Subject: MilLoynium: Winter's Heart From: Pat O'Connell Organization: The Department of Redundancy Department Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.written.robert-jordan The Wheel of Time turns, and ages come and pas, yadda, yadda, yadda. In the Land of the Southwest, on the night of Yule, a wind blew snow and ice into a land that knew them not, closing all paths into and out of that land. Well, that was Albuquerque on Tuesday December 26th, when Karen and I were planning to get in our truck and beat feet for Indy. We studied the Wunderground weather ter'angreal, and made careful plans for some alternative route out of town. We came up with a route through Colorado and Kansas, as that land had gotten none of the snow or freezing rain that slammed New Mexico, the Texas panhandle, and Oklahoma. Wednesday Dec. 27 about 9 AM, we got the word that I-25 to Colorado Springs was open, and off we went. The worst roads (occasional ice patches and a little snow)were between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and just north of Las Vegas, NM. The feared Raton Pass between Raton and Trinidad CO was in great shape, and we headed north to Colorado Springs, where we found no snow on the ground, and a reasonably priced Days Inn. The Mexican restaurant in the inn was wonderful. Unfortunately, our room was right next to a pump room, where a pump would randomly switch on and off during the night, ruining our sleep. At 6 AM on Thursday Dec. 28, it was time to head on. We had a surprisingly good omelet breakfast at a restaurant in Calhan, CO, and a clear (but flat and boring) road from there to Salina, Kansas, where it became obvious that there was snow on the ground and winter weather ahead. As we got close to Kansas City, we entered an area of snow showers, and it became obvious that my windshield washer wasn't working properly. We decided to press on, as we knew that the snow let up east of town. Much worse snow sidelined us late at night in Vandalia, IL, and we again pulled in for the night. Friday morning, Dec. 29, after a long sleep and a surprisingly good continental breakfast (great coffee and fresh cinnamon rolls!) we found the roads slick and the ditches full of dead cars in Illinois, but the snow had stopped so we headed on carefully to Indy. In general the rest of the trip to Indy was uneventful (except for the non-functional washer), and we checked in at the Days Inn. Shortly thereafter were visited by Ray Ovrebo, who was the only other Darkfriend checked in at that point. Karen went with our friends that she had promised to help move to their new home. I later found a Dragon's Fang on the door of Paul Khangure, and darkfriends gathered within. New people were met, old friends greeted, and the insanity began. Dinner was pizza at the most gracious Loys. Saturday morning Dec. 30, a Darkfriend shopping trip had been planned, but I went off to my mom's, and my brother and I replaced the dying washer pump. Back to the room to prepare for dinner. Karen, after moving furniture for two days, informs me that she is dead to the world and would rather sleep than head for St. Elmo's, but put in a request for leftovers. I head for Paul's, and organize a caravan to Downtown. At the parking garage, we frighten a parking attendant with tales of darkfriends; Bill McCarthy appears in the next car and sends the attendant into a crossing fit. Nice work, Bill. We head for St. Elmo's through the wind and blowing snow, where we jam the front bar area until they can clear an area for us. Fine, wonderful *MEAT* was had by all, except for Madhu. New Millenium's Eve: Started off with a visit fron the Mutant Biker Maid From Hell, and (after attempting to communcate with this scary looking man wearing Harley leathers and a bandanna who can't speak), fresh towels. Next, a "digestible" breakfast (with bunny ears and carbon bacon) at PaPa's. More and more people come in, including Amy Yost and Jeff. Karen had recovered from moving our friends, but wants to go to bed early. Off we go to the party, where A Good Time Was Had By All, Guinness was drunk, Meat on a Stick, Artichoke Canapes and other goodies were consumed. Janet Rolsma's cookies were an immediate hit. Karen was shuttled home early, then I went back into the fray. Backs were rubbed, laps were danced, silly games were played, and 2001 became a Space Oddity without the world ending or anything. Crossed of Uncrossed? New Year's Day, 2001: Off to Perkins Pancake House to say goodbye to everyone driving to Chicago. Novak offered his lap to a nun and we frightened the waitress, but the breakfast was good if not as digestible. I went to the Loys and watched Young Frankenstein (Tashenna had never seen it) and a bit of the Purdue/Washington football game (Purdue lost, more's the pity). On Jan 2 after hitting PaPa's again, I went to visit my mom and took her to lunch at an Applebee's. Karen and I went out to Bennigan's (Are you happy Koz?). We left Indy on Jan 3 and drove to Tulsa without incident, except Illinois is still boring. On Jan 4, we drove the rest of the way to Albuquerque. Western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle east of Vega are mostly flat and boring. Miscellaneous observations on the road: Karen can't drive--75. She likes 80 much better. Steak and Shake still puts out a great steakburger. Judging from a sample of one, Oklahoma casinos aren't much to get excited about. Bingo parlor and "stud poker" machines. The Cherokee restaurant near Weatherford, OK has good sandwiches and good pies. -- Pat O'Connell Take nothing but pictures, Leave nothing but footprints, Kill nothing but vandals...