Into the unknown, again.
[ 12.19.17.01.03 ]
72 hours before I fly to Paris. I've never really liked Paris. I only have two memories of Paris. The first being lost and alone there for 7 days. A stranger in a strange land, that had no love for strangers. The second glimpses of a movie while in a drunken state at a party as a youth and hearing the voice of Marge Simpson saying, "Forget Paris!" If you want to experience France, I am of the opinion that one should head south. Thankfully, I am not going to be leaving the airport. I simply depart one plane, meander around the terminal and climb onto another. . .
Prague, here I come. This adventure is a long time in coming. Originally slated for last year in the midst of intense emotional turmoil of a failed engagement and being fired from the Evil Empire for my refusal to sign a document that would let them weasel out of my contract and pay me less. I did try to work it out with them at first. They wished to pay me 10% less. I told them if my apartment complex would let me renegotiate my rent for 10% less then I would sign the paperwork. However, the apartment management in so few words replied, "Hell no." Such was the situation then. Now, after pinching the pennies and counting hours, here I am, counting down a handful of hours more. . .
The flight is purchased, the hotel is booked. Now revising my packing list and checking it all over. Making sure that I have all the basic essentials. Though, I have not been able to find where I last left my iPod Touch. This is somewhat of a concern, thought not as much as it used to be. I acquired a MacBook Air (Enter Ellie: Greek for "light", also the name of a pregnant Cam Grrl) last week. While there were many people who tried to talk me out of making such a purchase (including the sales people at Best Buy, and MacDocs: Odd, I know. I thought they were in business to make money) because it doesn't have enough "umph". Believe me, it has plenty for what I need it to do. I'm not the intense graphical artist. Music, E-mail, the web and Terminal open with screen, several ssh sessions, and multiple vim sessions and nothing is slowing down. Now Lexi my VAIO P by Sony, that was underpowered. It's has become my GPS unit and VMWare slave for Ellie.
Vika will be joining me at some point in Prague. After all, this city was originally her idea. I made all the arrangements and then came the bad news. They hadn't gotten all of the cervical cancer out of her last year. She's doing Chemo like it's going out of style and spends each morning as though she has morning sickness. . .
I find myself reflecting back on the adventure with my late dear friend kazamidori. How I took her to see those places she had longed to see before she went on to the next level. I know that in the end no one makes it out of this level alive. But still, but still. We hope, we dream. . .
"
Because the world is cruel and
Promises are broken
Don't try to tell me, anything
Don't try to tell me
You'll be true to me
Because we both know the
Real truth is never spoken
And I know the world is cold but
If you hold on tight to what you find
You might not mind so much
Though even this must pass away
The memories may last for years
But names are just for souvenirs
Some kind of angel let me
Look into your eyes
Don't give me whys and wherefores
Reasons for surprise
I don't care for words that don't belong
And I don't care what you're called
Tell me later if at all
I can wait a long long time
Before I hear another love song...
" - SomeKind of Stranger : Sisters of Mercy
72 hours before I fly to Paris. I've never really liked Paris. I only have two memories of Paris. The first being lost and alone there for 7 days. A stranger in a strange land, that had no love for strangers. The second glimpses of a movie while in a drunken state at a party as a youth and hearing the voice of Marge Simpson saying, "Forget Paris!" If you want to experience France, I am of the opinion that one should head south. Thankfully, I am not going to be leaving the airport. I simply depart one plane, meander around the terminal and climb onto another. . .
Prague, here I come. This adventure is a long time in coming. Originally slated for last year in the midst of intense emotional turmoil of a failed engagement and being fired from the Evil Empire for my refusal to sign a document that would let them weasel out of my contract and pay me less. I did try to work it out with them at first. They wished to pay me 10% less. I told them if my apartment complex would let me renegotiate my rent for 10% less then I would sign the paperwork. However, the apartment management in so few words replied, "Hell no." Such was the situation then. Now, after pinching the pennies and counting hours, here I am, counting down a handful of hours more. . .
The flight is purchased, the hotel is booked. Now revising my packing list and checking it all over. Making sure that I have all the basic essentials. Though, I have not been able to find where I last left my iPod Touch. This is somewhat of a concern, thought not as much as it used to be. I acquired a MacBook Air (Enter Ellie: Greek for "light", also the name of a pregnant Cam Grrl) last week. While there were many people who tried to talk me out of making such a purchase (including the sales people at Best Buy, and MacDocs: Odd, I know. I thought they were in business to make money) because it doesn't have enough "umph". Believe me, it has plenty for what I need it to do. I'm not the intense graphical artist. Music, E-mail, the web and Terminal open with screen, several ssh sessions, and multiple vim sessions and nothing is slowing down. Now Lexi my VAIO P by Sony, that was underpowered. It's has become my GPS unit and VMWare slave for Ellie.
Vika will be joining me at some point in Prague. After all, this city was originally her idea. I made all the arrangements and then came the bad news. They hadn't gotten all of the cervical cancer out of her last year. She's doing Chemo like it's going out of style and spends each morning as though she has morning sickness. . .
I find myself reflecting back on the adventure with my late dear friend kazamidori. How I took her to see those places she had longed to see before she went on to the next level. I know that in the end no one makes it out of this level alive. But still, but still. We hope, we dream. . .
"
Because the world is cruel and
Promises are broken
Don't try to tell me, anything
Don't try to tell me
You'll be true to me
Because we both know the
Real truth is never spoken
And I know the world is cold but
If you hold on tight to what you find
You might not mind so much
Though even this must pass away
The memories may last for years
But names are just for souvenirs
Some kind of angel let me
Look into your eyes
Don't give me whys and wherefores
Reasons for surprise
I don't care for words that don't belong
And I don't care what you're called
Tell me later if at all
I can wait a long long time
Before I hear another love song...
" - SomeKind of Stranger : Sisters of Mercy