Leaving for Austin tomorrow. Cross your fingers for me, dear readers! I hate flying. I hate flying even more in bad weather. But I do love airports for some reason. The newspaper/magazine stands. Another excuse to buy 5 magazines. The waft of Cinnabons and Nathan’s hot dogs. And of course airport bars–where I will assauge my pre-flying jitters with a glass of wine or three. Ooh or maybe I can find a place that serves really good hot chocolate.

Anyway, I am too excited about the prospect of eating TEX MEX AND BBQ to think about such pragmatic things like whether or not the plane will skid off the icy runway or if a wing will just detach in the middle of the flight (I need to stop watching Lost). And in between the queso, tequila, and smoked meat freezy, I will be going to the Austin ballet! There’s a piece choreographed by Twyla Tharp with music by David Byrne (of Talking Heads) that I am muy excited about.

Here is my packing list so far. I always spend days making these geeky, excel sheet packing lists and then end up forgetting an important item like a toothbrush.

1. tums (for aforementioned queso, tequila, and smoked meat)
2. advil
3. hair gel
4.condoms (i dont pack them intentionally. i just always seem to have extras in my make up bag. they always seem to come in handy for my friends…)
5. camera
6. cell phone charger (must remember to bring it back this time)
7. magazines : new yorker, vogue, economist, atlantic monthly
8.boots, chucks, heels (I know, I know, three shoes for three days but I reall need all three!)
9.pjs
10.cords, jeans, black skinny jeans
11. tops
12. oh and undies. This time I will have to remember to pack the lacy ones in an inconspicuous area. The last time I had to fly, I made the mistake of packing them on top and the security folks at Newark had a grand old time rifling through them.

So, dear readers, while I’m away I hope you will do a good job of having a fabulous weekend. I’m talking dancing till dawn, smooching with strangers and picking fights with bouncers! Okay? I expect nothing less. New posts on Tuesday. Hasta luego.

Oh, and one more thing:

Happy Valentines Day.