Impulse Bye
by Rob

This vacation has flown by, but they always do. When it started last Saturday, we didn't have any plans to go anywhere during the break. I wanted to be sure that we got out of here for at least a little while, so I went to the Internet to create a last minute New York getaway.

We set out from here on Wednesday, heading first to Westchester County and the home of our friends, the Barkats. Laura and Kim have been life-long friends. Laura met her husband, John, at The King's College, which is where both Kim and Laura did their undergraduate work. It had been two years since our last visit with them, but this is one of those friendships where that doesn't really seem to matter. They have two girls, and in very little time, all the kids were having a blast -- especially the girls. Although we were with them for a little less than 24 hours, the kids played instruments, did craft projects with clay, played games, had dance lessons, played in the snow... I'm sure that I'm leaving something out. Nate wasn't always interested in the same things that the girls were doing, but he didn't seem to mind spending time with the adults instead during those times.

We left our friends on Thursday afternoon, and headed for the city. Even though we didn't make our reservations until last Saturday, we had managed to get a room in the same hotel that we had used in December. The "Travel Inn" is on West 42nd Street, just a few blocks from Times Square and the theatre district. The hotel isn't fancy, but it's clean, easy to get to, includes parking and is very inexpensive (by New York standards). We arrived at the hotel just before 5:00 PM, with plenty of time to get some dinner before heading to the theatre.

We decided to take the easy way out for dinner that evening. Obviously, New York is full of good restaurants, but we went to Applebees. Actually, the food was predictable and adequate, and the service was great. The prices were shocking. Fortunately, when Kim and I realized that we had both decided on the same salad, the waitress cheerfully agreed to bring us some extra plates so that we could split one, rather than ordering two. We sat at a table on the second floor, overlooking 42nd Street, and we had a great time.

After dinner, we were off to the theatre. Ironically, February 22 was the one year anniversary of our family's Phantom of the Opera experience at Proctors here in Schenectady. When I started "browsing" the ticket sites online last Saturday, I never expected to find anything. When I found 4 of the cheap seats for Spamalot, I jumped at the chance to buy them. After all, I'm the only member of the family who had ever been to a Broadway show, and I felt that the rest of them needed to start catching up (not that they have much of a chance of that). We had also been talking about this show, because Nathan recently discovered the film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and he loves it. We knew that the show was based on the movie, so I was pretty sure it was a safe bet.

As it turns out, it wasn't such a "safe" bet. Yes, it was fun and we all enjoyed it a lot, but the new material that was added for this stage version was quite a lot racier than the movie. I sat next to Abbie during the show (our seats were split between two locations in the upper balcony), and at one point she turned to me and said, "Daddy, they're using the 's-word' a lot!" She was right. I suppose that I shouldn't think that it's funny, but every time that they used "the s-word," she would cover her mouth and her eyes would spread wide open. Then she'd look at me and giggle. I lost track of the number of times that she turned to me and said, "I don't get it," but I know that on several of those occasions I was relieved, and glad that the performance wasn't going to give us an opportunity to have any discussion about it.

Nathan loved the show. Since I wasn't sitting with him, I have no idea how he reacted to the language or the racy bits, but I suspect what he really enjoyed was seeing the comedy that he knows so well, adapted for the stage. A great many of the scenes were taken directly from the film -- word for word. I know this, because Nathan has memorized several of these scenes, and we have heard them -- word for word -- often during the past several months. Another part of the staging that was fun was the gore. The film includes a duel scene and a killer rabbit scene, both of which are very funny, but bloody. In the stage version, they managed to work out these two bits, complete with dismembering and beheading. The blood was replaced with red streamers, and it was very, very funny.

On the way home from the theatre, Abbie made it clear that we needed dessert. On our December visit, we stopped for ice cream after the Christmas Show, on our way back to our hotel. Well, it was a lot colder this time, so Kim and I said that there wouldn't be any ice cream. But within a block, we walked by a pastry shop that had cheese cake and cookies. Abbie thought that this would be okay instead. We got our food to go and finished our day, watching the evening news and eating cheese cake and rice pudding back in our hotel room.

This morning, we were in no real rush to get up and going. In fact, last evening, the weather report didn't sound so great, and we half expected to get up to ice on the streets. Fortunately, the sun was shining and the streets were dry. Unfortunately, the wind was howling. The wind chill was probably in the teens. Once we had figured out what the weather conditions were, we decided that we'd head to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. None of us had been there before, and although museums and kids are not always a great combination, we figured there would be plenty to look at for the afternoon.

