In which my eagerly anticipated and long awaited NEW YORK TOUR 2009 is nigh.

Luggage? Well, I didn’t buy a new case like I’d threatened to, but can use the carry on-sized rolly case at the house; it’ll be adequate and it’s smaller than the one I own.

Hair color? Check, I have an appointment after work tonight to get my roots done. Nails? Yeah, they look pretty trashy. I’ll go get a fill on Saturday while my laundry’s in. Will probably shave, too, just to feel cosmopolitan, even though no one will see.

Money? Well, turns out the band still owed me for a gig, so I collected on that today. I won’t be arriving in NY with quite all the extra padding I’d hoped to, but I’ll be fine. (In other words, I’ll be able to buy VUBOQ plenty of drinks on Halloween, and that’s really all that matters!)

Saturday I’m going to sleep in, then do my laundry and pack. (I’ll clean my room, too, so it’s nice when I get home. I really think that’s an important part of travel: making sure the home you return to is clean and welcoming.) Sunday I fly out of here at seven in the morning for a whole week away from my house, away from my job, and out of my routine.

Turns out that Deboka – oldest of friends and most righteous of women, with whom I’ll be staying for several nights – called me to confirm and organize the night before last, but I didn’t notice because I sometimes don’t look at my phone for two days. Gotta call her tonight.

Paper copy of flight itinerary? Check. Copy for G’ma? Yup. Even printed out the names and addresses of the people I’m staying with for her, because it’s old school and she’ll dig it. Confirmation email for the theatre tickets? Check. Better get a little cash to carry. Better make a pile of electronics chargers too, so I don’t forget anything when I pack.

Contact lens solution! Damn. Need to buy a bottle because I’m nearly out. Maybe a small toothpaste, too. My toothpaste tube is probably over 3.4 ounces. Does the limit apply to toothpaste? I hate being delayed in security; it’s such a pain in the ass. Better go check.

Weather! Pay attention to the weather. Isn’t it maybe gonna be raining this weekend? An umbrella might not be an inappropriate article to slip into my suitcase’s external pocket. Probably don’t need a coat, should be able to layer.

Vacation is so, so close. I’m so excited I could just pop! One and a half days left of work. One day of laundry and packing and last minute details. An early wake-up the next day, and then? AND THEN?! Dinner in Brooklyn, bitches!