Adventures of a lost Polar Bear

Still a lost polar bear

2010-03-22T15:42:00.000-07:00

Well this is actually me posting again on my blog. It's been awhile. It's been a really long time.

I just got off the phone with a friend.. I am not sure if I would ever tell her this but she inspires me sometimes. Even if she believes in all that hocus-pocus stuff.
So here I am inspired to write again.

Where do I begin... My last post was a sad one. I'll have to go from there I suppose.

My dog died. That sucked.

A lot has happened since then...
I sold my trucking company.. Had a lot of health problems in the family. That was kinda scary but it all worked out.. Worked in the Twin Cities. Never thought I'd do that. Hell, I almost moved there.. Had a few heartaches.. Had a lot of laughs..
Most recently I have been doing a lot of thinking. Which is something I do way too much of but I think I am getting somewhere. I feel I am at yet another crossroad in my life (as I almost always do). But this time I am moving towards something that feels right. Something that I can do for me.

Ok, so maybe I make absolutely no sense... But that's ok, I think I am on to something.

This summer I am going out on a trek yet again. I have a job offer in Alaska. Glacier Bay to be exact. My friend Mike will be going up there as well. It would be so awesome to spend another summer with him.
I am also considering a job in California. Santa Catalina Island is off the coast of Long Beach and seems very appealing to me.
So in the next week I am going to be making the decision on where to spend my summer.

The Best Relationship

2009-07-21T21:06:00.000-07:00

I have always said that my best relationship was that of my girl Sara. She never failed me. Never let me down. Never judged me. Never held my wrong doings against me. She was always there. Through good or bad.
I have always said that our relationship was better than any other I have had. She trusted me completely. She was a good friend. I will miss her.

Ibiraiaras, David Canabarro, Veranopolis

2009-04-22T09:17:00.000-07:00

Well as you can see from the lack of posts I haven´t been able to get online often. But now I am at an internet shop and have a few minutes.

After Porto Alegre I took the late bus to Ibiraiaras, RS. The bus ride was about five hours long and I got there at about midnight. After a few hugs and kisses from my two of my Brazilian mothers I was escorted to the house which was only two blocks from the bus station. At the house I was asked repeatedly to eat because I hadn´t eaten for six hours. I wasn´t hungry but ate a sandwich to humor them.
The next day we had a barbeque and then I was taken to see a good friend in a nearby city called David Canabarro. Meeting Roberson for the first time in two years was nice. I missed him. We had some fun there. Had beer at bars and had a barbeque at his house with some of his friends. Very nice. Not so nice was when I went to another city with his friends and some chicks stole my camera. I was pissed for a while but all is good now. After a few nights in David we went back to Ibiraiaras and had dinner and I even got to fish with some cool guys. I didn´t catch anything but the others were catching catfish. Great time there.

The next night I took the midnight bus again to Veranopolis where Tiago, one of my best friends, picked me up. It was so nice to see him and his girlfriend again. After a brief reunion at the bus stop we went to the bar to meet up with a few more friends. I found myself drunk once again.
We went back to Tiago´s parents house and of course I had to wake up his brother Lucas by laying in bed with him shaking him awake.
The next morning we were up early and off to Tiago´s dads cabin that he recently constructed. It is right on a river.
We got there around nine and started setting everything up for his dad´s 50th birthday party planned for later that day. All in all it was a great party. I somehow became intoxicated along with more than eighty other men. This was a kind of guys only party. Friends of Tiagos and his dad all came.
One story of many is that I got drunk and went and hid in front of some cars, got naked and ran the length of the yard and back. After that it didn´t take long for a few more guys to join in. Including Tiago and other friends.
More stories about that party to come.

I will have to continue my Posts at another date. We have to go to another city now.

