A Rough Day!

I'm back home now, but not until I was extended into doing another RT -- this time DFW-Syracuse-DFW, a very long 6 hrs and 45 min of flying. AND TODAY WAS MY SCHEDULED DAY OFF! But, today's flying is time-and-a-half, or 150% of regular pay. And I get my lost day off back. Tomorrow, an FAA regulation, the seven-day conflict rule, keeps me from flying again until Friday.

After a long day, I took a nap and now I can't sleep. It's 3:30 AM. I'll hit the bed soon, though. The NCAA tourny starts tomorrow late morning. I want to be up for that.

DATELINE: Springfield, MO

I HATE FLYING (at least right now I do). I was forced (what the company calls junior manning) into doing another overnight trip. I thought I would be done when I returned to DFW today; I worked a flight from MIA to Indianapolis, then deaheaded (when a crew member flies as a passenger back to base or to work a flight). At least I was able to get the last seat available in first class, so I was able to sleep some (and get fed too). But when I arrived in DFW, I had another flight waiting for me -- to Springfield, MO for an overnight. The weather at DFW airport today included strong thunderstorms; when this happens, flights get backed up and flight attendants get reassigned to new duty. Such is what happened to me. Oh well, I can cope.

DATELINE: Miami

Finally, Miami! I arrived around 2pm this Monday, and after settling in, I ventured out to the pool at this resort on Miami Beach. The hotel is at the northern tip of South Beach, and it caters only to airline crew. I'll be checking out the beach later, but now, I need a nap!

DATELINE: Greensboro, NC

Tonight, I am in another southern city. I arrived early afternoon; unfortunately, there is nothing much to see or do. So I will spend this Sunday watching NCAA basketball and the annoucement of the 65 teams in the tournament. Only 1 more day until Miami!

DATELINE: Lubbock, TX

I'm on spring break from teaching, but I am flying with my flight attendant job. Tonight I'm in Lubbock. Nothing much to say; I'll be in Miami in two days. I should have more then.

Initial Post...

Welcome! This is my first attempt at a blog -- better late than never! I hope to write everyday to make my ideas and thoughts more concrete.

I have several reasons for staring this blog and sharing my (humble) bits of wisdom:

First, my living in a Red state (Texas), but residing in a Blue county (Dallas), has been an extremely enlightening experience over the past 8 years. My political and social beliefs have definitely been affected by such a contradictory existence.

Second, and following from the previous reason, my fellow citizens of Dallas County made a not-so-subtle statement about the current state of local politics last November, 2006. We voted out-of-office all incumbent Republican judges, electing Democrats in their place. Our County has now gained a new reputation of being BLUE, or democratic-leaning. I've witnessed first hand this transition over the past 8 years, and I wanted to enlighten others about this encouraging sign of the times.

Third, two of my closest friends, a lesbian couple in Minnesota, have made the decision to move to Canada. They have a 6 year-old son, and by all measures, are a genuine, stable and loving couple. Except in the eyes of the U.S. government. No matter how "traditional" their life is (married with children, homeowners, humanitarians), they will not be equal citizens under the law because they are gay. This fact has led them to disrupt their lives and move their family to Canada. There they will have legal and civil protections for each other and their son, as they were already legally married in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada in 2006. I admire them; I envy them; I'm jealous as all get out. I''ll be writing more about them and their experiences as they settle into a new life, in a new country.

Fourth, as a Ph. D. in sociology, I see American society and its various cultures with an analytical eye, yet I don't really have a sounding board for my thoughts. I do teach college courses, but few students seem interested or concerned with current political, social or economic issues. If it doesn't concern Britney, the Internet, or Jesus, they don't seem to give a hoot. Of course, I generalize. But it's not far off the mark.

And lastly, I am enraged by the current state of American politics, the vitriol coming from all sides -- Republicans and Democrats, fundamentalist Christians and radical secularists, neocons and progressives, just to name a few. But the final straw came from the mouthpiece of the conservative movement and her use of the word 'faggot' -- a gay epithet-- in describing Democratic Presidential hopeful John Edwards at the annual meeting of CPAC on March 2, 2006. That convinced me to enter the public discussion, and contribute, even with my one small voice, with the hope of raising the discourse to a higher, more productive and constructive level.