My worst flight

(I promise this has a happy ending)

I had the worst flight of my life today. (not exaggerating) It started when they closed the door, and the guy on the other side of the aisle from me threw up. Made his way to the bathroom (which was only 2 aisles back) where we had the pleasure of hearing him continue to throw up for approximately…eternity.

Then there was the engine problems (don’t worry we won’t in the air), and the waiting for takeoff. As I sat on the (nonmoving) plane, I had (a lot) of time to sit and think on the ground, about Detroit, New York, and my life in between.

I love New York, and less than a week ago I didn’t want to leave to go be with my family in Michigan for Thanksgiving. But, there’s always a little apprehension in returning to New York after a visit anywhere, particularily a visit home to Detroit. Before you leave, the ball is rolling, work, play, friends, you’ve got your groove. Then…you leave and return to usually find the ball at a complete stand still.

As I sat on the (turbulence ridden, but finally in the air) flight, I thought of my current life. A life I love, but a life that is changing quickly. Almost every aspect of my life is currently in the process of changing…my job ends at the end of the year, my roommate moves out in March, a show closed that I’ve been working on for 2 years, and I have some new but more independent creative projects…

And, as I sat during the (very bumpy) landing, I thought about how the transition back into city life can be. It’s hard to feel like you leave a hole in a city that already barely has room for you, but basically I wanted to be missed.

Then, during my (pleasant and prompt) cab ride back to my apartment, I remember how much I love my life, struggles, changes and all.

(Ready to get that ball rollin’ again) I walk in to a clean apartment. On our table was a plate of chocolate chip cookies, and a Sephora gift pack from the strangers who guested at our apartment while we were away. Best of all, I had mail waiting…a packet from Sundance confirming I will be there this January, and a contract from the magazine I just sold a piece to. (Paid. As in, for money. Yippee!) The only thing that could have made me any more certain my city missed me is if I had a voicemail from a boy saying “I missed you”. (sigh) There’s always my next trip… =)