So much to do!

Feeling a little overwhelmed here, folks, with the shear amount of work I need to do in the next few weeks. Actual Work work aside, there's still the seemingly endless task of packing. How it is even remotely possibly that I need more boxes? How can I have filled what I have already, and where the heck am I going to put all these boxes while I'm still living in this apartment?

Sigh.

Too much to do and not enough time to do it. At this point, I'm resigning myself to a certain high percentage of items broken in the move -- as long as it doesn't cost more to replace them then it does to move them, I should be fine. I hope.

I think I would feel more energetic about the whole thing if I had some help. Luckily, mom and my sister B are driving in on Sunday to pick me up, and I think I've managed to finagle it so that they'll bring me more boxes, help me pack some of them up, and THEN we'll head back up to Westchester. I think.

Ok. Back to work!

Travel Tips

I know I'm not the only one who'll be traveling by plane this Christmas. Via Budget Travel, here's a list of 14 helpful hints to make airline travel easier and less stressful. Most of 'em can also be applied the rest of the year as well. Good luck!

MountainTime

Finally made it to Denver last night around 2:30 on the morning, after a two-and-a-half hour delay leaving New York. Not for any reason you might imagine (weather), but because of an irate (read: crazy) passenger on the outbound flight from Denver to NYC, who went psycho, started acting up, threw a couple of punches, broke an interior window in the plane, and had to be physically restrained. They diverted the plane to Indianapolis to get him off and handed to the police, took statements, and were back on their way as quickly as possible. It's hard not to be sympathetic to the crew and other passengers in that case, and as always, I had plenty of reading material, so it wasn't as bad as all that. Still, if I'd been smarter and checked the airline status closer to the time I left for the airport, I might not have had as long a wait. At least not in an uncomfortable seat, that is.

I'm putting it behind me. I'm here now, all rested up, and puttering around the house. Laters!

Who are you, and what have you done with my suitcase?

Ummm... because it's full. And I'm still sitting here with my pjs on, with some stuff in the bathroom, a suit jacket, and a dress still to fit into the bag. Hmmm, I say. I suppose the fact is I'm more careful and neat about fitting things into my bag on the way out for a trip. On the way home, one just naturally assumes that everything will fit back in with the same ease (notwithstanding any additional purchases -- but I can't think that little munchkin clothes take up THAT much room). Anyway, it's a process. To be fair, my suitcase does expand, and I can always unzip that portion of the bag and have plenty more room.

But that seems like giving in.

Anyway, that's where I am. Sitting in my room, half-packed, still in my pjs, trying to decide on breakfast and my morning's activities. We drove past Rodeo Drive on the way to the party last night, and it was a little further than I thought it would be. That's the way it always seems to be in LA. And what? I thought I'd find a bargain there? Unlikely!!

Unfortunately, it's a little too overcast and not-nice out for my plan B: sit by the pool and read. I mean, I suppose I still could, but I've packed away the swimsuit and sunblock, recognizing they won't be needed.

All in all though? I'm looking forward to getting home. It's been a pretty long trip, and I've been "on" for most of it. Lots of fun was had, but I'll admit I'm looking forward to getting back on my normal schedule. Next year, come hell or high water, I'm bringing a friend! Or a husband. How weird is it to say THAT?

If I had known...

That all I had to do to get here was get in an elevator and push a button, I would have TOTALLY skipped the five hour flight!

Landed in LA!

And in a Super Shuttle on the way from the airport to the hotel. Is it weird I keep expecting to recognize one of the houses we pass by from one of my favorite decorating shows, or to see a film crew documenting someone's flip?

Anyway, I'm here!

At the airport

Man, do I wish Frontier flew from New York to LA! Instead, I'm flying Delta from JFK, and the lines are insane. Glad I gave myself the exta hour at the airport I never bother with when I'm flying to Denver!

Heading Out to LaLa Land

Just about packed for my trip out to LA, which will be a work-filled with a healthy dose of fun (and sitting by a pool, reading. But then, that could be work, too!). I think I have everything I need, but I'm sure I'll forget something. Bringing Lappy, though, so I'll have full email and interweb access. And, I imagine, if there's any down time, I can get in a little CoH!

Although, I am told there's a sizable mall across the street from the hotel where the conference is being held, so i may have to do a little shoe shopping. And clothes -- In trying to pack business casual wear, I found myself disregarding a huge portion of my wardrobe of t-shirts, so many of which have slogans, logos, text, or designs I just wouldn't want to wear in front of a prospective client. Current client, sure! Then I pull out my "Ready, Randy? Ready, Joan!" tank. But newcomers don't get to see that right off the bat.

And I think everyone's happier for it.

Anyway, thanks for your help with questions for my workshops. I'll report back afterwards!

