I was never really a prolific writer. In elementary school, high school, university, I always wrote the least amount possible. 1000 word essay, Mr. Hikida? Okay.. youll be lucky if you get 1001. I dont think I ever enjoyed it, it was my least liked class in school, simply Ive always found it hard to write.
What was lacking I think was inspiration and motivation, which I admit i struggle with to this day. What Im slowing figuring out though is finding out when to write and recognizing those prime times, as they come; to channel. Like almost anything, you cant really FORCE anything in life and expect to create something of notability (unless you have beyonder type skill in some form of expression); its intangible but these things have to happen on their own and develop organically. Writing has to be organic, or its gonna suck. And the funny thing is these small triggers happen all the time to everyone everyday, and I think Im beginning to recognize them better, and therefore take advantage. A Large flux in emotional states, for example, just dawned on me as a substantially sensible time to write; the mind is open and exploring, and the eyes are taking in the surroundings unfiltered and unbiased. Ready to express yourself and outlet. Combine that with a state of drunkedness, and also listening intimately to emotionally charged acoustic music... you have a pot of gold.
Im saying this now because, as pansy as it sounds, Im in a restaurant in Margate, UK, watching the sunset past a landscape of this beach spanned seaside town. And its exceptionally gorgeous. After a fairly rough and emotionally trying couple of days, I could see this with unlocked eyes and write about it. And coincidentally, that is 300 words exactly.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Friday, May 09, 2008
KLM
(Open this in a seperate window or tab as reading music. Click here)
So I had a cancelled flight, the flight back to Dublin via Amsterdam. KLM Airlines are usually pretty good and I ve had nothing but decent experiences, but I did have suspect feelings even before... the moment I found out this was going to be a Macdonald Douglas airplane. Nothing against Mac Doug, its just that long haul flights have always been the baby of either Airbus or Boeing... no one else allowed. Along with never ordering chinese food from a pub, Its a pretty good rule to stick by.
So heres what happened. I check in on time, head to international departures in YVR (still have to say, a beauty, YVR did a very good job here), and wandered about shopping while I waited for the flight to board. Bought some CK Euphoria Deoderant. Tried to find the Watchmen graphic novel in the Relay store, but the only books they sell with pictures in them are ones meant from elementary schools kids. Glanced back to the boarding gate Plasma monitor.. and it started flashing 'Retardez a 21:30' for KLM. The flight was suppose to depart at 18:50 but whatever, stupid Mac Doug planes. I peeked back though just a second later, and it flashed 'Demain'. oh oh. My french is anchor-at-the-bottom-of-the-sea rusty and scaly with barnacles, but I think Demain means Tomorrow. Quesce que Fuck? So I pushed my luggage stroller to the boarding gate to figure out whats going on.
Tension at the gate however was climbing quickly, as it does when a long haul flight has the prospects of being cancelled. The people worst hit are those unfortunate plebs starting their vacation with prebooked hotels and excursions, or connecting through to another European city like me or worser: the combo of both. Again, Stupid Mac Doug airplanes. The KLM ground crew though didnt have a clue to what was going on... deer - big eyes - headlights kinds, and pleaded with us to wait for an official annoucement.
About 10 minutes later the announcement came: Cancelled flight, delayed until Tomorrow 21:30. [calculators says thats a 27 hour delay, rounded up] Please pass through customs and pick up your baggage at baggage claim 22. Then proceed to the KLM desk to collection vouchers for hotels and taxis. Hmm no mention of rerouting.. interesting.
Being smart and opportunistic, I rushed into the first elevator back to Customs. I quickly refilled out the forms for 'entering canada', luckily I didnt have over 10,000 in cash or visited any farms in the last 55 minutes... and as i finished writing and pushing off to run away, some old east indian lady tugged on my arm gently and with a puppy dog / squishy face asked me to fill out her form because she forgot her reading glasses and couldnt see. 'but.. but.. but.. oohh. okay..' I had to fill out her form as well, and while doing so, i say half the plane sprinted by me. This Mohatmar Khamider, from 22 Catherine St, Kingsbury West Midlands UK cost me my lead, but at least I gained some Karma points... right?
