Flying back...home?

I wish NWA had inflight internet like every other airline. Everyone asks me why I do not fly Virgin from Seattle, well these people must only travel from Seattle to NYC and Cali or something because the cities I generally have to go to for work - Detroit, Orlando, Atlanta, Dallas, San Antonio, Denver and Vegas (does Virgin go to Vegas?) do not use Virgin. I like my Alaska MVP Status too much to go lose miles to it from another airline. Plus I am always on the Gold cusp and cannot afford to lose even just a few hundred miles (last year I made Gold by 200 miles.) Alaska has me for awhile, but the downfall of Alaska is flying Northwest Airlines to Detroit. Though, the CSA gate agent - who recognized me from flying so much - told me in a few months most NWA planes should be equipped. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Oh, I am on my flight right now. I am not sure where we are, but I have about 2 hours and few minutes before we land, which is about the halfway mark. I tweeted this before we took off, but seriously, my plane smells like baby vomit and weed. Weird. The do not put air on when the plane in loading and unloading so it was super hot while we were waiting there. I am sure people were sweating and that is where the smell came from.

I have been in Detroit for 17 days. That is crazy. This time it was a bit different. I still do not live there, but I was OK with coming back. Maybe it is because I am not stuck somewhere in between, but I am an actual visitor. Also, I actually took some time off from work! I have not really had any vacation time since I started at my company. I have taken a day off here and there but that was all comp time that I picked up working weekends, which most trade shows start on a Sunday so every time I work a trade show I usually pick up 2 days.
Anyway, I am excited to go back to Seattle, to sleep in my own bed, to see my friends, to not live out of a suitcase.

So, this is weird, and I never expected to feel that way. Sometimes I feel almost guilty for leaving Detroit. I feel people like me, and some of my friends, could have stayed and created something amazing. Some people are sticking around and doing just that. Not to mention, we'd all be living in crazy nice houses that we bought for super cheap. Seriously, the housing market is horrible there. There are houses in my mom's neighborhood that are selling for $165,000, $175,000 and just four years ago they were in the $300,000 levels. It is sad really, but for someone like me, it would be an awesome opportunity to pick up some prime real estate.

OK, so besides the selfish aspect of it, I feel like Detroit is going to come back, going to come back strong and in a way I want to be a part of it. Michigan is bad, and it's sad, and people have the "Michigan Syndrome" which is to talk shit about the economy, talk about no jobs, and just lose hope. I feel people like me, and friends of mine, and others, could come in, bring back what we learned living in Seattle, Austin, San Fran, LA, NYC, Chicago and apply it to Detroit. Detroit, especially the downtown area, has beautiful architecture. These buildings are going to waste and not being used. Also, we have amazing sports teams that are downtown, let's capitalize on this! More people need to go downtown, to move downtown. Even though I hate hate hate snow, I'd consider moving back to Detroit if it ever became a "real city."

I need to think about this some more, gather and collect my thoughts and present them in a better manner when I actually have a viable plan.

The morning sunshine....

So, I find myself hop scotching across the country, again. This time, for a somber reason. I hopped on a 6am flight, which means I had to be at the airport by 5:00am, which means I have not slept. I went to Hurricane Cafe with Jesse, his sis and her friends. I broke my no caffeine rule and drank two Diet Cokes. I think I am addicted to Coke Zero/Diet Coke.

I need to bitch about something. I HATE bad travelers. I have been surrounded by them today. The woman who does not know where she is going and takes forever at the first class check in counter. The woman who was not first class/MVP but wanted to check in at the first class check in anyway. The woman who had a huge bottle of hairspray in her carry on, oh she also did not remove her shoes, or her laptop. The people who check in and get an exit row seat for themselves and their 7 year old daughter and then cause everyone to move around in the plane because a 7 year old cannot sit in an exit row. Seriously, when you check in it asks you if you are old enough, if you can lift a heavy object, etc. Also, why did the gate agent not catch it? I am in an exit row and he asked me if I was willing and able to help out. I responded I am an able bodied person, which is such an airline term. I am a dork.
Oh, one last thing and I am done bitching about flying... there is a 5 year old behind me and his favorite past time during this flight is kicking my chair. Awesome.

Even though I booked through Northwest Airlines, I am flying on a Delta flight. They have movies, which is nice, but they do not recognize Alaska MVP's. Since I am not sleeping due to 5 year old kicking every 3 minutes (even though I asked his dad to make him stop a bunch of times) I suppose I will watch the movie, The Soloist.

