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Sunday, November 21, 2010

Sunday's Dream: me trying to return to Atlanta

I had yet another long distance travel dream where I had to return to Atlanta in time for work. Only this time, I had to travel from Los Angeles to do it.

I didn't know how much time I had to get back home from LAX. I know that in the dream I had a connecting flight to Minneapolis to make in order to make it home.

I knew that in my dream, I could call on the SuperShuttle Service to take me home straight from the Airport in Atlanta if I needed it.

IN REALITY: I have not traveled to Los Angeles since 2007 and I only have one more scheduled flight to make this year: a December 4th plane ride to Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Saturday's weird dream: Me going to a Seattle Seahawks game

It was a weird dream where my friend Steve Davidson was dropping me off with tickets in hand to go to a Seattle Seahawks game. I basically had to walk to the site of the game (the old KINGDOME) while I was teleported in the dream where my friend Peter Wells was already there at the Seahawks game inside the old KINGDOME.

I was alone in the dream walking through residential neighborhoods with the stadium in sight. Funny in the dream, the stadium resembled Sun Devil Stadium.

I run, walk, run, and walk some more and find that my dream ends and I don't get to the game nor do i meet my friends in time for the game.

IN REALITY: I'm NOT a Seattle Seahawks fan, I'm a San Diego Chargers fan (and I also root for the Arizona Cardinals and the Atlanta Falcons). Steve Davidson is an Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys fan. Peter Wells is a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and an occasional Carolina Panthers fan.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Dreaming of numerous foursquare postings

I have this problem lately where I dream that I'm doing numerous calculations in my sleep in the middle of the night.

In this dream, I have this huge appetite for posting where I am at every turn. I feel like I see an * sign where I ping my latest location. I even have this dream where I'm obsessed about seeing all the posts that I've made. I must be playing for points in my dreams.

In reality, I post my whereabouts on Foursquare about 10 times a day. I project that I'll have 10 posts on foursquare today.

From Atlanta to Memphis

Last Month, Kelly and I took a road trip to see my family in Oklahoma. On Wednesday, August 11, 2010, we left home in Acworth, GA, and travel South on I-75.

To bypass Downtown Atlanta, we transition to I-285 ("The Peremiter") West, then South onto I-20. We go West on I-20, pass Six Flags over Georgia, pass the rest of West Georgia, and travel into Alabama. We would have to go through Downtown Birmingham to get to our journey. I-20 and I-59 merge to become one freeway (I-20/59) and I noticed that a Cemetery marked a stopping point for I-20 by itself. My theory is that w/o the Merge with I-59, I-20 would no longer exist.

To get to Memphis, we would have to exit I-20/I-59 at Arkadelphia Road (U.S. 78). It was a sketchy road like Cobb Pkwy and Buford Highway are in Metro Atlanta. 12 miles from the time we exited, U.S. 78 would become a freeway for us.

U.S. 78 is marked as the "Future I-22 corridor" for the length of the freeway from Birmingham to the Mississippi/Tennessee State line. U.S. 78 took on a Northwesterly drive for us.

U.S. 78 would eventually turn into Lamar Avenue and get us to our next spot, I-240 West. Then I-240 would arc North until we exited at Union Avenue. After making the wrong turn (turning right) at the exit, we made a u-turn to get to our hotel.

Along the way, we drove past Sun Records and Auto Zone Park (home of the Memphis Redbirds).

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Strange San Diego dream Monday Morning

I had this dream where I was on vacation in San Diego again. I was on my way to a game at Petco Park to watch my Padres, and I was stuck in a holding pattern where I wasn't sure that I was even going to the game.

I was near the San Diego Bay near Harbor Drive, close to the ballpark, and the next thing I know i make a huge leap from a platform and onto a balloon/air filled surface into a portal far, far away to Virginia.

Just before that, I was very, very close to a couple of radio personalities from XX Sports Radio from San Diego, and I was handcuffed not knowing what to say to them or even being able saying Hi to them.

In reality, I'm a huge listener of XX 1090 Sports Radio online. I'm a huge San Diego Sports Fan (Padres and Chargers!!!), and I've been to 16 Padres Home games at Petco Park in my lifetime.

