Day 1: Anticipation, flying

The clock says 4.16 am. I've been up for about an hour, finishing packing, cleaning out the fridge, getting a little bit of work done. In 45 minutes, we'll be picked up and shuttled to LAX (thanks, Michael!), from whence we'll fly to Charlotte, and then overnight to Paris. It is my full intention to sleep on the plane to Paris, so part of my strategy in being up this early is to get my body tired enough that I'll want to fall asleep on the flight from Charlotte (which will be leaving at 1.50 pm, California time).

S is just starting to wake up, and I'm going to call Michael in ten minutes to make sure he's up in time to pick us up at 5.

Next stop, Paris! (well, first LAX, then Charlotte... but eventually, Paris!)