It’s September, and we breathe a sign of relief.

For a couple reasons:

First, and highest on the list is, September’s arrival marks the “end of our Busy Ass Summer Season” and man, we’re always glad to get that one behind us.

Second, Fall is our favorite season of the year. In my book, September 1st marks the beginning of cool temperatures, bluer skies and leaves rustling around my unmowed front yard.

Third, September, for the last four years at least has meant one thing: “Getting the fuck out of town and on the road back home.” Usually at this time of year, I should be on my way back, enjoying Idaho’s vast potatolands or watching sunsets in Nebraska or something as i make my way back to the Midwest.

But this year, things are a little different. I took off for a couple weeks in the summer, so that sets everything back a little bit. So this Autumn, I’m gonna hang here in Portland, and enjoy things like “spending time with Leigh in the Portland Fall” and “enjoying design time with my colleagues at the shop” and “developing Field Notes more and more” and “wrapping up that documentary thing.” Phew.

And sure, I’m a little sad I’m not out there right now…avoiding the calls, taking wrong turns and just generally enjoying being free as hell. Plans are being drawn up for a October mission, of course. We’ve got a couple things up our sleeves.

So to all who read these words, and have graciously followed my halfwit coverage of the last four fall tours, well, thank you so much. Fun stuff. So lucky to be out there living it up.

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THINGS WE’RE WORKING UP:

01. New DDC t-shirts, specifically-designed for the fall months.

02. The first episode of “The Draplin Thing.” Coming way soon.

03. New Field Notes products.

04. All kinds of kick-ass “old stuff galleries” on Flickr, and what not. Way excited to share the shit I’ve uncovered over the summer.

05. A rowdy trip to an old town far away called, “Rome, Italy” for a little work, and lots of sightseeing. Which way to the U.S. Embassy?

06. The 5th Annual DDC Fall Tour, starting in early October. Route are being drawn up as these words go to press.

07. Making it to October 15th, which will be the day that marks my 35th birthday. Fingers crossed.

08. Making three issues of the mag, three monster catalogs, a bunch of logos and stuff.

09. We’re hosting an “Incorrigibles Thanksgiving” here in Portland. Far from home? Little sad? Orphaned? Hated by many? Well, this is the dinner to attend.

10. Enjoying being alive, free and lucky as hell to do what I get to do.

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It’s gonna be a great Fall, people. Dig it.