12. Shaking it Up

Welcome to Musing Interruptus. However young or old, there is nothing quite like the anticipation of a trip. Traveling renews energy, it wakes up areas in the brain that seem to hibernate. Most likely, our minds need to protect ourselves from the drudgery of the mundane repetition of that which we cannot stop doing. From breathing the same stale air every Monday to brushing our teeth after each meal. Today on Musing Interruptus, Shaking it Up. Some people cannot go a season without traveling. It is no surprise, as the benefits outweigh the discomforts of sleeping in a strange bed, making use of foreign toilets. Constipation, for some. A very small price to bear for all the wonders to see and experiences to be had. Give it a little think, think about your most wonderful travels. Perhaps the most wonderful are yet to come. No matter… If you dream it, wonder it, muse over it, you will probably experience it. Some people travel light and others… well, let me think, what do I need? Underwear, a bathing suit, pajamas, the kind with feet and an opening in the seat of the pants (are you imagining them? They look comfy, don’t they?, I’ll need my sleep aids, my favorite oversized sweater. Let me tell you about this sweater. The person who made it never, in her wildest dreams imagined I would be its keeper. This is a sweater that I fell in love with, instantly. I knew if interobject marriages were available to us, we were the right match. A love match… If you follow this podcast, and remember the one on childhood friends, then I’ll tell you, this sweater belonged to a friend of our dear and late friend Whitney. Whitney’s friend is a very tall woman, and her grandmother made her a sweater that probably fit her very well. I am the opposite of tall. I really love this sweater. It might not be much to look at. It's heavy knit, gray. However, it gives me comfort and makes me believe in creativity. So, it is my adult security blanket. Special for all types of trips. What else do I need? My book or kindle, laptop in case I need to work, lotions, toothpaste, toothbrush, half the medicine cabinet, passport (in case we need to leave the country in a hurry), earphones for work, earphones for music, external battery, offline music, reading glasses, shades, sleep mask, concert earplugs, normal earplugs, moist towels, dry towels, diverse toiletries, sunscreen. Do you remember how important it is to wear sunscreen? I never leave home without it.  As I was saying, I travel light. I can leave at a moment’s notice. Maybe two moments… I’ll get there. Once you are packed and out the door. Remorse sets in. Not about leaving no… it’s all about that coffee pot you are wondering if you actually unplugged. Did I leave the gas open, is it escaping through the stove burners? Is there a bag of food decomposing in the middle of the kitchen? Is the front door locked? How easy is it to kick in? I would miss my bike… and the big TV. Gosh. Remorse for not being absolutely certain. Dearest, 100% certainty does not exist. Nothing is foolproof. I’ve been a known fool. However, I have created a checklist to ameliorate the sensation. Continue reading