Well, the flight problem has been solved due to my brother having free passes on Southwest. They are standby, and they have less flights to AZ then Delta (though they do fly direct now) but the odds are pretty good of getting on due to Minnesota having one of the warmest winters in 10 years.

There's less of a reason for the locals to "want to get away" and looking at the forecast thats not going to change any time soon. High 30's every day with a few in the 40s. There is NO snow left on the ground except in very well shaded areas. WTH, its only the beginning February but it feels like LATE march.

Needless to say because of the Job situation still in a holding pattern and some other stresses I need to get out. I've discussed it with both my grandparents and parents; and they support the trip 100%. All I need to do is pay for the rental car, gas and some food for 1/2 the trip which I can do. The plus side is my UI insurance is good until September of this year. Its a very minimum wage for me, but it is enough to 'get by'. Atop of that I have 6k in savings so I am doing OK.

The trip is money but its time for me to just get away from some of the more petty drama going on, but mostly so I can really think about my career and my priorities in LIFE going forward. The job is a HUGE part of that, but also things like will I ever move out of the house, make an effort to find a GF? work on meeting new friends this year? All stuff I really need to have a private retreat on and reflect on.

Plus it will strengthen my photography hobby which is on the "I want to do more of this again but I need Inspiration" There are very few places more inspirational to a photographer then the American Southwest; at least to me. Aside from dealing with the conservativeness of my grandparents while I'm down there; it is my "happy place".

So *crosses fingers* This time next week I SHOULD be in the Land of the Sun in Arizona. I will have a rental car for the latter part of the trip, the last three days of it.