Day 80 (Wednesday, August 30)

I worked on my AP summer portfolio today. I am hoping to get a few more good images to add and replace into the portfolio. It seems as if I have been busy for the past three months, doesn't it?

The work schedule was light. I worked on my portfolio and researched some stories online. It's time to start thinking about a new photo story.

After work I ran home and got my stuff. I had an evening flight to Orlando, Florida, where I was picked up by Walter from Around the Clock, who drove me from the airport to Vero Beach.

The flight was painless and it allowed me to fix up the Chicago journal. I have been so caught up w/ my Elvira Arellano story and hanging out w/ my good friends that I have been slacking off.

I am sorry to all of you who constantly keep track of me by reading the journal. I have been selfish, enjoying all these cool things Chicago has to offer and not sharing w/ y'all. I promise I won't slack off again. At least for a while.

Getting picked up by Walter a the airport was cool. I've always seen the drivers w/ the last name of their customers waiting by the luggage claim. I guess I never thought I would see someone carrying my last name, waiting to drive me somewhere.

The two-hour drive w/ Walter was fun. The elderly man told me about his life growing up in Long Island. “I hated the Dodgers,” he said, when asked about which was his favorite team while growing up in one of the New York Burroughs.

We talked about a few things, including the differences between New York and Florida. At a pretty old age, Walter keeps his driver business running while traveling an average of 300 miles a day.

I finally got into my hotel at 1 a.m., which was perfect timing. I have a scheduled appointment tomorrow morning starting at 8:45, so I guess I have enough time to get some sleep and get ready for the meetings.

In the meantime, I am back in Florida. Just the way I left it – wet! Tropical storm/hurricane Ernesto, went by w/o a worry. But it sure came through w/ a lot of rain. I miss rainy tropical days in Florida. It was always a good time to go jogging. It feels good to be in this state again.

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