(Tuesday (I think), just gone PM) ….. Oh dear, let me come round! Very briefly – the journey, up t’north had no problems and it was the same for the return journey darn sarf. The brief meeting with my Mam was very, very enjoyable and it was good to see her, especially on her birthday. In reality we ‘only’ went out yesterday morning – it was envisaged I would be setting off (back here, by 1400 at the latest but), as oft the case, timekeeping, aided by a huge plate of fried fish & chips (vid to follow), went out of the window. One issue, of note, was the ‘filling her in’ about my recent trip to the US – she thoroughly enjoyed my describing the various events (as I hope you will, in due course). She was (desperately) trying not to show further interest in / about WBG and I, ever the tease, fed little snippets. Mam listened, as they do, but didn’t press me on any one aspect of the (person) description but is, I guess, waiting for me to ‘come out’ watch this space.
Hope you enjoyed the Twitter snippets that I posted, over the weekend? The ‘pleasure’ I enjoyed (using my mobile ‘phone), to post quickies was shattered when I arrived back here @ CS. I had received my latest (first) bill from my mobile ‘phone company. My arrangement, with them, is simply to be supplied the sim card and I enjoy the mutually agreed terms of service. One such term was. for $7.50 per month, 24/7 Internet access. This is very useful – I have been able to check my mail and post the Twitter rubbish. So what? Well, examining the account I find that I have been charged for Internet access – bummer! Calls to the help desk, last night (I had better things to do), revealed that the idiot/s that agreed my ‘signing up’ had not added the Internet ‘bolt on’. The assistant, to her credit, sought to change all this but couldn’t because of the time – she promised to pursue this as soon as she started work later today and to ‘phone me with an update – I will be seriously impressed if she does this (and sorts out the problem) – watch this space.
The Dog appears to be much better. The Elder gave in and took him to the vet. The vet. (I hate him!), has prescribed various medications (most likely K & M or similar), ‘protein tablets’, two shots of something, the consultation and, probably something else. The Elder has bought a load of fresh chicken (breasts) and boiled up the same – The Dog is loving it! Loads of good food and care – the downside is that he has gone from being loose to being bunged up – consequently nothing is ‘happening’ except he’s farting, frequently, and issuing high grade, nose clearing fluffies.
I have to go out in a few minutes – I need to make a ‘phone call and The Elder / #3 are both up and about. Not to worry – here’s the next chapter of the vacation. You recall that I was now fully checked in and had just passed through the final gate – the 777 was parked up, ticking over and we passengers were waiting to be called forward. Any last minute doubts? Not a chance!! ‘Follow me, please’, said the attendant …
Walking along the passageway thingy we arrived at the door of the ‘plane. Standing at the door was a young man, not a hair out of place, fresh professional face holding his ‘welcome to the aircraft’ smile assisted by his dazzling, perfectly matched, white teeth (the man’s a freak I thought). Through the door, ticket checked and a polite direction in to the ‘plane.
Wow! My eyes, immediately, fell on the seriously impressive seats – individual, compartment, remote control for the fair sized TV screen, lots of leg room, cushions – wow! This is what I was looking forward to! However, another smiling set of teeth advised that I needed to move down the aircraft – oh! No probs, methinks, the next set of seats, whilst nothing like as good, were, nevertheless, attractive, well cushioned, good leg room with, it has to be admitted, a smaller TV screen – OK, I could live with that – for the long journey ahead. Yep, smiling teeth was there again . ‘if Sir would move further down the aircraft please …’. Hmmmm …. I had arrived in the ‘standard class’ area i.e. where the riff, like me, were seated. Narrow seats (not much help if you have a broad bum!), limited leg room – not much good for my 6’ 2” long body. Could be worse – I had chosen to sit in the centre row (imagine three columns (rows) each with three seats), I was sat on the edge and could, at least, open my legs (I need not discuss further). On my left was a charming Indian lady and her daughter (more like grandmother / granddaughter). We never spoke throughout the journey. The ‘plane was filling up (with Christmas approaching I guess this was to be expected). Soon we, sardines, were all seated and strapped in. 1000!!!! Take off was delayed. After a few minutes, we started to taxi, lined up and whoosh – orf we jolly well go … Within minutes we had levelled off, seat belts were undone (not me!) and a queue formed outside the toilet. Not SEH, oh no!, he wasn’t leaving his seat and kept a firm grip, so to speak, on the various muscles. Drinks were served – oh yes – this is good!! A meal, oh dear, soon followed – OK, it was a cheap flight and the meal was OK but looked / tasted and was cheap. I felt for sorry for the Indians alongside –they had ordered a vegetarian meal and it hadn’t been booked / sorted. They ended up with crackers and something or other (huh! I was starving – they could have given me the rejected meal). Squinting I identified what I was given to understand was a TV (about 3” square), this was set in the back of the seat that I was facing (the seat in front – duh!). The passenger sat in this seat was a black guy and he must have weighed about 300lbs – he must have been uncomfortable - I mean me with my 220lbs bulk was finding it a bit tight. Suddenly 300lbs pressed whatever it was and the top half of his seat advanced towards to me – whoa!!! Where the frickin’ hell has my space disappeared to? Grit your teeth boy, grit your teeth ….. he didn’t move his seat back until the flight ended, nearly 10 hours later – what did I do? Not a lot I could do except move my (squashed) legs from time to time taking great joy in pressing the back of his seat (which, as he was asleep), caused him to wake up – ha ha ha! I gave up watching the TV – I would have had more fun using an IPod.
