Eye on the apple

The folks are flying out to New York in May, when a cousin is graduating from Columbia. When I learned of this, I said perhaps I would come down as well. It would mean a little rearranging of my classes and the train shouldn't be too expensive. I checked out the train fares and it's only $118 round trip. I just about clicked on purchase when I realized I hadn't checked out accomodations. Ugh. Have you ever stayed in a New York Hotel room? They are very small, cruise ship cabins are decidedly larger. And yet they still command over $300 a night. Even on priceline, it's gonna be $180 a night with tax.

I called mom to lament this state of things. She doesn't find it all that expensive on priceline, but I was thinking of renting someone's spare bedroom in Brooklyn for $80 a night.

Then spouse came home and announced he had landed another $3000 contract for his side business building web sites. This was unexpected. I said, "What do you think about taking the train to New York and going to my cousin's graduation? The folks will be there and we can see lots of shows. We can stay at a 4 star hotel for $900 for five nights." And his eyes lit up but then he said, "The train is 13 hours! I've done that." I informed him that the train is 10 hours and he harumphed and said, "Yah, that's what they SAY." (sarcastic intonation indicating that he believes that what they say is bullshit) "Well, are you up for it anyway?" And he said yes. Yippee! And with the extra contract he got, we can actually afford it. New York in May. I can't wait.