Counting Down to Departure

Posted by Dave on 24 April 2007.

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5 months until I submit my notice at work
6 months until my lease ends
7 months until I leave

The numbers continue to get smaller in the multitude of ways I track the ever-decreasing time between this moment, and when I depart the country for my world travels.

7 episodes of The Sopranos before I downgrade my cable TV
1 season’s worth of DC United soccer games left to watch

I’m a TV addict, though there are only a few shows I’ll truly miss (and watch the DVD’s later). Lost, Heroes, and The Office come to mind. The Major League Soccer Championship game is being hosted in Washington, DC at RFK Stadium this year, keeping alive the idea that I could see my team win the 2007 season on their home turf, a few weeks before I leave.

2 calendars (1 at home, 1 at work)
Countdown plugin for blog (upper right corner)

Every few days, I cross off a batch of dates from my home and work calendars. Special joy is taken on the days I can flip the whole page over to the next month.

2 months before my brother leaves for Iraq
? months before my parents sell their house and leave Virginia

My small family is about to head it’s separate ways. While my trip was planned ahead of my brother’s enlistment, his number is up after two years of waiting. He’ll be gone 7 months, and I’m not sure whether I’ll find it helpful to be abroad during part of that time. My parents are retired, and while I hope they remain in VA a little longer, so I can live with them for three weeks in November, I’m more hopeful that they’ll continue to live long and happy lives while I’m away.

How do you count down the time to departure for your trips?

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This post was written by:

Dave - who has written 994 posts on Go Backpacking.

Dave Lee (Editor-in-Chief) blogged his way around the world from 2007-2009, and then started Travel Blog Success to teach others how to do the same. When not writing, he can be found salsa dancing, and lamenting his untimely departure from Medellin. Follow him on Twitter @rtwdave

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Dan

7 Months, well I'm looking at about 12 so at least it'll be easy to keep up with you until then.

Roger

Dave,

I'm excited for you taking this trip. I tried to do the same thing in Europe four years ago with a much tinier picture and a much less rosier financial picture. I only lasted four months before the money ran out - and its nice to see someone with a bit more forethought into their journey.

I love the countdown thing, though, it does help you stay motivated and on task to be as prepared as possible for the trip you're going to take.

Good luck on your journey!

Dave

Thanks Roger. I get you had some great times during those 4 months in Europe!

Lx

go United!

Dave

I think I'm going to my first game next Thursday - against New England Revolution. We had a bitter loss to them last year in the playoffs (on our home field). :(

Mike

It's weird ... for me, I added a countdown to my own blog and the days are flying by. It's barely a year away now!

Tracey

I try not to count down because time always seems to move much more slowly...

Timen

I generally don't count down. I usually plan and book two months in advance, and so it usually isn't a long wait before takeoff. Also, I think counting down makes it all feel longer, doesn't it?

Dave

Yes, the more I think about it, the longer away it feels. A quiet, self-imposed, somewhat relished torture!

Actually, it was last Summer that I realized I was in a position to make the trip happen toward late 2007. I began to lose sleep as a result. Eventually, I burnt myself out on the message boards of BootsnAll, daydreaming and planning, though it took a few months.