I've been everywhere, man.

At work, we're on the cusp of trade show season. As one of the editor's for Professional Tools & Equipment News and Professional Distributor. I usually fill my time in the office writing about tools for mechanics (yeah, wrenches and ball pine hammers) and stories for mobile tool dealers (think Snap-on).

I don't work for a glamorous industry by any means, but I do get to check out different places all over the U.S., without spending a dime.

I love being able to travel to different places, learn the different cities and try out new restaurants. Of course, I have to work by going out with the sales staff when they take out clients, and I'm in charge of going to different company booths to pick up product information, which I'll eventually write about. It's not a vacation, but it gets me out of my cube.

October kicks off my time more frequently out of the office, where I'll be wined and dined at the company's expense. That also means I'll be dealing the most concentrated gathering of 35- to 50-year-old men in one central location.


Oct. 4-8, 2008 - ATPA Expo; San Diego, CA
Okay, this is a freebie, and it's not for my magazine. I'm doing the show daily for our company's Mass Transit publication.

Nov. 3-7, 2008 - AAPEX and SEMA; Las Vegas, NV
Biggest show for our industry, apparently. No other shows are booked in Vegas this week, and it takes up the entire LV Convention Center. It's a big deal.

Jan. 15-19, 2009 - Mac Tool Fair; San Antonio, TX

March 8-11, 2009 - Matco Show; Las Vegas, NV

March 13-15, 2009 - Cornwell; Anaheim, CA

You almost forgot...

I was walking to my 2nd hour German IV class senior year of high school. It was Tuesday.

Ben Wright stormed in telling the class one of the World Trade Center buildings in NYC had been hit by a plane. Frau Marshall let us turn on the TV to watch.

It had to be a mistake. A miscalculation with the air tower. How does a plane hit a 110-story building, on accident?

Then, the second plane hit the south tower.

First reaction? Confusion. Then, disbelief.

By the end of 2nd hour, the first tower had collapsed.

No one understood what a terrorist attack was. (I'm not talking blatant media scare tactics. I mean actual violence inflicted to make a statement, while jeopardizing innocent human lives as collateral damage.)

Mr. Bauduin, my 3rd hour Psychology teacher, let us watch CNN. I remember bodies falling from the 96th floor. Or the 100th floor? Little black dots, almost confused with the billion sheets of paper floating to the ground. But bodies don't float through the air the same way.

No one talked in the halls. No one did school work. After lunch, the teachers in my classes had shut off the TVs, but no one did any work.

I worked at Festival Foods after school that night. Some people commented; wondered what the world was coming to. Others kept their heads down with sober eyes. Everyone bought canned goods. Bottled water. Propane tanks. Firewood.

I remember bits and pieces days and weeks after. I watched CNN and MSNBC daily. I became obsessed with how the buildings fell, why it happened, finding the victims, and watching every minuscule detail unfold. I felt like I was apart of it -- directly affected.

For awhile, patriotism ran rampant. People smiled and helped out. Neighbors were cordial, if not downright friendly.

And everyone kept saying, "It takes this for people to appreciate others?"

I don't remember when I turned off my TV. It's been seven years.

Simple distractions

This morning at work, my editor Brendan, and I had a 15-minute talk leading to a discussion of how crreepy dolls and clowns are. And what I love more than anything, is being distracted from doing actual work. (I <3 FB and digg.com)

My boss Brendan's pretty good about continuing random conversations. We've talked about baseball or football, Rita Hayworth, Jackson Pollock and Picasso, movies, the meaning of names, Irish rowing teams, George Dickel Whisky and other useless, yet highly retainable, facts and random information.

Conversations might start with a simple question or statement, but they continue with tangents. I mean, not everyone continually talks about the weather, or sports.

For example, I asked my co-worker, Dionne, what she did last weekend. Then, she asked me. We ended up talking about her plans to get a hummingbird tattoo for her birthday from her husband.

Striking up random conversations with co-workers is also one of the best ways to get out of my cube and visit people. Makes the day go by faster.

A quick fix

I'm a firm believer in not taking medication unless it's absolutely necessary. Headache? Drink some water and eat a banana. Stomach ache? tea or hot chocolate. Hangover? A 1/2-lb. cheeseburger, followed by daylong napping.

But last night, I felt the onset of something terrible: allergies.

This affliction started the spring of eighth grade. No big deal -- some itchy eyes, stuffy nose, etc. I started taking Benadryl, Sudafed and Claritin to deal with the symptoms. But every time I'd miss a day or two of pills, the symptoms came back twice as harsh.

