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The 1st Week In Words: Day 1

August 23, 2004
Westmoreland State Park/George Washington Birthplace/Burial/Potomac River
Westmoreland County, Virginia
Distance from home: 45 miles/1 hr.

Researchers want to more accurately reconstruct facial features of George Washington, who lost most of his teeth in his early 20s.

I drove past his boyhood home on my hour-long trip to Westmoreland State Park, and later, to his actual birthplace and burial ground.

Why I Won't Wear Sandals Again

Here they are--the feet that got scorched at Back Bay and False Cape (on the right foot, the toe's disposition is due to getting kicked there twice today during a soccer game. The left foot is the one that scored our team's first goal.

That's what I got for my Friday walking over 10 miles--not all of them in sandals, mind you. I spent much of the time on the beach, and conceivably, could have walked the beach right into North Carolina. I didn't do that. I got within 5.2 miles of the border, though, if I remember the sign correctly. That was after spending some time in the water. I don't think I was supposed to in Back Bay, but no one said anything. Honestly, I could have been singing at the top of my lungs, and no one would have heard. I saw perhaps 10-15 people the entire time I was there, and walking back I saw people only where I started my return walk, and where I ended the walk on the beach near the turnoff to get to the parking lot.

I had planned on looping back along the trail, but that meant putting sandals on, which I did for a little bit. That also meant having to keep a keen sense for the wildlife--deer, in particular--coming out of the marshy areas. In the condition I was in, I decided it'd be better to walk the beach. Besides, that's what I enjoy most--a peaceful beach.

I even put socks on to try and ease things, but when I got to the turn to head back toward the parking lot, that would have meant walking over six miles along that path with about an hour until dusk (I could tell this because I could see the sun's position in the sky--particularly when I got back to the beach).

So I headed back to the beach and took off the sandals, and walked along the surf--seemingly an endless walk--until I got back to the parking lot just as the sky started to go completely dark and the moon was 90 percent of the light that I saw.

The 1st Week In Photos

Links to photos from Great Falls (not yet complete), Westmoreland State Park and George Washington's Birthplace Monument/Burial Ground. Coming Soon: Va. Beach photos, foot photos

So far in the past week, I've had face to face contact with deer, squirrels, horses, dogs, people and nature while traveling to Westmoreland State Park. Nearby, I got to see where the 1st Prez was born and was buried. The day after that, I went higher up the Potomac River and hiked at Great Falls. I spent a day driving to Chesapeake before spending an afternoon on the Norfolk waterfront at Nauticus and the USS Wisconsin--eating some pretty decent Thai food for a food court. I went to the beach and watched surfers practicing for a competition that took place this weekend. Finally, I went to Back Bay and False Cape in the southern end of Virginia Beach near the NC border, where I walked over 10 miles along the beach. I know because that's what the mileage markers say. And, I have evidence of my encounter at the beach--burns on my back and the back of my arms, and I have burn marks on my feet from the sandals I wore (Note to self: Don't ever wear sandals again.). The next entry will show my feet in all their glory. Overall, I've probably hiked the equivalent of a marathon on my trip.

Today, I scored my first goal since returning to soccer four years ago and my burned feet suffered once more as I got kicked flush on my right big toe, and later on the same foot pretty hard that didn't feel too good either.

On Vacation

I'm not posting much since I'm on vacation until Labor Day, but here's a picture from Monday's sunset along the Potomac River. Enjoy. I'm keeping a written journal. I haven't handwritten a journal in quite some time. Anyway, the picture...right.

Vagabonding Virginia

Well, being of somewhat sound mind and little dinero, I finally came up with a way to make a vacation out of not leaving Virginia.

I'm making out a top-10 list (give or take) of places all over the state that have piqued my curiosity. Most of these places I can do in a relatively long day trip. I have from Aug. 20 until Labor Day to do this, which I think will give me enough time to carry out my agenda at a mostly unhurried pace. So, in no particular order of where I'm going to visit, here's the list (I'll post more details and links, and why I hope to visit these places, later, since it's almost 2 a.m. now):

1. Tangier Island--Tangier, Virginia
2. National D-Day Memorial--Bedford, Virginia
3. Blue Ridge Institute and Museum--Ferrum, Virginia
4. Great Falls National Park--Great Falls, Virginia
5. False Cape State Park--Virginia Beach, Virginia
6. Natural Tunnel State Park--Scott County, Virginia
7. Westmoreland State Park--Montross, Virginia
8. Trail Of The Lonesome Pine, Outdoor Drama--Big Stone Gap, Virginia
9. Joust Tournament, Natural Chimneys Regional Park--Mount Solon, Virginia
10. The Story Of Virginia, An American Experience, Virginia Historical Society--Richmond, Virginia
11. National Maritime Center--Virginia Beach, Virginia
12. Chrysler Museum of Art--Virginia Beach, Virginia

In one way or another, these places have caught my curiosity. Not that others wouldn't, but in my search earlier this evening, this is what I came up with. I'll be taking pictures and keeping a journal of my travels which I'll share, if not during my vacation, after it's all said and done.

