And here it is – the final post about my Fabulous 40 NYC birthday trip!

Today started as a very early morning so I had time to get up, have breakfast, and finish packing, and get to the airport on time.

I left the hotel right about when I planned and traffic wasn’t too bad (I took a Lyft again), so made it to the airport in plenty of time. The security line was surprisingly short. It would have gone smoother if people realized that it is designed to allow four people to put their stuff in the bins at a time, but there were 3 open places and the person in front of me wasn’t going to any of them. While I can see how this system is supposed to work, another issue is that there is no place to set your stuff while putting it in the bin – for example, I have to open my backpack to take items out – but there isn’t a place (except the floor) to set it while doing so. On the other end of the x-ray there is a place where the bin sits while they analyze it to determine if it needs manual inspection or not. When my bin was sitting there, I started silently cheering for it to go down the belt that doesn’t need further inspection – luckily it went that way.

My flight from New York to DTW was uneventful and even arrived early, which was very nice, as I had a tight connection, so this made the connection possible without rushing or any worries. The middle seat was empty which made for a very nice flight. Grabbed a quick Frosty from Wendy’s at DTW before catching my flight back to Lansing. On the flight from DTW to LAN I knew I was back in Michigan as we hit some rough air (previously known as turbulence), so “Welcome to Michigan, where not only do we have rough roads, we have rough air!” Got my luggage quite quickly (minus my luggage tag, that finally wore out enough I guess that it is somewhere at an airport or in a plane!) and went to my car. I remembered where it was! Then it was a simple drive home and that ended the vacation.

Some closing thoughts.

While walking around and observing traffic in NYC, I discovered several of the problems with traffic flow. Cars would go into the intersection even if they couldn’t get all the way through, so then the light would change and they would be stuck in the intersection and the cross traffic couldn’t go either. I always thought you weren’t supposed to enter an intersection unless you could get through it. Also, pedestrians would cause problems. Often people would cross the street without a walk sign, but mostly they’d make sure there was no traffic and it was fine. However, some times they would just start crossing even with traffic coming, so then traffic couldn’t move at all because people couldn’t wait for the walk sign. Still glad I don’t have to drive in NYC!

I did a lot of walking in these 8 days! Over the 8 days I walked a total of 159,586 steps or about 74 miles! Yikes! On average that is about 20,000 steps/day or almost 10 miles a day! My legs are looking pretty awesome though!

My hotel was perfect! While based on the reviews I was a little nervous about the room size and the noise from the city, as some had concerns with that in the reviews. Yes, the room was a bit smaller than a hotel room you’d find in other cities, but nothing crazy – it was prefect for what I needed. I hardly ever noticed any city noise except for the occasional siren, but I get that here as well. The staff at the hotel were great – very polite and friendly. Especially the desk clerk who worked in the afternoons/evenings. He always had a big smile and a “hello” when I’d come in. Which, from my adventures I came and went a lot! Usually wearing something different each time! The location was perfect as well – right by the main things I was doing, lots within walking distance. It served as a perfect “vacation central” spot to do all my activities from. I’d certainly stay there again.

I’m sure I’ll get asked the general overarching question “Did you like New York City?”. As a city itself, to me it is just another city. It has people, it has buildings, it has stores and restaurants. So do all other cities. I’ll admit Times Square was pretty cool. More importantly I enjoyed the things New York City has to offer – mainly the shows. Someone I was chatting with said they did quite a few shows in a short time and they got burned out and was ready for a break from seeing theatre. Not me! I could have easily stayed another week and seen 8 more shows! The 9/11 Memorial was very awesome as well. Also, when thinking about “Could I live there?” my initial reaction is I probably could based on my experience, but then I realize – that I didn’t “live” there for the past week, I was on vacation. I didn’t have to go to work, have to buy groceries, do banking, etc. So hard to tell how it would be to live somewhere based on a vacation alone.

Prior to the trip I’m sure most of you know I spent hours and hours researching and planning things. Figuring out which activities to do on what days based on location and timing and my projected emotional state. I would obsess about making the perfect decisions for this trip. While, I know being spontaneous can be good for people, I also know that I am most happy when I have a nice plan and things all figured out – nice and orderly. Because of that – I would consider this trip perfectly successful. I can’t really think of anything I would have changed or done differently – everything worked out exactly as I expected.

