Upon reflection this day was great. It didn't always feel that way within, but as a whole it comes out a head. The main reason is the Supreme Court. I watched an oral argument. It was fascinating. The best part was body language. Clarence Thomas slouched a lot. Justices looked perplexed, thoughtful, frustrated, pleased and they joked and prodded. I would have been completely lost if not for the helpful explanation of a stranger in line. He helped me listen to the case with context.
The case was about standing, injury in fact or injury in law. It made sense at the time.
I actually had long-ish conversations with three strangers today. The last in a game shop where I may have completed Christmas shopping.
Productivity was solid. Activity was decent. Thankfulness good. Creativity didn't kick in until I captioned my photos. More to do tomorrow, but it will be hard to top today's success in court.
12/7/11- The Internet calls to me this morning. Its call is hunger, boredom, a need for connection. I have none of these things with much strength, but there's an emptiness before breakfast I'm going to look at the map and see if that settles me.
We're in Opoutere now at a quaint little campground with beach access. We spent several hours walking the beach and lounging about. It was quite nice. Driving out of Auckland was Xtreme!, but otherwise the left side of the road makes about as much sense as the right. Turns still scare me a bit, but for the most part I found a groove as we drove to and then rejected a Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite. It was lovely and spartan, but we were unprepared at that point.
We had lunch in a beach town, Tairua, at a joint called "Out of the Blue." It seemed family run. Both our dishes had plum sauce and were quite good. We also sampled L&P, world famous in New Zealand since ages ago, as recommeded by TJ and Reis . Tasty, but not noel like Malt in Iceland. I often find myself making comparisons like that, though not always with so much judgment. It's like I'm seeking to classify the experience with or near another I've had. Even the walk to the beach reminded me of Jurassic Park and I didn't even experience that. Hopefully a T-rex won't wake us from our tent slumber tonight. We can hear lots of birds and the wind is whipping over the hills, but I think crashing waves are out of earshot.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
11/26/11 - Kermit and fate?
The Muppets were the highlight of the day. Better than the Pancake Pantry, better than the Cherokee Grill, better than a canoe ride around the lake, even better than a little run, enjoying the Muppets in theaters with Clare, Carol, and Mimi took the cake. I laughed. I nearly cried. I missed my grandma and our trips to the movies. I missed my childhood and the hopeful singing messages of those wonderful Jim Henson puppets. They were self-aware enough to be cool. Cheesy enough to be fun. I think I laughed more than anyone in the theater.
I'm ready to be home again. I hope I can last longer in New Zealand. Wait. One more note on the Muppets: I found it particularly troubling that Kermit had slipped into a life he'd never meant. If Kermit can't stay the course, how can the rest of us hope to?
I'm ready to be home again. I hope I can last longer in New Zealand. Wait. One more note on the Muppets: I found it particularly troubling that Kermit had slipped into a life he'd never meant. If Kermit can't stay the course, how can the rest of us hope to?
11/25/11 and 12/6/11- Naps and Mac's
Napping, hiking, eating, napping- today was a day of classic relaxation. We hiked to Abram Falls, about 5 miles and I'm not sure what else we did. I'm thankful that I got to spend some time with C and have a nice chat with her sister. I got a few decent photos, played a 30-minute hand of UNO and watched the tale end of Lohan's Freaky Friday. I go to bed thinking I need to run. It wasn't a bad day at all, but I look forward to eating better soon. Soon is probably not tomorrow. By better, I really only mean fewer desserts.
12/6- I crashed hard on the flight to Auckland and struggled to get to the youth hostel. We made it though. C said at one point my sleep was a snore. I remember saying that I didn't like the bed while sitting up, but as soon as I was prone it was glorious. I look forward to a return to bed right now.
I woke up early, maybe 6:30 NZ time, walked around the block, started a new book and then crashed until 10 AM. We had some pies for breakfast. What is silver beet? We then walked down Queen St. to the harbor. We looked at marked down Rugby World Cup merchandise, but didn't buy. C needed a nap, I went to a nearby square where Occupy Auckland and a live art display shared some space. I helped a small group of people put together a puzzle of red over-sized pieces. It had the desired effect as strangers were talking and working together. I left extremely satisfied. Not even giant seagulls or dancing businessmen with cell phones could deter me.
