So, it's only been four days of sitting at home jobless - but my god, do I want to kill myself. I'm starting to get worried - you know, with the whole no job and no offer thing, but realizing I've only been here for a week and home alone, without a job for four days, its not so much a worry yet. I hope that by the end of this month, I'll have a month - even if that means flippin' burgers or being a receptionist for a production company (which would be awesome networking). I have to pay the rent somehow!
One this is helping pass the time though. The good Ole' US Open. I have my favorites - Kim Clijsters and Andy Roddick. It's only been a day of play, but thank god for Time Warner/Direct TV. While Rob and Jordan were working today, I basked in all my glory and watched literally, ten different matches. I feel like I caught up on my whole summer-lack of tennis, no play and no watching - work got in the way big time.
This weekend was interesting as well. We spent Friday at a bar in downtown Hollywood which was Irish themed and had $3 pints. I can't even explain how many beers this place had on tap, but it was incredible. To name a few, I could have had Guinness, Heineken, Budweiser, Coors, Saranac, Leinenkugels, etc. The bar itself was awesome - completely decked out in wood, banisters everywhere, hardwood floor, large chandeliers, a second floor with a massive staircase.
Saturday was going to be a slow night, but Rob and I went out to have a beer or two and we ended up walking down to a 1930's log cabin themed bar - "Big Foot West" which may be our new favorite spot. Drinks are served in mason jars, they have a huge whiskey selection, and a $25 shot - yup, thats right, 25 big ones for a single shot - welcome to LA. Will we ever drink it? Absolutely not. It's a homemade brew of herbs, tonics, deer antler, and literally 35 other ingredients. It's in a giant mason jar - brown, chunky, not appealing at all.
Other than these adventures, my roommates have been catching me up on TV that I haven't really ever watched, specifically It's Always Sunny in Philidelphia - which is genius. I recommend it to everyone.
Whats on my agenda now? Job. Call Fox Searchlight. California Driver's License. Hopefully I'll do the last two things on the list tomorrow.
Oh - right, I bought a bed too. No more air mattress for me! Wahoo!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Cobwebs Be Formin'
It's been a while, and I apologize for that, totally not my intention. Things have just been, a little, um, hectic this past week.
So yes, I'm here, in LA, trying to settle in. I've had a lot on my plate, accomplished some of it, but still have lots and lots to go before I can be officially settled in. Sure, I've gotten my oil changed after the trip, went to the post office to pick all the stuff I shipped out here, went site seeing, had a beach day in Santa Monica (how I missed the Pacific Ocean - even if it felt colder than the Atlantic), eaten at a few local spots, and had my first In N Out Burger (thank god), but I still have a ton on the list to finish.
Excitement of the week? Opening my laptop to find the glass screen cracked. Don't ask me how it happened - I don't know, but I closed it, 15 minutes later, I opened it, and right above the camera, the screen was cracking in numerous directions. Needless to say, I shit a brick. I can't afford a new screen after just moving here and I sure as hell can't go without a computer - it is after all the film industry. So I freaked out a bit, went to the local Apple store and feared for the worst. Of course they called it "accidental" damage which isn't covered by warranty and tried to tell me I must have left a pen or something on the keyboard when I closed it - as if I wouldn't have noticed that - idiots. So the guy I was meeting with was nice enough to tell me to bring it to an Apple reseller and they might be able to replace it for less - since Apple doesn't replace just the glass, but the whole LCD screen - waste of money and resources. So I found my local "Mac Mall" and they agreed to replace just the glass for half the price of Apple's whole procedure, without voiding my Applecare warranty (score!). Best part - I got it back the next day when apple projected it would have taken them 8-10 days. Am I out a couple hundred bucks? Sure am, but at least I have a non broken computer.
It's not time to freak out yet, but man, job hunting is killing me. If I haven't sent me cover letter and resume to 30 different places, I haven't sent it to one. No one responds out here! No one. Now, I understand that email is convenient for them because they don't have to respond, but could we show a little decency and respond to me? It's not like I'm applying to jobs well outside my capability - I'd love even a "no, sorry, you're not the right fit for us." Instead, I'm left checking my gmail every two hours, hoping there will be a new message for me from a future employee. Thus far unfortunately, I've gotten nothing :( - no job certainly warrants a sad face.
My room is coming together than god. I spent a ridiculous amount at Ikea and hated every minute of putting my bookshelf and dresser together, but they look very chic and awesome. My next goal is to get a mattress - I'm still looking for that perfect, dirt cheap yet comfortable model. Hopefully I'll stumble upon it soon since my current queen size air mattress (via one of my roommates) is really starting to hurt my back. Final thing on my list that I need to do? Driver's License and California Plates. This will be a slow process since I have to take a written exam (god dammit) and get some Geico California package (wtf), but hopefully I can do that by the end of next week so I can officially be a "resident" of Southern California.
That's all for now. My roommates have been working while I've been home alone the last 3 days and it sucks. I feel like the new puppy that has all the energy when they walk in and they're dead tired, but they're learning to cope with me I suppose.
Sorry for no pictures right now - I'll post some soon as they become relevant.
Love you all.
So yes, I'm here, in LA, trying to settle in. I've had a lot on my plate, accomplished some of it, but still have lots and lots to go before I can be officially settled in. Sure, I've gotten my oil changed after the trip, went to the post office to pick all the stuff I shipped out here, went site seeing, had a beach day in Santa Monica (how I missed the Pacific Ocean - even if it felt colder than the Atlantic), eaten at a few local spots, and had my first In N Out Burger (thank god), but I still have a ton on the list to finish.
Excitement of the week? Opening my laptop to find the glass screen cracked. Don't ask me how it happened - I don't know, but I closed it, 15 minutes later, I opened it, and right above the camera, the screen was cracking in numerous directions. Needless to say, I shit a brick. I can't afford a new screen after just moving here and I sure as hell can't go without a computer - it is after all the film industry. So I freaked out a bit, went to the local Apple store and feared for the worst. Of course they called it "accidental" damage which isn't covered by warranty and tried to tell me I must have left a pen or something on the keyboard when I closed it - as if I wouldn't have noticed that - idiots. So the guy I was meeting with was nice enough to tell me to bring it to an Apple reseller and they might be able to replace it for less - since Apple doesn't replace just the glass, but the whole LCD screen - waste of money and resources. So I found my local "Mac Mall" and they agreed to replace just the glass for half the price of Apple's whole procedure, without voiding my Applecare warranty (score!). Best part - I got it back the next day when apple projected it would have taken them 8-10 days. Am I out a couple hundred bucks? Sure am, but at least I have a non broken computer.
It's not time to freak out yet, but man, job hunting is killing me. If I haven't sent me cover letter and resume to 30 different places, I haven't sent it to one. No one responds out here! No one. Now, I understand that email is convenient for them because they don't have to respond, but could we show a little decency and respond to me? It's not like I'm applying to jobs well outside my capability - I'd love even a "no, sorry, you're not the right fit for us." Instead, I'm left checking my gmail every two hours, hoping there will be a new message for me from a future employee. Thus far unfortunately, I've gotten nothing :( - no job certainly warrants a sad face.
My room is coming together than god. I spent a ridiculous amount at Ikea and hated every minute of putting my bookshelf and dresser together, but they look very chic and awesome. My next goal is to get a mattress - I'm still looking for that perfect, dirt cheap yet comfortable model. Hopefully I'll stumble upon it soon since my current queen size air mattress (via one of my roommates) is really starting to hurt my back. Final thing on my list that I need to do? Driver's License and California Plates. This will be a slow process since I have to take a written exam (god dammit) and get some Geico California package (wtf), but hopefully I can do that by the end of next week so I can officially be a "resident" of Southern California.
That's all for now. My roommates have been working while I've been home alone the last 3 days and it sucks. I feel like the new puppy that has all the energy when they walk in and they're dead tired, but they're learning to cope with me I suppose.
Sorry for no pictures right now - I'll post some soon as they become relevant.
Love you all.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Home at Last
Alright - we made it. We're here in Los Vegas. I lied. I thought I was in Culver City, but apparently we just make it in Los Angeles, so there ya go, I'm officially a resident of California.
David had to "do his hair" before we went to the strip
Last night was sick. We drove around the strip a couple times, soaking it in. We never actually parked and got out of the car, but we didn't see a point in paying 20 dollars to park out car then walk around.
We left Vegas early in the morning and drove into to Mojave Desert and jeez was it hot. It was over 115 degrees with the windows open, driving 75mph. We all know the phrase "cold as a witch's tit," well, this was as hot as the devil's ass crack. Yes, this makes sense. Think about it, hell's hot, flames everywhere. Have you ever seen the devil wear pants? No. If he did, there'd be as sweat mark. So there, this should be a new phrase - hot as the devil's ass crack.
Anywho, the desert was super hot and we stopped in Joshua Tree. It was beautiful. The trees there are so unique and look like something out of a Dr. Suess book - aka, they're awesome. We saw some lizards, birds, some weird desert chipmunk. It was overall an awesome day - if not full of sweat, dehydration, and sunburn.
The apartment is awesome - I'll post pictures soon, but I'm super excited to be here. My mind is now in furnishing mode - bed frame, dresser, etc.
This whole trip was awesome. My mom was the perfect company and the last week was something we both needed. I wouldn't have wanted to do it with anyone else looking back on it.
Again, this is a short posting because I'm tired, but I'll make it up to all of you soon.
Keep reading the blog as I update about the apt coming together and my job searching! Thanks for taking the time to take the trip with us through the wonders of the internet!
Last night was sick. We drove around the strip a couple times, soaking it in. We never actually parked and got out of the car, but we didn't see a point in paying 20 dollars to park out car then walk around.
