Chicago is one of the (few) cities in the US that can support hostels, so due to their lower costs, excellent locations, and tourism support I decided to go that route. As is often the case, wandering the streets alone was replaced by more social activities, which certainly changes the dynamic of the experience.

Since I’ve driven across the US once and flown a few times, I decided it was time to complete the Planes, Trains, and Automobiles trifecta. Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass gives you 10 segments (rides, basically) over the course of 30 days for $499. Which might save you a little money, but what it certainly does is helps structure a trip.

I flew into Portland for a little vacation on my way to Seattle this time to see if it lived up to the show’s hype, and it more or less did. Hipster, but not as comically so of course. But it’s the land of craft beers and not real jobs and tattoos, as far as I can tell. Continue reading I guess people are just cropping out all the sadness →

Finally back home to Seattle. Home this time being a Hacker House in Wallingford, which turns out to be a fairly nice area between the hipster lounge that is Ballard and Fremont and the University of Washington. It’s an annoying 10 minute walk anywhere, but past that I don’t have any complaints. The common room of the house has a bunch of nice desks, and it overlooks Lake Union. Continue reading Let’s drive to the country side, leave behind some green-eyed look-a-likes →

After a couple weeks in Seattle, we decided we would rent a car and drive the Cascade Loop around Washington State. I remember trying quite successfully to miserably tire my sister out. Anyways, we started with a couple nights down at Mt Rainier (technically not on the loop), and then circled back up to drive through the mountains. Continue reading Now don’t you worry we’ll all float on alright →

I decided to AirBnb in Seattle, so I rented a Condo just off the train line between the airport and downtown Seattle in Othello. It’s about a 15 minute ride into the city and it’s much cheaper than staying directly downtown. Plus it comes with a gym, rooftop area to cook and relax, and it’s close to a couple parks to run. Overall, a pretty good location. Continue reading I am looking for a dare to be great situation →

Before my trip out to the west coast, I decided to spend a week or so in Boston.  It’s a very clean, pristine city but overall didn’t do much for me.  I did a LOT of walking around from my base in the Chinatown area, and did plenty of work in the area coffee shops and library.  But a LOT of just walking around. Continue reading I’ll bet you can’t tell me what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel →

This is beginning a series of posts that are purely for posterity so I don’t forget where I’ve been or something.  My picture archives aren’t great, so you’ve got to deal with what I’ve got.

Now that my brother lives in Maryland, we went to visit him and went to Philadelpha, Wilmington, and Washington DC in the process. Continue reading Cat in the wall, eh? Ok, now you’re talking my language. →

I went to 1000 Figs for lunch and had a falafel pita.  It had a lot of asian foods in it that I didn’t know, but I enjoyed it.  Other than that, my post-Mardi Gras activities have started and ended with sitting in the apartment with a cold and headache.  Either I’m sick, or a 4-day collective hangover is literally killing me. Continue reading And I will look down and see my murmuring bones and the deep water like wind →

I didn’t feel like working today so I took a streetcar down to the famous Garden District. Sandra Bullock has a house there, so I figured maybe I’d run into her and we’d really hit it off. But then I’d probably resent her success and feel awkward when she took me to nice restaurants and bought me presents – favors I couldn’t return. Plus, she’s like 50, which kind of poses a long-term problem. So ultimately I decided just to leisurely stroll through the upper-class neighborhood of charming architecture. Also, I don’t really like Sandra Bullock. Continue reading Good morning America, how are you? →

Had lunch at Juan’s Flying Burrito.  Quite good but their veggie burrito had a lot of jalapenos in it, and I think I got all of them in one bite.  My mouth was fiery for a while and I was sweaty.  Still good though. Continue reading Now the only thing a gambler needs Is a suitcase and trunk →

A day of taxis and planes, entwined with Atonement and newspapers, finally had me arriving to my new home in New Orleans.  It’s right on the Bayou, just off a streetcar line in a nice area, so it’s pretty convenient.  After getting settled, I was told to go to Krewe de Vieux, the locals parade to kick off the Mardi Gras season. Continue reading Don’t you just love those long rainy afternoons in New Orleans when an hour isn’t just an hour →

Hilton Head Island has been rather calm, as I intended.  So that works out nicely.  I was able to get a lot of work done and start trying to take the next step with the business, so I consider that productive.  However, it doesn’t make for particularly enjoyable updates here.  It’s just like, a normal blog of my life, which would be excruciating if forced to consume those pages on a regular basis. Continue reading And I’m not askin’ to be loved or be forgiven →

So I’ve now been in Hilton Head 10 days, and have finally begun to explore the island a little bit more.  My pattern resembles that of shipwrecked seafarer marooned on a deserted island slowly making wider circles around his home base searching for things.  Except my reason is mostly laziness. Continue reading Oh! Ian Knows All About Hilton Head! →

I went to the 1000 islands camping with dads family.  We took a long walk to get ice cream, and people were drinking a lot of those Bud Light fake margaritas.  I did not have any of them. Continue reading The record shows I took the blows and did it my way →

Like the rest of the world, things don’t really open until at least 9 on Saturday.  I actually had trouble finding a coffee shop to work in (I was out of the hotel at 7), but eventually found a place to get some work done. Continue reading Chapter One. He was as tough and romantic as the city he loved. →

I like to get an early start, so I walked to a coffee shop and worked from 7-10 to make sure the Internet doesn’t fall apart.  Thoreau said something to the effect of “a morning walk is a blessing for the whole day,” but I don’t think he took his morning walks in Midtown.  Anyways, I went to Culture for a couple hours, which was a busy little shop with good espresso. Continue reading Chapter One. He was too romantic about Manhattan as he was about everything else. →

I do enjoy visiting Manhattan. The bustle, the sea of skyscrapers that block the sun, the endless list of things to do to keep the mind occupied. The way people don’t bother me.  But I adore it in the way that I adore art; I respect and admire it without wanting to become it or immerse myself in it permanently.  Sure, I could live there for a while, but the sun would certainly set on my ability to handle it.  It’s why I didn’t move here a few years ago when I had the great job offer. Continue reading Chapter One. He adored New York City. →