Four things, none of them related to the other

[beautifulduckweed]

1. I've been exhausted lately. Even more than usual, I mean. How exhausted am I? I'm seriously contemplating skipping bellydancing class tonight in favor of sleep, sweet, sweet delicious sleeeeeeeep.

2. My cooking resolution has held up quite well, and I've made several delicious meals. Of particular note was the pork shoulder roast braised in brown ale, apple cider vinegar, carrots and onions that I made last Friday for Schwern, Tristan and Zeo, and the chicken and biscuits with mushrooms in a port and garlic sauce that I made with Tristan last Monday. Also, I've discovered the wonder that is curry lentil tempeh in mussamun curry. I made it last night for Jeff and Beth, and whoa damn, it was tasty. Definitely something to repeat in the future, though next time I'll won't leave the tempeh and peppers in the curry for so long and halve the coconut milk.

3. So much excellent new-to-me music to listen to! Of recent note are The Black Keys, Islands and Andrew Bird. I'll try writing more about them later. I'll just say that my ears are very, very happy nowadays.

4. I'm seriously contemplating going on a massive cross-country drive in late July/early August. I have a new(ish) car that's still under warranty, I have a little bit of disposable income (though once I get into law school that's going to change, har), and I have friends in Texas, Florida, Pittsburgh, Chicago, New York City and New Jersey whom I want to visit. And that's not counting a trip to Alaska that may or may not happen (I hope it does I hope it does oh MAN that'd be so cool). I've been hit with the travellin' bug, and I've been hit HARD.

It's doable. I'm planning to quit my job the last week of July, so I'll have much of August off to be restless and feckless and fuck around the country like I've been wanting to do for years.

Three weeks for a drive across America in August/July. What do you guys think? Am I crazy?

I'm also contemplating who I can cajole/bully/convince into coming with me for part or all of the trip.

Hmmmm.

Comments

[ashfae.livejournal.com]

So long as you drive to Scotland, I'm all for it!

[misshepeshu.livejournal.com]

Dude, I wish I could. If I could drive to Scotland, that means I could drive to Ireland, France, St. Croix and Melbourne, where other friends of mine reside.

What's with youse guys being scattered around the globe, eh?

[redsouffle.livejournal.com]

I'll go, but you'll have to drop me off in Indianapolis for five days for Gencon, and I'll have to be back in Seattle the weekend after for PAX...

[misshepeshu.livejournal.com]

Oooh! That'd be pretty sweet--when's Gencon?

If it happens, I'm thinking it's likely I'll drop you off in Indianapolis during the Chicago leg of my trip, and you can fly back to Seattle to ensure you get back on time.

Oh man. Plotting giant trips that may or may not happen = awesome.

[ariiadne.livejournal.com]

Although I will be far too busy with Burning Man stuff etc. to join you for any of your journey, I sure hope you stop in San Francisco! :D

[misshepeshu.livejournal.com]

YES! Actually, that'd work quite well, because the more I think about it, the more inclined I am to make a big loop--head south to California, then east to Texas, and further east to Florida, and then loop northwards to New Jersey and NYC, then start bearing westwards to Pittsburgh and Chicago, then stop by Seattle on the way home.

More plotting required, of course, but this is looking doable. GLEE.

[jennekirby.livejournal.com]

Wooooooo Florida!! Though sometime in July/August Phil and I will be making a Great Trip North, so you may be able to meet us farther north, if we are your only Florida destination (and if not, we can probably travel a bit to see you elsewhere in Florida), saving you quite a bit of driving. :)

If I were you, and if I were in touch with Sylvia (I don't remember if you are), I'd ask her. She did something somewhat similar a couple of years ago.

YAY ROAD TRIP

[misshepeshu.livejournal.com]

Actually, you pretty much are my FIF (Friend in Florida), so if I can meet youse guys someplace north and west of there, that'd be GREAT--save me a lot of driving.

And yes, I am in semi-regular contact with Sylvia. I'll consult with her during one of my trips to Seattle or the next I happen to a) remember to log onto IM, and b) stay on my computer long enough for people to hold a conversation with me.

Wow. I really, really want this to happen like damn.

[gorthx.livejournal.com]

I can't come on your trip, but I wanted to tell you that "What What" song has been stuck in my head for *days* and it's your fault. :)

Texas?

[seasong1.livejournal.com]

Los Angeles to Texas is about 20 hours of driving, depending on exact route and leisure. West Texas is a bit less than half that on most routes. Also, West Texas is mostly long stretches of highway, with gas stations few and far between, particularly on I-10 - so keep an eye on the gas, and fill up before you leave El Paso, and then fill up again before you leave Van Horn. You can avoid that problem by taking I-20, but I-20 doesn't take you as directly to ME.

GenCon is August 16-19. Perhaps I will see you there, as well ^_^

[whitemunin.livejournal.com]

How cool! I think a cross-country drive is a great idea. If you decide to stop in Houston, let me know. I'd love to meet up with you.

[marsala1.livejournal.com]

Unless you plan to stay in the car for more than 8 hours a day [which I do not recommend], it will take you 3 days to reach Texas and 3 days from Texas to New York. If you plan to visit anyone, it will be quite short.

Driving across Ohio is a bitch. I think that was 2 days from NJ to Chicago.

I'd love to come with, but I'd probably only be able to do Alaska. And I've already driven over most of America.

[davethegreat.livejournal.com]

Been there, done that, liked part of it but HATED the great planes. Seriously, unless you have a co-driver who you can REALLY REALLY stand, the planes suck.

But everyone should drive the USA at least once. There is some truly spectacular scenery there. And some truly scary people. Bring your own food :)

Dude

[(Anonymous)]

If you come to Chicago and don't call me, I will cut you, dig? (And I mean that not in the Regency romance ignoring-you-at-the-next-ball sense of "cut", but rather in the street-wise-with-a-blade way.)

Also, I drove Philly to Chicago once, and it was far less than a full day. I have done many, many long-ass road trips and learned long ago (the hard way) that what looks most direct on a map is very often emphatically NOT most direct in real life. Consult the locals, believe in tollways, and fear not the route through downtown. There are many paths, so choose wisely, grasshoppah.

Re: Dude

[(Anonymous)]

Um, that was me. Beth.

Re: Dude

[misshepeshu.livejournal.com]

Bethimus Maximus, Slayer of Foley, you are definitely one of the friends I want to visit in Chicago, should this trip happen. F'real. I'll bring copious amounts of CDs with MP3s. And we'll chatter about music and books. And I really, really want to say hello to the notorious Thunderpussy.