"Sort of Letter "
HOME ALONE:
Both my roommates have moved out. I hope this doesn't say something about my personal hygiene.
As a result of the recent departures, two rooms are opening up. The first will be available in August. The second in September. Know anyone who wants to move to Newport in a month or so?
It's a great place - vault ceilings, fireplace, washer/dryer, furnished living area, private patio, balcony, one block from the beach, one house from the harbor, one street from Newport Pier. I have lived here for over six years now. $650 for the smaller room in August. $700 for the bigger room in September.
If you have a friend (preferably who bears a striking resemblance to Angelina Jolie) who needs a room, and can miraculously handle living with lil' ol' me, send them my email.
ANNIVERSARY:
I got an email from Alan Mtoi the other day. Allan was my guide in Arusha and porter on Kilimanjaro. Alan has been communicating with me periodically since last fall. I don't hear from him as often as I would like as time in a cyber-cafe is a luxury for African porters. Hell, hats are a luxury for African porters. I still think about that guy. Hearing from him made me nostalgic for Africa. And anxious for places different. Experiences untried.
It's about time for another vacation.
It's been more than a year since I first set foot in Africa. It's been a year since I quit my job, met up with a leggy, blue-eyed, now engaged stranger in London, climbed a mountain, swam in the Indian Ocean, and got chased by elephants. It's been a year since I cleansed my life of the mundane, the familiar, and went trekking after a dream.
I can't believe it's been that long. I can't believe I waited this long to do it again.
So I need to split for another holiday overseas. I'm not sure where I'm going yet. I don't have a travel partner; I don't have a plan. I do, however, have a goal. Sometime in 1994 - about the same time I decided I had to climb Kilimanjaro - I made up my mind that I was going to touch all seven continents by the time I was thirty. I've been to four. That leaves three to go. I turn thirty in September.
AAIIIGHH!!!!
Sorry - I gotta learn to control that response. So where was I? Right... Three continents. As you can see, I have some work to do.
Unfortunately, I don't have a month to goof off. IBM is a fairly progressive company, but they haven't jumped on the European system of holiday yet. So I have two weeks and three continents to visit. I don't think it's going to happen. However, I do think I can knock off two. I'm considering a week in Australia on the Great Barrier Reef, and maybe a week in Japan to run up Mount Fuji. But I am open to suggestions.
Do any of you intrepid explorers or wide-eyed dreamers have any ideas for
me?
I have been invited to visit a lovely young woman in Brazil - but I can't seem to find a way to make it fit in the schedule. I really must have my priorities all out of whack. If anyone knows of a good bio-tech company I can call upon in Brazil PLEASE let me know.
Regardless, I need to make a decision soon. And I would love to find a travel partner who loves to globe trot. I don't think Steven is going to let Meredith out of his sight this time. So how bout you? Got a passport? Wanna come along? Are you someone who needs a change? Needs a little condensed adventure? Have a friend who fits that profile? Lemme know!
AAIIIGH!!!!
I turn 30 in September. AIIIG...Ah what the hell, the hair is already gone.
But as this is the first step into my third decade, the time I officially exit my (not so) glorious youth, I would like to celebrate. Hell, it's as good a reason as any.
I would like to celebrate with you. And I mean *ALL* of you. Yes, you too Mom.
My birthday is September 21. I know this is really REALLY advance notice, but I want to celebrate, and I want you to be there. So I need to do a lot of planning. Since the people on this list are spread all over the world, I have tried to find a location that most everyone can reach with limited effort and expense.
So how bout Vegas? Flights are cheap, rooms are cheap, and it's just a short hop for all you SoCal kids and AZonies. Climbers can scale the red rocks, families can catch a show, Big Daddy can invade the casinos, I'll go find some hookers (a joke Mom - relax).
But EVERYONE can celebrate with me over dinner and music. If this sounds like an adventure you can share, then send me an note with your availability and interest.
If enough people respond and we can find a schedule/location that works, I will try to reserve a block of rooms to lock down a better rate and will confirm with an official invite later.
If no one responds, I had better switch deodorants.
Or finally read that Dale Carnegie book.
So that's enough spam for tonight. Not my usual fare for sure, but I promise something a little more creative next time.
