I lied at the end of the last post. We did not venture through the Smoky Mountains. We completely sidestepped them, in fact, driving through rural Virginia and western Pennsylvania before cutting through the Jerz and then the city. We made great time, though (as I drove much of it), and made it home a day earlier than planned since there was nothing to see between Tenneesee and New York.
Our last night on the road, we were royally schooled by an old man. For much of the trip, Pops and I stayed at the same big name hotel chain. The wireless was free, the beds were comfy enough, and each location had a decent fitness center. We found most of our accommodations using tomtom and her "point of interest near destination" search. Tomtom listed all the hotels within the vicinity of our destination city, and once we found the chain we liked, we'd click on it and get the phone number to make reservations. This method was successful every time we used it...until Pennsylvania. We followed the same steps, finding the big name chain in a city on our way home, and made the reservation. Pops commented on how cheap the room was compared to the other ones we had stayed in, but we figured it was just a somewhat remote location, so cheaper rates were par for the course around there. We were mistaken. We pulled into the parking lot of the "hotel" to find the only other parked vehicles were two trucks (just the cab parts). The place looked like the motel Samantha lived in on Without a Trace when she went undercover as a hard up for cash lady, hoping to get drug dealers to use her to transport the goods. Turns out the 75 year old man at the desk appropriated the hotel chain's name for his own place and was luring unknowing travelers like Pops and me in with huge misrepresentations. I have no idea how this guy is still in business and has not been sued by the big hotel chain. I was so mad when we pulled in that I told Pops I'd rather sleep in the car than in that place. He would have none of that, and bought me a Friendly's shiver to cheer me up. (It seems he knows my soft spot.) As the American Idol finale was on that night, I couldn't actually escape entering the hotel room, but I told Pops to be ready to run out of the room swinging his suitcase if my car alarm went off in the middle of the night. (Otto was sitting right outside the entrance to our room, completely packed with all of my worldly possessions not already in NY.) A car alarm went off at approximately 5:05am, and I've never seen Pops run as fast as he did to get to the door. He inspected Otto, and satisfied the alarm wasn't his, Pops said, "okay, let's get out of here." I was thrilled by the thought of leaving that place and didn't so much as shower before jumping in the car. (I left my flip flops in the car and thought it would be unsanitary to shower in that place without them.)
Moral of the story: if you get a price quote from a big hotel chain that seems a bit off, don't assume it's your lucky day. Ask whether this location has a fitness center, and the answer will usually tip you off as to whether you're being conned into staying at a truck stop.
I have now been home for four days, and my bags are still downstairs, packed. I am not being lazy. The real problem is that my room is already completely full. For the past seven years or so, I have had a complete wardrobe and all the daily necessities in New York at my parents' house, and another full wardrobe and set of necessities in CT, London, NYC, or LA- wherever I happened to have another residence at the moment. This is the first time in years that all my belongings are being held under one roof, and my room just isn't big enough for it all. I'm thinking of investing in one of those build-it-yourself storage sheds to put in the backyard to house all my presently superfluous items that will once again become necessities once I move out. I have to wonder what the HGTV people would say if they saw my overflowing room. I used to watch HGTV every night before bed, and I'm pretty sure half my closet would be tossed into the trash pile if anyone from that channel ever came to make over my room. But honestly, you never know when you're going to need a poodle skirt or fifteen college sweatshirts. These items just can't be thrown out.
I was going through my wallet today, and I noticed I still had the punch card from my favorite fro yo place in LA. I expected a wave of nostalgia to hit me, but then I realized two things: 1- we have TCBY here, and it truly lives up to its name (the full name, not just the letters); and 2- I had just enough punches that next time I went in there, I would have received a free fro yo. I cannot believe it. I EARNED a free fro yo, and I'm not even going to get it! How sad. Roomie, if you're reading this, I am sending you my fro yo punch card. Enjoy a (free) fro yo, on me.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
The south is a tad scary.