In reality, I aim to take Kelly to a Padres game in San Diego someday soon. Hopefully in 2011.

Friday, August 20, 2010

2 dreams this week

On Monday, I had a dream that I was visiting an old family friend in Springfield, Missouri. Along the way in my dream, I was on I-44.

This morning, I dreamed that I was adding a NY Islanders app on my blackberry. It had an orange circle with the Islanders logo in it.

In reality, I don't forsee any plans to go to Springfield, and I'm going to try to add the Islanders APP on my phone today.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Phoenix Sports transitions

I was happy to see that A.J. Hinch and Josh Byrnes were fired from their respective jobs as Manager and General Manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

I was happy to see that the Phoenix Suns are not going to re-sign Amare Stoudamire to a max-deal.

I was happy to see that the Arizona Diamondbacks hired Kirk Gibson as their interim Manager, and they should try to sign Kevin Towers to be an executive for the team.

I'm happy that the Phoenix Suns still have Steve Nash running the point, and I'm happy that they're not getting all caught up in the hype of the 2010 free agent class.

Old San Diego travel dream

About two weeks ago, I had a dream that me and a friend of mine, Bill Rich, landed at San Diego's Lindbergh Field early in the morning. When I went through the double doors, there was a sign that read "75 South, Coronado." We get outside the terminal, then we walk around the building to an unknown destination.

The next thing I know, it's later in the evening and I somehow magically appear at Phoenix's Sky Harbor Airport. After that, I realize that I am running late for my editing shift here at CNN. I try to get a direct flight to Atlanta, and then the suddenly turns into night time. I can't get a flight out to Atlanta that same day. So I would have to wait until the following day to go back home.

What a scary dream that was. It started out nice since I was in San Diego at the start of my dream.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

109 days until our cruise

I can't wait to get on board our Carnival Cruise ship from Jacksonville.

Me and Kelly are only 109 days away from setting sail to the Bahamas. I need this vacation very, very badly.

Game show dreams

I had a dream wehere I was about to go on "The Price is Right" to play '3 strikes' for a pair of cars and I knew what the exact price for the 2 toyotas were going to be. I told one of my co-workers that this was going to happen.

Later on in the dream, I felt like my co-worker stabbed me in the back and the dream took me to the set of "Wheel of Fortune" where my co-worker and her new partner were playing for the cash worth $25,000 in the bonus round.

Next thing I know, I wake up from the dream where my "Daniel T. Cat" custom made alarm went off.

That alarm never fails to get me up in reality.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

My Mercedes Milestone


On Thursday, June 3rd, 2010, My Mercedes SLK230 Kompressor crossed the 100,000 mile barrier. I hit that mark right at Exit 277 off I-75 at the Hwy92 Exit in Acworth, GA.
This also marks a major first for me: This is my first picture I've ever incorporated into my blogs.
I hope you all enjoy.
Next destination: 125,000 Miles.

Monday, May 31, 2010

New EXIT on I-75/I-85

Kelly and I marveled at the new 17th Street Exit in Midtown Atlanta on Sunday Afternoon. We were traveling up I-75/I-85 going NORTH on our way home from Sandersville.

Finally, the blue veil has been taken off of the signs referring to 17th stret even though I knew what they were covering up.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Wedding travel to Macon and Back

Saturday, April 10th, 2010 is a day we won't soon forget. I hope that that is a day that Michael and Mary Catherine O'Neal don't ever forget too.

Kelly and I traveled from Acworth to Macon on I-75 South and we had smooth sailing all the way down to Macon.

We attending the beautiful church wedding, had some shrimp and grits at the beautiful reception, and enjoyed the fresh air just before we had to make the drive back home.

The drive home was not as smooth. Somewhere in I-75 NORTHBOUND near Mile Marker 198, we ended up on the I-75 Parking Lot. We were on again, off again in terms of driving for over an hour.

There had to have been a wreck along the way somewhere around MM 220, but we weren't sure for sure. I facebooked about the I-75 parking lot as a way to describe the situation and to vent frustration for me and Kelly.

