I realize that I suck and I have not come back to finish writing about Brazil. Perhaps I'll do that tonight when I get to my overnight. Today is my first day back to work in over two weeks. It's also my first AM trip worked in months. I'm actually kind of excited. Hopefully it will be an easy trip. I'm overnighting in Tuscon tonight, which is one of my favorite overnights. I'm hoping to lay by the pool for a few hours and then get a workout in at the Gold's Gym down the street.
The last couple of weeks have been pretty amazing. First of all, I've found a drum and bass weekly in Chicago that I am now going to start frequenting as often as possible. OH the drum and the bass. How I love it. Also, I went to Vegas for the weekend with some amazing people and got to see my favorite band perform two of the best shows I've seen in 27 shows of theirs. Incredible. Also, I've had this fortuitous moment with a boy that I met a couple of months ago and I'm kind of excited about it. Trying not to be too much of a spaz about it and just enjoy his company.
Summer is almost here! I've already spent one day at the beach and it was amazing. AND one of my best friends is moving to Chicago in two weeks! I'm so pumped. Also, I'm gonna head out to Boston next week to spend some time with Jessica. I haven't been to Boston in forever, so I'm really looking forward to that.
Things are gooood.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Crazy three day. CRAZZYYYY.
I am on the craziest of trips. The trip started out with a 19 hour overnight in Seattle and a 19 hour overnight in San Francisco. We ended up getting delayed on the ground in Chicago from the very start and then again in Nashville and it all just went crazy from there. We ended up overnighting in Hartford and then in Tampa. But instead of 19 hour overnights, we had 10 hour overnights. OOF. I am dying to get to the gym and also get a good night's rest. The good news is that I'm getting into Chicago early today...much earlier. 2pm instead of 10pm. I'm still thinking about not doing anything tonight other than heading to the gym. Haha, yeah right. It's a nice thought though. We'll see.
I would also like to point out that although my overnight was only 10 hours last night, we had to go down to the bar because we were at an awesome hotel on the water in Tampa. It was Friday night, so it was BUMPIN. I had some wasted pilot hit on me and at the exact same time I had a guy approach me with a poem that he had "written for me". Oh lord. I left it upstairs in my bag so I'll have to share it with you another time. It's special.
I'm starting to feel more comfortable in my own skin these days. If only I could get to a point where I was comfortable with my wallet. Haha. I know it requires two things...more work and less play. But where is the fun in that?? Let's be honest though, there is absolutely no fun in being broke all the time. I'm working my ass of this month and I get a raise in a few weeks. Summer is just around the corner. Things are looking up!
I would also like to point out that although my overnight was only 10 hours last night, we had to go down to the bar because we were at an awesome hotel on the water in Tampa. It was Friday night, so it was BUMPIN. I had some wasted pilot hit on me and at the exact same time I had a guy approach me with a poem that he had "written for me". Oh lord. I left it upstairs in my bag so I'll have to share it with you another time. It's special.
I'm starting to feel more comfortable in my own skin these days. If only I could get to a point where I was comfortable with my wallet. Haha. I know it requires two things...more work and less play. But where is the fun in that?? Let's be honest though, there is absolutely no fun in being broke all the time. I'm working my ass of this month and I get a raise in a few weeks. Summer is just around the corner. Things are looking up!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Brasil. Part one.
Coming home from vacation is always tough, but I think this homecoming has got to be the absolute toughest I've ever experienced. Brazil was more than I expected. I did not expect to find it so homelike and some place that I will dream about living in for the rest of my life. I guess I should have known better, because even after my trip to Italy last year, I had dreams about moving to Rome. Only now I am in love with a town called Lagoa de Concepcao (Lagoon of the Conception) on an island called Santa Catarina. And I will forever long to be on Jaoquina Beach drinking Caipirinhas...Anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself...I need fill you in on the first part of my amazing journey. Here goes..
