So I went to Dubai to visit my friend and here is what I found out. They called an update meeting to let the cabin crew know that there will be no profit sharing this year as they had not made a profit. Also they have stopped recruiting at this point and time and well as stopped training until they can re-evaluate.
I stayed in crew accomidation and even though it was nice, each person has their own bathroom, bedroom fully furnished in a brand new building. You can't open the windows for fresh air. The building I stayed in was the Millenium Tower and it is in the center of Business Bay which will be something grand in a year or so but right now it is just dirt. My other friend lives in 21st Century building and it a bit friendlier to get around without having a car. That's the thing as well, you really need a car to have sanity. True the crew bus picks you up to and from the airport but other than that there are just taxis. You are not allowed to get a car loan for the first 6 months of your probationary period.
Food is expensive as well since everything is shipped in. It was kind of fun to go to the market and see produce from all over the world though.
I liked the city but I don't believe it lived up to it's hipe.
Pablo sent me this article, which I found amusing and could see how it could be totally true. They are all about appearances.
I'll keep you updated if I hear any good news from there as well.
24 February 2009
16 February 2009
dubai day one
Within 11 hours of returning home, I was on a plane once more headed east, the middle east. My friend was working the flight on the A-380 and made the 13 hour flight more bearable with champange upstairs in the business lounge and coming to get me during service breaks.
Fast forward: I am having a feeling that I am going to have to stand up for myself and actually ask to see Dubai not her Dubai which hates the locals and only visits ex-pat sights. I know this will lead to a fight that is usually why I go with the flow but seriously I am the vistor not to her world but to her city. Show me around damn it!!!
Fast forward: I am having a feeling that I am going to have to stand up for myself and actually ask to see Dubai not her Dubai which hates the locals and only visits ex-pat sights. I know this will lead to a fight that is usually why I go with the flow but seriously I am the vistor not to her world but to her city. Show me around damn it!!!
hawaii in a coconut shell
Carol / Me
5 hour flight / 10 hour flight
picked up in town car with lai / took bus to get rental car 1/5 hrs later at hotel
passenger in the convertible / map reader, driver
shopper / bag holder
tourist / tour guide and driver
steak and lobster / sushi
spa day / spa day plus bikini wax
luau lover / pork lover
actually got into the ocean / surfer
discovered poolside drinks / got drunk with local friend and tan!
shuttled to the airport and walked to the gate / returned car, hung out for 5 hours with broken toe
5 hour flight / 10 hour flight
We hit Pearl Harbor Memorial which was moving and informative to learn about where my grandpa and father were during the attacks. The BX, equally fun! : ) Showing my mom the island and actually remembering my previous tour over Christmas was great. Driving the convertible on gorgeous sun filed days was fabulous even if I had to read the map and drive at the same time. Our spa day was amazing and so relaxing. The luau was great especially the part when Carol told the hot luau giver that she wanted a kiss as well. My favorite day was the relaxing one where I hit the waves early in the morning and practiced my surfing skills until a wave kicked my ass and broke my toe. We walked around and in the sand before retiring to the pool. The next morning I went for a final walk on the beach just to soak it all in and re-established the broken toe by hitting it on a rock. It was Friday the 13th but at least I have a souviner for a couple more weeks
5 hour flight / 10 hour flight
picked up in town car with lai / took bus to get rental car 1/5 hrs later at hotel
passenger in the convertible / map reader, driver
shopper / bag holder
tourist / tour guide and driver
steak and lobster / sushi
spa day / spa day plus bikini wax
luau lover / pork lover
actually got into the ocean / surfer
discovered poolside drinks / got drunk with local friend and tan!
shuttled to the airport and walked to the gate / returned car, hung out for 5 hours with broken toe
5 hour flight / 10 hour flight
We hit Pearl Harbor Memorial which was moving and informative to learn about where my grandpa and father were during the attacks. The BX, equally fun! : ) Showing my mom the island and actually remembering my previous tour over Christmas was great. Driving the convertible on gorgeous sun filed days was fabulous even if I had to read the map and drive at the same time. Our spa day was amazing and so relaxing. The luau was great especially the part when Carol told the hot luau giver that she wanted a kiss as well. My favorite day was the relaxing one where I hit the waves early in the morning and practiced my surfing skills until a wave kicked my ass and broke my toe. We walked around and in the sand before retiring to the pool. The next morning I went for a final walk on the beach just to soak it all in and re-established the broken toe by hitting it on a rock. It was Friday the 13th but at least I have a souviner for a couple more weeks
06 February 2009
february alterations
Maybe Carol is right, maybe it is the time of year when I start to worry I am not doing enough with my life. She believes it has something to do with my looming birthday. I think it has something to do with the winter blahs. Thus why I always take my holidays around this time. Sunshine does well with my soul and helps tied me over until spring.
In retrospect, I do tend to make those big, life-altering decisions this time of year. I used to attribute it to coming home from a big holiday. It started in my mind when I was 25 right after my first international trip. I didn’t mess around for the first one; it was big and way far away. I spent two weeks in Australia with Turiya, Dennis, and my beau Matt. It was a great trip and it opened my eyes to the world outside of Klamath Falls. I came home and within three months I packed up my life and blindly moved to Portland. I had been to Portland once for a Garth Brooks concert in another lifetime. I had a job and a place to stay for a month and that was all I needed to leave my hometown.
I made a promise to myself to go somewhere new internationally every year from then on. I even opened a savings account to put money away for the next journey.
The following year around the savings account was a little low, I am sure this had something to do with the fact I was supporting my boyfriend. He thought his job was to sit around all day playing PS2 and drinking beer. I met up with Dennis and Turiya once more as they were living in Whistler. There was sunshine up there on those beautiful mountains and I did get my passport stamped as a courtesy so I count it as somewhere international. I came home and within a month I was single ending a four-year relationship.
Next year with newfound freedom and a raise in salary, I made it to Europe for the first time. Once again I met Dennis and Turiya, are you seeing a pattern here? Two weeks we road tripped around Italy and France. It was good fun other than the fact that they were on the cliff of break up and I got to me the person they felt comfortable enough to fight in front of. I came home and was very unhappy with my work life. I also came down with some infliction which lasted no less than two solid months, two rounds of anti-botics, a chest x-ray, and CAT scan. I was in a horrible funk and decided I needed to move to San Diego. I had many phone interviews and called in sick to fly down for a final interview. I missed the plane and by the time I arrived the president of the company already didn’t like me so, no job. I did try to make a life change with no avail. Within two months I met my Pearl friends and found my home.
A new home purchased and still money in the bank. It is easy to say I was in the mortgage business when times were good. This year I took my friend Emily and we met Turiya and two other ladies in Thailand. A great girls holiday for sure. As I was on the second of the three planes back to Portland I started conversing with the flight attendant. He told me I should become a flight attendant since I couldn’t afford to travel as much as I would truly like. I took this under consideration and within two weeks started interviewing with Horizon Airlines. It seemed to snow ball after that and within three months I had quit my job and was in training in Houston, Texas.
Sad to say I didn’t leave the continental US other than the Bahamas for the first seven months of flying until my vacation days arrived in February. I planned a trip with a friend and she was unable to go so I boldly did it on my own. I went to Costa Rica and discovered not only the love of surfing, zip lining, and exploring but also myself. I found out how great it was to do what I wanted, and not to be pressured into drinking if I didn’t want or to take a nap any damn time I pleased. This enlightenment in itself was my big life change.
In June right after my dad’s passing the world finally opened up for me. I was finally an international flight attendant. The destinations and experiences happened over and over again much to my delight. I continued to nurture my boldness of exploring on my own. I even took off to Prague for a long weekend because my roommate was bugging the shit out of me.
I still planned my pilgrimage in February and met…you guessed it, Turiya in Bali. I went there with the intention of spirituality; she came with the intention of getting hammered. We met somewhere in the middle. I followed in the footsteps of Liz Gilbert and found a peace from the horrible month I lived through prior. When I came home the life change was already in place. I decided to stay in New York and not let it make me weak. I stayed and fought already and the holiday was just my reward.
And here I am this year. It is February 6th, 2009. I have already gone to Panama, the only life decision I made there was to never go back and thank god for my intelligence. Hawaii with Carol lies before me Monday and then Dubai with...Turiya. Tomorrow morning is also staring me in the face. I know there will be a decision or two or three which will demand attention soon.
Can I figure them out or will take more years of reflection?
Maybe it is Turiya who is my oracle...
In retrospect, I do tend to make those big, life-altering decisions this time of year. I used to attribute it to coming home from a big holiday. It started in my mind when I was 25 right after my first international trip. I didn’t mess around for the first one; it was big and way far away. I spent two weeks in Australia with Turiya, Dennis, and my beau Matt. It was a great trip and it opened my eyes to the world outside of Klamath Falls. I came home and within three months I packed up my life and blindly moved to Portland. I had been to Portland once for a Garth Brooks concert in another lifetime. I had a job and a place to stay for a month and that was all I needed to leave my hometown.
I made a promise to myself to go somewhere new internationally every year from then on. I even opened a savings account to put money away for the next journey.
The following year around the savings account was a little low, I am sure this had something to do with the fact I was supporting my boyfriend. He thought his job was to sit around all day playing PS2 and drinking beer. I met up with Dennis and Turiya once more as they were living in Whistler. There was sunshine up there on those beautiful mountains and I did get my passport stamped as a courtesy so I count it as somewhere international. I came home and within a month I was single ending a four-year relationship.
Next year with newfound freedom and a raise in salary, I made it to Europe for the first time. Once again I met Dennis and Turiya, are you seeing a pattern here? Two weeks we road tripped around Italy and France. It was good fun other than the fact that they were on the cliff of break up and I got to me the person they felt comfortable enough to fight in front of. I came home and was very unhappy with my work life. I also came down with some infliction which lasted no less than two solid months, two rounds of anti-botics, a chest x-ray, and CAT scan. I was in a horrible funk and decided I needed to move to San Diego. I had many phone interviews and called in sick to fly down for a final interview. I missed the plane and by the time I arrived the president of the company already didn’t like me so, no job. I did try to make a life change with no avail. Within two months I met my Pearl friends and found my home.
A new home purchased and still money in the bank. It is easy to say I was in the mortgage business when times were good. This year I took my friend Emily and we met Turiya and two other ladies in Thailand. A great girls holiday for sure. As I was on the second of the three planes back to Portland I started conversing with the flight attendant. He told me I should become a flight attendant since I couldn’t afford to travel as much as I would truly like. I took this under consideration and within two weeks started interviewing with Horizon Airlines. It seemed to snow ball after that and within three months I had quit my job and was in training in Houston, Texas.
Sad to say I didn’t leave the continental US other than the Bahamas for the first seven months of flying until my vacation days arrived in February. I planned a trip with a friend and she was unable to go so I boldly did it on my own. I went to Costa Rica and discovered not only the love of surfing, zip lining, and exploring but also myself. I found out how great it was to do what I wanted, and not to be pressured into drinking if I didn’t want or to take a nap any damn time I pleased. This enlightenment in itself was my big life change.
In June right after my dad’s passing the world finally opened up for me. I was finally an international flight attendant. The destinations and experiences happened over and over again much to my delight. I continued to nurture my boldness of exploring on my own. I even took off to Prague for a long weekend because my roommate was bugging the shit out of me.
I still planned my pilgrimage in February and met…you guessed it, Turiya in Bali. I went there with the intention of spirituality; she came with the intention of getting hammered. We met somewhere in the middle. I followed in the footsteps of Liz Gilbert and found a peace from the horrible month I lived through prior. When I came home the life change was already in place. I decided to stay in New York and not let it make me weak. I stayed and fought already and the holiday was just my reward.
And here I am this year. It is February 6th, 2009. I have already gone to Panama, the only life decision I made there was to never go back and thank god for my intelligence. Hawaii with Carol lies before me Monday and then Dubai with...Turiya. Tomorrow morning is also staring me in the face. I know there will be a decision or two or three which will demand attention soon.
Can I figure them out or will take more years of reflection?
Maybe it is Turiya who is my oracle...
panama, still una persona
Panama day 2
My friend Jim had to get some things done so he sent me off on a journey around the city. I had to get a cab to take me to the Canal de Panama. I was instructed to say the full name as they may not know what I was referring to if I just said canal. I was also given a figure to pay as well as instructions to figure out if the cab driver was legit or wanted to rob me. (the license plate number should match the number on the side of the door) After an hour in traffic and weaving in and out of neighborhoods while I watched cautiously we made it to the canal. I made it just in time to watch the last ship passing through for the morning. It is a pretty awesome thing to think about. I was standing in South America watching a huge tanker pass through two continents in this man made canal. The logistics of it as learned bilingually as well as with a short film are pretty damn intriguing.
After my millions of pictures I headed over to Casa Vallejo to wander about. Again I had to haggle with my cabbie and the area to get to where I was supposed to be was super sketchy. I kept murmuring, "please don't' let me out here, please don't' let me out here". There area was nice and I wondered around and snapped some photos before I realized I needed to head back to meet Jim.
Our evening in short:
picked up his friend and his Colombian girlfriend
took them to the airport and discussed his next girlfriend's visit
ate dinner at a nice Italian restaurant
we were served last because we were white, I didn't' mind because I ordered a 1/2 liter of wine
headed to a cigar bar
smoked Cuban cigars and drank Cuban beer
watched prostitutes pick up old white men
headed home with no prostitute
Day 3
Jim had to go back to the states and I decided to take a bus out to the beach. Sounds simple enough right? This is Panama were talking about though. My hour bus ride turned into eternity. At hour two we stopped at a road side cafe. I was not only the only English speaker on the bus but also the only person by myself. The bus driver stood up and said something about "an hour". Others got off the bus and wandered in. I looked around and decided to join the crowd towards the bathroom. When I get out I find everyone hoovering around a counter getting soda and pringles. I stand back to watch the scene. As everyone settles down to their individual table I walk up to the counter to see what the deal was.
Options:
6 different kinds of soda (these people live for sugar)
2 types of Gatorade
coffee (it is 100 degrees out)
beer
large cans of pringles...two flavors red or green.
Everyone in the room is eating chips and I all I could think about is my distaste for pringles and why the bus driver thinks it will take an hour to do this activity.
Luckily I am sitting next to the bus at my table for one when everyone gets up and gets back on the bus. Another hour in our drive (makes much more sense) and we arrive at the resort. Not the resort I am staying at, no I have to take a taxi ten minutes away to get to mine.
Playa Blanca is a nice little place. It reminds me of the inclusive resort I stayed in PV with Nichole and Janene. It was nice to catch up on my reading and lay in the sun. What wasn't so nice is to have to answer all the questions posed to me with,
"una persona, si".
My friend Jim had to get some things done so he sent me off on a journey around the city. I had to get a cab to take me to the Canal de Panama. I was instructed to say the full name as they may not know what I was referring to if I just said canal. I was also given a figure to pay as well as instructions to figure out if the cab driver was legit or wanted to rob me. (the license plate number should match the number on the side of the door) After an hour in traffic and weaving in and out of neighborhoods while I watched cautiously we made it to the canal. I made it just in time to watch the last ship passing through for the morning. It is a pretty awesome thing to think about. I was standing in South America watching a huge tanker pass through two continents in this man made canal. The logistics of it as learned bilingually as well as with a short film are pretty damn intriguing.
After my millions of pictures I headed over to Casa Vallejo to wander about. Again I had to haggle with my cabbie and the area to get to where I was supposed to be was super sketchy. I kept murmuring, "please don't' let me out here, please don't' let me out here". There area was nice and I wondered around and snapped some photos before I realized I needed to head back to meet Jim.
Our evening in short:
picked up his friend and his Colombian girlfriend
took them to the airport and discussed his next girlfriend's visit
ate dinner at a nice Italian restaurant
we were served last because we were white, I didn't' mind because I ordered a 1/2 liter of wine
headed to a cigar bar
smoked Cuban cigars and drank Cuban beer
watched prostitutes pick up old white men
headed home with no prostitute
Day 3
Jim had to go back to the states and I decided to take a bus out to the beach. Sounds simple enough right? This is Panama were talking about though. My hour bus ride turned into eternity. At hour two we stopped at a road side cafe. I was not only the only English speaker on the bus but also the only person by myself. The bus driver stood up and said something about "an hour". Others got off the bus and wandered in. I looked around and decided to join the crowd towards the bathroom. When I get out I find everyone hoovering around a counter getting soda and pringles. I stand back to watch the scene. As everyone settles down to their individual table I walk up to the counter to see what the deal was.
