Tomorrow, I'll travel south to the Mexican border.
First stop is McAllen, Texas. Then it's on to Brownsville.
While there, I will be documenting what it's like to be in the home of the largest immigration detention center for boys 10-17.
The goal is to find stories that bring the national issue closer to home. Friday night, I spoke with a Tulsan who just returned from protesting in the border city. Maybe there are more down there.
I'll be traveling with fellow writer Jennie Lloyd and political cartoonist Peter Bedgood. I look forward to sharing whatever they create while down there.
We'll celebrate our nation's birthday amongst those who disagree with government policies and those who work to uphold the law and the administration's policies. We'll also be with those who are going about their daily routines amidst the craziness.
I'm looking forward to the experience.
Now on to some other things.
A few months ago I started re-reading Anthony Bourdain's "Kitchen Confidential" for the third time in 15 years. The first time I read it I was in college. I loaned the copy to someone and it was gone. The second time was about eight years ago when I bought a Nook. It's one of two books I read on it.
Bourdain's travel shows are what hooked me. I obsess over the episodes, and a lot of it was due to his writing.
Even as I've re-read his first book, I can clearly hear him saying the words.
There are times when my heroes slip into my writing. There are literary gods who have inspired me and taught me a lot about writing just from reading (and studying) their works. Bourdain will always be one of them.
Nearly two months ago, I wrote a story for Tulsa People that is just now hitting newsstands and will soon be online. I briefly mentioned it in the blog about "Tim Time."
The lede to that story was without a doubt Bourdain sneaking into the copy. I haven't seen the final version of the story, but this is what I originally wrote:
There are those among us who are wired a little different. If you’re reading this in a coffee shop or bookstore, glance around at the other people in the room. They may look like normal people, but appearances can be deceiving. You could be reading this at your desk. Be warned there are some in your workplace. If you’re sitting on your couch reading this story, beware there could be one of them in your house. It may even be you.
There are those who are not content with the simple joys in life like neighborhood bridge night or monthly book club.
While some rely on a leisurely walk, meditation or a massage to relieve stress, others look to amp it up. They need to push the limits to escape the stresses of everyday life.
They like to press the gas pedal a little harder. When they fly commercial for a business trip, they glance out the window and imagine falling back to Earth. For them, roller skating isn’t for couples, it’s for trading elbows. They’re not content fishing with a bobber when they can use their hands to grab a fish out of an underwater hole.
They are adrenaline junkies.
If you go back and watch any of his episodes of "Parts Unknown," you'll maybe notice how he delivers the intro. It could be because I was in a deep binge of his show at the time, while reading his book that I can hear him in those words. Even returning to the above text today, I can easily hear that distinct narration.
Maybe you don't hear it, but I will always will.
I'm really going to miss what could have been down the road for him, but I'm damn happy he opened my eyes to so much and inspired me to keep seeking experiences.
When I walked the streets of Philly, Detroit, Chicago and New Orleans, I often entered rougher areas by choice. I talked to locals in restaurants and bars to learn more about their cities. it's Bourdain who helped fuel that desire. I've been to Detroit twice and want to return again. I love New Orleans.
It's also another reason why I'm going to south Texas tomorrow.
One more note on Bourdain: His instagram stories were among my favorites to watch. He'd often record a scene his hotel room or the view out the window as one of his favorite songs played. Often punk music.
I'll be posting on Instagram and Twitter throughout the next four days and then plan to do at least one post a day.