rock around the clocktober

Today is October 1, 2008 and it’s the first day of a month in which I’ll visit four cities: two in the US, one similar to many cities in the US, and one very, very different from anyplace I’ve ever been.

Getting into the mode of “on-the-go,” I’m authoring this from an airplane. I won’t be able to post this until tonight when I'm back online. Today, I’m returning home from a short trip to San Jose, California. I used to live in SJ, so it was a very comfortable, familiar kind of trip. I visit SJ more than anywhere else, so know my way around, and have a routine with the hotel, restaurants, and even my work habits. Nevertheless, each trip is a little bit different. My favorite Clickifornia memory this time was the recent model VW beetle I saw with a “Frybrid” sticker on the back window. My camera was in my bag and I was on 101, or I’d have snapped a photo for sure.

Looking ahead, I’ll be home for a couple of days, and then the travel will really kick into fast forward. Next up: London. Well, London’s at the end of the next trip; the bulk of the time will be in Reading. I’m really looking forward to the end of the week when the work is done I change hotels to central London, then get visit not one, but two Gordon Ramsay restaurants.

After London I fly to Dallas for an R.E.M. concert. I’m excited beyond words to get to see them again this year. But after Dallas, even in the same weekend, I’ll be flying to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I’ve not been anywhere in the Middle East before and am not sure what to expect. I’m trying to keep an open mind about it, and while thinking about it, I’m rather enjoying the inner contemplation about who I am, who I REALLY am, what I do for a living and why, and how lucky I am in so many ways. The unknown about this trip has definitely shifted me out of my comfort zone, and given me a lot to think about. I’ll probably write about some of it as the month goes by.

Rock around the clocktober ends for me on October 30 when I return home for Halloween with family and friends.

There’s a popular expression these days: “it’s all good.” That’s exactly how I feel. I’m not one to wish away time, but I’m really looking forward this month’s journey nearly as much as the destination of the homecoming.

filed under: delta, gordon ramsay, london, r.e.m.