Smells
Now Playing: Track 1 off Dutty Rock
Topic: Smells
Since I started the internship on Tuesday (coincidence?) things have started smelling different. You know the smell of being in another country when you're a kid on vacation? THat's what everything smells like recently. It's great because I don't feel bogged down by work or anything.

On The Horizon
I haven't been excited about a book or movie release in a while so I should report what I'm most excited about that's coming up soon.

First of all, tomorrow MIGHT be the day Mindy and I finally go up on the hot air balloon ride. MAYBE. In case you didn't know, this is one of the hardest things in the world to do because of the demand and the shifty weather conditions (they have to be perfect).

Book-wise, David Foster Wallace comes out with his new book of essays on December 13th. Even though I've read some of them already (Host and Consider the Lobster - the title essay), I'm still psyched about it.

Movie-wise, there is Darren Aronofsky's new movie The Fountain, which was supposed to be his entry into the big-time blockbuster arena of directors until Brad Pitt bailed out in favor of Troy, which sucked. But apparently the movie is done, filming has been wrapped and the only issue is that Warner doesn't know what to do with the movie. It's too weird for them, rumor has it. Which excites the hell out of me. It apparently has something to do with immortality, time travel, and a love story in there too. Hugh Jackman is the new leading man. Problem? There is no release date on it yet, which sucks.

As for recent excitement, I bought George Saunders' new book The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil, which was good but short.

Like another Telegram
When I was twelve years old, on a Saturday, my cousing came down the hill to my house to play. He was my best friend at the time and we spent way too much time together. This time, he brought something for me: a telegram. Not for my father (who has the same name as I do - or I guess I have his name) but for me. I had never gotten a telegram before in my life. I still haven't. But on this past Saturday I got something that brought back all the sensations I got when I opened up that telegram.

The telegram was telling me that I had been chosen to play for Guatemala's National Baseball Team in Japan. Well, actually, to try out for the team (I eventually did make it onto the team). I was floored. I had started playing baseball at age seven, and I had no natural ability. This was a surprise, an incredibly joyful surprise. My parents were ecstatic and proud, from what I remember. I had worked pretty hard, practiced like crazy, and now someone was saying I was pretty good.

I ended up playing for the GNT in Panama (where we almost made the Little League World Series in Williamsport, lost 3-1 to Panama), Colombia, Mexico, and El Salvador.

So what happened on Saturday? I got a letter from the Union League Civic & Arts Foundation about a story I had submitted for a contest. Turns out I got one of the "Additional Awards." Not first or second place, not even third place, but something. There will be a dinner to celebrate the winners, I can bring someone, congratulations, and you'll be getting a check for $385.

Again, floored. Not just for winning whatever it is I won, which is awesome. But what it means. I must have read that letter a million times. I hate reading too much into things or getting all full of myself, but this is, as the Goonies would say, My Time, and I want to brag.

I fucking won something because of my writing. It's never happened before, not like this. And it feels great. It's not Japan, but it's fantastic, and who knows where it will lead me.

Plane Loading
Why are they loading planes from front to rear now? At least United did. On my flights. It makes no sense. You get in there and have to squeeze through all the people that are already on there, making your way to the back. Why is this? What's going on here?

Back in town
I'm back and it's good to be back. Always nice to go home, but I don't like the rush of such a limited stay.

The Dogg is married
Neto, once known affectionately as "Nate Dogg," passed away this past week. All that remains is Ernesto Rossbach.

The Dogg is dead.

Congratulations to him and the wife.

Bad Moves
I hear the Pirates have taken Jose Mesa off of closer duties. How dumb is this team? Why didn’t they trade him? Not just this year, but last year too? They could’ve gotten something for him. But no, they held onto him for no good reason and now he’ll move on and they’ll have nothing. It’s the same thing I’ve been saying about the Reds and their outfield situation, it’s just plain dumb.

TV
I watched CSI and then Without a Trace the other day with Mindy. I had seen CSI before and I enjoyed it, sometimes it stretches things a little bit but it’s a good show. It’s reminiscent of the old Sherlock stories. But then we saw Without a Trace, and man this show’s writing is terrible. It’s clich? as hell and it made me want to just chuckle and walk away. Check it out some time, listen to how they talk, it’s horrible.

Married
Well, I’m in Guatemala and my best friend is now officially married. It’s done.

Guatemala
I'm here now. For the wedding. I've said this to people so many times I'm sick of it.

I've been awake for 27 hours straight.

I'm very tired.

Drunk? Yes, maybe.

OK, totally.

But not that much, if I'm still awake after all this time.

After all.