president's day weekend

surprisingly, this weekend seems to have brought people out of their houses, cities, and states for a long weekend.
all flights were oversold, especially in florida bound cities. i think there is some kind of race going on at daytona.
but the cold places were also busy, with ski trips, shopping expeditions, and visiting family/relatives.
the airports are crowded and look like holiday or spring break crowds.
i, on the other hand, only work in that long tube that shakes and bounces while i try to keep cokes and water in the cups and avoid spilling on computers and ipads and bookreaders.
eventually, i get to exit the tube and go to a hotel for some sleep.

this day i awake in minneapolis where it is frigid. ice cold.  even colder than portland. the restaurant is packed with families when i sit drinking my hot coffee (ahh....h-h) early in the day.  saturday morning paper.  i then move to the lobby for more people watching and am amazed, amazed i tell you, at all of the groups that are excitedly waiting for the van that will take them SHOPPING at the mall of america!  i mean, they were shoving each other to get to the van!!  the driver was hawking for more riders "shopping at the mall.  anyone want to go shopping????"
whew.  the last thing i want to do nowadays is go shopping.  and at a mall?  the mall of AMERIcA???  it is one big amusement park filled with stores.  no way, jose.

add a full moon to all of this.
you get the picture.