HWY 101 MUSIC FOOTPRINT

This is what I listened to driving from Santa Clara to Ventura on US101 (in order):

MONEY DROPPERS ANONYMOUS DONATION

Someone asked what happened to that money that I found on the floor of Medjool in SF the other week. Well today I pocketed the cash and put the equivalent amount into a charitable organization of my choosing. Please see below.

Thank you for your gift of $106. Your confirmation number is ######

Dear Bryan Tolmachoff,

Your generous support for the Alzheimer's Association brings us closer than
ever to ending this disease and the pain it inflicts on millions of
affected individuals and their families. We thank you for your gift and we
welcome you to the ever-growing group of dedicated individuals who are
working hard to create a world without Alzheimer's. You will receive a
formal, written thank you through the mail. Please allow ten to fourteen
days for processing.

This acknowledgement verifies your charitable contribution to the
Alzheimer's Association. No goods or services were provided by the
Association in return for this contribution. Please keep this as
documentation for income tax purposes.

If you have any questions please call 1-800-272-3900.

www.alz.org

A REASON TO AVOID STARBUCKS

I get through security today at PDX (that's Portland International Airport for you non-flyers) and was craving some coffee. I had just finished a parmesan-crusted salmon with asparagus and a mojito at Stanford's in the airport. Usually in Portland they have a good selection of coffee, but in this section of the terminal there is only a Starbucks. I go in. There's a long line at the register so the barrista (or whatever the espresso shot-puller is really called) is asking people in line what they want so that he can make it in advance. He gets to me.

"What can I get for you ma'am?"

*Uhh....*

"Oh, sorry sir. What would you like?"

So I continued to order, probably looking a bit annoyed. I really wish I had a mirror or a camera or something because I'd be interested to know what the look on my face was like.

"You don't look like a woman by the way." he continues.

"Thanks." I snap back.

This makes me think more about that website that allows you to find out how much you look like certain celebrities. I remember that for a normal picture of myself I scored something like 70% Kate Winslett. That was my highest celebrity score! At least I had 35% Brad Pitt. Or maybe I inflate that value to try and justify my feeling of manliness.

Damn you...God?...Darwin?...Moroni?! I think I should have decided to go work on a refinery for a few years to roughen-up my complexion. Probably shouldn't have had Acutane when I was younger either so that maybe I would look like Edward James Olmos.

THAT GAME OF TELEPHONE...SORTA

A coworker and I were working in a hospital today with poor cell phone coverage. He picked up a call and began talking to a friend of his. He says, "I'm in a hospital right now." His friend hears, "Kevin is in the hospital right now."

Apparently, he has a friend named Kevin. Chaos ensues. We leave to go back to the hotel and he gets a phone call from a friend about how they are worried about Kevin and asking which hospital he is in. Poor Kevin. Fortunately, Kevin is OK.

In other news, do not get a parking ticket in Portland. It runs you $50 minimum.

Also, I'm really craving to go back home so I can watch that freshly downloaded video of Salma Hayek as Santanico Pandemonium in From Dusk Till Dawn. It makes me want to drink Tequila.

Graaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrr!

LAUGHING WITH MYSELF

I feel like a lot of the moments in my life are being repeated. Not exactly repeated, but I'm seeing a very similar trend as I go day-to-day in my travels, my friendships, my relationships and my thoughts and emotions. It's scary really. When will the roller-coaster end? Roller-coaster is a bit too cliche...when will the mobius strip snap? Lame and nerdy. I've got it: When will I get my shit together?

I'm back in Portland, OR for about the 20th time in my career. Actually, if I counted I bet this trip would be in the teens at least. I love this city. It's scary how I can drive around without a map, know all the good places to eat, shop, and explore. I ate some salmon and had a bowl of udon by myself at a small table in a Japanese restaurant. I went to the movie theatre tonight and sat by myself. It was crowded. I sat alone. Laughed by myself and had a good time. Myself.

There's so much lately that has made myself happier than I've been in a long time. I may not show it, but I feel it. Something is going right. At least for this run along the track [reference to bad cliche] I'm enjoying some of the dips and climbs. Now I just really need to take things easier. A lot of people tell me this. People that I care about. People who I thought didn't care about me anymore, but I think do. These are people I care about too. I think they are making me realize that schedules and deadlines are fluid. It's OK to be spontaneous sometimes. You can miss that flight once in a while. Not even for a reason. Today I didn't miss my flight, but I wanted to. For no reason.

Y.P.S.E. - TRAVELING PHONEBOOK

It has moved! The phonebook has jumped up onto the ledge next to my neighbor's door! The fun continues. I'm really guessing that I'm going to drive my neighbor crazy. More crazy than my friends think of myself. Buahahahhaa....mehehhh!

Does anyone know where to get about 20-30 phonebooks? I want to build a big stack in front of their door. I'm serious.