gnat leaves

packing to move to a foreign country sucks. i started with three empty suitcases (two big guys, one carryon) and have spent the last several days putting items in, taking them out, putting them back in, making agonizing decisions about how indispensable or replaceable things were, desperately weighing each bag after every repack to make sure i was still within that damn 50 pound limit. some surprising items that made the cut:

- a pretty exhaustive collection of herbs and spices (it remains to be seen whether i make it through customs with these)
- my trusty orange ing cafe travel mug (which readers of my chicago blog may remember almost didn't make it back to california)
- my ukulele, liam
- the empire strikes back on dvd

well the bags have been checked (49 and 50.5 pounds, sucka) and i am hanging out in the international terminal at sfo sippin' on some coffee and waiting to board. my total travel time including this morning's drive to the airport and what promises to be a very special trip through customs and out to cheexy's house (as i attempt to navigate a foreign country with mind addled by jet lag and lack of sleep) approaches a full 24 hours, so you can expect that there will be more blogging in the very, very near future (in between the crossword puzzle and researching my fantasy football roster - 'murrica).

signing off for now, for the last time from the states (for a while at least). wish me luck, internets.