So there was this trip to Santa Barbara on Amtrack planned with a group of friends, organized by two women, neither of whom is wrapped too tightly.

Starting in November, there was a flurry of emails...should we meet here?...should we meet at the train station?...no definite meet point or time arranged. I expected the usual day before heads-up, no problem.

Then silence for the last week and a half. I got to the nearby meet point (where our trips usually start) about 5 minutes late (I find out afterward) and everyone's gone. Hey, ladies, how about someone give me a phone call? I'm only 7 minutes away from the place. Nothing. No call.

So I crank up the old car and drive to the Amtrak station. Car is complaining because it's cold, damp, and foggy. I get to the Amtrak station, no sign of them. I just missed them there, too. No call, nothing.

I finally got hold of one of the husbands and he gave me a cell phone number to call. They're alreay on the train, on their way. I can catch a later train and meet them, they said. I said, no thanks. I'm done with chasing my tail for the day.

Time to go home, have my coffee and breakfast (it's 9:30) and plan alternate activity for the day. Enough with the mano-a-mano combat with stupid sticks.

I think this is the last time I'll join the ditzy crowd on a field trip. The last trip was not that much fun, and this one didn't come together. Personally, I'd prefer better company if I'm going to take a train to Santa Barbara.

Reboot the day. Here comes the sun!