The Goddess keeps me well

What a day.
Last night, a million years ago, Debbie and Betsy gave me a little wooden goddess to keep me safe on my journey, and in the light of day, I discovered that she's purple!! I don't know what her name is yet. If you have any ideas, toss 'em my way.
After not enough sleep, I got up very early, in an effort to get on my way. Despite my best efforts, I didn't leave my house until nearly one. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to make the 1:30 train out of the city, but the 2:30--no problem. That is, until I got a flat tire. Luckily, said flat tire was discovered/happened while I was at a bike shop. So, I had them fix it, as time was of the essence. Despite the efforts of everyone involved--they fixed it quickly, and I rode downtown quickly--I missed the 2:30 train by about 3 minutes. As that was supposed to be the last train that would allow me to take my bicycle on it for the day, and also for the duration of Taste of Chicago (until July 9th), I was a bit frazzled.
Luckily, the conductor said not a word, and I was bound for University Park. I slept.
Once in University Park, it took me a while to get my bearings and get headed in the right direction on a through-road... But once I did, the wind was at my back; the air was brisk; it was lovely riding. However, due to my very very late start, I realized I was not going to make my intended destination. When I happened upon a woman trimming shrubbery along the road, I took the opportunity to ask where I might camp in the next town. She recommended a park, and gave me directions.
When I got to the park, there was live music, and a decent crowd.
Pause for rumination. One awesome thing about traveling alone is that it forces one to overcome shyness. If you want company, it's going to be strangers, and you're going to have to put yourself out there.
I started talking to some people, and watching the band with them... One woman went and got me a blanket, because someone had convinced me that I wouldn't need a sleeping bag (not to worry, I should be reunited with my sleeping bag on Saturday, if all goes according to plan... more on that later). But then some other people offered me a couch, and I gladly accepted. It's cold out. Yay spontaneous couchsurfing! Yay kindnesses of strangers! Yay good friends and goddesses!

The trip got off to a rocky start, but tonight I saw a gorgeous sunset, and will sleep on a stranger's couch. Much love to you all...

I'm off!

More to follow, from the road...

Companion found?

So, probably nothing will come of this, but you never know...
Today, I went to Beans & Bagels in search of the Bike Whisperer, to mention my thoughts on what I want to do to my bike, and get his opinion. And, you know, drink coffee. While sitting and drinking said coffee and reading (The Complete Idiot's guide to bike maintenance and repair), in walked Anne. I had seen her around at my last job, because she worked on Punk Planet magazine, which was located in the same building, but didn't actually know her, beyond the occasional 'hello' in the hallway. Anyhow, I said hello, and asked her how it was going, and mentioned that I was going on this x-country bike trip. She asked if I was going solo, and I said, in a sort of off-hand way, "Yeah, unless you want to join me."
"Well, actually..."
It turns out that Punk Planet is in the process of shutting down, so she does indeed have some free time, or will, soon, and appears to be seriously considering my offer. So, I may have found a companion for at least part of the ride. I'm not getting my hopes up, and plan to continue to make ready for a departure date of ASAP, but it would definitely be nice to have companionship, especially if said companion is as awesome as she seems (I've been checking out her website). I'll keep you posted.

Mercury in Retrograde

Last night when I told my friend Debbie Ann that I wasn't leaving as soon as I had hoped/planned, because I'm simply not ready yet, and I don't want to feel hurried and unprepared when I leave, she told me that it's probably a good thing, because Mercury is in retrograde.
Astrologically, it's just not a good time to leave.
Apparently, Mercury will be in retrograde for a couple of weeks yet. I feel like I'll definitely be ready by then, if not sooner. At any rate, I'll feel better leaving once I'm more prepared. Then Mercury won't be able to throw me off so easily.
Things are progressing with my readiness, albeit slowly. Thanks to Susan of Beans and Bagels, I hooked up with Will, Bike Whisperer of Chicago, who hooked me up with a straight (non-suspension) fork. I have a front rack now, which I just have to put together... And figure out exactly what I'm bringing and what I'm doing something else with. I have to say, part of the reason I'm taking so long is that I'm also simultaneously trying to move out. I've taken a few things to my parents' house, sold a few, given a bunch to the Brown Elephant... but there's still more to deal with, stuff-wise. And bike-preparedness-wise...
Anyhow, the point of this post is that I'm not leaving yet. Stay tuned...

June: Departure Imminent

So, it's been a while, but there hasn't been much going on... No, that's not true. It's just been the old routine, and saying goodbye to the old routine, and creating new temporary routines... My friend Keith came to visit for a few days last week. I could say a lot about that, but I'll just say this: we may be in a Nickleback video. I'll keep you posted, or if someone sees it before me (which is highly likely, as it's supposedly coming out some time in July, when I will surely still be on the road) just, you know, let me know. And for the record, I'm so not a Nickleback fan.
Tomorrow I'm going back to Milwaukee one more time before departure, to attend my brother's high school graduation--Congratulations, Michael! I'll be returning to Chicago on Thursday, and leaving for the Northern Tier route on Friday. Well, that's the plan, but in order for that to become a reality, I need to finish setting my bike up, and figuring out exactly how I'm going to get to where I can pick up the route. Yesterday, my friend Neuner loaned me his panniers (yeah, the trailer idea... not so much working)... but now I need to figure out how to attach a front rack to my bike, which may (probably will) involve replacing the fork. So, as soon as I leave this coffeeshop, I need to go visit bike shops, and get opinions and pricing and options. Options, options, options.
Does anyone in Chicago want to give me an MP3 player? A digital camera? I have a stereo; we could trade.