Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Tributes to the Train Tribe

To that elderly man with a twang from Mississippi, who gave me cautious advice and the friendliest, sweetest, pat on the back; I swore it was from an unhuman source.

To Zach, the musician, I enjoyed the most pleasant concert- and your original song really was the best. More than all of that, (even attempting to teach me guitar plus your huge generosity), I especially appreciated your genuine honesty about thoughts on education in the lounge car.

To Grammy Bea, please don't ever apologize. Lots of times, I become visibily emotional during the most random situations. I am glad we were able to share that together; in addition to all of your 85ish years of knowledge. Right now, I am positive you are enjoying that time with your family. And, please, for your sake and for humanity's sake: don't be scared.

To Sean, my temporary protective, wine-giving buddy; I appreciate that you were so comfortable discussing your very private matters. I wish the best of luck to you- plus you really DO look 29! Be good.

To Jonathan, No, that will also not offend me. You see, I'm not that easily offended, and I do not think you are a person that could ever offend me. Thank you for giving me an epiphany about what I may want to do with part of my life. I'll give you my appreciation by not putting a segment of "your happiest moments" in the documentary. (Which by the way is going very slowly but I think very well).

To Lou, if I'm having a day where I doubt myself (which can be often), you are one of the few people I can remember where I felt the genuine drive for change coming from within. Those six hours of conversation we had really moved me.

To Jet, You were just what I needed. I was semi becoming a little bit anxious with the docu, and you were there to provide a refreshing, cheeky lift of humour. I met you when you were at a minor (or major, I'm not sure which) crossroad in your life. I'm thinkin bout ya.

To Marcia, the first person on my train journey to have confused/inspired/humoured/ and slightly startled me. Like Cody said, any person who walked (in the rain and in flipflops no less) on a freeway for many, many hours is insane and awesome. I truly hope you are still anchoring yourself, have no more denture issues, and are still a mango-tango kid.

To Wayne, for some reason I was so scared before I came over to talk to you. I just wasn't in the mood to try another interview. I was "done" for the day. Quite arguably, you were definitely one of my favorites (shh or my favorite) of the day. The best part was the lengthly conversation afterward, and me watching the start of you and Paula's friendship. I miss you.

To Paula, you are too awesome to be a mom, but I felt like you were mine. I honestly did not take for granted every time I got to talk to you. Thank you for the push/support.

To Gabe, more power to you, opening up and producing an ultimately spectacular interview. I wish I could've got to chat with you longer, but at least we are staying in touch.

To Jesse, AH I still have to email you back! I really did need someone to confide very personal things to, (instead of the usual other-way-around from doing my interviews). I was sad to see you go. Next time you visit family in Oregon, let me know.

To Jennifer, you still intrigue me. But hey, any person who has a majority of their luggage as books, and actually uses most of them during the trip is a great civilian. Your curiosity and open-mind should be something to never let go.

To Ben and Darlene, you gave me hope that sometimes, people can be passionately in love with each other forever, and ever, and ever, and for 50+ years. Not only that, you literally got off the train and went around trying to get people for me to interview. Dang, you get the "VERY SPECIAL THANKS" credit.

To that scary drunken man who yelled at me about his daughter, thank you for reminding me in a haunting way that children have to be 18 to sign any consent forms. And yes, I did delete that interview, all 3 seconds of it.

To Christian, my dinner, breakfast, lunch, photo-taking pal. I was lucky enough to meet/hang out in San Francisco as well as meet you for lunch/park outing in New York. Move West, ye ole' pioneer!

To Cody, I don't really know where to start. Let's start with Marcia. I knew you were cool when you were genuinely interested in what she had to say, and gave her all the respect in the world. I knew you were pretty amazing when you gave me all the respect in the world. Respecting what I wanted, what I don't want. What I needed and need. Being my partner in crime, zephyring it from California to Chicago.

To Barbara, you gave me chills so bad I had to literally dig my fingernails in my legs to create physical pain so I would not cry in front of you-the tough New York woman. (Chills in a good way, of course). During the first part of dinner, I felt like you were not wanting me near you. By the end, there were many moments of mutual love.

To Jose, basically my older brother. Thank you for going out with me in New Orleans, I was too scared to venture the Big Easy on my own. I also appreciate times when we yelled at each other, really showcasing our comfortability :) But, one of my favorite moments was that breakfast we shared on the train, you trying oatmeal for the first time and insisting I drink some of your orange juice. Reading segments of The Wall Street Journal, or USA Today ( I don't remember), having the sun in our eyes, not wanting to leave the Crescent after awhile.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Trip thus far


















My train trip across the US of A has been quite the adventure. Everything that I did not expect to happen did, and those that I thought would, did not. I have six more days and am determined to make those as stupendous. (I highly doubt I can make those next six days better than my last five). I'll try! Here are some photos: