Work fades into freedom....

I feel like a freed prisoner. The surroundings are identical (I work at home) but the ambiance is another planet. The choice between focusing on a page of numbers and letters and relaying that information from my eyes to my fingers in speeds only humanly possible and now the choice to choose what to look at and do and think and feel with unencumbered parameters. There is always a neutral zone in the shift between being exhausted from weeks of working non-stop (meaning working and going to bed, working and going to bed…) and the stunning change of atmosphere that freedom brings. It is almost like a confusion, an awakening, for so much has to be suppressed during these marathon work sessions in order to turn off the place my thoughts want to fly and where they must stay to get the task done. It is confining, like a prison of the mind along with the prison of being tethered to the computer where I work. But that is the nature of any job that is indeed, a j.o.b.
My mantra is:
"At least I get to work at home and am my own boss."
The other stuff is just details.

I was in the midst of work-a-palooza when the trip to Italy came to fruition. Now, it has floated to the top of my agenda, even sidelining a new computer which sits to my left collecting dust, its mind empty of any of my thoughts of Me, for now. March is just around the corner. And February, I will be palooza-ing with work, yet again.

The plan is to spend the two weeks in Italy with only a carry-on bag, for easy toting on and off trains we are taking to Rome: Venice: Verona: Florence. I have in the past, always packed for about 3 trips for every one trip. It is going to take all of three months to wean myself off that over-packing mindset. Yesterday I bought a super-lightweight, rolling bag. It's burnt-orange. IF I were to buy a groovy Honda Element, it would be this color…Anyways, I am planning my packing way ahead of time. I just ordered some packing helpers from Magellan's; packing cubes I can stuff and then place into my super-light, burnt-orange, roller-bag.

I also got a sturdier new camera bag. Peer pressure and memories of a sore shoulder had me actually considering purchasing a d.i.g.i.t.a.l. camera for this trip. Mine weight about 5lbs. That weight triples after an hour of toting it around. I just can't do it. I can't go digital. I should fill the camera bag with 10lb.weights and start carrying it around with me everywhere I go…

I have dug out my Italian language cd's and travel books. So far I have read that in Florence, the audiences are very vocal, with self-appointed ring leaders of discourse or jubilance expected to be present at various operas and such. We are going to see Bocelli in Puccini's Messa di Gloria for all 3 performances. This is going to be interesting for the audience reaction alone.

Also, it looks like Becs and I are going to be able to attend an opera in Venice's renowned, "La Fenice Teatro." There is a rare (I read online it has never been staged in modern times) Meyerbeer opera happening while we are there.

So, I need to learn Italian, learn to pack light, learn about Meyerbeer's opera, learn more about Florence, Venice (her museums and Murano in particular, for a more enlightened visit this time) and Rome. Verona is olde hat for me :o). I could use the whole 3 months just on the packing thing, so I better get started…