Sorry its been so long.

Hey everyone I finally found a job and start on Dec. 3rd after I get back from thanksgiving in VA: Nov. 24th-Dec. 2nd. It's only 4 miles away from where I live so I'll have about a 5-10 minute commute compared to the 2.5 hr round trip I was used to in DC. My 3 month retirement turned into 6 months...not too bad! Now it's time to get back to the real world...=( This has been a real growing experience for me and and I would recommend it to anyone who needs a little change in their lives. I miss you all and hope you enjoyed this journey as much as I did.

T

The surf here is amazing!!!

This was a pick from Friday...which was a small surf day. The next day the waves were in the 5-15 ft range. It was the most amazing thing to see and ride.

I also saw a school of about 30 dolphins which I got about 20 ft from. Crazy!

I have started the job search so hopefully it won't take to long.

Later!

Today was interesting!

I had to go to the electric company in person to get my electric turned on because I keep fraud alerts on my credit so my identity dosen't get stolen. So I had to put $200 deposit down, and they didn't take credit or debit cards. So I was in line for about 30 mins and the lady said I could run to an atm really quick and come back to her with cash. So I ran and got the money and went back to her. Then this old man starts yelling about me cutting in line. I tried to explain that the lady said I could but he was still freaking out about it. Then the manager came out and then they got into it...I felt bad but what can you do. He was yelling at the manager and saying jesus would get him. I even said sorry to the lady that I cut in front of because she was leaving as I was and she said don't worry about it...that guy was a nut!

So I got out of there then headed to the beach with my ski. I met a nice couple on the beach that explained how the tides work and that I better pay attention to my car because the ocean has claimed a few cars there.

I was riding the ski for about and hour and I was hitting a wave when I looked down and saw a baby...SHARK! I jumped over a 4 ft shark! So I headed back to shore and loaded the ski up for the day after that. Supposedly sharks are everywhere here and if you could see an aerial view of the beach they are swimming around everywhere...scary!

I'm now a Floridian!

Hey everyone! It's been a crazy week! I woke up around 6 a.m. on moving day because I couldn't sleep and it took all day to load up the trailer, I have way too much crap! I finally got out of town around 9:30 p.m. Then the 12 hour drive began. I tried to take a nap at a rest stop, but it was way too loud with all the passing cars. So I only got about an hour nap. Arrived in Jax around 9 a.m., got the storage unit, then the hotel. But since my dad left 6 hrs later than I did, I had some time to wander around.

Dad finally arrived...then I freaked out because at first it looked like all my crap wasn't going to fit in the 5x10 storage unit. But we stacked it to the ceiling and lost about 2 lbs in water from the heat. A little tip: make a list of the things you will need access to. And put them close to the door. Having to take things in and out is not fun. Especially in the hot humid air of Florida.

Dad and I went to the beach...free parking imagine that! Then I took him out to dinner. He left at 1:30 a.m. on Sunday...that is a lot of driving in a 3 day span.
Thanks again dad for helping me move down. It would have been a lot harder without you and I really appreciated having you there.

Spent all Sunday and Monday looking at apartments. I found the area and complex I want and was accepted. I move in august 12th. So I get to live in this hotel till then. If you want to see the apartments check out Courtney Meadows in Jacksonville...very nice if I do say so myself. A little tip: If you don't have a job they are a little hesitant to renting to you, so I had to show I had enough savings to cover the whole lease.

I took the jet ski out yesterday and played at the state park...it was a blast! It was beautiful and 2-4 ft waves all day. You get to drive your car right on the beach, park, and lay beside it if you want to. Plus, the beach was pretty packed for a Tuesday. Thanks to Vanessa and Stephen for letting me keep my ski at their place till I move in mine.

I had to rearrange the storage unit today to get my computer out so I could start doing some research on the job market and a new car (Rav 4 SUV). It is beyond humid down here! I looked like I stepped out of the shower while I was moving things around.

I will talk to you guys soon!

So I'm out of here! July 31 is the day...

So Dad and I will be making the trek down to Jacksonville, FL. Keep in touch everyone!

So the plan is to move to Jacksonville, FL

I'm thinking around early August which would be the end of the 3 month retirement. Its a scary thing since I'll be leaving family and friends but it will be good for me. I've started putting things up on ebay and craigs list to lighten the load. The plan is to have the minimal amount of things for the move. Probably going to rent a room, then get a job, then get a house if I like the area. So that is the very rough plan at the moment. I want to have a going away party before I leave so I will let you know when that will happen. Talk to you guys soon!

Finally got some videos up on the net.

Just click on the title and the video will start.

Freestyle jetski 2003

Jetski Backflip and rolls

Skydive 2006

D.C. Improv

San Diego is Amazing!!!

Here are a bunch of pics!
Attack of the Giant Sea World Starfish...I took him down...he was yummy!

Kat and I.

