You have a big trip ahead of you. You write a list of things you need to pack. You go through that list twice, making sure that everything is where they belong. You make sure that you have your keys, cellphone, wallet, etc tucked away in your pockets or pack. Part of you is rushing to get everything done. The other part of you is excited that you are going out on an adventure. You venture out and head right for the bus or airport.

Suddenly, you have a moments thought that you might have forgotten something: did you turn off all your lights, is the stove off, are the windows closed, is the door locked, is the alarm on, does the cat have enough food and water, etc? This is where you have a choice of going back home and making sure that everything is fine, or you try to shrug it off. How do you know if its really your imagination telling you that you forgot something, or your own memory warning you that you DID forgot to do something?

I'm sure everyone has had this moment before or in the middle of their trip. Besides the physical piece of paper that you used to note down all the important stuff that you had to do before you leave, your mental note is still processing information and memory to make sure that you did do everything you were supposed to. If something is forgotten or uncompleted, the small alert siren in your head goes off. But how can you know if its a real alarm or just your imagination playing tricks on you? How can you tell that you really did do that task before leaving without any physical evidence?

The last thing anyone wants to return to from their trip is a disaster and drama awaiting to happen or has already happened.

artwork © 2014 Alex Cockburn