Haunting...

I caught a very interesting documentary about the children of Chernobyl (Gomel region of Ukraine and Belarus) on HBO. "Chernobyl Heart" is a haunting account that travels to local hospitals and mental asylums within the region to examine the victims of this horrible disaster. If you get a chance to see it, I highly recommend a viewing. It's hard to fathom that these people continue to suffer so greatly from a tragedy that has long since been forgotten by the rest of the world.

Those Little Purchases!

• Went to use the credit card today, but it was cancelled, apparently some MSC. expeditures caught the credit card company's eye: I've been a victim of Identity Fraud! Finally, I can actually say I'm a resident of California! It's funny how LebowskiFest, Brazil and Miami didn't phase them a bit, but these purchases in Baltimore and Denver caught their eye:
  
  -Boston Market--> Denver, CO $ 22.67
  -Safeway Store --> Denver, CO $402.82
  -SuperShuttle Denver-> Denver $ 54.00
  -Safeway Store--> Denver, CO $600.00
  -Denver Niketown-->Den, CO $408.88
  -Quizno's Subs--> Denver, CO $ 40.16
  -Giant Food Inc-->Baltimor,MD $415.74
  -Exxon Mobile-->Baltimor, MD $ 29.74
  -Foot Section-->Baltimore, MD $630.00

Hmm. $2,604.01 on nothing in less than a week. Well done, crooks. Besides the obvious disappointment in the amount of work that is going to have to be done in order to fix this, it saddens me that today's criminals still don't know how to spend money. I can only imagine what better things I could have spent $2,604.01 on! That's a trip around the world, easily!

It reminds me of a Jazz station I used to listen to in Detroit. They were holding this contest where the winner could fly anyplace in the world. Well, one morning I tuned in and this screaming lady who won was going to pick her destination. She was taking a long time to decide, and rightfully so I thought. As I waited at the stoplight, eagerly anticipating her response, I imagined the most expensive ticket I could think of; the jungles of Madagascar, the nerve center of Genghas Khan's Nomadic tribes in Kharkhorin, Mongolia, or perhaps a visit to Tashkent. Hell, why not Antartica? Well, before the light turned green there was a long drawn out sound of a horn...for me beating my head againsnt the steeling wheel in defeat. She had chosen....Sin City, Las Vegas, Nevada. I hope she runs into the guys that stole my credit card information.

From my old supervisor...

“In the business world, everyone is paid in two coins: Cash and Experience. Take the experience first; the cash will come later.” (Harold Geneen)

2 Years, Ayyyy Dios!

Today marks my 2nd year anniversary as a Contracting Officer with the good ole US Federal Government! My, how 2 years has flown by! While the intern group I was apart of in Michigan is spending the day celebrating their graduations from the program-complete with formal ceremony, I'm sitting here swamped with work in Long Beach. I was the only one of 20 interns to jump ship early and head for greener (literally) pastures.

In the words of the "the real" Lebowski, who we'll meet in a few short weeks, :

"It's funny. I can look back on ..[2 years].. of achievement, on challenges met, competitors bested, obstacles overcome. I've accomplished more than most men, and without the use of my legs. What. . .What makes a man, Mr. Lebowski?

I think the Dude's response is as good as I'll ever get to answering that question: "A pair of testicles!" Seriously though, I'm still not sure about this career path, but at least it allows for career growth and time to travel. Besides, I really can't complain, especially since, with this promotion, I receive over a 20% raise in my salary! Just gotta watch those golden handcuffs now!

Pic of the Week...

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez talks with people who were affected by flooding in Araira in Miranda state, about 50 km (31 miles) from Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005, after floodwaters receded following a disaster that has left at least 15 people dead. (AP Photo/Miraflores, Marcelo Garcia).

Good Eye, Nick. Good Eye!

Layin' Low...

Yeup, while the rest of my fellow Californians suffered under the neverending rainstorm, I flew over to Miami and basked in the sun with friends in South Beach. Trading Southern California for Southern Florida for a weekend..especially this deluged weekend..proved to be a wise choice.

Reunited!

Reunited with old friends..its been entirely too long but trust me, some things never change! I hadn't seen Kirk in almost 2 years, and Jamel in one, but we didn't waste anytime partyin' it up!...I also got to meet lots of Jam's friends from south of the border...Cubans, Colombians, Belizeans, Puerto Ricans...Miami..what a great city!

South Beach

At Delano in South Beach, probably the poshest place I've been since Lalia in Istanbul:). Miami truly doesn't sleep and her clubs don't close. This is THE hottest city in the US. Off the Hizzy!