Options:
6 different kinds of soda (these people live for sugar)
2 types of Gatorade
coffee (it is 100 degrees out)
beer
large cans of pringles...two flavors red or green.
Everyone in the room is eating chips and I all I could think about is my distaste for pringles and why the bus driver thinks it will take an hour to do this activity.
Luckily I am sitting next to the bus at my table for one when everyone gets up and gets back on the bus. Another hour in our drive (makes much more sense) and we arrive at the resort. Not the resort I am staying at, no I have to take a taxi ten minutes away to get to mine.
Playa Blanca is a nice little place. It reminds me of the inclusive resort I stayed in PV with Nichole and Janene. It was nice to catch up on my reading and lay in the sun. What wasn't so nice is to have to answer all the questions posed to me with,
"una persona, si".
03 February 2009
una persona, si´
Well it was Panama that won the earlier battle of places to go. It started off as one of those trips.
Day uno
I hailed a cab on the way out the door but him dicking around costs me to miss the bus at 0630 so I waited around Port Authority unitl 0700. Once we got to the terminal, police had it blocked off for some reason. Finally at the gate, my boarding pass won´t print so I go up to the desk amist chaos that is Latin America travel and get my passport checked and a boarding card. I glance at the seat number and jockeyed for postion as these people like to bring everything not nailed down onto the plane with them. I am all settled in my seat and some guy claims I am in is seat. I look at my card to discover they gave me the incorrect slip. Shit! They were about to close the door and there I stood without a seat. It was rectivied quickly and I was then placed in 12A. The deadheading captain was in 12C and found it necessary to ask the same montanous questions every crew member asks. I answered politely but briefly and finally gave him the stink eye when he started insulting Oregon. I wake up to find a very tall Dutch man next to me and then he proceeds to talk to me even though I have my paper in hand.
I arrive and wait for my friend Jim where he told me to. He drives quickly into town as he has found a Superbowl party for us to attend per my request. We stop for a quick bit and then head over to some penthouse. We arrive and this guy answers the door. A tight fitting tee shirt and silver ¨gun¨ shaped belt buckle. He informs us that everyone just left and we missed the party. It is 2:30 and I find this strange. We head home then to change as we are going to watch the game at a casino now. We make a stop at the friends house who invited us to see what was up. He told us we missed one hell of a party as there was a live sex show on the pool table. I replied that doesn´t have anything to do with the Superbowl. We make it to the casino and order some beers. I have to explain not only the game but how betting on squares works to my friend. I am watching the game, commericals, and the women trying to prostitute themselves all at the same time. Girls are running around in heels and super tight clothing. I don´t get it, I tell Jim who wears high heels to watch football? He explains to me as he motions to my reefs (with the beer bottle opener on bottom) that women are women down here and I am some kind of a man. Whatever, I reply and take swig of beer.
On the way home there was some sort of traffic jam. The Panamanians didn´t seem to mind as they turned up the music, left the cars and started dancing. They all walked to the trunks and retrived beers from coolers. I am cracking up as Jim explains, this is just what they do. I tried to picture New York traffic jams as parties.
Day uno
I hailed a cab on the way out the door but him dicking around costs me to miss the bus at 0630 so I waited around Port Authority unitl 0700. Once we got to the terminal, police had it blocked off for some reason. Finally at the gate, my boarding pass won´t print so I go up to the desk amist chaos that is Latin America travel and get my passport checked and a boarding card. I glance at the seat number and jockeyed for postion as these people like to bring everything not nailed down onto the plane with them. I am all settled in my seat and some guy claims I am in is seat. I look at my card to discover they gave me the incorrect slip. Shit! They were about to close the door and there I stood without a seat. It was rectivied quickly and I was then placed in 12A. The deadheading captain was in 12C and found it necessary to ask the same montanous questions every crew member asks. I answered politely but briefly and finally gave him the stink eye when he started insulting Oregon. I wake up to find a very tall Dutch man next to me and then he proceeds to talk to me even though I have my paper in hand.
I arrive and wait for my friend Jim where he told me to. He drives quickly into town as he has found a Superbowl party for us to attend per my request. We stop for a quick bit and then head over to some penthouse. We arrive and this guy answers the door. A tight fitting tee shirt and silver ¨gun¨ shaped belt buckle. He informs us that everyone just left and we missed the party. It is 2:30 and I find this strange. We head home then to change as we are going to watch the game at a casino now. We make a stop at the friends house who invited us to see what was up. He told us we missed one hell of a party as there was a live sex show on the pool table. I replied that doesn´t have anything to do with the Superbowl. We make it to the casino and order some beers. I have to explain not only the game but how betting on squares works to my friend. I am watching the game, commericals, and the women trying to prostitute themselves all at the same time. Girls are running around in heels and super tight clothing. I don´t get it, I tell Jim who wears high heels to watch football? He explains to me as he motions to my reefs (with the beer bottle opener on bottom) that women are women down here and I am some kind of a man. Whatever, I reply and take swig of beer.
On the way home there was some sort of traffic jam. The Panamanians didn´t seem to mind as they turned up the music, left the cars and started dancing. They all walked to the trunks and retrived beers from coolers. I am cracking up as Jim explains, this is just what they do. I tried to picture New York traffic jams as parties.
31 January 2009
took my meat out on the town
After concluding I wouldn't be bothered by scheduling yesterday, I took the C train down to 23rd and walked east. I was picking up a couple of items for invitation making and it was a nice day to walked for hours. I determined through my walking around the city that I would adore a nice dinner and more over a little boast to my ego. I came home and got ready and headed over to Sparks. I love that I walk in and the mat'rade knows me, he kisses me on the cheek and tells me to wait a moment. I am escorted to the bar for a glass of wine. When I am ready to eat, I am given a private table in the corner and everyone comes by to check on my needs. I order a steak and broccoli to accompany my wine. It is good but way to much and ask to package up the rest. Dessert and coffee come out compliments of the house and I was smart enough to save room. It is only nine at this time and I have some time to kill before I go dancing. I was just in that mood last night, looking for trouble mood. I walk seventeen blocks down to Brother Jimmy's and thought it would be a nice gesture to give my remaining left overs to a homeless person. I didn't see any. So I took my steak to Brother Jimmys for a few cocktails. I can never visit and just have one, the bartenders, managers, and other patrons just won't allow it. I stayed until 11:30 and then hopped in a cab over to 1OAK. Still looking for someone to unload the steak on with no success. I checked my coat and explained my steak to the coat check person who actually charged me for the honor of hanging it next to my coat. No tip for her. I check out the place which is new to me and within five minutes someone has ordered me a drink. He tried to kiss me too in the first five minutes and I just laughed at him. I mingled with a few people and then found someone fun to dance with. At 3:00 I decided to call it a night so I gather up my coat and steak and walked east to Cafeteria. I am not sure that I was hungry but it seemed like a tradition especially being so close. I waited at the bar and drank water, my friend Paul from Oregon was working so I gave him a shout out. Some gay boys were asking my opinion about things and telling me how much they adore me. Love it! I sat down and ordered the usual for me nothing for my steak though. As I was leaving I went up to give a smooch to Paul and tell him good bye. I hailed a cab home and don't remember washing my face or climbing into bed but I did both successfully.
When I got up I facebooked Paul to apologize about all the kisses and found my steak in the fridge.
The steak I ate for dinner and got this message from Paul...
"Haha! Funny thing about that...you kissed my coworker Matt who was quite surprised to say the least. He came up to me and said "I think I got something that was meant for you." Maybe next time..."
When I got up I facebooked Paul to apologize about all the kisses and found my steak in the fridge.
The steak I ate for dinner and got this message from Paul...
"Haha! Funny thing about that...you kissed my coworker Matt who was quite surprised to say the least. He came up to me and said "I think I got something that was meant for you." Maybe next time..."
30 January 2009
too many choices
There is such a thing as too many options. I sit here two days prior to my month of leave from the airlines, from their daily control, from the insanity which they bestow on me. When I first visualized this epic month, I broke it down into fours: a week serving and making my rent, a week with Carol on our girl's holiday, a week of dog walking, and a week of a fabulous me holiday. Well old life sure has a way of saying "fuck you" when you have perfect plans. My plan to waitress all week has been shot by the economy and the fact that no one wants to give up their shifts. This tragedy has been going on for sometime as I haven't worked since December. It would be okay for me to hang out in NYC for a week to see if by the off chance someone may need me but that is what I have been doing for the last month and I am at the edge of insanity and five pounds heavier. So plans changed to go somewhere for that week instead.
I have the rest of my month nailed down as follows:
8th-14th Hawaii with Carol
15th-20th Dubai
20th-22nd Barcelona
24th-3rd dog walking and oh-happy-day house sitting!
So this first week is the one giving me issues. And it is not like I haven't had some good offers, I was offered to meet a friend in Vietnam. It looked as though it was going to work out with flights and everything until I double checked on visas. Damn it! It takes four to five business days to get a visa and of course I found out about this offer Friday evening and I left for Colorado on Sunday. The only chance I had was to go and sweet talk the embassy yesterday morning when they opened but no, had airport alert at an inappropriate time.
Sidenote: I almost ended up going to Panama City yesterday which oddly enough is one of my other options.
My other offer was to go to Copenhagen for a couple of days starting on Monday. This would give me the chance to watch the Superbowl at home with some friends and get me back on the 5th. Upsides: meeting a physical need which has been met in a really long time and I would have a free place to stay. Downsides: I have already been there, it's cold, and there is not much to do.
Option three: Turiya is operating the inaugural flight to Sydney next week. I could very easily hop my way over there and it would make perfect sense to say over there in the Pacific and then meet Carol in Hawaii. However, I have two commitments here on the 7th.
Option four: Going to Panama City. A friend of mine is down there as we speak and I can stay with him for a couple of days. Then he heads back to Houston. I am not sure if I can stay longer at his place but his emails are not looking that way. I am sure I can find a cheap hotel and come back on Friday. This seems like the best option as I could get grounded in the city and then be set free. It is also very warm and I could master not eating so much to stay warm and work on my base tan for Hawaii. The downside is the unsure of what to do down there and I would have to fly out Sunday. I was promised I could watch the SuperBowl but it's in Spanish which is fine for the game but I am sure the legendary commericals will be lost on me.
I am on call right now and don't think I will be used for the rest of the day or tomorrow so I kind of want to get a head start on things. But where do I want to go?
There are many other options, hell, I have the whole world at my fingertips.
I just have to choose.
My mind is spinning around the globe.
Where do I want to go?
And how important is this commitment on the 7th?
I have the rest of my month nailed down as follows:
8th-14th Hawaii with Carol
15th-20th Dubai
20th-22nd Barcelona
24th-3rd dog walking and oh-happy-day house sitting!
So this first week is the one giving me issues. And it is not like I haven't had some good offers, I was offered to meet a friend in Vietnam. It looked as though it was going to work out with flights and everything until I double checked on visas. Damn it! It takes four to five business days to get a visa and of course I found out about this offer Friday evening and I left for Colorado on Sunday. The only chance I had was to go and sweet talk the embassy yesterday morning when they opened but no, had airport alert at an inappropriate time.
Sidenote: I almost ended up going to Panama City yesterday which oddly enough is one of my other options.
My other offer was to go to Copenhagen for a couple of days starting on Monday. This would give me the chance to watch the Superbowl at home with some friends and get me back on the 5th. Upsides: meeting a physical need which has been met in a really long time and I would have a free place to stay. Downsides: I have already been there, it's cold, and there is not much to do.
Option three: Turiya is operating the inaugural flight to Sydney next week. I could very easily hop my way over there and it would make perfect sense to say over there in the Pacific and then meet Carol in Hawaii. However, I have two commitments here on the 7th.
Option four: Going to Panama City. A friend of mine is down there as we speak and I can stay with him for a couple of days. Then he heads back to Houston. I am not sure if I can stay longer at his place but his emails are not looking that way. I am sure I can find a cheap hotel and come back on Friday. This seems like the best option as I could get grounded in the city and then be set free. It is also very warm and I could master not eating so much to stay warm and work on my base tan for Hawaii. The downside is the unsure of what to do down there and I would have to fly out Sunday. I was promised I could watch the SuperBowl but it's in Spanish which is fine for the game but I am sure the legendary commericals will be lost on me.
I am on call right now and don't think I will be used for the rest of the day or tomorrow so I kind of want to get a head start on things. But where do I want to go?
There are many other options, hell, I have the whole world at my fingertips.
I just have to choose.
My mind is spinning around the globe.
Where do I want to go?
And how important is this commitment on the 7th?
27 January 2009
colorado
I am sitting at a beautiful counter top trying to keep my sanity while looking after a five and an eleven year old. Clearly this is not the holiday I had planned. I came out to Colorado and attempted to see everyone while here while also being an accommodating to the those who are giving me a ride around the area.
Sunday I arrived after we had to abort our first approach and circle while it cleared up. The second try was successful and I was watching with a little of tenseness after listening to the flight attendant describe the approach which had to be done with such exactness a faction of a mistake would wide us up in the side of the mountain. It was the first time more than one person has ever met me at the airport and it was so great to see my girls waiting to pick me up. We went and met her hubby and some other friends had some nachos and brews and then headed home. Her place is a lodge like house sat in front of the backdrop of the mountains.
The next day we hit the slopes of Snowmass in Aspen and it was a picture perfect day for skiing. I haven't been on skis in years. It is amazing how we let fear take over when we are adults. I started down the bunny slope and realized I remembered how to do this. We jumped on the gondola and headed up..and up. I was staring down and the fear took over. There is only one way down, did I remember how to stop? Crap, what am I doing? I was doing okay until I reached a blue hill and I went into panic mood. I finally just went for it and ended up crashing because I was going too fast for my liking so I just sat down. I counted the pieces, two skis still attached and one pole...shit! I look up the hill and five feet up was the other pole. I tried to side step and get it but gravity was my enemy. I took off my skis and walked up there. I got my feet back underneath me and continued down. That was my only fall all day. We did five runs and I loved every minute of it as the snow hit against my face and my confidence grew.
We came home to dinner and hung out.
Today we were supposed to go to Vail but things didn't seem to click into place so here I am in this gorgeous home while Hilary is with her horse, Mike is at work and I have a new memory for birth control.
Sunday I arrived after we had to abort our first approach and circle while it cleared up. The second try was successful and I was watching with a little of tenseness after listening to the flight attendant describe the approach which had to be done with such exactness a faction of a mistake would wide us up in the side of the mountain. It was the first time more than one person has ever met me at the airport and it was so great to see my girls waiting to pick me up. We went and met her hubby and some other friends had some nachos and brews and then headed home. Her place is a lodge like house sat in front of the backdrop of the mountains.
The next day we hit the slopes of Snowmass in Aspen and it was a picture perfect day for skiing. I haven't been on skis in years. It is amazing how we let fear take over when we are adults. I started down the bunny slope and realized I remembered how to do this. We jumped on the gondola and headed up..and up. I was staring down and the fear took over. There is only one way down, did I remember how to stop? Crap, what am I doing? I was doing okay until I reached a blue hill and I went into panic mood. I finally just went for it and ended up crashing because I was going too fast for my liking so I just sat down. I counted the pieces, two skis still attached and one pole...shit! I look up the hill and five feet up was the other pole. I tried to side step and get it but gravity was my enemy. I took off my skis and walked up there. I got my feet back underneath me and continued down. That was my only fall all day. We did five runs and I loved every minute of it as the snow hit against my face and my confidence grew.
We came home to dinner and hung out.
Today we were supposed to go to Vail but things didn't seem to click into place so here I am in this gorgeous home while Hilary is with her horse, Mike is at work and I have a new memory for birth control.
