Well now, I had a pipe dream last night which annoyed my lady terribly since she just hates it when I smoke that dream pipe in bed. But more to the point, this dream de pipe of mine concerned myself, a year to travel and my choice of bloggers to visit. Then it would be back to the real world for awhile.
This got me thinking (nnnggnnggg-owwww-ow-ow-ow!). Who would I visit? The reason it didn’t take long to make my choices is simply that I know very well who my favorite blogging folks are but it’s mostly because thinking hurts me terribly and I needed to get the decision part of it over with as quickly as possible.
And, I’m off…
My first stop would be Ireland to visit Grandad and his clan. Now why Grandad first? Well…because he’s old…well…he’s older than me anyway, that’s why. Yeah, he may be ornery (so am I for that matter) and that’s a point in his favor when it comes to longevity but I saw a picture of him accepting the Irish Blog Award for 2008 along with the lovely Grannymar (they tied for the Best Personal Blog of 2008 award) and I figured that I ought to take the first opportunity that came along to get over to the Emerald Isle and have a pint or two with him before it was too late.
So once in Ireland and having finally convinced Grandad to quit shooting at me for saying that he was old, I think it would be just dandy if we could sit up to all hours drinking, smoking and discussing this, that and the other thing until Herself and possibly Snady as well became completely disgusted with us.
Then in the morning, it’s off to find a taxi, hopefully with K8 driving it. I wouldn’t tell her who I was at first, I’d just give her the address to her own house just to see how long it took her to catch on. After she stopped beating me about the head and shoulders for thinking I was some sort of wonky character what with me wanting to be taken to her own house and all, I’d insist on meeting TAT, Laughing Boy and Puppy Child and anyone else she might wish to bring to my attention and we’d all have a wonderful time doing whatever we felt like doing…at the time.
Then, before I left the Emerald Isle I’d have to stop in to see Primal Sneeze and Bock the Robber for a quick pint or two before I shoved off back to the US.
Then it’s on the ferry to England where I fully intend to find that female type person and gaming fanatic who got me got me into do-it-yourself WordPress’ing in the first place and that would be Becky. Now Becky and I really don’t have a lot in common blogging-wise to be honest about it. She’s deep into games, gaming and writing reviews of games and hardware thereof whereas I’ve never been able to win a single game of Pac Man…ever! Where she’s highly focused on her subject, I’m more scatter brained on…well…everything. But I’m betting things will be a lot more fun and interesting when we’re face to face, the least of which will come from me attempting to play one of those horribly complicated games of hers while she laughs hysterically beside me. That’s my strategy you know, hoping she’ll laugh so hard at my ineptitude that she won’t catch me as I’m about to lop her head off.
And while I’m in England, I’ll want to get in touch with Cat as well. I came to know her through Becky and she still surprises me now and then by letting me know she’s still keeping an eye on me and my blog by leaving a comment or two when I least expect it. It’s good to see that she is still going strong on her site and I shall hunt her down relentlessly and when I find her I shall assault her with silly, idiotic jokes until she begs me to stop…and I won’t. 
Okay, back in the States now and I’ll head down south to visit Sixty and his kin down in Ol’ Kentucky. That’s how you say it right?—Ol’ Kentucky? I just want to find out if he’s as twisted in person as his writing makes him out to be. For those that don’t know it, I lived for years in various states south of the Mason-Dixon Line and enjoyed every single minute of it but I never did get a chance to visit Kentucky so this would be a fine excuse for doing so. Hope Sixty’s home is all I can say.
Woof, now that I’ve finally shaken off a 3 day Jim Beam hangover I’ll point whatever I’m driving towards Westcliffe Colorado for a stop to see Janeywan, a wonderful neighbor (virtually speaking that is) who stops by my place here on a regular basis as I do hers though neither of us comment a lot. It’s just the way our blogging relationships works, kinda’ like sitting in the kitchen with a good friend and never having to say a word. Just comfortable companionship but I’ll wager will have a thing or to say to each other even so. And she’ll have to show me all those places that she took pictures of around her home since I’d love to see all that beautiful scenery up close and personal like.
And after giving a final look at all that beautiful scenery in person and wishing Janeywan a fare-thee-well, it’s on the road to Chicago, Illinois to show up at Liz Strauss’ doorstep sitting in a wheelchair with a package of Klondike Bars in one hand and a box of Pop Tarts in the other (private joke there). Okay, I’ll call ahead first just in case she doesn’t have an actual doorstep living in Chicago and all but to tell the truth, I can’t wait to meet this lady in person. We’re going to talk and talk and talk and have wheel chair races, eat Pop Tart and Klondike Bar sandwiches and disagree on some things and agree on others and generally drive anyone within hearing distance out of their ever-lovin’ minds with our nonsense. Then, after we’ve cleared the room, we’ll just keep on doing it.
Hmmm, the year’s getting short now so my last stop will be in Michigan to stop by Elaine’s Place to visit with Elaine herself—a wonderful friend who, next to my own amazing Lady Laurie, has kept my spirits up with her constant support and pep talks in regards to the constant battle with my disabilities and kept my mind sharp with her questions and conundrums about WordPress and everything involved with it (she comes up with damndest questions…all good ones too! 
