New (er) Pics...

6 months removed...

I'm getting better and better at this...I really was just waiting to see what changes Google would make in the time lapse since my last post. For a brief moment I forgot how to do this, and I'll have to think especially hard on how to post some pics. I have faith... not a matter of if, but when. After all, its been 6 months and theres a few pics documenting my life these last months.

These past few days have been big ones. Sept. 28th marked my year sabbatical from work. Sept. 29th I don't really remember. And Sept. 30th I left Alaska. Me, my car, my life. Oh yea, all my shit. This moment a year ago I was in the Yukon. What a year it's been. No, I didn't think I would go a year without "employment" but I don't regret anything about it. I've traveled, spent time with my family, enjoyed watching my niece and nephew grow up, dabbled in things I wouldn't have otherwise had the time or desire to do. My plans have changed multiple times and still I find myself in Raleigh, without formal employment. Eventually I will move to the coast, hopefully in the very near future, but I'm not going to pin myself down at this very moment. I'm 24. And this world is turning mad...

Let's see. Last post was the end of March. The end of the UNC basketball season. We've now turned to football season, to fall. My favorite time of the year. And if the weather keeps up, we may have a solid, "normal" fall this year! Carolina is looking much better than years past- and NC State is struggling- what could be better?! The summer had it's brutal moments, though it was not was not as bad as years past.

Middle April I found out that some folks I house-sat for in Anchorage wanted my services once again. Rough life. They needed me for 2 weeks, though I could stay for as long as desired. I was to fly out of Raleigh on April 30th and I stayed until the 20th of May. On top of the free trip, I was also paid. Once there, I was presented with another housesitting option, to extend my trip two more weeks. Paid. After a couple weeks I knew I didn't want 3 more. Reason being, the weather sucked! People had moved, gotten real jobs, and things we just different. It was about 50-55 and cloudy the whole time. I enjoyed surprising some old co-workers and friends and reminiscing on good times, was able to squeeze in a trip to Homer to visit with the Lloyd's, and spend some time with and old friend, Tasha. Wasn't too lucky with our fishing adventures, but Tasha managed to catch the lone Halibut! By the end of it, I was very grateful for the opportunity to return to Alaska, but I was ready to head back to the sun and warmth!

Once home, I agreed to build a fence for my aunt. Why? I'm not sure. She'd been screwed over by a couple folks and lost some money in the ordeal, so I thought 'hell!, can't be that hard, right?!' Well, right and wrong. Perhaps hard isn't the word, but frustrating. I definitely had to hone my 3 "P's". Patience, persistence, and perseverance. At times it wasn't easy, but it was rewarding to finish it. Well, its not completely finished I guess, but fully functional. Fully finished would be over 300 linear feet. At present moment, about 220 have been completed. It is a 6 foot privacy fence and for good reason, one of her neighbors watched me construct it with binoculars so I made sure to get his side up. We rented a hydraulic auger to dig the holes for us, but that was a failure. Due to the drought and the fact her backyeard is solid red clay, the auger refused to make any headway. So back to the post-hole digger it was! And if an auger wont bore the hole, surely it wont be easy doin it by hand. Over 30 holes that is, 20 or so inches deep. My hands would randomly go numb for the next week or so. Oh yea, the first 4 days of doing this was in triple digit heat! But it did not keep my grandfather from coming out and helping me plumb up the posts and get the set! That's best done with at least 3 hands... After about 6 weeks or so, I was finished with the first and most important part. The last part can wait, as there is a study fence already in place for keeping the dog in! And I was even on budget! It's not perfect, but not bad for a beginner! Still need to finish those last details... perhaps I will now that the weather has cooled substantially.

