Thursday, December 30, 2016, 5:08AM PST: I am barely awake having just arisen about 45 minutes ago. Still, I think this as good as any to begin the diary of my trip to New Jersey to celebrate New Years Eve with my brother and his wife Denise.
I sensed a tone of disappointment in my brother's voice wen I called him on December 26, the day after Christmas. The truth be told, I was pretty much out of it when I heard my phone vibrate while napping. I have a terrible cold Fir which I have been taking frequent naps and a steady diet a of cod medication. I explained this to him but I could hear the huff in his voice.. Oh well, I cannot take back what happened but only move or war. At this point my biggest concern is traveling with this cold..And my fe.ar of flying and all of the surrounding hassle of travEl.
I took Pippin to The Animal Store to board him. It was a ma∆or hassle getting into his blue travel cage which he is terrified of. He hasn't been groomed for too long and as a result e can fly away fro me. I was able to get him by his tail and but put him into the case all while he was screaming in terror. I just hate doing that. To make matters worse he flew away in the pet store and ended up stuck behind a desk, A woman who works there was able to pluck him out and put him into his boarding cage. The whole experience left me in tatters,
I got busy shortly after returning home. I watched a little TV. When I felt a little relaxed I cleaned Pippin's cage and packed for my trip. I finished at around 8:00PM I bought a movie but only watched about. Third of it before I became so tired I had to shut it down and go to bed. I took my heavy-duty cocktail of meds and fell asleep shortly thereafter.
Friday, December 30, 2016, 4:38PM PST: We have just taken off from SFO and from what I can guess it was all very smooth. Of course, given my antipathy towards flying I experienced every bump in the runway with dread. The flight was delayed, so instead of leaving at 3:15 we left at 3:50. The pilot has informed us that we are due for arrival in Newark at 12:00A M EST. No matter what, I expect that it will be in the deep of the night when I arrive at AVE Apartments in Somerset, NJ.
I decided on the spur-of-the-moment to upgrade my seating to business class. It cost me just under $300.00, I know it's a splurge. I may even do it on the way back. I figure the chunk of money I am withdrawing from my IRA to pays off my credit debt will cover the additionally $600. But it sure is nice traveling in business class. So much extra room and amenities. This indulgence almost makes me feel guilty. Almost.
I was surprised to learn that the internal audio jack for my BOSE Bluetooth headphones is some tiny replica of a standard jack. So my plan to use a cord with my BOSE headphones is off the table. In airplane mode, Bluetooth is supposed to be turned off. But I think I will defy protocol and use it for listening to music on my iPad.
Saturday, December 31, 2016 9:25AM EST: I'm sitting in bed feeling pretty awful.I didn't get to sleep until 4:00AM and had a night broken by disturbing dreams. I must have taken about three Klonopin but to no avail. I finally got up and out into the freezing cold looking for the Continental Breakfast. After running around last I found the reception and was promptly informed that it is only on Monday through Friday. Shivering I found my way back to my room and sadly back in my room by 9:15AM.
Denise was waiting for me when I arrived and woke up Randy upon my arrival. Randy's friend Rudi is visiting from Switzerland. They plan to attend a New Years Celebration in Queens tonight. Denise and I will on the other hand spend a quiet night home together watching the big ball all down in Times Square on TV. In the meantime, I believe we have plans to drive to Easton, Pennsylvania for lunch, which is about 35 miles from here (wherever here is.)
I don't think I can sleep after this morning's debacle. I'm going to watch some ESPN and doze.
Saturday, December 31, 20016 2:28PM EST: I spent about an hour or two with Randy and Denise and Rudi during which Rudi and I opened up our stocking stuffer gifts. I received a great many gifts that I can put to use in my home. Randy bought me an Alexa voice command center which I can use to turn on things (probably only lights in my apartment. I can hardly wait to put it together when I go home. I also received a nifty Swiss Army Knife which in the share of a credit card and almost as thin. I will be a nice addition to my wallet. Denise gave me a nice wristlet and an iPad stylist. If I decide to upgrade my iPad I'll get one that recognizes handwriting. Finally, they gave me a little device you hang on your keychain which allows you to locate your keys when you misplace them. This is never a problem for me so I think I will give it to Addison. All in and all i am very pleased with m gifted which showed a lo of consideration.
