Good luggage

Little things really do make me feel better lately. With as much traveling as I have been doing, the carryon issue has become increasingly important.

I had a carryon I used for years -- bought it in SF by the Wharf for dirt cheap (and got what I paid for) but used it for nearly 20 years. Of course, it had the distinct look of having been stepped on by an elephant, and possibly even passed through another. But it served it purpose and has been retired (which means that it is sitting in Mary Kathryn's closet).

This summer, while in SF again, I bought a new one. Loved it for about a week and then realized why I hated it. The wheels made too much noise -- like I was driving on the road with the monster truck tires. It wasn't well arranged. It didn't make me feel comfortable that it wouldn't fall apart like a lego monster at the least little event. And it was loud! So I decided that I needed to grow up and buy a new one.

Last Friday, was in Raleigh and had lunch with Gene and saw this luggage store at Cameron Village that screamed: expensive, but with a personal touch. Normally, I think that is what you want to think when you see a professional escort, but for me, the luggage angle had my interests.

Walked in, looked around, everything looked the same, and finally broke down and de-manned and asked for some help -- shocking, I know. I got the brief explanation about the differences in warranties, material, structure and extras. It felt a little like I was buying a car again. But my eye kept coming back to this pretty green one. (YES, I bought it because I liked the color. Do you have a problem with that? I didn't think so...)

It had smooth, quiet wheels. There's a twisty handle ("ergonomically correct"), and nicely lined interior with a cool hanger bag inside and a totally awesome strap that would allow me to add another bag or a small child to the handle while I was rushing through the airport. And it was green. I like green... eyes, shirts, grass, and all...

Today has been its maiden voyage. No champagne crashed upon the frame, but a lovely arrival in scenic Forest City at 10:30 and the twisty handle worked great. And as I rolled into the lobby on their faux-marble floors, it glided without a single sound of monster tires...

What the hell is it about Mondays?

Why do we hate this day? It isn't the first day of the week (for the record, fellow Baptists, the "keep the Sabbath holy" was not talking about Sunday). It is the first day of the work week, so that is something. I also think that all the crazies spend the weekend trying to think of crap to make life for the rest of us "interesting" come Monday when they can finally express it.

Fridays contribute to Mondays, because most people stop working about 1 pm on Friday, at least mentally, and so there's a lot put off from then that is also pressing down on the Monday gravity. And all that relaxation we shove into two days -- from Saturday naps to Sunday walks to waking up a little foggy from a few glasses of [fill in alcoholic beverage of choice here] one of those nights, that we need to go start draining our tanks so we can do it again.

Today's drama quotient was high and kept rising. The work issues kept falling out of the air like my hair in the shower in 1991. And while some got accomplished, I am ending this day feeling that I didn't get everything done that I had wanted to or intended to. Oh, like I never even pulled the camera out to take a picture today. Sorry...

So I move into Tuesday with lots to still do, and a few things to look forward to in the coming days. And thankfully I won't have another real Monday for two more weeks.

Emotional Absue

Having listened over the last week to the stories of friends who were all emotionally taken advantage of by one person, I am so torn up about it. As I've sat here, and thought about why and what about it makes me so mad, and sad, and frustrated...

I realized it really comes down to three things: guilt (for my own past bad acts with others), frustration that I cannot empower these friends to do something about it; and anger at seeing them hurt. I wonder what I can do and how I can protect them, and realize that I do not want to see others hurt and yet feel powerless to do something to accomplish that goal.

What else is there to be done? I do not know...

Green Room

Always inspired by the unexpected, and today was no exception. After dropping Caroline off at her house, Mary Kathryn and I went to grab some dinner to take home for the three of us. On our way, I passed many places from my recent past -- my former house, the apartment house where Betsy lived, Watts Grocery, Mid-South Fencing, and the Green Room. Lots of bittersweet for me in those two blocks, but also good memories...

The Green Room is a Durham institution. When I was at Science & Math, it was across the street from where it is currently (and has been for over 20 years). It's a pool hall, with a shuffleboard table, and a great place to just be with people you know, or don't know.

Betsy's husband Joe Wilson owned the Green Room for over 20 years, and sold it a few years ago to some of the guys who had worked there for years. One of my favorite things to do was sit on the couch at Betsy's and listen to Joe tell stories from those years. They were touching, and emotional, and funny, and real. Too many (and not enough) nights ended feeling that I had been given a great gift to have those stories shared.

If only we could get Joe to write that book: "A Thousand Saturday Nights at the Green Room." Betsy -- get to work on him!

Must close tonight with lyrics:

But you lied again

Now you get to watch her leave

Out the window

Guess that's why they call it window pane

- I love the way you lie, Eminem

Roadwork

A restful day -- maybe too restful. I got lots of sleep last night and then, after breakfast with Gene and Mary Kaitland and talking to someone about fixing the seatbelt in the Lexus so that it will no longer annoy MK, I came home and took ANOTHER nap -- 3.5 hours. So I am feeling rested, but beginning to think if my body is trying to tell me something. We'll see...

