The Peacock Room, Eye Candy for the Martini Lover and Art Addict

Now a days it’s rare that a bar will catch my attention from the moment I enter.  Either it lacks character, or it is too hoity-toity for my taste.  The Peacock Room in Orlando, located just minutes off I4, finds a balance to all that’s pompous and uninteresting in other places. This fun little Martini Lounge is just far enough away from the loud down town craziness, but close enough to make you feel like you’re still in the midst of all the fun Orlando has to offer.

I am accompanied by three close friends. It is Saturday and we have to pay a small cover charge of $5 to get in. A couple of local hip hop bands, such as 6 Thirty Sticks, are on the schedule for this evening. We strike up a conversation with the door man, who explains that all the profits from the door will go directly to the artists.

As I enter a subtle warm lighting fills the room with a calm inviting atmosphere.  There are a total of 3 rooms connected with one another. To help visualize its purpose I will call them the bar room, the lounge room and the dance room.  All three rooms are in full Halloween “attire”, but the set-up is still tasteful and fun.  There is an eclectic mix of art everywhere I look, yet it appears the surrealists have the upper hand here.

We order some drinks. Though I have the choice between an exquisite line-up of 17 martinis, the German in me just longs for that delicious refreshing taste that only a beer can provide.  I am waiting for the bartender to return and throw some horrendous number at me that I have learned to expect from Martini Bars.  To my surprise the beers were quite reasonably priced at $3.50 for a domestic.  In hindsight I wish I would have tried some of their Martinis, but I am not one to mix my liquors so I stuck with beers.

From the bar room we retreat into the lounge room, a small space with a cozy set-up. Stylish couches and comfy chairs are arranged in a relaxing way throughout the room.  The show has not yet started and a DJ is playing some pleasant tunes that still make it possible to hold a conversation without having to scream at one another.

Shortly after 10:30 pm the show begins and we make our way to the dance room. A small stage appears in front of us still leaving enough space for people to gather and get their dance on. Acoustics are adequate for the space and can be enjoyed throughout all three rooms.  In between sets the breaks are short and the DJ continues playing some chill music.

As the hours pass I realize that by changing my location even just the slightest bit I can get a new perspective of  this amazing little joint every time. There are new things to discover over and over again, from the creative and obscure art pieces, to the innovative furnishings selected to heighten the experience.

I love being surprised and impressed by the unexpected, and The Peacock Room is sure to deliver. Mix in a warm and friendly staff and I’m sure you’ll agree that this place is here to stay.  So if you happen to be in the Orlando area treat yourself to a colorful evening and come strut your stuff at The Peacock Room.

Carlsbad Caverns out of this World, Roswell UFO Research Center Not So Much

Saturday August 29^th, 2009

There is a German Saying … “Spinne am Morgen bringt Kummer und Sorgen.”  It’s really not translatable, but pretty much means: spider in the morning brings bad news for the rest of the day. Judging by the size of the spider I saw this morning, it was going to be really, really bad. Wrong! I am in control of what I make out of this day.  As I’m driving down a small two lane highway through Texas I can see the sun rise through my rear view mirrors.  It is a vibrant red and purple.  I am the only car on the road.  Here and there I pass an 18 wheeler.  There is nothing but desolate grass lands to the left and right of me.  I hit my breaks and come to a complete stop. We have driven through Texas all night long.  It was time to stop chasing the west coast and take in this moment.  I open the car door and a little chill overcomes me as I step out on to the road.  The sun works her way slowly up the horizon.  More and more yellow and oranges mix into this magical sea of colors.  She takes her time and I am patient.  Total calmness overcomes my body and mind. Alright, enough of the meditative crap! I continue driving. Crossing into New Mexico another pre historic bug crosses my path. This monster is the size of a small bird and it hits my windshield. Didn’t crack, but scared the shit out of me. I drive up some winding roads through Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Once we arrive at the elevation of around 4,400ft we start making our way deep, deep down into the caverns.  I have been to caverns before, but nothing compares to this massive underground, out of this world spectacle we are about to witness. Though the caverns are filled with tourists it is quiet. The air is moist and cold. A very strong odor fills the air. Must be the bats leaving behind their “goods”. At dusk thousand of them will make their way to the top. Unfortunately an event we’re unable to stick around for. We’re uncovering a jungle of stalactites and stalagmites before us.  Some grotesque and others just beautiful!  I feel so tiny amongst these creatures that have been growing for millions of years.  My life feels meaningless at that moment, yet I have added so much meaning to it by simply being here. After about two hours we are back at the surface. With squinting eyes we’re taking in this beautiful summer day. There is not a cloud in the sky. We continue our journey to the city of Roswell.  Story has it that a UFO crashing was witnessed nearby in July 1947. This tale has been pumped up by the media now for decades and the town keeps profiting. I cannot blame them. There is not much more to see here.   The main strip of the city is covered with stores glorifying aliens and the super natural. There is an evident attempt made to sell anything and everything that may be associated with them.  Much of it is kitsch, but keeps the eye entertained. We go into the Roswell UFO “research center”.  Sounds important! Not really! It is a huge room filled with news paper clippings (some of them authentic, some are photo copies) and papier-mâché alien sculptures.  Luckily it was only $2/person.  Overall not a bad investment for the mediocre entertainment we got out of it. As we leave Roswell and approach the mountains the sun sets in breath taking vivid colors, just as she rose this morining.  It is at that moment that I realize what life is all about. Just as George Carlin once said: “Life is just a series of dogs”

For more pics click here.

