Blog is a funny word.

The O'Nan Family Blog

2006-05-25T14:39:00.000-07:00

Blog is still a funny word, but LB and I have joined forces.

Elbow & Albow

Goldsmith Frenchfry Strikes Again

2006-01-17T06:49:00.000-08:00

www.camerapocket.net/goldsmithfrenchfry
it's a magical place!

Goldsmith Frenchfry

2006-01-01T07:58:00.000-08:00

I don't know what ya'll did for new years, but here is what Hil Diddy, M.C. L.B., M.C. Nolty and M.C./D.J. Freesty-Al did...

Parental Advisory, Explicit Lyrics.
Goldsmith FrenchFry - Bacon

enjoy,
http://www.camerapocket.net/Bacon.mp3

Comp USA Is Our Playground

2005-12-21T15:37:00.000-08:00

Ok, A Serious One

2005-12-21T14:23:00.000-08:00

I'M MARRIED!!!

2005-12-13T15:29:00.000-08:00

Yeah, and it's awesome!

So Long Atwood

2005-12-02T07:41:00.000-08:00

I spent Wednesday running around and trying to get everything done that I could in Kentucky. I spent from about 8am to 4pm driving around taking care of business. I then stopped by the Matt and Erins apt to pick up the mix CD they'd made for LB and I. After that, I drove out to my mom and dad's to wash clothes and just chill out. We ate good mexican food and then back home to finished packing. Went to bed and then woke up around 7:30am to get the rental car to drive down to MS. The car had been wrecked the night before so we had to wait for them to get another car from Lexington or Frankfort or something. We planned on leaving around 8am, but didn't get the car until about 10:10 am. It worked out because we met up with Erin Ricther just outside of Nashville and she was driving by herself and needed some company, so I took the wheel for the rest of the trip. We made it into Oxford around 5pm Central time. Seeing LB again was wonderful. It's amazing how not seeing someone you love for a little while makes you love them that even more when you see them again. We went to Thacker Mountain, a radio show on Miss. Public Radio that is recorded in Downtown Oxford. We met up with Marcie there and then left a little early to go eat dinner. There we met up with LB's other bridesmaids and ate dinner. We had a good time and then parted ways. Me to the hotel, them to girls night out. I hung out with my mom and dad again. Kinda felt single again. Went to my hotel room and listened to some music on the aPod. Slept ok, but I'd wake up every once in a while thinking about things. I woke up this morning and thought about how I wanted to tell everyone at the dinner tonight about my groomsmen and how much they are a part of me. Kyle Noltemeyer, Ricky Irvine, Brian Holton, Mike Cosper, Greg Leppert and Nick Nye. I hope I have the guts to share with the whole dinner party what these guys are to me. Now, I'm sitting in the lobby of the Hampton Inn, Oxford MS. My mom, dad, Uncle Larry and Aunt Jean and I just had breakfast. I called LB and her and Erin are out getting her 'nails did'. And today starts the event that will forever change me. Later today, the closest of friends and family will be slowly making there way into town and into the hotels to help LB and I celebrate what no man can make happen (trust me, I tried). Tonight is the rehersal and dinner. Tomorrow is the wedding.

So long Atwood.

This Time Next Week...

2005-11-26T20:31:00.000-08:00

By this time next week I'll be married. Pretty crazy!
Saturday 8:31 pm

- Alex

For All Those Coming From "All Good Naysayers"

2005-11-13T07:46:00.000-08:00

I think what you really want is on

www.camerapocket.net

also, what do you think about the remix?

EP ONE DVD!!

2005-11-02T17:50:00.000-08:00

Other than there only being 30 more days until I'm married (!!!!!!), there is some more pretty good news. The "EP ONE" CD's have been leaving Sunergos Coffee rather quickly. So, in response to the growing masses of Alex O'Nan electronic music fans, I've made a DVD of three of my movies available for only $3. I think it's an enjoyable DVD. If you attended the Sojourn Can't Dance Film Festival back in April, you'll be familiar with the DVD. It contains the "Transportation Trilogy" which features the music from "EP ONE".

CD Release

2005-10-24T17:20:00.000-07:00

Ok, this time it's for real. Sunergos Coffee has agreed to sell my CDs at their store. You can choose one of five different covers.

Just another day at the office

2005-09-27T21:38:00.000-07:00

The Y129 is a transfer job from the CSX in Louisville to several small regional railroads across the river. The Louisville and Indiana (L&I), the Southern Indiana Railroad (SIND) and 2 other small RRs. The first stop on our day is the L&I. When the train is built back in Louisville they always add the L&I cars to the rear of the train so that we can simply pull into a clear track in the L&I yard and cut those cars off of our train and continue north. Normally, a member of the Y129's crew will make the cut on those cars and then ride the rear car the length of the train and then stop the train and have the train reverse its movement to get that crew member back on the engine at the head end of the train.

At 11:30 this morning, as the crew of the Y129 (of which I was a part of) was making the move explained above from the L&I yard along a very busy road, we watched a crazy guy go crazy. As we pulled forward, we had a pretty busy road crossing blocked for a few minutes.... nothing out of the ordinary for that time of the day. But all of the sudden, a large rock was thrown at the train hitting the nose of the locomotive... just a few feet from my engineer and I sitting in front of wide open windows. We looked around and didn't see any kids or anyone, so we just continued as usual. We then made the reverse movement to pick up the crew member that made the setout at the L&I and he made it back up to the head end. As we passed back by the same area we had been in when the rock hit the locomotive, we saw a very odd looking fellow dressed in all black picking up rocks and throwing them our way... thank God he had bad aim because he wasn't hitting his target... US! Now, these aren't small skipping rocks let me tell you, these are jagged rocks the size of softballs or larger! After the guy got tired of missing us and the train, he turned and picked up the largest rock yet and with both hands above his head, smashed the front windsheild of brand new Ford truck in parking lot behind a row of stores! The brakeman and I just looked at each other and couldn't believe what we just saw! Instantly, I flipped open the cell phone and called the L&I trainmaster and reported the insane guy throwing rocks at us, cars and smashing windows. He, in turn, called the Sheriff. I called back to get the number from him to give them the full story and give them a way to get ahold of me. A lady from the City Police called me around 1pm and said that she didn't get enough information from the L&I to send a "cruiser" to check it out, but now that she had talked to me she would... and I thought to myself "that guy is long gone". So I called back on my way home from work and the 2nd shift police office worker hadn't heard anything of the story and knew nothing. I knew it... he got away! All day long I was really upset and just weirded out by what I saw, and that news just made it worse. I could see this guy breaking into a house, stealing a car, hurting or even killing someone... he just had that kind of look to him and really was that insane.... not to mention that some customer of one of those stores was going to walk out to get in their truck and find the entire front windsheild in the front seat. I got home, got cleaned up and went over to LB's and had dinner. Later on, I got a phone call... on the caller ID it said "private call", so I knew it was probably the police. Sure enough, it was the Sheriff and he was calling me to verify the information he had. After I explained again what happened and what the guy looked like he told me that he had been arrested shortly after I talked to the Police lady that called me! And get this, he had over 10 warrents out on him in Indiana alone! But that wasn't all! He was also wanted in Kentucky and had recently made a get-a-way from a mental prison somewhere in southern KY! WOW!

Just another day at the office.

84 Is the Magic Number

2005-09-10T06:27:00.000-07:00

Every morning that I work 1st shift, I do a little surfing while I eat some cereal. As I clicked my way through the normal sites (woot.com, LB's blog, Sojourn, and now Fantasy Football) I looked at our "the Knot" web page (the address is long and I don't know how to link stuff on here, so I'll post it at the end). It's a web site for wedding information and background stuff, but at the very top right under our picture, today it said we have 84 days to go until the wedding day! That is crazy! Partially because 84 has always been a memorable number to me. For the most part, it was listening to 840am ("84 WHAS") with my dad as a child at U of K football games on headphones and on the way there and back with all the pre game stuff to get you excited about seeing the game and all the post game stuff, or just listening to talk radio with him to and from places. Also, it was 84 Lumber Company right next to where dad worked. Seeing that big sign with the red circle with the white "84" in the middle. For some reason, everytime I think of dad taking me to work with him or going to family day there I always remember 84 lumber. Or mile post 84 on the way north back to Louisville from Nashville on the railroad is right before the extremely large Green River bridge.