Going home again is always rough. I booked a flight back on September 8, but I might change it to come home early, I might not. I am just going to play it by ear
and see what feels right.

I did snap these amazing pics of Mount Rainier with my Storm. Rarely do I sit by a window and fly during the day. These were taken about 6:20, just as the sun was rising.

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

I'm On A Boat, err... Plane!

Right now I am writing to you from approximately 31,000 (FL310) feet in the sky. I am on American Airlines flight #1848, Seattle to Dallas. My final destination is set for San Antonio.

OK, I used to always say that I did not like the idea of inflight wi-fi. I felt that flying was my "me" time with no bosses, no friends, no hassels. Just me and my thoughts, some drinks and maybe a chatty seat mate.

Well, Gogo InFlight Wifi has changed my mind!! For one, my flight is going by super fast. Two, I am actually getting work and personal things done! I mean, if I am going to sit here for three hours, might as well be productive, right?

This morning started out early. I woke up, finished packing and then the car service was here at 7:30. It was a limo. Usually I get a town car but apparently they were in use or something. No complaints from me.

Apparently it is HOT in San Antonio. 103 is the high today and tomorrow and the next week are not too far behind. Oh well, drinks by the pool can cool a girl down. So can an air-conditioned spa.

I'll be back in Seattle for a few days on the 1st. Until then...

4:11pm

So, I am on a plane, traveling what the airlines tell me is 2019 miles from SeaTac to Detroit. I wonder if that number is really accurate. Anyway, I am on Northwest Airlines flight 212, not really because of choice, but because if I wanted a Sky Team Alliance direct flight, Northwest was my only option.

Northwest used to be my preferred airline. When I first started flying, I would actually choose to fly NWA over most of their competitors. I remember those days… as they were also the days of a good (hot) meal, no checked baggage fees, movies/radio for entertainment, free pillows and blankets galore and friendly flight attendants. Yes, I yearn for those days. Unfortunately, just as I hit my peak travel time in life, they have all seemed to disappear.

Not only is flying a hassle in general these days for reasons like… I am lugging around a 40 pound carryon suitcase that so large it can barely be labeled a carry on… I am on a 5 hour flight, pretty hungry for real food and my only non 1st class option is a tuna fish snack box or some candies, both which require cash, as Northwest is not a cashless cabin like every other freaking major airline. Well, to top it off, I totally started my, ya know, womanly cycle. That sucks in general, but on a flight is even worse! I hate being told when I can and cannot use the restroom because of turbulence or being blocked from the aisle, which brings me to my story.

I am sitting maybe 3 rows from 1st class, as I do not generally get upgraded on NWA flights with my Alaska MVP. I was sleeping until the snack/pop cart hit my elbow and woke me up. I looked at the time and realized I probably should go to the bathroom, to ya know, take care of the lady stuff as I had not done so in a few hours. I looked back and the drink cart was only in the row behind me, there was no way I would be able to make it that long, so, I went to the first class bathroom. Now, I have done this on many other occasions when I am in the bulk head seats and it has never been a problem.

Well, the coach flight attendants did a 2nd drink service and started in my area. I took a look back and I was totally blocked. It would be a 30 min wait before they were done, and there was no way I was going to negotiate the cart. So, I went to the 1st class bathroom. Well, as I am leaving, the 1st class flight attendant says to me… It’s nothing personal, and I am sure you didn’t want to wait for the cart, but for security reasons, you have to use the restroom in your class because you are too close to the cockpit. I replied with, well it was an emergency and I couldn’t wait for the carts.

Oh, wow, she just came by and told me to close my laptop because it was bright and we were landing soon anyway. They haven’t even started to pick up the garbage from the drink service. I’ll finish this when I get home.

Home...


I’ll be home 25 days total. When I bought the ticket, it seemed like a good idea. I could put in some face time in the office, shop for the holidays without being stressed and worrying about shipping the gifts (or paying baggage fees for gifts), hang with old friends and family, etc. I made these plans though before my last minute 2 and a half week trip to Detroit in October. If only I knew…

I am sure I will be a major ball of stress for the next 25 days. In addition, I didn’t anticipate R being in my life, so, I did not count on being away from him for a month… which seems like it should be easy, but in reality… will suck.

Oh and, yeah… “It’s so cold in the D!” (Really, it’s like 20 degrees and snowy…)

Rarely do I have the chance to take daylight flights into Seattle, and when I do I have never sat next to the window. Well, today I was doing both and just wanted to share what I saw from my view.

My favorite is the last one, with the clouds totally covering the land below, with the exception of two mountains peaking above the clouds. I love little pleasures.







So, let me talk about Delta's first class. I have flown many domestic first class airlines... Northwest, Alaska, Continental, United, US Airways... but Delta is by far the best.

First, water bottles were in our seats along with new pillows and blankets, oh headphones, too. Our drink order was taken within two minutes, and they just kept coming without having to ask for a new one. The flight attendants were amazing, so very nice and warm. The food wasn't too bad, it was airline food, but tasted OK.

Oh, Jason Mraz was playing during boarding and deplaning. I guess Delta plays "I'm Yours" in their rotation. It is funny because I remember the first time we met Jason (and Ian) at a DMB concert in Chicago... man, in 2002? My girlfriend Alex and I drove to Chicago and Ian gave us backstage passes but it turns out we were not supposed to go backstage, who knows... and Jason kept spitting into a garbage can - it was not cute. Man, that was six years ago. It is just funny to me still when I hear his music random places... like boarding my airplane.

Here is an old pic from Jan 2003, at Small's Bar and Grill outside of Detroit...

You know, flying never ceases to amaze me. In my lifetime I have flown, I don't know, hundreds of thousands of miles? I still am so amazed by the fact that the world is so small, and we can get from one part of the country, to another, and then to the opposite in less than a day.

I just left Detroit, headed to Atlanta where I am connecting to Seattle. Usually I am not a fan of connections, but sometimes they are necessary, especially these days price seems to dictate my plans more than convenience. I still remember my first flight, circa 1987, it was to Chicago and back. My parents wanted my sister and I to get used to flying before heading to LA to visit my uncle and they just happened to find tickets for $23 dollars - round trip. Ah, the good old days, airfare was cheap, blankets and pillows were in abundance and a warm meal was served in coach. Hell, right now I am in first class and my breakfast was a banana, not a real meal.

It is a pretty clear day and I have window, which usually I am an aisle girl, as I hate being "trapped" in the row, but today I am happy to have to window. I love looking outside at the lakes, the land which seems to be divided into little brown and green squares. I just saw a smaller plane flying a mile or two below us, yeah it is that clear.

I was discriminated against today, again... as usual it seems, for flying first. First I was literally walking to the first class check in and this employee said, "Are you flying NWA?" I said yes, he said,"Well, M'amm you need to check in over here." I said, oh, is first class check in closed? I went to check bags in and had the CSA tell me over and over I could not check three bags. Finally I logged into my phone, looked up the travel requirements and literally showered her on the Northwest website that I could in fact check three bags. She did not realize I was flying first class. Then finally, one more time, as I was going into the "special security line" for first class passengers, the TSA agent said, this line is for first class passengers. Really? Is it? You mean, the sign in front of the line saying first class didn't tip me off??? I can read, I was in the right place. I noticed, he didn't point that out to the two businessmen behind me dressed in suits. Sure, I don't dress up... jeans (or usually yoga pants), flip flops, hair pulled back, but everyone needs to be careful when assuming... things are not always as they seem.

Oh, and as a funny side note, I am the only woman sitting in my first class section right now, out of 22 people.

The flight is bumpy, we are in clouds at 32,000. My tummy just dropped a little.. why is my stomach weak? Maybe from the orange juice?

I find myself a bit anxious to return to Seattle. It will be good to be home, for sure, and I love Seattle... but I think this trip home made me really realize, nothing is as it was. I did not expect it to be, and in reality I think maybe I am not as I was. I feel like a different person in Seattle, and I almost feel uneasy back in Detroit. I do not know when that happened? The thing is, I am still a bit uneasy in Seattle... so in a sense... no where feels home... except oddly enough... right now this airplane feels pretty familiar.

I have always been nomadic, free spirited, on the go, cannot commit... but lately... I am wondering... Am I starting to want consistency?

"So what I've got a short attention span
A coke in my hand
Because I'd rather have the afternoon, relax and understand"

Yeah, I rarely listen to my music on the ipod anymore. Generally I just listen to Pandora, so I forgot about some of my music. Flights are great for music.

So...

Here I am again, on a plane.. zig zagging around the country, yet again!

