Serenity Review

My night started with a visit to a friend's end-of summer barbecue in Loveland, where I showed up in my Jayne costume. I was basically doing the token fly-through, small talk and glass of wine before driving the hour to Louisville for the Serenity midnight premiere.

Upon my arrival at 8:30, I find I am one of the first to arrive. What, three and a half hours early and NO one else is there yet? Amateurs!!

Anyway, I decide to nap in my van until a few friends arrive. I got about 20 minutes of sleep before my phone started ringing, and my friends Russ, Jen and Matt were nearly there. We ended up at the Outback across the street, needing some drink and vittles before the show. Apparently, Carraba's had to deal with over 50 Firefly Fans. I think it was just the few of us at Outback, but the staff was pretty wary of us, as we were wearing our Jayne hats and taking photos.

We traveled back across the street to the theater, to find a few people had shown up. As we came up the steps, there were two men standing at the inside counter wearing suits. And they had blue hands!! The costume factor was increasing...

Car by car, fans trickled in for the next half an hour. Then it was like the gates of Hell opened and the crowd seemed to double, triple and quadruple in size!! Some of my friends were still on their way, so I spent most of my time outside (also because the lobby was as hot as the backside of a Firefly's engine room) with other folks who were pretty much tailgating until the theater was ready.

One awesome thing I should tell about that happened was that Talan managed to walk all the way from the car, into the theater, sit for the whole movie and walk all the way back out to the car. Without crutches. He'll be fencing before we know it.

But I digress...

The exodus inside began, and still I'm waiting for a friend, to give him his pass. Fortunately, he arrived just in time. If Russ hadn't saved a seat for me, I would've had a pretty poor spot - the theater was nearly full!

The noise level was high - we were all clearly very excited. People were quoting lines from the TV show, throwing popcorn and basically acting like kids at Christmas. I looked around the room, to see where my other friends ended up, and I counted at least 4 other Jayne hats besides ours.

Then, Carrick and Max (the two guys who put all this together for us) took the head of the room and made some announcements. Carrick read the letter that Joss Whedon wrote for the fans. We cheered a birthday, the woman who first got most of us hooked on the series, and the two men themselves for organizing this private premiere.

Then, the screen flickered...And we CHEERED!! Oh, wait. It's just the previews.

Finally, the Universal Logo appeared on the screen, and we were about to take a ride on Serenity. And she was falling apart, so it was pretty bumpy.

The crew was bickering (as usual) and dropping one-liners like a rain of spent shells. If anything, the situation was more intense, with the Alliance now SERIOUSLY after River, and Mal under a lot of pressure from the crew. The Reavers finally get to make their appearance, and you even get to learn the true origins of them. Great plot twist there.

The assassin that the Alliance sends after River (and subsequently Mal and anyone who has ever sheltered the crew) is completely brutal. Mr. Universe is a great new character, who taps into the media of the universe and pretty much lives off the signal. The backgrounds are lush, the big space battles (and the fight scenes!) are intense and the whole two hours went by way too fast.

Some of the romantic directions that the TV show looked to be taking are resolved, but then, this movie does some twists and turns that I never expected, either. The cast hasn't lost a drop of their chemistry. Their love for this story clear. Lucas, you got some competition.

Now, you would think that that would be the end of my review, but you'd be wrong. You see, I had to drive all the way home to Loveland after this let out around 2:30. That, and being jazzed from the vat of Dr. Pepper I drank, I didn't get to sleep until after 4am.

I dragged my sleepy self into work around 10. The first thing I did was pound another Dr. Pepper and eat a burrito with the hottest sauce I could find. I HAD to wake up. It wouldn't do to be making a bunch of mistakes on billboards. A typo that is 20 feet tall makes you look really stupid.

Somehow I managed not to break anything, or miss anything important. However, upon leaving at 4, I noticed that strange queasy feeling you get when you are really too sleepy to drive. Going north on Main Street through Longmont, I drove past a restaurant that I see everyday. They've always got some special plate or deal advertised on their sign with those black plastic letters that slide onto the tracks.

This time I could SWEAR it read "Create a Mexican Sauron."

Wow. I am way more tired than I think. Dyslexia usually doesn't set until I've gone a full 24 hours without sleep.

I spent the whole drive home talking to my friend Mazzy in Pennsylvania because I needed someone to keep me awake, but mostly to giggle about Sauron in a sombrero.