23 January 2009
pants or jeans to be more spefic
While re-telling a conversation to Nichole which transpired between Jim and myself she asked my about "7's".
I was dating this guy Jay for a hot minute and when I ended it, I simply let him know that we were not a good emotional match. He told me he didn't know what that meant; so I used the analogy of when people date it is like trying on clothes (this is stolen from Sleepless in Seattle if you are keeping track). Sometimes they there are too tight and restricting, sometimes they almost fit but need some adjustments, and sometimes they are not even taken off the hanger.
Jim was right on the ball when I was explaining my theory. He choose to narrow it down to just pants because they have to fit just so. I agreed that you just don't feel good about yourself until you have the perfect pants. He laughed and then called me "pant-less" the rest of the day.
The story now laid out to Nichole and she asked me as we were riding the elevator upstairs to the shoe department of Nordstroms. I explained to her that I wanted my Armani jeans I had bought in Rome. The jeans that fit amazing in the waist that sits just right on my hips, the legs are the perfect length for heels but not too long for flats, the butt always looks good. I feel amazing when I wear these jeans.
"What about 7's?" she asks.
My second pair of 7 jeans used to be my favorite and they are my go-to jeans for going out and when I want to feel good running errands around the city. In fact I am wearing them right now. I have gained some winter weight due to my lack of activity combined with my wanting of comfort food. These jeans don't judge me for the extra 5 pounds they just stretch to make it all seem okay. They are comfortable and reliable. I am disappointed when they are dirty and I have to go to other jeans. They dress up, they dress down. I love them. But not as much as I love how I feel when I wear those Armani's. You can buy 7's anywhere, they look good on almost everyone. I only know of a few places to buy the others. That perfect fit I am still looking for in a date.
I was dating this guy Jay for a hot minute and when I ended it, I simply let him know that we were not a good emotional match. He told me he didn't know what that meant; so I used the analogy of when people date it is like trying on clothes (this is stolen from Sleepless in Seattle if you are keeping track). Sometimes they there are too tight and restricting, sometimes they almost fit but need some adjustments, and sometimes they are not even taken off the hanger.
Jim was right on the ball when I was explaining my theory. He choose to narrow it down to just pants because they have to fit just so. I agreed that you just don't feel good about yourself until you have the perfect pants. He laughed and then called me "pant-less" the rest of the day.
The story now laid out to Nichole and she asked me as we were riding the elevator upstairs to the shoe department of Nordstroms. I explained to her that I wanted my Armani jeans I had bought in Rome. The jeans that fit amazing in the waist that sits just right on my hips, the legs are the perfect length for heels but not too long for flats, the butt always looks good. I feel amazing when I wear these jeans.
"What about 7's?" she asks.
My second pair of 7 jeans used to be my favorite and they are my go-to jeans for going out and when I want to feel good running errands around the city. In fact I am wearing them right now. I have gained some winter weight due to my lack of activity combined with my wanting of comfort food. These jeans don't judge me for the extra 5 pounds they just stretch to make it all seem okay. They are comfortable and reliable. I am disappointed when they are dirty and I have to go to other jeans. They dress up, they dress down. I love them. But not as much as I love how I feel when I wear those Armani's. You can buy 7's anywhere, they look good on almost everyone. I only know of a few places to buy the others. That perfect fit I am still looking for in a date.
22 January 2009
how much more?
I am losing grip on my sanity. It has been 18 days since i was a flight attendant, six weeks since I have been a waitress, and gratefully only three hours since I have been a dog walker. I live under the control of scheduling these days and unlike the two months prior I am not a call out line which means they can call me 24 hours a day and give me two hours to be at the airport. My bags are already packed and my uniform hanging in the closet dressed with wings. That is good common practice for me, but I know that I am not going to go anywhere. At best I may be given airport alert and sent home after my duty day. There are no trips for reserves these days. All of my friends are sitting around as well. It sucks also because no one is giving up waitressing shifts and the couple I have been asked about I couldn't commit until the last minute and by then they were gone. It is a maddening cycle actually. Last Friday I thought it would be good fun to start drinking every night. Seeing how I don't get out of bed until 1200 these days, why not? For a period of fives days this was a fabulous idea, drink every night and sleep all day. Once I would get up I would walk to Starbucks, and come back to my "make-shift" office at the dinning room table and play on the computer. I will have to say I am being a bit constructive with designing things and do travel research but still...goofing off is a better term. I do this until 1800 or so when my roommate comes home and then I head out the door. He is a little ADD and is a nerd in the nicest respect of the word. He never goes anywhere and makes dinner at 2300 almost every night. We have polite conversation while the two dogs jump around and then I find a way to end it so I can go into my room and make a game plan for the evening. Tonight I don't have the energy to brave the cold and sit at a bar. Tonight I sit here and wonder if I can go to bed by ten and actually sleep. Sleep and not have nightmares or wake up with my head spinning in circles.
19 January 2009
whole foods dinner
I am having dinner at Whole Foods for the second time this week; I am wondering if I am drawn here because it's a piece of home. I sat at the end of a high bar communal table and placed my dinner out before me: salad, water, green tea, and key lime pie. A woman moves in such a dramatic fashion I can't help but to watch as she gathers her belongings from the next table to join mine. First placed down is her small salad and dessert containers then her coat, followed by an Evelyn and Crabtree bag. Her commotion cause my attention to fixate on her and her belongings. She sees this as an opportunity to talk. "Damn woman is talking about a delivery at a table we people eat" is her opening line. I looked at her with a puzzled look wondering what was so offensive about food delivery or perhaps a piece of furniture. I give her an understanding nod however. Sensibility took over and I realized she must have been referring to the birth of a child. Her eyes light up as she looks at my dessert, much like mine did while choosing it from the pastry case. Before both of us sits a perfect three inch in diameter key lime cheesecake with a lime at top waiting patiently in it's clear container for my consumption. While she comments on my choice, she holds up her mess of a dessert and proclaims it's tiramisu. She opens it up to have a bite before her dinner.
I continue to watch her a she wolfs down her food with no beverage in sight. She stops only to squirt some lotion onto a napkin and smell it. She has put her ipod in by this point and then proceeds to line up the C&E bags contents on the table before her. She removes price tags of each and stares at them devoting just a much time to last as to the first. Her hair is an over processed red and pulled back sloppily. The liner of her eyes picks up one of the many colors of her fleece vest which layers over another fleece.
My heart goes out to her because I can guess she is single and myabe alone in the city. She had the trademarks of being from the Northwest. Perhaps a young girl who came out to the big city to see what else there was in the world. She didn't leave in time. She becomes a flash of my future if I continue to eat dinner alone on Saturday night in New York City.
I continue to watch her a she wolfs down her food with no beverage in sight. She stops only to squirt some lotion onto a napkin and smell it. She has put her ipod in by this point and then proceeds to line up the C&E bags contents on the table before her. She removes price tags of each and stares at them devoting just a much time to last as to the first. Her hair is an over processed red and pulled back sloppily. The liner of her eyes picks up one of the many colors of her fleece vest which layers over another fleece.
My heart goes out to her because I can guess she is single and myabe alone in the city. She had the trademarks of being from the Northwest. Perhaps a young girl who came out to the big city to see what else there was in the world. She didn't leave in time. She becomes a flash of my future if I continue to eat dinner alone on Saturday night in New York City.
snow
It started off with a few flakes while I was in the UPS store giving in to paying someone to pack my TV. Now as I sit at my make-shift desk the flakes are in race to hit the ground and have grown substantially. I love the snow and more over how beautiful it makes the city. Everything slows down for a moment and even the oldest person stops and stares up for a moment. The ESB is no longer in my view but what replaces the usual view outside my window is perfect. I walk to the sliding glass door to look up and get lost in the magic.
15 January 2009
water landing
I am watching the news about the second plane crash in a month. I am looking at it from a flight attendant perspective. This was a water landing. They had time to plan the evacuation. It has shook me up, more than the rejected take off crash in Denver. This one landed in the ice cold Hudson in one piece. It was reported that both wings were on fire and the captain choose to land in the river versus the Bronx or Manhattan. Each crash is a learning experience. We are trained to react and place ourselves in the position of what if I was on that flight.
two-e
I am in a dating recession. Mostly because I am so damn picky and partly because I am not in the mood to play the game that goes along with the getting to know you week. The texts, calls, yada, yada. I also haven't been asked out in a while either so I said what the hell when I was given a business card on my flight to London.
We emailed back and forth with my trip to Portland and his to London in between when we actually met to when we arranged to meet up. I used Dave May's tactic of just communicating through email. I like it because I am not obligued to answer the phone or respond immediately as a text prompts.
We decided on a day and I let him pick the place as he would be coming from work and I would come from dog walking. He chose a place called Galway Hooker on 36th. Joy, same place Chris took me on our "turn around date" and first kissed me. Yes, I am familar with the place I say, what time would you like to meet? He tells me between 6:30 and 7:00. I look at the clock as I am leaving my place and send him a quick email that I will be closer to the later time but I am on my way. When I get out of the subway at 34th, I receive an email that he had just left the office. We should have showed up with in minutes of each other.
I arrive at 6:50 and make a pass through the bar. I didn't see him so I found a bar stool near the door and began to read "Home and Away" an Irish pub paper. I looked up every time the door opened and after a drink and twenty minutes I began to plan a place to take myself to dinner. The bartender came over and gave me another drink and a sympathic smile. It took me until 1935 to finish it and decide this is what I get for accepting a date from a guy who asked me for a massage on the airplane.
I exit the bar and walk west. He is standing there in thirty degree weather. "What are you doing?" He tells me that he waiting for me and thought he was being stood up. I explain to him I was waiting inside for him for a half an hour and now I am going to dinner. He said he emailed me and I showed him my phone to prove I hadn't received anything. He asks if he can buy me dinner and said yes, we are going Nobu. It is 21 blocks up and I started walking. He asked me if I had my eyebrow pierced,
which struck me as odd. This was the beginning of odd topics for the evening,
We make it to Nobu and ask for a table, we are kindly sat at the sushi bar (I would have scored a table). We order a few things and make small talk. I notice that he is talking quite a bit and I chalk it up to nervousness. He begins to tell me how much grain it takes to fed a cow till maturity. Mind you this guy is from NJ not Kansas, I am not sure where he got this information or why he is telling me. I respond that I like veal best and they don't take as much grain because they are killed as babies.
We finish up dinner and he wants dessert. He wants ice cream to be more specific. Fine I will walk with you to get ice cream. We walk and walk and find nothing but I do point him to a deli which has good cheesecake. He orders a slice and I order coffee counting the seconds until the end of the date. I have given up talking or trying to tell any story what so ever because it interupted and then moved onto another subject. We talk about cooking briefly and I started to tell my troubles find enchillada sauce in the city. The subject shifts suddenly to unions and people banging pots and pans. Yes, I was lost as well so I called it a night.
I told him I was taking the B uptown and going home when I was really heading over to BJ's to meet Beth. Well he decides to go the same stop but downtown. So we walk through the turn stiles me cursing him for following me as I was just going to pretend to go down and then catch a cab east bound. He is on the upper level and I need the lower level. I give him a hug good night and walk down the stairs. Mind you I am wearing a bright pink jacket so I can't just walk back up the stairs and leave. My train comes first so I take it to the next stop and grab my cab.
I am enjoying time with friends and recreating the date to their amusement when I get this email....
Subject line "did you..."
"Get home safe? I saw a huge rat on the staircase in the subway. It was kinda just hanging out. Strange. Figured I’d make sure you got on your train and weren’t carried away but rabid rodents J
I had a nice time tonight. I’m going to go with Howard Stern as my celebrity. He talks about Nobu all the time on the radio so it will be totally believable!
I just emailed my mom about the east coast enchilada sauce mystery. I’ll keep you posted."
We emailed back and forth with my trip to Portland and his to London in between when we actually met to when we arranged to meet up. I used Dave May's tactic of just communicating through email. I like it because I am not obligued to answer the phone or respond immediately as a text prompts.
We decided on a day and I let him pick the place as he would be coming from work and I would come from dog walking. He chose a place called Galway Hooker on 36th. Joy, same place Chris took me on our "turn around date" and first kissed me. Yes, I am familar with the place I say, what time would you like to meet? He tells me between 6:30 and 7:00. I look at the clock as I am leaving my place and send him a quick email that I will be closer to the later time but I am on my way. When I get out of the subway at 34th, I receive an email that he had just left the office. We should have showed up with in minutes of each other.
I arrive at 6:50 and make a pass through the bar. I didn't see him so I found a bar stool near the door and began to read "Home and Away" an Irish pub paper. I looked up every time the door opened and after a drink and twenty minutes I began to plan a place to take myself to dinner. The bartender came over and gave me another drink and a sympathic smile. It took me until 1935 to finish it and decide this is what I get for accepting a date from a guy who asked me for a massage on the airplane.
I exit the bar and walk west. He is standing there in thirty degree weather. "What are you doing?" He tells me that he waiting for me and thought he was being stood up. I explain to him I was waiting inside for him for a half an hour and now I am going to dinner. He said he emailed me and I showed him my phone to prove I hadn't received anything. He asks if he can buy me dinner and said yes, we are going Nobu. It is 21 blocks up and I started walking. He asked me if I had my eyebrow pierced,
which struck me as odd. This was the beginning of odd topics for the evening,
We make it to Nobu and ask for a table, we are kindly sat at the sushi bar (I would have scored a table). We order a few things and make small talk. I notice that he is talking quite a bit and I chalk it up to nervousness. He begins to tell me how much grain it takes to fed a cow till maturity. Mind you this guy is from NJ not Kansas, I am not sure where he got this information or why he is telling me. I respond that I like veal best and they don't take as much grain because they are killed as babies.
We finish up dinner and he wants dessert. He wants ice cream to be more specific. Fine I will walk with you to get ice cream. We walk and walk and find nothing but I do point him to a deli which has good cheesecake. He orders a slice and I order coffee counting the seconds until the end of the date. I have given up talking or trying to tell any story what so ever because it interupted and then moved onto another subject. We talk about cooking briefly and I started to tell my troubles find enchillada sauce in the city. The subject shifts suddenly to unions and people banging pots and pans. Yes, I was lost as well so I called it a night.
I told him I was taking the B uptown and going home when I was really heading over to BJ's to meet Beth. Well he decides to go the same stop but downtown. So we walk through the turn stiles me cursing him for following me as I was just going to pretend to go down and then catch a cab east bound. He is on the upper level and I need the lower level. I give him a hug good night and walk down the stairs. Mind you I am wearing a bright pink jacket so I can't just walk back up the stairs and leave. My train comes first so I take it to the next stop and grab my cab.
I am enjoying time with friends and recreating the date to their amusement when I get this email....
Subject line "did you..."
"Get home safe? I saw a huge rat on the staircase in the subway. It was kinda just hanging out. Strange. Figured I’d make sure you got on your train and weren’t carried away but rabid rodents J
I had a nice time tonight. I’m going to go with Howard Stern as my celebrity. He talks about Nobu all the time on the radio so it will be totally believable!
I just emailed my mom about the east coast enchilada sauce mystery. I’ll keep you posted."
anywhere
I am looking for a box to ship my TV in. At first I thought I could just take it to Fed-ex and have them package it prior to shipping as it would be more insurable. I looked up the nearest Fed ex yesterday. Then wondered how I would make it ten blocks in Harlem while carrying a TV. It occurred to me to take a taxi from the apartment and it would be well worth the $5 and would save my sanity. Also knowing my luck, I did some research last night on how much it would cost to send it with my discount. I wrote down the phone number to inquire about preparations prior to my arrival. I am glad I called because I learned they couldn’t package things for me. I went downstairs to see if my doorman, Thomas had any ideas for me. He was busy so I went to grab a coffee and think the situation through. I decided that I would find an original box somewhere, more and likely Best Buy and take it to Fed ex via cab. I took a chance in asking Thomas if there were any spare TV boxes in the building. As we were walking down to the basement, I asked, “Do you ever think of how hard it is to get the simplest thing done in New York?” His response was perfect. “That’s why if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.”
ordering coffee
I am standing in line at Starbucks the other morning. Okay is was after noon as I don't roll out of bed until then. The guy in front me orders a coffee. "Cream and sugar". The explanation comes from behind the counter that those things are put in by the customer but she would leave room for him.