Porto Alegre

2009-04-06T17:08:00.000-07:00

I am so happy that I got to see my friend Alfredo and his wife Juliana. Hanging out with him after all these years seemed like we never parted. He is an incredible guy. Yesterday they had taken me to two different beaches. I can´t remember the name of the first beach we went to but it was very beautiful. We didn´t stay there long because it was crowded and Juliana wanted to take me to see another. The second beach was called Eden. It lived up to it´s name. Secluded, and virtualy unknown to most. You have to hike down a very steep hill with switchbacks to get to it. It was incredibly beautiful. We swam and went snorkling. Had a few beers and some fried poptates that were really delicious.
After the day at the beach we went out to eat at a pizza place. Very good as well. Different than the standard pizza in the U.S.. After dinner we went back to their apartment and hung out and went to bed. This morning Alfredo and I left the house for the airport around 5:30a. I had a long day at the airport and on the plane.

Now I am in Porto Alegre once again. My buddy´s aunt Soeli and her husband picked me up from the airport and now I am spending the night here with them. They are so incredibly nice as well. Soeli´s son speaks english so it has been much easier than I expected. Tomorrow I hope to travel to Ibiraiaras to visit another friends family.
From there on to one of my favorite places....VERANOPOLIS. I can´t wait.

Praia Grande

2009-04-04T17:23:00.000-07:00

I arrived in Sao Paulo today! Finaly in Brazil! It was a great day. After having to take a bus across town to another airport to meet my good friend Alfredo things were really good once again. This is the first time that I have seen Alfredo in four years. His wife Juliana I met before but they had just met at the time. She is sweet as ever. It is good to be reunited once again.
Today was spent running around town getting somethings they needed and then eating at a Churrascaria. I have been waiting to eat Brazilian Barbeque for a whole year.

After eating we came home for a bit to see about changing some of my flights around so I can stay here another day. After that we went to the beach which was only a block away. We had many beers and now we are back at the house. Although I haven´t slept in over 36 hours I am going to try to convince them to go out again.

Man I love Brazil!!!!!

Brazil 2009

2009-04-03T14:42:00.000-07:00

Well I am off on another trip to Brazil. Currently I am in Atlanta where I have spent the last 24 hours because I missed my flight due to a delay out or Minneapolis. Last night I got a motel room and am currently typing from the lobby computer.
I will have to go into detail at a later date. I am off to catch a shuttle van to the airport where I will wait for another three hours.

So I can finaly say Sao Paulo here I come! After Sao Paulo it will be Rio Grande Do Sul and then to Santa Catarina.
Wish me luck!

Time sure does fly

2008-09-02T15:08:00.000-07:00

There is no real excuse for me not blogging more often. I am just busy I guess.

Anyway, this summer has been great. Hanging out with friends (when I can make time), family visiting, friends getting married, a few parties, camping, and not so great, work.

Work has consumed me. Now that the season is soon to be over I must think about this winter. I have no idea what I am going to do this winter. Waiting for inspiration I guess.

I will be flying to Washington, dc Oct. 2 to check out a school. Thursday night I am hoping to meet up with a friend for dinner or drinks. Friday go check out the school. Saturday sometime meetup with a friend I grew up with. That leaves a lot of open time so I will have to improvize. I will be renting a car so I could end up anywhere I guess.

I leave Minneapolis at 1:58p, a layover in Penn I think, then arrive at Reagan National at 7:54p.
What a friend pointed out as stupidity is the fact that I am leaving at 6:05 AM Sunday. I may have to change that. We'll see I guess.

I'd love to write more but I am hungry and in need of a shower.

I have been tagged

2008-07-31T11:49:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine has tagged me. Read on to see what I am talking about.

* What was I doing ten years ago?

Let's see.... Summer of '98... My brother Justin and I spent the summer in Grass Valley (Northern CA) at my cousins ranch. One of my most memorable times of my life. We took a Greyhound bus out there and back. We swore we would never ride a bus again (we eventually did). Great summer.

