on the road (65)
Tonight I'm going to 'The Catholic Church of Holy Name of Jesus@ here in Manchester, where there is to be a solemn high mass with the St. Philip Neri Singers performing Mozart's Mass in C minor K.427 (with orchestra) and Borroni's 'Tota pulchra es.' I am going to go to confession before hand, and am preparing to be totally blown away by the Mass.
I'm beginning to think it would be worth it to come to Manchester just for this church and the services here. It was pretty funny, after I went to Sunday Mass there, I had breakfast at a little pub just down the road. I was in there for maybe 20 minutes before both priests from the church, in full cassocks, sauntered in and order pints. One of the priests then was called away on some urgent business, and you could see him - tall guy - through the window, striding away with his cassock flowing. Then he returned.
Tonight I'm going to 'The Catholic Church of Holy Name of Jesus@ here in Manchester, where there is to be a solemn high mass with the St. Philip Neri Singers performing Mozart's Mass in C minor K.427 (with orchestra) and Borroni's 'Tota pulchra es.' I am going to go to confession before hand, and am preparing to be totally blown away by the Mass.
I'm beginning to think it would be worth it to come to Manchester just for this church and the services here. It was pretty funny, after I went to Sunday Mass there, I had breakfast at a little pub just down the road. I was in there for maybe 20 minutes before both priests from the church, in full cassocks, sauntered in and order pints. One of the priests then was called away on some urgent business, and you could see him - tall guy - through the window, striding away with his cassock flowing. Then he returned.
Tonight I'm going to 'The Catholic Church of Holy Name of Jesus@ here in Manchester, where there is to be a solemn high mass with the St. Philip Neri Singers performing Mozart's Mass in C minor K.427 (with orchestra) and Borroni's 'Tota pulchra es.' I am going to go to confession before hand, and am preparing to be totally blown away by the Mass.
I'm beginning to think it would be worth it to come to Manchester just for this church and the services here. It was pretty funny, after I went to Sunday Mass there, I had breakfast at a little pub just down the road. I was in there for maybe 20 minutes before both priests from the church, in full cassocks, sauntered in and order pints. One of the priests then was called away on some urgent business, and you could see him - tall guy - through the window, striding away with his cassock flowing. Then he returned.
Tonight I'm going to 'The Catholic Church of Holy Name of Jesus@ here in Manchester, where there is to be a solemn high mass with the St. Philip Neri Singers performing Mozart's Mass in C minor K.427 (with orchestra) and Borroni's 'Tota pulchra es.' I am going to go to confession before hand, and am preparing to be totally blown away by the Mass.
I'm beginning to think it would be worth it to come to Manchester just for this church and the services here. It was pretty funny, after I went to Sunday Mass there, I had breakfast at a little pub just down the road. I was in there for maybe 20 minutes before both priests from the church, in full cassocks, sauntered in and order pints. One of the priests then was called away on some urgent business, and you could see him - tall guy - through the window, striding away with his cassock flowing. Then he returned.

Saturday, January 13 2007, 6:00 am
reporting from Belgium
We just went up to the Saturday market here in Dilbeek, with Frederic and the kids. We walked around the market and had a rice tart that was very similar to Finnish pancake. Then we walked up the rise to the city hall, which had beautiful and distinctive architecture and minaret-like towers. There was a lake with an island and geese and a park and a play structure, so we toured all of those.
We are in the Flemish part of Belgian so everyone here speaks Flemish (Dutch). Frederic is from France, so he speaks French to the kids, but Marjolein is from around here, so she speaks Flemish to the kids. They say it works well. Marjolein is on some kind of mission in Tunis, Tunisia, so we still haven't met her yet. She returns on the 18th.
The kids are cute. Borris, (4), was fishing in the pond for a "requin" (shark), and Nora, (2), was enthusiastically chasing after her brother, and going down wet slides, and falling over, and going pee in the bushes. We've been doing some babysitting, some household things, some garden/renovating type chores... Emma's been taking the lion's share of the cooking, I've been working on computers that are in California, nine timezones behind.
We are in the Flemish part of Belgian so everyone here speaks Flemish (Dutch). Frederic is from France, so he speaks French to the kids, but Marjolein is from around here, so she speaks Flemish to the kids. They say it works well. Marjolein is on some kind of mission in Tunis, Tunisia, so we still haven't met her yet. She returns on the 18th.
The kids are cute. Borris, (4), was fishing in the pond for a "requin" (shark), and Nora, (2), was enthusiastically chasing after her brother, and going down wet slides, and falling over, and going pee in the bushes. We've been doing some babysitting, some household things, some garden/renovating type chores... Emma's been taking the lion's share of the cooking, I've been working on computers that are in California, nine timezones behind.
categorized as on the road
Monday, July 10 2006, 10:04 pm
I drove down from PDX to SFO last night, from about 8pm to 5:30am. I watched the nearly-full moon traverse the entire sky over the course of my journey. My favorite road sign from the trip? Outside an R.V. park in Southern Oregon an advertisement read:
"You're Here!"
"You're Here!"
categorized as on the road
Thursday, December 29 2005, 11:41 am
En route to Minnesota... Mostly due to human error caused by extreme sleep deprivation we missed our early flight, and now we are sitting in sweltering Phoenix waiting for our flight out to the Midwest.
