Prepare for perhaps the most immense blog yet! Buckle up.
Mr obbs returned to beantown Monday after one of the most enjoyable weekends he's had in quite some time.
My company sponsored a rafting trip up in the nether-regions of the great state of Maine. The plan was to go and camp Saturday, then get up early Sunday and raft until 3 or so, thus leaving ample time to get back to Boston Sunday night.
Being a native of 'vacationland,' I took a few hrs off from work and left the stress and congestion of the city mid-day Friday alongside co-workers joe mac and Marfa and headed up to my momma and poppa's house. I had spoken with the cook prior to our arrival and put in my request for the menu-- shish kabobs... burgers... caesar salad. There's something about cheese on a salad that I am a big fan of. Anyways, my body was fiendin for a square meal. During my frantic and stressful apartment hunt i had often completely forgotten dinner. One night it consisted of a bowl of canned vegetables. Pathetic.
Friday night was great. A cousin of mine from my dad's side of the family is currently sailing around most of the world with his wife. They are now docked in a harbor about an hour from my house, so they were actually able to come for dinner as well, thanks to a man near their boat who was generous to let these two strangers borrow his car for the evening (does stuff like that happen in other states? Really? Some stranger letting two sailors use his car for whatever they want. That blows my mind.) Anyways, I hadn't seen this guy in approximately 21 years (my dad's side of the family is MUCH more spread out and distant than my momma's).
He's had a pretty remarkable 34 years, to say the least. Grew up in British Columbia, CA. Went to trade school... learned the pipe-fitting trade and also got trained in welding and scuba-diving, among other things. He worked for the film industry doing special effects and explosions for awhile. He grew up fishing and being outdoors, so he told me he just could not imagine having a job where he would be stuck inside. I don't blame him, really. Somehow he lucked out and found a job doing underwater welding, which paid him enough money that he could afford to work 4 months a year. I asked him what he did with the rest of his year. "I was in Australia." "Oh, that's awesome. What did you do down there?" "Surfed. Yeah I'd work, make money, then fly down to Australia until the money ran out. Then I'd fly home and work some more." I was growing mildly jealous of this guy's lifestyle and total disregard for the traditional model of working, saving, and then retiring.
And now he's taking a solid 3 year vacation. on a sailboat. Who does this guy think he is? Marfa compared him to Hansel from Zoolander. And I have to admit, she nailed it. His mannerisms, way of talking, APPEARANCE, and general aloofness were so Hansel-esque that I was a little disappointed in myself for not thinking of it first.
Anyways, we ate and drank and made smores all while sitting around a firepit in my backyard as the stars shone down from above. Friends Kbell and my future housemate Al_Likes_Waffles also joined. To put it plainly, it was perfect.
Saturday we arose and played pool... then basketball... then horseshoes as we waited for two of my highschool friends, Jon and JJ, to arrive so we could make the 150 minute jaunt to the sparsely populated town of Jackman, ME-- where we would camp and eventually raft.
Whenever I get together with JJ and Jon, it's pretty much laughs the whole time. I get on a high I'm laughing so much. We took a trip to Montreal a few years ago, along with my good friend Jarrod, and-- not only was it an amazing experience alliteratively-- but we had an awesome time just catching up and, well, laughing. I didn't get too many pics from that trip... but here's one:
ahhhh memories.
Anyways, we got up to the cabin after a car-ride full of laughs and a massive stop for booze. Got all set up and pretty much commenced the crunkulation. We went swimming and played wiffleball and flipcup and ate burgers my company provided. Partied until about 2 or so. I'm not sure really... i turned my phone off due to there being no reception. Regardless, there was fire, foods, booze, and friends. What else does one need? honestly.
I realized how much I love a fire. I always have... but now they just seem to be such great settings for endless nights of conversation. I mentioned last entry how much I enjoy just sitting and talking with people... and I guess a simple fire or firepit is a great way to do that.
Two years ago at New Year's Eve I went to a huge party with family friends in my hometown and they had a huge bonfire. There were friends playing live music and people singing and drinking and reminiscing and talking and just generally enjoying one another's company. My hometown has a great community feel to it. I hope to experience that when I get older and hope my children can as well.
Anyways, on Sunday we got up and made it to the rafting site at 8am. I. love. rafting. It is pure adrenaline and laughter and exercise and... just an amazing time. Also a great cure for a hangover. I wanna go more often... a tad expensive... but so damn fun. It's similar to paintballing in that adrenaline-rush sort of way... only less ingrained with redneck DNA.
We finished up without any flips or people falling overboard and headed for home. Marfa, Joe, and I got to my house and decided that A) none of us felt like trekking another 3 hours back to Boston B) None of us wanted to work on Monday morning and C) We would much rather eat homecooking, and drink cold beers for another night.
So we did. Made it back to the city for a few hours of work on Monday...and it was perfect.
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Garth Brooks -- The River
Just a cool song. We went rafting. Talks about a 'river.' Damn...Garth sure can write a song.
Schooner Fare -- Portland Town
This is pretty much the perfect osng for anyone from Maine who is coming back for a visit. "Momma... won't you make my bed?"
The Rolling Stones -- Play With Fire
I like fire... but I'm not really a pyro. My bro and I would occasionally melt our GI Joes and such... but that was really the extent of it. I always loved just standing around the fire when we'd go camping and burning a stick or something, howveer. I love the smell of a campfire too... wouldn't mind if AXE made a 'smoke' spray one of these days... hmm.
all for now fans!
-- obbs
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