Since the last time I went on vacation to Ohio in October, I have had friends here at my home a total of four different times since then: I had Julie, Summer and Michael here for Hallowein; Then Summer and Julie came here to visit me again in mid-November; Next was Arthur, Montel, Suzi, Julie and Bronx Paul who visited in January for a double birthday party for Arthur and myself - and then during the weekend of my actual birthday when Summer came back once again. In those four visits, I must have gone to the airport a dozen times to either pick friends up or drop them off. While I never mind helping my friends get to and from the airport to see me, I am very thankful that when I go to the airport at 5:30am tomorrow, the only person I am seeing off is myself.

For tomorrow begins my latest vacation, the first this year. The best part about this vacation is that in a way - I feel as if I am taking three different vacations in five days. Tomorrow, my plane will take me, after a stopover in D.C., to Atlanta, Georgia where I will board a shuttle bus which will take me to Chattanooga, Tennessee to meet Summer. I will be spending the first day - and first night - of my vacation in her hometown of Chickamauga - a town with a population of 2,245. After living in a hometown with a total population of 2,465,326 - I can't wait to spend some time in a town that has less people living in it than work in my office building. To escape the hustle and bustle of "The City That Never Sleeps" sounds very welcoming - and who better to escape with than Summer.

The second vacation I will be taking is the road trip that Summer and I will embark on when we drive from Chickamauga to Orlando, Florida to meet Mek and Deborah, Debbie Ligon, Michael Green and his wife Krissy - and Tom and Carla - two new Digest members I have never met. Considering that I have driven to Florida from Brooklyn in late 2000, I love road trips. To be able to be on the open road with no cares or concerns as I drive through this great nation is truly my definition of freedom - and again - who better to experience freedom with than Summer.

The obvious third leg of this vacation will be when Summer and I arrive in Orlando to spend the rest of Friday through Monday in a rented, five-bedroom house with a heated pool that is only fifteen minutes from our Saturday destination - Universal Studios Florida - which will entail a day at the park during their month-long Mardi Gras celebration - with live entertainment by the B-52's.

As I sit here behind my desk at the TLC in thirty-something degree weather, with temperatures set to drop to single digits this weekend - I cannot believe that in less than twenty-four hours - I will be on a plane and on the way to new destinations, eighty degree weather - and great friends to spend this incredible weekend with. I am also elated that my first vacation of a year I plan to make my best will be three different vacations wrapped up in one...

...and I can't believe I have to wait until 6:20am tomorrow for it all to begin.