A Long, Long Flight

Published on Oct. 16, 2006 in United States

In the last few years I have been privileged enough to travel; travel a lot. International flights aren't a problem.

After my exam I jumped on the MRT to Taipei Main Station, and had some lunch. Knowing that the meals on the plan are built for "average" people, I should eat more. Lunch was mediocre, but filling, and I went upstairs to the bus terminal. The bus was already there (it leaves every 20 minutes or so, and I had plenty of time), so I purchased my ticket and ran for the bus.

The ride to the airport was filled with happiness, for seeing my family, but sadness, for missing Yan-Shih. We exchanged several text messages on the way to the airport, and soon I arrived.

A long line formed at check-in, although I was three hours early (which is a record for me, as you can read from previous posts). I checked-in, mostly without hassle (I actually didn't have an e-ticket, but the ticket was in the office, apparently). I moved to my gate, and walked in.

An hour later some of the flight people requested we leave, very informally, so we departed the gate, and walked outside for additional screening. I've always found the idiocy of the system interesting, and this screen provided a prime example. Immediately I realized that "if" I wanted to bring something aboard and avoid screening, I would have had to simply leave it under the seat I was sitting (or in the bathroom at the gate)(or a variety of places). Oh well, always flaws with the "system."

Everybody boarded the plane, and as usual, I tried to be one of the last people. Since I hadn't picked my seat, which I usually do, I was stuck in the very last row. Luckily, there were only two of us using four seats, so we could somewhat spread out. The problem with my flight out east is how to plan to prevent jet lag. Normally, as many know, you try to sleep on the plane the same hours as your destination (or as many overlapping hours as possible). My problem was that I wasn't going just to LAX, but after landing (in the afternoon), had a SECOND red-eye to Atlanta. When I boarded the plane in Taipei it was 4am Atlanta time. I slept for the first few hours of the flight, however since I usually go to bed at 1am (or later), sleeping was difficult. Eventually I succumbed and watched movies. Like, five.

LAX is a pretty crappy airport, especially since my connection was through the old part (which used to be top-notch when TWA owned it, back in the day). Now it is a construction nightmare, with random elevators uplifting you to random floors. But, since I had ten hours to kill, I wasn't in a hurry.

Somehow I spent my 10 hours in LAX, mostly writing my Thailand journal, some reading, some just goofing off on my laptop. I met a guy who was going to Atlanta in an emergency since his father-in-law died (or some relation like that). Shortly I boarded my flight at around 9:15, and took my second red eye to Atlanta.

The flying time was only four hours, which I was surprised by. My flight touched down around 5:15am, and I collected my bags, and jumped on MARTA (the transportation system in Atlanta). I rode the light rail for maybe an hour before leaving (at the last stop) and I tried to call my sister. Unfortunately, the first phone I used didn't fully work, she couldn't hear me. Even after calling me back, the phone would transmit my voice. The second phone simply ate my quarter, thus leaving me with only a single quarter, not enough to make a phone call. Somehow I talked the ticketing lady to allow me to make a phone call, and learned that my sister was on her way.

Twenty minutes later (a long twenty minutes, after that flight) my sister and her fiancee picked me up in the bottom floor of the parking garage.

Overall the flight was decent, nothing drastic happened. Security wasn't a particular problem with me (I've been thoroughly hastled before by security, so much so that I have missed a flight, almost twice). My one conclusion from this journey is that I hate check-in luggage, and am never going to do it again. For the most part, I never take check in. I have a perfect size backpack that, with sleeping back, I can bring on the plane. I can bring the backpack without sleeping back and can bring my laptop. Since I was bringing a suit on this trip I decided to check it all in. Never again. I had to wait an hour in LAX for my luggage to enter the baggage claim (the baggage from Taipei came last, after the people from KL, and I was one of the last people to get their bags).

ATL and Coups

Published on Sept. 19, 2006 in United States

I'm still in Atlanta, spending much time with my sister's. One of them just got married, which is why I decided to come out here.

One of my sisters is raising a set of twins, and a four year old -- so as one could imagine, I have been able to help out wherever possible. Family is good. Last night I drove one of my sister's friends to the MARTA (train) station so she could catch a lift out to the airport. However, returning back home, I got slightly lost. While there weren't too many turns I had to do, the distance was quite far. When my sister's directions (which included a street with a question mark) were combined with my mom's map (which had the wrong address circled, but an address that surprisingly made sense with my sister's directoins) -- I got quite lost. Eventually I made it home, luckily, ate some yum food, and fell asleep.

Today, however, the world appears to be revolving in an interesting pattern. The NASA space shuttle had some debris fall off. Nothing disasterous, yet, so hopefully it can return safely. What interests me most is that a military coup has occured in Thailand. As you can read from my previous posts, I was just in Thailand. My friend, Sean, is living in Thailand (Chiang Mai) at the moment -- he reported the news to me right as CNN was starting to report it here in the States. Apparently the news stations are all showing pictures of the King. Scary stuff, so I send my best of wishes to him.

