Monday, September 15, 2003
New Things
Ok, I’m all set up now. I’m on cable instead of dial-up...but I have to say, my old ISP with its accelerator kicked some serious backside because this cable isn’t that much faster, really. Oh well, after the intial cost of the router and cables, it ends up being free. (Brother says he is paying the monthly bill!)
Have no idea if you are remotely interested in hearing about my journey but I’m going to write about it anyway.
The first day, I left Seattle around 6:30pm.....couldn’t WAIT to leave. I flew down the freeway at 70-75 and didn’t stop until I was well into Oregon. Had a few....er, tiny mishaps with the automatic (used to a stick shift) but it was my own asshattedness so I’m not going to share them. ha!
Then I got to San Fran where I met Rhiain. Her quiet manner is quite relaxing and she is very thoughtful and kind as well. I didn’t get to spend a lot of time with her which is unfortunate but I cherish the time I did get to hang out. Maybe someday, she can come here to visit!
After a few hours of rest, it was time to head out again. I got back on the interstate and drove through CA and into Nevada. You want to put things into perspective real fast? Drive through the Nevada desert in the middle of the night. There were crosses where people had died about every three miles, it was spooky, it was flat, barren and there was a weird feeling in the air. I drove most of it in silence, just reflecting on things. The rest of the time, I listened to the Doors. Needless to say, I drove FAST to get out of there. I didn’t stop until I reached the Utah border...my poor dog about to burst. Saw too many coyotes trotting along the road as I passed the rest stops...sorry pooch, you’re gonna have to hold it.
Slept at a truck stop just inside Utah for about 3 hours. I was already feeling pretty beat up but sleeping in the car, (the jam packed car), did nothing to make that go away. Decided to just go on.
I drove for 17 hours that day. Made it through Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska and into Missouri in one span. I was exhausted by the time I found a place to sleep. Slept about 6 hours in the rest stop that time.
When I woke up, I went on to St. Louis to meet Mama and Delfts and to drop off the keys to my dog. They had reserved a hotel and I arrived at around 3:30pm. Went in, took a shower...........oh GLORIOUS shower! and fell asleep for about 2-3 more hours. Man....what a difference a bed makes. All of you who said to get a bed at least one night...you KNOW where of you speak!
Mama and Delfts showed up around 10pm or so and we went to dinner and had a pretty good time. Came back to the room and hung out. Mama had brought her laptop and we had a hard time finding a connection and the front desk guy couldn’t be bothered to figure out what was up with the phones. He was “just a 12-8 guy” afterall. Besides, he had “problems of” his “own to deal with.” Seems his printer wasn’t working. Gee, if you weren’t such a prick, I might have helped you on that...but, nah--wouldn’t want to interrupt your cellphone call to your girlifriend....whatever. Regardless of upchuck, we still managed to have some fun.
Got up the next day, had to say good bye quickly cause I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving my dog there even though I know she is going to be very happy with them. Tore my heart out it did....so I did a hasty farewell and got back on the road.
Drove though Missouri.....I now understand why so many think the movie “Deliverence” is scary. I kept hearing “Dueling Banjos” in my mind and images of that FREAKY white boy kept entering my head.....geeeeesh! I got the hell out of that state fast!
Got into Oklahoma...had to pay a toll....and stopped at a McDonald’s that was built over the interstate. Kinda cool. The right side of Oklahoma is actually very beautiful and there were tons and tons of clouds....TONS...it was raining and windy...I was kinda hoping I would get to see a tornado. (I LOVE storms--if I could be a storm chaser...I would be happy!) I didn’t of course.
Anyway, drove through OK and into TX where I stopped in Plano to meet up with the du Toits. They are wonderful people. Mr. du Toit is so. damn. funny. I haven’t laughed quite so hard in some time as I did to his stories as we had dinner with them and Dok and Masha. Hysterical!
And Connie--a very beautiful lady I must say. Very kind, very giving and also, very funny.
Dok and Masha had also come over for dinner and it was fantastic to finally meet them as well. In fact, they live in this area and hopefully, we’ll get to hang out every so often when they have some time.
I stayed the night in their new house...wow! What a place! And then the next morning, went to the range with Kim du Toit. Had a blast! I got to shoot his 1911 and Marlin Camp .45 and now I want the Marlin. I’ll take a pic of my target and post it. I haven’t shot in a LONG time so I took forever to squeeze off the rounds but Mr. du Toit was ever so patient. I can’t wait to go shooting again. Soon!
[update] Here’s the pic of the target as promised. As you will see, the top left target is from the 1911 and the two center ones are from the Marlin. I forget which one the lower right hand one is...probably the 1911 again.
After the range, it was time to head on to Houston. I arrived here at about 9pm...cause I missed a turn....crazy Houston drivers...but made it nonetheless. Basically I spent last night unloading the car, and feeling overwhelmed. Got online for a tiny bit on my brother’s system but it didn’t quite feel right so I just went to bed.
And...here we are now!
Some observations so far about Houston:
Not many people seem to wear a helmet while driving a motorcycle.
Saw some construction workers with cowboy hard hats....that kills me.
The people drive really fast and aggressively here.
Other than on the freeways, they seem to be genuinely kind and warm...not that phony bologne crap.
So much is so much cheaper than I’m used to. In fact, almost anything I can think of is darn near half the price it would be in Seattle.
It’s really green here...in fact, it’s far more beautiful here than in Seattle. (Although I do miss the Sound......yin and yang I suppose.)
And yes, everything is spread out way farther than any place I’ve ever lived in.
Oh and what’s with those cicadas? Sounds like they are going to eat the world alive...damn they are LOUD! Kinda scary at first.....but I suppose I’ll get used to that sound as well. Freaks!
I think I’m gonna like it here. I’m so, so happy to be away from Seattle and the people...(99% of them anyway--there are a few good ones there) and I can’t seem to wipe this shit eating grin off my face. I’ll post pics later on....but for now, I must rest. Have to get up bright and early and start the job hunt.
[update] Oh, and some more observations: The BBQ sauce here is quite different...almost like a spicy tomato sauce.
And did you know that the birds still chirp even at 10:30 at night? At least, I think those are birds..............................
