For me, today started by waking up, being dressed, and packing the last stray items by 5:40 am to take the cab to the 7-Eleven at Lemay Ferry and Meramec Bottom. I got a Mtn Dew Livewire to use the rest of the money on a gift card I had, then walked a short distance and crossed the street to the stop. Got off at the weekend's base of operations, Civic Center.
Screwed around on MetroLink a bit, and randomly got off at Convention Center. Tripped over something (my own feet, I'd imagine. I was wearing my taller heeled black shoes) and went down. Only think majorly hurt was my purse, but I "fixed" it by tying the two straps together since they both broke on the same side. At the time I was more relieved that I fell face-first and hadn't ruined my new computer so soon after getting it.
After that, I went to Union Station to walk around some and locate where the Megabus stop is for when I need it. I achieved that goal about 7:20, and headed back to Civic Center. I met the people that were here already and received a fez from Whooz. Lost my Metro pass sometime before this point, so I bought another before the 32 bus came to take us to see the Challenger steam locomotive. I got pictures of it, a new shot glass for my collection, and a hacky sack (yes, because it was orange, though according to the person that rang me up orange is the most popular color of the ones they stock).
After seeing the Challenger and while waiting for a few people that weren't done yet, I changed from my tall shoes to my work shoes that I had packed.
Next was the Arch... for everyone else, anyway. Aside from a more general lack of interest in this case, I don't like heights. Spent my time there hanging out with GG-1, and later, Pennyk for a bit. Eventually pulled out the computer and tried uploading the pictures as they were at the time, but the free wifi wasn't in the mood for that so the uploads failed.
Then it was back to Union Station for lunch. I got a California Chicken from Charley's with fries and a raspberry tea to eat. Later, while killing time before it was time to hit the whole Metrolink system, I looked at the museum and got distracted by The Candy Station.
The group riding the Metrolink system together was fun, except the part where those stupid girls were with us. I'm so glad they got off after only a few stops, I was getting quite annoyed at them but not in a mood to call the cops or security :/ I mean, c'mon, I had my iPod on anyway because I had a song stuck in my head that needed to get out... But being so shrill and loud that I need to put both earbuds in, and turn it to near full volume? No.
My camera died before hitting Shiloh-Scott when I was trying to recreate my CTA set for Metrolink, and at first I was using my phone for pictures but quit doing it before too long, even before we hit the rush hour of commuters.
The Old Spaghetti Factory was nice. I got the toasted ravioli as my meal instead of an appetizer because even with a fridge and microwave in my room, I didn't want to have leftover food - Especially considering I have a half hour Metrolink ride plus airport shuttle time. For my drink I had the Italian cream soda, and it's because I'm not used to them, but I didn't even think of mixing the orange and the cream together and started drinking them separately.
Left Old Spaghetti Factory with Alice, Whooz, and Saxman. We made a pit stop at Civic Center so Saxman could get his stuff, then we were back on our way toward Lambert to get to our hotels.
I got to my hotel about 11, and only now that I'm done with this report of events am I truly ready to go to bed... Only about a half hour late compared to when I wanted to lay down. I'll go copy this into an AU post then shut up and go to bed for about the next time hours. Pictures will be forthcoming because I need to edit them so I can fit as many as I can into the limits of a free Flickr account.
Screwed around on MetroLink a bit, and randomly got off at Convention Center. Tripped over something (my own feet, I'd imagine. I was wearing my taller heeled black shoes) and went down. Only think majorly hurt was my purse, but I "fixed" it by tying the two straps together since they both broke on the same side. At the time I was more relieved that I fell face-first and hadn't ruined my new computer so soon after getting it.
After that, I went to Union Station to walk around some and locate where the Megabus stop is for when I need it. I achieved that goal about 7:20, and headed back to Civic Center. I met the people that were here already and received a fez from Whooz. Lost my Metro pass sometime before this point, so I bought another before the 32 bus came to take us to see the Challenger steam locomotive. I got pictures of it, a new shot glass for my collection, and a hacky sack (yes, because it was orange, though according to the person that rang me up orange is the most popular color of the ones they stock).
After seeing the Challenger and while waiting for a few people that weren't done yet, I changed from my tall shoes to my work shoes that I had packed.
Next was the Arch... for everyone else, anyway. Aside from a more general lack of interest in this case, I don't like heights. Spent my time there hanging out with GG-1, and later, Pennyk for a bit. Eventually pulled out the computer and tried uploading the pictures as they were at the time, but the free wifi wasn't in the mood for that so the uploads failed.
Then it was back to Union Station for lunch. I got a California Chicken from Charley's with fries and a raspberry tea to eat. Later, while killing time before it was time to hit the whole Metrolink system, I looked at the museum and got distracted by The Candy Station.
The group riding the Metrolink system together was fun, except the part where those stupid girls were with us. I'm so glad they got off after only a few stops, I was getting quite annoyed at them but not in a mood to call the cops or security :/ I mean, c'mon, I had my iPod on anyway because I had a song stuck in my head that needed to get out... But being so shrill and loud that I need to put both earbuds in, and turn it to near full volume? No.
My camera died before hitting Shiloh-Scott when I was trying to recreate my CTA set for Metrolink, and at first I was using my phone for pictures but quit doing it before too long, even before we hit the rush hour of commuters.
The Old Spaghetti Factory was nice. I got the toasted ravioli as my meal instead of an appetizer because even with a fridge and microwave in my room, I didn't want to have leftover food - Especially considering I have a half hour Metrolink ride plus airport shuttle time. For my drink I had the Italian cream soda, and it's because I'm not used to them, but I didn't even think of mixing the orange and the cream together and started drinking them separately.
Left Old Spaghetti Factory with Alice, Whooz, and Saxman. We made a pit stop at Civic Center so Saxman could get his stuff, then we were back on our way toward Lambert to get to our hotels.
I got to my hotel about 11, and only now that I'm done with this report of events am I truly ready to go to bed... Only about a half hour late compared to when I wanted to lay down. I'll go copy this into an AU post then shut up and go to bed for about the next time hours. Pictures will be forthcoming because I need to edit them so I can fit as many as I can into the limits of a free Flickr account.
I will probably read it some a time or two, but I have to admit it will ultimately end up on Ebay to go to a real collector. My primary interest in Amtrak is getting where I need to go, at least at this point in time. I might keep the other stuff, at least for now.