At the front end of the traffic jam, all there was to see was a big truck carrying a bunch of cars getting pulled over. What a letdown.

Things were moving much smoother when we got past the pulled over vehicle/traffic jam, past I-675, and getting near the airport. Soon after that, there was an electronic sign that said massive delays on I-75/I-85. I thought quickly to get onto I-285 Westbound (on the perimeter) and get home the circular way.

Once we got onto I-285, we passed Hartsfield/Jackson International Airport, I-85, I-20, and finally, we got back onto I-75.

Everything appeared to go well until we saw more traffic delays, and we hopped onto I-575, took the Chastain Road Exit, got back onto I-75, then came back home.

Yay!!!!!!!! We made it!!!!!!!!!!!!

My next stop that night, Philips Arena. That's were I saw a 1-0 fight filled victory over the Defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

Dreaming of going north on I-75

About 2 weeks ago, I had this dream that I was driving home up Interstate 75 at night. My dad was with me in this dream and I saw some things from my rear view mirror and some eyes in the back of my head.

In this dream, there were 2 ficticious exits on the Southbound side of I-75. There was a 43rd street exit where the real Moores Mill Road exit is, and there was a 37th street exit just south of the real Moores Mill Road exit.

Later on in the dream, my dad and I get off the freeway and we somehow end up at a parking lot where there was a Harkins Theatres in St. Louis, Missouri.

The fake 43rd street and 37th street exits are still fresh in my mind.

In reality, I drive I-75 South and I-75 North every single day to and from work. I'll be doing that again today.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Bad dream on Tuesday

I dreamt that I overslept for my overtime shift at 4:30 in the morning on Thursday. I had to call work explaining to an SMP that I've never worked with before that I overslept and because of that, I'm running late.

In reality, I made it to work on time Thursday Morning at 4:30 in the morning. I stayed up the entire time from 3:16am 'till 12:01am on Friday.

Last night I had no dreams to speak of.

Dreaming of baseball success for my padres and the Braves

O.K. so I didn't dream anything, but I envision, or fantasize, about my 2 baseball teams doing very well. I'm frustrated by my 2 teams losses today. And they lost in different fashions.

My Padres got BLITZED by the Rockies 7-0 while the Braves lost in 13 innings to the Giants 5-4.

If it weren't for Dick Enberg calling the Padres game on TV, I'd have quit watching earlier than I did.

I stuck with the Braves game to the bitter end, forgoing bathroom, water, and coffee breaks. Hell, the damn game should have been over in the 9th inning. Billy Wagner is supposed to be lights out, and he gives up the game-tying home run to former Brave Edgar Renteria.

Booooo.......

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Dreaming of an Escondido Freeway stimulus project

On March 14, 2010, I dreampt that I was back in Esconido, California. I was witnessing a massive construction project at Centre City Parkway and California HWY 78.

It looked like there was a major pillar being constructed at the median of Centre City Parkway to benefit HWY 78. That pillar looked more massive and magnificent than I ever remembered it as a kid.

In reality, one day I look to return to Escondido to visit. I would aim to visit a couple of casinos, especially Valley View Casino in Valley Center, California to play some slots. I really want to win that colossal coin jackpot. DING!!!

FINALLY, from Shreveport to Atlanta

10 years and one month to the day, I set foot in the state of Georgia for the first time.

The day started by me and my dad driving east on I-20 in Louisiana and stopping for gas and a McDonald's to start the day. We drive from Louisiana to Mississippi, and we get stuck in a mid afternoon traffic jam in Jackson along the way. There's a part of Jackson where I-20 and I-55 merge to become one freeway, and we were on that for a time.

We pass I-55, then we get to a point of the freeway where I-20 and I-59 merge to become one freeway just before Meridian, Mississippi. We would be on I-20/I-59 well into Alabama for a couple of hours.

We pass through Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Home of the University of Alabama) and just before we get to Birmingham, there is a sign on the freeway that says "I-459 NORTH (t0) Atlanta". Just like that, we were getting close to our destination.

We take the I-459 bypass in order to get to our destination faster. There wasn't much along I-459 to look at while we were on the road, but it got us back on I-20 on our way to Georgia.

