All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 1996 by Norman Aragones
Note: Everything here is a true account of my life, (as far as my swiss-cheese memory can tell) but for the sake of avoiding annoying legal issues, I have made small changes in my descriptions of several events. (Don't worry- for the most part I've changed names to protect the innocent and the really naughty. ;)
Around the beginning of May, 1996, I had finally decided to get my own personal internet account. Up until then I had always been able to go 'surfing' by using the facilities at my job or at my friends' homes, but my net addiction had finally grown to the point that I needed my own account to stay at home for any amount of time. :)
Just at that time, My mom (and about a million other people) received a disk of free internet software from GNN, with a deal for a "free month" online. Normally, my mom would have tossed it aside, but sensing an oppportunity, I grabbed it, and convinced her to try it for that 'free month'. Naturally, I made sure that I was the one to log dozens of hours on it, searching the net for the best service providers I could find. I finally got one which offered unlimited access across over five hundred dial-up sites across the country.
You see, by then I already had an inkling that I had wanted to move out, possibly far, far out to some other locale. And at this point, I needed to make sure I had some relatively inexpensive means of keeping in touch with everyone back at home. E-mail is far more affordable than long-distance calling.
I had downloaded all the software I needed and had received access to my internet account just as the GNN month was coming to a close. I called GNN up, and voided my mom's subscription the day before the month expired and she would have been billed. With internet access at hand, I began amassing my collection of site addresses, e-mail folders and newsgroup FAQ's. The road to my departure had begun.
What you can do, or dream you can, begin it; boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
It wasn't too long after that when several computer opportunities opened up in California, and I was longing to make it out there. At the time one look at my nonexistent bank account was all it would take to remind me how stuck I was in New Jersey. So I pacified myself with surfing the net, posting on newsgroups, and watching Babylon 5 with my friends.
It was after one such 'Babylon-a-thon' when I was discussing the wonders of instant electronic communication that a friend of mine managed to catch a really good idea before it flew right by me. Everything that has come out of this, is thanks to her. And for that, I am forever grateful.
My post on rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated pretty much sums it all up.
Hey Everyone!
I am planning a cross-country road trip around the beginning of July. I currently live in New Jersey, and am moving to northern California to work at a new job. Up until last night, I was bemoaning the expense of the two-week trip until a great friend of mine goaded me to try out the idea of meeting new friends and like-minded individuals on the way. So here I go...
"I haven't yet decided the actual route yet."
As I told Theresa (wonderful woman- pain in the butt sometimes, but she's more than worth it.) this, she goes,
"Why don't you get on the Net you love so much and stay with them? It would be a lot cheaper, not to mention a lot more FUN, and you'd have great conversations with people you already have something in common with!"
I balked.
"What!? But I don't know these people! They don't know me! They'll probably think I'm some mass murderer or something! I can't just-"
"Sure you can. You already know you all have something in common you love. As for their fears, YOU have the ability to soothe them. All it takes is less thought, and more courage. That's why I'm here. (she smiles) I'm here to stop you from thinking too much, and (grabs my throat happily) to get you MOVING! So get on your computer and let everyone know that you're a decent, kind, and mostly well-adjusted human being. Then you can ask to stay over. When will you do this by?"
"Umm, you sure about this?"
"Do you want me to continue strangling you?"
"I'll do it tomorrow. (I smile back at her) Thank You."
(She smiles back, and hugs me instead)
"You're Welcome."
So here I am. So in keeping with my promise to her:
"naragon" stands for Norman Aragones, who is in reality a 24 year-old native of Piscataway, New Jersey. I completed my studies at Rutgers University three years ago, in Computer Science and Psychology. Since then I have gotten jobs in both fields, gaining both experience and a better sense of what I *really*(smile) want to do with my life.
In that time I have gained, lost, and regained a set of friends whom I would trust the quality of my life with. Both Theresa, and her boyfriend Frank, are a part of that circle.
Outside of work, and people I love, my hobbies include (obviously) Babylon 5, storytelling/ absorbing ecclectic fiction, surfing the internet, eastern cultures/philosophies, and the quality of life in general.
I hope that this has relieved any fears or suspicions. Mind you, I am not asking to freeload or intrude into anyone's life or home. I am taking with me all three seasons of Babylon 5 on tape, and am completely willing to offer an evening of viewing, chats about the show, and even (gasp!) treats to dinner (will offer to split costs with parties of 4 or more) as a compensation to anyone kind and gracious enough to welcome me into their city and town.(One consolation of the rerun season is that I won't agonize over missing an episode during this trip!)
