I just heard that Pope John Paul II has died. This was an amazing man. After escaping Nazis in Poland, he studied in an underground seminary, earned his Masters and Doctorates in Theology and Philosophy. He could speak eight languages, loved to ski and act and was an all-around good guy. I learned a lot about him when I was younger, and was really saddened to hear that he died. I hope the next Pope is strong in leadership, as I don't think Catholics have ever faced the kind of tests they have recently. Times have changed, and while the church has given little flexibility, both "worlds" can still exist- they just need a strong leader at the helm. Here's hoping.

Anyhow, on a much lighter note: Hello from Richmond! I've been back for a few weeks now, and haven't yet caught up to updating the site here.

My blogs from the road didn't include many photos because I was travelling to the point of exhaustion. After spending the day in a city, learning and exploring about all I could there, then driving to the next city (which was anywhere from 3-12 hours) I was too exhausted to take a few extra hours sitting in front of my computer to report on all of it. Over the next few days, I'll probably start adding photos into those blog entries.

I did update my LEGO blog. I started a new project, but have stopped at a perfect stopping point so I can work on more portfolio items. I may pick up this project again or just leave it here. Not sure yet. Learn about it at peer2all.com/lego

I also updated my map to include highways I've driven in the past two years. Check out peer2all.com/globetrotter to see where I've been in this great country of ours!

Somewhere in there, I turned 27. My birthday was a great time. I wanted to go to dinner with friends and hang out a bit afterwards. Michelle came down from Maryland and joined the gang for a big dinner at Kabuto's and then drinks and pool at Richbrau in downtown Richmond. I had an awesome time, and really enjoyed those Long Island Ice Teas. Holy hell. I even got up to the dance floor for a bit. Too bad I wasn't allowed to wear my cowboy hat up there.

Olivia also recently had a birthday. Happy birthday, Olivia! :-)

Our work in Mike and Lauren's attic is really progressing well. I've been mainly focused on the electrical work, and to date have installed more than 50 outlets, switches and lights in the various rooms that will comprise the coolest attic in Richmond. We've been focused mainly on getting things ready for drywalling, which begins this coming Saturday. I am confident we'll be ready. There is just a bit more subflooring to do before the toilet and sink can be installed in the bathroom. It's neat to think about because a few months ago, that space was just a junk storage area.

I had plans to travel with my dad to Florida to get my brother Mike from Law school and move him back up to NoVA. That trip was cancelled (at least, for me) at the 11th hour, when I learned that I had a major research paper to write for school and wouldn't be able to manage to do it from the road. I had to send Dad off without me, and he and Mike were back safe and sound later that week. I busted ass on the paper for two straight days and earned a full 200 out of 200 on it. I was pretty proud of that, considering my professor was quite strict in requirements and sought to nitpick many of our projects and assignments. Yay me!

I took a trip to Nova on Easter to see my family and then visited with my brother up in New York. Dan took me and Mike to his Casino and we even got to see a quirky tourist attraction, the world's smallest chapel. It was in Syracuse where I got an opportunity to see hundreds of Canadian Geese migrating- they were in enormous V-patterns all over the sky. I finally got my camera out after hundreds had flown past already, and managed to get this shot of them trailing through the skies. Amazing.

I don't quite know how they manage to remember precisely where they grew up after having flown from Canada into the United States, but somehow they always end up where they started. I guess even the most seasoned of travellers always knows where home is.

My brothers and I also started sorting and scanning old family photos. We raided the 1980 album and got started scanning the first batch of photos. This album featured trips to Disney World and Busch Gardens. Mike was still an infant, and I wasn't much older. (Apparently, I dug Mickey Mouse back then too)

It looks like I have no choice but to take my former employer to small claims court to get my final paycheck. He has been stalling and avoiding me, and it's been two months now without the money, so I am out of options. I filed with the VA dept of Labor and Wages, but they denied my claim, since I had a contract (employee agreement) that he was clearly in breach of. Essentially, I have a slam dunk case, and it's a matter I have to take up in court. It still sucks though, because I have to do the legwork just to get what's owed to me. He shouldn't be allowed to get away with this kind of thing. It's stealing.

I missed an opportunity this weekend to work on my buddy's vineyard. He's been blogging about the pains and adventures of farming, and it has been fascinating to read about the calculations one has to make before jumping in to plant some grapes. I'm really proud of how well they've embraced this and run with it. Considering it's a Mackey project, I had no doubts to begin with. Still, I was bummed to miss the post-hole digging (no. seriously.) but had to hang here at the homestead to work on taxes. I'll be busy next weekend and won't have time to get this done.

So here I go- Tax time.