Another kick in the proverbial nuts, my luggage was one of the last ones to come out of the carousel as well. By the time I got outside and back to the Departures area, the Line was a one kazillion metres long. Fawk...
Im so Prometheus Society though, and quickly realized waiting in the line would be completely useless unless i wanted to settle for a hotel voucher; I got on the mobile and called KLM booking directly (the sign behind the ticket desk had the number). Surprisingly I must of been on the 'idiot sheep' flight, because I was the only one I could see in line on the phone, trying to make alternate arrangements. There were only two more flights to Europe left that day.. two flights to london from Air Canada and British Airways. The Air Canada one was leaving in 30 minutes, so fat chance for that one, but the BA one was still over an hour away from Departure. And calling ending up being a brilliant plan... I got through right away, and was on hold for only about 10 minutes before they figured out I could be transferred to the BA flight. Once they confirmed it was doable, I jumped up and down like Jill after buying a big bag Kettle Chips, and ran to the BA counter, handed them my phone, and told them to talk directly to the KLM lady. Funny though... some 'idiot sheep' followed me, thinking they could get on too. Suffice to say, I was the last to get on. Bonus points, I got the prized exit seat right behind business class with the endless leg room. This is the best you could hope for in cattle class. I was so happy, I didnt even care I was now flying into the chaotic airport terminal from HELL, aka the brand new Heathrow Terminal 5. The very same Terminal that was like a Jurassic Park disaster zone about a month ago when it first opened, and absolutely nothing worked. The same Terminal where long haul flights were not routed through it until about a couple days ago. The same Terminal that has lost and still cant find over a hundred bags from one month ago. Yet, I was still happy. And the idiot sheep? They were like, how come I cant get on?
Nice one... I even arrived in Dublin 1 hour earlier than previously scheduled, which shocked the ABB Taxi Driver; I got to his meeting point before he did, for the first time ever. And guess what, for the first time in a while, I didnt lose my bags through Heathrow, either. Now Im home. Now what do I do...
PS... Editors Correction: I forgot to mention eating at Vijs on the list from the last post I did. How could I forget? Its almost insulting..
So I had a cancelled flight, the flight back to Dublin via Amsterdam. KLM Airlines are usually pretty good and I ve had nothing but decent experiences, but I did have suspect feelings even before... the moment I found out this was going to be a Macdonald Douglas airplane. Nothing against Mac Doug, its just that long haul flights have always been the baby of either Airbus or Boeing... no one else allowed. Along with never ordering chinese food from a pub, Its a pretty good rule to stick by.
So heres what happened. I check in on time, head to international departures in YVR (still have to say, a beauty, YVR did a very good job here), and wandered about shopping while I waited for the flight to board. Bought some CK Euphoria Deoderant. Tried to find the Watchmen graphic novel in the Relay store, but the only books they sell with pictures in them are ones meant from elementary schools kids. Glanced back to the boarding gate Plasma monitor.. and it started flashing 'Retardez a 21:30' for KLM. The flight was suppose to depart at 18:50 but whatever, stupid Mac Doug planes. I peeked back though just a second later, and it flashed 'Demain'. oh oh. My french is anchor-at-the-bottom-of-the-sea rusty and scaly with barnacles, but I think Demain means Tomorrow. Quesce que Fuck? So I pushed my luggage stroller to the boarding gate to figure out whats going on.
Tension at the gate however was climbing quickly, as it does when a long haul flight has the prospects of being cancelled. The people worst hit are those unfortunate plebs starting their vacation with prebooked hotels and excursions, or connecting through to another European city like me or worser: the combo of both. Again, Stupid Mac Doug airplanes. The KLM ground crew though didnt have a clue to what was going on... deer - big eyes - headlights kinds, and pleaded with us to wait for an official annoucement.
About 10 minutes later the announcement came: Cancelled flight, delayed until Tomorrow 21:30. [calculators says thats a 27 hour delay, rounded up] Please pass through customs and pick up your baggage at baggage claim 22. Then proceed to the KLM desk to collection vouchers for hotels and taxis. Hmm no mention of rerouting.. interesting.