* What are five (non-work) things on my to-do list for today:

Go online and check email and related things
Find a flight to DC (not sure if I should book it yet)
Fix wiring problem on my truck (work related sorry)
Return Chain hoist to friend (kinda work related)
Call Brazilian friend in Texas if I can find his number

* Five Snacks I Enjoy:

Sunflower seeds
Peanuts
Cheez-it crackers
Graham crackers and a glass of milk
Seedless grapes

* Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

Give half of my money to my Family
Buy a plane and get my pilots license
Build a kickass house
Travel like there's no tomorrow
Invest in something so I never have to work again

* Places I have lived:

Fontana, CA
Balsam Lake & Centuria, WI
Denali Park, AK
Mammoth Lakes, CA
Milltown, WI

* Jobs I have had:

Lawn care technician (I mowed lawns with my brother for a few years when I was 11)
Store clerk at my friend's dad's store (13 years old)
Farm hand at a local dairy farm (15 years old for almost four years)
Cabinet-maker (I made mall kiosks for verizon wireless and I was a shipping supervisor after a while)
Laborer at a tree farm (I loved working for Greg. When I gave him my notice he offered me $13 dollars an hour to stay. I'm an idiot.)
Butcher (another favorite employer)
Security Officer in Alaska (Best time of my life)
Bus Driver in Mammoth (more good times)
Forktruck driver at a cold storage place

There are more but it has taken me too long to finish this thing.

Work is work

2008-05-24T08:30:00.000-07:00

I have been working hard but hardly working. Last week I worked Wednesday then had a Miners safety refresher course Thursday. The refresher course was eight hours long. Every year it is eight hours long and every year it is exactly the same. Except maybe a difference in the way they want us to do CPR. It was educational though.

Friday Monarch (the paving company we lease to) didn't have any work for me. I changed some shocks on my drop axle and washed my truck.
Monday no work. Tuesday and Wednesday I worked about two miles from home. Thursday I went back up north and spent a lot of money on fuel (we had to haul both ways so I was never empty). Yesterday was a short day. I got off work around one and started working on my mother's garden. My brother got about thirteen yards of black dirt and I had to shovel most of it. I almost finished last night. Around 8:30 I gave up, took a shower and went to bed. I want to finish it before it rains tomorrow.

I'm not sure what I am going to do with the rest of my weekend. Maybe some more landscaping at my folks place. Maybe go fishing. Maybe go shop around for motorcycles. I have a phone number that I am supposed to call if I want to do something sometime. I am not sure if she is going to get a call this weekend. We'll see I guess.

Back to work

2008-05-13T16:04:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow will be my first day back in my dump truck. It is already the middle of May but I have to admit that this season started earlier than I expected. I have to work east of Hayward which is about an hour and a half away.
I am trying so hard to make the best of this. I am already counting the days I have left. I don't even know how many days are left in my season but I am counting.

Ok, I'm done bitching. My plans are to work most of the summer, save money, maybe travel to Africa, save some more money, and sell my business. After I sell I am not completely sure where I will end up. I thought I wanted to go to school in Manassas, VA, but my trip to Brazil may have changed things. For the last five or more years I have thought about teaching english down there. This last trip I talked to a few people and started giving some serious thought about it.

If I live down there I will have the experience of a lifetime. The culture, my friends, the women, everything is very nice. But I won't be able to further myself here in the U.S.. My home.
So part of me wants to have one more big adventure before I settle down, and another part of me thinks now is the best time to do something with my life. I have waited a long time to move on from where I am now.
I'm not worried about it now. I have friends who have tried to teach me patience and I think it is finally working.
We'll see how it turns out.

Mrs. Piggle Wiggle

2008-05-01T15:32:00.000-07:00

Today I went with my niece Sydnie on a field trip. I volunteered to chaperone Sydnie and her classmate Andrea. We went to the Childrens Theatre Company to watch a production of The Magic Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. I know the name seems pretty goofy but I was unexpectedly entertained. The show was really fun. The kids loved it too.
I don't get to spend a lot of one on one with Sydnie so it was nice to spend time with her. After the play we went to Como Park and ate lunch. After lunch the girls went to play with the other kids on the playground. I enjoyed seeing my niece in her element at school.
Also, I found out that Sydnie's class is doing projects of a country of their choice in South America. Sydnie chose Brazil. I talked to her teacher and she may have me come in and speak about the country from which I just returned. I am thinking about bringing in the maps that I have and a flag, some currency, and other souvenirs that I have accumulated over the years. I think it will be fun. We'll see I guess.

Home again

2008-04-28T11:51:00.000-07:00

I made it home thursday night. My brother picked me up from the Minneapolis airport after work and now I am in the full swing of life once more.

