruised around Raleigh afterwards and came back to Bob’s place. It turns out Elizabeth Dole did give me the right number. I called the DC area code and was connected to her office. I pitched my project. They said to send an email....
Read MoreAirport
Raleigh, NC I’ve had good days and bad days. I’ve had days where I accomplished a lot and others where I was lazy. Today was a mix of all 4. I will say it was long but prosperous. Monday came with goodbyes from my Dad and my Mom taking me to the airport. We had breakfast together and then at 11:50 I was on my way to DC. I had a layover there and was, I say was, slated to be in Raleigh at 3:10 PM. I was to get off the plane, get my bags, and head out to a 4:30 interview with Bill Riddick, the owner of an IT company in town. It didn’t exactly go down like that. In one of the...
Read MoreEaster
Rochester, NY Easter weekend is wrapping up and it’s been one to remember. A new tradition was started today: Masters at the Harrison’s. After morning church and a quick lunch, the Easter festivities began. Then came chicken wing dip (the best). Mom busted out the veggie tray and our family friends, the Chenette’s, arrived. In tow was a tub full of shrimp, pre peeled and ready to be devoured. All the while, Phil Mickelson was battling to win his first major. For the first 11 holes, he carried the weight of our house and most of the Augusta fans on his back. We’re not...
Read MoreBowling
Rochester, NY It’s Friday. You ain’t got no job. Let’s go bowling. I’m sitting at my sisters place, hanging with her boyfriend Bryan. Sitting in the couch, drinking a brew. It’s Friday. Brew time. It’s good to relax and not worry about who I’m interviewing and where I’m going. I went to dinner with my parents and their friends tonight. Dinner started at 5:30. The food was fish buffet stuff. Very good. Some crab legs, clam chowder, and various fish stuff. I bowled tonight. I stink. At the end of the first game, I was last to go for our team of...
Read MoreMy Place
Rochester, NY I type this from my parent’s house in Rochester, NY. To my back is Lake Ontario. In between me and the lake is about 50 yards of sandy beach. Now granted, it is April and I am in Rochester, so there is no tan or water time on this trip, but I am at my favorite place. We grew up ten minutes away and would move here in the summer time. The bonfires, the water, the sun, and the relaxation are what this place is all about. This land and the old houses (2 new ones were built a couple of years ago) have been in our family for over 80 years. My Aunt and Uncle live next door. I...
Read MoreThe Masters
Raleigh, NC The Masters baby. The best golf tournament of the year. I’ve been to a practice round there. That course is the mecca of golf. I’m in a pool where you pick 7 players per major. You can’t pick the same guy twice. Example, if you pick Tiger for the Masters, you can’t use him again. Lowest team score wins. After some rushed research here are my 7: Mickelson Scott Goosen O’Meara Kelly Riley Love III Enjoy the golf.
Read More