Miami, Florida
August 14, 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

I haven't a clue as to what the modern phrase might be, but for me, I will use "I am psyched. Totally psyched."

Several months ago I learned that my high school in New York is planning a reunion. It's a big anniversary for my class. I logged on and bought an airplane ticket.

I leave Bangkok on August 19. My first stop is Miami. I rented an apartment in the City of Aventura, very near to where I lived for ten years. I will visit my nephew and his family, and my many good friends, cousins and former neighbors.

On September 9, I will fly up to New York. The reunion is on the weekend of September 12 - 14. There's a cocktail reception on Friday night. On Saturday afternoon, I'm the official photographer for a bus tour to The Bronx and a gathering at our alma mater, William H. Taft High School . On Saturday evening I will dress up for the gala dinner. On Sunday, I will wear my Bali batik shirt at the buffet brunch. *

As a native New Yorker, I will be visiting with my cousins, old friends, and former colleagues.

Next, I plan to drive to Boston Since I lived in the Boston area for seventeen years, I have some catching up to do with many devoted friends and relatives in New England.

Then it's a drive west to Ontario, Canada and then back to Miami..

After a few days of R & R in Miami, I expect to take a two-week motor trip through The South. There are three States I have never visited. And I have several friends there who "talk funny."   The dates for this trip are October 17 - November 2.

Back to Miami for Election Day. Any draft dodgers running this time?

The City of Miami, The City of New York, and The City of Boston are major hot-spots on the East Coast. But I hope to make stops in many other hot-spots as well:

Here's my list. The order of the list is tentative. The list is not all-inclusive. Feel free to add your own favorite hot-spot:

• Lauderhill
• Aventura
• Hibiscus Island
• Boca Raton
• Hallandale
• North Miami
• North Miami Beach
• Plantation
• Tamarack
• Park City
• Yorkville
• Hamilton Heights
• Highbridge
• East Tremont
• Rockville Centre
• Flushing
• Little Neck
• Roslyn
• Syosset
• Southampton
• Katonah
• Hunter Mountain
• Parsippany
• Sparta
• West Newton
• Newton Center
• Needham
• Framingham
• Brookline
• Medfield
• Medford
• Lynn
• Somerville
• Scituate
• Brewster
• Spencertown
• Bloomfield
• Forest Hill
• Warner Robins
• Asheville
• Carbondale
• Bossier City

I am prepared to be a "vagabond at home," alone. But a co-pilot-navigator would be nice. Anyone want to join me? Really. Seriously, I renewed my AAA membership, and as you know, I can drive at night. Let me remind you, in Miami, that's a very big deal.

Sometimes the news reporting in my part of the world is a little shaky, so before I depart, I do have three questions:

1.   Is it true?  Paris Hilton is running for President?  I don't know about you, but I'm psyched!
2.   Do I need my Passport to drive across state lines?  Or is my retina enough?
3.   Is gas really $4.00 a gallon?  You're kidding, right?  Maybe my CNN website connection has a typo?

When I was a boy at Taft High School, gas was 19.9 cents for regular and 24.9 for hi-test. The attendant washed your windshield, checked the oil and water, and filled the tank for you. The air pump was free....What the hell happened?

Cheers (I think),

Jan

PS To my friends throughout Asia, and to my friends in my new home in Thailand, "Thank you for your hospitality and companionship. I will miss you while I am away, but I will be back soon."

* For Jan at Seventeen! http://taftreunion1958.myevent.com Click- Sign in