Blogs from Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States, North America - page 24

Bad start to the morning so far — I did get a good night's sleep (having gone to bed around 9p.m. and having awoke to my alarm at 3:30a.m.) but found I hadn't transferred my wash to the dryer! I'm now "patiently" waiting for my travel clothes to get dry enough to wear before I take a shower. I had planned to take out the trash and run up to check the mail and withdraw some cash from the ATM before ordering a taxi but that's all been delayed at least an hour. At least I still have plenty of time before I need to be at the airport... While waiting, I decided to do some last-minute checking of e-mail and reading of weather forecasts, etc. on the computer. But my main computer decided to be ... read more

The past two days have seen a flurry of last-minute-before-the-trip activitiy. I've actually been packed for a week (although I did make a few changes this morning) -- the three photos accompanying this entry illustrate how I'm trying to pack more lightly from now on. Other than cramming all of my "necessities" in one carry-on-approved combination rolling dufflebag/backpack plus a messenger bag-style camera/electronic gear satchel, the most important pre-trip task was the traditional vacation haircut. My hair grows very quickly (and begins to curl terribly the longer it gets); I also hate going to the barber so a trip is usually the catalyst for me doing this dreaded chore. I did this deed yesterday (a warm, why-am-I-the-only-one-wearing-a-jacket, kind of day) and ended up getting my hair cut shorter than ever before -- I'd asked the barber ... read more

Any trip I take seems to entail way too many preparations in the weeks before departure and my upcoming December journeys are proving to be no exception. The easy part is actually finished once I've decided where I'm going and have booked the plane and hotel reservations. Those steps, for me, actually take about a week of research -- where do I want to go? what's the least expensive way to get there? what's the least expensive, but still comfortable, place to sleep there? Once all the transportation and accomodation arrangements have been made, the "real" work begins. The first matter involves luggage. It seems like whenever I return from any trip, I decide my bags aren't good enough for the next one. I've essentially been searching for the "perfect" piece of luggage for the past ... read more

My father was waiting for me to get home on Thursday afternoon after another wild day as Mr. Steer the Substitute. He claimed he had a surprise for me over the weekend, and what do you know, he did not disappoint. We got in the car Friday morning at around 6AM and drove. I mean DROVE! For 16 straight hours; 2 movies, 3 hours of Rush Limbaugh, the Dan Patrick show on ESPN Radio, and about 75 old school rocks songs...11PM that night, we pulled into the middle of nowhere in New Mexico and called it a night. The next morning was amazing. We got up at 7AM and drove straight to the fly fishing hotel where our guide Mark was waiting for us. We sped over to the put in of the San Juan River, ... read more

I have been running around like a mad woman today. This morning I had my final for South American Archaeology. It went ok. I mean, after an hour and a half of writing, you get to the point where you don't care anymore. At 11:30 am, I no longer cared and turned that bitch in! Yeah! Had lunch with Bob today. It was our second goodbye eating event. I love Vietnamese food. Really, I love food in general. Bob leaves for London in less than two weeks! To get ready for our cross-country drive, Ben changed the oil in his pickup tonight. Yeah... The oil drain plug was stripped. He spent quite a bit of time looking for a new one. He finally found one, and finished up. Now we are trying to wash the oil ... read more