About Me
HEY VOLS (and FAT PHIL)........
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Hi, I'm Mark.....and I'm riding the train.......the GRAVY TRAIN.
I'm married and have two beautiful daughters, who are the sweetest things on this earth. I've lived in north Alabama all of my life, with the exception of the six months I spent at Fort Lee, Virginia. I'm shy and tend to keep to myself - it takes me a little while to come out of my shell. But given a chance, I can be funny and a very loyal friend. I stick by my friends all the way.
Beach Volleyball Crew - Petersburg, VA
Things I like:
Reading to and playing with my daughters, hanging out and talking with DX, working at Tate Farms pumpkin patch every October, the Olympics (or other similar events where nations compete, like World Cup, etc), going to Gatlinburg (TN), considerate people, volleyball, bowling, astronomy, tennis, billiards, white water rafting, canoeing, camping, playing the drums, reading, sushi, ice cream cake, roller coasters, going to the zoo or botanical garden, fireworks, travel, miniature golf, first-person shooter video games, Grand Theft Auto 3 and Grand Theft Auto Vice City, going to the movies, Jaws (the best Bond villain ever), Halloween (especially carving pumpkins - see my pics section), football, and ice hockey.
Things I don't like:
Rubberneckers passing by accident sites; Idiots who think you're a legitimate college sports fan only if you attended the university you pull for; Actors and musicians who use their opportunities of celebrity to bash government (I don't pay for a ticket or watch your shows to hear your political opinions - just perform, bitches); People who think they are an expert on every subject known to mankind just because they've done something like live overseas; People who pretend they are your friends and then stab you in the back - then when you call them out on it, they claim they didn't stab you in the back and then try to send one of your other friends down the river for their actions; People who act friendly to you just to get what they want, then when they get it you're nothing to them - until they want something again; People who respond to you with a totally smartass attitude (if you dish it out to me, expect to get it back); People who think it is their duty to thrust their unwanted opinions on you (no matter how rude) about your clothes, looks, etc.; People who feel that they must always be the center of attention; Kids and teenagers who don't respect their elders; Batteries not included; Any of the idiot asses in the following list - Michael Newdow, Michael Moore, "Chief" Ward Churchill, Cindy Sheehan.
My Travel "To Do" List:
My main goal is to visit all 50 states. I've been in around half of them so I'm well on my way. But while there are many more foreign places I'd like to see than I'll probably ever get a chance to see, here is my bare minimum list of places to see and things that I simply must do.
1. Australia - I would like to do any of the following:
a. I want to ride the Indian Pacific Railway from Perth on the west coast of Australia, via Adelaide, to Sydney on the east coast of Australia.
b. I want to ride the Ghan Railway from Darwin on the northern coast of Australia to Adelaide on the southern coast of Australia, right through the heart of the outback. This might be the best if I had to choose between the two because the Ghan passes through or in close proximity to Alice Springs, Kakadu National Park, Uluru and Kata Tjuta, and several other national parks.
c. Maybe a combination of the two - ride the Ghan to Adelaide and then pick up the Indian Pacific east to Sydney.
2. Iceland - yes that's Iceland with a 'C', not to be confused with Ireland with an 'R', although Ireland would be nice to visit also. I want to rent a car and drive the whole way around the outer loop road and take in the scenery. I love the cooler weather, and catching the aurora borealis while there would be the ultimate bonus. Plus a trip to the hot springs would top it off.
3. Hong Kong - OK, this place just looks so totally cool when I see it on television. I just have to go. The outdoor markets would be absolutely terrific.
4. Canada - specifically, I want to ride the Canadian Pacific Railroad from Toronto to Vancouver, making sure to stop off at Lake Louise along the way.
5. Los Cabos (Cabo San Lucas & San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico) - I need to get on down there and see Land's End and check out Cabo Wabo Cantina, maybe even El Squid Roe if I start feeling a little too crazy.
