Amazing Race

I've often noticed that if I have to go without something, or give something up, I usually fare well and don't miss it-- it's never as traumatic as it seems it will be. I recently took a pay cut of 10%, but some twists and changes to my budget (and, um, the Lenten no-shopping fast) has actually put me in better financial state than I was previously. The same with tv. At some point in college (around the time my family moved and decided not to get cable) I gave up tv, and found that there were plenty of other things to do with my life, plus I didn't have to worry about conflicting a tv show with some other plan, and I didn't need to learn how to record a show. All was good until I started watching Lost with my roommates last year. It was captivating and it's return this year meant that I had standing plans with the tv on Wednesday nights. Once the evening was already blocked off, I realized the tv could be on before Lost, and no great harm would be done. And so it happened that G and I started watching The Amazing Race. I found I could somehow identify with the average couples participating in the show-- the young, nerdy couple, the mom and daughter team, the best friends who always wore pink...G and I would find ourselves asking, "What if we were on the Amazing Race?" We decided to test our mettle by taking a one-day trip to NYC last Saturday.
Challenge 1: Waking up at 5:30 to get on the 7:30 am bus to New York
Outcome: Success, and, due to remembering snacks, staved off grumpiness for a few hours
Challenge 2: At 10:30 am arrival, onset of grumpiness by A leads to quickly identifying coffee and breakfast
Outcome: Semi-success as Little Italy cafe served us a once frozen croissant, and charged us for the tip, but caffeine intake nipped grumpiness in the bud
Challenge 3: G's feet start to hurt around 1:30, in Union Square
Outcome: Success-- G brought now fewer than 3 changes of socks
Challenge 4: Identify and shop at store Mexx
Outcome: Failure! Address and cross streets A had written down didn't exist
Challenge 5: Identify restaurant for dinner with limited map
Outcome: Success, but barely. A hates asking for directions but finally capitulated to G's urging to call the restaurant. Restaurant was delightful, and drinks and apps refreshed our spirit.

We dozed off and on until we arrived back in Boston around midnight. A wonderful and full day was had by us both, as well as realizing that we could survive the Amazing Race after all.