It is now only a few days before I depart. After taking my children out for Halloween I will drive to Buffalo. I have booked a hotel there for the night and I will leave my vehicle there for the month. I fly from Buffalo to New York, from New York to Bangkok, and from Bangkok to Katmandu. This flight path has many connections and an overnight in Bangkok, but it was the most economical way to go.   I feel pretty much ready. Well, as ready as anyone can be when departing for a month and leaving behind a family and two busy businesses. I determined a long time ago that the timing would often never be right for certain things, and if I wanted to do them I just had to do them.   My 40th birthday was yesterday so I am not getting any younger. I had a very nice dinner with my wife and today we will have a family birthday party. Although I am fit, healthy, and do not feel 40, I know that I will not be able to climb at this level for ever.   Another impetus in making this climb a reality was the passing of my father. He died 2 years ago of cancer. It was very fast and he had just turned 61. It was too young to die and he will miss so much. He had not yet even retired. This event gave me pause and I took stock of my life. There were a few goals I had that were going to be difficult to accomplish given my busy lifestyle. I made the decision that I just had to make it happen. I would regret it if I did not. So now I am heading to Ama Dablam.   I am almost all packed. I had a huge pile of gear strewn all over the basement floor. I have managed to get it all into two large bags. They are not even that heavy. I should not need to pay and overweight baggage fees at the airport and they will not be too much trouble to lug around.   These next few days will have me tying up loose ends and getting the last of my supplies ready. I am then good to go. I have questioned the wisdom in going several times, but have tried not to let my busy life make any decisions for me. I know that once I get there I will be glad I have kept this commitment.   Dream Big! Scott.