When I read this, it makes me wish it was October.

Tonight I was rechecking apartment prices and job listings in New Orleans just to keep my finger on the pulse, so to speak, and I came across this article/blog entry that made me long for my adventure to truly begin! I'll link the page at the end, but I just want to share some excerpts that really stuck out for me.

"Music! Don’t even know where to start. The jazz, the creole, the zydeco, the blues – all with venues that are legendary and historic and to die for. I don’t forsee myself getting tired of dba, the Maple Leaf, Donna’s, Spotted Cat, Preservation Hall or for my indie music fix One-Eyed Jacks.

Festivals! Did you know there is actually a festival season? Yup there is. It’s technically in the spring and you just haven’t lived until you’ve eaten Crawfish Monica at Jazz Fest. But that’s not even the tip of the iceberg. Cause really festivals are all year long. Any time there is a weekend a reason to celebrate, people will come together for what they call a “fest.” French Quarter Fest, Mardi Gras, Voodoo Experience, countless smaller fests happening all the time promoting all the good local music and local food New Orleans has to offer. What struck me the most about New Orleans’ festivals when I was there this spring? The sense of FAMILY. Babies and grandmas are out at the festivals, it’s not just about a small demographic of college-aged kids out there listening to music, it’s everyone. And everyone is having a good time.

Culture! From second lines through the streets to sno-balls lines in the summer, competitions with men and women yelling “STELLA!” as loud as they can in Jackson Square to sitting next at Cafe du Monde with a beignet watching time go by, there is no end to the culture in New Orleans. Or the educational opportunities to find out about it, since New Orleans is home to Tulane University, Loyola University and the University of New Orleans."

I don't know about the rest of you, but experiencing all of this, even if in just a small dose, seems like an amazing way to live. I can already feel the energy and spirit of the city and I haven't ever been there! (Now lets hope I don't get there and hate it. :P)

Anywho, just had to share all that. The whole article can be found here.

In other news, I've decided that since I'm relocating to a new region of the country, I need to take advantage of my time left in the west and re-experience what it has to offer. So far this is to include a trip to Yellowstone/Jackson, Wyoming, and hopefully a little SoCal time. If any of you Westerners have any other suggestions for what I should include in my farewell tour, feel free to comment!!

Reaffirming my resolve.

A couple weeks ago I was spending some time with two good friends when they decided to read cards for each other. Having not had my cards read in quite some time(the reason for that is another story entirely) I decided I wanted to have a reading done. I chose a spread that is designed to answer direct questions. My questions was " Is this move the right thing for me to do?". I didn't ask the question because I was doubting my decision, or because I was told it was a giant mistake. Iasked it because I needed reassurance that it was the right thing for me.

Before I go into what the reading told me, I have to explain my view of "reading cards". I don't believe they have any magical power. I don't think they are "evil". I think they simply help you consider your situation and life more deeply. For me, they help me focus on an issue and consider all sides of it. They are an aid for self-realization. The only power they have is the credence you pay them.

Now that I've said that, I'll tell what the reading said.

Basically, it helped me realize that I came to this decision because I am a dreamer and I always have been but I rarely make my dreams reality because I fail to follow through. I was also told that I needed to take the criticism I was receiving and make sure I listened, but didn't let it sway me. I needed to remember where it was coming from so I could understand why it was coming and so I could not hold a grudge against my dissenters.

It went on to affirm that I was making a good decision and that I had prepared as well as I possibly could and that I would have to make sure that I kept my head on my shoulders and didn't lose sight of the larger goals to keep this move successful.

While I can understand that most of the people that will read this entry won't understand why I give this reading any credibility or had it done in the first place, I am just excited that I was able to really come to terms with my decision and understand it in ways I don't know that I otherwise would have.

Procrastinate? Moi?

When I made the decision to keep this blog, I convinced myself that I would keep up with it and have at least one update per week. As you can see, that hasn't been the case. Life and time in general has gotten away from me and now, after a battle the last week or so to even gain access to my account to post an entry, here we are again to read my current thoughts about this adventure I've somewhat foolishly embarked upon.

I say foolishly not because I am disheartened or feeling regret for my decision. I use the word to refer to my naivety to how complicated such a task would be to take on. Completely reinventing your life is messy business. Disposing of the old reveals feelings and attachments that weren't obvious before and can lead to deep introspection and self discovery. I had little notion of just how revealing and difficult this process would be, however I feel that already I am better equipped to survive this adventure than I may have been at its outset.

I'm amazed that the first major step of the plan that I put together to make this dream reality is less than a week away. Moving out of this house that I've called home for over two years, the house that I've become more attached to than any of my previous residences, is the only way I'll be able to save the necessary amount to make this move successful. I do also worry that in my excitement at having very few expenses I'll indulge in frivolous spending and cripple my savings. I guess I'll have to make sure I have a short leash on myself in that department.

All in all, I have to say that this "Big Adventure" is getting off to a great start and I can't wait to see what awaits me when I visit my future city of residence, New Orleans, for my vacation in mid-June.