They end up owning you

Pulling together all the items one might need for an extended overseas trip is a huge pain the ass. Every item feels like an awkward three-way tug of war between bulk, comfort and giving enough of a shit to get in the car and go find the damn thing. So far, I've managed to procure an out of date travel book (I haven't read) a camera (hasn't arrived yet) and Thai lessons (I can't understand).

Of all these items, I'm most fond of the camera. Possibly because it's shrouded in the hazy glow of Amazon SuperSaver Shipping Anticipation. To tell you the truth, I think I'll be quite happy with it once it arrives, too. After quite a bit of research and procrastination, I told The Internets to ship me a Canon PowerShot SD1100. For the sane people of the world who can't keep up with the 3000 different models of digital cameras out there, I'll sum up what this one does:

• Small enough to fit in a pocket.
• Takes realistic photos.

Yep, that's it. I'm sure there are other cameras that do that too but I'd rather not weed through the 2999 other cameras to find my digital soul mate. It won't matter.

When it comes to photography, I'm a complete dolt. I've never taken a good photograph on purpose. I'm not being modest or putting myself down just to prove a point. No. In order to take a good photograph on purpose, one must actually be able to have some sense of WHAT a good photograph IS. I've never had that. I might take some time out on this trip to read a book or two on how to capture a good photograph. If I was organized I might even do so BEFORE leaving on this tip. But I'm not that together or focused. There's still a lot of stuff to be found before I can rest on my laurels and start reading.

Stuff I still need:

• A cheap but reliable backpack to put everything else in.
• A few things for my computer
• Decent traveling clothes (can I get those when I arrive?)
• New shoes
• An ultra portable/ultra cheap computer
• Portable external hard drive
• Leatherman
• Rosetta Stone - Thai edition
• Tech books for self study

Not a huge list but there's definitely some important stuff on there. I'm curious how much shorter it'll be in a week.

Engage!

Dear God, what have I just done?

That’s the feeling I have right now, after telling my boss that August 15^th will be the last day I work in the Computer Mechanics Lab at UC Berkeley. For years I’ve had a nice, well paying job with no firm assignments, flexible hours, huge floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Berkeley hills (plus a balcony), amazingly smart and genuine coworkers to learn from and a terrific hands-off boss that has advised my work, gotten me into and through a prestigious master program, let me take time off to go to any class I wanted and get exercise at lunch. He’s even taken me fishing a few times.

And I just told him that I’m leaving it all.

Wait, what?

Yea, and that’s not all. If all goes according to plan, I'll also be leaving my amazingly cozy and bright apartment. The best set of neighbors I could ever wish for (they’ve become great friends). Hell, better than Kramer could ever be. A dear friend down the street that I love and who loves me. Best friends in the city who might not be here when I return and--

Whoa, whoa, whoa partner! This is getting a bit dramatic. Let’s turn down the drama-o-meter a bit. I realize it’s the first blog entry but let’s not blow the top off the emotions. Ease into it. Something simple. Try again.

It’s official! I’m gonna’ be a traveler for a while!