Back in the Real World

So it was back to school today, a long, busy day. I had five classes in, plus all the stuff I had to catch up on by being out Wednesday, plus the SCM was out. I told them I only needed a sub when I went to lunch, but they sent me someone for the rest of the afternoon, too, and he just loomed around here and there in the stacks, never really speaking, and I was too busy elsewhere to think of something for him to do. Easy money for him. I even forgot he was there.

I did manage to get two loads of wash done (well, not quite done yet) this afternoon, and K and I went to the A&P. I am on beyond tired. My house is just a mess. I think if I went away for a month, it would collapse under the weight of garbage not taken out and expired food in the fridge. The only thing I can tell you for sure is that they would replace the toilet paper roll, as needed. I guess they have their priorities.

I am still so not organized here. I got the laundry done, but not the clean clothes that I brought back with me put away, or the toiletries and other stuff. Still bags of my own stuff in the living room.

I'm thinking that this weekend is going to be unbelievably busy, what with getting the house in order and doing all the Thanksgiving shopping. My god, is Thanksgiving next week? That certainly snuck up on me. But I am taking Friday off, for a podiatrist appointment in the morning and a haircut in the afternoon (as long as I had the doctor's appointment; I'm not taking a day off work just to get my haircut), so I guess I can do a lot of the cleaning in between those things.

So here's the first part of the journal I kept while I was away, which would be for last Wednesday.

*********************

Wed 11/5

We're at the airport. We left the house at 5.15 and got here just about 6; it was maybe 10 minutes later til we parked and got into the terminal.

This really is a child's view of what an airport is. In other words, it works. Two minute line to check luggage. We went through security in ten minutes; they were efficient, professional, pleasant, and good humored. Found seats right by the gate with a ladies room and coffee shop nearby, but of course, everything here is nearby everything else.


9.15 am On the plane

I have to say that this was maybe my most pleasant airport experience ever. Every airport should be like this: uncomplicated, efficient, good humored. The plane itself is nothing to write home about -- although I am -- but it's fine, and the staff is very friendly and nice.

Very glad we got the first class coming home, because I am squished here in the window seat -- the O.C. prefers the aisle, which is fine, I don't care -- but she has a bit of bulk to her, so room is tight. Flying home seats looked very nice, though, as we passed them on the way in.

I slept great at her house last night, although I think it's often awkward to spend a night in a home not your own. She has been renovating for about a year and a half and stuff is everywhere. Boxes and boxes and paint cans and furniture covered with dropcloths, and you name it. I don't think I could live that way for that long. I tell you, my Mouse House is going to look a lot better to me when I get home. Her whole house is like my infamous basement, the cleaning out of which is apparently my life's work.

Due to land in about an hour and a half.

I am surprised that typing in text on the Palm using the stylus and the on-screen keyboard is neither slow nor annoying. I originally wrote the pre-boarding part of this by hand on a pad of paper, and that was uncomfortable.

Speaking of which, I was talking to nephew Good Guy last night, and telling him about my trip. He knows both of my traveling companions, the Chum and the O.C., pretty well, so he was amused. I told him it was the Old Bat Tour. Now I wish i'd gotten t-shirts made, like rock band tour shirts.

Waaaaay later. Same day.

WE ARE IN DISNEYWORLD.

Sparing every last detail, we met up with the Chum, who drove here from her mother's in south Florida, we're laughing a lot, we had a good meal - Mexican - , we are exhausted. I had a beer. My feet hurt.

Today's hit parade:

• airport/plane/airport/bus
• Wilderness Lodge (our hotel) is cool
• took the bus to Epcot
• Journey into Imagination - where Figment lives!
• ride in Mexico
• ride in Norway (Maelstrom) is excellent but too short
• dinner in Mexico - I had a beer
• looong trip back to the hotel. Two monorails and a boat
• we saw the Magic Kingdom fireworks from our sixth floor room, which was very cool.

So I'm ensconced here up on the top bunk, which is fine. The getting up and down is not so great, but up here is fine.

Laughing a lot. Very tired. Feet hurt.

WATCHING SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS :: ENTRY #1622