RUN FOX RUN: And Here We .... Go!

Bout Time For An Update ... Alright. Finally im ready...
The final touches have been made, plans are settled and bookings are locked in. Now for an update before I trek off to the USA for 3 weeks. Things are all jumbled right now in my head, bit of a whirlpool, so i'll try and pick out a few things of note to keep in mind for this new epic adventure.

So why the USA again?
Well. I needed a break. after last year, this year i needed time off for something, anything. Since my trek over back in 2008, ive stayed in close contact with friends Mark and I met over whilst in San Diego for Comic Con. Trevor and Abby (from Boston, West Coast USA) we're two of the most fantastic people we came across, and we just kinda got on really well upon first meeting. I distinctly remember I was coming down from a bad flu bug, and felt like my head was gonna explode, but they didn't notice, and we proceeded to laugh and swap stories as all nerd travelers do. So cut to 2009. still in contact, Trev and Abby return to Comic Con for another marathon run at San Diego. I kept in touch with daily tweets and emails, and man, it just felt like i was there again ... i said to them, no way am I missing out on another one. next year, its on. and ladies and gentlemen, im a man of my word. The Sandgroper, Returnith!

Now planning for this trip started back in July of 2009, and at that stage i felt, if im going to go all the way there, the only option was for a round the world ticket? no? and if that was the case, i might as well book in some part of South East Asia, as thats really next on my "Must Do List". Cambodia was high on the list to check out Angkor Wat and a few people went through Vietnam and that seemed awesome too, but then real life hit. the short story is i needed to refocus on a shorter holiday and saving a bit of cash this leg around, and plan for a new car and then a larger world trek in 2011 or 2012.... yes 2012. Mexico your still on the list my friend.

So having made a promise to hit Comic Con again with my friends from Boston, i now had to find other US hilights. Then about 3 months from booking any airline ticket, Mark drops me an email and says .... "You heard TOOL is gearing up for a summer tour in the states?" those three words were all i needed to say "GET ME THERE! everything fell into place and I found out not only were they touring the same month as i was heading to Comic Con, but this was actually becoming realistic to see them again.

Now whats better than securing tickets to your favourite band, playing a huge show in the US? Well ... you go get yourself a second set of tickets for THE NEXT NIGHT, and see them again in a different city haha. Yes thats right folks, not only have I got tickets for their San Francisco show, ive also secured tickets for their show in Sacramento California, the very next night! its pretty incredible to think about. these guys have stopped touring since around 2007, and suddenly they decide to come out again, at the same time i'll be in California. Perfect.

Crazy, I know what your thinking. but I dont care. Pick a classic, Hendrix / Sinatra / Elvis / ... your treasured artist. if they were still alive and kicking it, would you not drop what ever you were doing to try and see them? there, i knew you'd understand.

So apart from securing tickets to a second TOOL show, ive just wrapped hotel reservations for SF and SAC, and i'll sort an Amtrak train return ticket when i arrive to get me to the show. With Trev and Abby securing a hotel in San Diego for us all, things are set. Im currently packing and double checking everything before flying. trying not to forget anything. you know the deal. As usual updates will be posted here with photos for friends and family to comment on. No mass emails.

Oh and I have a little surprise for you all when I hit San Francisco. It will make you laugh, and think ... now how did that happen? Not sure whats up? you'll have to tune in. The fact that this also just seemed to "fall into place" is pretty amazing too. enough said. Synchronicity is well in motion. sometimes the dice are rolled, and you just have to use the numbers to your advantage, don't second guess. lifes too short.

Adios Amigos! ... Here We Go.