Values

Today I realize I’ve sold my soul. It wasn’t for some great spell that would somehow make the rest of my life that much better, and it wasn’t for some huge stash of money. But, for the opportunity to make a couple hundred extra each week. I sold out my boss, mentor, and friend, Matt, my buddie Aaron, and the rest of my newly made friends at the Baltimore office.

Like I said, I got an opportunity to change alarm companies, this new offer is obviously much more profitable, however after learning of it just this Friday night, they gave me till Saturday morning to make the descision.

I woke up in a haze from the late nights pondering. Its mornings like these- after a shabby or limited nights sleep- that I don’t really want to go into the office, and given the opportunity to get the hell out of there, I decided to through the bail down. It felt good to tell them off from the comfort of my own bed. You know what I mean, its like something out of great flick ‘Office Space.’

However under the plan set up by my salesman buddy Nick, we were simply to sneak out like ghosts. This was difficult for me, first of all because I had jobs scheduled and secondly, its simply not my nature, mine is a nature of openness, and when it comes to business it can be very beneficial economically to do some form of bartering.

However, like you heard I just slipped out, and after the big wigs found out- there was hell. I spent over two hours talking to different people from corporate. They threatened and attacked, and asked what drugs I was using, and if I knew what kind of legal shit I had wondered into. But I was gone, and I was free and it didn’t matter, I held my cool and it felt really freeing at the end all the phone shat.

Gun Show

On our way to the gun show my cousin Mike and I stopped for some gas station food. Inhaling my mini meal in the car ensured I would have my hands free to ogle, feel, and grab the various weapons.

Walking to the entrance I was just finishing my potato chips, between mouthfulls we found out there was just one hour left. I told them needed a discount for the limited time and I asked how much it would be.

‘Ah hell, you sh’d pay extra for not being here this morn’n.’ Several rednecks chuckled at this response, each of them sending cold stares our way. Some fathead several feet away by the door told me that if I waved my chips in his face again he would kick us out. I asked him what the hell he was talking about while throwing my hands out in frustration. ‘At’s it, git out.’ I looked around to see no smiling or joking faces. The rest confirmed it as they repeated what the first had said.

Going too far, I did the hand flail again, gave Mike a nod and walked out. Apparently we didn’t speak slow enough; didn’t have the right mullet; weren’t wearing enough camo; didn’t have the arms of our shirts cut out large enough, what ever it was we had been sized up and deemed unworthy.

Mike and I had some time believing the whole ordeal really happened, however after awhile we actually got a good laugh from ‘hit.’ We then went to the inner harbor and got crab cake sandwich to fill in the void of not being able to handle pounds of cold steel.

Annapolis dining

Few things please me more than revisiting old friends. I was on a job yesterday evening when I got a call from my buddy, Tyler. This meant he had obviously returned from his South American tour, which I was so envious about. It shocked the hell out of me when I was informed that he was here in B-more.

Annapolis is familiar to many people, however I had no idea why the name is so common. Apparently it is where a very famous US Naval base resides. It is also the home of Chick & Shaws restaurant, a place where you can order the President Clinton, or the Dick Cheney among the many meals with fun names.

This restaurant also boasts; America’s largest milkshake- at one gallon I couldn’t dispute this; and America’s largest roast beef sandwich, which- in the picture- was taller than the young diner’s head two times over. Unbelievable.

After ordering, our server Bridgette brought out a tray of pickles. And when I say pickles I don’t mean standard kosher dills from the jar. These pickles actually smelled of sour vinegar, and sweet dill. Cut into rounds, the giant pickles were the size of sand dollars, the flavor even implied the use of garlic in the recipe. As a lover of pickles- a habit I picked up from my little sister- I was in heaven.

My crab cake sandwich was like any Maryland crabcake- full of sweet buttery crab and well seasoned. It appeased my taste buds with such vigor, my eyes moistened with sadness at its end.

Old Friends

Few things please me more than revisiting old friends. I was on a job yesterday evening when I got a call from my buddy, Tyler. This meant he had obviously returned from his South American tour, which I was so envious about. It shocked the hell out of me when I was informed of his whereabout- none other than here in B-more.

I was so excited to visit that I almost left the house I was working on. However, I regained composure and quickly half-assed the job cutting corners where possible, so I might leave as soon as possible.

I got to his girlfriend, Meagan’s house and immediately felt a kinship with the girl and her family. These were real people that enjoy life.