Back

Looking forward to Friday, as that begins the first day of my vacation. I now am in permanent possession of a Canon Digital Rebel as well (with zoom lens to boot). My boss decided the camera was too complicated for him and he's selling it to me (I'm paying for it monthly until I pay his asking price--very reasonable for what I'm getting).

I wish I could say I'm going somewhere for my vacation, but that doesn't look likely. I'll be able to take a few day trips, I think, which is alright too. I start by going Saturday to the mountains to visit my oldest sister. She's hosting a party for my other sister's birthday.

In the meantime, I have to get through the next 3 days (counting today).

The Path To Ruin--Part 1

If the song Coat of Many Colors had been written in Spanish, it no doubt would have been written for her.

Living under a dictator, literally and figuratively, she relied on the equivalent of Salvation Army handouts for any gifts she received as a child, and then her real mother passed away when she was just five years old.

Her father, a schoolteacher, remarried and they lived in a heat-absorbing house--more like the size of a one-bedroom apartment.

She couldn't get new shoes for years and would literally lose the soles of her feet and have to stitch them up.

She grew up with saints and faith, pagentry and wine, family and people looking down on her for the poverty in which she lived.

She finished the equivalent of ninth grade in her education, but her real education was only beginning.

Then she met a man, a soldier of sorts, separated by language but united by each other's poverty and, ultimately, love.

How did they meet?

At someone else's wedding. Eight months later, with a few delays for him to win over her parents and for them to pick out a church, they were married. He extended his stay to be with her, and they explored each other and her life.

Nine months and a day after they were married, they brought into the world their first child. The translator, as she would turn out to be in her early days.

In another year's time, they left to be closer to his home. His assignment changed. They had a Christmas present come late--chica numera dos--before being displaced once more.

She missed her homeland. Everything was foreign to her. Why her husband would marry and leave for an assignment after every child. Why she was young and restless, learning a new language on the soaps and Bob Barker.

At least the next climate was warmer and more like the one she grew up with--only more humid. It was Christmas on the beach, living on an island in a lot of ways. Cut off from much of civilization to her.

People made fun of her and pleaded ignorance when she tried to communicate with them.

She'd say shit when she was trying to say ship. Her first child tried to tell her, even dragging her to the toilet and pointing inside to let her know what she said.

On the worst of days, when she had a rare moment to herself, she cried for home.

She also cried for a boy, though, after bringing two girls into the world.

Late spring, and about due, she told her husband it was time. The water broke. Let's go.

An hour later, just after midnight, she got her wish.

Not to go home.

A boy.

Both home and her boy, in their own respects, represent nightmares for her, and both, unconditionally, continue to be loved.

And her husband left once more.

Duty called.

Mad

I don't like being mad.

No, really.

In a way, I wish I could direct it at the person instead of internalizing it. Well, I shouldn't say internalize. The walls of my apartment have heard me. I'm sure they want to crumble in retaliation.

If the person in question had just been direct with me, I could deal with the situation. I've left openings for him to explain what's going on with this particular situation, especially since he's the one that created it. However, I may have to take a direct approach--albeit at a calmer moment.

I think I keep my anger to myself because I didn't used to. I used to bang my head on the wall, yell and throw things when I was a kid. I can still throw things or slam a door now and then, but I don't do those things in front of anyone.

I know I have to shut myself off a bit when I start to make sarcastic remarks around the person. I started to do that today and I let some steam out when I got back to my apartment before laying silently on my couch for a couple of hours.

I'm still not happy, and I have a headache from that and the heat since I was outside for a bit today.

From here, though, I'm going to take a direct, calm approach, and I'm going to get to the heart of the matter since this person won't get to it with me.

