limbo

March 17th, 2007 | Uncategorized

parade

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.

53 Responses to “limbo”

  1. Silvio Soprani says:

    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.)

  2. Tom says:

    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!

  3. 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.

  4. Amy says:

    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.

  5. meg says:

    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.

  6. R says:

    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?

  7. Deb says:

    *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.

  8. clara_lemlich says:

    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.

  9. little gator says:

    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*

  10. Jaibe says:

    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.

  11. Samia from bangladesh says:

    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!

  12. R says:

    hey samia are u based in bangladesh

  13. little gator says:

    May I buy you a cup of tea Sir?

  14. S. Bear Bergman says:

    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.

  15. Silvio Soprani says:

    S. Bear,
    Relieved to hear that there are still some Yentas out there!

  16. Aunt Soozie says:

    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

  17. Anonymous says:

    yes R, I live in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Why? You anywhere nearby?

  18. Samia says:

    yes R, I live in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Why? You anywhere nearby?

  19. Juliet says:

    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

  20. lilly says:

    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.

  21. little gator says:

    There are peace rallies around the US on the 19th. Check moveon.org for info.

  22. R says:

    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.

  23. Aunt Soozie says:

    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.

  24. Aunt Soozie says:

    Oh and the rally was in Rowan Park if you know it.
    But, I’ve never been to Fayetteville myself…

  25. Samia says:

    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.

  26. R says:

    look forward to hearing from you

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