Signing off

Not really, and not for all that long, actually. I'm heading out tonight (yay, finally!) for Denver, and though I aim to be very low maintenance and exercise-y, with lots of time for relaxation, I doubt that that will lead to much blogging. Maybe some photos though, of me (hopefully) crossing the finish line on Sunday.

Anyway, don't forget about me while I'm off. Check back next Wednesday for all the latest.

Eek!

I'm heading to the gym this afternoon after work to hit a pool and get in some running -- my two weak events. Yes, I realize that there are only three events in a tri. Shush!

I also booked my flights, so I'll get in Wednesday night, have Thursday and Friday to train and get acclimated to the altitude (hopefully), take Saturday off to go check in, do the course overview, maybe buy some last minute tri gear, and have a carbo-loading dinner with Yi Shun. Sunday is the big day -- although, by Sunday at noon, it should all be over, one way or the other. Monday, I'm trying to schedule a massage, or just otherwise relax, and Tuesday I fly home.

Back in New York

And quite chilled when I went out to get my dinner. Still, at least here I don't break out in hives for some strange, unknown reason. It's real fun, I tell you. And pretty. My arms and legs are covered with a fun, itchy, blotchy rash, which goes oh so well with my suntan. Grrr. I've just about narrowed it down to the soap or the salt water, but I'm leaning towards the soap, if only because if it were the water, it'd likely be even worse. And isn't THAT a fun thought?

Anyway, I didn't take too many pictures, but if I had Photoshop, I'd totally use this trick to make them look even better (via BD).

I believe I promised blogging!

And so... voila!

How very Divine. Two short pieces, with my photos. Un and deux.

Also, I just bought a new album on iTunes, and what SHOULD I have done? Bought it through Tunes for Trees, where for every ten tracks purchased, a tree is planted!

In my defense, I'm a wee bit tipsy. A friend and I finally explored a bit around the neighborhood and found a great restaurant that's my new favorite. YumMY.

What else? Who knows?

I'm going off the grid as of crack-of-dawn tomorrow, with some possible photo posting, but that's it. No blackberry, no computer, nothing but sun and sand and books to read and frosty beverages. See ya next week!

And finally on the way home

Customs was a bitch. Long lines, few agents, and just when I got to a guy, the computers went down. My bed is calling to me.

Finally landed

Only four or so hours late. So ready for bed.

Hot and bothered

Still on the ground in London in an increasingly hot plane while they work on fixing the air conditioning. We're about two hours late already, with an half hour of repairs still to make. Hopefully, at that point we'll finally be able to take off, and start the sevn hour journey home.

Lady Optimism is having a hard time of it. Thank God I at least feel better than I did on the flight here! I can't imagine if I was also dealing with those horrible stomach cramps!

That's it. MJ, from now on, as per your advice, it's Virgin or nothing.

London Views

Finally plugged my camera into the computer again, and have some more photos to show from London. First of all, the Earls' Court Exhibition Center!
Then, a lovely view in the park with some spring flowers.
Over in Kensington Park near Princess Diana's former home, Duck watches an archery competition.
And, finally, a picture of some pictures!

This just in

In fact, the Brits really do need Trinny and Susannah.

Day 3

Almost done!

Had a fun night yesterday with a fellow agent and her American friend living in London, and a great meal of fish n' chips, though the service was verging on hysterically bad. Asking about what beer was available required the waitress looking up a list, then getting another server to come over and describe them to us. Wacky, I tell you!

The fair seems completely manageable again, which is nice, plus I had an opportunity to walk over to the Black Lace Books foreign rights agent and introduce myself as one of their writers. I saw the catalogue copy for the upcoming collection that Doyce and I are in, and the cover is delightfully racy. Plus, the agent thinks she may have sold "Sex and Music" abroad - possibly in Germany. Woot! Can't wait to see a German translation of "Coda."

(MJ, this doesn't discount the fact that the LBF is "not that kind of a fair." I swear. I only introduced myself as an author because I'm also an agent.)

Anyway, just about half the day to go, and then I'm looking forward to finally getting some Wagamama for dinner, doing some shopping (tea, a favorite kind of conditioner that's no longer available in the US, biscuits, more maltesers, and, if I'm very very lucky, a free monkey of my very own), and going for a walk to take a little more advantage of the spring-like London weather.

And if I buy some more batteries for my camera, taking a few more pictures for illustrative purposes!

Ok, ok, ok fine

A few more words:

Free galaxy bars, meetings that run short, extra time for lunch, sitting in the sun, jackets that only cost as much as cab rides, the tube, free wireless, offers, pubs with flower baskets, shopping, weird television, walking to work, socializing as a business expense, seeing familiar faces in the halls, British beer...

I'll keep thinking and see what else I come up with.

One word to describe my current state of bliss

Maltesers.