So I'm either going to be more jet-lagged than one can imagine or adapt with incredible ease. I haven't had a good night's sleep since Sunday, since Monday was on a red-eyed flight and Tuesday I got less than 6 hours after Hub-ing it extra hard.
And this, the longest day ever, has begun all over again, and I've only managed to catch an hour or two napping here and there. The sun set at 6 PM, and I couldn't sleep, and when it rose at 10:30 PM, I still couldn't sleep. I managed to get two hours in before they served breakfast, and now it's 2 in the morning, so I'm basically not sleeping yet again.
Except that for all intents and purposes, it's officially 1:01 PM since I'm on the other side of the world again.
Yeah. I'm gonna be messed up. I'm probably gonna get to NY, hug Kate, call my mom and crash. Or not. Who really knows?
Showing posts with label flight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label flight. Show all posts
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
A New World
As I've mentioned before, I rarely communicate through song lyrics because they so rarely cause heightened emotion to swell inside me like a Romantic crescendo. When they do, nine times out of ten, they cause a volcanic catharsis, in the true Greek drama sense of the word, of physical and emotional outpouring. Usually in the form of 5-minute chills, a Nile of tears, or both.
So yes, today, probably for the first time since I saw Next to Normal, wept, and have had multiple repeat catharses listening to its album, music spoke to me through an upheaval of tears, crying for the sadness that too many gigs in too many places have taught me to restrain. I was entirely caught off guard by the lyrics, the way they burned me with their poignancy, imbibed me with despair, sparked me with elation.
Especially because I've heard the song A LOT in the past nine years. I'm pretty sure I have it memorized. I freaking music directed the show, was completely inspired by the brilliance of the score and vocal arrangements, but somehow never felt the power of these lyrics like a did today.
Probably because they've never felt so personal.
Here they are, the lyrics from the opening of "Songs for a New World":
A new world calls across the ocean.
A new world calls across the sky.
A new world whispers in the shadows:
"Time to fly, time to fly".
It's about one moment,
that moment before it all becomes clear
and in that one moment,
you start to believe there's nothing to fear.
It's about one second,
and just when you're on the verge of success
the sky starts to change
and the wind starts to blow...
And oh, you're suddenly a stranger,
There's no explaining where you stand
and you didn't know that you sometimes have to go
round an unexpected bend
and the road will end in a new world
A new world calls for me to follow
A new world waits for my reply
A new world holds me to a promise
standing by, standing by
It's about one moment
that moment you think you know where you stand
and in that one moment
the things that you're sure of slip from your hand
you've got one second
to try to be clear, to try to stand tall
but nothing's the same and the wind starts to blow...
And oh, you're suddenly a stranger in some completely different land
and you thought you knew,
but you didn't have a clue
that the surface sometimes cracks
to reveal the tracks to a new world
You have a house in the hills
You have a job on the coast
You've found a lover you're sure you believe in
You've got a pool in the back
you get the part of your life
you hold the room in your hand
but then the earthquake hits
then the bank closes in
and you realize you didn't know anything
nobody told you the best way to steer when the wind starts to blow
and oh you're suddenly a stranger
(all of a sudden) your life is different than you planned
and you have to stay till you somehow find a way to be sure of what will be
when you might be free
a new world crashes down like thunder
a new world charging through the air
a new world just beyond the mountain
waiting there, waiting there
a new world shattering the silence
there's a new world i'm afraid to see
a new world louder every moment
come to me, come to me
So yes, today, probably for the first time since I saw Next to Normal, wept, and have had multiple repeat catharses listening to its album, music spoke to me through an upheaval of tears, crying for the sadness that too many gigs in too many places have taught me to restrain. I was entirely caught off guard by the lyrics, the way they burned me with their poignancy, imbibed me with despair, sparked me with elation.
Especially because I've heard the song A LOT in the past nine years. I'm pretty sure I have it memorized. I freaking music directed the show, was completely inspired by the brilliance of the score and vocal arrangements, but somehow never felt the power of these lyrics like a did today.
Probably because they've never felt so personal.
Here they are, the lyrics from the opening of "Songs for a New World":
A new world calls across the ocean.
A new world calls across the sky.
