A New Chapter

I have a new job! It’s going to be challenging but I think this will be a great improvement. My last job was easy to do. I’m looking forward to pressure and having to hunt down answers again.

This means I’ll travel less. Traveling, as was the case with my previous job, was both a pro and a con on my list of reasons to leave. On one hand, traveling gave me a chance to see the Country, to meet new people, and see my friends. On the other, I had no consistent life and at times grew weary of living from a suitcase.

I’m excited. I’m nervous. I’ve always found good change to be refreshing and yet, its a bit frightening to step into something new. And so, here I go.

Gone for a bit.

Well. I quit blogging. I quit for a combination of reasons, you know, I was busy, too lazy, stressed about what I would say and how I would say it but mainly I quit because I grew tired of travel. For instance, tonight I'm sitting alone in my hotel room. I'm looking around at my quiet Marriott suite and thinking, "what am I doing here?" Granted, I'm stressing out about the future but at the end of the day I'm trying to figure out what the hell I'm doing traveling the USA alone...still. I like to think that everyone is stressing out about their lives but when I look around so many people have life figured out. Or perhaps it just seems that way? Or perhaps this is just a season of life that has lasted longer than your typical season.

Anyway, take 2 on the blogging.

So what's this place known for?

I'm convinced that the best traveller's are curious people. You'll notice good and bad characteristics about everywhere you travel but curious people will seek out the best and most interesting things. What do the people like to do? How do they treat each other? What is the area known for? I prefer to ask for recommendations at local gas stations, hotels, or the local dinner.

There is almost always something interesting about the place I'm visiting - not saying they're all equal - some are definitely better than others. But I wouldn't see the good things in most of these places if I didn't look.

I've learned so much from my travels and so a toast...to curiousity.

Ocean Springs Mississippi

I just left Mississippi. I was only in the state for about 24 hours but my general impression was not favorable until I hit the coast. I drove south and passed through a cute little town called Hattiesburg. As far as I can tell, the best part of Mississippi is the Gulf Coast (excluding Biloxi and it's ugly casino's). I crossed the bayou to get to a little town called Ocean Springs. The bayou was dotted with little boats and stilted houses. A beautiful sight in the late afternoon sun.

Ocean Springs has a great little downtown filled with shops, little tea rooms, restaurants, boutique's and local art. Walter Anderson (1903-1965) was a famous artist from the area. His main medium's are watercolor and carved linoleum block prints. His subjects are often animals and aquatic scenes though there's great variety in his work. I couldn't resist buying some prints. My favorite is his portrayl of the Ugly Duckling breaking free and becoming a swan (see picture). He has some beautiful Joy to the World and Noah's Ark prints as well. Check it out at http://www.walterandersonart.com/ .

Health and Image

I don't have cable at my apartment so I never watch tv when I'm home but I catch up when I'm traveling. I can't get over how every single commercial has something to do with image or health. Commercial after commercial flashed on the screen advertising a facial cream to make you look ten years younger, a kitchen counter-cleaner that kills ALL germs, a car that distinguishes you from everyone else, or a diet pill to make you skinny. Even the vaccum cleaner ads are wrapped around killing carpet-mites that can "harm your children". I know these commercials are nothing new but it seems to have intensified recently. Are we really this obsessed with image and health? It's not that we shouldn't care about health and the way we look but no need to take it to the extreme. I hope we're not all buying.

For a good time out in Fort Worth

Walk around the Stockyards. Maybe stop at one of the little bars and/or check out all the little shops.

Go to Joe T. Garcia's. It's the best Southwestern Mexican food I've ever had. You get two options: fajitas or enchiladas. Practically right after you order, the waiter brings you a plate of the house nacho's and tacos. Your main course is served with a plate of rice and refried beans. Order a pitcher of Marguerita to top off the meal. They only take cash or check so be prepared. The patio is beautiful and a little more rowdy (more fun) but it's always a long wait so opt for the indoor seating line if you're famished.

Billy Bob's Texas Honky Tonk. This place seems like a tourist trap and there are things about it that are touristy (Re: the fake mechanical bull you can pose on for professional pictures) but overall, I would say this place is pretty authentic. I could smell cow crap and tobacco the closer I got to entering the building. Billy Bob's features bull riding competitions on Friday and Saturday nights which explains the corral attached to the side of the building. There's usually some sort of live music which can really vary. I saw Three Dog Night and Kevin Fowler on different nights, like I said, it varies. My favorite thing about this bar is the two stepping. You can't miss the floor because it's right under the crystal studded western saddle, Billy Bob's version of the disco ball. In regards to the men, they ask you to dance a lot. Many guys can't dance these days, unless you count some half-ass grinding at the club, so it's nice to run into a crowd of men who know how to dance with a lady. They're also complimentary in an appropriate manner. Again, many men don't know how to say "I think you're pretty" without hitting on you or being creepy. But these laid back boys know how to at least fake polite. I'd like to hope they're genuine.

Fun times in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Invasion of the Space Sucker

You can run into a space sucker at any time and any place. I often run into space suckers in the airport because space suckers travel a lot. Hm, how to describe the space sucker? You're standing in the security line waiting to push your bin through the x-ray machine, when all the sudden you feel your personal space has been invaded, not just invaded, sucked away from you like a vaccum on the living room floor. You turn around and sure enough the person behind you is RIGHT next to you. These people are completely unaware of the unspoken rules of personal space. I find myself thinking, "If you can smell my hair then you're too close!!!" It's not a big deal but it's mildly annoying. I recently ran into a space sucker on my flight out of Houston. The woman was so close that she kept bumping into me. I don't think my shadow is even that close to me. Anyway, as I made my way through the final security check I watched as she was pulled aside for a random full inspection. Peace out space sucker! Although she'll probably enjoy the invasion of her space.