Also this summer, my dad purchased a house on a lake that straddles the NC/VA border. It's closer to his work and a place where his kids/grandkids can go and have a good time. I took advantage of it upon completing the fence. I hauled the kayaks up there and did a little paddling and swimming. And on a whim, I suggested my friend, Andrew (who I knew in Alaska but recently moved to D.C.), come and visit me! 36 hours later, I was picking him up from the Greyhound station and we hung out for 4 days! We had a blast at the lake house, and visiting his friend in Durham. Having failed a couple times in my attempt to kayak to Virginia (roughly 7.5 miles from dad's house), we set out in the old metal canoe in hopes of reaching the border. And no, there is no sign indicating such achievement (at least not visible at night!)!. We set out after dinner, bringing a few drinks along. It was unbelievably clear out and the moon lit up the sky and the water in front of us. We paddled, and paddled, and paddled some more. After a few hours, not knowing our whereabouts other than having 3 islands in front of us, we decided to head back. We were either going to fall just short of our goal, or upon returning home and pulling out the lake map, find out that we made it! And we did, about a mile too much paddling! 5.5 hours of paddling. Paddling a canoe at that! And despite almost getting lost on the way back (it's a big lake!), a good time was had by all.

Immediately after dropping Andrew at the Greyhound station, mom and I headed to a funeral. A rather unconventional funeral. I'd gotten a text message days earlier that read "Whitebread murdered." Whitebread, aka Jesse, is a kid who grew up in the neighborhood. With little supervision as a kid, roaming and on his own devices since roughly the age of 12 or so, he got pretty big into drugs. Crazy to think about, but he was murdered almost exactly 10 years from the day he was first shot at the park up the street from our house. The same park my brother was playing basketball at that very moment the shots started flying. At 16, he had a bullet so close to his heart they thought it too risky to remove. Unfortunately, it was inevitable. Besides the fact that he brought drugs and some violence to the hood, he was a good person. He always asked how the family was (wanting to know if mom still had a handle on the hood as she did in days of old...), and just a few days prior, he passed by the house and we exchanged pleasantries. The funeral was rather interesting. In attendance were some of the richest people in Raleigh, some of the poorest. Some of the oldest, and some of the youngest. Blacks and whites. Well-known and the unknown. We weren't late, but my back was against the back door. Standing room only. It's a sad situation, but I guess it was just a matter of time. I still hear mopeds humming up the street and I think it's him- every time.

Anywho, the last week in July, I headed down to Gulfport, Mississippi with a workteam trip from the church. My mom and sister, as well as my aunt went along as well. There's still some places that are pretty bad off down there. A lot of places. Our group split into two and tackled two houses, both in Biloxi. The first house (air-conditioned!) was owned by an 81 yr old man and was very close to being completed. We were to complete some finishing work (window trim, framing doorways, finish some drywall work, shoe moulding, etc.) and install kitchen cabinets. Mr. Balius was a retired iron worker and lived in a FEMA trailer next door. He was very grateful for the work we did and often spent the afternoons sitting and watching us go. I wished we could have spent one more week and just banged it out so he could get out of that trailer. The other group worked around the corner at Ms. Mary's and had to endure to Mississippi heat. They were responsible for the siding and various other outdoor projects (including replacing fascia boards, eave work, awning work, and re-doing shoddy work from a previous team!). They had some pretty tough working conditions, but working down to the last minutes and missing dinner the last night, we got all of our tasks completed! Our last workday, Friday, Ms. Mary threw us a fish and chicken fry. Resident crackhead Gloria was in attendance as well! It was quite tasty, I'm not gonna lie. Chicken, fresh fish, potato salad- heaven! Some of the locals came as well, tall-boys in hand! It was also nice catching up with my buddy Jonah and getting to hang out with him for a night while I was in Gulfport! It'd been a while! After leaving, we headed over to New Orleans for a pit-stop before our long trek back to Raleigh. We had a good time, walking about and such. Fortunately, the trip back didn't produce any tire tread-separating incidences.