We left Vegas early in the morning and drove into to Mojave Desert and jeez was it hot. It was over 115 degrees with the windows open, driving 75mph. We all know the phrase "cold as a witch's tit," well, this was as hot as the devil's ass crack. Yes, this makes sense. Think about it, hell's hot, flames everywhere. Have you ever seen the devil wear pants? No. If he did, there'd be as sweat mark. So there, this should be a new phrase - hot as the devil's ass crack.
Anywho, the desert was super hot and we stopped in Joshua Tree. It was beautiful. The trees there are so unique and look like something out of a Dr. Suess book - aka, they're awesome. We saw some lizards, birds, some weird desert chipmunk. It was overall an awesome day - if not full of sweat, dehydration, and sunburn.
The apartment is awesome - I'll post pictures soon, but I'm super excited to be here. My mind is now in furnishing mode - bed frame, dresser, etc.
This whole trip was awesome. My mom was the perfect company and the last week was something we both needed. I wouldn't have wanted to do it with anyone else looking back on it.
Again, this is a short posting because I'm tired, but I'll make it up to all of you soon.
Keep reading the blog as I update about the apt coming together and my job searching! Thanks for taking the time to take the trip with us through the wonders of the internet!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Las Vegas NV Babbyyyy
Am I in Vegas? Yes. Am I blogging from the bathroom? Yes. Why? Because I'm in freakin' Vegas and I can.
Heads up, this is going to be a short - brief post since my mom and I want to run out to the strip and see the city.
Today was a-m-a-z-i-n-g. It was a long day at that, but the best thus far. Arizona is by far the best state to drive through. It's got it all, desert, mesas, plateaus, and forests. It's barren, green, and lush, all at the same time. After leaving Flagstaff, we drove to the Grand Canyon National Park and spent a good five hours there, driving and hiking through the park. At first, we did get lost - we are tourists after all, but using my awesome boy scouting skills, we backtracked and found the car and continued on our way. The canyon is HUGE. Beyond anything I could have comprehended. Walking up to the end, the view seems to zoom out (watch Hitchcock's Vertigo to see what I mean). This is the first time in my life I have ever experienced this first hand and it was amazing. My mom loved it, and was literally breathless most of the day and refused to go near the edge without holding onto me for dear life - it's ok, it is only a mile fall in some spots.
David ain't afraid a no heights!
We then went to the gift shops (why not) and bought some stuff. We got some awesome tea that I can't describe other than "mmmm." If you want to try it let me know, or visit me and I'll make you some. We also went into the general store, aka, the super market - yes, the Grand Canyon has a super market, and I was in heaven. It was like I was back in Ithaca x10000. Everyone was friendly, dressed in camping gear, and super outdoorsy - my dream place.
It soon began to storm which was intense. Even with the canyon being 10 miles wide, with the rain coming down, the visibility was less that a couple hundred feet - the canyon seemed to disappear. Awe inspiring and really put me in my place.
We then drove to Vegas. The drive was perfect. I always wanted to see the desert, and NV didn't disappoint. At 9PM the desert was still 85 degrees of dry heat. Sand as far as the eye can see, open road ahead of us. We drove over the Hoover Dam, pretty badass if I do say so myself.
We are staying at the Boulder Station Hotel and Casino and it's "chincy" for Vegas standards, but I think it's hella nice. My mom was laughing as we passed the bingo section of the casino on the way to the room and an old man was passed out cold, pencil still ready in his hand for the next number to be called. She laughed - I scorned her, it'll probably be me in 60 years.
Ok, so time to head out to see the strip - home of the 99 cent shrimp cocktail (score!). I'll post all the numbers and such tomorrow, hopefully before we leave. We are hoping to see joshua tree, then make it to LA by evening.
Peace out beotches, it's time for me to lose some $$$$ and get food poisoning from those damn shrimp cocktails.
Heads up, this is going to be a short - brief post since my mom and I want to run out to the strip and see the city.
We then went to the gift shops (why not) and bought some stuff. We got some awesome tea that I can't describe other than "mmmm." If you want to try it let me know, or visit me and I'll make you some. We also went into the general store, aka, the super market - yes, the Grand Canyon has a super market, and I was in heaven. It was like I was back in Ithaca x10000. Everyone was friendly, dressed in camping gear, and super outdoorsy - my dream place.
It soon began to storm which was intense. Even with the canyon being 10 miles wide, with the rain coming down, the visibility was less that a couple hundred feet - the canyon seemed to disappear. Awe inspiring and really put me in my place.
We then drove to Vegas. The drive was perfect. I always wanted to see the desert, and NV didn't disappoint. At 9PM the desert was still 85 degrees of dry heat. Sand as far as the eye can see, open road ahead of us. We drove over the Hoover Dam, pretty badass if I do say so myself.
We are staying at the Boulder Station Hotel and Casino and it's "chincy" for Vegas standards, but I think it's hella nice. My mom was laughing as we passed the bingo section of the casino on the way to the room and an old man was passed out cold, pencil still ready in his hand for the next number to be called. She laughed - I scorned her, it'll probably be me in 60 years.
Ok, so time to head out to see the strip - home of the 99 cent shrimp cocktail (score!). I'll post all the numbers and such tomorrow, hopefully before we leave. We are hoping to see joshua tree, then make it to LA by evening.
Peace out beotches, it's time for me to lose some $$$$ and get food poisoning from those damn shrimp cocktails.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Flagstaff AZ
Alright, today was by the far the most adventurous day. Other than spending 13 hours of it on the road, we did a hell of a lot.
I said Texas was my favorite state to drive through, but New Mexico quickly became my new favorite, immediately followed by Arizona taking the thrown (call me indecisive, but I've never been to these states before, so sue me if I can't make up my mind) - AZ is by far the best state to drive through in my mind...thus far.
Originally we were going to drive to and stop at Albuquerque, but after arriving and finding that it was a sprawling city, with the highway running right through the middle of it, we gave up on that idea and quickly continued on our way into the desert. We stopped at a small indian reservation where my mom bought a hand-fired pot with horse hair laid into it. Very beautiful and extremely colorful. We also had some traditional fried bread - think indian funnel cake and you have it - which was delicious.
Next we came into Arizona and stopped at a bunch of little indian stores on the side of the highway. Their craftsmanship is beautiful. The wool blankets are super colorful, the pottery delicate, and the turquoise jewelry beautiful. Unfortunately, none of them seemed happy and I can understand why. They really were shafted by the US government with their land and how they are treated. It's sad to think about it and I wish there was something we could do for them - everyone was so friendly and open to our visit. They are so much more deserving than what they are given.
We then stopped at the Petrified Forest National Park which was incredible. The landscape was like nothing I had ever seen before. At moment it felt like we were on Mars or the Moon. The trees themselves were unique in that they had turned into mineral deposits and literally turned to stone, yielding many different, radiant colors. They almost seemed fake.
Next we tried to stop at the national landmark for the meteor that landed in AZ, but we missed it by 4 minutes - such horse shit. Follow this link to see what we missed - yea, that line is the road
http://www.geologie.uni-freiburg.de/root/people/ulmer/ries/arizona.gif
We arrived in flagstaff and found a super kickass mexican restaurant and had some wonderful food. I had a "Colorado" burrito while mom had Pollo Carnitas. We shared fried ice cream afterwards.
Grand canyon is tomorrow - then we are driving to who know's where.
David was trying to be a showoff and fell in - we picked thorns out of his ass for hours
I'm not playing the numbers game anymore except for the grand totals.
Car Time: 51hrs32mins Mileage: 3,224 Coffees: 7 Rest Stops: 10 Driver's Flipped Off: 3
I said Texas was my favorite state to drive through, but New Mexico quickly became my new favorite, immediately followed by Arizona taking the thrown (call me indecisive, but I've never been to these states before, so sue me if I can't make up my mind) - AZ is by far the best state to drive through in my mind...thus far.
Originally we were going to drive to and stop at Albuquerque, but after arriving and finding that it was a sprawling city, with the highway running right through the middle of it, we gave up on that idea and quickly continued on our way into the desert. We stopped at a small indian reservation where my mom bought a hand-fired pot with horse hair laid into it. Very beautiful and extremely colorful. We also had some traditional fried bread - think indian funnel cake and you have it - which was delicious.
Next we came into Arizona and stopped at a bunch of little indian stores on the side of the highway. Their craftsmanship is beautiful. The wool blankets are super colorful, the pottery delicate, and the turquoise jewelry beautiful. Unfortunately, none of them seemed happy and I can understand why. They really were shafted by the US government with their land and how they are treated. It's sad to think about it and I wish there was something we could do for them - everyone was so friendly and open to our visit. They are so much more deserving than what they are given.
We then stopped at the Petrified Forest National Park which was incredible. The landscape was like nothing I had ever seen before. At moment it felt like we were on Mars or the Moon. The trees themselves were unique in that they had turned into mineral deposits and literally turned to stone, yielding many different, radiant colors. They almost seemed fake.
Next we tried to stop at the national landmark for the meteor that landed in AZ, but we missed it by 4 minutes - such horse shit. Follow this link to see what we missed - yea, that line is the road
http://www.geologie.uni-freiburg.de/root/people/ulmer/ries/arizona.gif
We arrived in flagstaff and found a super kickass mexican restaurant and had some wonderful food. I had a "Colorado" burrito while mom had Pollo Carnitas. We shared fried ice cream afterwards.
Grand canyon is tomorrow - then we are driving to who know's where.
I'm not playing the numbers game anymore except for the grand totals.
