The human animal differs from the lesser primates in his passion for lists of "Ten Best."

(H. Allen Smith)

Well, the folks at Pomegranates and Paper are trying something new: Lists on Friday. The list for this week is "Splendid Necessities for Travel." Hmm. Somehow I can't seem to make my list very interesting.

Okay: where do I want to go? The Vancouver Winter Olympics, 2010.

Movies to watch to prepare:

• The Cutting Edge
• The Ice Princess
• Cool Runnings

People to talk to:

• Travel Agent (to ballpark cost and logistics)
• People that live near Vancouver, like in Seattle and stuff (I don't think any of my lurkers are from BC, but this would be the time to de-lurk yourself)
• myself, so that I remember to start saving money.

Things to find out about:

• Collecting Olympic pins (I hear this is all the rage when you go to the Olly's)
• How do you buy the tickets for the events?
• Learn how to speak Canadian (eh, skates, hoser, take off!!)

Things to take with:

• digi camera (for when I spot...well, whoever it is that I want to spot. I don't think Emily Hughes will go to the 2010 Olly's, but if she did, that's who I'd want a picture of.)
• extra batteries (my digi camera has a voracious appetite for these)
• toiletries (toothbrush, hairdryer, meds, etc.)
• Marvin, my teddy bear
• My Bible, many other books and magazines...
• My Disc-man (no, I do not have an ipod. No, I'm not ready to commit...)
• CD's (duh!)
• My cell phone (although I'd have to find out what the Canadian to US rates are)
• My swimsuit (I love hotel pools!)

You know, it just occurred to me that I *am* going to be traveling splendidly in less that 30 days--to Baaaston! What a great chance to tell yins what I'm taking there.

• All of the above, minus Marvin.
• The Easy-Bake Oven Emily gave me for Christmas--I'm giving it to Susan's Sara. She really wants one, and everytime they see one and she squeals, "Mama, I want one," Susan says, "But honey, we *have* a toaster oven."
• I would LOVE to borrow someone's laptop so I can blog while I'm at the conference, anyone?? (I might beg my dad's.)
• My pink shoes, of course (ah, but which ones?)
• Post earrings (I have learned to not travel with danglies--they come off if you fall asleep on the plane, for instance)
• at least one notebook (preferably this one, which I buy at Barnes & Noble)

sidebar: I have spent at least 22 minutes trying to find the Miquelrius notebooks they sell at B&N, to no avail. I did find this fun site, though. Also this one: Pocketmod.com

You get the idea.

Songs for Splendid Travel:

• Happy Trails to you, until we meet again...
• Gentle on my mind
• She'll be Coming Round the Mountain...
• King of the Road