Dancing to Daft Punk on the Plane...

...makes you spill your drink. This is my lap. It is now wet, consisting of tan corduroy pants with a cranberry racing stripe. Thank goodness I had not added the Vodka to that last drink.

First Time for Everything

*****WARNING - THIS POST CONTAINS EXTREME LANGUAGE. IF YOU ARE A SOUTHERN BELLE, LIKE MY AUNT JEAN, OR YOU ARE DANIEL'S MOM I STRONGLY ADVISE YOU TO SKIP THIS POST. THAT IS ALL.*****

I got up this morning at 8AM, took a shower, got dressed, took some last minute pictures,gathered all my things together, tried to help Daniel get done, got to the car, had a mild argument, got to the airport, rode the shuttle to the gate, and promptly MISSED MY EVER-LOVING, OVERBOOKED, ON-TIME FLIGHT!!!!!! I am 35, have traveled alone since I was 7 (not 7 times, but 7 YEARS OLD), and have never missed a flight. I have had to run with some heavy luggage, but DID NOT not miss a flight. This is some MAJOR BULL. I was ready, I tried to help, and I was having a stroke to leave but we arrived 4 minutes too late to check luggage and they would not let us on. Thanks, TSA.

****TRAVEL TIP - Gone are the days when you could pull up 30 mins before a flight and still get on. We were there 41 minutes early and NO DICE. GET THERE EARLY. NO JOKE. Also know that if you travel with me and you are running late YOU GETS LEFT THE HELL BEHIND. Thanks, Daniel for helping me realize that.****

All the rest of the flights were OVERBOOKED except 1st class on the 1:05 flight to Philadelphia. We would then have to fly stand-by on a 6:30 to Baltimore(BWI). The 2 evening flights to were overbooked, with long waitlists and I knew we weren't getting on those. I found a train at 6:30 from Philly to Penn Station and an available car. Daniel paid for the upgrade so we could get on the 1:05 and thank goodness for 1st class. We got food and drinks (YES, I WAS JUST ABOUT DRUNK ON THE PLANE. As a matter of fact, I started dancing to Daft Punk on the plane and well, just check the next post...)

Tomorrow I am outta here!

Holy crap! Its here! Tomorrow we leave! I can't believe it. It took me forever to pack and that's odd. I did, however do some fancy handiwork with the toiletry items and the big-bag packing. I have outdone myself. I even got an extra carry-on size bag in there to ship things home in if I need to. ****TRAVEL TIP - if you don't take time to pack, be prepared to buy. Use the same things to pack your toiletries, unless you find something to make it easier. Label the containers, if you use them, and take only what you need. Since we pay for extra weight/bags now, realize that the extra ounces build up to $$$ for the airlines. Also with the new carry-on size restrictions imposed by most of the airlines, get ready to check what you though would be carry-on bags at the gate if you have too much there!****

There are two types of packers - people who like it and people who do it because it a means to an end. I LOVE IT! I love putting creams and lotions and toner into tiny pots and bottles so the TSA doesn't make me throw my stuff out. I even do it when I'm not traveling - I keep tiny travel-stashes at Daniel's house b/c I'm just that kind of person.

Daniel is a means to an end packer. It is 1:30 and he's busy playing with our Scottevests. He'll get up and throw a bunch of stuff into his new huge duffle, half of it not matching, and move throughout the world. It drives me TOTALLY insane, but let's be real here. That is a grown-ass man and I am going to leave him to his new play toys. I have to get rest so the TSA doesn't drag me out of the line and club me into submission because I'm going Polar Bear and need more rest.

See you on the road!
Later people!

2 Days

In two days, the pilgrimage begins for most of us - some of my friends leave tomorrow. I am both excited and anxious. How cold will it really be? Will people behave? Will Daniel and I argue like we usually do when we travel together? Will I be able to handle all the walking? Will we be too far out since we're in Baltimore? Will we be standing or sitting in our assigned section? How long can I hold it before I give in and HAVE TO use a port-a-potty? All these things make are anxiety builders for me.

