bill

I don't know if I necessarily believe in ghosts but the hotel room I now sit in is said to be haunted. We arrived in a little town of Bedford, New Hampshire for a nice long layover. We were delayed in our arrival and I went straight to bed. The thoughts of Ashley's words filled my mind as I remembered every scary movie I had ever seen. I was awaken by a loud noise overhead, the ironic thing is that I am on the top floor. I am sure that I freaked myself out but I still have one more night ahead of me.
This being my second week in a row to visit the New England area, I find it quite charming to be able to visit. I am disappointed to have missed the fall foliage but will take the crisp, clean air over Jersey any old day. I started my day getting up at 11:00 mostly due in part to the Vegas-like curtains and my tireness from my 0200 phone call from 19C. I hit the gym and it felt good to get in a work out. I came back to the room and got ready for a day of exploring. I walked next door to the "mall" and went into Bob's Store expecting to grab a water and some lunch. No luck, it was a clothing chain. I finally found a same pizza joint and ate a grilled panini as I watched locals come in and out. I checked out Marshall's and found a long, white dress shirt perfect for my new skinny jeans. While approaching the register, a guy in army fatigues made a comment about Oregon, referencing my bright yellow jacket. He told me that his best friend lives in Klamath Falls. The conversation continued through check out and concluded in the parking lot. As I walked to the hotel, I heard a diesel truck behind me and it was Bill wondering if I wanted to grab lunch. I told him that I already ate but would hang out with him. He came around and opened the door to begin my tour of the area. We talked very freely because there was no attraction upon my part but I did feel very safe with him. We stopped by Dunkin Donuts for coffee because he couldn't remember where the only Starbucks was. He drove by the diner which Adam Sandler frequents when he returns to his hometown of Manchester. After a couple of hours of sightseeing he dropped me off at the hotel. I concluded my stay with calm chowder with the crew and a movie, the one with Will Farrell and the voice...very odd movie. Back to base tomorrow and then a Chicago turn. The pilots are already predicting long delays due to the weather. We shall see.

randomness

Forewarning, this will be a bunch of rambling thoughts that I just need to get out. I am sitting here with my green tea after my new routine of oatmeal each morning, trying to decide how to be productive until my 1940 check-in. I worked six days straight during the holiday week and am happy to report that I was able to eat the traditional Thanksgiving meal on turkey day as I landed at home after a long day of flying. Yesterday was my day off and I had such good intentions of getting things done, however the only thing that was checked off my list was laundry. When other people are around the house it makes me feel even more lazy than I already do. I don't like feeling lazy but at the same time there is not a damn thing to do with only one day off. I am back on the schedule today and am flying one leg up to MHT in New Hampshire and rewarded for my hard work on the one hour (gate to gate) flight with a thirty-one hour layover. On Thursday I fly back home then do a MDW turn, always good looking men on the Chicago flights. My plan for my long layover (as I heard there is nothing around the hotel) is to catch up on all the emails and phone calls I have been neglecting over the past month. I am also hoping to be inspired by the mountain air and sketch out my birthday invites.

I finally had the oppurtunity to talk to my roomie, C the one that I am in competition with for the extra bedroom. I found out that we have both been looking at apartments in the city and she doesn't believe that this place will be home for any of us much longer. What does this mean for me? It means that I need to start moving and find a place to take George to live. I have been looking on Craig's list for some places in the city and no surprise that they are expensive. I think I need to go into the city and pound the pavement on my next day off. I don't want to be rushed into finding some place new but I don't want to wait until the surpise announcement is made. I overheard B asking an incoming call about rent and such. I have decided that I need to move to the city and get the full NY experience since I am so close, yes it would probably be easier to stay in Jersey, but I so dislike Jersey.