I got his attention, "Can I ask you something?".
He looked shocked I was talking to him. "Um sure."
"When you are on an airplane, do you tell the flight attendant cream and sugar when you order a coffee?"
He paused for a moment and said yes.
His pause made me not believe he made this a practice.
"Why do you ask?"
"Well I am a flight attendant and it drives me crazy when passengers expect us to read their minds. You didn't expect that lady (motioning towards the bartista) to know how you liked your coffee."
"You're not from around here are you?"
I got his attention, "Can I ask you something?".
He looked shocked I was talking to him. "Um sure."
"When you are on an airplane, do you tell the flight attendant cream and sugar when you order a coffee?"
He paused for a moment and said yes.
His pause made me not believe he made this a practice.
"Why do you ask?"
"Well I am a flight attendant and it drives me crazy when passengers expect us to read their minds. You didn't expect that lady (motioning towards the bartista) to know how you liked your coffee."
"You're not from around here are you?"
09 January 2009
my bf
I get so fuckin' irritated at people who choose to walk down the busy streets of Manhattan holding hands. Most of the time these idiots are tourist and haven't been briefed on the "we don't have time for this crap, either speed up or hold hands in the middle of the street instead". They wander along, not a care in the world and with certainly no thought to the people behind them. I am usually that person behind them who walks a hundred miles an hour (NY and my walking skills are made for each other) and I try to duck from side to side to get past them and on my way. I can dodge to the right but then they see something they need to look at. I try for the left but inevitably there is someone coming at me or on a really bad day another damn couple holding hands.
This phenomenon is crazy maddening when I walking the dogs because some of them don't understand that we need to adjust our pace. The pugs, for example, just decide to stop when someone is too close thus making me fall on top of them if I am daydreaming. Zeus on the other hand, he likes to get in stride with them. Especially Latino ladies, he loves to walk in between them. I seek these couples out sometimes when he is being a little shit. My big dogs, I love to let them run right up behind these damn couples and let the pitbull doing the talking, "get the hell out of our way, I am going to the park" their presence seems to say.
These sidewalk blockers are a great work out when I actually choose to run on the street versus the park. I weave in and out them as well as any other person or object on the crowded sidewalk. It is a great ab work out as long as I am mentally prepared.
The time when this crap makes me the most agitated is when I have my roller board and backpack behind me. I am walk at a good pace and therefore, this physics here, I have extra momentum behind me to stop or to run your ass over with. It is usually on the way home from a trip when I am tied and have already carried my bags up and down stairs at the airport, heaved into overhead lockers, wheeled on to and off of the bus, and up and down the subway stairs. It is these times when I see these couples holding hands that I get a little sad that I don't have anyone to hold my hand and irate the person in a hurry behind me. It is these moments that I look down and realize I am holding hands with my someone...my roller board.
He goes with me where ever I go, always up for adventure and rarely gives me any lip now that he is sporting pink roller blade wheels. He is happy to sit and wait for me to get ready. He holds my things without giving me the look like, "really?". He has out on his own stand both at home and on the road. He holds the things I need for daily trip survival. He wears my stickers collected proudly. He has been all over the world with me and never once asked me why I stayed in the room with him instead of going out. He knows I am faithful as for the backpack, we went through some losers before finding this one in Brussels.
This phenomenon is crazy maddening when I walking the dogs because some of them don't understand that we need to adjust our pace. The pugs, for example, just decide to stop when someone is too close thus making me fall on top of them if I am daydreaming. Zeus on the other hand, he likes to get in stride with them. Especially Latino ladies, he loves to walk in between them. I seek these couples out sometimes when he is being a little shit. My big dogs, I love to let them run right up behind these damn couples and let the pitbull doing the talking, "get the hell out of our way, I am going to the park" their presence seems to say.
These sidewalk blockers are a great work out when I actually choose to run on the street versus the park. I weave in and out them as well as any other person or object on the crowded sidewalk. It is a great ab work out as long as I am mentally prepared.
The time when this crap makes me the most agitated is when I have my roller board and backpack behind me. I am walk at a good pace and therefore, this physics here, I have extra momentum behind me to stop or to run your ass over with. It is usually on the way home from a trip when I am tied and have already carried my bags up and down stairs at the airport, heaved into overhead lockers, wheeled on to and off of the bus, and up and down the subway stairs. It is these times when I see these couples holding hands that I get a little sad that I don't have anyone to hold my hand and irate the person in a hurry behind me. It is these moments that I look down and realize I am holding hands with my someone...my roller board.
He goes with me where ever I go, always up for adventure and rarely gives me any lip now that he is sporting pink roller blade wheels. He is happy to sit and wait for me to get ready. He holds my things without giving me the look like, "really?". He has out on his own stand both at home and on the road. He holds the things I need for daily trip survival. He wears my stickers collected proudly. He has been all over the world with me and never once asked me why I stayed in the room with him instead of going out. He knows I am faithful as for the backpack, we went through some losers before finding this one in Brussels.
five nights
There is much to be said in my life for spending five nights in a row in one bed. I am extremely accustomed to having my stuff ready to go at all times. In the morning whilst away it is routine of me to use one beg and take to my rollerboard then back to finish getting ready so the other may be put back as well. If I am really on the ball while at home, I take the time to refill all my "UK-tavived" bottles and pack them neatly back into the clear bag which conforms to security screenings.
Each morning I get up, I make my bed sometimes immediately or first thing after returning to it's side from running to the bathroom. I make beds if I am at home, most definatly, staying at a guys house (if memory serves correctly), and in a hotel room. I was questioned about my strange habit by Chris one morning as I was making his bed.
"You don't have to do that" he says.
Sorry just habit.
"Do you make your bed all the time?"
Yes, even in the hotel rooms, I don't want the maid to think I am a slob.
"Even on check out day?" he presses.
Everyday is checkout day, I reply.
And so it goes. Even when I am slow, I never get five nights in a row in a bed. So for this to sequence to have recently occur to me, it through me back into routine. I got up every morning at 0930, made my bed, walked around in a daze for a bit my feet making the old familiar sound as they made contact with the cork floors. I became a quick, once again regular at the local Starbucks and found myself taking the long way back to my layover spot. Because I am a creator of habit, I could eat the same breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday for weeks with no complaints, I fell fast for this routine. I like waking up in pink shits versus purple or the oh-so-common white.
Now I am back in NY about to go to be in "my bed" and wait for the call tomorrow to see which bed I will be making come Monday morning.
Each morning I get up, I make my bed sometimes immediately or first thing after returning to it's side from running to the bathroom. I make beds if I am at home, most definatly, staying at a guys house (if memory serves correctly), and in a hotel room. I was questioned about my strange habit by Chris one morning as I was making his bed.
"You don't have to do that" he says.
Sorry just habit.
"Do you make your bed all the time?"
Yes, even in the hotel rooms, I don't want the maid to think I am a slob.
"Even on check out day?" he presses.
Everyday is checkout day, I reply.
And so it goes. Even when I am slow, I never get five nights in a row in a bed. So for this to sequence to have recently occur to me, it through me back into routine. I got up every morning at 0930, made my bed, walked around in a daze for a bit my feet making the old familiar sound as they made contact with the cork floors. I became a quick, once again regular at the local Starbucks and found myself taking the long way back to my layover spot. Because I am a creator of habit, I could eat the same breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday for weeks with no complaints, I fell fast for this routine. I like waking up in pink shits versus purple or the oh-so-common white.
Now I am back in NY about to go to be in "my bed" and wait for the call tomorrow to see which bed I will be making come Monday morning.
09.jan.09
In writing “about myself” in the box reserved on myspace page a hundred years ago, I wrote that I was "into traveling" and was hoping to have my passport filled up by the time it expires.
It was midnight on the eve of the ninth of this month when I pulled it out of it zipper pouch in my backpack to verify the number. I stopped and looked at both the issue date and expiration. 09.Jan.13. Four more years to go.
Myspace was set up prior to this leap of faith that has sent me out to fill up those pages to the point I am asking people to no longer stamp me since I am running out of room. There are pages devoted to visas, a two work visas and holiday visas. One is for a country I have yet to go to, but could any day now.
That is the pull of this job, the magnet of why I keep sticking it out. Where will I go tomorrow? There are so many possibilities and it always there at my fingertips, almost always out of reach.
Until the phone rings and I am sent to a new destination; one where I will beg the crew to stop by customs so I can add that precious stamp to my collection.
It was midnight on the eve of the ninth of this month when I pulled it out of it zipper pouch in my backpack to verify the number. I stopped and looked at both the issue date and expiration. 09.Jan.13. Four more years to go.
Myspace was set up prior to this leap of faith that has sent me out to fill up those pages to the point I am asking people to no longer stamp me since I am running out of room. There are pages devoted to visas, a two work visas and holiday visas. One is for a country I have yet to go to, but could any day now.
That is the pull of this job, the magnet of why I keep sticking it out. Where will I go tomorrow? There are so many possibilities and it always there at my fingertips, almost always out of reach.
Until the phone rings and I am sent to a new destination; one where I will beg the crew to stop by customs so I can add that precious stamp to my collection.
07 January 2009
and then there was one
My second day of waking up in my bed, the one with the pink sheets was revitalizing. I got up in time to take a much needed shower and throw some clothes in the wash. May I pause to note how awesome it is to have a washer and dryer right here in the house. I cruised around with Nichole with a pop in to my chiropractor who used the word "jacked" while describing my back. Every bone and joint was cracked under her body. I feel wonderful and apparently my legs are the same length again!
The day was spent in preparation for my international wine and cheese party. The turn out was awesome with old dear friends, neighborhood friends, and new people. The friends of friends kept apologizing for crashing the party which I thought was preposterous. Everyone is a stranger before they become your friend was my reply to each "crasher". It was a huge success in my book and I even took a minute to step to the side and remember how lucky I am to have so many good people in my life.
Wine bottles, all fourteen of them in the recycling box, cheese in the fridge, wine glasses awaiting cleaning and myself was all left standing at 11pm.
The day was spent in preparation for my international wine and cheese party. The turn out was awesome with old dear friends, neighborhood friends, and new people. The friends of friends kept apologizing for crashing the party which I thought was preposterous. Everyone is a stranger before they become your friend was my reply to each "crasher". It was a huge success in my book and I even took a minute to step to the side and remember how lucky I am to have so many good people in my life.
Wine bottles, all fourteen of them in the recycling box, cheese in the fridge, wine glasses awaiting cleaning and myself was all left standing at 11pm.
06 January 2009
unplanned date with joe
I love the fact that I can find a bad date even if I am not out on an oficial date. I went out for a night cap after Dave May dropped me off from a nice dinner around 2100 local time. I was convienced I didn't want to hang around the place and let my mind wander about as I thought it may. So I grabbed my purse and headed down the south staircase. I walked past many places peering in to find nothing exciting going on. I finally decided on Vault as they make good drinks and there was more than 5 people in the bar. So I saddled up at the bar and ordered a lemon basil martini. After half the drink was downed a guy came alone and sat two bar stools away. Mind you, I have been in prime looking mode lately, about half the men population has been turning my head. So he finally comes and talks to me. I should have ran when I figured out how negative he was about everything. I learned he lived in Seattle and was an ex-Marine...run...jarhead...run. This is said with love because my father was in the Marinie Corp. But there is something about military guys. God love them for their sacrifice for us but when it comes to dating...run. Anyway we talked for a bit and then I was ready to leave and we closed out our bills at the same time. I paid for mine and he for his. May I make a point here that in NY a woman never pays for a drink. Those boys weren't raised that way. It was difficult to swallow at first being from dutch-ville west coast but I have quickly learned it is how to treat a lady. And I like it, a drink for my time, Okay. So we left together and ended up at the same bar at which I had a fabulous first date with Tom, where I had a second date with Andy, a fun double with Sean. You know the "dive bar" of the Pearl. It was in the very booth of the Tom and I date that this guy, Joe taught me how to pick a lock from his years in intellegence with the Corp. When I finally decided I had enough of the boring conversation, I motioned to the bartender for the bill which totaled $13, love Portland. And he accepted my contribution of $5 because that was all I had that I knew I was on a bad, unplanned date. When he asked me for my number, I gave him the standard fake because that is what nice girls (oregon) with good sense (new york) do.
05 January 2009
nightly routine
I went to wash my face and brush my teeth; you know the usual routine before heading off to bed anywhere I happen to be laying my head to rest. I walked into the yellow bathroom with a touch of familiarity much like I feel when I am in Manchester or Paris. I looked for a bit for the washcloth and then set up my dop kit next to the sink. It should have been like clockwork for me to put the washrag somewhere to dry but I had to hesitate asking myself where I used to put it prior.
I am home currently, the real home, the one in which I have my name attached to a deed somewhere in a vault.
It feels odd.
I walked to the lobby and turned to the elevators, there is a distinct smell with my building. I walked into the elevator and noticed a new floor. Doors opened to the fourth floor and I made my way with ease to the right and around the corner. I had trouble with the lock but that is just me and my relationship with locks. I walked into an immaculately clean place. A touch of familiar but not as much I as have longed for as I lay awake hours before the wake up call. I just walked around in a daze opening cabinets and looking at my things.
My glasses, my blender, my matches, my bowls, and spices. It was so very odd to think of these things as my own. My old life lay here before my eyes and at my finger tips. I sit here now at my old desk, my desk that has been with me for ten years and seen much inspiration, hurt, and joy.
I sit here now wondering where I am in every sense.
I am home currently, the real home, the one in which I have my name attached to a deed somewhere in a vault.
It feels odd.
I walked to the lobby and turned to the elevators, there is a distinct smell with my building. I walked into the elevator and noticed a new floor. Doors opened to the fourth floor and I made my way with ease to the right and around the corner. I had trouble with the lock but that is just me and my relationship with locks. I walked into an immaculately clean place. A touch of familiar but not as much I as have longed for as I lay awake hours before the wake up call. I just walked around in a daze opening cabinets and looking at my things.
My glasses, my blender, my matches, my bowls, and spices. It was so very odd to think of these things as my own. My old life lay here before my eyes and at my finger tips. I sit here now at my old desk, my desk that has been with me for ten years and seen much inspiration, hurt, and joy.
I sit here now wondering where I am in every sense.
01 January 2009
not so happy new year
It was snowing yesterday; it was a beautiful scene. The flurries dancing in the wind and then deciding to stay by attaching to the ground and anything in their path. I took the opportunity to take photos in the park of the snow dusting the trees. It was a magical time to be at the park and my attitude was still positive when it came to the evening ahead.
The phone rang at 1530 just as I was applying a coat of nail polish. I answered and asked what good things awaited me. I found out and questioned that I was to be deadheaded to Houston to sit at the Marriott Hotel on ready reserve... excuse me, what?
I got dressed in civilian clothes and headed to the airport. The bus was not in its normal pick up spot since everyone and their dog was in town for the ball drop. An unlikely person told me where to go and I followed her thinking it was the perfect reminder that the year was going to be behind me soon.
I got a salad and joined the other nine people who had the same misfortune as myself. We sat miserably on the flight for four hours wondering what would happen to us. We got to the hotel to find out that we didn't have rooms so luckily someone took charge and got things worked out.
We agreed to meet in the hotel bar in ten minutes to ring in the New Year, the CST new year since the ball dropped while we were waiting for our rooms. I was the second to arrive and immediately scoped the room for a midnight kiss. Nothing promising considering there was maybe 25 people and of them 20 made up this odd Mexican family singing old tune karoke. I am talking about a fat ten year old girl trying to sing Frank...they don't go together. Rich and I waiting for the others and ordered a double from Donna who informed us the bar would be closing at midnight. I stood there thinking I could be at a black tie penthouse party right now. What the hell is going on here. The others showed up and ordered a drink to go and went back to their rooms to order room service. After ordering my own bottle of wine (yes you read correctly) I walked up to the cutest guy in the room and struck up a conversation. He was a Texan and after five minutes I decided that I would have to down the whole bottle of wine to want to kiss him.
