This trip is going to be a big step for us. For our relationship, our careers, our fitness, and our worldview. I'm excited every day by the thought. Yesterday when we told the director of our station, Michael White, that we were leaving, he called it the adventure of a lifetime. I feel blessed that I've had a couple of adventures of a lifetime already, and now I get to embark on a new one.

The job situation I had when Melissa and I met was a good one. I had founded a little film company with some friends called Aegis Films, and things were looking good there, with a couple of ideas for future projects bouncing around. I had a steady job at the University, doing computer tech work, and I'd just been hired on at CATS to do TV production. I figured I could keep sharp on film making skills at CATS while our new projects ramped up.

But things changed, as they often do. In a 4-month period, Aegis work flow stalled and I found myself dating Melissa and talking about this project. It was just an idea then, but step by step we've brought it closer to reality.

Now I've quit the IU job, Melissa told the Co-op she's leaving, and we told CATS about the plan as a couple yesterday. Everyone at every employer has been very supportive and excited for us. It's been a remarkable and wonderful experience. I was especially surprised and impressed at the reaction from IU.

About a month ago, I was trying to work the two jobs (getting me between 50-55 hours a week) and plan Aegis work and Changing Gears work. It was too much. I decided on a Saturday (my first full day off for a couple of weeks) that I needed to commit to CG, so I sent them a notice that I wouldn't be in Monday and that I was quitting. 2 Days notice is something that I didn't want to stiff them with, but I was close to the breaking point.

I didn't hear from them for a few days, but when I did, two of the managers emailed me to send me their best wishes and to send good luck to the project. That's very impressive to me and speaks well of them both.

I was also impressed and delighted by the reaction of the management at CATS. Martin has a reputation as a bit of a hard man, and the expectation when giving him bad news is that you'll get a bit of an earful. But to his credit, he was candid and said that the project sounded exciting and that he'd be happy to help out if he could (well, after telling us jokingly something like "screw you, but best of luck."). I'm certainly not trying to hurt CATS by leaving. It has really been one of the best places I've ever worked in, and I love the role we fill in the community. So I was glad that Martin didn't take it badly. He also seemed to appreciate that we gave over two months notice.

I'd love to come back to CATS, but they won't hold our positions for us given we'll be gone over two months. There were many projects I wanted to take on here that haven't worked out for whatever reason, but I have enjoyed the experience immensely. We just hired on three new production assistants, and the two I've met seem like good people. It will be sad to leave the station in the end.

But we plan to be making weekly roundups of our travels, and we'd like to send them back to CATS to be aired. I want CATS to benefit from our future work, just as I've certainly benefited from my experience here.

What will happen when we return is still up in the air. I'm planning on being in school, but that isn't confirmed yet. I'd love to work at CATS too, but that's doubtful at best. I guess I'll just figure it out as opportunities present themselves.

What I'm sure about is that it will be a great experience for us, and I think it will make our relationship stronger. Whatever I return to, I'm going to be a stronger person after this trip in many ways. I'm very much looking forward to it.