Ruby's 4th Birthday Party - October 2016

This is what happens when you park your bus outside during your daughter's Star Wars 4th birthday party. It becomes a a really big toy for them to all play with! Oh well, it made a great picture. Happy Birthday Ruby! I love you more than you will ever know.

Rebecca Carter - Purvis, MS - October 2016

Rebekah Carter is the child of a family friend of ours. She was over at the house the other day for Ruby's Birthday party and really wanted to write in the bus. I told her that she could absolutely write in the bus! This bus is for everyone, not just adults. I am honored to have had her leave her mark in Virginia!

Chris Maul - Lakeland, FL to Hattiesburg, MS - October 2016

I don’t need the world to know my name; it doesn’t matter if they did.

I don’t need to leave this small town, don’t matter where I’m at.

I’ll be alright, with or without the things I’ve been searchin’ for.

I don’t need to pay the credit due, no there is none.

Cause I’m happy being me the most, 

When I let what makes me happy go,

And I’ve finally learned what I need to know,

I am happier with nothing.

~ Scott Avett Untitled #4

I just realized that I have not done my personal Virginia Whiskey report. This may take awhile, so either stop reading now or endure the torture of a 40 year old’s dream to have a VW Bus.

You see I relate my life to chunks of time that I consider “resetting points.” We go through a number of the points in our lives, but most of us never realize that we’ve even “reset” ourselves. Most people just go on their daily routine, maybe they do a small reset and keep moving on. I use to be that person until recently. Maybe I’m having a midlife crisis or something, but I look back on the past 40 years, yes I sad 40 years. Have I really been alive that long?! Anyway I look back on this crazy life that I’ve lived and I think of the moments that rest me.

My list of RESET points through my life:

Daytona Beach, FL (where I was born)

Lakeland, FL (where I grew up)

Combee Elementry

Moving from 1234 Reynolds Rd

Carlton Palmore Elementary School

Mrs. Gunter’s class

Space Shuttle Challenger explosion

Moving from 1315 Glenview Ln

Baseball

Brevard College

Rock Climbing

Marijuana

Melanie Bedenbaugh

Southern Miss/Hattiesburg, MS

NK6

Sig Ep - Frat life

Flunking out of college

9/11

Solitude

Tour Life

Back to USM

Graduating from Southern Miss

Marriage

Marathon

Teaching and hating it

Ruby

Jenny’s depression

My depression

Ironman

Teaching and actually loving it

Wanting to walk away…

Finding out…

Realizing that Jenny and Ruby are what makes me who I am, and that I need nothing else but them to be happy.

Buying the bus

Michael Simmons

The Avett Brothers

Alcoholism

MUSIC!!!!!!

When I first started this list, I was going to write about each topic. That was before I realized that this list was going to be this long. What I did realize while compiling this list is that there are a number of resetting points that make us who we are. There are both good and bad points of my life listed here. The high and the low points are what have made me who I am today, and I would not trade any of them for anything. I am sure that the list will keep growing as I age. Hopefully for the better, but I am prepared to see what the next chapter for this book called life has in store for me.

I am so glad that I followed my dream of buying this bus and fixing her up. She is a few years older than me, and I wish that I knew her story. I plan on sharing a lot of stories from the road with her. I am looking forward to creating new stories with Jenny and Ruby in Virginia. I also plan on posting a few stories by myself with Virginia. Time to let this old girl reset herself and start back over. We look forward to meeting new friends and invite you all to leave your mark on Virginia. We will catch you on the road….

I am happier with nothing...

Elizabeth Magee from Hattiesburg, Mississippi - September 2016

Everyone please welcome Miss Elizabeth Magee to the Virginia Whiskey family! I’ve been looking forward to her coming to write in Virginia for some time now. Elizabeth is a graphic design major at The University of Southern Mississippi, and one of the most artistically talented minds that I have ever met. She is a free spirited, imaginative, coffee drinking, vinyl loving, kick ass t-shirt designer who also shares my passion for the Avett Brothers. Oh, and not to mention, she is one groovy chic. This gentle soul just spent the past six weeks in Seattle, Washington doing missions for Serve Seattle. I’m sure that there were lives touched and changed just with her presence. Thank you Elizabeth for taking a little time out of the busyness of life to leave your mark on Virginia and help create her story.

Me, Elizabeth and Virginia

"The nature of the road you're on let's me see your skeleton well before your life is done." - The Avett Brothers

Christina Herrin from Columbia,MS. - July 2016

Everyone meet Christina Herrin! Christina was one of my students when I was a High School geometry teacher. Christina and I bonded over the love of some good old hippie music. She graduated last year and is currently enrolled at Pearl River Community College. Go Wildcats! I hope to see you around campus Christina.

 

Me, Christina and Virginia

"Take these broken wings and learn to fly." - The Beatles

Virginia's First Photoshoot - Fraternity Collection - July 2016

Today I was driving home from the lake when I was flagged down by a car full of girls. I had no idea what to expect when I got out of the VW. They asked me if they could use my bus to do some photos with. They were out doing a photoshoot for a local line of clothing. I said, "Absolutely!" Here are a few of the pictures that I took of the girls signing the bus. 

"Don't Worry, Be Happy."

@fraternitycollection

Thanks for stopping me ladies! I'm glad that you got to leave your mark on Virginia!

Sadie Shannon - Minnesota 2 Mississippi - June 2016

Sadie is originally from Minnesota. She moved to Mississippi to go to College at William Carey College. Sadie went on to the University of Alabama for her masters degree. Sadie now lives in Oxford Mississippi where she in a theatre and speech professor. Sadie is my wife best friend.

The Shannon Family
Kyle, Nolan, Sadie, Sam and Megan (Sadie's Sister)

Sadie's Prayer:
"Dear Lord, Please keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth. Amen"

Megan Magadanz from Chisago,MN - June 2016

Megan is from Chicago, MN. She moved here to Mississippi to attend college in north Mississippi. She will be returning to Minnesota next year to finish her degree. Megan is like a little sister to my and my family. We will miss you Megan. Always remember what I told you. The sky is the limit. We are proud of the woman that you have become. 

Me, Megan and Virginia

"The sky is the limit."

Jenny Maul from Hattiesburg,MS - June 2016

This is my beautiful wife, Jenny. We met here in Hattiesburg, MS. when she attended William Carey College. She went on to get her masters degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. Jenny is originally from Magee, MS. 

Me, Jenny and Virginia.

 "I'd voice my pain but the change wouldn't last. All that comes here, it comes here to pass."  The Avett Brothers