Tuesday June 14, 2005 5:07 AM - Motel 8, Syracuse, NY

Got a complimentary ride from the station to the motel, checked in about 18:15, called Phynque and Linda (there was a message from her on my machine in DC, but I didn't have time to return her call while I was there), hooked up Orion to the motel's WLAN, took a shower, then crashed until midnight ... by ten, the only thing open was the Mickey Dee's a half-mile down the road, so I made do with the fair from the vending machine on my floor ... didn't feel up to a pizza or sub delivery ... watched some of Adult Swim on Cartoon Network, then slept until the alarm at 05:00.

I must say, the complimentary continental breakfast is just coffee, juice, donuts and cold cereal, but the room was only $53 with my AAA discount, so I'm not complaining ... never used the microwave oven in any of the other places we stayed on this trip, so the lack of one (and lack of a mini-fridge) was not missed.

The hotel's shuttle service does not start until 07:00, so I'll have to call a cab to make my train on time ($83 fro a one-way ticket) ... the cab company closed at 18:00 and doesn't open until 06:00, so I'll call them after I've eaten and packed up.

Well, the donut was fresh, and the coffee is strong, so I guess I'm fit for the road ... if I *really* want a hot breakfast, I guess I can still get one on the train.

Boy, I'm Really Impressed with these batteries ... they've been in here for days and I haven't used the charger since I changed them last week ... they've lasted twice as long as the regular alkaline from RadioShack. :-)

6:54 AM - Syracuse Amtrak station

Had to call another cab company ... "We just opened and we're 40 minutes away!" ... seven bucks plus tip from a closer company ... got here and found out that the train is running 1:05 late from Buffalo ... if they don't make up the time to Penn Station in NYC, I'll have more time to shop for postcards before the next train to DC.

Called Phynque and Wilbert ... he offered to meet me at union Station, but I told him I was just going to take a cab to my crib ... think I'll have him stop by Varnum street to pick up the two bags we forgot to take off the truck at my place on Saturday night, then I'll be All Settled ... need to call PeaPod for distilled water & kitty litter (Phynque used my last bag ... she doesn't scoop the way I do) ... she sez that Chiana is using the litter box now that it's in the bedroom, so all I have to do is put the little butter-ball on a Very Strict diet for a few weeks ... she was dumping six inch logs o the floor, which is more than I've ever seen come out of her ... she consumed the *ENTIRE* big bag of dry kibble in a little over a week!

The train won't be here for another hour, so I think I'll wander down to the other end of the terminal and see what post cards and trinkets they have with a regional flavor.

The big story in the news is Michael Jackson’s acquittal on all ten counts ... I haven't been paying attention to the trial, and really don't care about the verdict ... the train that was supposed to leave at 07:10 will not arrive until 08:49 <sigh!>

2:12 PM - South of Albany, NY

Well, we're running even later than when we started ... 2-1/2 hours to NYC, and the train I was supposed to catch at Penn Staticn left 7 minutes ago ... we'll never make the 15:05 either, so my bet hope is to get there in time to catch the 17:39 with an arrival in DC at 20:55 ... after that is the 18:45, arriving at 21:55 ... OTOH, it's the end of the journey, so a few hours over two weeks is really no big deal ... some of the passengers are Really Pissed because they'll have to stay overnight in NYC, but with the train arriving 3 hours late, Amtrak will probably pay for their room.

I slept through the stop in Albany, so I missed my cigarette break ... I'll just go back to my nap, and there'll be plenty of time to smoke in NYC.

5:45 PM - South of NYC

Well, the adventure is coming to an end ... found the correct train and a seat (although I'm facing backwards and there's no electrical outlet) ... should get into DC at 20:55 as we left on time and there are no delays ... just a few stops, not a local.

Had just enough time to buy a key chain for Jason and a bottle of apple juice ... still have most of a bottle of water and some veggie muffins that Joe gave me before we left New Mexico, so I won't starve before I reach DC.

Caught a glimpse of the NYC skyline now that we're out of the tunnel ... five hour from now, I should be reunited with my little fur ball and her Buddha-belly ... Phynque sez she's using the litter box now that it's in the bedroom, so it must be the toilet that has her spooked.

There are a couple of summer blockbusters coming out this week, so I'll probably see one with Wilbert and one with Vincent, or perhaps both of them for one of them.