What's Your Poison
 

I'm whopped after putting out fires all day and am still "at work" on my patio...on 24/7 call minding the fort alone while awaiting another ship to arrive so I can update Grecce when she does.

GoTravel, no you aren't the only "loser." (Saw your thread from last weekend after the fact, even though I was in St. Maarten entertaining two teenaged girls there) :D

My DH is being awfully patient as we sit here having a cocktail on the patio, listening to Neil Young, as I answer phone calls and emails.

No specific question tonight, but feel free to talk about your recent travels. Vodka club soda for me, and only one since I have to keep my head on straight. :)

What's your poison and tell us about your recent travels. :) I gotta manage to stay up until at least 2300 berthing hour, so please help me do such, my Fodorite friends. :)

Statia, you do a lot worse than sitting on a patio in paradise with a vodka tonic and a handsome hub, even if you do have to wait for work details!

Thanks for reminding me. I think I'll pour a glass of wine. The wonderful trip report about the Grand Canyon reminded me of my most recent travels. I wish I had what it takes to climb up out of it. I might replicate the trip. You think I could be airlifted out?

:-))

Drinking an icy mug filled with Abita Amber beer. Perfect for the heat. DH and I are about to watch Memoirs of A Geisha (read the book so I'm sure I'll be disappointed).

Hi dear Statia, my only "travels" have been to the attorney's office in another city..thanks to my daughters "it is all about ME!" exhusband. But we make it fun, driving around the lovely neighborhoods after the appointments.

Did you hear about the LARGE Fodor's GTG..everyone is thinking about landing on your beautiful island. Won't you be thrilled, lol. A joke of course.

Just having a glass of chardonnay and will have a chicken "chileconcarne" I prepared last night..it is soooo good.

Hi Statia.

Nice to see a "poison" post. Keep beatin' the flames. I do it all day long too then try to shut it down for the evening. Doesn't always work.

I was in Charleston, WV last weekend. Just posted a mini-trip report. I don't expect much chiming-in. No biggie. I'm used to trodding where others wouldn't bother to go. :-)

Statia,
Yes you should read the other thread concerning everyone on Fodors taking a red eye flight on a giant 747 with everyone in first class,etc.... landing at the end on your island paradise....LOL. it is a good thread. I believe JA Girl has sent you a note concerning it all on the Caribbean board... All in good fun of course.

I am traveling no where this weekend and I might open a beer later or opt for a cup of tea..

Hello Statia! I've missed you. (And you'll never be a loser!!)

Just finished up a nice Merlot. Most of it went into the pot for dinner (Lamb Shanks with Carmelized Onions and Shallots with Risotto Milanese - are you drooling yet???)

Only a few weeks until 5 week summer trip: Berlin, Dresden, Prague, and Switzerland!

I've missed this thread Statia, thanks for doing it again:)

I could really use some poison tonight! Having a nice salad for dinner, after dealing with difficult people all day. So a drink is in order!

Dealt with an idiot from the DMV today.
Then DH's flight home was delayed, so he missed his connection...so he won't be home til tomorrow. So we can't leave for Seattle til then. Poor guy...we will pick him up at the airport, and keep driving!

Then dealt with a jerk in town regarding sports gear for our son. Long story short...the wife got testy and hung up on me, lol! I was so mad til I realized how childish she was.

So batting 1000 today, lol!

We are headed back up to the Seattle area tomorrow for a party at our old friends/neighbors. It will be so good to see everyone all at once, and there will be a LOT of poison there:D She is a nurse and makes jello shooters out of those little pill dose cups, lol!

Statia, I was thinking about an hour ago about this old Friday night thread and how I miss it. And I have been thinking of you as I am trying to put together a trip w/my teen son to see family and some baseball games in Houston later this summer.

Speaking of putting out fires, I have been consumed this week w/the Sedona/Oak Creek wildfire, as I know people there and I travel there twice a year to hike and relax, and just love the place, plus we are thinking seriously of retiring there part of the year. This has been a stressful week, watching the fire unfold from afar while getting updates from my friend who owns a place in Oak Creek Canyon. But it appears that the firefighters are getting a good hold on the fire and really starting to get it contained as of today.

