Tuesday was my father's birthday.  He turned 68.  This would be a great place to insert some biographical notes and mention my feelings towards him but maybe a bit too much off the intended topic.  Just know that my dad is great person, part of the first generation of our family to migrate to this country and build a home and a life in this 'brave new world' that is America.  I am proud of my dad and couldn't imagine a life without him nor do I want to.  ANYWAYS, at 2 am. Wednesday I knew there was cake in the fridge so I journeyed to the Laundry Room where a fridge holds articles which don't fit in the kitchen refrigerator.  The Laundry Room has many things scattered about the floor; things like gallons of bleach and detergent, empty buckets and utility towels.  I had cake in the mind so I was unwary of anything else.  I was just about to open the fridge door when BAM!!! my left foot kicked a two gallon bleach container.  Actually, it was more like the smallest toe on that foot kicked the bleach.  It hurt like a (matriarchal expletive).  I think either the nail was pulled off it's root, or it was pushed in so hard it stabbed down onto the flesh of the toe.  Whatever happened to it, it was bleeding.  I took the picture above Wednesday morning about 5 hours later.  Today, thursday, the nail is still intact but I don't think conventional shoes are going to 'feel right'.  So I am not going to do my normal routine that is go to the gym and use stand up eliptical trainers.  This in a way gives me a chance to take a vacation from myself.  Myself being the guy with the routine.  So what am I doing today?  Walkabout!  I am going to hop on my bike and trek to Santa Monica Beach.  I will take along a camera, tripod and a wide angle lens.  The intention is to have no purpose and in that sense of no-direction connect with myself.  I must admit that I do have in mind a tree lined street in Beverly Hills as a good subject for a picture, so I am not completely sans itenerary.  But for all practical purposes, 'sono in transito senza destinazione'.  And that's okay!

Got lemons, make lemonade.

Travel related words used in entry: migrate, journeyed, vacation, walkabout, trek and transito.  I love when you encounter travellers from other countries who tell you they are on 'holiday'.  It sounds so much nicer than 'vacation'.