What Is A Trip Worth?

Four thousand, two hundred miles. That's the distance I traveled to prove my worth, to exist, to overcome the opponent for this blog's challenge, doubt. The year is two thousand eighteen, and I, by the force of nature and the flow of energy, find myself in a community of individuals who share thoughts and interests similar to my own. People who I've come to love and appreciate despite never seeing them in-person, some of which never hearing their voice and others knowing them by an alias.

Four Thousand, two hundred miles. That's the distance I traveled to meet new friends, explore new cities, and attend Blerdcon.

Twenty-one hundred miles one way, about 31 hours of driving, and one occupant with a dream crazy enough to fail.

"What if no one wants to see me?"

"What if my car breaks down?"

"What if I can't make it back?"

"What if 2pac is still making music in Cuba somewhere?" (an actual discussion I had with myself)

I don't know which filled faster, the tank with gas or me with doubt. Fortunately, as I pulled off, the doubt faded away as well as the smell of gasoline. Once I turned on some rocking tunes (a phrase I'm using exclusively for this blog) and took in the scenery, my mind cleared, and I was more determined than ever to enjoy the trip. The trip was better than I could have ever imagined. I had all types of food, visited old friends as well as new ones, saw places I never got the chance to see, with most of the ride immersed in beautiful weather. Then, as if riding around sightseeing and visiting people wasn't an impactful experience already, I arrived in VA for Blerdcon. To see so many beautiful people not only enjoying the venue and culture but one another as well made me feel as though I had been fighting all my life to find that moment. It was an experience that I'll always cherish. Next time though, I think I'll fly instead. (maybe)