Shea home

Dave G. picked us up at airport, drove Ms. Megablogger home, then came to get me, halfway to Clark on Wardlow. We crashed, in bed that is.

Next day, Shea came in with her scar and great attitude, so we jelled throughout the day, me watching football, BBQued in p.m., then watched game 2. That's about it. Then Dave brought over Sylv's carryon which had been in his truck all day.

Bluebird

The return trip on Sat. was a JetBlue of a different color. Because of the lengthy wait at the JFK runway, and the ensuring darkness, I felt like I was with about 100 other passengers in a well-appointed torpedo with digital TV aimed at Long Beach.

It began about 1 p.m., when Heather, Ms. Megablogger and I - driving - left HP on our 1 1/2 hour journey to JFK. Scenic part was Coney Island and other treats Queens offers up on a windy and clear day, unlike Friday, which had pounding rain, downed trees and weather warnings. We got to JFK Jet Blue terminal at about 2:30 p.m., and once I got used to the sun bleached UPC scanner that wasn't even turned on, we went to what we thought was the departure lounger in the big JB bldg. Not so easy.

First, as at LB, Ms. Megablogger got the full TSA treatment. The water and bottle agent told us the goods were the right size in the zip lock bag, but the bag was too big. What? Coincidence. Shoe shine guy across the way just happened to have bags of the right size for .25 cents. Wasn't gouging. Later I forgot I had a similar package I neglected to declare and nary an inspector noticed my totally illegal, immoral and powerfully menacing oversized zip lock baggie.

Doubtless they were more preoccupied with the even more dangerous Ms. Megablogger - "bring her luggage over here," barked the female agent who wanded her down, then promptly forgot about her.

We were directed to gate 21, but no one bothered to tell us it wasn't at the terminal. Had I not noticed, we would've relaxed waited for the announcement and probably forgotten the flight. Anyone with a gate higher than 18 should be prepared to go thru another pass check, then out of the terminal through a back door, onto a standing room only shuttle across a parking lot, into some improvised buildings where gate 21 awaited. A Jetblue guy was on the bus to help us, those people who were getting exasperated.

Told by Jetblue employee, these buildings are called the Trailer Park. He also suggested the A train as a way of coming in from NY. Waiting in the park, were called up around 4 for our 4:30, so there wasn't that much time to spare.

Onto the torpedo. Watched the World Series, Cards beat the Tigers 7-2 just as Bluebird landed at LGB for a quick turnaround to Boston, the Beantown crowd waiting in the crowded passenger assembly and pat-down room. Hello LB, goodbye darkened flying. Crew was great, pilot skilled, Without you, we'd just be flying some TVs around the country. Believe it.

NYC Pt 2

It had to happen. After a fine night at a street fair, Chinese dinner, listening to street music and more last night, this morning I woke to a disgruntled Heather telling us that tho we had picked up her and family at LAX in past, didn't matter, she was told to check out shuttle. We never put her through that, then she claimed that she never agreed to return us.

BS!

We since solved it, but it got heated. That's all we needed, what with Shea's condition still a problem. So that's how it is.

New York New York

Monday. First thing in morning, Heather announces "Jessica Diaz Sanchez robbed me." Turns out, someone whitewashed a check and wrote it to herself for $5 gs. That meant police reports, bank visits and finally, resolution, money put back into account.

We found out that Shea had surgery for a hole in her stomach, "gastric bypass" as she put it - from too much Ibuprophin (sp?). We hung around town and had a good time, but lots of time speaking with Barb and attempting to make plans.

Tuesday. Rained in afternoon, even so, we "force marched" to a new Greek restaurant that they love...and I treated. Three figures. Good food. Went home in car.

Wednesday. Rain lifted. Tried to leave for NYC at 10, but got out more like 11:30. By the time we got off the subway and onto Mad. Ave. - which described my mood at the time, it was close to one. Buses everywhere, just not ours. We were at 54th and had to get to 85th, so we wait and wait. When it comes, driver insists the stroller must be broken down. Long standing ride to our destination. Near the museum, we find the food choices expensive and limited so I ask a doorman for the nearest Ray's. He tells me Lex and 79th - turns out to be 76th. After really good chow, by the time we get back to museum, it's 3. On the way, and in subway, Torben was pretty wild, running ahead, ignoring requests, standard stuff. To cool him off and tire him out (didn't work), I watch Torben at playground full'a nannies and rich moms until about 4.

While Heather & Ms. Megablogger went to Met to see impressionist show for about an hour, then came back to watch Torben & Camilla some more, I stroll Central Pk. By the time we catch the bus and get to Penn. Station, NJ trains it's 6 and crowded like a prison break with guys & women in suits. Train leaves at about 6:30, have seats, no conductor asks for upgrade $$, and we get to New Brunswick at about 7:45, too late for Heather's PTA. Despite all this, NYC was a kick in the ass.

Thursday. Ate at deli in a.m., to thrift store, just closed at 1. Then wandered around jewelry places and places to eat. Bought a $28.89 necklace for Sylvia's BD at Chinese spoken-here only shop, credit card declined, so paid cash. From that, adventures are initiated.

Then we ate kosher Falafel at Jerusalem Pizza, really good lunch, and not too high. $9.76 for 2 falafel, salad & coffee. Other places would've been over $20. Then we went to a silversmith place where Sylvia asked if he had "any Zionist lit." He was put off something fierce, until I pointed out he had flier posted on his window. Then he was friendly, asking me not to beat him up, like I was a threat. We parted on good terms.