I have been drinking... first at the airport bar where I met this cool Canadian Chica named Amanda, from MSP, but originally from Ontario somewhere. We talked a lot about life, randomness, jobs and then she bought me a Jaeger shot. She was great.

I got the veggie meal on the plane, which had chicken in it, which how is that a veggie meal? I was OK with the chicken though, and even more OK with the white wine.

I sometimes forget how much a of different life it is in first class. I hate sitting coach. Granted, I am not a buyer, but a upgrader, but still... You can pick and choose which flights have the least amount of buyers, therefore increasing the chances for an upgrade.

OK, my seat partner just told me to look outside, there is a crazy, amazing, beautiful lighting storm. He just took a video with my camera. I have no clue where we are, but it is 8:14pm and we took off at 6:14 pm PST with an expected landing of 10:00pm-ish PST, so you do the math... North Dakota, maybe?



I've been realizing lately, I am an adult. Sure, at 26, one would think that was obvious, but apparently not. I mean, of course I pay my own bills, I answer to myself, those are obvious signs... But I have noticed a change in relationships, with my mom, my dad, my family, my sister, my friends, with Detroit. It is so weird... and I think that is all I can comment on that.

Jeff is like my best friend, and Jeff if you are reading this - MOVE TO SEATTLE! I have seen him in April, May, June and now in July. I am super excited, because, he is like my... partner in crime... and I am sure we will have some good drama this weekend.

OK, I am going to ask for more white wine now and maybe if I am lucky, pass out for a bit...

Oh yeah, my onions sprouted today and my rosemary/basil is growing more and more! I am excited to see them when I get back!

Planes. I am on a plane, yet again. In fact, since June 17 I have flown over 10,000 miles. Zig Zagging around the country, that is what I do.

This time it is Delta, part of the Sky Team Alliance, which is good because I can get even more miles on Alaska... I recently switched to Alaska from Northwest when I moved to Seattle, because Alaska is based in Seattle, and it just makes sense.

I am flying to Salt Lake, then I fly on to Seattle. Luckily I do not switch planes, just stay on the same one. I think I have an hour in SLC, so I am going to try to figure out if I can get off the plane for a few and just strech my legs.

I have not blogged in awhile, mostly because I have been busy. Like I have written before - coming home is exhausting. I am here, there, everywhere. Everyone wants me to come see them, which is so hard, especially when you are working all the time, and are carless. Oh well, I am on my way back now.
___

So, I just got off the plane in SLC. First, there are SO SO SO many kids at this airport. I was waiting in the line in the bathroom and not exaggerating, there were 30 kids in the bathroom belonging and not many mom's.

Then I went to the bar to get a drink, and it was full so this random guy said I could sit with him. He was a nice mid 30's guy named Michael who lived in the LA area, but was born in Michigan. We talked a bit and then parted ways. I got on this plane and I am so excited because I know my friend Tom, who I have not seen in 3 years, will be waiting for me at Sea Tac. I really really cannot wait to see him.

I am going to try to sleep a bit, we'll see if that works...

Planes are funny. Yes, a general statement I know. Think about it, though... You are in a giant tin can, a glorified bus, with 175 strangers for 5 hours... and it's not pure chaos? Everyone is tired, you have to take off your shoes, airport food sucks, flights are late (I will get to that in a minute), airplane cleaners are contracted out (so the plane never really gets clean), kids are screaming, some people forget to use deodorant (as I have once already blogged)... and yet, for the most part... everyone remains calm?

I am currently en route to Fort Lauderdale airport, after connecting through Atlanta Hartsfield. It's been a bit of a bumpy ride, more so because I am in the back of the plane, but seemingly OK (in fact, there goes the seatbelt sign).

I am attending a very important conference, in which I will also be presenting our products to a room full of people. In addition, I am golfing - which, um, I am a really bad golfer, so we will see how that goes.

So, now... late flights. As most who fly know, the major airlines have changed their baggage policy to allow only one checked bag per passenger, instead of two. I am flying with the two bags I generally fly with, one is large, about 50 pounds - definitely a checkable bag. The other bag is smaller, a carry on, maybe 25 pounds? At the check in counter, I asked if I could still check my smaller bag... The answer was no, unless I wanted to pay. Now, I am flying on my company's dime, but I am still a cost cutter and try to cut costs wherever, plus it is the principal!

