Monday, January 31, 2011

Storm

In case anyone has been living in a cave for the past couple of days, there are predictions of a storm of "historic proportions" for a significant part of the country over the next few days.  It's, like, the fifth or sixth storm I've seen since spending a good part of Christmas Day trying to get around the storm engulfing Atlanta at the time.  Perhaps not surprisingly, I'm scheduled to travel right through thew middle of it.

I'm supposed to leave here on Wednesday to attend Creating Change in Minneapolis.  The low in Minneapolis that day is supposed to be -15, and the high will be 8.  But the fact that Chicago is our layover and it's already under a blizzard watch, expecting a foot and half or more of snow over the next couple of days, means that the entire thing is unlikely to happen.  United has already issued a travel waiver for Feb. 1-3 so I'd be surprised if I don't sit this one out.

That's not to say all is going to be rosy here, though.  Depending on how this thing tracks they're predicting different amounts of snow, freezing rain and ice, and just plain rain - followed by a blast of frigid air.  I dunno - I'd be happy to hibernate for the next few days.  Some days it's all I can do to point my car downtown in the morning instead of heading west.  But I came here for a reason and my car always somehow ends up at my office.

Baby steps.  That's how it happens....

I was recently reminded of something I read early in my own transition that's as appropriate today as it ever was.  It's titled "Tripping the Light Fantastic: Staying Sane and Whole While in Transition" by Dallas Denny.  I can't even count how many times I read that - it was light at the end of the tunnel.  It was a map, or at least some direction, in what so often seemed like uncharted, wild, hostile, territory.  Anyway - it's nice to revisit where you've come from from time to time.  This is one of the things that helps me to do that....

One of the things in that essay was about keeping your sense of humor.  But some things just aren't funny.  They're offensive.  They're mean spirited, ignorant, and it's especially unfortunate when people who say or do this stuff should know better.  One of these things is the Saturday Night Live "spoof" from this past weekend.



There's already noise about it (see GLAAD's Call to Action here) and the press about it has made it to the "prestigious newspapers" (details here), but that only makes more people aware of it.  The damage is done.  Again.  And people wonder why there is bullying and other dire outcomes?  If this had been a "spoof" about black people or Muslims it never would have made it to the airwaves.  But whoever approved this is as guilty as whoever thought of it.  It's maddening.

Anyway - it's time to get ready for bed.  I don't know what to expect outside when I wake up.  Snow.  Cold.  Ice.  Yuck.  But it's like one of those metaphors for life.  You just plow through it sometimes because you have to.  And I have to, so I will.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

All I Really Want

Today is my first "quiet" Saturday in a long time.  That is, it doesn't involve traveling, packing, moving, or anything overly strenuous.  I'll admit that I'm not really sure what to do with this kind of day since it seems to happen so rarely.  I'm planning to stop by work for a bit, to go to the gym for a bit, and I'm sure the day will find a way of filling itself.

I wish I could go hike Squaw Peak or take a walk on the beach somewhere but neither of those are options today.  I could go see the Ice Sculptures at the IceFest in Chambersburg but that's too cold for me.  The weather guy on the news said the temperature might get above freezing in the next week and they joked that it was "balmy".  It's not funny.....

I've been invited over to one of our Board Member's house for dinner this evening.

I have been in rare form lately.  My ability to tolerate bullsh*t seems to be uncharacteristically low but it is what it is.  I'm listening to Alanis this morning which feels appropriately edgy to how I'm feeling.  The first song articulates it well (I've included a version here with lyrics):



What I wouldn't give
To meet a soul mate
Someone else to catch this drift
What I wouldn't give
To meet a kindred

That said - I've seen a couple of things in the last day that stuck a chord in me for some reason.  It's interesting to see the various things we see or hear in our day to day lives - a song, a video, a line from a movie, part of a conversation - and to realize that they stick with us for some reason.

One of the things is actually pretty funny.  This guy was part of a gymnastics group performing at a Phoenix Suns game and he jumped off a trampoline to dunk the ball.



This kid goes too high, and actually ends up going head first through the hoop.  He was on Good Morning America this morning talking about it and it's a wonder he didn't go face first into the rim or the backboard, get stuck, or that any number of other countless outcomes that involve an injury didn't come to pass.  Instead, he made the best of a bad situation, the reacted quickly, and the outcome which could have been pretty unfortunate ended up being pretty amazing.

