I’ve returned from California in one piece and returned to my bunker beneath the grid patterned streets of Philadelphia where one does not need to worry about earthquakes or flash floods. I have returned with only a single regret, but one I hope to remedy when I return to California in the near future. I have told the story of my trip in two parts, and now all that remains to be done is to finish this travel log and end a chapter in the history of not only Re:Generator, but of KK4. Thus, I recount my last days in sunny California.
The sixth day began in earnest, Ryan slept later than usual and I took the oppertunity to write the previous travel log. I showered and dressed myself preparing to jump ship to spend the last days of my trip with Monika. Ryan made breakfast, if I recall correctly it was pancakes and eggs. Unfortunately, do to conflicting schedules Ryan was not able to spend the day in the desert as he had planned and would also not be able to attend that evening’s meeting of Re:Generator writers. in the mid-afternoon we left for the desert and made good time. Along the way Ryan and I chatted about various subjects as his time as my host and tour guide came to a close.
After calling Monika for directions we pulled up and she came out to greet us. I shook Ryan’s hand, and thanked him for all that he had done, and the hospitality which he had shown me and he left. Monika invited me into her home and I took my bags inside and introduced myself formally. I then relaxed at her home before she took me on a driving tour of the desert. After driving for some time we stopped to get something to eat. While we waited for a table to open Monika and I browsed the selection of a nearby Borders book store. After our meal we went to a Von’s Grocery store to buy cupcakes and soda for the evening’s meeting of Re:Gen writers. Despite my best efforts there were no cupcakes with pink frosting to be found.
After purchasing goodies Monika took me to the home of our editor Robert and Sam where I once again formally introduced myself. My first impression of Robert in person was that he was extremely calm, reserved and intensely intellectual. Simply put, Robert is far more intelligent than I am. We spoke for a short period of time while the other writers, Jess and Isaac arrived. Then we left on foot to a secret location for our meeting.
Although I don’t recall being sworn to secrecy I will not disclose publicly what was said or the location of our meeting, but we had cupcakes and sat around a round table like the Legion of Doom. After a few minutes it became apparent to me that I was the least talented and the dullest Crayola out of the Re:Generator box. Re:Gen business was finished and we escorted Jess to her car… although my fellow writers were making far too much noise and compromised their positions far too many times to count… and then returned to Robert’s home where the rest of the writers spoke long into the night about subject I was sadly ill-informed on. Then Monika and I returned to her home where we hung out in her living room before it was time for her to sleep and I left her to rest.
Day seven began with me awaking and wondering where in the world I was and why I was unarmed. After a few moments I remembered that I was on vacation and was staying with Monika. The morning was peaceful and after showering Monika made a delicious breakfast of French toast, Sausage and peaches for the both of us. We then pondered what there was to do, and I decided I wanted to go see Joshua Tree National Park. We departed early and the weather was stormy with rain falling in the desert as we left to go on the freeway. After driving about an hour and a half we arrived at the park and drove into it. The park was beautiful, but foolishly I had forgotten my camera. Monika and I walked through the Cholla cactus fields, saw several interesting rock formations, chatted and climbed a small rock formation sitting a while to take in the scenery. Unfortunately, due to the risk of flash floods many of the trails had been closed. Although I didn’t go as far as I would have liked in the park I was happy with the scenery I was surrounded by.
After leaving the park Monika took me to a roadside restaurant and bar which she went to with her family when she was a child. After a delicious meal she then gave me a tour of the surrounding area which was an old film set. After walking around together for a short amount of time we returned to the car and drove back to her place. Upon returning since I was unable to make up my mind as to what we would do next Monika decided to watch a movie. The DVD player sound wouldn’t work so she toyed with it for a few minutes, and as I am not a fan of Adam Sandler films she put on Requiem for a Dream, although I was uninterested in the movie at first it drew me in.
Our evening plans were to see Sam and Robert at their place once again, but prior to that Monika wanted to pick up ink at an art supply store. Sam and Robert however had other plans and would be unable to see us at that time so Monika and I decided to go to the movies to see Pineapple Express. The movie was very, very good. Monika and I were very entertained. Following the movie we met Sam and Robert at their place and chatted for a few hours again. The hour was late, and I was hungry, so I asked Monika to take me to an In-and-out burger for something to eat. Since she was not hungry at the time I ordered food for one and ate it in the car on the way back to her place.
Unfortunately, I could not sleep that night and after waking at 3:30 in the morning I sat alone in the dark with my mind racing as it often does. I laid down again around 5am and managed to sleep until 6:30 when I was awakened by Edgar, one of Monika’s kittens, sleeping on my head. I played with the kitten for a few minutes and continued to lay there for a few more hours until I got bored. Thus began day eight, my last full day in California.
