The past two weeks could be accurately described by invoking the movie 'Planes, Trains, and Automobiles' as I experienced all of those modes of transportation. There was even a point when one of my co-workers realized the similarity between our situation and said film and cried out "Those aren't pillows!!" in the middle of 7th Avenue in Manhattan.

But let us not dwell on the tortured way in which I moved up and down the east coast. Let us instead think of happier things, such as our vacation to New Orleans for Halloween.

The weather (until we got on the airplane....) was incredible. Jim and I met up with Melody and Rich for four days in the Big Easy. We rambled the streets of the French Quarter, sampling all manner of tasty foods and drinks (the Bloody Marys at the Old Absinthe House won the prize for tastiest (and sadly, most expensive) - and as I promised, we raised a glass to Raven72d.

Jim learned last year in New Orleans, that Pirates get beads. Especially well-dressed pirates. So, that's what we did...

But Catholic School girls and Priests get even more beads....especially when they are Melody and Rich...

In the end, a splendid time was had by all.