Now for the post-vacation-blahs. Already as I type this, this vacation seems like a lifetime ago. The memories are that – just memories – starting to fade slowly in my mind. At times almost seems like a dream. That is the hard part of vacations is that they end. It is times like this that I wish I had a partner (not just a friend to go with me, but a true partner/boyfriend/husband) someone who I could share and relive these memories with. While being single is nice most of the time, certain times I do feel lonely.

Well, that is the wrap on my Fabulous 40 NYC birthday celebration! <bows><exit stage left><fade to black>

Today is the last full day for me in NYC for my Fabulous 40 NYC trip – so time for the day 7 recap!

Today started out earlier than other days because I had a lot to get crammed in to today. Started with, you guessed it, breakfast! It was a little less busy earlier in the morning! Then it was off to a day of adventures.

I hopped on the MTA to head down to Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Most people wondered why I wanted to go to Prospect Park after going to Central Park. It was for one main reason – I’ve always wanted to go since I was a kid. When I grew up I read books by Ruth Chew, she was one of my favorite authors. A lot of her books were set in Prospect Park. I don’t remember much about the books or the exact locations in the park, but I do remember that ever since I read those, I knew I had to visit Prospect Park. So I did in memory of Ruth Chew, since I’m sure she was part of the reason I love to read. I didn’t think Prospect Park was as nice as Central Park, it seemed more dirty and run down. It is still a well-used park by a lot of walkers, joggers, bikers, well-built shirtless guys sweating in the sun doing crunches, etc.

Also, this helped complete something else. I don’t know if anyone has been keeping track, but I flew into LaGuardia, which is in Queens, then rode through Queens to get to Manhattan where my home base has been. When I went to the zoo, that was in the Bronx. Last night I took the Staten Island ferry to Staten Island. Today I was in Brooklyn for Prospect Park. So I have now (at least briefly) been to all 5 boroughs. I’ve really visited all the parts of NYC!

After a brief walk around parts of Prospect Park, I went back on the MTA to head to the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum. I started there with a guided tour of the memorial. While waiting for the tour and seeing the memorial and the names, suddenly the weight and the feeling of the pain and sorrow of all those people and their families came down on me. I’m glad there were benches nearby because I needed to quickly sit down before I fell down. The tour was amazing, got to know a lot about the memorials, how the names were placed, some of the design concepts behind the memorial, and also the stories of some of the people and heroes that perished in the attacks. Several points along the tour I had to lean on something or kneel on the ground. I’m glad I brought my Kleenex along today!

After the tour was done, I went through the museum. A wonderful museum and very nicely done. I was very overwhelmed at many points and sat down when I could. There were tissue boxes at various points as well. I could have stayed in some places longer or all day just listening to the stories. There were some places I had to go through a bit quicker than I normally do at a museum, because my emotions were getting too strong and I just couldn’t handle any more. They had booths where you could record your 9/11 stories and thoughts – so I did that as well.

After my visit to the museum, I walked around the memorials some more and reflecting on them and the people’s names, and thinking how they all have a story and family they left behind. By this point I think I was completely emotionally drained. It was then time to head onto my next stop for the day.

I took the MTA again (so glad I got the unlimited pass!) north a bit to Greenwich Village and to Stonewall Inn. This is one of the gay areas of NYC and Stonewall Inn is where most consider the LGBTQ rights movement to have started, when there was police raids on the Stonewall Inn (a gay bar) and the community rose up against the police and rioted. I wanted to visit it today on June 12, because this is the 2nd anniversary of the massacre in Orlando, where 49 people were murdered in a gay nightclub. I thought I would be more emotional here, especially because it is June 12, but I wasn’t – I think I may not have had much left after the 9/11 Memorial/Museum. I went into the Stonewall Inn and had a drink as well in honor and memory of the 49. There is a park right outside as well that is a National Monument. I walked around the area for a bit, but didn’t come across anything super interesting, but did make sure to get a picture of Gay Street.

Then I walked up to the Highline, which is an elevated park that the community came together to save. It was an old elevated railroad track that was no longer used and vegetation had naturally taken over. The city wanted to tear it down, but the community saved it and maintains it. It was somewhat neat, but when you grow up in the UP of Michigan, you are used to seeing all kinds of vegetation everywhere. I did get gelato along the way.