AND THAT IS A GREAT REASON TO CELEBRATE!! I am going to have a glass of something or other right now, since you have reminded me to do so.

Oh yes- the topic. I went to Japan in April w/my 13 yr old daughter, and mah1980, guess what, Momoirs of a Geisha was one of the movies on the plane (I had read the book also). I liked the movie- but then I am not a purist in that way. And in Kyott my daughter and I had tickets to Miyako Odori (spring dance) and saw the top Kyoto geisha do a really classic dance and musical performance! It was wonderful, and my daughter and I met up w/a fellow fodorite friend from the Asia board for that performance and dinner afterwards in Gion. A stunning evening that we will never forget.

Good evening all -

Not familiar with all of you but enjoy your scintillating posts tremendously.

I paid homage to my southern roots this evening with a dinner of chicken and dumplings, followed with a highball of Jack Daniels and diet Sprite. Will continue this tribute on Grayton beach in a few weeks - :)

It's unusually cool here for June. I think I'm going to take it outside - I hear the chiminea calling.

Wishing everyone peace and happiness on this lovely night ...

We'll be having an Oregon Pinot Gris and seared tuna as soon as my husband returns from tennis. Can't start without him. . .

Kopp---tell your friend Genie I will wear her name and carry high hopes for her in my heart. The run is on Sunday, a beautiful course along the lake.

About Zermatt---I found a 3-night possibility in Chalet Allegra; I don't know where it is but if you happen to see it, please let me know if it is well-situated. I didn't know you were going to Berlin, Dresden, and Prague as well---good choices (my son's favorites, all).

Catbert---unless you have severe problems wit health or joints, you CAN do the hike. You will need to get in shape for it, a worthy goal. Go in April or other times when it is cooler. I was amazed when we were down there in April, waiting for dinner at Phantom Ranch, listening to the ranger talk. She said that of the 5 million!! visitors who come to the Grand Canyon each year, only one-half of one percent see the canyon bottom. That includes rafters, mule riders, and hikers. Are you the one who said the average person spends 15 minutes at the rim? What a shame. We've already made reservations to hike it again next year (there's the travel part, Fodors).

You can also pay to have a mule carry all your stuff up, so you don't have to.

Have a great weekend, everyone---it's lovely here in Seattle.

Hi Brookside, welcome!!! It is real hot in our Sacramento Valley, 103 today. So I envy you with your cool weather, it sounds delightful.

LoveItaly--It is supposed to be roasting here this weekend, so I am really looking forward to Seattle with the cooler temps. Course next week will still be hot. Will be meeting Scarlett though...so we will have to stop for lemonade somewhere to cool off:)

Hi mms, I sure wish I was up there in your beautiful PNW. 103 is a bit hot, lol, it has been this hot for a few days and yesterday our local radio station said it will stay like this for at least the end of next weekend (not this weekend), sigh.

LoveItaly--They say it will be over 100 on Monday here! Way too hot for us wimps. Our son will be at football camp too during that...I do not envy him at all. I am just so happy that we had a/c installed last year:)

enzian, I'll copy the info on Allegra. The location is very near the Kleine Matterhorn lift, which would be at the far top end of the village. Not a problem, just an FYI. I'll check out the place, also the views to the Matterhorn. Have you received their handy dandy map, with locations of the hotels and apartments? Really helpful in planning.

Good luck on your run on Sunday, and my heartfelt thanks for remembering Genie!

Hi, everyone! I too am glad to see the return of this Friday night thread! Thanks, Statia. Hope we can return the favor by keeping you entertained enough to stay awake!

My poison is a good, albeit inexpensive, dark beer. I'm happy to say though that I'm not drinking it to combat heat. After several days that required a/c, it's actually almost chilly out this evening. A nice change!

Speaking of heat, mms, 100 is too hot for football camp! Especially in an area of the country where you're not used to extreme heat. If they don't postpone it, I hope they're at least very, very careful to keep the kids hydrated. The one year that my son played, the coaches made a big show of being very concerned about water when they were talking to the parents. But apparently they were not so concientious about it when we weren't around.

