limbo
March 17th, 2007 | Travels and Appearances
I’m still stranded in NC. I heard drums outside on the street and thought maybe it was a local anti-war demo, but it was just a St. Patrick’s Day parade. Thanks to Aunt Soozie for letting me know about the peace rally in Fayetteville, NC. I couldn’t get there even if I had time, because there are no rental cars to be had in Charlotte, for love or money. Amtrak is sold out too.
US Airways is still not answering the phone. And it’s hard to focus on anything else because I have to keep re-dialing them manually on my primitive hotel phone. What are the stranded people doing who can’t afford hotels? As it is, I’m spending all the money I made going to Florida in the first place. I just booked my room for another night, and did some laundry in the sink. Maybe I should start pricing real estate.
51 Responses to “limbo”
March 17th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Where are the DTWOF Guardians Angelswhen you need them?
In my fantasy, Alison, right about now a squad of handsome, charming (but highly competent) Queer Folk call from the lobby of your hotel (because they are very discreet, and would never barge in on a stranded Writer) to say, “Parked in front we have a sturdy Hummer (or an old VW bus in good working order–take your pick– that has been reclaimed by the Virtuous to transport you to wherever you need to go. If you just want to go to a quiet cafe to have a plate of stew and a Guiness and a few (highly intelligent) laughs, we can do that too.”
Best wishes; Something is bound to happen soon. (Wish I were not 446 miles away.)
March 17th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Dear Alison,
Just for fun, I checked travelocity.com for one-way tix from CLT to BTV. (I believe you live near Burlington? My sister lives in Montpelier, by the way.)
If you can wait until Tuesday, there’s a flight - one stop at IAD - on United for $99 ($123 with tax). The fares before tuesday are at least $550 and might have 2 stops. Of course, the savings would depend on the hotel rate.
It’s surprising the airline didn’t give you more information upon arrival about how they planned to get you home. That busy signal thing is for the birds.
I imagine there are worse places to be stranded, but I hope you make it home soon.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
March 17th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
A handsome, charming, and highly competent young gay man did give me a free cup of tea at Starbuck’s, because he was embarassed about calling me sir.
March 17th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
I had the same experience at a Starbuck’s two years ago! It was the first really positive interaction I’ve had over gender confusion. The handsome, charming, and highly competent (but not young) gay man was just the right amount of embarassed (as in not too), gave me a lovely complement on my appearence, and gave me whatever I wanted free. This was in Seattle, but even pulling off the highway in rural Indiana, somehow Starbuck’s just seem like these little beacons of queerness.
Hang in there.
March 17th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
read a book, and take it as well deserved down time. You have shelter, you have Starbuck’s, and you should always have a book.
You’ll be back to shoveling and playing with the roof rake soon enough, no worries.
March 17th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
aahhh..bless the folks at starbucks for they know not what they do, lots of my ex & present students work in my local starbucks, i could get use to the freebies…lol. What is this weather event that has you stranded?. England apparently is bracing itself for an arctic front (snow & gales) although as i look out my window the sun is shinning, the daffodils are in full bloom and its 14 degrees Celsius?
March 17th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
*Burst out laughing at the Starbuck’s story*
Hmmmmmmmmm, sounds like fantasy time. Take the VW bus Alison and travel up the eastern seaboard with charming, intelligent and well-read women who brighten your day.
March 17th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
okay, well there’s always http://www.gaycharlotte.com/resources_results.php?category_id=36
what i like about the charlotte airport (not that you or dorothy allison are there at the moment)are the rocking chairs.
good luck with that primitive phone.
March 17th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Doesn’t Charlotte have any chubby infatuated dykes who would love to entertain you and do your laundry?
My favorite dyke is in NC, but not Charlotte.
You reading this NCDyke?
*wave*
March 17th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Hey, my dad lives in Charlotte & his wife had a son come out a few years ago, he would probably put you up if they are in town (he is retired but treasurer for the North American Baptist Peace Fellowship) — just say you are one of my colleagues. I will send you the address on your email account & email him you might call.
March 17th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
Oh Alison. What a thing it is to be stranded in a random city and with things completely out of your control. Really, I wonder what people do if they cannot afford to put themselves up at a decent lodging; it must be quite a harrowing experience.
Just wanted to say that I hope your time stranded in NC is not too terrible and that you are able to return home soon. Stay spirited!
March 17th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
hey samia are u based in bangladesh
March 17th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
May I buy you a cup of tea Sir?
March 17th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
1. Try 800.748.1070. It’s the preferred member line, but you’ll be able to get a human and plead your case.
2. I’d stay in the hotel, if it were me. However, if you find yourself in need of housing or entertainment ping me; I know trustworthy and charming folk there and will yenta you.
Good luck.
March 17th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
S. Bear,
Relieved to hear that there are still some Yentas out there!