Car Time: 51hrs32mins Mileage: 3,224 Coffees: 7 Rest Stops: 10 Driver's Flipped Off: 3
Monday, August 16, 2010
No Offense
Alright - to anyone reading this, any jokes I make, I don't mean to make offensive - thus all the Missouri or Branson jokes. The place was very very nice - just not "for" me. After being in the car all day with my mom, we laugh at stupid stuff and make stupid comments.
I don't mean to offend anyone - and if I have, I apologize. Just trying to add a little humor to the blog.
I don't mean to offend anyone - and if I have, I apologize. Just trying to add a little humor to the blog.
Amarillo TX
Everything is bigger in Texas.
Today was a great day. We spent most of it in Oklahoma (it took so long to drive through it, but not in a bad way). The state was great - absolutely beautiful. We were driving towards Texas when we saw HUGE storm clouds in front of us. Not small little North East clouds, but huge, rolling black clouds. Lighting was striking constantly in thick, massive bolts and the wind was howling. Driving into the storm was a bit scary since the clouds were extremely bulbous and green - tornado indications! As much as I wanted one, we didn't get one (my mom was happy about that). I've never had such a difficult time controlling my car. The wind and rain was pushing it around like it was a toy and the visibility was very limited. The good part was that the wind got the tumbleweeds rolling and man are they frickin' awesome when they pass in front of your car.
Before this, we stopped in Oklahoma City to see the bombing memorial. It's something I've always wanted to see and it's extremely moving. It's a beautiful, serene place, but extremely heart wrenching. The smaller chairs for the children lost in the attack were the hardest part to take in, but the whole monument had an uplifting feeling to it. I'd definitely check it out if you have the time - it's breath taking. The city itself was super clean and had a relaxed feel to it - a perfect city if it wasn't in the middle of no where.
We learned today between Missouri and Oklahoma that armadillos have to be the stupidest animals in the world other then lemmings (you know, those things that commit suicide). I swear, every half mile, we'd see a flattened armadillo on the side of the road - they were so consistent. Sure, I've seen raccoons, deer, birds all on the side of the road this trip, but these armadillos were squashed EVERYWHERE. Literally, you could be talking to someone.."man, I really want to see an armadillo" and all you'd have to do is look out the window and there ya go - there would be one, dead, on the side of the road.
We ate tonight at Texas Road House and man, I don't think I've ever order so much food in my life. I don't need to explain it, but look at the picture below and let it do the speaking for itself.
Sooooo muchh foood
Texas is my favorite state thus far to drive through. It was Oklahoma earlier in the day, but Texas is beautiful. Flat - but beautiful. There is nothing on the horizon - nothing. The cool part was a farm with literally thousands of cows. As far as you could see - there were cows.
Today was good - not as exciting as yesterday, but the easiest drive thus far.
Daily Totals:
Car Time: 8hrs30mins Mileage: 610 Coffees: 1 Rest Stops: 2
Drivers Flipped Off: 0
Random Ass Signs: "Do Not Drive into Smoke" Thanks Oklahoma...whatever the hell that means
Total:
Car Time: 38hrs2mins Mileage: 2,498 Coffees: 5 Rest Stops: 8 Drivers Flipped Off: 3
Today was a great day. We spent most of it in Oklahoma (it took so long to drive through it, but not in a bad way). The state was great - absolutely beautiful. We were driving towards Texas when we saw HUGE storm clouds in front of us. Not small little North East clouds, but huge, rolling black clouds. Lighting was striking constantly in thick, massive bolts and the wind was howling. Driving into the storm was a bit scary since the clouds were extremely bulbous and green - tornado indications! As much as I wanted one, we didn't get one (my mom was happy about that). I've never had such a difficult time controlling my car. The wind and rain was pushing it around like it was a toy and the visibility was very limited. The good part was that the wind got the tumbleweeds rolling and man are they frickin' awesome when they pass in front of your car.
Before this, we stopped in Oklahoma City to see the bombing memorial. It's something I've always wanted to see and it's extremely moving. It's a beautiful, serene place, but extremely heart wrenching. The smaller chairs for the children lost in the attack were the hardest part to take in, but the whole monument had an uplifting feeling to it. I'd definitely check it out if you have the time - it's breath taking. The city itself was super clean and had a relaxed feel to it - a perfect city if it wasn't in the middle of no where.
We learned today between Missouri and Oklahoma that armadillos have to be the stupidest animals in the world other then lemmings (you know, those things that commit suicide). I swear, every half mile, we'd see a flattened armadillo on the side of the road - they were so consistent. Sure, I've seen raccoons, deer, birds all on the side of the road this trip, but these armadillos were squashed EVERYWHERE. Literally, you could be talking to someone.."man, I really want to see an armadillo" and all you'd have to do is look out the window and there ya go - there would be one, dead, on the side of the road.
We ate tonight at Texas Road House and man, I don't think I've ever order so much food in my life. I don't need to explain it, but look at the picture below and let it do the speaking for itself.
Texas is my favorite state thus far to drive through. It was Oklahoma earlier in the day, but Texas is beautiful. Flat - but beautiful. There is nothing on the horizon - nothing. The cool part was a farm with literally thousands of cows. As far as you could see - there were cows.
Today was good - not as exciting as yesterday, but the easiest drive thus far.
It was hot in Oklahoma so David got a drink
Daily Totals:
Car Time: 8hrs30mins Mileage: 610 Coffees: 1 Rest Stops: 2
Drivers Flipped Off: 0
Random Ass Signs: "Do Not Drive into Smoke" Thanks Oklahoma...whatever the hell that means
Total:
Car Time: 38hrs2mins Mileage: 2,498 Coffees: 5 Rest Stops: 8 Drivers Flipped Off: 3
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Branson MO Part Duex
Ok, Mom and I just drove around Branson when it was all lit up and all I can say is holy-shit. This place is amazing. Not in the "I want to move here, start a family, and live here" kind of amazing, but rather the "there is an accident on the side of the road with the car on fire and people in it but I can't stop looking at it" kind of amazing. Never mind amazing, this place is awesome. It's a train wreck. This is the cheesiest place I've ever been in my life. Take a bathtub and fill it with nacho cheese - that cheesy. Tourist trap numero uno.
The best way I can describe it is imagine Las Vegas mixed with Sea Side Heights. For those of you who don't know NJ or aren't from there, watch MTV's Jersey shore and combine Vegas with the boardwalk - and fill it with rednecks. So, so many rednecks. I've never seen so many confederate flags in my life.
David came with us and he was taken back by the whole thing.
David takes a late night shower because he feels dirty from all the rednecks
Branson - 1 Mom and I - 0
The best way I can describe it is imagine Las Vegas mixed with Sea Side Heights. For those of you who don't know NJ or aren't from there, watch MTV's Jersey shore and combine Vegas with the boardwalk - and fill it with rednecks. So, so many rednecks. I've never seen so many confederate flags in my life.
David came with us and he was taken back by the whole thing.
Branson - 1 Mom and I - 0
Branson MO
Alright, compared to yesterday, today was a hell of a lot more exciting.
First, we woke up in our lovely, skeezy hotel, to find that the power was out - so showering and packing in the dark at 7AM was a pure pleasure - something I'd recommend everyone to try at least once in their life. On a good note, the local Starbucks (which was across the street from our hotel) suffered from the power outage as well, so everything we ordered was "on the house." Hell yeah for free expresso and cafe americano.
The driving was fun today. Ohio is beautiful - flat an corn filled, but gorgeous. The clouds were amazing, large and bulbous, just hanging out, sometimes letting the sun through, other times completely blocking it out. Indiana was also a fun drive - just like Ohio, super flat, but seemed shorted to get through. We drove right by Indianapolis, which is lovely. We were able to see Lucas Oil Stadium - which is a heck of a lot bigger than I had imagined. Soon after, we passed into Illinois and blew through it - although I swear we killed the entire butterfly population in the state. We must have hit one every minute and by the end of the trip, we had colorful splats everywhere on the car. Scrubbing off the smears was harder than expected. Damn butterflies.
Crossing into Missouri, this is where the excitement began. First, the GPS just wasn't able to find the restaurant we wanted to stop at (one featured on Diners, Drive-In's, and Dives), Sweetie Pie's. So, we drove almost 50 miles out of the way. Anyway, we eventually made it to the destination and the food was AMAZING. It was "southern cafeteria style." Southern food, but you walked through a line, picking what you wanted, just like you were in school again. The interesting part was that out of the 60 people in the restaurant, there were three white people, two of which were my mom and myself. The third was some gutsy guy sitting by himself. I didn't notice at first while in line, but while eating, every time I would look up, some group or person would be glaring at us. To say I felt uncomfortable would be an understatement. It's not that I was scared about the people around me, but we certainly stuck out and drew attention to ourselves. I'm wondering if when we left they were thinking "damn honkies." Great food overall though and a good experience, if not a little nerve racking.
Branson MO is where we are now and it's a pathetic version of Las Vegas in the Mid West. Imagine all the rejected show and restaurant ideas from Vegas, and throw them in the middle of no where. Yup, that's right, you now have Branson - half the rejected from America's Got Talent even have shows here. I'm not expecting on exploring much, but this hotel is 10000000x times better than the one in Ohio. Missouri is also a lame state to drive through. It's confused with what kind of state it wants to be. It's sometimes flat and barren, other times hilly, with other times looking completely unique - but most of the time it isn't fun at all.
Tomorrow we are driving to Amarillo TX - should be a good drive.