A new world whispers in the shadows:
"Time to fly, time to fly".
It's about one moment,
that moment before it all becomes clear
and in that one moment,
you start to believe there's nothing to fear.
It's about one second,
and just when you're on the verge of success
the sky starts to change
and the wind starts to blow...
And oh, you're suddenly a stranger,
There's no explaining where you stand
and you didn't know that you sometimes have to go
round an unexpected bend
and the road will end in a new world
A new world calls for me to follow
A new world waits for my reply
A new world holds me to a promise
standing by, standing by
It's about one moment
that moment you think you know where you stand
and in that one moment
the things that you're sure of slip from your hand
you've got one second
to try to be clear, to try to stand tall
but nothing's the same and the wind starts to blow...
And oh, you're suddenly a stranger in some completely different land
and you thought you knew,
but you didn't have a clue
that the surface sometimes cracks
to reveal the tracks to a new world
You have a house in the hills
You have a job on the coast
You've found a lover you're sure you believe in
You've got a pool in the back
you get the part of your life
you hold the room in your hand
but then the earthquake hits
then the bank closes in
and you realize you didn't know anything
nobody told you the best way to steer when the wind starts to blow
and oh you're suddenly a stranger
(all of a sudden) your life is different than you planned
and you have to stay till you somehow find a way to be sure of what will be
when you might be free
a new world crashes down like thunder
a new world charging through the air
a new world just beyond the mountain
waiting there, waiting there
a new world shattering the silence
there's a new world i'm afraid to see
a new world louder every moment
come to me, come to me
Farewell to Oz
I feel like Dorothy right now.
You know when she's about to get in the balloon to go home, and says all her goodbyes, and then the next thing you know she's back on the ground again?
And then when she finally realizes she gets to go home, simply by clicking her heels, she has to say all those goodbyes one more time?
And how she's finally ready to go home, but she realizes what a changed person she is, and she looks all around her to see her friends and their faces and you can just feel the heaviness of their hearts (including the Tinman now)?
Yeah. That's how I feel.
I thought I might go out the way I came in, with no one to wave goodbye as I got into my taxi, but I got much luckier and Sina poked her head out the window before coming down and Heidi stopped by on her bike on her way back from breakfast.
It was so nice to have some final hugs before I got in the cab.
Which cost almost $225 with tolls, by the way, so I'm thinking yesterday's missed train antics were still worth the money. 290 yen to go to IKEA doesn't seem so terrible any more now that I know it's be more like 5000 yen in a cab. Wow! Thanks OLC for the first-class sayonara.
Funny, but I actually used that word correctly for the first time today in conversation. After my final of 6 times through Japanese immigration, the security officer said "Sayonara" to me and I realized, yes, I actually am leaving her this time for good. Or at least indefinitely.
I just had my final bowl of Japanese udon (oishii, as itsumo) and am chilling for my flight to Detroit. I know, it's ridiculous, but that's the ticket they bought last summer, and at least Delta in Japan has their act together better.
Slightly.
I am amazed that I only had to pay an overweight charge for one bag (50 BUCKS, yatta! Thanks friends and fam!) after she let me consolidate the two 3 kg overags, and had I had a better carry-on suitcase or packed 10% better, I probably could've shoved those 15 pounds into my carry-ons and been golden. But thankfully, it's all done.
I went ahead and asked for exit row or standby on the flight 15 minutes later 3 gates down that goes directly to JFK, but we're both fully overbooked. Explain that oxymoron to me. So hopefully I'll get bumped. Never hurts to ask, right?
But this is it. The long flight back across the ocean to the Western world.
I'm so not ready.
But here I go anyhoo!
You know when she's about to get in the balloon to go home, and says all her goodbyes, and then the next thing you know she's back on the ground again?
And then when she finally realizes she gets to go home, simply by clicking her heels, she has to say all those goodbyes one more time?
And how she's finally ready to go home, but she realizes what a changed person she is, and she looks all around her to see her friends and their faces and you can just feel the heaviness of their hearts (including the Tinman now)?
Yeah. That's how I feel.
I thought I might go out the way I came in, with no one to wave goodbye as I got into my taxi, but I got much luckier and Sina poked her head out the window before coming down and Heidi stopped by on her bike on her way back from breakfast.
