Florida: Days 9 through 11

Well, my last few days in Florida were relaxing, but fun. On Friday, we went out to Newberry for a baby-back-ribs fix and then watched Miami beat FSU again. Obviously, I take great pleasure in seeing the ‘Noles beaten again and it was even better that FSU could’ve iced the game with a late fieldgoal if only it hadn’t been blocked. Before the game, I predicted they’d go for something new and different since “wide left” and “wide right” were becoming sort of cliche. They didn’t disappoint.

Saturday, I went to the first Gator football game of the year and it was a route, just as everyone expected. I actually left near the end of the third quarter because we’d already been there about four hours thanks to a rain delay. We ended up winning 49-10 and, although we didn’t look perfect, all of the problems I saw can definitely be corrected by some well used practice time this week. I can’t wait for the Tennessee game on Saturday night.

Sunday, I went to church and then packed up and started heading home. A couple of my friends in Gainesville took me to Starke (half-way between Gainesville and Jacksonville) to eat lunch at Sonny’s and then they passed me off to another friend who got me the rest of the way to the airport. My flight home was uneventful (my favorite adjective for describing plane rides) and I got in about 9:30 last night. Since then, I’ve been laying around feeling absolutely exhausted and trying to get some things done around my apartment.

I’m really surprised how tired I am and I hope I’m ready for work tomorrow. I just realized that, before my 11 day trip, I worked 16 of 17 days consecutively and the last 4 days before I left were jammed with shopping and last minute preparation. Basically, I’ve been going for 3 weeks straight and I’m looking forward to doing nothing this week.

Acting trudging along

Since my coach left for LA and I’ve been out of town, I haven’t been working nearly as hard on my acting as I would like to be. I’ve been doing a little reading, but I haven’t been practicing, training or signing up for showcases and such as I should be. I feel like a real slacker. I guess the good news is that in three weeks I’m headed to L.A. for five days and part of that time will be spent getting my stuff together for acting. I’ll be getting headshots, meeting with my coach and hopefully doing a little networking. I really need to turn up the heat and get serious and I’m starting to feel a sense of urgency. Mostly, I feel I should always be moving forward and I haven’t been doing that lately (at least not at a pace I’d like).

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Florida: Days 6 through 8

Well, power was restored here a couple days ago and we finally got cable/internet back up today. This trip has been a lot different than my last trip because it’s basically been about seeing people and spending time with them. Usually, I spend time with people by getting a meal with them. My routine has been to wake up around 10:30, go to lunch with someone around noon, then come home and nap or whatever, then go to dinner with someone else (usually a group) around 6:00 or so, then hang out and play cards or something till around 2 AM.

Last time I was here, I spent more time playing frisbee golf and basketball and stuff like that. Ironically, though the two trips are a lot different, they’re very similar in that my goal is to spend as much time with my friends as possible. Last time, it worked out so I was playing sports with them; this time, I have spent my time just sitting around and eating with them. Both experiences have been equally fulfilling.

Last night, I went to a Crusade meeting and I was really impressed with how well it went. The emcees were great and the meeting flowed smoothly and was effective. I enjoyed it and I had a great time seeing everyone while I was there.

Tonight, I’m getting the crew together to head out to Newberry for Newberry Backyard BBQ–the best babyback ribs I’ve ever had. Then, we’re going to come back here and watch the FSU vs. Miami game. Hopefully, FSU will lose by a field goal. I guess the only thing better than that would be if they lost by a field goal that was allowed by some ridiculous oversight by the ref’s.

Only a few more days and I’m headed back to Texas. Looks like I’ll be traveling a lot over the next few months: First week in October, I’m going to be in LA; Third week in October, I’ll be in LA; Thanksgiving, I’ll be in Florida; Christmas, I’ll be in Florida and Atlanta. All this traveling is already putting a huge damper on my workout schedule. It’s a hard-knock life.

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Florida: Days 3 through 5

Well, hurricane Frances has come and gone… and where I’m staying, the power is gone as well. I’ve had a great time over the past few days, but we haven’t had power and it’s been difficult getting around town and sleeping because I don’t sleep well in the heat. All my clothes are perpetually damp because we’re at around 100% humidity and we have to keep the windows open to keep the house from getting too stuffy.

