Justin Mitchell dot Net

UK, France, and Spain

JustinHoMi — Thu, 24 May 2007 10:18:11 +0000

Now that we’re in a country that doesn’t block my website, I can finally update my blog! To sum things up, we flew into London, went straight to Paris via train, chilled there for a couple days, trained down to Cote de Azur (The French Riviera) and stayed a few nights in Nice. While there we visited Cannes (the Film Festival was going on) and Monaco (2 days before the Grand Prix – bad timing!). On our final day we hung out in Nice (which is very… well… nice). Then we took the train to Marseille (kinda boring…) and flew into Madrid. Last night we wondered around a little, and this place is really happening. People are up all hours of the night. Tonight we plan on going out and being spaniards for the night. If we’re lucky we’ll see a bullfight tomorrow, then we’re flying to Rome!

Anyways, here’s a link to Michelle’s blog, for more detail on what is past: http://mrs21.blogspot.com

Also, here are some pics: http://new.photos.yahoo.com/justinhomi

I’m hoping to move all the pics to my gallery (link above) soon.

Updated Site, Leaving for Europe

JustinHoMi — Thu, 10 May 2007 22:23:19 +0000

Whoaa! After years of a black & white website with no flair, I’ve decided to go hi-tech. And yes, technically is is still black & white, but it’s a prettier black & white

So, next week I’m leaving for Europe. I’ll be there for a month! That’s really the reason I souped up the site. Hopefully I’ll be able to write from Internet Cafes while I’m out there. I also plan on keeping this map up to date, which will detail where I’ve been, and where I plan to go! There will also be pictures in the photo gallery.

Anyways… if all goes as planned, but next post will be from the other side of the world!

The Fall of the Gnat

JustinHoMi — Wed, 13 Apr 2005 03:59:36 +0000

One of the reasons I like the new apartment is that we rarely see any bugs. I hate bugs… especially spiders.

The other day I came across the rare gnat. Normally, I’d swat him and be on my way, but this time was different. Being that I’m no longer used to killing the ordinary gnat, I felt some compassion for this one. No reason to kill him, so I let him be.

Well, bedtime was approaching, so I figured I’d take a quick shower. I turned off all the lights, except in the bathroom, and naturally came across the apparantly scared-of-the-dark gnat. He was in the bathtub. I knew he wouldn’t enjoy the water, but I was going to take a shower regardless of whether or not he’d be happy. It’s my apartment anyways. So, I turned on the water, and watched the gnat simultaneously cling to two walls in the corner. I had a temporary spell of compassion, and figured I’d open the shower curtain to let him out. I pulled the curtain all the way to the wall, blocking off the water. He was too frightened to flap his small wings, and didn’t budge. I suppose the bug’s natural instinct is to hide in a bush, plant, or tree until the downpour has ceased. Not much I can do to fight that. I continued my shower, and the bug stayed still… until I made a fatal mistake. I lifted my arm. “Ahh! Shrubbery!,” the gnat squeeked (in his best monty python impression), and he raced full-throttle towards my armpit. Well, I have natural instincts too. When a gnat, or any such bug, heads for my armpit, I instinctively snap my arm closed. OK, you’re thinking “Gross, you squished the gnat!,” but my arm-closing reflexes are beyond that of a normal being, and I managed to close it before the gnat came too close. He was OK, I was OK. Well… I was OK. My arm had been blocking the water, and as soon as I closed it, the tsunami engolfed the poor gnat, and took him to his doom.

I really feel responsible for this gnat’s death, although I’m not sure it could have been prevented. I guess, if I wasn’t so self-centered, I would have let the gnat rest under my arm. Was it my natural instinct, or his, that led to the fall of the gnat?