The Year 2008
“The things we forget may as well never have happened” - Isabel Allende

Reflections of a year gone by. In our lives our moments make a story, with starring roles, supporting characters, and guest stars. Yet, its in the retelling of these moments that the stories live on, so I hope that in reflection I will give more moments to great times. *

2008 started off in Louisiana and ended with a short stint in Arkansas. I had made a resolution to stay put more in 2008 and although it was a nice thought, I guess my inner wanderlust took over and really made the decisions for me. As it seems I was on the move more then ever...

New Orleans is magic. It either captures your heart or turns you away forever, but there is no middle ground when it comes to loving N’awlins. Slow burning blues, that when playing motivates you to move even if you didn’t want to. Creeps inside your soul and convinces you that the grin and shimmy you now have.. has always been there.

I drove the rental a long 13 hour drive and loved every minute of it. Florida is an excruciatingly long state for driving but I endured, Erika joined me for the ride up, as well as Ruby in for the adventure. (A good dog can do a 13 hour drive).

I bought Art from a man who was making it out of the scraps of what was left of his home... I had café au lait and Marks West with Erika, all while freezing in a firehouse in the Marigny District.... I saw things on the internet I should of never seen... (Ewwww…) I met two psychics who basically told me the same things, I didn’t believe them at the time, but they were pretty spot on... I lit candles in a catholic church because Tito said thats the way it was written...ate magnificent food everywhere...came thisclose to staying in one of America’s most haunted houses...saw firsthand the devastation of Katrina 3 years later...saw firsthand the will of the people that survived.

Then it was time to move on.

On to my only self-indulgent trip. A cruise with two of my best friends and thousands of others, the John Mayer **cruise. You put a couple thousand like minded individuals on a boat with nothing but music everywhere and good vibes, suddenly excursions and midnight buffets are on no ones to do list. Happy people everywhere make for more happy people.

I ate lunch with amazing musicians... watched john from a pool ten feet away with a drink in hand...took the time to watch the water from our balcony...said no to excursions and yes to time for myself...mastered some blackjack skills and won!...did a jig to a bluegrass band... and participated in shots handed out by Mr. Mayer himself (*at least thats how I like to remember it)...enjoyed every single minute of it.

Then it was time to go to Puerto Rico.
It had been 5 years since I had been to El Isla del Encanto. How do you pick a beach when the whole island is an option? I learned that I love and miss mofongo. I deeply want to learn how to cook this deliciousness yet don’t want to just as much, due to the super fried, super oily nature of this yummy business.

It was 6am in the morning and we would meet in the lobby, ready for our mornings. Me and my dear friend Tito. A walking journey through the streets of Old San Juan, the temperature a perfect 72 degrees and my heart happy to be alive. We’d see the street cleaners as we pass through the Paseo de la Princessa only to arrive at this magnificent fountain, we’d make a right and head out near the water walking and talking. There were breathtaking views from El Morro, stepping it up on churches steps and finding a new way home each day.

Tito had tried to convince me before heading out to PR that I would need my passport, to which I quickly reminded him that “No, I did not.” I had no plans on going out of the country and wanted to come home after...

Life had other plans, so after getting my passport shipped to the island it was on the adventure in Mexico City...

(...to be continued)


* this story has been condensed to leave out all the boring bits. You know nights at home when I watch Law & Order: SVU marathons, clean my house, garden or paint. Should a story present itself while I am painting or gardening I will do my best to write about it. Like if while painting I discovered I could channel Monet.. but until then, I remain.

** typically I think cruises are gluttonous, boring safe ways to say you’ve been somewhere without having to actually visit.