Getting there

     I just finished up packing my bike/tools/pads/helmet; it wasn't as tedious as I thought it might be.  The thing I have always disliked most about packing is the arranging what you're going to wear the few days before you leave, while packing, and trying to wash everything you're taking at the same time.  This isn't much of an issue on a trip of a week or less, or for someone with an extensive wardrobe (which, I would like to add, is strange and bothersome), but for someone like me who has a small wardrobe, and is going away for an extended period of time, this can all become quite annoying.  I want to get all my packing done but over the next few days I still need to wear the clothes I need to pack; I think I'll just hang out naked the day before I leave and do laundry all day.  It's also rather annoying that my dryer is broken, and has been for some time now.  I realize that when your problems are ones like the aforementioned, you're living a fairly cushy life style, but all problems are relative so this is annoying nonetheless.

Money in your pocket is useless

I've never understood why people hoard money. I can understand saving for an emergency, retirement, or a big purchase, but other than that I think people should just let their money flow. Money in your bank account is useless and pointless; the entire purpose of money is for it to be spent. I suppose this may come down to personality types, or something along those lines; I for one just can't understand saving money for an unknown reason. I won't deny that when I hear about so-and-so having an exorbitant amount of money saved up I wish that I too had oodles of money, but money is not finite, there is an infinite amount of money out there to be had. I could be saving thousands and thousands of dollars to put towards my Masters/PhD, or I could spend my money on things I enjoy. It seems more logical to be loose with my money, then just take some time to stockpile before I begin my Masters. While this is a little off topic, it still has to do with money; I can't understand why people are obsessed with saving money. I would much prefer to spend twice as much money shopping and half as much time to spending more time and less money. I remember one of my brothers saying that his time was worth far more than his money; I couldn't agree more.

Always with the questions

I leave for New Zealand in about five days, and people are asking me more and more frequently what I'll do there. I'll do whatever I want. I have an apartment lined up, but I may travel around some, possibly go skydiving and/or bungy jumping, ride lots I'm sure, as well as countless other things I haven't thought of yet. I'm not sure why people think I should have my trip all planned out; I doubt Columbus or Erikson had many plans when they set out, but that all worked out for them in the end. When I tell this inquistors that I have no set plans, they ask me if I think I'll get bored; of course not. I'm stoked to read in a park, drink coffee all night, and watch court procedings for hours on end. I'm not sure how anyone could get bored on a "vacation" of this sort; no plans, no guidelines, no rules, just the way I like it. That's what I'm most excited about; being able to do whatever I want with absolutely no consideration for anyone else, nor having anyone telling me what to do. If I feel like reading and sleeping all day, I will. If I feel like hiking through the Remarkables for a few days, I will. I'm going to do what I want, when I want.