IT’S 4:30 p.m., 40 minutes before boarding.
I’ll be flying out of Baltimore Washington International into Los Angeles International.
I guess it will be goodbye Maryland for a while.
I have decided to spend the next few days, weeks, months, whatever in California.
Who knows with this pandemic still not under control in many places of the world.
***
I just passed by Green Turtle, the restaurant.
But I decided to get some lobster sandwich at Quiznos instead.
It’s summer already.
Too hot for beef burgers, and all.
I was just at Green Turtle’s a few days ago.
I went for brunch there while waiting for my flight to Puerto Rico.
I’ll be okay if I don’t see Green Turtle again in the next ten years.
***
My flight is not until 5:55; boarding starts at 5:10.
But I was at the airport early, like 2:45.
I needed the extra time.
I’m still feeling some pain from my surgery.
And I have two huge checked bags in addition to my big carry-on which is all of my Predator laptop computer and then some.
If it sounds like I’m like a turtle carrying my shell of a house, I probably look that.
I feel that.
***
Since yesterday, and until this morning, while packing for California, I realized that I am so ready to move anywhere and wherever the world wants me.
My vision is Philippines before the end of the year.
I’m actually thinking late July, maybe August.
But who knows with the number of cases, and the poor management of Covid in the Philippines?
***
I’m staying with my sister in Los Angeles for a while.
It’s her birthday month, and we are supposed to go to visit Utah next week.
I look forward to bonding time with family.
One of my nieces will not be joining us in Utah, so I will be earmarking some time for her, too.
I’m thinking three weeks with my sister, and I should be ready for Pinas.
***
But a friend in Vancouver is insistent I visit her.
Canada will be lifting its border restrictions soon, if not already.
It might be a while before I see my friend again if I don’t make an effort.
Vancouver is just north of California.
They share the Pacific Coast.
If I go, I’m looking at two weeks; three at the most.
***
My friend is demanding that I stay three weeks, at least; a month or longer is better.
How can I argue?
She feeds me well, and doesn’t allow me to spend at all.
It’s like free board and lodging in Canada.
And all they get is my joyful and happy presence.
Sure, I wash the dishes; but that hardly counts.
***
I like ministering to people that way.
If friends can’t visit me, I visit them.
If they can’t go meet me in some vacation, I vacation to them.
I only have to say that airfares aren’t so cheap.
And they’ll counter it with, “But we will feed you and accommodate you here for as long as you want.”
***
And that is true.
Because I also instantly become my friend’s friends.
And friend of a friend of a friend.
In Vancouver, I can name exactly five people who would be happy to accommodate me.
Who may actually fight for a chance to spend time with me.
And I love them all.
People Iike feeding me; and I love to eat.
***
I’m trying to finish this piece so I can head to the boarding gate.
But I like how this cute blonde guy is eyeing me.
He’s been trying to catch my attention, but I’m so absorbed in this piece.
I really don’t know if he’s flirting.
We are both masked.
And I don’t stare at him as much as he ogles me.
***
I’m wearing this matching summer shirt and shorts.
Gold prints on midnight blue background.
Looks like Versace from afar.
But this is cheap, maybe $30.
But I like the fabric.
It is cool, and I look sexy in it.
My sister-in-law braided my hair before I left the house for the airport.
In the style of Angelina Jolie’s hair in Lara Croft.
***
I am sexy at the airport.
It’s not a new development.
I always try to be sexy at airports.
Unless I’m in a rush.
My alarm goes off. It’s 5:00.
Damn! It took me 30 minutes to write this piece?/PN
