as an added bonus...

.....I've decided that I'll be leaving Austin a bit ahead of my previous schedule. A few things in Austin have really helped to push me onward and out of town. If things go as planned logistically, I'll be headed to NYC on April 19th! (I was thinking 4/20, but that seems cliche.....even for me)

I'm going to take a temporary gig working for my good friends John and Michelle Capobianco on Long Island and visiting my new/old friend Christine in Brooklyn. The Capos just bought a newsed house and are in need of major home repair assistance and I'm all too happy to lend a hand. This will allow me to save on overseas shipping of my bike from NYC and simultaneously give me a chance to make a little extra money for trip expenses. Perfect!

I've been quickly selling off everything I own of any value and trying to amass the gear I need for traveling via motorbike (yay Kenneth). I've also been trying to prepare my ride for the trek with basic maintenance and panniers to hold my gear......that reminds me.....my trusty Austrian Dirtbike/touring machine is definitely in need of a name. Perhaps I should wait to see if it gets me to NYC before I give it some sweet name like "old faithful"?! Anyone have any ideas of what to call this thing? (comment on this post if you do)

My mindset these days flashes from total excitement to total horror minute to minute. I'm pumped by the road ahead and fearful of what the road holds. Most people are encouraging and seem to tell me what I want to hear about my fears..."it's going to be great...you're gonna love it". I tend to think they are right, but the fear of getting lonely or worse yet....BORED is sometimes stifling. I hope that my biggest problem becomes which cities do I cut off from enjoying myself too much and not wanting to 'move on' to the next. I suppose all questions will be answered shortly. (wait...is this blog getting boring and cliche yet?)

Also...let it be known that I'm looking for sponsorship for this thing. That's right......I'm not too proud to accept gifts or cash for to keep me on the road. Euros are EXPENSIVE and I'm selfishly accepting any and all donations!!! Sure, I'm on holiday and maybe don't deserve it, but I'll use whatever resources I have to make this worth the effort. I'm really in the market for a few things that I think could really be cool to have on the trip.....moto-GPS, a point and shoot camera with video capability and things of that nature. Anyone have cool traveling gear I could borrow/have?

Oh....and PARTY is in the works. I plan on having a Thursday night throwdown going away party at Kenneth's place on 4/17! It will be a fun drinking party like the last, so bring your bottle and a smile....I plan on going out in style.

More updates as the day approaches! Also...keep in mind that I'll be changing this web address to www.theonegoodeye.com soon. Kenneth has graciously accepted the role of my "webmasterbater" and I'll be taking advantage of his offer by posting a new site with my photography and links to my blog. FUN.

Trip?

"They think you should be playing by the rules, following the herd, you know.....you're born, you go to school, you get a job, you knock up a chick, you work to the bone, send the kids to college, and die...its pretty simple really. Sometimes its hard to see the alternate paths due to the infrequency of successful exposure. For every Rogue millionaire that made it rich by playing by their own rules, there is a bum living on garbage that just barely missed making it big." -Direct quote from a friend

This quote came today from yet another lengthy conversation on life and direction with a friend. This friend is in a similar position in life, but quite honest about the fact that he's more comfortable with conservative decisions and direction with his life......that being said, I feel that he's certainly tested his limits lately.

I know that several of my family and friends find my decision to take off for a while to be a bit disconcerting. It's seen by a few to be foolish or haphazard, but I simply can't NOT take off for a while. I've taken time from my life to complete some outstanding goals, but this feels like a great way to give back some of that time......to truly reflect on why I'm here and where I want to go.

Selfish? sure. Dangerous? perhaps. Spontaneous? not so much. Today should be an adventure and inspiring.....not filled with plans to be happy. I'm happy today....because I'm doing what I can to live.

This rant of rationalized pontification.....over.

The task at hand...

I'm taking on a new challenge...or should I say that I'm creating one for myself. I'm headed to Europe this summer and I'll be getting around on my motorcycle....alone. I have been dreaming of doing it forever and the time has simply fallen into my lap. How can I not go?

I hope to start updating this as I go. I'm not sure who will subscribe or if it will be worth it, but I'll try to make it at least somewhat interesting. My writing will likely be stilted and at times filled with sappy emotion, but if you're reading this then you likely already know that's just my style. I write candidly and in simple stream-of-consciousness and that's not likely to change for this public view into my thoughts and hopefully long adventure.

I'll start inviting those that seem somewhat interested. Feel free to share it with anyone...this will be me truly creating my own "show and tell" online....what a totally egotistical thing to do huh? Why not??? I deserve it! (inside joke)

I'm hoping that the drive to update this blog and put my thoughts onto a screen will help me through the lonely days this trip surely has for me.....stay tuned, there should be plenty of pointless ramblings to follow.