While I was still in Vicosa, Fabricio's dad, Albono and I came up with a travel plan that was not so expensive yet saved me down time at the airport as well. So on Tuesday night Fabricio's dad drove me four hours (regardless of my request to take a bus) to Juiz De Fora where Fabricio's aunt and cousins live. I stayed at their house that night. It was nice to see Fabricio's cousin Cristiane again. We talked for a few hours then went to sleep. I couldn't sleep as usual so I got up about an hour before everyone else. I took a shower, had breakfast then I got a ride from a complete stranger to go to the bus station. This lady must have been a friend of Fabricio's aunt because she picked me up in front of their house. I had never met her before and I tried for a conversation but a ride was all I got.
So I took a bus from Juiz de Fora at about twenty past seven. The ride was nice. Not a lot of people and the road was much nicer than the one from Vicosa to Sao Paulo.

I arrived in Sao Paulo at the bus station at about four pm. From there I took another bus to Guarulhos Airport. At the airport I had one last Coxinha de frango for dinner and then I walked around until my flight at 11 pm.
On my flight back to the states I wasn't able to sleep so I watched three more movies. August Rush wasn't really my type of movie but it was ok. I didn't watch all of Atonement because it was too boring and I kept falling asleep. Gone Baby Gone with Casey Affleck was really good.
Anyway, I arrived in Atlanta at about 7:30 am. I cleared customs easier than I have in a long time. I rechecked my bag knowing it was going to be on the wrong flight. I wanted to wait to re-check but I had this fat lady yelling at me so I just humored her and put it on the conveyor.
I had to wait in Atlanta for six hours again. I read a lot and walked a couple of miles but still couldn't sleep. My flight for Minneapolis left around 2:00 and I arrived around 3:30. It was a nice flight. I had a screw driver to help with a headache. I'm sure I was going through withdrawls from not drinking but I am not a doctor.
After waiting on the plane for what seemed like forever we were finally able to pull up to the gate. When I walked up to the baggage carousel it wasn't turning yet. While I was waiting I just happened to look over toward the corner, and there next to a line of carts was my bag. I wondered if my bag was going to make it to MSP. Because of my six hour wait they must have pit it on an earlier flight. So I didn't have to wait for my bag. I did, on the other hand, have to wait for my brother. He had to drive from work to come get me so I didn't mind waiting. Standing there outside by the pick up point was nice. It was nice to feel the cool midwest breeze.
While I was standing there people watching I couldn't help but laugh at the civil security guy. I think they only had one guy out there trying to keep people from blocking the pick up point. If someone was parked at the curb for a long time he would come by and tell them to take another lap, that this was a pick up area not for parking. Nobody was listening to this poor guy. Traffic was building up and he was trying his best to keep them moving. It was kinda funny.

I made it home and am now in what is almost a normal routine. I am working on some DVD's to send back to Brazil. I filmed some parties and the wedding. I am also working on the pictures I plan to post.
It was a good trip. Almost life changing. I am re-thinking my plans for the future because of this trip.
I am also already thinking of future trips.

Vicosa, MG

2008-04-21T13:50:00.000-07:00

The last few days have been incredible. Thursday night fabricio's family made it to Joacaba and we had a bbq at Lica's parents house. It was so nice to see all of them again. We had dinner and beer and then went to Tres Tilias where Fabricio used to work a few years ago. Out side of town we stayed at a very quiet and beautiful resort. We had the place to ourselves. There were four pousadas a swimming pool, lake and a kind of dinning hall. Very nice.
We stayed there and partied that night and then the next day we just kind of relaxed with our hangovers. Then friday night we put on our Sunday best and went back to Joacaba for the wedding. And what a beautiful wedding it was. The reception afterward was amazing. Food, whiskey, beer, girls and dancing. Fabricio, Lica, Robledo, Al, and I were the only ones left when they closed the place down. I have more stories about this night too but they will have to wait.
The morning of the reception I slep at Lica's house and then we went out to the resort in Tres Tilias. First thing there Fabricio and I went to get beer and then there was another bbq. That was another incredible night. I didn't go to sleep at all after everyone went to bed Robledo and I stayed up and talked for a few hours. I didn't see him for three years so it was nice to catch up. After he decided to go to bed I wanted to go for a walk and look at the stars but it was raining. I got to see the stars the night before but I didn't really get to appreciate them. Anyway I went back to my room and took a shower and finished packing my bags. Just as I was finishing up it was five am and everyone else was just getting up. We left for Vicosa at six am.
Fabricio has a friend who owns a little charter bus and his family made the long journey down in that. On the way back the had an americano to join them. The trip was fun. Incredibly long and inpossible to sleep but still fun. The roads in Brazil never go straight for very long and are not maintained very well. It seemed that we were constantly turning or bouncing around. Crazy but we made the best of it.
After nearly twenty four hours in the van we are finaly in Vicosa. I haven't been in this city for three years. It's nice. I am staying with Albono in his apartment. Al is a really nice guy and incredibly funny. I met him in the US through Fabricio.