The other thing is a couple of lines from "Lord of the Rings".  It has been on one of the movie channels lately so I've seen it a few times over the last week and I've been able to catch some of the more subtle things I haven't caught before.

This little hobbit, Frodo, has a ring that he needs to take on a dangerous trip and destroy.  At the same time, the ring threatens to destroy him.  Frodo didn't choose to be the one to undertake this dangerous journey - it just happened.  And although he's reluctant at first it eventually becomes apparent that this is a burden that he can't give away or ignore and, in fact, if will come to define him in both his strengths and his weaknesses.  Thankfully, he has those who support and help him because he couldn't do it all alone.  As is so often over used but so often true these days - it is what it is.

In researching video footage of the line I came across a short song that articulates almost exactly how I'm feeling, and I suppose how I've felt for a long time:




When Aragon later tries to reassure Frodo that he has sworn to protect him and the ring so that he can fulfill this perilous mission Frodo asks, "Can you protect me from yourself?"  Again - very appropriate at the moment.

Some may look at all of this and think I'm in a dark place at the moment and I don't think that's really true although it's certainly not a rosy place, either.  I'm physically, emotionally, and intellectually lonely - that has been a constant for a long time now and I'm certainly not alone in that regard but that's a much deeper topic.  I don't dwell on it.  Being isolated in a city where I don't really know anybody requires that I find ways to be comfortable with myself and, again, that has been a constant for a long time as well.  I've done it for a long time and although I wish it were otherwise but I don't know if it ever will.   But for now it is what it is and I do what I do.

And all i really want
is some patience
A way to calm the angry voice
And all I really want 
is deliverance.

That day will eventually come.

It gets back to concepts that I find to be the most important that any of us cling to at our darkest times.  Hope.  Faith.



No matter how many times I watch this clip it never fails to bring tears to my eyes for a number of reasons.  One is that it cuts through all the drama and complication that passes itself off for life these days and gets back to the simplest, most innocent keys to living rather than merely existing.  Dreams really can (and do) come true.  The most important thing is to keep dreaming, to have faith, and to stop from time to time to re-ground with the simplest of things.  And I do.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Thinking

I've been thinking lately.  That can be good, and bad.

I drove 1,400 miles over last weekend.  Part of it was to escape the cold.  It's freezing here, as in single digit nighttime temperatures.  The temperature when I woke up Monday was 1 degree.  One friggin' degree.  That's crazy.  Driving 1,400 miles for such a short stint away from it is crazy, too, but road trips like that give me time to think.  That can be a dangerous thing, depending on what I'm thinking about...

I've got a busy couple of weeks ahead.  I spoke to a group at a local high school yesterday.  Speaking to kids is different than speaking with other groups.  The questions are unique and insightful.  Anyway - thanks to the group for such a warm welcome.

I spoke with someone at a company where one of the managers will be transitioning shortly.  That was a worthwhile discussion as well.

I spent a good part of today getting ready for our board meeting this evening.

My days are all different and fairly interesting lately.   A friend texted me yesterday and asked if I was "enjoying" myself.  The answer is: sometimes.  Lots to do, and I generally feel a step behind no matter what I'm doing.

If I think I'm not liking the cold now just wait until next week when I'll be in Minneapolis.  The last time I was there was for a Super Bowl and it was downright bone-chilling cold.  I'll be headed there to attend Creating Change and to be honest I expect that the only time I'll leave the hotel will be to get to and from the airport.  Brrrrr.

I've watched the "debate" between some who identify as "transsexual" and others that they define as transgender and find it to be both unfortunate and embarrassing.  My own personal stance on the topic hasn't changed - nobody is any more worthy, better, healthy, moral, valid or entitled than anyone else.  To turn the discussion into a wedge issue, or a platform for personal validation at the expense of others that they identify as "different" exposes just how deep that various phobias that plague many of us run.  I, personally, accept that any number of labels may apply to me and I have no problem with accepting transgender and transsexual among them.  To believe otherwise is to accept that either or both are pejorative or insulting and I do not.

I've said time and again and I re-iterate that I am not, will never be, nor do I want to be just like any other woman.  I've had a unique journey that has absolutely affected how I perceive myself, my gender, my personhood, my character, and my spiritual nature.  Different is not a synonym for bad for bad in any of us.  The fact that any of our paths was different, however, does not invalidate it or diminish it.  Indeed - I'd argue that the things we work hardest to achieve are the things we appreciate most.  That's true of my womanhood.