We passed by Leeds, Alabama (Hometown of Phoenix Suns great Charles Barkley) and by Talladega (Home of the famed superspeedway).

Finally, it was getting darker and we got into the state of Georgia. The drive through East Alabama seemed forever. It was my first time that I remember ever seeing the state of Georgia in my life. Getting through West Georgia seemed like an eternity. We eventually got past the Western half of I-285 and shortly thereafter got past I-75/I-85 at night. To my right, I saw the night lights that shined on an empty Turner Field.

We sort of got lost in Atlanta because we missed the on-ramp of I-75/I-85 NORTH; instead, we got off at Memorial Drive and hopped back on I-20 Westbound to get to where we needed to go. We eventually got on I-75/I-85 and Got past Downtown Atlanta. We got past the Brookwood Split (Where I-75 and I-85 go their seperate ways). We aso got past the Northern part of I-285 and Stopped at a Howard Johnson's Hotel off of Delk Road (Exit 261) and checked in for the night.

I saw my first Atlanta Hawks telecast on the old WHOT-TV (Channel 34). Hawks beat the Knicks that night at Phillips Arena. Phillips Arena looked magnificent on Television.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

From Midland to Shreveport

On March 2, 2000, my dad and I leave Midland Texas with a new set of fuel injectors and off we go on to Altanta.

We finally jump back on I-20 eastbound, and it took forever to get through WEST TEXAS. We finally pass Abilene before the sun sets. It gets dark where we pass I-30, I-820, I-35W, Fort Worth, Arlington, Dallas, I-35E, I-45, I-635, and out of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. In East Texas, we encounter a massive thunderstorm and we were tuned into KRLD-1080 for the latest weather reports. We were worried that we were going to be caught up in the eye of the storm, but the strom passed by the time we got to Tyler, Texas.

More success came when we got into Louisiana. Just outside of Shreveport, I see big bright lights at the Isle of Capri Casino to my right, right off I-20. We pass Shreveport and stop for a late late dinner at a Denny's.

I fall asleep after a midnight dinner and my dad and I stop at a motel just east of Shreveport. I fall asleep again and I don't get to enjoy the news from station KTBS.

Next Stop, ATLANTA!!!!!!!!

Stuck in Midland

On March 1, 2000, a few things stood out in mind: I had CNN to watch at a Chevrolet dealership in an effort to get my car fixed, I had all the soda I could drink, and I was going NOWHERE on this day.

I learned that it would take over a day just to get the new fuel injectors shipped from Dallas to Midland to get my Chevy Cavalier fixed. I waited all day at the dealership for nothing.

In the end, I get a nice dinner, all you can eat salad, and local news from several Midland-Odessa television stations in my Holiday Inn room. I at least got a different perspective on how West Texas covers the news.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Dreaming of San Diego again

Last Sunday, I was dreaming that I was in San Diego again. Kelly and I were in this dream of a journey to where we were meeting one of her old friends there.

I was on I-805 heading North and I needed to get on HWY 94, but I mssed the exit. I had to keep going and there was a sign that said I could go SOUTH on I-15 going Northbound on I-805. I was pumped about the idea and I took it.

Later on in the dream, we were inside this apartment meeting one of her friends. We were playing on a computer, surfing the internet, and we were heading out to the pool.

In reality, You can't go SOUTH on the 15 going NORTH on I-805. The freeways in San Diego aren't built that way.

I haven't been to San Diego since October 2008, and I don't see myself going back there this year.

I have plans to go back on board a cruise in Florida and to visit my family in Oklahoma this year.

Feb. 29, 2000; From EL PASO TO MIDLAND

The majority of the first day was driven on Interstate 10. We move forward from El Paso on our way to Atlanta.

Before we left, I think I got the free breakfast from the Red Roof Inn. It was probably good. I like free motel/hotel breakfast anytime I can get it.

