Add in Action

I never did finish my last trip, did I? I wandered off into the bowels of my life and just never found time to concentrate on getting the information down or the pictures posted. I can still do that, another day. I can even add stories and pictures from my next trip, since it is coming up fast.

A month or so ago I was happily collating the ideas of five possible trips by the end of this year. They included Arizona, Reno, New Orleans, Toronto, and Chicago. I wanted to do all of them, but time, money, and dog sitters would not have allowed it. About two weeks later, none of the trips were actually happening and it put me into a bit of a, to use the professional term, funk.

Another week or so later, Late called me and decided she was going to get the time off from work after all and was I still willing to go? Yes, I said. So, with me on my computer and her on the phone, and her husband on his computer, we simultaneously booked flights to Tucson and even managed, with little planning, to sit together most of the trip. Had we booked when I was ready, we would have had non-stop flights to Phoenix for half the fare, but who is complaining? I am sure the airports in Dallas and Chicago will provide their usual entertainment. Last time in Dallas they moved our departing gate five times.

I try not to mourn the lost trips. Others will surely take their places at some point. Chicago was particularly interesting for me, but it was not to be.

Now, as anticipated, I am in full-blown PreTravel Freak Mode. I am not in the dance yet - that will probably happen tomorrow. I was trying a little while ago to pack. I figured if I started early, I could avoid some of the ADD issues that plague me when I travel.

No dice. As usual, I have been dragging all my favorite things out of the closet and threatening to donate everything else. I have at least two dozen shoes on the floor under the suitcase, waiting patiently to see if they will be chosen or not for this particular flight. I have recently been fitted with orthotics with the hopes of avoiding having my Achille's Tendons sliced, and I must chose shoes carefully. Contracted tendons indeed. What about pretty shoes?

Dog sitters are not entirely lined up, but almost. I have needed to accumulate approximately six people to cover for me for a week. I still have some gaps in time I am desperately trying to get covered.

I spent the weekend steaming carpets, cleaning the garage, sorting and filing paperwork - the usual last minute rush before travel that I always set myself up with. Books have been dragged from the library shelves, and I have to pick up more yet today. At least three hardback books will go in my luggage along with my computer, causing me to bite my tongue on many a creative phrase when I have to try to lift the small pilot bag that is carefully holding my prized possessions.

If I have missed contacting any of my friends from j-land who are in the Phoenix-Tucson area, please let me know! I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible, as always. If anyone is sending me email, please put your name in the subject line because I will be emailing by phone again, and all I can see is the subject line. It's a slow, slow process unless I can get my computer to a wi-fi spot. Or, my ass to the library.

My mind is wandering around like a lost child in a dangerous tool store. What about this that needs to be done? What about the other thing that needs to be done before I can even think about doing that? What about getting those three pairs of slacks hemmed first? They aren't going with me, why do I need to hem them first? Well, just because. Do I have enough food for the sitters? Will I remember to cook enough for the dogs? Can I get all the directions to everyone in time, and keys distributed as needed?

I do blame this odd pre-travel behavior on my adult-onset ADD. I never had trouble with packing before - I took my time, got everything together I needed, and packed lightly. I could have, at any time, packed in an hour and forgotten nothing, if necessary.

All I know, is that when the time comes, somehow I will be ready to walk out the door and what needs to be done, will be. I don't have any idea how it works. I think it goes in the category with the old joke about people who love sausage and respect the law. They should never watch either being made. No one should ever watch me get ready to travel.