I think I'm suffering from debilitating wanderlust! I know I have no right considering the wonderful trip we took to Ireland in March. But it's summer, school is out, which means I'm not working... I always have a tendency to feel this way in the summer. But I think the terrible summer we had last year is feeding into it too.

I've got to find some way to shake it though. I have so much to do in the house and I'm accomplishing nothing. I feel like I want to be out and about all the time. Even if it's just running errands.

We're going to be taking some weekend college visit trips soon. Maybe that'll help to get this out of my system!

Have a good weekend!

CAPH--Thanks for your wise words:D This camp, they are verygood about the water breaks. A lot of parents stay and watch, so they are under parents eyes all the time. They bring iced water around, even though the kids are to bring their own. Two years ago we had a heat wave the same week. Last year it rained, lol!

kopp---yes, I have lots of maps of the town, but they can't tell you about the views, etc. There are some places in Switzerland we know so well, but we have never been to Zermatt yet (except for one of my sons, who skied the Haute Route last March, and ended up in Zermatt). We had a Swiss friend of my husband's here for dinner last night; he's in town for a big RNA meeting at UW. He loves Saas Fee and goes there for 2 weeks every summer, and thinks I'm crazy for considering Zermatt instead. But I've wanted to go to Zermatt ever since we started skiing at Snowbird (Utah), and then started spending summer weeks there too---it is a "sister city" to Zermatt. So maybe it's a loyalty thing. And I've always wanted to see the Matterhorn, and hike in full view of it. We've admired the mountain from afar at Bettmeralp many times. . . It would be nice to see it up close.

and mms---it's supposed to up around 90 this weekend in Seattle. Welcome!

My poison......a lovely limoncello......and now I'm going to peruse fodors.com....still pondering a venue for August......

enzian--Thanks:) It will be so nice to be back. We didn't tell the inlaws we are coming though. Not enough time. Going back to our old neighborhood and will relax with friends. I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to it!

Well, it's well after 1 a.m. on Saturday morning and "my ship has finally come in." :D Now I just have to worry about being in the office in six more hours to send out sailing documents on another ship that's leaving early this morning.

Catbert, I know you could do that GC hike. And, you know you could, too. :) We'll cheer you on!

mah, how did you like Memoirs? The books is one of my faves and I recently saw the movie. I must say I expected the worst, but was mesmerized. The cinematography was great.

LoveItaly, I'm glad your recent travels have been "all about you." :D And, nobody let me in on the planned GTG on my island. ;)

girlonthego, you'll have to tell me more. I suppose I could find SOMEWHERE to put everyone up, although it IS a very small island. :) Maybe I'll just let JAGIRL make the arrangements. ;)

Indy, my buddy...always nice to see you. I hope you are staying out of trouble. ;)

kopp, I'm so sorry I missed dinner at your house tonight (yes, I'm drooling). I was busy, but can I take a raincheck?

mms, I hope your DH makes it in for the trip. Sounds like you will wait on him though. ;) We'll look forward to the trip report.

emd, you know I am always jealous of your trip(s) to Japan. And, it also looks like you will be back in the "Big H" before me. Enjoy!

Brookside....welcome! Looks like I missed a good old southern dinner at your house, too. You had one of my faves. Sheesh...that reminds me, I still have to eat dinner.

Howdy, enzian.

Collette, good luck in your pondering. So many places, so little time.

CAPH, I hope you and your DH are keeping well. I've missed some of your updates lately, but from what I've seen he seems to be doing well. I certainly hope that is still the case.

Well, it's late here (or early) and I have to be up soon. Better get something in my belly now that all is in order for the night. Then, it's time to hit the hay.

So, who is drinking coffee about now? :)

Alright, I just saw JAGIRL's "heads up" on the Caribbean forum.

Making a few plans without moi, are we?

