Flying

Hey everyone.
I'm on a 30 hour layover in Providence, Rhode Island. My flight got in late but I was still able to go and see the town's famous Fire Water. I will post some pictures when I get back to NJ. But, it was really beautiful, the floating firepits on the water with ecclectic music playing over a loudspeaker.

I heard there was an amazing local bookstore here, so I'll be setting off in search of it tomorrow.
These last two days flying have been interesting. Lots of crazy people and funny anecdotes. Overhead bins flying open on landings. A women who wouldn't wake up at deboarding -- even after shaking for a full minute! (She had a pulse and eventually woke up, and we found out she does this everytime she flies!) Insane Red Sox fans heading to Denver.
Must be the full moon.
But on my last flight I got to go into the flight deck for a moment and the captain turned off all the lights so that I could see all of the stars. Ever since I was a kid and had high aspirations to be an astronaut, I've always wanted to see this view. Spotted Orion!

Well I ended up in Orlando after all.

This morning I was called for an Orlando trip with a 17 hour layover. So here I am, sitting in a La Quinta, so close to the Tower of Terror that I can hear the screams, and yet so far. Speaking of hotels and screams, saw the movie 1408 the other day with my family and now these hotel walls do seem to be closing in on me...thanks, Sterling.

Since we're on the topic of screams... Newark to Orlando flights are filled with screeching children. Not to mention the elderly couples heading south to their winter homes on the sunny beaches. Elderly couples who like to order three drinks at a time: coffee, water and orange juice. And then, when you finally hand them over, like to complain about the three drinks that you've served them. Elderly couples who like to complain about the tight seats and small bathrooms as if you were the engineer. Complain about the turbulence and want to know why I can't just head on up to the flight deck and request to fly over the bumps. Complain about the inflight movie and how the headphone speakers aren't high enough. And then, when it's all grumbled and done, and you've delivered their canes and four carry-on bags, they pass by you with a sweet smile and pinch on the cheek and thank you for the absolutely wonderful trip you provided them. And you can't help but smile and wave back after them, hoping you're just as much a spitfire as they are someday.

Coming to Boerne Wednesday and Thursday! Can't wait!

M...I...C...see you later...K...E...Y...why? because I'm flying to Phoenix instead, with a 18 hr. layover and then Houston with a two hour layover and then back to Newark by Sunday evening.

Whew...I need a breath

Flying Saturday to Orlando.
Leaving with a new pair of polished wings.
And yes, I will be returning wearing a pair of Mickey Mouse ears.

Found a temporary place to live today in Bayonne, NJ. It's called Bergen Point Village. I'm living with Pamela and Lindsay, two friends from Initial Training. Fourth floor. No elevator. One bedroom.

Mommy...

No, it's not all that bad, and its a month to month lease, so I've already started looking for a more permanent place in the city. Fourteenth floor. Smelly elevator. No bedrooms. Triple the price.

Counting the hours until Saturday...

Flew into Newark today and decided all at once that I needed to see NYC right away or I just might fly back to Boerne. So I met up with a few friends and we took a taxi to Newark Penn Station and hopped on a train to NYC. Only, it wasn't so much a train to NYC as a train to Princton, NJ. Woopsie. So, an hour and a half later, we ended up back at Newark Penn Station, caught the correct train to the city and spent the rest of the day exploring.

Times Square, Rockafeller Center, played the piano at FAO Schwartz, Dean and Deluca, carriage ride through Central Park...

...And oh, did I forget to mention that I just happened to run into Anthony Michael Hall.

As I bumped chests with the man, I remembered such lines as "Can I borrow your underpants for ten minutes?" or "Dear Mr. Vernon...". Then I quietly mumbled a curse word in surprise, only to turn back around to see him laughing and waving back at me.

I suppose I should become a Dead Zone fan, now, shouldn't I?