Anyway, Al is helping me plan my trip back to Sao Paulo. If I go by bus it will be very cheap but the road is bad and the bus constantly stops. It is a twelve hour bus ride. I am not looking forward to another bus ride. So I think I might get a plane from Belo Horizonte (BH as they call it in Vicosa) to Sao Paulo. It is pretty expensive but I will be able to stay in Vicosa for more time and not have to wait at the airport for twelve hours. So we will see.
I am not sure when I will be able to write again. It may be from home but there will be pictures and more stories to come.

Joacaba, SC

2008-04-16T06:23:00.000-07:00

I have moved on from the state of Rio Grande do Sul and am now in Joacaba, Santa Catarina. A lot has happened since my last post. My time in Rio Grande do Sul was so awesome. I stayed with Tiago and his Family in Veranopolis. There we went to a few parties, and had a few of our own. We also had a bbq at Tiago's parents house. The best bbq in the world is from southern Brazil.
There was a Motorcycle show in Veranopolis. They were having a burn-out competition where they smoke their tires. One dumbass guy let go of his bike at it went into the crowd hitting a guy and cutting his arm pretty bad. Someone told us later that he died, but think that was a bunch of bull.
Veranopolis was great. Tiago's family was great. They always seem to make me feel at home.

After Veranopolis I went with Tiago to Passo Fundo where he goes to school. The first day there he had to go to class so he asked me to go with him. He is studying to be a Veterinarian. He had a Lab project and I got to meet his crazy teacher and classmates. Their lab project was to do a autopsy or a post-mortem examination on a dog.
That night we had a birthday party for one of our friends. We went to a soccer club and had a bbq and they played soccer. After the game we had the time of our lives. We stayed at the soccer club until we ran out of beer and then went to drink at the gas station. You can drink at the gas stations here. I think there was about ten of us that piled into the back of my friends tiny pick-up. We saw the cops so a bunch of them took off running. They didn't get caught but had to walk to the gas station. Me and another friend just laid down in the back and hoped we didn't get stopped.
I have more stories about that night but I will have to save them for another time.

So after two days in Passo Fundo my friend Fabricio (the one who is getting married) picked me up and we drove the three plus hours to Joacaba. Last night we sat around and talked and relaxed. it was nice to rest for a while. I slept really good last night. This morning we had breakfast and Fabricio left for work. About five minutes later Lica(fabricio's fiance) came and told me that fabricio had an accident. So I threw some shoes on and went outside and not even a block away Fabricio's car got hit by an old guy backing out of his garage. No real damage and Fabricio was fine. Brazilian women worry too much. So after Fabricio filed an accident report with the police he went to work.
Later Lica took me to a clothes store to rent a suit for the wedding. I have to go pick it up tomorrow.
Now we are just relaxing and being lazy. It's nice. For lunch we are going to a restaurant because Lica says her mom is an awful cook. I thought that was funny.
For tonight, we are going out to some bar. More parties. More fun.

