Destiny Unbound

Welp, I celebrated our independence with a whole lot of phriends at Watkins Glen, NY. USA! USA! USA!!!

Photo #4 and 6 courtesy of G. Lucas. Photo #5 courtesy of Phish!

Tall Buildings

Welp, it has been three weeks since i have left South America, and man, it has been a busy three weeks! I am still living out of a backpack (which is a-okay with me) and feel like my life has yet to slow down! Maybe it's just all this fast paced, on the go all the time city living - who knows?

Since my return I have traveled to Pittsburgh and Ohio, visited family, did a bit of packing, did a bit of moving and shaking, returned to Atlanta, did some unpacking, and started a new job. All in two weeks! While i was initially worried about the reassimilation process - understanding street signs, menus, what people are saying, driving in crazy traffic, and dealing with the hot hot heat. - i think i've been staying too busy to really worry about any of it. Life is just as crazy now as it was five months ago living in a 2br 1 ba house with seven strangers, albeit a little busier.

Gone are my South American days of living life all foot loose and fancy free. I used to wake up at whatever hour suited me, sans alarm clock, and ask myself, "self, what will you do today? Go fishing? Explore artisan ice cream shops? Read another book or maybe just go sit in the park and try not to get lost? Is that enough to feel accomplished and feel like you've made the most of the day? Sure it is! You're in South America!" To live the easy life... it was good.

Now, my days are are a bit more structured: wake up at 6:18, hop in the car and drive to begin work at 7:30, sit in a cube behind a computer pushing buttons and clicking the mouse in the hopes that i will not destroy or crash the database, hop back in my car and do battle with traffic, and then go hang out with my family for the rest of the night! Wash. Rinse. And repeat. It's not exactly adventuring across the Patagonian wilderness, but its not exactly terrible either. Living the city life and surviving my cube life is definitely a challenge, but it is an interesting change of pace and very nice to be with my family.

Language Less of the Day: Someday my darling when i am a man, and others have taught me the best that they can - they will sell me a suit, cut off my hair, and send me to work in tall buildings. So it's goodbye to the sunshine and goodbye to to the dew. Goodbye to the flowers and goodbye to the sky so blue . I'm off to the subway - I must not be late! I'm going to work in tall buildings. Say it with me now! Algún día mi amor cuando yo soy un hombre, y otros me han enseñado lo mejor que se pueden - me venderán un traje, me cortarán mi pelo, y me enviarán a trabajar en racacielos. Así que es adiós a la luz del sol y adiós a la condensación. Adiós a las flores y adiós al cielo tan azul. Me voy al metro - No debo llegar tarde! Voy a trabajar en racacielos.

Everything Merges with the Night

Welp, i finally visited Valparaiso - the vale of paradise! Staying much more true to it's name than my hometown in IN, Valparaiso is a very beautiful and colorful city. Houses cling to hillsides and steep, narrow streets create a maze of pathways through town. Very cool, indeed.

Living for the City

Welp, i am spending my last 4 days in Chile doing the city thing. I just finished a 12 hour bus ride and arrived in Vina Del Mar. I will check out the ocean and explore the city today, experience the night life later, and visit Valparaiso tomorrow.

Also worth noting, i made my first phone call in almost 7 months today! From a pay phone, taboot taboot! How strange, but enjoyable, it has been to live phone free in the age of cellulars. Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Spanish Lesson of the Day: Living in the larger cities, impulse thinking keeps you busy! Say it with me now! Vivir en las ciudades más grandes, pensando impulso que mantiene ocupado!

The Fishing Blues

Welp, i went fishing today on the Rio Trancura. Lots of risers, but it was a really tight river with lots of brush along the banks. I had a hard time casting and didn't catch a damned thing. It was kind of frustrating, but good time nonetheless.

Language Lesson of the Day: A day spent fishing is kind of like pizza or sex. Even when it's bad, it's still pretty good! Say it with me now! Un dia de pescand es como pizza o sexo. iCuando es malo, es mejor aún!

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Welp, am i wrong to believe that The Complete Calvin & Hobbes is a book that can stand beside The Republic in terms of philosophic theory and political influence? Maybe so, maybe not.

Language Lesson of the Day: I have left Argentina and am in Osorno, Chile waiting for my bus to Pucon. In ten days i will return to North America. What a pretty afternoon. Say it with me now! He salido Argentina y estoy en Osorno, Chile esperando por mi bus a Pucon. Voy a volver a Norte America in diez dias. Que un tarde bonita.

I Wana Be Your Dog

Welp, I spent my last day in Barlioche walking around the city center and making friends. Say hello to Duke and his pup.