So, I get to my gate, and find a CSA and guess what.. he checked my bag, for free! Then I realized the plane is taking FOREVER to load and board... I mean forever, we are already late because the plane came in 15 minutes late, and then I realized.. everyone is loading their second bag into the overheads. We left 30 minutes late, which made them fly the plane faster, which wasted more fuel, which costs the airline more money. The question is, are they making more money from the extra bag fee than they are spending playing catchup? I am curious.

Oh, and my flight from Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale, took off late, surprise, surprise....

8:26pm - I'll leave this on West Coast time and post when I get to the hotel

I am bound for Ft. Lauderdale, FL today. Apparently, it is going to be really hot there.

As I pack, I realize how silly it is we pack in quart sized plastic bags. I also wonder if Ziplock and Hefty are pushing for this 3.3 ounces limit in the quart bag, because I bet their sales have doubled. I know this argument has been made many times before... as their are so many liquids that in 3.3 ounce form would hurt a plane, or cause sickness... but I just wish 5 ounces were allowed... so I could bring my Bed Head After Party on the plane.

Also, for the first time in a long time... I am carrying on. You can only check one bag now... I would usually check my 2nd one, but now I am bringing it on the plane. I do not get it. It will just take me an extra 2-3 mins to put my bag (slowing down boarding) in the overhead and I am carrying the same amount of weight. Annoying.

And now... I am out... on my way to SeaTac ;)

Right now I am on Flight 298 from Vegas to Seattle. I land about 2:43am, so that should be fun. My flight from Tampa to Vegas ran late, very late, like I was one of those idiots running through the airport yelling... wait, wait, only to find out that we waited for another flight to get in, too. Oh well, I am on the plane.

My flight from Tampa to Vegas, Flight 577, was one of the worst flights I have ever been on, ever. I tried to give up my ticket, to no avail, but I was told I would get a bump and the last minute I guess some guy didn't show up, so I had to get on the flight... in 6E - a middle seat! That isn't so bad, I have done middles before and can handle it. Well, I get towards my row and I can smell the girl in my row, it was HORRIBLE. I am not exaggerating, but she probably had not showered in two days. She was ripe. It was so bad that she left for the bathroom and even her coat smelled like BO.

So, if that wasn't bad enough, this girl did not fly much... I could tell because she asked how much it was for a pop. And she said pop, so I am guessing she was probably a Tampa local, with family transplanted from the midwest. Oh, she also bought the crappy US Air headphones, even thought she had ipod headphones, to watch the movie.

Woah, my plane is bouncing around a lot right now... We must be over the mountains.

So, if her stench wasn't bad enough she did not understand how horrible middle seats are on a 5 hour flight. She kept putting her stuff, and herself, over the visible boundary (arm rest) of where her seat ended and mine began. At first I would try to nudge her politely, just push her elbow back over to her side. Then after that didn't work, I actually said to her, can you move out of my space. I said it nicely, and she moved. Well, literally, 2 minutes later, she edges back over, and puts her elbow/forearm about 4 inches over and rests her fingers on my tray table... WHAT? Didn't I just ask you not to invade my personal space??? I pay for the 18-20 inches inbetween arm rests. That is my space, not yours...

It didn't stop there. She was having difficulty watching the movie because the guy infront of us had a giant head and kept putting his hands on top of his head, blocking her view. So, there she was... leaning in my personal space. And her hair, smelled so dirty! Well, I reminded her again, nicely, about the boundaries. We were good until she fell asleep... and Bam... elbow in my space about 4 inches again, and head droops on to my shouder. That was it. I put my seat in the upright position, which woke her up, and she proceeded to cough without covering her mouth. Fun times.

Ok, so inbetween writing this... um, the woman next to me on my current flight just spilled her Starbucks all over my jacket and almost my laptop! And caused me to spill my water a bit all over me... and a little bit on my laptop! Seriously... what is going on? I should have known that was about to happen because she had already dropped it twice. Now I am in the last row of the plane, I smell like Starbucks and spolied milk, and the plane is always more bumpy in the back, so tons of typos right now. Oh and I am totally sunburnt! AAHH... I cannot wait to be home... and my next few trips are on Sky Team Airlines, which means 1st class. Thankfully.

Oh, I wrote this whole few paragraphs that were erased because I didn't save, and when the water spilled they disappeared. Hopefully it didn't fuck up my laptop for real.

