As soon as I landed in Houston I noticed I had a voicemail from my brother, Joseph. He has such a way with words... It said, "Hey Sara (in a dull and irritated tone that lasted the entire message)- where the hell are you? Your plane landed early. We are at baggage claim. Hurry up." So I took my sweet time getting to baggage claim... with that kind of motivation who could blame me? And there I see him- sweatpants, camo jacket, trucker hat, Crocs and socks- my fashion savvy little bro :) He didn't get up- just chewed on his toothpick. I knew he was just trying to act cool... but I could see him fighting back the tears of happiness to see me. HAHAHA! "I didn't know you were going to be here to pick me up!" I said. Joseph cut his eyes at me and replied, "Well I wasn't planning on coming home until tomorrow but mom made me leave early so I could be here. For you." Once again, HAHAHAHAHA! I didn't see my mom anywhere, then Joseph pointed her out- she was standing in an athletic position in front of the escalator she was sure I would be riding up to baggage claim- camera ready. It was really cute. So I went and waited for my bag. 10 minutes later I was ready so I walked up to her- still eyeballing the escalator poised and ready. She was so excited. There were tears and hugs and camera flashes. Then she told Joseph to carry my bag. HAHAHAHAHA! We start walking out and I expected to head to the parking lot- but no- mom had also made dad come on the pick-up so it was a full on family affair. While they were inside he went and picked up breakfast sandwiches and juice for us.
I really wanted to get home and take a nap... but it was only 11 a.m. so everyone else was ready to go. I had to go see my kiddos first thing- I missed them! I was so worried they wouldn't remember me- it wasn't that I had been gone soooo long, but come on- little people change their favorites daily and I had to defend my title from over 2,000 miles away! It was the best seeing all of them when I pulled into the driveway. Elly came running and yelling my name. Addy acted like she wasn't sure it was me- she kept touching my face. But then I couldn't put either one of them down. Emma and Will showed me the new puppy and wanted piggy-back rides like old times. It was perfect.
I was so ready to nap after that but mom and I went shopping instead. Joseph and dad stayed home and napped. Really? Mom and I had a good time. And then she informed me that there would be Caesar salad and boudin for dinner. HOLY CRAP! WHAT A GREAT DAY SO FAR! And it was a Monday. Do you know what that means? TRIVIA AT EINSTEIN'S!!!!!
Joseph, his buddy Kevin, me, and Buddy all piled up and headed to Einstein's. We were meeting up with a group of people and planning for complete domination. We didn't do so hot at the trivia part but I feel like we nailed the socialization and consumption. And really... that's what trivia is all about :) I was most excited to see my bestest friend and partner in crimeTrivia Traci. She hates that name. So I use it as much as I can. I couldn't wait to do my job and help her haul all her heavy ass equipment and make it all fit in the back of her tiny car. And then we drink and throw darts. We are creatures of habit. It was so good to be back.
The next day I was supposed to go shopping again- with the whole family. Needless to say I didn't make that and I had to find a ride home from the Galleria area. My Lizard came to my rescue! My friends are the greatest! She got me home in excellent time and I had time to shower and prepare for my next adventure: Santaland!
Friday, January 14, 2011
It gets cold? What?
I like how when I told people I was moving to New York, most reacted with "it gets cold there." No shit. That was the big concern. Did I have gloves? Did I have boots? Had I ever been in snow before? Did I know snow was cold? Geeez people... I was built for cold weather :) But yes, I had been exposed to the chilly whiteness known as "snow" a few times in my life. And I was aware that dealing with it could lead to numbness in my hands, feet, and nose. Just to be on the safe side though, I climbed into my parent's deep freeze every chance I got and lived among the popsicles and pans of eggplant parmesan for proper climate conditioning.
