taco loco

I took myself to this Taco joint I've eyed since I relocated. I sat at the bar and had a shrimp fajita. A man came and sat down for a glass of wine, talking about Peru and the local area. He was friendly, and said he was deciding where he should eat with his family. I thought it was strange because he was at the bar and the food there was delicious.

When I came home and got ready to post, I found the above video and realized that HE WAS THE OWNER simply enjoying a glass fo wine before departing for the evening. I had no idea. I think that is funny.

I should write him a note to thank him for his hospitality. The food was stupendous and I know I will definitely go back.

arriving

I think I have online access again at my summer abode. Perhaps, not, but maybe. We're hoping.

Here's my drive onto campus. It's green and spacious. Running the roads are hilly and the sidewalks are bumpy (I'm loving my knees as I run). Ouch.

So, this is a part of where I am living and what it looks like. It's a glimpse.

Moving Right Along

I made it to Connecticut. Still trying to get secure online access. Am in my new summer space and am thankful it is only temporary. A bit overwhelmed at the changes, but excited so much cool stuff is happening quickly. I've definitely turned over a new leaf...that is for sure.

More to come.

In the meantime, there's Fozzi Bear and Kermit!

Monday

Well, the day is here. It's a Monday and I'm "on the road to find out" once again. Thank God for Cat Stevens.

These four years flew a little too fast and when I reflect on the time, it is unbelievable how much occurred, changed, and set me on another path. The number one priority for me has been family. It was EVERYTHING I was missing in Kentucky. They will be missed.

From Clay to Binghamton to Louisville to Denmark to Santa Fe to Middlebury to Tokyo and to Syracuse, I don't think I could have had a map that would direct the journey I've lived. Now a new chapter begins and another page is turned. We shall see what comes next.

I'm thankful, of course, that I've been able to experience it all. I'm a lucky Son of a Butch.

Good-bye, Syracuse. I will miss you.

But, I'll be back.

testing out a new camera

Because I'm leaving, and in celebration of the birthdays of this weekend, my niece and brother-in-law have been left a new toy. Mike filmed Sean's karate moves, but didn't quite capture the display he performed for us all. He did, however, capture some of Dylan's moves and a few of Sean's happy-go-lucky kicks (although the more spiritual maneuvers were missed by the camera.

Today it's karate, but for Nikki and Mike, tomorrow is Peter Jackson and the filming of the LORD OF THE RING trilogy. I know they have it in them. It's all in the eye.

बी House

Well, the home is in a box. This morning it will be picked up and stored for a month while I resettle and find new space. It is amazing to think that most everything I own fits in a box, but also comforting. Truth is, I don't really need any of the stuff. I could always begin anew - although I wouldn't want to.

Stay safe, home. I will see you in a few weeks (hopefully). Fingers crossed.

A Pertinent Song

I am thinking about this song as I pack up my house today and put it in transport to Connecticut. Normalcy as I've known it will be abnormal for the next year as I learn a new groove, march to a different beat, and grow accustom to new responsibilities. The sad thing is I can't pack up my home, family, and friends to take with me.

In Kentucky, I always said the perfect world would be the Brown School, my family nearby, and an ocean or lake to look at on the weekends. Syracuse had the family and lakes, but no Brown School. Connecticut will have the ocean, the National Writing project, but no families.

Tina Densford bought me a magnet in Florida one year that read, "Leap and the net will appear." I did jump when I left the comfort of 546 S. First Street in Louisville, and I had the support of my family in Syracuse. Now I spring forward again, wondering what net will appear.

Good bye 7218 Eastman. You were the perfect home for me since 2007. I will miss the easy access to highways, the abundance of birds, and the occasional snakes in my yard. I will also miss the wood burning stove and the dead tree in the front yard.

It is a mad world, but a beautiful world, indeed.

Another Chapter Written

Last night was Nottingham High School's Class of 2011 graduation. Among the graduates were many of the young men who have taught me a lot about the world. They should be proud. They've accomplished a lot and they live with much integrity, maturity, and devotion to their future.

I am proud of what their achievement and I wish them nothing but the best in their future.

Congratulations!

Pods

In three days, PODS will come and pick up my belongings. The music of this video is dramatic like the move. Once again I'm shifting gears and my life, as I knew it, is being picked up and transported. It is sort of surreal and odd, actually. What seems normal one day is suddenly altered to a new reality. How does one make sense of it? They don't. They simply ride the evolution and say, "Whatever will be, will be."

It's all good.

I hope.

What Cynde's Front Yard is Missing

My bee balm is getting ready to bloom. I am hoping it will burst before I leave and I will see some humming birds. These are the plants I placed in Cynde's garden for her anniversary with Mike and that she pulled because she thought they were weeds. I'm still laughing at that, because she's been saying she needed color and this is why I planted them.

They also come in purple, although mine are read like this dude's. They are a strange flower, but add funk to the yard. Viva la Summer!

Another Fairfield Video

A week from today I will be departing for my summer institute at Fairfield University. I plan on bringing my bike (if I can find a way to fit it), but I won't be doing the trick of this kid. In fact, when I brought my bike to Santa Fe, New Mexico, I road up into the mountains and coming down, I found myself high in a pine tree, falling from branch to branch scraping my skin and needing Neosporin for weeks. I looked like Freddy Kruger.

