And so the war begins!

The first shot was fired today in a war that will most certainly wage on for at least a half a decade or more! Since I last posted, I have reorganized from my aspirations of further entrenching myself in more debt. The battlecruiser will be maintained, the capturing of a permanent domicile is on the back burner (not forgotten, though), and my plan of attack will shift all of my efforts to the destruction of this evil enemy!

One day I will look back on this and say, "I conquered it myself! I defeated my opponent with a cool mind and determination." My story is not unique. There is, however, a feeling a happiness to be able to say I was able to do this with the situations that presented themselves to me. I have others in my life that I owe almost my entirety, such as my parents, family, and girlfriend, but also my friends, colleagues, and cohort members. Were it not for their stories I would probably still be in a different boat. Their motivation (be it through telling me what not to do, or that they had certain advantages over me) oriented my guns at the real target. I'm not here to compete with everyone else. The race is only with myself.

This day has no other significance, and will definitely not be as easily remembered as the Fifth of November, but it does mark a turning point in my priorities. I'm currently fighting this war on two fronts: student loans and graduate school. I fondly recall my fear, ignorance, and naivety about funding my life at the beginning of Fall 2011. Now, reality has taken full control over my vessel and has it on a true course.

For those of you who have interacted with me since my last post, you may have noticed I have not been feeling well. It has been through constant worry that I have seen my mental and physical health falter a little. However, I will not give up. There is far too much at stake, and I am going to fight the good fight. This battle is mine, and with all of you helping me along the way I will emerge victorious! Thank you all for your continued support. I owe you all for steering me back on track.

The Debt Debate

This is a scary number to me. Every day it changes and it gets larger. I'm at a loss of words to describe the uncertainty of what the number will be the next day. It is difficult to see 2022, but if I make all of my payments until then, it will be over with. That is, unless I find a way to make it disappear in several large payments (like this chap did in ten months, granted his salary and determination were at a higher level than my own).

I'm not suggesting that anyone follow that guy's prescription for eliminating student debt (as I'm sure he had a powerful network to draw upon), but I do believe I can make a stab at the old idea of scrimping and saving. This is my last big hurdle that counts against me (now that I'm looking to buy a house). My work, graduate studies, and social responsibilities may all be tested as I solidify a goal of bringing that outstanding balance down to zero, but I will make it happen.

In an effort to add to that cause, I have some musical instruments and other unused items that can definitely go, so expect a list of items that I'm parting with sometime soon. As my mentor once said, "If you haven't used it for six months, you probably won't use it for another six months." (Obviously, he may have not spent time in an Iowa winter, because sometimes it takes longer than six months to use shorts or the lawnmower.) His words may seem a little over-simplistic, but they do hold water. I would probably exclude things like works of art or ritualistic items (be they religious or otherwise), but the majority of the other "things" in our daily lives are just extras if we don't use them.

Take my aforementioned instruments. Three of my four guitars have been in their cases or simply hiding in my closet for almost half a decade now. My bass amp has sat unused in about the same amount of time. The collection of electronic gizmos and geek antiques have simply been lost to the hoards of dust bunnies. Even my beloved wing back chair has not been sat in by anyone for at least half a year.

These extra things that we cannot live without can really catch us off guard when we look around at all of them. I've become especially aware of this as of late. Since meeting my girlfriend (or rather, her having met me), I've reinforced my belief that it is not what you do, what you have, or where you go. Instead, life is mostly about who you choose to spend it with. Take joy in the fact that you are six feet above ground (or 5'11" for me) and not six feet below it yet.

The tangential direction of this blog has taken many facets, but, quite frankly, that has been my favorite aspect of it. In an almost organic way, it has incorporated my thoughts and experiences (both expected and unexpected) into one coalescent entity. Only recently have I let my philosophical side meander on this blog, but hopefully you haven't lost interest. Stay tuned and watch as the roller coaster ride of student debt continues to be at the forefront of my future. Feel free to comment on any post at any time. Until next time, catch you all down that dusty trail.

There and back again...

When you look out over Kansas City from the World War I Memorial, you can begin to understand the urban setting. Essentially, the main business district is encircled by interstates on all sides, and this lone monument rises above the city's skyline, memorializing the Great War.

The other day I arrived in this Old West town and dined at a local famous bar-b-que restaurant. It was everything I could have imagined. No wonder KC BBQ is so popular! Another stop in this city was the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. After a light security check, the exhibits showcased coins and currency from the early colonial time onward through the revolution and well into the 20th century. For a currency buff, this is a must see. You even are awarded approximately $165 in unfit currency (shredded, of course) upon your exit of the building.

The final stop in KC was at a local museum. I was blown away at the specimens and artifacts there. Particularly I was drawn to several pieces. One was a painting on a piece of wall from a Buddhist temple, and the other was a gem of antique American furniture (see below). Now, if only I had a house in which to put it.

