Another tour in the books. And to say I’m relieved is a gross understatement. Wanna hear what’s in the front, back, and sides of my reptilian brain from June (when I start planning the itinerary) until April (when we finally pull into the school parking lot after it’s over)? It explains in part why I hardly sleep at all on tour. Here is a partial list, in no particular order, because they’re all #1.

• Terrorist attacks
• Bus accident
• Kid or chaperon getting gravely ill
• Kid getting lost or running away
• Violent crime against a kid, or a kid getting hit while crossing an intersection
• The NBC Studios elevator (Selfish inclusion; elevators constrict my breathing…they make me want to hyperventilate. Ridiculous, but there you have it. I’m phobia’d to death.)

But none of that happened, and I am grateful. I’m not a picture-taker, but I do have some favorites from tour…

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But now I have to start thinking about spring concerts and graduation: the return to reality. Back in the old routine. Yeah, man.

FO

And they’re off. This tour has gone so smoothly…something has to go wrong today.

I hope my students and the chaperones have had a ball; I know I have. Trying to have fun while on tour is a challenge for me, but my chaperones make it much easier to entertain the possibility. Great folks, they.

Saw Phantom on Broadway last night. While the Christine and Raoul characters were not necessarily to my liking (not happy when you can’t really tell a diff between the Christine and Carlotta voices), the phantom was once again very strong. Likey likey.

Today’s menu: Staten Island Ferry, shopping in Times Square, IMAX movie, Chinatown/Little Italy, Top of the Rock, then back home. Big day, big night, good tour.

Yay, it’s Finkday. But every day’s a holiday in old New York….

FO

April fool. Heh.

So what’s on the menu today? Ah, yes. Our step-on tour of Manhattan. Love that. We get a step-on guide who tells us (often in a very entertaining fashion) about the landmarks as we drive the city, and every so-often, we get out and explore. It’s a great morning.

Then it’s lunch at the seaport, Madame Tussauds, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and Phantom. Should be a good day. The fact that it’s going to be 68 and sunny in NYC today makes it even better.

I just might be starting to enjoy this tour. Six hours of sleep didn’t hurt, either! I’m having trouble with the pictures part…as in, I’m not taking any. Heh. I’ll try to do better today.

Happy Thurbsday.

FO