After being back in Raleigh for a few weeks, I began planning a trip to Seattle and Portland. My friend Carrie was in Seattle for job training and my friend Matt lives in Portland. I also had a friend from UAA that lived in Seattle that I had not seen in quite some time, so we got to catch up! Portland is too close to not make an attempt to do both. So I booked a trip on the Amtrak- something I'd never done before. I spent a few days in Seattle and then headed down to Portland- and it was a pretty sweet train ride. It took about 2.5 hours and was just beautiful. I actually caught the train in Tacoma after riding the commuter rail from Auburn, WA. From Tacoma, we hugged the water for a good while, going by Gig Harbor and various other small towns. I was so excited to see Matt- I saw him on my way back a year ago, so it was good to catch up again. Once in Portland, we walked and walked and walked. And rode the city train, free. That's one thing I love about big cities. It's so easy to get around, to find mass transit options so readily available. I loved not touching a car for so long, yet covering so many miles and sights. It was refreshing. And relaxing. After Portland, I headed back to Seattle for a few more nights. It was an enjoyable trip for sure, and it helped I found a cheap plane ticket to get there!

Since I've been back from the Great Northwest, I've been babysitting, or child-sitting quite a bit. My niece turned one, whom I've watched go from not walking to walking laps around the house in less than a 24 hr time period. My sister and I photographed a wedding. I've picked, peeled and pureed pears to make pear honey (over 60 jars!) with my grandmother and grandfather, listening to stories of their youth. I've enjoyed the first glimpse of fall. I've ridden my bike, a lot. 370 miles for the month of September. I'm taking the night off. To write this.

This month has a lot in store. A friend of mine is coming to town this weekend, a friend I haven't seen in a couple years. My nephew will turn 3! The State Fair comes to town, and the annual rock climbing trip is just around the corner. Potentially shooting another wedding, and I will participate in the ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) walk. My aunt's brother (not exactly my aunt and he's not my uncle- it's a southern thing I guess) has been suffering from ALS for two years now and I have never seen anything so terrible in my life. It's certainly a cause worth celebrating as it truly has to be the worst disease known to man. A perfectly clear mind trapped in a body without function. There is no hope and there needs to be...

That's all for now, pics will follow soon.

Tar.... Heels....

I get so frustrated reading CNNSI. At least after watching UNC performances. I mean I'm no basketball genius, but really. Watching Tennessee and Louisville go at it, it's not far removed from watching the homies go at it up at the Tank Park (Mini Park Crew if you will) back in the day. Chaotic, out of control, bitch fest having games. Where on 90% of the possessions, no more than 3 team players touch the ball. 9 steals with quite some time left in the first half? Seriously? Half of those could have been considered offensive spin moves gone bad- unforced errors if you will. Not steals. Sloppiness. I hate watching Tennessee play. There is no rhythm to the games- do they have a point guard? A half-court offense? I don't know. Luckily Lousiville beat them out. Thought just for the record, the Memphis-Tennessee game was the worst game of the entire season that I have watched. Tennessee won, to gain the No. 1 national ranking, only to have it revoked by Vanderbilt the following game. Sweet. Back to my original point, they say Louisville and Tennessee are two of the most athletic and well balanced fronts any team will see. I highly doubt that. I watch UNC play a tough WSU team who boasts the No. 2 scoring defense in the nation. They held Hansbrough to 0 field goals in first half and but two free-throws. Both unusual statistics indeed. However, Danny Green threw in for 12 points after being all but useless in the first two rounds. That's just how they work. It doesn't matter if Hansbrough is 0-35, someone will step up. Whether it's Thompson and Stepheson going 13-13 or Ginyard dishing out 4 assists (most likely to the contributing Green) and no turnovers, someone will be there. Count on it. Thomas too- 4 assists and no turnovers while the 'incredible' Lawson had 0 assists and two turnovers. I'm just running my mouth. I'm glad Carolina seems to get no respect. I would't have it any other way. Hopefully they're saying Louisville has a real shot at beating us. Carolina: 289 Opponents: 198 Go heels.

Easter Festivities...