Some of the guys when I was training there would tell me stories of getting stuck up there on the bridge and having to walk their train in the middle of the night on the walk way that didn't have a guard rail. So, here is to LB and I... and 84 only more days until we are one.

Our Knot Webpage - cut and paste this in your browser
http://www.camerapocket.net/wedding

I Love Music

2005-08-22T14:56:00.000-07:00

Making music on my computer is one of my favorite things to do. I've been doing it for almost 8 years now and I've finally come to the conclusion that I want people to hear it. So, I've made an 'offical release' available for download at camerapocket.net

You Know You Are The Only One For Me!

2005-08-15T03:31:00.000-07:00

Nick Nye the Mustard Guy

2005-08-05T07:47:00.000-07:00

Nic Nye is always on my mind... even when I'm making lunch and accidentally spell his name in mustard!

New Photographs On camerapocket.net

2005-07-26T11:30:00.000-07:00

Head over to
www.camerapocket.net
and go to the 'photography' section and look at the two new set of photographs that were uploaded. AND LEAVE COMMENTS!!! It's no fun coming here and seeing that no one cares enough about me to leave a friggin' comment!
Just kidding... kinda.

Sometimes, You Get What You Pay For...

2005-07-25T10:14:00.000-07:00

This past week, LB and I planned to have our engagement pictures taken. My work schedule was different than normal and I was unsure if it would change by the weekend or not, so we tentatively planned with Michael and Mickey Winters for Saturday evening or Sunday morning. Well, Saturday rolled around and I was still on 1st shift (day shift) so we planned for that night. I hadn't had a hair cut in a while and LB kept dropping hints that I needed one... so, as much as I hate the way fresh cut hair looks sometimes, I thought it's better than no cut... I guess. Right after work, I headed over to Super Cuts on Hurstborne and walked in and gave my name. About 10 minutes later, a lady calls my name and says "come on back". We had some small chit chat and she asked me how I wanted my hair cut. I said "the same, only shorter" and she said "thats easy enough". Good. Just sit back and relax in the uncomfortable chair and everything should be just fine. She seemed competent enough to ease my mind about anything going wrong... until she broke out the clippers. She started to trim around my ears... and then, she started to CUT MY BEARD! I said, "WOW! WOW!!! Thats my beard and I didn't ask for you to cut it!" She began to apologize over and over and suggest ways to fix it, but the damage had been done. A gash between my beard and my hair... and we were having out pictures taken that night! I didn't say anything to her until I looked at it in the mirror at the place, but I had my glasses off so I couldn't tell the extent of the damage, but I was scared. I said, "this is funny... my fiance and I are having our engagment pictures taken tonight". She again tried to offer horrible suggestions for fixing it and I kept saying "no, it's ok. I'll try and fix it at home." I paid and left with little conversation after that. I was nice and not rude or anything, but I didn't engage in the usual "I have no idea who you are but your hands are all over my head and hair and I've given you the power to changing my appearance" conversations. On the way home, I called LB and she wasn't as mad as I thought she'd be. I looked in the mirror when I got home and I was not as bad as I had imagined in my head. I could see a sunset photograph on the riverfront, with LB and I lookin sharp and then they close in for a head shot and get my 80's style fade line in my side burn broadside. To end the story, LB said it wasn't bad and Michael and Mickey didn't even notice until I pointed it out. Regardless, beware... because sometimes, you get what you pay for.

Our Apartment

2005-07-11T11:10:00.000-07:00

This past week my current roommate and I moved into a new place. The place that Laura and I will live after we get married. The apt complex used to be advertised as "Louisville's Presitegious Adult Community" - aka "unassisted assisted living place" or "old folks home" or the like. It's basically a bunch of old people living in apartments. Now, it's no Highlands area apt or what's slowly becoming the hot spot known as Eagles Eyrie, but I'm learning that it is a great place. Directly below us is a really sweet old lady named Beth who was "just thrilled" to see us move in. Then, Mrs. Posey who lives a few doors down was also quite excited about having some young folks move in. They have taken great pride in their apt's by putting all kinds of potted plants and flowers in what would otherwise be very dull hallways and having welcome rugs all other decorations in front of their doors. This morning Laura left for Oxford for two days and it gave me an oppurtunity to just be at the new place alone and look around a little more. I decided to do laundry and the washer and dryer are conveniently located down in the basement. As I walked into the dark basement room with some storage and the washer and dryer, I noticed all kinds of notes around from "neighbors" to "neighbors". For example, "Gena" was letting everyone know that she wasn't able to do laundry anymore because of all of the steps, so she was having a young girl do it for her and that if anyone saw her not be alarmed because she was helping her out. That was one of many notes all over the place. The place was spotless too. There was a calendar and clock, several tables and chairs with magazines on them, and the lint trap in the dryer was completely empty! All of this was in a windowless storage room down in a basement and it was about the nicest laundry room I've ever been in. This may seem a little random, but I'll take this place over those hip places any day.

Third Times the Charm

2005-06-22T16:10:00.000-07:00

Hi Ya'll, it's been a wonderful whirlwind since my LB came home from the Middle East. Getting back in the groove of having a Boo, work schedules, community group multiplication and wedding preparations to name a few. This past Sunday the 19th of June, LB and I took my parents to Oxford. They wanted to meet LB's parents and get a 'lay of the land' for wedding time. Sunday was very nice. Nice weather. We had a really nice drive down with the folks. LB and my parents are great together... that makes me so very happy. We arrived in Oxford (after several stops) around 3pm EST and took a short tour of the city. We pulled into LB's parents house and walked on in. Out parents hit it off from the start. Never a dull moment with either of them! Our moms and dads had a lot in common and we basically had to stop them from talking so we could get on with the plans. I went with mom and dad to show them to their hotel and to give LB a chance to be with her parents. We got back together about an hour later and headed to Taylor, MS to the famous Taylor Grocery... good ole' Southern cookin. We had a very enjoyable meal and time together. We headed back to the Atwood ranch and my parents went to the hotel. We talked wedding stuff and made plans for the next two days. After that, LB and I took a drive over to her great friend Marcie's house. We hung out there for a while and then drove back to get some sleep for the busy day ahead. We got up bright and early and headed out to a photographers place to take a look at his stuff. We pulled up to a nice house in the middle of no where Mississippi and were welcomed by three of the biggest labs I've ever seen. The momma was 140lbs! We walked in to a room filled with deer heads and a stuffed fox on the floor... I thought to myself "can you really be good a shooting weddings and animals?" Well, his stuff was below par. It'd be safe to say he is better at shooting animals. LB and her mom dropped me off at my parents hotel and headed to Tupelo to look for a dress while we looked for a place for the rehersal dinner. We both had pretty good luck. We nailed down a great place to have the dinner and they invited us back for dinner to help us pick the dishes we'd like to have. So after a few more errands, my parents, LB and I went to dinner at the Downtown Grill. Wonderful meal and a good time of being together. I could not have dreamed up a greater set of parents and a more beautifully wonderful woman to be in the two most important rolls in my life. God is indeed a giver of good gifts. After dinner, LB and I walked around the Oxford Square. It was late, so we headed back home. We woke the next morning to see another over priced and under good photographers work. This guy was much better, but much more expensive. I think I've found my calling in life... be a wedding photographer! You only work a few days a week and you get paid out the &$$! Oh, but anyway... We all got back together for a final time and then hit the road to come home.

On The Last Leg

2005-06-06T19:53:00.000-07:00

I'm about to leave for the airport. The wait is almost over, but not without a few delays. Her plane home was delayed about an hour due to weather... seems fitting to me. We've talked on the phone a bit... but I just won't be the same until she is finally home. Praise God for His goodness... it's almost over.

Two More Days

2005-06-04T07:10:00.000-07:00

I got an email from Laura Beth last night. She has arrived safely in Delphi, Greece. They are doing a few things there today and then they will head to Corinth and then to Athens, which is the last leg of the trip. They'll have basically two nights in Athens (they leave to come home early Monday morning). While she was in Jerusalem, we were able to correspond quite easily, but I think the next time I hear from her may be a phone call when she arrives in Atlanta Monday afternoon. Please remember her in your prayers Sunday night and Monday during the day as she'll be in the air most of the time. God has provided safety for her and peace of mind for me throughout the trip, and I have no doubts He will continue to bless us with both.

