But yes, Florida: Because I needed even more humidity.
I spent nearly three years living in Florida, before I moved out to Colorado. I worked at The Daily Commercial, a daily paper in the scenic town of Leesburg (where scenic means "festering" and town means "wasteland.) The paper was the town's equal in every way but one: it employed a series of good, honest people, many of whom I still like a lot.
Most of them, fortunately, have left. A few remain, and we encourage them often to GET. OUT. NOW.
So my trip to Florida was centered around visiting a few of those with whom I worked. I started in Daytona Beach, which was one of my favorite haunts when I lived in Leesburg, mostly because it had (a) a beach and (b) a minor-league baseball team. It also has (c) my good friend Sherry, as well as (d) my former boss Jim, his lovely wife Jaime and their new little one, Cameron.
Drove down on Monday (because I hadn't had enough driving!) and got there in the evening. Met Sherry's boyfriend, Amir, a pilot, and went out for a few drinks. (A Daily Commercial tradition if ever there was one.)
Tuesday we visited Jaime and Cameron and Jim, though Cameron, as 1-month-olds do, spent the visit sleeping and eating. It was OK. It gave the cat a chance to get some attention.
We also visited the lighthouse on Ponce Inlet and, most importantly, the beach. There's something about the ocean, and in particular the Atlantic, for me. Something about the vastness and connectedness, the knowledge that the same ocean that hits the shores of Daytona Beach also hits the shores of England, gives me a sense of peace. It'll be nice to be near the water again; Colorado is lovely, but it doesn't even border a state that borders the ocean.
Tuesday night was the big Leesburg reunion, complete with Mexican food and beer. (Again, Daily Commercial traditions/coping mechanisms.) Got to see Paul and Keri, who still, tragically, work there, as well as former photographer Matt, random coffeehouse guy Daniel and, of course, Kat. Sweet, sweet Kat.
I've moved around a lot, so I don't have many super-close friends, but Kat is as super-close as it gets, especially for someone I don't see much anymore. We spent many a Leesburg night angsting over our sad Daily Commercial fates, as well as any number of other things.
And though Kat points out below that in the two days I spent in Sarasota, where she now lives, we didn't DO much, we also didn't need to. We fell right back into our normal rhythm, with the addition of Scrabble (2 games each, but I totally won by more) and bar Jenga (2 games to 1 for yours truly).
Seriously? SERIOUSLY? In all, a trip well worth the driving, which took my total mileage over 3,000 since I left Palisade. I'll be in Atlanta for another week, then take myself and my sister up to New Jersey, from where I'll leave for England on, most likely, Friday the 29th. (Cue scary music.)
More pictures possibly to come. I didn't take them.
4 comments:
Oh, yeah, pictures. I need to upload those so that you will be one step closer to luring a hottie :-)
I had so much fun with you last week. Don't forget about us while you're gone, and join Skype!
Totally agree on the Atlantic. Have to go see it once a week or so to make sure it's still there.
Second the Skype motion too.
I wish we'd gotten your feet into the Gulf while you were here. If I end up in this town for any extended period and you're able to visit again sometime, I really should take you to Gasparilla Island. The beach there is incredibly beautiful ... and the island is populated largely by invasive iguanas (bad, but still awfully neat to watch).
It's been raining every day. I think you brought it. Thanks ... no, seriously, it's been so fucking parched I'll take every road-flooding drop I can get right now.
I am surprised by the lack of kitten pictures.
And I love you, too. Even if you didn't go drink cask HopSlam at the Brick Store for me.
A little ironic that Canada has the fight song, no?
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