(no subject)

So oddly enough, traffic into New York City was a breeze. I don't think we had one slowdown all the way into Middle Village.

We stuck the ashes into the hole, did a really short graveside service- less than ten minutes- and got on our way, only to find out that our family tradition restaurant, Niederstein's, went out of business. Rumor has it they're putting in an Arby's. Instead, we found a little deli/bakery somewhere on Woodhaven Blvd, and cruised to the airport almost three hours earlier than planned. There, I left Mom at the terminal, and wove my way back to the expressway.

Actually, for all my anxieties about leaving a strange city by myself, it was remarkably easy to find my way out. It was really straightforward, and the signs were well marked. Traffic was great all the way up 678, and over the Bronx-Whitestone bridge. It didn't get heavy until the junction to I-95, but then it was a parking lot. All of the New Jersey Turnpike was smooth sailing, but I hit construction backups in three different spots in Pennsylvania. So I guess I technically lost a half an hour of travel time overall, but since I left 2 1/2 hours earlier than I thought I would, I gained two hours in the long run.

Unfortunately, I forgot to charge my iPod last night, so I lost my musical capabilities about three hours before I stopped for the day. Since there were only about five radio stations that came in as I was driving through the mountains (and three were country), I opted for the CDs in my mother's visor. Even more unfortunately, I couldn't stand any of them except the Christmas one. This means I listened to silence for awhile, and after that, Christmas music. Luckily, I'm the kind of person who can celebrate Christmas any time of year, so it wasn't a total bust.

So here I am, sitting in a hotel in Clearfield, PA, hangin' out with my wireless internet (yay to polyfrog for setting me up with a wireless card, and yay to the chain for deciding to put FREE wireless internet in all their hotels!), a pizza that got delivered straight to my room (hooray for delivery), and Friday night stand-up on the TV. Okay, okay, not the best Friday night I've ever spent, but hey- at least the company is good, right?

Uh, anyway...

So tomorrow I have between ten and thirteen hours of driving- depending on traffic- if I want to make it home by tomorrow night. Not the greatest, but I'm definitely charging my iPod tonight. Supposedly, it has twelve hours of battery life, so that should make me at least most of the way home. Help me pray for good weather and no more construction back-ups, because I really miss my own bed, and my peeps. I've also committed to play at an outdoor service on Sunday morning that I kinda want to try to make.

Looks like there's plenty of leftover pizza for breakfast. Maybe it can be augmented by fruit and coffee from the free continental breakfast downstairs.

Um.

That's all. I'm taking a bath and getting comfortable in my bed with the hope of falling asleep soon.

'kbye.


Question for New York City folks: Was there supposed to be a toll to pay exiting the George Washington Bridge on the way out of the city that I somehow magically transcended? I don't think I paid one.

P.S.

To all my friends in New York City and vicinity:

Someday, I promise I'll take a trip to NYC that is more than drive-turn around-drive home, that enables me to actually visit some of you.

This promise is especially made to you, Ira, since I've been promising to visit for, like, uh, what- eight years?

Yeah. So. I promise.