Porto Alegre

2008-04-11T05:02:00.000-07:00

I love this city of Porto Alegre. My friend's girlfriend Morgana is at school right now. Around noon she is going to come and bring me to this hospital where she works. So until then I sit here and get to be bored. She asked me if I wanted a key so I could go out. I told her no, that I would just find a way to get lost.
Last night Morgana and I walked to the mercado where I bought us some Coxinhas for dinner. They were delicious. We walked around a little bit. I wanted to stay out and see more but I knew she had to study and that some parts of this city are too dangerous for girls to be walking around at night. So I lied and told her we should go home.
The other few times I have been here in Porto Alegre I am usually accompanied by my friends uncle Harold. Harold is from France but moved here when he was young. He speaks english very well and is extremely cool.
Harold usually takes me to his friends restaurant and we have what he calls shrimp in pasta. Whenever he hears that I am comming to Brazil he says, "The shrimps are waiting!" I wish I had remembered to bring his number so I could call to see if he wanted to have lunch.
Harold has given me a few tours of this city. I have seen a lot of monuments, parks, art galleries and historical buildings. I can't remember any of the names but I saw them.
Harold is an artist and has shown me some of his work. Very bold and dark. He says when he is painting or creating a piece that he sees the dark in the world. So, I guess that is why he has dark work. It is dark but very beautiful.

Anyway, last night I slept better than I have in a long time. I went to bed early, about eight. I woke up at about one and stayed awake for awhile but fell back asleep until 6:30.
This afternoon Morgana, Debra (Morgana's roommate), and I are going to take a bus to Veranopolis. There will be a party in Veranopolis for some kind of town anniversary or something so that should be fun.

I made it to Brazil

2008-04-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

Well, after a very long trip I am finaly in Brazil. I left Minneapolis around 10 am and had a ok flight to Atlanta. The reason it was only ok was because I had to sit next to a very unhappy baby. I have to give his mom credit for warning me pre-flight about my new travel partner. He was cool though. He cried at first but then went to sleep.
I was in Atlanta for six plus hours. I found a quiet corner and tried to sleep but kept waking up due to a slamming access door. These two young ladies thought it was pretty funny to watch me jump everytime the door slammed. Their laughter hurt me on the inside. I got up and read for a while.

After no sleep in Atlanta I was finally able to board my flight after they changed the gate number twice. It was a good flight. The plane wasn't as packed as it usually is. I watched two and a half movies in my ten hour flight. "Dan in real life" is a really good movie. "Juno" was ok. I enjoyed it. Then I watched the begining of "Autumn rush". I think that's what it was called. I couldn't watch much of it because I was so tired. So I listened to some music and fell in and out of a sleeping state. It's funny because I jumped awake and a few people were looking at me funny and a stewardess asked if I was ok. I must have yelled or something. I think the guy across from me got mad because I woke him up by yelling then smiled at him.
Just before landing in Sao Paulo I got to see the morning dew cover everything but the tops of the mountains. That and the sunrise was beautiful even in my groggy state of mind.
In Sao Paulo I had to change airports to the one across town. I asked a cab driver how much to take me there and he told me some rediculous price (R$98.00 or about $45). I took the bus. It took a long time going through traffic but it was air conditioned.
My flight to Porto Alegre was really nice. Less than two hours. Plus I made a new friend Vivian. She is a business consultant of some kind. Very nice person. We talked most of the flight. She gave me her business card and told me to call. I don't think I will have time.
Anyway, I am at Morgana's house right now. She and her friend met me at the airport and we took a cab back to her place where I will be staying tonight. I am in the process of convincing them to go out with me tonight. They say they have school tomorrow and that I should get some sleep. I told them I can sleep when I die. They laughed but the answer still stands at no.

Tomorrow I am off to one of my favorite places in the world, Veranopolis.
I hope to write again soon but I am not sure when. tchau for now.

Almost there

2008-04-08T11:24:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I am leaving for Brazil. I am going to be flying into Sao Paulo, then to Porto Alegre. My friend Tiago is going to have his girlfriend pick me up at the airport. I will spend the night at her place thursday night, then take a bus with her to Veranopolis (Tiago's hometown) friday. It is going to be interesting because she doesn't speak english and I haven't studied Portuguese like I had planned. I am going to have to study as much as I can on my flights and my six hour layover in Atlanta.
Anyway, after a weekend in Veranopolis, I am going to spend a few days in Passo Fundo with my buddy Marcelo. Then it is off to Fabricio's wedding in Santa Catarina. From there I will travel with Fabricio's parents to Vicosa, MG which is twenty six hour bus ride. I will stay there for a day or two then take a bus back to Sao Paulo.

