Notes Flying to Hong Kong

The following is a collection of notes that I typed into my blackberry a couple of weeks ago amid a 30+ hour trip to the first stay of our trip in Nusa Dua, Bali. Earlier today, my friend asked for details about the flight which reminded me that I jotted some of my thoughts down into my blackberry. If you're interested, at all, please feel free to peruse the mindless thoughts of a mildly stressed, red wine infused, and cramped traveler:

I'm sitting on an airplane, flying halfway round the world to my honeymoon in Bali, and reading about the Negro Leagues. (I know. I know. If you had a nickel for every time you heard that one.)

Kids, ask your teachers
about Turkey Stearnes.

The Negro Leagues are fascinating. Somehow, I'll find a more efficient and entertaining way to share the best of what I read over this trip.

I don't mean to get off track here, but it has been a long flight, and we're not even halfway there.

Some good news, Cathay Airlines is pretty sweet. They have outstanding, genuinely friendly people as flight attendants. The in-flight entertainment system here is outstanding.* There are about 90 movies to choose from, including some Hong Kong classics. Cathay has New Releases like The Social Network and Morning Glory, as well as modern day classic films like Miller's Crossing and The Big Lebowski. There are current and older TV shows, children's programming, and interactive games. The system are hundreds of music CD's, and you can save songs or entire albums to playlists. I currently have a playlist lasting 8 hours and 17 minutes, which is not bad for having about 7 hours left on the flight.

*If it works.

Now that's a good flipside song.

Oh jeez, music just transported me mentally from 'here' to 'there' in less than two minutes. Bob Dylan got to me again. This has been the umpteenth thousandth time that I've heard Queen Jane Approximately, and yet I was blown away again only about 1:45 into the tune.

It has been obvious to me for years and years that I am growing up to become a full blown curmudgeon, especially musically. Most of the music I like is older than I am, but I generally like about one or two new songs each year. In my playlist, I have relatively recent contributions from Florence and the Machine and Mumfred and Sons. Where are the Avett Brothers?

Tonight, let's close out with the maestro:

Then take me disappearin’ through the smoke rings of my mind
Down the foggy ruins of time, far past the frozen leaves
The haunted, frightened trees, out to the windy beach
Far from the twisted reach of crazy sorrow
Yes, to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free
Silhouetted by the sea, circled by the circus sands
With all memory and fate driven deep beneath the waves
Let me forget about today until tomorrow