The journey continued, without any distraction, except with about an hour to go, the cabin crew came round with various forms that had to be filled if you didn’t have a US Visa / passport / permit and the like. The form, that had to be completed, (and if approved!), provided access to the US for no more than 90 days and the applicant had to agree to meet other requirements (e.g. not seek employment and other stuff). I was worried about this. I wasn’t sure what to do, didn’t know how to answer the questions. I did know that, on arrival, I would be interviewed by US Immigration staff and I didn’t want anything to go wrong. I filled in the form to the best of my ability. Still not used the toilet. (though the need was building up).
Lordy lord – we are lined up for landing … Touch down!! I knew that queues could build up at Immigration and I didn’t want to be delayed – after all I was meeting WBG (for the first time – though we had previously ‘spoken via a web cam). I was off the ‘plane ASAP and followed behind a guy that seemed confident and knew the routine. Off he went, across the reception area (at quite a quick pace) – I followed, getting out of breath, but determined to keep up with this expert. Oh yes. Stay with him SEH. Imagine my surprise! He, still walking quickly, walked in to a room (I followed) – it was the men’s toilet!!! He rushed to a compartment from where, within, could be heard loud / thunderous rumbles and blasts – there was, also, a certain odour but we may move on from here. I didn’t use the facility but went outside and saw others, from the ‘plane’, walking towards what was obviously the reception area. Calm down SEH!! I followed and joined the queue. I was impressed – airport staff were going down the queue checking paperwork (a sort of pre check before I arrived at the Immigration Officer’s desk) – my paperwork had been completed properly! The queue moved on and suddenly it was my turn to go forward. Despite my worries the officer was extremely polite and professional – he checked my paperwork, asked me a few simple questions and stamped my passport. He did affix a sort of label that had to be given up when I left the US (within 90 days). It was all a bit surreal – I had left the UK at 1000 (or so), it was now 2000 UK time and it should have been dark (and cold) – instead it was 1530 US, extremely bright and sunny! It was a shock for the body.
I am getting closer to meeting WBG! How would we meet? Would we recognise each other? What would we do? Do we shake hands? It’s a while since I have kissed? What to do with my hands? Oh dear I want a wee!!! I followed the crowd, retrieved my luggage and, with heart thumping, uncomfortable feelings (steady on – it was my bladder), ‘down below, I advanced towards the final doors. As I approached the doors, which opened and closed automatically as people got near to them I could see, outside so to speak, a sort of fenced off walkway – maybe 50 yards long with people (those meeting the arrivals) on either side. A much larger number of people was at the end of the ‘walkway’. Inevitably you could see people holding up paper / cards etc. with the name of the person that they were meeting. I suddenly felt all alone. There was no one around me. I could only hear my heart beating. I was walking almost in a daze. I wanted to wee (and more). 10 steps to the door….. six steps … I am at the door, the doors are closed – as I approach them the doors open – I feel self conscious as a sea of faces look at me …. the doors close behind me …..
More later …..
Footnote – having to end a telephone conversation early (The Dog stinking out the house), letting The Dog out has, subsequently, revealed that he ‘is firm’ – hurrah!!!
Only time … 
The net curtains are quite old and my ‘gripe’ is that she leaves washing them for weeks on end. I made the mistake, only once, of washing them and, apart from them shrinking, they were a bugger to iron – ah well. you learn. The recent trip up t’north resulted in my Mother providing me brand new, gleaming white, net curtains. These have been hung in the lounge and look good – so, to where am I leading you (patient) readers? The problem is that the curtains have a ‘drop’ in excess (1 foot) of the window height. So, SEH wants to cut them to size and make a new hem (on the top). All this evening has been spent a’learning the intricacies of bobbins, tension, stitch type and so on – with no material to practice on I have used A4 paper – hardly suitable but it works. Watch this space. I had better get the off cuts of thread picked up – the floor, of my room, is covered with cotton off cuts – looks like multi coloured worms. Honestly, I should get out more often – what a way to spend your birthday. Next year it might be different …. sigh, I think I said the same thing last year.