We meet in Dale's room and listened to music and tried to make sense of why we were here. Four gay guys, a latino girl, and myself in a hotel room new years eve. I begged one of the guys to kiss me at midnight local time and you would think I was asking them to kiss a fish. I got a peck from the petite one.
I went to bed sending no well wishes to anyone like I normally do because try as I might, I had nothing positive to say.
I woke up and drank the $5 bottle of water in my room and then headed over to the airport for breakfast and coffee. Thank god for coffee. I wander around a bookstore and then another for a good hour. My book is almost at an end as I read it on the way here and I have no computer. I didn't bring it because if I am send to Central American countries they take it in security. So my only sanity is left at home. I bought a book, a paper, three bottles of water, some jerky, a postcard, and some dried fruit for my hold out in room 4178.
It felt as though I was in a foreign country, as most Texans feel they should be their own country, it is suiting. The stupidity that surrounded me as I walked through the airport just amazed me, that all the fat asses that are down here. Here is a perfect example. I finally decided on a book and was finishing up my transaction when a high school girl came up to the counter.
"I am looking for Wuthering Heights."
"Wandering what?" replied the uneducated cashier.
"Wuthering Heights, we are supposed to read it for class."
"Who wrote it?"
"I am not sure."
It was at this point I stepped in and explained that it was a classic book and I think maybe Hemingway was the author, I am not sure though.
"Heming-who?"
"Earnest Hemingway, a literary icon." I said.
"Can you spell that?"
Good Lord please get me the hell out of this place and back to the land of intelligence, healthy food, bars that stay open til 0400, and my sanity.
The phone rang at 1530 just as I was applying a coat of nail polish. I answered and asked what good things awaited me. I found out and questioned that I was to be deadheaded to Houston to sit at the Marriott Hotel on ready reserve... excuse me, what?
I got dressed in civilian clothes and headed to the airport. The bus was not in its normal pick up spot since everyone and their dog was in town for the ball drop. An unlikely person told me where to go and I followed her thinking it was the perfect reminder that the year was going to be behind me soon.
I got a salad and joined the other nine people who had the same misfortune as myself. We sat miserably on the flight for four hours wondering what would happen to us. We got to the hotel to find out that we didn't have rooms so luckily someone took charge and got things worked out.
We agreed to meet in the hotel bar in ten minutes to ring in the New Year, the CST new year since the ball dropped while we were waiting for our rooms. I was the second to arrive and immediately scoped the room for a midnight kiss. Nothing promising considering there was maybe 25 people and of them 20 made up this odd Mexican family singing old tune karoke. I am talking about a fat ten year old girl trying to sing Frank...they don't go together. Rich and I waiting for the others and ordered a double from Donna who informed us the bar would be closing at midnight. I stood there thinking I could be at a black tie penthouse party right now. What the hell is going on here. The others showed up and ordered a drink to go and went back to their rooms to order room service. After ordering my own bottle of wine (yes you read correctly) I walked up to the cutest guy in the room and struck up a conversation. He was a Texan and after five minutes I decided that I would have to down the whole bottle of wine to want to kiss him.
We meet in Dale's room and listened to music and tried to make sense of why we were here. Four gay guys, a latino girl, and myself in a hotel room new years eve. I begged one of the guys to kiss me at midnight local time and you would think I was asking them to kiss a fish. I got a peck from the petite one.
I went to bed sending no well wishes to anyone like I normally do because try as I might, I had nothing positive to say.
I woke up and drank the $5 bottle of water in my room and then headed over to the airport for breakfast and coffee. Thank god for coffee. I wander around a bookstore and then another for a good hour. My book is almost at an end as I read it on the way here and I have no computer. I didn't bring it because if I am send to Central American countries they take it in security. So my only sanity is left at home. I bought a book, a paper, three bottles of water, some jerky, a postcard, and some dried fruit for my hold out in room 4178.
It felt as though I was in a foreign country, as most Texans feel they should be their own country, it is suiting. The stupidity that surrounded me as I walked through the airport just amazed me, that all the fat asses that are down here. Here is a perfect example. I finally decided on a book and was finishing up my transaction when a high school girl came up to the counter.
"I am looking for Wuthering Heights."
"Wandering what?" replied the uneducated cashier.
"Wuthering Heights, we are supposed to read it for class."
"Who wrote it?"
"I am not sure."
It was at this point I stepped in and explained that it was a classic book and I think maybe Hemingway was the author, I am not sure though.
"Heming-who?"
"Earnest Hemingway, a literary icon." I said.
"Can you spell that?"
Good Lord please get me the hell out of this place and back to the land of intelligence, healthy food, bars that stay open til 0400, and my sanity.
31 December 2008
closing of 2008
I sit here on the edge of my bed as the morning ticks towards the afternoon. It is the 31st of December. I am sitting here thinking about the year 2008 is fast forward motion, thinking about the mistakes which were made. I am also listing things I have learned directly or indirectly from those falls in life.
Failures:
Allowing myself to be manipulated
Failing Brooklyn
Falling as a mother to George
Failing in my spirit to travel
Failing relationship with a boy
What I have learned:
I am a strong woman who can handle just about anything with the right people behind me or by my side, thank you Carol
I am better than anyone I deem to be “wonderful”
I have learned karma does reward a good heart in the end
I have learned sometimes being with one person that you love is better than being pulled in every direction
I have learned where the best steak in the city is and had a grand time doing so
I have learned it is okay to say what you want and go after it even if the result is not what you had planned
I have learned that an unhappy living situation landfalls to the rest of your being and it is okay to get out
I learned I had the strength to get out…of many things
I learned sometimes the most love you can share with someone is to let them go
I learned that an open heart usually spots the good things before the mind can
I have re affirmed that miles don’t separate true friendships
I have learned therapist are a god send!
I have learned that I need to allow people to take care of me…ok, ok I am still working on that one
I have learned that I can have friends here and actually do...I just looked around
I have learned that Jack and I don’t belong together, shouldn’t even court him even when I am lonely and everyone else is with him
I have learned to follow adventures and make my own
I learned that sometimes it is just better to walk away
I learned that the looks don't make a man
I learned that living with a dork is better than living with a fake friend
I have learned that when you least expect it, you get assigned HNL
I have learned that the universe rewards a good heart
I am unsure where I will be when the clock strikes midnight here in New York, my home. But I have an openness like never before and when I start to get anxious or want to plan my “what if they don’t call”, I stop and be.
Being in the moment, that something I want to learn in 2009.
Failures:
Allowing myself to be manipulated
Failing Brooklyn
Falling as a mother to George
Failing in my spirit to travel
Failing relationship with a boy
What I have learned:
I am a strong woman who can handle just about anything with the right people behind me or by my side, thank you Carol
I am better than anyone I deem to be “wonderful”
I have learned karma does reward a good heart in the end
I have learned sometimes being with one person that you love is better than being pulled in every direction
I have learned where the best steak in the city is and had a grand time doing so
I have learned it is okay to say what you want and go after it even if the result is not what you had planned
I have learned that an unhappy living situation landfalls to the rest of your being and it is okay to get out
I learned I had the strength to get out…of many things
I learned sometimes the most love you can share with someone is to let them go
I learned that an open heart usually spots the good things before the mind can
I have re affirmed that miles don’t separate true friendships
I have learned therapist are a god send!
I have learned that I need to allow people to take care of me…ok, ok I am still working on that one
I have learned that I can have friends here and actually do...I just looked around
I have learned that Jack and I don’t belong together, shouldn’t even court him even when I am lonely and everyone else is with him
I have learned to follow adventures and make my own
I learned that sometimes it is just better to walk away
I learned that the looks don't make a man
I learned that living with a dork is better than living with a fake friend
I have learned that when you least expect it, you get assigned HNL
I have learned that the universe rewards a good heart
I am unsure where I will be when the clock strikes midnight here in New York, my home. But I have an openness like never before and when I start to get anxious or want to plan my “what if they don’t call”, I stop and be.
Being in the moment, that something I want to learn in 2009.
27 December 2008
19B
I am back on board the plane after a fantastic layover. I have been warned this is a difficult flight to work because it is a true "red eye". The sun would not be up for at least eight hours of the flight. The ladies in the back who had now begun to turn on each other informed me that we would be getting the service done in rapid time so we could take longer breaks. Fine by me.
So as I am walking back after take off this lady stops me and complains that the seat in front of her reclined.
Visual for a moment: we are on a 2-3-2 configuration and the guy in seats in front of her had both reclined and managed to find a way to be comfortable. He had the fortune of not having a seat mate.
I informed the lady that her seat reclines as well and I can't ask a passenger to unrecline his seat because that was his option just as it was hers. She then tells me that his not his seat and why should he have two seats and that I need to make him put the seat up. I glance at the guy who informed me that he had already been in a fight with the lady. My response to this was "so, we are adults here, yes?". He laughed at that but the lady...holy moly, she went off. I told her that I wasn't going to make the guy put up his seat and that was that.
I look over and she had another flight attendants ear. She ended up complaining about me and the calling of her a child. "That's not what I said." I replied when informed of my bad attitude.
So we start the service and I am on top of the bar cart. The guy orders 2 wines which I comp and tell him he has been through enough already. I get to the husband who orders an ice water.
And what would you like ma'am?
She glares at me.
Would you care for something to drink with dinner? I ask in my nicest flight attendant voice.
Diet coke, half!
Are you sure you won't like a full can?
No! I don't appreciate your attitude. And he doesn't own that seat. He has no right to that seat.
Your right, you don't own your seat either, the bank does.
He shouldn't be able to have two seats, that's unfair...
I am sorry about that ma'am and I would be happy to have the service manager speak with you when the service is complete.
As I am pouring the soda I am talking to her, and I place the soda down on her tray table.
I SAID HALF!
I am so sorry about that ma'am, as I re-pour a half a soda.
The next service is about 20 minutes later. "Something more to drink?" This woman has encouraged me to be flight attendant of the year to everyone around her. I am smiling, pleasant, cheerful, anything you want. Mind you I am working in economy and you know how much I despise economy!
I get to the husband.
Something more to drink sir?, in my most flirtatious voice.
No, Thank you as he smiles at me.
You ma'am?
She just glares.
I move the cart down a couple of rows to hear her yelling at her husband at first smiling at me and not finding out where the service manager is. I went up to explain the situation right off the bat to our manager and he told me to "fuck them'. I agreed with the advice.
Eight hours goes by and we are doing our last service and this time she won't even look at me. God, this woman can hold a grudge. I have already had a nap, dinner, and read a book. Her, she has done nothing but glare ahead.
I am the door "good-byer". "Have a good day", "Thank you" "Bye Bye". Over and over again. I sometimes have to stop for a drink of water on the big planes.
Here comes the guy, I just chuckle as I said good bye.
The husband, I flip my hair and smile Have a good day sir.
The troublemaker, Have a WONDERFUL day ma'am! Fake smile, fake smile.
So as I am walking back after take off this lady stops me and complains that the seat in front of her reclined.
Visual for a moment: we are on a 2-3-2 configuration and the guy in seats in front of her had both reclined and managed to find a way to be comfortable. He had the fortune of not having a seat mate.
I informed the lady that her seat reclines as well and I can't ask a passenger to unrecline his seat because that was his option just as it was hers. She then tells me that his not his seat and why should he have two seats and that I need to make him put the seat up. I glance at the guy who informed me that he had already been in a fight with the lady. My response to this was "so, we are adults here, yes?". He laughed at that but the lady...holy moly, she went off. I told her that I wasn't going to make the guy put up his seat and that was that.
I look over and she had another flight attendants ear. She ended up complaining about me and the calling of her a child. "That's not what I said." I replied when informed of my bad attitude.
So we start the service and I am on top of the bar cart. The guy orders 2 wines which I comp and tell him he has been through enough already. I get to the husband who orders an ice water.
And what would you like ma'am?
She glares at me.
Would you care for something to drink with dinner? I ask in my nicest flight attendant voice.
Diet coke, half!
Are you sure you won't like a full can?
No! I don't appreciate your attitude. And he doesn't own that seat. He has no right to that seat.
Your right, you don't own your seat either, the bank does.
He shouldn't be able to have two seats, that's unfair...
I am sorry about that ma'am and I would be happy to have the service manager speak with you when the service is complete.
As I am pouring the soda I am talking to her, and I place the soda down on her tray table.
I SAID HALF!
I am so sorry about that ma'am, as I re-pour a half a soda.
The next service is about 20 minutes later. "Something more to drink?" This woman has encouraged me to be flight attendant of the year to everyone around her. I am smiling, pleasant, cheerful, anything you want. Mind you I am working in economy and you know how much I despise economy!
I get to the husband.
Something more to drink sir?, in my most flirtatious voice.
No, Thank you as he smiles at me.
You ma'am?
She just glares.
I move the cart down a couple of rows to hear her yelling at her husband at first smiling at me and not finding out where the service manager is. I went up to explain the situation right off the bat to our manager and he told me to "fuck them'. I agreed with the advice.
Eight hours goes by and we are doing our last service and this time she won't even look at me. God, this woman can hold a grudge. I have already had a nap, dinner, and read a book. Her, she has done nothing but glare ahead.
I am the door "good-byer". "Have a good day", "Thank you" "Bye Bye". Over and over again. I sometimes have to stop for a drink of water on the big planes.
Here comes the guy, I just chuckle as I said good bye.
The husband, I flip my hair and smile Have a good day sir.
The troublemaker, Have a WONDERFUL day ma'am! Fake smile, fake smile.
all i want for christmas is...
I was invited on a four day trip with my pilot friend Jim but couldn't fathom getting Christmas eve off work plus I had a few commitments back here. I sadly sent my rvsp of no and continued on with my day. I called up Carol to have her pick up a trip for me as I was walking dogs and she is a hell of a lot faster at it. I sent her my list, AMS, MAD, CDG..all these great trips were there in my reach so I could know where I would be spending my holiday. Four o'clock came around and I the computer locked her out, I tried but we were both logged on, I tried again and nothing. All the trips were gone. I burst into tears at the Fed-Ex. Not only did I miss something that was in my reach, I now will be on call for six days not knowing where I will end up.
I met up with a friend for a celebratory cocktail as she had just ended her semester. I called it quits around one and headed home.
The phone rang at 0730 to let me know I had been assigned airport alert at noon. "You're going to send me somewhere good right?" I asked. He laughed and told me we'd see what happened.
Since my roommate is gone (place here a figure dancing in the hall) I got up and made myself a cup of coffee and took my time getting ready. I allowed myself extra time thinking there maybe traffic for the holiday but rolled up to the airport with no problem. I checked in early and looked around to see the crew room practically empty which never happens this time of day. I read my paper and then the phone rang for me. I skipped up to the bat phone to see what it was. A pre-board to HNL, I didn't get excited as I walked to the gate, I wanted to but these have fallen through majority of the time in the past. I get there and make small talk with the crew, only one of which I knew and the #5 gal showed up. I walked back to the crew room and people looked surprisingly at my return, It was only a pre-board, I say, HNL is a little out of my league. I went to the restroom and had to ask someone to listen for my name. As I was walking back to take a seat the phone was being waved at me. HNL he said, it's a go. "Are you messing with me?" and then I shrieked happily, told the scheduler Merry Christmas and darted back to the gate.
The crew laughed as I walked back on among the passengers. And for the next ten hours I was headed for the islands.
I had called Jim to let him know I was on my way to HNL thinking he was the outbound crew and I would just get a chance to say hello and get a holiday hug. When we landed, I had a text to come outside as he had a luxury car and a fresh lay waiting for me! We went to the hotel and on the way I figured out he would be one of our pilots home. He took me out to dinner and then we met up with his sister, After a drink at Dukes we walked along the Waikiki Beach and finally at 0100 local time I was exhausted.
I got up at 0630 to walk the beach and watch the sun rise. I grabbed some souvies and coffee and decided it was time for Jim to get up and take me around. I dialed his room and woke him up, "let's go!" I said excitedly!