Roasted Drake...

Put a fork in me, I'm done. As a desert rat once uttered, "Exhaustion has set in."

bAd NeWs...

Received at 2:30am from Colleen after a night out with some SNs in cold ass Michigan:

colleen. tee hee. says:
so stfu, pos

AYYYYY DIOS, this can't be a good thing....it's catching on..

Here's To The "Good" Life...

It doesn't rain very often in Southern California..but sometimes it's nice when it does..allows you to catch your breath a little..

...Hungover and shuffling through a used-book store one Sunday afternoon in Long Beach, I stumbled across a book that kept me occupied on the flight down to Brazil. It was called "Finding Hope In The Age of Melancholy"...just the book you want to start reading on your way to Carnaval, right?! HA! Ah well, it kept me intrigued and drinking and I guess that was the point.

Anyway, it was a real account about an American man who had amassed all the material wealth (complete with career and family) that society had to offer and ended up in a very real mid-life crisis. Depression and confusion set in. The book is quite direct and to the point--with lots of historical references-- about how a man found meaning back into his life. For him it was done through spirituality, but I suppose one can draw inner-strength and mental clarity from a myriad of sources..be it a simple change of scenery, flying at 35,000 feet, or just by witnessing the incredible diversity throughout the world. I won't digress anymore about this book, however I do recommend it to anyone who occasionally likes to kick the can down the dusty and sometimes barren road of life. It certainly contains themes and ideas about America --and even the world--that I've seen posted throughout these blogs over the months.

One in particular relates back to the "The quarter-life" crisis, which is probably what drew me to it picking it up in the first place. Turning 25 next month, I realize the days are going by faster and faster, and sometimes it seems there isn't much to show for it. Are we blindly following a generation (baby boomers) that has chosen materialism and money to substitute human relationships, make them happy, and ultimately rule their lives?

On a personal level..Am I questioning and challenging myself on a daily basis or am I simply going through the motions..sending pointless bytes of information into cyberspace and collecting the paychecks...so that I can quickly run out and consume like the mindless blob that I know my Government thinks I am. Am I caught up in "the system"? You know, the one that perpetuates the status-quo and really does little to make the world a better place. Ahh, how I love thee...Self- reflection...

Sifting through all the madness, it does seem that most gauge their passing of age by some measure of whether or not they are living or on their way to..the "Good Life"..what can I do to achieve this nirvana? Hollywood promotes the "Good Life" as the 'Happy Life' and by buying, divorcing, and self-medicating yourself away from any real pain, people who have the purchasing power can achieve this...

As I turn older, I am beginning to realize how foolish this all is. The Good Life isn't about fat paychecks, great careers, or (God forbid I say this) perfect weather all year around..It's about taking the good and the bad, the ups and the downs, the failures and successes. Life and Death, health and sickness. Friends and Family. It's about standing up for yourself and picking your battles..keeping your head up in rough times and steering yourself back on track. Free-Will. Indeed, how you deal with life's curveballs truly determines how well you're playing the game.

I guess that was one of the author's main points: sadness, despair, depression, guilt, and (from all the anti-valentines BS I saw on the blogs) even lonliness helps to make life just as beautiful as the joy, elation, and love. The "Good Life" is the tradegy of life, as flashed over our television newcasts day in and day out, mixed with the magical sensation of existence..like seeing old friends from distant places pop back into your life...

At 25, I can definately say I wasn't dealt a perfect hand, but, I'm def. enjoyin the ride...

Like Arthur said, "Ridin' the wave, baby, Ridin' the Wave"

So, some Quarter-Century Thoughts: The Ying and Yang. Carpe Diem. Life is precious.

You said it, Big Willie!

Party in the city where the heat is on
All night on the beach til the break of dawn
Welcome to Miami (bienvenido a Miami)

Bouncin' in the club where the heat is on
All night on the beach til the break of dawn
I'm going to Miami, welcome to Miami....

Before our very eyes...

Less than a month after Airbus unveiled the largest passenger jet in history (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4183201.stm), Boeing announced today its plan to fly the 777, which is able to fly longer than any other commercial aircraft to date..(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4266695.stm).. Cities that were never directly connected before will be shortly..and the world continues to shrink...Sydney to London, LA to Johannesburg...Greenville to Eau Claire..

Now, nevermind the Concorde, let's work on this whole speed thing!

I can't wait until I'm in my 40's. Breakfast in Rio, lunch in Istanbul, dinner on the banks of the Ganges, party until sunrise in Hong Kong, back in bed in LA before my wife catches me;)

Am I the only one that gets excited about news like this?

