Sing Sing Sing

We hit up all the Rockland eats I could think of. Classic ones. Okay, maybe. Well...not really actually. We did hit up Napoli's Pizza though and then we made cheese pasta and tomatoes and beans. But this made me think...where are fantastic places to eat in Rockland County? There isn't a lot online. And I haven't been back here enough to know.

I had recommendations to go to Velo Wine Bar and Spice of India in Nyack, which I remember being good places. When I used to live here I'd always get a bagel at David's and then probably head somewhere in Nyack. Sometimes we'd get take-out chinese at Mandarin Restaurant. There's a Thai and Sushi place in New City, but oh lord, they're expensive (!). Maybe I'm spoiled from cheap sushi and thai places in LA. Is there just more of an Asian influence there or what?

Hmm.

Anyway, today's a busy day. Packing up and doing laundry and deciding what to bring on the journey. I think I overpacked for the road trip. It's deceiving. I said I was going to be away for three months and then my mind was like, "YOU MUST BRING MANY CLOTHES!" And that was stupid. I'll probably leave most of what I brought in my New York home and then try to ship it back to LA later on (or cram it in the car on the journey back to la la land).

This morning I went running around the tennis court in my backyard. I remember doing that when I was in high school. I was psychotic about it. I'd just listen to music and run around in circles (Heck, it beats going on the treadmill). This year my parents didn't open the pool. I think it's better that way - It's not like they ever use it, you know?

The air is fresh out here. It was nice to have the balance. Head into the city and then come back here for a few days before we take out.

Oh, and the two cats are crazy. They're like two-year-olds. Just running around and jumping on things and giving you hugs (which I never thought cats could do, but these ones are very loving).

Whenever I'm in NY, I have the urge to sing to myself. Just sing, sing, sing. I sing in LA, too, but for some reason, the urge is stronger here. Why?

Why? Why? Why?

Maybe I'll figure it out someday. Or maybe my life has been just too crazy out West and now is the only time that I can finally just relax a bit. Take a deep breath.

3 Tips To Happiness

I agree with this, what do you think?


1. Have a Healthy Outlet

So many of the people in this study seemed to have all their ducks in a row. In their prime years in the 1950’s and 1960’s, they were making big money in powerful careers. They had beautiful families and lived in idyllic neighborhoods. Oddly enough, later in life, many of these fortunate people ended up breaking down mentally and physically. Why? If one didn’t have a healthy outlet for their fears, nerves, and struggles, it was only a matter of time before repressed demons erupted to the surface. The happiest people in this study had a healthy outlet. They were altruistic or had a rich sense of humor. They funneled their issues into sport, “their lust into courtship.”

It’s something important to consider. As the study proves, a human being can get away with sustaining daily nerves, fears, and doubts for a number of years. But ultimately, such a nervous nelly will crack. If you haven’t already, develop an outlet…find a sport, commit to helping others, lighten up, and laugh more often. A wise one said, "A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs, jolted by every pebble in the road."

2. Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

This study, as reported in Atlantic Magazine, was summed up beautifully by the journalist Joshua Shenk: “Herein lies the key to a good life--not rules to follow, nor problems to avoid-- but an engaged humility, an earnest acceptance of life’s pains and promises.”

In other words, one can only carry the burden of a big ego and lots of pride for so long before your proverbial knees will buckle. Don’t take life too seriously. We all have weaknesses. Do you really want to battle your dark side year after year? Or might it just be time to lay down your arms, take a deep breath, and enjoy life. It’s shorter than you think.

3. Happiness Must be Shared

The other night I was watching the movie adaptation of Into the Wild, the true story of Chris McCandless (see above photo which is a self-portrait found undeveloped in McCandless's camera after his death). Fed up with the rat race, McCandless graduated college in the early 1990's, left his worried parents in the dust, sold all his belongings, and ventured deep into the Alaskan wilderness. Before dying of starvation, he seemed to regret his isolationist ways and wrote these last words in his journal, “Happiness only real when shared.” According to the 72 year old study, McCandless was spot on. In the study, those who spent too much alone time ultimately struggled. The happiest subjects in the study were those who sustained meaningful, healthy relationships with friends and family. One can never give enough hugs, say enough "I love you's," and send enough "I miss you's."

SEE ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE!

Thundercats & Murder

Thunderheads....You've never heard that word before have you?
You're a Thunderhead.
You're a...Thundercat.
Thanks. (Smiles.)

WE ARE IN MISSOURI! It is hot here. And we had to get our oil changed on an awful street of chain restaurants in Springfield. M was mad. He was shaking his head a lot and narrowing his big blue eyes. His big, doe-like blue eyes. Just kidding. His eyes aren't doe-like at all (are you kidding me?).

Okay, so we had Fried Chicken last night at Annie's. Yup. Driving to Indianapolis now. And, what's more. The Ozarks were the largest mountains in the U.S. once upon a time.

(Back in the day.)