As my time on the road drew to a close, however, I made one final pit stop in Pella, Iowa, before returning home to Cedar Falls. I had lunch with a friend at the Windmill Cafe and then made the quick jaunt home. I covered just about 3500 miles on this trip with all the little stops and caveats, and each mile was worth it. The car ran beautifully (averaging between 30 and 35 miles per gallon on the highway), the food was great, and the people were as amazing as ever. Were it not for my friends across this great land of ours, it would just be a magnificent country with breathtaking sights. It is not about what you do, or where you go, but, rather, who you are with.


View Larger Map

Now that I have made it back, I'm rested and relaxed. I'm ready to begin the new semester with vigor and persistence. One year remains before I can obtain my master's degree, and then the time will come to decide where to go next. I want to stay, and, yet, I want to be on the road. It calls me. It beckons me. One day, I will return to the dotted yellow lines and two lane blacktop. For the longest time it was the road that I loved. Now, I love another. She is the most sweet and genuine girl I have ever met. Sometimes the best things happen when you least expect it...like a stranger approaching you at a bookstore.

So, where does this tale of a weary traveler who craves coffee from mom and pop shops go from here? Well, as further developments happen in my existence, you'll be updated. For brevity's sake, however, I'll close this evening with just a final thought. The human experience is nothing without travel. Our ancestors traded at great distances with peoples of other cultures, and through that we became this amalgamation of completely different cultures all intermingling with one another. Don't be a tourist, just be a human being. Get out of your comfort zone and explore. Create your own path. It will be you in the dirt when it is your time to go. (Oh, and stop to try the local cuisines while you're at it. Nothing makes for a great road trip like good food.)

Until next time, catch you all down that dusty trail!

Two miles up

Hello all from the top of the Sandia Peak in Albuquerque, New Mexico! I spent the last few days here in ABQ with two of my best friends! We watched movies, played Minecraft for nearly half a day straight, and then took the tramway up to the top of the mountain this afternoon.

Albuquerque definitely has a certain appeal. One side of me wants to stay and enjoy the great people here, while the other side of me is freaked out by the sheer number of people that live here.

For now, though, Iowa will be my home. Early tomorrow morning I'll be hitting the road in that direction. I won't give away where my next stop will be, but just replace ABQ with BBQ.

 

By the way, check out this pic --->

Do you see the face?

This is your captain speaking...

Let this be an indication as to what my day consisted of yesterday. However, I missed my appointment with you all for the past few days. So, let me bring you up to speed.

My trip out of the U.S. 550 canyon was spectacular. The views were so breathtaking that it puts the trip before Ouray to shame. As many of the t-shirts said, I survived the climb and descent to Durango. After arriving in Cortez, CO, I was a bit hungry, so I spent a little time at the Burger Boy Drive-In. The green-chile burger was amazing, the sweet potato fries were delicious, and the shake was the perfect compliment to it all. However, the road didn't stop there.

En route to Flagstaff, I stopped by the Four Corners monument (knowing full well that the actual spot of four contiguous state corners was not there). It was in the middle of nowhere, and to look at a spot in the dirt, not really of any major significance. So, quickly I boogied down to Flag Town. There I met up with a friend of mine and his fiance (the ones who suggested I take U.S. 550). We feasted that night at Diablo Burger in downtown Flagstaff. I say, if you ever get a chance, swing by there for some of the best burgers you could ever want. (There seems to be food theme here, but quite frankly, the food is good).

Yesterday, however, trumped the drive. The Daoist Academic took to the air and viewed the Grand Canyon from the vantage point of a helicopter. Awe inspiring is what I would call the sights. You would be hard pressed to get a better sight of the canyon unless you walked the floor. My only advice, as cliche as it sounds, this is one places you all should visit. It really puts into perspective our human experience. After I return from the trip and edit the videos, you'll get to see the beautiful landscape.

I made it into Albuquerque last night to enjoy a film with my roommate and his girlfriend. Today, the plan is to kick back, relax, and take in some more sights. So, make sure your seatbelt is fastened, your tray table is in the upright position, and enjoy the flight.

The Story Continues...

This was but one of the many sights I was able to see today on my trip from Lakewood to Ouray. The first priority, however, was to leave that god forsaken place of Denver. My hotel (Days Inn) had cockroaches, an old man paying his rent at the front desk (apparently he lived there) was convinced that I was the Aurora murderer, and the traffic was so congested that it took me almost two hours to leave the city limits.

Fortunately, I found solace in Castle Rock at the B&B Cafe. They served up a mean omelet, some fresh baked rye bread, and the best blueberry pie I've ever had! I'd highly recommend that place to anyone. Later on the trip I made my way through Colorado Springs to head West on U.S. 24. After a minor setback at Buena Vista, I finally oriented myself. I made my way to Gunnison, the city where my father once lived as a young man. It was a typical little Colorado town with a main street, and it even has a college (officially changing its name to a university today).

However, before enjoying my evening meal at the Twisted Fork, I first had to tackle the steep mountain climb of U.S. 50 to the East of Gunnison. It pushed my car to the limits. It was almost a mirror race to the top, too, being there was a similar model year Cadillac right next to me all the way to the other side.

Even though that climb was a struggle, the sights that were before me were miraculous. I can only imagine what will happen tomorrow on the rest of U.S. 550. Unfortunately (and fortunately for the Earth itself), intermittent rain kept me from getting more footage of the drive as I wanted. Stopping for a quick photo opportunity like the one above was a quick jump out of the car and a quick jump right back in before rain struck again. It was beautiful though, the rain in the mountains.