On the men front, let's see. Luc called me Sunday while I was flying and we talked for a bit on my drive home. He wants me to come all the way out to Long Island so he can cook for me and then he wants to take me to his work holiday party. How bout puttin' on the brakes buddy! I believe the downfall of dating a man you have met online is that they are ready to settle down. I thought I was too but not right now, there is still many men I have to meet. Ol' 19C and I have been texting and talking quite a bit, I called his bluff about going somewhere together and he has yet to address it again. We just talk about random stuff, I am not quite sure where this heading but I would love to meet up with him again...maybe on my next days off.

I am still missing home, my friends, and family like crazy. The flashbacks of childhood, looking at lights on Pacific Terrace, or going to the Snowflake Parade, memories of being older and my perfect tree in Lake Oswego, or Christmas dinner at the Porters. It is all flooding back because I know that I will not have it or the oppurtunity for it this year. I have yet to profess myself a "Christmas person" but there is a feeling that comes along with it that will take a lot to stretch all the way across the country or where ever I am may be on that day. Alright enough sappy bullshit I've got to pack.

woo-eeee!

"woo-eeee!" the phrase used by the semi-professional hockey players we met last night at the pub.

I sit now at a gorgeous dinner alone by choice in PVD. The birth state of my mom and the host to a 32 hour layover. We arrived last night after a long day with a turn to MSY. I haven't flown in so long that was a little out of the flow of things. Luckily I was assigned this trip with a classmate of mine who restored my faith. We arrived in downtown Providence and I asked the front desk upon check in about the lounge and for a quick summary of the men here. She directed me (and my tag-a-long) to an Irish Pub near by. We showed up to a great atmosphere and orderded a Guiness. We shot darts for a while with Johnny and listened to his NE accent, it was more Boston than NY. The is guy came up to our booth and started small chat, I had noticed him looking at us a couple of time previous. After a round, I invited him and his friend to join us. We laughed and hung out until 0300 and I did a little making out (shocking) but I did manage to get his autograph in case he becomes the next Great One. He told me he would call today and take me to dinner. He did call at 1700 but after a day of pms and bad customer service at a nearby mall, I was in the middle of a nap and decided a nice dinner sans compainship was in oreder,. I sit her alone with a champange cocktail, wedge salad with blue cheese and bacon bits, awaiting a fliet and a glass of wine. The couple behind me is causing an internal debate of whether she is a gold-digger on a first date or a call girl,. They definatly don't go together! A little kissin', dinner, and a theater...what more could I ask for from a layover?!

ludo

So my first internet date combined with my first date in NYC, should be interesting. I had a feeling that would not have to work Saturday so I told Luc that I would be able to meet him for dinner. He called while I was awaiting a flight home from CLE eating nachos. It was strange to hear his accent, it is not the traditional French accent, and rather it is coupled with a slight hint of German. We talked for a bit and then my battery started to die. About three minutes into the conversation, I was alerted to a text. It was from 19C and we ended up texting until takeoff. Around three o’clock on Saturday, I called and asked scheduling if I could be released into my days off because I had a date. Dressed up and ready for an adventure, I headed into the city via car. It took forever because of traffic prior to the $6 toll Holland Tunnel, come to find out after a half an hour waiting they were doing some kind of survey, what the shit? Just let us through! I drove around for a bit and got a little sidetracked in China town and then found my way over to the East Village. It was a quaint place he found and I made friends with the bartender as I waited. They pegged me for a blind date. And in he walked; he didn’t look exactly like his photos because his hair had been cut. He reminded me of my friend’s old beau actually. We sat down for dinner and received complimentary drinks while we got to know each other. I didn’t have immediate butterflies but I have this voice in the back of my head that said that I would probably fall in love with the most random of guys. I think it kept my mind open. He is very sweet and I watched his interaction with the waiter as that speaks volumes about a person. We talked about travel, his home, work, and the usual get-to-know you chitchat. After dinner and his allowing me to order dessert to split we moved to the bat for another drink. We talked some more and I asked about the dog in his picture. He proceeded to tell me about a cat and a dog that live upstairs from him but that he buys food for and takes a nap with the cat each evening. The dog he described was not the dog in the picture so I had to guide him back the original question asked. That is his friend’s dog apparently. He kept wanting to ask me questions about my last boyfriend, which I answered honestly but didn’t find it necessary to keep revisiting it with questions. Actually I thought it was odd that a guy would want to know about the past, that is usually a girls question. The restaurant had now turned into a semi-dance club with a lot of Asians and no dancing. He told me to answer an obvious question, one that is escaping me now, and that he would give me a treat if I answered correctly. The treat? A peck! I have to smile at his dopiness, it is kind of cute but I foresaw him being that totally attached guy. I had already expressed my disinterest for East coast guys as they came off too aggressive and clingy. Two am rolled around and we decided to call it an evening so he walked me to my car and kissed me goodnight. Nice and gentle kiss but still not overwhelming butterflies. I drove home and then met the girls at the dinner for a grilled cheese. He texred on the way home and then called this morning and wanted to spend the day together. Hmmm, no. I wrote him and told him it was a me day and we should see each other this week. He called tonight to let me know that his heading to see the friend with the dog for Thanksgiving and the way he said it had me in stitches, I wish I could do the impression in words. Sure I will see him again but I need that za-za-zu. My mom offered to send me a jar of butterflies so I can put them in my stomach. I wish it were that easy!