Summary of The Last Three Weeks

2005-06-01T12:53:00.000-07:00

I miss Laura.

This is how railroaders pass the time when they are blocked by other trains... drawing in the grime

This is a funny photograph my dad took while we were playing cards. Laura is behind me with her hair flipped over my head... I think it's funny.

Trying Her Hand at Photography

2005-05-10T15:13:00.000-07:00

Laura Beth is about to leave for the Middle East for almost a month and I wanted her to take my camera with her. Late last week, I gave it to her to carry around with with her and play with it incase she had any trouble or questions so we could handle them before she left.

I was very impressed...

Ok, this is long... but it's GOOOOD!

2005-05-04T12:50:00.000-07:00

In chronological order, this is the story of how I proposed to my Laura Beth Atwood on April 30th, 2005.

BACKGROUND
If you haven't already, you should start by reading the post about our trip to Oxford were I met her parents (it's called "THE FULL STORY" and the link is over there on the right in blue). That was the weekend we started to talk about getting married. The drive home from that trip, we tentatively planned for a summer engagement and a winter wedding... Also, spelling and grammer and overall proof reading has not been done yet... now, knowing all that... here we go.

Saturday, April 9th
Laura Beth and I stop by a store on Bardstown Rd and looked at antique engagement rings.

Sunday, April 10th
I knew I needed to start looking seriously for ring ideas because LB was going to be leaving soon and I needed to know what kind of ring she'd liked, so that morning I started to look around on the internet. Later that afternoon, I showed her some of the ones I liked and we looked a little bit more, but she didn't really see anything that caught her eye. That night at the Noltemeyers after church I asked Hilary to look with us. Hilarys mom is a jeweler, and I knew she had great stuff and that I wanted to get the ring there. Hilary and LB looked, and I trusted Hilary to gather some information from LB to relay to her mom on exactly what ring LB would like.

Tuesday, April 13th
I was in the bowl yard at work walking up track #24 making sure all the cars were coupled, and an idea suddenly came to me that I was to surprise my Darlin and propose to her on Saturday April 30th. That was the day of the Double Decker Art Festival in Oxford and LB had plans to go down with Erin for the weekend. I was off on Sun/Mon, so I couldn't make it to the festival, but I was planning to drive down that Sunday morning to spend the day with her and also ask her Dad for her hand in marriage, stay the night, and then drive back Monday. But! I could surprise her by driving down Saturday afternoon, and be waiting for her when she got home and the pop the question. So, I called Hilary and let her know the plan and we set a time the following day to meet at her moms jewelry store.

Tuesday April 14th
I didn't take long at all... Hilarys mom had one picked out before we got there. When I saw it, my mouth dropped to the floor. It was beautiful, and I knew that that was the one I wanted to see on my Darlin's hand for the rest of my life. I said, "that's the one" and we completed the transaction. The ring was sized a bit large, and I didn't know how to get LB in there to get her ring size without her knowing I had already gotten a ring. So, I put Hilary to the task of getting with LB one day that week and getting her ring size without giving anything away. Later that day, I was talking to God, asking how and what I should do about talking to her parents. I wanted to ask them in person but it was impossible for me to get down to Mississippi and back that week without LB knowing. So, I just picked up the phone and I called LB's parents and talked to them right then and there. Her Dad and I talked for a while. I asked for their permission to marry their daughter and they gave us their wholehearted blessing. I explained my plan and they approved and the wheels began to turn even faster.

Tuesday April 22nd
Erin was also in on the secret. It worked out that Hilary couldn't go with LB to look at rings, so Erin went with her to look knowing all she really needed to do was to get LB's ring size. Erin and Hilarys mom did a great job of pretending, and we got LBs ring size without giving anything away!

Thursday April 28th
It was the day LB and Erin were to leave for Oxford. LB was still under the impression that I had to work all weekend, and that I'd drive down early that Sunday morning. I got to spend some time with her that afternoon, and while LB was away I swiped Marcies (her best friend) phone number so she could be in on the secret too. Before I knew it, it was time for them to go. I sent them away and then started to work on printing the photographs and typing the stories that she'd read right before I proposed. See, the surprise was not only me a day early or me proposing, but a photographic reminder of the major moments in our relationship that I had planned out in my head to be placed all around the house. She'd come home and see these, walk through the house reading them with Marcie and Erin and then she'd come up stairs to her room and I'd be there on my knee. So, I took care of that and then went to community group and oddly enough, the random question of the night was "what's your favorite thing to talk about" - I answered, of course, my Darlin. After CG, I used Kyle and Hilarys printer to print out the story parts. I called LB and they were almost to Oxford. About an hour later, she called to let me know they arrived safe and sound at home.

Friday April 29th
This was the second hardest day I've had to live through since I met LB. I had lunch with Mike Cosper and we talked about the weekend ahead. You see, just about everyone knew I was going to propose except LB. We talked about various different things... but all I wanted to talk about was LB. That afternoon, Kyle and I left for Bonnieville, KY where he has a cabin. I had never been, plus I wanted to stay the night away from the city to really get quite and listen to God. It was going to be hard to pull off, because LB was going to be calling me that night and I was supposed to be working. It was difficult, but she never knew the difference.

Saturday April 30th
This WAS the hardest day of my life! I had been apart from her for far too long and I missed her like crazy... plus, I knew I had a drive ahead of me and I was going to be proposing to her that night... and I couldn't tell her anything! I left the cabin and headed to Nashville to spend sometime with my great friend Greg who has been with me in so many of my struggles. I found it very fitting that Kyle and he, two of the handful of my boys that have stuck with me so faithfully, were the last people I got to see and spend time with before this life changing moment... a moment that they helped me prepare for for years. Greg did a great job of taking my mind off of things... he really allowed me to relax and just hang out. We ate lunch, looked around Nashville for a few hours and then he sent me off with a blessing. The drive to Oxford was pleasant. LB called me a few times and I just couldn't answer it. I felt so bad, I wanted to talk with my Darlin Girl but I just couldn't bare to make up things to tell her. I knew she'd ask me about work and how things were going, and I just couldn't do it. So, as soon as she'd leave a voice mail, I'd listen to it 4-5 times just to hear that sweet voice... and hear her tell me about what she was doing. Her mom called me just west of Nashville and we talked for about 30 min on the plan for the evening. We got things squared away and then it was just God and I in the CRV tooling down the roads of SW Tenn and Northern Mississippi. I arrived after dark. Unpacked and than Donna, her mom, and I began to place the photographs with stories I'd made around the house...

#1 a short letter I wrote to describe to her what was going on without giving it away... I put it on the back door

#2 the photo/story from our first date... placed on the kitchen counter

#3 the photo/story from our first kiss... placed on the piano

#4 the photo/story from the first time I told her I loved her... placed on the bathroom mirror

#5 the photo/story from our first trip to Oxford... placed on the TV screen

#6 a photograph of the ring on her bedroom door... you see, I was inside with the ring

#7 her ring on her desk in her room, just waiting for her...

So, the night grew later and later, and I was getting more nervous by the second. I spent time with her mom and dad... met her brother for the first time and before I knew it the phone was ringing. It was Erin, and she was giving me the heads up that they were on their way home! I ran upstairs and waited. It seemed like another eternity before they arrived, but I saw the car lights coming up the driveway and I knew what was about to happen. They came inside and I could hear laughter and loud speech but couldn't make anything out. Then, I heard Laura Beth reading what I had written... in the kitchen, at the piano, in the bathroom, at the TV... and then... I heard the sound of someone running up the stairs... the familiar sound of LB's feet running up the stairs... skipping every other step. I could hear her turn the corner and walk towards her room... then silence. I was on one side of the door and she was on the other. I heard nothing... I opened the doors slowly to see the most beautiful girl in the world... my beautiful girl whom I was about to ask to marry me standing there speechless... she knew what was about to happen. We hugged for a while and then I got really tense... tense because I was as nervous as I've ever been, but relaxed at the same time because I was holding my Darlin. Then I then I asked her, "are you ready to do this?"... she said "yes", so I closed the door and took her hand and lead her to a chair and sat her down. I got on my knee, got the ring from the desk and asked her the most loaded question I've ever asked... "will you marry me?" - she didn't even hesitate... she said...

