Preface: From America With Love, or, We're Really Doin' It, Guys!

Backpacking Europe. What else can one say about trekking a trail that’s already been blazed ad nauseam by students, slackers, stoners, senior citizens and the perpetually restless alike?

Little that hasn't already been said, to be sure. That won't stop me from trying, of course. But I'm not here to break any new ground. I'm just out to see a small slice of the world not yet overrun with strip malls and office parks while I’m still young enough to actually appreciate it.

Not that I have anything against America. Amber waves, purple mountains, big cars, fried foods, free refills, an intellectually stunted political system – I get it, it’s great, I love it. But I’ve done it to death, and it’s high time I see how folks do things across the pond.

Now, I understand that it’s not for everyone. However, just because you’re stuck in your cubicle while I’m quaffing wine on the banks of the Seine, or sunbathing in Greece, or downing delicious beers in Brussels or gorging myself in Italy until my pants no longer fit, that doesn’t mean you can’t live vicariously through me. That’s what this blog is all about.

Here are a few things you can expect to find on “Transient Being”

- Hilarious observations
- Confirmed stereotypes
- Mediocre travel writing
- Funny mistranslations
- Epic fails (and perhaps an occasional win)
- Photos
- Videos
- Adventures in facial hair

Here are a few things you are not likely to find on “Transient Being”:

- Sentiment
- Frequent updates
- Twittering
- Political pedantry
- Lolcats
- Light beer

So join me as I postpone adulthood indefinitely under the guise of broadening my cultural horizons.

At the very least, it should distract you from work.

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