Harry Potter and the Magical Memories

I moved back to Boston briefly for two and a half years in the year 2000. It was an interesting time in my life - and in early 2003, I realized that Boston was not what had changed. That distinction was all mine. It proved you can go home again, but just don't expect home to be what you remember. Of course, one of the major reasons for coming back to California was the brutal New England winter. In all my years growing up, not once did I slip on the ice, but one night, when I lost my traction and flew up in the air, I remember thinking..what the #)$#)(* was I thinking in coming back? But before I broke my mom's heart once again - Rosemarie and I made some great memories and one of them was seeing the first Harry Potter film together.

I'll never forget that experience. My mother had broken her hand a few weeks earlier (no, I did not do it)  and there we were, sitting on the floor of the movie complex, her arm in a sling, me not drinking anything so I wouldn't have to get up and use the bathroom during the film - camped out for hours to get a good seat for the screen adaptation of a book we both loved. (Ah, the joys of living in Los Angeles where assigned seating takes away that little bonding experience.) Now, eleven years later, we've come full circle - the final Harry Potter opens when our trip to Italy is over and we'll watch it together at the very same movie theater.

This is my last full week at work and I'm hoping it goes by quickly. The last thing on my mind at the end of the week will be the ratings performance of any of our shows. It's just going to be me, Rosemarie, Italy, pasta, wine and the magic of Harry Potter.

Pre Travel Purchase

My little backpack that I used when my mom and I were in Paris last year was pretty convenient, but today, I bought a wicked cool (that's language in anticipation of my time in Boston) backpack from the corner store on the lot. Alas, there were no NBC branded ones, just  Universal, but that's good enough. It's pretty snazzy still.

Now, I'm all about good values, so a $35 purchase merely cost me $20 with my NBC discount.  It's large enough to hold my net book and it's just right for our day trips and even better for our overnight in Venice. Rosemarie and I are going to be walking around the city before we check in and for sure, I don't want her worried about luggage. And the memory of my friend David and me walking around Venice dragging our suitcases is still fresh in my mind. Plus, last year, my mom didn't know where her lipstick was and I can carry multiple tubes in this without a problem and there'll still be room for her pajamas.

The Long Home Stretch

Today, the fates are teasing me. After a wonderful weekend relaxing in Palm Springs following a crazy busy work week in Las Vegas, I thought the days would be less stressful. Work has been incredibly busy, the databases aren't playing nice and the world of television continues to need promotion. Yet, my friend the database is not letting me do my job, which in turn turns up my stress level. Part of me wants to take some time without pay and head to Boston now and just hang out until my mom and I board our flight to Florence.

Just think, for those of you following me on this vacation, you only have to wait 14 days for the posts to get more exciting. This year, Rosemarie is much calmer than she was in the days leading up to Paris. I almost don't know what to do with her. My posts are lacking in that unique Rosemarie humor - but something tells me that there'll be plenty of snippets to come.

Old Friends And New Experiences

Today, I booked our day trip to Rome so my mom and I can meet up with my high school friend, Cinzia. It's been 29 years since I've seen her and I have no doubt that the years will melt away the second we see each other again. The two of us have no doubt done a lot of living since our days at Medford High School and we'll have the entire day to recap a generation of stories into one glorious Roman day. For sure, I want to show Rosemarie the Trevi Fountain, a place I spent many of my nights during my first visit in 1999.

As much as I sometimes think Facebook's social media has taken all the being "social" out of the world, if it weren't for its existence, Cinzia and I would never have reconnected. It's like everything else I've experienced - find what works for you and relish in life's wonder.

Can it be four weeks away?

For those of you coming along on this second journey of a lifetime with me and my mother, I hope I've whet your appetite with anticipation. Four short weeks from today (or four incredibly long weeks depending on my state of mind) I will be in Boston. The coming posts will, no doubt, be filled with pre-flight humor as Rosemarie gets ready to leave the country for the second time. For sure, I won't have us board any public transit once we land in Florence and my mother can rest assured that her beloved coffee fix will be met tenfold. We will speak the little Italian that we know and feast on the food that will no doubt bring back special memories of my grandmother as she baked and cooked with so much love so many years ago. Every step we take will remind us of where we've come from, how far we've traveled and how much there is still ahead to enjoy together.

Trenitalia

Today, I bought our train tickets to Venice. Although traveling coach to Belgium last year was just fine, this year, I decided to treat my mom to first class. My friend Barbara suggested I go though Trentitalia instead of using the U.S. reseller, RailEurope, and it saved me about a $100. Five weeks from today, I leave for Boston - but, really, who's counting?

Venice is Booked

Today, I booked our hotel for our overnight stay in Venice. Although it's not one of my favorite cities in Italy, I know my mom will love it. Just like the first time I saw Paris, I thought how much my mother would love seeing this city. We're staying at the Hotel Antica Locanda al Gambero, where my friend David and I booked a room back in 2004. Back then, he and I searched and searched the confusing streets of the city for what seemed like hours, only to discover the hotel was literally right next to Piazza San Marco.

My pre-trip to Boston is at the end of next month, and for sure, this is a lesson in patience for me. Something everyone knows I don't possess.