I arrived safely in Raleigh this evening after an easy drive. Koren, Katherine, Peter, Emily and I went to the Olive Garden where we had the smarmiest waiter ever. He was like a lounge lizard turned waiter. He inserted himself into every conversation and made them all about him. It was really bad technique. The food was what you would expect, but the kids liked it.

Oh, and I watched American Idol for the first time ever. I’ve been told that this is not a particularly good episode to be introduced to the show with because it was the one where the semi-finalists were chosen. So without knowing all the drama that has gone into it thus far the episode seemed, um, repetitive.

Tomorrow, I get up and drive back to Chattanooga. What a crazy life.

I’ve stopped for coffee and quiched and–behold!–internet at a little shop in Asheville en route to visit family in Raleigh. While here, I’ve had to advise the barista on the merits of cellphones. Why she lacks local friends to whom she can ask these questions, I don’t know.