Meeting the Machine: Or Why We're Doing This

We bought a bus. And we're going to take a trip. Seems rather strange in today's economical landscape to forsake home and school (for a summer's time) and move steadily west and north, meandering towards nothing in particular and with no stated goal. In a sort of bellicose dualism, the whole notion seems simultaneously romantic and whimsical, either a lengthy diversion of self-indulgence or a mindless submission to whatever happens along the way; however, I hope to get beyond this.  

Also, I apparently structure blogs the same way as a damn seminar paper. 

While somewhat unnecessary, I still tend to formulate reasons for action, and a grand funky bus adventure is not exempt. Here, in providing myself framework for the trip it would be fiercely tempting to generate an analogy using motivational-poster images of highways and sunsets, replete with a tawdry slogan, "life-is-a-journey" or some such shit scrawled across the landscape.

Instead, I can only offer some thoughts on what I hope to encounter - People. Whether it's close friends and new bus members or strangers in a small town, the fabric of the trip exists not in the attractions or the destination, but in engaging those around you. Humanity diverse, eccentric, normal, conjoined, intertwined, distinct, pulsing, moving, existing together in the same place and of the same substance. 

Is this lofty and unrealized? Most likely. However, there does exist a need to be constantly reminded that the world is bigger than you. Much bigger.

But enough elementary philosophical rambling. 

The important news is that our apartment lease is up in two days, and since Jaime works in San Marcos and sleeps on our couch, three people will be bus-bound by Thursday. In the near future, more pictures and posts will appear as we start to make it livable. And maybe stories about previous funky bus adventures (if anyone shows interest).