Did you know that? Know you do. I took pictures. Sugar Tree Rd. But it's just all green, you know? It's just all trees and leaves and green grass and lots of weeds.

Truck Wars. That's a problem on these roads. The eighteen wheelers pass each other over and over again. They make a sport of it. Vroom. Vroom.

Doolittle. 7 miles.

Okay, there's a lot of murders going on in Bleeding Kansas. The Clutter Family. And then M's family told me a story about this house that disguised itself as a trading post. They'd take the travelers down to the basement and pretend to be serving them dinner. Suddenly, from a flimsy wall, would emerge the Mama with a club and she'd beat the travelers to death and the family would rob them and bury the bodies. In the gardens by the squash. Or tomatoes. Whatever. The important thing is...

Yup. That's Kansas for you. That's what happens when people eat too much fried chicken and sweet tea. They go...crazy.

Just kidding. M's family was actually super nice. He had me worried for nothing. I think he just likes to give me a hard time.

I love random signs:

HIT A WORKER
$10,000 Fine

Like it's a threat. Who would want to hit a worker in the first place?

Also, M doesn't believe me when I say my dad is a big teddy bear/marshmallow. This is the first time he's going to meet my family and people are giving him trouble when he says he's going to an Italian wedding in Jersey. Like he's walking into mafia-territory. Ha ha.

Poor, poor M. :)

Take Me To Tulsa

Heading into Tulsa.

Gastropub. Yum. Oscar's Gastro Pub. (Though The York is better - in my eyes. Not as sweet or greasy.)

We are going to Copan today. We are an hour away. M calls Oklahoma towns "craptastic".

Lovely.

We are also lost right now. Which is fun. To be lost. Last night we were in Stillwater. Lots of Orange. Good thing I was wearing orange too, although it was purely a coincidence.

Yee-haw!

Did you know that when people first came to Oklahoma there was oil covering the ground in parts? Did you know that it bubbled up from the earth in pools? We passed by a few people who owned the oil back in the day, or the pipelines that transported the oil. Their houses were...big.

The end.

For now.

Humility? Hello?

Humility. I experienced a lack of it last quarter. It was strange, to be faced with such arrogance from someone so young. Maybe that's why it happened. I wasn't expecting it and she took that opportunity. Boom.

It's hard to be a writer without humility (or rather, it's hard to be a good writer). I didn't make that clear enough in the Spring. I let the arrogance roam unchecked, but now I know. I won't make the same mistake again. Already I'm finding ways to improve.

In the end, I hope it's not her downfall. It was almost...sad to watch. Then again, it's not like anyone will notice if there is one less writer in the world.

I'm wiping my hands of the situation. You live, you learn. And this isn't my problem anymore.

Mohandas K. Gandhi: It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.

Zach Morris vs. The World

Heading to Stillwater, Oklahoma today. STILLWATER! Sounds like a band name. Is that from "Almost Famous"? It's also where M used to go to school - way back when. We're talking when Dinosaurs ruled the earth. Like in the 90s.

Also, M used to look like Zach Morris around this time. The wavy hair, tucked in shirt, stonewashed jeans, and everything. No, but really. But mostly the hair. And that cocky stare. Zach Morris! Where are you now!? And, oh man, if you don't know who Zach Morris is, then for shame! You best be going out and renting some "Saved By The Bell" and basking in all that 90s goodness.

Because the world is a'changin'! And Zach Morris now - he's probably some strung out actor living in the wastelands of Hwood today. Or maybe not. Maybe he's...on the home shopping network? No wait. Seriously. Where did he go!? All I ever see on TV is Mario Lopez, and I thought he was gay, but I guess he's just really tan? But oh, his smile! So white and pearly. And the way he dances!? I really thought we'd be friends one day and just dance the night away, but I guess not. Because I'm driving farther (further?) away from him, and he's still dancing in LA, I bet. By himself or with a friend, who knows? I don't. I just make it up as I go along.

As you can see we are fully equipped. On the road. Driving. Colorado has lots of...farms. We passed through the skiing communities in the mountains, it almost seemed like fun (if you like the cold). Vail. Aspen. Wait, not Aspen. Just Vail. And other places. The land was so green it hurt my eyes (as in it was gorgeous, yes!). Then we ate at this diner and sat on the deck overlooking the Poudre river (pronounced pooh-DUR - very classy, like the French).

I just embarrassed M by saying he used to look like Sir Zachie. He obviously just can't face the facts. In denial, he is. Yes. Hrmm.

I am excited to see M's old stomping grounds. Last time I drove through Oklahoma I only stopped for gas. I'm curious to try some of this BBQ he talks about. I hope we don't get eaten by a tornado. There was a tornado warning in Colorado. It seemed like something that could happen.

Tornado: CHOMP! I'm going to eat you!
Me: No! I haven't seen the woooooorld yet! No! I want to try southern BBQ!

Yup, that's how it would go.

