Time Zones are Not My Friend....What's that Time Zone? You Thought You Were.....You were wrong!

I apologize if this blog just rambles but I'm feeling pretty out of sorts since I got back from New Zealand. I originally arrived at the airport in Christchurch at 6PM Eastern Time of Thursday evening and did not get leave Detroit Metro Airport until 1AM on Friday. This meant that I had spent 31 hours either in an airport or on a plane. While I'm sure there are people out there who have done more, it makes you want to kill that person sitting next to you on the flight from Denver to Detroit who says: "It's been a long day"...You know who you are!

I am now washing the stink and wrinkles out of all my clothes. On the plane ride back I wore a shirt and hat I had bought in New Zealand. Normally I hate to be one of those people who comes back donning all the garb they picked up along the way but I wore them based on the fact that they were the best smelling things I owned by default. I didn't need to make any enemies on the flight.

I've realized that the secret to a comfortable and happy flight is to find some commmon ground with the people sitting near you as soon as possible. After you've developed a bond they will be less likely to drive their seat back into your knees or shoot you dirty looks when you wake them from their naps to go to the bathroom. I've found this is much easier because of my dual citizenship and because it seems like my family travels more than a band of gypsies...On my way to Auckland I sat next to a nice couple from Chicago, and it turned out thehusband had worked at a school jsut a few blocks from my old apartment...From there on out they shared homemade cookies with me, took periodic "clear the aisleway so Doug can stretch his legs" breaks, and lended me a pen to fill out Customs forms (by the way, if you want to go to New Zealand, don't bring your own honey). On my way back I sat next to a couple from the Boston area, which was excellent since my Aunt and Uncle live just outside Boston...another in!

One thing I actually enjoy about the multi-stop travel is saying you spent time in different cities, and stopping at airports which make you realize just how crappy Detroit's is. On two seperate occasions I was at the Denver and San Francisco International Airports, which were both the Taj Mahal compared to where I had flown from. Denver's is larger than the city of Boston (I could not make that up) and required me to take a subway from one terminal to the next. On my way home I thought I was going to be stuck in San Fransisco (which actually excited me), until I was re-routed through Denver -- I will always be greatful to that city.

Now that I'm back home I'm enjoying all the things I've missed: my own bed, a good shower, not having to drive somewhere every day, real ketchup/mayo/bacon, food that doesn't cost $900, normal coffee with normal names, etc.

I will miss a lot too. It was a great three weeks and really just makes you want to come home for a bit and do it all over again...Maybe I will, maybe I will

Reading - The Potato Factory by Bryce Courtenay
Listening to - Bold As Love by John Mayer (anyone who likes music at all should by his new album, so so excellent)