When they invent the transporter, I'll be first in line

[gwyn]

New York tomorrow. Crap, I just looked at the weather report and it said thunderstorms. Every freaking time lately I travel past the Rockies, there's a damn thunderstorm, and that means insanely delayed/cancelled flights or flying into other cities and trying to find your way to the place you're supposed to be... blech. My anxiety is increasing by the minute and my stomach hurts. I just hate flying but the dumbass corporate travel guy made it worse by booking me into window seats when i'd asked for aisle, and I think the likelihood of having success at changing my seat is next to nil. I've never had any luck with that except with Alaska Airlines, and it's been decades since I've flown on Delta so I have no FF number or anything else to back me up on my request. I just know that the weather report means I'm going to be stuck at Sea-Tac or in the air for hours, increasing my anxiety even more. If it was just the flying, it would be endurable, but it's the being held prisoner at the airport, juggling heavy bags and trying to find places to sit when you're by yourself, being hungry because you can't afford the five dollar bagels and shit like that that make me hate it even more. The being herded like cattle into your slaughter pen, and wondering if you can get your carryon crammed in the overhead if they're all taken, and everything else.

If there was something good on the other end of the line, that would be one thing, but it's a social event tomorrow night that I'm supposed to be there for, and then an all day meeting on Friday, and a gruesome dinner that I'm seriously giving thought to blowing off because I found out the other day it's actually in Brooklyn, where I've never been, and I'd have to take the subway, which I don't like, and follow directions that don't give you a clear sense of where north and south are (really, how the hell am I supposed to know, in a strange environment, which is north or south? Why not say left or right?). If they're going to make it harder, I don't want to go -- and honestly, most of the people I don't like, so... the big problem is that all the NY peeps who've mentioned getting together, I'm not sure I can do it now. I wanted to but I can't get a clear sense of when I will be free (or even when I will be in town, now).

Since they didn't tell me where to go at the NY Public Library where this party is, I went to the NYPL site to look up the specific room and found that they had basically no info on the library building itself for someone who's an out of towner. It was very frustrating. I called the main number but no one answered. So, because I've learned no other lesson in my 25 years as an editor better than "how to look it up," I called the research librarian line. I said, "Well, I have a strange research question that involves you all" and at first she seemed annoyed by me, but then I explained to her that I had been all over the site, but could not find out information on where this room was located, and she gave me the info I needed -- about the sekrit entrance, and everything. I even found out that since i was coming in after hours, where to look for easier access, and that the reason I couldn't find the main branch listing for the hours was because "the one with the lions" is called the Research and Humanities branch or something like that. Suddenly it all made sense. I told her that I'd learned quite early that when in doubt, call a research librarian, and thanked her profusely for her time. She seemed quite happy by the time we finished; i think they don't get many questions about private parties at that job. I heart my research librarian friends, I tell you. I heart all research librarians.

It looks like a long walk from the hotel to the library, but seems like a good walk, down 5th Ave. Which could be worse. That is, assumng I get there in anything resembling time. I'm just filled with dread over having to take a cab to the hotel (especially after watching the Bone Collector) but I don't know if I'll have enough time to get a shuttle express-type thingie.

Emma's got pouty "mom's taking a trip" face on and is meowing balefully around the house. I took dad out for Father's day dinner last night, since I had to work Sunday night, and told him I still hadn't made a will out because I can't decide what to do with the really big things. I'd always expected to leave them to Sis_r. I said, if I die in a fiery plane crash, can you still get control of my estate? He said, You bet your ass I'm going to get control of it. He's still a funny guy.

But! Steve and Kayla saw each other today, even though he doesn't remember who he is. There is something to live for after all. (Though the woman with the old tapes never did get back to me, wah. I'm really sad because I was so, so excited at the prospect of seeing all those things again.)

Comments

[kirbyfest.livejournal.com]

Steve and Kayla saw each other today, even though he doesn't remember who he is.

Ooooh! Really? I thought they'd drag this out for weeks.

(Must catch Soap Net rerun tonight, which means must get offline, walk Dog, and get to gym so I'm home in time...)

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

YES!!!! AND SHE FAINTED!!!!111!!!ELEVENTY!1

I was so totally, totally wanting either her or Jennifer -- someone, anyone -- to faint when Steve and Jack showed up. What could be more cliche than amnesia and husbands back from the dead? Fainting, dammit! So, so perfect.

::dies of happiness::

a few practical thoughts

[nwhepcat.livejournal.com]

If you can get to the airport early, ask at the desk or the gate to be switched to an emergency row. (If you're willing to do all the stuff on the card.) They can't give those away until they eyeball you, I think, so those are open until maybe a couple of hours ahead, maybe closer.

If that's not workable (I've seen airlines that charged for those, and it's like honey, fuck you!), ask at the desk if they can change you because you need an aisle seat. There may be some empty space and they may be able to accommodate you. Since they work with the surly ass public, the nicer you are the more they may do for you.

If that fails, you might ask a passenger nearby. Heck, I've switched seats with people just so couples wouldn't have to sit apart, and the flight attendants are okay with it. And if you don't have claustrophobia issues, getting on as early as you can is good, then you don't have to worry about the overhead getting all full.

Pack your own bagel, nobody cares. I used to drag around enough food to feed a family. I do that to a lesser degree now (am in a period of trading money for less crap to carry, and many airports have decent food now), but always have snacks. (If you're flying into/out of Newark, take a snack going back home. The food court is not all that. Might actually be true of all the NYC airports.)