Came home to find out why credit card was declined, found out it wasn't, that I'd been double billed for jewelry, cash, then credit card. Woman spoke only Chinese. I involved the police, Ofcr. Culver (of 28 member HPPD) figured it out. Got cash back, signed receipt. Went to library, Culver told me I was going wrong way as he passed in his car. With Heather's fraud and my report, hope that won't be a problem. Adventure, ho!

New Jersey

Heather met us in the baggage room and we walked a long distance, took one Disneylike train like conveyer and got to her car. Six bucks later, we were on the expressway, talking and listening to music, so Heather missed her turn, got concerned that we were heading in the wrong direction - Van Eck north. She was right. We got off the VE, found a cop who told us the way to go - south - which we did. Nine bucks later we were over the Verizano Bridge into Staten Island, then a buck fifty later were in Highland Pk. The bad turn added about an hour to the commute.

Great house, brick, four stories, about 18 rooms. Torben and us clicked, so did Camilla. We're having a great time. First night, I zonked after dinner and wine...we sleep in basement, but noise in the kitchen is like flamenco practice on my forehead, so I slept just okay. Then we went for a long walk to a local park and had fun. That was the first full day.

Anders is friendly and socialable, but he's spending a lot of time working, so we basically see him at meals and when he's with the kids before their bedtime. Right after eating lunch, Shea called with a big medical problem, stomach cramps so bad the paramedics were called and took her to LBMemorial, where she was tested for hours. We still don't know the cause. Barb came over to help and to look after her at hospital.

Right now, it's still a mystery. Maybe an ulcer from too much coffee/pop, food poisoning or who knows what else?

Today, we walked to a deli and had an two egg sandwich. Great fun, nice walk.

JetBlue

We had booked our flight about a month in advance, so we thought we were pretty well prepared. Flying to NYC is a Hobson's choice, either using a convenient airport (Long Beach) to maybe the U.S.'s worst, JFK...or using the second worst, LAX, to the more convenient - to our daughter, who lives in NJ - Newark. Hobson was out of town, we chose to convenience ourselves. The flight was scheduled for 7:10 a.m., which because we believed the dire warnings, mean at 5:10 a.m., or so, arrival. With a friend's held, we got there at 5:30, PT, approx, your results may vary.

Not only was it slow, we were the first at the checkin line, with the clerk telling us we coulda used the bar code reader outside her desk. Then down an outside ramp to the dreaded TSA, for metal, shoe and luggage removal and scan. My wife, who just had a hip replacement had to be wanded through when her hip set off the metal detector. What we're still mystified us was they they had to scan the bottom of her bare feet. There must be a reason. At least we're not on the no-fly list.

Boarding the Airbus, we took our aisle and middle seat. Though the much heralded seats are leather and comfy looking, they're small, and while sitting on the tarmac, inside the long tube-like interior of the craft, seemed cramped. We fiddled with our free TV with 40 channels, three of which had fee-based movies with a convenient credit card slider. We passed on the flicks and watched a depiction of our plane on the map of the U.S. at zero speed and five feet above sea level. Then we moved and with the starting of the flight, somehow the cramped seating actually seemed roomier.

It's fun to watch the progress of the jet on channel 13, so I did a lot of that - highest altitude was over 34,000 feet and highest speed was a bit over 600 mph. I watched one-sided college football games on several ESPN channels, an older guy in front of us watched MTV, my wife watched BBC, a younger guy watched Food Network. It was like that. Fun to check out choices.

The flight as fun, direct and the flight crew kept us busy with lightweight snacks - the basic c food groups: cookies, crackers cashews and candy, Coke, coffee and, for me, seltzer water. We brought our own home-based sandwiches and made the most of these erstaz Subway-like edibles, though I spotted no one else with such alternatives.

We got to JFK spot-on time: 3:15 and I was correct. It's a horrible airport.

world trade center

Friday morning, we took very scenic drive to the world trade center to meet with Glenn McK to invest the high four figures in real estate syndicates. I'm sure this is the best way to go. He wasn't there when we got there, so we gorged on bagels & cream cheese in the coffee room, watched the view and talked.

But it's a big chunk, so fingers are crossed all the way around. Then I looked at some records at the other side of town, went over to the Beachcomber, and generally enjoyed the great day.

Saturday, I wrote stories and Sunday, watched football and got ready for our trip this next weekend. More stories and clean up the record room.

Saul gets the deal

Just got word from mole that Saul got the deal, really a culmination from 1981 when he was the arch enemy. Kenny G - can't wait.

Wrote up articles today and tomorrow, we go with a big investment strategy with Glenn McK, hope we're on the right track - think we are. This one is serious.

showing up

Saturday, Ms. Megablogger and I went to WPMD, did my show, spoke with Craig, Mike, then went home. Big day already. Shea and Ms. Megablogger did what they enjoy doing best, went shopping and so did I. Met a freaky woman who had the best in mildewed records, telling me the discs are mint...yeah, right...and her old man, she called "daddy." Development obviously doesn't reach all sectors of our town...like the 4200 block of 14th.

Scooted down to Dyzzy's. He's in a good mood, seems to have lively and live customers. I bought one Laurie label 45 I'd never seen (Johnny Gibson), returned home, went out on a fool's errand suggested by the otherwise reliable Bill S for a hard drive, which he then told me I can't use. Great. No Kirt, very little Gary or Dave G. this weekend, relaxed and football on Sunday...somewhat enjoyable.