Prelude

I can't understand it. This is the first time I can remember that I'm not extremely excited to leave. Usually I can't sleep the night before. Even with the largest fireworks display in the county 3/4 of a mile from my house, I sleep right through.
 
This time I'm very ambivalent. Why is that? It might be that I'm going alone. Since Spokane, WA is so far away it takes a real commitment in time. My closest friends have job and life restraints that won't let them go. Being a teacher gives me the time to do these things. It would be nice if that included the money to do them also. That's not going to happen. I'm leaving.