That's the plan. Most of the time I never stick to the plan but atleast it is an idea.

Well, my next post will be from somewhere in Brazil.
Mais tarde

Summer

2008-03-31T13:34:00.000-07:00

Friday night I was able to meet up with my Brazilian friend Oeslin for the first time since he has been back. After a very long day of work I was able to meet him at McKenzie Lanes before closing. We had a few beers and talked about our families and all the stuff we wanted to do this summer. We agreed that we have to go camping again and ride motorcycles together. In the midst of our conversation I realized I have a lot of things to look forward to this summer.

My Aunts on my dad's side are comming out for the family reunions. Some of my cousins are comming out here with there families. I know my cousin Monte wants to catch a Twins game. I can't wait to see all of them. It's been a while.

Then there is our canoeing trip down the Namekagon with just the guys. I am hoping everyone can come. Three days of canoeing, beer, fishing, beer, football on the sand bars, beer, camp food, beer and nothing but fun.

Also, my two best friends are getting married. Not to each other though. I believe Ryan is getting married at the end August and Stephan's wedding is at the beginning of September. I know Stephan wants to go sky diving sometime before he gets married so I am going to try for that.

Then there is the Tanzania trip. I'm not to sure when that is going to happen but I do really want to go.

So many things to look forward to. This is the first time in a long time that I have been this excited about summer.

Four Things

2008-03-25T13:42:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine thought I should post this.

1. Four jobs that I have had in my life:

- Farm Hand
- Cabinet Maker
- Security Officer
- Truck Driver

2. Four Movies I would/have watch(ed) over and over:

- The Edge
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Into The Wild
- Tommy Boy

3. Four places I have lived:

- Fontana, CA
- Centuria, WI
- Denali Park, AK
- Mammoth Lakes, CA

4. Four TV shows that I watch:

- Inside the NFL
- Real Time with Bill Maher
- MythBusters
- The Big Idea

5. Four places I have visited:

- Brazil
- Bahamas
- Denali National Park
- Desolation Wilderness

6. Four people who email me regularly:

- Darla
- Cathy
- Gnomo
- Camila

7. Four of my favorite foods:

- My Mother's Lasagna
- BBQ from Rio Grande do Sul
- Fettucini Alfredo
- Cocinha de galinha

8. Four places I would like to be right now:

- Vicosa, Minas Gerais
- Veranopolis, Rio Grande do Sul
- Denali Park
- Manassas

9. Four things I'm looking forward to this year:

- Family Reunions
- Getting to hold my new Niece or Nephew
- Going to Tanzania
- Going to school

10. Four people who should post 4 things:

Anyone who feels up to it.

Too busy and tired

2008-03-24T14:43:00.000-07:00

I told myself that I would make an effort to blog as often as I could but I have been working a lot lately. Monday through friday I worked from 6:45am to 3:00pm. Friday night I worked from 3:30pm to 4:00am and then went home and was only able to sleep about five and a half hours. I am in one of those periods where I don't sleep all that well.
Anyway, I received my passport in the mail with my stamped tourist visa. There is nothing stopping me from going to Brazil now. I am really excited. Just over two weeks left!
In other news, Easter was good this year. I am not very religious but we had supper at my Aunt's house and it was nice. We spent the afternoon riding their four wheeler around and pulling my cousin on a sled. I rolled the four wheeler. It sucked. I'm fine and there wasn't really any damage to the quad but it still sucked. But other than that it was a good weekend.

Outrageous

2008-03-11T16:01:00.000-07:00

Can you believe the cost of fuel? I was on my way home from Rice Lake, and at the Holiday in Cumberland I saw that Diesel fuel was $3.99 a gallon. Diesel? I thought diesel was a biproduct of gasoline. How do they expect drivers to make a living? Especially owner-operators? This is ridiculous. I hope the price goes down before June, otherwise we are going to be in a world of hurt.
Ok, I have vented. Thanks.

In other news, I have sent off my application for a tourist visa. Rita at Brazil Visa Services says it will take about five days so I won't be cutting it as short as I thought.
I was also going to get my International Drivers License and rent a car in Brazil but I changed my mind. I really wanted the driving experience in another country but the bus will be cheaper. I would end up lost anyway.