God I need a nap. I fear I'll have some crazy dreams....

I don't think I can sleep!!

I'm so excited! In a mere 26 hours, I'll be comfortably seated in the Louisville Colony 12 Theater, watching the midnight premiere of Serenity. I've got a posse of friends showing up, two of which are joining me in the "Cunning Hat Club", and we're all going to get geek-a-licious! Want your VERY OWN Jayne hat? Well, Paxknits can make you one. But not by tomorrow.

Anyway, help support this movie! Everyone reading this should go see it too. Read Radhole's Firefly review to get you in the mood.

Many, many friends are also making the journey from near and far to attend this private screening. I suspect I won't be the only one dressed up. I will be posting photos as soon as I get this darn memory card reader figured out. Gorram technology.

For your enjoyment, and because I just know that this will be neccessary for tomorrow night, here's some lyrics from "Jaynestown". So when do we get to go to the crappy town where I'm a hero?

Jayne...

The man they call Jayne...

He robbed from the rich and he gave to the poor
Stood up to the Man and he gave him what for
Our love for him now ain't hard to explain
The Hero of Canton, the man they call Jayne

Now Jayne saw the Mudders' backs breaking
He saw the Mudders lament
And he saw the magistrate taking
Every dollar and leaving five cents

So he said, "You can't do that to my people"
He said "You can't crush 'em under your heel"
Jayne strapped on his hat
And in five seconds flat
Stole everything Boss Higgins had to steal

He robbed from the rich and he gave to the poor
Stood up to the Man and he gave him what for
Our love for him now ain't hard to explain
The Hero of Canton, the man they call Jayne

Now here is what separates heroes
From common folk like you and I
The man they call Jayne
He turned 'round his plane
And let that money hit the sky

He dropped it onto our houses
He dropped it into our yards
And the man call Jayne
He turned 'round his plane
And headed out for the stars

He robbed from the rich and he gave to the poor
Stood up to the Man and he gave him what for
Our love for him now ain't hard to explain
The Hero of Canton, the man they call Jayne!

A message from Joss Whedon to all Firefly/Serenity fans

Thought I'd repost this missive from the Lord of Sci-Fi. Check out Joss' blog if you simply must read more...

Well boys and girls and boys dressed as girls and girls dressed as Kaylee, the time is almost upon us. This Friday we take that old rust-bucket out of the shipyard and see if she can breach atmo.

It's been a long (to paraphrase a band I like) strange trip, and it'll be nice finally to show everybody what it is we've been tinkering with all this time. You already know you have my thanks, from the hardcore fans to the softcore... fans.... let me try that again. From the people manning the booths, buying DVD sets for their friends, getting banners seen everywhere on Australian TV, raffling artwork for ticketholders (Adam Hughes, take a bow), to the most casual fan who just wants to see the flick and won't ever even read this.

You guys are the fuel in the engine, the Fire in the Fly, the weird green stuff coming out of Serenity's butt. (Hmmm. Forget that last one. I'm a little bit out of control here.) Everyone needs something to keep them going. Mal has his ship. Zoe has her integrity. Jayne has Vera. And I've got you guys.

So what now? There have been so many posts about seeing it, seeing it again, the first weekend, the second weekend, being enthusiastic without being obnoxious (and yes, it IS hard to see over the pom-pom of a Jayne hat), buying tickets in advance, making a noise... I honestly wouldn't know what to add. I can tell you this: the movie will play in about 2200 hundred theaters, which is a good number. Too many, and you get empty theaters with no energy -- not enough, and you get, well, not enough. It may be hard to find in some areas but it'll be out there. Leave no multiplex unturned!

This is going to be a ground war, peeps -- we have to hold the valley for a long while. However it opens, it needs to HOLD. Instead of the Alliance we'll be fighting viewer apathy, fear of something new, the urge to wait for DVD, and Jessica Alba in a bikini. (Although I have it on good authority that she spends 90% of the film in a huge wooly parka. Make sure that gets out.)

The day this puppy opens, I'll be seeing it with my family (don't worry, there's a lot of them, and they're all paying) and then I'm off to Europe to learn the word 'Browncoats' in nine different languages -- 'cause like I said, it's all about holding. I'll never be far from a computer, though, so I can check in with y'all. Thanks for every damn thing.