Tonight, headed to party for the happy couple, put on by their friends, and had to negotiate the roadwork on Glenwood Avenue. Effectively, NCDOT is tearing Glenwood up and re-doing it from downtown for about two or three miles. It's a pain to negotiate, but it's a pretty impressive job. In fact, I have noticed that there has been an incredible amount of road repair and repaving going on around the state, particularly in the Triangle. And it struck me the other day that all of this work going on, improving things in this economy might, just might, have something to do with the role that North Carolina played in electing President Obama -- both on primary night in May (when I was otherwise distracted) and in November.

I had a super time at the party. Met lots of people, and reconnected with a number of folks I hadn't seen in years. It was great to see Mark and Jennifer -- Mark is doing very well, and a real blessing to have him with us. So many cool folks there, and I was blessed by the evening in many ways. A great way to end my Saturday.

Layers

Working too late last night, but got my email "count" down to seven before I got in bed at 3 am. Up early to make sure I got the kids to school on time. Once the day's work had ended, and I was home alone in my quiet treehouse... I took a nap. My head kept falling over, and my eyes closing, and I laid down to a few minutes of rest that I apparently needed and deserved.

This morning, after my first tasks and appointments were done, I had some time left before I had to meet with Drew's therapist. Since I wasn't hungry, and there were no other things that needed to be done, I decided to go walk around Duke Gardens and take some pictures. It wasn't even close to something I would have done even a few years ago, but there was such joy, relaxation and revelation to be found in a few minutes in that serene environment.

I walked around. It was hot, but parking was free, and things in the garden I'd never found. Then it hit me: What I was "getting" from just being there was simply amazing. I walked along little paths, and my thoughts were filled with how I have changed, and how that has changed "who" I am. It made me fear the changes had caused the person that others knew, or respected, or loved was fundamentally different.

And it hit me. I finally accepted something that has been said to me many times in the last few months to be true: I am exactly who I ever have been. The great thing is that I am no longer masking that behind lies, or fears, or anything else that I used to try to keep my inperfections and flaws in the shadows. But I like who I am, and realize that the "change" is nothing more than being my most authentic self.

It was amazing how flowers blooming in the late summer sun, and little beads of sweat running down my back, and a camera in my hand allowed me to see something else that I just hadn't been paying enough attention to in my own head, and heart, and soul. It was there right in front of me all the time.

Butter mints

I love butter mints. Not those fake things you eat and taste one part plastic, two parts margarine with some hint of mint -- with too much fake color. No, I'm talking about the kind that make you want to go to a wedding reception and just stand by those colorful bites of God-given goodness to see if they meet the standard. And if they don't -- the wedding is a precursor to failure. It's really quite sad to see the evidence staring back at you from between your disappointed index finger and thumb.

Probably one of the best Christmas presents I ever got from my sister was like a two month supply of homemade butter mints that a friend of hers had produced. They lasted only a month, and undoubtedly added about five pounds to my then, but otherwise protruding belly. But they were damn good.

The standard for butter mints? The butter must play a leading role, and the fact that it is butter (and not margarine, or shortening) must be very clear. White cane sugar plays the crucial supporting role (like Heath Ledger as Joker in The Dark Knight) in keeping the butter together. The mint should be strong enough to not be ignored, nor so subtle that you wonder if you're just eating sugary butter. At the end, it's like you're eating icing, but not quite: it in that state of existence between stiff and brittle. I can only imagine that making them into their final form must be like making bricks.

OK, after that, I admit I have thought about this a little too much. But I do feel passionately about butter mints. Like most things in like, to do it right there are clear objectives and deliverables. And if achieved, they are well worth the four bucks I happily paid for the small tub I found at my breakfast joint in Icard yesterday.

Now, they sit beside me as I drive down the road, eaten as small presents, and the remainder... saved for another day.

Shoes

Tonight, I got a replacement pair of shoes in the mail for Mary Kathryn for a pair that were inexplicably stolen while we were walking down to the Pacific at the Cliff House. So I replaced the Target-bought shoes with some brand name, but I did it because I am fascinated by how the shoes made Mary Kathryn feel.

I have had my own shoe moments -- both from buying a pair that I liked or some that were more amazing than I thought possible. For years, I have lived off of three pairs of shoes: oxblood, tasseled, wingtips, same shoes but black and a pair of loafers. When the old ones wore out, I bought a new pair to match them. I also own the other required types of footwear: climbing boots, tennis shoes (not running shoes, not joggers, not cross-trainers: TENNIS shoes), cleats and Birkenstocks. What I don't own: flip-flops. Can't stand footwear that isn't grabbing a hold of my ankles...

Last year, in San Fran, I bought a pair of new shoes that were totally not me, but completely are now. In fact, when I got to Tampa on Saturday, Gerald looked at my shoes and started laughing. "What's so funny?" He then began to tell me that he had bought a similar pair of shoes and started to put them on that morning, and Mel said: "Those aren't you. David could pull that off, but you can't..." They're great to drive in, and even better to just hang out in.

So bless them shoes, and those who wear them well. To a great pair of boots, or someone who loves nothing more than wearing flip-flops. Here's to that pair of shoes that looks great on the floor, or bringing you up a few little inches.