cle

So my plan to lay by the pool and enjoy the West Coast...Kiboshed!!! That's right I am sitting in yet another Holiday Inn, but this time in CLE. We pushed back from the gate on time and then were informed that all flights heading west were grounded indefinatly. Two and a half hours we sat on the ground waiting for clearance. After we finally made it to CLE, my flight to IAH had already left so I had to call for instructions. They don't know what they are doing with me but they have put me up for the night at the nicest HI I have seen. They told me to call when I wake up if I hadn't heard from them. Scheduling is all a mess because of the huge weather system in the East. Rumor has it that is supposed to snow here tonight, so glad that I packed for San Diego! I heading to my room to chill out and read a book since my time spent at the bar getting dinner turned into, "let's ask stupid questions to the only girl here." A Mr. Scary told me that he couldn't live in NY or fly on planes because of the "bad people", little does he know that I have placed him in that catagory as well.

boys

I have been back from holiday less than a week and it seems like an eternity since I was laying by the pool. It took almost twelve hours to get home from TPA due to the weather but I made it back in time. I sat airport alert for four hours while watching Law and Order and texting with 19C who is now back in my life. I am actually one of the few people who like airport alert, it is nice to be away and take nap without having to do any actual work. I sat around all day yesterday waiting for the phone to ring because I was fifth on the list to go. It did not. They gave me a trip last night which I am preparing for in just a bit. I am going to be a load (ie I work with different crews the whole time) from here-CLE-IAH-SAN-layover-home. I am excited to hang out in Cali as it has been a while since I have been there. I think I shall keep working on my tan, unless I am disillusioned by the fact that it is warm there.

So, 19C and I have been talking since I called him Halloween night to see if he was out and about. I found out that when we met, the friends of Michele totally turned him off to me as he though they were my friends that were so loud and obnoxious. Not the case, I informed him and we have been communicating ever since. He wants to take me to Vegas, not sure if it is talk but it would be one hell of a first date! And of course when you have one, you have more. The guy on eharmony asked me out last night, he wants to meet me for dinner in the city!! I haven't wrote back because I was unsure if the Vegas offer for my next two days off was solid. I will have to investigate further and see which guy I will be seeing this Sunday and Monday.

Alright gotta get ready to work, it has been a long time, I think I can remember what to do!

jersey dike

I have encountered a strange combo sitting here in the TPA airport awaiting a flight home very patiently. The Jersey dike, she is loud and obnoxious bitching to her partner who sits beside me about the gate agent and how she is going to smack him down and how she thinks they should send random planes places so she can go home. Now they are fighting because her lover, who seemed calm for a while is now about ready to give her the beat down. A man hater with a NE attitude, now that is some scary shit!

