Today was my first day off in some time. I woke up around 7:15 AM. I spent over 10 hours commuting from Blacksburg to New Jersey. I drove my car the whole way (I think that's a record long drive for me). Then I squished into a cab with five other passengers and one driver to go down to a string of bars. We waited a half an hour at one bar to get a table in the smoking section. Then we ate and we squished into another cab and came home. I watched people smoke and drink for a while, then I retired here.

That's how I spent my day off. No advances on my story. No deep thoughts. No hiking or exercising or spending times with my dogs. Just a lot of driving.

But don't get me wrong-- it was an enjoyable day with visiting and laughter and seeing occasional scenic views when I glanced away from the red tail lights. It wasn't a productive day, but it was a nice one.

Tomorrow is another early day. I'm getting jipped this week. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I had to wake up early to take one animal or another to the vet.

Welp time for bed.

9-22-2001
Harrah's
Atlantic City, N.J.

Virginia Tech stomped Rutgers today. It was a shut out... a tad boring. There wasn't any suspense. We had the game won before we got on the field.

Right now I'm sitting on a bench outside one of the many restaurants contained within the hotel. A lounge is nearby and I can hear the band play. Just ten minutes earlier an elderly couple danced together for a few minutes on the linoleum in front of me. Impromptu...sweet.

I'm drinking a decaff cappuccino with caramel flavoring. I'm quite fond of those.

A few years ago there was a Jodi Foster movie called "Contact". Sean got me the DVD for Christmas two years ago along with Stargate (tangent- that was an excellent call by Sean.... when I was in the dorms Stargate was my soothing movie. I'd watch a copy on Brian [Nenninger]'s VCR anytime I felt under the weather).

The opening sequence in Contact is powerful. The camera slowly pulls away from the earth and drifts farther and farther into space. As it does you hear bits and pieces of noise pollution that's traveled that far. The farther away we got the more dated the material-- presidential speeches, popular songs, TV snippets. Then finally silence.

Walking through the casino reminds me a bit of that sequence because as you weave your way towards the Atrium Tower you hear such an eclectic range of sounds-- slot machines, Beatles on the radio, different slot machines, live bands... every aisle introduces its own signature sound. It's quite neat.

We went to the boardwalk earlier this evening. That was my most anticipated aspect of the trip-- to see and smell and hear the ocean. To feel my feet in the sand and marvel at all the lights. I remember visiting this city with Dad (for bridge of course). I remember it being beautiful and enticing.

Maybe the buildings and sculptures and notions that were new then are old now. Or maybe it's just my eyes and soul that's old... because the city looks different now. The outsides of buildings are dirty... The lighted signs are as dazzling, but they draw your attention to buildings slowly on their way to being decrepit. And the people-- I envisioned glamorous people. What I see now are people with leathery, wrinkled skin grasping at straws.

I was in a casino once before here- even though I couldn't drive at the time. Dad and I walked past multiple security guards, waitresses and cashiers. None ever said a word. Then as we emerged from a row of slot machines we drew the attention of a young man sweeping the floors-- probably pretty low on the totem pole of casino employees.

"Excuse me" he said, "Can I see you ID?"

I could not produce the information he needed so he escorted us out. The rest of the tournament, Dad I had quite a kick out of that. I got kicked out by a janitor!

No one has carded me so far.

Thursday night I went to Food Lion to pick up dog food. I agreed to pick up some beer and cigarettes for Sean. I normally refuse, but I agreed none the less.

Of course I got carded...there's nothing unusual about that. However, after the cashier made her initial request:

"May I see your ID?"

And I was digging through my purse she tagged on, "Yup, definitely going to need to see your ID."

It wasn't enough for her to insinuate my young looks by asking for my ID the first time!

There's a Harbor Walk here. I went out there-- Kevin warned against me going alone but there were a great deal of couples and strollers (people, not the baby vehicles) out there. It was pretty nice. I wish I could hear the roll of the waves from there, but I couldn't. It was still nice-- well lit and plenty of benches.

I sat outside for a while and looked up at the tower above me. A bunch of sea gulls were sailing around the building. Apparently the building had illumination directed on it because when the birds flew by their underbellies, already light, were lit up. Quite a contrast from the dark skies above them. Really neat.

I was going to stay outside a while-- but it got down to just me and one couple. They lady was playing with her companion's hair. It suddenly dawned on me-- maybe they wanted to make out. Making out is a nice simple pleasure. I remember what it was like in high school or new relationships-- where all you craved for was that person's lips. That alone was fulfilling enough. I remember what it was like waiting for strangers to move on so they didn't become spectators. Or waiting for parents to leave or the last guest at a party to go home. Just so you can savor the warm moisture of lips...

If I recall correctly-- warm lips are especially great outside on a crisp evening.

Although these people were a bit old... and it's a little nasty to think of them making out, I didn't want to deprive them of that joy so I moved on.

I needed a more permanent place to write anyway.

Today I thought of a Bible passage. The one about God taking care of the little birds. Marvin and Sean Thorpe helped me locate it a few weeks ago. I wanted to quote it in my story.

But now-- it shaped my life...or at least my behavior this morning.