Driving in the south has been an interesting experience. Even though we're driving on a pretty rural highway, we haven't seen nearly as many billboards advertising the world's largest ant farm or the Corn Palace, like you see on the more northern route. But the south is in no way lacking in billboards. Indeed, one particularly horrifying board caught my attention. It was in Arkansas, and it was so disturbing, I really wish it were a dream. But no, it was real. It read: "Use the rod on your children. Save their lives." There was some quoted Biblical verse underneath it, but at 80+ miles/hour I didn't catch it. I don't even know how to comment on this. I've seen lots of anti-abortion billboards, a fair number of "Jesus Saves" ones, and a whole bunch of public service announcements telling the public to buckle up or to not drink and drive, (oh, and one billboard for "the largest cross in the western hemisphere," which, by the way, was absolutely huge). But this was just ridiculous. What kind of organization puts up money to tell people to spank their children? South or no south, that is not okay. 'nough said.
We managed to find something worthwhile in Arkansas: The William J. Clinton Presidential Library. Wow, what a neat place. The building was modern and gorgeous, and the archives inside were pretty incredible. I read letters written to Bill and Hill by Mother Teresa, Oscar de la Renta, Paul Newman, and many others. I saw the bicycle/bike shirt/helmet Lance Armstrong gave to the President as a gift. I saw the china the Clintons used, the limo Bill drove in, and the numerous saxes he played. Not to mention the binders filled with Mr. President's daily agenda during his years in office. Wowweee. Even Pops, who's not a huge fan of the Clintons, loved it. Thank you, Little Rock, for making Arkansas a positive experience.
We made our way to Memphis next, and it was heavenly. Three blocks of cobblestone streets were filled with people drinking beers and cocktails out of plastic cups, listening to live music. There were blues and jazz players all over the place. Bbq joints, blues clubs, and beer windows lined the streets. I think if I liked beer I might have stayed another few nights. Just fantastic.
This morning we drove over to Nashville, and while it was fun in its own right, I liked Memphis better. Country music stuff was everywhere, but more spread out than the blues joints in Memphis. I did, however, catch some really great singers at some of the open mics. We hit up the Charlie Daniels museum (pretty sweet, although the only song I know of his band's is The Devil Went Down to Georgia, and only because it was prominently featured in Coyote Ugly) and this fantastic music store with more country CDs, DVDs, and memorabilia than I've ever seen in one place before. I got a sweet Nashville guitar pick and am now determined to spend every hour of the summer (when not bar studying) practicing. All it takes is the right pick, you'll see. We left Nashville and headed further east, making good time, and eventually ended up in Knoxville. There's not much to see in Knoxville.
Tomorrow we'll being heading north, through Great Smoky Mountains National Park and beyond.
We managed to find something worthwhile in Arkansas: The William J. Clinton Presidential Library. Wow, what a neat place. The building was modern and gorgeous, and the archives inside were pretty incredible. I read letters written to Bill and Hill by Mother Teresa, Oscar de la Renta, Paul Newman, and many others. I saw the bicycle/bike shirt/helmet Lance Armstrong gave to the President as a gift. I saw the china the Clintons used, the limo Bill drove in, and the numerous saxes he played. Not to mention the binders filled with Mr. President's daily agenda during his years in office. Wowweee. Even Pops, who's not a huge fan of the Clintons, loved it. Thank you, Little Rock, for making Arkansas a positive experience.
We made our way to Memphis next, and it was heavenly. Three blocks of cobblestone streets were filled with people drinking beers and cocktails out of plastic cups, listening to live music. There were blues and jazz players all over the place. Bbq joints, blues clubs, and beer windows lined the streets. I think if I liked beer I might have stayed another few nights. Just fantastic.
This morning we drove over to Nashville, and while it was fun in its own right, I liked Memphis better. Country music stuff was everywhere, but more spread out than the blues joints in Memphis. I did, however, catch some really great singers at some of the open mics. We hit up the Charlie Daniels museum (pretty sweet, although the only song I know of his band's is The Devil Went Down to Georgia, and only because it was prominently featured in Coyote Ugly) and this fantastic music store with more country CDs, DVDs, and memorabilia than I've ever seen in one place before. I got a sweet Nashville guitar pick and am now determined to spend every hour of the summer (when not bar studying) practicing. All it takes is the right pick, you'll see. We left Nashville and headed further east, making good time, and eventually ended up in Knoxville. There's not much to see in Knoxville.
