Trip the Light Mingtastic

Although we've come (to the end of the road)

21 hours of driving. over 1200 songs played on my ipod. powerbars=meal replacements. sketchy gas stations. loss of vocal ability. dirty looks for slow truck drivers. near-miss accidents due to taking pictures while driving (but just look at what I caught!). so much roadkill debris on Marsha's tires. I peed on the side of the road once. Had to, it's part of the experience. I'M HERE.

The hundred miles on either side of the Utah/Arizona state border is gorgeous. I had kind of forgotten about that and was so unprepared. There were times when I would drive around a corner and gasp out loud at what I was looking at. I want to climb those rocks someday. Seriously, who knows about that?!

Another interesting thought I had was the variety of places people inhabit. There were homesteads scattered all through Southern Utah and Northern Arizona. No Nordstrom in sight. Baffling to me. I admire the tenacity it must require to want that for yourself and your family. Do you think they ride horses into town? I would.

It's bizarre to be in such a new place on my own. I would think that it's no different than my recent adventure to NYC, but it feels completely unfamiliar. I'll be honest, I don't like it that much right now. NY was so exciting to me that my nerves were squashed by enthusiasm. Phoenix enthusiasm is only medium-rare right now, but I'm sure that will change! Especially considering the drive made me feel like a runaway. That's just bad-ass. My apt isn't ready tonight. Rahr. So I'm put up in a mildly seedy motel near the airport until the morning. I think it's warm here but it's probably on in the mid 60s. There's no one in the pool. I realized about 4 miles outside of Phoenix city limits that I left all of my scrubs in the garage at my parents house. Oh yeah, I'm here to work. Dang it.

currently listening to: Jamie Callum. breakway roadtrip favorite this journey.

along the open road.

My ass drove to Salt Lake City today. I'm staying with Stace's parents for the night (what up Piggotts) Talk about urban sprawl. sheesh. It was definitely bittersweet driving away from home sweet Liberty Lake. Those who have done any driving/goodbyes with me know that I was having myself a little fall apart for the first hour. I treated with 90s Mariah Carey therapy. Voice is hoarse/barely audible, but no more tears. The drive was beautiful. Surprisingly sunny the entire way.

I had so much fun at home these last three weeks. Weird. It almost makes me uncomfortable to think that I enjoyed home so much, especially since I'm usually plotting my escape whilst there.

I feel really good about having all this time to myself to drive. It's cleansing or something. Besides, I get to wail as loud as I want while truck drivers gawk. I've another long drive tomorrow, through Utah and AZ into Phoenix. I'm sure I will be needing more Mariah in my life. Marsha likes it.

I miss you all.

Currently listening to: "waiting in vain" by annie lennox. over and over again. never gets old.

iLife

I finally took the plunge and got a cute little MacBook. My daddy-o might dive in with me....he's 52. Old dog, new tricks! J'adore!

psst.... can anyone tell which t-shirt I have on in this photobooth pic? all my Palace girls should know!

Figures.

As many of you know, I keep my internet explorer homepage locked at cnn.com. That way, no matter if I am headed straight for youtube or broadway.com, I make myself catch some current events each day. Today, a particular headline caught my eye. "Astronaut loses toolbag during spacewalk". Turns out, a female astronaut spilled lubricant all over her stuff. While she was busy cleaning, her bag floated away. Geez, lady. Talk about a step backward for the Women's Movement. She essentially leaked "lotion" in her "purse" and dropped it. She should have done what we girls do on earth and asked the man beside her to hold it. Duh.

Theyre getting hitched:)

Terry Lynn and Tom are picking each other forever. I pick their baby girl! They had their engagement party recently. While I may be somewhat apathetic to the thought of matrimony at the moment, I am more than willing to celebrate their romantic triumph. What's more, I'm going to be a godmother! EEK!

When in Spokane....

You do as the Spokanites do. Which is drink beer and dance to old hip-hop at 211. Which is what I did.

Not getting tooo excited, but.....

I did sign an employment contract this week. Send prayers that it will hold!

WeenHallow 2008

Costume party with the freaks and geeks of NYC! It was insane. ly fun. I saw things that I could no more explain than reenact myself. People are really involved in this tradition. The parade is an annual event that goes from Midtown through the West (Greenwich) Village and Soho. I'm telling you, go if you ever have a chance.

A Grecian Princess, a flapper girl, and Lady Luck!

He lost his light saber.

He thinks NYC baseball has been scary this season. I think his spelling is scary.

Peanut Butta Jelly Time!

Raindrops on Roses

These are a few of my favorite things in NYC:

South Street Seaport. Feels like a blast from the past. Cobblestone streets, colonial style buildings, fish smell. Loverly!

This SwimBikeRun store is really close to the park. I rented a bike there several times and almost considered running with their group. Then I found out they were all training for the marathon....and then I decided to stay with my leisurely jog around the Reservoir.

They also have karaoke. With a deejay who wears GoGo boots. FUN!

Diablo Royale Bar & Restaurant in the West Village. British shirtless barkeep not always guaranteed. But Stu is always worth the trek:)

Central Park. The leaves were changing. We dont get much of that in the PNW.

Serendipity's frrrrozen hot chocolates are in a class of thier own. I recommend the mint!

Westville Restaurant in the West Village. Aaron will tell you about the 20 veggie options, and then convince you to get the baked Mac n Cheese. and he's right.

Happy Taco on the UES. The name says it all!

Really great appetizers!

There are several brew houses in Manhattan, but this one boasts 64 beers on tap, and is located across the street from the Joshua Tree.

MacLaren's is based on McGee's. Our server was named Carl. I didnt bring it up, but giggled inside while I was there.

The fire escape at my apt 300 W 10th in Greenwich. I ate breakfast out there almost daily. The view is of the Hudson River and New Joisay. If I could play "Moon River" on the ukelule, it would have been soooo Holly Golightly. Gruesome.