The Return is Nigh

Is it really almost over? I'm in Christchurch for the weekend visiting Matt and Ali, flying back to Auckland tomorrow, then back to LA on Tuesday. This last month has definitely been a good trip. Traveling keeps me sane. 1 month minimum of budget-savvy travel per year. It's great to wake up in a van on a Hawaii beach every once in a while, take a take in a uber-strong coffee in an Austrian cafe, or tramp through cow pastures overlooking the NZ coastline. I'm not into fate and such, but it was fortunate that the ONLY 2 items that didn't get stolen were my passport and plane tix. It's been great catching up with old friends. It seems to me like their lives have changed so much compared to mine in the years I've known them. Marriage, divorce, kids, career changes. House payments, business projects, futures. But it's comforting that we still have traveling in common. Travel stories over several pints in the local is always good for a laugh. But in a couple days I'm gonna have to start putting my life back together. Well, the material side of my life, that is. My car got recovered (yes!), but all contents are gone for good. I foresee many days rebuilding my financial reports between shred sessions in Hood this summer. 7 years of music, pictures, and emails taken by someone for whom they have no value. At least I got the car back!