Dave Ford Does Earth

Posted by Dave Ford

My first beer back in the United States with a very healthy Dave Binck in Miami, Florida

I just officially finished up a fantastic bender that lasted for 2 1/2 crazy weeks. I did not realize how many people I knew, nor how many people I would be sharing alcoholic beverages with over my first few weeks back. My problem is that I still have to see a lot more people.

Nevertheless, the bender has officially crashed into its final resting place in the history books of the life of Dave Ford. Starting tomorrow I will be moving into a new, incredibly ridiculous place in the heart of Federal Hill (Baltimore) and will become a real person and productive member of society once again.

Actually, that last statement is probably not entirely true. However, I will be actively blogging and that is the most important thing.

A lot has happened since my last post in Colombia.

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BELOW ARE MY THOUGHTS______________
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ON DRIVING FROM MIAMI TO MARYLAND….

I first flew into Miami to meet and drive my good friend Dave Binck back to Maryland. I ll be living with Dave and BV show in our ridiculous spot. Its going to be crazy good times. Dave appears to be fine after the attack that almost took his life 3 months ago (see mid April Bolivia posts for the full story). For me, its been great hanging out with him steadily for the first time since college. We are all really excited about the next couple months.

The Wafflehouse plan was doomed from the get go.

On the drive up Interstate 95 (Runs from the tip of Florida to Maine) we attempted to eat every meal at the southern US roadside restaurant “the Waffle House”. Among other things they boast to be the worlds biggest seller of Tbone steaks. Well, our plan ended after 2 meals, 200 miles, and two sick guys named Dave.

Sidenote: Wafflehouse is NO BUENO. Although their employees are very friendly.

For the duration of the trip we towed his Mini van (my new car) and Volvo Station wagon the entire way. Therefore we only drove at 55 miles an hour. When we finally got to DC we realized that the hitch was not properly attached. This was ended up being really, really dangerous. We really could have died.

Note to self: For 1000 mile trips driving at 55 miles per hour is not the best idea.

This is a pick of the two chick magnets that we towed for the 1000 mile haul from Miami to Maryland. The tow bar connecting the two cars was incorrectly attached by a stupid Miami U HAUL representative.

Note to God: Please help my friend Dave avoid situations that could kill him. Me too for that matter. Thanks God. Peace out.

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ON 4 AMAZING DAYS IN NEW YORK CITY…

I went to my good friends John (John traveled with me for 1 month in March)and Christina’s wedding. It was in Central Park in New York and was pretty much the best wedding I have ever come close to being invited to. The band was fantastic. The dancing was ridiculous and non stop. Furthermore and most importantly, I fulfilled my goal of not becoming “that guy” at the wedding. At least I think and hope that I fulfilled my oh so very important goal. On second thought, I was probably that guy.

This is the only picture I was able to take before my camera died. It does not come close to doing the wedding justice. It was spectacular.

Sidenote: John asked me to speak at the rehearsal dinner and frankly I crushed my speech. My services are available at any and all weddings for a reasonable amount of Vodka and Soda.

While in NYC my friend Jessie took us on a fantastic Bike Tour through the Big Apple. If you are in NYC be sure to spend a day riding through the streets. My friends company is www.Bikethebigapple.com. It was such a great day.

Unfortunately I still look like an idiot on a bike. Some things simply will never change.

My friend Daddio, Benny, and I on the Brooklyn Bridge

My friends Mark and Natalia from College rode tandom. Natalia was the team photographer and took all the pix.

Big props to my very good friend Ms. Deb Rigor for putting the BV show and I up In NYC.

I thought that the above picture was the only one I had of Deb until I found this one of Deb, The BV Show, Myself, and “the Nuge”. The Nuge also put the BV show and I up in the NYC along with my good friend Bryce who is not pictured. Thanks guys.

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ON HOW EXCITED I AM THAT FOOTBALL IS STARTING…

I am in two fantasy football leagues and had two crazy fantasy football drafts to accompany them. My teams are amazing and I am ready to dominate immediately. Fantasy football drafts are in a nutshell, awesome. What is better than 12 guys drinking and making fun of each other for an entire day. Good work to my friends Donny and Dave Hill for setting up the two draft parties. Football starts this week and our new place is in walking distance of the Baltimore Ravens Stadium.

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ON MY HAIR…

I got my haircut. However, it is still the giant Afro you grew to love. Its just a little bit tamed down.

Here is the before shot from my first night back in DC.

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ON MY JOB…

I have started caddying again at Bushwood Country Club. Its a very, very exclusive private course in Baltimore. I will be writing about the caddy yard. The personalities and stories of some of these guys are just two good to not write about. Remember this equation: Caddy=Crazy. I am getting my balls busted at the country club about my hair. However, I refuse to cut it.

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ON HOW AMAZING MY FRIENDS ARE….

For my first two weeks in Baltimore I have been living in a beautiful house in Downtown Baltimore with my amazing friends Steve and Wendy. Their patience and gratitude are more than appreciated. Luckily, it appears that I am leaving in just the nick of time and will not have to be forcefully ejected due to “Bender of all Bender” problems.

Thanks so much Steve and Wendy, I love you guys. I mean it. True, Real, Beautiful Love. Mucho Amor para mi Amigos. The kind of love that only comes when a friendly couple takes in a derelict world traveler and tolerates his knocking over of absolutely everything he came in contact with in their beautiful home at all hours of the day and night. Whenever I settle down and get a place you will be the first invited and allowed a free one hour knock everything over party at 4am in the morning.

Sidenote: I frequently spill and knock over things… It can be a problem.

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ON THE FUTURE…

Africa planning has commenced and its really, really exciting. After visiting the Egyptian exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC I have decided that I will be going to Cairo first. The exhibit at the Met blew our minds. If you have not been there, GO!

Myself, The BV Show, and my good friend Mark Cullinan at the Egyptian Exhibit at the Met.

A one month cross US-Canadian road trip is in the works pre-Africa starring Dave Ford, Dave Binck, and possibly my extremely Italian friend Matt Daddio. Im thinking NYC, Boston, Upstate NY, Chicago, Montana, Colorado, Las Vegas, Seattle, Vancouver, Portland, San Fransico, LA, San Diego. If you live in one of these areas and happen to be a friend of mine, please know that I will be on your doorstep sometime this fall with a giant backpack.

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NOTES…..

>I will be keeping the blog steadily going while I am home. I basically still feel like I am traveling. I am sure there will be enough action between my job as a caddy and my living situation in Federal Hill to keep these posts more than interesting.
I am really happy to be alive. Damn it its awesome to be back. Please tell your friends if you like this thing.

>While I was away in South America my wonderful mother filled up two giant binders with my blog entries. Pretty crazy stuff. I have to turn this thing into a book. My mom rocks.

> I want to wish one of my best friends Rob Ignozzi good luck and a safe journey while he spends the next 3 months traveling through sunny and exotic Baghdad.I would also like to apologize to his family for letting the cat out of the bag about his “surprise” going away party.

Note to self: Read Evites in their entirety.

> Check out the “what my friends are doing link” in the top right hand side of web page. Some of my friends are doing some really cool, creative stuff.

> I can now add polls on the blog. Its also on the above right hand side of the page. Vote and let me know what your favorite post was from South America. I am just trying to get a gauge. The 4 I selected are where I saw the most significant spike in readership.

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