Right Here Waiting

So far so brilliant.  Harry’s Grill again.  Like a dream in the way that people remember.  From Taj to Doubti to Riders to the movie theatre issues.  From the Pepsi adverts to the ATMs to Stayeasy to Sikanze.  Learning to go with the Flow, as our man Jabulani suggests over steak.  Feel like the need to return early is paramount, at this point just hoping it will avoid the mandatory $2K hotel on the return.  As long as the Lusaka COVID test is a pass, if not all bets are off.  Can’t wait for the Mitsy drive to Kafue and Siavonga tomorrow.  Life.  Magic.

Kimono

Typifying the old whiteness in the law school interview with that remark, wonder how off it seemed to young ears.  Two good Comfort Inn video calls, and now as simple as you like to hop across the world to these welcoming arms on the 9th floor.  After a sketchy walk back from “Eataly”, more concerning that the favourite brother-in-law remains in custody.  As we figure things out, and Trudeau looks to crack down further on these honeymoon escapes.

How long until implementation becomes the question.  Nothing but to see.  But the smile, the sunrise this morning over Addis, life moments you cannot beat.  Let’s see what’s next.

I hae been happy thinking

Happy 262nd, fair Rabbie.  Watch the years as they fly.  Kudos to AI for once again organizing festivities to mark the occasion on the proper date, weeknight be damned.  The Toast to the Lassies this year, and so fun to research and write, especially poignant as a newly married man.  The Rigs of Barley and the Golden Locks of Anna some beauties to recite in context, and also love the "stocks and stones" line from his unrequited correspondence.

Reflecting during a Board hearing once again, except within the office rather than at the old Green Toad.  The long reach of the pandemic, 10 months in and no end in sight.  PMJT continues to urge the cancellation of trips, as you wait to juggle the scheduling in advance of the hoped-for departure.  All to see United, ridiculously.  Of course the call lands squarely in the middle of the revised flight, requiring a bit of a rethink.  Can you make it by tomorrow noon?  Nah, prefer to head out early doors via Montreal, on hold now and we'll see what Ethiopian says.  

(40 minutes later) No choice! Tomorrow 'tis.  Now to get the testing done.

Anything else, as the Chair muses about not being around for the next Audit?  A nice run.  In 24 hours you'll be half-way to Toronto.  A ridiculous life, but since it is later than you think...  and of a' the pleasures e'er I saw, she's worth them a'.

  

“Actively Discouraging”

So says PMJT tonight re: international travel, and there is a disconnect between stay-at-home and curfews and the ability to board transatlantic flights.  The doctoring makes me nervous but it must be done and cannot fail.  The risk of being stuck is real but everything can be accomplished from the computer with only slight deceptions.  I wonder. 

It’s later than you think, and the timing requires it.  Good start to the month, and crazy to think that in a non-pandemic world you’d be wrapping up NYC.  Wonder when I’ll ever get back there?  2023 seems a good bet to finish off the MFA.  I wonder if/what I’ll be writing by summer.  Here’s hoping.  Let’s just get to TO and get underway.  I want the Harry’s steak and Sandy’s desert, like I never left.  Do it.

The First Week That Was

Mostly thus far the new year has been greeted from bed, following the joys of the Georgia runoffs and the shock of the Capitol storming.  The way of the mob proving to be Trump’s unraveling.  Almost the perfect storybook ending to the last almost 5 years of obsession since New Hampshire.  Almost ready to pull the plug myself, and Trump’s permanent suspension seems a fitting bit of closure.

Variants taking off and cases getting worse, what can be done but wait.  The next Livingstone plan contemplates a departure to Ontario three weeks tonight, I wonder if I’ll be on the plane.  What about the testing, shall we fake it as long was the original plan?  Sounds right.  The wife is exercising to await your arrival, all else seems in good order.  Firm finished with a bang and there is lots to reference in the 2021 business plan.  How long it lasts remains to be seen, but it’s a big comfort as you wait out the spousal visa ticking clock.  Hope the next incognito effort passes as well as the first two!

Sometimes, a (forgotten memory)

Day 1 always better than day 365.

Later than you think, Doris.  Can you ... heh.  I have exhausted myself into the 2nd.  Resolutions, exercise, starts on the wake-up.  I had words, lost, isn't it always the way?

Springbank, 18

Unexpected levee after the latest of dips.  Glenfarclas, Bunnahabhin, Lochdu, Springbank, Bruichladdich, and then a final 21 year old.  Driedger knew his stuff, glorious, and the “white saviour” awareness of the Zambian-travelling daughter rather incredible.  Connections... in the most unexpected of places.

Before...  Recollection of fears past, upon waking.  But the water temp not so bad, and many other swimmers enjoying themselves on this blue sky morning.  Always a “cold glow” feeling.

As the record plays, later than you think.  Enjoy, when in the pink.  As in today.  The Subway is en route.  This year is going to be the grandest.  

Remember how you took the ring off, to avoid the possible loss, and it felt weird?  Ha.  Another sign.  Bring on this year of magic, I say.  Bring...