What time does your plane leave this morning?

Who's asking: Jen Lechner, who's giving me a ride to the airport

11:00, so this will be short. I fly from Portland to Newark, from Newark to Madison, for this year's Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention. It should be a good time.

People were incredibly nice everywhere I went yesterday, which I can only ascribe to the beautiful weather. A complete stranger in Famous Footwear gave me a $10 coupon, because we liked the same pair of shoes but they didn't carry her size. The attendant at the Loads o'Fun laundromat folded all my laundry for me -- for free! -- because she said she was bored and wanted something to do. And I got a manicure that still hasn't chipped after almost 24 hours, which is a new record for me (I don't know why I even bother...).

So I'm leaving on a high note. Let's hope it lasts.

First five random songs off the iPod this morning:

“Break So Easy,” The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Isn’t it weird how the ska revival kind of came and went? I still like these guys.

“Hey Now!”, Oasis. A New Music Express poll ranked this album -– (What’s the Story) Morning Glory -- as the 5th greatest of all time. I wouldn’t put it that high, but it’s definitely held up over time.

“Rednecks,” Randy Newman. My mother, who was not at all racist, endorsed the ideas behind this song wholeheartedly: Northerners pretend to be better at race relations than Southerners, but are just as bad, in sneaky, self-righteous ways.

“(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding,” Elvis Costello & the Attractions. Wow, what a perfect segue. I couldn’t have programmed it better myself.

"You're Getting to be a Habit," Frank Sinatra. You can drop a Frank Sinatra song into a set of punk rock, and it sounds just right. He remains the coolest of them all.