God Bless the Phoenix airport people: we walked right in, plugged in power, opened up the computer and was on the internet. However, it is restricted to port 80 traffic, so I will have to create a workaround for accessing ssh servers.
God Bless the Phoenix airport people: we walked right in, plugged in power, opened up the computer and was on the internet. However, it is restricted to port 80 traffic, so I will have to create a workaround for accessing ssh servers.
categorized as on the road
November 22, 2005, 12.01 pm
And this fellow is having the time of his life down in Peru...
categorized as on the road
July 31, 2005, 7.56 pm
I drove from Wadena to Missoula today or yesterday, or whenever that was. We just crossed back into Oregon state lines, and we are hungry and tired. But still having a darn good time.
categorized as on the road
July 11, 2005, 6.18 pm
Well, we made it back to Guatemala city from Flores without any 'incidents.' No lost hacky-sacks or anything this time...
But, you'll probably have to wait until tomorrow afternoon when I get home stateside before I post any more pictures.
But, you'll probably have to wait until tomorrow afternoon when I get home stateside before I post any more pictures.
categorized as on the road
July 8, 2005, 9.13 am
The three of us travelers standing by the font in which we all were baptised. Yes, the font is now is Guatemala City, were it was donated by our parish. Photo Credit: WT
categorized as on the road
July 7, 2005, 6.08 pm
The volcano smolders silently in the background, as we look out over the trees and a few outlying buildings of Guatemala city. Photo Credit: Joe T.
categorized as on the road
July 6, 2005, 10.54 am
So we arrived in Antigua last night, after spending all day touring a mission parish in Guatemala City and an orphanage outside the city. Now we have a day of just exploring Antigua, which is a cool little city, although it seems like it is over-run with tourists. More later. And yes, some pictures, too.
categorized as on the road
June 27, 2005, 8.04 pm
Just got to the Portland aeropuerto, and the flight's delayed a few minutes, but it's about to board and leave now...
I've had a whirlwind five days up here -- each day seemed liked a week or more.
Well, the people are starting to line up...
It's back to work tomorrow, morning... sigh...
I've had a whirlwind five days up here -- each day seemed liked a week or more.
Well, the people are starting to line up...
It's back to work tomorrow, morning... sigh...
categorized as on the road
June 24, 2005, 11.56 am
I don't know if it's just Oregon, or that I'm smiling at them first, but everyone here is friendly and smile-ly. Maybe it's the whole small-town thing. I dunno. I like it.
categorized as on the road
June 8, 2005, 8.12 pm
RAMBLIN' ON MAH MIND
Neoteronous and I are talkin' over plans for a lil' cross country ramblin' later this summer...
So far we're thinking about stopping in New Mexico, Texas, Illinois, Tennessee, Louisiana, maybe Georgia...
So far we're thinking about stopping in New Mexico, Texas, Illinois, Tennessee, Louisiana, maybe Georgia...
categorized as on the road
February 7, 2005, 1.06 pm
Back. In SoCal.
I drove from 12:30 pm Sunday to 11:15 am Monday.
22 hours, 45 minutes.
Vancouver to In-between-Santa-Paula-and-Ojai.
Time for a quick shower, a quick lunch, a quick class, and bed.
I drove from 12:30 pm Sunday to 11:15 am Monday.
22 hours, 45 minutes.
Vancouver to In-between-Santa-Paula-and-Ojai.
Time for a quick shower, a quick lunch, a quick class, and bed.
categorized as on the road
February 3, 2005, 12.57 pm
D: What's your motto, [name]?
[name]: I don't have a drinking problem. I drink, get drunk, fall down. No problem.
pause
[name]: It's kindof a long motto. I forget it sometimes.
P: What's your motto, D?
D: Um.
[name]: I don't have a drinking problem. I drink, get drunk, fall down. No problem.
pause
[name]: It's kindof a long motto. I forget it sometimes.
P: What's your motto, D?
D: Um.
categorized as on the road
February 3, 2005, 12.51 pm
Listen up for upcoming audio blogs. That's right, we have been audio blogging some of the *critical* moments of this trip. Like our recent *experience* in a Greasy Spoon (tm), named "Tiny's".
categorized as on the road
February 3, 2005, 9.39 am
WE'RE IN CANADA! YAY!
Actually, we're not. I lied. We are just leaving the Portland area and crossing into Washington.
I put in just about 17 hours behind the wheel, and then Paddy took over...
Actually, we're not. I lied. We are just leaving the Portland area and crossing into Washington.
I put in just about 17 hours behind the wheel, and then Paddy took over...
categorized as on the road
February 2, 2005, 10.31 pm
Blogging from In-N-Out in Davis. Ordered food, waiting for RR to come. Everyone is relatively well-satisfied with the trip so far, although we have only made it up here to Sac-town. Which is normally a 5-something hour drive up from school (when you can take the five). And we are eight hours into it. Hopefully our total trip time will still be in the 26-hour neighborhood.
categorized as on the road
January 8, 2005, 4.34 pm
Yeah, so you know I'm ALMOST ready to go when I pack the computer up. The computer always goes last. So one more blog before the road, and I'm on my way.
Oh yeah, and that is me over by the mixing console. Yeah.
Oh yeah, and that is me over by the mixing console. Yeah.
categorized as on the road
December 21, 2004, 5.17 pm
I'm in North America! In the time zone I was born in! Yay!
I am up in Vancouver, at Liz & Patty's house. I expect to be home via a bus and an airplane (and a car ride) thursday evening.
But first some partying in Vancouver.
I am up in Vancouver, at Liz & Patty's house. I expect to be home via a bus and an airplane (and a car ride) thursday evening.
But first some partying in Vancouver.
categorized as on the road
December 20, 2004, 7.56 am
I'm blogging from the heathrow airport, terminal five, using one of thesestupid silver, metallic keyboards that don't work very well. The Cork airport was cool: free wifi acess. Too bad I don't have a laptop...
Well, i am leaving England now, Vancouver-bound. Lots of traveling these last few days; won't be home until thursday.
Well, i am leaving England now, Vancouver-bound. Lots of traveling these last few days; won't be home until thursday.
categorized as on the road
December 17, 2004, 9.26 am
It's cold, cold here in Cork!
I just climbed a hill, and looking out over the city sang a few songs for Ireland.
Then I frantically hurried down the hill and into a local pub to avoid hypothermia, and have a few pints of Murphey's, which, incidentally tasted better than any Murphey's I've ever had before.
Then back to downtown Cork City, where I just found a cheaper (but still expensive) internet place to warm up in and blog from.
I just climbed a hill, and looking out over the city sang a few songs for Ireland.
Then I frantically hurried down the hill and into a local pub to avoid hypothermia, and have a few pints of Murphey's, which, incidentally tasted better than any Murphey's I've ever had before.
Then back to downtown Cork City, where I just found a cheaper (but still expensive) internet place to warm up in and blog from.
categorized as on the road
December 16, 2004, 3.42 pm
Cork is cool!
Liz and I kissed the Blarney Stone today! Many pictures! Spent the day exploring Blarney Castle and suchlike, now in Cork City, going to explore a bit tonight, methinks.
Liz and I kissed the Blarney Stone today! Many pictures! Spent the day exploring Blarney Castle and suchlike, now in Cork City, going to explore a bit tonight, methinks.
categorized as on the road
December 15, 2004, 10.53 am
Landed in Dublin yesterday. Am in Cork now, to see a miss J.C.!
Went to a pub last night to hear a live Irish band, and drink a pint of true-blue, pure-blood Irish Guiness.
I hear that the craic's good done here in Cork, and it was a beautiful pleasant train ride down...
Went to a pub last night to hear a live Irish band, and drink a pint of true-blue, pure-blood Irish Guiness.
I hear that the craic's good done here in Cork, and it was a beautiful pleasant train ride down...
categorized as on the road
December 12, 2004, 8.04 am
I'm in Cleakheaton, Yorkshire, near Bradford. Been partying, exploring with one of my best friend's families.
Ireland on Tuesday.
I land in Dublin, then make my way down to Cork, where I have a banjo-playing friend.
Ireland on Tuesday.
I land in Dublin, then make my way down to Cork, where I have a banjo-playing friend.
categorized as on the road
December 10, 2004, 7.30 am
Q: Would you ever return to the UK?
D: Definately. Absolutely. Without a doubt, yes!
D: Definately. Absolutely. Without a doubt, yes!
Woah. I haven't even left yet!
categorized as on the road
December 10, 2004, 7.30 am
Q: Would you ever return to the UK?
D: Definately. Absolutely. Without a doubt, yes!
D: Definately. Absolutely. Without a doubt, yes!
Woah. I haven't even left yet!
categorized as on the road
December 10, 2004, 3.45 am
NYC to Dublin for $153, round trip from $332. That's USD, too. I love this airline.
linkage: http://aerlingus.com
categorized as on the road
December 10, 2004, 3.14 am
Just gonna stay in the hous long enough to drink my coffee, yup... um, and check my email, yup... um, and book a flight to the emerald isle, yup, um...
If I give (just got another text from a friend saying "you should do it!") myself three days to get from Dublin to Cork, by hook or by crook, hitching or rail, that should be plenty, right? Especially if I want to go via Limerick?
Maybe I ought to empty something out of my pack, because my feet are basically like big callouses now...
If I give (just got another text from a friend saying "you should do it!") myself three days to get from Dublin to Cork, by hook or by crook, hitching or rail, that should be plenty, right? Especially if I want to go via Limerick?
Maybe I ought to empty something out of my pack, because my feet are basically like big callouses now...
categorized as on the road
December 10, 2004, 2.52 am
Didn't do ANYTHING yesterday, but got a whole TON of stuff to do today!
That's the way the razor slices, though. Going to change my digs from Manchester to Bradford this evening, and going to firm up my plans to jet over to Ireland for a few days (my buddy here is going "Do it! Do it! Do it!").
Alright, more later, but if there isn't, it's 'cause I'm running around like a crazy man... which is not a change from the usual, but...
And blogging from a 12" ibook feels, um, restricting when I've been doing it on a 1280x1024 PIV.
That's the way the razor slices, though. Going to change my digs from Manchester to Bradford this evening, and going to firm up my plans to jet over to Ireland for a few days (my buddy here is going "Do it! Do it! Do it!").
Alright, more later, but if there isn't, it's 'cause I'm running around like a crazy man... which is not a change from the usual, but...