I was suddenly taken by a bout of weariness and felt compelled to return o my apartment. So I am wondering if I should sleep or no. Maybe a short nap.
Sunday, January 1, 2017 4:22PM EST: I slept very well but woke up an twisted my back painfully. I've since taken 2 Vicodin and a Percocet which have left me a little loopy. Randy cam down to check on me and after he left he returned with a snack platter from Denise. I hung around with me for a while watching football and left only when it was time for him and Denise and Rudi to go out for lunch. I've done a little walking since and can manage with only a little pain in my hips. If I still have the option of watching the movie Rogue One with him I'll take him up with him. For now I'm lying in bed trying to keep the pressure off of my back.
Last night was calm and mellow. I dozed a while during which Denise watched a movie. I woke up about an hour before the CNN special. Randy and Rudi showed up, disappointed that the event they attended in Brooklyn wasn't what they expected. So we all got to ring in the new year together. I was tired and left after about 20 minutes later. I am always freezing in their apartment and looked forward to my warmer apartment only to find that it was only 60 degrees. I thought I had set the temperature for higher but somehow messed up the electronic thermostat. So I snuggled under my blankets and watched a rerun of the college Peach Bowl which I fell asleep to. I woke up at three o'clock all wedged out, set my music up, and went back to sleep.
Monday, January 2, 2017 3:30PM EST: Randy, Denise ad myself went to see Rogue One, the attest in the Star Wars movies. I enjoyed it although characters came and went so fast that it was difficult to keep trac of the plot. I'm going to buy it so that I ca see it over an over. I was glad that Randy did this for he despite Would have preferred to stay at home instead.
We had dinner at their apartment afterwards. I took a shower first which dug into my prep time for the airport. Anyway Randy called an airport limousine service which cam at 5:20PM (my flight was at 7:05PM). SoI dashed off with the driver a only to discover he only took cash payments. So we had o waste about 15-20 minutes looking for an ATM. That pushed on my schedule eve more. By the I made through security I was dashing down the hallway to my gate, where I arrived thirty minutes late. So I went the the United Customer Service center and was able to hook on to another flight at 8:00PM. The only hitch--I a sitting in economy coast instead of business class as m ticket spelled out. But the choice was clear: Wait some untold number off flights until I could find one with an open Business Class seat or head for the exits. I chose the latter. So here I am cramped in something resembling a dishwasher carton while my back throbs with pain. I hope I'm recovered by tomorrow so I can take care of the chores waiting for me.
Meanwhile, the young lady sitting net to me is clearly put out by my situation. Too bad. That's what you get for traveling economy coach. t's too bad I have been pampered within the narrow confines of their jobs by the flight attendants, That I have take turned on hard light so I can see my keyboard hasn't improved things.
To add insult to injury I accidentally took my bedtime meds instead of the dinner meds after we had eaten. Si arrived at he airport loopy as hell. In addition to that which included (I think) four Vicodin I just took another send a Percocet. Oh well, All I need to do at SFO is pick up my bag (which probably got sent on the earlier flight that I missed. What a hassle. Otherwise I'll look or it among the rest of the luggage from this plane. Somehow I will manage to navigate this mess n my altered state (including intense pain. Then I ask I eyed to do is grab a cab and I'm Home Free! At lest, that ia the way 'this script plays out so far.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017 7:30PM PST: I arrived at SFO late, typically, around 1:30A.. My duffle didn't dhow up on the carousel so I had to go to the (yet another ) long time to explain my situation, the people moved a glacial place. As I neared the counter I happened to glance to my left. There was my bag. I thought about quitting the count but after so much wok talked to the man behind it. I asks the Postman-of-the-Year if .I could simply pick it up. He, sure I all I had to do was chow my receipt or it (which I luckily hadN't loss. I did that and left, feeling like an ass.
On my way out towards the taxis I was approached by a young man who offered me a ride who to San Francisco for $50, That is less than a cab So I took his offer. He drove slowly a delivered home at around 1: The first thing I did was call Yaffa to assure I had made it home safely, Then I unpacked. I finally closed my vacation at hat ointment an the end of my story,
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