No new quotes today :(
States Traveled Through: OH, IN, IL, MO
Car Time: 11hrs Mileage: 726 Coffees: 2 Rest Stops: 3 Driver's Flipped Off: 1
States That Suck Ass: Missouri (So boring to drive through)
David agrees with me
Total:
Car Time: 29hrs32mins Mileage: 1,888 Coffees: 2 Rest Stops: 6 Driver's Flipped Off: 4
Texas here we come! Where the food and people are biggerrrr
First, we woke up in our lovely, skeezy hotel, to find that the power was out - so showering and packing in the dark at 7AM was a pure pleasure - something I'd recommend everyone to try at least once in their life. On a good note, the local Starbucks (which was across the street from our hotel) suffered from the power outage as well, so everything we ordered was "on the house." Hell yeah for free expresso and cafe americano.
The driving was fun today. Ohio is beautiful - flat an corn filled, but gorgeous. The clouds were amazing, large and bulbous, just hanging out, sometimes letting the sun through, other times completely blocking it out. Indiana was also a fun drive - just like Ohio, super flat, but seemed shorted to get through. We drove right by Indianapolis, which is lovely. We were able to see Lucas Oil Stadium - which is a heck of a lot bigger than I had imagined. Soon after, we passed into Illinois and blew through it - although I swear we killed the entire butterfly population in the state. We must have hit one every minute and by the end of the trip, we had colorful splats everywhere on the car. Scrubbing off the smears was harder than expected. Damn butterflies.
Crossing into Missouri, this is where the excitement began. First, the GPS just wasn't able to find the restaurant we wanted to stop at (one featured on Diners, Drive-In's, and Dives), Sweetie Pie's. So, we drove almost 50 miles out of the way. Anyway, we eventually made it to the destination and the food was AMAZING. It was "southern cafeteria style." Southern food, but you walked through a line, picking what you wanted, just like you were in school again. The interesting part was that out of the 60 people in the restaurant, there were three white people, two of which were my mom and myself. The third was some gutsy guy sitting by himself. I didn't notice at first while in line, but while eating, every time I would look up, some group or person would be glaring at us. To say I felt uncomfortable would be an understatement. It's not that I was scared about the people around me, but we certainly stuck out and drew attention to ourselves. I'm wondering if when we left they were thinking "damn honkies." Great food overall though and a good experience, if not a little nerve racking.
Branson MO is where we are now and it's a pathetic version of Las Vegas in the Mid West. Imagine all the rejected show and restaurant ideas from Vegas, and throw them in the middle of no where. Yup, that's right, you now have Branson - half the rejected from America's Got Talent even have shows here. I'm not expecting on exploring much, but this hotel is 10000000x times better than the one in Ohio. Missouri is also a lame state to drive through. It's confused with what kind of state it wants to be. It's sometimes flat and barren, other times hilly, with other times looking completely unique - but most of the time it isn't fun at all.
Tomorrow we are driving to Amarillo TX - should be a good drive.
No new quotes today :(
States Traveled Through: OH, IN, IL, MO
Car Time: 11hrs Mileage: 726 Coffees: 2 Rest Stops: 3 Driver's Flipped Off: 1
States That Suck Ass: Missouri (So boring to drive through)
Total:
Car Time: 29hrs32mins Mileage: 1,888 Coffees: 2 Rest Stops: 6 Driver's Flipped Off: 4
Texas here we come! Where the food and people are biggerrrr
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Columbus Ohio
So, after day one, we're in Columbus OH. Sure, it's a nice place, smack dab in the middle of the state, offering many different things to do, such as the Football Hall of Fame, but we don't have time nor the funds to do such things. Currently, we're staying at a Travel Lodge, trying to survive the night. We have two towels, one packet of shampoo, and a lovely lingering aroma of cigarettes and mold. Does any of this matter? Absolutely not, it's part of the charm of the trip. I think it's funny that our hotel is behind a Waffle House and "Lollipops" the Premiere Gentlemen's Club - a perfect combo if you ask me.
Not much of anything exciting happened on todays trip. It was smooth as can be - I drove six hours of it while my mom finished it off with the last two. PA, as people often say, is by far the longest state to drive through ever. I swear it was never going to end - but it was fun, we got to drive through numerous tunnels, such as the Kittatinny and Allegheny.
We ate at some restaurant that was so-so, a chain that I can't remember the name of, regardless of if I ate there and hour ago.
So, tomorrow, we're hoping to make it to Branson, MO - what is know as the "Las Vegas" of the Midwest as my Mom keeps referring to it. I don't know what this could mean, but if it's got casino's and bars, sounds like an Indian reservation to me! It should be good - but a longer drive. Right now it stands at 9hr49mins and 669 miles. Wowhee - going to be a fun day tomorrow, especially as we head further west and south. Let the sweating begin!
We've be graced by a gift from one of our friends for our trip. We've brought with us a gnome, who resembles the one from travelocity. So far we've been documenting the trip with pictures of him in different places and I'll do my best to post the pictures as I can - but right now, I don't think I can since the Wi-Fi here is on par with dialup. We don't have a name for him yet. My Mom calls him David the Gnome, while I refer to him as Gnome Chomsky (tehehe). Oh well, he's with us - look for him as I post him (most likely on facebook).
He's a horrible backseat driver
Chilling at West Virginia's Sheetz
We're also keeping a quote board going - so far, I'm the only one on it with...
"Nitro!"
and
"Is it bad that I like the dead animal smell?"
State's Traveled Through: NJ, PA, WV, OH
Today's Totals:
Car Time: 8hours Mileage: 537 Coffees: 2 Rest Stops Visited: 3 Driver's Flipped Off: 3
Complete Totals:
Car Time:18hrs32mins Mileage: 1,162 (disregard previous posts)
Coffees: 2 Rest Stops Visited: 3 Driver's Flipped Off: 3
Other than all this, time to rest up for tomorrow's haul. We hope to be on the road by 8 AM.
Not much of anything exciting happened on todays trip. It was smooth as can be - I drove six hours of it while my mom finished it off with the last two. PA, as people often say, is by far the longest state to drive through ever. I swear it was never going to end - but it was fun, we got to drive through numerous tunnels, such as the Kittatinny and Allegheny.
We ate at some restaurant that was so-so, a chain that I can't remember the name of, regardless of if I ate there and hour ago.
So, tomorrow, we're hoping to make it to Branson, MO - what is know as the "Las Vegas" of the Midwest as my Mom keeps referring to it. I don't know what this could mean, but if it's got casino's and bars, sounds like an Indian reservation to me! It should be good - but a longer drive. Right now it stands at 9hr49mins and 669 miles. Wowhee - going to be a fun day tomorrow, especially as we head further west and south. Let the sweating begin!
We've be graced by a gift from one of our friends for our trip. We've brought with us a gnome, who resembles the one from travelocity. So far we've been documenting the trip with pictures of him in different places and I'll do my best to post the pictures as I can - but right now, I don't think I can since the Wi-Fi here is on par with dialup. We don't have a name for him yet. My Mom calls him David the Gnome, while I refer to him as Gnome Chomsky (tehehe). Oh well, he's with us - look for him as I post him (most likely on facebook).
He's a horrible backseat driver
We're also keeping a quote board going - so far, I'm the only one on it with...
"Nitro!"
and
"Is it bad that I like the dead animal smell?"
State's Traveled Through: NJ, PA, WV, OH
Today's Totals:
Car Time: 8hours Mileage: 537 Coffees: 2 Rest Stops Visited: 3 Driver's Flipped Off: 3
Complete Totals:
Car Time:18hrs32mins Mileage: 1,162 (disregard previous posts)
Coffees: 2 Rest Stops Visited: 3 Driver's Flipped Off: 3
Other than all this, time to rest up for tomorrow's haul. We hope to be on the road by 8 AM.
Friday, August 13, 2010
And Awaaaayyyy Weee Goooo
Sorry that I've been slacking in my posts lately. I don't really know who I'm apologizing to either. I feel like I have an audience or that I'm speaking to someone specifically, but really, in my head it kind of weirds me out since I feel like I'm having a conversation with my computer or some website. It doesn't help that blogspot or my computer doesn't respond either. Between visiting people before I leave, driving back and forth from NJ and MA and trying to organize my life, I've A) not had time to sit down and right and B) I've forgotten about the blog (oh no! something I said I'd never do!)
So the time is upon us. As I sit here, writing this entry at 1:50 in the morning, I can't fall asleep. I think it may be the Coke I drank an hour ago rather than excitement. I don't think it has hit me yet. Im moving cross country, but I don't feel excited. It's got to be the damn caffeine.
Anywho, the last couple days have been good. I drove to MA to visit friends and get some of my belongings from a self storage unit, but that was a utter failure. After arriving at the storage unit with the hope of cutting off the locks put on it by my mother (who lost the keys to the lock) we found the locks to be industrial grade steel, so I had to come back another day after we acquired huge bolt cutters. After cutting the locks, I had to hit them for 10-15 minutes each in order to bend them enough to get them off the actual door, allowing me to open up the unit. Once that was done, I had to dig through a house worth of boxes and furniture. To make a long story short, all that effort and I couldn't find my boxes. But, I did get to hang out with my friends, play some soccer and the The Expendables (fun action movie, horrible production values other than the explosions).
After looking at the map with my mom - we decided that we are driving from Manahawkin, New Jersey to Columbus, Ohio tomorrow. For a grand total of 553 miles or 9hrs6mins.
Add this total to the 635 miles already driven and 10hr32mins in a car for a grand total of 1,188 miles and 19hrs38min.
Not bad for the first day of the trip.
I'll keep you posted as we drive! Be prepared for pictures!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq-S8CIU7VA
There's my cliche video (again...for you Kevin)^
and here's a happy one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REfDCPhPQQ4
So the time is upon us. As I sit here, writing this entry at 1:50 in the morning, I can't fall asleep. I think it may be the Coke I drank an hour ago rather than excitement. I don't think it has hit me yet. Im moving cross country, but I don't feel excited. It's got to be the damn caffeine.
