i've never been so alone, and i've never been so alive

to say i know exactly where i am would be a lie. i am somewhere close to/in houston... i think. and apparently people in texas don't have local coffee shops or sit outside in cafes, which is very disappointing! i was trying to support the local shops, and me and roo literally drove around for an hour in stop-and-go traffic (which is NOT fun when you have a stick shift. my left calf is going to be a monster!) searching for either option, but to no avail. finally, i stumbled upon a panera bread that has an outdoor cafe so i figured 1 outta 2 isn't so bad... and then when i stepped out of my car, i quickly discovered why it is exactly that people in texas don't sit outside in cafes. i'm not entirely sure, but i think i briefly burst into flames. since restaurants have this crazy notion that it's not sanitary for dogs to be inside of restaurants, and i didn't want my computer to melt upon removal from the laptop case, i opted for sitting inside. luckily, there was a parking space in the shade right next to a window, so after cranking up the AC, topping off his bowl with fresh iced water and promising a rapid return, i locked rotor in my car (i was smart and brought an extra set of keys so i can actually UNlock the car if i need to leave him in there for a minute).  currently, i'm sitting about ten feet away from my car, separated from my baby boy by only two glass windows, and looking like a crazy lady for all the people sitting around me who don't know why i keep fervidly lifting up the blinds to peek outside. it's okay, people! i'm just an overprotective mommy.

yesterday was interesting. we got off to a late start (even though i woke up at 7 am!). after some running/pilates in the morning (to interrupt my story, i need everyone to know that i thought i just heard my car alarm go off and spastically jerked the blind up and stuck my ear against the window. false alarm-- haha no pun intended.), i ended up having to do a lot more last-minute packing than i had realized... which delayed our departure until 2 pm. The actual driving was great. With the windows down and my baby at my side, we cruised along, listening to audio books (yes, you're jealous of my insane coolness) and a various array of music. Rotor loves car rides so no problems there. 

The tentative goal was New Orleans, and finally, we rolled in at about 9 pm. Originally, I was going to find a motel/hostel to stay in for the night beforehand... And of course, I had seen about 39 million cheap ones along the way, but wanting to reach New Orleans first, I refused to stop at any of them. As I approached the exit, anticipation was bursting at my seams (or maybe that was just one too many graham crackers bursting my seams.. i don't know). However, that excitement quickly waned as I proceeded to get lost in the ghetto for two hours, with Rotor pawing and whining the whole time, telling me that i better find a fluffy, green bush for him or his anticipation was going to burst all over my seat.

At last, i saw the glorious sign pointing me back to the interstate, and i gladly kissed new orleans goodbye! my one-night-stand with new orleans just wasn't meant to be. zipping back along the interstate, my eyes began to droop, and i knew that i needed to find somewhere to rest soon. unfortunately, traffic disagreed. damn construction. another 2 hours later, i pulled into the parking lot of the cheapest motel i could find and stood in line behind a couple of drunken/stoned hookers to pay for my room (and here's my version for mom: i pulled into the nicest/safest looking hotel i could find and had the valet park my car while i went inside to enjoy a peaceful slumber). 

as i headed up the stairs to my haven of rest, i got cornered by a drunken, shirtless and extremely sweaty (or greasy.. not sure) man, asking if my dog was friendly. "No," i replied, quickly, "he's more of a guard dog," silently pleading for rotor to let out a ferocious growl. of course, he decided to wag his tail. once inside my room, i slammed the door shut and locked and then double bolted it. for the most part, i slept pretty well (and yes, i definitely slept in my sleeping bag on top of the covers. who knows what's gone on in those sheets?? i swear, i'll wash it before i give it back, angela! hehe) occasionally, i awoke to what i thought was rotor pacing the fake-hardwood floor. then i saw him lying next to me on the bed... and silently prayed that rats couldn't jump.

so anyway... here we are. i don't know how long i've been driving because all my watches are set to different times (don't ask.)... but we've still got a few hours to go until i plan on trying to find a campsite. hopefully, we'll camp tonight. i might try and make it to san antonio... we'll see. i'm going to try and post a couple videos so if i do, check em out!