). I’ll wager we’ll spend most of the time talking, playing with her monstrously sized, unbelievably violent dog Poco, and beating on her site (and not talking about politics ).
Well, that’s it. The virtual year is over, the pipe dream has ended. Now, back to reality way up here in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont which, when I step back to look at it, isn’t a bad reality at all. In fact, it’s a damn fine one. As far as this trip of mine actually occurring? Well, probably not, at least not as I described but…
You never know now do you?
I wouldn’t disagree for one second with your description and now I’m dreaming about when you’re coming . . .
Hi Liz,
Okay, then I’ll dream about showing up and perhaps the two will meet.
You’d be welcome, as long as you don’t bring that crazy Alaska hockey-lady.
Bock,
On my honor as an independent and common sensical type thinker I would not, sir. You may count on that. And I think I’ll just leave it at that lest I invite the wrath of other such Alaskan hockey moms as there are. I have enough problems to deal with as it is.
BYOB you old moochin’ buzzard. The hooch is for family.
Well Kirk, when you show up and I’m not there , just give me a ring and I’ll be there in 3 short hours. In the meanwhile while you wait, there’s a quaint little pub in town called Poag’s, where you can enjoy a brew. When you tire of that, head on back to the ranch and hang out on the front porch swing and enjoy the view…
I’m dead serious it would be so cool if you and your lady could visit me and my man.
I am indeed honoured to be the first port of call.
You are welcome to stay as long as you like. The grass needs cutting, and I need some logs chopped, but if you work hard, we might have time for a pint?
Yes Ireland’s a great place to start… it’s good to get all that debauchery out of the system before you do anything else.
Bring the pipe with you though, yeah?
How do you know where I live? I forget myself most of the time.
Thanks for the mention and enjoy your journey into the lives and minds of your favourite blogarians!
This is a good post Kirk, I enjoyed reading about everyone in their neck of the woods. By the time you make it to Michigan the election will be over (Thank God) so no more politickin’ talk. We’ll even take a day and drive up north to where the Upper Peninsula connects to the lower, pretty neat up there
Don’t forget to pack warm clothes
Sixty: Fine then, I’ll just bring along a bottle of fine old scotch and come visit you anyway, ya’ skinflint.
Janeywan: Considering the difference in size between Vermont and Colorado, it’s rather ironic that I know exactly what you mean by “3 short hours”. We’ll be glad to sit on your porch and rock away until you can get there.
By the way, her eldest son lives in Westminster, CO. Just a short 178 miles away–exactly the length of Vermont’s highway 91 from south to north.
Grandad: No problem. I’ll just leave my busted back at home then but I’ll push the lawn mower around a time or two (damn, I used to love chopping firewood, well maybe I’ll give it whack anyway). How about if I pay for the pints instead?
K8: Debauchery? Why, that’s exactly why I’m hitting Ireland first aside from wanting to meet the clan. I always preferred debauchery. It’s what got me through being on a submarine all those years. And yes, I’ll bring the pipe.
Oh yeah, directions…I’ll just get them from Grandad. He’s always a good one for a family joke.
Grannymar: Welcome and all that! Now just let me clean the dust off the welcome mat here…there that’s better. “Blogarian”? Hey, I like that. Mind if I use it?
I always thought that meant more like a Bulgarian with a literary frame of mind…guess I was wrong.
Elaine: I’m packing up as we speak…er…write (unfortunately, it’s for a different trip entirely). And taking a trip to the Upper Peninsula sounds great. The problem with all my past travels is while I’ve been to all sorts of places overseas (mostly Europe), I’ve seen so little of my own country it’s bloody pitiful.
Oh,and we can argue about what a lousy/great/mediocre job the new president is doing instead. Unless he either dies of a heart attack or gets himself assassinated of course.
did you get virtual frequent flier miles?
Hey Quickroute,
Sorry I missed you in the post but I just couldn’t squeeze Buenos Aires into the route without going past my year limit (sharp penalties for going overtime). Ya’ see I drove to each destination on my itinerary except for Ireland of course. Damn Jeep kept flooding out, had to leave it in the States and sign on a tramp steamer as a deckhand. So, no frequent flier miles for me.
I did try to look in on Buenos Aires using Google Earth but there was a cloud in the way…figures.
Raincheck then – that cloud was giving us plenty of that – I practically feel homesick with the grey sky and wet!
I always read your blog, of course! I just don’t really have the time to comment these days or feel that I don’t have anything worthwhile to add.
It’s good to see you still stop by my blog every now and then.
Oh right I see, so you’d come all the way to Ireland and not drop in to English Towers? And what am I? Chopped liver or something?
*humph*
Oh fer heavens sake, I can’t believe I passed you by. It’s the medications I swear! I was nervous about surgery (that I didn’t get once I got down there). The pain killers are making it hard to think!
My sincere apologizes, Milady. It was an inexcusable error on my part. I lay myself at your mercy. Do with me what you will.