Anywho, the last couple days have been good. I drove to MA to visit friends and get some of my belongings from a self storage unit, but that was a utter failure. After arriving at the storage unit with the hope of cutting off the locks put on it by my mother (who lost the keys to the lock) we found the locks to be industrial grade steel, so I had to come back another day after we acquired huge bolt cutters. After cutting the locks, I had to hit them for 10-15 minutes each in order to bend them enough to get them off the actual door, allowing me to open up the unit. Once that was done, I had to dig through a house worth of boxes and furniture. To make a long story short, all that effort and I couldn't find my boxes. But, I did get to hang out with my friends, play some soccer and the The Expendables (fun action movie, horrible production values other than the explosions).
After looking at the map with my mom - we decided that we are driving from Manahawkin, New Jersey to Columbus, Ohio tomorrow. For a grand total of 553 miles or 9hrs6mins.
Add this total to the 635 miles already driven and 10hr32mins in a car for a grand total of 1,188 miles and 19hrs38min.
Not bad for the first day of the trip.
I'll keep you posted as we drive! Be prepared for pictures!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq-S8CIU7VA
There's my cliche video (again...for you Kevin)^
and here's a happy one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REfDCPhPQQ4
Monday, August 9, 2010
Oh Yeah
I forgot to put this is my last post.
I said goodbye to one of my best friends today and it sucked, big time. Indescribably so. It isn't a real goodbye since we'll see each other again soon, but, it sure sucked for now.
Watch this an enjoy it - he helped make it, is the star, and the voice of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaNP3WrLpoA
I said goodbye to one of my best friends today and it sucked, big time. Indescribably so. It isn't a real goodbye since we'll see each other again soon, but, it sure sucked for now.
Watch this an enjoy it - he helped make it, is the star, and the voice of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaNP3WrLpoA
Beginning of the Trip (Sort Of)
Tomorrow begins the beginning of my quest westward - but not really. I have to return to North Adams MA tomorrow in order to pick up some personal belongings that are sitting in a self storage unit from when we moved out of our house up there.
According to Google Maps, North Adams is 275 miles away and will roughly take me 5 hrs and 16 minutes to get there from Manahawkin NJ. Other than getting some of my things, I hope to catch up with my friends from high school, hang out and say my goodbyes to them, while hopefully squeezing in some tennis, ultimate frisbee, and soccer. I'll be staying with a friend since we don't have a house there anymore.
After said visit, I'll drive back down to NJ to grab my mom and head out. Another 275 miles, 5 hrs and 16 minutes.
Yes, my mom, since plans change quickly. I was supposed to drive with a friend, but as of today, they were offered a new job and they decided to take it, bailing on the trip we've been planning for a while. Does it suck? Sure does. Is my trip going to be different now that it's with a parent? Absolutely, but it is what it is and my friend had the opportunity of a life time fall in her lap, so I can't hold too big of a grudge. But, to start off the day of packing, this turned the mood of the evening pretty shitty.
I'm leaving. For real. Not like, for school for half a year, but you know, for good, gone, kaput. I'm excited, nervous, and scared. I don't know if I'm ready for this, and I'm not sure it's the right choice, but LA is where I need to be, for at least this part of my life. I officially said bye to my friends today, which wasn't fun. It was easier than the first time I said by at the moment of saying "bye" but as the day has passed, it's sunken in deeper and deeper, dragging me down. I don't want to keep traveling around saying good bye to my friends. It doesn't feel right. My Uncle is one of those people who will just hang up the phone - he never says bye, because that means he won't see you again. I like this, but can't bring myself to do it - so until then, I'll keep making my rounds, saying goodbye where need be.
So, a rough outline thus far of the quest...
Manahawkin NJ ---> North Adams MA = 275mi 5hr16min
North Adams MA ---> Manahawkin NJ = 275mi 5hr16min
Manahawkin NJ ---> Los Angeles CA = 2796mi 40hr46min
For a grand total of ---> 3,346mi 51hrs18min
Thats a lot of time in a car - wahoo!
Let's hope my trip is like this, but in reverse, and not in a car quite as nice...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxCUlvEkQDg
According to Google Maps, North Adams is 275 miles away and will roughly take me 5 hrs and 16 minutes to get there from Manahawkin NJ. Other than getting some of my things, I hope to catch up with my friends from high school, hang out and say my goodbyes to them, while hopefully squeezing in some tennis, ultimate frisbee, and soccer. I'll be staying with a friend since we don't have a house there anymore.
After said visit, I'll drive back down to NJ to grab my mom and head out. Another 275 miles, 5 hrs and 16 minutes.
Yes, my mom, since plans change quickly. I was supposed to drive with a friend, but as of today, they were offered a new job and they decided to take it, bailing on the trip we've been planning for a while. Does it suck? Sure does. Is my trip going to be different now that it's with a parent? Absolutely, but it is what it is and my friend had the opportunity of a life time fall in her lap, so I can't hold too big of a grudge. But, to start off the day of packing, this turned the mood of the evening pretty shitty.
I'm leaving. For real. Not like, for school for half a year, but you know, for good, gone, kaput. I'm excited, nervous, and scared. I don't know if I'm ready for this, and I'm not sure it's the right choice, but LA is where I need to be, for at least this part of my life. I officially said bye to my friends today, which wasn't fun. It was easier than the first time I said by at the moment of saying "bye" but as the day has passed, it's sunken in deeper and deeper, dragging me down. I don't want to keep traveling around saying good bye to my friends. It doesn't feel right. My Uncle is one of those people who will just hang up the phone - he never says bye, because that means he won't see you again. I like this, but can't bring myself to do it - so until then, I'll keep making my rounds, saying goodbye where need be.
So, a rough outline thus far of the quest...
Manahawkin NJ ---> North Adams MA = 275mi 5hr16min
North Adams MA ---> Manahawkin NJ = 275mi 5hr16min
Manahawkin NJ ---> Los Angeles CA = 2796mi 40hr46min
For a grand total of ---> 3,346mi 51hrs18min
Thats a lot of time in a car - wahoo!
Let's hope my trip is like this, but in reverse, and not in a car quite as nice...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxCUlvEkQDg
Friday, August 6, 2010
End of an Era
How do you leave a job you've worked at for seven years? Not easily, that's for sure.
I've had the pleasure of working at Fantasy Island Amusement Park for the past seven summers. Combined, I've logged over 3000 hours there, clocked in for 21 months, run 19 different rides, learned to speak Czech, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Chinese, and Slovakian, and worked with people from the ages of 16 to 87. It's not simply a job for me anymore - it's a summer routine. As my time nears to depart for LA, my time at FIAP is at an end (tomorrow being my last day).
I've had some fond memories at the park - times that I'll never forget. Sure, there were those days where I didn't want to strap anymore kids into rides, days where I was so tired I could have fallen asleep or told an angry customer to kiss my ass, but those days were few and far between.
Aside from the memories, I'll take away the relationships that I built there. Every summer we welcome new employees as we watch others go, but Fantasy Island is really a second family for me. My coworkers are my wall, people I can talk to, listen to, confide in. I love them all very much. To add to the difficulty of leaving, I've been lucky enough to work with international students every summer. Fantasy Island has a wonderful program where students from around the world come to Long Beach Island and work with us for the entire summer. Each one of these people is amazing and unique - hailing from the Czech Republic, China, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Slovakia, Brazil. They are so warm and inviting, opening up to us so quickly, wanting to learn our culture and be part of it - but every year I must leave them, hoping they will return next year, fortunately sometimes they do and unfortunately, sometimes they don't.
Aside from the international students, we have our regular American crew. Many of which rotate in and out at a steady pace, but there are those who have been there since I first walked onto the bricks of the park. Kevin was the first person I met, followed by Dave, then Melanie. I could name them all - they're part of my family. Letting go of them will be the hardest part. I've seen these people everyday for the last seven summers of my life - almost the entirety of my working years. The summer of 2011 is a year away, but I know it'll feel empty, like there is a void and working the rides on the Santa Monica Pier will not make up for the piece of me behind at Fantasy Island.
Unfortunately, this summer, it is my time to leave and not return. I've grown comfortable at FIAP. I know my way around the park, I know the smells, the sounds, the lights, the rides. It's a second home for me in the summer, inhabited by people I love and care for extremely. I don't feel safe leaving them nor do I want to. My coworkers know when something is wrong - I won't even say anything and they approach me asking. This is something special that I hope I can always have at any future jobs I may have. This is the end of an era. I hope I'll be back one day, if not to work, to visit and enjoy the company of those I care for. Maybe someday I can bring my family back (cliche - this one's for you Kev).
Thanks for a wonderful seven years, all the memories, laughter, and fun times.
-Drew
I've had the pleasure of working at Fantasy Island Amusement Park for the past seven summers. Combined, I've logged over 3000 hours there, clocked in for 21 months, run 19 different rides, learned to speak Czech, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Chinese, and Slovakian, and worked with people from the ages of 16 to 87. It's not simply a job for me anymore - it's a summer routine. As my time nears to depart for LA, my time at FIAP is at an end (tomorrow being my last day).
I've had some fond memories at the park - times that I'll never forget. Sure, there were those days where I didn't want to strap anymore kids into rides, days where I was so tired I could have fallen asleep or told an angry customer to kiss my ass, but those days were few and far between.