Tourist Visa

2008-03-06T14:39:00.000-08:00

Today I got my passport photos for my new tourist visa. I went to Falls Photo. Very nice people. They remembered me from when I had my senior photos taken there almost eight years ago.
Anyway, I have been lazy about getting my visa, but now it is getting close to my departure. I have my picture and I just printed off a application form. Now all I need is to send my passport, a copy of my tickets, a $140 money order (they make it very clear that the consulate does not accept any other form of payment), $40 for the service fee, and a self-adressed, prepaid envelope with a tracking number.

I just realized I could have been doing the list thing for NaBloPoMo with all the listing I have been doing. I'm not sure I could post everyday.

I am almost ready for my long-awaited trip back to the land of the Green, Yellow and Blue.

Uncle Travis

2008-03-05T11:40:00.000-08:00

Guess what? I am going to be a uncle again!!!! My baby sister Jenny is going to be bringing me a wonderful niece or nephew into this world. I am excited and extremely happy for her and her husband. They are going to make great parents.

On a different note, My sister and her husband are no longer going to Brazil with me. I thought I was finally going to be able to show someone why I love that country so much. Oh well, atleast now I have only me to worry about.

Another thing is my hopes of going to school this next fall. I haven't talked about it much to anyone for fear of things changing, but it is something I am going to do. I plan to go to a technical school and learn Aviation Maintenance and Avionics. The school I wish to attend provides enough hands on experience (according to the FAA) to begin working right after graduation. The FAA requires so many hours of experience to work on your own. In this course I will also obtain a Associates in Applied Science which will open the door for a possible Bachelors (depending on my interest in this field) in the future.

This gives me one more summer to button things up with our business and maybe make a little money before I move east.
I have a few things I need to do before I go:
* Buy a car
* Buy a computer
* Go sky diving with a friend
* Attend my two best friends weddings
* Go to Tanzania
* See my niece or nephew come into this world
* and some more stuff I can't think of right now

Lot's of things to look forward to.

Changes in Itinerary

2008-02-19T13:10:00.001-08:00

Today I was searching online about passports and tourist visa for Brazil and I realized the prices have gone up on both. I am not going to need a new passport until 2012 but my visa expired in '07 and I forgot about the hassle involved in getting one. My sister and her husband are going to need both a passport and visa.
I also found out that passport applications are going to take from four to six weeks to process unless you go through a service agency which requires a extra fee.

Last night I called a travel agent to see about tickets to Porto Alegre which is the closest international airport to one of my buddies house. I found out that it is going to cost over $1400 each. So I asked about a flight to Sao Paulo and if we avoid the weekend it's going to be about $850. So my new plan is to fly to Sao Paulo then take a bus with my friends family to Santa Catarina. That will take longer but will also save us some money. Plus I haven't spent time with my friends family for three years and it will be interesting to travel with them.
I know I have to study Portuguese before I go but for some reason I am finding it very difficult to stay focused.
The other day I called one of my buddies and talked to his sister for a little while. Some of my Portuguese came back fairly quickly but I still struggled with a lot of my vocabulary. It's easy to forget words if you don't use them. I guess I am going to have to study with my Brazilian friends here in Wisconsin.

Always Planning

2008-02-18T12:06:00.000-08:00

It has been almost two years since I have set foot in the wonderful country of Brazil. After four trips in four years life has finally caught up with me. The first year I went was in 2002 and I stayed for two weeks. The next year was my first Carnival (Brazilian four day celebration) and I stayed for three weeks. The third trip was four weeks. The fourth was five weeks.

Anyway, after two winters of no Brazil I am ready to return. This time I am hoping to bring my little sister and brother in law. We are planning to leave Friday April 11. My sister and her husband can only stay for a week, but I am going to try to stay a little longer.

My friend Fabricio (Lava) will be getting married in Joacaba, Santa Catarina on April 18. That gives us a week to visit other friends and then I am to be a groomsman in Lava's wedding.
After that I am planning to go up north to Vicosa, Minas Gerais to visit some more friends.
More planning to do and tickets to buy.