Where do I start?

So, the vacation-that-was-not-really-a-vacation comes to a close.

A trip into the city had been planned for yesterday, but for me, it turned into an textbook example of the story that starts with the teacher placing large rocks in a glass jar until there was no more room for any additional rocks and then asking the students if the jar was full.

The good news is that I managed to finish a journal (now I can start despeckling stuff for the next one) and get to know the place again, a little.

Would I live here if money were no object? I honestly don't know. I think Galina would, in a heartbeat. I think one factor that keeps this place "in play," so to speak, in my mind is the utter lack of clutter, unlike our headquarters in Texas. Even so, it took some time last night to divide stuff into (a) things that go in my carry-on and (b) stuff that goes in the car, which includes all the rest of my clothes, shaving kit, flip-flops, and so on.

So while this suggests there is more than a grain of truth to the idea that cutting down on possessions improves one's view of the world, I must also confess to having packed a dining room table into to the car, along with a couple of boxes of stuff I found in the basement, including tools. The table will replace the gynormous black monstrosity I'm using now.

If yesterday had a theme, it was food. The day started with me going by the Long Island Deli company to pick up a couple of bagels with lox and cream cheese (and tomatoes, etc.) that we split up for breakfast, and ended with a visit to Forest Pizza & Restaurant for sicilian pizza and de mare over linguine. I should probably consider yesterday a cheat day.

Time to get moving... the limo will be here before anyone knows it!

Cheers...

Travel day...

A limo whooshed Natalie, Kyle, and me from the house to LaGuardia in almost no time at all (it being Saturday and all), and I set off on the first leg of my flight, to Atlanta, on time and in good spirits.

Once in Atlanta, I learned the gate had changed, then the flight was delayed due to maintenance issues, and then again due to staffing issues, but it wasn't anything I hadn't experienced before, and the overall magnitude of such setbacks was perfectly tolerable, though annoying.

Upon arriving in Houston, I embarked upon my first Uber ride, which transpired uneventfully, which actually is sort of an understatement. Once I understand how that is so, I might hold forth on the subject. Suffice it to say that, based on my first ride, I am a satisfied customer.

While in the air, I got about three-quarters of the way through Ryan Holiday's Ego is the Enemy, trying to inhale it in one gulp and knowing that I'll have to reread the book another few times to gain the best benefit. There are places where I could see my past self acting on both sides of the issue—alas, with the preponderance of such appearances on the "ego" side of the ledger.

When I finally opened the door to the house, the dogs were hugely happy to see me—the cats, not so much, but then again, they've never been particularly inclined to let their feelings show one way or another.

I am fairly well tuckered out. I think I will have a salad and hit the rack. At the very least, anything work-related will be relegated until the morrow.

Cheers...