| I haven't had much time lately for posting, and the spare moments I've had have been plagued by computer monitor problems. Oh well. I took a short trip to see my sister and her husband and my little neice and my mother for Christmas. This is a tradition I am appreciating more and more. Before I left Mike taught me the Penn Station trick to figure out the departing track number of your train before it is announced, and crouched in front of the one key computer terminal - downstairs, all the way in back behind the construction - I entered a secret league of expert New York travelers who have access to this sacred knowledge. This league was confirmed with just the slightest nod from the two other people who knew and were likewise waiting for the display to display. Finally it did, and the three of us were off, and on the train (seated!) before it was announced to the general public. Thanks Mike. The ride up was on the new Accela train. It made the 4:50 minute trip to route 128 station Boston in 4 hours flat. It didn't feel any faster while riding, but that extra 50 minutes makes a big difference. Returned for a Christmas night meal here, and then was off again for the long ride up to fetch MB's neice and nephew from north of Albany. This was my first bit of driving in quite some time. I had forgotten how fun it is to drive a car. Powerful. It reminded me that I had a short episode of flight in my dream from the night before. This episode of dream flying consisted of me thrusting my finger in a pointing motion at my destination, which would start me flying along that path, as if the momentum of the pointing motion was propelling me toward the goal. I always want to fly in my dreams, but seldom do, or seldom remember, so I consider this a great treat. Took a quick stop at Rockefeller Center last night with the kids. I hit it off with the security guard who was stationed at the base of the big tree. I guess he overheard me saying something sarcastic about how nice it was that they cut down this beautiful old tree so that we could use it as decoration for a week of so. It was as if he was beginning to suspect he might be crazy for harboring a similar misgiving about this tradition, and I had confirmed his sanity with my remark. Memo to whoever is in charge of these things: it might be better to plant one tree in that spot which could then be enjoyed year round, rather than killing a beautiful old tree every year. Or maybe that is crazy. I'll have to consult my tree expert on the feasability of growing a giant conifer in midtown Manhattan. Anyway, I'm gearing up for the really big celebration, which is New Years Eve, and to that end I have been compiling some mixed CD's of music in the hopes of controlling the sonic aspects of the evening (which will take a back seat to the gustatory and oenophilic aspects of the evening, but will nevertheless be important.) It is a fun project, but the sheer volume of music needed for the whole night is making it rather slow going. Perhaps I'm over thinking the whole thing, but the order and build of the music seems important, and I'm trying to get it just right. Whether I'll be able to retain control of the stereo for the whole evening cannot be predicted (except maybe in the negative by the people actually having the party,) but I'm going to be ready. So back to my burner I go. Hi Ho Hi Ho Hi Ho Ho Ho. |
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