USA: October 2005 Archives

I'm trying to upload some New Zealand photos, but the connection is way too slow, so I'll have to quit and try again somewhere faster, but at least I did get 2 new ones up. We've still got some Australia photos to post too, but Michael's been hogging the laptop I haven't had a chance to do it yet. I guess he has a pretty good excuse though, since his conference is coming up soon and he still has a lot of work to do.

I had a really nice time in Michigan--played lots of cards with Grandma; spent a day in Detroit with my Dad where we had a yummy lunch in Greektown, took a ride on the people mover and even won 75 cents at the casino; visited Zuzana's school to show-and-tell the kids about our trip; and got to spend some time with Glenna Jean, Bernie, Louise, Tinney and cuties Luke and Kate. I also got to catch up on some QUALITY American TV that we'd missed while we were gone: Laguna Beach anyone?

We're both back at Harbin now. As I said, Michael's busy preparing for the conference and has also been giving some computer and Photoshop tutorials to people here. I've been doing some organizing (photos, packages, etc...) and taking care of various little things, as well as filling in at the restaurant when they need me. After Michael's conference the first week in November, we're going to have a little holiday celebration in San Fran with Lexa, Mama and David. Then we'll be heading east. Our plans have changed a bit: instead of borrowing Dave's veggiemobile to drive all the way to Boston and back, we're now planning on hitching a ride with him to Denver, visiting Charlotte and Scott there, then flying to Boston for Thanksgiving. From there we're hoping to take short trips to New York and D.C. , then to Michigan for Christmas and New Year's. That'll get us back to California sometime in January so we can look for a place to live with Alexa in or around Berkeley. I'll start looking for a teaching job then, or least do some subbing until next school year. We're getting pretty excited about actually having a home again soon, and not having to live out of backpacks anymore!

I just returned from a 6 day trip to Los Angeles to visit with Dave and Dawn at their new apartment just outside LA. Dave works with the LAPD in their "Safer City Unit" which focuses on reducing gang activity in southeast LA. He invited me to go with him and his partner for a 12-hour ride-along on Friday night.

Donning a bulletproof vest I got into their cruiser and we headed out on patrol. Dave said it was one of the slowest nights he's ever been on duty and it was probably due to the weather getting colder and people not wanting to go outdoors (the area's most active when it's high summer and everyone's irritable and hanging around outside). The most Dave and his partner did was give a ticket to a lady for an expired registration sticker and reprimand a few adolescent guys for hanging out in the park. However, later that night we showed up at the scene of a situation where a guy had been pepper sprayed because someone called the police saying he had a gun. When he wouldn't comply with police orders to put his hands on his head they sprayed him. After searching him and his vehicle it ended up that he didn't have a weapon after all.

At one point we drove by a crime scene where a lady had been allegedly shot by some female gang members. The place was swarming with police and detectives so we decided it wasn't a good idea for me, a civilian, to go snooping around.

Even though it was a slow night I still enjoyed the experience of hanging out with Dave while he was on duty. He told me a few days later that Saturday night would've been a better night to go along since he and his partner stopped a stolen vehicle and Dave had to run after the guy and tackle him to the ground. I have no regrets about not seeing much "action"--a quiet night on patrol was fine with me.

On Saturday, while Dave was working, Dawn and I visited the J. Paul Getty Museum in LA. It's definitely my most favorite museum in the US. To me, it's the perfect blend of modern architectural styles with natural beauty. It has expansive emerald green lawns cut to a length that feel as if you're walking on velvet carpets and the massive white surfaces of the buildings contrast beautifully with the vibrantly colored flower gardens. We spent a few hours exploring the interesting (and at times humorous) photo exhibit by Weegee entitled "Scene of the Crime". After we left the museum Dawn and I drove over to Santa Monica and had dinner at an organic cafe that served delicious sandwiches and salads.

During the rest of my visit the three of us hung out, watched DVDs (Best in Show and A Might Wind), played some Xbox, took their dog Maggie for walks and went out to eat. Thanks again to Dave and Dawn - I really enjoyed my time with you.

So now I'm back in Berkeley, staying at Alexa's place while Megan's in Michigan visiting her Grandma, Dad, Zuzana and the rest of the family. I'm preparing for the Green Business Conference I'm attending at the beginning of November and I'm trying to get myself organized - business cards printed, web site designed, business plan, etc. I'm starting my own web design/strategic business consulting company that focuses on the green business sector and attending the Green Business Conference is the first big step for me in that direction.

Well, we're looking forward to being with family in Massachusetts for Thanksgiving and then up and over to Michigan for Christmas (and visiting with friends in between). I hope you are all well!