And blogging from a 12" ibook feels, um, restricting when I've been doing it on a 1280x1024 PIV.
categorized as on the road
December 8, 2004, 4.53 pm
Just received this from The Hud, and it's pure poetry, so here goes:
Don I am applying for work in London so if you are going to stay there let me know and we will get a flat together, now that you are well i am ill, i have the shits hard core, left from kenya and am on pills. S.A is awsome and it is wild to see the family history and the cultue not to mention the birds the ladies are quite lovely so life is good could do d with some prayers and I will see you soon
God bless Ghud
God bless Ghud
More later.
categorized as on the road
December 8, 2004, 6.27 am
syndicated from Donzilla's outbound email...
Tonight I'm going to 'The Catholic Church of Holy Name of Jesus@ here in Manchester, where there is to be a solemn high mass with the St. Philip Neri Singers performing Mozart's Mass in C minor K.427 (with orchestra) and Borroni's 'Tota pulchra es.' I am going to go to confession before hand, and am preparing to be totally blown away by the Mass.
I'm beginning to think it would be worth it to come to Manchester just for this church and the services here. It was pretty funny, after I went to Sunday Mass there, I had breakfast at a little pub just down the road. I was in there for maybe 20 minutes before both priests from the church, in full cassocks, sauntered in and order pints. One of the priests then was called away on some urgent business, and you could see him - tall guy - through the window, striding away with his cassock flowing. Then he returned.
linkage: http://www.holyname.co.uk/index.html
categorized as on the road
December 8, 2004, 6.27 am
syndicated from Donzilla's outbound email...
Tonight I'm going to 'The Catholic Church of Holy Name of Jesus@ here in Manchester, where there is to be a solemn high mass with the St. Philip Neri Singers performing Mozart's Mass in C minor K.427 (with orchestra) and Borroni's 'Tota pulchra es.' I am going to go to confession before hand, and am preparing to be totally blown away by the Mass.
I'm beginning to think it would be worth it to come to Manchester just for this church and the services here. It was pretty funny, after I went to Sunday Mass there, I had breakfast at a little pub just down the road. I was in there for maybe 20 minutes before both priests from the church, in full cassocks, sauntered in and order pints. One of the priests then was called away on some urgent business, and you could see him - tall guy - through the window, striding away with his cassock flowing. Then he returned.
linkage: http://www.holyname.co.uk/index.html
categorized as on the road
December 8, 2004, 6.27 am
syndicated from Donzilla's outbound email...
Tonight I'm going to 'The Catholic Church of Holy Name of Jesus@ here in Manchester, where there is to be a solemn high mass with the St. Philip Neri Singers performing Mozart's Mass in C minor K.427 (with orchestra) and Borroni's 'Tota pulchra es.' I am going to go to confession before hand, and am preparing to be totally blown away by the Mass.
I'm beginning to think it would be worth it to come to Manchester just for this church and the services here. It was pretty funny, after I went to Sunday Mass there, I had breakfast at a little pub just down the road. I was in there for maybe 20 minutes before both priests from the church, in full cassocks, sauntered in and order pints. One of the priests then was called away on some urgent business, and you could see him - tall guy - through the window, striding away with his cassock flowing. Then he returned.
linkage: http://www.holyname.co.uk/index.html
categorized as on the road
December 8, 2004, 6.27 am
syndicated from Donzilla's outbound email...
Tonight I'm going to 'The Catholic Church of Holy Name of Jesus@ here in Manchester, where there is to be a solemn high mass with the St. Philip Neri Singers performing Mozart's Mass in C minor K.427 (with orchestra) and Borroni's 'Tota pulchra es.' I am going to go to confession before hand, and am preparing to be totally blown away by the Mass.
I'm beginning to think it would be worth it to come to Manchester just for this church and the services here. It was pretty funny, after I went to Sunday Mass there, I had breakfast at a little pub just down the road. I was in there for maybe 20 minutes before both priests from the church, in full cassocks, sauntered in and order pints. One of the priests then was called away on some urgent business, and you could see him - tall guy - through the window, striding away with his cassock flowing. Then he returned.
linkage: http://www.holyname.co.uk/index.html
categorized as on the road
December 7, 2004, 11.25 am
Working on the admin side of things here at EC. Spent a lazy day here on South Chichester Road, in Manchester. Took care of some business via email, read some in the Brothers K, did the dishes, and now some PHP goodnesss. Trying to fix my broken PHP upload script. Going out to see a band in a few minutes...
categorized as on the road
December 6, 2004, 10.23 am
Explored Manchester today, all over, with a good friend, drank LOTS of coffee, rode a ferris wheel, saw the sights, will post pictures if I can get the bluetooth up and running on this computer.
categorized as on the road
December 4, 2004, 6.59 am
Yesterday day went out and explored Manchester a bit... found a £1.45 deal for breakfast - served all day - by two crazy-old, little-old Italian ladies with wicked accents.
People say "wicked" a lot here. And "cheers."
"Cheers" means pretty much anything you want it too: "thank you," "you're welcome," "here's your change," "see you later," etc...
The English also name places names that I, myself personally, would NEVER have thought of calling anywhere.
All you have to do is look at a map at random and see places like "Lower Peover," or "Goostrey."
Anyways...
People say "wicked" a lot here. And "cheers."
"Cheers" means pretty much anything you want it too: "thank you," "you're welcome," "here's your change," "see you later," etc...
