Destination Virginia (change of plans)

There are a few of you that think this blog will contain the news that I am not leaving after all (Todd...), but in fact I am posting this to tell you just the opposite. I am leaving sooner.

As some of you know, my friend, Lisa, who I was going to be staying with when I moved in August, recently was offered a job (that she had better be gushing with pride over) in England. While this is a wonderful opportunity for her, it was the first wrench in the works for my plans. She leaves in May, and I wouldn't be moving until August.

Next up is Rob, a friend of mine in Colorado, who decided he just had to get married three days before I was scheduled to depart on my big cross country adventure. This would require a three day trip to Colorado before returning for my long ass drive.

Last, but not least, was Jackie who is getting married mid August here in San Francisco. Since the original plan was to take a month to drive across and really get to see this country of mine, I was going to have to find a way to fly back half way there.

Of course I could simply postpone my trip, or ditch the weddings. In my mind neither were an option. A little discouraged, and ignoring the signs that were telling me to hold off on this giant leap I have been so antsy to make, I kept planning.

A little history for this next part:
My landlord is damn useless and has not cashed any of our rent checks for the past six months. Why? Who knows? She doesn't return any phone calls. She doesn't fix what is broken and she won't clean the damn graffiti off of the front of our building.

Skinner, my roommate, wants to get her own place after I leave. Realizing that we are living month to month in our apartment, I suggested that we start looking for a place for her now and simply share the room (and save some cash) before I leave.

The original plan was based on the false-impression (created in my head of course) that I was stuck in my lease until August. With the above events, I realized, I was indeed not stuck anywhere!

Today at work I talked to Patrick, my manager, about my last day. I had planned it around my trip to D.C., to find a neighborhood to shop for an apartment in when I moved out, and the big 2-5 birthday trip to Hiroshima. I wanted my last day to be March 6th and he suggested February 28th, the last day of the month. With this I had to shift everything. I had every intention of getting a job at Whole Foods upon my return to transfer with to VA, and couldn't have an extra week without work because of the change. So the entire trip was bumped up a week.

Now this is where all of the pieces are going to come together. With my trip to Hiroshima ending on March 24th, and without a lease to keep me in San Francisco, why not leave sooner? I could avoid the costs of flying to D.C. before Hiroshima. I could avoid having to deal with getting a new job here and dipping into my savings before the cash flow came. I could move to Virginia with Lisa and David still there. (They haven't heard any of this yet... so it should be a hoot!)

So new plan everyone. March 28th is my date of departure. The route has been cut down quite a bit. So for those of you that I get to see on the way, pay attention :)

March 28th: Drive to Yosemite for the weekend. (Any and all are welcome if you are able to find a campsite. I have not yet.) I am hiking the backside of Half Dome on the 29th and then leaving on the 30th for...

March 30th: Las Vegas! It is only an overnighter but I am so excited to see Sarah, Shanon and the twins!

March 31st: Leave for Albuquerque. This is going to be a great trip. It is my grandma's birthday and I think that driving through the desert with her in my thoughts could be just what I need before reaching my destination. I will be spending the first of April with an old friend. I haven't seen her since she went to New Mexico and I think I will find peace in seeing her resting place.

April 2nd: Austin. That's right Mark, you can't get rid of me that easily! I'm still coming out to crash on your couch. Very exciting, you get me until the 4th... get ready!

April 4th: Nashville with Megan and Panama!! I just recently touched base with Megan again and I am so excited to see her city and her new sweet babe! I get to hang out there (if the new schedule works) until the 6th.

Mid-trek stop: Some of my grandma's cousins live in Atlanta and so I am hoping to stop in for lunch and to meet some family.

April 6th: David, Laura, Sierra and Luna. I'm stoked to see the new house all done up and hang out with a couple of my best friends and their rascally pups for a couple of days.

April 8th I leave for my final destination. Lisa and David in Virginia. I can't wait to see them.

Alright everyone. There you go.