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Dear Grams,

Sorry that I didn’t return your phone call the other week. With everything between the inauguration and subsequent shit storm, then everything going to hell at work, the last month has been a blur. On top of that, or maybe because of it, I might have just made the most impulsive decision of my life.

After New Year’s I had a little bit of a crisis about whether I’m doing enough to make my life they way I want it to be. Especially with things starting to crumble around us, I started to spiral about all the things I want to accomplish and how little time I actually spend working towards them.

Despite best intentions, everything has narrowed down to my job and even my apartment has stopped feeling comfortable. I keep wondering when I’ll have a place that feels like mine. Or, maybe I’m just annoyed by what sounds like a nightly dog fighting ring in my upstairs neighbor’s apartment, or getting hit by a wave of seasonal depression.

Either way, if I was smart I might have taken a step back, invested in a happy lamp, or maybe even booked a spa day. But instead I agreed to travel around with my friend Tabby, who’s committed to starting a nomadic lifestyle in 2025.

Does this require me to quit my job? Technically, yes. But while my overlords require me to live within commuting distance to the city, they haven’t actually commanded we return to the office yet. So, don’t snitch on me, but I am going to try to continue working…while living on the other side of the world.

Where are we even going? Tammy and I are dialing in on our travel itinerary, but she’s the expert on what places are cheap and have the best visas. We’re looking at Greece, Albania, Mexico, and maybe Romania. There’s still some time to figure things out because we both have to wrap up our leases (and save a little more).

On one hand, it will almost certainly be the exciting adventure I’ve always wanted, and a way to escape the craziness happening under the maniac’s administration. But on the other hand, I wonder if I’m not just running away from my problems?

By the way, did you end up booking that trip to Vegas? What else is new?

Love you -

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Hey hun,

Firstly, what news! Secondly, of course you’re running away from your problems! I don’t think there’s a more direct translation of the definition than what it is you’re doing. To be frank, it’s really your business to decide if it’s worth doing anyway.

But it sounds like you’re asking for permission (or reassurance), so I’ll just give you my two cents and you can take it or leave it spinning around on the carousel.

If you're just looking for a break on the beach or backpacking around for the shits and giggles, then take it as just that. It sounds like this could be a wonderful, if not impulsive trip with a wonderful, if not impulsive and exhilarating friend.

From what I remember of Tabby, she’s one of those wild, free spirit types. You’ve always gravitated towards people who complement your more cautious, grounded self. Maybe it’s the natural, balancing order of things, which I think is lovely. However, you’ll never be like her.

Some people are the very essence of what they make those insane romcom movies about. They seem to land in implausible situations just by stepping out the door, they never have a plan and everything just works out, and birds follow them around like Snow White.

You, my dear, may relax your guard, take a few more chances, feel like a different person for a while, but you’ll never be able to step out of yourself. Nor do I think that you should. You require more than novelty to feel fulfilled and I don’t think you should hide from that.

I’m only saying this to make it clear that the problems you face on this shore will find a way to follow you to another. I’m not too worried about the job, it’ll work itself out. You may and probably will be fired, but you’ve had one foot out the door at that place for a while.

What I’m getting at is that everything else you’re struggling with, that agitating kernel of truth and uncertainty, will not be magically solved by daytime margaritas and sun. You will not feel suddenly more fulfilled, more magnetic, nor less lonely.

So, if anything, I suggest you walk into this trip with your eyes wide open. If you just want to have fun, do that. If you want to take the time to figure out what exactly it is you’re missing and start working towards fixing it, do that. If you want to find some gloriously handsome hunk with the ass of a god, by all means!

Just remember that you’re not leaving yourself behind, and that you are responsible for initiating the adventure that you’re looking for.

Ok, my lecture is over!

My trip to Vegas has been booked for early February! My goal for this trip is to not lose all of my money and to keep Denise out of trouble. Actually, now that I think about it, she’s like my version of your friend. Who knows, maybe following her on this latest adventure will win me a fantastic prize!

Otherwise, there’s not too much to report, except that Barbie is at it again. Only now she’s started to antagonize the entire street.

Apparently, she’s been reporting people for not properly shoveling the bottoms of their driveways. You know, the area where people walk across between the sidewalks. She complained so much that the cops actually came around and knocked on doors.

Then, one morning (on a clear day, mind you), we all woke up to find that someone had dumped at least a foot of snow all over her driveway. And you better believe whoever it was also reported it to the cops.

I felt kind of bad because she’s in no shape to be shoveling, so I called her to give her the number of my plow guy, but she told me where to shove it and hung up. There’s been no update on who did it or how. But, I have a suspicion that it was the woman down the street who’s dating that contractor because he has a big ol’ truck and plenty of job sites to collect snow from. But what do I know? Keep me updated on your plans and I’ll keep you updated on mine!

Love,

Grams