Family

It’s been a considerable amount of time since I’ve posted anything here. This is due to the fact that I’m part of the world again, a place where you meet new people, see and do new things, and enjoy life. Not that there’s anything wrong with law school, where few of these things happen, but I’ll take ‘the world’ over Waco. There’s a lot of cool stuff out there.

I spent a week with my mother’s family in Los Angeles. I had not seen them in almost ten years, but they made me feel right at home as soon as I arrived. Money and time kept us apart for that decade. As a result, they were always somewhat of a mystery to me, just voices on a phone. I suppose when I was younger the importance of extended family was not as clear to me because I was always surrounded by my immediate family. But now 50% of my family, my dad and brother, have indefinitely relocated to New Zealand.

With that, it became clear to me how important it will be to know and connect with people who are my aunts and uncles and cousins. It wasn’t hard to bond; they took me in like I had just left them when I was a 13 year old.

And it was fun. With the assistance of my cousins, I experienced LA in all of its Romanesque decadence (not so much one cousin because he was driving me. I owe him if he visits Texas).  I primarily bonded with my cousins, caught up with them and learned about who they are (well, as much as one can in a week). I feel more a part of their lives and I hope as much is true for them. It’s strange to feel at home with people you haven’t seen since Power Rangers were popular,  but foreign to them at the same time. But there are many years ahead to catch up and build bonds.

And now I’m in North Carolina with my dad’s family, my grandma and aunt. They saw me grow up and they’re who I’m most familiar with. But my grandma is getting older and one day it will be just my aunt. It’s a good thing she’s regressing in age. Tomorrow I leave with my grandma on a trip to Charleston, South Carolina to soak up Americana. I am insisting that I drive.

So, from a megalopolis to a mountain range, it’s reassuring to know that there are people on either side of the continent who are my family and all that goes with it. It’s something I think I missed out on as a kid, but now that I’m a big(ger) boy, it’s up to me to be a part of a family. I don’t think I can ever go back to feeling disconnected from those who love me the most.

Oh yeah, I picked up an iPhone while I was in LA. This thing is my favorite gadget of all time – and I love gadgetry.

Cue Jack Bauer: There’s Not Enough Time!!!!!!!!!!!

Location: Austin, Texas

Objective: Catch a flight at 7:15 a.m, ATX-SFO-LAX

Thursday morning, 3 a.m.

WK finally goes to sleep after a sad day that was followed by an interesting evening with a random friend from HS. Good discussion was involved, as was the foolish consumption of alcohol.

Thursday morning 5 a.m.

WK wakes up for flight at 7:15 a.m. Decides it’s a smart idea to hit snooze. Misses snooze button, hits off button instead.

6:15 a.m.

WK awakens thinking that the CrimLaw final must be completed before departing. The stress of law school has penetrated the very reptillian core of WK’s psyche. Then he realizes he has but one hour to travel to the airport, park, receive ticket, get through security, board plane.

6:17 a.m.

WK begins freaking out and is temporarily immobilized. Enters shower because body reeks of alcohol and tears. Realizes there’s no CrimLaw, but still running late.

6:20 a.m.

Suspend the rules of space/time, dress and leave within a fraction of a second to get to the Austin airport. Can he make it in 50 minutes?

6:25-6:50 a.m.

WK is filled with adrenaline and laser like focus. Proceeds undaunted, becomes Mario Andretti and Batman in the white Dodge Intrepid of traffic maneuvering and ultimate glory. WK hits every red light on the way to the airport but manages to pass through traffic like a lightsaber through stormtroopers.

6:50 – 7:00 a.m.

WK arrives and finds that long term parking is almost full. Desperately slaloms through parking lot looking for any spot. Finds one and emerges from vehicle like a Cirque du Soleil acrobat with six arms and infinite strength.

7:00-7:05 a.m.

Uses all strength in body to sprint in boat shoes and khakis to ticket counter. Runs a 1/6th of a mile in 2 minutes with giant suitcase in tow.

7:05-7:12 a.m.

WK arrives at the United counter. Curse you United Airlines. You only have one automated ticket machine. The machine rejects credit card. WK begins to realize he is totally screwed and has been the minute he actually woke up.

7:12-7:15 a.m.

He bewails his fate as he realizes that no, the flight shall never be. WK asks the ticketing agent, a man straight off the set of the Sopranos, what WK’s options are. This man is some sort of seraphimetti from Jersey and places WK on a connecting flight at 8 a.m. free of charge. Karma has made WK whole again.

7:20 a.m.

WK receives boarding pass, asks ticketing agent for first name so that he may thank him personally and submit kudos to his superiors. Seraphimetti responds to WK with stone cold eyes “I’m sorry, I’m in Witness Protection,” and proceeds to help next customer without look at WK. WK thinks the man is joking at first. Realizes he may actually be in the Witness Protection Program because he’s not smiling.

8 a.m. (CST)- 2 p.m. (PST)

WK relishes the sweet fortune of the day thanks to a man who might well be marked for death. WK arrives in the vast wasteland known as Los Angeles. All is well.