Kansas City is the most wonderful city we’ve been so far and we’re definitely coming back. Our KCMO host - Benjamin, the coolest guy in the world - showed us the city at night and suggested this diner for our breakfast - Winstead’s. So we had a couple of blueberry pancakes this morning - I think I’m becoming an addict. We’re now at this rest stop after Van Werk, where we took some pictures which we’ll be posting soon. Our Chicago host and friend Matt has forgiven our poor planning and is taking us earlier than we expected to get there. We’ve been extremely lucky so far with our hosts. We’ve made friends in this trip and in a few years we shall return and see them again. In Las Vegas, Andi was adorable, intelligent and warm. Albuquerquian Brian was so cool, great conversation and also made us feel at home. Now, Ben is something else - and this guy’s got the original Rad Mobile arcade in his game room, the same one from the CLASSIC movie Encino Man. Ben is almost as cool as I am, almost. We’re having the time of our lives and there’s still much to drive. New videos and pictures here soon and a few surprises are already online in our YouTube channel and in our Flickr account. See you soon! El queso esta viejo y podrido.

This morning I drove back from the Phoenix area (more specifically, a town called Surprise) to finish some business in Vegas. I have heard that a painter’s suit will be decent enough to protect me when I go to get my things. This should be hilarious. I can’t wait to see the faces on my neighbors when I emerge in the hazmat suit.

Random cellphone pictures from the drive

When I get my hands on a real camera, there will be more of this sort of thing on our…

drumroll…

new flickr account!

It’s great to see everyone involved and excited to take the journey with us.  We’re happy to share and have you along the way!

Fritz and I are about to embark on an epic journey across country on short notice with little resources. There’s a little more about me and why I’m leaving in the “Who What Why When Where” section, and why I’m doing this. For now, I have other things to take care of in Las Vegas that require some attention.

* Saying goodbye to my boss and helping him finish up his records.
* Getting some more clothes out of the condo, safely, and washing them.
* Moving a few more things into storage.
* Posting my furniture for sale on Craigslist.
* Withdrawing from school
* Finding a place to cool my heels until Fritz arrives on February 9th.

I am so grateful that Fritz is coming to help. You never realize how vulnerable you are when you live alone until things like this happen. The health problems that the toxic mold in my condo caused are only really scary when you consider that if I had gone into anaphylactic shock in my home, nobody would have known. At this point, while I can surely run into my condo and grab some things to clean while wearing some sort of low-tech hazmat suit, it’s hard for me to justify taking the risk to do it alone.

If anyone is interested, there is more information on the nasty stuff here.

Articles on toxic mold in New Orleans with some information about mold:
http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/katrinadata/mold.asp
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9505817/

Interestingly, the NRDC article classifies indoor toxicity at above 1300 spores per cubic meter. My airborne test results came back at nearly 23,000 spores per cubic meter!

Official CDC Page on the subject is here.  Their current opinion is that the links between health problems and toxic mold are either rare or inconclusive.

Since I left and threw out my cosmetics and toiletries, my health has improved significantly (I was recontaminating myself). The swelling in my face and eyes has gone down, the headaches, nausea and numbness are gone and I have alot more energy. Homeowners out there, especially in the southwest, be aware that this problem is out there and get your house tested if you have any health problems or are feeling sluggish and dizzy whenever you’re in a certain area.

This will be an adventure, and I’m looking forward to sharing it with Fritz and with everyone. Hopefully it will be somewhere between a cautionary tale, a chance to vent, and a celebration of how life sometimes takes the reins from you and slaps you into paying attention!