"yes... of course!"

I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!

2005-05-03T10:52:00.000-07:00

I've got to go to work right now, but I'll have the story up first thing tomorrow morning.

The only thing better...

2005-04-25T07:39:00.000-07:00

The only thing that could possibly be better than having one LB would be having two...

I Love Laura Beth Atwood

2005-04-22T09:02:00.000-07:00

The Full Story

2005-04-15T20:00:00.000-07:00

Nothing new, just the previous three posts in order...

Mississippi

I woke up this morning and high tailed it to LB's apt to help hook up her high speed internet. It was a clear and cool morning, much like the one last Thursday... the day we left for Oxford. A flood of emotions and memories just a week old ran through my mind. As I thought of the trip I was reminded that I hadn't written a thing about it. So, let me take you back to Thursday March 31st and we'll start our story.

Like I said, it was a clear and cool morning. The sky was as blue as could be (I was going to say as blue as her eyes, but that's just a little too sappy and romantic and completely true). I arrived around 8:30am and was very happy to see my sweetheart. We packed up her stuff in the CRV and had to make a quick stop at the bank to get some cash.

The drive down was relaxing for me. Being with her was relaxing for me. Then I remembered that the closer we got to our destination the closer I was to meeting her parents. So my mind would drift back and forth between being completely relaxed to thinking about a bunch of butterflies in my stomach. I've driven I65 south to Nashville a million times, so once we hit I40 west towards Memphis the scenery would help take my mind off of things. We stopped in Jackson, TN and for gas and lunch, then we hit the back roads all the way to Oxford. Laura Beth took the wheel and drove us into a new frontier for me. The back roads and country side of southwest TN and into Mississippi are beautiful. If for no other reason than they are different from that of which I am used to. Cudzoo started to dominate the landscape the further south she drove me into this state of Mississippi. A place I've not been, only heard her speak of very fondly. We pulled into Oxford and as we drove past large houses and nicely landscaped yards with flowers and trees in bloom, Laura Beth would talk about the ones she was familiar with. We drove the around the Square (I saw a sign that said the Square was the Center of the Universe) and around looking at the different houses. I was getting more nervious by the minute because I knew eventually one of the houses was going to be hers. We pulled up in the driveway of a very pretty house on a nice sized lot with pretty trees all around. She parked the car in a spot I could imagine her parking in after school when she lived there. She turned the car off. I took a few deep breaths and looked at her. She asked me if I was ready... and I said "as I'll ever be..." Then, we got out and headed for the front door...

Laura Beth knocked on the door as she opened it. And there stood her parents. They greeted her with hugs and me with handshakes. They inquired about the drive and then invited us in. They talked for a while and I listened. Something I didn't expect but came to realize I probably should have expected because they hadn't seen their baby girl in almost 4 months. We unpacked the car and LB showed me around the house. Very pretty inside. I was to stay in her brother Michael's room at one end of he hall and she was in her old room both at the other end. Unfortunately I didn't have the pleasure of meeting the Micheal this time. He is a student at Mississippi State which is an hour or so away and had a lot of work to take care off. We didn't stay long because we had things to do! We went to Off Square Books and watched the Thacker Mountain Radio Show featuring local bluegrass musicians and a poet from Memphis. They recorded an hour long radio show for Mississippi Public Radio which was also broadcast live there in town. We left just a bit early and headed to Two Stick. Two Stick is a great little sushi/asian place in a really awesome old building near the Square and we enjoyed a great and filling dinner. After that we walked around the square, stopped in Square Books for her to get some coffee and to sit on the upstairs porch that overlooks the Square. I told LB some things I was thinking. We got back in the car and drove around a bit. While driving she realized she didn't have the materials she needed for an event she was to be at the next day at Ole Miss. She left them back in Louisville. After a few moments of crazy she made some phone calls. Nothing could be done until the next morning. We went back home and her parents were in bed or getting ready to be. I went up stairs to my room and waited for LB. She came in my room and we tried to figure out a way to get the stuff 450 miles south of where it was. We talked some more and I told her some things I was thinking... it got late, so we ended day one.

I woke up to my Darlin's face peeking in my room telling me to get up cause we were going to meet someone half way to get the stuff. I dressed and went downstairs. Her mom was up and made coffee. She handed us some apples and granola bars and we hit the road. It was rainy so we couldn't have done much anyway. But what turned out to be a bump in the weekend turned out to be the most memorable time for me. We talked. And talked. And talked. It was beautiful the things we talked about. The drive seemed like minutes... and we were just 50 miles outside of Nashville... more than half way home. We met a very nice young lady at a gas station in Lexington, TN and then headed back... racing to be back before 2pm. Well, we made it... and no one showed up! All was not lost because of our great time of conversation and being together... I wouldn't have traded it for anything else. As she was at the event I walked around the Square. The rain had stopped and given way to white puffy clouds that seemed to be moving 100mph behind the deep blue sky. I went to Square Books, back to the porch and sat down to really take in all we had talked about. I talked with God about things and really enjoyed my time alone. She called me about an hour later and I went back to get her to go home for dinner with the parents. We ate dinner, or... they did. I didn't like it to much and I felt bad. LB knew I was picky... I know you are always supposed to eat what is put in front of you but I just couldn't. Pot roast. LB left to go back to Ole Miss for another event and I was there with the parents. Her dad and I sat at the table and talked. Her mom asked me about the railroad and I tried to explain without using all the RR jargon I've come to expect people to know when I'm telling them about the RR. We talked for about an hour at the dinner table, then we went into the living room to see if the Final Four games were on. They weren't, so we just talked some more. LB came back and it was getting late by then. We went up to her room, which became a ritual that weekend, to talk about the day. I concluded the day by telling her more things I was thinking. It got even later, so we ended day two.

I slept really well Friday night into Saturday morning. I woke up thinking about the day before. I had a talk with God as I laid in bed and then I started to miss Laura Beth. So, I called her on her cell phone and told her to come down the hall. She did, and we talked about the plans for the day... see Oxford for real.

We got ready and headed out to see the city after her mom made us some excellent SISTER SCHUBERT'S Cinnamon Rolls. Here is a picture of Sister...

We drove through the Ole Miss campus on the way to the Square. We went to the Weather Vane to meet Karen... a lady she used to work with there. I felt like the fly on the wall that I always wanted to be when LB was telling someone about me. She told Karen about how we met and all the things she liked about me as if I wasn't there. Of course I loved every second of it. After that, we walked around the Square to Bottle Tree Bakery for LB to get her daily gallon of coffee (har har har). She showed me the places she lived and the different buildings where she spent most of her time while there. We got her some coffee and then she took me to the original Mcalister's for me to get some great sweet tea, but it still wasn't as good as hers. We drove out to a hippy place to look for ear candles for LB because her ears had been bothering her, but they were closed. On the way back to town we went to Rowan Oak, the home of William Faulkner. The weather was beautiful, so we walked around on some of the trails around the house and then went in for a tour of the house. The inside was completely restored and very interesting. We went back outside and walked around. We walked through the backyard where her and Marcie spent a lot of time and then back to the car. We drove around the city some more and then I told her of my desire to purchase something to commemorate our trip... or a souvenir. A tshirt that said "Ole Miss" or something like that. We looked a few places with no luck for me, but she found a hat the first place! We checked a few other places before we hit the jackpot back in the Square. I found good lookin hat too. By this time it was around dinner time, and we were going to celebrate her dad's birthday. We arrived home and as dinner was being prepared we looked at old family vacation photo albums... funny stuff! She also played some old home movies from her in plays back in high school... those were entertaining! I found out for myself that she has an amazing voice. We took a break and ate a very good steak dinner (my first steak believe it or not, and I liked it!) and then back to finish up the evening with a look at her in the "King and I" and a check of the scores in the two Final Four games. Watched a little basketball and then went upstairs to finish the day as we had the previous two days. Again, I told her somethings and it got late so we ended day three.

