I’m leaving home to backpack across the world.
For real, and for a long time.
I’ve never left my home. For 35 years, I’ve lived in Columbus, Ohio. It’s a wonderful city, and I’ve been excited to watch its transformation from the city of my birth into what it is today. I’m proud of [almost] everything this city has done to lift itself out of the rust belt and thrive as an artistic, economic, and technological hub of the Midwest.
I’ve got deep roots here.
I’ve toiled here.
I’ve built a life here—a couple times.
But the opportunity has presented itself for me to see the world, and I have to take it. Since I was a kid, I’ve read stories about people who have set out to far away lands in search of adventure or knowledge or fortune. They hopped on ships and horses and trains. They met people, saw new places, encounter unusual circumstances—and in my mind, I’ve gone with them.
But only in my mind.
And I’ve told myself for years: “one day”
And for years, that day didn’t come.
“Maybe in a little while, I’ll do it. In a year, the timing will be better. Not right now, though. I’ve just got to hunker down for a while, then I’ll do it.”
And I did.
I became a master of “soon”
And it’s eaten me alive.
But on November 1st, the feast comes to an end.
That’s the day I fly out of JFK airport, and I’ll land in Madrid. From there, I make my way across Europe, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia—I’m going to see how far I can get.
How far I can push myself.
I’m going to see what I can see, learn what I can learn, experience all I can experience.
I’m going to take a crack at this Blue Marble and figure out what she’s got to show. By plane, by train, by bike, by bus, by boat—by blimp, if that’s where the tides take me.
And I won’t be alone. Going with me is one of my best friends, Ben Garshelis funnyman and chef extraordinaire. We’ll be doing comedy shows, writing, filming, documenting, cooking, and hustling our way along. We’ve both been training and researching for months. I think we’re ready—and ready for when we’re not ready—for the endeavor. It’ll be online and on social media as we try to chronicle this madcap trek.
On October 25th, I’ll be doing my final show in Columbus for the foreseeable future at Little Rock Bar on North 4th Street, starting at 7pm. There’ll be comedy, music, stories, laughs—probably be a few tears in there—as I say “so long for now.” If you’ve been looking for an excuse to come see me, well...this is a good time.
If you can’t make it out, I’ll be putting the whole shebang online. But I’d sure like to see ya.
I love you all
I’ll miss you all
Thank you all, and safe voyages