Colorado is the Land of Rainbows

Thunderstorms outside my window. The smell of fresh cut grass and hay. Lightning streaks across the sky. They say tornadoes drop down in these parts, the funnels forming in the sky. There's no storm cellar here, but there's a basement with windows. What would you do if a twister fell on your house?

There's a brewery in town. New something-something. Fort Collins. I could see myself liking Fort Collins. If I had gone to school here. Los Angeles is such a strange beast. You need a car. If I lived close to Fort Collins maybe I could bike in. It would be strange, all the different people I'd meet. Strangely wonderful. Lightning flashes outside the window again. There are these miller moths. They come and cling to everything.

And then there's this rainbow outside our window. It looks so sturdy, like it's going to be there even when the clouds disappear, still streaking across the sky, up into space, out of sight.

Go! Biscuit! Go!

Summer begins in...3...2...1...

It took longer than expected to clean out the house, put everything in storage. We didn't take into account all the little items, the nickels and dimes and hangers and loose shirts just laying around. We vacummed the edges (did I even spell that right?). Dust and spiders flew up in the bag. I pictured them swirling about in the darkness. The black void. Ghastly.

We took the Buddha from our back yard. Our garden friend. And the lady that had propped open the front door on those long, sweaty July days. I wanted to touch it all. I wanted to feel it all. It was just like that. Something to feel.

Needed to remember. It's hard. Have to write everything down or I forget sometimes. So busy looking ahead I forget what it's like - how life used to be defined for me.

I am writing it down, writing it all down. I'm supposed to. It's important that we do this and make it happen.

It's funny. I never want to stop travelling. Why would anyone ever want to stop? Some people might think I'm aimless, but what if my aim is to travel? Then aren't I doing what I want?

Boom. Chink. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.Chugga.

We are all there is. The Marvelettes. Driving to Vegas, there are billboards on either side of us, proclaiming the wonders ahead. Alcohol! Gambling! Girls! And twinkling lights! An oasis of them - lights, I mean. Or girls. It really depends.

The billboards are the most colorful things along the road. And then, dry bushes and earth. Mountains high up, dry. Calico.

Once we tried to go to the ghost town on the way to Vegas, but they were charging ten bucks to get in and it seemed silly. We were saving our money for blackjack, so we turned the car around, got back on the freeway. I put my nose to the window, my face pressed against the glass, and watched the billboards as we passed them: The Marvelettes! YERMO!

It was all so foreign. The letters were forming words I knew nothing about. Words that looked like they shouldn't be on billboards at all, like we were entering fairy tale land. A jewish cross on the horizon. Minneola. Early Man Site (I wondered if he was made of toothpicks or clay - like the ones in the museums). Oh, and then there were the powerlines. There's something about driving cross country. If I tell you, you promise not to run? It was Sunday so the cars coming back into LA were backed up. It was like a parking lot on the other side of the divide. I was happy we weren't going in that direction. We kept our eyes ahead, bugs were glued to the windshield. They were committing suicide against the glass. 1, 2, 3 squish.

Drink up, baby. I said I was sad that the ghost town was now charging, but my boy said Vegas had enough ghosts for the whole of California, maybe even all of the west coast too. I believed him. I was in the business of ghosts. Or rather, I liked to think I was. I had moved to Los Angeles to see if Marilyn and James Dean wold ever be kind enough to speak to me, you know, from the other side of the divide. I was hoping that they'd maybe whisper a few words to me if I sat in enough bars mixing my drink with my little pink straw. It seemed like something I could see myself doing. Just sitting there mulling the classy kind of way.

Trailers on the right side of the road. And a sign for Rigo's Tacos. Shacks of places. Strange, like we knew any better. Oh, and the world' biggest thermometer. That's important, too.

I ask him, I'm like, what if you just got lost out there, you know, in the mountains. What if you just got lost? And he's like, it's quite a ways, it's quite a ways. I believe him, I do. Has to be. All those rocks and sand.

A lot of the buildings in Vegas, they stopped working on them, so they just finished the outside, but you can't come in. You can't come in. So, it looks like a real building where people are living and gambling, but in truth, it's just an empty shell. We are driving through the lights now. We're just...driving.

Passing through Vegas. THEhotel. You think you know someone. Don't ask, just go. We are the world. We are...Mandalay Bay. There's something so artificial about it all. And then there's the idea, like, oh yeah, we could do this, we could be here. And there's all this stuff. We are listening to Amon Tobin.

Driving through Vegas, she had a thought. Human beings were truly parasites. Just feeding off the earth, building an oasis in the middle of nowhere. Where it gets to be 100-something degrees. Poor Biscuit. That's what we named our Chevy. BISCUIT. GO BISCUIT GO!

We've got such a long way, you know? But it's all about the journey isn't it?

Hell yeah. :)

BABATUNDE OLATUNJI:

"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present."

I'm not sure if he said this or some other guy. All I know is that it was in "Kung Fu Panda" -> (I know, right?)