My dad and I were in El Paso for seemingly a long time this Tuesday Morning. We stayed on Interstate 10 for a few hours. The next town from El Paso going Eastbound was Van Horn, Texas. Literally it's the next town listed on the map. After 2.5 hours of long and boring driving on the freeway, my dad and I stop at a local McDonald's and get a few chicken sandwiches. I remember the food being good and the restaurant being a little filthy.

Food was good and the driving would continue. My dad and I got onto Interstate 20 somewhere in West Texas. Interstate 20 would be the major freeway that would lead us to our ultimate destination.

The drive for the first two days of this journey was for the most part, smooth. We decided to fill up on gas at a Texaco station. After the stop, we continued to go on I-20. One minute I was riding along and listening to Filter's "Picture" on the radio, and the next minute I hear some really bad noises inside my car. At first I thought my dad was playing a funny joke on me. I even told my dad to stop messing around. Unfortunately, the joke was on my dad and I. Our car, the Chevy Cavalier, started to slow down on its own. After a couple of minutes, we were driving from 20mph all the way down to zero.

There were a few failed restarts on the car. Simply turning the ignition would not get us back on the road where we needed to be, and so we were standed out on the side of I-20. Several friendly Texas police officers were wondering if we were o.k., and we were. However, we really needed help and needed someone to get us back on the right track. I had the audacity to walk all the way from the freeway to a FINA gas station and get a tow truck out where we were on I-20 somewhere in West Texas.

Finally, mid-afternoon, help arrived in the form of a friendly tow truck driver and we got to a tow truck shop where my car would sit for at least a day. I brought out my trusted teddy bear "Neddy" and we got another ride to a local holiday inn.

I got scared after a while. I had 6 days to arrive at the CNN Center in Atlanta for my first day on the job. I realized something at that point: I was stuck in Midland, Texas.

I don't want to bag on Midland. I think it's a nice town and everything, but I needed to get past that point to get to my ultimate destination: Atlanta.

The Big Move 10 years ago today, from MESA to EL PASO

Yesterday 10 years ago was my final full day ever living in Mesa, Arizona. I slept to a Phoenix Coyotes/Vancouver Canucks game, and my Coyotes lost in Vancouver.

February 28, 2000, my dad and I leave our Mesa, Arizona house for the big move to Atlanta. We started our journey going west on U.S. 60 on Higley Road. Then we took 60 out to where it meets interstate 10. We go Eastbound towards Tucson and before we reach Tucson, we stop at a Cracker Barrel in Casa Grande, Arizona. It was the first time I've ever been to a Cracker Barrel. That is where I became hooked on the Hash Brown Casserole.

The first big milestone on this trip was we crossed the Interstate 8 intersection in Casa Grande. Then Mid-day, we reach Tucson and be blow past there within 30 minutes. Another important milestone is that we pass Interstate 19.

Later in the day, we cross into New Mexico. We cross Las Cruses, pass interstate 25, and head on our way into Texas. To my left in Las Cruses, I see the Pan-Am Center in Las Cruses (home of the New Mexico State Aggie basketball team).

Early afternoon, we cross Texas. We reach El Paso and my dad and I decide to stop in a Red Roof Inn for the evening.

My dad and I rest and relax before dinner at another Cracker Barrel. If I'm not careful, I'll be addicted to Carcker Barrel.

Overall, this was a successful first day on our journey to Atlanta.

NEXT STOP: DALLAS!!!

Friday, February 26, 2010

Fear and snowing in Atlanta

February 12th was my first big taste of snow in 2010. Getting home from the remnants of the snowstorm would be the scariest thing I've ever experienced in my car.

I should have taken the free room at the Omni because of the weather. Instead, I braved the cold and ice for Kelly and our 2 cats Daniel and Gadget.

I was cruising at about 40 MPH on I-75 from the Williams Street on ramp to just after the Barrett Parkway exit.

I witnessed a large traffic jam just before the Chastain Road Exit, and I thought it was a mssive traffic accident. I was WRONG on that guess.

I literally guessed wrong when I slowly proceeded with caution onto a bridge on I-75 NORTHBOUND before the Chastain Road exit. I remembered that I was near the Kennesaw State University Campus and I slowly and painfully skidded out of control at the bridge.

