I completely overslept this morning and missed the train to Washington DC at 7 am. It serves me right for thinking I could wake up at 5 in the morning with no problem.

I called my boss’s boss (with whom I was supposed to rendezvous at the convention center) and left her a voicemail on her cell letting her know what happened, and apologizing profusely. I probably sounded totally ridiculous since I called her literally 30 seconds after I woke up and realized how late it was… I was babbling.

UGH. I don’t look forward to going to work tomorrow as a result - because I will feel even more sheepish and embarrassed. But I have to get it over and done with, apologize and be done with it. I can’t grovel because that’s not professional, but I also can’t just brush it off because that’s even MORE unprofessional. I do feel badly about it because I would’ve liked to have gone and checked out our company’s exhibit space, as well as the competition, and I would’ve especially loved to snag bunches of free galleys and ARCs from the different authors and publishers. Grrr.

As I’ve stated many times before - though perhaps never in the rants - some days are just a festival of suck.

According to Sunday night custom, the bulk of my family is downstairs watching “The Sopranos.” However, tonight is different because my sister also has about 15 friends over for an informal birthday party gathering since her 22nd birthday is tomorrow. So there’s cursing and screaming from Tony Soprano and co., and then laughter and hilarity from my little sister’s gaggle of guests. I won’t be able to fall asleep for a while tonight since everyone got here around 8… and I’m sure they’ll be here until midnight or so. Whatever. She graduated yesterday and her birthday is tomorrow… she should have some fun.

I’m going to play a video game for a bit and then perhaps find some earplugs and hit the hay.

Only two more days until I fly off to Poland and Tunisia. I’ve been re-reading the Rough Guide to Tunisia and trying to formulate a brief itinerary. I would love to travel down to the Sahara and check out the town where Star Wars was filmed, and I would also love to see some of the great museums… but I don’t know if my father will be up for it. If it was a country where I knew the language a little better, I would have no qualms whatsoever about striking out on my own since I’d be able to communicate effectively and stay safe, but the guide warns against female travelers going it alone since men in Tunisia have a certain view of Western females: that they are women of loose morals. What we consider to be polite and friendly behavior can be misinterpreted as a sexual advance or just permission by virtue of not screaming and yelling. It actually recommends wearing sunglasses when going around town since then you can’t make direct eye contact and send mixed signals.

It would be just my luck to go to Tunisia and send mixed signals when I don’t send ANY signals at home.

So… yeah. I need to do some laundry tomorrow since I got a six-pack of athletic socks at Target yesterday, as well as a new pack of underwear. I wanted to make sure that I was fully stocked with those basics before this trip. I don’t have a bathing suit, but that’s ok. I found some shorts and tank tops and I can just wear those while sitting on the beach. I also have a colorful sarong that my parents brought back from Mexico, so I can wrap that around myself on top of the shorts and tank top if I feel underdressed on the beach and don’t want my legs exposed as much.

My suitcase is sitting here - empty. I could trick myself into believing that I’m partially packed by opening it up and putting my sun hat and flip-flops into it. That’s just silly, though. I’ll get it done… I will. Tomorrow. In a hurry. I leave Tuesday night, so there’s still time… but not much.

Can you tell I’m stressing a little? At least I know where the important things are: itinerary, passport, guidebook, phrasebook, medicine, sunglasses, and cash. Which reminds me - I’ll call and refill my script right now.

Great. That’s more suck. Since I need to refill my script ahead of the 30 day supply (since I’ll run out while I’m away) I have to pay for the full cost of it because insurance won’t cover two refills within the 30 day period. UGH. Again - last thing I need. But if there’s one thing I’ll need while I’m away for two weeks with my father, it will be an anti-depressant. It’s worth the cost for some semblance of peace of mind. Or a buffer.

Enough. I think it’s time to consider the process of sleep.