And remember, amidst all the urgency to make this an event, all the work and the worry, to take two hours and just enjoy yourself. That is, after all, what all this fighting's about.

-joss.

Ground Zero Reunion Oct 28th/Birthday plans

October 28th (which coincidently happens to be my birthday), is supposed to be a Ground Zero Reunion at Rock Island in Denver.

Anyone who lived in or hung out in Boulder Colorado about ten years ago would remember Ground Zero. It was the ONLY cool club Boulder ever had.

I have mourned its passing for years.

I really should go to this. If I end up staying in Colorado for my birthday, that is.

I had a great plan that I would fly to Houston and road trip from there with Ian and a couple of other people to New Orleans, to catch some cemetery tours, find some voodoo stores, dig up the local vampire culture.... all part of a spooky Halloween plan. After following the coastline of a part of this country I've never gotten to see.

Thanks to Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is off the list now. I'm kind of nervous about swamps anyway. Especially ones with real dead bodies floating in them.

Then I thought hey, since Hurricane Rita left Houston pretty much untouched, I'll just stay in that area. There's the Texas Renaissance Festival and apparently a scale replica of the Forbidden Gardens somewhere nearby.

Anyone know of anything else cool and historical nearby? Any Civil War stuff?

Newcomers and a 30th birthday bash

As I mentioned a few days ago, I wanted to go up to Unser Hafen for Newcomers. Well, I got myself all double booked with another party that I swore I'd be at, so I had to bail from Newcomers right before court.

I got there around 11:00, and parking was atrocious, but the weather was perfect. Why can't we have weather like this when we're camping? I walk up to troll and sign in. Forgot my blue card (again) so I'm stuck signing the waiver and paying the extra $3. I guess this means I won't be fencing, either.

I find some friends who have set up their beautiful pavilion for shade. I am invited to avail myself of their hospitality. I go back to my van, get dressed in my loungey Indian clothes, grab my Outlands map, documentation and reference book, and proceed to the hall where many such scrolls, jewelry and artsy things are displayed for the Newcomers to gawk at. Back to the pavilion, where I am afforded about 2 minutes of rest before my Don (Talan) shows up, and asks if I'm entering the tourney.

"I'll have to just do pickups, because I forgot my blue card and my green card is expired. It's just for Newcomers anyway, though, right?" Great cadet I am, eh?

"They are doing day authorizations. And anyone can enter. Besides, Kamadevi is fighting." Talan says.

"Ok. But after I eat?" I say.

I think he just wants to see his student (me) and his girlfriend (Kamadevi) duke it out. Not that I mind, at all. I just think it's funny. She's a good fight.

Anyway, lunch was a selection of pasta salads, breads, vegetables and cheeses. Thanks Cailean, I know you were cooking for days. The meat pasties were awesome. But the stew was the best. Though I'm not too sure what kind of meat was in it. Oh, probably best not to ask.

After lunch, I went back to my van to change into fencing garb. For those of you who are wondering, I have gotten quite good at changing clothes in my van. I do it all the time. That handy sunshade blocks out the whole windshield, to keep prying eyes away.

So back to the event. It was a double-elimination tourney, and I stayed in for three rounds. Lost first, won second and lost third. But I only won the second by dirty fighting. Is it MY fault that the Baroness shot a foam arrow onto the field? Is it MY fault that my opponent was distracted by it? It landed right in front of my foot, so I kicked it at him. And then, he just stood there, so I stuck him in the belly. He looked shocked and blinked a couple times, and then fell down, like he couldn't believe he fell for it. Little did I know that another arrow had hit him in the rear end at the same time the other landed at my foot. I guess some of the spectators had a idea of how they wanted the fight to go.

Anyway, the next round I got taken out by Louis, and that was the end of me. Back to relaxing under the pavilion. I'm much better at that, anyway. Damn, I wished that this wasn't a dry site. I could sure use a beer after all that swashbuckling.

It occurred to me that I should be moving on to my next social engagement, as people were bringing their things inside for court. I've never been one of those SCA'ers who lives for court, but occasionally it's fun. Seeing that I was already about two hours late for the birthday party, I decided it would be best if I bailed.
Gather up the map, swords, say my goodbayes and back to the van, to change again. That's what, only three times so far? I MUST be slipping.

