Wake

First came the smoke from the Great Dismal Swamp fire. If you asked Jack Lee (3) why it was on fire, he would respond, "Because it's dismal!"

There was an earthquake. That is all.

Irene (hurricane, for the less informed) came up the east coast on Friday and hung around through Saturday. We saw some of the strongest winds later in the day Saturday, and into Sunday morning. Power outages hit a state-wide record high, as Dominion reported 1.3 Million customers (about 2.5 million people). Where I was, we lost power around 1330 Saturday. I've heard others lost it later in the day, while some in the city never lost power. As the radio host Rick Rumble said, "This was a good dry run, now we know how to use our equipment should a bigger storm come."

We had two trees fall on our property, ironically only one was our tree. As I mentioned on Facebook, Heidi and Evan came to help me clean up part of the mess in anticipation for my dad's truck to be parked in the driveway. As it turns out, he can't get it all the way to the driveway. We had parked the 4-wheeler, along with other various furniture, in a small shed, which we thought was most likely to survive the storm. We now have a claims adjuster scheduled to review the damages done to the shed and its contents. The most frustrating part is that the tree down on the shed is blocking the access to the ravine where we will throw the other limbs and brush. So, until the adjuster comes, we have piles in the yard.

We were fortunate to not have any serious damage. We still have our house, with no leaks or broken windows, and an easy cleanup. News reports 40 dead from Irene, I /think/ 4 were in VA, maybe more? Most of the deaths were as a result of unsafe actions performed after the storm had passed.

I believe it will be a while before we have power restored at home. Current estimates by Dominion and Prince George Electric say 95% of customers will be restored by Friday Sept 2.

Big Fish

Big Fish (Albert Finney, Ewan McGregor, Billy Crudup, 2003) is an imaginative and quirky movie about the art of storytelling; and how “A son tries to learn more about his dying father by reliving stories and myths he told about his life.” (imdb.com) The main character (Ed Bloom) is portrayed in two aspects, one as the older father figure who is dying, the other as the young version of himself, living out the stories he has told his son for years. The relationship between the father and son (Will Bloom) is rough as time goes on, with Will eventually declaring his father to be conceited and constantly hold to the idea that his Ed is hiding the truth surrounding his birth. On a fateful night, the son and father separate and it is said they don’t speak for three years.

The art of the story is presented in this unique film with every memory the father retells. Most of these stories we would call ‘Tall Tales’ – to which Ed replies, “Well, it is hardly a short one...”

As the movie progresses, we see life from the eyes of young Ed Bloom. As a young boy he meets a witch who shows him how he would die, which gives him the courage to overcome obstacles one would otherwise never even attempt. He relies heavily on his faith in his destiny, judging everything around him as a truth to his future, and all worries he regards as fallacies. In his life, he meets and ensemble of strange and unique characters, each with an important role in his life story.

As Will continues to beg for truth from his dying father, who continues to hide it, he begins to investigate the stories personally. This leads him to a deeper understanding of his father and his own life. Ed claims (roughly), “We are both story tellers, we are alike in that way. I tell my stories out loud, and you write them down. But we both tell stories.”

As we near the end, Will realizes how important the relationship was between him and his father, and in the final act, we see him sacrificing his ideals and values for his father's final happiness and rest by telling the only story that had not been told: Ed's death.

I wish you could see the way McGregor displays this brilliance in his eyes of courage as he presses on. We see the way that imagination can make even dull situations a little brighter, and give hope where we see impossibility.

Defiance

I watched the movie Defiance (Daniel Craig, Liev Schriever, 2008)

IT takes place in Belorussia, during the Holocaust. The Bielski brothers, Jewish natives, form a fighting force over time due to the need to survive. Tuvia Bielski (Daniel Craig) states at one point, "We are hunted like animals, but we will not become animals. Our vengeance will be to live."

As they proceeded, they found and provided safety, shelter and food for many Jews. Many missions were performed to retrieve food and weapons from the German army. A camp was created and ultimately abandoned in a retreat to survive an invading attack. This is the part where I started thinking, "God, why does this part of history exist?" So many people were killed. The level of hatred was so unnatural.

This movie does what most every other WWII-related media does not: it resolves with a focus on the positive ending. The Jews survived. They helped save 1200 people. Two of the Bielskis moved to America and started a business. Both lived normal productive lives until they died naturally at an old age. Their efforts, their drive, was successful.

I pray that those personally affected by the Holocaust can find peace. Every moment lived pushing into the future is a healing step.

