Tales of Ordinary Madness » Road Trips

Columbus I am not

Chris — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 19:48:07 +0000

I have a work trip to Europe scheduled in my near future. Aside from being anxious about the plane trip, (a side note here: I am not your traditional fearful flyer. If I was the only one on the plane, I’d be happy as could be. I have great confidence in the physics that keep the plane in the air. It’s the other passengers that scare the crap out of me) I’m struggling with how to prepare and pack for a possible 11+ days away. It will be the longest trip I’ve ever taken and when I pack for a weekend, I bring half of my wardrobe (which isn’t hard) so the thought of packing for an 11 day trip overseas is at least perplexing at most terrifying.

I’ve been getting lots of advice like “pack an extra pair of underpants, in case you shit yourself” (what great friends I have). However, today I think I found the best resource ever. It’s called “OneBag, the art and science of traveling light“. This site covers everything from what to pack, how to pack it, and what to pack it in. From folding your clothes to prohibited items, it’s all there. I plan to spend some quality time this week reading over the entire site. Hopefully, it’ll clear up some of my traveling anxiety.

Chris visits the Creation Museum, Taxidermy Hall of Fame of North Carolina, and Antique Tool Museum

Chris — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:51:06 +0000

Oh ya, all that goodness under a single roof. This little gem of Americana can be located in downtown Southern Pines, North Carolina. When I found out this place was located just a few short miles from Jess’ Mom’s house, how could I resist. I dragged Jess out there (someone had to take the pics) this afternoon

Here’s a pic of me standing next to the bear that announces the presence of this great museum:

Oh and the best part of this museum is their collection of ALL of the credible evidence for evolution:

In case it’s not obvious, the only thing in the case is a plastic snake wrapped around an apple.

If the sign isn’t clear, here is a better shot:

Ridiculous is the nicest word I can think to describe this place. If you’re in the neighborhood make sure you stop by.

September 11, 2005

Chris — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 01:56:53 +0000

Today is September 11, 2005. Four years since the world changed for many Americans, myself included. As my wife would remind me the world didn’t actually change, we just had our rose colored glasses ripped violently from our faces and we were left staring dumbfound, directly into the harsh sun.

For the last two years, I have made the trip to Shanksville, PA in Somerset county which is the final resting place of United Flight 93. I had initially planned to visit the Pentagon this year, until I learned that the memorial had been turned into a walk to support the troops. I do support the troops, I want everyone of them return home safe and sound right now, but I don’t believe that what they are doing in Iraq has much to do with terrorism or 9/11. I suggested to Jess that this year I would go to the Pentagon, next year the World Trade Center and then I would tie this all into a nice little bow and send it on it’s way. After all it’s been four years, isn’t it time that I get over it.

The reality is that I’m not over it. The memories of standing alone in the dark of the burnt out hull of the Pentagon with the water dripping from the ceiling and the smell of jet fuel overpowering the underlying smell of mold are as real today as they were four years ago. The images from Gary’s stories of those who were rescued and those who couldn’t be rescued are as real to me as if I’d been there. The flashlights dancing through the burnt out wreckage of the Starbucks on the corner by our office still dance in my head.
The fear of my final month at the Pentagon is so tangible – when planes first began to move again at Reagan National as we crossed 110 to get back to the office from the POAC – turning and seeing a plane that appeared to be heading directly for us. Those things are still with me.

So for the last two years, I haven’t wanted to go to Shanksville, I have felt compelled to go to Shanksville. My sister, Emily, accompanied me this year to Shanksville and I tried to explain to her this compulsion. In the end, I couldn’t. I just said, “Maybe it’s part of my own sickness”. Maybe it is a part of my sickness, maybe it’s something I will never get over – something I will never understand. I think it is however, something I will continue to do.