Winter Olympics

I've got to admit it. The Winter Olympics snuck up on me. I didn't really give any thought to the games in the weeks leading up to them. It wasn't until the day after the opening ceremonies did I even realize that they were going on. I don't watch much television, so I didn't see any of the trailers or advertisements in the weeks leading up. I'm glad they are on, however. I like the Winter Olympics.

I can remember when I was younger, I loved watching the Olympics. It was always a struggle though, since the sports that I liked didn't always command a whole lot of airplay. Track and field, figure skating, ice dancing, and all the other sports that I couldn't or didn't identify with always got the prime time slots. Soccer, hockey, cycling, and skiing always seemed to get placed on the backburner. Things have changed a little bit recently, but not enough to get some decent action in the prime hours of the evening while I'm lounging in my previously unused recliner. That chair has gotten me through the curling doldrums. I was mildly interested for about 4 days. My interest waned quickly after that. It now resides in the same realm as baseball and watching paint dry as exciting things to do. I need more downhill skiing. I need more snow cross. These are exciting sports. Ice dancing, not so much.

Tomorrow is going to be a big day for the USA hockey team. Since we've typically been nothing but a door mat for other teams to wipe their feet on their way to the medal rounds, it is exciting to see us kicking the shit out of our opponents this year. Canada isn't going to be a push over, but I think we've got what it takes to pull it off. I'll be watching. You should be too.

Whale's Vagina Recap

A couple weeks ago, I traveled west to California for a little R&R. It had only been four weeks since my ski trip, but I was more than ready to get out of town again. Traveling is fun. Spontaneous travel is even better. So when some friends asked me to join them on a trip, I didn't think twice about checking out a place that could potentially become a new home. My cats have been pestering me to move to a better locale. It seems they don't like it here in St. Louis. Truth be told, I don't either.

Upon my arrival, I was greeted with less than stellar weather conditions. Actually, they were just fine for me. It was the locals that couldn't stop complaining about the crappy weather. In their eyes, rainy and 65 is pure hell. I thought it was kind of nice, and it only got better.

The plan was simple. Relax, have a good time, and check out the city. I believe all three were accomplished in a fine manner. I was fortunate enough to get a great room at an exceptionally great price at the brand new Hilton San Diego Bay Front. A suite on the 26th floor afforded me exceptional views of San Diego Bay and downtown San Diego. Looking out at the expanse before me was enough to put a smile on my face. So much city, so much to explore, so little time. Fortunately for me, I was invited by my neighbor and her sister, who is a resident of San Diego. Thanks for being our tour guide, Shirley!

Since it was raining on our first day, we took it easy in the morning. Ok, maybe it wasn't the rain. Maybe it was the drink-a-thon on the flight followed by going out immediately upon arrival. Regardless, it was nice to sleep in a little bit, even though it meant getting up at 6am (8am our time). The rest of the day was spent checking things out around town and going out to brunch with friends of Shirley's, many who were also transplants from St Louis. It was inevitable to avoid conversation concerning their moves out West. No one regretted it. They only regretted waiting so long. Even though it was rainy, I could see why. I was perfectly comfortable in a pull over fleece in mid February. Seems like a no brainer to me.

The evening was spent cruising around town, predominantly the Gas Lamp Quarter of the downtown area. This particular area is ripe with shopping, dining, and drinking establishments. Walking down the street, on of the first things I noticed was how fit everyone seemed to be. I liked this. It's was also a pleasure to enjoy my meals and beers (which sometimes took the place of meals) in an atmosphere that was completely smoke free. I really wish Missouri would get their shit together and pass a state wide ban on smoking, but that is an entirely different blog post, so I digress. The night carried on and ended in a dance party in the suite with the city looking on.

The weather took a turn for the better on Sunday. The clouds began to disperse, allowing the sun to gently peer in from above. I could tell from the get go that this was going to be a good day. We started out from the hotel and headed along the river walk checking out the harbors along the way. We were able to locate a seaworthy vessel to book passage to the open sea for some whale watching the following day. We decided to take a ferry over to Coronado to check out the Hotel del Coronado. The old hotel was pretty big and was booming with activity. There were many people on the beach, on the various decks of the hotel, and in the bars. It was almost time for the Super Bowl to start, and everyone was laying claim to their seats. We decided to take a cab back to the hotel, which at $15 was the way to go. We had already walked some serious miles and we were ready to drink some beer and watch some football.

On Monday, we headed to the harbor for a whale watching excursion. I was a little nervous going out the sea after my hurl filled fishing trip in Key West a couple years ago. The boat was a little bigger, but the swells were bigger as well. It made for some interesting sites as people stumbled around the boat, threw up in trash cans, and snuck of to the bathroom to relieve themselves of their breakfast. I managed to keep everything down and only ended up with a slight headache towards the end which I attributed to the sunburn on my face and dehydration. A bottled water and some shade did the trick. At the end of the 3 or so hours of cruising around, we had our whale total at 9-10 whales. It was a neat experience.

Following the cruise, we headed over to La Jolla to check things out. A nice rooftop lunch overlooking the ocean and La Jolla Cove was a perfect ending to a great trip. We were pressed for time so we hurried down to the cove so I could snap a couple pictures of the sea lions and old men in nut hugger swim trunks. This one's for you, Bob!

While staring at my glass of water, I opened a letter I had received. People don't write letters anymore. It takes a lot of time. It also takes a lot of effort, care, and the ability to convey a persons true feelings or message in a manner in which it will be read in the correct light. When writing about feelings, be it heart felt or just everyday emotion, it can sometimes be complicated to portray just exactly what you want to say. Regardless, a written letter can be a great message in itself without even being read. It says, "I care about you enough to take the time to write this letter." That alone speaks volumes.