Aside from the memories, I'll take away the relationships that I built there. Every summer we welcome new employees as we watch others go, but Fantasy Island is really a second family for me. My coworkers are my wall, people I can talk to, listen to, confide in. I love them all very much. To add to the difficulty of leaving, I've been lucky enough to work with international students every summer. Fantasy Island has a wonderful program where students from around the world come to Long Beach Island and work with us for the entire summer. Each one of these people is amazing and unique - hailing from the Czech Republic, China, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Slovakia, Brazil. They are so warm and inviting, opening up to us so quickly, wanting to learn our culture and be part of it - but every year I must leave them, hoping they will return next year, fortunately sometimes they do and unfortunately, sometimes they don't.
Aside from the international students, we have our regular American crew. Many of which rotate in and out at a steady pace, but there are those who have been there since I first walked onto the bricks of the park. Kevin was the first person I met, followed by Dave, then Melanie. I could name them all - they're part of my family. Letting go of them will be the hardest part. I've seen these people everyday for the last seven summers of my life - almost the entirety of my working years. The summer of 2011 is a year away, but I know it'll feel empty, like there is a void and working the rides on the Santa Monica Pier will not make up for the piece of me behind at Fantasy Island.
Unfortunately, this summer, it is my time to leave and not return. I've grown comfortable at FIAP. I know my way around the park, I know the smells, the sounds, the lights, the rides. It's a second home for me in the summer, inhabited by people I love and care for extremely. I don't feel safe leaving them nor do I want to. My coworkers know when something is wrong - I won't even say anything and they approach me asking. This is something special that I hope I can always have at any future jobs I may have. This is the end of an era. I hope I'll be back one day, if not to work, to visit and enjoy the company of those I care for. Maybe someday I can bring my family back (cliche - this one's for you Kev).
Thanks for a wonderful seven years, all the memories, laughter, and fun times.
-Drew
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Open Road
So, as my adventure across the country nears, it's become very apparent to me how much I need to do before hand to prepare for it.
-I need to sort through a self-storage unit full of an entire house's things since we moved at the beginning of the summer. From what I understand, this is going to take me forever since there is no rhyme or reason to how this said storage unit is packed.
-Fix my car. I've dumped a lot of cash into it thus far to get it "road" ready for it's 3000+ mile trip, but it still needs a few more things - i.e. an oil change and a massive cleaning session.
-I need to pack my life away. My roommates who are in LA already were nice enough to prep the apartment for my arrival, but I need to pack every article of clothing I own into my little Honda Civic Coupe while keeping the rear window clear so I can see. The important things I need:
-Clothes
-Sheets, Pillow, Comforter
-Tennis Racquets, Bag, Shoes
-Computer Stuff
-Movies
Yes, I know, this doesn't sound like much that I'm bringing, but given my limited space, it's going to be a challenge. Thank god for being able to ship things out there (thanks Mom). Not only do I have to pack it, but I have to organize it - mainly since I'll be living out of my trunk for 9 days.
-Say "good bye" to everyone. Cliche - yup, but it is needed. I probably won't see any of my family or close friends for close to a year at least, so I need to make my rounds and say sayonara to everyone.
-Haircut. This is total bullshit. I don't need a hair cut before I begin my trip. But really - do I let it grow to shag or cut it short for the trip? Hmm...
-Plan my route. I was kind of hoping to take this journey by the seat of my pants. The person I recruited to ride with me is the same way. She is open for anything - including the two extremes; randomly driving or planning everything out to the T. I had in mind setting my GPS for my address and just driving, but my family wants destinations and dates, so they can track me and not worry where I may be if they don't hear from me for a day or two. I guess I can do it that way. Do I have goals for the drive? Nah, not really, except a few.
-See the Grand Canyon
-Regardless of state, stop and eat at a restaurant recommended by Diners Drive-Ins and Dives
This trip should be spontaneous, being an amalgamation of places, people, sites, sounds, tastes, and experiences. The linked video is a perfect example of what I mean:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w
A random assortment of things, driving an overall goal, ultimately creating something beautiful.
-I need to sort through a self-storage unit full of an entire house's things since we moved at the beginning of the summer. From what I understand, this is going to take me forever since there is no rhyme or reason to how this said storage unit is packed.
-Fix my car. I've dumped a lot of cash into it thus far to get it "road" ready for it's 3000+ mile trip, but it still needs a few more things - i.e. an oil change and a massive cleaning session.
-I need to pack my life away. My roommates who are in LA already were nice enough to prep the apartment for my arrival, but I need to pack every article of clothing I own into my little Honda Civic Coupe while keeping the rear window clear so I can see. The important things I need:
-Clothes
-Sheets, Pillow, Comforter
-Tennis Racquets, Bag, Shoes
-Computer Stuff
-Movies
Yes, I know, this doesn't sound like much that I'm bringing, but given my limited space, it's going to be a challenge. Thank god for being able to ship things out there (thanks Mom). Not only do I have to pack it, but I have to organize it - mainly since I'll be living out of my trunk for 9 days.
-Say "good bye" to everyone. Cliche - yup, but it is needed. I probably won't see any of my family or close friends for close to a year at least, so I need to make my rounds and say sayonara to everyone.
-Haircut. This is total bullshit. I don't need a hair cut before I begin my trip. But really - do I let it grow to shag or cut it short for the trip? Hmm...
-Plan my route. I was kind of hoping to take this journey by the seat of my pants. The person I recruited to ride with me is the same way. She is open for anything - including the two extremes; randomly driving or planning everything out to the T. I had in mind setting my GPS for my address and just driving, but my family wants destinations and dates, so they can track me and not worry where I may be if they don't hear from me for a day or two. I guess I can do it that way. Do I have goals for the drive? Nah, not really, except a few.
-See the Grand Canyon
-Regardless of state, stop and eat at a restaurant recommended by Diners Drive-Ins and Dives
This trip should be spontaneous, being an amalgamation of places, people, sites, sounds, tastes, and experiences. The linked video is a perfect example of what I mean:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w
A random assortment of things, driving an overall goal, ultimately creating something beautiful.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
What I Miss
Place: Disney World Age: 6 Location: Orlando FLorida
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Scattergories of the Mind
Lots flooded my mind today, so be aware, this post is going to be alllllll over the place.
The first part I'll call "The World Through Music"
Now, bare with me on this one, it may seem a little out there - bizarre if you will, but I caught myself lost in it again tonight on the drive home from work. I'm a social person at heart. If I were to be stuck on a deserted island for the rest of my life - I'd probably either take my chances and swim in order to hopefully find someone, or kill myself, even if that meant with coconuts, because while yes, at times, I do like to be alone, I cannot be alone for too long - I go bat shit. Now back to the story - the drive home for work usually consists of me in a car for twenty minutes by myself, music blaring and my horrible singing ensuing. But this summer, I find myself with a new trend - I try to hit traffic lights. Not to get home later or prolong my time in the car, but to remain absorbed in what has recently caught my attention. By boosting the bass in my car and blaring my music, any lights in my rearview mirror vibrate and resonate to the beats in the music. Sure, this may not sound all that staggering, but it's amazing. Depending on the song, the world can look dull, depressing, empty, but with the right harmonics, the world comes alive. The lights jump up and down, left to right, diagonally. It's beautiful. It's like the shaky world effect in the Butterfly Effect, but isolated to just sources of light. The addition of driving away from the lights, while constantly adding more the further you go is a nice touch as well. If you have the chance one night, do it, because it is probably something you've never seen before and it's worth a try. Don't worry if someone is in the next lane watching you as you stare mesmerized into your rear view mirror. They'll probably do the same next time they're alone. I'll try to take a photo of it or video of it soon and post it.
Second topic, a bit of a downer, "Regret"
I was tired tonight at work. Let me back up a second. My mind works with how my body feels. So, when I'm tired, my mind spirals to darker, less happier pockets of emotion. As a result, I sat next to the Giant Wheel wondering what could of been. We all have regrets. Everyone of us. For someone to go through life saying they've never had a regret is shoveling bullshit for a living. Don't get me wrong, I do believe in the "good" life and things going the "right way,' but everyone has something they'd want to change in their life, somewhere, sometime, possibly with someone. Not to sound cliche or dramatic, but boy have I had my share, but I always find myself coming back to just one. Yeah, over my lifetime I've pocketed a lot of regret, like could I have done more in college, applied myself more to my films, performed better on the tennis courts, stay in touch with friends better, kept my family from falling apart - the list goes on and on. I know some people out there will probably roll there eyes at this, but one person has affected me more than anyone else and I let them slip away. Unfortunately, it's more than once. This person is someone I hope I remain friends with throughout my entire life. They have a way of pulling a smile out of my regardless of how depressed and alone I feel. They are able to make me laugh because of something stupid they do, but at the same time aren't afraid to laugh at their self either. This person opened me up. Sure, I'm still shy but they reduced it so much over the past couple of years. I feel I created a bond with this person that I have only created with a few others. It's something special. The kind of friendship that I could call in the middle of the night and ask for talk and I'd get it - regardless of how pissed they may be depending on the hour of night or schedule of their next day. But forget all of this - I missed it. I had chances I suppose, but I never acted on them. I held my tongue, or hid my feelings, and I always regretted it. I didn't want to ruin something so good. At times I felt invisible - like I did all I could without shouting out my feelings. I stood by them and helped them when they needed it, during times of low and times of jubilation, but I still felt hidden. To quote Ryan Reynolds, I was stuck in the proverbial "friend circle"with absolutely no way out. Some people say there is one person for everyone out there and I think I could have stumbled upon mine (heavy shit I know and cliche, but oh well, it's how I feel). How can I deal with it? With the possibility that the one for me got away and is still drifting, further everyday. Maybe someday they'll fade or my feelings will disappear. Maybe I hope they will? I guess it could be easier that way. Life acts in mysterious ways. Is this a way of telling me to move on, that there are others out there? Or is this some cruel joke and we'll reunite down the road like the movie Serendipity? If that is the case, I'm going to be royally pissed of for the world messing with me. Moving across the country certainly doesn't help this problem. And yes, I'm talking about a girl.
