From The Back Row

Ok, so I’m Target today picking up some essentials: Coke Zero, Paper Towels, Suction Cup Mirror. Not even looking for them, I notice something you’ll never ever see in a So Cal Target store: Fireworks. They just sit there on the shelf, sharing space with fire extinguishers, like nothing is wrong. Isn’t this totally wrong? Especially when you check the prices, $250 for the big pack – sheesh. After so many years of not enjoying the thrill of blowing something up, I can say that I don’t miss it. Imagine what our world would’ve been like if fireworks were available year-round while growing up.

Not too much to report so far. Homework is a killer for both Math and Spanish. The other class about “Immigration in America” hasn’t gotten too extreme… yet. I’ve only been in class about a week and a half and the one major difference about this year from last, aside from the crummy living conditions, is that these classes aren’t really too fun or interesting. That said, I’ve been quietly counting down the time to when I can leave. I know, it sounds bad and I should enjoy this time for learning and educational betterment, etc. August 3rd really can’t come soon enough. I’ve started planning my return trip through middle America, started planning how to pack the car, started looking at July as if June isn’t there.

First math test, 90%. First spanish test tomorrow.

I’ll comment on the Ducks-Ottawa series when it concludes, however if Teemu wants this one, he’ll have to work for it (and I mean that in a nice way).

Um, ok.

Where where you think you’re one place, then you think someone is trying to tell you to go to a different place, a place you’ve already been:

Ok, so I have all my stuff here in the ol’ dorm room. Tivo is setup and downloading data (it was the first thing to get setup and operational, of course). Fridge is on and cooling. So far, no problems like the kinds I had last summer, so everything should be setup tonight. Pictures to follow, keep checking the Flickr page for those (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigjohn)

Class schedule for the first session as follows:
Mon-Fri, 8:30am – 11:30am
Tues/Thurs, 6:00pm – 9:30pm
Classes end June 20th, Finals June 22nd

Alright, no pictures of South Beach (I can take some if you want, anytime). Great little Courtyard property though, centrally located and reasonably priced. Only downside was $25/night for parking (!).

Stayed at what billed itself as a great Holiday Inn Express (I’ve stayed in better, hello El Paso!). Out on Rocky Point on the shores of “old Tampa Bay”. Basically Tampa has tons of water and bridges/causeways and is a big spot for boating and fishing. I’d usually be totally geeked on the boating angle, but it’s mostly fishers and ‘go fast boats’, which are nice, but not for me.

Ran into some smoke from wildfires along the Georgia/Florida border, smelled like home

So, I’m leaving town going over a massive causeway (it’s a long-ass bridge kids), and I notice a special pier, just for fishing that you drive onto and throw your hook into the water from:

Basically nothing too earth shattering to report on about Pensacola. Heck, it’s two days later and I can barely remember a thing about it since I basically got off the freeway, found the hotel, slept and left the next day. I’m sure there’s something to say about… hmm… nope.

Alright, so New Orleans – first I got lost (stupid Nuvi 660… ahh let’s not fight). Once I got there, it would’ve helped if the hotel was better marked since I circled Canal for awhile looking for the place. Once I got in, I watched the Ducks give it up to Detroit, had some room service and got ready to head out. I walked over to Bourbon Street, which was 2 short blocks from my hotel, at around 12:30am.

The long and short of Bourbon Street, on this night, is that basically it’s a combination of prison and the wild west with a dash of Vegas. It’s basically closed from 5am to around 8am. When I got there at 12:30am on a Friday night there were plenty of young, drunk males looking for a fight. Plenty of young drunk females stumbling around (not that that’s a bad thing) and plenty of people looking to take advantage of whatever situation. Being alone, I figured “Let’s see if I can walk Bourbon Street from end to end and not get shivved.” I did precisely that, stopping for a local refreshment called a ‘Hand Grenade’ along the way. Basically, I’d totally come back to New Orleans in a second, but it’s better with a group or a girlfriend or something and when you have more time to take it all in from start to finish.

I did not take any pictures on Bourbon Street lest I look like a tourist and become an easy mark for a gang of nefarious youths. Maybe next time.
Also, there were alot of hillbillies (sorry, rednecks) … (sorry, countryfolk) in attendance.

Here’s the view from my hotel, during daylight hours (Bourbon Street basically starts one block in front of that big white building in centerframe):

Here’s an interesting comparison shot of Canal Street and what’s behind it all:

Basically just drove 550 miles today at like 80mph (average). Stopped a couple times (Ft. Stockton – DQ/carwash, Sonora – gas).
Got into San Antonio too late to really do anything and I’m not planning on spending too much time here tomorrow – sorta missed
the whole Riverwalk experience (I can see it from the room). If you’ve never been here, it’s basically the Disneyland Jungle Cruise
with some old buildings all around. I’ll walk around a bit, but this hotel is at basically the end of the line, so there’s not a whole heckuva
lot going on, even for a Thursday.

Took one picture that basically says “South Texas” – plenty of speed, bug kills and open land with nothing on it: