Hi Guys,
I see that its been a while since I posted. I'm sick in bed, though its beautiful outside. The sun is shining in my room. Part of the reason I like it here is my room is so bright, when the sun comes out. Bright walls, hardwood floors. White walls to reflect the light off the three windows. Its a stress sickness I think. Its unusual for me to get sick twice in so short a time, but it seems like a lot has been going on. Its not so much in my life, but in the people around me. There's not much I can do, I'm just a stranger really. Small town, takes a long time before people get to trusting you, and probably even longer with someone like myself. Change has always been stressful for me, and a lot has been going on. Things are good though. I don't have a lot of feelings on the school at the moment. My friend Anthony, his wife Leigh mentioned going into business, as he is learning to sail. Wouldn't be the worst idea, actually pretty good, given that they are smart people.
So I'm lying in bed, on the computer, because I'm sick and need to stay down. I could see how this could drive people nuts, being in bed all the time. Fortunately I've become pretty good at amusing myself, given enough time and caffeine.
Not too much to relate. Brian (the husband) and Nick (the son) are still getting ready for their trip. They were going to leave yesterday, but their was still much to do. I woke this morning, after working til midnight, to find Sadie (the golden retriever), lying on the stripped mattress in the room next door, looking extremely sad. When everyone leaves the house, she'll lay outside my door on occasion and is usually excited to see me, except when she knows I'm not really functional yet. She knows better than to try to speak to me without a coffee in my hand. I'm not used to living with a creature, nor giving one affection, particularly one who wants it so much. Its different for me. Not bad, just different. Its nice to have someone who wants affection too.
Last night was fairly normal. I work alone for most of the night. The room I am in is cavernous. Around 9:30 last night a woman checked in for her campsite. She was nice, but I noticed something off with her, when I joked with her about a mistake I had made about her. I had gotten off the phone a few minutes before with another woman, who was lost in the park. I assumed it was her who had come in, but no. I joked with her about my mistake, and her tone shifted, not verbally per se, but otherwise, and quietly, leaving me wondering, thoughts trailing.
She left and a few minutes later I received a call from her saying someone was in her site. Her and her husband (young, 30's) spoke to the people (car and a tent) and they said someone had taken their site, so they had taken theirs and didn't want to move. She said they also sounded inebriated.
I called a park ranger (Karl) and told him they needed help sorting out who was supposed to be where. I would've put the young couple in another site, make life easier for everyone, but we were sold out. I called the young couple to let them know a ranger would be over in a few minutes, and hold tight. It went straight to voice mail. The young woman calls me back a few minutes later to let me know her husband has been talking with the men, and they threatened to knock him down. I call back to the ranger, but the reception is bad, cutting in and out and I have to hang up. The phone is ringing again, and he should be there in a few minutes. I pick up the phone and take an unrelated call. I don't hear back from the young couple or the ranger for a while.
Karl the Ranger comes in, he's in his forties, but is young looking, in the face, and in general, like life hasn't needed to take it out on his skin yet, perhaps, or ever. He seems kind, though unformed. He tells me the people squatting in the young people's site had their own, but wanted the other people's more, so took it, saying someone had taken theirs. Everyone was situated, and quietly. He said the men were keeping to themselves, staying in their tent. I mention the young woman called, saying the men threatened to knock her husband down. He says he didn't hear that on his call. I say I thought they would've mentioned it to him. He says he would double check, make sure everything was still quiet, and possibly pursue an early eviction for the men in the tent.
I don't get this sort of thing every night. Sometimes its quiet. Sometimes its not. But there is always something to keep us going.
I hope all is well back in Florida. Spring is coming here. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Maybe all this snot in my head is sinus'. Who knows? Bit of both I suppose.
Be well, enjoy the warmth and give my love to everyone.
Love,
Jamie
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Friday, March 27, 2015
Hi Guys,
Sorry I have not been in touch. I've just been busy getting used to life here. Things are going well, its just that everything is in much larger parts this time around, so it takes longer for things to come around. I'm enjoying my tai chi class, and my car. Its nice to be able to get around and listen to music. Its beautiful out here. It reminds me of the drives I did between the house and Tampa when I was a kid, late at night on the tree lined back roads off of Keystone.
The house I'm living in is good. My landlords are getting ready for their trip to Alaska. Feels like there is constant change, I've been adjusting as rapidly as possible. There is a salt water spa here in town, SOAK, where I've helped out in exchange for free sessions in their pools. The other day I put down some pavers. It was nice to play in the dirt for a little while, and the owner is nice. Hopefully I'll get to do some more work. She was talking about building some benches for an outdoor patio she has that she wants to turn into a sort of tanning deck/beer garden. Could be a fun, challenging project.