Well into H.S., I realized my immune system was slowly giving up. I read somewhere that every time you take artificial drugs, your body doesn't work as hard to fend for itself.

I decided to take my allergy meds (or any other medication, for that matter) only if it's absolutely necessary.

Which brings me to this morning.

I woke up involuntarily rubbing my eyes because they itched something fierce. I kept sneezing. My nose was running and stuffed at the same time (How in the HELL is that possible). I had a perpetual tickle in my throat. I couldn't even drink coffee for breakfast it sounded so unappealing; I had to resort to black tea.

I didn't even take anything in Tacoma when I was around Marla's cat. But this... this was much worse.

So, I gave in. For the first time in two years, I took a Claritin. Now I feel like a relapsing drug addict.

But maybe one more wouldn't hurt...

Guess who's back

You might've noticed; I haven't been around much the past couple weeks.

I got back yesterday from one of the best vacations I've ever been on. Probably not saying much, all things considered... but I've had my fair share of travels.

I went with Michelle, my fellow Geebz native and partner in crime, to the west coast. We started off in Los Angeles last Thursday night (8/21) and drove up the coast ending in Seattle.


A few highlights:


-- Tabs at L.A. bars are ridiculous. Michelle bought a round of four Jagerbombs and three beers for $58. Add on a $12 tip.

-- Everyone in California drinks Stella Artois.

-- Bears really do attack cars if you leave shit in them. E.g., In Yosemite, the rear passenger side door of the Mitsubishi Gallant two down from our rental was pulled from its frame with a shattered window, and the back driver's side seat was peeled back, tin can lid style.

-- SF has the most obscenely steep streets to walk on, with grades of up to 60 degrees. I swear.

-- I overcame my fear of sharks while surfing in Santa Cruz, and replaced it with a more realistic fear of drowning while being pummeled by waves.

-- Locals and other travelers asking for directions is the most sincere form of tourist flattery. Even if you can't help them.

-- Drive the Pacific Coast Highway. It's winding as hell, but the scenery more than makes up for it.

-- Jedediah Smith can go fuck himself.

-- Pacific Northwest cities (namely Portland and Seattle) have some of the most amazing architecture, with plenty of mirrored glass and windows.

-- Tacoma has the highest concentration per square mile of teriyaki restaurants. Examples include the simple, yet poignant "Teriyaki," "Teriyaki Time," "Teriyaki Restaurant" and my personal favorite "Burgers and Teriyaki."

-- I really could live in Seattle, if within walking distance of Pike's Place Market.


I realized when planning a big trip, people are more than willing to offer suggestions and recommendations for places to go. Every bit helps, even if you don't follow through with the suggestions, you're still aware of all your options.

Having friends along the way helps break up the monotony of being on the road solo, and the intimidation of big cities. And, we were fortunate enough to have the most gracious hosts in L.A., SF and Tacoma.

Top 5 movies

I love movies, but I usually don't have the opportunity to watch many. If I get recommendations, I'm more apt to view... so let me know.

This list involves mostly contemporary movies, as opposed to things I might've liked when I was 12 years old. Maybe that's another list.

In no particular order:

1. Almost Famous (2000)
Almost Famous follows the assignment of a 16-year-old about to graduate high school when Rolling Stone mistakes him for a freelance writer and hires him to tour and write the cover story of the (fictional) band Stillwater. The soundtrack to this movie is amazing. The storyline relate able. The acting fantastic. I wanted to be Penny Lane -- Kate Hudson is beautiful, articulate and captivating (Really, I like men.) And I wanted Will Miller. (Maybe I still do.) There's humor and heartbreak, with a unique storyline and great cast.


2. Pulp Fiction (1994)
Where the hell does Tarantino come up with this? I love that the movie itself is out of order, and every story intertwines with one another. The characters are unique, the concept outrageous... with another exceptional cast including Samuel L., Travolta, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, and cameos from Steve Bushemi and Christopher Walken (!). Every time I watch, I see something new. The movie also has a great soundtrack.


3. Taxi Driver (1976)
Oh, Robert Di Niro.
Taxi Driver focuses on the character of Travis Bickle, an insomniac and unstable war vet that takes up a third shift job driving a taxi. Scorcese has a way with helping the viewer get into his characters' heads, and I like how the movie climaxes at the end -- as if you've held your breath the entire time, waiting for Bickle to snap. The mental deterioration keeps me watching, and I love the ending.

Fun fact: This movie was criticized for portraying Jodie Foster in her first film ever, as a 12-year-old prostitute. (She was 14.)