The English also name places names that I, myself personally, would NEVER have thought of calling anywhere.
All you have to do is look at a map at random and see places like "Lower Peover," or "Goostrey."
Anyways...
categorized as on the road
December 2, 2004, 7.39 pm
Pleasantly, AT&T celluar roaming and data rates are cheaper in the UK than in Africa.
Don't know why you'd be interested, but I am, and this thing (blog) is all about me, right? Right.
Don't know why you'd be interested, but I am, and this thing (blog) is all about me, right? Right.
linkage: http://www.attwireless.com/international/travelguide/coverage_details_wtg.jsp?CIDL=826&DID=10&CDID=
categorized as on the road
December 2, 2004, 5.10 pm
It's an amazing thing to travel thousands of miles away from your home, arrive in a new city, and immediately feel at right at home.
It takes only three things: (1) incredible hospitality, (2) good music, and (3) fast internet.
A back massage would be nice, but... that would be icing on the cake. I'm still pretty sore from my last two workouts - I had to take a break from the SEAL training that G and I were doing so I could get rid of typhoid and bronchitis, and so its a bit rough getting back into it.
Did I mention that I wrote twelve pages (well, a sketch or two too) in my journal while on that train? Funny, how I didn't think that I would write in it when my Mom gave it to me... I will scan in some of the more accessible pages when I get back to a scanner, so y'all can see whatever there is to see...
I actually got a comment on my handwriting - a positive comment - from a lady the other day... Wild... Sometimes I can't even read it.
It takes only three things: (1) incredible hospitality, (2) good music, and (3) fast internet.
A back massage would be nice, but... that would be icing on the cake. I'm still pretty sore from my last two workouts - I had to take a break from the SEAL training that G and I were doing so I could get rid of typhoid and bronchitis, and so its a bit rough getting back into it.
Did I mention that I wrote twelve pages (well, a sketch or two too) in my journal while on that train? Funny, how I didn't think that I would write in it when my Mom gave it to me... I will scan in some of the more accessible pages when I get back to a scanner, so y'all can see whatever there is to see...
I actually got a comment on my handwriting - a positive comment - from a lady the other day... Wild... Sometimes I can't even read it.
categorized as on the road
December 2, 2004, 5.10 pm
It's an amazing thing to travel thousands of miles away from your home, arrive in a new city, and immediately feel at right at home.
It takes only three things: (1) incredible hospitality, (2) good music, and (3) fast internet.
A back massage would be nice, but... that would be icing on the cake. I'm still pretty sore from my last two workouts - I had to take a break from the SEAL training that G and I were doing so I could get rid of typhoid and bronchitis, and so its a bit rough getting back into it.
Did I mention that I wrote twelve pages (well, a sketch or two too) in my journal while on that train? Funny, how I didn't think that I would write in it when my Mom gave it to me... I will scan in some of the more accessible pages when I get back to a scanner, so y'all can see whatever there is to see...
I actually got a comment on my handwriting - a positive comment - from a lady the other day... Wild... Sometimes I can't even read it.
It takes only three things: (1) incredible hospitality, (2) good music, and (3) fast internet.
A back massage would be nice, but... that would be icing on the cake. I'm still pretty sore from my last two workouts - I had to take a break from the SEAL training that G and I were doing so I could get rid of typhoid and bronchitis, and so its a bit rough getting back into it.
Did I mention that I wrote twelve pages (well, a sketch or two too) in my journal while on that train? Funny, how I didn't think that I would write in it when my Mom gave it to me... I will scan in some of the more accessible pages when I get back to a scanner, so y'all can see whatever there is to see...
I actually got a comment on my handwriting - a positive comment - from a lady the other day... Wild... Sometimes I can't even read it.
categorized as on the road
December 2, 2004, 4.20 pm
I think I want to be a writer. As a profession. And, as every twenty-two-year-old-writer-want-to-be thinks, I think I'll work for the BBC, and be an international journalist correspondent (keeping my long hair, and adding a nice tablet pc to my wardrobe). Yeah.
categorized as on the road
December 2, 2004, 4.16 pm
I'm in Manchester. It was a heckuva train ride, met my friend J at the station (Piccadilly) and now have FREE internet access.
Which is a step up from the 50p every five minutes that I paid this morning to post the previous entry and check my (negative) bank account balance.
So I expect to blog some more, later, and maybe even post pictures, if I can unobtrusively install bluetooth on this machine or something like that. Maybe I should get a MMC card reader (I would have, but I haven't found any that read XD, SD, and MMC, which would be ideal, for sale here, just on the internet).
FURTHER BULLETINS AS EVENTS WARRANT
Which is a step up from the 50p every five minutes that I paid this morning to post the previous entry and check my (negative) bank account balance.
So I expect to blog some more, later, and maybe even post pictures, if I can unobtrusively install bluetooth on this machine or something like that. Maybe I should get a MMC card reader (I would have, but I haven't found any that read XD, SD, and MMC, which would be ideal, for sale here, just on the internet).
FURTHER BULLETINS AS EVENTS WARRANT
categorized as on the road
December 2, 2004, 9.05 am
I'm in Guildford, flat broke. My bank account balance is $0, and in fact, I get digned a negative $1.50 when I try to check it from an atm, and then the bank dings me for that as well... It's rough, man... If only I'd consolidated my savings accounts when I first thought of it two weeks ago, but oh well...