It got pretty chilly and I saw a sprinkle of flakes a few days, but when the actual big snow fell I was back sweating my ass off in Texas for X-mas. Ok, lets talk about that! I booked my flight to be in Texas Dec. 20- Dec. 30. That way I got to do the family thing... see my peoples... be there for my best friend's bday... and make it back to NYC for New Years! My flight out was for 6:25 a.m. so I lugged my huge bag down a few blocks to try to hail a cab at 4:30 in the morning. I was hoping for a yellow cab because then I could swipe my card, but there were none in sight. All I had was $40 and a granola bar (that I really didn't want to share). I flagged down a gypsy cab and he quoted me $44. I told him all I had was $40, including tip. He didn't look happy, but I was the only moron out in the cold at 4:30 a.m. so he decided my money was good enough and off we went! I did not offer him any of my granola bar.
I checked in, checked my bag ($25! Airline rape!), and was heading towards security when a harsh voice started yelling "Ma'am! Ma'am- can't take ya wata thru tha line- gonna have ta throw it out." I turned around and yelled "Bitch it's not water, it's juice!" Ha- no I didn't. She was frightening. But I did have plenty of time so I stood by her, took out my granola bar and my juice and had a delightful breakfast. I finished, smiled at her, and threw it away. You know, she didn't say anything but I think it bothered her I stood there and ate breakfast in front of her. Maybe I should have offered her some granola. Next time... So then I got to stand in line and remove my clothes. Yay! Its kind of fun to strip in public... and an airport is one of the only places you get to do it without people getting all upset. The library- not so much. So I'm going through the machine... I didn't take my sweatshirt off and the cute little old man checking boarding passes told me if I kept it on I'd have to be pat down by an officer. I asked him if he was going to be doing the patting... he said no and pointed to some non-appealing brutes behind him. I can be a good sport an all, but the sweatshirt promptly came off and I was allowed passage. I think I may have hurt one of the brute's feelings. Once again... next time :)
I got to my gate, picked a prime seat away from sleepers or people with kids, tried to relax, get some reading in... and then OH NO! I got a tummy ache from drinking my juice too fast because I didn't want to toss it out. Luckily I travel with antacids. As boarding time neared, I was torn between going pee before I got on the plane or waiting. I decided better safe than sorry and hit it up. I got in there just as the ladies were about to clean... and they were opening each vacant stall and giving a narrative of what they saw. One lady had a really thick Jamaican accent and was saying "Flush the damn toilets!" I laughed and said to myself, "Ms. Cleo's getting mad!" which made me laugh harder, and when she turned to me I just smiled and told her I did flush my toilet. She said thanks and I knew then my day was going to be great- because Ms. Cleo was happy with me :) I returned to my waiting area and noticed a girl had taken my seat and her hair had taken the one next to it. That's right- her hair. Her ass was in one and she had slumped over her bag in the next one, throwing her crazy long hairs all over it. I sat on the edge and tried to avoid the hairs. Its not like she seemed dirty or anything but come on... I don't know her hairs so I don't want them on me. It is finally boarding time! YAY! Guess who is my airplane seating buddy??? Sleeping crazy long hairs girl! Luckily we we made it through most of the flight with an empty seat between us. I was trying to snooze since I had been up for about 22 hours at that point, when the flight attendant informed me that there was a very long-legged gentleman who needed more leg-room and the ability to recline his seat- which was not possible back by the bathrooms. Correct me if I'm wrong, but ISN'T IT COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT SEATS BY THE POTTY DON'T RECLINE? I don't even fly that much but I knew that! Also, this long-legged dude was wearing a suit, which means he is on a business trip- and probably not his first one, and he had a Blackberry- which I saw he could use, which means he probably knows something about the Internet- which is probably the way he check in for his flight, and he should have noticed he could look at his seat and change it if need be! COME ON MAN! And even if his personal assistant takes care of all his travel plans- she should know he has long legs and shouldn't be by the toilet. Maybe he should fire her. All in all- I didn't see why I had to be disrupted. Whatever- me and sleeping long hairs girl got another seating buddy. Woo.
We touchdown in Houston where the pilot informs us it is 76 degrees. Yuck.