It was so nice to have some final hugs before I got in the cab.
Which cost almost $225 with tolls, by the way, so I'm thinking yesterday's missed train antics were still worth the money. 290 yen to go to IKEA doesn't seem so terrible any more now that I know it's be more like 5000 yen in a cab. Wow! Thanks OLC for the first-class sayonara.
Funny, but I actually used that word correctly for the first time today in conversation. After my final of 6 times through Japanese immigration, the security officer said "Sayonara" to me and I realized, yes, I actually am leaving her this time for good. Or at least indefinitely.
I just had my final bowl of Japanese udon (oishii, as itsumo) and am chilling for my flight to Detroit. I know, it's ridiculous, but that's the ticket they bought last summer, and at least Delta in Japan has their act together better.
Slightly.
I am amazed that I only had to pay an overweight charge for one bag (50 BUCKS, yatta! Thanks friends and fam!) after she let me consolidate the two 3 kg overags, and had I had a better carry-on suitcase or packed 10% better, I probably could've shoved those 15 pounds into my carry-ons and been golden. But thankfully, it's all done.
I went ahead and asked for exit row or standby on the flight 15 minutes later 3 gates down that goes directly to JFK, but we're both fully overbooked. Explain that oxymoron to me. So hopefully I'll get bumped. Never hurts to ask, right?
But this is it. The long flight back across the ocean to the Western world.
I'm so not ready.
But here I go anyhoo!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Last Day of Vacation
Woke up this morning to the sounds of the strays playing or fighting or rough-housing again. Didn't mind. Gonna miss those cute pups.
Took a walk down the beach to get my last few rays in Thailand. Successful. Just took a peek at myself in the mirror and I got a good amount of color. Not too much. And no burn.
Writing in shorthand style like Rohrschach. Read most of Watchmen in the last two days. Fantastic.
Had another amazing low tide swim. This time with Evan. Really a perfect last morning.
Walked into town to book our minibus to the Airport. Went with a lady who actually was interested in serving us, not the lady who just wanted to sell us something and take our money. Not gonna miss that.
Tried to find a fruit pancake (roti) for breakfast in town, but everything was much quieter post-Songkran. Settled on Pen's Bungalows, where Tal had stayed. Worth every baht. Ridiculously delicious.
Low tide was amazing further down the beach towards town. Never saw it before because we were always off adventuring in the morning. Beach extends out a good 50 meters. Amazing to walk down to town and see the sand. Saw cool formations of sand that Evan thought were like what earthworms excrete. Looks like somebody built a sand tower out of a frosting tube.
Showered, packed, and sat at the lobby for 2 hours waiting for our transfer to Trat Airport. Read a paper for the first time in 9 months. Awful reading about the red-shirts, people being delayed by the Icelandic volcano, the Greek economic crash, the weakening of the US Dollar. Didn't miss reading the paper so much.
Enjoyed the ferry ride off the island. A beautiful day. Trat airport very very very very teeny, kinda like Weipa, only a little newer and clearly designed for tourists like us. One Thai person on a 70 seat plane only 30% full. Why did they bother even speaking Thai? Probably should have just taken the bus, but glad we got to experience something different.
Free pastries, free internet, free coffee and orange juice in the post-security area. Glad Evan rushed me into that little outdoor pen. Free sandwich, juice, and water. Flight only 40 minutes runway to runway. Like those old Houston-Dallas jumpers. Except WAY WAY better. Where are we? Oh right. Not on a crappy American airplane.
Saw the incredible sunset from the plane. Also cool landscape and several fires. Not sure if those were intentional or not.
Rode the bus to get our baggage. Re-checked in. 4.5 hour layover. Saw the hordes of Europeans still trying to get to Europe and the numerous cancelled flights. Feel really bad for them. Evan might become one of them tomorrow. He's going to Sweden via Frankfort. Good luck.
Shopped, ate crappy over-priced food, and had Dairy Queen that tasted funny, but at least was cheap. Got rid of my change. Laid down to take a 2-hour nap, but only got about 15 minutes in. Couldn't sleep what with "Sis ka moo nah, End of the walkway, (chime, chime)" every frickin' 30 seconds in a sing-song face. Gate is E3 but can't go down to it yet, so can't avoid the announcement. Don't know why. Kinda annoyed.