Football In The Hills

Published on Sept. 9, 2005 in United States

Today we were up in the hills wandering around. Exploring if one might say. Above Santa Barbara there appeared to be a labyrinth of back valleys, and we ended up at the top of one of them. Overlooking the city, we talked about the "good old times."

Nearby, a concrete pillar thing loomed. After climbing up there, Ben proclaimed "I bet I could throw the football to Pav." Both Ben and Pav played football during high school (meanwhile, I was off trying to figure out how the hell to use Red Hat Linux 5.2).

Without further adieu, here is the throw. I'm the cameraman of course, 'cause that is what nerds are for.

Sleep, Errands and Cliffs

Published on Sept. 8, 2005 in United States

I am oddly aware that my bedtime is decreasing — tomorrow night for that regard is going to be really painful. Tonight will most likely be the last night that I officially sleep in the United States for quite a while! Such adventure.

After briefly reading my last entry I realize just how tired I was. In fact, my browser died half-way through scribing my day… We woke up and luckily my packages arrived — including my airline ticket from Seoul to Kuala Lumpur. I’m SO lucky! We ate some mac n’ cheese for breakfast and discussed life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Luckily a lady, Vanetta from UPS called — she had really helped me with my tickets and consequently I asked to speak to her manager. On roaming (and I made sure the manager knew that) I made sure to add two very good cents for her.

After a few errands downtown we rolled to Red Rock up in the hills. We played around for quite a while and jumped around and off some cliffs. The football provided quite a bit of entertainment: we tried to catch the ball as we were jumpking off a cliff. (I was the first one, thanks to the great throw by Ben, clutch). Some great images transpired (take a look) of us doing random dives. I did a few back flips — my hand was out too far for the one caught on camera and now my entire arm sort of tingles. After Red Rock we went and drove up along one of the ridges. Some great pictures and bonding occured as we bullshit’d about randome stories and hiked on top of this equally random structure. While I was taping Ben threw the football to Pav who was standing in the cars sunroof. I’ll include a link shortly. Afterwards we looked at where Ben used to live, with one of the most amazing views of Santa Barbara.

The day is nearing an end and we are reviewing the video tapes from the day. I have a feeling we will continue the adventure out on the town, but these things don’t seem to be decided until 12:00. I’ll admit that I need to be a little careful right now; I can’t do anything too silly or get injured two days before leaving the country.

Then again, doing backflips off a cliff in the middle of nowhere prolly wasn’t the brightest thing to do.

So, enjoy some of these photos and leave your mark.

Status: Near Sleep

Published on Sept. 7, 2005 in United States

Many people are afraid when their life enters an enigma; I am embracing the uncertainty that will cloud my life in the near future. My previous journies have all been documented by some journal of some sort — this journey will be no different. Let me rewind and share the last few days.

I am no longer in portland. That city has given me so much insight into the real world, so many experiences, compassion, tolerance and hope (no pun intended). Time has come however to start another adventure. I’m nearly done with my education at Portland State and feel confident that I am prepared for the next stage in my life. The weekend I left Portland was hectic, naturally, but relaxing at the same time.

Saturday was a day for me to finish an uncompleted project at work, and the Sunday I finished packing. I said goodbye to many people and around 8:30 dropped my bed off for a friend downtown. Said goodbye to Marla and hit the road. Right as I was getting on I5 I received a call from my friend Elena to stop by Applebees on 217 and say goodbye. Unfortunatly, I didn’t know where the resteraunt was and her directions would only be good if supplimented by a GPS. I eventually found he place, and after receiving a guilt trip for not finding it, hit the road again.

So why was I leaving portland at 8:30 (really 9:30) for a 6 hour drive? My mom. Her indirect communication throughout the day alluded to her need for appreciation — I figured how else could I show my appreciatoin than drive down a day early. I eventually arrived right around 2:00am and fell asleep. The next days were surrounded with unpacking, packing and goodbyes. Last night I went to bed at 1:30am and woke up to get on the plane at 5:15am.

On the plane I discussed values and perspectives with the lady that sat next to me (almost the entire time). Her views were similar to my own, however she unglued parts of my eyelids. A well-presented real-estate agent living in Ashland from Laguna Beach, I intend to keep in rough contact with her.

Eventually I arrived in LAX and was greeted by my long-time friend Ben and his friend Kris. While it is quite irrelevant now, Kris and myself were not in the same social crowds. Regardless, his personality has quickly testified as being very warm. His sense of humor is some type of melody between Robin Williams and Dave Chappele — wity yet blunt at times, my abs (however un-worked-out) at times ache from the laughter generated by his thoughts.

This afternoon we laid on the beach for awhile. Indeed Ben and Kris need to worry little about the sun, I need to realize that too much run will yield me like a Rasberry-cicle. Hopefully I will be good for tomorrow, I usually am.

THis evening Kris and myself cooked food — steak, Chicken, shrimp, a salad. The salad was quite ordinary so not amazing; I could have done better.

My parents seem to be much more supporitve yet ironically worried of this move.

Realizing that I’m all alone in the living room (Ben and Kris are out socializing, but my three hours of sleep somewhat prevents that. — I’m getting tired!

I had better bid farewell before too late.

So alas, gnight, and more stories to come back to!

Kelvin