Well, That's a First

Roughly thirty-six hours until the eight-year-old (EYO, from here on out), his sister, and I leave for the airport, and I am officially packed.* Anyone who knows me will know this represents something of a massive change, as I'm usually the guy willy-nilly stuffing crap into my bag as I run to catch my ride.

It helps that I've finally learned to travel light. Only took forty-eight years, more trips than I can count, and, well, cancer. What I look like in any given circumstance, but especially in a place where I know exactly no one and won't be staying for long, just doesn't matter anymore.** 

Toward that end, it should probably come as no surprise that I've decided to skip any event on the cruise that requires me to wear anything nicer than convertible cargo pants, as those are a) actually really comfortable and convenient, and b) the only things I own that still fit. Given my circumstances, it just seemed silly to drag a val-pack and dress shoes halfway around the world just so I could attend a formal dinner -- especially since I'd also have to drag one of my suits in and have it altered since I have nothing nice that fits. 

And even if I did, say wha...? Why would anyone think that was a good idea? 

Anyway, to get back to the point, with a half-full wheelie bag and a small backpack filled with drugs (lots and lots and lots of drugs), a camera and a ziplock containing what feels like forty-seven thousand cords, I'm ready to roll.

Of course, now I'm sitting here convinced I've forgotten something -- yay, thirty-six hours of sitting around wondering what I'm missing -- but as a very wise person once told me, if all it takes to replace something is a credit card, it's not a problem, it's an expense. 

I guess we'll find out soon enough. 


* OK, the phone charger's not in the bag yet, but my phone can't survive more than about three hours without charging and I don't have a spare cable handy. So I just have to do everything in my power to make sure I don't walk out the door without the charger on Wednesday.
** At this point I dress like Jeff Goldblum in The Fly, just using really terrible clothes rather than anything normal.