We woke up Sunday morning and went to breakfast at Bottletree. I had the biggest cinnamon roll in the world and some really fresh OJ... it was awesome. We talked a bit and then went to church. Right off the bat, she had a line of folks wanting to talk to her. Young and old alike were lining up to talk to my Sweatheart. She introduced me to all the folks, most of which knew I was going to be there... hmmm! Because of that we were a bit late and the service had started. Her mom was in the chior and her dad was sitting on the front row... I felt like all eyes were on us as we walked in together. I sat between her and her dad. We enjoyed a very good sermon dealing with Terri Schiavo and then at the end of the service more folks coming up to see her and meet me. We went back home for lunch and a good friend of her brothers ate with us. After lunch, we finished off the film in her and her mom's camera and dropped them off at the local Wally World. Then we took a little drive out to the Mississippi Delta... the place most the photographs I've posted from the trip were taken. It was very interesting to see in real life things I've only seen in my head or in movies. The flat landscape, old cotton farms, small town store fronts with an older black fellows dressed up in suits and hats walking down the sidewalk with a limp. This was the Mississippi I'd had imagined. The sky and clouds were amazing and I've got some video that I'll make a move from soon... it'll be really good. We made it to Clarksdale, MS... "the Crossroads" and then doubled back to make it home in time to go out to dinner with her folks. We drove to a small town called Taylor, MS and ate at the old grocery store turned hip restaurant aptly called Taylor Grocery. It was good. We had a great time with her and her parents. The drive back LB was in a silly mood which made us all laugh... I told her this, but I found out on this trip that she is one of the funniest people I've ever known. We went to bed early because of the drive home the next day. Yes, I did finish the day telling her some of my thoughts. End day four.

We got up and kind of fiddled around before we left. Talked with her mom and dad for a little bit and then hit the road after a few stops. I think at this point in the trip I knew I wanted to be with her forever. We talked about the future all the way home. I shared some things with her that I'd never shared with anyone and she did the same. I could only compare this to a great time of male bonding but she is absolutely and beautifully female. The trip seemed to pass in a snap. We arrived at her place around 10pm and watched the rest of the NCAA basketball champ game with Erin and Becky. I couldn't believe it was over and that I wasn't going to be waking up to another day with my Darlin.

This trip was one of the number one trips I've been on (wink wink).

The Rest of the Story...

2005-04-12T13:22:00.000-07:00

I slept really well Friday night into Saturday morning. I woke up thinking about the day before. I had a talk with God as I laid in bed and then I started to miss Laura Beth. So, I called her on her cell phone and told her to come down the hall. She did, and we talked about the plans for the day... see Oxford for real.

We got ready and headed out to see the city after her mom made us some excellent SISTER SCHUBERT'S Cinnamon Rolls. We drove through the Ole Miss campus on the way to the Square. We went to the Weather Vane to meet Karen... a lady she used to work with there. I felt like the fly on the wall that I always wanted to be when LB was telling someone about me. She told Karen about how we met and all the things she liked about me as if I wasn't there. Of course I loved every second of it. After that, we walked around the Square to Bottle Tree Bakery for LB to get her daily gallon of coffee (har har har). She showed me the places she lived and the different buildings where she spent most of her time while there. We got her some coffee and then she took me to the original Mcalister's for me to get some great sweet tea, but it still wasn't as good as hers. We drove out to a hippy place to look for ear candles for LB because her ears had been bothering her, but they were closed. On the way back to town we went to Rowan Oak, the home of William Faulkner. The weather was beautiful, so we walked around on some of the trails around the house and then went in for a tour of the house. The inside was completely restored and very interesting. We went back outside and walked around. We walked through the backyard where her and Marcie spent a lot of time and then back to the car. We drove around the city some more and then I told her of my desire to purchase something to commemorate our trip... or a souvenir. A tshirt that said "Ole Miss" or something like that. We looked a few places with no luck for me, but she found a hat the first place! We checked a few other places before we hit the jackpot back in the Square. I found good lookin hat too. By this time it was around dinner time, and we were going to celebrate her dad's birthday. We arrived home and as dinner was being prepared we looked at old family vacation photo albums... funny stuff! She also played some old home movies from her in plays back in high school... those were entertaining! I found out for myself that she has an amazing voice. We took a break and ate a very good steak dinner (my first steak believe it or not, and I liked it!) and then back to finish up the evening with a look at her in the "King and I" and a check of the scores in the two Final Four games. Watched a little basketball and then went upstairs to finish the day as we had the previous two days. Again, I told her somethings and it got late so we ended day three.

We woke up Sunday morning and went to breakfast at Bottletree. I had the biggest cinnamon roll in the world and some really fresh OJ... it was awesome. We talked a bit and then went to church. Right off the bat, she had a line of folks wanting to talk to her. Young and old alike were lining up to talk to my Sweatheart. She introduced me to all the folks, most of which knew I was going to be there... hmmm! Because of that we were a bit late and the service had started. Her mom was in the chior and her dad was sitting on the front row... I felt like all eyes were on us as we walked in together. I sat between her and her dad. We enjoyed a very good sermon dealing with Terri Schiavo and then at the end of the service more folks coming up to see her and meet me. We went back home for lunch and a good friend of her brothers ate with us. After lunch, we finished off the film in her and her mom's camera and dropped them off at the local Wally World. Then we took a little drive out to the Mississippi Delta... the place most the photographs I've posted from the trip were taken. It was very interesting to see in real life things I've only seen in my head or in movies. The flat landscape, old cotton farms, small town store fronts with an older black fellows dressed up in suits and hats walking down the sidewalk with a limp. This was the Mississippi I'd had imagined. The sky and clouds were amazing and I've got some video that I'll make a move from soon... it'll be really good. We made it to Clarksdale, MS... "the Crossroads" and then doubled back to make it home in time to go out to dinner with her folks. We drove to a small town called Taylor, MS and ate at the old grocery store turned hip restaurant aptly called Taylor Grocery. It was good. We had a great time with her and her parents. The drive back LB was in a silly mood which made us all laugh... I told her this, but I found out on this trip that she is one of the funniest people I've ever known. We went to bed early because of the drive home the next day. Yes, I did finish the day telling her some of my thoughts. End day four.

We got up and kind of fiddled around before we left. Talked with her mom and dad for a little bit and then hit the road after a few stops. I think at this point in the trip I knew I wanted to be with her forever. We talked about the future all the way home. I shared some things with her that I'd never shared with anyone and she did the same. I could only compare this to a great time of male bonding but she is absolutely and beautifully female. The trip seemed to pass in a snap. We arrived at her place around 10pm and watched the rest of the NCAA basketball champ game with Erin and Becky. I couldn't believe it was over and that I wasn't going to be waking up to another day with my Darlin.

This trip was one of the number one trips I've been on (wink wink).

Mississippi Mud Still On My Shoes

2005-04-09T22:29:00.000-07:00

Laura Beth knocked on the door as she opened it. And there stood her parents. They greeted her with hugs and me with handshakes. They inquired about the drive and then invited us in. They talked for a while and I listened. Something I didn't expect but came to realize I probably should have expected because they hadn't seen their baby girl in almost 4 months. We unpacked the car and LB showed me around the house. Very pretty inside. I was to stay in her brother Michael's room at one end of he hall and she was in her old room both at the other end. Unfortunately I didn't have the pleasure of meeting the Micheal this time. He is a student at Mississippi State which is an hour or so away and had a lot of work to take care off. We didn't stay long because we had things to do! We went to Off Square Books and watched the Thacker Mountain Radio Show featuring local bluegrass musicians and a poet from Memphis. They recorded an hour long radio show for Mississippi Public Radio which was also broadcast live there in town. We left just a bit early and headed to Two Stick. Two Stick is a great little sushi/asian place in a really awesome old building near the Square and we enjoyed a great and filling dinner. After that we walked around the square, stopped in Square Books for her to get some coffee and to sit on the upstairs porch that overlooks the Square. I told LB some things I was thinking. We got back in the car and drove around a bit. While driving she realized she didn't have the materials she needed for an event she was to be at the next day at Ole Miss. She left them back in Louisville. After a few moments of crazy she made some phone calls. Nothing could be done until the next morning. We went back home and her parents were in bed or getting ready to be. I went up stairs to my room and waited for LB. She came in my room and we tried to figure out a way to get the stuff 450 miles south of where it was. We talked some more and I told her even more things I was thinking... it got late, so we ended day one.