Who's in the mood for some creativity? Italics = Song playing on the radio
The first part I'll call "The World Through Music"
Now, bare with me on this one, it may seem a little out there - bizarre if you will, but I caught myself lost in it again tonight on the drive home from work. I'm a social person at heart. If I were to be stuck on a deserted island for the rest of my life - I'd probably either take my chances and swim in order to hopefully find someone, or kill myself, even if that meant with coconuts, because while yes, at times, I do like to be alone, I cannot be alone for too long - I go bat shit. Now back to the story - the drive home for work usually consists of me in a car for twenty minutes by myself, music blaring and my horrible singing ensuing. But this summer, I find myself with a new trend - I try to hit traffic lights. Not to get home later or prolong my time in the car, but to remain absorbed in what has recently caught my attention. By boosting the bass in my car and blaring my music, any lights in my rearview mirror vibrate and resonate to the beats in the music. Sure, this may not sound all that staggering, but it's amazing. Depending on the song, the world can look dull, depressing, empty, but with the right harmonics, the world comes alive. The lights jump up and down, left to right, diagonally. It's beautiful. It's like the shaky world effect in the Butterfly Effect, but isolated to just sources of light. The addition of driving away from the lights, while constantly adding more the further you go is a nice touch as well. If you have the chance one night, do it, because it is probably something you've never seen before and it's worth a try. Don't worry if someone is in the next lane watching you as you stare mesmerized into your rear view mirror. They'll probably do the same next time they're alone. I'll try to take a photo of it or video of it soon and post it.
Second topic, a bit of a downer, "Regret"
I was tired tonight at work. Let me back up a second. My mind works with how my body feels. So, when I'm tired, my mind spirals to darker, less happier pockets of emotion. As a result, I sat next to the Giant Wheel wondering what could of been. We all have regrets. Everyone of us. For someone to go through life saying they've never had a regret is shoveling bullshit for a living. Don't get me wrong, I do believe in the "good" life and things going the "right way,' but everyone has something they'd want to change in their life, somewhere, sometime, possibly with someone. Not to sound cliche or dramatic, but boy have I had my share, but I always find myself coming back to just one. Yeah, over my lifetime I've pocketed a lot of regret, like could I have done more in college, applied myself more to my films, performed better on the tennis courts, stay in touch with friends better, kept my family from falling apart - the list goes on and on. I know some people out there will probably roll there eyes at this, but one person has affected me more than anyone else and I let them slip away. Unfortunately, it's more than once. This person is someone I hope I remain friends with throughout my entire life. They have a way of pulling a smile out of my regardless of how depressed and alone I feel. They are able to make me laugh because of something stupid they do, but at the same time aren't afraid to laugh at their self either. This person opened me up. Sure, I'm still shy but they reduced it so much over the past couple of years. I feel I created a bond with this person that I have only created with a few others. It's something special. The kind of friendship that I could call in the middle of the night and ask for talk and I'd get it - regardless of how pissed they may be depending on the hour of night or schedule of their next day. But forget all of this - I missed it. I had chances I suppose, but I never acted on them. I held my tongue, or hid my feelings, and I always regretted it. I didn't want to ruin something so good. At times I felt invisible - like I did all I could without shouting out my feelings. I stood by them and helped them when they needed it, during times of low and times of jubilation, but I still felt hidden. To quote Ryan Reynolds, I was stuck in the proverbial "friend circle"with absolutely no way out. Some people say there is one person for everyone out there and I think I could have stumbled upon mine (heavy shit I know and cliche, but oh well, it's how I feel). How can I deal with it? With the possibility that the one for me got away and is still drifting, further everyday. Maybe someday they'll fade or my feelings will disappear. Maybe I hope they will? I guess it could be easier that way. Life acts in mysterious ways. Is this a way of telling me to move on, that there are others out there? Or is this some cruel joke and we'll reunite down the road like the movie Serendipity? If that is the case, I'm going to be royally pissed of for the world messing with me. Moving across the country certainly doesn't help this problem. And yes, I'm talking about a girl.
Who's in the mood for some creativity? Italics = Song playing on the radio
The sun plummets from the air,
outside pupils begin to dilate.
On turns the radio, totally unaware,
of the stagnant body in bed.
Broken, beaten down can't even get around
Without an old-man cane, I fall and hit the ground
Shivering in the cold, I'm bitter and alone
A hand unearths itself from the sheets
fumbling, blind, it misses the radio.
Gnarled feet land on the floor,
a stretch and his back groans.
And I don't wanna be an old man anymore
It's been a year or two since I was out on the floor
Shakin' booty, makin' sweet love all the night
It's time I got back to the good life
The shower pours itself out
crying steaming tears on weathered skin.
Not many hairs left to shampoo,
the surviving few stand proud.
Socks slowly rise over thin ankles
elastic clinging to not slide down.
Argyled feet fall into shined soles,
leather creaking as he rocks to the music.
Loop it, swoop it, pull,
half winston, the tie slides tight.
Comb flows through sparse hairs,
floss glides through pristine dentures.
The record player sings and jives with life
His hand waits for hers.
A smile reveals a cosmetic smile
“Still stunning after all these years.”
Monday, August 2, 2010
Tangerine Dreams
The title has no hidden meaning - so don't look for it. I just think it sounds nice.
Beautiful Things
Clouds
They're absolutely awesome. Not in the best friend kind of awesome, but the awe inspiring kind of awesome. Sure, I remember my days in environmental science with Mr. Loftus, but seriously, how do they exist and function? Sitting at work today, I was amazed at the towering forms above me. They're like skyscrapers...of..well, the sky. Aside from making me feel extremely insignificant (as do most large natural phenomenons), they are utterly beautiful. Yes, we all know clouds are formed of water molecules, but how the heck do they stay up there!? Sure, I know the molecules are minuscule in size, but think about when it down pours. That's hundreds, if not thousands of gallons of water, coming out of the sky. How it manages to just linger over our heads constantly dumbfounds me. And also, what makes it suddenly fall? I don't think "oh, I'm too full of water at this exact moment" is a proper explanation. Also, I know the answer(s) are out there - but don't ruin it for me, wondering is something I take pleasure in. By the way, I think the word nebulous is drastically underused in our language - such a beautiful word.
Machines
Working at an amusement park, especially in the maintenance allows me to see a lot of the intricate pieces of the rides, things most people don't get to see. Boy are they complicated. I don't know what most of the levers, pumps, hoses, and hydraulic fittings do, but they sure seem important. To many, industrial may not seem beautiful, but to me, in some strange way, it is.
Aruba
Evolution
I don't want to go deep into it. But, even after studying it in so many classes in college, it still boggles my mind. The perfect example is below. A cactus. What triggers a plant to evolve to grow spines as a defensive measure? The same applies to peppers and growing to be hot.
Slow motion, bouncy balls, and San Francisco (A match made in heaven)
250,000 Bouncy balls in San Fran, while increasing the shutter speed to above 300fps? Yes please.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzFDCsCscyo
Slow motion and water balloons
Look at the above beautiful thing and replace bouncy balls with water balloons - AWESOME
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRFfJJjLpqw
Final piece of Nightvision:
Beautiful Things
Clouds
They're absolutely awesome. Not in the best friend kind of awesome, but the awe inspiring kind of awesome. Sure, I remember my days in environmental science with Mr. Loftus, but seriously, how do they exist and function? Sitting at work today, I was amazed at the towering forms above me. They're like skyscrapers...of..well, the sky. Aside from making me feel extremely insignificant (as do most large natural phenomenons), they are utterly beautiful. Yes, we all know clouds are formed of water molecules, but how the heck do they stay up there!? Sure, I know the molecules are minuscule in size, but think about when it down pours. That's hundreds, if not thousands of gallons of water, coming out of the sky. How it manages to just linger over our heads constantly dumbfounds me. And also, what makes it suddenly fall? I don't think "oh, I'm too full of water at this exact moment" is a proper explanation. Also, I know the answer(s) are out there - but don't ruin it for me, wondering is something I take pleasure in. By the way, I think the word nebulous is drastically underused in our language - such a beautiful word.
Machines
Working at an amusement park, especially in the maintenance allows me to see a lot of the intricate pieces of the rides, things most people don't get to see. Boy are they complicated. I don't know what most of the levers, pumps, hoses, and hydraulic fittings do, but they sure seem important. To many, industrial may not seem beautiful, but to me, in some strange way, it is.
Aruba
Evolution
I don't want to go deep into it. But, even after studying it in so many classes in college, it still boggles my mind. The perfect example is below. A cactus. What triggers a plant to evolve to grow spines as a defensive measure? The same applies to peppers and growing to be hot.
