* blows the dust off this blog

I am currently sitting in my windowless office listening to Systems and Layers and watching my inbox in order to check off the last of my responsibilities before I hit the airport.  In just a few hours myself and Staibonaut are doing the incredible.  We are actually leaving from BHM to go abroad.  There is something foreign about not scrambling around at 5 AM to pack, pack the car, and then drive to ATL in order to catch a flight.  Not only are we actually tolerating connections we actually have seats on the damn flight!  This seems so damn easy!!

Cynicism aside I am lingering in a familiar state.  That calming absence of anything as you evaluate where you are and what you are going towards.  Approximately 20 hours from now i will be stumbling off a plane into the hustle and flo of Lagos, Nigeria.  I expect nothing short of the symphony of horns, bodies, and swarms of questions, requests, and lingering interest I have come to love so much.  The experience is nothing short of being beamed off the Enterprise into some strange world where until your senses adjust you seemingly fluctuate between WOW and WTF?!

2010 was quite a trip in its own right, though in more of the personal journey than a global one.  Almost 100% of it was occupied by looking, acquiring, and purchasing a new house.  Worthy of a celebration in its own right, the party was put on hold as new skills and knowledge were required in order to set in motion renovation, permits, being a contractor, etc.  While the whole idea was to acquire, build and occupy more space, at times it felt the walls were moving in.  Our one big trip, my birthday, has become one of the most special events in my life. Its a rare thing to be able to surround yourself with all the people whom you love and hold most dear, but also be able to relax and evade any real stressors or conflict.  So for all of you who could make, Thanks for making it so special!!!

For now the mission is to trade all those tangible stressors like construction, taxes, etc. here and welcome those of new places, bartering in markets, new and unusual foods, and imbibing in cultural events of which I never anticipated playing a part.  So as our friends renew their vows on a beach in Africa I plan on renewing myself unto what is most important.

Friends, Family, and Adventure.

I wish you all well and hope to bring you along as best I can on this specific adventure and whatever the future holds.  Happy New Year and Bon Voyage!!!!