March 17th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
Oh, didn’t occur to me that you were one of many, many stranded folks in Charlotte. (and that the others snatched up all of the rental cars and train seats already) What an adventure. I think those people who can’t get a room or can’t afford one are bunking in at the airports… not too comfy.
I’m certain that there MUST be some chubby infatuated dykes in Charlotte who want to do your laundry.
Go infatuated chubbies…
venture forth, find Alison, do her laundry, feed her, soothe her weary soul…make her feel at home in your town.
Some of the yuck melted here today but it’s still icy in spots…tomorrow should be warmer…hope you get home soon.
Aunt Soozie
March 18th, 2007 at 7:05 am
yes R, I live in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Why? You anywhere nearby?
March 18th, 2007 at 7:08 am
yes R, I live in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Why? You anywhere nearby?
March 18th, 2007 at 7:45 am
I just checked the BBC weather and yes, indeed, we in Britain are looking forward to a week of hail and sleet. Hail?! Sleet?! but it’s SPRING. Look - sun, birds, flowers, t-shirts (yesterday). Surely this isn’t fair; surely I shouldn’t be complaining being as the rest of you US side are plowing on through 4 ft of snow…
Bring on the season of weather you can trust.
x
March 18th, 2007 at 8:22 am
Fayetteville NC!!!? That’s where my family is…I travel there all of the time. Aunt Soozie how do you know about Fayetteville…there was a peace rally there? I can’t believe it.
March 18th, 2007 at 10:11 am
There are peace rallies around the US on the 19th. Check moveon.org for info.
March 18th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
Hi Samia,
No i am originaly from Bangladesh don’t come across many people from that part of the world on sites like these, email me if you want to chat more rouf2ataoldotcom, convert that email ad.
March 18th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Hi Lilly,
I only know cause my friends from Ladyslipper Music in Durham, NC went to sell Holly Near’s CDs. Holly spoke and sang at the rally.
I think Fayetteville started this march because they have such large military installations there? This was the fourth annual Peace March and Rally.
March 18th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
Oh and the rally was in Rowan Park if you know it.
But, I’ve never been to Fayetteville myself…
March 19th, 2007 at 7:32 am
Interesting to know that you have roots in Bangladesh, R! I agree that there’s not many people from Bangladesh on cool sites like this. I so wish that people here could read Fun Home and know Alison, but the book’s not available anywhere in Bangladesh. I’d bought a second copy of Fun Home in the hopes of gifting it to someone, but I haven’t been able to think of anyone to give it to. It is difficult to bring up or sustain conversations related to the themes in the book. Thanks for your email; will write soon.
March 19th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
look forward to hearing from you
July 1st, 2008 at 8:26 am
This site is crazy
in west virginia cheap hotel downtown seattle 0629
July 1st, 2008 at 8:48 am
Hello good day ohio cheapest hotel in vagas jqtr
July 1st, 2008 at 10:51 am
Wonderfull great site mexico cheap hotel packages in italy for july to august >:-OO
July 1st, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Excellent work, Nice Design ibiza and hotel cheap hotels in toledo sqw
July 1st, 2008 at 2:56 pm
this post is fantastic republic cheap hotels
225
July 1st, 2008 at 3:21 pm
It’s serious lumpur las vegas cheap
ujayev
July 1st, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Excellent work, Nice Design hotel mettman cheap hotels in bangkok 424
July 1st, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Cool site goodluck
beach miami fl cheapest hotels
%D
July 1st, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Punk not dead nyc deluxe hotels cheapest hotels in castaic 85292
July 1st, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Punk not dead california cheap budget hotel in memphis tn phmj
July 1st, 2008 at 11:14 pm
very best job hotels cheap hotels eastern long island jpak
July 1st, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Very funny pictures nevada lowest rates cheap hotel tof
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:30 am
very best job new york city cheap hotel air line tickets sanjuan :-]]]
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:37 am
Punk not dead compare multiple websites cheap furniture mart results cheap hotel san diego 531487
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:08 am
this post is fantastic flights cheap
:[[
July 2nd, 2008 at 11:56 am
Thanks funny site venice milan hotel cheap hotel rates in
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
very best job phoenix az cheap hotels in
hsoyx
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Very interesting tale hotels in redondo beach cheap hotel reno 8[
July 14th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
It’s funny goodluck humans fucking animals 8D
July 14th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Very funny pictures oral granny porn ucnens
July 15th, 2008 at 3:36 am
I’m happy very good site granny fucking :-OOO
July 15th, 2008 at 5:27 am
i’m fine good work lolita porn illegal wxo
July 15th, 2008 at 8:07 am
perfect design thanks child porn videos xxx cp lolita
O
July 15th, 2008 at 8:53 am
Best Site Good Work round n brown get fucked 568
July 16th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
sweet site hi it’s jessy
see u hqtube premium account