california!

Woohoo! I'm in California!!

The Toronto airport was a zoo because of all the World Youth Day types going home.

For the first time ever, I got my carry-on luggage weighed, and was told that my rolling carry-on bag was 8 lbs overweight and that I would either need to get rid of the extra weight somehow (by moving it into my checked luggage) or pay a $75 surcharge. After some hurried shifting of contents at the express check-in counter, I managed to get everything redistributed to the Air Canada employee's satisfaction.

But then came the line-ups; first the line-up for the x-ray machines, then the line-up for U.S. customs. Because I was carrying two pieces of checked luggage (including my guitar) and two pieces of carry-on, manoeuvering as the line progressed was somewhat of a pain. Wait 3 seconds, then pick everything up, shuffle forward a foot, put everything down again. My hands were too occupied to pass the time reading a magazine or playing Scrabble on my Palm.

The World Youth people were in good spirits, however. I got asked several times by clergy where I was from, was this my first time to Toronto. No, I had to keep saying, I'm not part of the World Youth thing. But then I started getting grilled about my ancestral background, my parents, how long my family had been in Canada, could I speak any Japanese, etc. While I understand that they were just smalltalking to pass the time and to be friendly, I didn't really feel like spilling my life history. By that time, I was kicking my guitar along the floor with one foot instead of picking it up and carrying it each time the line moved a few inches.

It took me an hour and a half to get through check-in and customs.

The flight was okay. I am jaded now; I used to get so excited about flying. I'd take pictures of the clouds out the window. I used to listen during the pre-flight safety speech, dutifully look through the laminated emergency instruction card in the seat pocket in front of me. Now I'm usually asleep by the time the plane stops taxiing for hours and actually leaves the ground.

I still like the compartmentalized food but geez, Air Canada's really cutting back. My "hot meal" consisted of a piece of lukewarm chicken the size of my middle finger on a small bed of somewhat crusty rice, 12 chickpeas with some mysterious but bland dressing, a roll, and a small piece of carrot cake. I liked the carrot cake the best.

My seatmate was a small, older Asian woman. She seemed somewhat crabby at first, but after I helped flag down a flight attendant to get a pillow for her, she warmed up to me considerably. She reminded me a lot of my grandmother (my dad's mom, who died many years ago), and I found myself feeling oddly protective of her.

Scott Snyder was waiting for me at baggage claim. SO great to see him; we hadn't seen each other since he was Interfilk guest at FilKONtario two years ago. We had a chance to catch up a bit on the drive home.

Zoë was asleep by the time we got back to the Snyders' place (about 2 a.m. my time), but Amanda was up. I was hungry, so she heated up some leftovers for me and we talked for about an hour. VERY cool to hang out with them again!

When I went to bed, I found some Lindor and Godiva chocolates on my pillow, yummmmmm. (Thanks, Amanda!)

I met Zoë this morning! She chewed on my leg and spit food at me, so we're getting along just fine. :-)

Today's Blatherpic: Zoë, this morning.