I was skidding to the left near the guard rail and I had no control of my vehicle. My right leg was shaking up and down like never before. I had to tell the KSU police officer on duty in a loud, demonstrative voice that I had no control of my vehicle. Everytime I would hit the gas, I would spin and skid. I could not move the car straight on my own.

My inability to drive on the black ice was causing a massive traffic jam in back of me. I felt bad for myself and for the other drivers behind me.

I had to get help from the KSU police officer by him pushing my vehicle while I steered it and did not hit the gas. I was able to get back on solid ground on the freeway

As long as I didn't get over 8 miles per hour, I would not skid on the road. I had enough of the freeway I would get off of it one exit early at Wade Green Road instead of the usual HWY 92 exit I take to go home.

I was saved by the red light at the Wade Green off ramp. I would turn left ever so slowly so that I would not skid on the overpass. I would take side streets at 4-7 miles per hour in the snow and ice to get home. That long, slow journey alone took over 30 minutes. The one think that comforted me in the journey was listening to the THIS WEEK IN 1982 countdown on Sirius Channel 8 (the BIG 80s).

The big payoff was for me to come home and walk into the loving arms of my beautiful girlfriend, Kelly Sanders. I also got to hear the welcoming meows of Daniel T. Cat and Gadget M. Cat.

From now on, I want to live somewhere tropical with Kelly and the Cats.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Dreaming of being on a treadmill

Last Night/This Morning, it was a dream. In my dream, I was on the treadmill for 70 minutes.

In reality today, I was on the treadmill for 53 minutes. I would have stayed on just a bit longer, but it was snowing and I had to get to work.

I envision myself going the full 99 minutes on the treadmill. Go team.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Dreaming of Vegas

This is one of the shortest dreams in my blog. It was early Saturday Morning, and I was still asleep listening to CNN about a story on Vegas.

My dream had me near Las Vegas Boulevard where I was approaching an unnamed high rise hotel. I was about to grab some delicious brunch there. Later in the dream, I was about to get onto I-15 going south. Next thing I know, I woke up.

The reality, I had to get up early so that my beautiful girlfriend Kelly could take her car to the Honda dealership in Woodstock, GA and get an oil change. I got in a good workout at L.A. Fitness in Woodstock, had a good lunch at Subway, and went home.

I want to take Kelly to Las Vegas and give her a good time there. We'll have to settle for watching "The Hangover" on DVD over and over until we're really ready to go to Vegas.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Dreaming of train rides

I like riding on trains and subways. I wish I could ride on a train to and form work everyday from Acworth, GA to Atlanta and back. For now, I'm just driving to and from work every day.

My dream was rather scary. I was with Kelly somewhere in New York. One minute we're standing on a train platform. Next thing I know, I'm inside a train and I take off in the train without her. I was mad and sad. I was going eastbound on the train to Brooklyn and later Queens. I found myself having a friendly conversation with the train operator. He reminded me of the van driver that Kelly and I had in Chicago in real life.

In my life, I've ridden the 7 train to a Mets/Braves game in August of 2009. I rode the C train and later the $5 Air train to JFK Airport's Federal Circle car rental complex. I love riding trains and I rode them in Chicago and New York (as well as in Atlanta from CNN Center to the Airport on multiple occasions).

Thursday, January 28, 2010

dreaming of KNX and stuff

Last Night, I went to sleep without brushing my teeth. That's my fault, and I feel some of the effects in my lower left of my mouth still today.

I was able to sleep all the way through until my trusty alarm on my blackberry woke me up at 6:59 in the morning.

When I was asleep, I was dreaming that I was listening to KNX Newsradio 1070 from Los Angeles. I was in Los Angeles for some undetermined reason. Somewhere else in my dream, I was watching "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" and somewhere at the end of the episode I was watching, I learned of their secret identities. I forgot what those identities are now. Some dream, eh?

In past dreams, I was in the San Fernando Valley with my dad and was driving on the San Diego Freeway (I-405) and was in and out of visiting our relatives from my past (way back in the 1980s). In the dream, I don't remember ever seeing them, but I remember getting on and off the freeway at Devonshire Street (Just south of the 118 Freeway).