Slow motion, bouncy balls, and San Francisco (A match made in heaven)
250,000 Bouncy balls in San Fran, while increasing the shutter speed to above 300fps? Yes please.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzFDCsCscyo
Slow motion and water balloons
Look at the above beautiful thing and replace bouncy balls with water balloons - AWESOME
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRFfJJjLpqw
Final piece of Nightvision:
Banking away from the burning fires littering the remnants of the power station, Morgan wipes his brow of any sweat that may have formed. Straightening out of the turn, Morgan pushes the throttle forward and the aircraft picks up speed. Relaxing his shoulders, he pulls the Gameboy out of his pocket. As he flips the switch from “Off” to “On,” piercing alarms begin raining through the cockpit. Shit. They can’t have noticed me already. With no power, how could they see me? Dropping the Gameboy, Morgan looks at his display. Littering the glowing green screen are several red “threat” circles. Suddenly, to his right, is a blinding flash of light. The cockpit is washed out. Morgan covers his eyes; the goggles cannot protect from the intensity of this light. Fuck, I guess they know I’m here. Lowering his hands, Morgan looks out the window; another blinding flash erupts in front og the plane, slightly to the left. Looking on the ground, he can see small little flames erupting from the sand dunes as Iraqi anti aircraft artillery fire their payloads into the sky. They can’t see him, but they know he is up there somewhere. Pulling the joystick hard, Morgan rolls the plane to the left. All around the aircraft bright artillery bursts. Morgan sits in the center of what appears to be the climax of a massive fireworks display.
Morgan tries not to panic as his aircraft navigates the violent and incendiary gauntlet. One burst buffets the plane, showering its side and windshield with shrapnel, “tinking” as it bounces off the side of the plane. Suddenly, the alarms of the plane begin blaring again an a brilliant white light blooms just outside the canopy. I’m hit. Chaos. The plane jostles violently. Blinding sparks begin to shower the cockpit, bouncing off the console, smoldering on Morgan’s jumpsuit. Outside the canopy of the aircraft, the world is spiraling out of control. Earth, stars, moon. Earth, stars, moon. The plane’s rear fuselage is ablaze as it twirls and plunges earthward like a wounded bat.
Morgan grunts, trying to control the plane, fighting inhuman negative g-forces. To his left the fire alarm lights blink rapidly. Struggling to glance right, the artificial horizon gauge is spinning wildly. The joystick is not responding. He is going down for sure. Morgan’s hands reach down for the bright yellow D-rings on either side of his legs. Heat and flames have finally found the cockpit. Flames lick at the back of his helmet while they singe the tops of his shoulders. Using al his strength, he manages to wrap his fingers around the yellow release levers. He squeezes and jerks hard.
The Milky Way glows brightly in the night sky, interrupted only by the large crescent moon. The wind chills Morgan’s skin as he rockets towards the Earth. Everything is a blur. Where am I? Where’s the ground? Shit, this is going to hurt bad. Shaking his legs, the Morgan unbuckles from the seat, floating away from it into the falling sky. He stays prone in the air. He knows not to flounder and flail. It takes his full will not to panic as he sees the stars and moon blur past his face. He plummets downward in silence, alone.
A dark object suddenly comes crashing down to the Earth. The ejection seat slams into the sun-baked sand. The impact causes small pieces to break off and skitter across the ground. Not far from the, Morgan drifts lazily down to the sand, touching without a sound. The back of his jumpsuit is smoldering and charred. The visor of his helmet is cracked. Slumping to the ground, Morgan disconnects the straps of his parachute and rolls onto his back, struggling with his helmet, finally pulling it off his head. His left eye is badly bruised and swollen almost shut. Breathing heavily, he reaches into his breat pocket. His glove is burnt and shredded, blood seeps from the exposed skin. The photo of his wife and daughter is scratched, crumpled, and the edges are blackened. Smiling, he closes his eyes; drifting.Sunday, August 1, 2010
Inspiration
Tonight I sat listening to my friends play guitar and sing around me. As this was all going on, I found myself very jealous. A) I can't play guitar, yet I've always wanted to learn and I've never had the time to learn. B) They can sing. I can't. Sure, I think I sound good in my shower, car, or alone, but after partaking in numerous Rock Band games, I know how horribly off-key I am.
So I got to thinking, listening to the melodies float past me into the Barnegat inlet and I felt inspired. Not to jump up that moment, drive to the nearest guitar world and begin playing, but to remember what drives me. I feel that my inspirations are different than other people. Sure, I have the love of certain athletes or celebrities and want to mimic their life style and emulate them (Andy Roddick or David Grohl), but the small things that inspire are surely different from those around me - I am an "artsy fartsy" film kid after all.
Here are a few things that inspire me:
So I got to thinking, listening to the melodies float past me into the Barnegat inlet and I felt inspired. Not to jump up that moment, drive to the nearest guitar world and begin playing, but to remember what drives me. I feel that my inspirations are different than other people. Sure, I have the love of certain athletes or celebrities and want to mimic their life style and emulate them (Andy Roddick or David Grohl), but the small things that inspire are surely different from those around me - I am an "artsy fartsy" film kid after all.
Here are a few things that inspire me:
-Shallow focus. God it's beautiful. Look at that...right there above this. It has the ability to take a boring park bench and turn it into something majestic, rustic. Shallow focus gives that ordinary place for your bottom a story.
-Michel Gondry. I don't know how his mind works and I don't think I could ever understand if someone was able to explain it to me. It fits under that category of "can't be explained" right next to black holes. I want to be able to do half the things he can. P.S. Watch the video and tell me if you can figure out the significance of the images on the screen.
-Color. What a boring world it would be without it. Dull, unattractive and noir. Yuck.
You may not agree with these things, but they help remind me of what I like to do and why I do it. I'm sure you have your own littles vices. Don't you?
Here's more of the story I posted the other day...
The F-117 flows through the sky effortlessly. The bulk of the aircraft is distinguished only as a sleek black absence in the swatch of glittering stars. Someone on the ground may see it, but believe it to be a passing cloud, a bird traveling high in the sky or their eyes playing tricks on them. With a simple blink, one could miss it. The plane’s wing lights glow faintly; not enough to be seen from the Earth.
Morgan sits wedged among the controls in the confining cockpit. He is an comfortable as one can be in an uncomfortable environment. To his right an ipod is velcro’d and jerry-rigged into a socket near his radio. Fleetwood Mac plays through the speakers in the cockpit, droning out the dull roar of the wind as it pushes against the exterior of the plane. In his hands, looking out o place sits the Gameboy. On its screen, Mario flies a small biplane over an Egyptian landscape, floating past hieroglyphics and strange monsters. One of the monsters spreads its arms, shooting fireballs into the sky. Mario is hit. The screen flashes and the plan flickers and disappears. Sighing, Morgan puts the Gameboy back into his pocket and looks out the cockpit window. Stretching before him there is virtually nothing, just stars floating adrift in a sea of blackness. His gaze empties, his face fades into a faraway expression.
****
The sound of the wind blends with the suck and hiss of a respirator unit and the steady beeping of a heartbeat monitor. Lying on a hospital bed is the girl from Morgan’s photos; gaunt, emaciated, and hairless, a stuffed animal besides her holds a heart that reads, “Get Well Soon.” Her eyes are closed; her breathing is erratic and raspy. Tubes seem to sprout from her body, snaking from her arms, nose, and mouth. He skin is translucent. The woman from the photos sits next to the girl, exhausted and utterly distraught. Tears fall from her eyes in great drops, cascading to the floor, splashing on the linoleum. Numb with grief, Morgan stands by the window, looking out at the lights of the city and the cars flowing on a distant freeway.
****
Gazing out the cockpit window, a beeping echoes through the plane. The life in Morgan’s eyes returns, saving him from remaining lost in the awful memory. Stirred by his drifting mind, he clicks off his music and begins flipping numerous switches on the console, one on his right reads, “Antenna retract.” He locates another switch. This one marked, “Exterior lights.” Flipping it off, he flips it on, then off again. The dim lights on the underside of the wings shut off. Now the F-117 is all black shadow. The only light is the extremely faint glow from the interior of Morgan’s cockpit display.
As the aircraft glides through the night sky, Morgan takes in the landscape passing below him; a forgotten war zone. Bleak in the moonscape, the desert looks dead. Sabotaged oil wells belch giant towers of flame as if hell had finally broken through to the surface. Roads are washed with drifting sand. Asphalt lays ruined, tossed across the sand dunes, leaving large holes in the remaining roads. Buildings lay shattered, roofs torn and dismembered. The shells of cars sit burnt, blackened, some still smolder with the remnants of incendiary ammunition or firebombs. Although no visible, Morgan knows ghosts roam the streets below him, searching for their lives and loved ones.
Tearing his gaze from the world below him, Morgan continues his path forward. His legs are now shaking as he approaches his target. In the distance, no more than a mile and a half ahead, he can see the power plant, glowing brightly in the emptiness of the night. Using his display, he can see movement on the ground; workers who are unaware of what is coming their way. Sighing, his hands tighten on the controls of the plane, keeping the crosshairs steady on the target. Looking on the screen again, he sees the workers standing in from of the building. After a moment, he shifts the crosshairs to the side of the building, away from where the tiny figures are moving. Closing his eyes, Morgan pulls the trigger.
Opening his eyes, the missile explodes before it impacts the power stations, making a black splash on the infrared screen in front of him and the sky above the power plant. The detonated missile illuminates the sky over the darkened power station, creating large, stark shadows on the ground, while giving birth to hundreds of smaller bombs, which explode—showering the huge structure with what appear crackling firworks. These smaller explosions, in turn, blossom with streams of carbon-filament ribbons, which float down onto the building. Many of the ribbons land on the wires and in the transformer yard, sparking and fizzling like thousands of electrocuted insects. The air around the station becomes ionized, causing gigantic arcs of electricity to leap and connect. The gigantic arcs of electricity glitter around the station, webbing like a spider, for at least a half-mile in all directions. The web of lightning is trailed by a blanket of darkness spreading out over the surrounding desert, as giant grids of electric lights are extinguished in an ever-spreading series of short-circuits. After a moment, Morgan tears himself away from the surreal sight on the ground and returns to the matter of getting home safely.
To be continued
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