Everyone thinks the life of a flight attendant is glamerous and we get to fly anywhere we want. Here is what is not disclosed, we fly stand-by. Janene can attest that today has been a nightmare in which to choose to fly home from the gorgeous Bahamas. I believe she was on to something when she suggested we just call in sick and stay on the beach. We had such a great time laying by the pool and being lazy. That is not even a metaphor, we literially did nothing but drink, sunbathe, and go out. We made friends with the local bartenders, boat drivers, djs, and anyone else that wanted to hang out with us. The wedding was out of a story book, Nichole looked amazing and the sun setting as the ceramony ended was perfect. It is a Bahemian tradition to throw flower pedals into the ocean as good luck after the wedding. We danced the night away along the bay with friends and closed out our holiday.

Praying to get back soon and hit the loft bed, I actually miss the squeakiness right now.

upcoming holiday

I believe that the anticipation of my upcoming holiday has sent me into irritation mood to majority of things around me. There are a number of good things going on right now, however it is difficult to retain focus of them. My car was scheduled to arrive to give me precious freedom on Saturday so I called scheduling and requested a later check in. The graciously gave me a LAS trip with a 20 hour layover, tons of time to get in trouble in Sin City. I was so excited to have a good layover as it has been a while since I had one I loved. I went to bed excited to get my car and planning out my outfit for the following evening on the town. I received a call at 1030 from scheduling letting me know they have a pairing for me. I replied, I kow I am going to Vegas. They didn't find it as humerous as I did and sent me on a MCO turn. Huge plane and I am the lead for a plane full of children and w.t. One passanger popped off to me and I swear I had that moment when I wanted to grab my bag and walk off the plane. Horrible flight and I was so grateful to get home although I had to get a ride home from B because my car didn't make it in time. I had another assignment...another turn to MCO, this flight was much better because the people were nicer and on the way home we flew a brand new plane home. Customers were a little freaked out about it being so new and I told them we'll take it out for a test drive and see how it goes. They were not amuzed with me either. My humor has been wasted on myelf the past couple of days.

I am avaliable today with recuirrant tomorrow and then FIVE fabulous days off to stand by my friend as she gets married and drink and pick up men with my other friend in the Bahamas. Going to do laundry, pack, and then over to a friends house to study and stay the night. I am currently enjoying a quiet house since all the roommates are in recurriant today.

BTW My eharmony guy and I have been chatting back and forth every other day...seems pretty nice.

what the hell

I have adopted this "what the hell..." attitude for the month of November and am using it to do things that I might not have the balls enough to do otherwise. So the guy that I met on the street on Halloween and I have been talking via text and trying to meet up. He is in town for CMJ as he is a video producer in LA. I received an early check just as I wished for that took me to FLL and back by 1400. The down side of this "perfect for a date trip" is that I had to wake up at 0330. When I came home and didn't hear any definate plans from him, I let my mind and body find the relaxation mode. He invited me out to see a show and dinner (show as in a band not Broadway) and I texted that I was going to be lame and stay in. Then it hit me what a lame ass I truly was as my up-and-down emotional roommates were mooping around the house. I say F-it I am going to go and arranged to meet him downtown. I took the path for the first time by myself and tried to exude a confidence so no one would mess with me. I got off at 14th and 6th and looked for a place to wait for them to come get me. The only open place was Cheesecake Factory (not the one you know and love but one with make to order steaks like subway) and a McDonalds. I choose the McDonalds. He came with a friend and we headed to the place Fontanes and the Village. It was the best people watching and I was so go-with-the-flow that I loved being out of my element with all these music industry people. After a while and a few drinks we took a cab to another place that you had to tell a joke to get upstairs to the "house party". It would have been a cool place to live but for the evening it was filled with people, a live band, free beer, and free vodka redbulls. The redbull was ideal as it was 0330 in the morning by this point. We hung out and met people and tried to hook his friend up for the night with no such luck. Around 0430 we deciced that we want pizza on Bleeker so we cab it over there and go to four different shops, one of which was a sex store, before finding a slice of pie. I didn't arrive home until 0700 this morning and my body is not happy with my live-like-I-am-21 evening. No details will be given...those are mine, but I will tell you this 6'5" handsome boy with the great sex-hair (Em will now what I am talking about), was one hell of a kisser!

