#he took me about 45 minutes and i was literally jumping for joy when id finished

[veradragonjedi]

Michael pumpkin :)

I love him [ID in ALT]

[heartbreakgrill]

The Walk Home; John Mulaney

Eyes flicker. A head to toe, the anatomy of a girl: Her hair, short yet long and unnaturally naturally curled, the sight of her late yet early morning because she snoozes her alarm at least once and considers it a huge problem. Her eyes, focusing, so harshly on the script in front of her, her eyebrows bent at a 45° angle, creating even deeper creases in her forehead from her years of focus. So many little things that reflected her persona so gracefully he wanted to vomit.

You see, John was never a romantic person. People always said it should come easy, but he couldn't believe it. Everything in life took work, ethic, time. Why would there be an exception for lové?

He couldn't fathom it all: the skin and heat and loving one person so much it physically hurt your heart if you couldn't be with them. He felt that way sometimes, like his heart was screaming because he hadn't seen you when you went home that weekend, like it was digging itself out of his chest, but lighting itself back up when you bustled into the table read.

He nearly jumped from his seat for joy, now that you were sitting across the room from him. Highlighter twirling between fingers, leg bouncing quietly up and down, lips moving so carefully when her own lines came up.

He was so, so confused. Was this love? How could it be when he hadn't done anything to gain it. To earn it. It was like money, right? You had to put in work, ignore the cogs in the machine, press on past them. And that's how the product of love would be made, right? He'd never even held your hand, only served occasional hugs after shows, in greeting, when departing one another. And it's not like the two of you were best friends: You were good friends, but it wasn't the cheesy "if I tell her I love her I'll lose her and ruin our friendship."

No. He just didn't have the right to love you when you weren't even a thing.

Bill brought him from his id, slapping a hand onto his shoulder as he exclaimed, "Wanna call a wrap on this, Mulaney?"

John flinched, "What?" The entire room of actors and other writers stared back at him, eagerly waiting for him to wrap the table read. He was lead writer for this weeks sketches, so he had total control: And it was 10:30 pm.

"Oh, yeah, let's wrap it up. Good job, everyone!" He clapped his hands in the air in mock excitement.

The entire room broke out into a loud, uncontrollable crowd. People flooded the doors, others walked across the room to talk to their preferred coworkers. You sat there for a moment, flipping through your script, with that confused expression on your brows.

"Mulaney-" bill slapped his other shoulder, and John seethed through his teeth.

"I'm a literal crack mom, Bill, my shoulders are going to wither away to absolute dust if you don't go easier on me."

The room was empty enough now that you heard this and giggled lightly. Your eyes lifted to meet his and- did your grin just widen?

John smiled as Bill replied, "Okay, Patricia. Wanna go get some drinks with Seth and I?" He motioned behind him where Seth Myers was packing up his bag.

"Oh-" he glanced over to you and your eyes quickly flickered away. You began to pack up, "No, that's okay. I'm really tired and I just wanna curl up in bed."

"Okay," Bill began to back away as Seth headed for the door, "See ya tomorrow."

"Yeah, see ya." John slowly slipped his script into his backpack followed by his water bottle, pencils, thoughts.

You slung your messenger bag over your shoulder, waving to anyone who was watching. You realized it was only you and John.

"G'night, John-" you yawned midway through his name. You were the only one who addressed him as such- which didn't help his feelings.

"Nigh- wait, you live on the other side of the city?" He interrupted his own words.

You stopped and turned in the doorway to face him, "Yeah, why?"

"Do you always walk home alone?" John pulled the backpack over his shoulders. He stepped towards you.

"No, Seth usually goes with me. But, apparently, he's getting drinks with Bill. We live in the same building," You addressed John's slight confusion.

"Okay, so I'll walk you home."

John pushes past you, out of the door, expecting you to follow. Was he being confident? Perhaps. Or maybe he just didn't wanna see a pretty girls face on the front of a newspaper tomorrow. (Not that ugly girls deserved that- God, what are his thoughts?)