Besides, I am best with no shoes on at all. I love being barefooted.

Drama

Today was too damn much... as I said before dinner tonight, drama at work is what you get when you allow human beings to occupy the same space for too long.

Ended my day tired from too much said about what others said, what they did not say, and how that impacted everybody else around them. It overshadowed my afternoon, and I am thankfully ending my day early so that I can go on to sleep to catch up from only having four hours last night.

Walking out of Tupelo Honey in Arden tonight after dinner, I caught the first cool breeze I've felt in a while. With the sun slowly settling lower in the sky, to feel the air tinged with lower temperatures made me both happy for the coming fall, and incredibly sad at the same time. I am a light person -- I hate short days, cold weather, and the melancholy that is the tagalong for a bad date. But the seasons are the seasons -- one ends, another comes, and (unless Al Gore is dead on), we will continue to feel that change every year.

And I added to drama by taking pictures of I-40's descent of Old Fort Mountain this evening. Pretty fun, stupid and actually an interesting catch after it all. Oh, and no one was injured or hurt (nor was there any property damage) from the taking of this photograph.

Love my occasional horoscope - This Week as Aries: Why should you work harder than everyone else? Why is it up to you to pick up the slack when others are suffering from outbreaks of laziness and incompetence? And why should you be the fearless leader who is focused on fixing the glitches and smoothing over the rough patches when no one else seems to care whether things fall apart? I'll tell you why, Aries: because it's the Karmic Correction phase of your long-term cycle -- a time when you can atone for past mistakes, pay off old debts, and make up for less-than-conscientious moves you got away with once upon a time.

Managing Frustrations

I end some days feeling worse than others. Today, without any one thing in particular, had all of its good moments overshadowed by bad. It ultimately came down to my inability to manage my frustrations.

This beautiful sky, and yet having to deal with drama that I don't want to... Kids are ready for school, and then things change suddenly and other decisions have to be made. Money spent (it's just money) but wondering where the next shoe will drop. Wishing a friend would be honest with me about his situation rather than just avoid me. Wanting something, and wondering if it was or is. Moving on in other ways, and still slapped back to reality. Fun, and then pause. A light, only to be snuffed out, or hidden by some new eclipse.

Thanks to my personal therapist, on my way west tonight, I got some peace from the shit in my head. Little things learned make me stronger, more capable for tomorrow.

I am about to fall asleep, and "ugh" is the sound I hear in my head as I think about today. The moon will be less full, but the shorter days are coming. The shadow is returning, and I must fight those little things from piling up on me all at once.

But I am touched by the struggle of others, for their own lost loves, their disappointments, the difficulties in dealing with those moving away, or moving on, in bold fashion, or by simple attrition. Makes me sad for my friends who suffer in a different way, these days, and to wish a peace to fill them, and ease their own journey into the future. I pray for the solace each are open to receiving.

Forgetfulness

Got up late, since I was up late giving directions, falling into sand traps and talking about life and its great potentials. After reorienting this morning, and packing to go home, we were off back to the airport.

It was sweet to watch Gerald make Melanie a snack to eat on the way to the airport. He was performing the airport shuttle responsibilities (I was going to Tampa, she was flying out Clearwater/St. Pete) and we were looking at the pictures from last night when it hit me: I left my cell phone back in his condo. Thankfully we weren't that far away yet and Tracy was able to get it and meet us halfway (thanks, Tracy!), but I felt so stupid. I just couldn't believe that I had, once again, left something pretty important as I was packing up to leave.

Being forgetful seems to always happen to me in about those kinds of things, and the little details never leave my mind. I could tell you with some certainty was was worn here, or where I ate a meal with someone that they might have felt was less memorable. I will notice and remember the smallest things, but I struggle with remembering the name of a person who I just talked to. Then, 20 years later, I could spot them in a crowd and remember most of the conversation, but still not their name.

My greatest fashion faux pas is the fact that I often forget to zip up my pants. (God, why am I admitting this here??) But it truly is something that I need to consciously think about when I am about to walk out of the house in the morning. Or to take my medicine when I've laid it out. Or to grab my phone, which is lying on the bed, and without which I would be lost.

But I will say: there is something nice about not being so tethered to the phone. I was without the phone for six hours yesterday evening, and didn't miss it a bit. It's my business life. It's the tie to my kids. But it's not a tool for distraction or hurt. It's just a tool.

Maybe forgetting it was just one more step away from it no longer ruling my life.

The 'Tow

So at the last minute this morning, I came to Bartow, Florida for the closing ceremonies of the Gerald and Melanie wedding trilogy. Thankfully, unlike the Star Wars movies, the drama has gotten less stressful as we've moved through each episode, but it is still just as fun. Melanie and I have wandered through the discussion of whether or not we are siblings at times through this -- in the end, we've determined it just seems that way.

Today, the excitement both she and Gerald had in me being there, and taking me around Oldtown, Lakeland and Bartow, showing me the sights, reminded me about the extreme value of true friendship. It was tying up a bow around their lives, to see and meet the people that have been a part of the 'tow part of their life together was a wonderful gift to receive.