C and I ate lunch at a cafe called Shaky Isles. We then took a bus to Mt. Eden, a former volcano now with grassy crater, with great views of Auckland. There's much more to the city than we'll see, but we got ready for our meal with Daimon's friend TJ and his flat mate Reis. They are both comedians and it was a joy to share a Mac's beer and exchange observations and conversation. We had drinks at Cassette and dinner at Mezze. I'd to like to better recount the day and tie it to philosophy the way my book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance does, but sleep calls and I just want to get the day down. Tomorrow we drive--- on the left.
12/6- I crashed hard on the flight to Auckland and struggled to get to the youth hostel. We made it though. C said at one point my sleep was a snore. I remember saying that I didn't like the bed while sitting up, but as soon as I was prone it was glorious. I look forward to a return to bed right now.
I woke up early, maybe 6:30 NZ time, walked around the block, started a new book and then crashed until 10 AM. We had some pies for breakfast. What is silver beet? We then walked down Queen St. to the harbor. We looked at marked down Rugby World Cup merchandise, but didn't buy. C needed a nap, I went to a nearby square where Occupy Auckland and a live art display shared some space. I helped a small group of people put together a puzzle of red over-sized pieces. It had the desired effect as strangers were talking and working together. I left extremely satisfied. Not even giant seagulls or dancing businessmen with cell phones could deter me.
C and I ate lunch at a cafe called Shaky Isles. We then took a bus to Mt. Eden, a former volcano now with grassy crater, with great views of Auckland. There's much more to the city than we'll see, but we got ready for our meal with Daimon's friend TJ and his flat mate Reis. They are both comedians and it was a joy to share a Mac's beer and exchange observations and conversation. We had drinks at Cassette and dinner at Mezze. I'd to like to better recount the day and tie it to philosophy the way my book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance does, but sleep calls and I just want to get the day down. Tomorrow we drive--- on the left.
Thursday, July 05, 2012
12/5/11- A long day
There is no December 4 entry. It was gobbled up in a mess of time zones and travel. The flight to Sydney was better than expected. I watched "Bridesmaids," "Thor," and "I love you too" before finally getting to sleep at something like who knows what time- maybe ten to midnight Sydney time. I was very grateful for the in-flight entertainment options of Virgin Australia and for the kind flight attendants with brilliant accents. I slept off and on for four good hours and two average hours. The plane landed around 6:30 AM and we were seeing the Sydney sights by about 7:30.
The Opera House and the bridge were very photo-worthy in the morning. We walked the bridge, had a snack, headed to Balmain by ferry and had brunch. I enjoyed green eggs and ham. We walked Darling street for a while and battled fatigue. We then headed to Bondi beach. C had hopes of a nap on the beach, but a brisk wind and a light rain curtailed that desire. We walked Bondi street to Bondi junction passing souvenir shops and homes along the way. We had very little interest in anything as a desire to sleep grew stronger. We were looking forward to a New Zealand bed that night, but that was another three hour flight away. This is the other side of the world.
Arriving in Sydney, looking down at the ocean and trying to consider that we'd been over that water for 14 hours was too much to handle, but getting outside and getting to see some sites was worth it. Seeing the city as we landed was exciting. I sometimes forget how much I enjoy new places. There is mystery and fun in the new.
I'm tired and words aren't coming easily. The flight announcements are breaking my concentration. I'm easily distracted and easily angered. This may be the price of "time travel".
The Opera House and the bridge were very photo-worthy in the morning. We walked the bridge, had a snack, headed to Balmain by ferry and had brunch. I enjoyed green eggs and ham. We walked Darling street for a while and battled fatigue. We then headed to Bondi beach. C had hopes of a nap on the beach, but a brisk wind and a light rain curtailed that desire. We walked Bondi street to Bondi junction passing souvenir shops and homes along the way. We had very little interest in anything as a desire to sleep grew stronger. We were looking forward to a New Zealand bed that night, but that was another three hour flight away. This is the other side of the world.