These pictures were taken this past Saturday and Sunday. Downtown Raleigh hosted an Easter egg hunt. We joined the kids down there to witness chaos. Unfortunately, there were too many people for the 4000 eggs and Will did not get a single one. However, one nice couple was kind enough to offer one of their eggs so Will did not have to go home empty handed. We came home and Grammy decided she would have her own egg hunt for Will, and that one turned out much better. The other pics are from post-church. We were not successful in getting everyone to take pics, so there's lots of Liza instead!

That lighter shade of blue...

It's March. Almost April. That means but one thing. Well, a couple things I guess but I'll focus on but one of those. Basketball. College basketball to be more specific. I personally hate the NBA so I wouldn't be one to even guess where in the season they are. Nor do I care. All I'm familiar with is Carolina and the NCAA tournament. Raleigh was lucky enough to host first and second round games and Charlotte will host Sweet 16 and Great 8 games. There is no shortage of interest within this state for this sport, and there's no place I'd rather be. I remember in elementary, middle and on up to high school- begging the teachers to please let us watch the ACC and NCAA tournament games. Most often they honored our request, as they were itching to as well. School work could wait (this was of course before the oh so lovely no child left behind legislation from our lovely lovely president). The couch and I formed quite a bond (or further strengthened the bond we've been developing) this weekend as games carried on for more than 12 hours the first couple days, and almost as many on Sat. and Sun. I find myself getting worked up over games I ultimately don't care about. Or at least not the outcome. I do however, much like anyone else, really enjoy a good game. Perhaps this is why I don't like the pros. That and these kids play for nothing more than the name on the front of their jersey. Not for money.

Carolina pulled out enough wins, no matter how ugly, for the ACC tournament champion title. That was good enough for the No. 1 seed overall. Translation: first round games in Raleigh. Next venue, Charlotte. No real traveling until the Final Four. Homecourt advantage, if you will. First round, Mt. St. Mary's. No real threat but you just never know. Our biggest enemy it turned out on Friday night would be the rim (insert photo of Marcus Ginyard getting hung on a dunk attempt!). Luckily, walk-on Surry Wood made up for the less than spectacular jam by a pretty nasty alley-oop. Carolina won by 39. Next up, Arkansas. That was Friday, this was Saturday. Almost as much as I care about Carolina winning, I care about Duke losing. Typically I root for the conference and local teams, but I just cannot bring myself to root them on. I don't know what it is, but I despise them and actually like to see them cry when they lose (and crying they are good at). This all came true on Saturday. After almost being taken out by Belmont (exactly- who?) on Thursday, they were not able to escape the wrath of those scraggly West Virginians. I knew their luck was running out. If their 3's don't fall, they ultimately will. And did. I just wish UCLA would have lost too...

Sunday was to be an eventful day as well. Two North Carolina teams playing. UNC and that other school, Davidson. Davidson vs. Georgetown. I was excited for this game but ultimately thought the Hoyas would pull it off. Davidson had other plans and were determined to add to their 23-game winning streak. It was a phenomenal comeback and victory for them, and it leaves me worried that Carolina will eventually have to face them for a second time this season. I'd almost rather the Hoyas... After seeing all the near upsets on Sunday, I knew Carolina was not going to be taking another cake walk today. Arkansas is no joke- especially that man child who just wandered down from the mountain and still hasn't quite figured out where he is yet. It wasn't meant to be for them, as Carolina hardly led by less than 20 at any given moment. The third stringers got to play in yet another tourney game and Carolina won by 31. Through first rounds- Carolina: 221 Opponents: 151 That's pretty impressive I'd say. It's even sweeter knowing Duke will not be continuing on. I do almost feel bad for my brother who had Duke and Georgetown playing in the championship title game... but did you really think that would happen? Really? Duke? Come on. I think you meant that lighter shade of blue... it's too late for a re-do I reckon.

I hope Carolina keeps on clicking. For Thompson and Stepheson to have more perfect shooting nights. For Lawson and Thomas to combine for double-digit assists while committing no turnovers. For Hansbrough to keep on keepin on. For Green to continue his journey to re-discover his shot. It's mighty pretty when it all happens at once, I'm not gonna lie. And Ginyard, just a couple inches higher, I know he's got it in him. That rim can be a real bitch sometimes...

