action/packed

Good evening-
It's almost eleven thirty local (NJ) time, and I'm almost finished packing. I've got a suitcase full of "business casual" attire--from which you can deduce that I've just gone shopping, as nothing I'd had in stock really passed for such--, a carryon bag full of stuff I can't survive without, plus the laptop bag with all the reporting, hard-hitting, facts-getting materials needed to look legit. Or, well, as legit as possible for someone like myself. All that's really left to do is check out the P3 (Post Political Podcast) detailing eateries and must-see locales in Denver. Hey, I've got to be prepared, right? If nothing else, it's something important to listen to on the plane.

So, am I "prepared"? Well, good question. Since I have almost no idea what to expect (except for an obscenely crowded airport and blisters from my "business casual" shoes), I'm pretty sure the answer is a resounding "no". But hasn't it been said that the things that it occurs to you to prepare for aren't really the things that are worth worrying about? The real challenges are those that never crossed your worried mind. Or something. But, in any case, I have some pre-conceived notions, some topics of interest to research, and a good stock of writing pens and paper. In theory, that's all any "reporter" needs. Let's see if I measure up to the title.

And with that, I'm ready to travel. Ready for the aforementioned crowded airports, delays, baggage claims of questionable legitimacy, and crummy/overpriced food. But I'm not worried. There's a moment in travel when you believe that, right as you're speeding away, if you could put enough distance between yourself and your home, all your problems would decided to remain stationary, and you'd be free. It's one of the brilliant parts about roaming.

Ehem. Admittedly, that was overly-philosophical.

-e