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Here it is, the whole trip, minus the random uninteresting bits.
I got up at 330am, instead of 430am, because I couldn't sleep anymore. No matter, because I apparently needed the extra time to get ready. I got my money from the bank, and got to Charles' at exactly 630am. We had breakfast, and I was a bundle of nerves, but I forced myself to eat slowly. (I remembered the previous night's disastrous meail-in-a-minute.) Charles left for work, and I got a ride there with Melissa, who was off that day after all. I snuck online to talk to her ("M" from here on out*) a bit, and I felt much better after talking to her. I was struck by how momentous and world-changing this was going to be.
Melissa dropped me off at the airport, and fortunately, I got checked in easily. Since I haven't flown since I was 14, it's safe to say that I haven't flown since 9/11, so I had no idea what to expect. Well, not really. I *WAS* expecting a body cavity search. *shiver* It was nothing of the kind, and I got to my gate, and waited. Finally, the plane arrived, and I got seated. I tried writing in my journal, but I kept making errors, in part because of my nervousness, in part because of the fountain pen's nature, and -- most likely -- in part because of the turbulence. THAT was a weird experience. Nothing makes you aware you're 23000 feet off the ground quite like feeling the floor beneath you *DROP* enough you get that "fluttery stomach" feeling. Needless to say, I put my journal away, and closed my eyes. That way, it just felt like I was in a car with no shocks. :)
I landed in Atlanta, and I gotta say... Atlanta sucks ass. I thought Memphis was rough. People in Atlanta were trying to run me over. I was glad when I boarded the flight to New Jersey. It was a Continental flight, and the service onboard was nicer, though something about it bugged me. I was crushed against the window for that flight, but I got to listen to some music on the way. Nonetheless, the air pressure and my sinuses conspired to rob me of my hearing by the time we landed. I snagged a shot glass from the airport gift shop for Charles' wife (who collects shot glasses from around the country), and went to claim my baggage.
While looking for my stuff, I thought I heard someone yelling my name... I turned around, and there she was, in her nice white outfit that I love so much. Her best friend was standing by her, but I only noticed M. I grabbed her into a hug, and felt very happy and safe for the first time that day.
(Tomorrow, I'll regale you with the drive back to the hotel, as well as what happened during my stay on days one, two, and three. Day four is my return flight, and I'll detail that in ANOTHER post.)
* -- you're not going to get her name, but I'll say that much. It's nothing personal, but I'm not going to divulge her name unless I get her consent. My male friends in Memphis are a different story; they can usually take care of themselves, and I'm around to help, should the need arise, but she's too far away for me to be able to help her if she really needs me, and I am not going to be responsible for anything happening to her.
I got up at 330am, instead of 430am, because I couldn't sleep anymore. No matter, because I apparently needed the extra time to get ready. I got my money from the bank, and got to Charles' at exactly 630am. We had breakfast, and I was a bundle of nerves, but I forced myself to eat slowly. (I remembered the previous night's disastrous meail-in-a-minute.) Charles left for work, and I got a ride there with Melissa, who was off that day after all. I snuck online to talk to her ("M" from here on out*) a bit, and I felt much better after talking to her. I was struck by how momentous and world-changing this was going to be.
Melissa dropped me off at the airport, and fortunately, I got checked in easily. Since I haven't flown since I was 14, it's safe to say that I haven't flown since 9/11, so I had no idea what to expect. Well, not really. I *WAS* expecting a body cavity search. *shiver* It was nothing of the kind, and I got to my gate, and waited. Finally, the plane arrived, and I got seated. I tried writing in my journal, but I kept making errors, in part because of my nervousness, in part because of the fountain pen's nature, and -- most likely -- in part because of the turbulence. THAT was a weird experience. Nothing makes you aware you're 23000 feet off the ground quite like feeling the floor beneath you *DROP* enough you get that "fluttery stomach" feeling. Needless to say, I put my journal away, and closed my eyes. That way, it just felt like I was in a car with no shocks. :)
I landed in Atlanta, and I gotta say... Atlanta sucks ass. I thought Memphis was rough. People in Atlanta were trying to run me over. I was glad when I boarded the flight to New Jersey. It was a Continental flight, and the service onboard was nicer, though something about it bugged me. I was crushed against the window for that flight, but I got to listen to some music on the way. Nonetheless, the air pressure and my sinuses conspired to rob me of my hearing by the time we landed. I snagged a shot glass from the airport gift shop for Charles' wife (who collects shot glasses from around the country), and went to claim my baggage.
While looking for my stuff, I thought I heard someone yelling my name... I turned around, and there she was, in her nice white outfit that I love so much. Her best friend was standing by her, but I only noticed M. I grabbed her into a hug, and felt very happy and safe for the first time that day.
(Tomorrow, I'll regale you with the drive back to the hotel, as well as what happened during my stay on days one, two, and three. Day four is my return flight, and I'll detail that in ANOTHER post.)
* -- you're not going to get her name, but I'll say that much. It's nothing personal, but I'm not going to divulge her name unless I get her consent. My male friends in Memphis are a different story; they can usually take care of themselves, and I'm around to help, should the need arise, but she's too far away for me to be able to help her if she really needs me, and I am not going to be responsible for anything happening to her.
