Thursday, July 6, 2006

Just the right kind of day...

You ever have one of those days where all of the sights, sounds and smells are just right to give you that perfect flashback to your childhood?
Yesterday was one of those days for me.


I had the day off of work for an extended I-day weekend. I was driving around running some errands when it just hit me...and I mean really hit me. The sun was out yet it was cool.....there was a very unique smell of "summer" in the air, like I used to remember from when I was a kid. For some reason everything just fit and I had an amazing memory pop into my head. I remembered vividly standing with my dad in the woods behind my house on a sandy ledge that looked over the old quarry. I remembered taking turns throwing rocks with him to see who could hit the rusted-out old crane at the bottom of the quarry first. I don't know why that memory popped in to my head so vividly, but If I were the least bit artistically endowed, I could have drawn the scene perfectly on paper. I by no means have a photographic memory, but for that brief moment, I could recall almost every detail of the scene. I remembered throwing those stones exactly.......Toss....*pause*......*ping*. For some reason the air smelled just right for me to remember that one afternoon well over 20 years ago.


I miss you dad.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Trips??


So...what has become of my trips.  Well, it's been a while since I've put any kind of update on here. Here's the latest:

My backpacking trip is in less than two weeks now.  I finally bought my new tent.  I went with a tent from REI called the Quarter Dome UL.  It is ultra-light (hence the UL) and is perfect for backpacking.  I am really looking forward to it. Pat and I have a great trail picked out in the smokies (about 20 miles) and we have most of the gear ready.  There are just a few other things we have to buy (mostly camping food). 

So what about Europe.  Well...I did get my passport and I have been reading my "Let's Go" guide to Europe.  I have had to push it back a few months in order to save up enough funds.  I still have my tax return money banked...but it won't be enough for the trip if I also buy a eurail pass.  I can't really go in June/July because the World Cup will be there.  At this point it looks like it won't be until August.  I might still try to squeeze it in before that....but I really don't want to rush it.  It will happen.  I guarantee it.  I will be in Europe before Autumn.  Once this backpacking trip is over...I'll have more time to seriously plan for it.
that's about all I have right now...I will update more in the next day or two.  I'm getting kicked out of the coffee house, so I have to cut this short.

-john

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Newest Updates


Ok...so here is where I'm currently at.
My backpacking/hiking trip with Pat is officially on.  We will be going the weekend of April 21st.  (leaving Thursday April 20th).  I will have to buy some gear, but I have most of what I need already.  We have picked out a sweet 20 mile trail in 
the southern half of the Smokey's.

The big trip....
While I still haven't made an official decision yet, I have bought a "Let's Go" guide for Western Europe.  Right now it is looking like that will be my trip, but I haven't ruled out Iceland yet either.  New Zealand and Mongolia are out.  I haven't received my passport yet either.  I will have a final decision by next week.

The song recording:
I am going into the studio Sunday afternoon to finish the song.  If everything goes well, I will have it posted Sunday night.
take care everyone and happy St. Patty's day!
-john

Monday, March 6, 2006

Updates

Updates
Ok first the song. I still haven't gone back in to record the final vocals for "Rat Race". Hopefully I will be doing that this week. As soon as it is done, I will post it.  Now, the trip. I had set a deadline of Friday to decide on a destination but since then some new information has come my way and I will need a little more time to come to a final decision. I can tell you this. New Zealand is out because it will be winter there. (unless I wait until the fall to go).


So..for right now, it is looking like either Iceland or mini-Europe trip. I would love to do a eurail trip, but a 15 day eurail ticket is almost 700 for anyone over 26. I am going to go back to Border's this week and do some more reasearch. The problem has been not with deciding where to go....but what do I really want to do when I get there. I can't decide if I want to do a backpacking type trip, or a city/country tour. I did get my hostel membership card and hopefully will get to use it either way.


On a side note. I signed up to take a couple of classes over the summer at the local college. Just for my own knowledge, not for any particular school goal. I also have been researching a non-profit organization that I might register with. It is called Servas. (www.servas.org). You sign up to be an international Host, and people from all over the world may request to stay 2 to 3 days with you in your home while they travel. It's kind of like a foreign exchange program (only the trips are a lot shorter). The whole point is to extend peace and hospitality to international travelers....and to simply meet people. Sounds great. Although how many international travelers will honestly be travelling to Cleveland...right?
Aside from all that...I've been playing my new Lakewood guitar like crazy. It truly is an indescribable instrument.
I'll check in...in a couple of days.
-john