Prologue: Contemplation

 
Do I stay for one night or two?

I woke up this morning with a head cold. Or is it my notorious sinuses going haywire? That's the problem. Everything below the penthouse level feels normal, and until the landscape shifts from the cold, foggy city to the hotter, drier land of the art bunnies I won't know what ails me.

I'm prepared for either outcome. I've packed NyQuil and his sibling DayQuil in my luggage. I have two twice around the clock tickets for The Claritin-D Express in my toiletries bag. I've also located an Uncle Albertson and his sister Vons relatively close to the hotel in case I need anything else.

In case this becomes a "one night stand", my itinerary is anime merch shopping upon my arrival and then I'll check into my room. I'll go out for dinner at the appropriate time, and then I'll return to the hotel. The following morning I'll have breakfast at The French Corner Cafe, and then we'll see what happens when the clock strikes ten thirty.

Don't worry if I eat one of the two nights I've paid a non-refundable fee for. The nightly rate I scored for this trip is similar to what I usually pay for Temecula Valley, which is roughly half what I forked over in late February when I met Spo on relatively short notice. I can live with the loss if it's necessary.