As far as the walk to the library (you *are* going to the Lions one, right?), it's about a mile. Just under. And yes, that's a very nice walk. You'll get to stroll past Saks and the Trump Tower (tacky!) and St. Patrick's Cathedral, and lots of interesting people. Sixth is probably nice for the return walk, just for different views. You'll get to pass Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall. I'm probably forgetting a wad of things you'll pass, even though I used to be in that neighborhood every single day.

Hey, if you can sneak away from any of the doings, you might want to check out the Museum of Television and Radio. Not only are there tons of screening rooms with jam-packed programs of different types, there are also consoles where you can order up something you're dying to see and sit alone or with a friend and watch. I've been a number of times, and saw some music specials, Margaret Mead documentaries, the two part series ender of "The Fugitive." They do have soap operas, but of "Ryan's Hope" they only had one ep and it was of a not spectacular era, so I don't know if you can get your fix of your show, but you can check into it. It's on -- hell, they moved it so I might be slightly off, but somewhere around 52nd Street and Fifth or Sixth.

Re: a few practical thoughts

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

Would you believe I actually had success changing my seat? And I don't know if it's an exit row, but he aske me all the exit row qustions, so I'm keeping my fingers very crossed. he was really nice and helpful -- I couldn't get logged in to check in online, and so I had to call and call and call, and I finally got through to someone in India I think, but he was very helpful. turned out the corporate travel folks didn't even give me the right check in number. Whee.

I know they don't release seats until 24 hours ahead of time, so I'll try again for the return flight on Friday night or Sat morning, see if I have any luck. Probably not, because he couldn't get one for me so my guess is there haven't been enough cancellations, but I'll keep trying. Delta gets my seal of approval so far, we'll see how the rest of it goes.

You know, now you're making me wish I was going to spend more time there! My hotel is like a couple blocks away from the TV museum. If nothing else, I could have looked up Three Men in a Boat with Tim Curry and Michael Palin or The Lady's Not for Burning with Richard Chamberlain and Eileen Atkins, two things on PBS in the '70s that I loved beyond measure and that I've never been able to see again since then. Crap! Now I have to go back to NY again!

That does sound like a good walk, and a mile is nothing for me right now (if only, though, my figure actually showed how much walking I do). I would love to see St. Pat's again even if just quickly. I'm armed with Pop Tarts and Kashi peanut butter bars, but man, what I wouldn't give for an inflight Egg McMuffin.

Re: a few practical thoughts

[nwhepcat.livejournal.com]

You're staying at the Warwick, right? 58th St. or so? If so, that's around a mile. If it's closer to the museum, not even that. (20 Streets to a mile, is the rule of thumb.)

I hope you have a good time, even with the work thing. (And yay, seats changed and nice rep on the phone!)

[par-avion.livejournal.com]

Hop Stop (http://www.hoptstop.com) is good for subway directions. It is quite specific and generally tells you "turn left" not "go north".

Of course, I live in Brooklyn. I might be able to tell you where it is. :)

Good luck with changing your seat. Sometimes, when I check in, the computer asks me to confirm my preference. I think the early birds get the worm, in this case.

I've been DLing clips of Steve & Kayla. They're wmv and the quality varies, but there are a lot of them. I think someone who owns the tape you're tring to buy probably clipped it for this one Deveraux website.

My schedule is really wacky this weekend (I forgot about a baby shower and a family birthday, can you tell I don't really want to do either?) There's always Vividcon :) If I doo get to see you, I'll try to remember to make you a disk of the SK clips.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

You know, it's weird -- I was trying to limit my stay as much as possible (and also, the company is only paying for two nights at the upscale hotel so that was out of my league right now to pay for on my own) because I was just so unhappy about having to go for work, and now I'm realizing that ... well, crap, there's all this stuff to do and people to do it with. I was not taking the long view on this one! Just so bitter about work stuff and the whole flying thing. I lvoe the being there, the seeing people, the sights... but it's the getting there that makes me beyond miserable. Hence, transporter.

I'm sorry you're down right now. I don't know if there's anything I can do, but if there's any possibility of a get-together, I will try to maybe bring a smile.

[abrakadabrah.livejournal.com]

Don't worry about taking cabs from the airport to downtown NYC - it's much, much more convenient than going by bus - unless you really fancy going by the slower, less direct method. But then I haven't seen the Bone Collector.

And if you are going to the main building of the NYC library - it's a gorgeous building - it was renovated recently, so enjoy your party, which sounds fun and enjoy the trip.

[mystic-savage.livejournal.com]

Oh hey. I forgot you were in New York this week. I'd like to get together with you on the night of July 1st (sunday). I've got a babysitter 4-8 or so.

virginia

[suzanne-laura.livejournal.com]

Hi - I came across your posts when I was searching for fic and I've been grinning my way thru all your recent S&K squeeing. Your observations about Steve's character and the elements of the story that you see in all your subsequent fannishness really resonates with me. (And you've got an icon from my friend ropo - she made mine, too!) Anyway, I commiserate with your desire to see the old stuff. I've spent the last 2 weeks watching my old tapes and it has been so much fun. Yes, some of it's cheesy, but sometimes it's just fabulous. SN especially is phenonemal. I've got just about everything from their first meeting thru wedding #1; spotty after that (though a friend just gave me her edits of the Civil War plot). If the woman you contacted doesn't respond, let me know. They'd be third generation tapes (copies of edits) so the quality probably won't be great, but ...