It’s past one a.m. and I was supposed to be on the road in five hours. But let’s get real—who the heck can drive for ten hours on five hours of sleep? I’ll go when I go, and I’ll get there when I do.
It’s past one a.m. and my room is still cluttered with crap. But then again, I have never packed up and left somewhere on time. Hell, I’ve never been anywhere on time—as my mother always says, “Laura, you were born late.”
Late. But late for what? I’m about to embark on my second across-the-country move in four months; I’ll have no job when I get there and my “plan” to get one has as much premeditated thought as an impulse buy at the grocery store checkout line. I am late, and as far as I’m concerned that’s okay. I am always late—being early stresses me out.
I’m scared, I told Asa last night. This is going to be quite an adventure.
That’s not fear, my dear, he said. That’s excitement.
I’m starting all over again and there is nothing more exhilarating than possibility. New Mexico to Utah; Utah to Idaho; Idaho to Oregon; Oregon to wherever. It’s all very exciting, but, of course, when I’m excited or nervous (and who am I kidding? They are one in the same) it is all I can do to lie down and close my eyes.
And so it goes. It’s past one a.m. and I’ve got miles to go before I sleep.
25 responses so far ↓
1 TimsHead // Sep 21, 2005 at 1:43 am
It’s rare to see the words exhilarating and exciting in the same paragraph with Utah and Idaho. But you have my respect. Not only would I be overwhelmed by even driving five hours on ten hours sleep, but your adventurous spirit impresses us all. Good luck!
2 sunshineboy78 // Sep 21, 2005 at 1:54 am
how late do you think you’ll be? 2 weeks late? We’re going to AZ for thanksgiving
3 soleilseven // Sep 21, 2005 at 3:06 am
New York was definitely my adventure destination. Everyone needs to just take a plunge and start new. It’s like a new life right in your lap. Believe me, you’ll have more fun and learn more than you’ll ever know.
4 rubyblue123 // Sep 21, 2005 at 3:12 am
Not only are you starting a new adventure but you’re doing it with someone you love. That makes it so much less nerveracking and so much more fun!
5 jaki_o // Sep 21, 2005 at 4:03 am
Heck, I’m excited for you. I’ve always wished I could start a new adventure, but there always seems to be something in the way. Haven’t started over since college. Sigh. But on the other hand, I do like my life, so I shouldn’t complain.
Basically, I’m jealous of you!
6 TrinityOne // Sep 21, 2005 at 4:14 am
Yeah, I’ll admit it. I’m jealous of you, too! I would love to just pack up and leave for some place new. Maybe after I get done with this round of school I will do just that. Good luck!
7 TexasAlan // Sep 21, 2005 at 5:01 am
When you get to Pocatello, Idaho say “hi” to my dad for me!
8 x_defying_gravity_x // Sep 21, 2005 at 5:56 am
Sounds like fun…You know, I must say that I envy your ability to follow your heart and move where you want when you want. I wish I had that kind of spontinaity. I worry too much and would never go somewhere unless I knew exactly where I was going and what I was going to do when I end up there…Maybe one day I’ll be able to do that…BTW, if you ever come up to BC, come visit me!!!
9 thinlizzy17 // Sep 21, 2005 at 6:04 am
It’s an adventure! I hope the trip goes well and the Tracker makes it. And I hope Chelsea likes Oregon.
10 visitamanda // Sep 21, 2005 at 6:45 am
Though it may not alleviate your fears per se, for what it’s worth Portland is hands down one of the most fabulous cities in the world and Oregon as a state is just as grand.suggestions: visit the Alphabet district for fun boutique shopping and the best bagel’s ever (Noah’s Bagels). And for a good adventure on a sunny day day, go a little way north toward Vancouver, WA but head for Stevenson, WA and explore the tributaries to the Columbia River… there’s some awesome cliff jumping and swimming
11 stacij82 // Sep 21, 2005 at 7:19 am
I, too, am jealous. Big plastic trash cans on wheels are the key to fast packing [make sure to duct tape them shut though]. When will I take the sage advice of my blogging idol and get the hell out of my new Dodge? May? June? Ack. Oh, the agony of responsibility and no self-control/budgeting skills…
Hi to everyone in OR for me!