I've been painting. It takes a long time for me to do a painting anymore, which is nice. Gives me something to look forward to, even if its a bit frustrating, trying to figure out what its about, but I guess that's the joy in it, once it does come out. And for once, if someone were to ask how I was feeling, I could point and say, this. Which doesn't amount to much, but its better than anything else I've ever had, and I'm proud of that, even if its not much. Wish I was better at it, but maybe in another ten or twenty years, I'll start figuring some things out.
Started playing the banjo again, which I got away from, but have been trying to make time for. I try to do so much, there's not enough time it seems, but I try to make it. I have missed practicing on the banjo. It gives me a lot of stress relief. Not sure why, but I like it. Its hard to play in the house, you always feel like you are annoying someone, though you may not, and with the banjo, part of the enjoyment is playing it loud. I've gone out to the parks a few times as I feel less self conscious about bothering anyone out in the open, and its nice to play with water. When I lived at Lake Crescent, I would play with the fire burning in front of me, which I loved. Maybe a change to the water is for the best.
Otherwise, its just been a lot of adjustments. I've applied for the boat school and requested the necessary transcripts. I'm trying to relax yet stay engaged. Not the easiest combination for me, but I'm trying. Soon a new family will be moving into the house I'm living in. Even if I try to stop moving, the world keeps spinning. I'm under no delusion that I'll be able to be still, I don't think its in my nature, and much has been understanding that just because my nature is different, and that I may end up satisfying no one, I can learn to be true to myself.
Anyhow, I hope you are all well, and I'll be in touch soon. Take of yourselves.
Love,
Jamie
Sorry I have not been in touch. I've just been busy getting used to life here. Things are going well, its just that everything is in much larger parts this time around, so it takes longer for things to come around. I'm enjoying my tai chi class, and my car. Its nice to be able to get around and listen to music. Its beautiful out here. It reminds me of the drives I did between the house and Tampa when I was a kid, late at night on the tree lined back roads off of Keystone.
The house I'm living in is good. My landlords are getting ready for their trip to Alaska. Feels like there is constant change, I've been adjusting as rapidly as possible. There is a salt water spa here in town, SOAK, where I've helped out in exchange for free sessions in their pools. The other day I put down some pavers. It was nice to play in the dirt for a little while, and the owner is nice. Hopefully I'll get to do some more work. She was talking about building some benches for an outdoor patio she has that she wants to turn into a sort of tanning deck/beer garden. Could be a fun, challenging project.
I've been painting. It takes a long time for me to do a painting anymore, which is nice. Gives me something to look forward to, even if its a bit frustrating, trying to figure out what its about, but I guess that's the joy in it, once it does come out. And for once, if someone were to ask how I was feeling, I could point and say, this. Which doesn't amount to much, but its better than anything else I've ever had, and I'm proud of that, even if its not much. Wish I was better at it, but maybe in another ten or twenty years, I'll start figuring some things out.
Started playing the banjo again, which I got away from, but have been trying to make time for. I try to do so much, there's not enough time it seems, but I try to make it. I have missed practicing on the banjo. It gives me a lot of stress relief. Not sure why, but I like it. Its hard to play in the house, you always feel like you are annoying someone, though you may not, and with the banjo, part of the enjoyment is playing it loud. I've gone out to the parks a few times as I feel less self conscious about bothering anyone out in the open, and its nice to play with water. When I lived at Lake Crescent, I would play with the fire burning in front of me, which I loved. Maybe a change to the water is for the best.
Otherwise, its just been a lot of adjustments. I've applied for the boat school and requested the necessary transcripts. I'm trying to relax yet stay engaged. Not the easiest combination for me, but I'm trying. Soon a new family will be moving into the house I'm living in. Even if I try to stop moving, the world keeps spinning. I'm under no delusion that I'll be able to be still, I don't think its in my nature, and much has been understanding that just because my nature is different, and that I may end up satisfying no one, I can learn to be true to myself.
Anyhow, I hope you are all well, and I'll be in touch soon. Take of yourselves.
Love,
Jamie
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Tai chi, travelers and mechanics
Good Morning,
I've started taking Tai Chi classes at the local gym. Its something I've wanted to learn for a while now. It takes several months generally to learn a basic form, and a teacher is very helpful. This really hasn't been an option recently though I've been fortunate to take several classes in different places. One of the reasons I wanted to come to Port Townsend was that there was a dedicated Tai Chi studio run by a fellow named Michael Gilman, at the Gilman Studio, a beautiful house with a converted bottom floor studio. I dropped by one morning where he was considerate enough to allow me to join in a class, which I enjoyed. I didn't necessarily feel like it was the right place for me though. I knew that another teacher had recently come to town, Michael Yeager, who was teaching at the local gym. I've gone to a few classes and have really enjoyed them. Its nice to have found a place and person I feel comfortable with. He's supportive and funny, along with other classmates, and its nice to be learning something new that feels good for me. Its nice that its also part of the gym, so that if I want to do other activities, I have that option, much like a YMCA.
