Sunday, December 19

fear & loathing: crossing the atlantic

well friends, it's official: traveldeskguy has crossed the divide - bridged the waters between the UK and US and set off on a whirl-wind tour of northern america. i'll be sure to update the header image in the next few days.

i flew out from heathrow monday afternoon, arriving slightly delayed but in full spirit monday night. former traveldesk worker noelle was there with cori (her best friend) to pick me up and drag me off around new york city, out to jersey for gas, wah-wah and taco bell, and then back to long island to rest up for the night.

we headed into the city wednesday night to see craig and julls (2 good friends from back home who were also in NY for xmas) only to be greeted at the door by none other than mr cameron edwards and his wife erin! now, this had been planned for some time, and everyone - EVERYONE - knew about it except for me. yet again, traveldeskguy had a great surprise.

with the screaming and laughter and hugs etc out of the way, we had a fab dinner at the olive garden in times square, julls needed to be carried home after a "it was the tim tams!" moment, and the rest of us drank a bit more before heading home.

noelle dropped me back in the city on thurs morning and i dumped my stuff in the guys' apt. and we headed out to central park. craig, julls and i decided a shopping expedition was in order, and promptly bought new jeans and some new games for the old SP.

i won't bore you too much longer, but yesteday craig and i went on yet another shopping trip, this time to barneys, and, prue, just for you, i had to buy a diesel jacket. craig almost fell over when he saw it (and was a little pissed he didn't find it first) but i figured it was MY turn for a cool jacket!

after this little bit of retail therapy i had to find grand central to get to milford (milf to the guys), connecticut for a wedding (which is taking place in about 3 and a half hours from now). the train trip took me through harlem and countless other places - an hour and a bit later, i jumped off the train to be greeted by my sister aimee, her husband michael and the bride-to-be missy.

i now find myself with instant family - last nite was the rehersal, with pizza and beer following at cindy and joe's place (missy's folks) - and it was like a family reunion. i was here about 14 years ago, and bits and pieces of that trip keep flowing back. would be nice to have my mum here to relive this, but unfortunately she couldn't make the trip. so i have to put up with my sister and bro-in-law all by myself.

anyways - that's where we're at for the moment. i'll be sure to keep posting when i get a chance. remember to check out mikeandkings.com for photos, more news, the guestbook etc.

oh, and i have a US cell now so...mail me if you want the number.

ciao for now...

mike