You caught up to the long-legged boy at the elevator- "John, it's okay. I can handle myself- I have pepper spray!"

You showed off the can, dangling from the lanyard housing your apartment keys.

John nodded, "No, I know. But you're also 5'5" and, what? 95 pounds?"

"130." You jutted a rounded hip. Sure, you were short, slightly chubby, and had no upper body strength, but: "John, you yourself said your a crack mom. 6' and, what, 50 pounds?" You mocked just earlier statement.

"Hey, hey," he followed you into the elevator, "Together, we are a force of nature."

"Yeah, okay."

A round of gossip, about both the script and the show in general, stemmed from the elevator ride, stretched into the walk to the subway. It was, unsurprisingly, dead in the subway, save for a passed out homeless man and a group of frat-like boys making a ruckus in the back.

You took a seat on the bench closest to the front, far away from the others sat a seat over, afraid he'd overstep his boundaries.

"Aren't you glad I came?" John motioned to the men, "Smells like pig."

You giggled, "Gross. And, yes, a little bit, I am."

The doors shut and you braced yourself, an instinct that all New Yorkers knew. John forgot because he had gotten lost in your face, swimming in the old makeup beginning to oil around your nose, smudge black under your eyes. They were watery, the contacts inside tired and ready to be taken out. Your jacket was bunched at the sleeves, which were lazily falling over your forearms. The one side of it was falling off your shoulder, and the strings were uneven.

Gorgeous.

"Oh-" John fell into, his elbow crashing into your rib cage. You yelped in pain, pushing him off of you desperately.

"Sorry!" You exclaimed when you realized your reaction put him on the ground. You stood quickly, only to fall back onto the bench because of the force of motion. John began to die of laughter, and you quickly followed.

Bent at the waist, hands propped on knees, guffaws hurling from the back of your throat created lines around your eyes. Your shiny teeth framed the laughter, secondhand creases finding depth from the motion.

The frat boys whoops didn't end, and the homeless man didn't wake up. The subway didn't stop going forward, the tracks didn't stop buzzing, and rats beneath didn't stop running. The world kept spinning- but your eyes locked, and he swore the entire world was shocked by the electricity. You wanted to kiss him, and he felt like he wanted to kiss you, too.

But your stop pushed your forward, on your knees. He stood up and offered his hands to you. You quickly got off, or else you would have stranded.

"Well, that was one hell of a subway ride." You exclaimed, stopping for John to catch up, only for you to fall behind.

He slowed his pace, "Uh, I'd say so."

You grabbed onto the railing and trotted up the stairs, into the cool night of New York City, 69th street. "I don't know why we don't hang out more often."

John wasn't behind you, but he was following you because you lead the way to your apartment. It was at the end of the street, but his heart was in his throat.

"Uh, yeah," he choked.

"I mean, not unless you would want to."

"No! I mean, yeah, yes, I want to. That'd be fun! That would be coolio," He slapped his fist into his palm.

"Coolio? Ya know, for being great at comedy and writing, you suck at getting your words out sometimes."

Speechless.

You stepped through a puddle on accident, gasping as the water seeped through the holes meant to air out your Converse. John I've reacted quickly, scared you were falling and not just tripping over water.

"Oh, hey!" He grabbed you around the waist, tugging you to his other side. Your feet had completely lifted off the ground, a gasp choking itself in your throat.

You gripped onto him by his biceps, which had emitted some unknown strength out of him. He seemed surprised by his sudden reaction, too, which is probably why he attempted to pull his arms off of you subtly. However, because of the fight or flight still thickening his strength, he pushed you away from him. The gasp let itself out and you fell backwards, catching yourself on a set of steps.

John felt like vomiting- he even leaned his palms onto his knees, ready for the acid reflex to present itself on your shoes. He was sweating, small beads covering his forehead. You were crying, head in hands and shoulder shaking- wait, no. You were laughing!