Breakfast fueled our day of exploring. We started driving and saw Diamond Head Point, Mokapu, visited his friend Glenn in his 20 million dollar hours, saw Bellows, Blow hole and Sandy Beach, Pali Lookout, stopped by a private hanger at the airport to see his friend Bob and cute son Dane, and then headed to his dad's house for Turkey dinner. I had three helpings and apologized for my piggyness as I hadn't had a Christmas dinner with anyone in four years. After we headed back for another walk along Waikiki this time it was filled with people and even a Christmas tree. A short nap preceded the long flight home.
All in all, a pretty damn great Christmas if I do say so myself!!!
I met up with a friend for a celebratory cocktail as she had just ended her semester. I called it quits around one and headed home.
The phone rang at 0730 to let me know I had been assigned airport alert at noon. "You're going to send me somewhere good right?" I asked. He laughed and told me we'd see what happened.
Since my roommate is gone (place here a figure dancing in the hall) I got up and made myself a cup of coffee and took my time getting ready. I allowed myself extra time thinking there maybe traffic for the holiday but rolled up to the airport with no problem. I checked in early and looked around to see the crew room practically empty which never happens this time of day. I read my paper and then the phone rang for me. I skipped up to the bat phone to see what it was. A pre-board to HNL, I didn't get excited as I walked to the gate, I wanted to but these have fallen through majority of the time in the past. I get there and make small talk with the crew, only one of which I knew and the #5 gal showed up. I walked back to the crew room and people looked surprisingly at my return, It was only a pre-board, I say, HNL is a little out of my league. I went to the restroom and had to ask someone to listen for my name. As I was walking back to take a seat the phone was being waved at me. HNL he said, it's a go. "Are you messing with me?" and then I shrieked happily, told the scheduler Merry Christmas and darted back to the gate.
The crew laughed as I walked back on among the passengers. And for the next ten hours I was headed for the islands.
I had called Jim to let him know I was on my way to HNL thinking he was the outbound crew and I would just get a chance to say hello and get a holiday hug. When we landed, I had a text to come outside as he had a luxury car and a fresh lay waiting for me! We went to the hotel and on the way I figured out he would be one of our pilots home. He took me out to dinner and then we met up with his sister, After a drink at Dukes we walked along the Waikiki Beach and finally at 0100 local time I was exhausted.
I got up at 0630 to walk the beach and watch the sun rise. I grabbed some souvies and coffee and decided it was time for Jim to get up and take me around. I dialed his room and woke him up, "let's go!" I said excitedly!
Breakfast fueled our day of exploring. We started driving and saw Diamond Head Point, Mokapu, visited his friend Glenn in his 20 million dollar hours, saw Bellows, Blow hole and Sandy Beach, Pali Lookout, stopped by a private hanger at the airport to see his friend Bob and cute son Dane, and then headed to his dad's house for Turkey dinner. I had three helpings and apologized for my piggyness as I hadn't had a Christmas dinner with anyone in four years. After we headed back for another walk along Waikiki this time it was filled with people and even a Christmas tree. A short nap preceded the long flight home.
All in all, a pretty damn great Christmas if I do say so myself!!!
22 December 2008
really?
I went to bed at 2100 last night due to shear exhaustion. My roommate must have thought I either departed for the evening or was dead because he decided to play house music as loud as possible. I awoke at four am to have a sip of water and then rolled over back to dream ville. Next thing I know, the phone is ringing that song from John Denver. I answer groggy and trying to figure out what time it is. I figured out pretty damn quickly that it is 0600 and they are calling to tell me to be at the airport at 0800. That doesn't leave time for a shower and still puts me in a tight squeeze on public transport. I call a car service as I am going pee and arrange for a 0645 pickup.
I am not happy!
The temperature is 14 degrees and I am getting hotter by the minute about not only the long day ahead of me but also that I will be $70 in the hole for the day as I am not really getting paid for the trip. It is just going against my guarantee.
I get to the airport check in and they ask if I was the lead. No, I told them that I was the "speaker" I get my extra shot latte and stomp to the gate like a child. They had me the paperwork. I am not the lead, I explain once more. I get on board and meet the crew, I am not the lead, I am the speaker and I am not happy, I am NTA. These people didn't care. I came to find out I was the lead. Damn it.
So the flight boarded as I stood in now 16 degree weather "welcoming" people and there luggage, tv's garbage bags, tons and tons of luggage. It was nothing like I had ever seen prior. There was 15 bags that had to be gate checked. I heard stories about these flights to the Caribbean, horror stories non the least. I was just grateful no one was trying to bring on a chicken as I have heard tale of. I did the service and practiced all the Spanish words I knew related to drinking beverages. Not so bad, cause if I can't understand you, you get Coke. That's my rule.
At one point in time the real speaker had to make an announcement about how to flush the toilet. Really? And people want to holiday here why?
I finally mellowed out and accepted my tragedy for what it was, just a day. A long interesting day where my high school Spanish helped quench some thirst.
I am not happy!
The temperature is 14 degrees and I am getting hotter by the minute about not only the long day ahead of me but also that I will be $70 in the hole for the day as I am not really getting paid for the trip. It is just going against my guarantee.
I get to the airport check in and they ask if I was the lead. No, I told them that I was the "speaker" I get my extra shot latte and stomp to the gate like a child. They had me the paperwork. I am not the lead, I explain once more. I get on board and meet the crew, I am not the lead, I am the speaker and I am not happy, I am NTA. These people didn't care. I came to find out I was the lead. Damn it.
So the flight boarded as I stood in now 16 degree weather "welcoming" people and there luggage, tv's garbage bags, tons and tons of luggage. It was nothing like I had ever seen prior. There was 15 bags that had to be gate checked. I heard stories about these flights to the Caribbean, horror stories non the least. I was just grateful no one was trying to bring on a chicken as I have heard tale of. I did the service and practiced all the Spanish words I knew related to drinking beverages. Not so bad, cause if I can't understand you, you get Coke. That's my rule.
At one point in time the real speaker had to make an announcement about how to flush the toilet. Really? And people want to holiday here why?
I finally mellowed out and accepted my tragedy for what it was, just a day. A long interesting day where my high school Spanish helped quench some thirst.
21 December 2008
my middle name should be jackass
Thursday night I was assigned airport alert at 2045. I had no problem going and figured I wouldn't be sent out due to the latest of it all. I brought my computer to occupy the four hours and dinked around. It is amazing how much a time such facebook is! I popped over to the crew site to look at what may be around the corner for me and found out I already had an assignment for the next day. My anger of still having to sit for another two hours when both they and I know that I am assigned something tomorrow made me acknowledge and delete the 1300 assignment quickly. I was furious, airport alert again! It would be 12 hours and 15 minutes in between them. I walked to the phone at 0040 to ask to be released five minutes early so I would ensure I could catch the bus home, the last bus home at 0100. When the scheduler hymned and ha'ed about it, I almost lost it, "I have to be back here in 12 hours you dumb bitch!" is what is running through my head.
With it was how long will it take to get home, if I take a cab how much time can I save before I am in bed?
What time do I need to get up tomorrow because there is a snow storm coming?
Should I take the train versus the bus?
But I wanted to take pictures of the snow fall in CP and bake cookies, now it is all ruined.
I hate my job.
This is absolute bullshit!
I set my alarm and drug myself out of bed. I was also upset because my holiday postcards where not here yet and they needed to be sent out. Turiya ventured up to have a quick coffee with me and allow me to vent my frustration with the unpredictability of my life. Off to the airport I go. I get there around 1230 and grab some bad Chinese food because I knew I would be hungry at some point of my incarceration. I had not brought my computer in case I was sent to Central or South America both of which were an option at that point during the day. I also discovered on the way in that I forgot my mobile. Stupid rush to get out of the apartment and to work on time. So I went to the crew computers to see if they had an early assignment already on my line. I looked at my schedule wondering where the airport alert had went.
It all clicked together much to my dismay at that moment...I had mistaken my call out line (which goes from 1330-2100) for airport alert. Shit, shit, shit!!! So I went to call scheduling as the snow began to build outside to explain my dilemma and beg them for an assignment. I only did it because I could not be without my mobile for more than 20 minutes because now I was on call and it took 1.5 hours to get back home. And more than likely with the weather, I would have been called back out any way.
So I was assigned airport alert (for real this time) at 1530. I sat until 1800 listening to the phone ringing off the hook as flights were cancelled and moved about. The airport was a clusterfuck to say the least. Finally it was for me and in good time too as my old roommate (old backstabber) had just came in for her airport alert. Off to GLA. Okay I can do that. So I grab a salad and head towards the gate.
Here is the next 44 hours in short:
an hour delay in getting the plane
quick boarding
did I mention I had to work the back/economy galley?
an hour to de-ice the engines before we could move from the gate to the de-icer for the wings
long line for the de-icer told by atc to wait at the gate
completed two water services, snack service, beverage and dinners service, picked up, and another beverage service
still on the ground, still at the gate
four hours later, get de-iced
de-iced for an hour
finally take off six hours after scheduled departure
spend the next 6 hours trying to stay awake
nodded off a few times
Get to the hotel
four hour nap
meet crew for dinner and a well deserved beer
go to bed
wake up at 0430 (wake is at 0615)
get into shower at 0600
get phone call that wake up is now 0815
get two hours of sleep
flight time ended up being 8.5 hours
we are supposed to get crew rest but family refused to move out of our assigned seats
bad service given to family with a lot of dirty looks
land
make it home three hours later than expected to walk through the slush
now sitting here in a fog as I do laundry and as my roommate runs his mouth despite how many blank stares I give him
This ladies and gentlemen was all self imposed torture for reading my schedule incorrectly.
With it was how long will it take to get home, if I take a cab how much time can I save before I am in bed?
What time do I need to get up tomorrow because there is a snow storm coming?
Should I take the train versus the bus?
But I wanted to take pictures of the snow fall in CP and bake cookies, now it is all ruined.
I hate my job.
This is absolute bullshit!
I set my alarm and drug myself out of bed. I was also upset because my holiday postcards where not here yet and they needed to be sent out. Turiya ventured up to have a quick coffee with me and allow me to vent my frustration with the unpredictability of my life. Off to the airport I go. I get there around 1230 and grab some bad Chinese food because I knew I would be hungry at some point of my incarceration. I had not brought my computer in case I was sent to Central or South America both of which were an option at that point during the day. I also discovered on the way in that I forgot my mobile. Stupid rush to get out of the apartment and to work on time. So I went to the crew computers to see if they had an early assignment already on my line. I looked at my schedule wondering where the airport alert had went.
It all clicked together much to my dismay at that moment...I had mistaken my call out line (which goes from 1330-2100) for airport alert. Shit, shit, shit!!! So I went to call scheduling as the snow began to build outside to explain my dilemma and beg them for an assignment. I only did it because I could not be without my mobile for more than 20 minutes because now I was on call and it took 1.5 hours to get back home. And more than likely with the weather, I would have been called back out any way.
So I was assigned airport alert (for real this time) at 1530. I sat until 1800 listening to the phone ringing off the hook as flights were cancelled and moved about. The airport was a clusterfuck to say the least. Finally it was for me and in good time too as my old roommate (old backstabber) had just came in for her airport alert. Off to GLA. Okay I can do that. So I grab a salad and head towards the gate.
Here is the next 44 hours in short:
an hour delay in getting the plane
quick boarding
did I mention I had to work the back/economy galley?
an hour to de-ice the engines before we could move from the gate to the de-icer for the wings
long line for the de-icer told by atc to wait at the gate
completed two water services, snack service, beverage and dinners service, picked up, and another beverage service
still on the ground, still at the gate
four hours later, get de-iced
de-iced for an hour
finally take off six hours after scheduled departure
spend the next 6 hours trying to stay awake
nodded off a few times
Get to the hotel
four hour nap
meet crew for dinner and a well deserved beer
go to bed
wake up at 0430 (wake is at 0615)
get into shower at 0600
get phone call that wake up is now 0815
get two hours of sleep
flight time ended up being 8.5 hours
we are supposed to get crew rest but family refused to move out of our assigned seats
bad service given to family with a lot of dirty looks
land
make it home three hours later than expected to walk through the slush
now sitting here in a fog as I do laundry and as my roommate runs his mouth despite how many blank stares I give him
This ladies and gentlemen was all self imposed torture for reading my schedule incorrectly.
18 December 2008
lisbon plus sintra
I arrived with the crew at the layover hotel and checked in. After a quick nap, which just came natural since my body believed I was on a layover, I made my way into the old city. Fabulous camera in hand along with my guide book, I wondered the streets for hours. The hotel clerk told me to keep walking downhill till I got there. There are old cobblestone streets, Portgauges shops, churro stands, the water kisses the shoe beside a large square. There are seven hills which make up the city and it felt like I climbed all of them. They were gloriously taken in when i cruised to the top of the tower of Justa. The red rooftops spotted the hills while the pale sides glowed in the sunlight. I would compare this city to Barcelona in its outlay although there was different feeling, it did not capture my heart like Barcelona did.
The sun was setting and I walked uphill back to the hotel and happily met the flight deck for dinner as I was wanting company. I changed into heels to look nice for dinner but after re walking the path back to old town and up a few cobblestone street slick with fresh ran, I was missing my old touristy tennis shoes. Dinner was awesome, I had a traditional dish of codfish along with wine and great conversation. We finished with a port wine and then headed to the Chinese Pavilion for a night cap.
Sintra
The next morning I set off for a small coastal town highly recommended by not only my guidebook, but also previous visitors to Portugal.
I always have this theory that riding a city's public transportation makes you a real traveler. Deciphering what the hell is going on and which way to go when there is no English and the knowledge of Spanish is actually working against me. After a couple of changes I was on the correct train. This town was gorgeous and so full of history, I couldn't wait to start exploring but first I had to go to the bathroom. There are no Starbucks, no public restrooms, no Barnes and Noble...all of my NY trips were not available. And el bano is not how you say toilet. So I found a place and ordered lunch even though I wasn't hungry just so I could scan the restaurant for the bathroom. After that I was on my path up the hill to this small village. I had been advised to take a bus up to the Moorish castle but I thought it would be a great idea to walk. That coupled with the fact I had been eating a little too much lately and was hoping to lose some of it on the way up the hill. Well I walked for about a mile with buses passing me and sweat pouring out even though it was only 50 degrees out. I stopped to catch my breath and see how much longer I had. I looked up and then even higher. It seemed like the damn mountain had grown during my journey, that or I was looking at the wrong hill when I started out. So I found the next bus stop and waited. The bus ride was fifteen minutes winding up the mountain. I got off at the very top and bought a ticket to tour the palace.
After another ten minute walk straight up hill, I reached a pastel castle. Each section was a different color. It looked like something a little girl would color in out of a fairy tale coloring book. I wandering around looking at the views of the ocean and imaging what it would be like to live in my very own castle, in the purple wing back in the 14th century.
I headed back to the train station and was delighted to discover the bus took me right there. I went back to old town to pick up a lace something or other for Carol...not what you are thinking...a lace thing to wrap around your head. Don't ask me.
I ran into the pilots and headed out for dinner once again. We ate at a traditional Portgauges place where they come around with every kind of meat you can think of and slice onto your plate. It was a vegetarian's worse nightmare but oh, so good.
First class took me home and the three glasses of wine I had at 0600 my time aided my drifting off.
The sun was setting and I walked uphill back to the hotel and happily met the flight deck for dinner as I was wanting company. I changed into heels to look nice for dinner but after re walking the path back to old town and up a few cobblestone street slick with fresh ran, I was missing my old touristy tennis shoes. Dinner was awesome, I had a traditional dish of codfish along with wine and great conversation. We finished with a port wine and then headed to the Chinese Pavilion for a night cap.
Sintra
The next morning I set off for a small coastal town highly recommended by not only my guidebook, but also previous visitors to Portugal.
