“New York, New York”

Sorry It’s taken me sooo long to write another entry, but I just haven’t had the energy. Therefore, I treat you to 2 separate entries (aren’t you lucky?) SO Let’s get started….

Sooooo I FINALLY got a trip!!! It was so bizarre to get the call because, one, I thought they would NEVER call me, and two, I was kinda in the middle of hanging out and doing nothing well kinda. We had a “Re-Branding” Celebration at our crew lounge and Jonathan and I went to go and see what that was ll about…and wouldn’t you know I hear ‘Back In Black’ blaring out of my right pocket, just as we’re making it back to the crew lounge after getting Jonathan something to eat. I screamed out, “Are you kidding me?” So we get to the crew lounge and I look up the trip to find out where I’m going, who I’m flying with and where I’m overnighted. The good thing about that trip is it took them FOREVER to give me one, but when they did….MAN!!! So Jonathan drives me back to the hotel so I can change and get my bag and I’m whisked away again back to the airport for my very first trip!!!

So as I’m in the crew lounge (yet again) and I’ve checked in, I’m just waiting around to see of I could possible meet my crew I’ll be flying with. There’s this guy sitting in the eating area and he IMMEDIATELY knows that I’m his Flight Attendant and I find he’s my First Officer (kinda like the Co-Pilot if you will…). That was easy!! I thought I was gonna have to hunt someone down and they were going to be the meanest people EVER. That’s not true…he was sooo cool, very laid back, and I think he was from Russia or some other Easter European country. You know, everyone is intrigued by an accent. ANYWHO — My Captain was nowhere to be found..so Dan (the FO) was like, “Let’s just go ahead and go..he’ll meet us there.” Thank the Lord that I was there cause I was craziness trying to get to our plane. Once we made to and on the plane, I do all of the stuff I ‘m supposed to do (very quickly might I add) and in comes the Captain. He introduces himself  (he has a whole ‘Anderson Cooper ‘ thing going on…silver hair and all– super cool too) and gives me a quick briefing of things I need to know and before I could really catch my breathe..passengers were boarding. I said a little prayer and strapped myself in for the ride–literally.

First stop on our destination: PORTLAND, MAINE

The flight going up wasn’t too bad…I think that it probably was worst that I imagine, but I’ll keep the fantasy in my head. I said “Delta” when I should have said “United Express”, I spilt a little drink on a guy’s sleeve, and I pretty sure they are plenty of other things I didn’t do correctly..but you live nad you learn. I honestly just wanted to get past this first flight so I go on about my business. We were ony in Portland for 20 minutes tops, just enough to get people off and back on the plane, but from what I saw standing at the door was really pretty. We made a turn (meaning we went there and back), and the flight back was waaayyy better. Thank goodness. Next up, arguable the best overnight EVER…

The next stop on the map: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK

I was over the moon to find out that I had an overnight in New York City…that means that I could be a real life flight attendant and start racking up my cool overnight, like everyone else. I mean it also meant that I could go to New York City…are you kidding me? The good thing about it is that the flights only got better throughout the 3 days I flew. So we make it to JFK airport at like 11:30, almost 12 and it took the hotel van FOREVER to come and get us, so we made it to the hotel at like 1. It was so fine, because I was in NEW YORK CITY baby!! The hotel we stayed in was in Manhattan (on W.35th in btwn 7th and 8th…I sound like a New Yorker, right?) and probably the nicest hotel I have ever stayed in. I saw nothing but building and skyscrapers out of window…and I LOVED IT!!. The next morning I woke up from AMAZING sleep (it could have been the mattress or the fact in was waking up in a Manhattan Hotel) and just chilled for a good part of the day. I just wanted to take in the whole experience. Everyone was like, ” I wouldn’t have been in the hotel room…you’re in New York City!!” I agree, but I’ve been there TWICE and I know that I love that city..plus it’s not waiting for me. At all. I did go and have a late lunch with Montez at the Portland Brewery ( you should go if you have a chance – or remember). It was so good to catch up with her, because the last time I saw her was at the end of Fright Fest, so last November. We chatted only for a little, because she had to go to work, but like I told her, I just wanted to see her. After lunch, I just walked around. I can’t explain how glamorous, how adult, how jazzy, how fearless I felt just walking around Manhattan. I think that when it really hit me that I’m ACTUALLY a Flight Attendant. While I was out and about I got some postcards and some snacks, but NO SHOPPING, I’m trying to be a good boy. All and all it was a great way to finish my first day of flying. The next morning we were up bright and early to get back to IAD (Washington D.C./Dulles Airport). This flight was a HOT MESS. It was a classic example of “what CAN go wrong, WILL..” The flight was delayed coming up to us, that gave us no time to get the flight ready for the new passengers, there were extra crew members on the flight (going to other destinations..including Jonathan), and I barely had time to serve drinks (this was because they took a shorter route to make up for time) and a couple of other things..thank goodness Jonathan got up and helped, or I would not have made it.

