Travelogue

Stardate: 11222006

Outer reaches of the 'Cleveland Colony'...

Setting course for the Big Apple Constellation

Cleveland Hopkins International:

Killing time before the flight to JFK, NYC.

Today at work I barely got done what I needed to do...

The day started off badly - I was irritated by finding yet ANOTHER e-mail from my ex. On top of that, I had 13 friggin e-mails about the same damned insurance billing issues - redundant - no one seemingly understanding or accepting my answer of: 'I am NOT a billing person and no, I don't know what happened at the lab to screw this all up...'.

My son's friend was kind enough to drive us to the airport. Laughing with the boys about life in general. (I actually had a Camel Turkish Gold cigarette - it was almost smooth enough to make me think about taking up the habit again - nah - that'll never happen)...

trying to recover from staying unexpectedly at Erin's last night - I got some rest (I've actually been sleeping better there - at least lately) But I woke up at 4:30 AM (could not breathe), he woke up too and related a dream to me involving a prison break (he was not a prisoner) - yet he broke into the prison and then had a sky-diving lesson - or at least that's what I *think* he said (I could have very well been dreaming this myself). I wanted to snuggle, but he went back to sleep...I however, could not. I am now in desperate need of a nap. Perhaps I can sleep a bit on the plane but I doubt it, I've never been able to before.

Called Erin, once I got to the airport, he seemed distant, distracted, I always go to a bad place when he's like that; being away is going to do me some good, but I can't always just 'go away' when I feel things taking a downward/weird turn....

So now, I am sitting here in Max & Erma's trying to get a bite to eat. Trying to stay awake, trying to not feel so disconnected, so disjointed.

My dear friend, Linda is so happy we are coming - I love NYC - and it will be nice to share the sights and the experience with my son...

Airports are great places to 'people watch' - strangers that somehow - whether you want to admit this or not - you become intertwined with - you are privy to their conversations (thanks to the wonder of modern technology - and we've all become so damned desensitised to this shit), to their fashion sense, to their reading material, and food choices (like the Indian girl sitting across from me eating pepperoni pizza). Listening to their cell p hone conversations (yeah like me just now sending Erin a txt msg - WTF - I am such an idiot/dork at times...).

Meanwhile, I sit here writing this all out on a pad of paper - I must seem an archaic throwback in comparison to them busy on their lap-tops - oh well, I LIKE being eccentric. I have recently decided (probably due to this trip) that I need to begin journaling again. It was one of the hallmarks of my relationship with my ex - but I now know this is something I NEED for me - it will help to clear my head of cobwebs, to 'catch thoughts' that might otherwise disappear, snippets, compositions. Some of my best writing flows into my head and then floats back out and I never capture any of it - journaling will help me to retain such things...

Went to the restroom. Overheard a little girl talking to the adult with her in the stall - at first just mundane stuff but then the little girl suddenly exclaims:

"You're not wearing any underwear????"

*wicked grin*

I'd have loved to have been there when they stepped out of the stall just to be able to give the adult a knowing wink and then watch the slow burn spread across their face...

(note to self: despite liking being 'original' I really must look into getting a lap-top).

OK now I am going to try to read until boarding...

******

3:45PM

Flight's been delayed an hour due to NYC gusty-windy conditions at JFK. I hate holiday travel sometimes...

I am noticing some 20-something-football-built-Cornell-t-shirt-wearing punk who keeps leaving his luggage unattended and I want to go report him. All around me are young people, priveledged, spoiled, dressed badly and behaving worse - it's annoying but then I am always being reminded of what idiots people are, these kids are just idiots in training. You would think by now we would have figured out some way to end the cycle...

I've called Linda to tell her we'll be delayed, she seems tired..

Today's been absolutely gorgeous - bright sunshine, no clouds, mild temperatures...I wish I was outside instead of stuck here in an airport. For the past 2 days the skies have been amazing. The sunrise as I left Erin's house was stupendous. Last night's sunset was breath-taking: pale-pink-gold-tinged heavens, graduating up to the deeper hues of purple and blue, dark clouds streaking across like splashes of paint. I actually called Erin to share this with him - he must think me such a git - and so strange, but I love sharing these moments with someone.

Tonight here in Cleveland, it promises to be another incredible sunset evolving into a clear twilight, dusk giving way to mid-night blue, velvet-draped skies dotted with brilliant stars and a sliver of a waning moon, silvery light - a luminous whisper...

We board the plane, finally. I settle in - there's a quote from the totally useless (really expensive-crap) Sky Mall magazine:

"Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away"

Wow! Wisdom from a plaque advertised in the Sky Mall....go figure.

I notice the headline over another passenger's shoulder form the local newspaper: 'Robert Lockwood, Jr., dead...' - how sad - he was a blues giant.

So we sit on the tarmac for another hour - so the flight that was suppose to leave at 3:30 PM is leaving at 5:30 PM.

After take-off, I get to witness another glorious sunset, as the plane was bathed in gold and ochre...the light a thin line against the aqua horizon...

I did doze on the flight - cat-nap of about 45 minutes.

Arrived at JFK. Got our luggage. Headed outside into a damp-chill-to-the bone NYC night. We arrived at the cab stand and one was hailed for us. Got in to find (of course) an 'English-is-not-my-native-tongue' driver. His comments to me as I gave him the directions to Linda's (which included 2 cross streets as well as the address) was: 'Brooklyn is a big area' - I was irritable and tired so I almost snapped, 'So is NYC. WTF? Figure it out, *you're* the cab driver'. Instead I asked Can you PLEASE try to find it - we are not familiar ourselves. Then I called Linda for additional guidance - found out she was located in Carol Gardens off of Atlantic (but then a lot in Brooklyn is off of that major drag...).

It was good finally getting there and seeing Linda and her son, Brett. We put our bags away and headed out into the really cute area surrounding their neighborhood, with quaint shops and great little bistros and we landed at a bistro that specialises in Paninnis and had a nice meal and fun conversation.

Went back, called Erin, it was kind of late, so I felt bad - but he and the kids were still up - they had decorated their Christmas tree. I felt kind of wistful, wanting to be there myself.

Slept pretty well. Woke up to a dreary day - which was soon redeemed by the smell of a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. The aroma of fresh-roasted Turkey and dressing, pots of wonderfully rich coffee (one of my vices is good coffee)...and of course incredible company/family/friends and fellowship.

*******

I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving day - that you ate too much turkey and cranberry dressing and that you shopped until you dropped. I am chronicalling my 'adventures' here and with post more later. (Ignore any typos - I will have to correct later...)

Blessings to you and yours.

C -