Expanding my mind.

May of 2003, I took my senior trip to Belize and Cozumel. The sights I saw were mesmerizing. Just witnessing how the market streets functioned through a form of organized chaos made me rethink the things I knew. Something I know of is one way, yet there it was a different way.

A trip to France with my soon to be wife made me realize that my American sense added with my cultural education of east Mexico was still too narrow. Early in the morning, merchants would sell their fresh fruits and vegetables. Meals weren't something to break up the work day, but rather an experience in themselves. Noon didn't mean mid-day break, it meant the tents were shutting down, and it's time to work hard so the pub or the cafe could be enjoyed in merely a few hours.

Invented in America, but perfected in Europe, the trains were amazing. Location after location seemed to pop up, begging you to get off the train car and explore. Can't speak the language? Doesn't matter. The communication of those who can't use words is beautiful.

But as different as we all are, some white, some black, some yellow, some oblivious, we're not too different. My nose is larger than some one else's nose, but we both smell beignets on Canal Street. Your ears may be larger than mine, but let me know how you like the tunes coming from Beale Street. Larger lips? I bet the cherries from France still taste great. What? Your pigment is darker than mine? I bet we can still enjoy the Virgin Islands and the sands of the Florida panhandle together. You might have different eyes, but what about that Eiffle Tower, Mt. Rushmore, the Pyramids, The Great Wall of China, Red Square, the African savannah?

And we all know songs. We all share songs. I found this video by accident, but it's inspiring. One day, we're going to need a helping hand, so please, darling, stand by me. I'll stand by you.

Meg's new phrase: "Dumb Axe"

Paul Bunyan has nothing on us! We braved the rugged wilderness to follow the road less traveled to camp out underneath the stars. The wife, the dog and myself journeyed 34 miles south to tame the wild wilderness of Rocky Springs camp grounds (ha!).

We took a bit to pack the car, loading up the mountain bike, tent, cooler, foodage, sleeping stuff, wood and an axe. We had MB's spot all ready in the car, but of course she didn't want to sit there. Instead, she relaxed like a spoiled child on the pile of blankets. But once we arrived, the park was surprisingly crowded. At least half a dozen campers were there, one van, a truck and us as the the only tent campers.

MB loved the obstacle course of trees and fallen trees. She had a blast. It was funny to see the fat bulldog act like she wanted to be a lab or golden retriever. I think she was practicing for when BJ wants her to play (like that will ever happen, but she can dream).

Meg and I popped up the tent, got the fire going, and cooked our meal (steak!). We also had some jalapeno and cheese dear meat that we devoured. But the night was fun. I got a good bit into Kerouac's On the Road: The Original Scroll. It's a great book. If you've read On the Road, it's the same story, only instead of reading about Dean, you're getting to hear Jack speak of and speak to Neal Cassady. Like I said, good book.

I told Meg my dream is to pack up the car, drive up to Chicago and trek down Route 66. I don't really thing I'm going to get to do that, but you never know. Maybe one summer.

Any way, we barely missed the rain. We woke up (well, we woke up a few times, but we finally got up) and started to pack everything up. We took some bananas for breakfast, so we were about to eat them when the sprinkles started. The car was loaded just as it picked up a bit. But, like I said, we barely missed it.

But today was the last day of furloughs, but after our announcement yesterday, it's day 5 of 10. Like I said yesterday, I'm thankful I have a job. Some of my friends have been laid off, so I'm glad I have weight to pull, and that I get to.

So, the schedule: I'm going to get more into On the Road: The Original Scroll, lift a bit and nap (I don't sleep well on the ground).

Going Camping

As a vision of hope dwindles, we've been told in quarter number two that furlough number two is in the passenger seat. So, April, May and June must have five days away with no pay. This feels like same old song, same old verse and the same old tired tune.

But maybe something good will come of this. A- at least I have a job, B- at least I have my house and C- at least I have my family.

In a few minutes, when I get off work, I'm heading home to gather my family (well, Meg and MB) and we're heading 34 miles down the Natchez Trace to Rocky Springs to go camping. We were going to go this weekend, but some things didn't pan out properly, so we're going tonight (I'm off tomorrow due to what I thought was my last furlough day. I thought wrong).

So, I'll keep you up to date and maybe even have pictures. This is going to be interesting. Hope we survive.

(If you noticed my "title" is the date, for some reason I can't get the date to show up where it's supposed to. Oh well. Fixed that problem . . . . sort of).