travel wish the first: Hong Kong
When this whole thing hit me, knowing the kind of long odds I faced against this kind of cancer, I immediately started thinking about where I had to go, where I needed to go, where I wanted to go, and where I wished I could go. After all, I’ve experienced so much enormous pleasure from traveling, I couldn’t just give it up. At least I couldn’t give up the fantasy of going.
The medical people have been supportive, but also restrictive. “Yes,” they said, “you can go, but only if you travel deluxe, and only if you have people who can look after you at every destination.”
So, this Friday, December 28th, Kate and I will start off on the first, and most necessary of my travels. We’re off to Hong Kong, hopefully with a side trip to Shanghai. It’s necessary, because my sweet Sara, who captured my heart when she was born, 29 short years ago, wants and needs to see me, hold me, hug me, and because that’s where she lives with her incredible husband, David, and with her amazing 8-month-old son, Tristan (aka ‘Bean’).
Plus, of course, there are so many other people that I love in Hong Kong… and for those who don’t know, I’m still the ‘Adjunct Assistant Professor of Game Design for the School of Design at Hong Kong Polytechnic University.’
As for Shanghai, there are so many people there who are near and dear to Kate and I… Plus, we’re going to have to deal with emptying our wonderful little Fu Xing Lu Apartment… Feel free to get in touch if you need a cheap place, or if you can take stuff off our hands!
The trip will wrap up Saturday, January 5th, returning to San Francisco just in time for me to get my blood tested for my second round of chemotherapy.
Next up? It’ll depend on the medical situation, but here’s the list:
1. Michigan, where I have so many family and friends, along with an absolute mountain of stuff in storage that I need to sort and discard.
2. Montevideo, Uruguay, because I’d like to, for one last time, go somewhere I have never been before, because I’ve never been to South America, because I wrote a report on Uruguay as a kid, and because (according to RPGPundit) I’ll get a chance to meet a whole new population of enthusiastic role-playing gamers.
3. Turin/Torino, Italy, because it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been, and because I’ve always wanted to share it with my one true love, Kate, and because it’s the most romantic thing I can conceive.
Wish me luck!
Erick (Novato, California)
December 26th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Go for it!!! When you get to Michigan I’m going to make a trek up to see you and Kate! As for Montevideo theres a great book shop down on the square and I know they use to carry Palladium stuff. Its been a while since I ventured to South America but you will LOVE it and they will love you down there. Be careful and stay safe, see you soon!
December 26th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
I’ll be waiting for you here in Montevideo, Erick, as will a whole bunch of eager gamers. And tell your doctors not to worry, I and the gang will make sure to help make everything comfortable and easy on your trip.
Maryann, I had no idea that you (and Kevin?) had been to Uruguay, though I should have guessed it based on a couple of things I saw in some of the Palladium books.
If you and Kevin ever feel like coming back here be sure to get in touch with me.
There is indeed a store that sells comics in the Plaza Independencia (two blocks away from where I live), but I’m afraid its been years since they (or anyone) have had RPGs here; palladium ought to try to do something about that, there’s certainly a market for it, in English or Spanish (most self-respecting gamers here read fluent english, and prefer to buy their gamebooks in english if that’s their original language).
December 26th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Erick,
Very sorry to hear about your situation. Just wanted to say “Thank you!” for many many years of excellent gaming. Wish there was something I could do to help you out. Take care.
A Gaming Fan
December 26th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
BTW, to be filed under cosmic curiosities: my very first Amber character ever (and still my favourite) was named Tristan.
December 26th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
Well, then, Rene and I will plan to be in California when you return in February. But the 5th is a Tuesday, not a Saturday. Let us know when you will be there and we’ll make arrangements. Our thoughts and love are with you, perhaps more than you even imagine.
Oops… I’m leaving December 28th, and returning January 5th… but then will be other trips, so we’ll have to be careful coordinating! Thanks, Selene!
December 26th, 2007 at 11:45 pm
Wait, you must mean Saturday, January 5th. Yes?
Yes, I’ll be back Saturday, January 5th! Thanks!
December 27th, 2007 at 12:38 am
I will see you in Michigan when you get there my friend. Your travelling escapades always keeps this flatlander (yes I now have a farm on the prairie) entertained. It’s been a while but it’ll be good for my soul to see you and step on some Michigan soil. Take care and have a safe trip to China.
