A couple weeks ago, I was on the phone with my “evil twin,” the inimitable Cranky Robert, who was telling me he had to go to Pittsburgh, PA, on business. He mentioned that while he was there, he was thinking of maybe taking a field trip to Gettysburg, the pivotal battlefield of the American Civil War, which is only a few hours from Pittsburgh by car. I said that sounded really cool, that I’ve always wanted to go there myself. He immediately suggested I fly out and join him for the weekend, that we do a good old-fashioned, no-girls-allowed road trip.

I leave tonight on a red-eye flight that’ll put me in Pittsburgh tomorrow morning.

I’m really looking forward to this. I haven’t done this sort of thing in a long time, and I think I could really use it. It’s going to be just like being 21 again, only with a lot less hair and about 40 extra pounds. C’est la vie…

You kids play nice while I’m gone. See you all next week…