On the other hand, I also wonder other, more positive things; What will Michelle and the girls wear? How many people I know will I actually get to see? What good restaurant, clubs, bars, and parties will we find? How many new friends will I make? How many pictures will a 4G SD Card hold? These are all really exciting and I can't wait to find out!

I also wonder about longer-term things; Has Obama been saddled with so much BS from the last administration that he'll be effectively ineffective? Does Bush REALLY have to move back to Dallas? Will this year be good for small businesses or will we get more of the same?

I can't sleep. I am too excited and too anxious. Work will be a living hell tomorrow...

Luggage for Daniel

So, Daniel's luggage is shot - to hell. Neither of us thinks it will make it through this trip. With that in mind, we searched Ross and Marshall's for luggage for him. Now, I don't have to worry about this because my aunts and uncles Jean, Joe, Ellen, and Carlton had the forethought to give me luggage when I completed my MBA. (Most of my family really get me and thanks and praises you do!)

So, Daniel's looking at Ross for luggage, which gives me time to pick out a new turtleneck sweater and some purple suede gloves. The gloves need a little bit of cleaning, but they're $3.95 and the turtleneck is $10!!! Daniel takes forever to pick luggage and my A-D-D seriously starts to kick in. I wonder around the store and see nothing better to do but then, Daniel picks a bag. Some Australian duffle-looking thing. Its huge, with no wheels, and I know he will have trouble with it, but hey, its his bag and further discussion will prolong my time in this store. He gets his bag and we go to Marshall's. There's nothing better there so we head to Target to get socks and misc crap. I'm now sleepy and starting to turn Polar Bear (you know, cute, but dangerous) and I have to get up early for work, so we debate stuff like where we'll go in DC, and what fun stuff there will be to do. All the while, I am thinking - 1 day in he'll regret that massive duffle - its not even army-style.

Sports Authority...

is not Cabela's. This store is a miserable place. The dressing rooms are crappy, the people DO NOT enjoy their jobs, and there are absolutely NO stuffed animals around. We went today to get the Under Armor Cold Gear system and after I got done with trying stuff on , I had to get out of that store! We went to the one up by Daniel in Keller and I CANNOT recommend that place. If you are in need of sports/warm gear, get it somewhere else... I understand the principal of put little in, take a lot out, but geez louise - that place was so depressing I didn't even take pictures.

Featured Post By: DERRICK WILLIAMS

As most of you know, I am an only child. My cousin, Derrick is the closest thing I have to a brother. Unfortunately, he suffered massive brain damage from eating rat poison as a child. Take what he says with a grain of salt...

FROM DERRICK:

"This trip should be fun, but I see one problem. I fear that upon seeing your hair Malia and Sasha will freak out only to have the Secret Service tackle you and then throw you out. If this happens the only that can save the trip is if Daniel video tapes the whole thing and puts it on youtube."

See what I mean? Moving on...

Cabela's adventure

Has anyone been to Cabela's? Its a playground for hunters with water features, guns, clothes, tools, camping stuff, shoes, and STUFFED ANIMALS. No, I don't mean Winnie the Pooh, but big, huge game hunted by the owner! From an elephant (I almost cried) to badgers and otters, and everything in between. Now, I thought I would be appalled, but this store is fun! The people are friendly and who woulda thought you could walk around in there for hours!!! I told Daniel we need to come back for date night and shoot some guns up in the practice range. They have kettle corn, snacks, and even a sandwich shop! This store is a BONANZA! I know Daniel was embarrassed b/c I HAD to start taking pictures, but I don't care - its a wonderland and I don't care who knows what I think. Several years ago when my tax money went to help build it, I was pissed off, but now, I can't wait to go again! And hell, I have to get my tax money's worth - all $75 of mine! We got our thermal underwear for DC and even glove liners - this place is just too much. I think I'm going to have a lunch group meet up there or something... Imagine, tea among the caribou or near the moose pond, or overlooking the stuffed, mounted antlered-animals perched high on the walls. Just hold me back, people...

How far can you walk in "kinda" Hiking Boots?

My mom bought me these shoes. They are kinda like low hiking boots. They're comfortable and they keep my feet warm, but I wonder what walking in them all day will be like. The soles give and there's plenty of room for me to wear 2 pairs of socks, I just wonder what they'll be like.