wonder woman

My most feared plane, it had confused me in training with its exits and number of life rafts, and here I am the lead on this enormous plane the 767-200. I dead headed down to IAH and then worked the flight home. Let me tell you, I was running around little a chicken with its head cut off. I finally started delegating things that were beyond me such as the video system, getting people’s coats, greeting passengers, etc. Once the flight was underway, I worked first class aisle right side and only had twelve customers to take care of. The flight went by very slow but in a good way so I had tome to eat the shrimp kung-pow, chocolate cake, and espresso. It you have a chance to flight business first on a 767, I highly recommend it.


I walked the streets of Manhattan as Wonder Woman. We arose from the Path station into a mass of people mostly dressed in costume. A huge parade filled Sixth Avenue and the people watching was so great. A church with the moon and clouds surrounding was the perfect background to night. We started off at a random bar with a drink and then moved deeper into the village. Bar after bar welcomed us as we found our way to Little Italy to meet up with my friend, Michele who is always finding good bars. I wanted to hang out in soho but instead was taken to the meatpacking district by friends of C. We ended up at a club, APT. It was an underground club with all sorts of characters. I would have loved it if I was in the mindset for it but I wanted to dance with straight boys and maybe do some kissing. No luck at that bar, the men looked better than us girls. And we looked good!! I did meet a guy on the street who I am still talking to and hoping to meet up with on Friday before he heads back to LA.

Today was given to a bacon cheese burger, a nap, chicken parm sandwich, and a movie. Thank goodness for the lazy schedule of a flight attendant.

columbus

I got sent out on a trip yesterday which took me to CMH. We worked the flight there and then deadheaded back. The take off was pretty exciting since we are experiencing 30-40 mile/hour winds. So I am hanging out in my HI hotel room talking to Janene and my friend Carlos calls. He is at the same hotel so we ended up going out with a guy that drove an hour and half to come and see him. I am sure that he enjoyed me being the third wheel. It is halloween weekend and let me tell you, the gays sure like to dress up. I spent the night checking out guys, having a few drinks, dancing with the date so Carlos could cruise, and chit chatting with the masses. My favorite costume of the night was a slender black man wearing a Rupunzile like wig (blonde and to his calves), a box of Godiva chocolates around his neck, black high heels and a fox tail covering his...well unit. And that was it, nothing else. He had a rockin' body though. He was "Lady Godiva". On the way back to the hotel we saw a White Castle and yelled until the date pulled over. I got my first experience with the tiny burgers, they gave me heartburn and I laid in the back seat wishing the boys would stop fighting about the damn directions and find the hotel. Gratefully I got an extra hour of sleep this morning and got to sleep on the way home.

loraine

I have decided to take my destiny of meeting a good guy here from fate and give it a little nudge by joining eharmony. I was speaking with Dave May about being unable to find someone to hang out with that doesn't give me the he-be-jebes. I will admit that I am very picky in what I find attractive and who I would consider dating. The fact that you would have to align all these wants I have, my heart being open, being in the right place, right time, someone who finds me attractive and whose heart is in the right "mindset" as well. So the other night the girls helped me do my profile, it took about an hour. I received a few matches right off the bat so I sent them five predetermined questions to see what happens. Wish me luck or at least some more good date stories.

