Ready for Liftoff

After all is said and done, it looks like I'm going to have to check two bags and carry-on my backpack and roll-aboard, which should make for some entertaining times getting through the airports/cabs/etc.  While the vacuum-seal bags have proven to be an asset, they don't necessarily result in a neatly flattened package as advertised on the box, but more of an irregular emaciated blob- think giant prune filled with t-shirts- resulting in some creative packing.  And while the bags help minimize the volume of the clothes, they obviously cannot do the same for mass.  So I am left with the dilemma of do I leave some stuff behind to meet the weight requirement (but risk the inaccuracy of the family's body-weight scale), or just pack it all in and shell out the extra $90 for overweight luggage?  At this point I'm leaning toward the latter.

As for tasks beyond packing, I'm pretty much all ready to go:

• Turned in laptop and badge for work (will be provided new ones once I start August 9th)
• Sorted banking
• Sold car, cancelled insurance policy
• Ported phone number to Google Voice
• Tested Google Video chat
• Configured VPN server with WakeOnLAN
• Disposed of extraneous/unnecessary "stuff" (still somewhat ongoing)

It's amazing how fast the past two months have flown by as we prepare for our move!  To the friends and family that I had the opportunity to see and say goodbye to, it was great seeing you and thank you for all of the kind wishes and thoughts!  As for those of you that it didn't work out to see due to timing/schedules/geography (Family, Chicago fellas, Atlantan, Roswellian, and Athenian friends out of town, and my bromantic cruise buddy) I wish you all the best of luck and am looking forward to each of you coming to visit in the not-too-distant future!  I'll continue to have my US cell number, so please give me a call or ping me on GChat so we can stay in touch!

Depending upon the availability of free Wifi, we'll be sure to update the blog with photos and notes documenting our voyage along the way. Here's to on-time departures, safe flights, and easy travels.  Until then, "she'll be alright!"