Coffee, Cigarettes, and Chemical Weapons

Far too often I make the mistake of believing I know exactly how the day will go before I even get out of bed.   And why wouldn’t I?  Only hours earlier I had tucked myself in with plans confirmed, schedules coordinated, and a list of things to do - each item with its own tick box.  And still, after all this time, I am surprised it surprises me when quite frequently, my days do not go as planned.   

Two Years and Twelve Pounds

I landed in Vegas and got into a cab. “Caesars Palace,” I said. I was splurging. Celebrating the accomplishment of what I thought would be the hardest challenge I would ever ask of myself: work with MSF’s Emergency Team for one year.

The lady behind the counter smiled when I asked about the possibility of an upgrade. As she tapped away at her keyboard, it hit me. I had done it. I had run the gauntlet I threw down for myself years ago and was still standing. A bit shaky, a bit gun-shy, a lot overwhelmed and very tired, but standing. I allowed myself a few delicious moments of self-congratulations and let the lights and decadence of the hotel lobby wash over me.

Letting Go ... An Ode

Letting go is hard. Yet it is one of the most important things and I continue to work at it. Letting go of memories, past grudges, embarrassing moments, mistakes, and words misspoken whether in love, anger, fear, or ignorance. Letting go of both the good and the bad in life. It’s about keeping the hands of our spirits free so we can evolve, as we will. But letting go of my Skechers? This has proven to be particularly difficult.

Instead of letting them completely go, I shall instead find a place for them in “The Closet”. A safe place where they can continue to exist. A place where I can gaze upon them and smile in

The Closet: Every Nomad's Necessity

The Closet:  Every Nomad's Necessity

After working with Doctors Without Borders for nearly two years, I made the ultimate commitment and sold my house. I would live the nomadic life and travel from one assignment to another. Between assignments, I would avail myself of the good graces, spare bedrooms, and hopefully high-speed Internet of friends and family. It did not make sense to pay a mortgage on a house I never saw and spent nights worrying about. Nights lying awake wondering if the roof was leaking or if the vintage-era electrical wiring had combusted and burned the house down.
 

Magic Dwells in Perspective

In my last blog I admitted to a few of the many travel blunders I have made in life. I then had the gall to offer unsolicited travel advice and we all know what happens to people who do such a thing. Circumstances will circle around faster than a bashed tetherball to hit the advice-giver in the back of the head. Every time I spout off as if I know what I am talking about, I am invariably forced to look into the depths of my own words.

In the blog I needlessly advised that nothing goes according to plan when traveling. Can I hear a collective, “Duhhhh”? Stepping in even deeper, I further advised, and