12%

Posted April 26th, 2003

So, I heard that 12% of Americans have a passport. Is this too many or too few in your opinion?

I’ve been rolling this question over and over in my head today as I hiked around Rio De Janeiro. I think I have walked about 6 mile along the beaches. And, to be frankly, I’m not sure how I would answer that question. On one hand, we all need to experience things beyond the Big Box stores, chain restaurants, and strip malls. At the same time, our fat ignorant asses have no right to piss on the customs and cultures of other nations. More ‘merkins abroad or less? It’s not an easy question to answer.

On the cable car up Pao de Acucar, I watched some hawks circle about. It reminded me of John Hiatt and his song “Before I Go,” which I am listening to now. Truly beautiful. Simple. Honest. Download it now.

Rio is part L.A. (the traffic and mountains in the distance), part San Francisco (the hills), part Denver (the smog), and part San Sebastian (the amazing Copacabana beach and seafood). I’m here for 26 hours. I just finished an amazing Italian meal… some of the best risotto I have ever had… sorry, Josh, it beats yours.  Continue reading "12%"...

April 26th, 2003 | Tags: , , | Category: Travel | Leave a comment

A cycle is complete

Posted April 7th, 2003

Some how I feel that a cycle is complete. While I, a Penn grad, sit next
to the Superdome in New Orleans, where Syracuse is in the NCAA finals,
Josh, a Syracuse grad, sits at Penn enrolled as a grad student. Now, my
beloved Quakers lost to OSU, Sarah’s school, in the first round. The Pokes
then lost to Syracuse. (Giving up at 17 point lead, I might add.)

So a bunch of us went and saw the Gourds a few nights ago. All I can say
is that you have to see these guys in concert. Check out their schedule. Bluegrass,
country, disco, hip-hop, all merged into one dirt bag, porch sittin’,
gloppy glorious mess.

So, another Tuesday night is going to roll by without me in DC. I’m in New
Orleans for a conference. Sounds good… but I kinda hate traveling when I
really don’t know anyone where I am going. Thankfully, a good friend of
mine from Scotland live here; the bad news is… he and his wife are both
medical students.

April 7th, 2003 | Category: Random Thoughts | Leave a comment