Day One:
We left Chicago from Midway to get to DC, where we were catching our flight to Brazil. Of course we had to leave Chicago at 9am and our flight to Brazil didn't leave until after 9pm from DC. We ended up wasting some time around DC, had some lunch with my friend Tosh's sister in law. Tosh is gay and his partner's sister lives in DC. Lunch was good, weather in DC was good, nice way to spend the day. We got back to the airport with about three hours to kill, which of course those hours were killed in the bar. Trisha and I got some candy for the crew members so when we got on the plane, they obliged us with a couple of comfy seats in business class. It was kind of lame though, because we had to sit in between two strangers and didn't get to enjoy the experience together. Our friends Rob and Tosh were back in Economy plus and our other travel mate, Andy was up in business with us. After a good meal, a movie, and several glasses of wine, I passed out. Woke up with about 45 minutes until landing in Sao Paolo. From Sao Paolo, we caught a different flight to Rio. We finally got to Rio and got out of customs and all around noon. So, we basically spent 24 hours traveling. Well worth it.
In Rio we stayed at the Hotel Othon California, located straight on the strip of Copacabana. Grabbed a bite to eat and our first Caipirinhas and then booked it to the beach. Spent the day on the beach, having some drinks and enjoying ourselves. It was a little overcast that day but we
made the most of it and still stayed out until well after the sun was down. After a quick shower, we tried to find a place to eat and failed miserably. Ended up just getting some appetizers and then going back to the room to pass out because we had a big day the next day. Actually, the boys put Trisha and I to bed, because we had not yet learned our limit with Caipirinhas and we were kind of faced. I'm glad they did because that was one of the only nights of good sleep that we really got. Here is a picture of our group on our way to dinner.
Day Two:
We were able to get a pretty decently priced Tour to see all of Rio in one day...Well at least the important parts. We saw the largest soccer stadium in the world, some of the slums located in the heart of the city, Sugar Loaf mountain, and the Christo. It was a great tour and I'm glad we did it. I got to see a monkey in the wild, swing from a vine, drink beer on top of a moun
tain and laugh at my friends. We were all pretty exhausted after eight hours in that tour bus though. Grabbed some dinner and then a few drinks and the boys ended up wanting to crash. After Trisha and I missed out on night one, we decided to stay out and do some partying. Met some people at a hut by the beach and ended up chilling at a bonfire with them and eventually saw the sunrise on the copa. Gorgeous. Super neat experience and I'm glad I did it.
Day Three:
I never really got any sleep on night two, so this is more like day two/three....Had some breakfast and then ran out to catch a little bit more ocean time before leaving Rio. Spent about an hour in the sun and waves and then went up the room to pack up my stuff to leave. Trisha was napping. Got our stuff together, grabbed a cheap and easy lunch and then headed to the airport to catch our flight to Florianopolis. We flew on this airline called Gol, which is supposed to be very similar to Southwest. Our flight ended up being super expensive, which sucked, but it was worth it. Got to Floripa in the afternoon and then headed to our hotel, Hotel Faial.
Trisha and I went out to walk around while the boys went to rent our car for the next few days. Floripa is a city that is very busy during the day, but dies out quickly at night, except for in the town square, where there lies a very large tree. People just sit around the tree and chill out. That's what we ended up doing for most of the evening. Here are a couple of pictures of the tree, at night and during the day. I'm not sure why the people are walking around the tree, I guess it's for good luck or something.
Anyway, that will conclude part one of the trip...I need to hit the hay now, but I'll finish the rest of the trip tomorrow.
Day One:
We left Chicago from Midway to get to DC, where we were catching our flight to Brazil. Of course we had to leave Chicago at 9am and our flight to Brazil didn't leave until after 9pm from DC. We ended up wasting some time around DC, had some lunch with my friend Tosh's sister in law. Tosh is gay and his partner's sister lives in DC. Lunch was good, weather in DC was good, nice way to spend the day. We got back to the airport with about three hours to kill, which of course those hours were killed in the bar. Trisha and I got some candy for the crew members so when we got on the plane, they obliged us with a couple of comfy seats in business class. It was kind of lame though, because we had to sit in between two strangers and didn't get to enjoy the experience together. Our friends Rob and Tosh were back in Economy plus and our other travel mate, Andy was up in business with us. After a good meal, a movie, and several glasses of wine, I passed out. Woke up with about 45 minutes until landing in Sao Paolo. From Sao Paolo, we caught a different flight to Rio. We finally got to Rio and got out of customs and all around noon. So, we basically spent 24 hours traveling. Well worth it.