I always have this theory that riding a city's public transportation makes you a real traveler. Deciphering what the hell is going on and which way to go when there is no English and the knowledge of Spanish is actually working against me. After a couple of changes I was on the correct train. This town was gorgeous and so full of history, I couldn't wait to start exploring but first I had to go to the bathroom. There are no Starbucks, no public restrooms, no Barnes and Noble...all of my NY trips were not available. And el bano is not how you say toilet. So I found a place and ordered lunch even though I wasn't hungry just so I could scan the restaurant for the bathroom. After that I was on my path up the hill to this small village. I had been advised to take a bus up to the Moorish castle but I thought it would be a great idea to walk. That coupled with the fact I had been eating a little too much lately and was hoping to lose some of it on the way up the hill. Well I walked for about a mile with buses passing me and sweat pouring out even though it was only 50 degrees out. I stopped to catch my breath and see how much longer I had. I looked up and then even higher. It seemed like the damn mountain had grown during my journey, that or I was looking at the wrong hill when I started out. So I found the next bus stop and waited. The bus ride was fifteen minutes winding up the mountain. I got off at the very top and bought a ticket to tour the palace.
After another ten minute walk straight up hill, I reached a pastel castle. Each section was a different color. It looked like something a little girl would color in out of a fairy tale coloring book. I wandering around looking at the views of the ocean and imaging what it would be like to live in my very own castle, in the purple wing back in the 14th century.
I headed back to the train station and was delighted to discover the bus took me right there. I went back to old town to pick up a lace something or other for Carol...not what you are thinking...a lace thing to wrap around your head. Don't ask me.
I ran into the pilots and headed out for dinner once again. We ate at a traditional Portgauges place where they come around with every kind of meat you can think of and slice onto your plate. It was a vegetarian's worse nightmare but oh, so good.
First class took me home and the three glasses of wine I had at 0600 my time aided my drifting off.
lisbon
The flight to Dubai didn't pan out and much to my dismay, I was started suffering from cabin fever early in the season. I awoke Saturday morning with my head spinning, " I shouldn't be waking up in this bed." I walked around my room trying to avoid the squeaky board which haunts me when I am tired and for get to long jump into my bedroom. I grabbed my ipod and running shoes and headed south to the park. I started off at a full on pace and quickly tired before I made it to CP. I stopped to stretch and warm my lungs back up by breathing into my gloves. I walked for a bit mesmerized by the amount of people out for a run in 30 degree weather. And then I found it, my perfect pace. I didn't want to fall over and die or go back to a walk like I usually do after running for ten minutes. I found this pace that didn't want to let go of, so I ran and ran. I lost all track of time as well as my previous frustration. By the time I made it back to the apartment, my thoughts were clear.
I booked a flight to Lisbon for that evening. My bag was already packed so why not? Why not take advantage of an incredible gift I have. I can get on any open flight for free (vacation pass) and go. So why the hell not? And that is what I did.
I booked a flight to Lisbon for that evening. My bag was already packed so why not? Why not take advantage of an incredible gift I have. I can get on any open flight for free (vacation pass) and go. So why the hell not? And that is what I did.
12 December 2008
misplaced the bug
I was all set to go to Dubai, bags packed, party planned, lonely planet guide in hand. I just needed to pick up my "zed fare" and I would be on the stand by list ready to go. I called our travel office to get an idea of the cost and ask them if I could purchase it at JFK. I had purchased such tickets prior from other airports but I called again today to ask the same question. I guess I had doubt in my mind for a reason. Off I go to JFK which is a bit of a hike from home but I was ready, left in plenty of time to get there, get my ticket, and chat with Turiya prior to the twelve and half hour journey.
Well apparently my airline no longer flying out of JFK which means there is no desk to purchase said ticket. I called up the staff office to bitch at them to find they were closed already. There was not enough time to make it to my airport and back before the flight so I humbly drug my bags back home.
On the way home I decided to take my already packed bag somewhere. Hell, I have the time off and free passes on my own damn airline. I will try once more for Dubai but the loads are not in my favor. Where will I go otherwise? Cities popped in and out of my head. Lisbon, Amsterdam, Lima? I checked the weather on each and then came home to check the flight possibilities. Two places can welcome me aboard the flight tomorrow. But now sitting here, I don't want to go. I have no idea why, I haven't traveled since June to Istanbul. I have no idea where my travel bug has gone. I long for it, I long for the sense of adventure I once had. I don't know if is the need to work or because my loft is empty or that I have figured out that traveling alone is not always fun.
I want it back and I want it back soon!
Well apparently my airline no longer flying out of JFK which means there is no desk to purchase said ticket. I called up the staff office to bitch at them to find they were closed already. There was not enough time to make it to my airport and back before the flight so I humbly drug my bags back home.
On the way home I decided to take my already packed bag somewhere. Hell, I have the time off and free passes on my own damn airline. I will try once more for Dubai but the loads are not in my favor. Where will I go otherwise? Cities popped in and out of my head. Lisbon, Amsterdam, Lima? I checked the weather on each and then came home to check the flight possibilities. Two places can welcome me aboard the flight tomorrow. But now sitting here, I don't want to go. I have no idea why, I haven't traveled since June to Istanbul. I have no idea where my travel bug has gone. I long for it, I long for the sense of adventure I once had. I don't know if is the need to work or because my loft is empty or that I have figured out that traveling alone is not always fun.
I want it back and I want it back soon!
finding a new way for a heart to sink
Technology, is convenient for staying in touch with people, warming your food up quickly or saving that show you enjoy for later. Although I don't express to be a genius at technology, only enough to get me by. However when I was younger I was the only one who could change the time on the VCR and even years after leaving home I would still receive bi-annual calls on how to change it.
Changing times have brought around myspace and facebook which are both great tools for keeping in touch with friends and reconnecting with old friends from high school and what not. It is also a good stocker tool. I'll admit it, I have studied someones profile before and tried to find out if I was significant to them with photos or the changing of the status from single. And I am sure others have done the same to me. Not necessarily guys per say, stocking is more of a girl sport.
So as days go by from my separation from the last, it gets easier not to think about him and soon as usual, he will be just a pleasant memory.
What is not easier to think about is when you log on to old facebook and see he is no longer listed as single...
Changing times have brought around myspace and facebook which are both great tools for keeping in touch with friends and reconnecting with old friends from high school and what not. It is also a good stocker tool. I'll admit it, I have studied someones profile before and tried to find out if I was significant to them with photos or the changing of the status from single. And I am sure others have done the same to me. Not necessarily guys per say, stocking is more of a girl sport.
So as days go by from my separation from the last, it gets easier not to think about him and soon as usual, he will be just a pleasant memory.
What is not easier to think about is when you log on to old facebook and see he is no longer listed as single...
10 December 2008
envy
So Rob is here...you know Rob, I could write a whole blog just devoted to him. He is inspiration to be a better conversationalist, a better writer, to view to world through knowledgeable eyes and then challenge what you find. Rob...fabulous, we can sit together in silence for an hour and then have an intellectual conversation over a couple of beers, Rob.
Well he is sitting next to me right now and is replacing my need for my therapist this week. He is my Mary for the moment. I can talk to him about anything and nothing at the same time. He is a piece of home and past and undoubtedly a piece of my future.
He is embarking on a journey around the world for a year and was going to begin in NY and then off somewhere with me before ideas and plans changed. He is now back to LA soon but not before I get to use him for comfort and a cure to my homesickness this time of year. He is then off to Australia and has no idea what lies in front of him after. I express my admiration of his journey and willingness to see where life will take him. He reminds me that I was a form of inspiration.
What? I ask. How am I an inspiration?
I am so jealous of his journey of him getting to see the world.
And then I am reminded by both him and myself, I am an inspiration and I am the lucky one who is living a dream of seeing the world. Yes I am in more of controlled environment but what the hell do I have to be jealous about?
Well he is sitting next to me right now and is replacing my need for my therapist this week. He is my Mary for the moment. I can talk to him about anything and nothing at the same time. He is a piece of home and past and undoubtedly a piece of my future.
He is embarking on a journey around the world for a year and was going to begin in NY and then off somewhere with me before ideas and plans changed. He is now back to LA soon but not before I get to use him for comfort and a cure to my homesickness this time of year. He is then off to Australia and has no idea what lies in front of him after. I express my admiration of his journey and willingness to see where life will take him. He reminds me that I was a form of inspiration.
What? I ask. How am I an inspiration?
I am so jealous of his journey of him getting to see the world.
And then I am reminded by both him and myself, I am an inspiration and I am the lucky one who is living a dream of seeing the world. Yes I am in more of controlled environment but what the hell do I have to be jealous about?
my harem
My first flight in a month. I was so excited when scheduling called I didn't even ask where to or what position I was assigned. I was stoked. It turned out to be Manchester which isn't the worst place in the world, I like the hotel and it is familiar enough that I can get some rest and do a little shopping without the guilt of not exploring.
I head to airport in uniform, this time with a defined destination and it feels good. I check in with enthusiasm and look at all the others on airport alert with sadness for them as they will probably just pack up and head home at the end of the four hour shift.
I head to my gate and introduce myself to the guy waiting, as the time nears more and more of the crew approach and I quickly learn that I am the only girl. Eight men and me...just the way I like it!
I am working in the back which doesn't thrill me but I set up the galley and greet people at the door as I am supposed to. I glance longingly up to Business first and remind myself that I am happy to be working.
The morning rolls around and I am surprised I am not dead tired as my body has fallen out of the flight routine and eased into a NY server routine. It's almost time for the service I am told. I get up to prepare the cart and automatically have hatred for the passengers who are not going to tell me how they take their coffee or tea. My irritation shows on the cart and my partner is laughing at my frustration of people and my smart ass comments towards the end.
"I didn't wake up with you sir, I don't know how you take your coffee."
"I am not a mind reader ma'am."
"Coffee..." "Milk" "Then that is a white coffee" "Sugar" "Then ask for it all at once!"
"Hmmm" "Did you just start drinking coffee this morning?"
I have no idea why It bothers me so much...people's stupidity I guess.
What's comical is that when I work in BF, I automatically ask my passengers and then I remember for the whole flight. Their stupidity doesn't bother me. I think it because there are less of them and they paid good money to be stupid.
What is great about working with guys is that they all adored me and asked me what it felt like to be princess on the flight. I looked around at the gay men and replied that title is up for debate here boys.
The boys loved me so much that on the last service, they let ME work up in BF....where I belong!
I head to airport in uniform, this time with a defined destination and it feels good. I check in with enthusiasm and look at all the others on airport alert with sadness for them as they will probably just pack up and head home at the end of the four hour shift.
I head to my gate and introduce myself to the guy waiting, as the time nears more and more of the crew approach and I quickly learn that I am the only girl. Eight men and me...just the way I like it!
I am working in the back which doesn't thrill me but I set up the galley and greet people at the door as I am supposed to. I glance longingly up to Business first and remind myself that I am happy to be working.
The morning rolls around and I am surprised I am not dead tired as my body has fallen out of the flight routine and eased into a NY server routine. It's almost time for the service I am told. I get up to prepare the cart and automatically have hatred for the passengers who are not going to tell me how they take their coffee or tea. My irritation shows on the cart and my partner is laughing at my frustration of people and my smart ass comments towards the end.
"I didn't wake up with you sir, I don't know how you take your coffee."
"I am not a mind reader ma'am."
"Coffee..." "Milk" "Then that is a white coffee" "Sugar" "Then ask for it all at once!"
"Hmmm" "Did you just start drinking coffee this morning?"
I have no idea why It bothers me so much...people's stupidity I guess.
What's comical is that when I work in BF, I automatically ask my passengers and then I remember for the whole flight. Their stupidity doesn't bother me. I think it because there are less of them and they paid good money to be stupid.
What is great about working with guys is that they all adored me and asked me what it felt like to be princess on the flight. I looked around at the gay men and replied that title is up for debate here boys.
The boys loved me so much that on the last service, they let ME work up in BF....where I belong!
28 November 2008
turkey day in the big apple
My favorite real holiday is Thanksgiving.
Going off my two last Turkey Days spent as a flight attendant I had the idea that I would be somewhere great. The first year I was fortunate enough to have a trip that landed me in Portland for the night and was able to make dinner at my house. The following year luck was on my side once more and I was in Rome on a five-day trip. My luck this year was not in place. I even moved my days around so I could be available for a five-day trip somewhere fabulous. I even signed up for airport alert on Monday with a positive attitude and was sent home empty handed mirroring the three other times I have warmed the couch this month.
So today, I was on page two of the list and as I woke up croggy from my night prior, I started looking around my room and got sad not to be at home. What was worse it that I had no idea where I would end up for the day or how I would get some much needed turkey in my tummy. I went to the coffee shop and sat hoping I could magically be home. When I returned I found my roommate leaving to enjoy with his family. After a teary eyed call from Carol, I decided to take a shower and get all dressed up and have a nice Turkey dinner at some swank place. Well I returned to my room to hear the tune. Airport alert was assigned at 1930. I made some mac and cheese and sat in the living room sad. I took a much-needed nap and then headed towards the subway. I stopped by a diner next to Port Authority and begged them to let me take turkey dinner to go. And I sat in the crew room and ate my turkey and pumpkin pie.
I got back home at 0100 and am still sad but at least my tummy is happy!
Going off my two last Turkey Days spent as a flight attendant I had the idea that I would be somewhere great. The first year I was fortunate enough to have a trip that landed me in Portland for the night and was able to make dinner at my house. The following year luck was on my side once more and I was in Rome on a five-day trip. My luck this year was not in place. I even moved my days around so I could be available for a five-day trip somewhere fabulous. I even signed up for airport alert on Monday with a positive attitude and was sent home empty handed mirroring the three other times I have warmed the couch this month.
So today, I was on page two of the list and as I woke up croggy from my night prior, I started looking around my room and got sad not to be at home. What was worse it that I had no idea where I would end up for the day or how I would get some much needed turkey in my tummy. I went to the coffee shop and sat hoping I could magically be home. When I returned I found my roommate leaving to enjoy with his family. After a teary eyed call from Carol, I decided to take a shower and get all dressed up and have a nice Turkey dinner at some swank place. Well I returned to my room to hear the tune. Airport alert was assigned at 1930. I made some mac and cheese and sat in the living room sad. I took a much-needed nap and then headed towards the subway. I stopped by a diner next to Port Authority and begged them to let me take turkey dinner to go. And I sat in the crew room and ate my turkey and pumpkin pie.
I got back home at 0100 and am still sad but at least my tummy is happy!
8
Great thing about being a New Yorker with a couple connections: Being invited to Tao’s 8th anniversary, getting to the door and knowing the doorman, running into Brooke Shields, Lance Bass, and Jeremy Pivan, meeting the owner, sitting at his table, and dancing the night away at Marquee. All while finishing off in my tradition of Cafeteria.
25 November 2008
real world
The great thing about New Yorkers is that they don't give a crap about celebs. They wander the streets among us not bothered and usually completely un-noticed as everyone is in a hurry to get some where. On Friday I covered a familiar shift for a friend at Brother Jimmy's but they put me in a different section. Pretty soon here comes tons of cameras and a group of people who ended up to be The Real World Brooklyn. Granted when I was 13 I watched it but now, I could give a crap. With that said, if you happen to be a fan, watch for the waitress in the background in the red "classic" tee shirt!
21 November 2008
early date
Of all the strange dates I have had this one goes down as the earliest date ever.
I play volleyball for a city league and we are not very good, in fact we suck. The main purpose for us getting together every Wednesday night is to have cocktails after. Well my first game with the team was on the UWS the day I moved into my apartment so I just told the crew I would meet them there versus going all the way down to the EV and back up. Ellie told me to go to the school on 79th and Amsterdam. Ok, so I show up ten early and begin to wander through the school to look for the gym. I am not seeing anyone but cleaners and noticing how the hallways lock up. I decided it best to go back to the lobby and wait as I could see myself spending the night trapped. Finally a teacher comes down and I ask her where the gym is explaining I was there to play volleyball. She was stunned and then told me that there was no gym there. First what the hell kind of school doesn’t have a gym, and what do I do now? She was kind enough to walk me to a rec center around the corner explaining that she thought I was Gwyneth Paltrow. I don’t think she has time to hang around closed schools looking for volleyball teams, but whatever! So I hear the squeak of shoes against a gym floor and bound up the stairs to find guys playing basketball. Piss! However they were able to direct me to the correct school, gave me the address and everything. So I ran over there in time to play a game and a half and then go out for drinks.