I forgot my sunscreen (at least so I thought). The cloud cover everyone else wished disappear, but I wish would stay, dissipated... and the stubborn sun started to pound down.

The game hadn't even begun! I was certain to get burned badly.

Then I thought, "God takes care of the little birds. Certainly he could get me sunscreen." So I approached the parking lot still stocked with tailgaters. The very first car I approached was able to help me.

SPF 15. A God-send!

My skin is in good shape. Ledman and the others look burned.

After the game we got in the car, that the heat made the cat urine smell prominent again, Jodi promptly found my SPF 30 sunscreen. I forgot I put it in my car so I WOULDN'T FORGET IT!!! :)

I think I'm going to go blow my nose and then peek around and see if I can find the others.

9-22-2001

36 minutes later. It took me 12 minutes to locate Brian and Jodi. I never found Ledman and Sean because they were in the room. Who'd think they'd go back before me!

As I searched for my friends I thought of another thing that surprised me-- how occupied the slot machines are. There are vacancies -- but really I'm surprised how full the seats are. It's amazing to see so many people play those machines.

Last week was a bad week for the stock market-- because of the terrorist attacks. Do casinos see the same risk adverse behavior in their gamblers? Man, if so, I can't imagine how full the casino would be then! (It's not just the slot machines. You have to weave and yield to get around the crowds by the roulette, craps, blackjack and poker tables). Or maybe they see an inverse behavior. More people rushing out to get some "safety net" money in case of war and terrorism.

I gambled a bit... I played a nickel slot machine. I also put a quarter in another slot machine. I lost all of it-- $5.25 total.

I was reluctant to play-- to put the $5 in the machine. I told Sean and Ledman, "That's a Kurt Vonnegut novel!" Twas it was and down the drain now. I could have gone to see a twilight film. I could have bought a book, rented a video, bought a meal or an ice cream sundae. Things that would have entertained me longer than the slot machine did.

Maybe I would have had more fun if I understood the winnings and losing. The computer would highlight my matches when I saw no pattern, but hey I advanced credits... and sometimes I thought I won, but I didn't. It was confusing.

As I was searching for a familiar face-- I think I didn't do justice to the sound clutter of the casino. It really varies significantly. Even a few paces can bring forth new beeps & sound effects, new music or speech. Once in my search I passed a couple at a table exclaiming, "Yes! Yes!" But within a few strides their cheers were enveloped by a number of other sounds.

I'm feeling weary. Tomorrow, for the first time this week, I may sleep in. I look forward to that.

Home safely. Once again the Good Lord has delivered a smooth, safe, healthy and stress-free trip.

Also apparently the drunk guy on the street Friday night does not have magical powers:

Friday night we were wandering around downtown East Brunswick looking for a place to eat. As we stood on a corner with our typical initial indecisiveness a man emerged from a bar.

"Whoah!" he said and marveled that he tried to step where there was no stair.

Larry Bowman responded and that was enough to spark a conversation. The man, who turned out to be named Rusty, introduced himself and extended a hand. Larry shook his hand, Ledman shook his hand and eager to be friendly I said, "Vicky Sawyer" and extended my hand.

But he did not choose to shake my hand. Instead his liquored lips drew near my hand so I snatched it away.

My companions and new acquaintance laughed... but still I felt bad. I didn't want Rusty to take it personally-- like it was something wrong with him.

"Sorry" I said, "The flu's going around." He seemed to take it all in stride.

He crossed the street saying he heard there was a good place over there. Then when he got to the other side of the road, walking in stride with us, he yelled at me.

"I hope you get the flu!"

Maybe this was karma looping back to me for wishing that disrespectful, thoughtless, greedy parker in El Rodeo's to get food poisoning.

I doubt that El Rodeo chick did get food poisoning and luckily so far I have no flu.

Knock on wood.

This was a nice weekend for a road trip-- because of everything that has happened in the country lately. It was great to see how united everyone is now.

America flags were everywhere- towns hung them on light posts, motorcyclists had them waving off their cycles, people even hung flags on overpasses.

Signs too-- Land of the Free, Home of the Brave, God Bless America, etc. are hanging from bridges and fences.

Cars had red, white and blue ribbons on their antennas.

Big electronic signs that usually warn of construction and changing traffic patters now contained patriotic messages.

Last week I actually saw a "Don't Tread of Me" flag.

At the football game the opposing team's band and cheerleaders had American flags as well as their own. One of the captains of our team ran out on the field with an American flag as well. He even took it with him for the coin toss.

Again I found myself teary eyed by displays of patriotism. I never expected that of myself.

Before the football game started both Rutgers fans and Hokie fans cheered together:

USA! USA! USA!

It was touching. It felt weird after that to segregate and route for opposing teams. It felt little to forget all that happened and concentrate on a game... so I thought. My attitude changed after the first turnover that resulted in a touchdown (less than two minutes into the game!)

I had fun driving with Brian and Jodi. They both like oldies so we had a few moments where we sung along.

I think my comfort level with them is approaching my own family-- I mean, I actually sung a little in front of them. Granted, it wasn't the full-fledge, unbridled singing Carolyn and I do on our road trips. But it's a start. ...