Some of the leaves are brown and the sky is gray.

For the first time in a long while, I miss California. I don't normally say that because I usually don't. I have a great job and my kids live here in New York. I love the change in seasons. Right now the colors are amazing, during my weekly drives to Albany a get a taste of the beauty and wonder that is central New York. I love the cool weather which allows me to wear sweaters without the risk of heat stroke. So why the longing for home?
This past weekend was my high school's 20yr reunion. Yup 20 years. I cannot believe I can say that-20 years since I was in high school. I missed the 10th and had every intention of going to the 20th until a few weeks ago. Seeing the pictures and reading the posts on facebook have made me EXTREMELY homesick. Seriously this is the 1st time since living here that I have felt this way. I miss the desert. The palm trees. Rincon Norteño. Keedy's. Pollo Dieta. Seeing REAL mountains towering all around me--the snow a safe distance away. Fruit, good fruit, whenever I want it. Date Shakes. Plus there are just general California things I want and can't get here-Carls' Jr, Jack in the Box tacos and ohhh In-N-Out. I would kill for a double double right now.
Most of the people I interact with right now are online, from California via facebook or text. Pathetic? Perhaps but after 5 years I have come to realize that I have very little in common with the people that live here (there are one or two exceptions of course) but generally my level of interaction stops after a few initial pleasantries. This is not from a lack of effort, just a difference in attitudes and commonalities. I have found that overall, the people I have a significant friendship with are not from here (with the exception of one or two people) whereas the people I speak with in California, well it seems like they get me. Even across the distances I feel closer to them than before.
Finally, I have been watching the show "Californication" recently. Sometimes I feel like Hank Moody, but in reverse (oh and minus the abundant sex, booze, drugs). The bi-coastal transplant trying to make sense of life, love, and his family. I have kids who despite my failings love me. I have an odd relationship with their mother. I have some of what I thought I wanted yet I am still missing something.

So yes all this has served to bring me down today and wax nostalgic for home. Heck even Law and Order has moved to California! I have deleted "New York state of mind" from my playlist and have put it on a continuous repeat of "California Dreamin" and "California Girls". I have taken a mental day, and will dream of sunshine, fresh oranges, and palm trees.

Hola

I have not been on here in a VERY long time, I guess I forgot this existed. Hmm lets see-My ex moved to Albany over the summer, it was quite an adjustment at first and rather difficult but now that Amy, the kids and I have fallen into a routine it is much better, especially with technology I can see the kids pretty much every day. (Gracias Skype)

Fall semester has begun, I feel good about this semester. I have good students, all seem enthusiastic and willing to work. I am also teaching at Utica College again after nearly a year. I have a class with 5 students which is nice, 1/4 of the work for regular price I suppose. I met with the department head and FINALLY I will be teaching a lit class for them.

I have recently made my annual foray into dating. It seems like once a year I meet someone who I am interested in and make an effort only to be reminded as to why I enjoy being alone. (I guess I'm like a dating groundhog--I peek, see what's out there then return to the comfort and safety and warmth of my nest) I guess having gone through what I have been through I am content to be where I am, and while talking to someone who is not a student is nice, it's amazing how wonderful a good book and a night of Star Wars/Star Trek can be in comparison. OK I am sounding rather cynical but that's just life I suppose. Of course it's not all bad, my roommate Steve Bowen, from BYU once said that if you can learn something from the people you go out with then it wasn't a waste of time. This recent person is a writer, she has published a few short stories so we spoke a lot about the creative process and stuff, she mentioned her blog which reminded me "hey I have one too somewhere" and so here I am once again, on my blog. OK so maybe one good thing can come from dating.

Travels

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I've been to 228 cities in 8 countries