You were laughing your ass at John, who had just presented his crush on you in the best way possible. You'd thought they were there, the feelings. You didn't want to say anything for fear of embarrassing him, but after that whole fiasco- he definitely liked you.

"John!" You screeched in between laughter, clutching your stomach now.

He found the strength to laugh with you, completely letting himself go. He plopped onto the step beside you. "I can't believe I just fucking did that."

"That- was- the- funniest- thing-" you shook your head, hair whipping back and forth across your forehead, "EVER!"

After many more minutes of witch-like laughter, you finally let out one big breath of air. "Oh, my God. That was the best thing that has ever happened to me."

"Ever?" John's cheeks were already red from the lack of oxygen being emitted to his head, but he surely did feel himself blush at that one. "Out of everything that has ever happened to you, that was the funniest?"

"Yes!"

"I don't know, I've seen funnier, moments that didn't include some stupid, crack addict looking, lanky ass, weirdo. Just the pretty girl was involved," he sputtered out, unaware of his words.

You smiled lightly, eyes lit with admiration. "He did it again."

John scoffed at himself, dropping his head in his hands, "He did. You must think I am the biggest idiot in the entire world."

"I don't," you scooted closer to him, leaning down so your lips were level with his left ear, "I don't think you're an idiot at all. I think you've let yourself get too tense over me. I mean, I think it's so sweet that at the first sign of trouble, you pulled me away from it all. But, you realized you were holding me and threw me away for fear of embrassement and rejection. I want you to know that there's no reason to be afraid."

John's tense shoulders relaxed and he slowly lifted his head from his hands. It tilted to the side, to face her own. Their lips were incredibly close, the air between them solely shared for the both of them.

"What?" His eyebrows scrunched up, face heating up once again. "Why?"

"Because I like you, too, John."

He wasted no time in pressing his lips into yours, wrapping his arms around your waist. He pulled as flush against him as he could, letting all of the emotion he'd been bottling up release into kinetic energy. You pushed back with as much of yourself as you could offer, tired but full of your own emotion.

"Hey! You two! Stop shoving your stupid love down my throat! My cats and I are trying to sleep!" A voice from the upper windows of the building behind you caused your lips to peel apart.

Laughter strewn from your lips as you carefully stood, kissing every two seconds, and made your way back down the road.

[seecourtneytravel]

October 5th and 6th, 2018 (Friday and Saturday)

Cebu, New Friends, Excursions

When I went to bed in the hostel, I just laid down and was still in my day clothes. As mentioned before, some idiot from our 8 bed dorm turned off the AC. Maybe it was too cold but I woke up burning up inside early in the morning.

After the AC was turned back on, I kind of layed in bed for a little bit. I looked up the nearest gym available. For some reason it’s so refreshing to me to go to a gym in a different place. I found they had anytime fitness around the corner and I was pretty much jumping for joy inside because I’m a member back home.

I wasn't really interested in having breakfast first so I left with just my phone and headphones. Anytime fitness was literally around the corner in the top floor of a four story plaza.

I walked in and went to the front desk. I said to the woman working, “hi, I’m an anytime fitness member in the states and don’t have my key fob, can you look me up?” She looked pretty resistant off the hop. She immediately said “sorry, we can’t look you up here. But you can pay 500 pesos for a day or 3000 pesos for the month.” I was taken aback. I told her I am already a member and paid that in the states monthly already. I said, “I’ve gone to anytime fitness in other countries and they could look me up. This is the first time I’ve ever had issue because anytime fitness happens anywhere anytime when you’re a member.” She half ass looked me up when the flag on the search box was still showing the Philippines. It said “not found.” She then asked if I had ID. I showed her my license and passport on my phone. She said it wasn’t enough. I told her to get the manager.

