‘Stir crazy’ is an early 1900’s term that was used to describe unbalanced people who have been incarcerated for far too long. While I’m not in prison, I feel as though the last six months have been relevant in many ways. Sometimes the feeling comes and goes, and other times it’s only a feeble-stirring – but not this time. The feeling has grown the past few weeks and I can’t quite seem to take control of it. I’ve come down with quite a case of Pruritic Peragritis (the dreaded travel itch), and I can’t seem to refocus my mind elsewhere. I find myself on Google maps everyday, creating new and interesting itineraries – that only if I could afford to jump in my car and take off right now, then I probably would just leave! ...I still might.
     I obsessively research and create routings for trips through the southern and western parts of the U.S., with some spanning from Mexico all the way up to Alaska, and then a few that run along the east coast of Canada and the United States. If I could pick anywhere in the world to go right now, I would start in Spain and continue on with my European trip routing that I had researched a few months back. But the amount of money that that trip entails is far greater than a local continental road trip.

     Today is Eye & Pen's birthday! It's been quite a year for me and the blog. I've witnessed countless miracles and had so many amazing experiences. I actually only realized a couple of days ago that it had been a full year since beginning out on this literary venture. And I know that I wouldn't be where I am without you and your wonderful support! So, I thought about it for a bit and decided that the best thing to do is to flipflop the gift giving tradition and give back to you by offering my coach/design, management and planning services on sale! Again, thank you for your support – I'd be a lonely blogger, only writing for a few friends and family... ;-)
          -Brandon Elijah Scott
 

     I’ve noticed that I’ve become a bit dazed in life. Most days I’m stuck in a numb reverie, like I’m just going through the motions, just for the hell of it. I wasn’t created to become a drone, but that’s the effect of what the past untraveled six months has had on me. I understand that the majority of people go through similar spells from time to time in their own lives, and I also know that some people follow alike path, forever – with no thought of living an unconventional life. But it’s just not in my blood to sit still and be governed. I’m an anti-lemming, out to help forge a new path, and that path has come to be known as ‘the route less traveled.’ The whole ordeal that I’ve had to deal with the past half-year has put quite a damper on my spirit and my drive – but unlike most dumbfounded individuals, I know and understand my dreams and my goals, and I’ve realized how to achieve them. It’s not something everyone can say, but I know my direction. So from this point forward, I will be taking steps to right my path and focusing on getting back out there – out into the world, where I can feel freedom once again. My first step today was purchasing some of the items that I would need as if I was leaving for a trip next week. For the sizable trip that I have planned, there’s plenty to plan and to organize before I setting off. And it’s about damn time for me to get my head back in the game. (Alright, alright. I think that’s quite enough of my cliche phrasings)
(Photo by Trey Ratcliff)

     This past weekend, a good friend of mine had a birthday and to celebrate, so we drove out to Cleveland. It was a typical cold winter day in Ohio, with a few snow flurries. Our first stop was to the Ohio City market district – a few block part of town that has plenty of creative boutiques, breweries, markets and some nightlife. The roads of the multi-block area were mostly closed off due to the Brite Winter festival that evening, but all of its shops and restaurants were open for business. We parked and quickly ran inside the Great Lakes brewery to inquire about tickets for their free tour and the receptionist said it was either we went right that second (as a tour was about to begin) or we had to wait five hours for the next opening. So, Steve and I jumped at the opportunity and shortly we were off.

     I sat down with the lawyers yesterday and was questioned for nearly three hours, which took care of most of the uncertainty. I have to say that in the end it was necessary - and although it was a bit stressful, I did just fine. However, I’ve been informed that the judgement is still up-in-the-air, because of two avenues that the insurance company feels they can exploit and twist to fall in their favor. No matter how honest and cooperative you are, you can still be left out to die. As I’ve said before, it’s a sad world that an innocent victim must go through hell and back – pay for assurance and even then, still be stolen from. If that ends up happening in this case, I will pursue it as far as I can! And if I’m denied for what’s rightfully mine, I believe the same crime of theft had happened to me once again. Because that’s exactly what they’re trying to do. It’s quite ridiculous when you pay a price for a promise, yet there are plenty of secret little loopholes that let others act on selfishness and with bad faith, to simply fulfill their own greedy intentions. I hope and plead that truth and good comes out of this situation – I’m praying for all of those who have been and are involved that they will see what’s right and act accordingly.

    Well, tomorrow is the day of the final step (or so I hope) in my current circumstances caused by a robbery in Puerto Rico. After dealing with awful treatment of ‘bad faith’ from my insurance company for almost six months, I must complete an in-person Evaluation Under Oath (EUO). I’ve been as cooperative as possible through the entire process, constantly submitting whatever it is that they ask for, however I’ve been treated badly, as if I’m to be the ‘bad guy.’ I don’t understand it – I don’t believe insurances should be allowed to treat poor victims however they wish. I understand that in some cases, some claims are falsified and they have to invest that type of thing. But when there are fellow-victims, police reports, photos, proof of loss and more, there’s no reason to put an innocent victim ‘through the ringer.’