Getting Cold Up Here

The temperature is dropping by the minute tonight. Reality is slowly rearing it's ugly head here in the great north.

It's nights like these when I think about:

Palm trees.
Ocean Breezes.
Beaches.
Brasileiras.
Vacations.
Going to the airport.
Turning off my cell phone for two weeks.
Buying a paperback book to read on the beach.
Good coffee. (cafezinho)
Caipirinhas
Churrascarias.
Lord Jim Pub.
Corcovado
Pao de Azucar
American Airlines
Leblon.
Ipanema.
Lagoa.
Centro.
Praca Quince
Drambuie. (Always found in the hotel room fridge in Rio)
Frutos do Mar
Fine Cigars
Rio Shopping

The list could go on and on.

I'm in a Rio mood tonight.

Got My Teva's Out And I'm Ready To Go!!

I've had my nose to the grindstone for several months and I'm ready to break lose and head to the tropics!!! Talk about a caged tiger!!!

Got my Teva's out next to my suitcase. Got the sunscreen and my swimsuit ready to be packed up!

Time to pick out a vacation destination. Someplace warm, by the ocean, with a little bar next to the beach.

I'm ready to be sitting at that beachside bar with some old friends, some new friends, a big rum and coke and maybe a fine cigar!!

Let's take a vacation!!!

Staying On Course

I won't be taking any time off until at least September. But, I'm already thinking about where to go on the next trip.

Who knows, I may end up travelling by myself again. That wouldn't be all that bad.

Hmmmm where to go....... ? Europe? Brazil? Asia? Back to Florida again?

I'll put up a poll and let the people decide where I should go next.

Enjoy the day!

One Month After

I've been back from Vacation for about a month now.

For the first three weeks, I felt somewhat refreshed, invigorated, energetic. Work didn't seem so stressful.

Now, here in the 4th post vacation week, I'm starting to get those longings again. Listening to Jimmy Buffett while I'm in my car at work, waking up and checking the weather down in Key West, thinking about being on the next flight out.

I'm wishing right now at 7:15 am that I was out taking a walk on some beach somewhere. Or maybe sipping on a cup of coffee while watching the waves roll in on some shore.

Time to start planning the next escape.

Unintentionally Travelling By Yourself

Well, I finally made it to Miami Beach! It wasn't the vacation I expected. But, all in all, it wasn't bad.

I went down to Miami expecting to go with my brother and a friend of mine from my days in college. The closer our day of departure came, the more things started shaping up differently.

My brother backed out a couple of weeks before citing lack of fundage. My friend dropped the ball the week he was supposed to fly down by losing his wallet, I.D. and credit cards included.

I knew I was going to arrive 2 days prior to him. However, I had no I idea that I was in for a 6 day vacation by myself.

So, what do you do when you've flown 3 hours to Miami and you find yourself all alone for the next 6 days? Basically, you do most of the same things that you were planning to do anyway. RELAX!

I spent a lot of time sitting on the patio at Starbucks next to the Marriott reading a great 1200 page long Tom Clancy book that my neighbor had loaned me prior to my departure. I went to the beach for a walk or just to hang out and catch some rays and check out the scenery. I went to Big Pink a few times for lunch and or dinner. Visited Joe's Stone Crab, my favorite seafood restaurant. Taverna Opa! was also one of my visits. I like the energy there and the dancers are very nice indeed.

At night, I visited Ted's Hideaway and fit in just like one of the locals. The crowd there is very sociable and there is always someone at the bar to chat with about sports, politics, living in Miami Beach, etc.......... I also like the bar tenders here. Very nice young ladies. Pleasant to talk to and pleasant to look at as well.

I visited "The Room" as well. A bar several blocks from Ted's. Not as much personality here. But, it's a nice atmosphere, laid back, dark, cool, inviting.

When I first discovered that I was going to be on this adventure by myself, I was a little deflated. I was sitting at the bar at Taverna Opa! after just having watched the dancers come out and do their thing. Feeling good about the evening. Then, my phone rang and I received the news that my buddy wasn't going to make the trip.

It made me think of my situation in life. Really alone in the world. Reality was starring me in the face. I was all alone on this planet.

