My Grubby Halo

There’s no sensation to compare with this. Suspended animation, a state of bliss. It’s hard for me to find the right words when it comes to describing how I feel at 36,000 feet — or at most altitudes, really — but Pink Floyd’s “Learning to Fly” is a good start. It has a few lines […]

Pitch.

Hotel bar. Munchies. Wine. Ambience. All prior to an 8:30 dinner reservation at lovely restaurant mere steps from the hotel. Is this the best Tuesday night ever? I’m pretty sure it could be. Or, rather, it’s at least the best Tuesday night of September 2013. Har har. I’m a creature of habit, and a giant […]

Look around.

Tomorrow morning, I’ll be on the same flight I was on exactly three months ago. So much can change in what seems like the blink of an eye. Three months ago it wasn’t officially summer yet, although Memorial Day signaled the unofficial beginning. Today, we’ve said goodbye to summer as Labor Day, the unofficial end, […]

Thunderheads and Waves

Flying eye-level to thunderheads and over a seemingly calm, sky blue ocean, I was reminded today of our impact — on situations, on the world and on each other. From the ground, the air feels humid. Still. Stuffy. Only when we’re above the clouds do we see how much of an impact they really can […]

Fasten your seat belt.

While seated. At first glance, you’d think it’s a curse. A near-death sentence. After all, you’re on a plane. There’s already a ton that we can’t do, but then they make us immobilize ourselves while doing nothing. Fasten seat belt. OK, fair enough. Will do. But, frankly, I can see telling someone to sit down […]

On the move.

Ever have those days that make you want to throw your hands up, walk away from everything familiar and set off — on foot — with a canteen, a tent, some walking shoes, snacks, a hat and jacket? No destination comes to mind — anywhere open will do. No particular scenery is a must-have, with […]

Hey U

I’m proud to say that if I miss my exit or street, I won’t cut you off or blindly make my move, hoping that you see me and make room. I will proceed in a sane manner to the next possible place where I can turn around. I did this twice tonight. The first instance […]

Gray Sky, Blue Sky

A pre-flight wine flight did wonders for my acceptance of our delayed departure. The seat-back digital button pusher and screaming infant immediately behind me, however, were trying my patience. The storm was moving in quickly and, despite the crew’s urging to board swiftly in order to beat the weather, the usual passenger dawdling ensued. As […]