The best-laid plans of mice and (wo) men often go awry

In yesterday's post I talked about my ever worsening case of wanderlust. I wrote that post Friday evening and after writing it I thought I needed a little trip.

So I called a friend of mine that lives in Santa Cruz, which is now one of my favorite cities. I last visited my friend a couple of months ago and she extended an open invitation. So I thought I would take her up on that.

After I talked to her I started to get my stuff together for my trip. Actually one of the things I enjoy most about travelling isn't arriving at my destination, but the journey itself. And part of the journey is packing! I love packing. When I'm packing I'm a happy camper!

I pulled out my day trip backpack and started loading it. I also made a brand new itunes playlist for the trip. I checked the train schedule. I decided I would catch a train that was to depart at a little after 9 am.

I was really excited, so much so that it was difficult for me to get to sleep that night.

Anyway I finally did get to sleep and woke up yesterday feeling very excited about getting out of town.

But there was a problem.

Have you ever had one of those mornings when you know what time you have to leave to get somewhere but you're moving like a turtle? I was moving so slow! I kept telling myself that I was going to miss the bus that was to take me to the train.

And to no avail because I still couldn't get it in gear.

When I finally made it out of the house I had to walk double time to the bus stop. When I got there I checked the schedule and realized that I had mis-read the timetable I had at home, I missed the darn bus!

Arrg!

The trip wasn't wrecked yet though. As I stood at the bus stop wondering where I could walk to hail a cab I saw another bus coming. Why was this bus coming now? I had no idea; it wasn't supposed to come for 25 minutes more according to the schedule.

Anyway I chocked it up to my good fortune and an omen that I was going to have a great trip.

Not so fast.

As the bus pulled up to the train station I saw the train. That wasn't good. The train usually pulls in and out within a matter of 3 or 4 minutes. So I knew I would have to run to catch it. There was an obstacle though. I was on the wrong side of the train tracks so I had to walk up and over an overpass. I hiked it up the stairs and just as I reached the top I saw the train pulling out!

Darn it!

I actually laughed at myself for being so slow earlier. This is what slow pokes get, I thought as I walked back over and down the overpass.

What now? Go home? Wait for the next train? I checked my train schedule and the next train wasn't for over an hour. I thought about it and decided that it wasn't like I had to be some where. So I decided not to wait for the next train.

As I walked back to the bus stop I had a wonderful thought.

Retail therapy!

I hadn't splurged on anything since I upgraded to a new ipod Nano, so why not? And that's how I spent part of my day yesterday. I went home dropped off my backpack, called my friend in Santa Cruz and I was back out the door.

I didn't go crazy; I decided I would by stuff to pamper myself with. So I headed to a nice local drug store and got a little basket and filled it up.

Burt's Bees Lip Balm with pomegranate Oil is the balm, er.. bomb!

I bought 5 bottles of body wash, a few bars of soap, and I stocked up on Burt's Bees. Then I went to Sears and bought some new fluffy bath towels and a nice bath mat. After that I stopped by the market and bought a few lemons and limes and herb tea.

Then it was home and just in time to beat the rain. And that was my day!

When is the last time you did a little retail therapy?