Tomorrow we'll being heading north, through Great Smoky Mountains National Park and beyond.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Today I saw an armadillo.
There is more road kill on I-40 between Arizona and Oklahoma than I've seen in all my nearly 25 years of life, combined. Several of these dead creatures were armadillos. Armadillos are not very pretty animals when they're alive and in one piece. Check this out if you don't believe me: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nine-banded_Armadillo.jpg. Similarly, they are not very pretty when dead. I do have to say, however, that their armor shells must be pretty powerful, as they don't get flattened by tires the same way other small desert rodents do. Cheers to evolution.
Pops and I have made our way through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and half of Oklahoma thus far. Of course, the miles go by much more quickly when I am driving, but we're sharing the driving duties pretty equally. Unfortunately for Otto, pops likes to snack (a lot) in the car and has managed to get chocolate all over the steering wheel and driver's seat. Otto will be in desperate need of a good wash once we get to NY. That aside, the trip has been really fun so far. It's only day three, and I've heard numerous stories about growing up in Brooklyn and Queens in the late 50s and 60s. I picture my dad as a kind of mix between Benny "the Jet" Rodriquez and Squints Palledorous- always super athletic but also pretty dorky. Pops' stories, paired with clips of Now and Then (which have become forever embedded in my mind after watching the movie upwards of 100 times), make me wish I had been born in a few decades earlier. But I guess if I had, I wouldn't be writing this for my millions of loyal followers to enjoy at their leisure. Ah well, the grass is always greener, I suppose.
So yesterday we hit up Sedona, Arizona, and felt the 90 degree heat beginning at 9am. The town is gorgeous, with red desert rock everywhere. The stores were all super touristy, though, so while it was a beautiful place to stop and take pictures, it wasn't the best stop we've made thus far. After Sedona, we made our way to Albuquerque for some Southwestern food and sleeping accommodations. The old part of town wasn't much to talk about, mostly some old buildings centered around the plaza. But it was cute and worth a brief stop. This morning we drove a bit north of I-40 to Santa Fe. This town was just great. It had the old part with "the oldest house in the U.S.," which the visitor's center lady told us was 800 years old, but whose sign said "circa 1646." I'm not sure whether her math was off or the sign was off, but I feel like there must be houses that were built before 1646 in New England. Anyhoo, the old part was fun, complete with a church that had a wooden spiral staircase with no central support, built entirely without nails! How cool is that? I am easily entertained by history, especially when seeing it firsthand, so I was pretty excited about Santa Fe. Then we made it over to the shops and cafes around the plaza, and it totally won me over. For those of you planning a brief jaunt through New Mexico, I definitely suggest stopping over in Santa Fe for a few hours. You won't be disappointed. Oh, also, remember that just because these states are in the southwest, this does not mean it will be hot. Today's temperature hovered just below 60, dropping to 50 at times. No one even got to see the Don't Mess with Texas t-shirt I sported just for the occasion, as it was covered by a sweatshirt all day. (PS- Shoutout to British Friend, for explaining the origin of that slogan and for making Texas a barely tolerable state. On that note, I look forward to it becoming much more tolerable during my ACL trip next fall.)
The rest of today was spent passing trucks and slow-moving cars, stopping for gas, and being very grateful to Tomtom. She (yes, my GPS is a she, despite the masculine - and redundant - name, because of her lady voice) is just wonderful. Good riddance, Mapquest!
Next worthwhile state on the agenda: Tennessee!
Pops and I have made our way through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and half of Oklahoma thus far. Of course, the miles go by much more quickly when I am driving, but we're sharing the driving duties pretty equally. Unfortunately for Otto, pops likes to snack (a lot) in the car and has managed to get chocolate all over the steering wheel and driver's seat. Otto will be in desperate need of a good wash once we get to NY. That aside, the trip has been really fun so far. It's only day three, and I've heard numerous stories about growing up in Brooklyn and Queens in the late 50s and 60s. I picture my dad as a kind of mix between Benny "the Jet" Rodriquez and Squints Palledorous- always super athletic but also pretty dorky. Pops' stories, paired with clips of Now and Then (which have become forever embedded in my mind after watching the movie upwards of 100 times), make me wish I had been born in a few decades earlier. But I guess if I had, I wouldn't be writing this for my millions of loyal followers to enjoy at their leisure. Ah well, the grass is always greener, I suppose.
