David's last day at work

Today, Groundhog Day, is my last day at work. Hopefully I won't have to relive this day forever, as Bill Murray did in the movie! I was just one week shy of 6 years employment at OHSU, and I must say, it was the best job I ever had. I will miss my friends very much, and I hope that they can keep positive amidst this economic downturn...and any layoffs.

Now Allan and I embark on this amazing trip around the world. In my wildest dreams, I never would have thought that such a thing could happen to me. Usually when people say they will follow this blog to experience it vicariously, I say that I will be experiencing it vicariously through myself as well. I mean, is it really happening? "Aren't you getting excited??" people say to me. I have a hard time answering that, as I usually don't get too excited about anything until it's actually happening...I want it to be real first. So I usually just say that I'll be excited once I'm on the plane to Fiji! Then it will seem real, not just some dream or fantasy.

When Allan first asked me to join him on this trip (he had been planning it for many years, even before we met) I turned him down. I mean, who am I to accept such an enormous gift? (I know, I know, how did I get so lucky to find someone as loving, generous and handsome as Allan?) How could I quit my job, rent out my condo? It was just too hard to wrap my mind around. But after a few months of discussions with friends & family, and many contemplations later, I said yes. (Like, what is my problem?? I had to think about it??) I remember Allan saying something like, "I'm surprised you said no. I thought that you were practicing detachment, and embracing new opportunities." Hard to argue with that, right?

Last month I rented out my condo, and moved in with Allan. What's that like? Well, it's sort of like living on a movie set! Everything is perfect and beautiful. I expect Barbara Streisand to burst through the door at any moment, singing "Sadie" from Funny Girl. "Do for me! Buy for me! Lift me, carry me! Finally found a guy to marry me!" But seriously, it's been nice...and busy. Each day we have a million little details to work on for this trip (er...Allan is working on them!), and I've been finishing up things at work. So I suppose it's not like normal living together...or is it? Hard to tell. Are all couples this busy each day? Do they all colapse in bed at 10:30?

What will it be like to travel with Allan around the world for 399 days? It's hard to imagine. In those 13 months, babies can be conceived, born, and learn to smile. Businesses can close and economies can recover. Environments can worsen, new technologies can emerge, things can improve. People can die. So much can change, or nothing can change. Will I change? Will Allan and I survive 57 weeks of travel, being together 24/7? What about the 20+ flights, boat rides, and trains?

My parents taught me the Art of Worry. So for the past 6 months of planning this trip, I've had a multitude of worries running through my mind..."If I quit my job, maybe no one will hire me when I return. I'll end up broke and homeless living under the Burnside Bridge! And what about the water and pollution in China, anyway? Or the poverty in India? What about vegetarian options in Argentina? What about missing friends, family, and my own pillow?!" On really bad days it was like this: "What about Malaria? What if I vomit in front of Allan--or what if he vomits in front of me?? What about those countries that imprison gay people, and force them to watch the Super Bowl?!?!" My therapist friend Michael says that "What you fear, appears." So then I start worrying about what I'm fearing....

(Oh, the monkey mind! Thank God I have a Guru. Thank God for meditation!)

Allan is a big help too. He lets most worries roll off him like minor challenges that will be easily dealt with. He just tells me, "We'll figure it out." He can be the yin to my yang, or something like that. "And somehow", he says, "our experience will be unique and wonderful." That is our intention anyway. I am grateful to God and Allan for this opportunity.

This is my first attempt at a blog--I hope you like it. We plan to check in frequently, uploading pictures, and sharing experiences, keeping you all with us in heart and spirit--for even though the world is a beautiful place to explore, the meeting of hearts and souls is the journey we find most important. We look forward to meeting you there.

Best wishes for a fantastic 2009!

--David