Well, what to do? I could get depressed and go back to the condo and mope. I decided against that option. Instead, I went to Ted's Hideaway and sat down at the bar and ended up sitting next to a guy named Bob who turned out to be one of the folks who manages the establishment.

I ended up having a great time as Bob introduced me to all of the lovely bar tenders, many of the locals and was a great conversationalist. I ended up leaving the bar somewhere around 3 or 4 in the morning after spending a very enjoyable evening. Had I been there with my friend who couldn't make it, I probably never would have met these great folks nor would I have had such an enjoyable evening of conversation.

What I learned from this vacation is that when life throws you a curve ball and you're left all alone in the world, get out there and open your mouth. Introduce yourself to people. There a so many nice people out there that we could meet if we would only take the time to go sit at the bar of life. In this case, it was Ted's Hideaway for me. Thanks Ted's.

Feelin' Tranquil

There's nothing better than waking up on a Saturday morning and having not one thing on your schedule for the day.

Here I sit, watching the birds come and go from the feeder. Sipping on a steaming hot cup of Starbucks Italian Roast.... Just enjoying the tranquility of the morning.

In 27 days, I will be winging my way south to relax beach side down in Miami.

I'm already thinking about what I would be doing right now if I were there. I suppose, if I were in South Beach right now, I would have already finished walking about 4 or 5 miles on the beach. I love to get up and put on my running shoes and head out down the beach.

If you can make it out to see the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean, all the better! It definitely makes you think about your life, where you stand right now, where you want to go, what you doing currently. Are you happy? Would you be happy somewhere else? Ahh who knew that just seeing something that happens every day could bring about life altering thoughts and dreams? Normally, I never even see the sunrise or think about it. But, when you are in a beautiful place near the ocean and have the opportunity, this event should not be missed.

What do I do after my walk? Well, there's a nice little Starbucks right at the foot of the South Beach Marriott that I like to hang out at. So, I'll go inside and grab a Venti coffee and a Miami Herald and head out to their patio to sit at one of the tables. This is a perfect spot to people watch. I love this end of South Beach. Even though I love all of Miami Beach, this has become my favorite area.

After an hour or two of hanging out, reading the paper, relaxing and seeing some of South Beach's sites come and go, I'm ready for some lunch. So, I'll head over to the condo, hit the shower, and walk a block down to Big Pink. It's one of those 24 hour restaurants that has a huge menu, great service and, as mentioned before, great people watching. I think that's what makes Miami such an interesting place. The great diversity of people that you run across every day.

After lunch, you know where I want to go! I'm heading back to the condo for some R&R.

Later on, I'll continue with a typical day in South Beach.

Right now, think I'll go get another cup of Joe and relax.

Man o man...... 1 month from my departure date for those sunny beaches down south!!

Right now, I'm thinking of the airport down in Miami. I love that place. I love the people from so many countries that are coming and going. I love the cafe con leche at the little coffee shop there. I even love waiting for my luggage to come off the carousel. I love walking out the front doors and feeling the warm, humid, Miami air and watching the palm trees blowing in the breeze. You can tell that everyone is so happy to finally be there.

When you're leaving, there's always that little tinge of sadness that you feel after you've had a great time in Miami. You exit your cab to go inside. Check your luggage. Stop over for a cafe con leche. Step back out into the warm, humid air to sit on the benches out front and have a few last Camel Lights. Savoring the smoke and the memories of the week. Watch the people picking up loved ones. Watch the people sitting out here smoking on the bench. Watch the cabs and buses come and go. Watch the palm trees swaying in the breeze again. Think about your life and how you wish you could find some way to get down here permanently. You sit outside in the warmth until the very last moment. Then, you bite the bullet and head inside to the security line that will take you to your gate. BUMMER. It's official. You're going home now.

You always want to make sure that you're sitting on the right side of the plane on the way down and on the way home. That way you get the best views of the city. It sure is tough when you're flying out to look down at the city below. Seeing you're hotel, down there on the beach, fading into the distance is the moment when you really feel like it's over. The airplane, once a symbol of your freedom, of your escape, now becomes a prison bus taking you back to prison after they let you out by mistake for one week.