I refuse to acknowledge any form of caste system within the gender "gifted" spectrum which chooses to validate some while invalidating others.  I refuse to accept or adopt some artificial hierarchy of legitimacy  based on narrow views, stereotypes, or imposed labels that do not recognize the fluid nature of our existence.  And although I'll sit and watch people engage in a pissing match I myself refuse to participate.  These are my beliefs.  I feel no need to argue or defend them other than what I've stated here.  My perspective has been consistent for many years and, if anything, I've become more comfortable in them.

I posted an Opinion on my website back in 2005 titled The Ugly Activist and it's as valid today as it was back then, which is a pity.

Others may or may not agree and I'll respect that.  It's when these arguments, which are nothing new, become so public and angry that it makes everybody look like a bunch of loonies so it's a wonder that we have a hard time being taken seriously.  Where is the respect for people's right to be or believe who they are?  Who is worthy of judging but refusing to be judged?  What kind of a legacy is this leaving for kids who don't buy into the same kind of structured, label-defining binary of validation that seems to fuel this trash-talk?  And how is this in any way constructive other than to provide a platform for one-trick ponies to spout off empty Sarah Palin like sound-bites over and over and over?

My blog has long been a place for me to share my life, my opinions, my thoughts, and news that I think is relevant.  This topic is one I've discussed here before, and I'll reiterate that I know and respect others who feel differently.  As with so many things it's not necessarily what you say so much as how you say it.  However, if you're a jerk you're a jerk whether you're some flavor of trans or not.  Just because you and I share this one particular trait doesn't make us friends.  And I will ALWAYS stand with the broader community of people with unique gender expressions and identities rather than to validate my own realities at the expense of others.

Anyway - that's my rant for the day.  Now - time to get to work.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Short and sweet.

Krykee...my body is tired.

In between other things yesterday I ended up at the gym again.  It was treadmill day, and I ran almost 5 miles in 45 minutes on the darn thing.  It was leg day, too, so sets of squats and other lower body tortures only added to an already tired body.  As I mentioned in my last post - although I haven't worked out much in recent weeks I'm still in pretty good shape.  But it's afterwards that it hurts more, and I'm more drained than usual.

My back and shoulder muscles are still sore from Saturday, too.  It's a "good" kind of sore, though.  I am SO back on the bandwagon.  But I think I'll take today off.  The body needs a day to recover before doing it again.

My room mate had some friends over and opened a bottle of Champagne to sip before heading to bed last night.  It was exactly what the doctor ordered.  :)

Today is a messy day here in Harrisburg.  It started snowing last night and turned to some kind of freezing rain/sleet mixture a few hours ago.  I'm thinking of working from home for a couple of hours until things get safer on the roads but in reality I'll probably give it a go here shortly.  Wish me luck....

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Weekend this and that....

It's Sunday evening.  The past several days have gone by fast.  Then again, I suppose most days recently seem to do that....

Some highlights:

On Thursday we did a "road-trip" to Philadelphia to spend some time at the William Way Community Center there.  Philly is only a hundred miles or so from Harrisburg so we combined the trip with visits to The Attic Youth Center and the always wonderful Dr. Michele Angello.  It's tremendously empowering to visit an active, vibrant LGBT center and thanks to everyone we met with who were so gracious and warm. I'm very excited about the opportunities we all have to make things better for all of us, and I look forward to putting some of the things we discussed into motion here at our Center in Central PA.

I attended the Central PA Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner on Friday evening.  It was held at the amazing Hotel Hershey and was a wonderful event.  Congratulations to Russell, the rest of the board, and everyone who participated in this very special evening.  I stayed true to my lifestyle choice of wearing open-toe shoes wherever possible, although I'll admit it's a little different when it's 20 degrees outside.

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to drive BACK to Philly to attend the monthly Ren get together at Angela's Laptop Lounge.  It was especially nice to be able to spend some time with Ms. Chloe Prince on her way through the area in her boom-boom mobile.  All of the coming and going and visiting made for a veeeerrrryyy late night (I finally got to bed at 6 this morning!) but the good news is (a) it was all worth it and (b) I'm feeling surprisingly spry tonight given the circumstances.

All the various conversations over the past several days have been very productive and I'm excited to to move to the next step, and put it all into motion.

There was football this weekend.  I watched a little of it.

