This month, Israel goes absolutely bat-shit murderous crazy raising international concerns about oil prices, Syd Barrett dies, North Korea fires a bunch of missiles as the world holds its breath (consequently Japan decides they are probably friendly enough to have a standing army again) - fortunately oil prices are not affected - and Paul Cechner announces that he will soon migrate for time unknown, to destination known.

I realise that I have made no official announcement anywhere, sent no spam email and notified no newspapers - August the 11th marks my last day in Australia for the foreseeable future[1].

I have outlined my itinerary in great detail thusly. Perth->Sydney on August the 8th, Sydney->Tokyo on the 11th, then Tokyo->London on the 25th.

One pictures a massive benefit concert, an undulating crowd of friends riding the wave of a going away-rave, culminating in a crescendo where our enigmatic host disappears after some stunning yet brief announcement, never to be seen again. Guests would still have a good time after he left, but probably not as good a time. Of course this scenario is precluded by a lack of willing participants and a well-known lack of organisational ability.

So I find myself with three remaining precious weeks, busily divesting myself of my worldly possessions. Some know of my convenient automobile disaster - an unexpectedly serendipitous moment that solved a bunch of problems at once, providing both a $4,700 windfall and a sudden dependency on my car-wielding friends. A poorly organised tax portfolio ensures a hefty return on unnecessarily paid HECS contributions (for more information please refer to this dissertation on my modus operandi.)

Other than the car, I have a bed, computer and computer desk. These aren't going to be a problem.

I am freaky excited about every part of my coming trip. If leaving the country is wrong, I don't want to be right.

Footnotes
[1] From the Paul dictionary:
The Foreseeable Future(n) - not necessarily a long time, given Paul's inability to foresee more than a matter of minutes into the future.