I’m travelling to Raleigh early tomorrow morning.  I’ve just about gotten everything packed and ready, leaving only a few things left to shove into the suitcase in the morning.

Sometimes I really dread travelling.  I’m one of those people who has to plan everything down to the minute.  It sometimes annoys the hell out of people who are with me, but I usually arrive on time or just slightly early.  If I tell you I’m going to be somewhere at a particular time, you can bet that I will have a pretty good reason if I’m not there at that time.

I also have a tendency to pack more crap than I need.  As an example, I always plan out the clothes for each day of the trip and then I throw in at least one more complete set of clothing just in case (i.e. pants, shirt, socks, underwear, etc).  I’ve rarely needed them.  However, through negative reinforcement I always pack them now, since the one time I didn’t I ended up extending my trip for a couple of days and I sorely wished I’d had them.

My computer backpack is another example.  I probably won’t need all of the stuff in there, but I just don’t feel comfortable without it.  I’ve got an extra ethernet cable, a telephone line tester, a phone cable, power adapter, and a wireless adapter (with driver CD).  The backpack also serves as a general carry-on, so I’ve got hand wipes, cell phone charger, iPod charger, disposable toothbrushes (this isn’t as odd as you might think, since I’ve got braces), an extra copy of my itinerary, some extra cash (squirreled away in an out of the way place), and a bottle of water.  In the morning I’ll put my watch, keys, wallet, and flashlight in there before going through the metal detectors (it speeds things up if you don’t have to pull everything out of your pockets and put them in those little buckets).

I was never a Boy Scout, but I think their motto is a great way to live.  I may carry a lot more junk that I need, but at least I’m prepared for most things (although not as prepared as I’d like, given what we’re not allowed to take on a plane).