December 27th, 2007 at 3:22 am
looking forward to see you in HK!!
Rik, just as much as I look forward to seeing you!
December 27th, 2007 at 3:42 am
I am so happy to hear that you are coming to Hong Kong!! If you are not coming to Hong Kong, then we have to go to US to find you!! since we miss you so much and need to hug you! Let eat and chat when u in Hong Kong!! WE MISS your story!~ Love you so much.
your student,
Step Cheung
Dear Step,
I miss you too! And I’ll look forward to seeing you very, very soon!
Erick
December 27th, 2007 at 7:51 am
Have a great trip Erick! Glad to hear you’re so upbeat and positive.
respectfully,
Carl Gleba
December 27th, 2007 at 9:57 am
Erick, do you already have all of your rounds of chemotherapy scheduled? Is it every two weeks, or what?
December 27th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
I wish you the best of luck Erick.
I hope your travels will be nice and that you’ll travel a lot.
We never had the chance to meet but I’m one of the many admirers of your Amber Diceless RP system.
Again best of luck from Toulouse, France.
Patrice
December 27th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
I’ll try and follow up with Rene and if a larger dinner is desired, I’ll see who else I can round up. Tim Carrol has told me he’ll fly down if there’s a gathering. Laurel Halbany lives in Novato and can be reached easily enough. I’ve tried to contact Eric Todd as well.
If not, I totally understand.
Let’s not rush, since I’m really hoping I’ll be able to do my traveling first. Once I’ve got my trips done, we’ll start scheduling local visits. Erick
December 27th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Erick,
We hope you’ll get to travel as much as you can hope.
Just remember, should you get to Torino, that it’s only a couple hours drive to our side of the Alps and we have room to accomodate guests.
Patrice
Dear Patrice, I hadn’t thought about how close you would be to Torino! We’ll have to work something out… Love, Erick
December 27th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Erick -
Best wishes for the trip to Shanghai!
I’ll talk to you when you get back. I’m down with a nasty cold that morphed into bronchitis and can barely croak to speak.
- Jason
You and me both! Seems that cancer doesn’t excuse you from viruses… but at least mine isn’t bronchitis! Erick
December 27th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
Erick,
You must have as much fun as you can muster!!! Bon voyage on your trip to Hong Kong and Shanghai and I hope that when you visit South America and Italy that it is filled with many adventures and new people to meet! We should all be so lucky to have visited as many places as you have and even luckier to meet as many wonderful people as you have! Enjoy the world, my friend!
Jeff
December 27th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Hey Erick! We’ve only met briefly - I’m a regular at Gamescape North and often run games for them at GRPA events. I’m looking forward to the chance to game with you when you make your triumphant return to NoCal, but in the meantime, I hope your travel wishes come true.
December 27th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
Heya Erick,
Leave a gap between your return from mystic China on 1/5/08 and your Michigan trip for us ‘locals’. Selene and I can visit you a few days after your 2nd round of chemo (let you recover from it). I see from the postings above that there are others in the Califia area wanting to see you, so having a 1-2 day slot would be super.
Beside, think of the great roleplaying or GMing you’ll get out of me and others…
-Rene
P.S. Say, did you know Gainesmore had kids?
December 28th, 2007 at 2:02 am
Never met you, but good luck.
December 28th, 2007 at 4:13 am
Doubtful that I’ll see you when you pass through Michigan, alas. You’ll have far more important people to see, far closer friends, and my own situation leaves me sans the means or mode of transport to stray outside my little rectangle of Saint Clair Shores. Enjoy Hong Kong and Shanghai, and anywhere else that you choose as destination in the coming months (and years, damn it!).
Don’t make me break out my First in Cheerleading and Exalted Pom-pom Mastery… this is no time for a Sailor Bubba moment.
December 28th, 2007 at 5:34 am
Safe travels, Erick. There’s also a comfortable seat in Royal Oak for you any time you’re here.
December 28th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Have a great trip to Hong Kong and Shanghai. I love those places too. See you when you get back if you’ve any time.