Being smart and opportunistic, I rushed into the first elevator back to Customs. I quickly refilled out the forms for 'entering canada', luckily I didnt have over 10,000 in cash or visited any farms in the last 55 minutes... and as i finished writing and pushing off to run away, some old east indian lady tugged on my arm gently and with a puppy dog / squishy face asked me to fill out her form because she forgot her reading glasses and couldnt see. 'but.. but.. but.. oohh. okay..' I had to fill out her form as well, and while doing so, i say half the plane sprinted by me. This Mohatmar Khamider, from 22 Catherine St, Kingsbury West Midlands UK cost me my lead, but at least I gained some Karma points... right?
Another kick in the proverbial nuts, my luggage was one of the last ones to come out of the carousel as well. By the time I got outside and back to the Departures area, the Line was a one kazillion metres long. Fawk...
Im so Prometheus Society though, and quickly realized waiting in the line would be completely useless unless i wanted to settle for a hotel voucher; I got on the mobile and called KLM booking directly (the sign behind the ticket desk had the number). Surprisingly I must of been on the 'idiot sheep' flight, because I was the only one I could see in line on the phone, trying to make alternate arrangements. There were only two more flights to Europe left that day.. two flights to london from Air Canada and British Airways. The Air Canada one was leaving in 30 minutes, so fat chance for that one, but the BA one was still over an hour away from Departure. And calling ending up being a brilliant plan... I got through right away, and was on hold for only about 10 minutes before they figured out I could be transferred to the BA flight. Once they confirmed it was doable, I jumped up and down like Jill after buying a big bag Kettle Chips, and ran to the BA counter, handed them my phone, and told them to talk directly to the KLM lady. Funny though... some 'idiot sheep' followed me, thinking they could get on too. Suffice to say, I was the last to get on. Bonus points, I got the prized exit seat right behind business class with the endless leg room. This is the best you could hope for in cattle class. I was so happy, I didnt even care I was now flying into the chaotic airport terminal from HELL, aka the brand new Heathrow Terminal 5. The very same Terminal that was like a Jurassic Park disaster zone about a month ago when it first opened, and absolutely nothing worked. The same Terminal where long haul flights were not routed through it until about a couple days ago. The same Terminal that has lost and still cant find over a hundred bags from one month ago. Yet, I was still happy. And the idiot sheep? They were like, how come I cant get on?
Nice one... I even arrived in Dublin 1 hour earlier than previously scheduled, which shocked the ABB Taxi Driver; I got to his meeting point before he did, for the first time ever. And guess what, for the first time in a while, I didnt lose my bags through Heathrow, either. Now Im home. Now what do I do...
PS... Editors Correction: I forgot to mention eating at Vijs on the list from the last post I did. How could I forget? Its almost insulting..
Monday, May 05, 2008
One month later...
I got in trouble a couple times in the last few days. I was asked why am I not blogging by a few peeps. Well, first of all, I think its not the biggest surprise to anyone that knows me, Im pretty lazy. B, I have explained that blogging in Vancouver seems perverse to me; I feel awkward. And 3, Ive actually been pretty darn busy, so busy that I couldnt even read books during my scheduled 'catch up on book reading time' while I was in isolation in Prince Rupert for a weekend. I couldnt even make time to meet Petey. I couldnt even visit Rauls new house in Pitt Meadows (well after all it is way the feck over in Pitt Meadows) I couldnt even go to Lolitas with Kate. I didnt even get a chance to visit some relatives. And I couldnt even make it down to Seattle for a little tip toe through the tulips. And this was while I was on 3 day weeks work weeks, the whole time I was here. If there was one invention that would make more money than the perpetual motion motor (*), it would be a 'dynamic time relativity flux capacitor'; not a time machine per se, because a time machine requires alien technology, and we are not quite in league with such smarty pants aliens yet, but a machine that could slow down or speed up time; definitely more plausible. So every exciting monumental moment in life can be dragged out to SEEM to last forever.. and every horrible moment can last a nano-second. Remember as kids, when the two months of summer vacation seemed to last forever, but also realize during the exact same period, to people like our parents, it probably flew by. This is an opportunity to tweak, equalize and potentially throw a monkey wrench into the works of that balance. Good invention huh? I did think of it before the Adam Sandler movie, he was a total biter. But anyways, with this, this past month wouldn't have seemed like only a weekend in total length.