I then walked a little ways to grab dinner/late lunch. This is the perfect time to eat because places aren’t busy! It was good to sit down as well after all that walking again! Then it was time to walk back to my hotel to get ready for my final play!

Tonight’s show was a comedy – specifically picked because I knew the day would be emotional. It was “The Play That Goes Wrong.” And it sure did! Wonderful show! Even before the play actually starts things happen and characters talk to the audience about stuff as well. If you’ve ever seen “Noises Off”, this is in a similar vain. It was very well done with very limber and acrobatic actors! It was great to have some very good laughs. Then it was time to walk back to my hotel, going through Times Square one more time, seeing the Majestic Theatre at night one more time, and the sadness of realizing my trip is almost over started setting in.

I’ve realized that it is never the cities themselves that I love so much on vacation, or what I do specifically, it is that vacation gets me away from my “real world” and allows me to live in a fantasy for awhile. I wish I could stay in that fantasy forever and not have to go back to my responsibilities. I know it’ll be a hard transition back into my regular life.

I just relaxed in the hotel for the rest of the evening and packed what I could because of my morning flight tomorrow.

A few final thoughts.

I’ve gotten quite good at the MTA, although now I want to research and read more about all the different lines and understand it better.

I still really could use a nice foot/leg massage when I’m done – I’ve sure walked a lot – I’ll post a final step/mileage count tomorrow.

I have a strange feeling I might need some drinks or company with someone tomorrow evening as I might enter my post-vacation funk.

Well – that is all for now – tomorrow is my travel day.

Time for day 6 of the Fabulous 40 NYC Birthday Trip recap.

Started out with breakfast again, and a nice older couple realized there were people waiting for a table, so they asked (more motioned) if they could sit at mine so they didn’t take up another one. I said motioned, because they didn’t speak English, so while it was nice to be able to share a table, we couldn’t make small talk.

Then it was off to walk a few blocks to the Intrepid – Sea, Air, and Space museum. I had to get there before it opened because I bought a tour of it that was an hour before it opened to the public. It was a wonderful tour and nice to have it before it opened to the general public. It was great getting an overview of the museum and the history behind the aircraft carrier before exploring on my own. There is a lot of info there and things to see. I then had a Space Tour that talked about the space program before going to see the Enterprise Orbiter. Was great hearing the history of everything and seeing a real life orbiter (not a shuttle, as the term shuttle is really used to describe the orbiter and the fuel modules together). While the Enterprise never flew in space as it was the test orbiter, it was cool because it was the Enterprise. The tour was great and I was the only one on it except for 2 other employees who were learning information for their jobs. I continued exploring and listened to a presentation on Mars from the same guy who gave my Space Tour – he is really knowledgeable. I of course got emotional at times because of lives lost on the Intrepid during war. I must say – war is awful for all people involved, you’d think we’d eventually learn and stop it. I toured the museum right up until it closed. Glad I got the extra hour with the early tour.

Back to the hotel and time for a quick change and find a place for dinner. Found a nice little place again that had good food and not very busy. The waiter wasn’t too attentive, but was still decent and quick service. Had a wonderful apple pie/cobbler/crisp thing for dessert.

Then it was to play #7 – Afterglow. This was my “edgy” show to see. I wanted to make sure to catch something a bit different and that I probably would never see anywhere else. This was about a married gay couple who have sex with a 3rd person. Long story short, one of the couple falls in love with the 3rd person, while still loving his husband, and then the play deals with how they react and handle it. Makes you think a lot about love, sex, relationships, and how they all fit together – or don’t. Although, it is a show that leaves you wondering how it goes on in the future, as basically the 3 characters are all apart at the end. This of course left my mind racing with thoughts of any possible relationship I might ever get into, and what am I really looking for, am I willing to do work to make a relationship work, am I prepared for the heartache and pain that comes from an ending relationship, etc. Also, it was edgy because it has full male nudity in it. While the play typically tends to be first known for that, it is just a way of telling the story, and after awhile you tend not to even think twice about it. I’m glad I went and it was a really good show.

Then I stopped by my room for a quick part change of clothes, and onto the MTA to go to the Staten Island Ferry for a ride there and back. Since it is free, it is a nice tourist thing to do because you get to see New York and cities in New Jersey from a distance. I did cry and pray when I saw the Statue of Liberty as I keep thinking of The New Colossus (Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free) and the state our country is in with how we treat people. It was a perfect night for it – just cool enough to feel nice and the breeze from moving on the boat. Perfect weather and beautiful sights.