Next and final stop on our destination: COLUMBUS, OHIO

This flight was a lot more manageable and quick. I handle all of my business and even had time to carry on a conversation with a couple of passengers. I thanked the passengers for being nice to me and they all clapped…wasn’t that nice? Anyway..I made it back to IAD safely and called to be released. made it back to hotel and slept until the end of forever.

So start spreading the news, I’m leaving today…to some unknown destination and I love that.

                                              J

“Cold-Hearted Snake”

I’ve been in a daze the past few days…I honestly don’t know what’s up or what’s down. Let me lay out a couple of things that have been going on for me. For starters– my living situation here in D.C. is a mess. Plain and simple. There was a HUGE blow up with the roommates (we’ll have a private conversation if you’re THAT interested…), I was supposed to be renting an apartment starting June 1st, and THAT turned out to be a HOT TRANNY MESS. It was a SUPER nice place that I was going to be sharing with classmate, but actually sharing a room with Jonathan and everything seemed TOO PERFECT. Of course, in perfect “life-is-unpredictable type of way” things…just went to Hatis in a handbasket. This apartment was the catalysis for the roommate arguement…people basically feeling as though they were being left in the lurch. No one would do that. Are we serious? We’re all adults here and the fact that you think that I was raised other than to treat others with respect–kinda upsets me. ANYHOW– people are crazy and that’s that. At least that’s what I learned from all of this.

Moving on…So on my days off this past week, I flew down to ATL to see the crazy parents and to get some things for me and the new apartment (you know…coats, more clothes, and shoes). While I was there, I wanted to get my parent’s opinion on the apartment and what I should do about transportation ( they won’t let me bring Midnight up…LAME). So I’m packing away and enjoying sleeping in my own bed…little did I know — the biggest bomb was going to be dropped on me. I got an E-mail from the scheduling department that informed me that I WILL be coming back to ATLANTA…WHAT!!!!!!! Are we kidding? Are you F’ing kidding me???? Just when I am trying to mentally prepare myself for this dramatic move up here…I get sent back? Just when I start to like the prospect of gaining SOME SORT of Independence in life…I get sent back to the place I’ve grown-up in for the last 23 years? ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!!! So there you have it America…I’ll be coming home.

Let’s think about this maturely though…I can have time to save money up (still crashing with the fam..), and I can actually prepare myself for “the big move”. See that wasn’t hard. I actually have a sense of calmness that washed over me once I found out…I don’t have to deal with any grown-up decision..at least not yet. I can do my job..fly and experience places all over the US and still have ability to use my parents as a much need safety net, cause I have to tell you, that this has been a stressful time. VERY stressful. On TOP OF THAT– I haven’t flown yet. Do I have cooties? Is it because I’m black? or is it because some people don’t know how to do their job? It could be all of the above, but nevertheless…I think that this is a little on the strange side…

I’ve been trying to get in as much of D.C. as I can, before I go back to Atlanta. I have to tell you my lovely audience, D.C. is a cold-hearted snake not playing by the rules..and trust me I won’t be a fool. I’ve only been open-minded to this town and I feel as though I can’t catch a break, that’s alright, I’m heading home where it’s not a strange concept to switch 8 lane traffic.

                               Peace up, A-Town down…

                                             j

” Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”

Okay…So there is A LOT that has been going on in just past few days. For starters, I successfully completed my IOEs (Initial Operating Experience) that took me to Fayetteville, NC and back and to Jackson, MS (possibly my good luck charm) and back. My Instructor, Captain and First Officer made the entire experience bearable, but actually fun. The following day I had my written final exam, which I got a 97 on (thank you, thank you…)– all of which lead up to me graduating and getting my wings on Tuesday. So it’s OFFICIAL…I’m a Flight Attendant. I am actually in charge of people on flights…is it just me or is this CRAZY???? I have all of my book knowledge (they made sure of that..), but now it’s time to put all this into real life.