"Yeah we lost our way but found it.
Yeah we will live to see it out.
Oh hearts may break to make more room:
yeah, but love will find a way to bloom;
love will find a way to bloom;
love will find a way to bloom"

OMG This warranted a blog

Whoa there was an earthquake. In VA. The epicenter being somewhere like 40 miles north-west of Richmond. Everywhere on the east coast you could feel it. Well, as I call it, "selective sensation," since it was felt by everyone *cough*.

Building shook. People got scared. And nobody is dead. We think..

So what could have caused this phenomenon? Theories range from terrorists to global warming to an early 2012 Apocalypse . What ever happened to good old science saying there are no tectonic plates faults located on the east coast? Does this mean we'll start having volcanoes? Oh snap.

I didn't feel diddly. My house still stands. I still have internet and phone connections. And I also have freshly cut grass.

speak

Have you ever noticed that when someone stands to speak, usually If they aren't a regular public speaker, that they start with 1) some scrutiny of their physical appearance 2) troubles they had while in preparation of the items being covered in their speech, and 3) their first reaction to being asked to speak. It goes like this:

--“Good morning. I was on the way in this morning, and this is slightly funny, but I found that my tie was on backwards. So, when [person] asked me to speak, I was [insert emotion]. And while getting things together for this, I encountered [problem].”

It's depreciating of themselves, so that you are not looking forward to something all that great.





On the flip side, we have those over-enthusiastic speakers that don't really write well, they just deliver well. When they speak, it starts like this:

--“Hey everyone! Isn't it a great day? Even if it isn't, we're gonna have a good time. How many of you...”

Those people get you all pumped and then can't follow through. So either way you end up leaving kinda like “huh?”

On the occasion you encounter an awesome speaker, you'll know right away. It works just like music and books: a smooth, enticing introduction, great substance, a slight left-hook, finishing with a closing that leaves you better than before and craving more.

I stick to a concept: people are stronger at some things than others.
In America, we try to round everyone out.

When God made us, he made us versatile but designed for a purpose – NOT to be like everyone else.

Get in coordination with God.
Start paying attention to what He has made you for.
Ask questions.
Focus on being the best of the best.

embuscade

I haven't been writing much lately, haven't been documenting much of anything at all. Since I was about to quit Bonefish I was so stressed out and not interested in taking notes anymore. I had missed about 2 months of church, which was a big promoter of note taking for me.

So lets recap on my last few months of life.

Heidi and I are officially together. Guess that's not too hard to believe.

I quit Bonefish and was hired at Relay Electric. They're out of Suffolk and do work everywhere in Southeast VA. Currently just a 'helper' but will be starting an apprenticeship this coming year. Looking forward to that. I've learned so much already and its only been 2 months. Don't even get me started on how much better it is than Bonefish.. WOW.

Just turned 20. Its pretty awesome.

When I went to renew my license the woman at DMV told me I /really/ needed a new photo. Apparently men change significantly between the ages of 15 and 20.

Just took a trip to Belle Isle again. Every time I go there I'm happy.. It's quite difficult to feel like I spent enough time there. Theres something about the rapids that just ease your mind and body. The waters are cool and the sun is hot.

I think I may have narrowed down on the cause of not writing so much. I'd rather talk about stuff than type. I have thought for a long time to try getting something like the Dragon Speech to Text software. It's a bit expensive though, and that's the only reason I haven't bought it. Not saying I'd write a whole lot more just because I could say it out loud instead of hitting keys, but I would certainly be more direct in my thinking patterns. Probably would mean a whole lot more editing, since I'd ramble on and on..

Currently listening to The House That Fire Built by Mae. So excited to go see them in concert Nov 27 at the NorVa. Been over a year since I last saw them perform. That last concert was in VA Beach. I just recently went back there for Heidi Mirz' wedding. Was doing the video for it. She got married on the beach, in front of the Ocean Beach Club (something like 35th St.)
I absolutely love the beach. That whole day was so beautiful. The weather was amazing. The air felt so refreshing and pure. We did the wedding, went up to the room for a toast, and then to Catch 31 for dinner. Fine-dining seafood, if you're not familiar. Which isn't /too/ bad for me, but Heidi is not a very big proponent for seafood. Luckily they served other stuff, like chicken. I had the Caesar salad with chicken, which was probably the best dressing on a salad I've ever had. Heidi Mirz gave me the second of 2 crab-stuffed flounder cakes. I'm usually not one for crab meat, but this was exceptionally not traditional crabby flavored crab, and the whole package was so tender and moist. The sauce on top was also top-notch, some buttery creamy goodness..