The streets look good, though, and welcoming. It seems odd to know there are only seven more days in my four year return to CNY. It's the good season, too, and so much to do outside, but heading south-east will only guarantee more summer weather to enjoy. I just won't have the family around : (. That's a huge bummer.

But, everything evolves at exactly the right time. I like the music this kid used to shoot his tricks. It puts pep into my stride.

Snuffalufugus

I was thinking about how nice it would be to have an imaginary friend like Snuffalufugus to bring with me to Connecticut. Someone to talk to and have around in my new location. He worked for Big Bird (although a little creepy) and I was thinking I might be able to find such an animal near the Long Island sound. No one would have to believe I had one as a pet, but I could keep him in whatever location I end up in. Perhaps I could take him for a walk and all my neighbors would wonder what it was I was walking. I could bring him to classes and he could help me grade papers. On holidays, I could bring him back to CNY to stay at my parents and he could sleep in my mom's new painted room. I wonder if they sell them in a pet store.

Transforming with Muppets

I went to find the Transformers trailer (for Mike and Dylan) and found it, with the Muppets trailer, too. Something about Gonzo, Miss Piggy, Chef, and Kermit with mechanical cars that reach the earth with glamorized industrialization. Either way, it's about summer cinema and seeing eye candy to take you away from reality for the evening.

Mike and I took Dylan to see the first Transformers and it blew us away. We had no idea it was going to be so phenomenal. The second was good, but I'm hoping the third is the bomb. There's something about seeing flicks from childhood (cartoons or half hour shows) turned into Hollywood hooplah. This is our culture. I watch it with amazement.

Bugs and the little world

In 1996, when Microcmos came out, I was fascinated by the world of bugs. Underneath our feet (and leaves) exist tremendous activity of little creatures finding food, fighting, mating, warring, and struggling to maintain their existence. That's probably why I capture bugs in my home and let them go outside. I figure they have plenty to do in their spare time rather than racing up and down windows thinking there's a way through the glass when there's not.

I'm such a naturalist. I can't help it. Let the little critters be.

Loyal to the Saucony

I've been wearing Saucony sneakers since 1989 when I first found a pair on a clearance rack when I was a junior in high school. I've been addicted ever since. In fact, I probably go through three pairs a year, wearing the tread out of them and moving on to another pair (this is what one gets when a gorilla decides to run to stay sane).

Unlike Nike, they don't have to advertise and, I suppose, it keeps the price down, resulting in better quality. I've never had luck with Nikes and therefore I am a tremendous fan, although my left pinky toe pops through at about month three. That is a flaw, indeed. Even so, nothing feels better on the feet than running a few miles in a pair of Saucony kicks. I should be given a free pair, actually - I'm such a loyal customer.

Walking

My sister and I left my mom and dad's to walk the ol' neighborhood with my horse...the dog...leaving my mom in a frustrated tizzy of home improvement and dad's honey-do list, and returned to find she took initiative, recruited a friend of a neighbor and got things going. In the meantime, Cynde and I just walked. We moved. Moving gets the blood flowing and clears the mind. It feels good to put one leg in front of the other and look at yards, talk with people and to feel fresh air. It is amazing what such movement can do for the soul. I highly recommend it.

Come on, 2012 - Perks of Being a Wallflower

I just learned that PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky comes out in 2012 and Emma Watson will be Sam. I'm not sure who the rest of the cast is, or if they can capture the movie as well as the book makes most readers feel. Even so, they will try. Stephen Chbosky owes me free movie tickets to the premier. I've bought more copies of that book over the years, several class sets, and numerous gifts. I'm sure others will see the film coming out and eventually contact me. I've spread the text to many, many people...even if I still hate the ending.

I thought the last Harry Potter flick would be my demise, but now I have something to look forward to in 2012. Woot Woot.

summer buzz

Got the clippers out...my own that is. Used dad's a few weeks ago. Point is, it's easy to wear for the summer and being a fuzz head is simple. If Syracuse wasn't so frigid in the winter, I'd keep it this way all year long. But I need a rug on my head to keep it warm during the icy days...the Kramer look.

I'm actually pleased with this buzz video and think it could very easily be a commercial. I could make money on the side giving buzz cuts. If you want one, give me a call.

the BIG BAD graduation

Yesterday was spent celebrating my nephew's great achievement of graduating Pre-K at Shining Stars Day Care. The video highlights the events and shares both his and our pride of accomplishing a great feat. We are so proud of Sean and all the happiness (and friendliness) he brings to all who knows him.

What does this diploma thing do, anyway?

Well, it's official

I came home today and a for sale sign was out front. It's official. My house is in the market. I put together a video of my house in case any of you want to buy it or in case you know someone who is on the market. I love this space, but know it's time to move on to the next stage of my life. Of course, it would be helpful to have this abode sold. So sell it for me.

Sigh. It's sad to leave the space I've known for the last few years. But I have this video as a memory.