But what I was saying was my flight from Tampa was late... so I couldn't check email at Las Vegas airport and I have all these random emails about drama I have created on accident in Seattle - for those of you that know... I am remaining incognito until this blows over.

1 hour left on this flight.... and counting...!

Here I am... row 16, seat C on US Airways flight 1248 from Seattle to Charlotte. It is still always a bit weird for me when I realize that my new home base is Seattle and not Detroit. I am flying on a free ticket that I got when I took a work trip to LA in September. These red eyes are harsh but I cannot sleep quite yet as it is only 11:17 Pacific Standard Time and my usual bedtime is around 2:00am PST. Also, the flight would be so much better if it had Wi-Fi, as I could post my blog in real time, but in truth, if there were Wi-Fi on this flight, I would have, however, probably lost about $30 bucks on Full Tilt Poker by now.

Tom drove me to the airport tonight. It was weird having someone drive me to the airport, because usually I am traveling for business and I get car service from Driver for Hire. I will post their phone number when I actually put this on the web, because they are wonderful. I've used them quite a bit, they always show up a few minutes early and their prices are about the same as a cab from SeaTac to Belltown, but they have towncars or Limos that are very very clean and smell really nice. Plus the driver are not crazy drivers like most of the airport cabs I have taken. I highly suggest Driver for Hire. Call them... 206-423-9603.

I am going to Siesta Key, Florida which Jeff tells me it is just sugar sand and sun. I cannot wait. I was trying to think of the last time I took a "real" vacation and really, it was October 2006, oddly enough to Florida, with Jeff. I travel a lot, but it is usually for work and when I can take an extra day here and there it is still never a destination I would normally not choose (except Chicago to see Warfield!!)

There is a baby sitting in the row next to mine, and he is slightly crying. Usually this would annoy me, like on my 7.5 hour flight back from Orlando a few months ago, but he is gently crying and in a way it is sort of cute...

So, I haven't blogged about my day yet so far... or last night. Last night Dan came over after a little work get together he had going on. I cooked us a dinner and then we fell asleep so early. Wait, no, Dan fell asleep so early and I laid there and worked for a bit, watched some SNL... listened to the drunks at Tia Lous in my alley... and then, around 1:30 I heard my door jiggle. I was about 1/4 asleep and thought maybe it was a dream. Nope, happened again... So I woke Dan up and told him about it but no more jiggles. I went to the door and no one was there through the peep hole, so I am assuming it was a drunk neighbor of mine walking to the wrong apartment or something. It still freaked me out, especially with the whole crazy exboyfiend type of thing.

Then Dan's brother called him early and they went to brunch. I stayed at my house and packed for Florida. Dan came back over about noon and we went to Pike's for some fruits to put into my juicer. We got pears, bananas, strawberries, and mangos. It made a yummy juice. Then we listed a bunch of his stuff and my stuff on Ebay.

After that we went to eat at this new restaurant in Belltown called Cellars. It opened a few weeks ago at the old Jai Thai on 1st and Blanchard. They have happy hour all day on Sunday, which is nice. The happy hour food was pretty tasty and not too expensive. Their happy hour draft beers were $2.50 a piece which is a steal in Belltown. They usually have Mack & Jacks but the keg was broken so Dan went with a Manny's and I had the Hef, which was Whistling Pig, and I loved it. We got some apps which were not great, but not bad either. Our server was really nice and very attentive. I think I want to check out the dinner menu at this place one time. They did have a garage door type of window which was open at the bar area, which made the crackhead watching even better than usual. Plus it was a nice day and nice to be in the open.





Then Dan went home, Tom picked me up... which leads back to where I am now... Flight 1248...

11:43pm

Tom is on his way over... to pick me up... to take me to the airport... where I will fly for 10 hours (including my layover)... and land in Sarasota, Florida tomorrow at 11:37am!

Yea!

Seriously... it is a wonderful day today!

I just got news that there will be no trial, and the crazy man pled. I do not know all the details, but I know I do not have to be a witness. The crazy thing is my friend Jeff called and invited me to Siesta Key, Florida and I said I could not go because of court, and there was the crazy man, messing with my life again... Well, I got the good news and immediately booked a plane ticket. So I am taking a red eye there and one back but whatever... I can chill on the sugar like sand with my friend and go ocean kayaking and celebrate Cinco De Mayo and just be happy in the hot sun!

I am going to go to Tom's and work out at his gym, and then hang out there.... and count down the days till Florida!