100 Things...I Don't Do This Everyday

Because I don't do this too often, and I'm in the mood at 1:46 a.m. eastern time, here goes:

1. I have no memory of my birthplace--Key West. I do know it's closer to Cuba than Miami.
2. I did actually like reading Old Man And The Sea (Hemingway--Key West)
3. Not too crazy about Jimmy Buffett music though.
4. I've lived in a trailer, a townhouse, a house, an apartment and a dorm room.
5. I've lived in 3 different states--Florida, North Carolina and Virginia.
6. I've driven through or visited 28 states and Washington, D.C. (western-most point: Des Moines, IA; southern-most point: Key West, FL; northern-most point: Burlington, VT)
7. I've visited the following countries for at least a day: U.S., Canada, England, Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, South Korea
8. My favorite city of those I've visited on vacation: Ottawa.
9. My favorite country of those I've visited: South Korea.
10. I was reading from road signs when I was 2. Reportedly, I astonished my parents by properly reading Minneapolis off a road sign.
11. I used to have a collection of over 100 different newspapers. Now I just have a collection of newspapers.
12. I'm still more likely to bring newspapers back as souveneirs from vacation as I am to bring real souveneirs.
13. I have two Charlie Brown t-shirts, a Snoopy sweatshirt, two Snoopy pillows and a Snoopy blanket (now that was actually a souveneir I bought for myself in Korea for $17. Yes I like Peanuts.
14. I'm laying on the floor, on one of my Snoopy pillows now as I write this.
15. I'm also listening to BBC Radio 1 as I write this.
16. I prefer listening to radio stations from England than ones here. At least I don't hear the same repetition of songs.
17. And, more importantly, they don't have it in their quota to play a Sheryl Crow song every hour. Did I say I can't stand her music? We all have a person/group that gets to us. She is that person for me.
18. My favorite all-time TV show is MASH.
19. My favorite current TV show is The Amazing Race (Joan of Arcadia isn't bad either).
20. I spend a lot of time around soccer (writing, playing or watching).
21. I still harbor dreams of being a full-time, paid professional sportswriter.
22. I once passed out getting shots.
23. I hate hospitals, clinics, dentist office or any medical discussion or drama, but somehow I love the show MASH, as I already mentioned.
24. I'm the last of 3 children my parents had.
25. My dad was 30 and my mom 27 when I was born.
26. I'm 34 years old, single with no signs of tying the knot anytime soon.
27. I prefer Ashlee Simpson to Jessica Simpson by far.
28. I'm double jointed in my thumbs (some say hitchhikers thumb). I used to be able to bend both thumbs back to my wrist.
29. I write right-handed with all five digits on the pen. Looks kind of funny.
30. I once sat on a street with over a million people (Seoul, South Korea, 2002).
31. I once stood on a street with seemingly a million people (Paris, France, 1998).
32. I once had a crush on a bisexual girl who wanted to be a minister.
33. I've academically and financially flunked out of the same college.
34. I was born nearly 2 feet tall (22 inches).
35. I once slept in a jail without getting arrested.
36. I can say at least a few words in 7 languages (English, Spanish, French, German, Dutch, Korean and Italian).
37. I used to clean toilets and pick up trash for a living but barely do that in my own apartment.
38. I have no best friend anymore.
39. I have friends but none that fall into the above category.
40. My first kiss was in 9th grade in Taming of the Shrew. The girl I kissed was a senior and her boyfriend was also in the play.
41. I can use two hands to count the number of alcoholic drinks I've had in my life.
42. Only once have I bought alcohol for myself--wine. I never finished the bottle.
43. I nearly drowned at the hands of an alcoholic at a beach.
44. My boss is an alcoholic.
45. I can still remember all the names of those people I considered my best friend growing up--Robert, Richard, Valerie, Brian, Ernie and Terrie.
46. My first make out session didn't happen until I was 21.
47. Even though one of those make out sessions put me in the hospital, I made up for lost time for about 2 weeks until I ended the relationship.
48. Actually, now that I think of it, I think my first kiss of a girl was when I was in 4th/5th grade in a neighbor's swimming pool. Her name was Laura.
49. I was good at math until I took Algebra in 8th grade. From there, I felt fortunate to pass any math class.
50. I once was told as a breakup line that God didn't mean for her to be with anyone. She was dating another guy within a week and had married an ex-convict within a year.
51. I don't like living in congested areas, as I value my privacy.
52. A girl once cornered me into a deserted room to "rehearse" a kissing scene in a play and I didn't pick up that she liked me because, naively, I believed she had a boyfriend as she said.
53. I love the beach, preferably a secluded one.
54. My first favorite group was Air Supply.
55. I haven't hugged/kissed anyone outside of my family (those folks on the cheek or forehead) in over 2 years.
56. I have more online conversations with people than I do in person or on the phone.
57. I usually internalize my anger. I used to externalize it through middle school. Then I stopped cold turkey. The most I do when I get mad (in my own company) is throw something.
58. I once had a roommate that got off on calling me Satan.