Still debating whether or not I'll actually show up to my hair appointment tomorrow. Thinking the blonde highlights might match the tan skin. Don't wanna get sheep-sheared. Having cold feet. We'll see.
Hoping I can sleep on the plane. Got exit row seats, but have to sit in the middle. Evan can't live without an aisle. Only a 6 hour flight. Overnight. Sleeping prospects looking poor. Time to move. Gate finally opened.
Back to NIPPON!
Took a walk down the beach to get my last few rays in Thailand. Successful. Just took a peek at myself in the mirror and I got a good amount of color. Not too much. And no burn.
Writing in shorthand style like Rohrschach. Read most of Watchmen in the last two days. Fantastic.
Had another amazing low tide swim. This time with Evan. Really a perfect last morning.
Tried to find a fruit pancake (roti) for breakfast in town, but everything was much quieter post-Songkran. Settled on Pen's Bungalows, where Tal had stayed. Worth every baht. Ridiculously delicious.
Low tide was amazing further down the beach towards town. Never saw it before because we were always off adventuring in the morning. Beach extends out a good 50 meters. Amazing to walk down to town and see the sand. Saw cool formations of sand that Evan thought were like what earthworms excrete. Looks like somebody built a sand tower out of a frosting tube.
Showered, packed, and sat at the lobby for 2 hours waiting for our transfer to Trat Airport. Read a paper for the first time in 9 months. Awful reading about the red-shirts, people being delayed by the Icelandic volcano, the Greek economic crash, the weakening of the US Dollar. Didn't miss reading the paper so much.
Enjoyed the ferry ride off the island. A beautiful day. Trat airport very very very very teeny, kinda like Weipa, only a little newer and clearly designed for tourists like us. One Thai person on a 70 seat plane only 30% full. Why did they bother even speaking Thai? Probably should have just taken the bus, but glad we got to experience something different.
Saw the incredible sunset from the plane. Also cool landscape and several fires. Not sure if those were intentional or not.
Rode the bus to get our baggage. Re-checked in. 4.5 hour layover. Saw the hordes of Europeans still trying to get to Europe and the numerous cancelled flights. Feel really bad for them. Evan might become one of them tomorrow. He's going to Sweden via Frankfort. Good luck.
Shopped, ate crappy over-priced food, and had Dairy Queen that tasted funny, but at least was cheap. Got rid of my change. Laid down to take a 2-hour nap, but only got about 15 minutes in. Couldn't sleep what with "Sis ka moo nah, End of the walkway, (chime, chime)" every frickin' 30 seconds in a sing-song face. Gate is E3 but can't go down to it yet, so can't avoid the announcement. Don't know why. Kinda annoyed.
Still debating whether or not I'll actually show up to my hair appointment tomorrow. Thinking the blonde highlights might match the tan skin. Don't wanna get sheep-sheared. Having cold feet. We'll see.
Hoping I can sleep on the plane. Got exit row seats, but have to sit in the middle. Evan can't live without an aisle. Only a 6 hour flight. Overnight. Sleeping prospects looking poor. Time to move. Gate finally opened.
Back to NIPPON!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Today is the First Day of the Rest of My Life
So shoot me. A token MT reference. But completely true.
I was reading the very beginning of Rupert Everett's autobiography yesterday (again, just shoot me) when he said something that pretty much encapsulates the "Aw Crap!" moment I had last night on the way home with Kat. He talked about those moments in life when you suddenly find yourself at a point of no return, your life is going to change, and you didn't realize all the doors slamming shut behind you leaving you with no escape. But he's talking about it in a positive light. And that's what happened when I turned to Kat last night and said, "Oh my goodness, I just realized that I'm about to change, and I'm never going to be this person ever again." So there it is. Life change. Right now. I'm moving to Tokyo and the second I get off the plane, I literally have NO IDEA what to expect. No amount of preparation will be enough. But here goes nothing!
I will miss everyone in the States quite terribly, but I am so thrilled by this adventure, and hope there will be many fun stories to come, starting as soon as I board NW25 in Detroit. Whoa.
Here goes nothin'....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