There is a skatepark in downtown, katty corner to the gym. I enjoy sitting outside of it, looking at the strange concave shapes of the concrete, drinking coffee or tea, watching riders and kids, or no one at all with the still cold. Its like a still wave.
Things are good. I work afternoons and nights, which is nice. I have two days off in a row at the moment, which is a treat. I get to sleep in and relax. JoAnn, the owner of the house is getting ready for her trip to Alaska. I live on the second floor, with lots of light from the windows. Its nice to be up in the air. I'm enjoying my car. I left the hatch partially open one day, which killed the battery. I got a new one with the help of Nick, JoAnn's son who has a mechanical bent. I took it on a longer trip out of town on the small highways here. It was nice to be able to get away. I even bought a cassette adapter that lets me play my music from my smartphone. The car has a wonderful stereo and sunroof! It also helped me learn some of the area, which I'm generally lost about, without having driven. I'm hoping to take a camping trip out soon, and will post some pictures when I do.
I'm meeting lots of people at work, travelers. They tell me of places that I write down to visit. Big Sur, California, home to the writer Henry Miller later in his life, who I once enjoyed. A professional diver who was bicycling from Bellingham, Washington, looking for a place to camp for the night. He was traveling along the coast, up to Victoria, British Columbia, then to the San Juan Islands which are part of the Puget Sound (I think). He had recently been leading diving tours off a small island called Flores, in Indonesia, North of Australia. He encouraged me to go before the tourism industry took over. He had once lived in Port Townsend for a short time. A place called the Painted Desert in Oregon....so many places. Its hard to imagine I'll get to see them all, but perhaps some.
I'm tired this morning. The wind has been blowing all night, and I didn't sleep well. Hopefully with enough coffee and tea I'll be able to wake up. I need to take my bike to the shop, as the gears slip when going up the higher hills, which there are a few of here. I've enjoyed flying around town though. The bike is guaranteed for a month and the mechanic is very nice, with a baby due shortly. Perhaps a swim, as the pool is very close to the bike shop...
I hope all is good back home, that you are all in good health, and that the weather continues to be favorable. Please give my best to all.
With Love,
Jamie
x
I've started taking Tai Chi classes at the local gym. Its something I've wanted to learn for a while now. It takes several months generally to learn a basic form, and a teacher is very helpful. This really hasn't been an option recently though I've been fortunate to take several classes in different places. One of the reasons I wanted to come to Port Townsend was that there was a dedicated Tai Chi studio run by a fellow named Michael Gilman, at the Gilman Studio, a beautiful house with a converted bottom floor studio. I dropped by one morning where he was considerate enough to allow me to join in a class, which I enjoyed. I didn't necessarily feel like it was the right place for me though. I knew that another teacher had recently come to town, Michael Yeager, who was teaching at the local gym. I've gone to a few classes and have really enjoyed them. Its nice to have found a place and person I feel comfortable with. He's supportive and funny, along with other classmates, and its nice to be learning something new that feels good for me. Its nice that its also part of the gym, so that if I want to do other activities, I have that option, much like a YMCA.
There is a skatepark in downtown, katty corner to the gym. I enjoy sitting outside of it, looking at the strange concave shapes of the concrete, drinking coffee or tea, watching riders and kids, or no one at all with the still cold. Its like a still wave.
Things are good. I work afternoons and nights, which is nice. I have two days off in a row at the moment, which is a treat. I get to sleep in and relax. JoAnn, the owner of the house is getting ready for her trip to Alaska. I live on the second floor, with lots of light from the windows. Its nice to be up in the air. I'm enjoying my car. I left the hatch partially open one day, which killed the battery. I got a new one with the help of Nick, JoAnn's son who has a mechanical bent. I took it on a longer trip out of town on the small highways here. It was nice to be able to get away. I even bought a cassette adapter that lets me play my music from my smartphone. The car has a wonderful stereo and sunroof! It also helped me learn some of the area, which I'm generally lost about, without having driven. I'm hoping to take a camping trip out soon, and will post some pictures when I do.