So yesterday we hit up Sedona, Arizona, and felt the 90 degree heat beginning at 9am. The town is gorgeous, with red desert rock everywhere. The stores were all super touristy, though, so while it was a beautiful place to stop and take pictures, it wasn't the best stop we've made thus far. After Sedona, we made our way to Albuquerque for some Southwestern food and sleeping accommodations. The old part of town wasn't much to talk about, mostly some old buildings centered around the plaza. But it was cute and worth a brief stop. This morning we drove a bit north of I-40 to Santa Fe. This town was just great. It had the old part with "the oldest house in the U.S.," which the visitor's center lady told us was 800 years old, but whose sign said "circa 1646." I'm not sure whether her math was off or the sign was off, but I feel like there must be houses that were built before 1646 in New England. Anyhoo, the old part was fun, complete with a church that had a wooden spiral staircase with no central support, built entirely without nails! How cool is that? I am easily entertained by history, especially when seeing it firsthand, so I was pretty excited about Santa Fe. Then we made it over to the shops and cafes around the plaza, and it totally won me over. For those of you planning a brief jaunt through New Mexico, I definitely suggest stopping over in Santa Fe for a few hours. You won't be disappointed. Oh, also, remember that just because these states are in the southwest, this does not mean it will be hot. Today's temperature hovered just below 60, dropping to 50 at times. No one even got to see the Don't Mess with Texas t-shirt I sported just for the occasion, as it was covered by a sweatshirt all day. (PS- Shoutout to British Friend, for explaining the origin of that slogan and for making Texas a barely tolerable state. On that note, I look forward to it becoming much more tolerable during my ACL trip next fall.)
The rest of today was spent passing trucks and slow-moving cars, stopping for gas, and being very grateful to Tomtom. She (yes, my GPS is a she, despite the masculine - and redundant - name, because of her lady voice) is just wonderful. Good riddance, Mapquest!
Next worthwhile state on the agenda: Tennessee!
Friday, May 15, 2009
On the road.
Goodbye, LA. Last night Awesomeness (and fiancee), Hollywood (formerly "LA Friend"), and I went out for fantastic sushi as my last dinner in Los Angeles. Awesomeness ate his weight in some sort of baked roll, Hollywood noticed a famous person sitting at the table next to us (Skeet Ulrich, of Scream fame, apparently...oh, and he drives a mini cooper), and I had a California roll. Pretty standard. Pretty perfect. Turns out I am going to miss LA (or at least my friends there).
It took pops and me about two hours to pack Otto up this morning, but miraculously everything somehow fit, and we were off! We drove about 500 miles today, stopping in a tiny town (if you can call a gas station, a visitor's center, and a diner a "town") along historic Route 66. Oddly, the visitor's center was closed by the time we got there, but there was some sort of tourist group (I think/hope that's what they were) gathered around a man showing off dead desert animals and explaining what they were. He had some snake skins and dead arachnids, and he didn't have an Australian accent, so needless to say he was pretty weird. But he totally had a captive audience in the tourist group/lonely locals/whoever they were. Good times.
We managed to navigate around the highway crossing elk and ended up in Flagstaff, AZ for our first night of lodging. Pops, undoubtedly impressed by my superior taste in music, asked me to grace his ipod with some of my sweet tunes. My pleasure- anything to not have to listen to talk radio. We actually found some pretty great oldies and country music stations out here, though, and pops promised me a record turntable when I get my new apartment, so I'm a happy camper. Tomorrow it's Sedona (really pretty town where everything is red) and then off to Santa Fe!
It took pops and me about two hours to pack Otto up this morning, but miraculously everything somehow fit, and we were off! We drove about 500 miles today, stopping in a tiny town (if you can call a gas station, a visitor's center, and a diner a "town") along historic Route 66. Oddly, the visitor's center was closed by the time we got there, but there was some sort of tourist group (I think/hope that's what they were) gathered around a man showing off dead desert animals and explaining what they were. He had some snake skins and dead arachnids, and he didn't have an Australian accent, so needless to say he was pretty weird. But he totally had a captive audience in the tourist group/lonely locals/whoever they were. Good times.