We go to this bar around the corner and after my friends ditch me I move to another table and watch the end of the Phillies win over the Rays. Upon leaving a guy gives me his card and tells me to do what I would like with it. Two weeks later I text him and then we set up this date. So yesterday morning I wake up at 715 in order to meet him at 745 at a coffee shop three blocks down the road. I brushed my teeth and hair and bundled up. I didn’t have the energy for sox and shoes and just figured sandals would be okay for a short walk. I get there 5 early to discover that this coffee shop doesn’t open until 1000. Yay, right?! So I stand there and make small talk with the lady guarding the construction sight next door. Finally Kurt shows up and is just as surprised as I am. He suggested another place on 112th and Broadway so off we go, through Morningside Park up flights of stairs and two more long blocks. And just when I think my toes are going to fall off we arrive at a great little café for breakfast. In retrospect the date was good, he is cute and funny, intelligent, and adventurous and I will see him again for sure. After tracing my steps back home at a fairly rapid pace, I climbed back into bed until 1130.
I play volleyball for a city league and we are not very good, in fact we suck. The main purpose for us getting together every Wednesday night is to have cocktails after. Well my first game with the team was on the UWS the day I moved into my apartment so I just told the crew I would meet them there versus going all the way down to the EV and back up. Ellie told me to go to the school on 79th and Amsterdam. Ok, so I show up ten early and begin to wander through the school to look for the gym. I am not seeing anyone but cleaners and noticing how the hallways lock up. I decided it best to go back to the lobby and wait as I could see myself spending the night trapped. Finally a teacher comes down and I ask her where the gym is explaining I was there to play volleyball. She was stunned and then told me that there was no gym there. First what the hell kind of school doesn’t have a gym, and what do I do now? She was kind enough to walk me to a rec center around the corner explaining that she thought I was Gwyneth Paltrow. I don’t think she has time to hang around closed schools looking for volleyball teams, but whatever! So I hear the squeak of shoes against a gym floor and bound up the stairs to find guys playing basketball. Piss! However they were able to direct me to the correct school, gave me the address and everything. So I ran over there in time to play a game and a half and then go out for drinks.
We go to this bar around the corner and after my friends ditch me I move to another table and watch the end of the Phillies win over the Rays. Upon leaving a guy gives me his card and tells me to do what I would like with it. Two weeks later I text him and then we set up this date. So yesterday morning I wake up at 715 in order to meet him at 745 at a coffee shop three blocks down the road. I brushed my teeth and hair and bundled up. I didn’t have the energy for sox and shoes and just figured sandals would be okay for a short walk. I get there 5 early to discover that this coffee shop doesn’t open until 1000. Yay, right?! So I stand there and make small talk with the lady guarding the construction sight next door. Finally Kurt shows up and is just as surprised as I am. He suggested another place on 112th and Broadway so off we go, through Morningside Park up flights of stairs and two more long blocks. And just when I think my toes are going to fall off we arrive at a great little café for breakfast. In retrospect the date was good, he is cute and funny, intelligent, and adventurous and I will see him again for sure. After tracing my steps back home at a fairly rapid pace, I climbed back into bed until 1130.
all for a good night's sleep
So my first day moved back onto the island, I spent ironically in Brooklyn. Now understand there are all sorts of areas in Brooklyn, just like there are in Manhattan. I lived in the not so fabulous part. My therapist whom I adore lives in this great are of Brooklyn called Park Slope. I walk around this area at time envisioning myself married with kids, that’s how nice it is. Proudly I figure out my way there via four train changes and we do our thing. Then following I have a dermatologist appointment right down the block. Lunch in between while still picturing a nice life here in the neighborhood. See the doctor and then decide that I am going to head to IKEA since I don’t have any form of a bed and sleeping in the recliner was all well and good last night while I was drunk however the fat that it will not stay back will become a problem while sober. I hop on the B train after calling the automated voice of BK IKEA and keep looking for the stop. And looking. Well I end up in Coney Island. I get off the train and ask the MTA guy where the hell IKEA is and he laughs and tells me to enjoy the long ride back. Ready for this: it was one stop in the other direction from where I started! Almost wanting to give up and go home, I pause re-gather myself and get off at the correct stop. Another questioning of the tollbooth to find out that I need to cross the street and hop on a “shuttle bus” to IKEA. I get on and ask if it s the right one and forty five minutes of standing in rush hour bus stops and gos I see the holy land. First thing I do is hit the bathroom then begin to wander about. I have inherited this cheapness thing from my father and not like to think about spending lots of money; therefore I sought out the less expensive bed frame I could find. My roommate said he knew a mattress guy so this was all I really needed. To get a clear picture of this scenario now, here I am with a 1 x 7 box hauling to the check out making a game plan for the overcrowded bus and two subway changes home. I paid my $40 plus tax and exited. A man approached me and asked if I was taking the bus home. I proudly said yes as I was determined to tackle this. He told me he could give me a ride home for $40…SOLD!
I assemble my bed and Jase comes up with cushions from the couch as my mattress until he can find the guys number. So for two nights I do that. Then this girl appears whom he is apparently dating but asking me if I yell at my boyfriend all the time. To which I just replied no, and he tells me that she yells at him all the time. Good relationship, I reply. So this girl shows up and hands me an air mattress. Either she feels sorry for me or wants the couch cushions back were they belong. Whatever ii is, while listening to her yell at him, my air mattress is losing air. Apparently she punched a hole in it…I am not quite sure how that did anything to him, just me. I visit this “mattress guy” and boy is he creepy. He is doing his sales pitch and I call him out on it and tell him that I am just looking for something cheap. I got a hell of a deal and delivery this time. And when he asked for my phone number I faked it and got the hell out of there. Three days later heaven arrived and I have been sleeping like a baby ever since. The mattress combined with Jase wising up about the girl makes for quite evenings.
I assemble my bed and Jase comes up with cushions from the couch as my mattress until he can find the guys number. So for two nights I do that. Then this girl appears whom he is apparently dating but asking me if I yell at my boyfriend all the time. To which I just replied no, and he tells me that she yells at him all the time. Good relationship, I reply. So this girl shows up and hands me an air mattress. Either she feels sorry for me or wants the couch cushions back were they belong. Whatever ii is, while listening to her yell at him, my air mattress is losing air. Apparently she punched a hole in it…I am not quite sure how that did anything to him, just me. I visit this “mattress guy” and boy is he creepy. He is doing his sales pitch and I call him out on it and tell him that I am just looking for something cheap. I got a hell of a deal and delivery this time. And when he asked for my phone number I faked it and got the hell out of there. Three days later heaven arrived and I have been sleeping like a baby ever since. The mattress combined with Jase wising up about the girl makes for quite evenings.
18 November 2008
preference of destiny
I am changing my reserve preference to request to fly to try and work on Thursday. While on the page I had the option to also change it for the Thanksgiving week. I started to change it and wondered if I was changing my destiny. I always play these games to guess what scheduling will do with me if...I never win so I just left it alone...for now that is.
15 November 2008
ipod
My ipod is my lifesaver on the subway as well as bus rides to and from the airport. I constantly have it on shuffle and will sometimes forward to a more upbeat song or something which matches my mood at the moment. The other day I was spacing out and the song from Love Actually , "Love is all you need" came on. Immediately following was The Beatles, "Love is all you need". Do you think this little device is trying to tell me something?
300
My 300th post doesn't come with any great stories or updates. It is that time of year in flight attendant reserve life in which I sit airport alert unused and then around on call. The big difference between this year and last is that I realize this fact and have found things to occupy my time. I have been walking the pooches, playing volleyball for a city league, and picked up some shift at Brother Jimmy's for some spending money since my paycheck next month will be shit!
Today finds me hanging out at home on call listening to the rain and now watching the sun struggle to break free from its barrier of clouds. The Ducks are playing at 630 and it is sad to think it is the second to last game of the regular season. Where did the fall go?
So I went on a date with this guy the other night. I have known him for about a year, met him at the old watering hole of the UES. And he suggested bowling, which I love the idea and when a guy has actually taken the time to think about what to do. So we meet up at a bar, have a beer and head down there. He wins by one point. Afterwards we hit the Coffee Shop for a milkshake (my idea) and we are talking. We are talking about past party days and I said that I have fun in my life and he said he was a little more low key. I reply that he was a good guy then! He goes off on how nice guys are always getting the shaft and blah, blah. I was just sitting there trying to defuse the situation with no accord and finally told him he wasn't being a nice guy at the moment, he was being an asshole. And this is why it sucks to date!
Today finds me hanging out at home on call listening to the rain and now watching the sun struggle to break free from its barrier of clouds. The Ducks are playing at 630 and it is sad to think it is the second to last game of the regular season. Where did the fall go?
So I went on a date with this guy the other night. I have known him for about a year, met him at the old watering hole of the UES. And he suggested bowling, which I love the idea and when a guy has actually taken the time to think about what to do. So we meet up at a bar, have a beer and head down there. He wins by one point. Afterwards we hit the Coffee Shop for a milkshake (my idea) and we are talking. We are talking about past party days and I said that I have fun in my life and he said he was a little more low key. I reply that he was a good guy then! He goes off on how nice guys are always getting the shaft and blah, blah. I was just sitting there trying to defuse the situation with no accord and finally told him he wasn't being a nice guy at the moment, he was being an asshole. And this is why it sucks to date!
11 November 2008
elevators
I was speaking with my doorman this morning after returning from a coffee run followed by a brisk walk around the neighborhood. I expressed my love of the neighborhood in the perfect combination of old and new New York. Everything from the buildings to the stores to the people have the mix of modern and raw. He agreed on the idea and then went on to tell me about how our building is a perfect compliment to the neighborhood. He did tell me to watch out because it is a fertile building. A new mom came home on Sunday and two more are expected this week. I told him that I didn't want any of that and he warned me to be careful of those fertile elevators. To which I replied...I will be taking the stairs then!
05 November 2008
change
Change is inevitable and most of the time unwelcome. But in my case I embraced the hell out of it and used it for motivation to get my butt in gear and to get the hell out of, not only Brooklyn but my funk. A week ago the movers pulled up (one from the previous time) and took my perfectly packed room and we journeyed across the bridge and uptown.
I have moved into a fantastic new building with a doorman (how NY is that?) and into a room which over looks the city and from which I can see my favorite building in the world...the Chrysler Building. The other night I returned home to see the little lit up and fireworks going off south of the city. It is such a wave of relief to be back into the city! I will admit that learning the ins and out of the west side subway system or how to get to the East Village in a timely manner are presenting me with challenges but this time they are not overwhelming. And do you know what else is great? It took me..count them 75 minutes to get from my room through security! The old route took upwards to three hours sometimes with two trains along with the bus ride. Love living on the westside...when it comes to flying that is. I am realizing that I have built me life around being an East side girl. But again there is always room for change!
I have moved into a fantastic new building with a doorman (how NY is that?) and into a room which over looks the city and from which I can see my favorite building in the world...the Chrysler Building. The other night I returned home to see the little lit up and fireworks going off south of the city. It is such a wave of relief to be back into the city! I will admit that learning the ins and out of the west side subway system or how to get to the East Village in a timely manner are presenting me with challenges but this time they are not overwhelming. And do you know what else is great? It took me..count them 75 minutes to get from my room through security! The old route took upwards to three hours sometimes with two trains along with the bus ride. Love living on the westside...when it comes to flying that is. I am realizing that I have built me life around being an East side girl. But again there is always room for change!
history
This day in history has found me in Dublin, watching the television with great interest and hope. I left the tv on as I sleep because the polls were not closed as it was time for bed. I awoke to find we have a new president-elect. When asked were I was when change was elected, I can answer...in a hotel room in Dublin after many a pint of Guinness!
29 October 2008
been a long time...
It is not that I haven't wanted to write but I always find myself short on time, resources, or inspiration. I will say this past month has been a blur when it comes to life. I made some big decisions to move me forward and to a better place, I was bombard with friends and family, and said good bye to the love of my life.
I spent the first three trips of the month in Ireland, which I love and then in between entertained not one, not two, but three friends in one weekend. Nichole was a planned visited and I managed to actually get on the good side of my supervisor to ask for some days off during her second visit to the big apple. She came and crashed with me in BK after a three hour bus ride into the city because some idiot planted a suspicious package in the outbound Lincoln Tunnel. Apparently he did it the Wednesday prior on my way to work which would explain why I looked up from The Post to find the bus in some neighborhood. The great thing about Nichole's visit is that she had been here prior and did all the tourist crap so she was happy to hang out and do my life routine. We caught a Ducks game at the local bar and ended up at Cafeteria where our server was from Oregon...we fell in love with him immediately!! The second day we were joined by Dave May and went to an amazing restaurant for dinner and then out on the town for cocktails. The third day Turiya made her appearance and we all went to Girmaldi's for the best pizza I have ever had outside of Italy. I could only convenience one of them to go walking with Willie and me.
Carol was my second visitor and was keen to take a trip with me to Belfast where I showed her around the city and of course around the bars as well. She came to help me with the decision to find a new home for George as this place is god-awful for both of us and she deserves a better life. That being said, the girl packed up her belongings and took up her Oregon residency once more. Yes, I am very sad and no the breakdown still has yet to arrive.
I made the amazing choice to move back to the city and have found a great two bedroom share in the UWS/South Harlem/Columbia/Morningside...depending on your audience. The big move is tomorrow morning and I literally counted the days until it was here. I would think..."this is the last time I have to haul my bags to this subway line" or "this is last time I have to change trains four times to get home". I am super excited for the move and hope to get everything put away and make it a home asap. My new roommate is a whole nother blog!
What else...I finally fell down the stairs to the subway today with my bags. My roller board went flying as I slipped down at least eight stairs. My backpack stopped me finally along with my left forearm with is already showing the war wounds. What actually surprised me is how many people stopped and asked if I was okay.
I am sure there is much, much more to talk about but this girl is hitting the hay and moving back to civilization tomorrow!
I spent the first three trips of the month in Ireland, which I love and then in between entertained not one, not two, but three friends in one weekend. Nichole was a planned visited and I managed to actually get on the good side of my supervisor to ask for some days off during her second visit to the big apple. She came and crashed with me in BK after a three hour bus ride into the city because some idiot planted a suspicious package in the outbound Lincoln Tunnel. Apparently he did it the Wednesday prior on my way to work which would explain why I looked up from The Post to find the bus in some neighborhood. The great thing about Nichole's visit is that she had been here prior and did all the tourist crap so she was happy to hang out and do my life routine. We caught a Ducks game at the local bar and ended up at Cafeteria where our server was from Oregon...we fell in love with him immediately!! The second day we were joined by Dave May and went to an amazing restaurant for dinner and then out on the town for cocktails. The third day Turiya made her appearance and we all went to Girmaldi's for the best pizza I have ever had outside of Italy. I could only convenience one of them to go walking with Willie and me.
Carol was my second visitor and was keen to take a trip with me to Belfast where I showed her around the city and of course around the bars as well. She came to help me with the decision to find a new home for George as this place is god-awful for both of us and she deserves a better life. That being said, the girl packed up her belongings and took up her Oregon residency once more. Yes, I am very sad and no the breakdown still has yet to arrive.
I made the amazing choice to move back to the city and have found a great two bedroom share in the UWS/South Harlem/Columbia/Morningside...depending on your audience. The big move is tomorrow morning and I literally counted the days until it was here. I would think..."this is the last time I have to haul my bags to this subway line" or "this is last time I have to change trains four times to get home". I am super excited for the move and hope to get everything put away and make it a home asap. My new roommate is a whole nother blog!
What else...I finally fell down the stairs to the subway today with my bags. My roller board went flying as I slipped down at least eight stairs. My backpack stopped me finally along with my left forearm with is already showing the war wounds. What actually surprised me is how many people stopped and asked if I was okay.
I am sure there is much, much more to talk about but this girl is hitting the hay and moving back to civilization tomorrow!
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