This one from Nikki

One of the pleasures of being home has been to be in proximity of my niece and nephews and their achievements with getting older and growing stronger as human beings (including Dylan's green dog with a badmitton nose). Nikki composed this digital media project through her photography in junior high school, where she had to show transformation from point A (early in the season) to point B (later in the season). As she learned new digital tools and vocabulary, she showed her unique eye for telling a story with images/photography and, with shrewd thinking, she applied music that told her story.

I post her noise on my blog today in celebration that her school year is almost complete and she'll soon be a Northstar at the high school where I graduated over twenty years ago. It's surreal, really, to think about time, transition, growth, change, and the inevitability that nothing sits still. When I was a junior high student, we didn't even have computers and I took typing classes. Today's youth are exposed to so much more and the potential they have for tomorrow is amazing.

Congratulations, Nikki! 9th grade is just the beginning.

I predict a thunder bumper

Yesterday's heat formed cool clouds but they moved east and didn't hit Syracuse. With more heat expected today, I imagine that a thunderstorm will pass through because Friday's temperature is supposed to be cooler. Something must break the heat and I imagine we'll have a few nice storms. I am looking forward to see what today brings and I post this video to teach us all what it will take for the storms to arrive.

Bert and John John

Francis Mican had this on Facebook yesterday and it took me down memory lane. I remember watching this as a kid and it still resonates today. John John seems fascinated with Bert as a real creature and interacts with him as an authentic source. It's funny. I would be looking under the table at the strings and and wondering where the voice was coming from. Nope. John John trusts Bert and that he is the real thing. It's a classic.

I hate mosquitoes

There isn't a solution to mosquitoes in the summer and I admit they are the peskiest, most annoying monsters on earth. Thank God they don't carry Lyme disease or the black plague because we'd all be gone. I know this spring was extra wet and we're paying for it now.

I'm like a pin cushion of bites and they're truly annoying. Sunrise to sundown they are everywhere. I want to order bats for my lawn just so they will eat them all. Ugh. I say spray whatever it takes to kill the eggs. Their population needs to be reduced. They are the greatest nuisance of the summer. I hate them.

Onondaga Lake Parkway

I've always known that walking muscles are different from running muscles and with the heavy lifting of dirt and filling the crater in my backyard, my usual runs, and the walks at Onondaga Lake Park, my leg muscles are sore. Even so, I've enjoyed walking the trail I walked many times as a high school student, especially as I get ready to depart for new territories.

The goose poop smells, the people watching is peculiar, but it is definitely one of the nicer romps in the Syracuse area, especially as you turn around at mile two and head towards the city with the lake on the right. It would be nice to know it was no longer polluted and that it was as pristine as it was meant to be. This commercial makes it look alluring. I guess we should count our blessings that it doesn't glow in the dark like some toxic waters do.

Out of creative juices

I did a lot of house cleaning yesterday and, well, I hate cleaning the house. I'd much rather be outside doing yard work and tracking mud and grass indoors. Even so, my house smells clean. I am thankful, too, that there are more and more inventions of cleaning devices to make things go easier, including the Swiffer steamer for my tiled floors. It's cool to see the steam poor out of the mop and at least it feels like things are getting cleaner.

Seriously, though. Everyone should have to move twice a year. Why? To purge all the crap you've accumulated and to see how much dust is collected because you refuse to throw this or that away. Do you really need it? Did you ever really need it? Probably not. I'm totally thinking like a minimalist now and don't want anything but a bed.

In the meantime, I found a video celebrating my steam mop. One day at a time. Woot Woot for the shark.

Cabbie Bry

Twenty some odd years later and I am back at the junior high school dropping off 9th graders for the semi-formal. Seems like yesterday I bought a peach tie, feathered my hair, and went to the dance myself. Zoom. Fast forward. Nothing sits still, except they have a lot more security guards than they used to and the kids hype it up a lot more than we did. Times have become more glamorous I suppose. It's all good. My niece and her friends were stylin! I hope they had a good time.

God-Forbid Father Is Late

Well, Jacob turned two on Wednesday night but I'm just now posting his birthday cupcake video. I was a day later than I planned, but it's all good. Two years ago this week, Casey went into labor and gave birth to Mr. Pug Nose. He grew into it, however, and now he's got a button nose.

It's hard to imagine the world without the little guy.

Cuz my Cos

This is another video created about my cousin's work, Hoops4Hope, and features some of the camp activity in South Africa. Every year I am more inspired by his efforts and dedication - simply an incredible guy with a vision that has helped many children in two nations. I am looking forward to living nearer to him so, perhaps, we might coordinate efforts.

I can hear the twins and other boys I've worked with singing this song, as they sang it all through the World Cup last year!

Can it be true?

For years, I would return from Denmark raving about their Magnum bars. I've heard rumors that they've made their way to the U.S., but I saw an advertisement this morning to confirm their sighting. They have arrived. I am doubtful they can be as good as in Denmark but I can hope, no? The cream they use overseas seems to be much richer and smooth than the American ice cream tradition. Even so, I will keep my fingers crossed that it is true. They are here, and if they are, yum for us. Yum for sure.