Well, perhaps it's time to just do it. Just move down there permanently and exit the frozen tundra once and for all.

We'll see.

Spring Is Finally Here

Spring is finally here. But, you wouldn't know it. We still have several inches of snow on the ground.

The good thing is, the days are becoming noticeably longer. It's amazing what a little sunshine can do to perk you up and make you feel so much better about your circumstances.

On top of that, I just sent an inquiry to a condo down in Florida about locking it in for a week in April.

I think it's mandatory for my own mental health to get out of here for a week to totally decompress for a while.

I hate to send out posts like my previous one. But, sometimes, I just get so totally frustrated with the job, the stress, the daily grind. I suppose everyone has the same issues. However, lately, I've been falling into a more than a little mild case of "Jimmy Buffett Syndrome." You know, when you're almost ready to chuck your job and trade your house for a sail boat and head south for some distant marina, some tranquil place. Jeez that sounds good! jajaja

Enjoy the day!

And if you're on a beach somewhere, I hope it'll be one of those memorable days that give you much pleasure to think back upon later in life.

Ok, It's Time.

Some days you just wake up and it hits you..... I really need a vacation.

That's how I'm feeling this morning. Sitting here at my computer thinking about sand, surf, beaches, boats and palm trees.

Plus all of the other things that you do when you are in a place that has all of the above.

Quite frankly, you know it's bad when you almost don't care whether you travel or not. As long as you just don't have to go to work or take another phone call or solve another problem or work on another project. At this point, I just want out for a while.

What ever happened to the two week vacation? Remember back in the day when the family would pack up and go of on excursions to the Grand Canyon or down to Florida or some other interesting place? Well, not anymore.

Now, you're lucky if you can even take all of your vacation time. Let alone go anywhere for any length of time. On top of that, why is it that we need two wage earners to afford the same or less of what our parents had in the past?

I've only been lucky enough to go on one two week vacation in my life. The Traveler went to Brazil for two weeks. It was the best vacation that I've ever experienced. And, after two weeks away from all of the nonsense at work, you actually feel very relaxed and refreshed. You need two weeks off to forget about all of the petty things that were driving you nuts before you left town.

Oh well, I don't mean to go down the negative path on you this morning. But, sometimes a person just has to get it out of their system.

I think it's been about 5 and a half months since my last week off.

I believe it is time to drop out for a while.

Virgin Island Bay Rum

I was going through one of the big chain drug stores the other day and ran across Ed. Pinaud Clubman Virgin Island Bay Rum cologne. You know, the one with the picture of the ship anchored beneath the moon? You're right, I'll bet you didn't know. Because I didn't know about it either. I'm more familiar with their standard Clubman aftershave lotion and talc which my barber has been using on his customers forever.

Anyway, as a sailor, traveler, and all around fan of the islands, I was instantly drawn to this bottle with the ship on it's label. Thinking about the islands, I had to try it!

So, here I am with a 12 ounce bottle of Virgin Island Bay Rum .... and to be honest with you, I love this stuff! It has a great scent and it feels nice and cool on your skin.

Enough of my ranting about inexpensive colognes! But, I like it! And you may too!

Until next time.......

Traveler

Thinking Of Key West

Well, it's snowing again this morning. I guess I don't mind too much. If it's going to be cold out there, it may as well be scenic.

Ironically, when I turned on my computer, Bob Marley was singing "Coming In From The Cold" How appropriate on a day like today. Snowy, windy, blustery......

I just looked up the weather down in Key West to kind of escape from my current reality and it's 72 degrees and cloudy. Not bad.... Not bad at all. I'll take it!! Clouds and all!!

I first visited Key West by accident. My brother and I had booked a week at a hotel in Clearwater, Fla. one February back in I think 1993. Well, when we arrived, ready to hit the beach, it was windy and the high temp was around 50 degrees...... the town was desolate.

We were sitting in a bar around 1:00 pm on our first day there. Our waitress, who was very nice, was wondering why we were stupid enough to visit Clearwater in February. With the winds howling outside like a November gale on the Great Lakes, she was kind enough to tell us to get the heck out of there and go to Key West. Never ones to disobey a direct order, we saluted and said "Yes Ma'am!!" and hit Alligator Alley early the next morning.