Speaking of stories, you know how I am always good at attracting crazies...This pretty cute guy asked for my number on the way home from Portland when I went to pick up George. His name was George as well. So he calls, I can't go out because I was on call, then he texts, and texts, and texts. Finally I stopped texting him back because I got irritated about his pushiness. He calls me several weeks after the communication stopped from a restricted number demanding to know when I was free and going to go out with him. I got off the phone and then texted him that I didn't want to see him and if he wanted to know why it is because of his pushiness. Get what he text me back, "When I c something or someone that requires a closer look, i become voracious 4 more information. I didn't mean 2 b so agressive, i have recently re-entered the dating scence so forgive my assertivness. Ultimately, i pity your loss. Much love to George (my girl), goodbye Loraine!" That is not even my name jackass!!

take off

The up side to this job is that it is not that much work. The downside for someone who likes to be productive, is that there is not a lot of work. After having six days off from flying an assignment was dropped into my schedule. I had to refer to airportcode.com to find out where they were sending me. I memorized 180 city codes for training, these were not among them. I regonized as a charter flight, however and speculated that is was a college team going somewhere to play a game. I was correct. We headed up to Syracuse to pick up the football team and take then to CVG. I was able to sit up in the cockpit for take off and we wrapped around the Hudson in order to see the Statue of Liberty and the city line. These boys were very demanding and like children while I was offering candy. They were a lot of fun but had a hard time having shit flicked back at them. BTW, the head coaches wife is from Oregon...small world. There were onlly six people on the plane for the ride back and I took a nice nap in first class seats, after I had eaten candy, ice cream, cheese and crackers, and drank gatorade. I woke up just as we were beginning our decent and wandered up to the cockpit to watch the landing. Those boys work hard up there with all the calls, buttons, and aligning the plane in the clouds. It was so cool to watch!

Today they are sending me to CMH and then deadheading me home tomorrow. I have racked up 15 hours of deadheading this month and am two hours short of my guarantee to get paid for them. I only have the 30th to fly those two hours as I have Halloween off. Well, I best hop in the shower and look pretty for my second trip to Ohio.

oregon

Going home always has it's negative and positive sides. The negative is that I long to be there all the time, to be with my friends, sit in the park, eat great food, have my own, beautiful space, and...it's Oregon for Christsake! The positive is that I get to get away and renew my love for home, I get to see my friends and celebrate their lives with them, I got to sit in the park and enjoy the beautiful fall colors, I was able to have down time in my loft, I got to sit on 23rd with a favorite friend and drink milkshakes, I spent the day with my favorite friends and renewed my strength to carry on. The beautiful thing about these friends of mine is that sometimes I don't have to say a word, it is just being with them that makes my life at peace.

I am now back in Jersey and awaiting a trip from crew scheduling, it is getting pretty late so the chances of working today are slim. I have offered to make dinner for my girlfriends here and we are going to watch movies, and enjoy laziness while it is avaliable. I have motivation to not sit around and eat junk because I leave for the Bahamas in 13 days. I am so looking forward to the sun, the wedding, and hanging out with the Nener. No offense, Nichole...I don't think we will have much one on one time!!

B, M, and I went to our first diner last night. Jersey is apparently known for them. The portions are huge (no wonder why these people are too), but it was good to experience something new. Let me tell you though, nothing I order will come close to how amazing the Kobe steak from Ringside was.

mets

Just got back from my two day trip to have my heart broke by the Mets. It is not necessarily that I am a Met's fan, I just wanted the chance to watch a world series game. I doubt I will be sent to Detriot of St. Louis for a two day layover.

I got the call at 2230 telling me that I shouled probably go to bed. My check in wat 0445 or what I like to refer to as o'dark thirty. My sleep was only an hour and half long before my alarm went off at 0300. I was given a load pairing which means I go from plane to plane helping out crews. My first flight was to IAH, and because of the crew, I worked first class aisle. It was great because a. I enjoy first class, and b. the galley guy was the most laid back guy I have ever met, I had to explain to him what he needed to prepare. Any woo ended up chatting with him on the jumpseat and confirmed that he was straight...not by any actions, just conversation. So I gave him my number at the end of the flight while we was waiting for me at the end of the jetway. We'll see what happens. So I get to IAH and hold up in the Mariott for ten hours sleeping and subconsciencely listening to the thunder hit right outside my window. I went to catch my next flight to PHX which was two and half hours delayed which pushed my crew rest into illegial. What that means is that I didn't have to work a 15 hour day, I just had to work and eight hour day and got home in time to watch the fifth inning on.