Yi Mei! Good to hear from you! Yes, I’m hoping to run at least a couple of games in the week after we return to California. It would be great if you could come. Love, Erick
December 28th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Hey Erick,
I told my favorite Erick story here;
http://www.erickwujcik.com/?p=47#comment-269
Enjoy your trips. I’m glad you’re doing what you want.
Michael Yates
Mike, I love the story, and I remember it vividly! I love it that you’ve got the guts to make your life an adventure… and you’ll have to forgive me for wanting it to be even more dangerous! Love, Erick
December 28th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Wow, your travel plans are as big as your heart and smile! Travel well dear friend. Let me know if you find the world’s best mushroom pizza in Turin. It’s conceivable that on the flight over you might enlist an airliner full of new game players.. maybe it’ll keep you awake?!! Love to you and Kate and the family in HK. Hugs from all of us here.
Great to hear from you, Christian! I’ll definitely look for the great pizza in Turin (mmm, mushroom pizza, my favorite), but it’ll have too be truly great to match the giant pizza I found when I was driving through some random Northern Italian town back in 1994. Love to you and yours, Erick
December 29th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
I would like to invite you to Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. We have a great gaming community here (great art and food also) and we all would love to have you with us for some time (I know I would!) Any time. Please feel free to extend your trip in South America to Brazil.
Best wishes
Kairam, I only wish I could. Given the state of my health, even the trip to Montevideo is really pushing the limits of my body’s fight with cancer. Back in 1994 I wandered all over Europe, running games and meeting gamers, and I always dreamed I would do the same in South America someday. Still, it would be wonderful if you and others from Brazil, and maybe Argentina, could visit Montevideo while I am there. Thanks! Erick
December 30th, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Erick,
Sigh—-I am so sorry to hear about the cancer. Hang in there, fight with all the energy you live with and do not give up hope. The family is praying for you. We love you and are not ready to lose you.
Aunt Helen told me about this blog!! Glad she did.
Would love to see you when you get to Michigan. Hug your mom for me when you see her.
Bonnie
December 31st, 2007 at 12:52 am
Hope you have a fun and safe trip.
January 1st, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I hope you are having a hreat time in your travels.
January 1st, 2008 at 6:53 pm
You will be in Hong Kong and Shanghai now, a big hi to Sarah from us! Also a big hi to Shanghai, what a wonderful place it turned out to be and mostly cause we were afforded the opportunity to meet you and the lovely Kate! To become friends and share magnums, and stories and eat out a lot together. Lemon chicken at Yang’s Kate?
I sit here and am walking the streets with you, or at least jumping out of a mad cab journey to the nearest cafe ’cause it is cold outside! Treasure you both, treasure you Erick Wujick. Go forth wonderful man, you never cease to inspire, I wish to have half your enthusiasm and vibrancy! That is my new year resolution!
Lots ‘o Love
Helen Christian and Baby Grace xoxoxo
January 2nd, 2008 at 8:10 am
Is good to see you again, Erick! Sometime is hard to say in word, especially for a quiet person like me… you are a good colleague, a good friend and a good mentor to me. Do take good care of yourself and come back for more “Cha Siu Fan”!
Best wishes,
Pierre
January 2nd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Hey Erick!
Sorry I missed you during my visit to TG a month ago. You were among the top people I wanted to see that day. Hopefully, I’ll be able to catch you again between your travels.
Enjoy HK! I really need to start travelling. You and my brother have that in common. He just got back from Ireland and has visited many places already, I’ve become very envious of both of you.
-Dennis
January 2nd, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Erick,
Thanks for all the great products you produced, they’ve enriched my life in so many ways and brought us all many wonderful hours of entertainment.
While I’ve never met you personally, I have the deepest respect and admiration for you.
Enjoy your trip to China and keep your chin up.
John Sussenberger
Dilly Green Bean Games
January 7th, 2008 at 4:13 am
Erick - we hope you and Kay had a peaceful trip filled with the love of your togetherness that you two share, as well as that of family & friends. We are praying for a miracle of modern medicine for you. Our hope is that that you and Kay will enjoy much more time to be together, to travel, and to be with friends and family. Of course, knowing your love of the game world you have enthusiastically participated in during your lifetime, we wish that more time and accomplishments will be yours also.
We send our love. Mick & D.D.
January 17th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
bonnie hunt helen…
Man i love reading your blog, interesting posts !…