So I drove the hour into north Denver, and got lost in the industrial section off 58th. Damn detours. After about 20 minutes of this I finally find the right street. This party is for a few of my friends who are all turning 30 and it's a Fiesta! Pinantas, mexican food, sombreros, luminarias, and many of the partygoers were dressed in panchos and those silly flat hats with the dingle balls hanging off the brim. Boy, am I in the wrong time period.

There was a cooking contest, and I'm happy to say that Torin's "Inferno Verde" green chili won the prize of $100. Sweet! My mouth is still numb from the experience. I love hot food. But for days after something like this I won't be able to taste things correctly. Such a small price to pay...

There was Karaoke, which I did NOT get involved in. I always want to see my friends make complete idiots of themselves (cough...Brent...cough) but if you stick a Karaoke microphone in my face you better be wearing body armor.

I missed out on the pinata beating, as I was socializing indoors at the time, but I'm sure the whole neighborhood could hear the screaming. I'm actually really, really surprised that the police never showed up.

All in all it was a great Saturday. Today I'm hennaing my hair and going to do some more fencing down in Boulder. Probably about time I step away from my blog and get this goop out of my hair.

UPDATE: Photos from the bash>>>> http://www.radhole.com/fiesta.htm

Up on Cripple Creek

There's a lot of history right here in Colorado that I haven't really explored enough of. Take Cripple Creek, for example. Last weekend, I went with my parents, and observed while they gambled at the various noisy, flashing slot games.

Now, I'm not one for throwing my hard earned cash into a machine (except old school arcade games and pinball machines), but it sure seemed like they were having fun. Especially when the money goes up instead of down.

I know that there's been gambling going on there since there were enough men to sit around a table with a deck of cards.

The old brick facades of the casino seemed to taunt me with their faded history. As I walked up and down the main drag, I could imagine dirty, tired miners bringing down their gold nuggets from the hills, ready to spend their wealth on whiskey and whores. The stories and songs of the place just seem to seep up out of the ground. I got the feeling there was a lot of blood mixed in with that dirt. Blood and corruption.

It occurred to me that this is a place that people have come for many years to show off and blow off steam. I saw fine gentlemen in hats, ladies all dressed for a night on the town, peacekeepers patrolling the streets, making sure that the local toughs don't roll you for your recent winnings. Children eating sweets, dogs begging for scraps. Craftsmen hawking their wares on the street. Lowlifes leaning against the age-darkened brick of a building that their great-grandfathers frequented, selling God only knows what to unsuspecting addicts. This could have been 100 years ago, and only the clothes would have been different.

I walked way up the hill towards the train, and found an antique shop that also made 'old timey' photos. I nearly fell victim to an 80 year old lace parasol in the store. Seriously, what on earth would I do with that? So I opted for the photo shoot instead. The nice couple working the props tried really hard to get me into a dress, but I would have none of that.

"Give me a gun and a bottle of whiskey!" I said.

"Oh, you're one of those girls, huh?"

Yes, apparently, I am. Calamity Jane reincarnate. Except I can't hit the broad side of a barn with a rock on a good day. Let me tell you that gun was really, really heavy. The only way I could've hurt anyone with it would have been to drop it on their foot.

As I posed for the camera, I wondered: "Would I make a good extra on Deadwood?" Naw, they'd probably try and put me in a dress, too. And they've already got a Calamity Jane. Oh, well.

There happened to be a classic car show as well (as if I didn't have enough anachronistic things on my mind) and a whole bunch of bikers came cruising through town on their modern-day horses. I got that double-image past and present feeling again, and imagined ghostly horsemen riding alongside them.

Damn it all if I don't want a Harley now.

Movie Review - The Merchant of Venice

This was supposed to go up last week, but I got distracted by Publicola about 30 minutes into it, so I had to start over.

Anyway, we are all so fortunate to have the Bard's works available to us at our whim. Unlike Elizabethan England, we don't have to stuff ourselves into ill-fitting corsets and mingle with the unwashed masses to get our entertainment fix.

I don't recall reading The Merchant of Venice in school. Apparently, next to Romeo and Juliet, this just didn't regard enough interest from the literary department. Ah, well, I guess we can't all be Henry V.

As far as the movie itself, I was pleasantly entertained for over two hours. It was a trifle slow in places, but picked up speed before I got too bored. I must say that Al Pacino makes a great Shylock. And I will always love Joseph Fiennes in anything Shakespearen. Anything.

