Sometimes it's nice to get away. To do something different and unique and break out of your comfort zone a bit. I found myself in Jacksonville, Florida to help train some others and take a little mini-vacation from the other job that I do. I have to admit that I've also been playing around with the idea of applying for an open management position here in Jacksonville and wanted to look about some.
In the end I decided not to apply for it. Yea, I want to move up in the company (and frankly feel that I've been passed over one to many times), but Jacksonville isn't for me. I've got to much going on right now to consider moving. Still though...it's a nice idea and the Jacksonville/St Augustine area offers a lot for a guy like me. The lovely Sue ended up visiting me over the weekend and we visited the beaches, looked about and had two days of relaxation.
A monster hunts on the beaches
Unlike my last trip to Jacksonville, I was actually able to get away and do some exploring. I even considered renting a scooter for a few hours as I meandered the back streets of St Augustine. I opted out of that option, but did consider it. Despite the title of this blog, it was a good trip and if travel has taught me anything - personal, pleasure or business - it's to be open to the possibilities.
Their might be a proverbial diamond in the rough, a three star restaurant in what you think might be a hick back-ass town in the middle of nowhere Florida. Or how the guy that used to sell you pot in college and haven't seen in years just might own a farm now just about an hour north of Jacksonville, and have the (2nd) coolest woman ever as his wife. So I got to spend about two hours with them and, at the end, he offered to sell me some pot (which I did turn down).
A little winery in St Augustine which offered some very sweet (almost to sweet) wines but also offered jazz on the roof top over looking the St Johns River. Watching the World Cup in a bar full of strangers and the joy and disappointment that the beautiful game grants us. Strangers enter and friends emerge, united by the colors of their chosen side.
A visit to one of the local museums lead to an odd moment. I walked into one of the old clapboard homes that were on display, only dating only back 100 years, and realizing that I was alone. Realizing that I could slip behind the velvet ropes and actually touch some history...do I dare to do so?
Another room contained an old train. An iron and steel ghost of the influence of Henry Flagler. Who for all practical purposes built up the east coast of Florida and developed the Keys. Florida owes a lot to the rails and the state was not really developed until the 1920's and Flagler's various hotels and rail efforts. Disneyof course was another developing force in the state but that is another topic for another blog.
At work the other day, I was asked about my Kimmie again. The usual questions about speed, licensing, safety and costs. It's that time of year again, as I look at the statistics on this site show that my posts about what to look for when buying a scooter and what maxi scooter may work for someone seem to grow. I'm happy with that. If one person buys something that suits them because of me, then as a blogger I did something right.
I passed on the info to them. I had recommending a motorcycle safety class and a dealer I trust.
I've been commuting pretty regularly lately and even have taken a few back roads in just to break up the commute and for the change of scenery. It's felt good. I'm still not sure if I'm ready to take on unknown roads and I'll admit I'm a little more weary of rainy weather than I used to be. For example today there will be a 50% percent chance of rain. In the past I would have debated all day about riding in and would have ridden in if the rain chance was under 45% for sure. Now, I know I'm taking the car because I'm reducing the risk of incident or accident.
But I'm riding again. I'm riding more than I did. I'm starting to feel that fever grow. I'm not back 100% but I will be soon enough. I rode more this week than the week before, and the week before that. I am gaining my confidence back
The lawyers still are not allowing me to talk about the events earlier this year. Things need to be settled and debated and I'm still processing things. So, truth be told, there is not much to report this week...and considering how I'll be in Jacksonville, FL on business starting the 18th for a week. Nothing to report then either.
I do hope to get out a little more this time to explore Jacksonville, I will be honest and state there is a position there that I may apply for, although that means giving up a lot of what I've worked so hard to build here in Tampa; and therefore may not be worth it.
Sadly though...there is really nothing to report. It happens sometimes to even the best of writers (of which I am not one). So this week I think I'll just watch the World Cup. Ride when and where I can and read up on things to do in Jacksonville. When I return, I'll have something interesting.
I could not let the Memorial Day weekend go by without some recreational riding. I didn't get to do much of it. I didn't even manage to go that far, but I did finally get off the beaten track of my day to day commute and take some different roads. Finally I was able to hit the back roads, the side roads, the strange little ally's that cut parallel or through the main strips.
So I rode to work and made it on time, but at least I got to ride something that was different. Traffic was light on Friday and Saturday but by Sunday it was again packed with church goers and those heading to the beach for one more day of frolic.
I needed those side roads with their little twists and blind curves. One day by accident I found a side road near where I work, it's got 15 or 16 curves in a little bit over 3 miles of road. Kimmie handled them them like a champ and again I felt the spark flair up a little. After nearly 5 months of not being able or allowed to ride...it just felt right.
Speaking of Memorial Day, it would be wrong of me not to say "Thank you" to the various men and woman that have served in our armed forces to protect the rights and freedoms we have today. That being said, I feel that it is also my duty to remind people that just because we have that freedom does not mean we should take it for granted. A citizen must always watch their government to ensure that they are serving the people, and not themselves or another Master. So if you don't vote, don't bitch. You can register to vote here if your not registered already.
Just in case your new to this blog, I'm a soccer fan. Since this is my blog I'm going to talk about soccer for a moment. You may want to stop reading now.
Still here?
Good.
Ever since I kicked a ball around in grade school I've been a fan of the beautiful game, and it's been a difficult ride for me. From watching indoor soccer in the late 70's and early 80's to the feeling of amazement I had when I opened up the paper in 1993 to find the Charleston Battery on the front page. At times I've felt like a voice out in the wilderness. So to see what the sport has become here in the US, and what it has the potential to become, makes my heart fill with pride. We have three, count them three, viable leagues. The big one, the MLS, the second tier NASL (which is the league the local Tampa Bay Rowdies play in) and the third tier USL; which is the league my beloved Pittsburgh Riverhounds play in.
Without going into to much detail, I've watched the interest around the upcoming World Cup with a bit of bemusement. The recent controversy over the dropping of Landon Donovan from the US squad has helped propel the sport even more into the public conscious. After all, he has scored 57 goals for the USA over his career, many of which of helped the team advanced further then many felt possible. His 2010 goal against Algeria helped ignite a nation.
In the end though you have to trust the coach. Donovan has had a bit of a "prima donna complex" follow him throughout his career and his commitment to the sport has wavered over the last few years.
To hear the arguments about why or why not he should have been included are interesting to me. At the end of the day though...it's the coach that decides, and it's him that will reap the rewards or the disgrace. Personally I think it's a good move. If the team somehow manages to get out to the group (The USA is grouped with Germany - the second best team in the world right now), Portugal (which is ranked the third best team in the world) and Ghana. They were the country that knocked the USA out of the last two world cups. Most of us that follow the game understand that it is an uphill battle and the key is the first two games. The US can not afford to lose the first game. It can afford a tie in the second game, but may require help. A win against Portugal is possible, and has been done before.
Even if they don't advance, the USA is looking good for the next World Cup (the USA has qualified for every World Cup since 1990). The young players will have experience at the world stage and Mr Donovan will only be 36. Old by a soccer player standards but he may still be able to provide a spark at that age.
