Apart from meeting Mickey Mouse at the American Airlines check-in, Halloween has been a routine day. Strange how routine air-travel has become for me recently. I've learned the tricks of how to get good seats, how to pack, what to take with me, and, more importantly, how to make good use of my time by catching up with emails and doing maintenance on my website while in the air. I'll be honest, I'm actually writing this part of the journal from seat 20H at 41,000 feet.

A festive American Airlines employee

I'd originally planned to both go running and work-out this morning. But I slept in later than I'd planned and only had time for one or the other. I spent ten minutes humming and hawing over which. It seems I can make my mind up more easily on big matters than trivial. Eventually, I opted for the gym, and had a tough workout which left my feeling breathless, and faded.

Then it was time to pack up, and depart. I'd had such a great week here in the heart of New York City. I was particularly sorry to leave since the weather was the most beautiful of the whole beautiful week I'd been here.

Heading down to check out of my hotel

I was relieved, upon getting to the airport, to find that my bulkhead/exit seat assignment was still good. Since my company will reimburse me for it, I decided to join the Admirals Club. The "Admirals Club" seems like a strange choice of a name - why not the "Air Marshall's Club"? Incidentally, I just saw today that even the Coast Guard has Admirals. Americans seem to love high-faluting titles, although I suppose I don't have much ground to stand on considering some of the ceremonial titles of people who take part in the opening of Parliament, in Britain - "Black Rod" and his gartered bretheren. The Admiral's club itself is really no great shakes - but it's certainly quieter and more comfortable than waiting with the peons in the general terminal, and you get free coffee and nibbles, and the option of taking a shower if you like.

Luxury boy has graduated to the Admirals Club

The flight home was fine, and, before long, I was back home (although it's beginning to feel less and less familiar!) But only for one night. Tomorrow, early afternoon, I'll be on another flight, this time to Dallas, for three nights. Say hello, wave goodbye.