four days apart

M: So, Albert's back after spending five days away in California for his grandma Elinore's funeral. It could be considered as cheating on the road trip, but I don't think of it that way and I'm glad he was able to fly back and be with his family to celebrate his grandmas life.

Albert drove to Charlotte, NC on 8th, right after I finished cutting his hair. I spent the week at my cousin Joe's house in Hendersonville, North Carolina. For the first couple of hours the house was empty and I was alone for the first time in four months. It was pretty odd. I didn't know what to do. I felt so lost. Where was Albert, Amber...anyone??

It's been fun staying here. Going to the gym with Paula and playing with Abby 8, Emily 6 and Sam 4. The kids are constant free entertainment and there's daily WWF style living room wrestling. Christmas music is already on the radio and there's a chorus in the back seat every trip away from the house. After the kids got to sleep the evenings were pretty much spent making fun of reality tv shows (Top Chef: Just Desserts and Billy the Exterminator). Albert's next haircut just may be inspired by Billy, it could be awesome.

Joe's a Pastor at the nearby SDA church, it was nice going to church today and hearing his sermon on forgiveness. I forgive Albert for not calling me back on Thursday, but instead sending me a text message to call him after he was done having drinks with his friends and in need of a diversion at his aunts house. Keep in mind, it was 10:30 here and I was already down in the basement, cozy in bed, watching House on the interwebz.

A: it was earlier in CA and I haven't seen them in months... the only time I haven't been right next to M for the past few months is when we are pooping.

M: It's ok Albert, I forgive you.
(We spent two hours apart when I wanted to see the Art Museum and he wanted to see the Air and Space museum in DC.)

A: I know you miss me every moment I am not there.

M: With the cost of the flight and everything, we're thinking it's getting pretty close to being time to get into bubble making. Giant bubble making--we will be giant bubble making street performers. It's just too bad that Amber isn't with us anymore to be our plant, you know; the person that puts in the first few bucks to get the giving going.

A:I was thinking about picking pockets but bubbles could work, maybe both would be better. We have to decide if we are gypsies or tramps, there is a difference you know.

The way I seen it there weren't many choices. I was going to Bakersfield and Marisa was staying, so I could either push her out of the truck in front of a women's shelter or have her traveling on the other side of the country by herself. One of those options is no good but thank God there was a third option. Marisa stayed with her new found family just 2 hours from Charlotte ,NC where I flew out of. The luck we have...

So, I cheated on the road trip... but I was happy to see the family and honored to be a pallbearer for my grandma. It cost a little much for my cheap ass taste but hey, I have missed plenty of other family stuff for work or because of distance and usually regretted it. This is important.

The journey began with a last minute hairs cut to tame the fro and a two hour drive to the airport. once there I it was a piece of cake getting through with no checked baggage. The trouble started when I got to LAX.

My cheap ass wont pay 40+ bucks for a cab and I'm a little rusty on the bus riding skills so I missed two buses, waited at multiple stops for hours and managed to catch the last possible bus form the airport to UCLA . Marisa's friends mom works at UCLA and she gave me a ride to Bakersfield in the AM after a night spent sleeping in a hospital chair, she works the night shift there.

In Bakersfield I got to spend all kinds of good time with the family and I was honored to be a pallbearer for Grandma. The service and everything went great. There was hardly a down moment and I spent a lot of time with my Soza family, it was like a booster shot of crazy. I also got to see some good friends, they don't know it but I just hang out with them so they will buy me beer when I'm in town... (readership check)

Traveling back was so easy I got on the wrong parking lot shuttle just for kicks! I am back in N.C. and the journey will continue in a few days. Marisa and I have the house to ourselves for a few days so we will be going on hikes, riding our bikes, hanging out downtown, sitting around watching TV and sleeping indoors out of the cold on real beds.

We are off to a great start and we have been sitting on our butts for hours. Leftovers are calling my name from the fridge so I will say bye for now suckers, don't work too hard.