Home Sweet Home

We are back in Chicago, safe and sound. We made it into town last night at 8 or 9--I have no idea and my time zones were all messed up. It was great to get back to our sweet kitties and our own bed, but I am amazed and thrilled as to how much Fuzzy and I were able to relax and let go during this trip. At first, we were email and blog checkers and asking for pics of our kitties from the folks looking after them, and concerned with this that and the other. I think when we got near the week mark of being gone, we just sort of let it all go. Stopped worrying. Stopped fretting. Fuzzy stopped checking work email. It was so very freeing. As Margaret said about her recent trip to Thailand, it is so important to see things outside of your own world so that you can get a better view of the world and life and what is important and what isn't. While the Eastern USA is no Thailand, I certainly felt that feeling. In retrospect, I feel more enlightened and zen than ever, and I want to make that continue into my life in Chicago. Each day, Fuzzy and I did something fun and out of the ordinary--we made constant memories. It was just him and me and the road--we had no schedule (after that first weekend) and we just went with the flow. We road trip really well together, and if you need any proof that you are meant to be with someone, spend every waking hour with them for 11 1/2 days. Fuzzy and I got closer as the trip went on, and I am more in love with him now than ever. We also realized the importance of getting away and taking a real vacation. It is good for the body, mind, and soul.

Well, almost good for the body. I think I gained 10 pounds while we were gone. Damn that food was good!

Here is a list of the states that we visited/ drove through:
Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana.

Here are some other observations about the trip:

*It is incredibly hard to find non-chain restaurants when you are roadtripping. Sometimes we would have to drive a half hour just to eat somewhere unique or not McDonalds.

*America loves Kelly Clarkson. In fact, America loves American Idol in general--all the Top 40 stations played Kelly Clarkson (a lot of her), Carrie Underwood, David Cook, David Archuleta, Taylor Swift, and Jennifer Hudson.

*When you don't have a time schedule, sitting in a car for 10 hours at a time isn't that bad. It allows you to do things like turn around and go to that Winery you passed in Ohio.

*Now that my tattoo is all healed and it is warm, I am able to show it off with tank tops. And people love to comment on it. I have gotten lots of wonderful compliments, including this one guy at the Truck-Stop-That-Only-Sold-Pepsi-Products who asked "What is that on your arm? It looks like a bird." But mostly they have been really nice compliments.

*I don't drink a lot of sodas, but roadtripping makes me drink them like my life's blood.

*Being with my brother and Katie for a few days and then going to DC made me wonder what my purpose is in life these days. I used to be all about comedy and performing, but I have lost a lot of that drive. What am I doing to make the world a better place? What am I supposed to do with my life? Right now, all I can say is that I am a good friend to some people, but that is about all I have. I need to work on this one and figure out what is next. It isn't enough to just exist.

*As with everything I do, I wonder what Dad would think about things that I do. I bet he would have loved to hear about my DC trip. I bet he would have been happy that we saw so much countryside that we did. Consequently, why do I get so sad when I see families out with their Dads?

*It is easier to be free when there isn't anyone you know around. Imagine how much happier we would all be if we stopped caring what people thought or said and just did what our hearts compelled us to do. Life won't be there forever--don't half-ass it, especially because of anyone else.

*Laughter and adventure might be the best feelings in the world. In fact, I know they are.

*Sometimes you just need to smell nature.

Pics and stories to come this week. I am a happy little clam.
More vacations, please.