armed and ready

i have packed my stuff for the weekend and ziplocked it all into place:

voila!

seriously, these ziploc big bags are amazing. huge, durable and with handles. the one shown in the photo above is actually the smallest of the big bags. the bigger one -- into which that one, plus my down jacket, plus my knapsack will go -- is more than twice its size.

there are bags of all sizes, for all manner of things, packed within other bags, and i've bagged each day's clothes separately. there's an empty ziploc bag for the dirty laundry as it accumulates, and a few spare bags for anything i suddenly realize i need to pack.

i am erring on the side of hyper-vigilance, yes, but i'd much rather be safe than sorry. if that means i carry my clothes in and out of the hotel in sealed plastic bags, so be it. nonetheless, please say a prayer or light a candle or hold good thoughts that the hotels are both completely bug-free. thanks. i'm still extreeeemely anxious, but also hoping that facing my fears will ease the anxiety somewhat in the long run.

this evening, i will head to trixie's place, from which we'll leave at the ass-crack of dawn tomorrow. (on the road at 6:30am! at the border by 8am!)

then it's onwards to target popcorn, auntie anne's pretzels and lemonade, keen shoes, macy's, the cheesecake factory (maybe), kohl's, ted's hot dogs (omg), walgreens, IHOP and retailers who know how to hold a sale. bernard's coming with, and so is the camera, of course.

as such, as an FYI, i'll be offline and this blog and the photo blog will be dormant for several days.

fingers crossed...