Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday................

Just the 4 days I have to make it through to get to Thursday!

Listened to Jimmy Buffett's Radio Margaritaville last night. Now that will get you in the mood for a tropical vacation! Visions of beachside tiki bars danced in my head. Saltwater fishing, laying on the beach, watching the palm trees sway in the breeze. I am so ready to go.

I think half the fun of going on a vacation is just "the going". When I'm on my way to the airport, I'm the happiest person in the world! This past week, while I was at work, the thought that I would be on vacation crossed my mind a few times. All I could do was smile and laugh with joy inside. I get that same feeling when I'm on my way to the airport. Wooo Hoooooooo!!!!! Finally!!!

Today, I received a comment to this blog from a technical college that thought I was unhappy with my job. They wanted to show me the light to happiness with an associates degree in one thing or another.

I had to laugh. For me, it's not "what" I'm doing to make a living that makes me happy or not. For the most part, I like my job. It's the fact that I have to get up and go to work each day that is the part that I'm not a big fan of.

It may sound a little irresponsible. But, I am happiest when I don't have any resposibilities at all. The most annoying thing in life to me is having to be somewhere every day.

Well, I have 4 more days to make it through before I forward the cell phone to the office, sling my bag over my shoulder and head for the airport.

If anything, that comment from the technical college woke me up. Now, I really have to start making some plans for the future. If I want to live this carefree lifestyle, I'm going to have to get cracking and find a way to accomplish that. Otherwise, you'll be reading comments like this for the foreseeable future.

Hasta Pronto

Light At The End Of The Tunnel

4/28/06 Five days left until I blow out of here for 4 days of sun, sand, cigars, Martinis, limes, olives, beer, seafood and things unknown in the south of Florida.

I'm sure you know that, by now, I am more than ready to pack up my suitcase with my shorts, sandals, t shirts, my portable humidor and my sunscreen and head for Miami.

The humidor is packed with 15 of my favorite hand rolled cigars. My shorts and shirts are folded and ready. Sandals placed strategically on top for easy access. My traveling medicine cabinet is stocked with suncreen, Imodium, band aids, benadryl (you never know when you might have that allergic reaction to something) and plenty of extra strength Bayer aspirin.

I like to be prepared when I'm on the road. Nothing is worse than being under the weather when you're out of town. Having to find a drug store when you're feeling terrible is something you don't want to have to do.

So, It's not that I'm expecting to be under the weather. However, in the event something happens while I'm out of town, I come prepared to handle it. It's reassuring to know that you have the ability to combat a hangover, a bad case of the gastrointestinals, a bee sting or bug bite or a cut toe with your arsenal of medical supplies. You never know when you'll "blow out your flip flop, step on a pop top or something worse and have to cruise on back home" as Buffett says. It's nice to be able to deal with it right there in the comfort of the hotel room.

So, that being said, I'm ready to head to the airport, pick up that paperback in the airport bookstore, my cup of Starbucks and head for the gate to board that silver bird headed for south.

Finally! It's just around the corner!

So Close. Yet, So Far Away

11 days and counting to Miami. I AM READY!!

Things are really heating up at work. I am more than ready to jump ship and head for the tranquil side of life.

How many times have I thought to myself "How wonderful would it be to chuck it all and buy a boat and sail off into the sunset?" Down to the tropics....... as they say.

Well, I suppose the best thing to do would be to "just do it". Buy the boat, stock it with things that will provide me with a comfortable life aboard. Say "adios" to my boss and cast off the main bow line!

However, my thoughts also turn to a more stationary yet tranquil existence. Thoughts of moving to northeast Brazil creep into my head...... The beaches, the year 'round warmth, the culture, the idyllic lifestyle that one might be able to create in a place such as this. This has a lot of appeal to me.

I'm not sure how I became this person who is always thinking "How do I get out of here?" or "Where is the next adventure." But, I have always been one to do my own thing. I have never been one who follows the crowd too closely. Although, at the same time, I've tried to live a life that my folks and peers would be proud of. (good job/financial stability/good reputation/friends etc.) However, I have always loved the thought of a relatively stress free lifestyle. Someplace where the daily grind is going to the beach, having lunch in a little seaside cafe beneath the shade of a palm tree, talking with friends, laughing..... Enjoying the good people around me and the simple pleasures that life has to offer.