The manager came out and had a disappointed look on his face as he introduced himself. I told him the story and he said “Sorry, but if you don’t have a key fob you can’t come in.” I told him I wasn’t expecting to be near an anytime fitness in the Philippines. He then went back to saying that even foreigners always have their key fob when they come and asked me why I didn’t have mine.

The argument had my blood boiling. I then showed them my bank statement that I just had money withdrawn from my bank account October 1st from the company. They said it still wasn’t proof. Then I said what if I had my dad take a picture of it. The manager said he would need to see a live video. I was thinking you gotta be kidding me.

I called my dad on Facebook messenger and it was already 11pm for him. He got up and looked in my room and found my one set of car keys. I had to inform him he had to go on the hunt for my other set that had a purple key fob on it. I felt bad, I made him look in my car, in my bombed messy room, and it took him a while before he stumbled upon them on my dresser.

I showed them the live video of my dad holding up my keys in the camera. Then they said “well what’s the number on the fob.” I asked my dad and he said needed to find a magnifying glass because the numbers were so small. He hunted all around the garage and found it with some digging. I gave them the number and the 1 hour or so ordeal was done. It was principal I went through that because I’m a paying member. They finally let me workout after all that and I killed a great workout. People probably think, “you’re in the Phillipines why are you stressing over the gym.” I’ve kind of lost my gym mojo since being here. It was like I found my home when I saw their was an air conditioned, non polluted, clean gym to go to. And I had a membership!

After the gym I went back to the hostel where they had some cheap food options. After I ordered I saw Anna. Anna was one of the girls from last night that was sitting in a different group. I asked her what her and her friend Carys were doing for excursions. Anna said she would ask Carys and come back in a few minutes while I was eating.

Anna is from Scotland and Carys is from the U.K. and they just arrived to the Philippines. They are also nomads in their 20’s. Anna’s travel stories are incredible, she has has spent five years working in and out of many countries. It makes me feel like my moments of traveling in a country for a month is the equivalence of me going from NY to Canada for a week. She can actually say she had lived in places like New Zealand and Vietnam.

They came back to the table and Carys was extremely hung over after last nights shinanigans. They both arrived earlier in the day and started drinking many hours before I arrived. Anna and I encouraged Carys to maybe put something in her stomach. She ordered an oatmeal and a smoothie but was unable to touch it. She excused herself to go to the bathroom. When she came out she was all smiles and was much perkier. She was able to take in some of her lunch.

We sat at the outdoor picnic tables for what felt like hours of just talking. Once we decided on a tour I told the front desk. I excused myself from the girls so I could walk around the area we were in and maybe find a nail salon.

After walking for a while, I couldn’t find A nail salon anywhere. I did stumble upon a massage spot. For only 250 pasos, I experienced the most painful foot massage of my life.

I got a message from Carys while I was walking back that they were going to go to a cafe bookstore called “books and brews.” I replied yes and was almost back at the hostel. When I got back they were already ready and we headed out.

We made it to the bookstore through a random restaurant alley. It felt like a New York City speakeasy. I ordered the soup and sandwich with a latte. The other girls also ordered a hot latte. It was funny because we all shared that we were normally all or nothing when it came to having drinks. I typically don’t drink alcohol much at all. It doesn’t interest me to have “one or two beers.” I’d rather have coffee or water. Depending on the crowd, my surroundings, the atmosphere, and most importantly, how conversations are going- all depend if I dip into the “I’ll have a blue moon.”

I urged the ladies I had to go back because I had to use the bathroom and the toilets there didn’t have rims. It would be okay if I just had to pee, but I couldn’t squat for like 5 minutes straight for other duties. Filipinos must have quads of steal.

Also, I was supposed to meet Kevin out later. He said there was a table that Blui reserved. We left the restaurant and I started getting ready. Kevin messaged me he was on his way to pick me up. It was the first time I was in a car in the Philippines that wasn’t a taxi!

