Category: travel

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ushered into the ether

Goodbye.Hi internet, we be back.

Vacation, aged 10 days, passed away peacefully on May 10, 2009.

Vacation began her life as a twinkle in the eye of her father, and entered this mortal realm without incident on the 3rd of May, 2009.  Though it may seem it, do not count her time here as short; Vacation outlived near all her kin and was blessed with longevity moreso than typical of her kind.  Throughout her time, Vacation brought untold joy to those graced by her presence.  She lifted hearts, freed minds, and strengthened bonds.  In short, Vacation was a Godsend, and it’s with gratitude and fond memories she’ll be ushered into the ether.

Vacation is survived by a group of intensely close friends:  David, Sharaun, Keaton, Ami, and Pop-Pop; all of whom vow to maintain close relationships with Vacation’s own extended family in the years to come.

Services will be held this Friday at 5pm at a local watering hole to be determined.  In lieu of flowers, please consider complimenting our tans; Vacation would have wanted it that way.

Mmmm…. Aruba still fresh on my mind; but we’re back at home now.

Feels good to be here, honestly.  The rows of Spanish tiled roofs lining our procession homeward from the airport were welcoming – and the sunshine and blue skies made California look really, really good.  I’m tired, we all three are; but our skin has a bit of color and our heads still swim remembering the fun times to boot.

Aruba was fantastic.  A getaway that, as it transpired day by day, seemed blissfully long and drawn out, but that, on the eve of our departure, seemed, in retrospect, not quite long enough by half.  (Look, I think that sentence is right, even though it’s comma-laden… and really, I think if you re-read it you’ll find it actually sounds pretty nice).

Most of our days went like this: Around 7:30am I’d head down to the pool area, still dripping sweat from my 6am workout (if it was a gym day; in the end about half of them were), and pick five chairs to “tag” for us that day (the resort used a chair-tag reservation system, which was actually really nice as compared to just doing the usual early-morning chair-hunt stakeout).  After that I”d head back to the room and have breakfast and coffee, watch a couple cartoons with Keaton, and do the general all-day-at-poolside readiness routine until around 9am.  At that point we’d all head downstairs and begin the day.

The “day” consisted of a lounge-chair centered rotation of aquatic-fun sorties.  You had the chair-to-lazy-river run; the chair-to-kiddie-pool run; the chair-to-waterslide run; and the the chair-to-beach run.  Each of these were enjoyed in turn, the frequency of each destination rotation decided solely at the discretion of Vacation Director Keaton.  With simple yet authoritative orders, she’d command her troops: “Dad, can we please go float?; Mom, I want to go down the waterslide please!; Ami, do you want to go look for seashells with me at the beach?; Pop-Pop, can you please take me to the kiddie-pool?”  Breaks were sparse and strictly need-driven: potty, snacks, lunch, sleep.

Every day; every hour.  The adults entertained Keaton in shifts (and, in truth, enjoyed themselves as well), one or two watersliding or seashelling or lazy-rivering, while the others lounged around reading books or dozing or enjoying a drink from the poolside bar.  It was a simple and easy routine, but one I looked forward to each morning as if it would hold something new every day (usually did if you count the “Name That Tune” contests, the iguana-feedings, the water-aerobics, the bead-making for Mother’s Day, etc., etc.).  Yup, simple and easy.

We got to do some other stuff too:

Sharaun and I got two adults-only “date nights,” which we used well.  First night we walked down the beach to a sushi joint and then hit a casino afterward.  At one point I was up $200 on an initial investment of $100, but later was right back down to zero.  Somehow, my brain counts that as only losing $100, when in mathematical-land be-spectacled nerds shout that it’s really a loss of $300.  Pish-tosh, says I.  Won-money that’s not realized winnings just plain don’t count, it’s all just trade for fun times.  Blackjack was the game, and Sharaun even took a seat with me for about half the hands – betting on her own and not doing bad at all.  Fun.

And, near the end of our trip we hired a taxi for about four hours and had the local driver (employed in his trade for near twenty years) take us on a private tour of the little island.  On the recommendation of some friendly folks we met floating along the lazy river one afternoon, we opted to go the cabbie route instead of doing the sardine-can bus tour.  Forty dollars an hour and cheaper at four hours than the bus tour would’ve been per-person.  Was good advice.

