For the one FOB

me and nob
Originally uploaded by Mix Master.

He'll soon be out to Cornell for some Learning craziness, but I know there'll still be time to hit rock bottom. And for that, I salute you.
You don't know yet, but see you at DC 2006.

On top of old Siwa...

Thinking...
Originally uploaded by Mix Master.

and just little bit more relaxed than in Cairo.

Turns out it's a Rowdy Thing

The Kaptain being a sport
Originally uploaded by Mix Master.

We do it just a little bit harder.

Loving it Strong

Katie, the pioneer
Originally uploaded by Mix Master.

The beginning of a flourishing relationship.

The Originals

Culture Team Cobra Force
Originally uploaded by Mix Master.

This one goes out to the Culture Team Cobra Force and all the destruction in the wake of its path.

Work Assignment 7.25.2005

Work Assignment 7.25.2005
Originally uploaded by Mix Master.

This is what I have to file through. I think I've seen some of the same pages as many as 10 different times.

This is weak sauce

Burke
Originally uploaded by Mix Master.

Sadly, this is all I got in response. From February 2004. I wish I had taken a picture in Kentucky when I found you curled up in a ball on the floor with your head on your book, your hands between your legs, and your mouth open. I think I even detected some spittle running down your cheek.

there's something good waiting down this road

I just found out my traineeship ends August 1st. That gives me a month before school starts. The road calls my name, in which direction shall I heed its call?

49 minutes left

At the end of one career, or at the beginning of a new career, a new personal adventure, how do we balance all of the remarkable parts of our lives? We should have no illusions about competing interests, responsibilities, needs, opportunities, and that circle of people we love and who love us (and always beckoning in the distance, our vision of how we can serve, change lives, be an irresistible force for good wherever we go). We try to pack it all into one lifetime, one journey, one opportunity to see life whole and balance all of its irresistible parts. Seeing life whole, finding the balance, is the ultimate challenge. How well we respond will be recorded on that small brass plate under the farewell portrait--metaphoric or real. (Frances Hesselbein on LeadertoLeader)

My boss finally has a new office assistant. I feel sorry for her, but I also feel a potential vindication of some degrading and remedial responsibilities. It turns out this is an excellent environment to devise a truly inspiring organization. Nobody wants to be in a black hole of motivation and innovation.

A ginormous tingle

Yea I'm fine.
I am crafting.

you might find love, you'll probably earn the pain

A wall encases large glass windows between me and the other room. Directly across from me is another worker, newer than me with tighter pants. His voice is a little high, call him High Pitch. We occasionaly make eye contact. Awkward moments ensue.

The Creative Economy

"We need a global creative society, not a society in any one nation. That's what the great promise of this time is." (Richard Florida interview on Tompeters.com).
Thanks to The Dode linking to the site on nomadone, there are lots of interesting interviews to pass the time when Boss is gone.
I find myself getting more and more interested in the discussions on project management.

nomadslave

I have convinced my boss at work to incorporate a blog into our website. I think this page needs one. I used sliverkey as an example of a company with a blog. "Not everyone is doing it, yet. Be the first in Egypt."
It would have been prudent to take those tech classes back home... I could have a field day with our website. We'll see if it actually pans out. Now I am finding photos to replace the lame mini-animations we have on our out dated job vacancy page.

Raging

Five gentlemen went to Alexandria this weekend, sans any Egyptians. Although none of our goals were reached, it was adventure that we sought and found.
Autoformatting in Microsoft Word is really pissing me off, among other things today.

Shameless Promotion

Egypt Blog
Burke - ex-AIESECer (short but glorious stint), fellow patriot back home, skipped my birthday party
Mark - I have nothing good to say of him except that him and Alfredo might get along. He has refused requests to join nomadlife.

Ethical Picture Taking?

Garbage City youth
Originally uploaded by Mix Master.