I will post more pics soon- mainly from Easter. We had a nice family gathering- nothing like 4 generations in one house. We sure are lucky. Adios for now.

New(er) Pics...

Not meant to be.

[Written on the 2nd of Feb. of 08]

Me and this whole blogging thing just don't seem to be getting along. Our bond seems to be fading, fading fast. I think about ways to make it better, quite often actually. Unfortunately, my thoughts and actions have been on distinctly different pages these days. Clearly, not this page. Let's see, November 26. That was, what, 9 weeks ago? I've been home almost 3 months. Wow. Should I event attempt to sum up the last 9 weeks? What a [expletive] task. Hmmm. I'm certain I can't remember it all. Work Christmas parties. A visit from my friend Carrie and her daughter Natalie. Donating our annual change jar sum to charity. Being awoken to yells and sounds of water pouring onto our downstairs floor. Oven catching fire as I was warming dinner (no replacement part locally, thus no oven for the Holidays!). Grandpa being in hospital for almost an entire month- a couple very, very close calls. Went in the 13th of December, out the 11th of January for good, we hope. Yes, the man's almost 88, but when he's climbing his ladder to clean off his roof just a few days prior, you take for granted to the unbelievable health he has been blessed with thus far. It was a shock, a huge shock. And at a bad time. Not that there's ever a good time for illness, but we'd also taken for granted relative health amongst family during the holidays. It was an unusual feeling not having him around, something I hope, pray, we don't have to deal with again any time soon. People jokingly remarked "you came home just in time." This in reference to my chaufering skills, being an appointment taker-toer, drug fetcher, banana and milk getter, oxygen tank changer-outer, etc. Folks, this is why I came home. I couldn't have been happier than to be able to do the things I was. I am a disposable body currently, as was used as such, quite to my content. I spent hours with my grandmother, many more than I would have otherwise. Nobody can take those away from me- I just don't know what people do who don't have family to rally around them. It has been incredible despite far from incredible happenings. I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Written March 17, 2008]

Now... It's the middle of March. Still, quite some time since my last thoughts even began to make it to paper, errrr, computer screen. Again, a lot has happened. Housesitting, babysitting, life-plan searching, enjoying family, etc. Perhaps most importantly is a lot of Carolina-winnin. That's another story for another time. It's ridiculous how important basketball is to some of us this time of year. Really ridiculous. But then not so much when you think about it. UAA just might be gettin a taste of how remarkable a role sports can play in bringing together people in a world where there aint a whole lot of that goin on. But anyways, I could devote another blog to that, and perhaps I just might. Surrrrrrre... you're thinkin.... I know.

These last several weeks I have enjoyed the celebration of my grandfather's 88th birthday. Enjoyed being able to see my incredibly talented, soccer playing fool of a younger sister of mine's soccer games. And even better, being able to take my niece and nephew to my incredibly talented, soccer playing fool of a younger sister of mine's soccer game. It was awesome. She's having such and incredible year playing and I was bummed to not have been able to make it to many games these past few years. She's a hard worker (on the field) and it shows. They haven't lost a game yet and I hope it continues. My niece and nephew are just awesome. No lack of personality here for sure. It's just so cool to see them grow and to begin to understand the little things that make up our vast, vast world. It's refreshing for sure. Their troubles are so simple, their possibilities so endless. They seem to have provided for relief in the hardest of times. They are the center of attention regardless of what might be going on.

Clearly I still have no job. Oh I'm such a failure to some. I find that humorous, life teaching. I'm at a loss for words at the advice or statements people have for me upon finding out I am still job-less. Most are 50-something. Have kids (most with kids unsuccessful in their own right). Been in the same jobs for their whole career. Haven't left the U.S., much less the state of North Carolina for more than an unfulfilling, germ-packed cruise to the Bahamas. That's fine, but please don't judge me. I shouldn't care, I know. But for some reason, I do. You don't know me, my situation, my willingness to work 70 hrs a week for almost 10 months so that I could enjoy time home with my family for as long as I desired. Thanks though for your concern, thanks. It's much appreciated. Get back to your boring, predictable, un-fulfilling life if that's the game you want to play. I'm living the life I want to live, how bout you? Yea, thanks. I don't know, I'm babbling on. I should stop now.