The contents of this particular letter were a pleasure to read. I like receiving nice letters. Especially when they have good handwriting. It makes it easier for me to read. Much easier. A glass of water could aid in the digestion of the letter. With all of it's implications, half full, half empty, the water serves a purpose. It is the basis of all life. Without water, nothing would exist. Not even this letter. Can a glass of water predict the future?

Sometimes I think it is better not to ask whether or not the glass is half empty or half full. When looking into my glass of water, I know that it matters not what depth it is. It matters not how many ripples occur when I add another drop. The only thing that matters is maintaining the correct disposition and keeping my eye on the future. I've found that living in the past is a sure way to go nowhere, fast.

 

When I hear people complaining that 63 degrees, raining, and kind of windy in the middle of February is the worst weather of the year, it makes me want to puke. Today's weather in San Diego was partly cloudy, moderately windy, and about 68 degress. I found it humorous to see people cycling in full tights, jackets, and booties. Maybe humorous isn't the word I am looking for. Maybe jealous, considering that I would be wearing arm warmers and knee warmers. I guess it's true what they say about sunny San Diego. I could get used to this.

Down On Their Luck

On a recent trip to Washington DC to bury my Grandmother, I couldn't help but notice the considerable amount of homeless people dotting the landscape of our Nation's Capital. Documenting these people, who for one reason or another have been displaced from their homes, via photograph is a task that requires walking a tough line between what is right and wrong. Is it exploitation to take pictures of these people? Am I an asshole? What is my reasoning for taking these pictures? The questions mount up, leaving very little room for good excuses. Why would one take pictures of homeless people?



Upon my return, I came across an article on CNN about a taxi driver from Istanbul who, during his breaks, would take pictures of the underbelly of the city. Homeless people, hookers, drug addicts, and other riff-raff were his subjects. I found the work to be quite interesting. I was left with a positive impression of this fellow, even though I have no idea what his ulterior motives were.

Back to DC, I found my camera constantly connected to my body. I took over 600 exposures in the three days I was there. There was one occasion where I regret not photographing while a man was being taken to an ambulance. He was clearly in mental dispair, and maybe I was wrong for wanting to document what I thought was relavent to today's society. Maybe more like what is wrong with today's society. Regardless, a tug at my sleeve keep my shutter in check. I regret it.




One day later, I captured this photo while investigating the outlet of an elevator to the subway. I'm not sure I was concentrating on the irony of this photo. There is a solid chance that I didn't even realize the background until later when I was reviewing the days photos. I do find my positioning and mood that morning to not be coincidental, as much as I find it to have been odd. I had been witnessing homeless people throughout the previous two days. Here, on the last day, I find my lens scoping what seems to be a cry for help. Surely this person didn't randomly pick this bench without the knowledge of the potentially strong message it could send to any of the hundreds of passing pedestians that morning. A cry for help? Possibly. A cry for justice? Maybe so. Or perhaps it could just be something else. What are these people missing? Why are they missing?

Once the weekend was over, I relished in the fact that I had joined my Grandmother, my Mother, and my Aunts in a journey to rejoin and reunite all of them with my Grandfather, a gentleman that I had never had the pleasure to meet. A man who had been been over 38 years removed from my family. It was difficult to take in. Difficult to understand. Grandma is home now. She's back with Grandpa in one of the most revered resting places in the world. For that, I am happy.

February 2, 2010

Between school and work, I haven't had much to talk about in the last 10 months. However, things change and the dawn of a new blog was inevitable. Wholesale changes in the blogosphere are upon us. I've destroyed the old blog in it's entirety. With all the spam and bullshit that comes with it, it became too burdensome. Unfortunately, I lost my concert list. I'll make another though, just like I will make another blog. Moving forward in 2010, I fully expect to have more fun in my life. School is almost over. Bike rides are starting to sound appealing, and there are many, many trips in the works, starting this very weekend. It's going to be a kick ass year. I can feel it already.

A couple weekends ago, I was lucky enough to get back West to do some snow skiing. While the trip was short (Friday morning until Sunday night), it was jammed packed with kick ass times. I honestly can't remember a trip when there wasn't a lull where my mind drifted elsewhere or I stopped having fun. This trip rocked from the word go to the word stop.

Friday morning I found Bob and Bridget waiting in my street at 4:30am for the ride to the airport. The flight to Salt Lake City dropped us at about 9:30, putting us on the road by 10:30. We were to the St. Regis Deer Valley by 11:30 thanks to Bob's AJ Foyt driving skills. It kind of reminded me of Mr. Wolfe from Pulp Fiction. "That's 3o minutes away. I'll be there in 10."

The hotel was by far one of the best I've stayed in. It ranks in the Top 10 on Zagat for ski hotels. I was pretty amazed by the place, prices included. The ski in/ski out couldn't get any easier, and was completed by some little punks that would put my boots on and take them off. A god send for someone who just skied for 6 hours and drank a flask of Crown Royal. Who needs a St. Bernard when you have your own? I'm not relying on a fat dog to bring me shit.

Long story short.... Arrive. Ski. Party. Sleep. Ski. Party. Sleep. Snowmobile. Party. Fly home. Still partying. Do 100mph down Hwy 70. Sleep. And if you are Bob, be hung over for 2 days. Here is a video of the snowmobiling. Make sure you have the sound up a the beginning for a quality documentaion from Bob, the driver.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCqHtqaf8IU

This was the first trip of the year and it is going to be hard to top. There are many more in the works. Perhaps these bikes won't get used that much afterall. 2010 is going to be a good year!