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September 12, 2006 07:29PM
Here's a pic of my housemate/landlord meeting her husband and my good friend after he got home from Iraq. Just wanted to post it because I thought it was an awesome picture. That was a long 7 months for both of them. It's great that he came home safe and sound.
All my best wishes to all of you and especially to those with loved ones in the armed services. Regardless of our opinions for the leadership of the military it is the dedication of those few who join that keeps us safe in our homes and in our country. The mistakes of a few do not erase the sacrifice of many.
Godspeed.
Nathaniel
P.S. I was driving home today from an errand just really getting into a White Stripes song and I suddenly realized that I wouldn't be interrupted by a cell phone call, as I don't own one anymore! What freedom. I didn't think that I would ever really feel right not having one but wouldn't you know it; I really don't mind at all.
"Any moment without music is a moment waste"
--Me
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September 11, 2006 03:47PM
First off I want to say something about socks. I just bought a pair of socks and on the outside of the packaging it said "NEW AND IMPROVED!". Now I was thinking, wouldn't it be something to be Head of the Department of Research and Development for the advancement of sock technology? You have to assume that they actually pay somebody to make socks "NEW AND IMPROVED!". How does one get that job? Are there classes for it in college? I just don't know.
Now on to my vacation. It starts out at the Greyhound Station in Rockford, IL. My friend Skup picks me up and I can't manage much more than a silly grin from ear to ear. I am so exicted to be off the bus and back in my hometown. We back to his house where the first things on my list are a shower (3 1/2 days at this point without one) and food (about a day and a half without any). So we get there and I hop right in the shower and I can't remember the last time I felt so good. And while I was cleaning off about five state's worth of traveling dirt, his wonderful mother is grilling burgers. How about that? Fantastic. So the trip is already going fabulous. So I'm clean and I'm fed and it's about time to hit the road. It's about 10pm at this point and we have about 6 hours on the road to Scandia where my friend's family lives.
Some might say that another six hours is pushing my endurance; and they would be right. My backside recieved permanent damage on that bus ride but I was so happy to be done with it that I didn't mind the drive at all. Plus it was a great chance to catch up with one of my best mates and he had some very tasty tunes to play for me. Heard some of The Band's greatest hits, the great Shawn Watkins from Nickel Creek, among others. Just a fantastic drive, hardly even noticed the time fly by.
Now I thought we were camping so I was fully prepared to spend the next few days out of doors in a tent. To my surprise (and huge relief) his brother (Dan and Rebecca) had set up beds for us. I think I was awake about three seconds after I hit the floor.
The next day we spent just hanging out with the family and catching up. We went walking through the woods, grilled out and ended up sitting around the campfire come evening. We didn't have to lift a muscle; we were treated like royalty. Now around the campfire my friend Skup and his brother Dan both took out their guitars and as they are both wonderful musicians, there was quite an enjoyable show. After a while I decided that I didn't want to be left out so I took out my tin whistle, and though I have very minimal experience, began to play along. After a few songs we were all getting into the groove and really having a blast. It was one of the most memorable times of my life. No cares, no worries, just living life.
Then came the fishing. My grandfathers were both avid fishermen but my Dad never got around to taking us out. The most fishing I have ever done is taking an old rod out and throwing it in the water. So it was a treat to have an expert take us out on Big Marine Lake and show us the ropes. I used to laugh at people that sit out on the lakes and fish for hours on end but when I actually sat out there with the sun on back and waves rocking the boat ever so slightly... well the hours just melt along with your stress. We talked about everything from God to sports to fishing to history. Every now and then one of us actually cught something!
I was sorry to leave. They were both amazing people to meet and they leave you with a sense that they benefited from the encounter as well. After the hiking and fishing and the music, I feel that I have found a little piece of what this whole crazy life is about.
I hope you have enjoyed the tale. It wasn't quite the version I expected to tell, but it's getting a bit lengthy. I'll just say that seeing an Great Bald Eagle up close is something you can't really get from a picture.
My deepest condolensces to Gaz and his family and I'm glad he didn't get flattened by vodka!
And to the rest of you, I'll be seeing you. I'm off to enroll in the Pediatric Covering Institute of Technology.
Nathaniel of the Midwest
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September 10, 2006 07:53PM
Magz asked about being home and it's a good time to really write something from the heart since I haven't done that in a while. So here you are.
Part One: Homeward Bound
Being back home after telling myself that I was on a one way street to the future is something that causes mixed emotions. On the one hand I am frustrated that I have returned once again to the "nest". At 24 I feel that it's about time to have some kind of personal accomplishment under my belt. Not that I would consider my life a failure or a waste of time. On the contrary I feel that I have lived an interesting life and one worth living. I have yet to do all the things I would like to do (which gives me some sense of purpose) and I have done things that I am proud of which I never would have expected to do. This only helps to focus my energy to the time at hand and to the goals now coming to the forefront.
To compliment my frustration is the faith that I will help out my family greatly with my being home. I have always had the strength and backing of my parents whenever I really needed them and though we have certainly had moments of disagreement, we are still quite fond of each other. It is pretty hard on them to keep all 8 of us moving forward and especially so when there are still 3 of us kids still in grade school. They want me to succeed and want me to use the time I have to the best possible advantage.
Bottom line: It's good to be home. Alot of good work can be done in the next few months.
I spent alot of time in California isolated from my friends, thinking long and hard what it is that I am about. Religion, friendship, personal sacrifice, nothing was safe from scrutiny. That's an opportunity that few are offered in their life; a chance at being torn from the familiar and utilizing that rare circumstance to really see things from an odd perspective. And though it was one of the hardest times in my life (a time made much easier with the advice and companionship of some fantastic mates aka you Bowienetters) I have come away with the knowledge that personal advancement is not what my life will be about. To advance those I care about and make their lives better is the best way for me to make my life count. What wil the impact of my life be? Did I do good whenever I could? Those are the fundamentals of my work in this world. That is what I am going to be about.
I am excited about the progress I can make within myself. I would like to view myself with a lot more regard than I have in the past.
So it's chin up and eyes forward. Potential is the word of the day. I would like to get a little more done than I did in California. So, did you make it through this whole blog? It's been a while since I ranted about life and love and music, so it's a good sign I think.
Stay tuned for Part Two, where I actually tell the story of Minnesota and why it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
Until then I thank you for stopping in. Now if I can only get my email to work, that would be fantastic.
Nathaniel
P.S. The Bears just murdered the Packers! Life is good.
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