In other news, I can't find Crystal - the hair guru. This could ruin an entire trip! Just imagine, I am at the massive day of service event, and MICHELLE OBAMA (I just love her!) walks by. She is impressed with all the volunteers working and then spots my hair; a slight grimace comes over her face just as tons of people with cameras, including national photographers capture her disapproval of my hair. I am caught, in the national media with the FIRST LADY giving me the "don't come out here again with your hair like that" side-eye deluxe. This could be mortifying...

OK, seriously, Michelle Obama would probably not be so judgmental of someone working really hard, but who wants to be immortalized by even their own camera with insane hair? I'll just redouble my efforts tomorrow.

I don't mean to trivialize the importance of this historic occaision, but really, I know I'll be there. Beyond being there and not making a huge fool of myself, this should be about meeting people, having fun, and seeing old friends. There are people I have truly missed who will be in DC. Hi to Gigi, Lisa, Norman, Tish, and everyone else I'll be trying to make time for. Whether we're sitting/standing/riding together or don't even get to see each other on the National Mall - I'm glad to be sharing this experience with you all.

Laptop to DC?

I am thinking about taking my laptop to DC. But, this is my new Christmas Baby and I fear for her safety! I have named her Elsie and she must be safe at all times. There could be people trying to steal her from a hotel room or off my shoulder... But then again, I really need a laptop. How else will I communicate with you all? How will I know how to contact people? How will I live? I need Elsie!

I have just decided that Elsie should not miss this important moment in history. She will go to the inaugural week and you should all be grateful, because you'll get updates. Everyone together now...
THANK YOU, ELSIE.

Going to dinner and drinks.
Later people!

PS - For you mere mortals who didn't get it, Elsie=LC= Laptop Computer. Sheesh, my creativity is almost wasted sometimes!

Warm Clothes!

So, Daniel and I have been researching warm clothes and Daniel is a researching genius! There's all this warm stuff to wear that won't weight us down. I am completely in awe of the variety of warm/wicking/comfortable clothes made of spandex, etc... I still have one problem with stuff like UnderArmor... Men's clothes have a convenient little flap for ease of restroom use. Women have no such ease of use. We still have to pull down our whole getup and freeze off our ass and the "Penelope Pitstop" to use the restroom. HOW IS THIS FAIR? Can I get something with a full front-to-back zipper? I mean, even a half-way zipper would work. There must be an enterprising designer who can help me - I'll market it and we'll both get rich!!!

So anyway, my mom bought me hiking boots, which I need to go try on - hope they fit. If they do, I'm gonna wear those bad boys every day 'til the big day so they can be broken in and I don't have to tend to blisters or hurt feet. And I need Inaugural panties - plain panties won't do! I great, comfortable panties for miles of walking. OK, maybe I don't need them, I just want them, and no SHAMEKKA, I am not throwing them on the stage... What a tramp...

OK, its bedtime. Later, people!!!

The Basics

I have a hotel room, an Official guarantee of Inaugural tickets from my congressman, and plane tickets to Baltimore. What more do I need? Well, warm clothes, walking shoes, warm clothes, an extra camera battery, warm clothes, travel stuff, and warm clothes for starters! Hmm, this is going to be a little more complicated than I though. There are all those pesky Secret Service restrictions like no umbrellas or water bottles, and restrooms will be a difficult issue on the big day, and my face gets so cold in the winter, and what will all the cold weather do to my happy, bouncy curls? This will require lots of thinking...

So many problems, so little time to find solutions... WE ARE A WEEK OUT, PEOPLE! OK, i have to prioritize! I'll start tomorrow by calling my hair stylist, Crystal - she can fix any hair situation. Then I'll start to ponder the, wait...its 12:25. Bedtime! Later, people!!!

Welcome to Inaugural Erin!

I'm Erin and I am going to the Historic Presidential Inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Hussein Obama! It'll probably be cold and jam packed, but I don't care. I'll have layers of clothes, a camera in hand, and I'm dragging my boyfriend in tow. You get to know it all from the pre-planning to the exhausted return - just see what we do...