
That said, it appears that I shall be boarding a plane in just a little less than three short weeks and winging my way to a place I honestly never thought I would go to again ... California. More specifically that would be Stockton, California - the second most miserable city in the country (according to the statistics I quoted in this post) that also just happens to be the hometown of my BFF Miz Cyn. As a matter of fact, it is my BFF MC who provided me the plane ticket to return to a place I thought I would never return to in this lifetime and when your BFF requests the honor of your presence and provides you with the means to get there, how can you say no?

There are, of course, other compelling reasons which were discussed at great length prior to my agreeing to this trip. Other than really wanting to see Cyndi, whom I have not seen since mid-2003 even though we have kept in constant contact via telephone over the years, I figure it's high time we had another picture taken together as the only one I have is this one from 1986 when we both worked at SPD.

Which brings us to another compelling reason for me to go ... as much as Cyndi would love to hop on a plane and come back East for a visit so that we could take a picture here, her husband insists that it's my turn to go West as Cyndi made the last two trips. Jeff has a valid point but we're not looking at it exactly the same way that he is. By our sneaky calculations, we figure that if I fly out there now then the next visit is Cyndi's and she'll be able to justify a trip East to explore New York City and Gettysburg. Devious, aren't we?

Then there is one more compelling reason for me to board a plane, sit in a cramped seat with a tiny bag of peanuts, and lose three hours due to the time zone changes in the process - if I am ever going to get Cyndi to start writing a blog, I need to try to convince her in person. I'm not sure I have the ability to do that on my own (Cyndi can be danged stubborn) so I'm planning on recruiting the likes of several other top-notch bloggers like Sandee of Comedy Plus who lives mere miles from Stockton, Katherine of Wading Through My Stream of Consciousness who could hop over the mountains from Santa Cruz to join in, and the ever Amazing Gracie of Echoes of Grace who lives the furthest but I think I can encourage to be there for this "round table discussion" . I figure that between the four of us, maybe we can make a dent in Cyndi's hard Irish skull and get her to use some of those writing talents she has languishing away. Resistance will be futile! At least that's my hope! Plus I get to meet some more totally cool bloggers in the process and that alone makes it worth the really, really long trip! Anyone else going to be close by that wants to join us?
Of course, even though there were many compelling reasons to say "yes" to this trip, there were several compelling hesitations also. What would I do with Amanda while I was gone for almost a week? Would I be able to get the time off from work? How would my back handle an 8-hour plane ride? Where would I stay when I got out there? As it turns out, during the time that I am going to be in California (May 1st to the 6th), Amanda will be staying with her friend Darcy outside of Philadelphia as that's the weekend of the big Bamboozle concert that she's been looking forward to for months. As a matter of fact, I will be driving down there and flying out of Philadelphia while leaving my car with Darcy's family so Amanda won't miss me in the least. As for getting the time off of work, my co-workers were more than willing to cover my shifts for me so that I could take some much needed time off (some of them are placing bets as to whether I'll actually be back or not but I can assure them this is a short trip only and I'm not going out for any job interviews!). My back has been doing better lately and with a change of planes in Denver, I think I can handle the flight as long as I get up and stretch occasionally while cruising high above the clouds (after being sure to tell the flight attendants why I'm getting up so much!) plus I've read some great tips from other back-pain sufferers that I'm going to try. I might be a bit stiff when I get off the plane in Sacramento but I think I'll be okay.

I was a little hesitant on the whole "name your own price" thing as I had no idea which hotel in the area I might end up with and I knew for sure that there were several in Stockton that I had no desire to stay at whatsoever but I thought it might be worth the chance if it could save me some money. I was especially afraid of finding out that my "winning bid" put me at the La Quinta Inn which, even though it's a decent enough hotel, is the one I stayed at the last time I was in Stockton and it had the worst mattress ever! Add on the fact that there are "ghosts" there and it was not high on my list of places I wanted to stay. I was quite delighted when I found out that my offer was accepted at the Courtyard Marriott as I have stayed there in the past also and found it to have absolutely wonderful accommodations plus there is the added benefit of free WiFi! Surely you didn't think I'd go to California for a week and not take my laptop so that I could blog did you?? Heck no! Have blog - will travel!
All in all, even though I'm a bit nervous about it, I'm quite looking forward to this trip. I haven' t had a vacation in years (taking the girls out to Kentucky in 2004 to live in their new home doesn't count in my book) and I really do need a break from work before I burn out completely. Granted, I've got the Beach House in September to look forward to but considering my stress levels lately, I think I need a little something-something a little sooner.
Good food plus good friends has got to equal good times even if it's in the second most miserable city in the country - right?? I mean, it's not like I'm going to Detroit which is the most miserable city in the country!
have a great time!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great friend to send you the airline tickets, she must want to see you real bad Linda. I recognised you straight away from the photograph, you haven't changed much at all! I'm sure you'll have a ball and you will tell us all about it when you get back won't you? :)
ReplyDeletethat sounds like so much fun, meeting the girls and seeing an old friend and eating good MEXICAN FOOD!!! woo hoo for you girl!
ReplyDeletesmiles, bee
xooxooxoxoxooxo
This sounds like a great trip for you, Linda.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy you're going to get a much-needed break from your job.
You work so hard!
If you haven't already, please tell Cyndi I think she's a great writer. She just has to start blogging.
;< )
I can't wait Linda. I'm in and ready to hook up whenever and wherever. I say we all get together and do Mexican food again. I had no idea you can't get the real thing where you live. I do agree Taco Bell isn't very good. Looking forward to your visit. I'm equally happy about meeting Amazing Gracie and Katherine too. Have a great weekend. :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. Love the photo! Forgot to tell ya.
ReplyDeleteI am SO exited for you!!! :)
ReplyDeleteOh that hair!
ReplyDeleteI have to copy & save that one!
I'm excited for your trip!
:)
i m so so happy for u
ReplyDeleteThis sounds AWESOME! I can't wait to hear all about the great time you are going to have!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited and jealous at the same time... You get to meet some of my favorite bloggers!
ReplyDeleteWOO HOO! Ok, I'm more excited than jealous....TAKE PICTURES!
And have the time of your life!!!!
BTW, loved the hair! The 80's...who can forget those days? LOL!
Can't wait to hear how the trip goes and the visit with all the bloggers (that I know too!). Have so much fun!! :D
ReplyDeleteLet's see. My Grandson was born in STockton. I mispent about two years there before escaping to Sacramento which is just mildly more civilized. Are you going to get some time boating on the Delta?
ReplyDeleteSounds like a heck of a deal to me! You go, girl! Have a great time so long as you do take the computer and keep us all up-to-date!
ReplyDeleteFamily is the only reason I would ever return to California.
ReplyDeleteHave a great trip! I hope you get to meet those lovely California bloggers too!
I absolutely ♥ the photo - and I´m very thrilled for you! This is going to be so much fun FUN F-U-N!!!
ReplyDelete****
Thank you so much for the kind comments you left and for caring about H2.0 and me. This means so very much to me. I´ll stay off my feet as long as needed. Promised. Blogging from bed is not too bad *g*
There's something waiting for you over at my place when you get a chance to stop by.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you're going to have a wonderful time. We want pictures......
ReplyDeletethis is gonna be GREAT fun! I've never met a blogger in real life yet...
ReplyDeleteyou know how much I love mexican food...a perfect spot to twist your BFF's arm!
(by the way they have started charging for peanuts...)