I have a confession to make. I’ve been spending time today with a 15-year-old. Yeah, I know how creepy that sounds but I hope you won’t judge me too harshly. After all, you are doing it too. Which is my way of saying today marks fifteen years of blogging here at Long Time Gone.

What a ride it has been! I started this blog in preparation for my upcoming move to Korea way back then. Here’s an excerpt from that very first post:

I have lived a very comfortable life. Too comfortable perhaps. The chance to live and work overseas in a totally alien culture seems to be an exciting opportunity to get out of my box and experience a new lifestyle. Yes, I am looking forward to the adventure. Of course, the nature of adventure is the not knowing how things will turn out. I know I will miss my family and friends and everything that is familiar and wonderfully American. I have made a two-year commitment to the Army, and if I am miserable and lost and lonely, well I will deal with it and learn what I can from the experience. Going in, I have a positive attitude and believe that I have the power to determine what I gain and how I grow as I live this new life.

Yeah, the writing has not improved despite all these years of practice. But it has indeed been an adventure and that adventure continues. I certainly had no clue just what a life-changing event that move would turn out to be. But it’s all documented here in the LTG archives. Along the way, I’ve lost two wives, experienced numerous other heartbreaks, made (and repeated) lots of mistakes, learned some things about myself, and discovered a lifestyle beyond anything I’d ever previously imagined. My only real regret is that I didn’t start this quest when I was younger.

Anyway, there is no turning back. I honestly cannot imagine living a vanilla American life again. As mundane and boring as my daily routines may appear in my posts here at LTG, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Who knows what the future will bring? I might wind up changing it all down the road. Or dying on the road I’m on. It’s all about the ride.

And finally, a big thanks to you my faithful readers. Your support and advice over the years have meant more to me than you’ll ever know. Some of you I’ve had the pleasure to have met in person, but most remain anonymous strangers. That you care enough to stop by and read my diary entries makes it all worthwhile. I’ll keep on keepin’ on! You’ve been warned.

Then take it as far as you see and beyond
With eyes you don’t use enough to gather up strength
As thoroughfare gap, what awaits is whatever you see
When you get there of even before

It’s no matter, no distance, it’s the ride