The Castle in my Backyard.

blog, Ramblings, Travel

When I was a little kid, my dad loved to play a band called Saga. He still does. The cover of their album Worlds Apart has a woman on it with bright lips, wearing aviators that reflects an antique map and outer space. Dad didn’t play it too frequently in our presence but when he did, us kids would recognize the opening song instantly, even if we couldn’t recall anything else on the album. He would show us the cover and we would all say in unison “oh yeah, the one with the lady on it!…” or something like that.

To this day, I love that record. I own it on vinyl and it’s one of my most favorite.

The Defeat of the Small-Talk Infantry.

blog, Travel

It may come as a shock to literally no one that I, Mr. Peace-and-Quiet, love poetry. I can’t remember when I precisely started loving poems quite as much as I do, so I’ll just say that I came into the world loving poetry. And with nearly six years of investing myself academically, I’d better love it, otherwise, I’d be insane.

For the love of trees.

blog, Ramblings, Uncategorized

At the risk of sounding immodest, I hike a lot.

Like, a lot. I love it. I think about trails constantly. At this moment, I’m thinking about my next outing. While you’re reading this, I’m probably out there, somewhere, amongst mountains and trees and rocks and wild things. Maybe even a coastline. It’s exhilarating and frightening and calming and exciting all at once.

To Canada.

blog, Uncategorized

First, I love the East Coast, where I’m currently living.

I’m within a good driving distance from many state parks, a short road trip away from the Blue Ridge Parkway, and it doesn’t take long to drive to my favorite coffee shop this side of the Mississippi (Land of Thousand Hills, you know). I do still plan to move to Asheville after graduation and try to work for the Biltmore Estate. I love the rolling hills and the modest mountains and the wonderful vegetation that grows over here.

But oh did the West Coast challenge that love.

Priority Thoughts

blog, Ramblings

I have many dreams but one of my favorites I think about a lot. I’m speeding down some long stretch of highway, straight as can be, probably somewhere in Arizona, looking at a blazing sun setting beneath gigantic, snow-capped mountain peaks. The convertible top is down, guitars and keyboards stuck in the backseat, Buffalo Springfield songs playing on loop.