Not that we took the bus tour to compare, but we had a great time and a great guide in our born-and-raised Aruba-native driver.  In fact, he offered so much local color to the place we’d stayed for near a week already, we found ourselves wishing we’d done the tour earlier in our trip.  We gained a whole new respect for the island, it’s people, and culture – and spent the last day or so seeing things through a slightly improved lens (not that things ever looked bad, but lifting the viel of tourist ingornance helped a lot).

Anyway, was an absolute joy.  Glad we went, hope to do it again sometime real soon.  Until tomorrow, I’m all writing’d-out for today.  Goodnight.

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scenes from aruba

Just some quick pictures of the week.  More to come (and a proper update covering Easter and the past few missing weeks in picture-town) once we return.

Here we go:

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Catch ya later.

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lotsa iguana

PoolsideAruba.

Each day so far has started early at the fitness center, which, actually, is really nice.  And, with my back worse than it ever was hairy – all broken out in a blooming acne-like rash where the hair once was (read here if that makes no sense) – it’s occurred to me that the folks who see me in the gym at six o’clock in the morning and then later shirtless in the pool might think I’m a hardcore juicer.  “Oh, there’s that steroid guy,” they’ll say… “I see him every morning in the gym and just look at that back acne.”

Sigh… waxing: for me, not a good idea.

So far the weather here in Aruba has been a bit overcast and cloudy, and we’ve got spotty Florida-like thunderstorms that come and go in a blink every day so far – although only lasting for a half hour at the most.  Honestly it hasn’t dampened my spirits at all.  Floating around the lazy river with Keaton has been a blast, and when the sun does peek out it feels wonderful on my jacked back.  Keaton wore herself out yesterday, and as soon as the early morning rain breaks today I’m sure she’ll be more than ready to do it again.

We took a taxi into town yesterday to stock the kitchen in our room for the week.  Spent a small fortune on groceries for our little room, but will still be cheaper than eating each meal out every day.  Plus, it’s convenient and kinda fun doing meals in the room – especially with Keaton. The father-in-law and I got a small styrofoam cooler and a case of 10oz Budweiser cans and we save some money before and after happy hour quaffing cheap supermarket beers instead of the poolside marked-up versions of the same.

And, since sitting around writing on the computer isn’t really part of my planned vacation routine, I’m gonna sign off now and holler at you guys later.  Hope work is treating you workers well.

See ya.

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waxed & ready (& hurty)

My shoulder today.Well guys, I’m ready.

Yesterday evening I went to my pre-Aruba “appointment.”

For those who don’t read regularly, a very succinct summary: I’m a totally hairy dude, hair all over my back and shoulders. And while I’m not ridiculously self-conscious about it, I made an appointment to get a waxing, something I’ve never done before, prior to our vacation in Aruba this coming week. Last night was that appointment.

First off, the process took seventy-five minutes start to finish. That’s an hour and fifteen minutes. Of waxing. Of ripping and tearing and pulling, over and over and over again… for more than an hour. By the end of the whole thing I was in a pretty irritable mood, and was, in general, ready to go. My “technician” was a nice Asian lady who was good at making conversation and asked me at every turn if I was “OK.” The “procedure” takes place in cramped coffin of a room, laying down on a towel-draped table while a woman slathers hot sticky stuff on your hair, presses a little napkin thing down on it, and then rips it off a lightning speed.

And, just to cut to the chase – yes, having your back waxed hurts. There is no denying that. However, having heard from folks just how much I should expect it to hurt, and having steeled myself against the immense pain that fear mongering had prepared me for – I have to say it wasn’t as bad as I’d imagined. No I didn’t cry, and only cried out once. I rocked it like Superman, if I’m being honest. But yes, oh yes, it hurt. I found that the worst of it was my shoulders, along my collarbones, and the very nape of my neck. In fact, the one time I had an audible reaction was on my left shoulder, where something must have went wrong because the pain was at least 2x what it had been for everywhere else.

Mmm hmmm there was blood too. Not at first though. My lower back went easy, very little “large” pain and Chong commented how well my skin seemed to be taking it. But, the higher she went on the back the more blood flowed and the more pain I experienced. But, reiterating, overall the pain was bearable – although surely unpleasant and uncomfortable and nothing I’d wish on someone unless they lie down on that table willingly. My main complaints would be the time it took, and the post-pain and problems… such as…

What I find upsetting now, however, is that today’s pain – post-waxing by about twelve hours – is worse than the pain I experienced during the actual waxing. I had hoped that the redness and irritation would subside, but if anything today it looks brighter and worse than last night. In fact, I’d be more self-conscious about going to the beach right now all red-prickled and mottled than I would as my former follicled self. I just hope my skin returns to normal before Sunday.

