New things I've learned about driving across country...

Well…we’re halfway moved…that is to say, we’re mostly across the country and stopped for a well-deserved break before heading on to California. So far, the things we have learned…

1. When driving through the south, signs denoting that Interstate 40 is the “Music Highway” do not mean ALL music. Twang, twang, twang…

2. There is no guitar that is too big for Tennessee…

3. There is no cross too big, nor any amount too plentiful…

4. Bank parking lots were not made for trucks towing cars

5. No matter how well you can execute a three-point turn in your compact car, it cannot be done in a 15 ft. truck towing said car

6. You cannot drive a car off a tow dolly that isn’t attached to something without knocking the wind out of someone

7. You can detach and re-attach a tow dolly to a truck in less than half an hour in a bank parking lot in the dead of night with only a flashlight

8. Circle K’s do NOT have bathroom facilities (especially those in the vicinity of banks)

9. Google is always right.

10. Sometimes the best route is the original one…no matter how many extra miles you think it adds

11. Driving through national park lands is a beautiful and rewarding experience… unless you’re driving a 15 ft, truck towing a car…and its dark out.

12. Designers of mountain passes (such as those found in national park lands) are fond of the 6% grade

13. Elk country signs bring a whole new meaning when you can’t stop going downhill

14. All major cities in the U.S. are undergoing highway construction simultaneously (especially Albuquerque)

15. Gas prices are on a reverse bell curve, with the low point in Texas ($1.99)

16. Remote gas stations have gourmet priced gas with market levels at $3.69…

17. Petrol fumes will get you at least 15 more miles

18. A hotel room for a night is cheaper than a tank of gas

19. Bring your own coffee-maker

20. Cats will sleep through anything…except the night

...Signing off

...From DC. I always hate taking down my computer, it's the last thing I do as a result. I seem to have a habit of forgetting the dust and debris...but I always find something fun, like a game cd or some random tidbit that fell behind the desk, long ago and unnoticed.

Well kids, catch you on the flip-side.

Smack me upside the head...

If I EVER decide to work retail again...

Quarter Century Mark...

Happy Birthday to the Toph :)

It's a plague!

I swear people are running around this city as though we've been damned. It's only been raining for 36 hours and frankly I find it quite beautiful.


...despite my love of the rain, it did make our days off a little more challenging. We spent Thursday out of the city apple picking at a lovely orchard near one of our favorite wineries. So wet toes in the muddy grass and wet shoulders from shaking branches...defintely a worthwhile experience.


Overall we ended up with a couple pecks or bushels or something of apples (one for baking and one for eating) and enjoyed a lovely afternoon on the porch of Linden Vineyard with a bottle of 2002 Reserve Chardonnay, some derby cheese and a baguette. What a beuatiful rainy misty day :)

Er..the unsolicited book review

I wanted to write and tell you about my favorite discovery in books this past summer….his name is Christopher Moore, and the book that did it was “Fluke,” I encourage any and all with a sense of humor to check it out. It’s brilliant. It’s so brilliant, in fact, that I purchased all of his paperback novels after I finished reading it.

So I wanted to write a message extolling his creative genius, but I realized that to date, what with studying and packing and working that I have only read 2 of the 7 books…meanwhile Joe has been nibbling away on them and will soon be finished. Despite this fact, I have been eyeing his most recent book (still in hardback) with keen interest and noted that a version 2.0 would be arriving in store this holiday season (for those that are paying attention, the title is “The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror”). Confused by this version action I checked book sites and even the personal site of the author himself (www.chrismoore.com) I was unable to find an explanation. So…on a whim I thought I’d use the contact button and query the author himself. Not only did I receive a response, but it was thankful, helpful, kind, it actually answered my question directly and in less than 5 hours after I posted to his website. What a remarkable person :) How fucking cool is that?