When you're looking at a map of Florida, Key West doesn't look all that far away. In reality, it took us 8 hours to get down there. Going right past Miami, which I wouldn't discover for another four years. Who knew?

We rolled into Old Town sometime around 6:00 pm that night after an interesting eye opening drive down that two lane highway through the keys. The sight of the blue water is incredible and makes you wish you were the passenger and not the driver as there is so much to look at.

Heck, we didn't even have a hotel lined up yet. So, we cruised around town, looking at the various hotels. Eventually, deciding that we deserved a week in something more than a spring break dive, we settled on the Southernmost Hotel.

What a great place. Right on the water with a little beach next door. Simple rooms, yet very comfortable. Man, I'd like to be down there right now...... Maybe sitting on my little balcony with a big cup of Joe listening to the day come alive. Listening to the breeze in the palm trees and the tropical birds making their morning calls.

More to come on Key West. But, for now, I'll just leave you thinking about spending a tranquil morning lounging seaside in the tropics, without a care in the world.

Looking Back And Wondering...................

I was talking to a friend of mine last night who has gone on many trips with me in the past. We were reminiscing about the first time we went down to Miami.

It was actually a bit of a downer to realize how fast time flies and how you can get caught up working and working and working.........And then one day, you wake up and it's 11 years later and you wonder what happened to the time.

I remember that first trip to Miami like it was yesterday....... Key Biscayne, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Bal Harbour, touring Vizcaya, watching the Flamenco dancers down on Ocean Drive in South Beach and being completely stunned by the beauty of the women. Not to mention the palm trees, the sand, the blue water, the good restaurants, cafe con leche, the tastiest cigars, the martinis that were the coldest ever made, the ice cold Coronas with lime on the patio before and after going out on the town, the smell of coconut suntan lotion, walking to the little market on a "beer run", waking up and sipping hot coffee on the patio and enjoying watching the palm trees overhead blow in the sea breeze, mocking birds chirping and squawking in the palms..........

God, everything about the place was so amazing to my "midwestern" eyes. I had been to Florida before...Daytona, Lauderdale, Key West, Hollywood, Clearwater. But, none of those places were anything at all like Miami.

As we packed our bags and prepared to head off to Miami International for our flights home, some of our most frequently uttered statements were things like......"Why didn't we go to college down here?" and "We've got to move down here dude!" and "When I get home I'm getting my resume printed up and getting down here."

I remember sitting in the airport sipping on my last cafe con leche, listening to the announcements in Spanish over the P.A. system and being depressed that I was leaving. It was that feeling that you had as a young kid when you went to visit your grandparents or your cousins for a week and had a great time. And now it was over and you had to leave these special people, this special place behind.

Well, here I am 11 years later and quite frankly, not a whole lot has changed. I still get up and go to, basically, the same job I had back then. I still live up north where the snow falls and the winters seem never ending.

I guess the gist of this post is to motivate anyone that reads this to do what is in your heart, go where you want to go, live where you want to live. Don't hesitate because life really does move fast. One day, you're on spring break with all of your pals at the beach. Then next day, you're 20 years older and thinking about all of the decisions that have brought you to where you are today.

So, by god, if you feel excited about something, don't be afraid to pursue it! Don't sit around being indecisive and talking yourself in circles weighing the pros and cons. You will find that you can accidentally spend a lifetime wondering, "should I? or shouldn't I?"

Take some friendly advice from me and

JUST DO IT!!!!

You will be so glad later in life when you can look back and be happy that you took your life by the horns and lived it well.

Staying Positive..... Let's Change The Subject.

It's awful easy to log in here and complain about the weather, or work, or just not having enough time to do the things that you want to do.

For this entry, I'm going to focus on something positive. Today's Subject: What makes a good beach bar a good beach bar???

Without making it into rocket science, let's list some positives of a good beach bar.

The View. Nothing beats sipping on a cold beer or a rum and Coke while at the same time watching and hearing the waves roll in on a beautiful beach. Watching the "scenery" on the beach can be quite rewarding as well.

