The Countdown Begins...

A week to go! One more day of work. And then no more stocking cans of corn, putting paper in plastic, saying “Hey, how’s it going” in the most genuine way I can after 3 hours of register, which is not that genuine and then not being able to say anything while uncomfortably waiting for the receipt and trying to tear it off early, ripping it in the process and saying “Hey, have a good one” again in same not-so-genuine manner as before. Ahhhhh….I feel sorry for not being able to offer more to all those customers over the years.

So, I am calling this my “retirement” from the grocery business. I think five years is enough. A year at Safeway back in 93-94 and now four more at TJ’s from 03-07. In all likelihood, I’ll be back in Portland submitting a resume to Whole Foods before retiring again and then, slowly making my way up the natural food store chain, I’ll start working at a co-op when I’m 50 making minimum wage and never be able to retire!

Let’s not think about that. I am sitting in my 50 degree apartment with too many layers on, but I know that soon I will be feeling some highly anticipated heat upon my dried out skin. I am feeling a wide variety of emotions at the moment, mostly anxiety, but also excitement, fear, apprehension and a tinge of sadness. Others too, but I can’t be bothered to think anymore about them.

I have sold nearly all of my larger possessions. I’m always talking about simplifying and then when I find myself moving I come across things that make me wonder how in the hell they didn’t make it into the garbage, recycling bin or goodwill a long time ago. But now, with only a 4x5 storage space, elimination is that much more essential. In the past month or so, I’ve said goodbye to my car, road bike, mountain bike, all my plants, my rugs, couch, coffee table, desk, drums, bed, bookshelf, dressers and armchairs. And now I sleep on the floor, my clothes rest on boxes and I can’t wait to just get on with it. Bring it all to storage, patch the holes in the wall, clean, clean, clean, get a PO Box, cancel my cell phone and grab my pack and hop on the plane.

That’ll be three planes. One to San Francisco, a short layover then a 14 hour flight to Ty-wan, another short layover and the third and final flight to Ty-land. I don’t really like flying that much, especially not when there is turbulence, so I hope I can pass out for part of the journey. Or at least be offered a free alcoholic beverage. Ok, time to pack, stop shivering, think about the sun, calm my nerves…