And I just love the 'test of chests' that Portia requires of her potential suitors. Since I'm single, I'm thinking, hmmmmmmm........no. Nevermind. That would cause all kinds of sillyness.

So, the plot: Moneylending, romance, racism, greed, treachery, crossdressing, and of course the costumes are amazing! And not a single one of the main characters dies!? Pretty much everyone lives happily ever after. Except Shylock.

He works himself all up into a lather about a payment owed to him by Antonio (played by Jeremy Irons) and demands 'a pound of flesh.' Bet you've always wanted to know where that saying came from, eh?

At one point, Shylock is offered double his return on the loan, but apparently it's the principle of the thing. The courtroom scene is fabulous, with Antonio looking about as sick as I ever did see anyone who knew he was about to butchered. Shylock, sharpening his blade, is stubbornly refusing to hear pleas for mercy. He wants his pound of flesh, for vengeance, for his wounded pride. It's amazing what men will do to keep their pride propped up.

The gamut of emotions that Al Pacino runs just in that one scene is worth watching the whole movie.

Did I mention the costumes? I should do that again. Costumes!! Sigh...I really need to get some sewing done.

I'm going to go play with my Magnetic Poetry Shakespeare Edition now. Forsooth!

Newcomers in Unser Hafen this weekend

Do you remember your first event? Boy, I sure do. This photo is of Estrella XIX (2003) though, not Pennsic. I'm thinking about going back to Estrella this year. I've missed a couple years in a row now.

Anyway, planning only a few days ahead now...I'm going to go up to Newcomers in Unser Hafen this weekend to see how we're attracting fresh people to the SCA. I can't really compete in any of the tourneys, but it will be fun to bust out my Outlands Map for display. And fence. And eat. Let's not forget the eating!

I'm thinking I'll bring the Quarter.org's SCA Bingo cards I printed out for Crown Tournament, but couldn't use because of the wind. We just won't make the newbies play. There's too many inside jokes.

For Firefly/Serenity Fans

The River Tam Sessions!!

http://www.theidlekind.com/session.asx

Oh, yes, Russ. I am a Goddess.

Ladies: Want to go and sew by the river?

This is one for the ladies. I rarely pass on jokes, but I think this might appeal to some of us costumers...

One day when a seamstress was sewing while sitting next to a river, her thimble fell into the river. When she cried out, the Lord appeared and asked, "My dear child, why are you crying?"?

The seamstress replied that her thimble had fallen into the water and that she needed it to help her husband in making a living for their family.

The Lord dipped His hand into the water and pulled up a golden thimble ringed with pearls.
"Is this your thimble?" the Lord asked.

The seamstress replied, "No."

The Lord again dipped into the river again. He held out a silver thimble ringed with sapphires.
"Is this your thimble?" the Lord asked.

Again, the seamstress replied, "No."

The Lord reached down again and came up with a leather thimble.
"Is this your thimble?" the Lord asked.

The seamstress replied, "Yes."

The Lord was pleased with the woman's honesty and gave her all three thimbles to keep, and the seamstress went home happy.

Some years later, the seamstress was walking with her husband along the riverbank, and her husband fell into the river and disappeared under the water. When she cried out, the Lord again appeared and asked her, "Why are you crying?"

"Oh Lord, my husband has fallen into the river!"

The Lord went down into the water and came up with Antonio Banderas.
"Is this your husband?" the Lord asked.

"Yes," cried the seamstress.

The Lord was furious. "You lied! That is an untruth!"

The seamstress replied, "Oh, forgive me, my Lord. It is a misunderstanding. You see, if I had said 'no' to Antonio Banderas, then you would have come up with Colin Farrell. And if I said 'no' to him, you would have come up with my husband. Had I then said 'yes,' you would have given me all three. Lord, I'm not in the best of health and would not be able to take care of all three husbands, so THAT'S why I said 'yes' to Antonio Banderas!"

The moral of this story is: Whenever a woman lies, it's for a good and honorable reason, and in the best interest of others.

Second Life is now FREE!

Second Life is now free!

Now you have NO excuse - get virtual!

Join me in yet another geekerific online timesuck hobby.

Look at this photo. We are watching streaming video, and playing Mystery Science Theatre 3000! Can you believe it?? (I'm in the far left back row, by the way...) If you decide to check out Second Life, look me up. My SL name is Anahita Veil.

Desperately Seeking Cunning Hat...

