Fly Day
Morning of departure! My work is done, our bags are packed, and I'm counting a big black floppy hat as my second carry-on item. I can hardly believe we got everything done, considering that our errands yesterday included a trip to the optometrist and a haircut (the latter of which is fine but not exactly what I was hoping for; pictures to come when I figure out how exactly to tame the bangs that start three quarters of the way to my crown). I've said it before but I have to say it again: it sure helps to have a thoughtful and responsible sidekick; not only do I not have to worry about him in addition to worrying about myself, but he provides valuable services too, for instance bringing me an apple, a container of mac & cheese, and a large Gatorade at my eye appointment because I'd hardly eaten anything all day, and telling me my hair looks cute even though he didn't want me to cut it in the first place. I'm looking forward to the valuable services he will provide me on the plane: being my hand to hold, my shoulder to sleep and drool on, and my friendly rib to jab if I see something particularly intriguing on my seatback TV (scheduled programs include Dodgeball and Two and a Half Men. Joy.
As you can tell by the mere fact that I have time to type a little something on ye olde blogge here, the crazy pace has finally finally slowed, and I'm excited more than ever to getting away from everything here (except my poor, lonely, neglected cat!). For the past two weeks, I've been reading for about ten hours a day, so this might be the first non-literate vacation I'll have taken in a good long while. Although, gosh, I do have two fun books in my backpack, and I always pick up a Cosmo as my special plane-travel treat...So it looks like I will be reading, but I just won't be getting paid for it. And actually, that sounds magnificent.
If anyone else wants a postcard, it's not too late. I'll be checking email from J.O.E.*, so you have a good handful of days to get me your addresses. We're going to London, Oxford, Welford, and Stratford, so if anyone wants anything in particular, let me know. (Shirley, I'd love to send you something from Christchurch!)
In the meantime, I'm going to try to set up a special guest blogger, and I'll also leave you today with some new reads, and some old reads embarking on new adventures.
--Jonniker. A new-to-me read, who is damn delightful.
--Mrs. Flinger. There's always so much going on there that whenever I'm on her site, I find myself getting all hyper.
--Debaucherous and Disheveled. Nolan turned one and Kristin went back to work. I love them. Perpetual favorites.
--MLE and the Hulkster. We had sushi and drinks with them when they were in town a few weeks ago, and I think it says something that we talked non-stop for six hours with people we'd never met before. The Great Big Nerd himself wrote a great recap of our evening, so go read it because even if I'd had time to write about it myself, I couldn't have done a better job.
--The SweetJunipers are roadtripping from San Francisco to thier new home in Detroit, so check in to read their tales from the road. They should be in my hometown today or tomorrow. I cried when I wrote them a farewell email. I'm such a puss, but I just adore all three of them.
Okay, I'm off! Here's hoping Simon wasn't serious about the haggis.
*Jolly Old England, of course.
Have a great trip! I'm a bit jealous, I must admit.
haggis, much like hot dogs and sausages, is actually pretty good if you don't think too hard about what's inside. . . in fact, if someone just stuck a plate of the stuff in front of you without telling you what it was, you'd swear you were eating a sort of spicy gound beef. . . plus there's also vegetarian haggis. . . mmmnn. . . haggis, neeps, tatties, & irn bru. . .
also be on the lookout for the deep-fried mars bar (UK mars bar = US milky way) and it's distant cousin the deep-fried twix bar. . . they may sound kinda gross and elvistravagant, but they're soooper yummy. . .
of course it sounds like you'll be in england, not scotland, so all that stuff (haggis, neeps, tatties, & deep-fried mars/twix) may be a bit lacking down there in the south. . .
The very best candy bar in the whole world is a Lion Bar. Sometimes they are available at Cost Plus World Market, but they are certainly available in JOE. Have one on my behalf, svp.
(a shoutout? to me?! (and Hulk) *blush*)
Yay for Jolly olde England! Can't wait to hear your tales and see your pictures.
(Also Nolan and I love you for loving us and we love you back)
Have a blast! We think you're damn delightful, too, and hope you have the best time ever. I can't wait to see pictures. xo
Omg! I'd LOVE something from Christchurch! Bless your lovely, lovely self for thinking of me! Email with address on it's way....I hope you have a BLAST. You too, Simon.
I'm SO living through your pictures, you are aware of this, I'm sure. :-) Have a great great trip!!
And thanks for the shout. You cracked me up "I get all hyper".. heh. I couldn't have said it better myself (did I tell you I drink a lot of coffee? I do. A lot.)
Have a great trip! Hope you bring back lots of stories and lovely pictures!
Have a great trip!
HAVE FUN!!!
spend lots of time naked! (couldn't think of anything else).
have a fabulous time!
Have fun!!!
Woah! I just stumbled on to your blog through another one & am leaving for the UK in a week. Have so much superfun!!!!!
Woah! I just stumbled on to your blog through another one & am leaving for the UK in a week. Have so much superfun!!!!!
Woah! I just stumbled on to your blog through another one & am leaving for the UK in a week. Have so much superfun!!!!!