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BP1: US East Coast: Easing out of it / into it



Suffice it to say, that when you're from California, the US East Coast is as much of a foreign country as any. It seemed like it would be a good idea to start off w/ the travel gear while still in the states. And there's still a lot of loose ends to tie up.



All of my worldly posessions in a 5x10' space


Thursday, September 30, 2004 : Day -23
Homeless
Despite any appearances, I was actually pretty stressed and crabby this day. The last month had been a lot of damn work trying to prepare, plan, put everything else on hold. Become homeless. Thanks to Emily, Brandy and Eliot for either trying to calm me down, or more likely ignoring me and still having fun as I tried to get moved out and a million loose ends tied up.

Homeless at last! And a nice last session in SLO (thanks Wayne for being there too!). And super thanks to everyone else too!


above: last session in SLO for a while

[photo credits: all - Emily]





Saturday, October 9, 2004 : Day -13
Around the world in 80 Days...
Packing and getting everything ready is probably worth a journal on it's own. And I'll write more about all of that later.

I'm at my Mom's in NC and this is technically Day 1 of being on the road, but it's 13 days 'till I leave for Bali, so I'll call it Day -13.

Kelly and Doug, et al, threw a really great and touching going away party for me last night. See incriminating pics at right. Super thanks for everyone that was there either in body or spirit. It was really touching and warming. I'm really blessed w/ a great group of friends (and boy can they cook). Thanks Brandy, Kelly and Doug for everything. Thanks Carla for the air-munchies -- they came in handy!

I'll just note that on the flight out, the movie was "Around the World in 80 Days." The new Disney remake. But, c'mon. Of all of the movies for the flight out. My life seems to be filled with coinkeydinks like this lately. Or maybe is always has. Thus the "Blind Pedestrian" factor.
-


Thursday, October 14, 2004 : Day -8
Staying w/ Mom in NC...
They say North Carolina is Bush country but this is a bit much. Just kidding -- thanks, Pam for the pic. I haven't been wielding my camera much, so no other pics yet. This seemed appropriate enough as the 3'rd debate was last night and we watched it at the NC Dem HQ in downtown Raliegh -- sat right behind Edward's daughter. All in all the Dems were pretty worthless -- all I wanted was the bumpersticker that said "George Bush is a punk ass chump." And they couldn't deliver.

Things are coming together. I think I've got nearly everything shopped for. It's a long damn list and a lot of running around. All told the pack weighs 40lbs. Not too bad, I think.

Great art exhibit at the NC museum -- Picasso, Matise and others. I'm also getting used to working in coffee houses w/ free wireless. It's amazing how easy it is to sit down, connect and go to work. And amazing how fast it all is. No noticible difference working remotely from here vs. being in CA. Amazing. One place had 7 people (I was the 8th) each sitting at individual tables starting down working (or surfing or whatever). Kind of scary, actually.

It's worth noting that Raleigh is home to a great little session at the hibernian with some folks that play great tunes with a really nice goove. -

Thursday, October 22, 2004 : Day 0
Staying w/ Emily in "Balmer", MD
All I can say is, man, this week went fast. And we never really got around to doing half the things we where hoping to do. But it was really fun. Amidst all of the final errand running and travel clinic visits and ... well sleeping in and being really lazy, we managed to get a bunch of good playing in as well as a few dinners w/ family members. Probably the last time I'll get to cook in a while....

The East Coast is really different. What always strikes me is all of the brick. On the streets, and mostly the walls of the buildings. It's a little unnerving. Where I come from, unreinforced brick walls are things that fall on people and kill them. I didn't realize how deeply engrained this was into me until I kept distrustfully glancing back at the beautiful brick walls of Emily's living room...

This is Emily playing her beloved Rudall-Rose (sp?) flute. You'd think that she could afford a new one or something -- this is over 100 years old. And she says that I make a funny face when I play! Right -- fine -- yes, at least her mouth isn't hanging open like me...



BP?
Ok, ok -- I'll note that it was Emily who came up with Blind Pedestrian. Actually, we both saw the sign and she remarked that it would be a good name for an Irish tune. It really would be. I do that too sometimes. You might have to play Irish music to get it. Anyway -- somehow I couldn't get the name out of my head -- you could roll it around in your head and the meanings just keep coming... Of course I'm not blind, but we all are in a way. How many times can you walk down the same street and see something new? Lots.
I can't help but to think a good part of this trip is going to be like being a blind pedestrian. Walking through traffic, aware that there is a lot going on around you, but not really being able to see it for what it is. Yet, still interacting in some kind of meaningful way... Ok -- enough w/ the deep stuff....


Some sentimental shots of me leaving "home" -- well a home-away-from-home, anyway. Apparently nearly all of the houses in Baltimore have marble steps.

 

Cops on Segways at BWI Airport.
  
next: BP1.1 Bali - Kuta