So I'm going to a Serenity premiere that a friend has arranged with a local theater. I'm sure we'll camp out hours before the show starts at midnight, just to entertain ourselves with witty lines from Firefly. Yeah, I'm a geek. So sue me.

Since the votes for what costume I should wear are leaning towards "mercenary" I've decided that I need a cunning hat like Jayne Cobb.

I've found a local knitter who will hopefully be able to get me this awesome fashion statement in time. My Blue Sun shirt is on the way, and I've even visited the dollar store for a fine plastic machine gun. Yes, I will name her VERA. But I will not try and trade her for some prairie harpy.

I don't think I'll be shaving my head for effect, though. Or growing a goatee. But I will learn some Mandarin Chinese...

Outlands Crown Tournament

Fierce gales could not dampen our spirits as our Outlands fighters took the field. Banners flew and danced, tents swayed and snapped. The brutal sun glinted upon polished helms, bright scales of steel. And the wind whipped our banners so high!

Warriors all, sweat and dirt staining their faces, panting breath like feral beasts. One by one, the fallen gracefully accepted defeat, and stood watch to see who would next wear the crown.

Children gathered and made their own game of victory with softer swords, bright flames in their hearts, mimicking the deeds of the day. And I wondered: who of these young men will someday stand in front of Our King, and swear the oath of Crown Tournament?

Fine acts of chivalry made the gathered crowd gasp in awe. We beheld the power and glory of these men, and while our hearts sang like harps, their blood pounded like drums. We were swept away in the music of the battle.

The Final Round! Two Bengal Knights faced one another, brothers until the end. The crowd hushed, intent, while even the wind briefly gave us respite. All eyes turned toward these two Outlanders, though we must have seemed far away to them.

Quickly came the rush, and swords flying, they clashed like steel and stone. Circling like tigers, running madly, dancing like dervishes. Time stretched out, but all too soon it was over. Sir Jaxarticus, cleanly wounded twice, fell under the shining sword of Sir Hrorec. Victorious Bengal, this day is yours!

Talk Like a Pirate Day approaches!

Now here's a good excuse to do some online research. When your boss asks you why you are online today, you can tell him that you are studying up for Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19th. Don't don't say that I told you to dress up as Captain Hook on the job or anything. I wouldn't want to get you fired.

The fine swabs at the Talk Like a Pirate website have updated thier list of booty for you to include How to talk like a German Pirate. Oooh!

Need a bunch of other pirate links? They have metric shiploads. No, I don't think that 'metric shiploads' is a real nautical term. So fire me out of a cannon.

And don't forget to check out the pickup lines! You never know when you'll meet a pirate lassie!

Spaceship chart

Ever wonder just how big your favorite spaceship is?

Here's a handy reference chart.

WHAT?! No Firefly? Aww, man. Somebody needs to update this a bit.

Thanks Publicola, for the heads up on the cool space geekery...

Map of Meridies showing areas affected by Katrina

For those of you who have friends or family in Meridies, here is a link to a map showing the affected areas, and who should qualify for various types of aid.

If you are interested in helping Meridiean gentles, the Queen has set up a bank account for donations. More info on SCA Today. Or visit the Kingdom of Meridies website.

A knight in shining armor...

A few of you locals got to meet a new friend of mine while he was in town. I took him to fencing practice (one in Caer Galen and the other in Unser Hafen) and he was a natural. Super enthusiastic, and if he keeps with it to hone that point control, we've all got another sword to fear.

Anyway, let's just say my new friend made a great impression on me, other than on the fencing field. He is one of the most honorable men I have met in years. This is not to say that all my current friends are dishonorable rogues, (well, OK, some of them are...) but I have had the bar raised, and now you all have a much higher standard to live up to.

He enlisted after 9/11 because he thought that he had to step up and do something. Served time in Iraq under conditions that would rival our worst nightmares. Trust me when I say that the American people are not getting the whole story. He has somehow come out of his experience with his heart intact and a desire to inspire hope in the people he meets.

He is traveling the country on his Harley, visiting new places and reconnecting with friends that he hasn't seen in four years. I am grateful to have met this amazing man, as I was getting pretty far down on myself in my life, and not really having enough hope to push on through the unemployment, drama and disasters that have happened in recent months.

Now, I see the road before me, and I am not hesitant to walk it. Or get on a motorcycle and ride it.