She has to spread her legs to drink water...hahahaha!

I got this pic right before he attacked me! I guess I was messing up the vibe he was putting out for the ladies...

Poor monkey...animal prison (zoo) must suck!

Cutest animal I have ever seen...could probably kill me with its cuteness.

Retired aircraft carrier in San Diego Bay...takes 4 hours to go through the whole thing.

Great view of the city...I highly recommend the 2 hr bay tour by boat...very cool!

A bunch of sea lions chilling in the bay...they also climb up on the buoys also.

Very cool pirate ship that was sailing beside us.

The cliffs of Point Loma.

A view from the top of the cliffs!

A view of the city from the island of Coronado...lowest crime rate in the US...very nice place.

Overall this is the best city I have ever been to. And according to a few people I talked to, it isn't as expensive as people make it out to be. The temp never went over 70 degrees the whole time I was there. I can have a blast with my jetski and all the big boats and waves. I would live in the burbs like mission beach or the like. Ill be local for about 2 weeks then off to Moab, Utah to do a camping/ATV trip in the canyons...can't wait!

Back in VA for 3 days...Then off to San Diego!!!

I know, what a bummer...hahaha! Once again this traveling thing is becoming an actual job. I have a lot more respect for people that have to travel all the time for their jobs. Talk to you guys soon with pics from Cali.

Taking on Texas!

Tom, Mom, Aunt Amy, Uncle Paul, Aunt Romy having a blast at Chili's!

Granny Em and Papa

The family at the Hideaway Lake Golf party.

Hideaway Lake, the most laid back place I have ever been.

Barton Springs in Austin, TX.

Mom, Uncle Jeff and some nerdy guy.

Lake Travis, amazing colored water as you can tell.

My Austin tour guides! Thanks to everyone, it was a blast! That is us at a country concert...it's way more fun than you think, I was impressed.

A really good shot of the city from the park.


Granny Em showing us how to break it down!

Habitat was fun!

That was a fulfilling experience! I met a lot of great people, helped to change one families life and learned some new man skills! I got to tear out a window and replace it with a new one. Demolition is fun! I head out to Tx in the morning to visit family and visit Austin as well. I will talk to you guys soon.

Habitat for Humanity Time!

So it's time for my first Habitat for Humanity adventure. The house is in Manassas and sounds like we will be putting in new windows for a lucky family. I've been looking forward to this for a while, it feels good to give to people less fortunate than myself. It makes me feel like I am actually doing something to make the world a better place for someone. Plus, I like building things for some reason...I have to keep the man skills up to par. I helped my dad build this cool arch for hanging plants. And when I say help built I mean about 5% of the total project...hahaha. What? I was busy with getting my 401k and profit share moved over all that day. I'll let you know how it goes.

T

I'm now on Skype with a webcam.

If you are on it too add me, my user name is tkmwww.

Hope to talk to you guys!

T

Swine Flu Free!!!

I made it back nice and healthy!!! I got to experience the real Mexico. I wish I knew more Spanish because all the signs, food, etc was in Spanish. We found a Walmart there! Luckily some of the things had pics so I didn't starve. It also makes me appreciate living in the US. The average salary according to my driver was 50 pesos, which is about $4.50 or so a day.

We checked out two of the natural water park/culture parks; Xcaret and Xe-ha which were both great in their own ways. I would highly recommend them because it was a very fun experience.

I actually get to be in town for about a week before taking off to Texas to see family and check out Austin for a few days. Traveling a lot is just like a job...

I actually got to take the jetski out yesterday and ride with some buddies...I love that toy!

Talk to you guys soon!

I made it back from the South!

There is nothing more mind numbing then driving 8 hrs at a time. Thank god for my ipod touch...greatest device ever made! I came across a great quote about the interstate system. "Thanks to the interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel from coast to coast without seeing anything". I did notice that VA has much better views along the highway. NC and SC not so much. But overall I would say Charleston it is a great area! The history in that area is amazing! I included a pic of the houses along the battery. The historic district is awesome! Lots of parks, people jogging, playing kickball, dog parks, etc.

The fact that it is right on the ocean makes it a paradise to me. I saw plenty of public boat launches so I could put the jet ski in with no problems. The parks there are really nice also, which is where I camped out for 3 nights and it was great. James island county park gets 5 stars from me! The amount of money they put into their parks is impressive.

The people there are very nice, it was kind of shocking to me at first. An older lady let me cut in front of her at the grocery store so I could buy my diet mountain dew. A couple on a motorcycle asked me about where I was from by seeing my license plate. And the grocery store clerk gave me all the things I had to check out in the area. One of which is the angel oak, which is the pic of the tree, craziest tree i have ever seen! Notice the person at the lower left in the red shirt so you can get an idea of how big it is. Then I met some college kids on a adventure getaway that introduced themselves at the campsite I was staying at, they where from Mississippi University, they thought I was there age...they were only 10 yrs off...hahaha.