I woke up to my Darlin's face peeking in my room telling me to get up cause we were going to meet someone half way to get the stuff. I dressed and went downstairs. Her mom was up and made coffee. She handed us some apples and granola bars and we hit the road. It was rainy so we couldn't have done much anyway. But what turned out to be a bump in the weekend turned out to be the most memorable time for me. We talked. And talked. And talked. It was beautiful the things we talked about. The drive seemed like minutes... and we were just 50 miles outside of Nashville... more than half way home. We met a very nice young lady at a gas station in Lexington, TN and then headed back... racing to be back before 2pm. Well, we made it... and no one showed up! All was not lost because of our great time of conversation and being together... I wouldn't have traded it for anything else. As she was at the event I walked around the Square. The rain had stopped and given way to white puffy clouds that seemed to be moving 100mph behind the deep blue sky. I went to Square Books, back to the porch and sat down to really take in all we had talked about. I talked with God about things and really enjoyed my time alone. She called me about an hour later and I went back to get her to go home for dinner with the parents. We ate dinner, or... they did. I didn't like it to much and I felt bad. LB knew I was picky... I know you are always supposed to eat what is put in front of you but I just couldn't. Pot roast. LB left to go back to Ole Miss for another event and I was there with the parents. Her dad and I sat at the table and talked. Her mom asked me about the railroad and I tried to explain without using all the RR jargon I've come to expect people to know when I'm telling them about the RR. We talked for about an hour at the dinner table, then we went into the living room to see if the Final Four games were on. They weren't, so we just talked some more. LB came back and it was getting late by then. We went up to her room, which became a ritual that weekend, to talk about the day. I concluded the day by telling her more things I was thinking. It got even later, so we ended day two.

Mississippi Mud Still On My Car

2005-04-08T11:46:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning and high tailed it to LB's apt to help hook up her high speed internet. It was a clear and cool morning, much like the one last Thursday... the day we left for Oxford. A flood of emotions and memories just a week old ran through my mind. As I thought of the trip I was reminded that I hadn't written a thing about it. So, let me take you back to Thursday March 31st and we'll start our story.

Like I said, it was a clear and cool morning. The sky was as blue as could be (I was going to say as blue as her eyes, but that's just a little too sappy and romantic and completely true). I arrived around 8:30am and was very happy to see my sweetheart. We packed up her stuff in the CRV and had to make a quick stop at the bank to get some cash.

The drive down was relaxing for me. Being with her was relaxing for me. Then I remembered that the closer we got to our destination the closer I was to meeting her parents. So my mind would drift back and forth between being completely relaxed to thinking about a bunch of butterflies in my stomach. I've driven I65 south to Nashville a million times, so once we hit I40 west towards Memphis the scenery would help take my mind off of things. We stopped in Jackson, TN and for gas and lunch, then we hit the back roads all the way to Oxford. Laura Beth took the wheel and drove us into a new frontier for me. The back roads and country side of southwest TN and into Mississippi are beautiful. If for no other reason than they are different from that of which I am used to. Cudzoo started to dominate the landscape the further south she drove me into this state of Mississippi. A place I've not been, only heard her speak of very fondly. We pulled into Oxford and as we drove past large houses and nicely landscaped yards with flowers and trees in bloom, Laura Beth would talk about the ones she was familiar with. We drove the around the Square (I saw a sign that said the Square was the Center of the Universe) and around looking at the different houses. I was getting more nervious by the minute because I knew eventually one of the houses was going to be hers. We pulled up in the driveway of a very pretty house on a nice sized lot with pretty trees all around. She parked the car in a spot I could imagine her parking in after school when she lived there. She turned the car off. I took a few deep breaths and looked at her. She asked me if I was ready... and I said "as I'll ever be..." Then, we got out and headed for the front door...

Mississippi USA

2005-04-05T11:19:00.000-07:00

I'll write about the trip tonight or tomorrow, but for now...

Oxford, Miss

2005-03-31T05:10:00.000-08:00

I'm leaving for Oxford right now to meet my sweethearts parents... I'm nervous.

Famous People I've Met

2005-03-22T14:56:00.000-08:00

Biz Markie

Thanks Friends

2005-03-14T20:50:00.000-08:00

I really want to thank my old and new friends alike for coming to the ofA show Saturday night. I wish I could name each one of you but I'd forget someone and make them mad. But it probably wouldn't matter either way that much cause only Laura Beth, Erin and Nick Nye read this on a somewhat regular basis... and Hilary too, but she won't once she starts to feel better which I hope is soon for her sake, but not for my weblogs sake if you know what I mean. But thanks anyway...

Another ofA show

2005-03-07T16:48:00.000-08:00

This Saturday, March 12th at Uncle Pleasants. We'll be playing with the Commonwealth & Foxhole. I'll have the details on the time and cost soon... Plan on being there around 9pm.

From the Grave

2005-03-01T16:38:00.000-08:00

A good friend of mine was declared 'lost at sea' last month after the fishing vessel he was working on sank off the coast of Alaska. Sunday, I was able to get my hands on a t-shirt that he designed for OF ASAPH (my band) before he died.

1st Shift

2005-02-28T13:04:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to say that working 1st shift is wonderful. It's been more than a year and a half since I've worked the normal American work schedule and I can't tell you how much better I feel during the day and how nice it is to have the evening free. I have a hunch it won't last long, but I'm enjoying it while I can...

Be well.

Wonderfully Rainy & Lazy Sunday

2005-02-21T16:26:00.000-08:00

I'm coming out of my second long four day weekend in a row. This weekend I took off work to be a part of my good friend’s wedding. Friday was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner and Saturday the wedding. Both were awesome. But Sunday took the cake for me this weekend. I woke to the sound of the phone ringing. It was my sweetheart calling. Her car had been acting up and she had a lot of work to do, so I spent the rainy day being lazy and hanging out with her while she worked on school stuff. We ate a good lunch at Panera Bread and then went to Java and read a while. Then we took a drive down River Road and the Ohio in a mist was beautiful. Headed to Sojourn and then out for some Boombozz with some good friends to finish of the day... It was just lovely. It's rare that I have a lazy day that actually makes me feel better. I guess it wasn't so much lazy as restful. I needed it.

It's going to be hard to go back to work tomorrow!

Hey Erin Richterburgmeyer

2005-02-16T20:21:00.001-08:00

Photographs of my Colorado weekend are up at www.camerapocket.net
Thank you for wanting to see them!

Back home...

2005-02-14T21:41:00.000-08:00

Colorado was amazing. I've got to say the highlight was getting Biz Markie's autograph at Denver Int'l before our flight home. But I think it stinks that while I was gone, no one posted anything about the first part of my short story...

I never thought I'd say this because of my love for the mountains, but I was glad to get back home. I was glad to see LB.

Rocky Mountain USA

2005-02-10T23:39:00.000-08:00

In less than 12 hours, I'll be on a flight from Cincinnati to Colorado. I'm in Wilmore, KY right now, just outside Lexington staying with my great friends the Irvines (http://www.camerapocket.net/film/TheIrvines.mov). We caught up on all the new goings on in our lives now they are packing and I'm writing this. I'm about to fall out of this chair I'm so darn tired. It's been a long day, but it was super nice... super nice (wink wink).

My Short Story

2005-02-09T11:37:00.000-08:00

The following post is a product of my experiments in silence and solitude. On a daytime trip to Nashville on a train last March, I couldn't wait to get into the hotel and watch some college basketball. When we'd stop to meet another train, or wait for a signal to proceed, I'd pull out "The Spirit of the Disciplines" by Foster and read as much as I could. The closer I got, the more felt God saying to get in the hotel and be silent. Rest, think, write... do anything but fill your mind and time with nothing. So, as I sat on the bed in the hotel room, the idea came to me to write the outline to a story about the last 5 years of my life. So, I outlined it that night and began writing it when I got home the next day. It is still unfinished, and unedited... but I want you to read it and make comments and suggestions if you would. Keep it mind, I am just typing my thoughts as I go, so I've not edited a thing but the spelling... and even that might not be done. Enjoy...

