The Open Matt Project

Ho Ho No

Pre-Day One:
I was pretty apprehensive about going to New York in the first place, so it was no big surprise that I waited until the last moment to get my shit together before leaving. In the end, the exit strategy was pretty simple. I threw a bunch of stuff in the old bag, called Liz (thanks!) for evac, and headed off to the airport. I made it with time to spare, as usual, and by 11PM I was onboard and ready to go.

I had the window seat on the right side of the plane and right until the last moment, there was no one in the seats next to me - which made me hope I could get a little shuteye in the relative comfort of a three-seat bed - but as the last people filtered in, a woman hustled into the aisle seat near me. This left an empty seat between us. In the last flight I had taken to NYC, this same situation had occurred and the woman on the aisle seat had been uncomfortable the entire flight, endlessly shifting and grunting in a futile effort to get comfortable enough to catch a few winks.

It drove me insane. I can't stand to be around people who are visibly uncomfortable if I can help it at all. I decided that this time would be different. I immediatly explained to the woman that I had no plans to use the extra seat and she should use it as much as she likes, for whatever she likes, without concern for me.

She said thanks, but seemed very uncomfortable and annoyed. I asked what was wrong and she explained that there had been a fire in San Francisco that had killed the power to the Opera House where she was performing in The Nutcracker not more than an hour before. Apparently the delay caused by the power outage had resulted in her barely catching the plane - which meant she had come directly off a performance to the airport. No shower - no rest.

Well, who couldn't understand being upset by that? Well, long story short, I gave her my seat and she ended up curling up on the two seats next to me. I think she got a little rest, at least. After we landed at JFK, I suggested we share a taxi ride into the city and even though she really didn't need to, she was kind enough to save me from a bus ride by agreeing.

We talked a bit more on the way into the city, and it turned out she was 21! I was pretty surprised, even though in retrospect it makes sense... I don't think there are many old ballerinas.

Day One:
I left my travelling companion (yes, I forgot her name. My friends will understand.) at 38th and Park (ooh, swanky!) and cruised down to my dad's house in the village. We had coffee, talked, and eventually mosied on down to Brooklyn to surprise my sister (ha ha!) and eat lunch. That went by without highlights, partially because I don't remember them since I was going on about 4 hours of sleep per the last three days, but also because it was a pretty short meal.

After I got home, I had the requisite and very enjoyable politics talk with my dad and made plans to see Mia, an old high school flame (of sorts), uptown later that night. I decided shortly after that to be smart and cancel plans, since I was beginning to feel the effects of no sleep til Brooklyn. Good move. I passed out and slept like a rock, barring one short call from Sasha, until the next morning.

Day Three: So far New York looks a lot like my house. I've been lying in bed for two days now, sick with the flu. My sister got it, and Denali, and Christmas dinner has been cancelled.

Posted by Matt at December 24, 2003 06:34 AM