Ultramundane.com -- It's Just Not Natural.

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Friday, September 14, 2001

Leaving the House.

OK, we're not going to Disneyland, as I wrote in my diary. But I am planning to leave the house, something that I haven't really done since our extended Monday travel-shopping expedition. I think the Boyfriend and I will have lunch in Sausalito, take a field trip to see the Bay Model, and maybe catch a matinee.

I'll report back to let you know how I fare away from Cathode Ray Tube radiation.

11:57 AM PST (link)

Thursday, September 13, 2001

Peace in the Chaos.

Disasters always bring out the crazy people. And the Doom-sayers. And the encroaching loss of privacy..

I've found nice distraction from all of this: Tranquility. It's a neat little "puzzle" game for the Macintosh with no time limits, no losers, no death, no destruction. It's very calming, like watching tropical fish. Demo and free versions are available. Highly recommended.

06:41 PM PST (link)

Tuesday, September 11, 2001

Cancellation Confirmation.

I'm doing this all in reverse now. Hotel reservations cancelled. Next up, bag unpacked, traveller's checks cashed, bags put away. When can I get back to confidence restored? So frustrating. I just had a polite little breakdown on the phone with the Boyfriend; he was able to hear what few words I could squeak out between sore throat and tears (again, with the waterworks. What is this shit?) I'm calmer now—getting his perspective on things usually helps. Aside from the trip there are a couple of things going on which I don't want to discuss here at the moment, so at the risk of sounding overly dramatic, "cancelled" is how I feel about a lot of things right now.

And congested, still. Anybody else want this headcold? I've got plenty left.

08:06 PM PST (link)

I'm Totally Gobsmacked.

So maybe today isn't the best day to take a flight out of the country. Even if we can leave today, would I want to?

I'm flabbergasted. Watching New York City bloggers who I read give their perspectives on the disaster (and check in to say hello): Sparky, Choire, Andy, Bertie.

Trip Update: British Airways this morning seemed to think our flight could leave tomorrow morning at 9AM from SFO. I'm not counting on it. They now report that no US flights will occur tomorrow either. We had been discussing whether or not to take the flight if it was available or to reschedule our vacation. It looks now to be the latter, since, speaking strictly pragmatically, we've already lost several days of it to begin with.

Of course, in the face of the disaster in NYC and Arlington, this seems totally shallow and superficial of me. "They've ruined my vacation! Waaah!" But would you get on a plane tomorrow? The Boyfriend and I talked about; I still don't think we've completely decided. This is the very heart of terrorism—to control a people through tactics of fear. Not taking a flight because of a terrorist attack is cowardly in its face; to take the flight, though, is stupidity.

Freedom is a scary thing
Not many people really want it.
—Laurie Anderson, "Statue of Liberty"

08:23 AM PST (link)

Not Quite Done.

I will regrettably not have any of my pictures from the blogmeet developed, scanned and posted anytime soon. I spent too long today shopping and preparing for the trip. But I had a good time, and I hope I didn't scare anyone more than I usually do. (After Philo looked at me like I had two heads, I'm not sure I succeeded.) I'm not normally a mouthbreather, guys, honest. It's just that I'm hosting something viral to circulate around the plane.

02:22 AM PST (link)