It’s the way I see everything I need, it’s the way to be. Higher and higher and higher.

On the eve of the weekend that most of this country will be celebrating the nations independence, I find myself gearing up to head back west (although not in a covered wagon).  I’ll have been gone from May 20th to July 7th, not as long as my excursion last summer, but long enough.  I’ve visited many of my good friends and family as well as many of the places on the mainland that I love. I had a fantastic time every step of the way (and I thank you all for that), but I’m ready to head back and figure out what it all has meant to me.

I’m not sure if it’s the distance at which all my friends now reside from me, or that I’m getting older and softer (don’t people usually get harder as they get older and more steadfast in their ways? Wouldn’t be the first time that I progress against the grain), or a combination of several factors, but there really isn’t anything better than being surrounded by those you love (well maybe the only thing better than that is if you are eating at the same time). Wow that was a long sentence.  You stop writing for a few weeks and you forget your manners. Shit.  Not only did I manage to see more of you this time around but everything was an upgrade.  More friends, more destinations, longer road trips, longer music festivals, less rigid planning, more food, more fun, more smiles, more laughter, more comfort, more happiness, more going with the flow, and more independence.

The year is only (already?!) half over, I’m going to canoe 18 miles this weekend, go camping, barbecue, and then fly home where one of my best friends will be moving into my home with me for a year or so.  Since flights are getting cheaper, I’ll be sure to have even more visitors stopping by for good times in Hawaii, and I’ll be making more frequent trips to places that warrant further marination and exploration, LA being at the top of the list (a story for another day). Sure I should be saving, my money and my miles. Sure I should be focusing, on my work and furthering my career.  Sure I shouldn’t need to adventure so much, since I live in Hawaii and everyday is a vacation.  But I just can’t help myself. It’s the way I see everything I need, it’s the way to be. Higher and higher and higher.

Cry about it.  Four quick updates:

1) In the event that you read my post about the Fifteen Puzzle, it appears that the puzzle has successfully reached its first destination and that the recipient did as they were instructed.  They also took the opportunity to add some flare, and rumor has it have passed it along to someone that in fact do not know.  So from here on out, it’s beyond my control, and I love it.

2) In the event that I haven’t told you yet, if you rside in any of the following places: Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Ithaca, Philadelphia, Toronto, Tennessee, Chicago, Maryland, Delaware, or will be there in May/June/July, keep your eyes peeled.  Because I will be too.  More on that coming soon.

3) In the event that you read my post about Christmas in March, and you have yet to receive anything from me in the mail, don’t be dissapointed (or if you were me, feel like you’re off the hook), I just sent out some packages, and have a bundle of a few more to send out early next week.

4) I’m not wearing pants.