Break It Down Again..

No more sleepy dreaming! Or driving around in the slow lane without A/C! With temps consistently in the 90sF (they're not joking when they call it "Hotlanta"), I finally broke down and bought a new car. I think the drive to the Braves game finally sealed the deal...rush hour traffic, 6 lanes of traffic, the Volvo the only one with the windows down, breathing in exhaust fumes for an hour, sweating it out. No California-sea breeze to cool us down. That being said, I love the heat. I love that it is 80 for a low at night. It's really nothing to contend with actually, esp. since central air is everywhere in Atlanta, along with pools.

Anyway, I almost punched the dealer when he offered $500 for the old Volvo. It wasn't traded in, and will continue to roam the streets (the very near streets) of Atlanta. Sad to say, but the city is a completely different ride when you have new wheels. Let the horsin' around begin..

The Slow South

I've yet to really articulate my impressions of "the South" (US) but for the most part it's pretty positive. The weather, the people, the outdoors, the nightlife(I hear there is a lot;) but I will say this: The mail here is SLOW. Slower than anything I've ever experienced. Today for example I got a birthday card from home. 3 months and 3 days late;). God Bless the South! The slower pace makes adjusting back to the fast paced US lifestyle much, much easier.

But 3 months!? The funny thing is my younger brother's birthday is tomorrow so I thought my parents just got confused and sent a card to Atlanta instead of Los Angeles.

Blue Hole

Prior to arriving, I told Jam that if I do nothing else in Belize I want to fly over the Blue Hole (and drink a Belikin). Well, for her 25th birthday, that's exactly what happened. In a 1964 Cessna that felt more like being in a toy than a plane, we took for the seas and parked it at about 8,000 feet. It hits you when after you step out you see 2 guys push it back into it's parking space.



At any rate, I can say that the islands off the coast of Belize offer some of the most spectacular views. Belize claims to have 3 of the 4 atolls (defined to me as an island surrounded by a ring of coral) in the Western hemisphere, along with literally hundreds of smaller cayes scattered throughout the sea.

I asked the pilot if there would be an in-flight beverage service, to which he replied, "Man, you could have brought up rum and done shots if you wanted". Everyone, I hope you are taking notes.



30 minutes later I saw it in the distance from the cockpit window. The pilot took a turn ("squaring it up" to get a closer look) so sharp I thought I was going to fall out of plane. Next time I'm pulling a Jacques Cousteau and going by boat! Jam of course was perfectly fine and I lamented about how it is she can be so afraid of rollercoasters but perfectly calm in a little '64 Cessna.



I've always been fascinated with flying and some day, time and money permitting, I'd love to learn.




FYI: It's good to own an island, but not good to sail your tanker into coral.

Good Office Conversation Starter..

Come in after a few weeks off with some "cocaine" (I purchased some before it was banned last month).

"How are you doing this morning?"
"Great, this cocaine really helps me focus!"