It might be time for an intervention...

Hello, Interweb! I am getting so excited about every little piece of the impending insanity I'm calling a road trip! I have to update you on a few things, but first: a confession. (I'm not entirely sure how to properly use colons or semi-colons. That's not my confession, though.) You see that little "About Me" blurb? Over there on the right. Yeah, where I said I'm, "ceaselessly denying my Type-A personality". I really have been trying, you guys, but I can only behave contrary to my nature for so long. Obsessive compulsions got the best of me... I was up for hours last night working on this:

I had to come up with a rough timeline in order to make arrangements with generous hosts, etc., but I guess it didn't really have to be made in Excel. It didn't need a color-scheme. It especially didn't need any formulas. But I made it in Excel. With colors. And I used formulas. HELP ME!!! I guess you can take the girl out of public accounting, but you can't take OCD out of the girl... 

Anyway, on to the exciting stuff... New Year's Eve is coming up fast, and I get to spend it with friends from college - reunion style. We met up in DC last year and it was a blast! I look at the pictures from our wonderfully theatrical karaoke night sometimes when I need cheering up. You should get excited about my first post of 2011 - it will be entertaining, no doubt!

From Texas, it's a quick stop in Santa Fe, then almost two weeks in Funky-town! Joe and Maggie Funk are two of the greatest people in the world, and I'm looking forward to catching up with them, co-cooking a few fantastic meals, and being taught to board by the pros. I've tried it before, but I'm much better on skis... and I no longer have health insurance, so wish me luck. :) 

If I'm going to keep this blog going I can only tell you about one or two stops at a time, so this is the last bit today... when I drive from Seattle to Portland, I'm going to stop in the oldest city West of the Mississippi. You guys!!! Look how cool the bridge into Astoria is!!!!!

Driving over water freaks me out a little bit. A lot if the bridge is sketch. But look at that!!!

Tonight's feedback prompts: If you had two hours in Salt Lake City, what would you do/see? What's the perfect song to listen to while you literally drive through a tree? Has anyone ever snuck their pet into a hotel that doesn't allow them?

That's it for me today, friends. Happy Hump Day to you all!

6,000 miles in 6 weeks!!!

Four weeks ago, I quit my job. My $50k+ per year job. My career, my financial security, the evidence of my success and responsibility. I am 25 years old, single, and living in my parents' basement... and I LOVE IT!!!

My life right now consists of sleeping in, reading, napping, spending time with my family, and planning a six-week solo road trip. That's right - six weeks! I have so many wonderful friends to visit along the way, ample time to contemplate my purpose in life, and a trusty little guide-book to ensure my stopping at all the right places. Oh, and 40 GBs of music. Time for some serious playlist consideration!

So here it is, friends: the blog I promised you all. I apologize for the fact that I'm a terrible writer, but I have some ideas up my sleeve that I hope will make this more interesting. Idea 1: pictures. Idea 2: song/album/film/book recommendations. **Bonus - I get commission if you click a link and buy something. Cha-ching!**

For the picture, here is the first draft of my road-trip-of-a-lifetime route:

Yay!!!! That's 6,000 miles, folks. And I'm driving it in 6 weeks. I'm beginning to think I might be insane. Anyway, this is the part where I take a big risk and ask for audience participation. Do you know some places I should see, besides obvious tourist attractions? Do you know anyone who lives close to my route between CO and WA that would welcome a one-night houseguest? For which segment of my trip will you be joining me?

And now, the recommendation. I'm considering calling this section "Sweet Thang of the Day" or "STD". I'll just go with it today and see if it catches...

So, today's STD: Road Trip USA: Cross-Country Adventures on America's Two-Lane Highways. I think this book is great - thick glossy pages, eleven different routes that cover the entire country, quick history lessons, lots of pictures, recommendations for local diners and hostels, everything you could ask for! I'll continue to comment on this book as it proves, but for now I definitely recommend it if you're considering hitting the road. Get it, and spread it around.

That's all I have for today. Questions, comments, and constructive criticism are all more than welcome. Everybody have a great weekend!