Off Through New York State Westward-Ho Toward Chicago!!!

Hello Again,

After heading out from Massachusetts I headed back through NUMEROUS tolls that again took all of my money! Damn you TOLLS!!! But alas I could not be stopped in my journey west toward Chicago where I would embark on a cross country trip through the air, back to Pullman, WA and my 10 year Reunion for my Professional Business Fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi!

I got a late start but shot across NY state and despite some more nasty weather I hit Niagara Falls on the US side where I stopped for some time to take in this National Treasure! When I arrived there wasn't much going on! I had to ask some random strangers directions to the falls as all I could see coming into Niagara were some rapids and a large body of water rushing some where!? After getting straightened out to some degree, I headed toward the falls where I was almost, literally, BLOWN off of them and into the water below! The weather had grown horrid since leaving Massachusetts and I had already been blown all over the freeway on my way through! The pictures I took really took my breathe away although they could do NO justice to what I experienced personally! Despite the inclement weather and getting entirely soaked through, I stayed there for what seemed like forever, taking videos and pics from multiple angles! This was truly another great highlight of the trip and I took full advantage of it! I wanted to go to Niagara Falls-Ontario, Canada across the way as well and take photos but it would have taken awhile and besides an additional photo-op there wasn't much else that I could see besides tons of casinos and I had Las Vegas in my future so I decided to move on!

South-Westward bound, I headed down to Buffalo, NY where I took in some more great views of the city and was really taken back by it! Of course it is well known for some of its sports teams including the NEWEST, Terrell Owens stop on the NFL bandwagon, the Buffalo Bills along with the Sabres in the NHL and some other great colleges as well! The city itself was Super Industrial and that was something that I wasn't as prepared for, though really I had no idea what to expect in Buffalo, NY! I took some photos but there was construction everywhere! Roads, freeways, factories, everything! It did look to me as if Buffalo had been hit hard by the economy and recession but it also appeared to be doing everything it could to work with that situation! I wish I could have stuck around and seen more of the city but it was a good first impression and experience! Thank You Buffalo!

From here I continued to head down to Cleveland, Ohio where I looked everywhere for Drew Carey from the "Drew Carey Show" as well as "Whose Line Is It Anyways" another personal favorite of mine and of course who can forget his current role hosting "The Price Is Right!" I love PLINKO!!! ;) Unfortunately, Drew was no where to be seen and so I continued on after taking in more of the local sports stadiums for the Browns and Indians! (Turns out he was in Seattle, being a part owner of the Newest MLS Soccer Team, The Seattle Sounders which are kicking some tail in the league after their inception!) I absolutely love Soccer and have played it off and on for 17 years of my life! But I digress...

I continued on through Toledo taking photos and doing my thing before settling in Maumee, OH! Pronounced "Mommie" where I decided to shout to the world that very same phrase and city at the top of my lungs as I entered town! People probably thought I was a bit weird (understatement) but it was a chance I decided to take! I really liked the area and the Motel 6 (which I am UN-Officially sponsored by!) was awesome!

After a relaxing evening in and trying to catch up on photos/blogs/etc. I headed out to Indianapolis, IN where it had become my destiny to see the Heritage Center and all of its hard working staff in person! I headed out and dealt with a few more mini-storms before making my way into the city!

I arrived at the Heritage center and met up with Brother James Maher! I really am UBER-Thankful to James for taking the time that he did to show me around the Heritage center and all of the history behind our great Fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi! Please take a moment to again add me as a friend and check out some of that history and great shots of where we came from and how we got to be where we are today! It was such a highlight and I have James and the rest of the great Heritage Center staff to thank for this experience and great memories! You Guys Are Awesome! Unfortunately Mr. Epperson, CEO was unavailable due to a Dentist's visit! I don't know about you but using the scales of justice to weigh opportunity costs, lets see... Meet The Mack VS. Sit In A Dentist Chair And Get Work Done!? Hmm... It was ok though and I hope I get the opportunity to meet you Mr. Epperson in the not too distant future! Hope the visit was worthwhile and not too painful too! ;)

After spending what turned out to be a few hours, I met everyone including Jess LaNore who is a fellow Cougar who graduated shortly before I was there! We took photos and I was very impressed with the Cougar memorabilia in his office! Keep up the good work Jess and keep rockin' and supportin' those Cougars!!! I hope I see you again soon perhaps at Convention along with all of the others! We then celebrated Administration Professional Day with the staff there, took some photos you can see on Facebook and I even bought some additional merchandise on the spot which is something I would highly recommend anyone and everyone to do online if you can't make it to the Heritage Center yourself! While there, I got a new pin which was nice as I had one from 10 years ago when they were much smaller and now I could really REPRESENT when wearing it in the business world! I also got the newest designed sweatshirt which was Blue/Gold and printed on although it looked like it was sewn on! Great idea and a Great sweatshirt! I love mine! Lastly, I found my original registration certificate with AKPSI when I first founded the Beta Lambda chapter at Washington State University! The fraternity doesn't complete these in this format anymore and it turns out I was one of the last ones to complete it before the change! This was an amazing discovery and I now have a copy of it for my own memories and took some photos with it as well!

I left Indianapolis, IN and the Heritage center some time later in the afternoon after thoroughly thanking everyone for their hard work and dedication to the fraternity! What a time I had, so many new friends and brothers met! Big Props to Mr. Maher, for your kindness, dedication and support while I was there! You made my visit one I will never forget and are truly one AMAZING Brother! Now it was time to realize my destiny in Chicago, IL and bring together the powerful forces of two brothers with Immense Passion and Dedication for AKPSI and all of our brothers worldwide! What a time I would have in store for me in Chicago! Stay tuned for more verbiage on this great adventure and the "professional" wedding to come!

Interesting Tid-Bits...

1. Back tracking a bit, in Massachusetts, local liquor stores have the right like most liquor stores to REFUSE service to any patron for nearly any reason! When I was in Massachusetts, I was not asked for my ID but when I offered it voluntarily, I was told to put it away and that the employee had not seen the ID. I was confused but was asked whether I had seen the sign outside. I said no, and was told that the Management reserved the right to refuse service to anyone outside the great state of Massachusetts as there apparently had been a ton of issues with fake ID's from other states! I was luckily still able to buy some merchandise and gifts while there however and learned a valuable lesson... "If you're passing through Massachusetts, and are from out of state, DO NOT give them your ID unless asked!" And then make sure your picture looks like you do!!! ;)

2. I actually had my gas pumped for me like they do in Oregon which was quite strange! I still have never been able to feel comfortable or get used to it!

3. There are a lot of towns/cities in New York state including Rome and Poland, NY!? I can't count the number of times while driving around the country that I felt like I was in another country besides the USA!!! Craziness!

4. Painesville, OH...Definitely NOT stopping there! Mentor City, sounds like a great place to work!

5. Indiana...Is the Crossroads of America!

6. Unfortunately since it has been some time between experiencing everything and writing about it I have definitely let some things out but this will no doubt come back through reflection in the days, weeks and years to come! What a Time!!!???

Sincerely, Mack