(no subject)

[alicebentley]

I'm leaving tomorrow at 0'dark hundred, and I've decided not to bring my laptop with on the trip.

I wouldn't be able to use it for long on the train (from what I've read) and that's the only sizable piece of time I expect to spend just sitting. I'm really hoping that I can fill out all of the rest of my brief stay in Chicago with visiting people.

And if people aren't available, a trip to the Zoo or the Botanical Gardens would be an acceptable substitute. Sitting at the apartment reading email, just, isn't.

So I'll have email until tonight, but I will check in here now and again from my MiL's machine.

A couple of people responded about getting together, but there's no set plans other than the picnic on Saturday. How about Dim Sum in Chinatown on Sunday? How about Tokyo Marina on Monday?

Or you can ring my cell at 206-390-0768, and we'll set something up at the time.

Comments

[shsilver.livejournal.com]

Elaine's brother is going to be in from Portland for the weekend, so, alas, we probably won't be available.

So, is Terry Pratchett referring to your bookstore in the afterword of Wintersmith?

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

A train ride to Chicago sounds nice.

B

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

They have regular power outlets on trains, don't they?

K. [B. says he doesn't think so, but I remember it clearly from Trainfusion]

[alicebentley]

Why, yes! Yes he is.

These folks did up full costuming for the Counter-Morris, with all black material, silenced bells and padded sticks. Along with scary-accurate reverse choreography that became more understandable, but no less impressive, when later chatting revealed that the whole group does real Morris dancing at dawn by the lakeside.

It is the first and only time I've ever heard of Terry being lured out of his signing chair to go dancing in a store - but pictures were taken, so there's proof! (Alas, pictures were not taken *by me*, so I can't just point you to a jpg.)

[alicebentley]

I guess some do and some don't. Or maybe it's that some seats have them and some don't.

My other motivation for not bringing the machine is that some months ago it was dropped on one corner. There have been no operational problems, but the casing is bent, and switching the battery out (when the time comes) will surely be an adventure. And minimizing the amount of rough and tumble it experiences before that is probably a good idea.

[shsilver.livejournal.com]

Sounds like something to have seen.

[alicebentley]

Verdict on power outlets, not really.

Each car has two outlets, hidden somewhere obscure (I found one behind a switch panel in the alcove between the cars). There is an outlet in each bathroom, and one next to the exit door.

So your choice, if you need a few minutes of power, is to stand prominently in the way, or hog one of the few shared-by-many-people bathrooms.

I forgot to ask if the sleeping cars have an outlet. The advert for them doesn't mention one.