-- I'm hoping for daylight to follow me
There is somewhere we're supposed to be
And you know
In a matter of time you set yourself free --
O.A.R., Daylight the Dog

A few notes concerning the style of my blog...

At the top of each post, I will include an exerpt from a song or a book that hit me in one way or another. I will try to make the lyrics relevant, however sometimes they may not be. Music is a big part of me, and I try tounderstand everything I listen to, on a few different levels. By the same token, I love to read...short stories, novels, magazines, the newspaper. My favorite short stories: The Most Dangerous Game, Bartleby the Scrivener, The Lottery, and A Clean, Well-Lighted Place. My favorite novels: Flight of the Intruder, Catch 22, and A Farewell to Arms. My favorite Magazines: Flying, AOPA Pilot, Rolling Stone.

It is important that you know what kind of filter the upcoming experiences will be seen through...me. The way I view things could be somewhat different than you would in my position. I suppose I could be classified as a typical New England American. I am very interested in politics, and true to my state, I am a democrat. I do have a few conservative views, but that is a whole 'nother blog.

As far as religion goes, I'm Catholic. This topic could also be a whole other blog...but the religion in my family comes from a deeply Irish-Catholic family in South Boston. Ya..I know. It really doesn't get any more Irish, or Catholic than that. I did CCD and all that stuff and got confirmed...but I never really liked going to church. I go to a Catholic college, and have taken my two mandatory Christianity classes. However, I am really only interested in the historical aspect of Christianity. I think the present day Catholic church is extremely flawed. That is not to say that the Church of the past wasn't flawed. Most of the religion was created by man, so inevitably, it is. From what the New Testament says, Jesus was a big deal...aside from that, I have no idea. So, all of the religious abbies and art (especially the art), I will appreciate in a historical stylistic context, and that's about it.

I have been told more than once that I am quite critical, in good ways and bad. My father says I've got a critical eye, for example if you draw a picture and ask me for my opinion, it is possible for me to tell you it sucks. Of course I wouldn't say it like that. I would pad it a little more by saying something like 'Hmm, something isn't quite right...' . Sometimes I'll follow up with a suggestion, and sometimes it's so screwed up that I can't see the light of improvement. I believe some call this 'constructive critism.' My critical eye also sees physical imperfections, like specs of black at the bottom of a glass before it is removed from the cabinet. I can also be critical of our government, all political parties and decisions included. I guess I view people critically as well. Maybe everyone does? But being critical of people does not mean I look down upon anyone. Basically, whatever I see or hear, I try to question. I don't try prove anyone or anything wrong, I just don't immediately take things as truth. So, I will be seeing Paris, Cannes, London and whereever else I may go, through the same critical eye. Be prepared for the possibility of something I perceive or say that you may disagree with. Leave a comment if this happens! I want to hear about it.

Eleven days until last boarding call.