59. I broke a door off its hinges walking out on him in anger. The door stayed that way the rest of the time we shared the room.
60. That same roommate once walked in on me making out with someone and proceeded to tell an entire cafeteria full of people what I had been doing. I walked out of that scene too.
61. I once went to 3 funerals within a year's span for teenage workers I used to work with when a manager at an amusement park.
62. I've cried hard only twice in my life. Once was for one of those friends dying, the other was for someone I cared about who was leaving.
63. I've driven nearly 500,000 miles in my life--only one accident that wasn't my fault in those 17 years.
64. I usually fall asleep on my stomach and wake up on my back. I tend to roll around in my bed quite a bit.
65. I prefer staying up late at night to waking up early in the morning.
66. The majority of magazines I own are either about: travel, writing, soccer (or other sports) or National Geographics.
67. While I love music, I don't know how to make it.
68. I consider myself a Christian.
69. My sister used to like me walking on her back.
70. I rarely remember any of my dreams.
71. My favorite foods are shrimp, rainbow sherbet from Baskin Robins and paella. I eat a lot of rice.
72. While I like pizza, I don't like cheese on most other things.
73. I once painted someone while she was laying nude in front of me.
74. I painted a self-portrait in watercolor that made my mom cry.
75. I had an offer from someone to buy the nude painting but at the last minute, she thought a washer and dryer would suit her better.
76. The hugest crush I had on a girl was when I was 16-17 on a Spanish girl named Maria Jose. She crushed on me too. First summer we met she was hurt and I didn't see her much. The second summer I saw her nearly every other day as she was included in most activities I did, and we even went on 1 or 2 dates too. Both of us were too shy and polite to act on the crush.
77. I love kids but don't believe I'll ever be a father.
78. I'm still a virgin. Some times I've regretted that. Most times I'm pleased to have held out.
79. Just because I am, I'm not prudish nor do I have virgin eyes, thoughts, etc. I think about sex as much as the next guy--which is to say a lot. But except for here and in the rare conversation, I don't share much personal information.
80. I can be friendly and find ways to keep my distance.
81. I write as an outlet to think "out loud".
82. I think out loud anyway.
83. My favorite group is Level 42.
84. My favorite thing to listen to now is Saturday's Bob Harris show on the BBC. Thankfully, it's got an audio archive that I can listen to it for up to a week's time before the next show.
85. At 3:08 in the morning, I just saw and heard fireworks through the blinds of my windows--shades of neon green and pink fluttering in the sky.
86. The first cassette single I ever bought was Sheriff's When I'm With You.
87. Once a taxi I was in got into an accident in the middle of a bustling city street. While he was arguing with the other person involved, the group I was with got into another taxi and left the scene.
88. I've ridden a subway in Washington, DC, Toronto, Montreal, Seoul, London and Paris.
89. I love photography and have some pictures of my travels on the walls of my apartment.
90. Instead of boxers or briefs, I prefer boxer-briefs. Jockey, black.
91. I own far too many clothes in fatigue-green (shirts) or khaki (pants/shorts).
92. I'm always wishing I could be someplace other than where I am, even when I'm happy where I am.
93. I could roll off a myriad of places I wish I could travel to now.
94. I wish I felt comfortable speaking Spanish, and that I could speak the language fluently (I'm half Spanish, after all.).
95. I've gotten less modest the more I've lived alone. I have no problem baring all in my own presence. Just don't put me in front of a mirror.
96. I can't sleep well with less than 2 pillows--one for my head and the other for me to wrap my arm around.
97. My preferred sleeping arrangements include having a waterbed and a woman who loves me. I have one of those now. The other I've never had. Take a guess which I have.
98. I love to have peach fuzz hair. I started doing it all the time after an autistic little boy used to pull my hair, throw things at me and slobbered on me. He stopped pulling my hair and started giving me hugs.
99. I'm not good at paying bills on time, but I pay them before I get in trouble.
100. While I have plenty of areas for improvements, plenty of insecurities, and plenty that concerns me, I try to live by the idea that if I can control something and I don't like it, I try to change it. If I can't control it (or the situation) I don't worry about it.
101. A bonus item. I still believe in the idea of romance and love, but I'm not so sure that those are things I'll ever truly experience. And if it doesn't happen, I'm going to live life to the fullest nonetheless--to the extent that I can live life without those things.
102. One last bonus item: It's now 3:28 a.m. eastern time. In other words, 1:42 minutes of my life I spent coming up with these things.

The Bush Blog

CIA Asks Bush to Discontinue Blog

WASHINGTON, DC--In the interest of national security, President Bush has been asked to stop posting entries on his three-month-old personal web log, acting CIA director John E. McLaughlin said Monday.

According to McLaughlin, several recent entries on PrezGeorgeW. typepad.com have compromised military operations, while other posts may have seriously undercut the PR efforts of White House press secretary Scott McClellan.