In Rio we stayed at the Hotel Othon California, located straight on the strip of Copacabana. Grabbed a bite to eat and our first Caipirinhas and then booked it to the beach. Spent the day on the beach, having some drinks and enjoying ourselves. It was a little overcast that day but we
made the most of it and still stayed out until well after the sun was down. After a quick shower, we tried to find a place to eat and failed miserably. Ended up just getting some appetizers and then going back to the room to pass out because we had a big day the next day. Actually, the boys put Trisha and I to bed, because we had not yet learned our limit with Caipirinhas and we were kind of faced. I'm glad they did because that was one of the only nights of good sleep that we really got. Here is a picture of our group on our way to dinner.Day Two:
We were able to get a pretty decently priced Tour to see all of Rio in one day...Well at least the important parts. We saw the largest soccer stadium in the world, some of the slums located in the heart of the city, Sugar Loaf mountain, and the Christo. It was a great tour and I'm glad we did it. I got to see a monkey in the wild, swing from a vine, drink beer on top of a moun
tain and laugh at my friends. We were all pretty exhausted after eight hours in that tour bus though. Grabbed some dinner and then a few drinks and the boys ended up wanting to crash. After Trisha and I missed out on night one, we decided to stay out and do some partying. Met some people at a hut by the beach and ended up chilling at a bonfire with them and eventually saw the sunrise on the copa. Gorgeous. Super neat experience and I'm glad I did it.Day Three:
I never really got any sleep on night two, so this is more like day two/three....Had some breakfast and then ran out to catch a little bit more ocean time before leaving Rio. Spent about an hour in the sun and waves and then went up the room to pack up my stuff to leave. Trisha was napping. Got our stuff together, grabbed a cheap and easy lunch and then headed to the airport to catch our flight to Florianopolis. We flew on this airline called Gol, which is supposed to be very similar to Southwest. Our flight ended up being super expensive, which sucked, but it was worth it. Got to Floripa in the afternoon and then headed to our hotel, Hotel Faial.
Trisha and I went out to walk around while the boys went to rent our car for the next few days. Floripa is a city that is very busy during the day, but dies out quickly at night, except for in the town square, where there lies a very large tree. People just sit around the tree and chill out. That's what we ended up doing for most of the evening. Here are a couple of pictures of the tree, at night and during the day. I'm not sure why the people are walking around the tree, I guess it's for good luck or something.
Anyway, that will conclude part one of the trip...I need to hit the hay now, but I'll finish the rest of the trip tomorrow.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Sorry it's been so long journal. Truth be told, I planned on using this journal to document my adventures in flying and well, I haven't been flying. I've only "worked" six days this month. Only one more day of reserve tomorrow and then I'm off to Brazil for the rest of the month. I'm so looking forward to this trip. I need to reconnect with the ocean, it's been so long since I've been around it and it's one of my favorite things.
After this trip, I really need to buckle down in April and keep taking care of myself. I'm gonna take it easy on the drinking and try to hermit a little more than usual. I also need to work as much as possible. I keep feeling like this is gonna be one of the best summers of my life. SO much fun stuff to look forward to. I'm excited. I just need to chill out in April to achieve this.
Anyway, the last couple of months have been super social months for me. It's hard to balance all the new fun that has come into my life. I've got a good solid group of people in my neighborhood and soon Zach will be living closer as well. It's crazy to think about how a year ago my life was pretty boring and now it's so much more rich and full of fun.
Alright, time to go home. yay!
