The first step has been taken. On the 12th of April I will be starting. I’m pretty  unprepared, my pack is overweight, and I’m pretty scared. So this should be pretty intense on the “Leaving comfort zone” scale. I don’t want to be unprepared! At the same time I don’t want to be lugging around 50 pounds of unneeded crap.

Guess I’ll learn on the road. I’ll figure out what I need and don’t need. Right about now I’m wishing I was a boy scout at some point. I feel mentally unprepared. But I got safety measures. Some camping supplies. Some clothes. A few comforts. Worst case, I toss some things and pick up whatever I may need on the road!

Anyways, yep. Homelessness. Its pretty manageable when you’ve got plenty of friends to help you out. I just couchsurf from place to place. Seeing everyone before I go off on an amazing life changing adventure. Its freeing, too. I’m no longer working, allowing more time spent with my friends. I have money saved, and I’m not living the same grindy ‘go to work-come home-play on computer-see friends sometimes’ situation that was starting to really bring me down!

“How long will you be gone?”

“When will you be back?”

“Where are you going?”

“Don’t get raped!”

Lets clear the air here for all my loved ones reading this:

I don’t want to put a timeline on this. This can’t be rushed. If I find some remote town where I work at an amazing little place for a month or two, cool! Who knows what’ll happen! Gotsta gotsta gotsta keep an open mind.

I’ll be back later. Or, in internet terms: bbl.

I’m going anywhere and everywhere that might interest me. The Grand Canyon. Carlsbad Caverns. Hopping trains from east to west. The Smithsonian. Wherever I goddamn please. I am free to do what I please!

“What if you die!”

Its not a matter of what if. I know I’m going to die. One day. I figure its more of a “How will I die?” I’d much prefer dying trying to do something amazing than living a hollow life and taking no risks until one day it sneaks up on me.

So, there we have it. I love you all. Hope I can see you before I depart. 

My very first ride was a very interesting one.

Many moons ago, I had just gotten out of school around mid-day. I went to a tiny school just off the main highway and decided rather than ride the 6 hour busride I would simply hitchhike. I’ve seen people do it, how hard could it be? 

So we have little ol’ me, standing on the side of the road. I felt like an idiot, but it was interesting nonetheless. Being an avid people-watcher, seeing all the people pass by was half the fun. Some of them just look at ya, others avoid eye contact altogether. Others, especially the ladies, will shake their heads in fear and denial. I can only imagine whats going on in their heads, “NOPE NOPE NOT GETTIN’ MURDERED TODAY MAYBE TOMORROW BUT NOT TODAY!!!”

That’s okay. I never held it against anyone for not picking me up. I just smiled and kept on truckin’. 

Then, it happened. A big brown van with the windows tin foil’d and an aura of rape and murder surrounding it. Of course, my first ride and I’m going to die!

Well that sure as hell didn’t stop me, no siree! I wanted to get home already, damnit!

So against my better judgement, I got into his mystery machine. The inside wasn’t much better than the outside. Tons of miscellaneous items and objects in the back, a musty old smell, and a big dog stickin’ his head in between the seats. Needless to say my adrenaline was pumping. 

(Similar to, but completely different)

Then we got to talkin’. Turns out, this raggity looking guy with a scruffy beard, unkept hair, and a mean lookin’ face was a super nice, laid back guy who just wanted to help out a stranger and give some advice. He offered to smoke some weed with me, which I politely declined using the guise of trying to find a job. He smiled when I said that, and started talking about how to find work, what employers want, how to dress, and how to act.

We got to the bar in town, which was pretty close to my house, and said our goodbyes. 

On the walk home, it really hit me. This certified rape van owner was a good guy, and that people who would pick up a stranger on the side of the road are more than likely good people. I knew that this was something special I had. I would learn entire life stories and lessons from complete strangers. I’ve never been much for hobbies, but I just found a good one.