The reception was a mix of many people who hang around the Bartow Public Golf Course, their friends from his various groups of friends, and his daughter, and her husband and children. The people ranged from all walks, and all were such fun, genuine people that I felt honored to just share the space of celebration with them. Catching them all in this setting, as the cameraman who also participates, has been one of the best parts of this. It makes me less certain that I could ever do this for someone I didn't know, and care for a very great deal.

Woke from a nap with bad thoughts, fears and emptiness, and ultimately just drank and talked and photographed my way away from that. The waves that come will always come.

Catch-up, or ketchup

Today was a great catch-up day. And I got to spend some really good time with the kids and then lots of work crap done that had been lost or was undone in the course of the week of traveling. It felt good to end the day with lots behind and not too much ahead.

It feels great to just sit on the couch and wonder why I don't do it more often. I know the answer, of course, but it was incredible to know that I didn't have to answer the phone, or run out to talk to someone. I could just sit, work on stuff that needed to be worked on and go help a friend with her campaign for state house. I had no need to do, and it made everything else work.

Tonight, around 9 pm, after we'd all finished making calls for the campaign, I realized the last meal I'd had was Drew's leftover steak for breakfast 13 hours ago. But hunger did not consume me. The thoughts in my head swirled, I ate a slice of pizza and enjoyed verbal sparing about campaigns, practicing law and how glad I am that neither of those things drive my life any longer. I am confident in who I am, and everything just is.

Surprised tonight with an invitation to go to the third part of Gerald and Melanie's celebration in Bartow. Gonna decide and do what feels right.

Home, and Happy...

Came home to get my children, and spend the evening with them. Too many miles, too much need for down time. The quiet in some ways is affecting me, and yet... I am happy to be home. Glad to see my beautiful children, and to sleep in my own bed tonight.

Showers, Storm Clouds and Humidity -- it's all water...

Early this morning, as I was about to go to sleep, I looked out and the downtown night scene for Savannah was beautiful. I walked out on my thirteenth floor balcony and tried to take pictures but the humidity differential between in and out was nearly 100% so everything was foggy. Knowing this, I forged on ahead, and was pleased with the one I captured.

When I woke this morning, I felt drained and driven. I got some work done, took a shower and got dressed so that I could begin sweating in the hot August Savannah soup called the air. And went out to speak and start my day.

It was a good day professionally -- a couple great opportunities to sell our value, first on a conference agenda on self-funding, and then a super appointment that was a surprising opportunity. It seems I'll be coming back to Savannah more in the near future.

Left downtown around 5 pm, and pulled into the Hilton in Charlotte at 8:30, and suffered through about two feet of water falling out of the air around Columbia. It seemed for a while that driving 80 mph while hydroplaning might not be a good idea, but it ultimately was not that bad -- at least for me. It was amazing how hard it rained, and how close the lightning was as it struck the ground near where I was driving. But it was actually a relaxing drive, with only one moment of fear that the instant-on radar of the SC Highway Patrol had caught me. The most fearful moment of the day.

I wanted to close with two anecdotes. First, this morning, as I was on my way to the speaking engagement, I ran across two oddities I wish I had caught with my camera. The first was a campaign sign, for someone running for the Board of Elections. Just sounded weird to elect someone to the Board of Elections. Isn't that a job that you can make sure you keep FOREVER if you get elected to since YOU RUN THE ELECTIONS AFTER THAT?

The second was a police officer directing traffic at a school. She had on this crazy hair hat that was neon green. It was very, very funny and a interesting way to start the day.

The final point was about showers. I have been blessed to visit many hotels over the past twelve months, and from that, gotten the opportunity to be in many different showers. Today's shower finally surpassed the ones at the O'Henry and Proximity. The shower at the Hilton DeSoto was spacious (big enough for two), self-contained with glass doors, had a towel rack in the shower, a shower head that emitted water in a hard stream and was HOT. It was like five minutes of heaven in there.

Being a shower connoisseur has been a developing interest over the past two years. Today was the piece d'resistance.

Sights and scenes

A good day of work and travel... in Savannah again tonight. I really like this town. I need to come here with someone cool to enjoy it with... One day, perhaps.

Great presentation this AM in Forest City. I had a great time discussing health care reform, including a prolonged argument with a guy about whether or not this legislation was necessary. Felt like I needed to balance my passion with the acceptance of his perspective, which is hard. But I found the best balance I could and tried to make my point without talking down to him. I felt ok about it at the end, but who knows?

My long drive to Savannah was productive, with a number of calls mixed into a few chapters of a book that I am listening to. Been an interesting process listening to a book rather than read it. Of course I am also reading a couple other books, which means I have to keep my mind in check about the plotlines, the characters and the themes when I am moving from one to the other. But somehow I will do it...

A very productive, long conversation about my head and my heart with Gene. It is always good to get his view because I always trust his perspective. Thanks buddy....

Staying in room 1301 in the Hilton -- I thought there was a rule about 13th floors in hotels. Oh well...

Tired and got some driving to do...

Fell asleep too late because neither MK nor I could sleep, so we kept each other up. Drew crawled into bed about 11:30 last night and complained about not being able to sleep. He shared with me that his pediatrician and I had both told him the same secret to falling asleep, but that he'd been warned that it would annoy him.... and while he was discussing how much just sitting there and closing his eyes annoyed him, he fell asleep. It was hilarious.