I have been having an internal debate on whether it is "OK" to take pictures of people in their normal day to day life. On one hand, I want to show people how life here, or wherever, really is, but on the other hand there is the respect issue. The children I've run into generally find it amusing, but older people generally don't dig it. If I am not sure, I try to carry out covert snap shots. Well taken photos can be quite moving and revealing, so I find myself leaning that way.

To the T-Bird

Dr. Drenga, the early years
Originally uploaded by Mix Master.

Another member of The Lodge is on to new adventures. The Doctor is on his way out to olde NYC for a little conquest and savagery. Good luck you son of a bitch. I reserve a spot on the floor.

On the eve

It was late, we were emotional
Originally uploaded by Mix Master.

This is my last picture of Bowman before he journeyed yonder. He really wanted to show me how he "felt."

The Man gets damned

This is what happens when you fuck a stranger in the ass. I don't foresee him beating anybody up on his first day, so looks like he's becoming somebody's bitch.

Grand Theft Auto: Egypt

Keepin' it fresh. Also available on Flickr.

A Preview

Trainees + a few natives
Originally uploaded by Mix Master.

Word on the street says another Bolton Review is on its way via the Bolton Wire, but here's a quick sneak peak of what went down this past weekend at Egypt's National Planning Meeting.

And in the bars with the men who play guitars sit there drink and remember the time

I walk down stairs, greet the lady in green if she's there. I futiley argue with myself that today won't be as hot. I step down a few stairs to enter the kiosk, mustering a happy face and a futile attempt to speak respectable arabic. He knows by now my order, water, and mumbles a few things I hope he doesn't expect me to understand. I give him a ten and get change back within a spread of 25 piasters, depending on which brand of water he thinks I need to tackle that day. I walk to work wondering what hilarity will ensue, hoping it will ensue, and stop and turn around when I walk past my bread store. I get two different pieces and get 50 or 75 piasters back, depending on whether my Egyptian facade works or not. She's on to me. The honking horns hurt a little bit less or a little bit more and the sun heats up my inside after the first block. Another hot one. Maybe a car mirror knocks the water out of my hand as I walk down the middle of the street. I have to cross the street to retrieve it. It somehow didn't get run over. I begin to fall into myself and try to look at things "in perspective" as I wait for the elevator. I get amused when people hold the "door close" button. They say Americans aren't patient. I enter the world of pain, smokey. Upon return, I explain to the child that 5:00pm is not the appropriate time to say Good Morning, though sometimes it is. I pet one of the at least 8 feline friends in my apartment complex. One of them might follow me to my door.

I've been pondering things, sometimes like the meaning of life, maybe my life, and sometimes not.

turning point

So this is that fork in the road.

Music

Opening Credits: Allman Brothers - Midnight Rider

Waking up: Back to the Earth - Rusted Root

Average Day: My Back Pages - Bob Dylan et al

First Date: Man in Me - Bob Dylan

Falling in Love: Led Zeppelin - Hey hey what can I do

Love Scene: Hold my Hand - Hootie and the Blowfish

Fight Scene: Dave Mathews - The Last Stop

Breaking Up: Congradulations - Traveling Wilburys, Insider - Tom Petty

Getting Back Together: The Waiting - Tom Petty, I go Blind - Hootie and the Blowfish

Secret Love: Even the Losers - Tom Petty

Life's Okay: Paul Simon - You can call me Al

Mental Breakdown: Cats in the Cradle - Harry Chapman

Driving: Runnin' Down a Dream - Tom Petty, Money Talks - AC/DC

Learning a Lesson: Rush - Presto

Deep Thought: Rush - Tai Shan

Flashback: Remember - Ten Mile Tide

Partying: Too Short - Blowjob Betty, Loving Cup - Phish, Piano Man - Billy Joel, Never Gonna Drink Again - Ten Mile Tide

Happy Dance: Bouncin' Round the Room - Phish

Regretting: If I could, I would - Phish

Long Night Alone: Like a Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan, Wish you were Here - Pink Floyd

Death Scene: Prince Caspian - Phish

Closing Credits: Toy Store - OAR