I was once offered Mel Gibson's body by a major magazine.

[dolari]

12 Days to go, 4 more days of work.

According to Dad, the pickup is fixed. New engine tubing, fresh oil & oil filter, cigarette lighter is working now, muffler's been replaced. According to Dad the truck is running better than his (I can attest to that) and has at least another two years of gentle driving on it. He thinks it'll make it to Seattle with no problems. I'm going to have Emily check his work, (especially since he said "I got the cigarette lighter working! You should see how I managed it!")

Grocery shopping for the trip has started - I've got Gwen's Famous Dave's sauce, but not anything else yet. I'm wondering if I should simply buy Dublin Dr. Pepper from the website, or drive around East Texas buying out stores I know that carry it.

On one hand, buying from the website, you get them in 8 ounce glass bottles in six pack carriers, but anyone can buy from the website. On the other hand, driving around East Texas you can get 20 ounce plastic bottles of the stuff. Gwen, Kisai, Lissa! How do you want these? 20 ounce plastics? Or 8 ounce glasses with carrier?

Also, anyone know if packages mayonnaise will keep in hot temperatures if the original seals on the containers aren't broken? It works for MREs, but they're cooked IN the packages.

A cigarette lighter plug for my phone and laptop are on their way. According to my time sheet, I have 8 hours of Paid Time Off, 8.32 hours of Vacation and 14 hours of sick leave. I know I'm not getting the sick leave, and I AM getting the Vacation time (Extra day! WHOOO!), but I'm not sure if I get the PTO as well. It'd be nice to have yet ANOTHER day of time on there. Maybe I'll work through lunch the next few days and try to make up the difference.

Comics are done until I'm in Seattle. Next week there'll be a Wishworld update, and the comic update will simply be a map of our travels and how to view the gallery pictures once they're up. The gallery, by the way, is setup and ready (http://dolari.dragondata.net/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=2046), although we're still waiting on news about Fresno and wether we'll spend the extra day in Las Vegas or not.

Las Vegas DOES worry me, but only for a few hours - we'll be stopping to see the Star Trek Experience while we're there - but at the same time, checkout at the motel is Noon. So while we're at the Experience, everything will be sitting in the cab of the pickup, ripe for the pickings. I'm considering buying an extra day at the hotel, just so I can stay late and leave my stuff there. The doors will be locked, and if there's anythign I've learned, the windows on the pickup are a PAIN to break. I'll just have my clothes and my laptop with me. My bike will be in the back locked down, but I'd hate to lose (literally) the clothes off my back.

The only bump on the road right now is I can't seem to get cash out from one of my credit cards cause the PIN number is wrong. I've requested a new one, but that may get to me later than I'll be here. If worse comes to worse, I'll pull off my cash reserves, but I'd rather not (My plan ius to do the trip on credit, keep as much cash on me for as long as I can paying minimum payments+interest, and then on my first paycheck, use my savings and paycheck to wash the credit cards clean...sure hope I find a job but quick).

I'd been wanting to go to Katz' Deli one last time before I left, cause I really like the food AND the ambiance...since I've been to Austin, I've gone to Katz' maybe four times, mainly because of money issues. But this time I wanted to take some friends out for Good Eats. I got audacious_d, his girlfriend Jill and erinlefey together and we all had a good time, punctuated by Mark Katz himself, in full Car Dealer mode, showing us to our table. What a character - I'm gonna miss Austin.

There's a Hurricane out there, what a way to welcome Emily to Texas. :)

And now you're updated.

WHAT AM I DOING?!?!?!

Comments

Luggage in Vegas

[bramblekite.livejournal.com]

You might want to ask at the Bell Desk of your hotel if you can leave your bags there after checkout and before your departure; most will let you and it's then a matter of tipping the bell captain rather than paying for a whole nother day of lodging when you're not going to use it.

Re: Luggage in Vegas

[jenndolari.livejournal.com]

Bell Captain? I'm going to the luxurious and spacious Motel 6. :D

Still, doesn't hurt to ask, even there.

Re: Luggage in Vegas

[bramblekite.livejournal.com]

even the cheap-o places in Vegas seem to have better staff than their 'real world' equivalents. Ask at the desk. I know I've left stuff with the hotel staff when my plane got me there *early* and I couldn't check-in yet and didn't want to shlep my luggage around while I waited to check in. They're pretty accomodating in Las Vegas; they want you happily spending money, not worried about your bags.

Re: Luggage in Vegas

[hockeyfag.livejournal.com]

The motel 6 on Tropicana blvd? That is one of the nicer motel 6's out there.. and I'm 99% sure they will hang onto your bag for the day. If not, the tropicana, about a block away, will, even if you're not a guest.. "I just checked out of my hotel and need someone to hold my bag. Can you do that for me?" then just walk through the casino.

Re: Luggage in Vegas

[jenndolari.livejournal.com]

Actually, I'm at the one on Boulder Hwy, it was cheaper, so it won't be on Tropicana Blvd. But supposedly the Hilton's got pretty good security if you park in the covered garage....

Re: Luggage in Vegas

[hockeyfag.livejournal.com]

oh yeah, there a monorail at the MGM grand (about 1/2 block up from the motel 6) that will bring you to the hilton. Save some $$$ that way. :)

[says-simon.livejournal.com]

What are you doing?! Moving closer to that pretty girl and Canadian immigration!

When does Emily come down? It's hard to believe your move is just about here.

[mundanecircus.livejournal.com]

There's a Hurricane out there, what a way to welcome Emily to Texas. :)

Too bad this ain't July 2005, when there was a Cat-5 storm named Emily. I remember it well -- it happened when I was at Comic Con in San Diego that year.

[aspasia13.livejournal.com]

A Cat-5 storm? At least it had good connectivity!

St Experience - Hilton Parking

[taracait.livejournal.com]

Hey Jenn, don't worry. The Hilton parking has never been a problem, and I've had the whole cab of the Tundra filled with all kinds of computers, tools, other valuables for days there.

Use the north end lot (covered parking garage) and keep the truck in the shade. The Experience is actually on that side anyway.

Have a great trip and take lots of pix :)

Taracat

Re: St Experience - Hilton Parking

[jenndolari.livejournal.com]

Cool! I give that a shot, then! Thanks!

And we'll have pics up in almost-real-time at my photo gallery: http://dolari.dragondata.net/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=2046

[amw.livejournal.com]

I'm so excited for you!!!

mayo packets

[onimonster.livejournal.com]

I bought a case of mayo packets thinking that they would last practically forever but just about a month before their expiry they started turning into watery slime, which is when they are far from good. They were stored in a warm, not hot, place for eight months, though.

I doubt they would keep well in the sun. Stick them under the seat, wrapped in a towel or something that will keep them cooler.

BTW, if perchance you like mayo, stop off at some japanese market and get some wasabi mayo or Kewpie Classy Mayo (kurashi mayo). They're interesting and tasty. The Classy mayo is great in potato salad.

Re: mayo packets

[jenndolari.livejournal.com]

I've had wasabi mayo - it's pretty good but a bit hard on the sinuses. :)