Journey down I-80 West - the Departure

I decided to take the most direct route from Chicago to San Francisco. That is I-80 West. There is no thought to it at all no maps no fuss. You drive until the highway ends which is the Bay Bridge in San Francisco on the western end.

My journey started on August 20th 2008 - Wednesday. I rented a car from Alamo car rental (one of only two (they are partnered with National) that do cross country rentals (i.e. you can drop the car off at your destination). I asked for a mid-sized car and when I went to pick it up the guy told me he would do me a favor and get me something that was a little bigger than a mid-size vehicle. I was very excited to hear this as I wondered how I would possibly fit a lifetime of possessions in a 4-door car. I had already eliminated so much, "Do I really need my cowboy hat? Can I possibly fit my hobo-cart in the trunk..." decisions like this made me feel like moving is not a thing anyone should ever do. I stayed strong and found myself looking at things saying: doesn't matter, who really needs it, and why did I ever own this? I was left with what I thought a reasonable collection of "necessities." And with my > mid-size rental I could maybe bring some extras like my couch.

You can't imagine my delight when I saw my rental was a Ford Focus (this wound up being a great car - it drove well, it got great gas mileage, and it was comfortable). I thought to myself well, then the compact car was surely a bicycle with basket and an economy was a golf cart. The Focus is not very roomy and this is an understatement. My father - usually a man of too many words only said "you're not going to fit a lot in that." My extras became things like my toothbrush and floss.

I had to eliminate things left and right from my well planned out pile of goods. No wall art, half my shoes, half my clothes, my collection of vibrators and assorted whips; and my beloved hobo cart...no way. I panicked and contemplated asking for a full sized SUV because in the wake of having to eliminate everything I thought if I can't take my whips I don't want to take anything.

In the end I made some hard choices - there will be plenty of vibrators and whips in San Francisco for purchase.

I look unhappy but it's only because 1. I had sweated so much from packing my car I couldn't sport my Mr. T tee for the ride - I pitied my sweaty pits. 2. I didn't yet discover the Focus had Sirius Radio - which I know I'm 10 years behind on this phenom, but it was seriously fun for me.

Favorite Stations -

Sirius 9 - The Pulse (so poppy, so good)

Sirius 18 - The Spectrum (again, gluttonous and awful)

Sirius 21 - Altnation

Sirius 26 - Left of Center (my favorite)

Sirius 198 - Playmate Station - this is more amusing than you can possibly imagine - or most of you can imagine. An hour of two former playmates interviewing a current playmate on her role in a new film:

"How was shooting?"

"It was such a hard day at work - I had to wear stripper shoes and a onesy for the whole shoot - for the WHOLE day."

Really, if my day started and ended with getting paid to hang out in a onesy I could honestly drop dead tomorrow and call it a life.