In reality, I've lisented to KNX on my radio back in the 1990s when I was living in Arizona. I loved California and the news that much that I would tune into that station every night before going to bed. I'm going to tune into KNX online this afternoon and see if it is as good as it was when I was a teenager.

Also in reality, I've visited Great-Aunt Elanor, Lois, Carolee (relatives of my dad and me) from 1980-1985 when we lived in the San Diego Area. I lost touch with those relatives after 1985, and I take the blame for not keeping in touch with them.

It is time to get back to work once our system is no longer slowing down on me.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

January 16th Birthday Traveling

My 34th birthday was a day I'll never forget. It marked the 3rd time I flew to Oklahoma and my first known birthday celebration with my mother.

I embarked on my journey by driving from my home down I-75 Southbound to the I-75/I-85 Connector to Midtown and Downtown Atlanta. I got off the freeway at the Williams Street offramp and proceeded into downtown to the CNN Center Parking Deck.

What you just saw is the route I take to work each day; only, I didn't work. I don't have to return to work until Monday, January 25th. Instead of going to work, I took the MARTA train down to the Airport.

I rode the E-W train from the CNN Center/Philips Arena/Georgia Dome station to the Five Points station. Then I took the N-S train straight down to Hartsfield Jackson International Airport (7 stops later from the Five Points station).

I flew on American Airlines for the first time. My flight from Atlanta took me to my first visit to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. It took over 2 hours to get from Atlanta to Dallas by air. The best part of my connecting flight from Dallas to Tulsa would be that I would get on the plane to Tulsa at the EXACT same gate as the gate we exited the plane to Dallas from.

At the DFW termainal, some good news and bad news for me. The bad news was I didn't get the Dallas Morning News like I wanted to. The good news was I got a taste of UNO's Pizza with my girlfriend. I love UNO's Pizza, and I wish there was an UNO's in Atlanta. My girlfriend agrees with me on that.

The flight from DFW to Tulsa was a 40 minute flight. That is the shortest flight I've even been on in my life. It would be one of the best because at the end of that flight my mother was waiting for me to greet me on my birthday.

From Tulsa to Locust Grove, Oklahoma, it was basically a straight shot down U.S. Hwy 412.

Happy birthday to me (from all my family and my beautiful girlfriend).

weird dreams lately

Before my birthday, I dreamed that I was 'stuck' on a long, long layover in Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport on my way to a trip to Los Angeles. In the dream I was worried that I was going to miss my connecting flight. I dreamed that I had to slide down a chute in order to catch my plane. As I slid down the chute, I dreamed that I was still not close to my connecting flight and I was going to either miss it or get on the wrong plane.

In reality, I've only had to catch 2 connecting flights from Sky Harbor Airport in my life back in 2005. On one Saturday, I had to catch an America West Airlines fligt from Phoenix to San Diego to start my vacation and another Satuday, I caught a connecting flight from Phoenix back to Atlanta to return home. I've flown into Sky Harbor Airport from Atlanta 5 times to arrive to my Destination of Phoenix for my vacations.

My friend Toby has told me that at least I know about Sky Harbor Airport after flying in and out of it so many times.

The funny thing for me is: In all the years I've lived in Arizona from 1987-2000, I've only flown in and out of that airport one time.

Throughout this year, me and my girlfriend will work on making our traveling dreams come true.

Last Night and this morning, I dreamed that I was on the University of North Carolina campus. My dream made it feel like I was on a high school campus and I was riding my old black bike through it. In the dream, my friend Peter and his sister Liz and I were on our way off the campus to some unknown destination. Before we left the campus, we were in line at one of the 2 cafeterias for lunch, and we were standing in line for a buffet style meal. Next thing I know, I wake up with a headache.

In reality, Peter doesn't have a sister. He has a brother named Mark. I've had 2 buffet style lunches while I was in Oklahoma this week. I was tempted to go to Pizza Hut for lunch yesterday, but I settled for McDonalds. I no longer have a bicycle. The last time I rode my black bicycle was January 17, 1994.

Finally, I took 2 aspirin to combat this latest headache, and I drank some water to help me get well.