Making Bucket lists is Hard, Starting them is Harder

After getting home, I started searching for things that I should do before I die. Which give you a lot of results, and not a whole lot of them are do-able now-a-days. Like, have sex with a bunch of strangers is hard when, like 99% of the population has dicks. I'm not against it, but I'm also not a virgin so it doesn't feel as novel.

Then there's stuff like going to "must see [insert theme park here]" which is fine and dandy, except they're all defunct. I could still go, but I'd have to break in and I wouldn't be able to go on any rides. Plus, animatronics give me the creeps! 

I also came across visiting specific beaches, which again, kind of due to wars and stuff is viable. But, going to a beach is! So, I guess that's number one on the list. Throwing a huge party with friends would be do-able, but the only thing close to friends are my co-workers. Ex-coworkers now? Either way, I doubt they party, plus alcohol is hard to come by. 

Shower in a waterfall sounds fun! Honestly, road tripping/hiking seems pretty reasonable. And if I make some stops to do some of this stuff, at least I can say I did something before it all ended. And maybe I'll meet some other lost souls out there who also came to the same realization as me. Or maybe they even have bucket list recommendations, cause right now beach has been combined into road trip + stops.

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It was surprisingly easy and cheap to get the camping stuff I needed, as well as the food supplies. I mean, food is heavily rationed but I guess I had a lot of my rations accidentally saved up from overworking and forgetting meals. A win is a win, though!

With the truck I decided to rent all loaded up, it was time to start my travels. There's no map and I'm holding myself to the challenge of not using navigation programs. The whole point is to get lost, and that's what I'm gunna do! I did make one last stop at the animal rescue in town. I found out that a lot of long haul truckers would have cat or dogs with them and I want one too! Well a cat anyways, I'm allergic to dogs. 

I got out of the truck, cat carrier in tow and entered the small lobby. No one was at the front desk, just a sign that said to scan your badge at the door to the kennels and when you're ready to adopt scan it again on the outside of the kennel you want to adopt from. Pretty simple instructions and if it means I get out of here faster, than I'm all for it.

All the animals seemed well-cared for and I could see the signs of human life here and there, so I'm sure there were some souls working here. I went past the dogs quickly and soon found the cat lounge. There were a handful of them, mostly adults with a few kittens here and there. Lots of them advertised as barn cats to hunt mice, but there was one that caught my eye. 

It looked nearly hairless and it was super long! She also had the most beautiful blue eyes I'd ever seen on a cat. I put my hand to the front of her kennel and she instantly came over from her small cat tree to sniff at my finger tips. As I was about to pull my hand away, she nipped my finger tips (which I'm man enough to admit did hurt a little bit). I knew then and there that she was for me.

The paper on the outside of the kennel said she was a moggy (a mixed breed cat), and was up to date on all of her vaccines. Her name is Venus, she was in great health and came with 2 sweaters for colder weather. She also seemed very friendly and seemed to show affection by gently biting and nipping her chosen people. She was estimated to be about eight years old and would be a great companion for anyone lucky to have her. I didn't hesitate to scan my I.D. badge on the reader outside her kennel room, I knew this was my little navigation companion.

What I was not expecting was for a man to come up right behind me and practically speak directly into my right ear, "So, you like Venus, huh?"

I shrieked. A manly shriek. But I still shrieked. It may or may not have set off some of the dogs into howling fits.

"Dude! Warning! Or make a noise or something!" I half-yelled as I stepped away from the shelter worker. "At the very least don't creep up on a stranger, man." I made a weird gesture with my hands as the guy continued to stare at me, clearly laughing in his head.

"Sorry, we don't get many adopters. Especially not for cats." He trailed off a little and the air felt heavy between us for a minute. The silence broke abruptly by him, "I'm Will, and I'll be helping you with little Venus here. I see you have a carrier already which is great, and the system is currently compiling your info so they can reportion your rations to include cat food and litter supplies, if needed. Do you plan on taking her to your apartment?" 

"Uh, actually I'm doing a road trip and wanted some company." I really hoped he wasn't judging me. "Oh- uh, my name's Barnaby, its nice to meet you!" I hastily put the carrier down and stuck out my right hand for a hand shake. 

Will smiled as he shook my hand and we made small talk while he gathered the sweaters and some starter cat supplies that the shelter gave every adopter. Will was also in charge of getting Venus into the carrier, some policy to protect the shelter from lawsuits. You'd think with the world basically ending that lawsuits wouldn't be a thing, and yet. At least Venus was an absolute lady and jumped right into the carrier with little cajoling.

Will escorted us out to my truck and helped me secure her litter box and food bows in the backseat so they wouldn't drift. I waved to Will through my windshield and then immediately let Venus out of her carrier so she could walk around the cab before we got moving. It was peaceful watching her explore, and for what felt like the first time that I could remember in my life, I felt content.