Anticipation

At work, I glance at the calendar semi-hourly, but never realize the day.  Perception is half hour incremental observations as meetings, projects, and commitments take charge of my life.  These things are not bad, but take away the reality of time.  I looked at the calendar this morning; I mean, really looked at it.  I have less than a month and I am, just now, today, feeling the anticipation grow.  I have nothing planned, but have plane tickets on my desk.  The list of things to ponder are growing as of late, but do not have my journal with me.

Less than a month until the logistics of water caches and levels, airport security, fuel, and permits.  Daydreaming has begun of friends waiting for me 1200 miles away, exchanging work attire for synthetics, endless stars lulling me to sleep with their endless twinkling show, good food, and cheap beers while watching films of long-distance hiking with hundreds of members of my hiker-trash family.  It has been two years, but the memory is as vivid as if it happened just yesterday.