Ahoy from the lonely house I'm currently occupying with three collies in North Andover, MA. Rolled in about 7pm last night after leaving Philly about noonish. Wasn't that bad a rid...eh, guess I better do a brief update on the weekend if I'm going to ramble about drives.

Got up on Friday morning, heading to shower, and *BAMF*- friggin' power goes out. So, I decide taking a cold shower isn't worth it seeing as to how I hadn't done anything even remotely physically stressful the last two days. (Yes, I was a dirtbag for one whole day- woo-bloody-hoo.) My mom and brother showed up around 12:30, and we jammed them, Tim, Nicky, and me into the white Camry. (I really need to come up with a name for it; I'm thinking Whytey.) We stopped for food at the Cascade Motel/Bar in Canton (very good Glenn Club; only found out later that I should have gotten horseradish sauce with it...*sniff*)

We pulled into my house about 3:30, left there at 4 after offloading the mother and brother, then went to Eckerd's and P&C for road food. Pineapple juice was acquired. *glee*

Drove an uneventful 6.5 hours to Tim's house in Lincoln, RI. (No one lets me go on adventures... *pout*) Spent the night there, actually getting sleep, even if the hours were cut down by his dad watching Denis Leary's Cure for Cancer on the boob-tube. Very good stuff, by the way.

Woke up too damn early, and left his house about 9:30, rolling into Shutesbury and T's house a little before 11. Watched Stew and Nicky attack Argo's license plate, destroying it with tin-snips for removal. Note: Don't use lock-tite screws when attaching something that needs removal later. It just isn't worth it.

Left T's around 12, and drove to Collegeville. (Nicky wouldn't let me go on adventures there either. *uber-pout* No one lets me have fun...) Pulled into Collegeville proper around 6:20pm and went to Clemens' Market for more juice *further glee* and roadfood for Sunday. Met her 'rents around 6:45. I honestly don't see how Nicky thinks she and her mom are so different in size; they look 'bout the same to me. I like her dad- he seems to have retreated into the survival mode males have hardwired for dealing with multiple females at once.

Met her grandparents (Memom and Poppy) before we all went to a Hibachi grill. Waited an interminable time for service, but the food was worth the wait. Should have gotten an order of Tako for myself; the octopi was exquisite. *mmmm* Didn't lose my eyebrows in the grill fire-up though, didn't lean close enough... *pout*

Went back to Nicky's and the 'rents went and crashed. Sami (?sp), Nicky, and I started watching Mononoke Hime, but I fell asleep about forty minutes in. Honestly don't remember a damn thing. I could have been molested during the rest of the movie for all I know. Managed to wake up enough before they called it a night to set up the couch to crash on.

Woke up 9:20 Sunday morning and grabbed a shower before being taken out to brunch. (And they call that good breakfast food... *pfeh!* I think Nicky'll like TPG when we go this Sunday.) Left her house 'bout noon, showing up here in North Andover 'round 7pm.

After relieving a great kidney-induced pressure, managed to snag the phone when my dad called- for once when I was around! Talked to him for a bit (he's actually offering the use of his brand-new CRV while I'm here; I think he's suffered a brain hemorrhage or something...) Played around on the 'net until about 9 or so (DSL installed last week, even if the comp sucks monkey-balls). Was getting ready for bed, as in actually crawling underneath the covers when the Evil One called. Talked for about two hours, mainly trying to find cheap, quick ways to get her to South Station, Boston, sometime Thursday or Friday. Crashed and burned a little after 11 finally...

Woke up at 9:30 (not closing the skylights directly over my bed acts as a good alarm clock). Fed the dogs (Tania, Lucky, Max), let 'em run around out back while I prepped their food, then took a long shower. Apparently the water tank here is only good for about one half-hour hot water. Spending the rest of the day typing up/fixing resume, OKing references, and wandering around, seeing what businesses are here.