wednesday

03:00 PM

instead of uber ($115.25), i tried the train ($2.75) and got close. but not quite. the A train takes a little fork in the road away from the airport, to the dismay of me and another traveler. we took an uber the rest of the way ($28), and i learned that he was off to boulder, colorado and tasked with cooking the turkey for his girlfriend's parents who he has never met. he mentioned a trip to iceland ($1,500) is well worth it, his favorite place he's visited in recent memory. we made it to terminal four in good time.

04:00 PM

i didn't think about this beforehand, but you have to get your film cameras and rolls inspected by hand at the t.s.a. since the x-rays could ruin the film. i did that, got through security, but not before contemplating how many creative ways i might inform one t.s.a. agent that she is a dumb bitch. new york t.s.a. is rarely a pleasure — a bunch of relatively young people with a tiny ounce of power and way too much attitude.

05:15 PM

TW is a character. you've never met her, but you would be thoroughly entertained. she is the type of person who tries nearly anything once, ends up in odd and sometimes dangerous situations because of her own curiosity and lack of give-a-fuck, and is very bright and opinionated. we went to high school together, both ended up in new york city, and today, ended up on the same flight to texas.

05:59 PM

i sat next to a couple in the aisle seat that i didn't pay for with a baby no older than two right behind me. she cried intermittently and kicked the back of my chair throughout the entire flight. i'll save my harsh words for incapable parents for twenty years from now, when i'm aware of how difficult flying with a child is.

09:25 PM

m.e. and m.o., the two daughters of s. and j., picked me up from the airport. they've always been a few years older than me, pretty, and bright, so i've never spoken to them too much even though our families spend so much time together. now, it's a lot less awkward and we enjoyed a long car ride back to the country with good conversation. and a burger and two sides of fries from in-n-out at 11 p.m. we passed by the neighborhood my parents live in on the way back. little do they know.

11:40 PM

i am in the baby's bedroom, though not sleeping in the crib. it's a guest room with a crib for their older son's child who i haven't met yet. morgan's name is painted above the closet because, it seems, this used to be her room. right above the bed next to the window is a pinboard with family photos, and when i look at them i feel like an intruder. they told me to make myself at home. i slept well.