And out of the ashes of a desolate travel year with a bleak future — just when I thought my days of wandering were over — suddenly the pieces fall together. Like a puzzle. Like a mother-freakin’ jigsaw puzzle, yo. Except I was never good at those.

(Well, I put together a “World Traveler” puzzle at Christmas with Dad. We cursed a lot and drank beer. Maybe it was the beginning of something new.)

The puzzle in question. Aw, now I miss my daddy.

ANYWAY. Looks like starting next week I’m basically on the road for the next couple of months. Checkit.

March 6-13: Orlando, Florida

Lucky me being an Aeroplan cardholder and all, I was selected to participate in a special trip to FLO-RIDA. The place, not the “Club Can’t Handle Me” rapper. Although that’s pretty appropriate too, come to think of it.

Remember that plea I sent out awhile ago asking PR folks to send me somewhere warm? It worked. My god, the universe is amazing.

I’m going to be hitting up Seaworld and Lego Land as part of the trip, and then Disney World and Universal Studios on my own time. My ultimate goal is to drink a butter beer at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. BUCKET LIST ITEM.

I literally have one whole week to myself to do whatever I want. Lounge pool side, eat my face off, get drunk at Disney. Alone. I’m embracing solo travel. It could be the beginning of something great.

March 19-April 17: Halifax, Nova Scotia

I’m finally back to one of my favourite east coast cities to visit Jo and her daughter I haven’t even met yet. Unreal. Plus Cailin is there, so that’ll be alright.

I'm gonna miss this.

I have a million other people to meet as well while I’m in the city, so if you’re in town, toss your name in the mix! One pint on me. The Split Crow Power Hour, anyone?

April 30-May 7: Dominican Republic

A real vacation for my friends Dawne and Terry’s wedding. How excited am I for a real vacation? Reaaaal excited. I might not even bring my laptop.

(I probably will.)

I get to reunite with some old friends and even a classmate or two that I haven’t seen in years. Other than that, I literally know nothing about the DR.

I’ve also told Dawne that I will be doing this at the wedding:

She said this was acceptable and even encouraged.

May 10: Montreal, Quebec

FINALLY MY DREAMS OF MONTREAL LIVING ARE COMING TRUE!

I’m buying a one-way ticket. I’ll be back in St. John’s in time for summer lovin’, but until then, I’m staying with some friends in Montreal and maybe launching off to Ottawa and Toronto for a jaunt.

Or I’ll stay in Montreal. Or go to Iceland for a month. I’m not sure. The world is my hypothetical oyster…which is kinda gross if you think about it.

August: BURNING MAN!

I HAVE TICKETS TO BURNING MAN! So many conflicting emotions. So many unanswered questions. I probably should get some travel insurance.

Nothing is planned for this yet at all, but I’d like to fly into Las Vegas and make my way to the desert. It’s gonna be bit of a mission to get there.

In closing, I’ll leave you with one of my favourite videos from Burning Man. Because I can. And because I’m too excited to continue typi