On our flight home from Ohio, Jen and I sat near skateboarder Tony Hawk. He's so cool. I didn't bug him on the flight (something about approaching a stranger in a place that neither of us can escape from is a bit daunting) but I spoke to him while waiting for our baggage. I told him that I was glad to see him kicking ass and wished him my best. He seemed a bit surprised but shook my hand and thanked me.
Since he had his skateboard with him I was thinking of asking where all his skate guards were. When I was a skater, we had rail guards, nose guard, tail guard and a guard that went over the back trucks to make it easier to go up curbs. Man, we were uncool. Whoever makes those products must be hurting. I'm just glad I invested all my money in jogging "heavy hands".
Jen and I leave in one week. Wow. I've had my head so stuck in packing and storing that I haven't spent much time thinking about why I'm doing it. I'm excited and nervous...just like any adventure should start. Reading my old travel journal from South America reminds me that traveling is different from a vacation. It's not all fun. There is a lot of time to think, wait and just be. Sometimes you get sick, lost or scared. It's all good experiences, it's just not always "fun". I'm looking forward to it.
I'm not a slacker...I'm a "world citizen".
9.13.2002
Returned from Burning Man...headed to Ohio to visit Jen's family. Quite a transition, but still very fun...just less fur shoes here. We went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and I was amazed. It was extremely well done. One of the highlights was a surround sound theater playing nothing but Jimi Hendrix live footage. The John Lennon exhibit was inspiring and the interactive experiences they've created were fantastic. I could've easily have gone back for a second day.
Been doing some water skiing at Lake Erie, eating fried Perch and meeting new relatives. All the while trying not to swear like a sailor or say "Dude" after every sentence. No need to perpetuate the Southern California stereotype. It's a bit odd representing a state with over 30 million people. I barely feel like I can represent my family.
Dude...I'm deep, man.
9.3.2002
Back from Burning Man. It was fantastic. Wonderful time, amazing people, creativity exploding everywhere. Now to clean off the dirt from EVERYthing... ;)
