TWELVE TO SEVENTEEN
The years from twelve to seventeen were challenging. Of course, I was of going through the usual demands that most teens encounter. There was school and summer and work and libido. I did okay. I handled the pressures. I wasn't the most popular teen nor the least. I was just an average guy. You would never have known to look at me that I hid anything more than average secrets.
My traveling secrets were a tough lot to keep silent about. I really wanted to talk it out. But instead (while waiting for technology to catch up with my big mouth), I kept all the research to myself. And there was plenty of it. As a teenager, I hadn't yet grasped the control level I was striving for. I traveled occasionally by choice and constantly by whim on an average of at least once a day. When I did control my travels, it seemed a cursed blessing. I couldn't understand why it was that my same controlled agenda wouldn't work the next time around. (If you can't stand the suspense, surf to Piecing The Puzzle.)