Fragments from Florida

Waking up early, a few hours after I usually go to bed, gives me an odd moment of deja vu — I’m awake, it’s dark and quiet, I should be writing. But I can’t, because I’m meant to be getting on an airplane. That doesn’t stop my mind from working […]

Memphis Belle

As we’re getting situated, the woman sitting next to me asks to trade seats. I am the aisle, she is the window. She has never flown before. Apparently five hours staring at the clouds isn’t appealing to her. Her husband is sitting across the aisle from us and when I […]

Ain’t Gonna Play Sun City

In Memphis, I have plenty of time to grab something to eat before the long flight to L.A., so I forgo the plastic food court in favor of a proper, sit down restaurant for grownups. Unable to locate one, I settle for the Sun Records restaurant assuming that the food […]

Heading Out

It’s raining when I leave. A flat, stuttering downpour punctuated by half-hearted thunder. Always early to airports and movies, I sit surrounded by furious, inert midwesterners delayed by a lightning strike in Minneapolis. My connection is through Detroit and then Memphis (and perhaps Anchorage for all I know). I’m taking […]

A Ring of Moons

Getting out of town on time proves to be a challenge. Even leaving work early, I’m rushing to get the last few things in my various bags. The phone rings four times on my way home, a friend in need. I do my final packing one-handed, trying to explain to […]