I'm meeting lots of people at work, travelers. They tell me of places that I write down to visit. Big Sur, California, home to the writer Henry Miller later in his life, who I once enjoyed. A professional diver who was bicycling from Bellingham, Washington, looking for a place to camp for the night. He was traveling along the coast, up to Victoria, British Columbia, then to the San Juan Islands which are part of the Puget Sound (I think). He had recently been leading diving tours off a small island called Flores, in Indonesia, North of Australia. He encouraged me to go before the tourism industry took over. He had once lived in Port Townsend for a short time. A place called the Painted Desert in Oregon....so many places. Its hard to imagine I'll get to see them all, but perhaps some.
I'm tired this morning. The wind has been blowing all night, and I didn't sleep well. Hopefully with enough coffee and tea I'll be able to wake up. I need to take my bike to the shop, as the gears slip when going up the higher hills, which there are a few of here. I've enjoyed flying around town though. The bike is guaranteed for a month and the mechanic is very nice, with a baby due shortly. Perhaps a swim, as the pool is very close to the bike shop...
I hope all is good back home, that you are all in good health, and that the weather continues to be favorable. Please give my best to all.
With Love,
Jamie
x
Friday, March 13, 2015
More Beach Photos
Hope you enjoy. Will sit down and write something when I have more than a few moments. All is well.stop. Give my regards to Brooklyn.
Love,
Jamie
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Update
So things are good here in Port Townsend. I'm catching my breath at the moment. I bought a car the other day, a beautiful burgandy Volvo station wagon. She has a bit of mileage on her, but she is still shiny and has a beautiful black leather interior and sunroof. While my walks to work along the beach were nice, I'm working a night shift now, and the walks were quite cold, taking about forty minutes both ways. I found it tiring, and I wanted to give myself a chance to see other places on the Peninsula like Neah Bay and Cape Flattery, the northern most point on the Continental United States (Key West's doppelganger). I hope she can help me enjoy seeing some new places here on the Peninsula. I'll post some pictures of her shortly.
I also bought a bicycle, which I may or may not use. Hard to say, but it is a nice one, so I treated myself well twice, unusual for me. Just trying to give myself some comfort for the time being I suppose, that way I can focus on other things.
I've learned to give myself things. Its much easier than trying to be too severe on myself. Seems to work out better.
Painting as usual, have a few going on right now, but am tired from work usually and trying to get other things done, so I only work in short spurts right now, but that's okay. As long as I keep at it, try to do a bit every day, and see where it goes. I'm surprised I still do it, and seem to enjoy it more and more. I do miss getting to play my banjo. Just not much time for it lately.
Work is going well. I am doing what they call a swing shift. I work from 2-11 at night. Its not very hard work, and I get paid better than I have in quite a while, so I'm trying to take advantage of it, not work too hard, and put my time and energy into things I'm wanting to get done while I have a semi-permanent place. The people I work with are all very nice and intelligent. Mostly I try to stay out of the way and help where I can. They generally know much more than I do, so I just try to help out where they say. I enjoy them, and they give me another beautiful place to work.
Not too much else to talk about at the moment. I've joined a gym downtown. Its a nice place and they have tai chi classes which I'm hoping to take part in. The pool here in town is very nice too. Its nice to mix it up, and both have dry saunas, which I absolutely adore. Though the weather has been extremely mild for the Northwest, its still nice to sit in a small wooden box and get hot.
Anyways, I hope all is well back home. Thanks as always for your support.
Love,
Jamie
I also bought a bicycle, which I may or may not use. Hard to say, but it is a nice one, so I treated myself well twice, unusual for me. Just trying to give myself some comfort for the time being I suppose, that way I can focus on other things.
I've learned to give myself things. Its much easier than trying to be too severe on myself. Seems to work out better.
Painting as usual, have a few going on right now, but am tired from work usually and trying to get other things done, so I only work in short spurts right now, but that's okay. As long as I keep at it, try to do a bit every day, and see where it goes. I'm surprised I still do it, and seem to enjoy it more and more. I do miss getting to play my banjo. Just not much time for it lately.
Work is going well. I am doing what they call a swing shift. I work from 2-11 at night. Its not very hard work, and I get paid better than I have in quite a while, so I'm trying to take advantage of it, not work too hard, and put my time and energy into things I'm wanting to get done while I have a semi-permanent place. The people I work with are all very nice and intelligent. Mostly I try to stay out of the way and help where I can. They generally know much more than I do, so I just try to help out where they say. I enjoy them, and they give me another beautiful place to work.
Not too much else to talk about at the moment. I've joined a gym downtown. Its a nice place and they have tai chi classes which I'm hoping to take part in. The pool here in town is very nice too. Its nice to mix it up, and both have dry saunas, which I absolutely adore. Though the weather has been extremely mild for the Northwest, its still nice to sit in a small wooden box and get hot.
Anyways, I hope all is well back home. Thanks as always for your support.
Love,
Jamie
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