I have the "Laurence Olivier for Diet Coke" song/skit/bit-of-funniness going through my head now.

This is your basic yes-we're-alive post from Calgary. We got finished cleaning the apartment at 6:22 p.m. and then went to my house to pack the car. And boy, did we pack it. We left my house at about 8:30 p.m. and didn't manage to really fit much besides my stuff (I don't travel light) and the futon mattress into my Acura Integra. Of course, I could still use my rear view mirror effectively which I suppose we could have done without, but it makes me twitchy.

Lots of stops and fresh air breaks to help us stay awake and we arrived safely at our destination at 1:15 a.m. Keep in mind there was a time zone change so we made it in 5 hours and 45 minutes, not 4 hours and 45 minutes. That would be crazy!

It was a full moon and the stars were brightly shining for over half the trip. I love driving under a full moon. You can always distinguished the horizon and see the outlines in the ditch at a bit more of a distance. I usually freak myself out driving in pitch black when there is no moon. Murderers with hooks hiding in the ditches and all that. Silly campfire stories.

There were some giggle-filled moments of tiredness in the car, but I don't remember why anymore. It was a good trip. Great conversations are priceless. iPods are awesome too, but they can be bought.