I don’t remember exactly what time it was when Monika woke up, but after speaking with her for a few minutes I went to get a shower. Later after she had gotten showered and dressed she made another delicious breakfast for the both of us. After breakfast I could not decide what to do and the both of us sat in her living room in intense silence. My mind was still racing from the night before and it was driving me mad. Finally, I decided that I wanted to go to the art museum.
We entered the museum and due to the luck of KK4, which I had been attributing all of my good fortune during this trip to, the museum admission was free that day. Monika and I first looked at the sculptures. I didn’t tell her this, but I really was not impressed by them at all. Following which we looked at paintings by DJ Hall which were simply amazing in their attention to detail. I was very, very impressed by those paintings. Following which Monika and I went to look at the Frida Kahlo photograph exhibit. Before leaving the museum we glanced briefly at an exhibit of old celebrities where I commented that I didn’t know who any of them where and was scolded by Monika for not knowing who played the girl in the Wizard of Oz movie.
After the Museum Monika needed to get a coffee and we went to a coffee shop where she ordered some type of iced soy milk coffee drink and I ordered an iced tea. We then chatted for a long time about various different subject and her interests. After hanging out in the coffee shop we went to eat lunch at a local Mexican restaurant, Los Casuales. After lunch we returned to Monika’s house where she began to outline a painting and I took a nap. When I awoke I saw her applying ink to a penciled outline of a Coy. After a few minutes of watching across from her I sat beside her and watched her closely as she worked. I watched her over her shoulder, trying my hardest not to interrupt the light with my head, and asked her an unending string of questions. I lost track of time watching her paint, but then we had to go to Robert’s home to pick him up.
Robert was leaving for Portland with a flight leaving from the same Airport I was leaving from and at about the same time. It was decided that it would be easier for Robert to stay the night at Monika’s home and have her drop us both off at the airport.
We arrived at Robert’s home and chatted with Robert and Sam once again for a few hours. Since we were all getting hungry it was decided that we would go to Denny’s for food. It was my first time at a Denny’s and I will NEVER go there again. I am sworn to secrecy not to discuss the subject of our discussion at Denny’s. We then returned to Robert’s home where Sam and Robert said their good byes. When we returned to Monika’s house, she and Robert watched clips from Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life while I fell asleep on the couch. This was the end of day eight.
I don’t know what time I awoke, but Robert was still asleep and Monika was in her room listening to music after she had continued work on her painting. I laid there in the dark knowing that this was going to be the day I had to depart and wishing I didn’t have to go. Regret filled my heart as I wanted more time, there was still so much I wanted to do… and I had squandered so much of the time I had unwisely. I laid there and cursed myself until the Robert’s alarm clock went off and he woke up.
We packed into the car and traveled to the airport. Before exited I thanked Monika for the hospitality which she had shown me and said a few other things before I exited the car. Robert and I unpacked out bags from the bag of Monika’s car and said our last goodbyes before she left for LA. Robert and I then said goodbye and entered to airport. After checking my luggage who do I see but Robert, it seems that fate had decided not to make us split just yet. Robert and I walked in the airport while he got a banana and left his change on a table in the airport, a move I still find questionable. We then braved the TSA security screening before having to part at the entrance to the flight gates.
Alone I went to my gate and waited. I sat there thinking until it was time to board the plane. I took my seat in the back, the second to last row, the view from my window obscured by the engine of the plane. The flight took off and I managed to sleep for a the majority of the flight. I arrived in Dallas hungry and searched for food I wanted to eat and which would not kill my wallet. After buying a cranberry juice I sent Robert a text message asking a very pressing question; “why don’t they sell Guns and Ammo Magazine at the airport?”
After waiting I boarded my next flight, the flight which would take me home to Philadelphia where there were grid patterned streets, tall buildings, and my bunker. on the second light I tried to sleep but it was extremely uncomfortable. I had hit my knee on Robert’s desk the night before and my knee was throbbing in pain. The plane landed and I waiting for my baggage, after which I hailed a cab to take me home. However, the cabbie got lost and I had to give him directions as to where to go. For his foolishness I made him drive through the heart of the ghetto where I could tell he was gripped by fear.
Later that night after arriving home I heard from our own Ryan Jovian and began to conspire my next trip to California which will not come soon enough.
Thus, my trip ended and I returned to Philly again to resume doing KK4 stuff and writing for Re:Gen.
I would like to publicly thank Ryan Jovian and Monika Molluska for allowing me into their homes, feeding me and taking time out of their busy schedules to entertain me. You two are great and I cannot wait to see you both again. I would also like to say thank you to Orlando, Sam and Robert for allowing me to hang out in their homes and also for the kindness which they showed a ski masked stranger who lives beneath twenty feet of steel and concrete in the greatest city ever conceived by the minds of man. For all the others I have not mentioned so you remain innocent and anonymous thank you. I will return to your state and hope that when the time comes that I can repay the kindness which you have shown me in full.
