I'll be living on the motorcoach in exactly seven days. Here are a few things that should happen before I leave Colorado:
Last night was a little going away dinner that was put together by some friends... we had a five-course Moroccan feast at Mataam Fez in Boulder.
I'm still trying to sell a bunch of furniture and random stuff to friends and on Craigslist. It looks like it's not all going to sell in time, so more stuff than I'd like will be going into storage to be sold on my next visit to Colorado. It's been much easier to get rid of all the stuff that I've been giving away for free.
Most of my possessions are in boxes and the movers will be coming to bring things to storage on Sunday.
Today is my last day with an office at home... it will be packed up before the end of the day.
The key to my Jeep disappeared the other day (I bet it got packed away in a box somewhere). I don't have a spare key (the dealer never gave me one), so I had to have the Jeep towed to the dealer to have one made (they can't do it from the VIN# on this one). Keys for this car cost $138.45 plus $30 to have them programmed!!!! I'm having three made so I have two spares. Of course two of them wouldn't take the programming and the dealer is still working on it (they have had the car for almost 24 hours just to get a few stupid keys made).
I'll be having a trailer hitch installed on the Jeep on Friday and will be picking up a tiny U-Haul trailer to pack my possessions in so I can drive them out to the Motorcoach. I'll also have a tow bar baseplate installed so the Jeep will be ready to be pulled behind the Motorcoach. I'll also be having my last fix of BeauJo's pizza before leaving the state (be sure to try it on your next visit to Colorado).
If all goes well, I should start my drive to Florida on Monday morning. I might have to leave on Tuesday if any snow gets in the way of finishing everything up. It should take me three days to get to Florida, which is where the Motorcoach is located.
Once I get to Florida, I'll spend three days getting oriented with all the systems on the bus and having driving lessons before I head to PhotoshopWorld in Miami. It sounds like I'll be able to park the bus right at the convention center for the show.
I'll be spending the rest of March and all of April in Florida since I have three speaking gigs and a bus rally to attend. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any suggestions on what I should explore while I'm in Florida or have a place for me to park a 40' Motorcoach for a few days (there's an e-mail link at the bottom of the right column of this blog site).
Best of luck to you on this adventure, Ben. And thanks for keeping us posted!
-Leon
Posted by: Leon | March 09, 2006 at 03:28 PM
Happy trails Ben. Sounds like you are starting a grand adventure.
Posted by: pfong | March 09, 2006 at 06:04 PM
Ben,
As a student of your Photoshop World classes for 4 years now, not to mention your books and videos/DVDs, I really appreciate how you've kept us all abrest of your upcoming travel plans.... lifestyle plans really, much more than just traveling....
I wish you all the best, for a safe journey.... and I look forward to seeing you at Photoshop World on the West Coast in the Fall of 2006.
May the wind always be at your back!
Chris Bain
Posted by: Chris Bain | March 11, 2006 at 08:40 PM
Wow, what a busy time. Sorry to hear about the jeep, but other than that, seems like things are going well. Thank you for keeping us posted and good luck!
Posted by: Stacie | March 13, 2006 at 06:33 AM
Wow! Sounds like am awesome adventure. I envy your braveness and job that would allow such an endeavor. Where do you park and hook up this bus/trailer thing? How do you hook up to water and clean the porta potty? I alwasy wanted to try the John Steinback "Travels with Charlie" life. WoW! I also wanted to learn Adobe Photoshop professionally as I retire from my "void of any art" job by next year. Any suggestions on how to take continuous courses to get certified. I need hands-on training to achieve my goal. None of this Piecemeal classes stuff.
Posted by: Lainey | March 27, 2006 at 03:20 AM
Man...the "lost my wireless card"...that's one of my 'patented-one time use' excuses...I usually charge royalties for the 'useage' of that one...
uh, but a free book (signed of course) will do...
Hope to catch you on another seminar date...the last one was one of the best Photoshoping days I'd experienced...be careful out there and have fun...
Posted by: TShomaker | June 21, 2006 at 12:26 PM