Cartagena!!

After getting to the airport in Chicago (big ups to Dr Lisa!!! who gave me a ride because Rick Brock Jr backed out last minute) and having the ticket guy tell me that I can't fly to South America on a one-way ticket, my heart pretty much sank thinking I might have to delay my trip…but I bought a cheap return flight ($150) and will cancel it today and just keep rocking out in S America. Crisis averted, but wow that was a buzz kill at first. Flight was SIMPLE - 2.5 hours to Ft Lauderdale and then another 2.5 hours to Cartagena. Jumped a cab with a 55 year old guy who is from Cartagena but lived in Chicago and LA (Rickey!) for years, so he helped me get to my friend Oliver's hotel where I'm staying my first night. A smooooove landing in my new life. Here's some sickass pics from the plane. Spent most of today walking the Old City - so beautiful. Techno music already blaring out my door now though so time to put on my top hat (yes, I flew with it on my lap) and make this trip happen…

Coming into Cartagena!!

Last day in Chicago

Last night was a whirlwind of packing and running around Chicago before even getting to my packing.  My band played our last gig on Sat (12/28) at a cool little bar in Lincoln Park called Lilly's and it was amazing - one of the best musical experiences of my life. Collaboration with other musicians, fun, intense, and beautiful. Everything I love about music. Then on Sunday I moved all my equipment out of my studio and brought it to Linda Bohnen's house in Downers Grove. Linda is my mom's best friend and she has been a big part of my family since moving back to Chicago three years ago. Unfortunately I left the new harmonica my mom got me in my drum bag so I had to drive back out to get it on Monday, which ate up much of my day. Luckily a friend was in town from Houston who I hadn't seen in a while so we got to hang out because she was in the burbs. Oh - and Tommy Madden has been a saint to me in this past month. Tommy is the older brother of my closest high school friend, Jim Madden, and he's mastered the art of minimalistic artistic living. A true gem - Tom helped me drive around and get packed on Monday ahead of my 5:30am departure time on Tuesday. Anyway, I got the harmonica and hit up REI for the necessities (thanks Stephanie:), and then headed back to get going on packing. Slowly got all things lined up and then realized I didn't receive my daypack backpack which was crucial to my trip (it holds my camera and laptop and is easy to walk around with when I leave my big backpack at home. So Tom drove me to the UPS shipping location just south of Chicago where I quickly learned form a roomful of people that the UPS "system was down". No - I have no clue how that happens, but I do know I got there at 8:30pm and left at almost 11pm…WITH my package. They tried to tell me it was lost but I told them it was a must-have and they pulled together for me. Incidentally I was the last one waiting for his package along with a girl who needed a dress for her NYE party. Classic. Anyway - got the package and had Tom and my great friend Maggie waiting for me when I got out! Win. Got home and packed and cleaned the apt up until hitting the airport at 3am. Most importantly, after being laid off on Nov 1, I was able to find a guy who moved into my apt and is using all my furniture, and I was able to find an amazing home for my cat Bocce…all within days of leaving. Unbelievable luck, but things come together when you're on the right path.

Here's a pic of everything I'm taking :)

Here we go!!!

Today

Right now is only as important as you make it. Make it count.

Love

It's really all that matters

One of my favorite recent pieces - entitled Swimming Sun Rays

Everything is written in pencil, and we have a lifetime supply of erasers.

I've been dipping my toes in the water for years and have decided that in 2014 I'm jumping in (feet first, Owen). My true passions in this life are music and art, and so I'm dedicating a year of my life to travel the world and focus on these endeavors. Here's the plan...
New Years Eve: One way flight to Cartagena, Colombia, where I'll spend New Years with Oliver and a a buddy of his. I'm not sure how long I'll stay here but will just see how it goes.

January-March: Travel through South America, with the hope to see Santiago, Buenos Aires, Punta del Este, southern Brazil, and Rio.

April-June: Fly into Vienna and travel throughout Europe with the hope to see Budapest, Prague, Italy, south of France, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Morocco.

July-October: I've never owned a car. I'm going to come back to Chicago and buy my first car, loading it with my drums, paints, bike, and a tent, and head out across the country. I want to take my time and visit with all the people I love, so please let me know if I can include you on my route. The plan is to drive from Chicago to Maine, then down the east coast to Florida, then over the southern states to New Mexico, where I'll drive up the Rockies to Idaho. After Idaho Buda will meet me in Seattle where No Goodbye will set off on a west coast tour: Seattle, Portland, SF, and LA!!

November-December: Fly to Saudi Arabia to live with my sister Stasha and visit the middle east: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Oman, and Jordan. My biggest hope is that I can spend some time with Bedouins and go hunting with falcons in the desert.

So that's it - I'm letting everyone know about this because it's a huge step for me, and one which I hope to bring much growth and spirituality into the next year of my life. Please let me know if you have friends I can visit along my travels (including a place to stay:), and any advice and tips are more than welcome.

Thanks in advance for any words of encouragement, and I hope to see many of you in my travels.