The Pilgrimage is ON

I have been granted the time off from work. The pilgrimage is officially ON. I am relieved. Alex also has notified his employer and been given time off. It's looks like now we are really doing this.

Reorganization of Pilgrimage

So, as I was walking in Carlsbad the other day, it occurred to me that the pilgrimage should begin in Los Angeles (my birth city) and then end in San Diego (my chosen city). I spent my first year of life in the Venice Beach area, so I think it would make sense to start the pilgrimage from Venice Beach. Plus, I would love to see what Venice Beach is like now. We might even spend a day there meeting all the characters and street performers.
Another detail that emerged: in order to cover the costs of postage (94 cents per international postcard), I could set up a request for donations of 94 cents. For that 94 cents, the person could choose which country to sponsor. Their picture would appear on this blog as the person who funded the postage for a particular country.

Fears Eased

After a reassuring word from my company president, I now have a renewed sense of trust and optimism. He said he would meet with me this week to discuss my letter, and from the looks of it, my past dread seems like paranoia now. I'm exercising flexibility of thought and have already released myself from the previous strong attachment to the pilgrimage in case I am given an ultimatum. I'm not giving up, but I am also willing to consider all angles. I have to survive financially, be realistic and most importantly, be respectful to others.
That's the thing about taking big risks. You never know how others are going to take it. Considering the tight atmosphere in the United States right now, I think most people wouldn't even consider such a proposal such as mine. But I see another side to our constricting economy and that is this: it is my belief that people are wanting something more than consumerism. I know I am searching for a deeper meaning to existence, and I feel that as a whole, a new kind of culture has to emerge from the ashes of the past. The future has to be reinvented.
I'm a little nervous about the meeting with the CEO, but not as much as one would think.
When true passion and drive is present, others can sense this energy. So far my passions have led me in the correct direction. I'd like to continue to let this passion flow until it spills out in great bursts. I just hope others understand me and that I articulate my ideas in a clear manner.

Concerns About Pilgrimage

In an attempt to build up endurance, I biked about 18 miles yesterday. I overdid it and my back is horribly sore and everything is foggy in my mind. I have degenerative disc disease, but have been taking very good care of myself and haven't suffered much pain in recent years. I am re-thinking the necessity to walk to Los Angeles and am considering alternatives such as: walking along every beach in San Diego, handing out postcards until I run out, with Alex filming this. I think pain always makes re-thinking a priority. I will continue the endurance training, however, with more foresight regarding the amount of exercise I do. Still no word from anyone regarding my request for time off.

Day After Submitting Letter

I came into work yesterday (one day after I submitted my letter), turned on my computer and discovered that the Outlook Express icon for my mailbox had vanished. I began panicking, sure that I had been removed from the company emailing system. I assumed this to be the first sign that I would soon be deleted from my company. I tried to weigh all the possibilities, but my mind kept going back to the worst possible scenario: fired. I figured I would be escorted out of my company at any minute. At about this time my co-worker came to my desk and explained that IT had upgraded our mail application. He walked me through the process of reinstalling the new software. Relief isn't quite the word. Ecstatic, overjoyed, thrilled is more fitting. I was happy that my fears turned out to be absurd.

I still am waiting for a response to my letters. No word has been sent my way yet.

Writing Letters to My Supervisors and Company President

This morning I wrote a letter to my company president letting him know that I am going on a postcard pilgrimage during Christmas. It is taking a real risk, I know, but I feel that it is important to communicate the message as soon as possible. I also wanted him to know my gratitude with regards to working at such a company that feeds its employees. I want everything to be out in the open, for soon, I have a deep suspicion that not only will it be out in the open, but it may be in the papers. I have no idea, at this stage, though. My supervisor at work hasn't directly addressed my request, and there are so many unknowns at this stage. I feel both relieved and scared. Relieved because external reality is now coming closer to the internal one. Scared because of finances and lack of money. Scared also because there are so many unknowns, including where we will stay, other people's judgement and how to tell my family about this. I am waiting to tell my family because I need to get all the work details sorted out first. I sincerely hope that my company grants me a leave of absence. That would be wonderful, as I cannot just take off without any notion of how to support myself when I return from the pilgrimage.

But it is a good day because I expressed my intentions in a clear manner to the president of my company. I will report back on how it was received.

the Saint sleeps