Fresh Air. I love to feel the breeze coming in off of the ocean and being totally relaxed. Kicking back with good friends, good beer, a fine cigar and just being care free. Good God! Just writing about it makes me want to quit my job and go!!!

Good Drinks. Your favorite beach bar is probably your favorite not only because of all of the above items, but, because they mix great drinks and serve quality beer that is ice cold. Let's face it, if the beer is flat or warm, or your Gibson tastes like half Gin and half water, you don't care what kind of view there is.

Good Tunes. Your favorite beach bar has to have a great juke box. When you are having a good time, you want to listen to the tunes that make you feel even better. So, the juke box better have plenty of Bob Marley and Jimmy Buffett music to enhance your experience.

Good Food. It's a must for absorbing the alcohol that you will be consuming while at your favorite beach bar.

Good Atmosphere. Great local photos of boats, beaches and palm trees. Maybe some fishing tackle, lobster traps and rowing oars. This bar needs to have some character. Sort of that "lived in" look. A place where if the walls could talk, you would love to hear their stories.

Good Staff. I like to hang out at places where the people who work there at least act like they are glad to see me walk in the door.

Now that you have this simple information, you are fully qualified to go out and scout the world for the worlds best beach bars.

I will start the list and as you locate these fine beachside sanctuaries, you can chime in and add to the list with a short review on what you thought made this place "The Tops".

Cheers!!!

My number one beach bar is one that I haven't been to in a long time. But, I credit this place with introducing me to the world of Buffett, beaches and relaxation in general.

1. Ocean Deck Bar - Daytona Beach, Florida.

2 Degrees. Which Way To The Beach?

Good God it's cold out there! Here in the great white north, we're stumbling around in a winter induced stupor. I myself am wondering when I can score a plane ticket out of here for the beaches of south Florida or maybe even the shores of Brazil.

Hmmmmm, Already, I can feel the sand between my toes and taste that Captain Morgan's and Coke.......with a little Bob Marley or Jimmy Buffett in the background. Top it off with a fine cigar and I'm in heaven. and warm too! Life's Simple Pleasures are what makes it worth living.

If you are lucky enough to be on a warm beach today, savor the experience and count your blessings. You could be back up here freezing like I am. Or even worse, freezing and working the daily grind as well.

Time For A Little Tranquility

January 15th...... Just another day on the job. I am so ready to blow out of here for a week or 10 days and just sit back and relax.

Recent discussions point to a visit to Argentina or Northeast Brazil in March and I cannot wait to be in that taxi headed to the airport!!!!

I'm already thinking of how nice it will be turning off that cell phone for the first time in over a year. What a relief to be completely out of touch with the everyday world! No phone calls. No email. I am ready.

The second consideration is which book to take with me on the trip. I usually bring a book with me to read on the plane or at the beach. I think I'll pick out a paperback at the airport bookstore before boarding to give me something to do on the flights. In fact, I may want to get two of them as it's a long long flight to Sao Paulo and then up to Salvador, Recife of Fortaleza or even further south to Buenos Aires.

I'm feeling relaxed already just thinking of laying on the beach with a good book watching the surf, the palm trees and the other interesting scenery.

I wish I were leaving today.

Who Invented The Tiki Bar?

Seeing that it's 24 degrees outside this morning, I'm thinking of warmth, sun, beaches, the sea....... Of being somewhere else far from the cares of the daily grind.

Oddly enough, the vision of a Tiki Bar flashed into my head. Even more odd is the fact that for some reason, I wondered to myself......"Just who invented the Tiki Bar and where was the first one located?"

Well, I don't have time to research it right now. But, whoever this person was deserves an award for their vision and creativity. This person has changed the world. Or at least given us northern hemisphere folk something to dream of during the winter months.

With the winter winds whipping outside, I wonder how many other people in cold northern climes have visions of Tiki Bars dancing in their heads? Many, I would guess. When it's this cold, who can't help but think about the sun, the ocean breeze, an open aired bar with a thatched roof and your favorite bartender mixing something up in a Martini shaker?

Tonight, we will drink a toast to the inventor of the Tiki Bar. That person who identified the need in all of us to escape from it all.