California is Nice

I made it out of NYC. Barely.

Due primarily to my own procrastination (but also to everyone's need to "get one more beer before [I] go"), I was packing, shipping and cleaning right up until 4pm the day of my 6pm flight. Factor in USPS stupidity ("You can't mail that box. It has a corporate label on it." Oh noes!) and rush hour traffic and I ended up making my plane by about 30 seconds.

It's great being the last one on the plane. Everyone is seated with their bags stowed and nothing to do but stare at you as you walk down the aisle, sweating profusely from stress and the jog from security. "Hey everybody! It's me, the asshole that's had you sitting here for the last 10 minutes! How are ya feeling this afternoon?"

Whoa. Tough crowd.

On the plus side, California is nice and not having a job in California is fucking fantastic. I'm still working on those previously alluded to details, but preliminary results seem to indicate that quitting my job and fleeing NYC was the best idea I've had in years.

An Introduction In Brief

Christ, it's another fucking travel blog. Is this an item on Stuff White People Like? If it isn't it should be.*

Briefly (as per the post title): I have quit my job, am in the process of getting rid of my belongings and will soon embark upon a journey through Central and Southern America of indeterminate route, duration and (most importantly) purpose. I intend to use this blog primarily to provide travelogue style updates for my friends and family, but also as a forum to tackle some larger questions.

Why have I so completely up ended my life? Was it a good idea? Is it possible to travel without falling victim to the cliches and stereotypes that drive SWPL? Does this look infected?

Details to follow.

*Oh, yeah, they've got me covered. See for reference: travel, taking a year off and promising to learn a new language.