Today was punctuated by long periods of driving, spending two hours with friends in Lexington, meeting with a couple of my agents, shopping at ikea (which is designed to make you spend more money than you want -- but I did get a new pillow) and having dinner in Arden. Discussed many things today, with many people, most of whom matter to me. Ran into random memories -- the parking lot at Concord Mills while meeting some folks at TGIFridays. But I end this day with the sun shining on my back, and a cool breeze in my head.

Savannah tomorrow.

Twice tonight I've typed "the" instead of "that." I wonder what the... I meant, that means.

Little things

feeling uninspired to write tonight. please accept my humble apologies.

Monday amendment: found this picture from Sunday on my camera. Drew walking into Lowes to buy supplies for a project that he stayed focused on for over six hours. A pleasant demeanor -- perhaps he really does have ADD....

A Saturday with nothing to do

Woke up early (as usual) and watched a couple episodes of a new show called Rubicon -- actually a mind-bending show that I haven't quite figured out yet but the figuring is well worth the mental relaxation.

Kids and I hung out all day -- spent too damn much money at Target, but it was completely necessary, and went to Krispy Kreme for donuts for the kids.

Dinner tonight was good (except for cutting my leg on the broken wine bottle from falling cereal boxes) and enjoyed sharing music and videos with MK while we were cooking and cleaning up. It was the kind of day I needed with them...

Kids + ADD medicine + hotel does not equal disaster

"This is the best hotel we've ever stayed at," were Drew's last words coming out the O'Henry in Greensboro today. Due to schedule and timing realities, the kids and I stayed here last night so that I could make a meeting, then head to Mayodan for Melanie and Gerald's family unification ceremony.

Today was Drew's first day on his new medicine and I have to report that it was a good day. His sister, who spent most of the time with him after he took it, reported that it really seemed to help him a lot. It was interesting listening to him talk about how it made him feel and notice how similar his experience has been to my own.

But the best of all was MK's midday FB message that went something like: "I love my brother very much! He just ordered me room service and made sure they brought me sweet tea!" It tells me a lot about how they can interact when he is better able to control his impulses.... and it makes me sick to think it's taken this long to get it addressed. But even as the medicine began to wear off of him, she was still remarking positively about him. On more than one occasion tonight, she commented on his "swagger" and how really nice that was about him.

After my meeting, went back to the hotel and got the kids and then left to go to Belks to buy a couple things for them to wear to the wedding. The wedding was intentionally low-key, but I knew that Drew's cool t-shirt was not cool enough and that MK wanted something new to wear to the event because what she had on was not going to be good enough.

Watching her grow, and seeing how little things do affects her so much makes me better understand myself. I can remember as a teenager how I felt that everyone was looking at me, noticing everything about me and not realizing until much later that the reality was far from that perception. I hear her talk about this little spot that really bothers her or something else about her body, and have learned to listen, to share my own experiences and to NOT tell her that it's not that big a deal. It is definitely a big deal. The dress she bought was really pretty (even though the low-crop dress and the fact that she can fill it out is really making me sad, and preparing to start shooting some boys...) and she wore it with such confidence.

Drew's own experience at the wedding was fun -- a bit of alone time, a lot of time with the other kids his age who were running around, but as usual, he was just the best dressed kid there. Gerald called him a 'cool cat' which is a very accurate picture of who he is. He's so damn smart, and the remarkable words and thoughts that come out of his head impress me and the people around him. His slightly shorter curls and his good looks are already so dangerous. Today he would walk up to people, stick his hand out and say, "My name is Drew." And the meds do make him better in so many ways.

I had my difficult moments today, but this moon over Burlington this evening really brought me back to center. After a good talk, and downloading pictures, I am going to lay down and get some sleep. I truly, truly need it.

Larry the House Elf

Got to enjoy time this evening with the kids, Larry and Ash tonight in Mebane. We are, Drew and I played some Terminator game for so long my elbow still hurts and I beat Larry's ass in bowling. It was great to see him.

My friend Peter Hans first mentioned Larry to me as someone looking for a summer internship after his first year in law school. He grew up in Maryland, was a personable and hard-working guy and someone that as soon as I met him, I instantly liked him. And we have remained good friends ever since. While he was finishing law school, and in those first few months afterwards, I had Larry clean the house for some money, and the kids were used to seeing him late at night when he would stop in. Hence the "house elf" nickname since they would wake up and the place would be totally clean and they asked if the house elf had come in the middle of the night to clean.

He listened to me ramble on about my heart, my work, his fears, and life, and has remained a steadfast friend. He tried his best to help last year, and I will always be eternally grateful.

Today largely sucked. Way too much drama with MJ -- getting nuttier than a Planters can -- and lots of driving and other stress to really be able to enjoy most of my day. Angry about this, frustrated about that, and I just never did feel like I could get my head right today. Hence -- it truly sucked.

Tonight... well, I am going to fall asleep. Tomorrow will be better. Please.

