Last night in Jamaica ...

On my last day in Jamaica, I was able to spend an hour on the beach and witness the setting sun which changed moods and colors every minute ... breathtaking.

Even when it's negative, be positive ... because that way, it's still better. -- Rasta man

Robert, the man "living with the street" who reminded me that Jamaica was heaven ... well, that everywhere we are at is heaven here on earth because it's such a gift to have life.

A view from Blue Cave Castle in Negril, just outside of my room.

Tony, one of the locals, who owns a small bar/restaurant just down the street.

After making it through customs on Friday afternoon, Bill met me in the airport and we made our way to the Blue Cave Castle in Negril, our meeting point, and started dicussing the logistics of the project at Sheffield school and the biodiesel at the Lucea fire department. Later on Saturday, I was introduced to many of the locals, and started familiarizing myself with the area. The best part of all of this, 70 degrees is the low for the day, and right now, I'm sitting in a tiki type hut, about 100' away from the ocean. Okay, so the internet isn't the greatest ... but seriously, I can live with that ...

Chicago -- November Style ...

It is much colder by the lake like the man on the radio says. After listening to a couple keynote speakers in downtown Chicago on how to implement green energy programs within your community, my friend Bob and I decided to take a quick walk about the city and photograph its vibrance. In all of my trips to Chicago, I had never actually been to the "bean." Yeah, it's weird, but mesmerizing, and most importantly, it makes people smile for some reason, and that's good, because no one needs a riot downtown.

Getting bigger ... and bigger ... and ...

Farley, Fall 2008

Friendship ...

Val - A friend made in Omaha, NE. October 2008

Some thoughts that have been helping me get through the past week...

The most I can do for my friend is simply be his friend.
- Henry David Thoreau

False friendship, like the ivy, decays and ruins the walls it embraces; but true friendship gives new life and animation to the object it supports.
- Richard Burton

When a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it.
- Edgar Watson Howe

A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.
- Grace Pulpit

He who loses money losses much. He who loses a friend loses more. But he who loses faith loses all.
- Henry H. Haskins

NYC

This was my first time to New York City, and I must say, it is very different than any other place that I've had the opportunity to travel. Simply put, this is an international mecca.

While walking down the streets, my ears tuned in to so many different conversations, accents, and dialects. So many different smells wafted through the air, and the food was remarkable, even from the street vendors. With all of the cultural diversity, this is definitely the perfect place for the UN.

There are so many different places that I didn't have the time to vist ... oh well, I guess that just means I'll have to go back :).