Arriving in Sydney, looking down at the ocean and trying to consider that we'd been over that water for 14 hours was too much to handle, but getting outside and getting to see some sites was worth it. Seeing the city as we landed was exciting. I sometimes forget how much I enjoy new places. There is mystery and fun in the new.
I'm tired and words aren't coming easily. The flight announcements are breaking my concentration. I'm easily distracted and easily angered. This may be the price of "time travel".
Wednesday, July 04, 2012
11/23 and 11/24/11- On pie and pace
My work may be on hiatus, but Clare's goes on. We spent the morning in her office and I reaffirmed my distaste for: 1) long commutes 2) intern-type work.
The long drive to Gatlinburg, TN was a great chance to talk about the future, so we did. Nothing was settled, but we share more freely and we're in a good lace together even as we sometimes struggle to be in a good place individually. The drive did steal away some of my feeling of endless time and freedom. The miles will go quickly. I'm thankful to be here with Clare's family and I'm looking forward to our Thanksgiving day hike. Clare's sister is having a baby, affirming that Clare and I are moving at our own pace.
11/24- I appreciate the Thanksgiving tradition of the last 4 years. Clare, her dad, and I hike ini the Smoky Mountains while her mom and grandmother prepare dinner. This year's hike involved a cabin and a schoolhouse, a departure from our usual high altitude, big-view hikes of the past. Dinner was delicious, but the day challenged me. I couldn't find a satisfying balance of napping and not. I missed my family.
Tonight, we shopped. The chaos lasted a little more than an hour. I'd like to say it was a sociology experiment, but I must admit I was swept up in the idea of finding a bargain. I found none and instead found myself overwhelmed by the crowds.
The long drive to Gatlinburg, TN was a great chance to talk about the future, so we did. Nothing was settled, but we share more freely and we're in a good lace together even as we sometimes struggle to be in a good place individually. The drive did steal away some of my feeling of endless time and freedom. The miles will go quickly. I'm thankful to be here with Clare's family and I'm looking forward to our Thanksgiving day hike. Clare's sister is having a baby, affirming that Clare and I are moving at our own pace.
11/24- I appreciate the Thanksgiving tradition of the last 4 years. Clare, her dad, and I hike ini the Smoky Mountains while her mom and grandmother prepare dinner. This year's hike involved a cabin and a schoolhouse, a departure from our usual high altitude, big-view hikes of the past. Dinner was delicious, but the day challenged me. I couldn't find a satisfying balance of napping and not. I missed my family.
Tonight, we shopped. The chaos lasted a little more than an hour. I'd like to say it was a sociology experiment, but I must admit I was swept up in the idea of finding a bargain. I found none and instead found myself overwhelmed by the crowds.
Sunday, July 01, 2012
12/3/11- Headed to New Zealand
Dear Diary:
We're in LA. We've been traveling all day. Now it's time to travel all night. I feel better than expected at this point. I hope that can continue. We've had some bumpy spots; already had to change flights coming back, needed an Australia visa to be there for 13 hours. It's all ok though. C and I are snapping at one another a bit. Hopefully we can get used to spending this much time together again. I'm thankful we have the opportunity to try.
Today we've had no real problems. We're on time, our flights have been smooth, our Gyros delicious. I look forward to movies and sleep. I don't actually know when to call this day over. I'm amused by my lack of clarity about time and day already. Also totally psyched for more Aussie and Kiwi accents.
We're in LA. We've been traveling all day. Now it's time to travel all night. I feel better than expected at this point. I hope that can continue. We've had some bumpy spots; already had to change flights coming back, needed an Australia visa to be there for 13 hours. It's all ok though. C and I are snapping at one another a bit. Hopefully we can get used to spending this much time together again. I'm thankful we have the opportunity to try.
Today we've had no real problems. We're on time, our flights have been smooth, our Gyros delicious. I look forward to movies and sleep. I don't actually know when to call this day over. I'm amused by my lack of clarity about time and day already. Also totally psyched for more Aussie and Kiwi accents.
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