I'm not taking a trip in the next week since I have to recuperate from two visiting teen girls (Little Statia and the newly Adopted Statia) keeping me up WAY too late over the past two weeks. So, I'm not going to get out of it that way....but...

Be forewarned that a 747 (much less one with a first class section) cannot land on our runway. So, either you suffer in the tiny tin can aircraft stuffed like a sardine with your other 17 compatriates, no A/C and no bathroom facilities, not to mention no beverage service or pretzels (yes...that means no poison), or you don't come at all.

Anybody still game? ;)

I think we have about 35 or 40 guest rooms in total on the island, so we'll have to do a bit of "bunking up." But, it certainly sounds like a party! :)

I need to post again like I need a hole in my head, but I forgot to add...

LoveItaly...I misread your post. I gather your recent travels have not been "all about you." Bummer....been there, done that. I wish you luck.

And, my dear friend GoTravel is most certainly not a loser by any means. I was only relating to her Saturday night thread. Good luck on the next marathon, GT!

Alright...I'm outa here. Time for bed now that I'm finally winding down from work. :)

Poisons: I have come a long way. I started with Malibu Rum and pineapple juice, progressed to Gin and Tonic, on the the Cape Cod, digressed to the Amaretto Sour, the opened myself up to the world of Daquiris and Margaritas. Now I am pretty much a Cape Cod kind of gal (Absolut, thank you very much), though I do drink a lot of wine. Oh, and I love to shoot Tequila. Love it!

As for my recent travels, well, I am currently based in Dallas, but since I have been here (mid-September, when I returned from Barcelona) I have:
1) managed a flamenco dance tour of the NE (Philly, NYC and Boston)
2) gone on a road trip through Central Mexico (hence the Tequila love) that included massive amounts of eating and drinking and not a hint of sickness
3) done a project in Cambridge, MA where my office was located in the servant quarters in a huge mansion.
4) attended a charity event in NYC where I won just over $14,000 at the craps table (all for charity) and drank more Bellinis than I thought possible (thank you, Cipriani!)
5) visited Austin for the first time despite the fact that I was born and bred in Texas.
6) driven all the way to Albuquerque and back for what was, essentially, a bust. I did stay with friends, though, who are organic farmers and was attacked by a very real and very organic chicken.

You never know what you will get when you leave the house.

Just returned from a trip and sent a friend this pathetic email:

Hi. Yes, we're back. I called you yesterday but you weren't home. We had a wonderful time. I want to go back but I always say that and never do. I would've attached a few pics but you never get them, so I'll let you know when I get them up on my site.

I'm still in vacation mode. It's hard to end the excitement that builds during the run-up to the vacation and then the actual vacation. The last portion of Going to the Sun Rd. finally opened today. Of course I've been checking ever since I got home (Sat.) although I don't know why. I still go to the travel forums. I've been going through my pictures to pick the best ones since I have so many. Digital cameras are great, but I took about a hundred pictures per day, seriously. I'm sure I won't have trouble narrowing it down to 100 or so. I've been working on a review for Trip Advisor. "VACATION, I MISS YOU!"

Glacier is a truly beautiful place. I would recommend it to you in a heartbeat. We had so-so weather, but it didn't interfere with our having a great time. One of the days it was pouring rain, but we still took a boat tour and did a short hike. For now, we took three boat tours, took the heli tour, rented a motor boat, hiked, drove, and ate. There were about a million waterfalls of every size. There were wildflowers everywhere. We saw a bear, a moose, lots of deer and a Columbian ground squirrel (we got his/her little picture). The mountains, rivers, alpine forests, lakes were all just breathtakingly beautiful. It's a lot like Banff, only more hiking is required. Our cottage view - also breathtaking. The only negative thing I have to say is that it's an expensive place to visit. The price of the meals was breathtaking, just kidding.

You ought to go there. If you do, I'll give you my information. This is the first time I've ever gotten home after a vacation and felt completely like I wish I was still there. Usually I have mixed feelings - loved being there, but nice to be home.

- Well, that's the email. I'm back to being chief bottle washer and everyone's favorite chauffer. Alcohol is not for me but I do love milkshakes?