4. Pan's Labryinth (2006)
Don't be turned off by the subtitles. Guillermo del Toro came up with the story's concept and translated them on his own. The movie's set in fascist Spain during WWII, when a girl moves to the countryside with her widowed mother, who has married a Spanish captain. The plot itself keeps you watching, with the ideas of reality and fantasy intertwined through the eyes of the little girl. But it's not for little kids. There's not much blood and guts, but the scenes that include it are more intense, graphic and poignant. So good.


5. No Country For Old Men (2007) and Full Metal Jacket (1987)
It's a tie. I grouped these together because they're more similar than the rest. I'll explain why I picked both.

The Coen brothers are exceptional writers and directors (e.g., Fargo and The Big Lebowski), and this movie follows suit. Some people were put off by the ending, but it's on a short list of mediocre gripes compared to the excellence that is suspense and action-packed violence and blood. I love the "cat and mouse" concept; it's dirty, heartless, manly and makes the world simple and complex at the same time. Plus, there's no score. And I didn't even notice until the end of the movie. Amazing.

Seven-six-two millimeter. Full. Metal. Jacket. If blood's involved, I'm a fan of movies about war. In particular, I like FMJ because it's not just about the action, but the underlying idea that war dehumanizes people. There's a unique approach with the direction of Stanley Kubrick, and the cinematography is phenomenal. Plus, every other line is quotable. (think, "What's your damage, Private Pyle?" or "Me love you long time.")

Runners up: Donnie Darko, Trainspotting, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Sideways

Top 5 Books

Because I went to school for English and writing, it's only fitting I start with books. I have a more traditional approach to reading, just because of the whole English Lit. thing. I'm getting into more contemporary books but the classics keep me coming back. I'm also partial to books that focus on characters more than plot. Don't get me wrong, moving the story along keeps me reading, but what happens to the people in the story keeps me engaged.

Here they are, in no particular order. Except for the first one... because it's my favorite book of all time.


1. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway is by far my favorite author. His succinct, non-fluff writing style keeps me engaged because it's simple, but packed with interpretation (Read his short story, "Hills Like White Elephants.")

I've read this book at least five times. And that's alot considering I usually never re-read a book. The story takes you through expatriate Jake Barnes life with a group of friends on a vacation to Spain for the running of the bulls. Most of the book involves the main group of characters going out every night to enjoy fine restaurants and to drink excessively. It's about Jake's self-discovery, or lack thereof, and his interactions and interpretations of other characters. Along with awesome character development and an engaging plotline, each time I read it, I discover more details I hadn't noticed before.

2. Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut
My first experience with Vonnegut didn't disappoint. I had been vaguely familiar with his writing style and outrageous stories. A social commentator, Vonnegut also focuses on evolution and afterlife in Galapagos. I also love the quirky, cynical humor that Vonnegut incorporates in his books and short stories.

The narrator is a million year old spirit that watches and comments on the development of a group of the last humans on Earth. They've survived by evolving into seal-like creatures with tiny brains. (Sound like KV?) This narrator keeps the plot out of sequence and the reader doesn't really know what's going on until the end. And BTW, it's one of the best endings I've ever read.

3. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Another one of my favorite authors, Steinbeck has a way with writing short, simple sentences, while keeping the story itself dynamic and exciting.

The Grapes of Wrath follows the Joad family's move from Oklahoma to California during the Great Depression to look for work. It's a longer but faster read, and the chapters are also broken up with perspectives from different characters, along with reflective interludes or objective descriptions of the landscape, cities or other families.

I felt like I got to know the Joad family intimately, and was with them through the struggles and sacrifices they dealt with.

4. The Stranger by Albert Camus (pronounced Kea-moo)
Camus was an atheist. The main character, Meursault, is also an atheist. But neither preach about it. It just is. Meursault seems like a pompous, arrogant asshole... but he might just be more of a sociopath. Or just socially inept.

Meursault goes through the motions of everyday life without question. Really, it seems like there's little plot, until he takes vacation with some friends, and "accidently" shoots an Arab on the beach.

You learn the most about the main character once he's on trial for murder. The book itself helped me understand my own ideas about happens after you die, and to not necessarily worry about death but what you do while your'e still alive.

5. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
The famous Holden Caufield comes right out of the pages with his cynical demeanor and negative attitude toward everyone around him. He might act like a tough guy, but he's really a depressed, naive kid that skips out on school to aimlessly walk the streets of NYC.

I've read this one at least three times.

There really is no plot, except that at the beginning of the novel, you know Caufield is telling his story from some kind of institution... the driving force may be to find out why he ended up there.
Another great book for discovering the depth of a character.

Runners up: One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest by Ken Kesey, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, Middlesex by Jeffrey Euginides