I’ve played poker a couple times since I got here and I’ve been doing well. I had lunch with a good friend today and we had an awesome conversation that I’ll mull over for a while, I’m sure. Mostly, I’ve just been hanging with friends, playing cards and goofing off. This isn’t how I would’ve planned my vacation in Florida, but I can’t say it’s disappointing at all. I’m really enjoying my time and I’m glad I have several days left here.

I’m sure it’ll only get better. Hopefully, I’ll have more to write about over the next few days, but I think things might keep being sort of uneventful yet fulfilling.

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Florida: Days 1 and 2 Well, my plane ride in was uneventful and quick. My only beef was that the A/C on the plane was weak and it was freakin’ hot the whole way to Florida. The hurricane has been a non-factor so far in my trip. Some friends picked me up at the airport and we immediately headed for Outback for some Cheesefries and a Special. We spent the rest of the evening relaxing and talking. Friday, I spent the day with my family (as is my tradition when I come back this way). I had some great conversations and spent quality time with my parents and the rest of my family. At night, a couple of my buddies drove up from Gainesville and picked me up. We headed back to G-ville and played some poker till about 5 AM. That’s about it so far. We’re headed out to lunch pretty soon.

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Gettin’ ready for vacation

I haven’t had much going on lately because, in one way or another, I’ve been constantly preparing to go to Florida. I spent 8 hours at ‘the office’ (or ‘my cubicle’) this weekend and I’ve been trying to get everything done that I need done before I go: finish my workout cycle, get in some cardio, buy luggage, buy other clothes and stuff, etc. I leave Thursday afternoon and that leaves less than four days to tie up all loose ends and get ready to leave Texas for 10 days.

Pencil me in

I’m already trying to set up appointments, dinners and the like with my friends in Gainesville. While I’m a big fan of living on the fly, sometimes it’s necessary to intentionally set time up to spend with people, especially when I know they may or may not be hanging around where I am. Of course, I’m already looking forward to making a trip (or two?) to Newberry Backyard BBQ, Leonardo’s (deep dish pizza), Burrito Bros., Mellow Mushroom, and probably a bunch of other places around Gainesville. Anyway, I haven’t posted much lately because I’ve basically been preparing to leave. I know it sounds a little ludicrous to spend a week preparing to go on a 10-day vacation, but I like to get things done right and this is how I do that.

Braum’s

All this time in Texas and I’d never gone to Braum’s until today. I decided to drop in and try a shake because a buddy of mine at the gym said they’re pretty good. Turns out he was right. I went with the old standby (for me): strawberry. It was thick, filling and super tasty. I may’ve found a new vice.

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Three weeks to Florida

Well, since I went to Florida in April, I’ve been looking forward to getting back. I’ve already bought my plane ticket for September 2 and I’ll be there until September 12. I chose this week because Labor Day is on September 6, which means I’ll get an extra day without using any more Paid Time Off, and the first two Florida football games are on September 4 and September 11 at home. I’m hoping to get some tickets, but one thing at a time.

Anyway, I’m looking forward to going home for a while and I’m sure I’ll have a fantastic time.

California just over a month out?

Also, it looks like I’ll be going to L.A. for some training for work, but that won’t be happening until late September. I’m thinking I might take a few extra days to stay out there and take a little more vacation time, but I’ll have to clear that with work, first. I’m pretty sure it’ll be alright and it’ll give me some time to check out L.A. After all, I could be living there before I know it.

Florida again?

Also, I might be heading to Florida in late September or early October for work. Apparently, they like to send out some younger new hires to interview kids at the career fairs and showcases at Florida. I seem to be a good candidate, but they’re not sure if they’ll have the budget for it this year. Hopefully they will and I’ll get sent out to interview some folks and take a little vacation time on the company dime.

Thanksgiving trip, too

Also, I bought a plane ticket for the week of Thanksgiving because it was just too cheap to pass up. $164 round-trip. Anyway, I’ll be going home for that week and it’ll be nice to see my family at Thanksgiving. I was afraid going home for holidays wouldn’t be too easy, but at least I know I’ll have the chance during my first year.

And finally, Christmas

I guess I missed “Christmas in July”, but at least I can talk about it for a second here in August. My company has it arranged so that the whole company takes a vacation from about Christmas Eve until the New Year, so that means I’ll be taking about two weeks off at Christmas. That’ll pretty much use up the last bit of my Paid Time Off, but that’s ok with me. I’ve actually been told by those who’ve been working there a lot longer than I have that there’s no sense in trying to “roll over” vacation time. Just go ahead and use it up is what they tell me.