Then back on the MTA to my hotel and call it a night.

My closing random thoughts.

While I love learning things at museums and other places, it can be depressing. Since the more I learn the more I realize how very little I know and how much there is still to learn.

On the MTA I learned that it is Houston St. not Houston, but Houston. Oh – crap – writing it out doesn’t help! It is How-Stun, not Hu-Stun. Sort of like Charlotte vs. Charlotte!

I would have liked to been here for Pride weekend, not so much for the parade or a festival, but because MoMath has a special event! If you want me to go to pride/gay events, have things at a math place is the way to get my interest!

Time for a quick sleep before another, and last, packed full day with a variety of places to see and one more play!

Time for the day 5 update of the Fabulous 40 NYC birthday trip! I always think I don’t do too much, but then end up writing a novel!

Started out with, you guess it, breakfast! And then headed off to church. Thanks to ReconcilingWorks to make it easy to find an RIC congregation. There are many in the area, but most didn’t even mention it on their websites – so I doubted how committed they were, but I found one that mentioned it on their website – although they still didn’t have their full welcoming statement online. It was a lovely old building and a nice pipe organ. Not too many in attendance today, so I guess it just isn’t in Michigan that attendance goes down in the summer. They actually call their worship services mass and they are very “massy” with lots of the old traditions. It was nice to experience it, but I don’t know if I’d like it that way every Sunday. While their organ was lovely, the way it was played during the hymns made it hard to sing along – I’m so glad we have Bruce at Faith! Overall I enjoyed the service and the people were very friendly as well.

I then went into Central Park a little bit – it was right across the street – to just relax a bit and figure out what I was going to do for the first part of the afternoon, since I didn’t have anything planned except to spend a bit of time exploring. I also enjoyed the views as I was sitting there, which was right along one of the paths that many joggers take 😉 I was just looking around and found an interesting looking park – so I decided to go. I hopped (well walked, since I’d probably trip and fall if I really tried to hop on) the MTA to head to Bryant Park. It is a nice little park and they had a restaurant there so I grabbed lunch. While eating I looked at what else there was in that area and discovered Grand Central Terminal and the New York Public Library (main/iconic building).

So after lunch, I went on a walk to explore and first went to Grand Central. While most people seem to be awed by it, I must say, it was smaller than I expected for some reason. It was still a wonderful place (if you don’t have to use the bathroom!) and a beautiful building. Then over to the New York Public library. This is the main building, but the New York Public Library is really a system of libraries all around NYC, so this building is really only part of the New York Public Library. They had a few exhibits that I glanced through (I was running out of time) and explored around a bit. Another gorgeous building. Also, as I do more and more in the city, I’m realizing that while there is a lot above ground, there is a ton below ground as well. In fact, when they needed to expand the library building, they tore up Bryant Park and put a library addition under the park, and then rebuilt the park on top of the expanded library. In the main reading rooms, it just smelled like old books, or as I thought – smells like knowledge! Wonderful smell!

I headed back to my hotel for a quick change before heading to the first play of the day, which was Come From Away. This is the true story of flights that were forced to land in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, on 9/11. It is the story of the people in the town and the people on the flights. Very powerful and moving stories – I loved it! Somehow the guy next to me mentioned that he had seen it before and that it would be fine if I cried because he would be. I told him I was prepared and had my Kleenex! Well, I don’t know about the whole theatre, but the guy to the left of me and to the right (and of course me) were all crying through the show. This is one I’d definitely see again – hopefully it will go on tour and come to Wharton.

Again back to my hotel for a quick change and figure out the evening plans. Found another SB Local place to eat at and had a nice dinner at an Irish Pub – had fish and chips and a hard apple cider. A nice relaxing dinner – again got in right away and the prices aren’t too bad. Then headed over to the play of the evening!

