Thanks for all the votes on my poll yesterday. I’m happy to report I pack lighter than you think, as the majority of voters overestimated my pack’s weight. I think Stu was the one person to vote 15 lbs (and he reminded me I should be trying to leave room for additional items like food/water/occasional souvenir).

Backpack weight = 20 lbs (9.1 kg)

As I write this on my last night at home (in Virginia), I wish I could say my head is swirling with fanciful daydreams of the adventures that await, however reality dictates, and I’m still caught up trying to do “one more thing.”

Trust me, I’m *trying* to relax and recognize I’ve prepared to the utmost, and that’s the best I can do. I’m exhausted, and don’t think I’ll be able to chill out (mentally and physically) until I land in Pape’ete, Tahiti at 6:45am December 1.

By the way, a resident named Sam is going to meet me at the airport thanks to Couchsurfing! Whether I’ll have a free place to stay is still in the air. And that’s just fine with me.

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When picking an answer, disregard the water bottle in the photos.

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If I could pick a theme song for today, it was “Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta” by Geto Boys off the Office Space soundtrack. It’s from a montage scene where Peter appears to be living a care-free life at work, knocking over his cubicle walls, and outside work, fishing with Jennifer Aniston.

I slept in on my first weekday without a job, woke up feeling as though I’m 99% complete with trip preparations, drove (traffic-free) into DC to apply for my Chinese Visa, pulled into a parking spot a 1/2 block away, was the last person in the queue to submit my application by the 11:30am cutoff (for same-day service), spent the next 2.5 hours exploring Georgetown (see below for details), picked up a great new Patagonia daypack, paid $130 to get my passport back (w/12-month multi-entry Visa), drove home with little traffic, and was all but sold on keeping Sprint service with only their $4/month flat fee for international calls (plus local international rates, and no contract, for emergency use only).

Exploring Georgetown

After dropping off my passport, I drove the short distance down Wisconsin Ave to Georgetown. I seemed to automatically slip into curious, observant backpacker/vagabond mode, slowing my pace down, walking along the empty waterfront in the chilly drizzle. I came across the House of Sweden (aka Swedish Embassy) which had fantastic architectural qualities like glass exterior panels which served absolutely no structural purpose. I happened across Citronelle restaurant (one of the best in DC, if not the USA), and curiosity lead me to look inside, along the windows, which allowed me to catch a glance of world-renowned chef Michel Richard conversing over papers on the lower level (perhaps picking out the menu for the evening?)!

As I criss-crossed streets, memories of past experiences in the neighborhood came back to me. I bought a sourdough Asagio pretzel and coffee at Barnes and Noble, over which I read a few funny short stories in a Lonely Planet compilation “By the Seat of My Pants,” edited by Don George (who was also in the same NBC news bit I was part of).  I made use of the restroom too.

I stopped in the Patagonia store, and came across a great little daypack which I bought. I had planned to stay with my Jansport canvas bag after returning a small messenger-style bag from REI (because it was too small, heavy and not as comfortable), however the Patagonia one fit my litmus test: 1.5-liter bottle of water, my jacket, with room for a notebook, guidebook, and camera. It has padded back support, and two adjustable support straps, which will make it more comfortable than the Jansport, plus while slightly heavier, it rolls up about the same. At $50 it was a little steep, however I’m confident it presented itself to me today for a reason!

With new daypack and water in hand, I stopped into Dean & Delucca to ever-so-briefly contemplate the purchase of 1-ounce of white Italian truffle for the cost of a month in India ($437). I made my way back up Wisconsin Ave, ducked into Whole Foods for a few free samples of cheese, and then to the Visa office which had a short line for payment and pick-up of passports.

Earlier, upon applying, the lady had only one question - was I employed? I had listed “independent traveler” as my occupation. I responded that I was unemployed, and traveling for 12 months, and that’s all there was to it!

Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta (lyrics)

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With the days to departure slipping away like sands through the hourglass, I want to thank the following people for their support and encouragement:

Family -

Mom and Dad - I have not forgotten you would like grandchildren some day. I’ll pencil that into my next 5-year plan. If nothing else, take heart that when I put my mind to something - I can accomplish it. Thanks for all the food, shelter, and movies the past few weeks as it has allowed me the time and energy needed to finish my preparations.