Yesterday I met a beautiful woman …

… this dame dresses in shrill colors. She’s got her own soundtrack playing, when she walks. Her elegance is evident, yet when she speaks it is loud and obnoxious. She is the center of attention, and when I stand close to her she smells of booze and feces. I know it is not her, but the ones she surrounds herself with. She has a sadness enclosing her, but an exterior that is very quaint and strange. One that makes you feel awkward and intimidated at first. She’s got a lot of bitter sweet stories to tell about the grotesque and bizarre, but no one will truly ever know the whole truth. She does not dwell on things, and embraces just the moment presented to her… oh beautiful New Orleans, you make me sad and happy at the same time. I want to hold you and love you but I can’t.

Always do what you are afraid to do

On Wednesday I was given a dead line by my boss on when to return to work.  If I chose to disregard that request, my job would be considered abandoned.  Wow … really!?!  I had to choose between cutting my trip short by a week or loosing my 5 year security blanket. Then I started reading my journal …

I will share some excerpts and you tell me if I made the right decision:

“… Make it through this day!?!  Is that what my life has come to? A series of hours and days connected, waiting for the weekend, a temporary relief from misery.  I was steadily approaching my five year anniversary with one of the biggest Auto insurers in the country.  Starting off as a customer service rep when I was 22 I thought I landed the best job with the best corporate company there is.  I was ready to take my career on the fast track.  Five years later, with the economy at an all time low and people losing jobs left and right I am still answering our customer’s questions and concerns over the phone, just like I did 5 years ago.  Way to make it in this world.

I feel that I not only failed in my career aspirations, but wasted years away I could have chosen to travel and live life.  Instead I commit to a life filled with the obligations of making your next car payment, “don’t forget rent”, and “what’s for dinner”. No, I am not happy, and it manifested in every thought and every breath I take.  I need a really, really big inspirational pick-me-up.”

then later on I write …

“Dark clouds cover the sky as I make my way one stroke at a time through the cool water.  Thunder and lightning above me as I float on my back.  I keep wondering how much longer I will be able to stay in the water before the “pool patrol” kicks me out.  Every breath deepens a sensation of freedom and vulnerability.  Overcoming the thought of what may happen feels empowering.

As I was floating in the pool I realized that the journey we’re about to embark on will be of spiritual nature, an inner exploration tied to experiencing life’s outer beauty.  We have exactly 7 weeks before we will make our way across the country.  The plan is to drive from the Gulf coast of Florida to California and back. Two and a half weeks, driving and experiencing.

I try to resist the urge of over planning this trip and every moment and minute of it.  I don’t want to set any expectations whatsoever.  I don’t want to be let down.  Yet, my excitement cannot be tamed and every moment I spend at my personal nine to five hell feels as if I was in a coma, ready to awake any moment.

What am I truly searching for?  The answer is: I don’t know.  If I did life would be a clear black and white story, where I cry when I’m sad and laugh because I’m happy.  The truth however is that I often cry when I’m ecstatic and laugh when I’m not.  I expect certainty where one moment to the next is not a guarantee.  It has never been, yet we take tomorrow for granted by planning every second of it.  What college to attend and what major to study, where will I get married, what town will I live in, when will I buy my first house and have kids, where will my kids go to college, and so the circle continues on and on until we take our last breath.  Do I ever sit back and take a breath?  I mean a real breath.  The one you can feel throughout your body and mind?”

Yesterday I put in my notice.  Wednesday will be my last day … Ryan and I talked long about it.  Quitting a job that has supported me for 5 years in a time filled with downward economic spirals and uncertainty, is that really the best choice to make? Well, it is for me.

I will close this post with the same words I started it with, a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson.  It was emailed to me yesterday by my partner in crime and love right before I told my boss the great news.

So Close, Yet So Far Away

Who? What? CALI …  we have decided on a route that will take us through this beautiful state. Starting in San Diego, where we’re planning on spending a couple of days chillin, we’ll head to L.A. and we’ll continue on north. Big Sur camping, Monterey Aquarium and SanFran are on the map as well. We’ll be visiting our good friend Beth in San Jose and than spend some time in Yosemite before we hit Death Valley and Vegas. Wow … still don’t know if I will make it back in time.

Going West

I was reading our “little” roadtrip guides and they got me so excited. I started writing down more and more destinations and things I wanted to do. After a while I was getting worried if this trip can realistically be accomplished in 2.5 weeks. It looked more like 2.5 weeks to get to the west coast. Some serious trimming down was in place. I pulled up mapquest, cut a national park here, a city there, the home of Tabasco will be hit up next time around. Came up with this pretty good route. Just a little over 41 hours of driving time and under 2,700 miles should get us to San Diego. Giving us a week to get there.

To DO or Not To Do!?!

So what do we still need and what can I go without? I definitely don’t wanna overpack yet there are of course some essentials we should really keep in mind.  With that said I put a list together of things I need to do before we hit the road. Let me know if you can think of anything else?

Here the things I should prolly still get or do:

• Buy TomTom – this one is inexpensive and seams to do the job.
• Buy new tires (4 hercules for $270 out the door – what the hell are hercules?) – looks like a good deal
• Get oil change ($16.95)
• Tune up Big Blue (crossing fingers  that besides oil change and tires, I don’t have to worry about anything else)
• load songs/cds onto itunes
• Get ipod car dock, so I don’t have to bring CD books, save some space in Big Blue
• Xtra camera batteries, charger and wide angle lens
• air out tent
• contact youth hostels, possibly get Hosteling International membership

Things I already did or got:

• Road Trip Guides, this one rules
• Tent
• Sleeping Bags
• HD Camcorder
• Dog & House Sitters
• General Idea of route we’ll take

Hello world!

So here it is: Our journal for the road!  We have exactly 3 weeks until D-Day. There is so much still to do and plan. Even though I promised myself not to go crazy, the excitement is taking over. Wish I was already on the road.