It got pretty chilly and I saw a sprinkle of flakes a few days, but when the actual big snow fell I was back sweating my ass off in Texas for X-mas. Ok, lets talk about that! I booked my flight to be in Texas Dec. 20- Dec. 30. That way I got to do the family thing... see my peoples... be there for my best friend's bday... and make it back to NYC for New Years! My flight out was for 6:25 a.m. so I lugged my huge bag down a few blocks to try to hail a cab at 4:30 in the morning. I was hoping for a yellow cab because then I could swipe my card, but there were none in sight. All I had was $40 and a granola bar (that I really didn't want to share). I flagged down a gypsy cab and he quoted me $44. I told him all I had was $40, including tip. He didn't look happy, but I was the only moron out in the cold at 4:30 a.m. so he decided my money was good enough and off we went! I did not offer him any of my granola bar.
I checked in, checked my bag ($25! Airline rape!), and was heading towards security when a harsh voice started yelling "Ma'am! Ma'am- can't take ya wata thru tha line- gonna have ta throw it out." I turned around and yelled "Bitch it's not water, it's juice!" Ha- no I didn't. She was frightening. But I did have plenty of time so I stood by her, took out my granola bar and my juice and had a delightful breakfast. I finished, smiled at her, and threw it away. You know, she didn't say anything but I think it bothered her I stood there and ate breakfast in front of her. Maybe I should have offered her some granola. Next time... So then I got to stand in line and remove my clothes. Yay! Its kind of fun to strip in public... and an airport is one of the only places you get to do it without people getting all upset. The library- not so much. So I'm going through the machine... I didn't take my sweatshirt off and the cute little old man checking boarding passes told me if I kept it on I'd have to be pat down by an officer. I asked him if he was going to be doing the patting... he said no and pointed to some non-appealing brutes behind him. I can be a good sport an all, but the sweatshirt promptly came off and I was allowed passage. I think I may have hurt one of the brute's feelings. Once again... next time :)
I got to my gate, picked a prime seat away from sleepers or people with kids, tried to relax, get some reading in... and then OH NO! I got a tummy ache from drinking my juice too fast because I didn't want to toss it out. Luckily I travel with antacids. As boarding time neared, I was torn between going pee before I got on the plane or waiting. I decided better safe than sorry and hit it up. I got in there just as the ladies were about to clean... and they were opening each vacant stall and giving a narrative of what they saw. One lady had a really thick Jamaican accent and was saying "Flush the damn toilets!" I laughed and said to myself, "Ms. Cleo's getting mad!" which made me laugh harder, and when she turned to me I just smiled and told her I did flush my toilet. She said thanks and I knew then my day was going to be great- because Ms. Cleo was happy with me :) I returned to my waiting area and noticed a girl had taken my seat and her hair had taken the one next to it. That's right- her hair. Her ass was in one and she had slumped over her bag in the next one, throwing her crazy long hairs all over it. I sat on the edge and tried to avoid the hairs. Its not like she seemed dirty or anything but come on... I don't know her hairs so I don't want them on me. It is finally boarding time! YAY! Guess who is my airplane seating buddy??? Sleeping crazy long hairs girl! Luckily we we made it through most of the flight with an empty seat between us. I was trying to snooze since I had been up for about 22 hours at that point, when the flight attendant informed me that there was a very long-legged gentleman who needed more leg-room and the ability to recline his seat- which was not possible back by the bathrooms. Correct me if I'm wrong, but ISN'T IT COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT SEATS BY THE POTTY DON'T RECLINE? I don't even fly that much but I knew that! Also, this long-legged dude was wearing a suit, which means he is on a business trip- and probably not his first one, and he had a Blackberry- which I saw he could use, which means he probably knows something about the Internet- which is probably the way he check in for his flight, and he should have noticed he could look at his seat and change it if need be! COME ON MAN! And even if his personal assistant takes care of all his travel plans- she should know he has long legs and shouldn't be by the toilet. Maybe he should fire her. All in all- I didn't see why I had to be disrupted. Whatever- me and sleeping long hairs girl got another seating buddy. Woo.
We touchdown in Houston where the pilot informs us it is 76 degrees. Yuck.
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