I went to the fitness center today and lifted weights for the first time in over a month.  I was surprised to see that my strength hasn't faded so much, although I'll admit that some of the muscle stamina has.  The weights were nearly the same as they were before the Holidays but the second and third and fourth sets were more challenging.  It was nice to finally get them going again.

And, I worked yesterday and today.  I've got lots to catch up on and the weekend provides good, quiet, quality time.

Here in Harrisburg the city will be crazed this week for inaugural events surrounding the swearing in of the new governor.  It has been chilly here - daytime highs in the mid 20's or so - so I'll avoid as much of it as I can.

Back in July I saw the movie "The Kids Are All Right" and commented about it (here's the entry).  Tonight it won 2 Golden Globe Awards including Best Motion Picture Comedy or Musical.  It reminded me of how I enjoyed it at the time - I'll need to watch it again.

I've been thinking lately of a fairly deep topic that I don't know that I can do justice to here right now.  When (or why?) is it ok to sacrifice long-term goals and dreams for the sake of short-term comforts and needs?  What is that balance?  The topic has come up a number of times and I've been thinking about it quite a bit these days - for a number of reasons.  I'll try to collect some words to articulate what I'm thinking sometime soon, but it's a topic that has been on my mind....

Anyway - time to get my stuff out of the dryer and get to bed.  G'night all.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Gypsy

I'm the never-ending saga of "Where in the World is Donna", the answer right now is that I'm back in the great white North after a brief trip to Phoenix.  I went to take care of a number of things and now that I've let my guard down after several very busy days I realize how physically and mentally exhausted I'm feeling.  I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep.

If I had to prioritize my the things in life that cause me the most personal distress right now the thing at the top of that list would be my continuing, seemingly never-ending search for a "home".  Arizona is the closest thing that I've had to that for a number of years whether I've actually been living here or not.  Part of it is because my furniture lives here, part of it is some dear friends, and part of it is a sense of comfort. But even so, recognition that my life in recent years has been far more one of a gypsy than of anything else can cause an significant emotional response if I let myself think about it hard enough.  I try to avoid that which is probably part of why I stay as busy as I do but that's a conversation for a therapist, not something to try to explain here.

Did I watch any football over the weekend?  I'll admit that I watched a few minutes worth.  The BCS Championship Game was in Phoenix on Monday and there were Tigers and Ducks all over the airport today.  But with so many other things going on I really didn't have time for much.

I expect most people who read this are aware of the horrific events just a hundred miles or so south of Phoenix, in Tucson, over the weekend.  I'm struck that headlines focus on a couple of things.  One, is whether this had anything to do with the vitriol that passes itself for politics these days.  The other is the impact that is has on Arizona's image.

I wrote months and months ago about the tension in Arizona fueled by hatred and fear.  To think that this brutal attack is somehow removed from that is to live in a dream world.  Regardless of this shooter's mental state of mind there is no question that the sharp divide between us and "them" is part of the root cause.  One of the many tragedies is that it takes tragedy to realize what's already obvious.

If you look for it you'll see it everywhere.

My air travel going and coming over the last week has been relatively uneventful which is actually very welcome given the craziness of my flights over the Holidays.  I was a little concerned about this winter storm that has moved up the east coast would disrupt things - again - but the biggest impact here so far has been a couple of inches of snow, cold wind, and bitter temperatures.

Now that we're a couple of weeks into the New Year I've had time to consider what single word I'd use to "Define" 2010 for me.  I've done it for years now as part of looking back over the passage of time and trying to glean a single defining theme of the year.  One word that comes to mind would be Gypsy, and although it's an ongoing significant force that's not the theme of the year.  I'd share the word that defines the year for me but it'd make things complicated so I'll keep it to myself for now.  What I will share is that it begins with a "B".  The more important thing than sharing what it is is learning from it.  And I have.

Now, it's time for bed.  I have a full day ahead of me tomorrow.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Back On The Wagon

I'm not alone when I say that I enjoyed the Holidays a little too much.  That is, the food and drink opportunities were plentiful and the workouts were minimal.  The end result is that I've been feeling guilty, and very much like a "blob" in the last few days.

I haven't been overweight for a long time and, in fact, I'm typically more concerned with being too skinny than the opposite.  I've been on a pretty rigorous workout regiment for the better part of the last two years and I'm very much in tune with my body.  When it's tight, I'm tight.  And when it's loose, well, I can feel that too.

