On The Threshold to Paradise

I'm due at the airport to drop off the checked bags at 10 pm tonight. Despite the inevitable dread of air travel these days, with tightened security, longer lines, and the dull prospect of a 14+ hours flight, online check-in mitigates some of the hassle. Auto check-in is such a cool idea through which I can even pick my own seat for all the flights in my itinerary. That means no more badgering (and bribing, just kidding) the ground agents for aisle seats. All I need is to punch in my passport number, confirmation code and contact info. This will spare me from the long line that will wrap around the check-in counter at the airport as I can bypass the queue and drop off my bags at the designated counter. What a relief!

I travel very light since I will most likely sleep through half the flight. In my Timbuk2 I've got my iPod, the charger (thanks to Cathay Pacific for built-in electrical plug on the seat), a smaller personal toiletry tote, and a couple books:

The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop by Lewis Buzbee
The Marquise of O and Other Stories by Heinrich von Kleist

and my Moleskine journal and a pen. Throughout the years of traveling I have developed this pet peeve of people who tirelessly and inconsiderately rummaged through their bags stored away in the overhead bin. Why do people fly with so much crap when all they have got is a mere 32 inches of space?

I'm ready. I'll throw in some pictures and anecdotes from time to time whenever I have access. See you all in 5 weeks. Take care.