Only a week away

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It's hard to believe that it's only a week away.

I packed my back pack again yesterday. I think I have everything I'm going to need. It's really weird going through everything and deciding if I need another T-shirt or if I should leave the space for one of the numerous souvenirs I'm going to pick up along the road. After going through all the material objects I have gathered over the years it has all come down to a simple cooler of items that I want to keep. Even those items are things that close friends have given me over the years like the wolverine figurine that Josh gave me, the glass eagle I got from Banff, all my thank you letters I received when working at the radio stations and over the years all the events and concerts I worked or attended. I have all the ticket stubs. I found my credentials I received when I worked the G8 in Calgary, my training manual for Xbox, my name tags from Cancun. It's small items like those that mean more then how many shirts you have hanging up in your closet.

The biggest debate I'm having is deciding if I'm going to take my signature books. For those of you who don't know me. My last year of High school I started getting friends to sign a book saying something a little clever. I've recently started my forth book, I have about 4000 signatures from everywhere in the world in about a dozen different languages. They are my most prized possessions and leaving them behind is going to be very difficult. The good thing about it is I'm leaving them with someone I truly trust. I know nothing will happen to them and she understands how valuable they are to me.

As the single digit days count down to the final departure day I'm getting extremely excited and very nervous and sometimes even second guessing myself saying "What the hell are you doing?" This is going to be an experience of a life time that not everybody has the opportunity to do. I've spoken to so may people that have said they wish they had the guts or the opportunity to do it. I guess the only way to experience life is to make a life an experience.

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Comments

[Heather]

It's a no-brainer..........take the signature book!

[Peter Clarke]

It Takes Courage to Truly Live
Hey Archie, I just arrived back into Calgary from Rwanda. Before leaving, I asked myself "What are you doing?" at least a thousand times. It takes a lot of courage to follow your dreams. And now that I am back, I can suggest to you that you are on the right track with finding your purpose and realizing what makes you tick. Go and explore with the ignorance and excitement of a 5-year old. Canada is the greatest country in the world to live in and to be from. But there's nothing like finding your way into new lands, meeting new people, and experiencing why we Canadians are so lucky. On the signature books: leave them at home and start new ones on the road. If you really need to see them, photocopy a few pages to bring with you to show people what you are doing when asking for their signature. This concept will make a great personal documentary one day. Safe travels! PS: You can read a little about my trip here: http://redtvcanada.blogspot.com

[MrCanadianTraveler]

First of all I'm glad you made it back alright and it sounds like you had an amazing time down in Rwanda. I've only had a couple minutes to have a quick glance over your Blog. I'm sure you understand coming down to the final days before I start the biggest trip of my life. Thanks again for the amazing words of encouragement, coming from someone who is as diverse in travel as you are. It honestly makes me wonder why more people don't get out there and realize just how lucky they are to call themselves a Canadian. As for my "AUTOGRAPH BOOKS" as you put it. One of the main reasons why I was going to bring them is because I'm expecting at some point in my travels I'm going to get depressed and very lonely. I've done it in the past where when I do I pull out one of my books and read it over and instantly my mood changes. I hope you don't mind but I added a link to your blog on my blog. I look forward to reading up on what you have in the making. What is your next destination?

[Mom]

Signature Book
Never second guess yourself, this dream of yours has to be fullfilled. Fear of the unknown is natural but not following your dream and your goals is not natural for you. As much as I worry about you going I know in my heart you will be fine. You have worked hard at making all this happen and all you have to do now is get on the plane. As for your signature books,I think I would take one of them,just so you have a part of family and friends with you to cheer you up on those down days. Take one that really makes you laugh and smile. Those books are some of your prize possessions and have helped make you who you are and I think you NEED to have a part of that with you on your travels. Talk to you soon. Love ya

[jamie]

excited too
wow time has gone by fast i'm lookin forward to hear all the different stories you have or all the new and weird people you'll meet. Sucks that you're not bringing your books they would make great conversation pieces, i'm sure you'll start a new one. any ways lookin forward to hear from ya soon best time to call is any time during thew day i get home from work at 9 am and i don't go to work till 11 pm my sleep schedule is always screwed up so dont be affraid to wake me. Cheers Jamie

[jamie]

excited too
wow time has gone by fast i'm lookin forward to hear all the different stories you have or all the new and weird people you'll meet. Sucks that you're not bringing your books they would make great conversation pieces, i'm sure you'll start a new one. any ways lookin forward to hear from ya soon best time to call is any time during thew day i get home from work at 9 am and i don't go to work till 11 pm my sleep schedule is always screwed up so dont be affraid to wake me. Cheers Jamie