Walking Tonight

I am suffering serious jet lag as I walk on the roof of hell tonight.

I wonder if I would've dug a hole to Japan and Korea, rather than flying, would I still be suffering jet lag?

For photos and a play by play of Japan go to www.briggie.blogspot.com. For some photos of Korea filtered through my sisters' vision, go to www.tiffanyandmatt.blogspot.com. Just make sure to turn down the sound on your monitor.

I don't even know where to begin. . .what have I been doing and where have I been since my last Oslo blog? It all merges and melds in my memory like marshmallows in a sauce pan.

I remember I was trapped because of physical therapy. I had to go to it in Arizona three times a week. This meant I had to work on the weekends since I dont work in Arizona, I work on an airplane and in other countries. One of those weekends, I went to Oslo and had such a great time meeting the Morteng's, Anne, and Gaute (see previous blog).

I remember I visited Oslo again and saw Gaute. Just Gaute. He met me at my hotel and we walked. We walked towards the harbor past City Hall with all of the intricate brick work. We were heading towards the newer, tackier part of Oslo where all the new shops were. JBR and I had previously spent a little time in those shops--one of which I left my purse and was happy it was still there when I went back. That was over a year ago.

Gaute said I looked so much more rested since the last time we saw each other. I was, I had. I remember now. Before going to Oslo again, I had been in Florida briefly since the dr said no more physical therapy. As I left the dr's office, a feeling of relief almost smothered me. It was a feeling of freedom: the ability to do whatever I want, whenever I want. My schedule was set up for physical therapy so I had some free days in between trips. Instead of going back to Arizona, I went to visit my sister Stephanie in Florida in their little three bedroom home. The kitchen was being torn apart and dust covered everything. I was finally able to see my new niece, Brianna, who had been born when I wasn't allowed to fly. I saw Olivia, of course, who is mine, since I helped take care of her during her first week of life while my sister recovered. We did girl stuff--tried on shoes, painted our toenails, watched Barney on the internet.

Then I worked, Where did I work? I dont remember. then I visited Natasha in Pennsylvania near Reading. She had also given birth to a new baby girl while I was unable to fly. While there, we made chewy chocolate cookies, which I took with me to Oslo the next day and where I met Gaute the second time. In Oslo, we walked towards the pier and the shops on the pier and talked about music and writing music, I a little embarrassed, he a little excited and he surprised me with incredibly insightful comments.

We went to the new movie theatre and saw "a Prairie Home Companion" in English with Norwegian subtitles. I thoroughly enjoyed it although Gaute didn't quite understand the purpose of the Angel. Not because of language barriers but because, let's face it, it was a little odd. I gave the chewy chocolate cookies to him and he ate them all. That was the best part of the whole movie. I think I fell deeply in love with him for a moment.

We walked back to the Hotel Continental, my home away from home, and we hugged and brushed cheeks which was nice because I was still a little in love. Good night. Good night. Be safe. See you when you come back from Asia.

I am back from Asia and am not sure I'm ready to write about it yet. there is still so much going on in my head and I'm not sure I want to share it right now, or ever.

So I move on to Arizona where the desert breeze blows chill at night and the days are sunny and crisp and warm. I do not know how to dress again and slowly adjust back to Arizona casual just in time to leave. I will fly to New York wednesday morning, go to a Dr's appointment, have dinner with Remy and Brigham and Molly as I start my Master Plan. The next day I will hopefully not go to Manchester, England where I'm scheduled to go. My favorite memory of Manchester is going to it's smallest pub and meeting some old Manchester United football players from the 60's. I no longer wish to go there. England holds nothing for me now. After Manchester, I go to Gay Paris then straight on to Utah for Thanksgiving.

So I relax for these few days in Arizona, sleeping in my own bed next to my closet full of clothes, trying to adjust back to the western hemishphere. I was in Asia longer than I'm used to and am finding it harder than normal to adjust. I fitfully sleep in my beautiful bed.

And I fitfully write as songs beat upon my head. Songs that remind me of JBR. How could you forget that you are important to me? I guess you are asking, How could I forget? I'm glad you are still alive. I don't have it in me to write a poem about your death right now. For a moment, the roof of hell was made of glass. Thank God it is back to ferns and dirt and sand and grass.