Kevin picked me up, he was dressed really well. Made me bummed out that I had a pour selection of clothes. I had to be up and ready BY 4am for the excursion the girls and I were taking. Kevin had a 7AM flight to catch to Manila. We figured it would be a short night.

We arrived to the bar Blui and his friends were supposed to be. I guess they were on Filipino time. After a few drinks, I thought I saw a recognizable face. “Is that the mayor from ABCD beach in Guiuan?” He came out of his vehicle with a woman. Kevin had no idea he would be here and we waved him over. It’s crazy that he also came from an entirely different island and to run into the same face. He also flew out of Tacloban to Cebu.

After an appetizer was ordered, Blui and his guests finally arrive after 11pm. We were all pouring sweat in our outside table while the inside was air conditioning. Everyone was content being outside, I kept having to go inside to use the bathroom but really just to catch the cool air.

Time flew, 4 mojios later it was already 230am. Kevin dropped me off at the hostel where my head literally hit the pillow and in an hours time my alarm went off at 330 to get up for the excursion.

4am whale shark tour

I actually didn’t feel as terrible as I thought. Carys and Anna got in the back of our private transport car and I sat front seat. I wanted to sleep the three and a half hours to the whale shark tour. I have a really hard time sleeping in cars naturally but our driver made it so much worse. He constantly started conversation, and as the front seat passanger I wanted to be polite and talk to him a little.

Constantly, the driver would ask..”So Mam, in your country…” over and over again. With different questions from wages to asking me if I could get him a job as a driver. He then asked me if I knew any mechanics to help get him a job. I said flat out, “I really don’t know, literally go there and apply yourself everywhere.” I had to tell him “okay I’m gonna sleep now. My eyes are closing..” he would say “okay mam you sleep now.”

As I tried to sleep I felt like the guy was intentially speeding up to slam on his breaks. By far the worst driver ever. We were all jolted around the car unnecessarily. It was very frustrating. I would doze off and it’s like he was speed, brake, and swerve at the same time causing my head to bounce off the side door. I would look up in a slight panic and it would be a straight road in front of us. I would give him an annoyed WTF look but didn’t have the balls to say anything. If he became a driver in the states he would lose his license first week. Or run a family over.

We arrive to the whale shark tour at about 8am. It was already packed and we had to wait about 45 minutes until our numbers were called. After we waited we all jumped aboard these boats that would take us maybe 30 yards from the shore line. They had 8 whale sharks they were feeding and allowed us to get out and swim with them but not touching them. It was scary and surreal At the same time. There was a time the biggest one was coming straight at me with its mouth opening and closing like some kind of jaws. I saw him through my snorkel and panicked sloth holding on to one of the balancing bamboo beams. The boat men laughed as I screamed. Turns out, I survived. It was cool because Carys had a go pro and caught some great photos.

After the whale sharks we were able to grab lunch. The girls and I sat down and ordered some food. I noticed the driver was sitting afar not eating. When the food came out I went over and invited him to join us. I scraped half of my food onto his plate which was abou 6 shrimp and a ton of seasoned noodles. He began speaking Waray to the server and she brought out pork and rice for him as well alone with an orange soda. I was a bit confused but I guess he could have managed to order his own and I lost half of my meal for nothing. He shared some rice with me.

It came time to pay for the meal. We all dug for our last dollars and worked on configuring how to pay for the drivers additional add on meals. Afterwards he got up and said “ready?” And had no intention of paying. His meal was the most expensive one to pay for so we were all taken back that he added on to the bill. There was also no thank you in return. It was just a bit awkward.

Kawasan Falls

We then headed to the waterfalls which was another 2 hour drive. The spazzing drive was turning our stomachs. As we were just arriving, Anna said “good because I think I was going to be sick.”