Chapter One (1st draft)

2005-02-09T10:35:00.000-08:00

It was the summer of 1999. The summer between my sophomore and junior year in the photography program at the University of Louisville, and the summer I worked at the bar-b-q place not too far from the railroad tracks. I was playing drums in a band with two of my good buddies and our first show was right around the corner. We had the idea to shoot some random video and have it playing while we played. The show was only a few weeks away and we hadn’t any ideas of what to shoot. As I was leaving work one night I heard the distant rumble of a train coming into town. I raced down to the tracks just in time to catch the locomotives coming over the road crossing. I watched in awe as what looked like one huge continuous piece of steel passed by at 50mph just 10 feet away from the hood of my car. After the train passed I sat there in the car and images of trains at night projected on the way behind us at the show ran through my head. After that night I started to pack the old family video camera around in the car with me. Brian, who played bass in the band, and I would sit by the train tracks from time to time waiting for any sign of movement on the tracks. I’ll never forget the first night we caught a train on tape. It was a very warm night. I parked my car in a strategic location so we could see a train coming from either direction. We’d look east, then west. We would get so impatience just sitting there waiting. “I think I hear one” I’d say waiting anxiously for a horn blast to confirm my suspicion. “Nope, just a truck” Brian would conclude after a few minutes of silence. Another hour passed with no train. It was getting late, and about the time we wanted to give up the unmistakable throaty chugging sound of a locomotive was heard and seconds later the first “long” of the standard road crossing horn cadence would sound. A frantic scramble ensued as we rushed to get out of the car and find a place for the camera. I ran out to the tracks and put the camera between the rails. We stood back and watched. The engineer gave it some juice just as the eastbound came into view and our hearts raced as the train grew closer and closer. About the time it was too late, the fear of my dad hit me and I wanted to run out and grab the video camera. Just as I took the first step to get the camera out of harms way, the second “long” sounded and I thought twice. “Too late” Brian said, and my eyes were fixed on the camera. It was one of those old full size VHS cameras with the big handle on top. I thought for sure the handle would snag the bottom of the cowcatcher and the camera and my ass would be history. In a moment of extreme tension, we watched the train passed over the camera safely, and I could start to breath again. As the end of the container train came into view and I knew the camera would be ok and the images of what was being caught on tape started to run through my mind. My heart started to race again. Just then I noticed out of the corner of my eye a shadowed figure coming into the light. He looked very young, couldn’t have been much older me, if not younger. “What ya’ll doin?” he asked. “Umm… nothing.” I said. Just as the train cleared he exclaimed, “WOW! Is that your video camera?” “Yeah… we’re making a movie” and then I began to explain what for. He sounded very interested in what we were doing, and we later found out he was had just dropped out of the University of Kentucky’s music program to work for the railroad. He was working a utility job at the mixing yard in Shelbyville and had just helped out that eastbound pick up some cars. “There’s another one behind this one, shouldn’t be too far behind him” he said as I walked over to the tracks to get the camera. We took turns watching the video through the eyepiece. After we each had a turn, I queued the video up for the next train and started to sit down when he said, “Hey, come in here”. He pulled out his switch key and unlocked the door to the small building at “East Shelbyville”. “I’m Joe by the way”. “Oh, I’m Alex and this is Brian.” Inside were a few desks and a computer terminal. He sat down at the terminal and pulled out a book about trains and began to talk about railroad stuff I knew nothing about but pretended I did. “That locomotive was a dash-9”, he said. “Wow, awesome” I followed, wondering what the heck a dash 9 was. A few minutes of chitchat between the three of us and Joe said, “Here comes your second east bound”. Brian and I raced back outside. Just as I turned the camera on and hit record, the locomotives gave us a loud horn blast and the engineer waved. As the seemingly endless string of auto carriers streamed by, I made sure to hit all the cool lighting angles. We hung out with Joe for a few more hours just talking railroad stuff. He continued to talk about train watching and about how he had taken trips out west to photograph trains. He told us about the job and how cool it was. Joe worked on the line from Louisville to Danville, which serves as a major connection between St. Louis and the southeast. This line follows I-64 from the west end of Louisville all the way to somewhere between Shelbyville and Frankfort were it takes a dive south towards Danville. He talked about seeing the beautiful landscapes of downtown Louisville and Central Kentucky from angles only railroaders could see it. We didn’t catch any more trains that night, but we exchanged phone numbers with Joe and heading down to East Shelbyville to meet him turned into a nightly ritual for me. Some nights Joe would call me and take me into the mixing yard with him. The bright lights with the night sky as a backdrop made for great footage. Sometimes, we hop on a slow moving train and ride if for a little while. The excitement of seeing parts of my hometown I’d never seen before and those I had but from different angles made the adventure of being somewhere you weren’t supposed to something more than just getting film for a show. But, by the day of the show we had gathered plenty of film… mission accomplished.

Who eats at bad food places? Shhheeewwww.

2005-02-03T13:33:00.000-08:00

I can now say in all honesty, I don't like working to Nashville. My engineer was as cantankerous as ever. He was short with me in every way. If it wasn't silent in the cab, he was explaining to me that I didn't belong out on the road. Railroaders can be like dogs. They mark their territory, and if you come close watch out. One way you know you are not invited is the "Shhhhewww". "Shhheeewwww" is the classic railroad heckle broadcast over the radio right after the unwelcome new comer gives instructions over the radio. I avoided the "Sheeewww" this trip, but I'm sure it was by the skin of my teeth. We worked early early into the morning on Wednesday. Slept only a few hours. It's so hard to sleep when the sun is up. Had no choice but to eat at Shoney's. I ate bad pancakes and scrabbled eggs with the cantankerous engineer and two of his not as cantankerous buddies. As they made trip after trip to the buffet, I watched a line of old or boring or old and normal and boring folks line up outside the door to eat bad food. I looked out the window to see gas stations and fast food places lining the busy suburban street with its many stoplights and billboards advertising legal help and either beer or cigarettes. I did get to take a nap though. The return trip was a little better. After a few more short remarks from the cantankerous engineer, I reminded him that we shared a classic railroad moment together and that he was the one that gave me my nick name. See, it was one day last year when he and I had a trip together. We had too much train for the engines we had, and the engines couldn't pull the train up the hill coming out of the Cumberland River Valley. We stalled our first try and we backed down the hill for another run. We tried it again and failed again. He got out to inspect the sanders that lay sand on the rail for traction. They didn't work. We tried again and got a little further, but still stalled. He said the only way we'd make it is if we had sand on the rails because the wheels would just spin. We both knew the only way it could be done. So, I said LETS GO! He started to pull again, and as he pulled I'd go from the top of the engine were the sand is kept, grab a hand full of sand, run out in front of the train (going about a mile an hour, maybe two) and sprinkle the sand on the rail and then back to the top to do it again. We did that for about a 1/3 of a mile and we made it up the hill. As we started to pick up speed, he looked at me and said "great job Sandy!" After I reminded him, he seemed to warm up to me. But it was too late. We were almost back to Louisville.

Worry is the devil

2005-02-01T10:19:00.000-08:00

I'm in unfamiliar territory. Strange things are happening all over my world. Strange may not be the right word because these are good things... for the most part. I just associate the word strange with bad things. The most pressing is that I'm leaving on a train for Nashville in a few hours and I'm unsettled about it. I haven't worked my way down there in almost a year and I know I've forgotten some vital things. I think I’ll be ok until we hit the Nashville Terminal. This is the yard in Nashville and it’s a vast network of steel rails and switches that I’ve not seen for a while. To make things worse I’ve got an engineer with a short temper, and I'm afraid that this trip may be a bit nasty.

Of Asaph is playing our first show in almost a year with only 3 practices to prepare us. Plus another huge situation, which is indescribable, keeps my mind racing back and forth with different scenarios and outcomes and the knot in my stomach reminds me that I’ve GOT to trust God.