This was an off Broadway show – which is determined by how many seats the theatre has – nothing to do about location – since very few of the theatres are actually on Broadway – most are on side streets. And Broadway (the street) runs a very long way on the island, so there is much more on Broadway than just theatre. This theatre is actually a set of 5 stages that are all underground again. These are newer ones as well, so a lot different architecture than the previous shows I’ve seen. This was the other show I was seeing that I had seen before. This was Avenue Q! I loved every minute of it again. They’ve tweaked a few things since I’d last seen it, but always love finding little changes if they make it better or continue to fit with the times. At intermission the person sitting next to me, asked me if I had seen it before, and I said yes, twice, but have also listened to the soundtrack many times. He guessed it because I would start pre-laughing, or making motions with my hands, etc. He is from England here on business and missed seeing it on the West End, so fit it into his trip here. He loved it too. Before the show I noticed he was quite cute and my gaydar went off. Hearing him talk with his British accent made him so much more adorable at intermission, but then he said something that ruined my fantasy. He said the dreaded phrase, “my girlfriend”. Still it is always nice to see someone enjoy a show as much as I do.

Now, since I’ve seen the show before, I know there is a section where they typically will collect money (or attempt) from the audience. I noted in the program that any money collected will go to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, so I made sure to have a donation ready. I think I might have been the only monetary donation they got (they don’t get to all the audience, but glad I could reach and put it in) but they did get some candy and a Metro card! (Hint: I’m still collecting on Facebook for Broadway Cares as well!)

Then it was a walk back to my hotel to wind down the evening and prepare for the next day of adventures.

Some closing random thoughts.

As I mentioned a few times above, and what I’ve noticed in most of the theatres, is the wonderful architecture. While the shows are great, the buildings are a show themselves. We just don’t make building with the detail to art and grandeur that we once used to.

I’m impressed with the public safety (police, fire, etc) here. With the streets so crowded, I really don’t envy them trying to get around, since even if people wanted to move out of the way, there isn’t always a place for them to go. Lots of the emergency vehicles are smaller than normal. So you see these cute little police cars and fire trucks.

And, if anyone needs to get me a belated birthday gift – I think I’ll need a leg and foot massage when I get back!

Now to bed I go for another fun filled day tomorrow with the Intrepid Museum and Afterglow.

Yes, it is time for the halfway point, aka day 4, of my Fabulous 40 in NYC birthday trip, and today is the whole reason for the trip – my birthday! Hard to believe the trip is half over, but then again – I still have half to go!!!

Started as all mornings tend to start, waking up and having breakfast. I ate in my room this morning as the breakfast area was full. The hotel doesn’t have much space, so the breakfast area isn’t always large enough.

I then headed on the MTA again to go to the National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath). Yes, I celebrate my birthday by celebrating math! (says the person who owns mathwhiz.org). It is a wonderful little museum with lots of interactive displays that all relate to math and how we can use math in the world. Each has a display that describes the math principles behind the activity. I even road a tricycle with square wheels, but because it is on a “bumpy” (very certain type of bumps) road, it rides very smooth and easy. After a few hours there, I headed out to go to play #3.

Play #3 was “Once on this Island”. It took me awhile to get into it as the dialog and songs were a bit hard to understand at first because of the accent used for the show. Once I got into it, it was very wonderful, and I’m glad I had my Kleenex with me. The staging of it was amazing. First, it is in a circle in the square theatre, but it was also several floors underground. The set was covered with sand (whole island thing you know), one area actually had water, and part of the stage/set came up into the audience. It is a very powerful play about how stories are important to share from generation to generation because they connect us and bring us hope.

I then headed back to my room to charge my phone and to relax a bit and figure out dinner. During this little break, I opened some packages I got while I was here. I got some nice gifts from my parents and my friend Vicki. Also, when I picked up the packages, I mentioned that I got them because it was my birthday. So, the hotel gave me a bottle of wine!

I really needed dinner today because I didn’t have time for lunch and I was starving. I found a close by Italian place that is part of SB Local. I went there and they said it would be a 20 minute wait, but I was seated in about 5 minutes. It wasn’t a fancy place, but still had great food at a reasonable price I thought for NYC.

Then back to the hotel to freshen up and get into my newly bought tuxedo for the special night! I’ve been planning this for months, and some people knew about it already, but wanted it to be a surprise for some. I figured since this was a super special night, why not go all out. I thought about renting one and the length of time I’d have to rent one from Michigan or the hassle of renting one here, so I checked on how much it would cost to buy one, and it wasn’t actually that bad. And thanks to Swagbucks, I got it from Amazon using my Swagbucks! I think I was the most dressed up person in NYC tonight! (Now tomorrow night is another story considering the Tony’s will be happening). I then headed out for the pinnacle event of my trip.