Nebraska's parallel and perpendicular roads can't even begin to hold a candle on how fun the winding and twisting turns that are here in Colorado. As much as I mention about them, or show photographic/videographic evidence for them, you really need to experience the wind through your hair and centrifugal forces yourself. Then you'll know the meaning of excitement.

So, after several shorter blog posts, I do hope this one did not bore you to sleep. Speaking of sleep, I'm going to be getting some right about now. Catch you all down that dusty trail!

Colorful Colorado!

 Having successfully escaped the clutches of Nebraska, I've safely arrived in Denver for the evening. I plan on dodging as much of the road construction tomorrow and seeing what this city has to offer. For tonight, though, I'll be getting some sleep and waking up fresh after 16 hours on the road. So, for now, just rest assured that I made it and will be back on the road tomorrow afternoon. You'll have to keep up with this crazy old blog to see what road I'll be taking (thanks to a suggestion from a friend and his fiance). Enjoy your evenings, folks!

Greetings from the West Coast...of Iowa...and beyond!

Well, as much as I kicked and screamed saying I wouldn't be going through this place, I have succumbed to the draw of Nebraska's expedited path. As I sit here in Abe-town (Lincoln, that is), I'm thinking this journey that started at 6 AM this morning was one that will be meaningful. Some of you might be wondering, "Why did you give in? Why Nebraska?" Well, suffice it to say, there is more to travel than simply going. Yes, that is the main reason to go, but without at least someone on the trip to see, it isn't as enjoyable. So, just think of this as an "Advance to Go" card for my Arizona and New Mexico friends so they can see me for another day!

While my parking meter ticks away and my video files download to my computer, I'm sitting in, of all places, a cafe with WiFi access. Expect a picture to accompany this post when I stop for the evening, as well as a new blog entry (with philosophical reflections as well). I also was told to take a particular route as I make way way west. Apparently it is scenic and filled with amazing sights to behold. Stay tuned as the Battlecruiser coasts like the couch it is across the Great Plains into the Rockies!

"Not equipped with shields? Well, then, buckle up!"

The taillights will be all that you see on Tuesday now that the Battlecruiser is operational. After a good wash and wax this afternoon, she is ready for the voyage ahead. Speaking of which, the route has been changed several times since first announcing it. Follow along as the trek crosses the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, and much more to see where the road leads.

Staying with the travel theme, check out the story of a workplace friend of mine as she student teaches in Costa Rica. Check out her blog, ¡Pura Vida! See you all in a few weeks!

A clean bill of health

With the addition of new pads and rotors all the way around, and a fresh batch of Royal Purple in it, the Battlecruiser is fully operational. There is also an additional tool that will be tagging along on the trip next Tuesday (thank you Harbor Freight). I think it will work quite nicely. I've already tested it as a fender-cam and a hood-cam, so hopefully the shots will come out awesome. It proves that with a little ingenuity, anyone can create!

In other news, the route may have reverted back to the original plan, but then again, it may change between now and Monday night. I'll keep you all posted on other happenings as they develop.

10 in 11? 12 in 11? Who knows?!

Over the next week, I'll be hammering out the final details of my trek across this great country of ours. Up until this morning I was happy with where I wanted to go. I had the route all planned out, the stops I was going to make, and pretty much knew the roads I was going to take.

Well, this afternoon I sat down (having nothing else to do but attend a concert tonight), and began to realize my route was pretty uneventful. I'm not entirely scrapping my old route, just perhaps making some minor adjustments.

 As the week progresses, you can expect some updates on the maintenance of the Battlecruiser (I really need to come up with a more elegant name), and maybe even some teaser footage of the webisodes to come. Stay frosty!

11 States in 11 Days

In just under three weeks I will be venturing on an eleven day journey. There will be plenty of sights to see and photographic/videographic evidence as well. This will definitely be just what I need before starting my Fall semester.


Stay tuned for the trip updates!

When you least expect it.

A stranger approached me at Barnes & Noble tonight. We chatted for a bit. Then to Applebee's for a lemonade and more conversation. The last activity was a trip to Hy-Vee to procure some pretzels. At the end of the night, she gave me her number. All because I was in B&N. You meet the most interesting people when you least expect it. Suffice it to say, the smile still hasn't left my face.

This has left me wondering, "Is this how it happens?" Having no intention in finding anything but a book, I was surprised to have someone just randomly approach me and ask how my night was going. Who knows, maybe this might turn out to be my "how we met" story. Here's to hoping.

A decade behind the times (or more)

Apparently I missed the boat over a decade ago when blogs became the outlet of so many disheartened youth and members of my generation. So, here is my attempt at keeping track of my thoughts, digitally. Inspired by so many of my grad school cohort members, I've been moved to create my own blog. Take this as it may come and enjoy a laugh if need be.

I'm thinking this may start out as simply thoughts and ideas, but could potentially evolve into vignettes or something altogether different. Stay tuned as we travel down this path together, and the Dao will be our guide.