So I've started looking into flights to Denver in August. There are many non-stop flights, but none of those are available for miles. The only flights I can get for miles involve a stop and, in most cases, a change in planes. I would prefer not to go through that.

Is there any chance that as time goes on, more flights may become available for booking with miles, or is it as good as it's gonna get?

Update: went ahead and booked. $300 round trip, but I have legroom and some pretty decent seats.

Update II: I misentered the dates at one point--ORD/DEN roundtrips 14 days out were going for about $175 or so, which surprised me. I could have been daring, I guess, and waited until mid July to book. But given the other conventions that will be going on in Denver at that time, plus my usual luck when I gamble...I decided to book now.

Two pair of pants are enough for a 5-day trip. But I still would've liked the black pull-ons. If I'd brought them with, I would've worn them.

The boots that are comfortable during Mile the First may still let you down during Mile the Third.

There are no such things as socks that are too soft.

City miles are longer than treadmill miles.

Make room for the sneakers. Just do it.

The cool exhibit that your editor told you about that necessitated the hike to the museum will be described in detail, with photographs, in a reference book you forgot you owned.

Not that you would have known about it if she hadn't told you, but that's beside the point.

Someday, all exit ramps in Chicago will be well-marked, and the driver will have plenty of time to change lanes prior to exiting. Pigs will fly. Cubs. World Series. World peace.

As I said before, upon arrival at O'Hare, I was greeted by rain and a very low ceiling. Think fog and clouds just about on the ground. I don't watch descents because they tend to make me squirrelly--don't like to fly, me--but I could see the whiteness out of the corner of my eye--because even though I don't like to fly and don't watch descents, or take-offs, for that matter, I always ask for a seat by the window don't ask me WHY--and braced for the turbulance the pilot warned might be coming. Felt a big *BUMP*, and thought, this should be fun, then looked out the window to see we had landed. Clouds all the way from NYC, and one of the smoothest flights ever. Go figure.

The 4-hour nap messed me up. I didn't get to bed until after 1, and lay awake listening to the wind. Finally drifted off around 2, only to be awakened less than an hour later by flashes and beeps. Took me a minute to realize that the power was flickering. It finally went out around quarter to three, and I got to lie there and listen to the silence of my sump pump not pumping. No, I haven't had the battery back-up installed yet--I didn't want to get into that until I got back. So, got up and pulled out all the computer and UPS cords to stop the beeping. Avoided looking in the basement because I didn't want to know. Walked halfway down the basement steps and looked. No water. Yet. Went back to bed because there really wasn't anything I could do. I was tired by this point, but I couldn't fall asleep because I was waiting for the power to come back on. I mean, I went through this last summer, knew things were better this time around, potential basement flood-wise--the rain had stopped several hours before, and the water wasn't running into the reservoir all that quickly. But still, there had been some seepage in the usual areas and so I was concerned.

Thought I heard the rumble of large trucks. Less than an hour later, the power came back on. Plugged everything back in, made sure it all worked. Checked the basement, which was still dry. Figured this was just my house's way of saying "WELCOME HOME!" and went back to bed.

Color Me Wiped.

( the wagon train heads out )

So far, so good.

Off to NYC tomorrow morning for the Novelists Inc conference. If all goes well, I will be having dinner with my editor at this time tomorrow.

I'm bringing my MacBook, and am going to try to post conference goings-on as some folks professed an interest. Some attendees have said that they do get writing done there, but somehow I don't think it likely in my case. However, I hope the conference vibes propel me through April.

Still need to finish packing. Did the electronic check-in thing. I still think the biggest thing is making sure I remember to pack all the cords and adapters. There are three Apple stores in NYC, including one quite close to the hotel THAT IS OPEN 24/7. It's awful purty on the outside, but I will endeavor to be strong.

The last two days have flown. Clothes to be packed all laundered and laid out. New, smaller laptop bag bought. Lucky for me, I bought an airplane adapter for the MacBook. Packed that, along with an ethernet cable, digital camera, and the little USB card reader thingie. Please let me remember the iPod charger, the phone charger, the laptop charger (the airplane adapter can power the MacBook, but it doesn't charge the battery), and all the other electronic frewfooraw. I'm sure there's an Apple Store in the Big Apple just jam-packed with neat stuff, but I really don't want to have to go there.

Clothes are easy compared to electronic stuff.

Shoes! Bought heel thingies and comfort inserts for the boots, which are comfortable enough but could use a little boost. Trouser socks.

I still need to make up a list of puppy meds and feeding schedule for the caregiver.

Any other time, I'd be at that stage of trip prep where I'd be wondering if it was worth all the trouble, and wouldn't I rather stay home? Except that I don't this time. I really am looking forward to the break.

Happy Easter to all who honor the day.

( weather )

( HRH performs his sworn duty )

( dinner and packing and such )

It hit me yesterday that I'M ON VACATION, and will be so for the next week and a half. I may regret using up the extra couple of days that I've added to the beginning and end of this debauch, but my, it was nice to just sit around yesterday and write--even though the production doesn't show it--and not have to go anywhere or do anything. Today, I need to do things. Tomorrow promises to be a flurry of last-minute this n that. So, taking yesterday off was nice.

I'll be going to NYC for the Novelists Inc conference at the end of the month. Denver in August. Possibly a flight around the holidays. So, I decided to dig into the on-signing money and buy a year's membership in the United Red Carpet Club. I get a price break thanks to the day job, and well, just want to see if it's worth it.

Honestly, one thing the basement cleaning has made abundantly clear is that I don't need to buy another piece of luggage ever. I think I know which piece I'll be using for NYC--it's a rolling garment bag with room for other stuff. Nice for slacks and jackets, which is what I'll be taking along. I dragged it upstairs and vacuumed off the storage dust. Wheels work. Zippers work. No stains or rips.

Just once, I would like to be the passenger who walks easily through the airport. i would like my wheeled luggage to be well-behaved, with no twisting or torqueing or falling over. The large purse that functions as the carry-on isn't overpacked, and I can find what I need easily, without dumping the contents of the damned thing atop the check-in desk. No extraneous bags or boxes or cartons. The shoes and clothing I'm wearing are comfortable. I don't trip over anything. I actually look as though I have my act together. Just once. Please?

Now, how many clothes do I really need for a six-day trip...

My feeling as I read all the WFC posts.

My next trip, fingers crossed, will be the Novelists Inc Conference in NYC next March. Not a con, but lots of writers, and hey, NYC.