The Lonely, Confident Daisy

Woke up early, lots on my mind... none of it about you, all of it about you.

I drove through some amazing scenes today -- from Asheville to Johnson City (the road up to the state line and then down into Johnson City was amazing for its views) and then from Johnson City to Boone via US 321. It had been many a year since I had traveled that road and loved the nooks and crannies, the way Watauga Lake fit in, and the far off parts of the world to be found where your roots are. Watauga Lake was formed over the land of some of my mother's direct relatives -- many of whom lost their homes when the lake was filled.

My mom had an Aunt Hadie who apparently was a notorious packrat. It is obviously that affliction is a genetic trait... Her place (the one she got after losing her first home to the lake) was apparently so full of stuff that it made walking around in there difficult. I remember many years ago when they let the water out of the lake to clean the silt, she and other folks were allowed to return to their original homesites. Seems like that would have been a very interesting experience.

Ran into an old teacher at Mayland yesterday. She remembered me differently that I remember being... I was scared to death of her, and she thought I was a model student. I guess the truth lies somewhere between...

Loved this daisy near my car this morning. It was alone in what had apparently been a bed of daisies, so this late riser stood there alone, no fear of the attention, and confident enough to be full of life on a hot summer day. Inspiration for the new day.

Pathways

Many pathways today -- some clear, others not. Pleased with the ones on which I found my feet, my tires and my soul on today.

A travel today went from Banner Elk to Boone to Banner Elk to Spruce Pine to Asheville. Spoke twice (about health care reform) and suffered through a prolonged period of no phone connection. But I survived and enjoyed my evening at Corner Kitchen.

A longer piece of writing in my head and my heart that I haven't quite gotten out in the material world. But my travel along the paths of my life make it easier and me strong enough to get it out soon.

Sunset over the Mill Pond

Fortunate to end my day in Banner Elk, and coming into town, I passed the Mill Pond as the sun was setting and the ducks and geese were bathing. I had to turn around and run out on the wood sidewalk to capture it before I lost the moment. And I was blessed to photograph it as I saw it.

Looking forward to tomorrow. Next chapter? Who knows... New challenges ahead.

Cleaning Day

Something cathartic about cleaning up. Even though I keep it much cleaner than was once my habit, today I woke with the compelling need to really, really clean my place. So I started cleaning the bathroom floors, the kitchen floor and vacuuming the steps, which I honestly don't think I had done in about 10 months (yuck!). I unpacked my bags, put away those clean but unworn clothes and started washing the dirty. I sorted through mail, and packages, and the sundry million things that must be done when gone for a few days. But it's strange how at the end of the day, it comes back to the vacuuming those steps that seemed to represent something important about the day.

This afternoonm I started watching Deep Impact, the movie from whevever about a comet hitting the Earth. At the end of the movie, one of the central characters was speaking to her father, from whom she had been estranged, on the beaches on the Outer Banks. He had visited her in Washington and showed her pictures of a day that they and her mother had shared at their house, and she said she didn't remember it, because she was angry and hurt by the things he had done. Now, as they were preparing to die, she had come there to tell him she did remember it, and that it had been a perfect, happy day. And she ended it by saying, "I've missed you since then."

The writing that followed that was equally good, and allowed me to get out of the condo, get MK her shoes and watch Drew drive his go-kart around the yard and make a good dinner and have a relaxing evening. I felt clean too...

and finally got some my heavenly foot lotion on my tired feet. Love Heels All!

A Perfect, Happy Day

Today I woke up, feeling refreshed after over nine hours of sleep. Sleep does the body good...

This afternoon I started watching Deep Impact, At the end of the movie, one of the central characters was speaking to her father, from whom she had been estranged, on the beaches on the Outer Banks. He had visited her in Washington and showed her pictures of a day that they and her mother had shared at their house, and she said she didn't remember it, because she was angry and hurt by the things he had done. Now, as they were preparing to die, she had come there to tell him she did remember it, and that it had been a perfect, happy day. And she ended it by saying, "I've missed you since then."

It made me think of a summer day, in August, sitting on the front porch, you smoking a cigarette and reading a book, me playing on the computer and watching you -- watching you more than anything else. Tunes were playing on the porch speakers -- probably the Dixie Chicks.

I acted more distracted than I was, and it was warm but not miserably hot. A Saturday early afternoon, and nothing else in the world was going on. You caught my eye more than once, and I was gifted a smile in return. Finally you put out your smoke, looked up at me and asked if I wanted to come inside for a few minutes. Playfully, I asked for what. You just stared back at me, with a knowing look, and got up from the little couch and took my hand and we walked inside.

It was a perfect, happy day -- and my actions, my fears, my stupidity and lack of trust caused me to change soon thereafter. It was a perfect, happy day -- and you probably missed me after that. My guilt over everything before then, my inability to give you my all drove you mad with distrust, and my life crashed around me from lies, from irresponsibility, and from ever letting go of that perfect, happy day.

I know that what I want is how I felt that day to return. I still believe it can -- despite all the hurt, the anger and the fear of doing so.