We arrived and it was an obvious path the the falls. We were bombarded by locals demanding money and entrance fee in which we forwarded them to our driver. Our excursion was supposed to include our entrence fee and the driver kept asking us to pay. Our driver disappeared for about 15 minutes and then arrived again with another man. The other man was eager to take our photos and was acting as a “tour guide.” The girls and I caught on that he might expect payment at the end. They all voted me to tell him that we didn’t need a tour guide. I went up to the guy and was pretty blunt. “Hey sir. We don’t need a guide we want to be alone- thanks.” He proceeded forward without responding. We didn’t see him for a bit.

We arrived to the huge heavy flowing light blue waterfalls. It was heavily commercialized with a lot of rules and a lot of areas where you had to pay money if you wanted to do anything. You had to rent a life jacket if you wanted to swim close and had to pay 300 pesos if you wanted a table. We did our own thing and refused both. The other guy returned who started to ask if we wanted our photos taken. We blatenly ignored him and took our own photos of eachother. We kept playing around with the “throw your hair back” photos. water was freezing but amazing.

Once we left we had our tour guide take us to the hostel in Oslob where whale sharks were. We tipped the driver 300 pesos for driving us back. The hostel we arrived to was very basic but beautiful. It was called Salangers hostel. It had at least 16 dorm bunk beds in the one room with us being the only people at the moment.

The first thing that caught our eye was this adorable puppy that was half Dalmatian and half lab. It was the first dog I’ve seen that was actually a pet. What is more heartbreaking is that his name was Buddy. I had a delmation and labordoodle and the labordoodle’s name was Buddy.

The hostel owner gave us a ride to downtown Oslob which was tiny and we as dinner at a pizza shop. We don’t even eat much just craved mango juice and a salad then tricycled back.

When we returned, the Canadian from the hostel 7 in Cebu city was there. He was like “hey Courtney!” I said “Sam!” It’s crazy how I kept running into the same people all around. Sam was from Vancouver Canada and was traveling alone while he is out of work. Where he has already gone is where I’m going. We were kind of on the same path but opposite. He was easy going and comfortable to be around.

Sam sat outside and picked up this cute kitten that was meowing around him. I was so surprised he did that but also happily impressed. The animals are so unpredictable here, were finally in a spot where a puppy and kitten are easy to handle and play with like your common domestic animal in the states.

Just as we were about to head to bed a guy from the Congo came in who was also traveling alone. He spoke French but lived in China. Him and Sam planned the whale sharks the next day.

I chose a bottom bunk and put my ear plugs in and eye covering on. The beds were worse than prison beds and it felt like we were upside down.

[mariecheco]

22 hours in Atlanta

I left for the airport at 1pm, was in the terminal at 2, and on the plane at 3. Spirit flight left on time, arrived on time. i love to travel, i know by know that every time you get on a plane you are rolling the dice. Will TSA be backed up, will they want to check your bag, will there be traffic to the airport, will they leave late, or will the flight be completely cancelled. Things were coming together nicely. Blessings received. I wanted more then anything to be at the venue before doors. Landed at 530, that wasn’t looking like an option. I had to travel to my hotel because the venue didn’t have bag check. I wasn’t even originally going to get a hotel, i just wanted to see the show then maybe hang at the airport for a flight that leaves at 4am. People at work convinced me not to. I realize now that I can do this because they have suites at the airport, so a sit in is totally welcome. Next time. 

