The Next Four Years

I started this blog one year ago. I surprised as anyone that I would still be doing this one year later. Hell, I've had relationships that haven't lasted this long. This last trip around the sun has seen my shadow fall in London, Beijing, Amsterdam, Tokyo, and Shanghai. I have watched the sun rise over the Atlantic and and set in Pacific. This was the second year in a row I have celebrated a birthday not on my native soil. I spent hundreds of hours in planes, taxis, trains, subways, and buses. I've traded yens, euros, yuans, pounds, and dollars with merchants peddling their wares. I have eaten strange and wonderful foods. And I have enjoyed most of it. I even learned a few things along the way.

1. Pack plenty of Imodium AD. Explosive diarrhea will ruin any trip. I probably downed an entire pack while in China. I didn't shit for week, but if you saw the toilets in China you would understand.
2. There is over 1.3 Billion people in China; I saw only one hot chick.
3. Fish lips taste about as bad at it sounds.
4. Only consume alcohol when traveling abroad. This will ensure you won't get sick from drinking the water and make even the worst day abroad just a little better.
5. The Dutch didn't put up much of a fight against the invading Germans in WWII, but they are doing a damn good job of apologizing to the world with the Red Light District and coffee shops in Amsterdam. We forgive you.
6. I saw 600 places in London to get Curry, but not one dentist. Stereotypes exist for a reason.
7. I'm big in Japan.

I'm not sure what the next four years will bring. I haven't decided what I want to do with my life or where I want to be so I will keep traveling. I hope to go to Germany, Hawaii, and Canada later this year. I'll keep writing even if no one keeps reading.

See more of my work in CinemATL Magazine

While at Sundance I did some freelance work for CinemATL Magazine. My photographs were included in the "Sundance 07 Southern Exposure" collage on this month's issue along with some shots in "News & Notes: Katrina Spurs Filmmakers to Sundance."

http://www.cinematl.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=296&Itemid=48

Be sure to check out my first film review. The film was a documentary that premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival entitled "Chasing Ghosts: Beyond the Arcade."

Go to:
http://www.cinematl.com/

Click on Reviews

It is listed under Reviews: Chasing Ghosts (Sundance)

Offline this Week

I am back from DC and recovering from a broken tooth. It's humbling to think that something as small as a tooth can be so excruciating. Aside from brushing and flossing, we rarely think about our teeth. When our teeth begin to ache that is all we can think about.

I have several items in the works and will be uploading them as soon as I recover.

"Happiness is your dentist telling you it won't hurt and then having him catch his hand in the drill." ~ Johnny Carson

"I write. I eat. I travel. I'm hungry for more."

Someone recently asked me about my favorite travel show. I can't get enough Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations on the Travel Channel. I have been a fan of this culinary pirate for several years. His lewd and crass behavior reminds me of someone - me. This epicurean rockstar and I share a love for traveling, writing, and eating. We also share an equal disdain for vegetarians. For God's sake, we have pointed teeth for a reason. Why fight millions of years of evolution?

"Vegetarians, and their Hezbollah-like splinter faction, the vegans, are a persistent irritant to any chef worth a damn. To me, life without veal stock, pork fat, sausage, organ meat, demiglace, or even stinky cheese is a life not worth living." - Kitchen Confidential, page 70.

Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln's marble effigy forever gazes out upon the country he saved.

"I leave you, hoping that the lamp of liberty will burn in your bosoms until there shall no longer be a doubt that all men are created free and equal." - Abraham Lincoln

Random Pics of Frozen DC

These are some random pics taken around the National Mall. The first is a snow and ice covered Mall in front of the Capitol. The second is an interesting art piece near the National Archives. The third is from the Korean War Veterans Memorial. The last pic is the frozen solid reflection pool between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. Notice that people are jogging across the ice.

Stuck in Frozen DC

I flew into Washington, D.C. on Valentine's Day. I have such great timing. The worst winter storm in 8 years hit the area. My plane was delayed five hours due to all DC airports being closed. I finally made it to my hotel room. There is nothing like a romantic Valentine's Dinner from the mini-bar alone. Now is the winter of my discontent.

What tragedy?

The media has been obsessed with the sudden and "tragic" death of Anna Nicole Smith. Let's put this into perspective. A child drowning while taking a bath is tragic. Anna Nicole Smith being found dead is a shitty hotel room was expected. Anyone that ever watched her train wreck of a realty show probably wondered how she lived as long as she did. Granted, I am little dismayed that I won't get to ogle her tig ol' bitties in her Playboy comeback special, but I'll manage.

Boston

This pic was taken while on a ferry crossing Boston Harbor.

Random Pic From Past Travels

This pic was taken in August of 2005 off the coast of San Francisco on a ferry to Tiburon.

Yeah, I know

Yeah, yeah Ms. Smartass. I didn't get those Boston and Sundance posts up there as promised. Whatcha going to do about it? I am working on it - okay?

Getaway Car Parking

WTF is with everyone backing into a parking spot these days? It took twice as long to get out of my parking deck this morning because some a-hole decided to back into a parking spot. Of course the motard couldn't do it correctly and I had to wait about 5 minutes until he figured out that his car had to be between the damn lines. How much of a hurry are you in? You aren't driving the damn getaway car. Pull into a freakin' parking spot and back out of it. I wouldn't have mentioned it, but this seems to be an increasing trend. I have noticed it in Utah, Massachusetts, and Alabama over the past couple of months. Save yourself and the rest of us some time in the parking lot and pull into the damn spot.

I've been called out

Last night, some smart ass pointed out that I haven't posted more updates from Boston or Sundance. Never mind that I have been busy with work and other personal projects. Never mind that I need to have some small semblance of a social life. Never mind! Okay...fine....I will post some updates before tomorrow night. You happy?