We managed to navigate around the highway crossing elk and ended up in Flagstaff, AZ for our first night of lodging. Pops, undoubtedly impressed by my superior taste in music, asked me to grace his ipod with some of my sweet tunes. My pleasure- anything to not have to listen to talk radio. We actually found some pretty great oldies and country music stations out here, though, and pops promised me a record turntable when I get my new apartment, so I'm a happy camper. Tomorrow it's Sedona (really pretty town where everything is red) and then off to Santa Fe!
Monday, May 11, 2009
School's Out.
Friday was the big day. We law students donned our mortar board and velvety accented robes for a chance to shake hands with the Dean and listen to numerous speeches whose themes centered around what an awful time in history this is to be graduating. Luckily, Awesomeness was sitting next to me playing Pee Monkey and other fantastic games on his iPhone, so the time spent sitting in the quad was not altogether useless. The class president mumbled his way through his seemingly impromptu speech, making way for the clearly better of the two student speakers. Next up was the definite highlight of the ceremony- Professor of the Year. This guy knew how to make my second year tax law class enjoyable. His speech was perfect- it was brief, dryly humorous, and it mentioned John Adams. What more could a grad want? Absolutely nothing. I wanted to get up and leave after that, but I thought my parents might be disappointed if they didn't get to hear my name called and see me (or the tiny speck of me, as they were sitting quite far away) "get hooded." Then there was some more talking at us by a politician of sorts, and then finally we got our hoods. All I have to say is, good job getting the shade, friends. Friday could have been a lot worse. The best part of the day was probably introducing a professor I had 1L year to my parents and having her call me by my name. I am memorable! Sadly, I had to say goodbye to Shmind and British Friend, as neither wasted any time skipping town the minute the festivities were over. Ah well, such is life, as they say. Little do they know, our friendship is far from over. I fully intend to send mass emails updating them on my bar study progress. (Wait, that's a total lie. I detest mass emails.)
My red head girl was voted off American Idol. I heard this news days before I finally got around to watching the episode, and I still cried my way through her final performance. Even though I never expended the effort or money (Is voting free? If so, scratch the money part) to vote for you, Red Head Idol Girl, I am mourning your departure from the Idol stage, and I will totally buy (read: illegally download) your first album as soon as it is available.
A busy intersection near me recently put in a brand new diagonal crosswalk so people can shortcut to their destinations rather than waiting through two light cycles. I am not a big fan of this new development because we still end up waiting through two light cycles (since the little red hand stays illuminated even when traffic is moving with the would-be pedestrians) and we encounter angry old people whilst engaging in the diagonal cross. For instance, a few days ago I set out across the street diagonally and an obscenely old man walking towards me, also crossing diagonally, suddenly glared at me and barked, "IN the crosswalk, putz!" Completely startled, I turned around to see who he was looking at, and found the road behind me deserted. I really don't believe I have ever been called a "putz" before. Interesting. Additionally, while I can appreciate that this man chose to berate me using a word from the Old Country, I also have to wonder why he felt it necessary to call me out for being six inches outside the diagonal crosswalk. I thought the whole purpose of having a diagonal crosswalk and all the little walking men flashing from each screen at the same time was so that people could walk throughout the entire intersection without fear of being run over. I'll bet he was very upset when they decided to put in diagonal crosswalks. Just as he feared, first step: diagonal crosswalks, second step: bold pedestrians walking wherever they want. We're just a few more steps away from people walking across the street completely nude. Oh, progress.
As I depart from this town in a mere four days, I guess it is probably time to start packing. The thought of it is just so daunting, I really can't bring myself to begin. If only Otto came with those expandable zippers, it would make life so much easier.
My red head girl was voted off American Idol. I heard this news days before I finally got around to watching the episode, and I still cried my way through her final performance. Even though I never expended the effort or money (Is voting free? If so, scratch the money part) to vote for you, Red Head Idol Girl, I am mourning your departure from the Idol stage, and I will totally buy (read: illegally download) your first album as soon as it is available.