Tyler, put a cold one in my hand a plate of gorgeous pasta in front of me, the fresh basil soothed my airways. We began to reminisce about old times in and out of hearing about their trip to South America. It was a great time through the stories and pictures.

I woke up the next day to find Megan’s mom, Deb brewing a fresh cup of coffee for me, I was stunned to see a French press pot in use, rather than the standard drip coffee that I can barely tolerate. The drink’s earthy aroma eased my mind with grace. It struck me then, this would be a great day.

Unrealistic expectations

My job has been pissing me off, I was disillusioned and so I’ve come here with unrealistic expectations. And now, after almost 6 weeks I’ve come to see the fulfillment of my expectations.

Firstline Security, my current employer told me some mistruths regarding my employment. I was told I could expect to make 2-3 times the money I have made since I’ve been here, and I was told I would have certain things paid for which haven’t been, i.e. rent, cell phone, etc.

I was really close to leaving this bullshit behind when I went camping to gather my thoughts. The trip did just that, I came out of it with such an amount of perspective that I am shocked at my previous behavior.

I am on vacation on the eastern coast gathering an understanding of the culture in the region. Most of my gas is paid for, the area is gorgeous and I have met some really interesting people, all the while making enough money to live and to begin paying off my student loans, my rent will be reimbursed to me at the end of my contract. I do of course, work a measly 4-5 hrs a day.

How I could be anything but ecstatic to be here, I don’t know, but I was. I was wreaking havoc at my office, complaining often, while ungrateful for the things my boss was doing to help my situation match my expectations.

I now recognize how my preconceived notions of what my summer job was supposed to be have ruined 5 weeks of my life. I now understand why nearly 50% of marriages fail. We grew up with the Brady Bunch and other ‘media dreams.’ Expectations were formed, we carry them with us, but when they are not met, we get pissed off. Though things may be great, if they do not match our expectations we will be disappointed, its this disappointment that ruined us.

Myspace

So its official, I finally belong in the electric inter-related world of the web, I have a Myspace.

I have to admit: while it has been a challenge, it has also been quite fun getting the page to appear pleasant. While it is supposed to be easy so anyone can do it, I found myself getting quite frustrated at its limitations.

I could batch about it for hours, instead I’ll tell you that you need to check it out, (click here) and leave a comment. - you have to be a registered user to do so.

Now that I’m official I can apparently stay in touch with the rest of the world, if you do not have an account I recommend taking an hour to do so. Having been through it I am pretty familiar with their bullshit requirements . If you run into any roadblocks or have any questions I would be glad to assist you, just ask me.

The Storm

Arriving at a camping spot after an hour here on the east coast is just short of amazing, I had actually arrived in some tiny state park in between Baltimore and Philadelphia, Shotgun Falls.

Though there were miles of trails to hike, my guidebook stated that no camping was permitted. I decided to sneak my pack in after leaving my car off the side of the road before the park entrance. I felt like an illegal alien doing a border run. Luckily I was under the cover of some menacing storm clouds.

Dodging under the cover of hearty forest was relieving, but I still had to find a place hidden from the trails to setup my shelter. I found the place on top of hill where I little valley formed in some thicket.

After setting up camp I went lightweight with just the poncho and I began my trip to discover the area. It was splendid, I saw the most exotic turtle with his vibrant red head and feet. The baby fox was playing on the trail when I startled him, the mother came along and eyed my down, it became a draw, knowing that I would not take my eyes off the creatures to leave they finally skittered off into the bush.

It was then the sky tore open with rage. The ground shuddered, limbs were torn from their trees, and water streamed from the sky. I witnessed this phenomenon sitting at a bench in a grove of trees, I have never been so awed by nature.

Rain Poncho

I’ve been in the city here for a month, its not a long time, but it feels like a lifetime away from the country, and wilderness. Though I spend much time alone either working or reading, I feel as if I need some time to my own thoughts in nature’s splendor where you can be truly alone, just you and God.

I’ve decided to buy a guidebook of the area and go camping, however when this weekend actually rolled around it was storming like American troops on Iraq. I’ve never much enjoyed camping in the rain, you can imagine why.

While in Goblin Valley my buddy Lance and I talked about how cool it would be to witness a rainstorm from the middle of the valley under the protection of a poncho. I’ve never really had a great a poncho and so, never enjoyed getting stuck in a rainstorm unless it’s hot outside.

Thinking back to our trip helped me realize what I needed to do, I went to the REI across town and dropped $25 on a poncho. Yeah, it was a steep price for a sheet of vinyl with a hole in the center but I was determined to get the hell out of town and have some real peace and adventure for a change.