Asia

Turkey: Istanbul

Europe

Austria: Vienna

France: Paris

Germany: Berlin

Germany: Frankfurt am Main

Germany: Frankfurt am Main

Italy: Assisi

Italy: Florence

Italy: Rome

Italy: Venice

Spain: Barcelona

Spain: Cordoba

Spain: Granada

Spain: Madrid

Spain: Sevilla

Spain: Sevilla

Spain: Toledo

United Kingdom: Edinburgh

United Kingdom: London

North America

Mexico: El Golfo de Santa Clara

Mexico: El Golfo de Santa Clara

Mexico: Guadalajara

Mexico: Mexicali

Mexico: San Luis

Mexico: San Luis

Mexico: San Luis Rio Colorado

Mexico: San Luis Rio Colorado

Mexico: Santa Ana Tepetitlan

Mexico: Tijuana

Mexico: Tlajomulco de Zuniga

Mexico: Tonala

Mexico: Zapopan

United States: Albany

United States: Albuquerque

United States: Amarillo

United States: American Fork

United States: Anaheim

United States: Anza

United States: Aspen Grove

United States: Atlanta

United States: Avalon

United States: Barneveld

United States: Beaumont

United States: Bermuda Dunes

United States: Beverly Hills

United States: Big Pine

United States: Binghamton

United States: Bishop

United States: Bonita

United States: Buffalo

United States: Cahuilla Hills

United States: Calexico

United States: Canastota

United States: Canoga Park

United States: Cathedral City

United States: Cazenovia

United States: Cerritos

United States: Chicago

United States: Chittenango

United States: Chula Vista

United States: Cincinnati

United States: Clark Mills

United States: Clearfield

United States: Cleveland

United States: Clinton

United States: Coachella

United States: Cooperstown

United States: Cooperstown

United States: Coronado

United States: Cortland

United States: Culver City

United States: Dammeron Valley

United States: East Hemet

United States: East Los Angeles

United States: East Syracuse

United States: Edom

United States: El Centro

United States: El Monte

United States: Fallbrook

United States: Fayetteville

United States: Fort Worth

United States: Frankfort

United States: Glendale

United States: Greene

United States: Greenwich

United States: Heber

United States: Hemet

United States: Hempstead

United States: Hidden Palms

United States: Holland Patent

United States: Holtville

United States: Homeland

United States: Ilion

United States: Imperial

United States: Imperial Beach

United States: Indian Wells

United States: Indianapolis

United States: Indio

United States: Indio Hills

United States: Inglewood

United States: Ithaca

United States: Jamacha

United States: Jamul

United States: La Quinta

United States: Lake Elsinore

United States: Las Vegas

United States: Layton

United States: Lehi

United States: Lemon Grove

United States: Lindon

United States: Los Angeles

United States: Manhattan Beach

United States: Manlius

United States: Mapleton

United States: Marcy

United States: Maywood

United States: Menifee

United States: Menifee Lakes

United States: Miami

United States: Moreno Valley

United States: Morro Bay

United States: Murrieta

United States: Murrieta Hot Springs

United States: National City

United States: New Hartford

United States: New Rochelle

United States: New York

United States: New York Mills

United States: Newark

United States: North Creek

United States: North Palm Springs

United States: Norwalk

United States: Nunns

United States: Ocean Beach

United States: Ogden

United States: One Hundred Palms

United States: Oneida

United States: Oneida Castle

United States: Orem

United States: Oriskany

United States: Palm Desert

United States: Palm Desert Country

United States: Palm Springs

United States: Paris

United States: Pasadena

United States: Perris

United States: Philadelphia

United States: Phoenix

United States: Pico Rivera

United States: Pinyon Crest

United States: Pinyon Pines

United States: Pleasant Grove

United States: Pleasant View

United States: Poland

United States: Port Chester

United States: Provo

United States: Rancho Mirage

United States: Rexburg

United States: Rigby

United States: Riverside

United States: Rolla

United States: Rome

United States: Romoland

United States: Rosemead

United States: Russia

United States: Rye

United States: Saint George

United States: Saint Louis

United States: Salem

United States: Salt Lake City

United States: San Bernardino

United States: San Diego

United States: San Gabriel

United States: San Jacinto

United States: San Luis

United States: San Luis Obispo

United States: San Simeon

United States: San Ysidro

United States: Santa Barbara

United States: Santa Clara

United States: Santa Monica

United States: Schenectady

United States: Sherrill

United States: Simi Valley

United States: Sleepy Hollow

United States: South El Monte

United States: South Ogden

United States: South Whittier

United States: Spanish Fork

United States: Spring Valley

United States: Springfield

United States: Springville

United States: Stamford

United States: Stittville

United States: Sun City

United States: Syracuse

United States: Tarrytown

United States: Temecula

United States: Thermal

United States: Thousand Palms

United States: Topanga

United States: Troy

United States: Tucson

United States: Uniondale

United States: Utica

United States: Valerie

United States: Vernon

United States: Vernon Center

United States: Vista Santa Rosa

United States: Walesville

United States: Washington

United States: Washington

United States: Washington Mills

United States: Waterville

United States: Weatherford

United States: West Frankfort

United States: West Hollywood

United States: West Nyack

United States: West Schuyler

United States: White Plains

United States: Whitesboro

United States: Whittier

United States: Wildomar

United States: Winchester

United States: Yorkville

South America

Argentina: Acassuso

Argentina: Buenos Aires

Argentina: Don Torcuato

Argentina: El Talar de Pacheco

Argentina: General Urquiza

Argentina: Los Polvorines

Argentina: Pergamino

Argentina: San Fernando

Argentina: San Isidro

Argentina: San Nicolas de los Arroyos

Argentina: San Nicolas de los Arroyos

Argentina: Vicente Lopez

Argentina: Villa Constitucion

Argentina: Villa de Mayo

Venezuela: Caracas

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