There is no real way to prepare for what happens step by step after you get off the plane. I don’t know Atlanta’s airport. I dont know anyone that does. I had to figure out how to get to the show as early as possible and navigate Atlanta notorious traffic. I got off the plane and spun around, which way to run, terminal hop? Take a taxi or metro? Whatever jumps out first. It was the metro. It was so easy to manage you could have easily stumbled upon it. All trains from the airport head one direction. The direction you are going probably, north. And there was a train waiting. Yes! It’s was affordable, faster than driving, and guess what: $2.50. I ordered food at my hotel restaurant on the train, something with Georgia in the name. And arrived at 630. The hotel gave me complementary breakfast because they had to change my room around. Hell yes. The hotel had a free drink tasting in the lobby: a martini that tasted like shrimp cocktail sauce. I sipped on it while they grabbed my food. i regret not eating the green olive. The room was very nice. I wish i could always stay at Hiltons. It feels so good in their rooms. I joined their rewards program. It’s not affordable if you are fronting the bill and going on long trips. Maybe one day. The food was amazing. salmon, greens, and corn bread. I called my ride while I was eating and then waited outside for one minute. It was dark and 66 degrees out. There is no better feeling then the summer warmth in a cold Midwest season. Ever travel to Florida in the dead of winter? You know what i mean then. I believe i will be in Florida soon. Maybe my birthday. I have a fantasy of flying to Florida buying a guitar then returning it before i go back. I’ll probably stay home and record music that week. My favorite thing to do and the hardest thing to do: stay home.

I got to the venue at 715. 45 minutes later then i wanted. I asked someone in the front row stage right if he was saving a spot for someone. He gave me a disgruntled yes. There is a nice way to talk to people and a rude way to talk to people. I walked away and accepted second row center stage. The kind people that had been waiting since 5pm said they would make room for me when the time came. Front stage center. From detrioit. Flying spirit.

I packed only a book bag. It felt amazing to fly threw the airport with only a book bag. So used to the heavy suitcase. My dickies backpack did great for the 22 hour visit. 

I talked to the kind people around me and enjoyed their southern accents. Front row center people are the best people. They were men and i noticed how easy it was for me to talk to them. There were two girls standing next to me and i didn’t say a word to. I have messed up reasons on why i think men want to talk to me. Working with Dr. Aziz I’m trying to reset my mind: talking to strangers is not always about sex. We are all people. People don't want to feel alone. Your presence is more then sex. You’re energy means something. Being there adds something. Truely. Isn’t it sad that I’m just learning that now? And not every girl is going to bite your head off. Don’t know how long it will take me to learn that lesson. I would love to have more girl friends. No pun intended. 

Chelsea played a heavy looking Taylor acoustic that had a very tight grain and solid feel. The sound hole was blocked by a black cover. It looked like she barely touched the strings, but the resonated loud and clear. I love Chelsea Wolfe and this was the 5th time I’ve seen her, each time is completely different. I feel like my heart has hardened because I’ve been so turned off by acoustic music lately. Maybe she cracked it. 

I made it back to my hotel exhausted. But couldn’t sleep. I messed with the temperature. Then slept an hour and woke up sweating. Then was up the rest of the night. Round 4 am i just embraced it and started making coffee and writing this. At least ‘id get to enjoy this nice hotel room. Around 5am i went downstairs looking for drip coffee. They didn’t start serving it till 6am. Then went back to my room and showered. At 645 i checked out and sat down for the breakfast. It was freaking incredible. I had their party food: cheese and meats. Then they had fried chicken and biscuit, something that was like sunny side up egg ham cheese and bread, and a slice of flat bread with a fruit parfait. It was the best breakfast I’ve ever had. Cranberry juice. I scarfed as much down as i could. Like a king. I hit the road and took the train to the airport. Once again hella happy with the metro service. It was the shit. I was a little nervous because it was about 30mins till boarding. TSA took about 10 minutes and I got to my gate right as they started boarding. That’s cutting it a little close. I decided that i wanted to get TSA pre-check at that point. This has been a hell of a year. Cali in feb, NYC in April, Cali in August; Portland in October, Boston/Maine in October, Atlanta in November. That’s 13 flights. I’ve also driven to Chicago, up north, and Pittsburg as well. 

There is this little boy, i would say 2 years old, looking at me from the seat diagonal with literally the biggest grin I’ve ever seen. He is adorable.  There is nothing cuter then a small child using an adult armrest. So adorable. Honestly this one of the highlights of my trip. Being around such radiant joy is incredible.