My Tribute to Patricia Walker

Yes, six months from today I will hopefully be on my merry little way on the journey of a lifetime. Why am I writing so much when I still have six months to go? Its cuz all of this is still new to me and my wonderful brain. Do I plan on writing everyday from now until April 1st? Absolutely not but I found one thing that was common amongst the AT journals I read. There wasn’t much written about all of the thoughts and what they went through before they hiked so I thought I would keep a periodic journal for just that. I’m sure my writings will taper down as more time passes and then they might pick up again the closer I get to the first day.

So my friend, coworker, fellow history observer, and just an all around sweet girl, Patricia Walker (she’s married, hi Marty) keeps telling me the same thing whenever I talk about the trail at work (instead of working). She says “boy, I wish I could turn back the time and live out my dreams.” I give her the proverbial you can totally still live your dreams out but logistically speaking it might be a while. She has two wonderful daughters and a husband she has to take care of not to mention a mortgage and a job to maintain. I’m not completely sure what her exact dreams are but I get the idea she didn’t dream of punching numbers in a cubicle and answering my 1000 daily work questions I have for her. I get the idea that maybe she is envious that I can do something like this. Not that she’s envious of me but that I can so easily drop what I am doing and take a hike.

Patricia, heres my pledge, nay, my tribute to you and all others that can’t drop what you’re doing to accomplish your dreams. I am going to be growing the Patricia Dream Wishers memorial hair and beard. Yes, that’s right. I think that January 1, I will attempt to not get a hair cut until after I have conquered Mt Katahdin sometime in September of ‘10. Whats that mean? Well, if I start January 1, I will still be at my job here in Texas. I will have a few months where I will be still working but no haircuts. Will I get a date? Probably not. Will I be on People’s 50 Most Attractive list? Doubtful. Should Patricia feel honored every time she mistakes me for Cousin It from the Addams Family? YOU BET SHE SHOULD. Patricia, every time my hair gets matted and I can’t run a comb successfully through it…I will think of you and all others who’s dreams are on hold. This is my tribute. I have always wanted to grow my hair out and live the dream most lived in 1993 with Nirvana. I want to grow my hair out. I have been in a dispute with my sister since I was 13 years old when I attempted to grow my hair out and I swear I could pony tail it. She denies it. I think the only way to settle the matter is to grow an undisputable trail hairdo. Whattiya think, Peesephus (Patricia), do you feel honored?

On a side note, I am also planning on growing a beard but I think I may wait until I start in April. So, from now until the New Year I will be getting my clean cut hair cuts that society approves of and most of my friends know me by but come January 1, trail me begins. Yes, Abigail, I will pony tail it.