If you're already there then there's nowhere to go

You know and I know that travel is good. It broadens your horizons, yadda, blah blah blah.

Day trips and simple overnight trips are wonderful. You throw your shit together and make sure you have clean underwear and off you go. Two weeks ago when I went to Portland, I only took my satchel and last week when I went to Vegas, it was just what my pockets would bear. That's all you need.

But when you're taking longer trips, you have to do some actual honest planning and trade things off. Do you want to take just a carry-on's worth of personal belongings (as I managed to at MWSF), or are you planning on bringing more things back with you than you left with and need to pack a suitcase of belongings into a larger empty suitcase (as is usually the case when we go to Hawaii)?

OK, probably nobody else does that last thing, but anyway.

When I go on longer trips, there's somewhat of a ritual that goes along with the packing. I didn't mean for it to happen that way, it's just the way it's evolved over time. And it goes something like this:

1) Put on pajamas — they're nice and loungy and this way you can nap in the middle of the process if the urge strikes. It also helps along step 2.

2) Wash everything — All clothes, underwear (I often overpack on underwear, and underpack on shirts), bedding, etc. As things come out clean, I'll fold it all up and put it away or pack it, and set aside a travel outfit. This way, when I get home after a long trip (often the most tiring kind of travel), everything is neat and there's a ncie clean bed ready to sleep in. Yay!

3) Choose a single purse/satchel for the trip and redistribute wallet, keys, etc.

4) Salt all pockets and each piece of baggage liberally with chapstick. This way if I lose something, I will at least not have horrible dry lips. Remember: deliciously soft lips are a gift you give yourself.

5) Drink a lot of coffee. Actually, I do that anywhere and everywhere throughout the process.

Actually, I do that anywhere and everywhere throughout my entire life. Who am I kidding?

6) Avoid finishing up by whatever means necessary.

7) Feed the cats.

8) Shower.

9) Get dressed. That's what the set-aside outfit is for. Damned if I can actually get an actual ensemble together at 3 a.m.

10) More coffee.

11) Leave.