Tommorow is airport alert, or what I call sleeping in the crew room.

home

I returned from SEA this morning to the freezing cold tempetures very willing to get off the plane. The passangers were strange complaining about the air saying it was making them sick. I had two pukes, one lady who wanted two seats and had to deal with the agents on whether or not she was going to stay on the plane. It was a very long trip. I felt bad calling B to give me a ride home at 0600 but the sweetheart she is, she came willing. I went and grabbed a bid packet and sat in the cold waiting for her arrival. I checked my messages and found out that a dear friend (my strength in coming to Portland) is having a baby and moving to Seattle. I also found out that my "big sis" got engaged. Both of these friends once dined with me once a month to catch up on life. I sat on my rollerboard and tears flowed freely. I can't believe how much I am missing at home. B joined me in tears on the ride home as we expressed our frustration with our situations here. I climbed in bed for much needed sleep and set my alarm for 1430 so I could get up and watch the Duck game. I called a bar with satelite and got my gear on. I was feeling better after some rest but after driving to six different bars, my heart was broken when Applebees found the game but didn't have the chanel ordered. I am now here watching up to the minute stats wishing I was home. Home at the game, home celebrating huge life things with the people I love, home with those I owe my time to, home with my friends, my family, home where I can have a beer while I watch the game, home where I can feel at home.

Before I left I expresed concern to Anne about when I came back everyone would have moved on with their lives. She gave me the perfect response of "that will happen whether you are there or not". I understand and it made me feel better until those message. I wish I could be there to celebrate the moving on.

"blooood"

It went like this. B and I decided to go to Hoboken for the day to check it out. We asked the sub guy for directions and we were on our way. The turnpikes, parkways, and routes of the NE make absolutely no sense. They fade into other ones with no warning and on top of the confusion, have the audacity to charge tolls. I would say we left the house around 1330 for our adventure which took us past Giants stadium three separate times. We had to stop at Starbucks for a little refueling up north even though we needed to be heading east. Around 1630 we arrived at the small town which reminds me of the Pearl only with a view of the Manhattan skyline. We stopped by our classmates adorable apartment and hung out watching MTV. We ended up going out to Mexican and since I had to work the next day I only had two drinks. At 2100 I called C to have her look up my trip the next day. I had a 1430 check in, with that information I informed her we would probably not make it home that night and I prompty ordered another beer. We moved our party to a great bar, Maddisons, and I drank and danced with the girls even though there was no dance floor. Some of the girls faded away but B and I held strong. Next thing I know, a glass breaks and my foot is bleeding everywhere. I am not as phased as I should have been but I do remember standing on one leg, saying "blooood" over and over again. Men came to my rescue with towels while my friend who caused my bleeding went off to get herself, not me another drink. The gentlemen asked me if I wanted to go to the ER and I said no, I wanted to dance so let's just wrap it up and how about another drink. Twelve hours later, I sit on a plane working until 0200 wishing I had not drank so much. My stomach is grugerling, my head hurts, and I am unable to do my PA's intelligently. And my damn foot is still bleeding.

My trip following my hang over has been a tough one because of all the ups and downs, weather, turbulence, and flights getting in late. My schedule was as follows home-DFW-IAH-SAT-layover-IAH-SAT-IAH-SEA-layover at the Red Lion (currently here)-home on the red eye.