After this trip, I really need to buckle down in April and keep taking care of myself. I'm gonna take it easy on the drinking and try to hermit a little more than usual. I also need to work as much as possible. I keep feeling like this is gonna be one of the best summers of my life. SO much fun stuff to look forward to. I'm excited. I just need to chill out in April to achieve this.
Anyway, the last couple of months have been super social months for me. It's hard to balance all the new fun that has come into my life. I've got a good solid group of people in my neighborhood and soon Zach will be living closer as well. It's crazy to think about how a year ago my life was pretty boring and now it's so much more rich and full of fun.
Alright, time to go home. yay!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Happy thoughts for a happy day.
Although I'm in this hotel lobby computer room and I normally don't blog unless I am home and alone, I have a few few things to write about until I get home and I can let it all flow out.
-I am going to Brazil in a few weeks. Very excited about this. Brazilian body is in the works...okay, not really, but I've lost some weight and I'm getting better at running and my body is happy. In fact, I feel better than I have in years because other than a couple of slip ups this weekend, I've quit the evil tobacco devil and combining that with along lots and lots of cardio, makes me feel great.
-I'm reading a great book that my friend Broder let me borrow this weekend. It's called "The Last American Man" and it's great. It makes me want to take a long hiking trip this summer. I don't know if I can rough it like I should, but I really want to get on that. Even if it's just for a few days. Let me know if you'd like to join.
-I feel like my goal of 2009 to have better relationships with my family and friends is off to a pretty good start. I just want to keep it up.
Now it's almost 7pm in Portland and if I want to get a full eight hours of sleep tonight, then it's time for bed for meee.
Night night.
-I am going to Brazil in a few weeks. Very excited about this. Brazilian body is in the works...okay, not really, but I've lost some weight and I'm getting better at running and my body is happy. In fact, I feel better than I have in years because other than a couple of slip ups this weekend, I've quit the evil tobacco devil and combining that with along lots and lots of cardio, makes me feel great.
-I'm reading a great book that my friend Broder let me borrow this weekend. It's called "The Last American Man" and it's great. It makes me want to take a long hiking trip this summer. I don't know if I can rough it like I should, but I really want to get on that. Even if it's just for a few days. Let me know if you'd like to join.
-I feel like my goal of 2009 to have better relationships with my family and friends is off to a pretty good start. I just want to keep it up.
Now it's almost 7pm in Portland and if I want to get a full eight hours of sleep tonight, then it's time for bed for meee.
Night night.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
this poem is a heartbreaking one.
anyone lived in a pretty how town by E. E. Cummings
anyone lived in a pretty how town
(with up so floating many bells down)
spring summer autumn winter
he sang his didn't he danced his did
Women and men(both little and small)
cared for anyone not at all
they sowed their isn't they reaped their same
sun moon stars rain
children guessed(but only a few
and down they forgot as up they grew
autumn winter spring summer)
that noone loved him more by more
when by now and tree by leaf
she laughed his joy she cried his grief
bird by snow and stir by still
anyone's any was all to her
someones married their everyones
laughed their cryings and did their dance
(sleep wake hope and then)they
said their nevers they slept their dream
stars rain sun moon
(and only the snow can begin to explain
how children are apt to forget to remember
with up so floating many bells down)
one day anyone died i guess
(and noone stooped to kiss his face)
busy folk buried them side by side
little by little and was by was
all by all and deep by deep
and more by more they dream their sleep
noone and anyone earth by april
wish by spirit and if by yes.
Women and men(both dong and ding)
summer autumn winter spring
reaped their sowing and went their came
sun moon stars rain
(with up so floating many bells down)
spring summer autumn winter
he sang his didn't he danced his did
Women and men(both little and small)
cared for anyone not at all
they sowed their isn't they reaped their same
sun moon stars rain
children guessed(but only a few
and down they forgot as up they grew
autumn winter spring summer)
that noone loved him more by more
when by now and tree by leaf
she laughed his joy she cried his grief
bird by snow and stir by still
anyone's any was all to her
someones married their everyones
laughed their cryings and did their dance
(sleep wake hope and then)they
said their nevers they slept their dream
stars rain sun moon
(and only the snow can begin to explain
how children are apt to forget to remember
with up so floating many bells down)
one day anyone died i guess
(and noone stooped to kiss his face)
busy folk buried them side by side
little by little and was by was
all by all and deep by deep
and more by more they dream their sleep
noone and anyone earth by april
wish by spirit and if by yes.
