When this mobile journey started a year and a half ago, I can admit that I wasn’t really thinking about how it would affect anyone else but myself.  It was, like most life changes, initiated and influenced by a deeply concerning self-realization.  I didn’t want comfort.  I wanted challenges.  I didn’t want a routine.  I wanted surprises, and I didn’t want normal, I wanted something of my own.

            These were my thoughts and feelings at the time and they are my thoughts and feelings to this day.  But it wasn’t until last night that I fully understood the power of my own decision.

            Last night I was working on this blog post when I heard the “ding” alerting me of a new email.  I opened the email (from someone I had never met) and immediately felt that combination of shock, timelessness and self-reflection that you can only get when someone does something drastic as a result of your actions.  It stopped me dead in my tracks.

            At first, I was really concerned, then I grew a smile and slowly (I’ll admit it), my eyes watered over.  The email was short and casual, but full of intent and self-empowerment.  And that is when I realized that this journey is about more than just me.  The email reads:

            “Yo, I saw you drive your truck down my street in New York City the other week.  She looks like a very sweet ride.  Reminded me of the van I used to have back in Australia.  I’m workin, lining my pockets in the big city and man you’ve inspired me to get the hell out of this place and back to my roots.  I’m gunna buy another van and hit the road.

            Thanks a million and keep living the life man.  Zol.”

            Zol, all I can say is thank you.  You have paid me the ultimate compliment and I hope that your journey brings you everything that a life of surprises can offer.  And I hope to see you out there, somewhere.

            As Zol mentioned, I was in New York City last week.  It is definitely a crazy place to take a van like El Guapo, but we made it work.  Of course, making it work involved a 6 ½ -hour parking ordeal, complete with my younger sister acting as mission control from a computer and phone in Georgia, but it was worth it.  I owe you big time Tiff!

            The week was spent running around like an overwhelmed tourist with a portfolio book in one hand and iPhone directions in the other.  I met with as many editors, industry people, photographers, writers and strangers as possible, and I even made a friend out of a very happy-go-lucky character who offered some advice when he saw me struggling to find parking.  For such a big tough city, I found only helpful, kind and motivated people, which was inspiring and made me realize I will be visiting again before too long.

            The days leading up to the NYC trip were very hectic, but very fulfilling as well.  My older brother got hitched!  He is the first in my family to wed, so it was all new and surreal to most of us, but it all came together perfectly.  The two Best Man speeches flowed without issue (My younger brother and I were the Best Men and the speech was definitely heavy on our minds.), the weather was great and the crowd (myself included) had a great time getting a little rowdy on the dance floor.  Oh, and she said YES!

(The happy couple at the "Barn" where the reception was held.)