10 Days

...on the road is a long time. Clothes to wash. Stuff to put up. Read through a pile of mail. Get caught up. Given my travel schedule, I did not get home until about 9:30 pm tonight. But something nice to come home and not find anything unexpected, no bad news awaiting me at my doorstep or in the mailbox and a day of rest and relaxation ahead tomorrow before I do a little more traveling this week.

The mechanics of travel have gotten so much more complicated. You can't take more than two items on the plane. If one of the two items will not fit in the overhead compartment, they will (not so) kindly check them through to your final destination. If you think your item for the overhead compartment will fit, you will more than likely be wrong. It is a fact of nature that if you are checking a bag, and you will have to pay more if it weighs more than 50 lbs., it always will. Some airlines are starting to charge for carry on bags. And the precarious balancing act involved in getting two bags on the plane that will fit in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you without them tipping over while you are trying to relieve all of that pressure in your bladder while running through the airport trying to make your flight is one that no one can actually do well. In short, traveling sucks.

Today, I had a three hour layover in Charlotte. IN CHARLOTTE. I could have driven from the damn airport to my place in three hours. So I went to the US Air Club (a perk of working with a guy who flies a couple hundred thousand miles a year) and set up shop. I looked over their menu, found it wanting (and likely warmed by the use of microwaves) so I walked out to get some pretty nice looking sushi. Upon returning, I was told that I couldn't bring food into the Club. Fuck. So I sneaked it in, ate it while hiding in the back behind a bush, and blew them a kiss as I walked out to catch my 50 minute flight to RDU (most of which was spent getting to and from the runway).

Then on the plane, I surrendered my aisle seat to a woman who had bought three tickets for herself and her two children (7 yrs and 18 months of age), and then wisely (meaning blindly) accepted the three middle seats in two different rows which the computer system had assigned her as the designated place for them. So... I sat between two guys with elbow wingspans so great they could touch in front of me, and tried to read the New York magazine article on Mario and Andrew Cuomo. By the time I got my bag (for budget reasons -- I paid $25 to check my bag -- US Air had one guy unloading the plane's 150+ bags and placing them on the carousel), I was too tired to even think any more.

Maybe I should buy some Sulley Sullenberger dolls and sacrifice one on the altar of efficient flying next time. Oh, and all my clothes are wrinkled now too.

I need a nap. Thanks for flying!

Clouds

There is a sense of contentment that I've had the last couple days. My mind is not feeling manic, my hear is feeling stronger and the fears I've carried seem to have lifted off me. Is this a permanent state? I don't know, but it has felt good these last couple days.

Today in Orlando I sat in a meeting, had lunch with a friend about a job working with us in Florida, helped a group get their agenda set and bought some new clothes. Chris and I rented an orange Camero to drive around Orlando, which was very fun, and very funny. But it was fast! And while it failed to make me look cool, it was nice to drive something a little different.

Tonight I joined the FAHU folks for their annual awards dinner and listed and saw my friends, old and new, recognized for their leadership.

And I got those clouds I've been wanting to get... and related well to how they feel.

Ana

I am always intrigued by people I meet. Friday morning, sitting in the Executive lounge at the Hilton, the attendant for the morning breakfast was a young woman named Ana.

Personable, Ana brought a different light to a place that is normally reserved for grim, quiet people who seem to regret working in a similar space. We spoke about the weather, the lack of water for guests with breakfast, how slow it was -- I was the only person sitting in the lounge at 8 am in the morning. She was young (probably only mid 20's) and yet seemed to work in different parts of the hotel 60+ hours a week.

I told her I take photographs as therapy and write a blog based on those photos and asked if I could take hers. She was hesitant, but then we started talking about art. She draws (mainly realism), but her painting, she said. was always abstract. "I can't control the paint or myself when I'm painting," she said. As I took her picture, she seemed a little more comfortable but probably very reflective of how she is: not at all wanting to be the center of attention.

As it was getting to be time to go to my meeting, I asked where she was from. Tentatively she said, "Bosnia." I told her I thought either the former Yugoslavia or Romania so I got it right. Surprised, she said most people thought she was from Russia. But in that moment, I didn't ask the stories she had about where she had grown up, what it had been like, how long she had been in America. Something told me that she was tired of those memories, and so she talked about how hot it had been and that she was headed to some springs on Saturday to relax.

And she told me that the view from the lounge north was very nice in the evenings, as she walked down the hall and I got on the elevator.

The picture was another classic brain error -- I had taken some longer exposure pictures the night before from my window and didn't check it before I pressed the button. So I figured it was a loss. It actually came out better than I could have imagined. Intentionality indeed...

Jinxed

I cannot find a picture that I am happy with this week for some reason. It is due, in part, to my real focus on trying to find something interesting to capture, and because this week has been crazy busy.

One thing I intend to do today is take some pictures of the sky here in Orlando as the sun is setting because it seems more beautiful nearly every time I've been here. The clouds seem more majestic, and the sun, in its red setting, amplifies the dimensions of their edges. We'll see if I can actually capture it the way I see it, since that is increasingly becoming the "hard part" of taking pictures for me.

I also think I am jinxed on pictures this week because of my acknowledgment on Sunday of the intentionality that identifies an artist. So I will have to accept the challenge.

