Let's Try This Out

Hey all, 

So here it is - the only blog you'll ever need. This will be the best way to keep track of me while I'm away in other parts of the world.

First, a disclaimer: Based on past travel experience I'm not real good with scheduling time to communicate in the midst of all the other things I'm sure to be caught up in. I hope that this blog will help remedy that problem - that it will provide me with a relatively low maintenance way to keep you all updated on me all. But there's a certain possibility that blogging will be just another medium for neglect. If this is the case, please accept my sincerest apologies, and rest assured that I told you so.

Anyways, here's what is up with me between now and when I leave (August 30). I'm working on getting my stuff together (physical, mental, emotional, etc.) while drastic changes loom for all of my family members. This time last year, my mom told me "Nothing ever stays the same." That seems pretty accurate to me, so let's all try to take these changes as they come. 

I said my first round of goodbyes today to various cousins aunts and uncles. Things sure seem real once you start saying goodbye. Everything takes on a curious nostalgic quality, makes you start to miss everything, regardless off its importance. On the drive home, I found myself going all soft over everything from much loved family, who I really will miss, to the mediocre folk music artist I'd never heard of who's NPR interview special provided soundtrack to my thoughtful drive. For me, its a sort of feeling that can run rampant if unchecked. So what I'm working with is trying to feel as completely as possible my feelings for those parts of my life I truly care about, while dismissing the fairly absurd and newfound sentimental attachments that arise to such things as Washington license plates.

Similar scrutiny should be paid to feelings of excitement. If I don't watch out, I get really enthusiastic about an "India" which cannot possibly exist as I imagine it. Its surprisingly taxing trying to monitor and evaluate moods and thoughts like these, but I think its also very important to force myself to think and feel realistically. If I let every goofy thing become dear to me at the same time I envision my coming travels as increasingly fantastic, I'll end up torn apart about leaving, and set up for harsh disillusionment once I actually get to India.

Anyways, enough narrative of my inner negotiations. I'll probably write again before I take off, say goodbye and all that. I'm planning to do my best with keeping this thing updated and full of pictures. But I do have fear of being over-connected while I travel, that too much of me will try and live back here while I need to be present elsewhere. And I am a terrible photographer. 

Oh, and if you have important communications for me, I'd say friendlyneighborhoodsasquatch@gmail.com is the best bet. I can't predict, though, how well I'll be able to keep up with personal correspondence. 

Thanks for all the support!