My back is getting better all the time, and everything is coming together with some ease.
I need to be sure someone is taking over my lease, get storage, an oil change, and tons of food to take.

I got a road atlas and was looking at Canada- my main feelings were of uncertainty and desperation. I really want to do northern Canada as much as possible, but many of the roads up that way are unpaved or gravel, and I don't know if my car can take it. I will go as far north as I can, and that's all I can do. The northern Canada part will be by far the most desolate and primitive leg of the trip, and also the last, so by then I will be accustomed to the life.

Also got tons of film tonite and made a list of the places I have so far that people from here and there have offered. It's quite a good list so far, considering the project is embryonic until I actually leave.

I still want/need places in these places:
TX
Boston
NYC
Philly, Penn.
CT or RI
WI
WY
UT
NE
MT
ID
ND or SD

and anywhere else! If you know of anything, let me know. I'm sure I'll be willing to take anything when the time comes around.

I feel really grateful for the support I've already gotten. I still would've gone thru will all this, but it wouldn't be the same without knowing my friends and family are cheering for me. My safety is the most important thing, and I will absolutely do anything to make sure I get thru this and come back to the people I love.

Going to bed now to sleep for many hours. It's my first free morning in days; I will enjoy it.

By the way!... Here's the

article

from the Tribune.

Well, the Tribune article came out and I was really pleased with the whole deal. A few people have been here and have written to me because of the article and I'm so thankful for that. It brings a feeling of comfort which is welcome always, but especially when you're feeling deficient of it.

So thank you.

I think I've found a really amazing couple to take over my lease, which is another big load off my mind. The only things left now are:

Find storage for my stuff, but mostly for all my paintings. I've got 20 now, and don't want them to melt (seriously) in the PHX heat, so I need something climate-controlled.

Figure out what to take and what to store.

Buy food for the first leg of the trip (to Memphis).

Pay down my credit card a bit more for emergencies and gas.

Get the moonroof of the car (Tyler) fixed.

Make sure my neck is better before I even try and attempt this.

Yes. I think this can really be successful. I can't wait to get out there and DO THIS. I've got to make sure my neck and back are OK before I do, though. My little car wreck a coupla weeks ago jolted me and tore some stuff back there. My check today was a lot smaller than what I'm used to due to all the time off work I missed because of the accident.

Pass this site along to other people you know, if you would. What I'd love is a steady stream of people checking in every so often to check out the journal and the pics along the way, and so a lot of people know where I am and where I'm going next, for safety.

I would also love if anyone wanted to donate. I know there are so many worthy things out there to donate to and people who have had fires or tragedies that are in more need than I am in now. So while I'd appreciate all the help I can get, I just want people to be really sure before they do it. However, I will gladly take anyone's hard-earned dollar for gas and other randomness. :)

Maybe I should make a banner to link this stuff up. I think word-of-mouth sites are the best though, which is my hope for this one. So since I don't know how to make banners, tell someone to come here and look at all this. And sign the guestbook on the Contact Me page so I know you were here.

So ready to go!!! As soon as my doctor releases me, there will be tons of pics and entries to come read and see. I've got three cameras now (one is named Asher), and my laptop, Randall, so my guys and me are ready to parlay out of hot place before triple digits hit, which will be soon.

Support me!!!!

Later,

-J.

Got some more LOR stuff today: a better tent, stakes, a shade for my car. Also had an interview with a writer from the East Valley Tribune, so if you're in the Phoenix area, it should run either Thursday or next Tuesday. It was a really amazing feeling being interviewed. Talking about it all made it feel very real, which is good for matters like these.

My Gramma called to check on me, and I see a chiropractor tomorrow about my back and another doctor Friday about my general health. So I will be a healthy J. for the trip. Still a little worried about the money, but fuck it, I want to do this and expect to start right on schedule or at the worst, a week late.

In a few weeks, I can't wait, expect pics from the road and updates from all over. I'll post where I am in the News section. When I get to an area close to you, write to tell me what I should see. For reals. Later ya'll.

I think I still want to try and go through with this. I'm waiting to get my strength back, and I start work again tomorrow. I'm not sure where I am financially since I missed some work, but even if I have to push the start date back a few weeks, I still want this to go forward. Going to get more rest before work tomorrow. Lots of rest now is the best thing for me. Until later, -Me.

To anyone who reads this:
I'm not sure if LOR is going to start on schedule just yet. I was in a car wreck yesterday and may have to wait for my health to recover before I can get out and do this. My face is really swollen and I feel generally dazed so... I'll write more when I wake up again and feel a little better.

It's getting hotter here in Phoenix. I've got my windows open now.
This weekend was really relaxed and fun. I went with Jake to a BBQ and to Tucson. It was finally a weekend away with friends that I've been wanting since I got here in August, and now I'm leaving it to do this project. I don't feel yet like I'm in my last few weeks here, even though that is the case, very much. The main emotion about all this is being afraid of other people, weather, bad luck, money. I know once I get all my things into storage and get the tent and get the car loaded that it will feel real all at once, but for now I'm just going to work maniacally to save all the money I can produce.

I'm gonna go paint a while then go to bed; I have to wake up before the birds again. Sign the guestbook if you're reading this. It comforts me, thanks.

A List

I need to get a to-do list together, so this will be an update and that.

To get:
Tent
Food
Tires
Cot
Camera cable
Another camera
Tons of film to start with
Better backpack (Army surplus store)

To do:
Storage for stuff
Either France visa or ASU application (details about residency and aid)
Pay down credit card
Subscribe to Boing
Car payments
Call Kia
Call PHX papers
Find someone to take over lease
Put together a list of books to take
Buy book about Icelandic language
Call Memphis Sbux about working
Make mega-mixes of most pertient music
Find a way to put outlet in car

So, it appears I am taking my little Chevy Prizm out for this trip. Car dealerships were unable to accomodate me. So whatever. If anyone has a car they want to give me or swap me for, yank my chain. Other than that, I'm slightly peeved and am now going to get new tires, fix the moonroof and throw myself into the Iceland process (for after LOR). Fuck 'em.

Went to a car dealer today, got real jerked around. Other than that, read a bit in my book, "Gods In Everyman", worked, now going to bed. Oh, I also went to the ASU International Whatever office about study abroad stuff and they gave me packets and told me to go to 4 other offices. Ja!!!
The most important thing right now is just LOR stuff anyway. And going to France stuff. But I am tired now and am glad to have begun this here. It will get easier, like personal ads. In any case, yes, I'll be around more later.