Today I helped learn and increasingly coming to peace with aspects of my life. While certain words and thoughts still echo, managing them was easier today -- for reasons I do not fully understand. Every day is about getting strength and using it in the only way I can.

Skulls in the Couch

Some things strike me as funny. I am sitting at the O. Henry Hotel in Greensboro, working and trying to compose my thoughts, and I looked over at the couch... and there was this collection of skulls looking at me. The pattern in the cloth is just overwhelmingly strong and yet so subtle that a clear, focused picture of the couch could not reveal the pattern as I saw it. Only when it was out of focus could the camera see what I see -- which is the perfect analogy for where I feel I am all too often.

What is in focus does not reveal what is really there, whether it is something emotional, personal or otherwise. And the willingness to look at something, and lose focus to see what you see is a state of mind that you have to be open to seeing, accepting and believing.

The doubts, the uncertainty, the friendships and the belief in what is and what is not do not diminish anything that you truly believe in. To know how I felt the day I walked into her house, and the look on her face, were real, and not imagined, without any of life's BS to change how the memory works or is.

But the singing voices of these three flowers remain aloud in their belief that it will all be good and tomorrow is another day. My long week of traveling is about to end... thankfully.

I had a feeling driving along Wendover this afternoon that I struggle to put into words. Tomorrow I will try, on my way around the state again...

Thanks for the hug, the words and the minutes that made the day a different thing than I otherwise expected.

US 64

I wish I had the energy while I was driving today to capture all I saw -- from the morning light in Hendersonville, to the 50 faces listening to me talk about health care reform; the way the sun shone on the road between Hendersonville and Pisgah, or the rain and sun falling simultaneously around Lake Toxaway; or the way the mountains fall from the sky around Cashiers.

Besides the awkward words shared, I had a great day - a long night of sleep, a good speech, a great drive to Highlands, a productive meeting, a nice drive to Arden, a nice drink with a friend from UNC and a nice chair to sit in a capture the little elements of the day.

And I finished one more segment of US 64. I think all I have left is Hendersonville to Asheville, and Franklin to Murphy... maybe I'll finish them before the year is out.

Hendersonville

Marion to Canton to Clyde to Black Mountain to Hendersonville is a lot of driving for one day, but I got it all done. Arrived in Canton and found that the smell had improved significantly from my childhood memories (thanks in large part to the Clean Air Act) and met with some guys in my business and their clients. Spent some time in Black Mountain in our office late this afternoon, working on another client matter and getting caught up on the day's voluminous email before heading to Hendersonville.

I have lots of Hendersonville memories, from the first time I came here to visit my friend Peter to the numerous times I have been here to help my friend Jim Rasmussen with some issue or to do a presentation. One of my favorite times was when Jim's two co-workers, Dave and Rob, convinced me to not show up at their office on time for Jim's meeting and instead to meet them at the Corner Restaurant for breakfast instead... They had a big laugh; Jim didn't really appreciate or get the funny part of that prank. But it exposed me to Rob Cranford's practical joking ways.

Went to a wedding here one time where we picked on the groom for looking like Randy Travis. Ate more than one meal at this cool Irish restaurant downtown, including the time I watched the OJ Simpson chase with Peter and Jefé. My favorite structure in town is the incredibly tall tower that lists all of the state championships won by Hendersonville High -- mainly because they were the only single A school in the state for a number of years, I think... That tower I believe is mandated by city ordinance to be the tallest structure within the city limits. It's pretty funny as it's grown over the years.

It's a town that I have great memories in. And tonight I got to eat at my favorite Mexican restaurant around here (there's another in Asheville) - Papas and Beer. You'd love it because it has a little salsa bar with about eight different kinds of salsa. Great fish tacos and great atmosphere. The perfect place to end my day.

Intentionality

I was reading an article about how you would measure yourself as a photographer -- amateur to professional... And there was a long discussion about how people move through those stages, and how to "measure" where you are.

Well, that article, along with considering my reaction to some photos I have taken and a long thought process about Ansel Adams (sparked by an unexpectedly foggy New River valley on my way to West Virginia a couple weeks ago), resulted in me realizing that I will feel less like a lucky bastard when it comes to pictures than when I realize that 75% of the pictures that I feel are great are the result of intentional acts on my part.

That was a long damn sentence. I am very sorry, Mrs. Nesbitt -- wherever you are, for that run on sentence. You taught me better... I'm certain some editor friend of mine will fix that for me before the week is out...

I am trying to be more deliberate about the pictures I take. This morning I sat at the lake near my parents' house for about 20 minutes trying to construct a photograph I would like involving the water, the fog, the reflection of the trees in the water and the aura of the early light. And I could put nothing together that pleased me. I was already in a bad mood and it just seemed to never get on the rails for me this weekend. Ugh.

Before I left town, I noticed this old, old apple tree near my brother's house, and stood there for about three minutes, and was actually pleased with at least three of the ten or so shots I took, and I was actually thoughtful about what I wanted and that seemed to reaffirm my theory about intentionality in my art.

The rest of the day sucked -- except for the time I spent with the kids. Tomorrow will be a better day, I pray.

night, friends, readers...