So, I’ll be heading home to Florida and probably spending a week up in Atlanta during that time. Campus Crusade’s Christmas Conference will be up there after Christmas and before the New Year, so I’ll go see some of my friends while they’re there. Also, I have several good friends that will be living in Atlanta then, so I’ll really be going to see them. I’m really looking forward to that week.

So, that’s a summary of all the traveling I hope to do for the rest of the year. I figure I only took Paid Time Off once during my first seven months here, so I have some time to make up. Here’s to cheap airfares…

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I was this close

Today at work, I almost bought a plane ticket to Atlanta. It was only about $260 round-trip and the trip home would’ve been in first class. I figured I could get it for Memorial Day weekend, take that Thursday and Friday off and have myself a nice little 5-day vacation. Anyway, I decided against it and I’m still not sure I made the right decision. At least I have the flexibility at work so I can just take off a couple days if I need to. It’s nice to have that kind of freedom even though I’m in “the real world” now.

Guitar? Is that you?

I’ve been playing more and more guitar lately, and it’s very refreshing. Tonight, I put together a nice progression with an interesting melody and I really like it. It’s been a long time since I felt that creative itch and I’m hoping this is a burst that will last a while. I’ve been doing a lot of reading, training as an actor, a little writing and now I’m back to trying to create music. I’m finally starting to be productive with my time. I just wish it hadn’t taken almost five months to get back in the swing of things.

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Gainesville trip: Day 7

This should be the shortest and least interesting post of all. Basically, I woke up, went and ate lunch at a local Chicago-style pizza joint called Leonardo’s, watched a little of the NFL Draft, packed up my stuff, drove to Jacksonville, hopped on a plane, drove home, ate dinner and watched a bunch of TV. Nothing exciting, nothing extraordinary, just me trying to assimilate myself back into my new reality.

Tomorrow, I’ll relax, try to rest up and do my best to be mentally prepared to return to work at 8 am on Monday. It’s really nice to be home, sleeping in my own bed and surrounded by my things, but I am already missing Gainesville and thinking of the next time I’ll be able to make a trip home. It was a fantastic week and a well-timed vacation and I can’t wait to do it again.

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Gainesville trip: Day 6

Today was pretty good and I got to see a lot of people. First thing, I went and got lunch with a couple friends (yeah, my sleeping hours have slipped to the 4 am to noon window). Then, we played some Spades until we went to play basketball. Basketball was definitely the low-point of my day as I played very badly and didn’t score any points in two games. My assist to turnover ratio was far less than 1 and I missed plenty of wide open 5-foot shots. It was very frustrating.

Later, we went to Hops for dinner and then went to a friend’s place and hung out for a bit. We played croquet for a while (I won the first game in spite of having never played before and playing horribly), but got blasted the second game. It was a good time. Now, I think we’re about to play some more Spades or something, then I’m off to bed. I have a long day of traveling and packing tomorrow.

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Gainesville trip: Day 5

We spent most of the day at the annual End-of-the-year Crusade Picnic. I think this was my sixth such picnic and it was the first time I’ve actually stayed for the whole thing. We had a good time goofin’ off, playin’ frisbee golf (Frolf) and Ultimate Frisbee. It was an all around good time, but it sapped my strength for the rest of the day, so this post is about to get even more uninteresting.

Crusade with old guys emceein’

I emceed the 2002-2003 school year at Crusade, but had only been on stage once since then. Last night, my former co-emcee and I talked to the CRU Planning Team leader (who’s actually our protege) and we all decided to pull an emcee gag. Basically, us old guys got up as though we’d never officially left and declared that we’d been on vacation for a few weeks, but we were glad to be back. From there, we did our regular routine of improving and doing everything unscripted (because that was the way that we got the best response from the audience). Then, this year’s emcee came walking in (intentionally late on his cue because he was trying to rattle us) and asked if we are still playing hide and go seek. We told him yes and did you hear us say ‘one hundred’ yet? He said no and we asked where his bindings were and how he got untied. He said he had opposable thumbs and just reached down and undid the stuff. We said we shoulda’ tied his hands. Anyway, that was the gag, then we turned it over to him and everything when on normally from there.

Jumanji house

After Crusade, a bunch of us went over to this house to celebrate a recent (as in, at the meeting an hour before) engagement and just hang out for the end of the semester. Basically, it was a big, hot house where people were walking around and talking and being sweaty. It was fun and gross.

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