Women and men(both dong and ding)
summer autumn winter spring
reaped their sowing and went their came
sun moon stars rain
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Things to do
1. STOP EATING SO MUCH PIZZA.
2. Obtain Brazilian Tourist Visa (and Brazilian beach body of course).
3. Purchase Burning Man ticket and visualize incredible Burning Man costumes.
4. Learn enough French in the next two months to survive in Paris for several days.
5. REALIZE THAT I AM LIVING A RADICALLY BLESSED LIFE AND ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF IT!!!!
Also, sometime in the next few months if some hot bearded man would like to step into my life, that'd be great. Thanks. Seriously, so ruined by my Park City visit. It is the land of beautiful dream men that all like to flirt with Lori. Why does this not happen in chicago??? WHYYY?
And just for good measure....
Seriously Lori...put down the pizza.
2. Obtain Brazilian Tourist Visa (and Brazilian beach body of course).
3. Purchase Burning Man ticket and visualize incredible Burning Man costumes.
4. Learn enough French in the next two months to survive in Paris for several days.
5. REALIZE THAT I AM LIVING A RADICALLY BLESSED LIFE AND ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF IT!!!!
Also, sometime in the next few months if some hot bearded man would like to step into my life, that'd be great. Thanks. Seriously, so ruined by my Park City visit. It is the land of beautiful dream men that all like to flirt with Lori. Why does this not happen in chicago??? WHYYY?
And just for good measure....
Seriously Lori...put down the pizza.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
I can't seem to get off my ass today. I have so much I need/want to do but this computer has sucked me in. I have been cruising all these music blogs and finding some killer music. Right now I am listening to an old recording of Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel. God, that man made some beautiful music. In other news, I am going to die if I don't get a new laptop soon. I have got to be able to download new stuff. I haven't had any access to downloads for four months. Too long. I want the Fleet Foxes album and so much more.
Work has been pretty crazy lately. Delays galore and crazy, crazy people. I've been meaning to write down some of the craziest stuff that's happened, but of course I haven't and now I'm drawing a blank.
I'm having a very tough time figuring out whether or not I want to go to SXSW or if I want to go to Brazil to see Radiohead. I know I can go to Brazil anytime, but I have the opportunity to see Radiohead there and Kraftwerk and I'll be able to go with a Portugese speaker. It's tough. I know I'll have fun whatever I do...I just don't want to be sitting on the beach in Brazil wishing I was getting hugs from friends and drinking Sparkleberries at Emo's. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DOOOO.
Last night was fun. Had dinner at FlatTop Grill with some friends and then went over to Natalie's to play with Mason and have some more drinks. It's soo crazy how fast lives can change...two years ago this time Natalie was getting crazy with Trisha and I and now she's got a husband and a child. CRAZY. Sadly, I think two years from now my life probably won't be much different...I'll just be making more money and have more stamps on my passport. Haha.
Work has been pretty crazy lately. Delays galore and crazy, crazy people. I've been meaning to write down some of the craziest stuff that's happened, but of course I haven't and now I'm drawing a blank.
I'm having a very tough time figuring out whether or not I want to go to SXSW or if I want to go to Brazil to see Radiohead. I know I can go to Brazil anytime, but I have the opportunity to see Radiohead there and Kraftwerk and I'll be able to go with a Portugese speaker. It's tough. I know I'll have fun whatever I do...I just don't want to be sitting on the beach in Brazil wishing I was getting hugs from friends and drinking Sparkleberries at Emo's. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DOOOO.
Last night was fun. Had dinner at FlatTop Grill with some friends and then went over to Natalie's to play with Mason and have some more drinks. It's soo crazy how fast lives can change...two years ago this time Natalie was getting crazy with Trisha and I and now she's got a husband and a child. CRAZY. Sadly, I think two years from now my life probably won't be much different...I'll just be making more money and have more stamps on my passport. Haha.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
p.s.
I have no idea how to use this blog...how to add friends, etc. Help!
Tonight I went out for Eli's birthday and I did shots. I did not plan on doing shots. Shots are bad. They are also fun. Eli has been a wonderful little gift to me this year. God bless him.
Back to the bird tomorrow and so not excited but thank goodness for working with friends.
This book is breaking my heart. I have decided that I hate it. Shocking.
Tonight I went out for Eli's birthday and I did shots. I did not plan on doing shots. Shots are bad. They are also fun. Eli has been a wonderful little gift to me this year. God bless him.
Back to the bird tomorrow and so not excited but thank goodness for working with friends.
This book is breaking my heart. I have decided that I hate it. Shocking.
Yes. Please.
I'm reading Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist and it's really adorable. This paragraph pretty much sums up the adorableness of it. I think chance moments like this are the only reason I go out anymore...you never know what can happen...
Dev's elbow hits my back and I press forward and she's right there and I'm reaching out and she's right there and right at that moment the amps amplify and the music takes on such a pulse that it becomes my heartbeat and her heartbeat and I know it and she knows it and this is the point where we could break apart and that would be it, totally it. But I look into her eyes and she looks into my eyes and we recognize it-the excitement of being here, the excitement of being now. And maybe I'm realizing what a part of it she is and maybe she's realizing what a part of it I am, because suddenly we're not crashing so much as we're combining. The chords swirling around us are becoming a tornado, tightening and tightening and tightening, and we are at the center of it, and we are at the center of each other. My wrist touches hers right at the point of our pulses, and I swear I can feel it. That thrum. We are moving to the music and at the same time we are a stillness. I am not losing myself in the barrage. I am finding here. And she is-yes, she is finding me. The crowd is pressing in on us and the bassline is revealing everything and we are two people who are part of a lot more people, and at the same time we're our own part. There isn't loneliness, only this intense twoliness. There's only one way to test it, and that is to dare a movement, to push it farther and see if she wants it to go there. If find her lips and I make that kiss and she's pulling my hair and I've got the fabric of her jacket bunched in a fist and it's nothing like talking and it's right there and we're taking it and taking it. And my eyes are closed and then my eyes open and I see her eyes are open and there's a part of her that's pulling back even as our bodies are pressing and it's the fear, of course there's the fear, and I just hold her close to tell her I understand.
Dev's elbow hits my back and I press forward and she's right there and I'm reaching out and she's right there and right at that moment the amps amplify and the music takes on such a pulse that it becomes my heartbeat and her heartbeat and I know it and she knows it and this is the point where we could break apart and that would be it, totally it. But I look into her eyes and she looks into my eyes and we recognize it-the excitement of being here, the excitement of being now. And maybe I'm realizing what a part of it she is and maybe she's realizing what a part of it I am, because suddenly we're not crashing so much as we're combining. The chords swirling around us are becoming a tornado, tightening and tightening and tightening, and we are at the center of it, and we are at the center of each other. My wrist touches hers right at the point of our pulses, and I swear I can feel it. That thrum. We are moving to the music and at the same time we are a stillness. I am not losing myself in the barrage. I am finding here. And she is-yes, she is finding me. The crowd is pressing in on us and the bassline is revealing everything and we are two people who are part of a lot more people, and at the same time we're our own part. There isn't loneliness, only this intense twoliness. There's only one way to test it, and that is to dare a movement, to push it farther and see if she wants it to go there. If find her lips and I make that kiss and she's pulling my hair and I've got the fabric of her jacket bunched in a fist and it's nothing like talking and it's right there and we're taking it and taking it. And my eyes are closed and then my eyes open and I see her eyes are open and there's a part of her that's pulling back even as our bodies are pressing and it's the fear, of course there's the fear, and I just hold her close to tell her I understand.
Monday, January 5, 2009
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