Point of No Return

I'm truly committed now (or probably should be) and if anything (like the visa application process aka-Traveler's Catch-22) screws up now, it'll cost me dearly. Think good thoughts on that for me, eh? Eurail Pass is purchased, airfare is ordered and in the works. I should have ticket in hand Tuesday next week. Visa application is on its way to the visa processing place (again, good thoughts, please), notice given to apt management and related utilities, online banking established, I've made arrangements for Harry Isuzu to stay with a friend and I think I even have a home for my plants. I've made one trip to storage already and I'm stepping over boxes in the apt so I am making progress on that front, too. Help in that area would be appreciated (hint, hint) so much so that I called in a couple of students from OSU to given me an estimate on packing and moving my household and that may be the way I go-at least for the part that involves heavy lifting.
So, here's the skinny on the visas. I need three. Two require computer generated itineraries. In order to get an itinerary, I have to know where I'm going. I can't know where I'm going if I don't know if I can get into the country! There's the catch-22. It is advisable to have your visas in hand before you depart. One of the countries has a 6 month limit on their visa but the days start counting when your visa is issued. If I get the visa before I leave, it will expire before I get there! Another catch but I don't know what number. So, I'm gonna shoot craps on this, because, you know that raises the adventure aspect of this whole affair. I just sent my passport along with the visa application to a visa processing place to get my visa for the first country I will enter requiring a visa. (How many times can you use 'visa' in one sentence?) I'm hoping the passport returns before I fly away. Assuming that it arrives back to me in time for me to start the trip as planned (this is where the aforementioned 'cost me dearly' may come into play), I'll make my other visa applications along the way. I'm kinda looking forward to visiting the Vietnam embassy in Italy, for instance. Could be quite the cultural treat and that's what it's all about (and you thought it was the Hokey Pokey!)
I have all my required shots. Naturally, those shots are only required in those countries that also require. . . wait for it. . . visas! I've also got a stock pile of antibiotics and travelers trots remedies and a bunch of malaria pills. The amount of pharmaceuticals in my backpack for this six month journey is more than the combined total of any I have taken in the first 1/2 century of my life! The optimist in me is saying it's all just precautionary. The realist in me knows it's gonna take rotten situations and make them bearable. I'm not letting the pessimist have any say in this.
I'm all packed. I even took the loaded pack for a test drive today and walked through downtown and explored the Saturday Farmer's market. THE guidebook (caps intentional) I'm using for the EU part of my trip suggests that test drive. One of the packing guidelines says to look over what you think you want to take then pull out half the items and add twice the money. I've pared down the items pretty well to the point that I have room in my 2640 ci pack! The 2xs the money part, yeah, that's not gonna happen, Cap'n.
Well, I've just returned from scoring some good sized boxes for books so I've gotta get busy filling them.
If anyone has any questions, comments or snide remarks about my upcoming adventure, I'd love to hear them. Take care all.