So, to this day, something haunts me about a blog I posted. In the blog I quoted a song by Switchfoot, to which the quote was so terribly not correct and I made no effort to correct it. I can't believe how bad that turned out..
"In this life you're the one place I call home. In this life, you're the feeling I belong. In this life you're the flower and the thorn. You're everything that's fair in love and war"
-Head Over Heels (Switchfoot)

Music maintains a huge role in my life. Not playing as much as I would like, but then again I never have the opportunity to jam with anyone. Ethan and I had tried a few things with MowkyCowskie, which was crazy fun since they are both really talented guitarists. I think Ethan has a creative mind and would love to see him capitalize on those skills.
I myself am not that creative with music. I can wrap it up and flip it down, but when it comes to writing original stuff, that's just not me. More of a producer. I have a natural ability to hear talent. And not much makes me happier than a track or album that's had every bit of effort poured over it until it was as smooth as possible. Some albums would include Mae's The Everglow, Sherwood's Qu, and The Decemberists' The Crane Wife.

I just had the second cup of coffee tonight, and it was the second cup in a long time.

Heidi and I discovered Berry Body, a frozen yogurt shop (which currently only has 3 locations, one in the Governors Green Shopping Center, best known for Rt 5 Farm Fresh in Williamsburg). I've had 2 chances to indulge there, and both times were rather nice. They;re simple - only 3 flavors, and like 20 different toppings, but it's supposedly all natural ingredients and healthy for you. Tastes good.

Going to La Hacienda. Time to get my Mexican on

Belle Isle

Meander your way to South 5th street in Richmond, and follow the signs to Brown Island. Take a right at the T-Intersection, and pass the war memorial. Park just before the main bridge, and walk across the suspension bridge to Belle Isle. This is where Heidi and I spent Monday. One of the best days in a long, long time.

Back in the early 1800's to 1900's, Belle Isle was used for a number of things, including factories used to create tanks and cars, handle raw steel, and even create electricity. Though everything is now either missing, rotten or rusted, the amazing level of history is still in tact. I think the most common use of the island now is leisure activity. There are trails for bike riding or hiking, rapids for kayaks and tubes, and massive, smooth stones creating the riverbed, where one can relax and listen to the water.

I have been to Belle Isle three or four times already, but each time only explored a little of the island. I'm not sure it is still so much an 'island' anymore, but if the definition of island is, as Merriam-Webster defines it, “an isolated group or area,” then Belle Isle is certainly isolated, though no longer surrounded by water. At the head of the isle, the part most upstream, a dam was built to divert water to the south side of the island, where the VEPCO Hydroelectric Power Generating Plant had 3 turbines powered by the water, which in turn powered the trolley system in south Richmond from 1904-1963. In 1963, a hurricane broke part of the dam on the north side, and the flow was restored entirely to the north and has been that way since.

The other two structures left on the isle are a Rolling, Milling and Slitting Manufactory, where scrap iron was forged into nails, wire and horseshoes, famous in the South; and the factory for vehicles. I failed at taking notes on the vehicle factory.

I would definitely suggest reading the RichmondWiki history section.

One thing not well documented is the quarry. The sign posted at the site says prisoners carved giant slabs of rock out of the hill, but eventually hit the river in two places, thus flooding the quarry. It's now a huge pond with turtles and other aquatic animals.

Most of this journey I spent without a shirt and carrying a backpack, which only really provided me with one thing: looking sexy as the sweat made me glisten.

Oh, and while we're at it, one BIG turn off is the smell. So if you have the chance, go after it rains and is high tide, cause it can wreak like septic.

After about three hours of hiking and exploration, we finally made it to the rapids for some relaxation. There was a large party going on on the largest rock, and the alcohol level was so high you could smell it from a long ways off. We found a nice little area that wasn't festering and set up camp. Our area of rapids was rather strong, and provided for an interesting 'swim' as we kept taking turns being swept away. Always be sure you know where to put your butt.

As the sun went down, we quickly realized that you can't very well see the sunset from the isle, as there is a large population of trees on the river side.

Suggestions for you, should you plan a trip:
Ask your mother to make a list of “Things you might need on a swimming/hiking expedition.”
Pack light, or light enough that everyone in your party can carry everything for at least a mile one-way.
Bring lots of fluids. Frozen waters last about 3-4 hours and double as ice packs.
Plan for a long day. Cause you have to walk everywhere you want to go.
Bring anything you might need for the duration, since the closest convenience store is far off.