So there it is. I know I'm taking a big step posting this, but so is uprooting myself and relocating to another coast. So why not go all the way? If JMS has the cajones to make something as gutsy as Babylon 5, I figure I can dredge up some courage myself. If any part of my post resonates with you, or speaks to you, then please e-mail me back. Any help or even helpful information will be appreciated.
I posted that message on the Babylon 5 newsgroup, expecting to get some 'flames', or annoying retorts. Instead, within the first few days, I received two messages! The friendliness rattled my habitual cynicism.
The first came from Allen Jeffrey Grier, in Michigan.
When will you be in the Ann Arbor, MI area? It's probably about an 8 hour drive from where you're at, so it might be a good place to stop.
Unfortunately, you'd have to sleep in the living room or the computer room (the computer's fan is very soothing). I have an air mattress you can use. Ann Arbor's a nice town. You may want to stay a weekend.
(I figure this is a good karma thing. I may want to try the same some day. Unfortunately, I'll be hawking 'Get a Life' tapes, and so probably won't have too many replies :-)
Let me know when you're trip is so I can see if I'll be in town.
Al
The next offer came from Washington, D.C.
Interesting explanation of your plans munched...
Wow.
(Londo voice.) We have a lot in common, Mr. Aragones. (end Londo voice.)
I'm a storyteller (diligently pounding out a trilogy of novels... I'm on Chapter 3 of book 1...), a atheist/non-practicing Taoist, a confirmed web-surfer (check out my column on things web-like, Heaves and Peeves, on www.reno.net (under reno.net review)) and a hopeless B5 addict. I already have all 61 episodes plus the pilot ferretted away on tape, but I'm always ready to discuss and speculate.
I have a large, mostly empty living room for you to crash in for a day or two, and it sounds like it'd be fun.
Here's the catch, tho. I live in Arlington, VA, a suburb of DC. From a travel plan point of view, it probably doesn't make a lot of sense to come down this way. If you do, give me a call at 703-555-1212. Ken Jorgan
Ann Arbor was definitely in the right direction, but some of my episodes of B5 were pretty ratty, and Ken had every single one! Besides trading storytelling tips, going down to this country's capitol for the start of my journey sounded like a great way to begin! By the end of the day, I had also received offers from Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Phoenix! The course across the nation began to form. I figured, that if I was going to (finally) make a cross country trip, I might as well go all the way! So I began responding to all the offers, and sure enough, within a few days, I received their replies, as well as more places to stay!
Part of me was completely blown away. I couldn't believe that my post was going so well, and that the people I started communicating with were so friendly and cool! Far in the back of my mind, my cynicism mocked:
"Just you wait. This is just a big sham. You'll never make it out of Jersey. Your car is a mess, and you don't have anywhere near enough money to make a month's drive. The gas alone will be hundreds of dollars, and how will you pay for food? Outside of that, your family will freak, and mom will never allow you to do something this insane. Forget it. You're Doomed."
I felt a pang of despair; the urge to give up a bright hope against the harsh facts of reality. But then I remembered Theresa, and how she had already traveled to South America, Russia, and Bangladesh. I thought of my parents, who had made a 20,000 mile journey to this country, to begin new lives despite insane odds. And then a wonderful thing happened. I got ticked off at my own cynicism. Alone, in front of the computer, I spoke aloud.
"To hell with you! What good have you done me except to explain how I can't do anything! And what good is that?!? I will never accomplish anything by listening to you! Listen up, you annoying little coward of a voice. I don't care what problems or obstacles this trip will give me. I don't care what you have to say about them. I will manage every single detail, and I will make it to California, you hear me? And you, and everyone who sounds just like you, can go stick it!"
After that, I felt lighter and better than I had in months, and my practiced cynicism quieted down. Which was a good thing, because as annoying as it was, it was right. Now that the invitations were here and I had made up my mind to go west, I had to manage the money, fixing up my car, and convincing everyone in my family that this was a good idea.
That, however, is another story...
I hope you enjoyed reading this part of my journey. If you
have any comments, questions, or are interested in what is happening
with me currently, please e-mail me at
naragon@yvv.com.