Legal Pad Traveling Tips

As many people are aware, the Legal Pad occasionally takes trips abroad so that we can brag that we are more sophisticated than our Bakersfield neighbors. Ahem. We often read travel books on the plane (sometimes on the way home) so that we can spout off some historical tidbit as if this is the sort of knowledge that is common in Legal Pad circles (actually, it is. But as will be discussed supra, Jeremy is an absolute freak).

First of all, when traveling abroad with friends, everyone should know their place. Here are the players.

JEREMY (JS)
Jeremy is the planner. In fact, if it weren't for having a list for just about every project and activity in his little life, he probably wouldn't be able to face another day. He has longer lists than Santa Claus in December. He fidgets when something on the list is not followed to the letter. He gets a smug look of satisfaction everytime he is able to cross something off the list. When he comes to the end of a list, he looks lost and confused until he takes the immediate time to make a new, longer list.

JS reads books for two years in advance on various obscure things relating to where we are traveling. And when it comes to the traveling, JS takes care of everything. Seth, Teresa and I just clear our schedules and show up. JS is the planner.

SETH
Seth is Security. He insures that no one messes with us and if they do, that they quit. He oftentimes enjoys putting us in exciting situations to remind us of his value in getting us out. In Legal Pad travels around the world, most of the good stories start with "Then Seth wandered over to join the wedding party at the little church within site of the Vatican" or something like that.

Seth also carries a lot of luggage. He's like a Clydesdale of backpacking. Just put more on and feed him regularly.

TERESA
Teresa is sweetness and light in a dark Legal Pad world. Her presence is like what the United Nations security forces wish they could accomplish: she keeps the peace. When JS and Security and Blogger try to settle things like Moe, Larry, and Curly, Teresa is the Mother Teresa that makes us all be nice to each other (and helps Security be nice to the rest of the world).

Teresa is like a hummingbird; she needs fed frequently or her energy evaporates and she goes into hibernation.

BLOGGER
Blogger entertains. Sometimes by tripping over a curb and falling in the middle of the street, then staggering as he gets up (Because the weight in the packs shifted) to the point that passerbye's laugh at him thinking that he is under the influence of local scottish brews. He finds internet cafe's. He gives an occasional lecture (in a scary reminder that he is his dad's son) of various dangers associated with traveling abroad, and gets lost so that JS and Security can feel needed when they set him back on the right course.