12 Jay_galk25 // Sep 21, 2005 at 10:52 am
That read really beautifully
. Your Xanga is such a treat my love.
Jay (I wish I knew how to quit him) “Rawr”
13 StigmataMartyr42 // Sep 21, 2005 at 3:57 pm
Impulse buys at the checkout line? I do that all the time, especially the rocher chocolates that come three in a pack and an ice tea or green tea or something to drink. Always. Never tabloid mags or anything.
That’s awesome, moving like you are. I’ve done that a few times, picked up and left from Michigan to California and back three years later. The first time I was going to California, I planned on going to sleep early and waking up early and leaving as the sun came up, but I couldn’t sleep and got up after tossing in bed for two hours…then I left at exactly midnight. I made it all the way to Iowa before I decided to get some sleep in a little motel. I made it to California the next day. My record is getting to Las Vegas in about 30 hours, just by myself. I love roadtrips, by myself because I can listen to the music that I want! ha ha ha
Good luck with the drive and everything else!
14 colette_and_moi // Sep 22, 2005 at 12:10 pm
Oh geeeesssshhh. I was supposed to drive from Chicago to Southern Indiana on Tuesday to visit Pnickel. Talk about late!!! Actually I got sick so couldn’t really pump myself up for a 6 hour drive. And now I’m just trying to recover.
So what’s next for Chelsea’s mommy? So many options…
15 frank_the_fish // Sep 22, 2005 at 1:16 pm
Invest in Red Bull… lots of it
16 trcs // Sep 22, 2005 at 8:01 pm
Welcome to Portland! Or at least that’s where I assume you’ll be when you read this… hope you made it safe and sound and even had some fun along the way. How did Chelsea hold up on the drive?
17 Rod_Lamour // Sep 23, 2005 at 2:00 am
It’s 6:45 AM ,a little Bruce is playiong in the background,steam rising from my coffee….I am reading this wonderful ,beautifully written Blog of yours. You are perfection my Dear….fly on Angels wings…..have a great time….this is all fodder for your wonderful writting talent. call when you can….Love Un Joe
18 chicagoartgirl23 // Sep 23, 2005 at 2:43 pm
Wow–”that’s not fear, my dear, that’s excitement.” How great is that?!? It sounds like dialogue ripped from the mouth of a character from a Tom Robbin’s book! Spectacular advice. I hope your travels are going well & I’m sure that this trip will reveal amazing things for you (now that/i> sounds like a line of dialogue ripped from a fortune cookie).
19 perfectsymmetry // Sep 23, 2005 at 8:40 pm
20 KiylaaJem // Sep 24, 2005 at 3:59 am
Good luck and everything. I hope it works out for you! It sounds quite interesting.
21 StigmataMartyr42 // Sep 24, 2005 at 8:32 am
Are you in Oregon yet? Probably. Just wondering how the drive went. I love drives. Take care and please give your opinion on the topic in my Saturday xanga entry. Take care!
22 VirtuallySane // Sep 25, 2005 at 9:15 am
Hope the move is going/went well! New starts are always exciting, no matter how often you move
Sketchy London landlords!
Ryc: long story, but the landlord owns the flat we live in and doesn’t actually live in the building… so it’s our maintenance fees he’s been failing to pay, hence the chance that we may get screwed in the deal and evicted, despite the fact that rent from the tenants here has never been even a single day late
23 Gnarlysurf // Sep 25, 2005 at 1:08 pm
You know you ought to come to Delaware. It’s umm….well….well at least you can shop tax free.
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24 momsahippiechick // Sep 26, 2005 at 10:44 am
so, did ya leave yet?
25 Gabe_Real // Sep 27, 2005 at 5:26 am
Positive Vibes Through and ThroughTake care of you.Gabers