I've got £5 in my pocket (borrowed) and a free place to stay (if I can walk back there, being unable to afford the bus).
That's what Africa (and rambling) does to you: it's two miles into town, you've got a 30-kilo pack on your back, and £5, and you say, I'm just going to walk into town, to save on the bus fare. And you do.
I've got £5 in my pocket (borrowed) and a free place to stay (if I can walk back there, being unable to afford the bus).
That's what Africa (and rambling) does to you: it's two miles into town, you've got a 30-kilo pack on your back, and £5, and you say, I'm just going to walk into town, to save on the bus fare. And you do.
categorized as on the road
November 26, 2004, 4.15 am
Hud and I split ways two days ago in Nairobi, and now I am traveling around the UK by myself. I am currently in London, hostel-jumping, and hoping to leave and head up country (where I have free lodging pretty soon).
There are some incredibly cheap flights from AerLingus (http://aerlingus.com), and I am thinking of taking a train to Liverpool, a £5 flight to Cork, hitchhiking from Cork to Dublin, a £5 flight from Dublin to Rome, and then back again. Now, wouldn't that be something?!
Incidentally, I ran into an Australia climber originally from Brisbon, name of Yogi Bear. Apparently he's pretty famous in climbing circles, and I was wondering if you'd ever heard of him. He used to be HUGE physically, and while bouldering would catch people falling from 15 meters in a bear hug. Great guy, met him in Westlands, Nairobi.
There are some incredibly cheap flights from AerLingus (http://aerlingus.com), and I am thinking of taking a train to Liverpool, a £5 flight to Cork, hitchhiking from Cork to Dublin, a £5 flight from Dublin to Rome, and then back again. Now, wouldn't that be something?!
Incidentally, I ran into an Australia climber originally from Brisbon, name of Yogi Bear. Apparently he's pretty famous in climbing circles, and I was wondering if you'd ever heard of him. He used to be HUGE physically, and while bouldering would catch people falling from 15 meters in a bear hug. Great guy, met him in Westlands, Nairobi.
...from an email I just sent, so I don't have to repeat myself...
categorized as on the road
November 26, 2004, 3.43 am
A friday morning in London.
Internet for 1 hour for £1.
A book full of journal entries from the last three months at my side.
Internet for 1 hour for £1.
A book full of journal entries from the last three months at my side.
categorized as on the road
November 25, 2004, 11.31 am
Staying just off Picadilly Circus, in the heart of London...
Um, things are really expensive here. I spent £40 today, including train from the airport (all-day pass), breakfast, some snacks, dinner, coffee, internet. That £40 took $76 out of my bank account, however. JD.
This rather uninspired photo was not taken by me, but rather was scrubbed off the internet simply for illustrative purposes.
Um, things are really expensive here. I spent £40 today, including train from the airport (all-day pass), breakfast, some snacks, dinner, coffee, internet. That £40 took $76 out of my bank account, however. JD.
This rather uninspired photo was not taken by me, but rather was scrubbed off the internet simply for illustrative purposes.
categorized as on the road
November 25, 2004, 4.40 am
I'm in London.
I'm going to explore it by myself for a few days, and then head up north to a friend's family's house.
I'm going to explore it by myself for a few days, and then head up north to a friend's family's house.
categorized as on the road
September 29, 2004, 3.15 am
P-fry, this coulda been you.
linkage: http://www.newsfeedonline.com
categorized as on the road
September 8, 2004, 11.13 am
Yo. Posting from Kisumu. Gareth is swatting mosquitoes, I covered myself in DEET, so no worries.
Here's a clip from an email (fan mail) that I just answered, just to keep you entertained:
Hey Don,
Great to hear from you. Just read your blog about 5 minutes ago, and nearly passed out laughing. I'm assuming you don't need guards anymore in Kisumu? How's all that rioting and such Fr. Martin was talking about?
Actually we still have guards in Kisumu, it seems like everyone hires Securicor. If you press the panic button, three guys wearing motocross helmets and bulletproof vests carrying sticks that look like baseball bats show up in anywhere from 2 to 9 minutes. Our nighttime oscari (guard) keeps pressing the button by mistake and the guys keep showing up...
Here's a clip from an email (fan mail) that I just answered, just to keep you entertained:
Hey Don,
Great to hear from you. Just read your blog about 5 minutes ago, and nearly passed out laughing. I'm assuming you don't need guards anymore in Kisumu? How's all that rioting and such Fr. Martin was talking about?
Actually we still have guards in Kisumu, it seems like everyone hires Securicor. If you press the panic button, three guys wearing motocross helmets and bulletproof vests carrying sticks that look like baseball bats show up in anywhere from 2 to 9 minutes. Our nighttime oscari (guard) keeps pressing the button by mistake and the guys keep showing up...
categorized as on the road
September 4, 2004, 9.06 am
Yo. I'm back in Nairobi after 3 days on Safari in the Maasai Mara (it's called the Serengeti in Tanzania). I would have a ton of great pictures, but my S5000 died a few days ago. The cheap-ass batteries (AA) couldn't take the heat and humidity of Mombasa and the Indian Ocean. So they leaked. And fried the camera.
