Today is the start of the official 30-day countdown. First thing to come of the list, my first granddaughter! As you can see in the picture, not even 10 minutes old and perfecting the pouty lip. There is no doubt in my mind that she has quickly wrapped her mommy and daddy around her little finger about 15 times. I mean, come on, look at that face! (Nana's already hooked)

So, what is left on the list? 29 more things, of course (one for each day) and here it its:

1. Grandson #4. 6/25
2. Shelter reservations for annual hike. 6/3
3. Cancel utilities and close local bank account. 6/19
4. Change address for all official accounts. 6/25
5. Prepare bills for when I will be absent. 6/7
6. Move items into storage and temporary homes. 6/2
7. Visit daughter and new granddaughter.  6/14
8. Clean HD of old computer so it can go to its new permanent home. 6/26
9. Make copies and .pdf of important documents. 6/26
10. Send replenish box to friend in Europe.5/30
11. Get Skype phone number. 6/20
12. Sale microscope. 6/20
13. Sale entertainment center. 6/10
14. Sale mower. 6/28
15. Sale king-size mattress set. 6/23
16. Sale food processor. 6/23
17. Sale dresser/cabinet. 6/28
18. Sale dryer.6/1
19. Get recycler to pick up broken washer. 6/23
20. China visa. 6/13
21. Get last haircut. 6/22
22. Find new owners for books. 6/6
23. Sale the last 15 DVDs. (out of about 300 not bad)6/5
24. Pack suitcases and backpacks. 6/27
25. Mail out contact information to friends and family. 6/22
26. Sale TV. 6/9
27. Give VCR and movies to grandkids.5/31
28. Clean apartment for final inspection. 6/26
29. Final inspection. 6/27
30. Turn in car at work. 6/28

Should be easy, right?

It seems I have a following of about 10 onlookers where I do the "stairs" part of my workout. As I make my "laps" around a business complex (U-shaped) near my work the various owners and workers make their daily appearance to cheer me on and have their brief 10 second conversation with me. Things my "fans" have noted this week:
1. "You got your boots on this week!"
2. "You are making the laps a lot quicker than when you started."
3. "Isn't it getting too hot to walk?" (which was said on a day only in the 80's)
4. "I would fall out if I did that." (to "fall out" is southern for pass out)
5. "Keep up the good work."
6. Pantomime of me hoofing it around the complex.

It is encouraging to have "supporters" along my training route and yet it is a bit strange that these strangers have taken to include themselves into my hike. No, they are not training with me, though I have invited them all to do so.  No, they are not, nor will most of them ever hike in the woods. But they all have intertwined themselves into my activity. They have all asked me about my training and about my hike and now, in some fashion, they are taking the hike with me.  I will most likely not see these people again after I head for the hike in the mountains but yet they will join me spiritually on the hike, and most likely on their part, for more than just the 10 days I will actually be hiking since they will not see me when the hike is over. My hiking adventures in their minds will most likely be nothing remotely resembling what will actually occur, yet this spiritual connection will give them a sense of experiencing the hike, though they may never strap on a pair of boots in their entire life. In a similar fashion my friends and co-workers are doing the same for my world tour. This is a burden I gladly take  on for my followers, for life without dreams and having that experience, real or imagined, makes life a bit mundane.

This week's blog is brought to you from my iTouch! Since I will only be taking my iTouch and portable Apple keyboard (pictured below), I thought I should test this sucker out! I am very glad I purchased the keyboard - it makes this process much simpler.

This week I have been "cleaning out" though right now my apartment looks like it has been ransacked. I have various "piles" of things that are orgainzed into three categories: keep, sale, give away. This weekend a small contingent will be going to a yard sale. I have a few things left to sale on Craig's List and in 2 weeks my sons will help me move the things I will be keeping to storage. By the middle of June I hope to be staying in an (almost) empty apartment.

The portable blogging test is now complete. The interface is easy to use, though not all of the website features are available - but being able to take/add pictures and videos is pretty nifty.

The daily countdown is here and I have made the following mish-mash-mix:

The problem is all inside my head it has to be
The answer's easy if I look at it logically
In my constant struggle to be free
In fifty days I'll leave on a jet plane
Not sure when I'll be back again.

And now that it's time for leavin' I hope you'll understand
I was born under a wandering star.
So I will walk 500 miles and I will walk 500 more
To be the one who walks five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred moments of joy.
Meet me in Lisbon, Kristen
Or at the North Sea, Lee
Don't forget Cairo, Jo
Just look for me and I'll be there.

I'll be going to Katmandu, that's really what I'm going to do
When I get out of here I will go where the streets have no name
And I'll take it step by step through the wilderness
For my round the world trip begins with a jump to the left
And a step to the right
Would you like to come along?
You can help me sing this song
On the road to the Southern Cross.
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Brownie points to those that can reference all the songs
Double brownie points for those that add additional verses!