Before stopping at the Majestic Theatre I went to Times Square to do a “Live from New York, It’s Saturday Night” video. I haven’t watched it, and not sure how well it came out and if I even got the line down correctly. I am just loving being able to share this adventure with all of you. Then I headed back to go see “The Phantom of the Opera”. This was my 10th time seeing it and first time on Broadway. (For those who want to keep track, 2 times in Toronto, 1 in Green Bay, 2 times in Grand Rapids, 4 times at Wharton Center, and now once on Broadway!) I did my little warning speech to those sitting next to me that I will hyperventilate and become emotional, but I will be OK. One family was from Michigan, and more to the point – the UP! They are on a summer vacation and their daughter is really into Phantom, but had only seen the movie, so they treated her! So I had some nice chats with them.

It was great seeing The Brilliant Original again, there were parts that have faded from my memory a bit as it has been awhile since I’ve seen The Brilliant Original. There are parts I still prefer, but there were some parts of The Spectacular New (the current touring) version that I missed as well. It was still great as always and loved every minute of it. The seat I picked was perfect! Close enough up that I felt like I was under the chandelier, but just a bit back that I got a good view of it without having to look straight up.

I did notice a difference in the audience for this show compared to the others I’ve seen so far in NYC. The other shows as they are still new or for short runs, the audience felt to be more like regular theatre goers who pretty much knew how to behave and that they were there to truly enjoy the show. The audience for Phantom had a more “touristy” feel to it. Tons of people taking pictures when they shouldn’t – I feel bad for the ushers to have to go through that every performance with trying to stop people from taking pictures. I’m not talking about just before or after the show, but actually during it. I prefer to capture the memories of the show in my head and let the adventures continue there.  Overall I really enjoyed the show and reacted as I typically do to it.

A few more thoughts on a tuxedo. First, twice I think people thought I was an employee. First was coming down in the elevator in the hotel. Two people got on and told me what floor they wanted. They were going to the lobby where I was going, so I just mentioned that is where we are already going. But then I got the strange feeling they thought I was working as an elevator operator. I don’t know any place that has those any more. I could be mistaken, but it was still interesting. The second time was when I was getting ready to have my picture taken outside the theatre and someone stopped to ask me questions about their ticket. I finally realized they thought I was working there, so I directed him to someone that should be able to help.

Both going into the theatre and inside the theatre several people complimented me on how nice I was dressed. After the show a couple caught up to me on the sidewalk and just wanted to let me know how nice it was to see someone who knew how to dress for the theatre. So, the tux was a hit! Who knows when and where it will appear next!

After the show was out, I hobbled (yes, hobbled, not walked, since after overly emotional experiences, my legs get weak and it makes it hard to walk) over to visit my friends Ben & Jerry. I got a dish of ice cream and headed to Times Square to enjoy my birthday dessert! It is mesmerizing to sit in Times Square and just relax and enjoy ice cream – I think I could get used to that! I think i was the best dressed in Times Square – definitely compared to the guy who was walking around in what looked like a two-piece women’s swimsuit. People were taking pictures of him, and because he walked right by me, I may be in some of those pictures – what an interesting contrast!

I then headed back to my hotel to unwind, recap the day, and get ready for tomorrow.

Before I go and before a few final random thoughts – just wanted to thank everyone again for virtually joining me on my trip and wishing me Happy Birthday today and for allowing me to share my adventures with you.

Now for some random thoughts.

The act of blessing people when they sneeze is weird. First, why just sneezing, why not coughing, or hiccups, or just because? It is a weird cultural habit. Also, it is the only thing that complete strangers will say to someone and people accept it just fine. I was reminded of this twice on this trip because I remember one time saying “Bless you” to someone and realized how strange it is to say it to a total stranger (not wrong, just strange). Then tonight at dinner I sneezed and the lady sitting next to me blessed me.

New York is very different on the weekends than the weekdays. The streets are less hectic during the day, but then at night Times Square was a lot busier. Makes sense that more people would visit on a weekend.

I have also noticed that a lot of people around here smoke while walking on the sidewalks and then just flicking their butts into the street. That would be a reason for me not to live here. Also, I have noticed that not all smokers are smoking cigarettes, some smell a little different 🙂

That’s all for now – on to another busy day tomorrow – church and two more shows, and who knows what else!