Currently, I am in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. It's but a few miles away from Destin, quite the Spring Break destination spot. Unfortunately so. Fortunately, however, I am spending time with my friend, Carrie, and her family. I looked into driving here. 1600 miles and 350 imaginary dollars later, I chose to take the Greyhound Bus. It would only set me back 100 bucks round-trip. More importantly, it would be a new experience I had yet to have. The Greyhound has been around quite some time. My parents, and even grandparents shared their experiences in riding the bus back in the day. I was quite anxious, and even a bit nervous in my first bus trip through the S.E. U.S. I had no clue as to how busy or packed the buses would be. How transfers worked, whether I would make all my connections, etc. My sister dropped me off at the bus station in Raleigh at 10 p.m. Tuesday night. I was to depart around 11 p.m. It should be noted that the bus station in Raleigh shares a building with Raleigh Police Department. More on that later, to the contrary. I was for sure in the minority, ethnicity-wise. I was also in the minority- bus ignorance wise. I didn't have a clue what to do. Where to check my bag, which magic door to stand behind, etc. I stood in the wrong line for 15 minutes before training my eyes to other bus riding ignorant folk such as myself. I focused my attention to a Japanese family just a few feet away. I could not speak their language but I could read their body language. They too were confused. Perhaps they are less afraid to make the wrong move as they made no hesitation to head towards the food counter. Is that really where you 'check' your bag I thought? Surely not. Indeed it was. I was wrong. I quickly made my way to that line, just behind them. I listened as the employee gave them direction and when it came my time, was as confident as I could be in what I was to do next. To my surprise, my bags never went through security, never were scanned in any way, shape, or form. I got into the next line, hoping the bus would be here any minute. It was, indeed. I did not have to wait long and soon enough we were on the road. On the Greyhound, you are responsible for your own luggage, making sure to take it off one bus and placing it on the next. I feel much better doing this, actually. I was in for a 19 hour ride, from Raleigh to Fort Walton Beach. I was to make stops in Durham, Greensboro, Winston Salem, Charlotte, Atlanta, Opelika, Tuskegee, Montgomery, Mobile, and Pensacola. Oh yea, a couple other gas stations treated as bus stations along the way. Two honks, if no activity, we're onwards. It took 19 hours, yes, but only about 4 more than if I were able to drive the full 800 miles alone, without stopping. Unlikely. It wasn't too bad. I met a lot of interesting individuals for sure. People who have had anything bus easy, simple, lives. From Atlanta on, I had my own seat which made the trip quite bearable. I was able to accumulate a few hours of sleep along the way. I will speak more on the people I met later. It was interesting, for sure, with each stop bringing about new experiences and new faces. I never once was scared, felt threatened, or was un-easy about the lack of security. At no point (with the exception of Mobile, AL where I was wanded by a man making false beeping noises with his mouth as he moved his wand about, over twenty-something young girls making their way onto the bus) was I, or my bags, ever scanned.

Tomorrow I head home. I leave Florida at around 5 and will arrive in Raleigh at around noon on Wednesday. 18 hour, roughly, journey. This trip will take me to Panama City, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Savannah, Fayetteville, and who knows what other gas stations along the way. A different route, at least. I look forward to it and the experiences it will bring. I hope it goes as smoothly as my first trip, though one never knows I have learned.

I will write back shortly. March Madness is but the most important time of the year around this part of the country. I will be rooting on my Tarheels and other local teams as they battle it out. I am getting up in just a few hours to watch the sunrise here on the Gulf Coast. It will be my last time for quite a while, I imagine. Keep checking back... it will happen eventually! Another post that is... Adios.