Which is a bummer, because we got as close as you can possibly get to huge male lions in the wild. About 10-12 feet. We were in a safari van, and the lions left us alone because they were sleepy (it was mid-afternoon) and they had already eaten their kill. But it was WILD.
Anyways, I'm running out of time here, so more later. I do have tons and tons of pictures from the first few days, burned to cd, but the computer I am typing from does not have a cd drive. So they will come later!
Which is a bummer, because we got as close as you can possibly get to huge male lions in the wild. About 10-12 feet. We were in a safari van, and the lions left us alone because they were sleepy (it was mid-afternoon) and they had already eaten their kill. But it was WILD.
Anyways, I'm running out of time here, so more later. I do have tons and tons of pictures from the first few days, burned to cd, but the computer I am typing from does not have a cd drive. So they will come later!
categorized as on the road
August 30, 2004, 11.31 am
If you want to get in touch with us, you can text us at
Don's mobile: xxxxxxxxx
Or call internationally to our
local cell phone: xxxxxxxxxx
the country code for Kenya is +254, which you will need. Call an operator to ask how to place an international call. You may need to remove the leading 0 from before 720.
Please forward this email to anyone we left out (especially you, Sean DiNiCola). Thanks.
Jambo sana!
This is the first broadcast from the Wazungu Warriors [which means bad-assed white warriors], a title we have self-applied. Since we are pressed for time, we are just going to give you an somewhat comic outline here...
We were met by our two Kenyan scouts, Josephine and Antony, who know the land and the people, and are lethal to the touch.
This morning we all woke up to the sound of the Indian Ocean's breakers smashing against the coral reef. We are in beautiful Mombasa, on the far south-eastern side of Kenya. Yesterday we drove across most of Kenya, from Nairobi to Mombasa.
To tell the tale lightly, we have been driving like fiends over most of eastern Kenya. Driving here is "like playing high-speed chicken for hours" (quoting Jackie). Instead of speed bumps, there are speed mountains. Instead of curbs there are cliffs. Instead of potholes, there are caves or canyons or oceans. All of these are lethal: they could end your life. Jagged, decayed concrete lines the edges of the road, which seldom has comfortable space for the immense number of cars which travel at breakneck speeds in both directions.
The day after arriving we met with Stan, who was our personal Masai warrior. He took us to his tribe's traditional land, the Ngong Hills, his home.
Steve, Josephine's brother, showed us her family's homestead, which covered 10 acres, which was located outside a small African village. We were the first car this year to travel along the road, and the kids were amazed to see us whities [Mzungu]. He pointed out which leaves and trees to use to cure wounds, and other illnesses.
[ok, we're in a hurry now... people want to kill us... We are risking our lives to send you this email.]
We have travelled through the markets of Nairobi, which are nuts.
Our palace in Mombasa is guarded by bodyguards, who follow us around. Since guns are restricted, they carry arrows poison with Ouaban tree poison, which kills instantly upon contact.
[Let's go Let's go]
Our scout has warned us to move on.
Further bulletins as events warrant.
Their were guards at Antony's family's house, were we went to dinner. They were Masai, and we did not see or hear them. However, if we had been thieves, we would not be writing this email.
Hudson is running for the car. A mortar just took out the electricity, but we have 4 minutes of battery backup. It looks like the machine guns will lull us to sleep tonight again.
Gareth and Don, out. God Bless. We are praying for you.
Don's mobile: xxxxxxxxx
Or call internationally to our
local cell phone: xxxxxxxxxx
the country code for Kenya is +254, which you will need. Call an operator to ask how to place an international call. You may need to remove the leading 0 from before 720.
Please forward this email to anyone we left out (especially you, Sean DiNiCola). Thanks.
Jambo sana!
This is the first broadcast from the Wazungu Warriors [which means bad-assed white warriors], a title we have self-applied. Since we are pressed for time, we are just going to give you an somewhat comic outline here...
We were met by our two Kenyan scouts, Josephine and Antony, who know the land and the people, and are lethal to the touch.
This morning we all woke up to the sound of the Indian Ocean's breakers smashing against the coral reef. We are in beautiful Mombasa, on the far south-eastern side of Kenya. Yesterday we drove across most of Kenya, from Nairobi to Mombasa.
To tell the tale lightly, we have been driving like fiends over most of eastern Kenya. Driving here is "like playing high-speed chicken for hours" (quoting Jackie). Instead of speed bumps, there are speed mountains. Instead of curbs there are cliffs. Instead of potholes, there are caves or canyons or oceans. All of these are lethal: they could end your life. Jagged, decayed concrete lines the edges of the road, which seldom has comfortable space for the immense number of cars which travel at breakneck speeds in both directions.
The day after arriving we met with Stan, who was our personal Masai warrior. He took us to his tribe's traditional land, the Ngong Hills, his home.
Steve, Josephine's brother, showed us her family's homestead, which covered 10 acres, which was located outside a small African village. We were the first car this year to travel along the road, and the kids were amazed to see us whities [Mzungu]. He pointed out which leaves and trees to use to cure wounds, and other illnesses.
[ok, we're in a hurry now... people want to kill us... We are risking our lives to send you this email.]
We have travelled through the markets of Nairobi, which are nuts.
Our palace in Mombasa is guarded by bodyguards, who follow us around. Since guns are restricted, they carry arrows poison with Ouaban tree poison, which kills instantly upon contact.