The bridge pic I included is one of the coolest looking bridges I have ever seen. It is huge and they have a path on it so you can jog or walk the whole bridge. I would say it is about 2-3 miles long over the bay.

So I get one whole day to relax then head out Mexico! I will talk to you guys soon!

Hola Amigos!

Hey everyone! So it has been a fun week so far. I did have to hit the dentist before the insurance runs out so that
sucked.

I got to catch up with some good friends this week. Got a lunch in at Pan e Vino in Lorton station…yummy stuff! A good
older friend of mine was giving me some sage advice. I always enjoy getting advice and hearing stories from older people.
They have been there and done that so makes it easier to avoid mistakes and enjoy life more. He said he admires what i am
doing because most people are too scared to try it and might not even make it to retirement...so that was good to hear.

I also got to check out another good friend of mines new place and have dinner. I’m very jealous of his crib...very nice!

Another thing that was cool is that my dad and I got to spend some father/son time together. We hit the sporting goods
store and picked out some softball gear for him for his birthday. Then we hit boater’s world which is going out of biz
and having a crazy sale…I didn’t find anything though. Then we got to play a game of catch…haven’t done that in probably
15 yrs…it brought back lots of memories. I also forgot how scary it is when he beans a ball at me.

Just got back from camping overnight at burke lake. Not a bad place at all. It only cost $25 for the night and it has good facilities. Showers, camp store, tables, fire pit, etc. It would be really fun for a family they have mini-golf, a mini-train that goes 1.5 miles around the lake, a biking/walking trail (that we tried to run this morning but once we found out it was 4.5 miles we turned around half way). The lake is very beautiful and the woods are relaxing (lots of bugs though...I hate spiders). By the way, starting a fire without a starter log...not cool! Spend the $1.29 and save yourself 30 mins of yelling at the wood to burn!

I’m meeting up with another buddy tonight to chill then spending some time with the family for Mother's day. Then Monday morning I'm heading south the good old SC.

T

Time for Lunch!

So just got done with a 2.5 mile run…feeling good! Going to lift this afternoon. I figured out that my natural sleep pattern seems to be 2 a.m. – 9 a.m. I need to get that lower to maybe 12-7 so I can enjoy more of the sunlight, which there has been zero this week. I thought April was supposed to be the raining month?

So the plan for this week is to meet up with friends in the area and catch up before the traveling starts. I’ve been booking lunches and dinners since everyone else but me seems to have a job. I was talking to a friend today that said I’m the only person he knows that actually quit in a recession…hahaha…oh wait…he’s right!

It’s weird going to the store because the only people I see are other people that are retired. One store was empty and I was thinking “Did they quarantine this place and I didn’t get the memo? Oh wait there's someone…wait...what the... ZOMBIES!!! RUN!!!

So on Sunday or Monday I am heading down to Charleston, SC!!! It is about an 8 hour drive so it is going to be a long one. I’m going to spend a few days down there checking out everything since it seems to be my #1 seed for a possible place to move. Ocean, national parks, lakes, city on the water…what’s not to like!

Then Saturday May 16th is the first out of country trip…MEXICO!!!

T

Finally got to play some guitar!

I used to play all the time but with too many things going on you really don't have time to slow down and play. This will be one of my passions that I get to revive on my break.

The first weekend

I have to say that it was sad to leave my job on Friday. I'm going to miss my co-workers very much. Thanks to EV for the cupcake party and all the people that showed up to say bye. It feels good to know you will be missed. I got everyone's contact info and with the amount of different technologies in today's world, there is no reason why we can't stay in touch. Hence why I am starting this blog so my family and friends can come along on my travels (and get jealous). Plus, my memory sucks so this will help me to remember what I did.

The going away happy hour was a blast! Lots of people from the office came out and showed me by far the best going away party ever!!! Thanks for coming out Kevin, Hazel, Robin, Sean, Gerry, Teddy, V, Delphine, Bryan, Mario and Mellisa. I think I finally made it home around 2 a.m. only because Sean convinced me to miss my bus. So thanks for Hazel's friend for giving me a ride all the way to Woodbridge.

So this week will just be getting the things from my work life taken care of...moving accounts, getting temp health insurance, etc. I will possibly be driving down to check out Charleston, SC for a few days.

First big trip will be to swine flu central...MEXICO!!! It will in Playa del Carmen which is as far from Mexico city that you can get. I will be rocking the face mask and hand sanitizer don't worry. That is May 16th -23rd. Then the 24th-25th of may will be a whitewater rafting camping trip with friends. Then May 31-june 7th will be to Tx to visit family and check out Austin while I am down there.

I will talk to you guys soon!

P.S. Have you ever been able to sleep in everyday without an alarm clock for 3 months? I get to! Yippeee!!!