By The Way

Am I the only one who's now terribly concerned about Laketown's sanitation? No wonder the Master is so unpopular. I know they live in a ~*~fantasy~*~kingdom~*~of~*~enchantment~*~ and all, but until I get some indication otherwise I'm gonna assume germ theory still holds. They must be just festering with plagues and cholera. If Bard, as the Rightful Ruler of the city, doesn't implement a public sanitation program, I'm STILL gonna call for an election. Laketown Sanitation Now! Who's with me?

Thanksgiving Travel Adventure, Part 1

So you might remember, a few weeks ago I took a trip to see some California family!

I figured I'd try trains because I hate plane travel, so if nothing else this would at least open up a different set of inconveniences and annoyances for me. But it was actually fun!

Preparing

MOM: ... and don't forget to pack underwear and say thank you and don't follow strangers into windowless vans and ...
AUNT: I brought you a travel kit of trail mix and handiwipes!
DAD: If any outlying family members offer you drugs, don't take them!
ME: Why is everyone so dang nervous about this?
MOM: What are you talking about? You're a ball of anxiety, yourself.
ME: Well, yes, but I get this way when I'm going to the grocery store. It's pretty much my default state. It's new with you guys.

So I hopped on the sleeper train, trailing a few more Momisms in my wake, and enjoyed a nice nighttime ride in my own little roomette, which was only occasionally interrupted by the car's tendency to lurch just enough to send me rolling into the wall. But this was still more tolerable when lying in the little bunk than when, say, trying to use the bathroom. But I could live with that sort of thing, because at least I didn't have PLANE NOISE crushing my skull. Did I mention I hate planes?

( Experience the EXPERIENCE! )

Timing

MOM: *reading aloud from a book* "After expulsion from their villages, the best prospect for these young, desperate peasant girls was to ..."
at this exact moment, DAD enters
MOM: "... go to London and work as prostitutes."
DAD: *eyebrow*
ME: brightly We're making plans for if the neurosurgical practice falls through!
DAD: ... Why London?

fin