The pain I have now is more like a bunch of little pinprick needle sensations, as well as just a general sensitivity over my entire skin. Unfortunately I have a little dark red dot where each of my trillion hairs used to be, and my skin is hot to the touch and raised and mottled red in large swaths. I’m not sure if this is a rash/reaction to the wax, or just my skin reacting to the trauma, or a little of both. Either way, I’ve got crossed fingers for it to fade prior to getting poolside come Sunday.

And that’s it. Next time I’ll write it’ll be from the tropics. Take care internet.

Oh… you want pictures?! I’ll post some later today when I have time (that’s my shoulder up there accompanying this post). I’ll try to get the worst of it (how it looks now all red and pokey) and maybe follow up with a hopefully much less irritated “after” pic from Aruba.

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not just for the clouds

Management.Was a gloomy day over nearer the coast, and not just for the clouds.

Paid a visit to the Bay area today, all about getting some business done. It really is a shame about that whole business and pleasure not mixing thing, sure could make working less of a chore at times. But, the sawmill has been good to me, so I’ll continue to give it my time and effort in hopes of some small convalescence. And, while it makes for good writing (or reading, I’m never sure quite how to put that) to talk about work like it’s awful and painful – it’s not really. It’s a good job and I enjoy it almost all the time. But, do me a favor and pretend you didn’t read that the next time I prattle on about the sawmill as if it were Abu Ghraib, OK? Thanks.

I was actually fairly unmotivated today. I sat alone in a crowded café and worked from the laptop with a cup of coffee and my headphones on. I bought these particular headphones because they are the full sized over-ear kind yet they are foldable like an Autobot and can be packed easily into my laptop bag. The only issue I have with them is that they have this fake graffiti all over them, like the flowing spraycan script gangs use in the subway. Tell you what, sitting alone all dressed up manager style with your laptop, a coffee, and these ridiculously childish-looking headphones on makes a guy a bit self conscious. I powered through though, so don’t pity me.

And, if I’m being honest, I wasted a few minutes watching a Youtube video of the resort we’re staying at next week in Aruba. Maybe hoping seeing the place through the lens of a fellow tourist could transport my mind there for a while. It worked fairly well, I have to say. I could almost picture Keaton and I floating lazily down the lazy river, digging and building in the sand, and splashing around in the pool.  Like I told my Mom today in an e-mail: If they called and told me I could go tomorrow I’d be on a plane.

I’ve decided I’m going in to get me a wax-job on Thursday.  I’ve also convinced Sharaun to come along and take some before and after photos.  And, since the wax lady seems really cool, maybe even some action shots to really make the story come alive.  Some readers seem to think I’m gonna cry like a little girl, but I have faith in my strength.  One way or another, I’m going through with it – so I’ll be as objective as possible when I rank the pain.  Should be fun.  Or not.

Until sometime later this week, from the precipice of our vacation, goodnight.

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sweetening

Sweetener.Mmmm… what a Sunday.

After church I browned a couple chicken sausages for me (and one for Keaton) and had a manly kinda lunch at the table alongside her.  I had designs on an afternoon bike ride to take advantage of the good weather, and was planning on a solo job with the iPod.  Plans changed, though, when Sharaun called Melissa and she mentioned she was looking to get out on the bike too.  We ended up teaming up and plotting a course on exploring one of the local trails neither of us had been on.

In the end we did a fifteen mile loop alongside a creek and turning around at the lake, after stopping for a granola bar and some water.  Was a nice leisure ride, paced under 10mph and mostly flat.  After getting back I told Sharaun we have to get her a bike so we can do rides like that; was great.

And, with the weather as great as it is, I’m firing up the grill for dinner.  Making something tasty over an open flame to continue eating in a way that makes the alpha-male in me happy: fried sausage, fire-cooked meat – you get the idea.

The couple days I spent at Shasta were brilliant.  Even though it rained for the first half of Friday, and despite the fact that I didn’t manage to wholly escape the trappings of work while there – it really was a respite.  Played some poker, some pool, dominoes, enjoyed the mountains and took a couple quick hikes around to check the place out… tossed some horseshoes and ate a lot of good food.  Actually, as the weekend before our coming nine day furlough in Aruba it served as a nice vacation “appetizer.”  And man, am I ready to be on the island and away from the recent madness at work.  More than you could know.