Still not back to my normal, if I even know what that is, self.

chicago

I am in Chicago and I am drunk. I woke up this morning in Miami and dead-headed to Newark to sit around for three hours. When we finally made it MID our crew was picked up in a limo and driven downtown. Our long layover is at this amazing hotel in the heart of the city called the Palmer House. The lobby is like something you would see in Venice and the rooms are so quaint. When I reach my room, I immediately turn on the tv and look for the Duck game. No dice, there is regional action only. I meet up with the pilots and head to a sports bar next door. I ask them to change one tv to the Duck game from the Mets playoffs and they deny me. I eat my steak and drink my wine say goodbye to the pilots and hop in a cab. I am told that Timothy O'Tooles is where I need to go. I arrive in time for the second half and saddle up at the bar with a Guiness next to a Tennesse fan. I cheer loud for the few plays that go our way and drink more beer. After watching the Mets reach the next stage of the playoffs, I retreat back to the hotel and think for a few minutes that I should crash the wedding in the hotel. Common sense takes over at midnight and I rest my head on the down pillows which surround me.

chill

There is a chill in the air, you know the one which you feel when during a football game or the post season of baseball. It is the chill that has one reaching for a blanket as they read a book on a day off. My day off was wonderful, sleeping in till noon and just lying around the house. I had good intentions to get laundry done, go to the bank, and the market. None of those things seemed as important as my down time with my book. I am reading A Million Little Pieces, I realize that I am a year behind the craze but it is an excellent book. C and I just hung out on our matching chairs with George in between us and read. We finally got out of the house to get something to eat and pick up B from her turn. We also went and saw All the King's Men this evening (still without a shower), excellent movie. As we were driving to the nearby town for some civilization, I had this huge desire for Christmas and the warm feelings that once exsisted with the holiday. I remembered how it felt to look at lights on Christmas Eve after dinner out with the rents. It made me sad but at the same time hopeful, hopeful in building new holiday memories. I guess that this is my coming to terms with living here. I will be glad to get my car out here to have freedom and go explore some more of this state that I am trying to make my home. My car will give me the ability to find a much needed gym. I am not getting fat, I am losing my self esteem...something gain from going to the gym on a reguiar basis. Change is in the air and it is for the better.

Got a three day trip, no red eyes like the last one was chalked full of. This one takes me to YYZ, MIA, MDW, and ORD. I am just hoping to find a tv between trip to watch the Ducks continue their winning streak. p.s. flew with a Sooners fan (captian) and he wasn't to happy to have me and my Duck gear in his cock pit, excuse me, the new "p.c" word is flight deck.

military charter

I think I had the best day of my flying career thus far. I was assigned to a military charter which took troops home from Kuwiat to Kentucky. We got the short leg. The hassel of running back and forth between gate 55 and 68 in the unfamilar B terminal was a bit annoying but once that 777 pulled up and the troops came off to stretch their leg, tears were instantly in my eyes. It was my first time on the triple 7, working that is. It such a huge plane with the perspective of an FA. I was in charge of a door, the manual safety demo (our ISM has no clue what he was doing), and the mid galley. There was so much food on this flight and I just walked up and down the never-ending aisle offering things to everyone. Our two hour flight ended in a flat area of nothing but black hawks, buildings, and old planes. We were invited in to join the ceramony welcoming the troops home. When our large crew walked in, the crowd cheered for us. The troops marched in and the crowd went crazy along with all of us. It was such an emotional experience to watch them be reunited with their families and to see the babies which were non-exsistant when they were deployed. We got a chance to hang out while our flight was delayed for two hours. I got my picture taken in the engine of the 777 and then we ate first class meals while lounging in the first class section and running up and down the aisles. Our captain was so great and sang songs over the intercom. I was able to sit in the cockpit for take off and he let me turn on the auto-pilot button. So techicnally I was flying the plane. I felt like a kid up there with all the pictures I took and all the questions I asked.

On the way home flying 43,000 feet, a light caught my eye and then another. I cupped my eyes and looked out to see the most amazing lighting show I have ever seen in my life. This show was about 50 miles from us and followed us all the way home, As I sit here now, at home, the lighting is flashing through the windows and the thunder is almost shaking the house. Besides the Yankee game being delayed, it has been an amazing day.

A special thank you to those who have volunteered their lives to protect our freedom. Welcome home boys, and thank you.