In my New Beginnings post in early January, I vowed to "going back to Burning Man - because there's no reason not to." I bought my ticket January 17.

I also promised myself to "pay more attention to the people I love and care about, and tell them so. Especially my family and friends."

So when my girlfriend Evelyne called me from Switzerland and told me how much she wanted me to attend her wedding in June, I decided to give the thought of flying to Europe for the occasion some serious consideration.

Granted - I had only just been back to the homeland last November/December. The airline now wanted roughly double the price for the same *exact* flight (WTF? $750 vs $1400? That's just extortion!). I was a bit hesitant to spend the money. There are so many places in the world I still want to go to and explore!

But - I finally realized that this will be a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. Someone I deeply care about, have known since we were both 18, has lived through some exhilirating and crazy times with me, and who has stubbornly kept in touch despite the 5000-mile separation for half our lifetimes, has asked me to share one of the most important days in life with her. What is money and time in comparison to *that*?


My friends Thomas, Evelyne and her husband-to-be Kaspar lounge around

I booked my flight yesterday. I'm taking almost 3 weeks (from May 24 - June 13) to go hang with my friends and family. So what the hell - why not go tramp around Europe too a bit while I'm there? And what do you know? My all-time favorite band Simply Red is actually playing live in concert in London's Royal Albert Hall on May 30 & 31 - during the exact time when I'll be in Europe. Hurray! I've been wanting to see them again for ages - I saw them twice when I was a teenager, and consider them to be one of the best live acts I've seen. Ever.

Thanks to a low-cost airline called Easy Jet, a quickie trip to London becomes actually affordable too. It's going to be about 45 bucks for the roundtrip fare. Yes, there is a god.

And hey - my sister has volunteered to come along, so we'll just turn it into a minor sightseeing/shopping spree/sisterly bonding affair for a few days.

Credo #2 for the year accomplished.

I agree. The time spent there will be worth more than any amount of money in the long run. You're going to have so much fun! We'll expect photos, of course. :o)

Yes. I cannot wait to see my family and friends again.

If you live as far away as I do, for as long as I have, there comes a time when you realize that tomorrow it could be all over - and either you'd be gone or they'd be gone. And, boy, life is precious and short, and money doesn't matter. Only love. And the people you choose to surround yourself with.

I'm sure I'll bring pictures back. But seriously - if you make your living with photography, last thing you want to do is handle a camera on your *vacation* ...