Jon (brother) - for courageously joining the Marines and serving in Iraq. If you can go to war, I can surely spend a year trotting the globe. Come home safely.

Aunt Barbara and Amy - for your immediate and constant support.

Friends -

Kai - for keeping me focused and on-track, and urging me to work on my website again.

Bob - for saluting my cajones to take this kind of a trip. I’m thankful we got to hang out so much when you took time off from your career. I’ll look for you on Skype.

Phil - for all the free drinks on your bar tabs, and letting me store my couch and table set in your basement. Good luck with your wedding plans!

Jason, Mady, Sean, John, Sam, Natasha, Sommer (and Jackie in spirit) - I’m glad we could all hang out at the 18th St Lounge before I left town. The 24-hour Korean BBQ was quite a trip (just like old times).

Chris J, Courtland, Andrew - what can I say? You guys knew me before I got bit by the travel bug, and I’m glad we’ve been able to stay in touch!

Coworkers -

Joe and Anne (bosses) - I appreciate all the advice you’ve given me over the years - it’s made me a better person.

Stephen, Leo, Tina A., Adrienne, Julie, and too many more - you made working fun, which helped the days fly by!

Online Buddies -

Stu, Mike (Vagabondish.com), Stacy (RamblingTraveler.com), Dan (TheLostGlobe.com), Patrick (crambox), Kirsty (NerdyNomad.com) - for being the top commentators on my blog and offering constructive and positive feedback throughout the year.

Everyone in the BootsnAll Forums - you’ve helped me every step of the way, from developing a budget to calming my anxieties as my departure approaches!  You’ll be among the first I go to for help on the road.

Justin (Corporatewhorenomore.com) - I just copied your approach to adding Flickr notes as a way to create my inventory list! I’ll post the link soon.

Megan (Me-go.net: Around the World) - I copied the format you used for displaying your RTW trip’s cost per day (My version). And, I’m especially thankful you recently contacted me to discuss the topic of COBRA/medical insurance coverage.

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To those reading: Check out my favorite blogs in the right sidebar sometime - I intend to remain subscribed to just about all of them. They’ve kept me motivated and entertained all year. I hope my blog can do the same for you.

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Nothing says post-resignation, pre-Thanksgiving fun like a shot of 140-proof absinthe!

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I walked into work Tuesday morning to find a giant “Aloha” banner behind my cubicle, and hula girls bobbing around. Everyone on my team had a lei on their seat, and they actually got me to wear them for part of the day. The photo above is with my coworker Adilah. Another coworker, Russell, baked 4 pies, and brought in hot dogs and chili for lunch (thanks again - it was a nice surprise)! And thanks to Geoffrey as well for helping to organize and decorate, and everyone else who contributed!

I’ve been slowly saying goodbye to everyone the past few days. It’s surreal to be leaving after more than 5 years with the company, however it also feels empowering to head off on my own terms into the great wide open!

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I’ve posted 239 times in the last 10 months and that’s A LOT of writing. I thought it’d be a good time to look back and pluck out a few of my favorite pre-trip posts for the newer readers.

1. Saving for a Trip Around the World (6-part series)
2. Couchsurfing - A Brilliant Social Network for Travelers (3-part series)
3. My Backpack Tells a Story
4. 5 Reasons Why I Travel
5. Would You Accept a Sponsored Trip Around the World?
6. Picking a Trek: Annapurna Circuit v. Everest Base Camp (Jake Norton commented, sharing advice with me - he has climbed Mt. Everest twice!)
7. Top 5 Adrenaline Rushes in New Zealand (see what I’ll be doing next month!)
8. Blue Ribbon Manhattan - New York City’s Best Late Night Dining (photos: bone marrow and rack of lamb)
9. Cambodia and The Killing Fields
10. Dental Dilemma (4-part series about getting an implant)

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I’ve got 3 days left in my apartment before I put some select belongings in storage, and move in with my parents (hi Dad!).

Check out the video for a final shot of my bachelor pad.

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