When Jimmy Buffett wrote "Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attidudes" he was somewhat correct. I think it's more the other way around however. Most people have the correct attitude. Yet, they are stuck in a latitude or a lifestyle that doesn't allow them to exist as they would like to.

Well, enough of this. I need to get down to business and start planning on how I'm going to exit the rat race and get myself "Down To The Tropics" on a permanent basis.

The Countdown Continues

Well, I'm down to T minus 24 days and counting. Nothing to do now but endure the days until departure. Work, go to the gym, try to stay busy so that the time flies past quickly. It never goes fast enough though.

My flight leaves for Miami at 6:30am on May 4th. That is one time when I will not care about getting up early! In fact, I love those early flights out.

It's great to arrive at the Marriott South Beach just in time to go down to the beach and get a few hours of sun before coming back to the room for a cold drink and a nap before dinner.

The airport is usually pretty calm at that hour too. Perfect for grabbing a cup of Starbucks and heading to the gate with a magazine or a paperback from the gift shop and your travel bag. Man oh man, I cannot wait!!!!

I always feel sorry for the folks at the gate next door who are departing for some other cold destination in the northern hemisphere. They look over at you and you can read their minds.... they're thinking something like...."Damn, I wish I was going to Miami today!" Instead of flying to some dismal grey town up north.

Meanwhile, you're over at the other gate humming the tune to Jimmy Buffett's "Cheeseburger In Paradise" and thinking to yourself how damned glad you are to have your cell phone calls forwarded to the office and how in 3 hours you'll be going over the causeway towards Miami Beach. Checking out the cruise ships as you go by and thinking about what restaurant you'll go to. What bars you'll kick back in with a cold beer or a martini. Which cigar you want to enjoy on the balcony overlooking the ocean when you get to the hotel.

Well, until the big day arrives, all we can do is keep on keepin' on and eventually that date of departure will arrive. The next thing I know, it'll be May 3rd and I'll be celebrating wrapping up the last few hours of work and making plans for a good pre vacation dinner somewhere.

It can't come fast enough !! I am ready for some good seafood and an icey martini.

Afternoon Balcony Cigar

I took this foto as I was smoking a fine Montesino Maduro Super Belicoso on the balcony of my hotel room at the South Beach Marriott in Miami Beach.

There just isn't anything more heavenly than being on vacation, sitting on a nice balcony near the beach and having a great cigar with an ice cold beverage.

I like to bring out a good W.E.B. Griffin book, mix up an ice cold martini and pull up a comfortable lounge chair. After lighting my cigar, I sink into my lounge chair and relax in the world of Pickering, McCoy and all of the other characters sprinkled throughout WWII in his novels. Savoring my cigar and my martini of almost pure Tangueray whilst reading my book is quite an enjoyable experience!

I sit reclined, hearing the waves washing ashore, the sea gulls crying, the people laughing and having a good time down on the beach......

I just can't wait to get in the taxi at the airport. I love that ride over to Miami Beach. Checking out the skyline of Miami, the blue waters of the intercoastal and all of the cruise ships and other interesting boats...Then, plunging headlong into the south beach neighborhoods and their people, restaurants, bars, music............

31 more days!!! until my arrival in the Capital of the Caribbean!!!

April 2, 2006

Still here in the chilly north country...... Although there is a hint of of spring in the air, it still doesn't compare to being down south. I looked up the weather for Miami Beach last night after returning home from watching the basketball games and drinking Coronas with Limes all afternoon. 70 degrees at 11:00pm last night! 80 and sunny again today! How I would love to be walking the beach this morning. Or sitting at a table in a nice little restaurant having breakfast.... leisurely, without a worry in the world, breeze coming in off of the ocean. Or maybe spending the morning at a good coffee shop sipping a colombian or italian roast and watching the people come and go while reading the Miami Herald.

I recently discovered Jimmy Buffett's Radio Margaritaville/Sirius 31 channel on his website and I am enjoying it immensely. It kind of alleviates that feeling of being so far away from where you want to be. Good tunes transporting your thoughts to the sea.......the tropics.....boats........ seafood.........palm trees........ducking into Eckerds for sunscreen and a beach towel that you couldn't fit into your suitcase ;)

32 MORE DAYS!!!!!! :)