Gaigi..moments before switching back to Lebanese MTV...

Gaigi's Sister?

Karma, of Lebanon, introduced to me by none other than the Gaigi, talks of recent events that are happening in Beirut...she had many interesting things to say, but these she esp wanted me to quote her on:

"personally im glad that the US is in iraq..at least its close to us...and if we need them they can be in syria in an hour...."

"but you know what the beauty of lebanon is ...and the beauty of the lebanese ppl (quote me on this too) ..is that we dont give a f*ck.,..the next day we get up..go to work...go to school...fix our broken glasses and move on and rebuild...THAT is why they get jealous"

We also talked about Syrian occupation and brutality at the expense of the Lebanese people and some first hand encounters she had played witness to. I told her I felt sorry for what she had had to endure, but I admired how strong, discplined, and outgoing the people of the middle-east were...to which she replied, "you obviously don't know me that well.....otherwise you would have said beautiful, too"

Haha! Well! Maybe Lebanese MTV doesn't lie after all. GAIGI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8 year olds dude,8 year olds..

An open invitation from my lil bro:

If anyone is interested in joing this event, you are welcome to crash at our place on the rug. It really ties the room together, DOES IT NOT!
http://www.lebowskifest.com/la_west_shirt.asp

Surfin' Salvador..

Well, another continent down as this townie touches base with a country that to this date only rivals my trip to Turkey. Keep in mind I was only in Brazil for 5 days. The people, the spirit, and entire experience was something I'll carry with me for a long time. Remembering old memories and making new, I see why they issue 5 year visas to this place. In the words of my Governor, "I'll be back"....

Of course pictures do little to capture the sounds, smells, and sights..but let's just say Nick and I were more than blown away when we first saw the Carnaval in action...it's really the same feeling one gets when you walk into the Taj, or Blue Mosque, or some Cathedral in Europe...

http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=dai2i9p.4r84631h&x=1&y=-nun9r3

MosquecA in the BahiA...

Nick and I enjoying some peace and quiet (and Bahian Mosqueca) before Digs and friends show up...

Salvadorrrrrrrrrr...Carnaval in Bahia!

Mari aka "beijos" from Sao Paulo and Kiwi Jude take part in the world's coolest bloco.

Salvadorrrrrrrrrr...Carnaval in Bahia!

Digs trying to act tough while wearing a pink wife-beater. Pathetic.

Salvadorrrrrrrrrr...Carnaval in Bahia!

Nick, aka The Gringo who owns 90% of South America, enjoys some Blue Label with Digs while overlooking the Ocean at our hotel.

Salvadorrrrrrrrrr...Carnaval in Bahia!

2 million people lined the streets of Bahia's Carnaval..the craziest nights I've lived since being intoxicated in Istanbul and not knowing whether or not I was in Asia or Europe.

Salvadorrrrrrrrrr...Carnaval in Bahia!

historical district of Salvador, Brazil: Pelourinho.

Carnaval on my mind!

Sunrise over Salvador!

after Carnaval in Bahia, Brazil: which was one of the wildest events I've participated in, the sun rises over the South Atlantic....putting a temporary end to the madness;)..

DHYEYAH SADA SAVITRI MANDALA MADHYAVARTI
NARAYANAH SARSIJA SANA SANNI VISHTHAH!
KEYURVAN MAKAR KUNDALA VAAN KIRITI,
HARI HIRANYA MAYA VAPUR DHRIT SHANKHA CHAKRAH!

Braaaaaaaaazzzzzzziiiiillllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

I left my job, my boss, my car and my home
I'm leaving for a destination I still don't know
somewhere nobody must have duties at home
And if you like this, you can follow me
So let's go

Follow me
And let's go
To the place where we belong
and leave our troubles at home
Come with me
We can go
To a paradise of love and joy
A destination unknown

Now I won't feel those heavy duties no more
My life gets better now I finally enjoy
Yes all the people wanna come here and so
Come on and join us you can do that now
Let's go

Follow me
And let's go
To the place where we belong
and leave our troubles at home
Come with me
We can go
To a paradise of love and joy
A destination unknown

We left the city, the pollution, the crowd
The air is clear, the ocean's blue, I love that sound
we're happy for this destination we found
And if you want this, you can follow me
Let's go Follow me And let's go
To the place where we belong
and leave our troubles at home
Come with me
We can go
To a paradise of love and joy
A destination unknown

Gaudino "Destination Unknown"

Take Me To the Tatras!

Very inspirational Story indeed! As Joel suggested, everyone should start carrying cases of beer in their cars:

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1261997.html?menu