As I've said here before, I don't weigh myself.  I'm happier not knowing, and my scale and I have never been friends.  So I don't know how much I weigh.  But I do know it's too much, and I need to get back to it.  I feel the extra weight the most in my face, my tummy, and my thighs....

Me: Beginning of Jan 2011

Lastly, over the years I've come to recognize that my eating habits are directly connected to my abilities to work out and vice versa.  When I go for long stretches and don't run or lift or otherwise get the heart and muscles pumping I'm far more likely to start bad eating habits.  I get the most of my fitness center membership investment - I assure you.

Why is all of this so important?  A couple of reasons.  First, I strongly believe that diet and overall fitness has some bearing on the possible onset of diabetes and I watched my dad fade away fighting his losing battle with it over the years.  I don't want that to happen to me.  Secondly, I've worked hard to get this body the way I want it and I'm not about to let it go now.  And lastly, I've got big aspirations that require significant levels of physical exertion so I need to be at a high level of fitness to follow-thru.

So - last night I hopped back on the Wagon again.  It was my first time at the fitness center in a month.  I ran 4 miles on the treadmill, did some V Squats and other leg exercises, did a stomach workout, and generally got the blood flowing through the muscles again.  I was pleasantly surprised that things went as well as they did although I can tell that I'll be hating myself for the next couple of days - I'm sore.

I plan to keep it up.

A couple of other things to mention before I hop into the shower.

I got an email from NCTE yesterday announcing that their Lobby Day and Policy Institute will be March 20-22 this year.  There's more information on their website, or you can register here.

Secondly, there's an annual Trans conference here in Harrisburg that's run by the local Trans group.  It's called the Keystone Conference and I remarked after my visit to the inaugural version of it two years ago how well organized and attended it was.  Last year built upon the success of the first year and this year looks to be a breakout for the conference.  National leaders like Dr. O and Dr. Meltzer will be here and the range of programming is representative of its growth.  Anyway, here's the info.  Now that this is home I'll hope to see as many people there as can make it.  :)

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Holiday Update

It is the middle of the first week of January already. As promised (or threatened), I took the better part of these past two weeks over the Holidays to disappear, unplug, and generally unwind. I've gotten online a few times but I've tried to limit myself to an hour or less a day and I'm happy to say I've been able mostly successful. Truth be told, it hasn't been all that hard.

I get on FaceBook for a little while each day just to check what's going on.   I suppose I'm like many in that I'm extremely guarded in what we'll say or share there. I find it to be a wonderful tool, as I've reconnected with a number of long unseen but not forgotten dear friends and family there - some from as far back as High School. I've even made some new friends there, and l've had a chance to even meet some in person which is actually the best part of the whole thing.

But I find the word "Friend" to generally be a misnomer with regards to FB as it implies an exaggerated sense of intimacy for most of the people you connect with there. I realize that I'm complaining about self-inflicted wounds at this point but that doesn't change the fact that the more the drain on my time and energy the less I'm likely to be active there. At this point I get as many or more friend requests and notes from men urging me to show more photos or people who seem to consider it as their own personal dating site. Whatever. I won't let the dead grass spoil the lawn and I'll continue to manage my FB involvement as I truly appreciate most of the people who have taken their time to connect with me there.

I also find that online "Friends" are no replacement for the real deal. I see lots of posts by people who share what time they get up, what they're wearing, what's on TV, and generally used FB as an outlet to share their day-to-day lives.  They say "Good Morning" to their Facebook "family" when they get up and "Good Night" when they go to bed.  I do enjoy sharing photos there because I get so see and do some pretty fun things but generally speaking I figure that if I post more than twice a week then I'm being too chatty.

Lastly, know this:  "Friends" who include me among a group of others in some group email that becomes part of an ongoing discussion won't last long. That's one of my several pet peeves about it.

Anyway, on to other topics.

I didn't manage to get Christmas Cards out this year. I'm sorry about that, but the combination of the job, the mid-month craziness, and the travel made it such that the Season came and went before I had a chance to get to it. Sigh. Now it's too late.

I did get a Christmas Card from the White House which was pretty cool.



It was signed by the President, the First Lady, the kids, and the dog.

As I mentioned earlier, I had a wonderful visit with my mom and my son just before and on Christmas. I spent a day with him (and the pups!) in Austin which was great. I still find it difficult to believe that I've got a 25-year old son. That's nuts.



