Hey Ben - I was breathing fine on the 15th - day one without a posting; slight shortness of breath on the 16th - day 2; and now on day 3 I'm feeling some signs of mild hyperventilation . . . Where ARE you??!! Ok . . . I'm calm now . . . just waiting patiently!!

"Black Rock" off "The Wanderer"... is this what you're thinking of?????
(nate(Iwork with laurie))

The black rock is where I spend my time
Writing a memory or writing a rhyme
Thinking about what is right or wrong

On the black rock is where I like to go
After a long night coming home from a show
And that's where I write my song, all day long, the black rock

Sometimes I just look around to take in the feeling coming out from the ground
But that's just something I do sometimes
And then I just step out the door to take in the wind coming off of the shore
And that's just what I'm doing tonight

The black rock is where I spend my time
Writing a memory or writing a rhyme
Thinking about what is right or wrong

On the black rock is where I like to go
After a long night coming home from a show
And that's where I write my song, all day long, the black rock

And when you are on your own, not speaking out is like fighting alone
And that is the worst damn way to fight
And when you are scared no more, reach your hand out and just open the door
And that's just what I'm doing tonight

The black rock is where I spend my time
Writing a memory or writing a rhyme
Thinking about what is right or wrong

On the black rock is where I like to go
After a long night coming home from a show
And that's where I write my song, all day long, the black rock

You're breakin' my heart . . . just call my cell phone - COLLECT !!!

Ben, I was envious when you told me you had visited Morrison's grave until I remembered that Old Jim is not really dead. He is working at a little bar in Montpelier named "Charlie Os" (thats Monpelier Vermont by the way) The person buried in the grave you went to is really some American-hating frenchman who was in the wrong place, at the wrong time. Anyway, as you travel to Italy I am reminded of a joke that used to crack your grandfather loveland right up......goes something like this........."you know why Italy is shaped like a boot ? because they couldn't fit all that s__t in a sneaker......HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE !! Have fun big boy, and disregard the idea I had about getting arrested in Turkey. I just saw Midnight Express again and the prisons in Turkey are not so fun.

I didn't know Amber was a French name! Ben do you have any idea(ball park) when you'll be making you way toward Italy ? Keep your socks dry.

Hey, Ben! I am guessing you went to a special July 14 celebration in Paris before you left - was that fireworks? And was it great?
Another random thought: when you have your tent set up sometime, have someone take a picture of you in front of it, okay?
Happy travels...sorry the phone card is so problematic....we miss you a lot but know you're having a great experience!
Love you loads,
Laurie

Aight i finished the post with a glitch that was not so nice but it is done...it could use some editing but they all prolly need it......and i added a final one for paris......i am off to toulouse to catch up with the little bike deal they got going on......again not sure when i am gonna get to put an update on so mother just keep breathing......you too vinny and wendy......and dont worry i am fine.....it is all part of the experience......the journey is the adventure.....ben

PS there is a chorus on a certain OAR cd that i wish i knew the exact words for.....it is a thought i thought i would like to address and i was wondering if someone ;-) could maybe get them off the third track......ty

yeh ur right i actually changed the name......amber is really anthony......and i didnt actually see any of those sites....i just took em out of a pre planned trip i saw in a store window.....haha.....but yeh i am headed to the train station to hopefully get a night train using a niffty little eurail pass to near the tour de france.......which is why i had to get internet pre train ticket to find out where they are at......umm internet is pricy at about 2 euro an hr......so maybe 2.75 in dollars an hr.....a medium size journal takes about an hr and a half........depending on how crazy the day was....ha.....but yeh they also have internet machines in a lot of the hostels where you deposit money right into the machine but it is like 10 or 15 euro cents for a minute......ie really expensive but also really convient to find out the weather or quick check of the email.....my voice is shot and i need out of this pricy town......til lata ben

Just for the record . . . Vinny's wife's name is Wendy too!!! Hey Benny - I delivered the last ebay item - the ham radio tonight. Met the guy at Wal-Mart and he gave me a money order that I will deposit tomorrow before Megan and I depart for points south to tour colleges. My question for the day is: How much do you pay for how long in an internet cafe? Love you . . . The Mom

okay.. first you taunt me with ambulances...then you don't finish your day with "amber", your killing me!! Sounds like you are doing well, keep it up, Wendy and i are enjoying your journal.

Just can't wait to read about the "cool ass day" you had seeing pretty cool stuff! Sounds like you're hitting your stride now. How was Eiffel at night?

well......where to start i wish i could post but time is presious today.......thank you so much stac and susan for keeping up to date......hope all continues to go well......umm i am still sick.....throat is good but nose is starting to clog up.......one of my typical did too much getting run down colds......but not to worry cause i had a cool ass day.....saw a lot of things had a good time.......hopefully i will remember it all to type out......must jet as i think i am gonna stay one extra night (and that is it i swear for paris) there is just so much to see and pretty cool stuff......so yeh i am off to see the eiffel tower at night......til tom prolly.....ben