[Let's go Let's go]
Our scout has warned us to move on.
Further bulletins as events warrant.
Their were guards at Antony's family's house, were we went to dinner. They were Masai, and we did not see or hear them. However, if we had been thieves, we would not be writing this email.
Hudson is running for the car. A mortar just took out the electricity, but we have 4 minutes of battery backup. It looks like the machine guns will lull us to sleep tonight again.
Gareth and Don, out. God Bless. We are praying for you.
first group email. email me for numbers.
categorized as on the road
August 28, 2004, 4.30 am
Hello! I'm in Nairobi! I've been in Kenya for 3 days now, and each day feels like a week. I've been hard pressed to find internet access, but I have it now, because I asked politely in the office of the travel agent that we are trying to get a safari from.
We have had amazing adventures so far, but lucky for you, dear readers, I've been keeping a journal. So when I get to a more restful internet place, hopefully with the Dominican's in Kisumu.
I have also taken, in three days, over 600 digital pictures, many turning out amazingly well with the S5000's automatic shutter option fluttering out the windows of the car. Africa is amazing, vivacious, stimulating. More later.
I will post some photos, too.
We have had amazing adventures so far, but lucky for you, dear readers, I've been keeping a journal. So when I get to a more restful internet place, hopefully with the Dominican's in Kisumu.
I have also taken, in three days, over 600 digital pictures, many turning out amazingly well with the S5000's automatic shutter option fluttering out the windows of the car. Africa is amazing, vivacious, stimulating. More later.
I will post some photos, too.
categorized as on the road
August 21, 2004, 11.06 pm
I am in Vancouver now, drinking mead brewed by a great friend of mine. Tommorrow we leave for Kenya.
I traveled to Vancouver via St. Paul, Minnesota, and Phoenix, Arizona. It's a long story.
Further bulletins as events warrant, and as internet access permits.
I traveled to Vancouver via St. Paul, Minnesota, and Phoenix, Arizona. It's a long story.
Further bulletins as events warrant, and as internet access permits.
categorized as on the road
August 18, 2004, 12.05 am
Ok, I lied. So sue me. Why is it that with months and months of advance notice, packing is ALWAYS DONE AT THE LAST MINUTE!!!?!?!
categorized as on the road
August 17, 2004, 10.45 pm
And that's it folks. Last blog for a while, methinks. Perhaps I'll shout out to y'all from Vancouver before I leave. I will run a few errands and then fly out on the first leg of my journey tommorrow. God Bless, Peace.
- Don
- Don
categorized as on the road
August 9, 2004, 12.57 pm
Spend yesterday (afternoon) at the beach with family and old friends.
We had a great time.
We played a vicious game of ultimate frisbee with three man teams, a short course, close to the water, and no boundary on the ocean side. This resulted in many spectacular diving catches and many (almost as) spectacular diving misses.
We also dug an enormous pit, the plan being to fortify it with a driftwood roof, and then sleep in it out on the beach. When I say an enormous pit, I mean 8' x 10' x 4-5'.
Then this morning it's over the hill to work, driving along probably my favorite road of all time, the Fairfax-Bolinas road. For sheer enjoyment it beats the pants off of the Ojai mountain road. No contest. If you're ever out here in Marin, and want to put your life into my hands, I'll take you over that road. And this is in a 1991 Vovlo Station Wagon with stock suspension, mind you. Tires squeal around almost every corner. Fishtails and tailslides are not uncommon. It's AWESOME.
We had a great time.
We played a vicious game of ultimate frisbee with three man teams, a short course, close to the water, and no boundary on the ocean side. This resulted in many spectacular diving catches and many (almost as) spectacular diving misses.
We also dug an enormous pit, the plan being to fortify it with a driftwood roof, and then sleep in it out on the beach. When I say an enormous pit, I mean 8' x 10' x 4-5'.
Then this morning it's over the hill to work, driving along probably my favorite road of all time, the Fairfax-Bolinas road. For sheer enjoyment it beats the pants off of the Ojai mountain road. No contest. If you're ever out here in Marin, and want to put your life into my hands, I'll take you over that road. And this is in a 1991 Vovlo Station Wagon with stock suspension, mind you. Tires squeal around almost every corner. Fishtails and tailslides are not uncommon. It's AWESOME.
categorized as on the road
July 30, 2004, 8.28 pm
Crap. I have to re-register for an absentee-ballot in order to vote before November, when I will be in Kenya, and, most likely, completely inaccessible via normal mail. Mail sent to me there will, in all likelihood, not get to me until after I get back.
(I'm assuming this, really, I have no idea what the mail service is like over there from actual experience...)
(I'm assuming this, really, I have no idea what the mail service is like over there from actual experience...)
categorized as on the road
July 15, 2004, 6.07 pm
Most of you probably know my blogfather, Seldom Sober, but I decided to post this to help him out anyway.
He is driving cross country, and thought up a Blogs Across America travel plan.
So if you can host a fellow blogger for a night or so, or even just meet him for a beer somewhere, I invite you to extend a warm hand of welcome to him.
As his sometime-roommate and housemate, I can vouch for him having sanitary behavior. He cleans up after himself. And did I mention he can cook?
Hold on to your liquor cabinet keys, though.
categorized as on the road
Commentary:
http://nailincoffin.com
and washington is driving through you...
Maedhros