After eating breakfast at the deli next to our hotel, we checked out of our room, and loaded our stuff into the car. Then we set out on foot for the subway station. I know this sounds strange, but I love subway system in New York. I haven't been on a subway since I lived there, so I was a little apprehensive about the money part of it. The system has switched from tokens to swipe cards. I was afraid that I would have to wait in a line, and then be unsure about what to buy. Sometimes, during the rush, people in the lines (and the agents) expect you to pay for your fare and get the heck out of the way. Fortunately, there was no line, and the agent was very helpful. She put all of our fares on one swipe card, which even saved us some money.

The museum was even larger than I imagined, and it was amazing. I can't believe that I have never been there before, and I can not wait to go back. Nate was less patient with Kim and me than Abbie. Both Kim and I had a hard time moving fast enough to suit him and the word "boring" was heard at least a few times. None the less, I know that both of the kids saw things that they really got excited about. Looking at the Van Gogh paintings was a highlight for Nate. I think that Abbie was impressed by the paintings in general. She wants to know what she needs to do to have an opportunity to paint on canvas. I didn't realize that there is so much more than painting and sculpture there, and although I really enjoyed the paintings the most, I was also glad to see the Frank Lloyd Wright room, and the Tiffany windows, and the Egyptian artifacts... In all, we spent about three and a half hours there, which I think is a pretty good amount of time, when you have a 9 and a 12 year old.

Although the kids hadn't said much of anything about the subway since we left the hotel, as we were leaving the museum Abbie asked if we could go back on the subway. She was excited when I said, "Yes."

The drive home to Schenectady was smooth and uneventful. The kids slept part of the way. When we pulled in the driveway this evening, it was about 8:30. Actually, when we got home, I almost didn't pull in the driveway, because it was full of snow! The weather that didn't seem to happen in NYC, happened in Schenectady instead. Oh well, at least we escaped it for awhile.

By the way, I forgot to use the camera during this getaway. But as you can see, I have discovered that if you forget to use your camera on your trip to New York City, some other nice people have already taken plenty of pictures for you, and thoughfully left them on the Internet for you to "borrow."

Mommy's Clean Closet
by Abbie

This is Abbie's drawing of the way that Mommy's closet should look, once she cleans it out. Mommy's friend Jen is coming today to help with this project. Abbie and Mommy have been watching "Clean House" on the Style Channel, which as become the inspiration for this effort. Jen will be playing the role of "Niecy Nash." Look for an inspiring update soon.

Abbie wishes that Mommy could have a "walk in closet."

Tired
by Rob

I'll admit, when schools were closing this morning, I thought that we were just getting lucky. Even though at this point, I still feel lucky that we didn't go to school today, I have a very different perspective.

I'm tired.

I wasn't surprised to hear the front door slamming this morning at 7:30. I was still in bed. The kids were already suited up in their snow gear and headed outside to play. It was great to think about them starting their day with such excitement.

This morning looked completely different than yesterday. Blue sky. Sunshine. Blinding white snow everywhere. As I stood in the kitchen making breakfast, I felt lucky to have the whole day ahead of us. I figured that we'd play outside. Perhaps we'd spend some time playing the Wii in the basement. Perhaps we'd watch another episode of "Alias." Well, the kid's got to play outside, but that's about the only part of my early notion that came to be.

I didn't head outside to clean up until about 11:30. Actually, that was the time that I walked the kids down to the neighbor's house so they could slide on their hill and play with friends. I knew that once I dropped them off, I'd come back and finish clearing out the driveway and then get our cars dug out.

When I got to the neighbor's house I could see that they were much farther behind than we were. Kim, the mom, was outside trying to dig their van out. The driveway hadn't been touched. Their driveway is several times larger than ours. And the worst part of it was the entrance from the road. The plows had left a packed heap of snow about 5 feet high and 10 feet wide. Jim, Kim's husband, has been away on business all week and she's been fending for herself. I told Kim that I'd be back to help, just as soon as I finished up at our house. It sounded simple enough to me.

I can't believe I misjudged so badly. It took me two hours to finish at our house.

I decided to head back to Kim and Jim's right away. Nothing had changed in the two hours. Kim told me that her neighbors from across the street had noticed her situation and called to say that they'd be over with a snow thrower once they had finished working at their rental properties.

I started working on the plug. I figured at the very least I'd be able to find the reflector markers that indicate the boundaries of the opening. Within a few minutes, the lady from across the street came over to say that I was welcome to use another thrower that was sitting at their house. I was able to get it started and she worked with me, giving me directions to clear through the plug. In awhile, her husband came home. The thrower that he had been using at the rental had died and he needed to take this one back to his other work site. He said that he'd come back later to help Kim finish up.

So I picked up my shovel and kept working on the plug. In a fairly short time, I had it completely open. Then I helped Kim to clear out some more of the drive so that she could move her van. I announced to Abbie and Nate that we'd be heading home soon. When we got home, it was 4:00 PM.