 In preparation for my new job responsibilities, I feel as though the only way to REALLY cope with this intense process is to come up with an alter ego (a la SASHA FIERCE…). That way I can keep things new and interesting. What will this new alter ego be named/called you ask? Ladies and gentlemen I now introduce to you….CURTIS, Ken and Barbie’s African-American Flight Attendant friend. I know…I sound crazy, but you gotta have fun sometime right? anyways…WHY NOT? Plus the planes I’ll be flying on are coined as a “Barbie Jet” ..so it’s PERFECT!!! So to sum things up..the Friendly Skies betta watch out cause– ‘cuz I’m coming for you!!!!

No for the Craziness portion of the last few days — I have to pick up and move to Washington, D.C. tomorrow. Although we were told weeks ago that this was coming…who had time to ACTUALLY prepare? So now it has been a mad dash to try to figure out how I’m going to get up there and where I’m gonna stay. I have to tell you…there have been sleepless nights and yesterday morning I woke up in a panic. Thank the Lord in Heaven that I have amazing classmates that have made it a mission to make sure that ALL OF US get up there. We’ve banded together and it honestly has made this preparation sooooo much easier. The big day is tomorrow and hopefully things will go smoothly. Hopefully. The one big thing about this mad dash, is that I don’t get to go to Wiggy and Callie’s wedding. I know that Life is life, but that means that I don’t get to see ANY of my friends from college (Including 2 of my 4 “Angels”)…I guess I’ll just have to make it my business to get back down here to see them. I did however get to see my Six Flags Family yesterday. I was asked to come in and do so Freelance work for the Country Show going up in May. It was great to see everyone and to be a somewhat familiar surrondings…I can’t wait to the show over the summer.

Now, it is all left up to Fate. I hate to get mushy on you, but this adventure I keep speaking of REALLY starts tomorrow. I’m ready. I think I’m ready…NO, I’m ready.  So, Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, and to all my Boos here in GA (and my Southern Comfort staying afloat in TN)…the truth is I never left you….

                            j

22 days, 17 new friends and a no sleep…

So, I started training on Tuesday of this week and I feel as though I’ve been there a month. I have learned SO MUCH information…I don’t know how I’ve retained it. There has been a “Flight Attendant schedule” meaning that the time we have to go in are varied, because that’s that life of a Flight Attendant. That may be true, but it doesn’t  make me less tired.

I’ll go ahead and start out with somewhat of BAD NEWS. on our very first day of training, we (as a class) were informed that we will ALL be going to our Base in Washington, D.C. (Dulles). So yes I will HAVE to move as a part of my job responsibilities. I won’t really get into the technical reasons, but let’s just say that it is better for my career (and paycheck for that matter) for me to go to Dulles…so to Dulles I go. I have this really weird feeling in the pit of my stomach. Not because I feel as though I’ll be making the wrong decision– It’s because this is the very first MAJOR LIFE GROWN-UP decision, I’ll be making. I’m basically uprooting my life to step out on faith and hope for the best on a wing and a prayer (pun intended). I don’t know…it’s only the fourth day of training, so once I find out more info, I’ll be sure to let you wonderful readers know. NOW– to the goods…my training class is quite possibly the best thing since sliced bread. The has been an INSTANT kinship with all of us. I think it’s because everyone realized that we’re all in this together (not to quote High School Musical, but hey…). It seems as thought EVERYONE in the class has their own special brand of crazy and you know with me added in the mix..it’s ALL TYPES of Gary Buseyness going on in that training room. It just makes me feel so much better about what ahead, since I know that there are 17 other people who have had just as much sleep as I’ve had. Everything is going so well..there’s A LOT of information, but it’s maintainable. I just still can’t believe that this is the fourth day..it’s gonna be a loooonnnggg time before May 4th gets here.

I guess there’s no sleep till Brooklyn,

J

A New Everything

Well..Here we go.

