Final Goodbyes in Dallas

I suck at goodbyes. I’ve been told that when you’re on the road, you say so many goodbyes so often you get good at it. I guess I will be trained in the art of goodbyes in some time.

Played my last pick up soccer game at Brookhaven on Thursday. I had been wanting to get in a decent game so I could leave on a high note. I was frustrated on Tuesday so when Thursday rolled around, instead of thinking about having a good game, I just tried to focus on on having as much fun out there as I could. I scored a decent goal, then later punted a kick off which Jon W. controlled beautifully before turning and scoring a spectacular  goal 5 seconds into our game (one of the best pick up goals I’ve seen ever, and I’ll take that assist), then set one more up later, got some decent crosses, played decent defence…anyway, I was happy to sign off in that manner. Most importantly, got to say goodbye to lots of friends I made there.

Cleared out the apartment on Friday, lots of last-minute packing and moving. I left a broken vacuum, an old broom, some paper towels, toilet paper, some air freshener behind. If hobos broke in, they could set up shop easy. Loaded up Peter’s Navigator, loaded up my car, had a shitload of wings, then came down to my sister’s place to stay the weekend.

Got to watch Chelsea/Liverpool and ManUtd/Sunderland this morning with some friends at The Londoner. Had a blast although the Chelsea result didn’t go our way. But as they say, “Football, bloody hell” and anything could happen in the final week. Said my goodbyes there too and left my old folding soccer goals with Jay, guess it’ll continue to be part of Brookhaven pick up games.

Other than that, I sold my TV and am ready to head back to Austin tomorrow. After that, camping with my buddies and then head off into the unknown.

Oh yeah, here’s my backpack which will be my friend/home the entire trip:

Everything I’ll be carrying with me with fit into that REI Flash 50.