All it took was one phone call.

"Mom, I'm going to call up the shuttle service and make my reservation to get picked up at 4:15 on Wednesday morning."

I said it in my saddest, most-tired voice. And she agreed to take me. For free. (Well, no -- nothing is free. She said I owe her. That's fine by me.)

So, I guess this means I get to sleep until 4:15 on Wednesday morning. Now, if only I could bring myself to begin the packing process ....