And I spent a week in the South, where it's actually warm at this time of year, that included some time in Myrtle Beach that was just wonderful. All things considered, I had a very pleasant past couple of weeks.

I'm not much of a celebrator on New Year's Eve.  The  highlight of the day is typically watching the sunset.  In recent years I've attached photos from the top of Squaw Peak and other places where I end up to watch the last day of the year end.  This year I took a picture of the sunset on the beach.  As I say, it was a highlight and a wonderful way to end the year.




The only real difficulty these last couple of weeks has been the air travel. I fly a LOT but these last couple of weeks have been consistently horrible - I hope it's not a trend. I'll share a couple of my Christmas travel experiences because I want to be able to read it years down the road and remember just how crazy it all was. No matter what I say, the words just won't capture the crazy ups and downs of these past couple of weeks.

Most Recently….

I should have landed in Harrisburg on Monday evening. Instead, I was grounded in DC because the plane broke.  The cargo door was ajar and wouldn't close.  They ended up pounding on it and trying to pry it so someone could sneak under it and get inside.  It was crazy (see photo on the left).

Thankfully, I was rescued from spending the night at Dulles by some dear friends who live nearby and took pity on me when my 120 mile flight got cancelled. I was re-re-rebooked on the morning flight which thankfully went well.  By the time I got home I was exhausted and need a good couple of days of down-time to recover (that's not gonna happen).  By the time I finally got to be last night - spending it in my own bed was a Godsend.


Rewind to last week….

I was scheduled to fly back to the East Coast on Christmas Day. A couple of days ahead of time I received a welcome email indicating that I had been upgraded to First Class, followed a couple of hours later by the unwelcome news that my flights through Atlanta had been cancelled. They were already anticipating the nasty storm that was scheduled to blow through the area and that eventually snarled travel through the entire country over Christmas. They re-scheduled me onto a flight that left early on the day after Christmas but on Christmas Eve that was cancelled too so I was re-re-booked on a flight leaving on Monday.

Don't get me wrong - I would have loved some extra time with my mom. But the longer that this lasted the less likely I was to get anywhere given the size and direction of the storm that was forming. Once air-traffic gets majorly impacted it becomes systemic - planes that are scheduled to be somewhere aren't there so flights everywhere are cancelled, full, or just plain mess up for days. The thing that made it worse is that I really had no interest in going to Atlanta anyway. It was just a connection city and I would have gone over it, under it, or around it if I could. So on Christmas morning I started working the phones trying to beat the storm and in a minor feat of magic I was put onto a flight that connected through Miami rather than Atlanta, scheduled to leave Dallas shortly after noon on Xmas. Thus started one of the most interesting, frustrating, challenging, almost comical travel days of my life.

The day included fully boarding a plane before being told that it had ingested a bird while landing and was broken so we'd all have to get off. After an hour they found us a new plane so the entire plane full of people trekked to another terminal and eventually started to board before being told that that plane was broken, too. I sensed what was happening and knew that if I stayed the course I'd miss my connection and get stuck somewhere that would make things exponentially worse. I was near the front of the line and was re-re-re-booked on a flight that had been delayed and was scheduled to connect through Charlotte so I ran across the airport back to the original terminal to make it.

The good news is that we got into Charlotte. The bad news is that it was snowing there. Not small, cute, gentle flakes either. These were big, blizardy, wind-blown flakes that had already piled a couple or three inches by the time we landed. Inside the terminal they were starting to cancel flights, and it was with no small sense of anxiety that I watched the minutes pass until it was time for us to board. And, at nearly 9pm, after almost 12 hours at airports, we did board.

Did we leave? No. We sat. And sat. And sat. We were waiting for the de-icing pads to become available, so it was almost two hours of frustration at the gate. People on the plane started to get restless and angry and by midnight I thought somebody was going to attach the flight attendants. They got smart and avoided going down the aisle because the natives were getting very restless. So, at midnight we did leave the gate. Thank God.

We finally landed at 1:30am in the pouring rain.  That's ok.  I realize that many people ended up actually getting stranded so I'm not too upset...

Now that I'm back home my down time will be short-lived.  I've got lots of catching up to do at work.  I had meetings that lasted until almost 11pm yesterday.  I leave late on Friday to go back to pack up my furniture and move it which seems almost overwhelming at this point.  But somehow it'll work itself out and it will all be fine.  It always does.