So That Happened

A Little Help Here?

In my overhaul of this blog, I updated my music and book lists on the right (because "Womanizer" isn't exactly a new song anymore) and went through my various categories on the left, renaming most of them so they sounded less twee.  (It was time.  Really.  I should have done it ages ago, to be honest.)  That said, I'm unsure why the category entitled "Travel" doesn't appear in said list.  Shouldn't it?  I only renamed it - I certainly didn't delete it, and I know all of the posts I tagged as "Travel" still exist because they can be found here.

Any advice as to what I should do other than refresh the page like a mad person?  Because that's what I've been doing and I hope it hasn't been in vain.

Addendum: As soon as I wrote and saved this post, the "Travel" category appeared like magic on the left.  Of COURSE it did.  Oh, well.  I'll leave this post up anyway as a testament to my impatience.

Twu Wuv

Here's a quick shot from my Vegas trip:

We stopped in Baker on our drive to Vegas for some good ol' Dairy Queen, where my faithful traveling companion Mr. Bear found his soulmate in the form of a Dipped Vanilla Cone.

Phew.

I just got back from a wonderful four-day weekend in Las Vegas with my best friend, H.  It was just what the doctor ordered: lots of conversation, laughter, shopping (I should just sign over my paycheck to Sephora), drinking and eating.  

Oh, the eating.  

I am too exhausted to write a proper post now, but I wanted to let you all know that we ate here, here, here, here, here, and here, and had the most AMAZING meals at every single place.  No joke. 

I promise to write actual reviews of each restaurant, but right now I need to get some sleep!

Countdown!

Holy crap!  I leave for Hawaii in less than a month!  Now all I have to do is make sure I don't blow all the hard work I've spent on getting back into shape for the trip.  (I'll write all about it when I can - it took WEEKS, I swear.)

Observations On Baggage Carousel Behavior

(Or, What I Did While I Waited For The Luggage)

1. Why do people, if they see their luggage pass them as it makes its rounds on the belt, feel compelled to break into a mad dash to catch up to it? I saw it happen at least six times. Don't they realize it's going to come back to them?

2. Why does everyone hover over the carousel as if they were cold and it was the only heat source available? No one can see any bags coming or going if everyone's blocking everyone else's view, plus all that crowding makes it hard to pull your bags off the belt.

3. Speaking of, I like seeing people help others when they are trying to grab their bags. Since the bag is moving somewhat quickly, inevitably the person standing behind the person going for the luggage lends a helping hand. It gives me a wee bit of hope for the human race.

4. Those SmarteCartes could really use foot-applied brakes (like on strollers) so that they won't roll out from under the luggage when you're trying to load them. At least the ones at LAX do; I don't know if the carts at other airports are equipped with them.

5. Seriously, people, BACK AWAY FROM THE CAROUSEL.

I took this picture of a baggage carousel at San Francisco International Airport. See that clever border created by the stripe of off-white carpet? It's a subtle hint for everyone to keep a clear space around the belt! I love it! Now if only people would heed it.

(Update: I reckon I'll start writing about the trip in a few days, so stay tuned! That is, if you are interested.)

Vacation!

WOOOOO! At long last I am now officially on vacation! And leaving for Europe in 17 hours! However, I have not yet finished packing! And I'm also vexed because two of my sweaters are not yet dry and I wanted to pack them now!

Anyway.

Please allow me to take the time to wish you all a very lovely New Year's wherever you may be - I hope yours is a fun and safe holiday. I also would like to wish my school a Rose Bowl victory!

While I'm at it, I'd like to give myself some early Happy Birthday props (psst, it's tomorrow), just because it's my blog and I'll post about my birthday if I want to. I cannot believe I am celebrating it in another country this year! Doesn't that sound dramatic yet fun? Happy Birthday to me!

I'll check in if and when I can, but if I do not, I will see you all back here after January 6!

(P.S. It is going to be in the THIRTIES in Budapest and Prague. BRRR.)

A Slightly Panicked Pre-Vacation Haiku

One more day until
we leave for Budapest and
Prague! Not ready! YIKES!

Things I Am Looking Forward To When I Go On Vacation

1. The mummified right hand of King Istvan in St. Stephen's Basilica.

2. The House of Terror Museum (I'd link to the museum's website but it is still under construction.)

3. Celebrating New Year's in a different country for the first time!

4. The Pilsen brewery - home of Pilsner Urquell. Mmm, beer.

5. Kostnice, or The Bone Church. The interior is made up entirely of human bones - I KNOW!

6. The Charles Bridge in winter. Oh, the photographs I will take!

These are just a few of the places I hope we get to while away. Do you have any other suggestions? Any particular restaurants or hidden shops we should check out?

My Vacation Haiku

Hooray - Budapest

and Prague in less than three weeks!

I'M NOT READY.  Crap.

If That's The Front, I Can Only Imagine What The Sign Over The Back Door Says

I'm back from my trip to the Bay Area.  Many pictures were taken, but this one asked - nay, demanded to be posted first.  Take one look and you'll see why:

• Name of Photo: The Spankme Building
• Location: Somewhere in San Mateo, California
• Date of Photo: November 9, 2007
• Taken By: Me