We didn’t get to do the fishing and boating planned as the coldfront and rain changed plans on the fly – but it didn’t really matter to me at all.  Like I said in my short entry Friday – I needed to get away from work (and even though I escaped the venue, the problems tracked me down, bloodhound style, and will being re-plaguing me first thing Monday morning). But, enough negative…

Just five more days of work and we’re off.  That, my friends, is enough to sweeten even the sourest week.  So, I’ll be heads-down for those few short days and this time next week you should get a nice Monday entry from the sands and surf.

Goodnight.

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self absorbed

Scales.Hi internet.  Sorry about not writing to you lately.  Here goes.

Rode my bike to work the past couple days. Not quite ready to say I’m “doing” it now… but I do have some mild intent to establish a routine, I suppose. For me it’s an easy way to get a few calories down on those days I miss the gym.

Unfortunately, I decided to start just as the weather is warming up – but the morning ride is still beautiful and cool. I bring tennis shoes and shorts with me, ad change before the brutally warm ride home in the afternoon. (Worse, the ride into work is generally downhill, whereas the ride home, logically, goes back up.) And so, when I get home I’m fairly slicked with sweat and winded – which isn’t that bad, since I’m home at that point, after all.

Anyway, with just two days down, I’m enjoying it – and considering the time difference between riding and driving is truly minimal for my short commute – I think I’m going to try and keep it up.  Today, by which I mean Tuesday even though it’s midnight now, I actually rode over 20mi – but that’s a story for another day… because… man… it is a story.

And, since we’re on the subject of exercise and sweat and whatnot – I feel compelled to bring up my progress towards my “Aruba goal.” We leave for a week vacation in Aruba in just a couple weeks, stopping in Atlanta overnight and meeting up with Sharaun’s folks – who are coming as friends, family, and babysitters – and then heading to the island. Believe me, I am looking forward to this like nothing else. Only a week more to go and we’ll be poolside for hours each day, playing on the beach with Keaton, and lounging around in hammocks with our bellies full. For me, the start of vacation made a convenient goal-date for my current weight-loss plans. Having started at a portly 250lbs near the end of January, I wanted to be down to 215lbs by Aruba.

Now look, I know, I sound like a chick… targeting a “vacation weight” and all. I guess I’m OK with that. (And, wait till you read the next paragraph if you really want to question my testosterone levels anyway.) Regardless of this, I’m extremely happy to say that, as of last week’s official weigh-in, it appears that my goal of 215lbs may be realized. Last I checked I was sitting at 219lbs with about two weeks left before we leave. In an ideal loss-per-week world, I will end up at 215lbs on the nose just before departure. I have to admit to you guys that, as odd as it is for me to talk about this kind of thing, I’m really happy with my progress thus far. And, without risking too much more of my manhood, I will mention that my post-Aruba goal is to get down to 200lbs by the 4th of July. Aggressive, to be sure, but I think ultimately doable if I work hard.

Now, as happy as I am with my Aruba weight, I’m still pudgy and as hairy as a yeti. As I’ve aged, these things have bothered me less and less. So much so, in fact, that during last year’s vacation in Mexico, I did nothing to alter my appearance – and simply rocked the body hair au-natural. And, honestly, even though I’m aware of it and just an itty-bitty bit self conscience about it, I didn’t give it much thought and it surely didn’t get in the way of my enjoying myself. But see, this time around… I feel like I’ve worked really hard to shed some pounds before we go… and having realized that goal makes me want to… address… the whole hair thing. I know it’s vain, but I’m totally planning on ridding myself of this hair pre-vacation.

Oh yeah, you read that right. And, since I’m a bloggin’ kinda guy… I figured I’d write about the “procedure” here.

Here’s what I want to do: I have tons of hair. My back, my chest, my shoulders… it’s literally a sweater. Again, I’ve come to embrace my hairiness, and it really doesn’t bug me as much as it used to. However, to complement my weight loss and just overall make me feel snappy, I want to get some work done before we go. No, I don’t want to go college-boy hairless, but I’d at least like to take care of the back and shoulders. Hopefully I can get this done without leaving an unnatural or abrupt “fire line” on the chest hair I’m not interested in removing… I guess that’s left to the skill of my “technician.”

Anyway… after I make the appointment and git ‘er done, I’ll post here about the trauma.  But for now, sleep is calling and I need to heed.  Sorry today was so self absorbed… but this is a blog after all.

Goodnight.