For the first time ever.. home is not going to feel like home. I am not sure if I am ready for that.

Still on the plane. Funny what can happen on planes. I've met some of my favorite people on planes. I have about an hour left on this flight. It is just after summer solstace, so even though we are over the midwest, it is still light outside. I like that.

Even feel lost? Ever feel you belong somewhere, but it's just you there? Your family, your security is somewhere else. Worse, you have been gone so long that they do not even know you anymore, and you don't really know them; as they have moved on without you, too. I am scared. Terrified, even.

7:06pm

6 miles high

So, I am headed to Detroit on NWA (read: Delta) flight 216. I haven't been home since Christmas, which is a change from last year, when I was home quite a bit. Flying home is always weird, because my day consists of 21 hours, rather than 24 hours. Right now it is light out, I am not sure where we are but I have a feeling it's probably still in Washington State - oh wait, Captain just said Spokane area.
It's always weird to go home for reasons that you did not plan. My grandma is sick, really sick. I have work shit to take care of. I didn't really tell many friends or family I am coming in. I am just there and then... I'm gone.

At some point in the last few months, I became a Seattleite. I think I first realized it in February-ish but as more time passes, and as I am not with Ryan anymore, I feel that I have established some roots here in Seattle and more specifically, Belltown.

Something interesting happened a few weeks ago. The same night as the crazy gunman bullshit. I was standing on the corner of 2nd and Bell, with all the onlookers, gawkers, evacuees, and crackheads. All of a sudden I looked around and I knew people - by name. We said our hellos, drunk hugs, and vowed to hang out soon (which we all probably will not) but the important thing that came about that corner... was neighborhood. It was like when you were a kid and your family knew all the others on the block. Or not. This could all be drunk airplane talk.

I am in a transitional phase right now. Sometimes I feel my spirit is broken. Other times I feel it is just being born. Yet, there are more times where I wake up and think - what the fuck am I doing? I suppose all pretty normal things for a 20-something, right? When I was younger... I thought at 27, almost 28, I'd have this shit figured out by now. Now, as an adult, with a small (and I stress small) amount of experience under my belt I realize... Maybe we never have it figured out.

I am on a plane, and off the grid. No Twitter, Facebook, Gtalk or email. Just me, my thoughts and my music. And this is what I came up with... for now.

5:19pm

My neighbor is the crazy Belltown gunman

I've lived in Belltown since I have moved to Seattle. Sure we have our crackheads, our prostitutes, our drug dealers. They are all scary, sure, but with the exception of asking for money, keep to themselves.

Well, last night I was with some friends at Del Rey, Belltown Pizza. It was a typical Thursday Belltown night where we were sharing some beers and having a good time in our local neighborhood.

As I was heading home, I saw my block was just swarming with police. Seriously, maybe 15 cop cars, a swat vehicle, bike cops galore. The whole part of 2nd Ave was shut down between Bell and Blanchard. I did not realize it was my actual apartment until I asked a cop if I could go home and he said no, I could hang out on the street corner but it should not be too longer as they were in his apartment.



I was not sure what was going on, other than what people were saying on the street. But apparently, my white haired neighbor with whom I have shared the elevator with a dozen times, was brandishing a gun and was held up in his apartment.

Really? A neighbor? My building does background checks and credit checks before anyone can move in. You have to use your key to enter the building and even to use the elevator. I thought I was perfectly safe in my concrete fortress in the middle of the city. Never did I think I would have to fear the neighbor in apartment #304.










When I woke up this morning I read the news and found out a bit more info. Apparently, the police found 16 guns from his apartment, according to the Seattle Times.

I am not sure, but I would have to guess this inmate is the gunman. He is the only person booked on weapons charges after midnight last night.

I do want to say this though, crazy gunman can be anywhere - the city, the burbs, churches, schools and everywhere in between. I know that, but yet, now I just feel a little less safe in my haven.'

Oh, funny bonus, here is the KIRO7 video and my friend Ed and I are in the back waiting to get in the building. As soon as they were trying to interview, I was out of the way. No one needs my drunky talk on camera ;)