A busy intersection near me recently put in a brand new diagonal crosswalk so people can shortcut to their destinations rather than waiting through two light cycles. I am not a big fan of this new development because we still end up waiting through two light cycles (since the little red hand stays illuminated even when traffic is moving with the would-be pedestrians) and we encounter angry old people whilst engaging in the diagonal cross. For instance, a few days ago I set out across the street diagonally and an obscenely old man walking towards me, also crossing diagonally, suddenly glared at me and barked, "IN the crosswalk, putz!" Completely startled, I turned around to see who he was looking at, and found the road behind me deserted. I really don't believe I have ever been called a "putz" before. Interesting. Additionally, while I can appreciate that this man chose to berate me using a word from the Old Country, I also have to wonder why he felt it necessary to call me out for being six inches outside the diagonal crosswalk. I thought the whole purpose of having a diagonal crosswalk and all the little walking men flashing from each screen at the same time was so that people could walk throughout the entire intersection without fear of being run over. I'll bet he was very upset when they decided to put in diagonal crosswalks. Just as he feared, first step: diagonal crosswalks, second step: bold pedestrians walking wherever they want. We're just a few more steps away from people walking across the street completely nude. Oh, progress.
As I depart from this town in a mere four days, I guess it is probably time to start packing. The thought of it is just so daunting, I really can't bring myself to begin. If only Otto came with those expandable zippers, it would make life so much easier.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
People who are famous for no reason.
I have been studying. A lot. That means I have been alternating between listening to my soothing, yet encouraging "study mix" and a classical/instrumental jazz combo. The study mix includes such greats as Jack Johnson (shout out to Awesomeness, formerly "Friend from the Valley," who loves JJ's tunes as much as I do). I share this to segue into a a topic only tangentially related: the Jonas Brothers.
I watch Chelsea Lately, and E! news directly follows it, so I see lots of teasers for what will be discussed nightly. Some of E! news' favorite people to stalk (I mean report on) are three "brothers" who apparently create "music." I am usually fairly up to date on the music scene. I love the stuff and just can't get enough. Why, then, have I never ever heard the Jonas Brothers actually create music? Are their songs on the radio (other than Radio Disney)? Do they perform in music videos, or do they just stand there while tween girls swoon? Hanson's stuff actually traveled the airwaves back when they were the only musical brothers people cared about. (As a sidenote, Hanson's electric album from several years ago was actually pretty good. I recommend it.) I get the feeling the Jonas Brothers - like so many sad celebrities today - are famous because they're famous. And on a related note, who are Heidi and Spencer? Gawker and E! have informed me they tied the knot- again, and apparently lots of people I've never heard of attended. And even one girl who swore she wouldn't attend did. Seriously? What happened to the good old days when celebrities were famous for having done something noteworthy in their lives? Marilyn and Frankie Blue Eyes had talent. Jackie O had great fashion sense, married a Kennedy, and emitted elegance. WHY are famous people just regular people now? I don't like it one bit. If I wanted to watch humorous things happen to regular people, I'd spend a few hours with my family.
That is all I have to say on that.
I watch Chelsea Lately, and E! news directly follows it, so I see lots of teasers for what will be discussed nightly. Some of E! news' favorite people to stalk (I mean report on) are three "brothers" who apparently create "music." I am usually fairly up to date on the music scene. I love the stuff and just can't get enough. Why, then, have I never ever heard the Jonas Brothers actually create music? Are their songs on the radio (other than Radio Disney)? Do they perform in music videos, or do they just stand there while tween girls swoon? Hanson's stuff actually traveled the airwaves back when they were the only musical brothers people cared about. (As a sidenote, Hanson's electric album from several years ago was actually pretty good. I recommend it.) I get the feeling the Jonas Brothers - like so many sad celebrities today - are famous because they're famous. And on a related note, who are Heidi and Spencer? Gawker and E! have informed me they tied the knot- again, and apparently lots of people I've never heard of attended. And even one girl who swore she wouldn't attend did. Seriously? What happened to the good old days when celebrities were famous for having done something noteworthy in their lives? Marilyn and Frankie Blue Eyes had talent. Jackie O had great fashion sense, married a Kennedy, and emitted elegance. WHY are famous people just regular people now? I don't like it one bit. If I wanted to watch humorous things happen to regular people, I'd spend a few hours with my family.
That is all I have to say on that.
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