Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Planning for New York

I just booked a flight to NYC.

I will be there all week on business and and at an office Christmas Party, but considered extending my stay through the weekend for some added fun.

So, I contacted a friend who lives off Times Square.
"You going to be around that weekend?"
"I should be around, but I may be going to CT because it'll be the last weekend before the Simon's leave for the holidays. So, we may have Christmas then."

(That's Paul Simon and wife Edie Brickell, so who can possibly compete with that invitation?)

I contact a friend in Springfield, New Jersey.
"Hey, you gonna be around that weekend? I'll be flyin' out of Newark on Sunday."
"You are not going to believe this, and I hate to say it, but I have to go out of town, again, on Dec. 14, and I'll be gone for the weekend."

I call my aunt in Lindenhurst, Long Island.
"Are you gonna be around that weekend? I'd like to take the train in and see you and the cousins." (who live in nearby towns).
"Oh sure! We have nothing on the calendar and we'll be in town that weekend. But you should think of flying in and out of JFK because it's so much closer. Just 10 minutes from Rockville Center."

Okay. So I book my flight in and out of JFK instead, and before I receive the email confirmation, my phone rings.

"Shawn? I hope you didn't book your flight yet. I just talked to Camille. She's flying to Florida that weekend. I'll talk to Jerry and Annette and Linda and see what's up with them, but it's so close to Christmas, they might be going out of town themselves. I will be here, though. Would you be bored with just me? And what time is your flight? 5:45? That's dark then and I don't drive in the dark."

"Yes!" I reassure her. "I will miss everyone, but I still want to see you. I can take a train or a towncar or a bus or cab or a shuttle to the airport."

We hang up. And a cloud of unsettleness comes over me. I'm excited but feel a bit of apprehension and worried that I might have booked my flight too soon without really waiting to formulate my plans more.

If this hick-up is an indication of what I'm about to embark upon in a few weeks, then I better settle in, put on my gloves and buckle up for some unexpected adventures. Life has a way of repeating itself.

11 comments:

Monica said...

Oh don't worry, I'm sure it will work out fine. And it will be nice to see all the NY sights decorated for Christmas. Take a warm coat!!

ferris said...

do you even have a warm coat?

doodlegirl said...

... a warm coat? What's a coat?

Ferris said...

thats what I thought.........

violetismycolor said...

I hope that you have a wonderful visit with your aunt. You seem the type that can make an apple crisp when presented with apples and little else, so the trip to NY will be fruitful no matter what. As gleaned from your last post, there are things that are meant to be, for this trip and for others. Keep your eyes open for the things that this trip will bring you. You may be surprised.

Doodlestreet said...

yup..yup...another toongirl moment. ;)

jo jo and i talk about this ALL THE TIME! So funny...but you know...it's these kind of things that bring out the situations that will give you so much material to talk, toon, blog, joke and laugh about. I bet this detour off of you original plans will be packed with all kinda of precious little surprises. I'm looking forward to hearing about this adventure! ;)

Rayne said...

I bet everything is going to work out fine. Lot's of adventures and cool moments and stuff to write about. Did you find a warm coat yet?

roz said...

You know , if you don't have hiccups like this then you can't classify it as a real trip, RIGHT!
Isn't it always the way?
But in the end you'll have some great stories to share.
I think I would have been trying to tag along for the Simon Christmas, wow!

doodlegirl said...

Thank you Violet! I will keep my eyes on the surprises!
Thank you Monica for reminding me about a coat and Robin, my mom invited me over tonight to try on her new coats. I balked at first, but they're from Nordstroms and I tried them on and not only are they warm but are gorgeous. What do I choose from? Red with a hood or a hoodless black one?
Roz-- I hear you! I'm still tryin' to figure out how to work that one! ;O)
You have good insight Ferris. You know me too well. Thank you, Doodlestreet, for making my trip sound FUN! I can't wait to share about it! Wish you all were there to meet me. Then we'd truly have an event to enjoy and talk about! :O)

danny said...

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful trip! Traveling is always an adventure, and will be one more. Even if it's a 'business' trip, have fun! And be sure to bring gloves!

Rayne said...

Oh, wow. I am so the wrong one to ask about choosing between clothes. I absolutely love clothes and if it weren't for the whole packing thing I would totally say, "Take both!" but, since you can only have one, I'd say the red one with the hood. Sounds snazzy and happy, and the cabs will be able to see you better.