The past week
So last Wednesday was my sister's 26th birthday. That day, I drove her and Angela upto the Ben and Jerry's factory in Waterbury, Vermont. It was a nice ride up there - about 3 hours up I-91 and then I-89. Driving the roads of Vermont proved YET AGAIN that Connecticut drivers truly are stupid pricks. It was the first time in a long time that I actually enjoyed being out on the road to the fullest. The three of us took the tour of the factory, and then got to try out a sample of the featured flavor of the day, which was Chocolate fudge brownie. After this, we hung around outside and each got ourselves a little something to enjoy which taking in the surrounding view. What was also cool was that a local carpenter was selling some handcarved ice cream bowls that he made right there on site. Expensive little fuckers they were, but yet of very high quality. After B & J's, we headed to the northern edge of Waterbury (almost in the neighboring town of Stowe) to visit the Cabot cheese store annex and the Vermont Teddy Bear Company. After this, we headed back south on route 100 and then west on route 17 all the way into Crown Point, NY. At this point it was about 6:30 and I needed to fill up my tank again. After passing through Fort Ticonderoga, I drove us to I-87, where I proceeded to travel 88 miles south to Albany. When we got there, it was about 8:30 and we made a much needed stop for dinner at Applebee's to toast to my sis's birthday. Very pleasant. After dinner, I continued east on I-90 and then south again on U.S. 9, switching over to the Taconic State Parkway until finally arriving at I-84. By the time I got Angela back home and then got Teresa and myself home, it was well past 12:30 am on the 30th.
Total driving distance: 561 miles.
Fast Forward...
...So today was my first day at WestConn. It's definitely a higher gear than what I had gotten used to at Naugatuck Valley. I'll be honest; today I felt kinda iffy about being there, continuing with my overall educational plan. Definitely out of place. But then again, I figure after all the introductory beginning-of-the-semester crap is out of the way, things should normalize. I do recall that I had thought the same way about Naugy when I first got there. Anyway, tomorrow at 7:30 pm is my audition for the Jazz Ensemble. I'm definitely nervous, but excited. Wish me luck!>>>