“For of all sad words of tongue or pen, the
saddest are these: It might have been.” – John Greenleaf Whittier 1807 – 1892 (American poet)
With these words in
mind, I booked my flights back to the US to once again attend the National
Society of Newspaper Columnists (NSNC) annual conference… even though I am
currently not a newspaper columnist nor have I done much in the way of writing
(so far) this year.
Until May, I had spent
a good part of 2014 devoted to expanding my highly developed procrastinatory
skills and allowing myself to be seduced by the delusional mantra “Good things come to those who wait.” Good
things may come to those who wait but far better things come to those who set
goals and work towards achieving them.
I had given a great
deal of thought to returning to the US in 2014 for another solo travel
adventure and to attend the NSNC conference but the more I thought about the
trip and tried to plan, the more daunted I became. (The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, didn’t help.) Too much thinking had led me into analysis
paralysis; I felt completely overwhelmed by choices and unable to make a
decision either way… in fact, I just wanted to take a nap…
Finally, moments
before the early bird registration special for the NSNC conference lapsed, I
remembered the technique I had successfully employed last year: I bought my
plane ticket, registered for the conference and left worrying about the finer
details for a later date.
The Nike shoe company
were on the money when they trademarked the slogan, “JUST DO IT” in 1988.
With less than a week
to go until I fly out, my itinerary is still looking a little vague but I’m
reassuring myself that this gives me plenty of flexibility and scope for
adventures. I’m flying out next Thursday morning the 12th June and
thanks to the International Date Line; I’m flying into Los Angeles the same
morning.
Ten days later on
Saturday 21st June, I’m embarking on my first long-distance train
trip. The California Zephyr makes a two and a half day, 3,924km journey from
San Francisco on the west coast, through the Rocky Mountains to Chicago on the
shores of Lake Michigan.
From Chicago, I have
to hastily find my way down to Baltimore and Washington DC (about 1,100km south
east from Chicago) to fit in a bit of sight-seeing before the NSNC Conference.
Then it’s on to Boston for four glorious days with my friend Suzette and her
family, before I take to the skies once more for the long trip home.
Stay tuned, for the
next instalment of “Vague Adventures ‘R’ Us”.