So yeah, the day, weekend, week, month has gone by really quick. Check out all the things I got to do though..
-Eat at the Naam for the first time in 5 years.
-Eat at The Cannery for the first time ever.
-Eat at Lift for the first time ever.
-Eat at Toshi's for the first time in 2 years.
-Eat at Hapa Izakaya for the first time in 3 years.
-Eat at Italian Kitchen for the first time ever.
-Eat at Galaxy Gardens and Stardust for the best Chicken Chow Mein in not only Prince Rupert, but the whole world.. for the first time in 4 years.
-Eat at Gotham for the first time in 4 years.
-Eat at Hons (House of Noodles) on Robson as much as possible for the Hermes fried Taro and my Cashew Chicken basket.
-Eat at Pagliaccis in Victoria for the first time in 5 years, only to realize that although still very good, not as mindblowing as I remember when I was still in Student-mode. I devised new maths... 9.5 in Student Mode.. need a correctional downgrade factor of 2... so 7.5 in Yuppie Mode.
-Eat at West (thats tonight, its gonna be soooo Keanu Reeves.)
Huh.. there seems to be a theme here. Now I fell guilty and I think I have a lot of working out to do to make up for it. Eating is good, Im not shy. But being fat, not soo good, and i get shy. I HAD to take advantage though, Dundalk only really has one or two really good restaurants... and I lack the eating out partners I have in abundance in this area code. So its completely within sound logic, by my reckoning ( I love the word 'reckoning').
So thanks again to everyone for the good times; happy days. It DID go by WAY too quick. But Ill see y'all in less than 3 months {Noli presses the 'speed up' button on the dynamic time relativity flux capacitor}
n.
Reference Index
(*) For all non-engineer readers, the perpetual motion motor is a motor engine that moves forever, a device that delivers / outputs more energy than what is put into it. An example would be an engine that did not require fuel, apart some intiating energy at the beginning; ie a starting push. However, such a device or system would be in violation of the law of conservation of energy, which states that energy can never be created or destroyed, and is therefore impossible. See, Im so Mensa-material.
So yeah, the day, weekend, week, month has gone by really quick. Check out all the things I got to do though..
-Eat at the Naam for the first time in 5 years.
-Eat at The Cannery for the first time ever.
-Eat at Lift for the first time ever.
-Eat at Toshi's for the first time in 2 years.
-Eat at Hapa Izakaya for the first time in 3 years.
-Eat at Italian Kitchen for the first time ever.
-Eat at Galaxy Gardens and Stardust for the best Chicken Chow Mein in not only Prince Rupert, but the whole world.. for the first time in 4 years.
-Eat at Gotham for the first time in 4 years.
-Eat at Hons (House of Noodles) on Robson as much as possible for the Hermes fried Taro and my Cashew Chicken basket.
-Eat at Pagliaccis in Victoria for the first time in 5 years, only to realize that although still very good, not as mindblowing as I remember when I was still in Student-mode. I devised new maths... 9.5 in Student Mode.. need a correctional downgrade factor of 2... so 7.5 in Yuppie Mode.
-Eat at West (thats tonight, its gonna be soooo Keanu Reeves.)
Huh.. there seems to be a theme here. Now I fell guilty and I think I have a lot of working out to do to make up for it. Eating is good, Im not shy. But being fat, not soo good, and i get shy. I HAD to take advantage though, Dundalk only really has one or two really good restaurants... and I lack the eating out partners I have in abundance in this area code. So its completely within sound logic, by my reckoning ( I love the word 'reckoning').
So thanks again to everyone for the good times; happy days. It DID go by WAY too quick. But Ill see y'all in less than 3 months {Noli presses the 'speed up' button on the dynamic time relativity flux capacitor}
n.
Reference Index
(*) For all non-engineer readers, the perpetual motion motor is a motor engine that moves forever, a device that delivers / outputs more energy than what is put into it. An example would be an engine that did not require fuel, apart some intiating energy at the beginning; ie a starting push. However, such a device or system would be in violation of the law of conservation of energy, which states that energy can never be created or destroyed, and is therefore impossible. See, Im so Mensa-material.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