At that point I felt lucky that we'd had the day off, but for very different reasons.

Dinner was pizza. It sounded good to me, but it was also the only meal that I felt I could prepare -- meaning, I knew the phone number. When I headed out to pick it up it was about 5:00. Much to my surprise the driving wasn't very good at all. I thought that the roads would be well treated and cleared, and for the most part, they looked okay, but there were several patches of snow and ice and the CRV didn't handle them particularly well. It's strange, powdery snow. Now I was really glad that we hadn't had to drive anywhere today.

At this point, we're watching "Survivor" and laying low. The kids will head to bed in about half an hour. I think I'll be right behind them. I think that we'll all sleep well tonight. We're all tired.

Two Days for Three Schools
2/15/2007 -- 5:18 AM
by Rob

Kim's school announced that it would be closed last night. This morning, when I got up at 4:45, the kids' school was already closed. My school has just appeared on the TV. Closed.

Phew.

We got about 27" here. Cobleskill and Schoharie both got more than 30". I'll dig us out later this morning.

Now I realize that I shouldn't complain, but when we go back tomorrow it will be the last day before a vacation. A day of Valentine's Day parties. Useless.

Instant Winter

2/14/2007 -- 7:45 PM

by Rob

It's still snowing. I have been out to shovel three times, and each time there's been more snow than the time before. At this point, we have about two feet in the front yard. The kids, of course, are thrilled. They're also tired, because they've been outside playing most of the day.

Kim's school has already announced that it'll be closed tomorrow. The rest of us aren't so lucky. Even if my school or the kids' school isn't closed tomorrow, our day will still be easier now that Kim will be home. Selfishly, I'm happiest that whatever happens, I won't have to drive the Saturn; the CRV is definitely better for this weather.

The weather forecast says that the winds will be kicking up in the next few hours as the snow is winding down. The "Blizzard Warning" will be in effect through 6:00 AM tomorrow. A state of emergency is in effect in Schenectady County.

At the very least, I think that schools will be delayed in the morning. I haven't decided if this is a good thing, since a delay would mean that I would still have a concert in the evening, and I'd have to go to school and adjust the schedule for the rehearsal. A cancellation would be so much easier. I'm also concerned that I may have to be out shoveling at 4:30 in the morning to get out and get to school on time to set up for the rehearsal.

I should let it go, and be ready for anything. I guess I'll go iron some clothes.

Stay tuned.

Snow. Finally.
2/14/07 -- 12:30 PM
by Rob

This has been the winter without snow. For awhile, it was the winter without cold. Now we're getting caught up. This is one of those rare occasions where we were able to go to bed last night confident that today would be a snow day. Thank goodness it is. The roads are terrible.

As of 12:30 PM it's still snowing hard and we have at least a foot. The news says that there are 6 to 8 hours of steady snow left in the storm and that the winds will pick up this afternoon. We are actually under a blizzard warning for the rest of the day.

I was supposed to have a concert this evening. Tomorrow's the snowdate. I wonder if that's going to work.

In the meantime, we're relaxed and warm. The kids are out a neighbor's house playing and having a blast.

Check back later for an update.

Nate's 12

by Rob

Nate hasn't been excited about this week. He told me this again today. It seems that he would prefer that school be canceled, and we all engage in an extended celebration of his birthday. It seems to me that he's beginning to see birthdays a little differently, and perhaps he feels a little let down.

He turned 12 on Tuesday. Typically, Tuesday is one of the busiest days of our week. After school, the kids have about an hour to finish homework before we head out to piano lessons. We usually don't arrive back until about 6:40. By the time we finish dinner, it's often close to 7:30. It usually seems like there is very little time between dinner and bedtime.

This was a typical Tuesday, except for one minor detail. Kim was "out of commission." Actually, she injured shoulder on Monday, and between her limited mobility and the "muscle relaxers," she was pretty much a couch potato. While the kids were at their lessons, I took the opportunity to go to WalMart to buy Nate a gift, the grocery store to buy him a cake, and I placed a call to order take out for dinner. We swung by the mall after the lessons to pickup dinner and headed home. This instant birthday party went well enough, but was over fairly quickly. Not before long, the kids were getting ready for Wednesday and heading to bed.

When I arrived home this afternoon he told me, "This week sucks." In spite of his choice of vocabulary, which is decidely more "middle school" these days, I was sympathetic. It seems that his birthday really did come and go in a blur. I say this, even though last Friday evening he had friends here for a party. He had been planning the event for weeks. They had a great time, but the party took place at the end of another very busy day, and like his actual birthday, seemed to come and go very quickly.