Some background, written on the plane to NY somewhere over the Midwest

The trip to New York was not a planned event, nor was it entirely random. We had gone to Whistler on a whim some two years ago, born out of desperation to snowboard somewhere - anywhere - we could when a larger group trip was canceled at the last minute. This level of desperation was similarly present in the planning of this trip, after a long spring and anticipated summer of suffering and work-induced boredom. Several ideas were proposed, ranging from the pricey to the foodie inspired, but New York was settled upon for reasons...unknown. Perhaps, and this is what I like to think, New York was a little of everything, the resulting crockpot of all our proposals and ideas of where we wanted to go and what we wanted to do. It is the city that has everything, right?

I suppose a little background is in order. Rose, Debbie, Hiro, and I had all been to NY, to limited extents. My knowledge of their trips is limited and from my already shaky memory, so forgive me as I try my best. Hiro last visited a few months ago as part of a job-seeking mission to Connecticut, an opportunity viewed with contempt by the rest of us. This was mainly for selfish reasons: we did not want Hiro to leave San Diego. And throw yet another farewell party. And see Hiro come back a few months later (Zing!). Rose had visited a little over a year ago with family. Her trip likely did not involve significant quantities, if any quantities, of alcohol. As such, the maximum amount of fun from this trip was capped at 7/10. Debbie had visited many years ago prior to her second year in college. She said it was a short trip, and fun. Finally, my pror trips to NY were a consequence of working in Boston and taking the Fung Wa bus to visit friends during the weekends. I made two or three trips that summer, all of which can be vaguely summarized as great, but lacking in duration.

I like to think our stories of these trips had inspired Joe to increase his desire to visit, but I doubt that. He had probably wanted to go before, and if not, he has alwas been a willing participant for most, if not all, our activities. It is not a surprise that the five of us are on this trip.

A mildly inappropriate picture of the five of us in Whistler. And to answer your question: yes, we are clothed.