(No offense to Georgians -- I just know that I'm not comfortable living someplace that far from a Jewish community.)

I think you'd be comfortable in metro Atlanta, but I'd agree that west Georgia is not the best fit. You could probably cope fine for a year or so, because you could drive into Atlanta, but it's not a good long-term fit.

Okay, I'm working myself into a state. Girly TMI and request for advice:

Has anyone ever had prolonged bleeding after a pap smear? It was very uncomfortable and took the woman a while to find a position where she could actually do the smear. A week later, I'm still bleeding as if I'm on my period -- not heavily, not painfully. I had cramps for the first couple of days, but again, not debilitating.

I know I should call the doctor, but I'm being avoidant and hoping it just goes away.

A smear, or did they do that pinch off a bit of your cervix thing?

And it's been a week? Call yout gyno. It probably no biggie, but better to know.

I assume it was the usual, with the brush and the scraping, but I wasn't exactly in a state to ask for details.

Dana, I bled (more like heavy spotting) for a while after my last pap -- the IUD strings tend to mean a more irritable cervix.

I'm guessing your cervix got pinched or nicked.

I wouldn't be especially freaked, but I'd call your gyno tomorrow.

My guess would be they pissed off your cervix and it somehow started your flow ahead of schedule.

But, yeah, call the doc.

Great, nOw my work computer has melted down and won't even start in safe mode. Seriously!?!? I have work to do tomorrow on site that I can't do without a computer, I don't have time for this!! Not to mention I probably have things saved on the computer that I don't have backed up. Sigh.

I'm on West Coast Time! Woot! Thank you Arizona for not doing that pesky DST thing, and switch to PDT instead.

Today I woke up weary of the road. I'm geeking out about all the history stuff, but getting tired of being alone. Since I was hitting a long stretch where the 66 is the I-40, I decided to take a couple sojourns on the 66 instead of all of them, and stick to the I-40 for the bulk of the day. I made a lot of good time. Amazing how a 75 MPH limit helps with that.

I drove through Gallop on the 66. Actually found a UPS Store, so I could finally get my u-verse hardware shipped (they provided an account number, UPS store did everything else. Rather cool, and I guess, cheaper than storefront to deal with returns).

Two doors down from the UPS store was a Route 66 diner, so I went there for lunch. It was a real cute joint. The ladies behind the counter were real friendly. And I was chatting with a couple locals. A Vietnam Vet, then retired police officer. His buddy was a local, not sure what he did, but was part of the Navajo Nation. Was wearing a shirt with Navajo pictured and said "The original Homeland Security. Protecting America since 1492". We talked about life, living in different cities, the local weather, how the beautiful red rocks will change tone/color depending on the weather. How those big rocky/sandy "cliffs" can be a lot of fun with a big piece of cardboard, and a running start. Sounds like the sand acts just like snow. I called it "desert luge" and he got a kick out of that. Then his side kick told me of a place South of Gallop that was an encampment for the Conquistadors, and had graffiti from them, with names and dates. Waitress confirmed it, as she went on many a school trip to explore. I was tempted to go, but sick for home kept me going forward. (not homesick, as I have no home just now, just sick of being on the road). As I was leaving, the sidekick guy was telling me about "Skinwalkers". Apparently these Medicine Men will dress in strange garb, and hang out near tourist stops and gas stations. They will start chanting, and if you look at them, will follow you, and put a curse on you, unless you buy them lunch, give them money, or some such. I wasn't sure if the guy was pulling my leg or not, but he advised to not make any stops until Flagstaff. Anyhow, that little trip around Gallop on the 66 was gorgeous. I swear, I saw a lot of the research material for CARS movie. Some real nice scenery. I tried to take as many pictures as I could on the iPhone. Dunno how well they came out. I'll be piecing together a lot of "panoramas".

I got back on the I-40 for a bit, and then exited for the Continental Divide. Took some pictures, a pee break, and bought a little candle votive holder for D, to thank her for all she did in helping me find an apartment.

Back on the road. I high tailed it to try and get to Meteor Crater in time. I forgot about AZ not doing the DST thing, and thought I arrived with 15 minutes before closing. Turns out I had 75 minutes! Woot! I watched the little movie. But then skipped the museum section, to get outside and see the actual crater! OMG the thing is HUGE! And talk about windy. Holy cow! Thankfully not a constant thing. I held on to the railing during gusts, and then dashed up the steps during the lulls, then grasped to the railing, then dashed. I asked the Rangers how heavy the gusts. She replied they didn't know today, because the wind BROKE their anemometer the day before! Holy smokes! Anyhow, it was spectacular sight. And I snapped as many pics as I could. We shall see how they come out, and if I can piece them together to make a huge image. In the gift shop, they sold Benchmarker (used by gov't for surveying, marks location and elevation). It's a GPS hobby that I sometimes do, to find the benchmarks. Since they were selling ones for the crater, I thought it a cool paperweight. A little pricey, but such is the nature of being a geek.

After the crater, I took the 40 to outside of Flagstaff. I got off a couple exits early to drive through a (continued...)

( continues...) forest area. Wouldn't have imagined a forest in the middle of the desert! It was fabulous. It was a 1920's section of the 66. Then it hooked up with the 1950's section, which weaved through downtown Flagstaff. Lots of motels. I was tempted to stay at a few, but they all listed weekly rates, and was a bit fearful of a car full of stuff with weekly hotel renters. Dunno why, just a feeling. Anyhow, I pushed on, wanting to get as far as I could, so tomorrow will be as short of a drive as can be. I got about 10 more minutes before the sun was just too blinding. Not helping the headache I had. As luck would have it, found a Motel 6. The room has a new interior design. Kinda Euro/Ikea/designer. No dresser. But kinda cute. Fine for one or two folks for a night, but would hate it for a family vacation. Only food choices were: McDonalds (too much salt for a headache), Subway (gads, too much subway this week), or a Harley Davidson Bar & Grill. Eh. Why not. Place was all but empty. But they have a unique food service. They provide the meat and grill, you cook it yourself. Ugg. Crap. I'm tired, don't feel like cooking. But I did. I made a nice chicken breast. Asked for a metal bowl, so I could keep it covered, and cook it evenly, slowly. Made a half decent bbq chicken. Not had considering it wasn't marinated.

With any luck, I'll be in Pasadena tomorrow evening.