Let me just say today for the ten millionth time that I love Costco. Let me explain why by looking at the banner below you will see they have a 90 day return policy on electronics. All I can say is I needed a video camera for the trip and with in 90 days I will no longer have one due to undiagnosable problematic technical difficulties. Thanks Costco.




It is Chris Anderson's Bachelor party this weekend so I am going up to San Jose Friday night to start a month of indulging myself in beer, wine, spirits, and what ever other beverages I can still grasp onto. I am then going to a SF Giants baseball game Vs. the SD Padres. This game could work out one of two ways: option one: Chris has had enough from the night before and we take this time to enjoy each others company and wisely choose a highly caffeinated carbonated two liter commemorative ball park beverages and chemical cheese covered chips some call nachos or option two: we continue to indulge ourselves and stand by the American motto that you can never have to much and continue to drink smuggled in liquor and over priced light beer. light beer because I am watching calories. After this game the fellas are going to drop me off at the Norman Y Mineta San Jose International Airport.

From SJC I am flying to LAX with the cheapest fare of them all in the sky which this flight should only take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. That is not to bad,,, it is the dreaded flight from LAX to TPE (Taipei, Taiwan) at 11 hours and 55 minutes which I am a little apprehensive about. Then TPE to MNL (Manila) is just a 2 hour nap of a ride. So lets break that down:

SJC to LAX 1:20
LAX to TPE 11:55
TPE to MNL 2:00

For a total flying time of 15 hours and 15 minutes in one day. I believe the technical term for a flight like this is Square Ass. I am convinced that it will be worth it.

I have had such a large number of people ask me about donations I went ahead and set up a donation link through Paypal. There is no need to set up an account, you can donate with your favorite credit card under the heading "Don't have a PayPal account? ". Please keep in mind that I am unemployed and struggling my way to the Philippines. ;)

Donate to Help a Nick.

I am starting to get ready for the trip. It seems this is a greater task than I had anticipated. Purchasing the plane ticket just started the regurgitation of my wallets so called food.


My anti-Malaria pills seem to have some great side effects but they were the cheapest ones I could have possible purchased. I decided to spend $40 dollars instead of the $350 for the recommended pills. After many discussions with the ever so pleasant insurance lady I found out that they do not help with prevention, they only help pay for curing you once you have the bug. I am still some what young and I figure I am in the best statistical range to recover if i were to get malaria, so that way the insurance company will pay.
Yes, that is a roll of Charmin with Wet Ones just in case of the unthinkable. :( I have a quart baggie filled with my liquids because that is the maximum allowable amount by law, I like being on the edge like that. I got my shave gel, aloe, shampoo, Sun block, and Tooth paste who knows what could happen on that plane ride. If you have any suggestions as to what else I should bring please let me know. You should be able to click on the map and view the highlighted section in the top right. That is where Mr. Mike Mccullough lives. This is the first mission; to get to his place. I purchased the map so I have some idea of where I am going. You may be asking well where is the airport in relation to where he lives? I don't know I have not found the airport on the map yet. I am just taking baby steps, one step at a time should do the trick. I am sure if i need help the taxi drivers will help me out. I can only image a taxi driver going very far out of his way for a guy like me.

I will continue to post as often as possible so check back and leave me some comments.

Nick