Because (say it with me...)
worry is the devil

the Weather Channel

2005-01-29T10:12:00.000-08:00

Is it just me, or does anyone else watch the weather channel for the hec of it. Yeah, I'll turn it on to see my "Local On The 8's" but after that, I don't turn it off... I just keep watching. And the music they play during the "Local On The 8's" will be stuck in my head all day long. Sometimes thats not a bad thing. Smooth Jazz is so bad, but sometimes is so bad it's good!

www.camerapocket.net

coming over the mighty Ohio River in Cincinnati, OH

Solitude and Silence

2005-01-25T22:58:00.000-08:00

This is something I've tried over the past few years with very little success. I've read most of the classic on the disciplines and have found a lot of my growth having come from there practice. But for some reason, being silent just hasn’t produced any notable changes. I've tried all the different techniques noted in these great books but with little success. Then one Sunday night not too long ago, Daniel at Sojourn mentioned something in his sermon that sparked my interest in giving it another try. He referenced the Ultimate Fighting Championships that were very popular with my friends and I about 10 years ago. The UFCs televised cage matches, pitting opponents of different fighting styles together in an octagon with no limits. You fight until you can’t fight any longer, or you simply tap the floor and the ref will stop the fight. Daniel recalled two different approaches the majority of the fighters would take. One called for a lot of hype before the fight, with loud music, jumping and hitting of the chest and arms to get pumped up. Once in the fight, the fighter would stay true to the form he was taught and follow the rigid technique he was taught. What it boiled down to was nothing more than walking around in circles for a while with the other fighter until one made the first move or threw the first punch. The second approach called for a raw and, as Daniel pointed out, more effective approach. This fighter would enter the octagon focused with very little hype, face their opponent and once the bell rings, it was like saying “sick em” to a dog. They’d come out swinging, putting their opponent on the floor in some sort of submission hold or having them in a sort of defensive position. No technique involved, just get in there and go to work. This was the approach I was to take towards silence and solitude. Don’t wait around for something to happen, just go in there and do it. I was recently given a book with the title "Silence and Solitude" by Ruth Hailey Barton that has said basically the same thing, minus the fighting stuff. She also states that it's not the length of the period of silence, but the regularity and consistency of it. So, Mr/Ms/Mrs Reader, I encourage you to try this with me.

Smokey Bars, Good & Bad Music

2005-01-24T07:14:00.000-08:00

Last night after Sojourn I headed to a show to benefit the completion of Aaron's film. It was foxhole (very good friends of mine), a band called "the October" (yeah, they the name says it all) and the Photographic. Foxhole has had drummer problems for a while now. Problems which I have fixed by playing with them on various occasions and they still haven't fixed them. They thought they found the right guy, but I found out last night that that was his last show with them... I don't understand. He played very timid like, as if he was afraid to hit the drums too hard. When he 'got into it' he'd do just fine, but he'd forget about it and then he'd quiet back down... I was disappointed. Not so much in the set but in the mix. I still love it... they are my home boys. After they finished up, "the October" graced us with their presence. One of the funniest sets I've watched. I've never had so much fun making fun of a band before. The venue said "local show" and their egos screamed "arena". I knew it was going funny when the guitar player stepped out from behind the mic to do his guitar solo, placing the body of the guitar between his legs and making funny faces with every note played. I told a friend that I wouldn't be surprised to see them on MTV2 with in the next year. I'd say they are the latest installment in the super reverb bands. Cure influenced rock, trying to be the next Interpol. They played the same song (not really) for what seemed like 2 hours. By the time they finished, everyone who stuck around through the 'just woke up hair' and "metro sexual' fashion of 'the October' had ears that were bleeding, sore jaws and a belly that hurt from smiling and laughing so hard. Last but not least the Photographic began to set up. When I saw the film projector I knew things would finally get creative again. Their opening riff took more creative thought than 'the Octobers' complete set... and I was impressed. I've talked with those guys quite a bit about play a show with of Asaph, and I've listened to their recorded stuff but never live. The set wasn't that tight and the film wasn't that interesting (basically slow motion footage of driving around Louisville), but the effort they put into it encouraged me that there are still some creative folks out there playing music because they love to.

Very Happy Birthdays

2005-01-23T10:38:00.000-08:00

The railroad is a beast. I learned early on that there are few things that I'll try to miss work for. The hoops you have to jump through to get an unscheduled day off are ridiculous. It's because the nature of the job is slow weekdays and super busy weekends, so it's highly frowned upon by the folks in charge to miss work on the weekends. In fact, most of the time they won't even let you take a weekend day off unless you are sick (or tell them you are sick) and even then it's like pulling teeth. I work 2nd shift starting at 3pm and usually not back in the car on the way home until 10pm or later so making events on time, or at all, is a challenge. But for some reason when I called the railroad to tell them I'd like the day (Saturday) off, they said "ok... " and that was that. My great friend was throwing a celebration for his wife's 30th birthday and I knew that it was going to be very special and something I'd regret missing or evening being late to... and boy was I right. I arrived early to help park cars (which went from a good plan to a good plan and not good execution to a bad plan an still no execution to a total disaster to working out just fine in the end) and as I pulled in so did the jazz band. And it wasn't any jazz band either. It was the Dick Sisto Trio. Tyrone Wheeler on upright bass, Jason Tiemann on drums and the amazing Dick Sisto on the piano. I've listened to these guys for years and last night they were amazing. Hanging out with some of the most special people to me in the world and having the background music not only be live jazz, but the amazing live jazz of the Dick Sisto 3 is something I'll never forget. The house where the party was is a super awesome huge house and everyone came dressed super nice. The dinner was fantastic as well. The band played for about 2 hours, and as they left we went down the stairs into the basement for a time of admonishment of the birthday girl and some fun and games. We did that for quite a while and everyone seemed to be just having a great time. WHAT A NIGHT! I must not get out that much, because I was amazed. Well, I don't get out that much but still... it was a lovely night.

of Asaph show

2005-01-22T13:19:00.000-08:00

Please keep this in mind.

Thursday February 3rd @ Uncle Pleasents in Louisville
to benefit the Aaron Marrs Memorial Fund
of Asaph (my heart and my band) w/ Your Highness (what was Christiansen), Squarewell, Consume Consumer

I'm not sure of the time just yet.

Did you ever think your long johns could make decisions for you?

2005-01-22T09:47:00.000-08:00

Last night at work was cold. Really cold. Usually when it is that cold, the only thing on my mind is warming up next to the iMac. While at work, I was invited via cell phone to a round of bowling with some very new friends after I got off work. They planned on being there at 8pm and I knew I wouldn't leave work any earlier than 9-9:15pm. Being late for the game at a crowded bowling alley kind of made the iMac sound like the better idea for tonight. As I went back and forth with it in my head I remembered I had my long johns on and for some reason that did it. That was the deciding factor. Count me out. So as I drove the usual route planning on going home after work I found myself exiting sooner of the interstate than normal. I had an urge, a need for hot liquid. Hot tea to be exact. This is not a common practice for me by any means. Probably the first time ever after work. But, again, it was cold and I was outside most of the day so instead of the iMac warming me up it was going to be Sunergos. I ordered up a hot chai tea and started to talked with Brian the owner. We talked for a while. As I finished my drink we naturally ended our conversation. No sooner had that happened as the door opens and some folks start to pile into the store. I didn't pay much attention at first and then I noticed some faces and that it was the bowling crew! I guess I was supposed to be with those folks after all. The bowling alley was packed and they too felt the urge for hot liquid and came to Sunergos. We spent the evening talking and playing some cards and I it warmed me up even more that we ended up hanging out together. I really enjoyed their company... very much.

I just uploaded about a million photographs from the past three years to camerapocket.net - please take a look.

In the words of White Snake, "Here I go again..."

2005-01-19T08:15:00.000-08:00

So, I used to do this. Back when I was in school I'd keep an online journal just for fun. Some friends of mine got into it so I thought why not . I didn't think anyone else would read it, so most of the time I'd be painfully honest. Then I get word from my dad that a long lost cousin in DC had been reading it for a while and passed it on to other cousins that lived around the country. Not that I minded it by any means, but for some reason after that I stopped.

But, for reasons I won't disclose... here I go again.