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Thursday, July 27, 2006



Thirteen Things about my vacation




Yes, I'm being a bit lazy. That's because even though we've been back for 5 days, I'm still completely swamped. Four or five chapters of beta reading to do, 2072 emails still in my various in-boxes, nine books still to write comments on, and bunches of blogs and messageboards to catch up on. And that's just the online stuff. Inexplicably, the family wants to do things like go to the movies and the pool, play games, watch South Park and Seinfeld on DVD, and eat meals. And now that I've lost 10.5 pounds and am up to 38 minutes of exercise a day (go, me!), I've got to keep that up, too, so I don't lose my momentum.

Huh. Looks like I've almost got a TT of why I don't have time to do a decent TT. If I didn't already have most of this one already written...

Without further ado...

  1. When you arrive (or nearly arrive) at your destination at 11 p.m. after a dozen hours of driving, one of the last things you really want is for the Pisa Autostrade exit to be closed, forcing you to take the Livorno exit where you'll drive around the docks for 20 minutes looking for signs. (maps? we don't need no steenkin' maps.)

  2. At 11:45 on a Tuesday night, Tirrenia is hopping. People everywhere, even little kids. These people are night owls. I approve.

  3. Moby averaged 18.2 mpg from Miesau to Camp Darby. Not bad, particularly when you consider how loaded-down it was with 5 people and 10 days' worth of camping stuff, and the mountain roads. We lost a whole mpg on the drive back--mostly because we took the St.Gotthard's pass instead of the tunnel.

  4. It's a very good idea to try out the cute new sandals in Pisa before going to Rome.

  5. Never leave Carl unattended around sidewalk vendors.

  6. Nobody does ice cream like the Italians. My favorites: the peach was heavenly; the chocolate was an orgasm on a cone.

  7. Tour guides/drill sergeants. Not much difference.

  8. Going to the beach after 3 p.m. is a great idea for a few reasons:
    • you miss the hottest part of the day.
    • you don't get sick of the beach.
    • the kids don't get sick of the beach, and you don't have to listen to them whining "do we HAVE to go to the beach today?"
    • less chance of sunburn
    • better chance of getting an umbrella close to the water--7 days out of 8, we got one in the front row; the other day, it was in the 2nd row.
    • everything was half price, so you don't feel guilty about only staying 3 or 4 hours.

  9. Sand and salt water are an excellent cure for blisters.

  10. It's apparently possible, after all, to have sex in the water. We observed this from a fairly close distance (20 m.?) on 2 separate occasions.

  11. Non-drowsy Dramamine isn't.

  12. Italian coffee is even better than German coffee.

  13. Driving in Italy is not for the faint of heart.

Sorry for the lack of pix. I'm short of time. Maybe next week.






Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
  1. Raggedy's elevator tips
  2. Carmen takes on idiots
  3. Mysterious Lady's been busy
  4. Knitting Maniac on Napoleon Dynamite
  5. Minerva Jane used to read in the shower
  6. Toddlerisms from Lil Duck Duck
  7. Zeus's sister is schizo
  8. Doug's reading history
  9. Christine's Vegas Vacation
  10. Karen's summer
  11. Armywife keeps us informed


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!




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// posted by Darla @ 7/27/2006 03:33:00 PM
Comments:
Your trip sounded wonderful.
Good list..
I want some of that orgasmic ice cream....
Have a great Thursday!
Sorry you are so swamped...
My TT is up
# posted by Blogger Raggedy : 7/27/2006 5:24 PM
 
Man, that Italian gelato is AMAZING. The best I had was in Rome, two scoops - one white chocolate, one raspberry. I considered going back for another!
# posted by Blogger Carmen : 7/27/2006 5:24 PM
 
Sounds like a good trip!
Water must not of been very cold for those 2 close encounters!

Happy Thursday!
# posted by Blogger Meira{FB} : 7/27/2006 5:50 PM
 
Wish I could go SOMEwhere... my trips consist of trips to the bathroom. Lame life, huh? Or just life with three kids...

Happy TT! Mine is up, too.
# posted by Blogger Knitting Maniac : 7/27/2006 5:57 PM
 
Sounds like fun. And I loved the coffee in the netherlands! My TT is up too--at www.goddessinthecity.blogspot.com
# posted by Blogger Minerva Jane : 7/27/2006 6:24 PM
 
Heh. No, the water was quite warm, actually.

I've got three kids, too--this was a very family-friendly vacation. Of course it helps that they're aged 11 to 21 now, but we've done pretty much this same vacation a dozen times over the past 20 years.
# posted by Blogger Darla : 7/27/2006 10:20 PM
 
Wonderful!! Happy TT, ours is up as well!
# posted by Blogger Mama Duck : 7/27/2006 11:02 PM
 
Your vacation sounds absolutely wonderful! The ice cream sounds delightful, especially the chocolate. (Diva Spot did a Thursday Thirteen on ice cream toppings you'll have to check out!)

If you would like to read mine, you can at The Zeus Excuse.
# posted by Blogger Zeus : 7/27/2006 11:15 PM
 
So that's where you've been ;)

Yes, Gelato is the absolute best. Ice cream elsewhere is such a pale imitation.
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 7/27/2006 11:22 PM
 
LOL about #6! Gelato is wonderful.
I hate detours too, especially at night!
Have a great Thursday!
# posted by Blogger Unknown : 7/27/2006 11:55 PM
 
it IS usually a good idea to try out the shoes, first. sounds like a fun trip though. and woohoo on the 10 pounds!
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 7/28/2006 1:49 AM
 
yes! italian ice cream. there just isn't anything better than that.

i've posted 13 too at
http://www.everythingshouldbefun.blogspot.com
# posted by Blogger armywife : 7/28/2006 3:24 AM
 
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