So, I JUST got done watching the new Sex and the City 2 Preview and the main thing that I took away from it is that the one, the only Patricia Fields is a GENIUS. Plain and simple. Everyone has ALWAYS credited the Sex and the City franchise for being one of THE MOST Fashion Forward forces in Popular Culture. It gave me a much-needed boost in the oh-so-fashionable lifestyle that I try to lead. It got me thinking….” they are in the MIDDLE of the desert and are looking better than I do when I pull out ALL of the tricks I have up my sleeve.” I need to step my game up America. especially since there will be very few times when I’ll get to actually wear my own clothing (thanks in a large part to my dashing new uniform that I’ll be required to wear).  At this point in my life, it’s not time to be safe. I refuse to let the stereotype of “boring twentysomething” get me…no sir. I guess to sum things up…my new mantra is “WHY NOT?”

So, I have been trying to study all the info I need to learn for the first day of training and for some reason I can’t find the motivation to actually STUDY. Is it the plain simple fact that I don’t want to? (maybe..) Is it that I am past my “studying days” since I got my degree? (probably..) Or is it more along the lines that I’m just a spoiled brat that has gotten comfortable with being out of work for 4 months and doesn’t want to do anything but watch TV? (BINGO!!!) Whatever the reason — I need to get it together, because I can’t screw this up..it’s my ticket out of this one horse town (well, the one horse town that has a mall, Wal-Mart and any restaurant one could want within driving distance). So, I guess I just needed someone to know…I know. I know.

ANYWHO–Along with my new frame of mind, a possible new wardrobe, and a new career path…things are looking up. I’m so happy that I got to spent time with my grandmother (I have my very own Madea) and my Godmother (who spoils me more rotten that one should be allowed) in the grand state of Mississippi. I took the Oriental Express Amtrak train over to Meridian, MS, where I was picked up and drove 2 Hours (yes, even though I spent 7 hours on a train, my Godmother and Grandmother love to be driven around..and WHY NOT?). I spent a good part of the week just sitting around with Madea, watching The Young and the Restless, and cooking for them. I got to see lots of long-lost Cousins and crazy Aunts and Uncles. It was good to have a change of scenery. I got to take some AMAZING pictures on my grandmother’s property of this abandoned barn that I’m itching to get back from being developed. I went shopping a lot (like I need another part of jeans…but I got them), and watched a lot of movies, so I did PRETTY MUCH the same things in Mississippi that I do in Georgia…go figure. Since I’ve been back, it’s just been focusing on getting ready for training.

Well, Let me go study…I guess.

J

Is this how this works?

Well, I feel as though a have finally come into the general twentysomething masses that is so in tune with technology that it seems to consume their lives. I am willingly going to subject those of you that want to read about the ramblings of someone who doesn’t really know what the hell life has in store for him, than be my guest…

I guess one would ask –what made you think about writing a blog? For starters, my best friend has one (http://brittanybuchanan.wordpress.com/ read it as fast as you can..it’s about what she’s into at the moment and it is AMAZING) and she’s raved about how great it is…I trust her opinion. Secondly, I just feel that with this next journey that I’m about to embark on, I would love to have some concrete evidence of what’s about to happen. What is this vague, ambiguous new adventure will you be going on you ask? (how nice of you…) Well, I will be starting training on April 13th to become a Flight Attendant. YES — a Flight Attendant. The thing is, you can’t ever fault me for NOT thinking outside of the box…waaaayyy outside the box. I can’t tell you how excited about how this..this new subculture of businessmen away on business (whatever that means..), the general masses on their way to see family (thank the Lord in Heaven mine are just crazy enough to only be seen once for Holidays), and the individuals that are on vacation for any number of reasons (wonderful memories of Las Vegas are flooding back…).

So, to make a long story short. This blog is dedicated to the people I encounter, the places I go and the things I buy (let’s be serious…gift giving is going to be AMAZING). So I hope that those of you that follow me, will enjoy the flight… 

Until those supporting character make their grand entrance, I’ll take a page from Brittany’s book– I let you in on what I’m all about these days. For starters…Matt Morris. Those of you on the advanced level of Pop Culture will remember him from the early 90′s revamping of the Mickey Mouse Club (you know, the one with Britney, Christina, JC, Justin Timberlake and Keri Russell of TV’s Felicity). I was surprised to have come upon him singing with Mr. Sexyback himself at the Hope for Haiti Telethon that was shown a couple of months back. The duo sang a haunting cover of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah which caused me to have a physical reaction (okay fine..I cried like a 5 year old girl). As I made my way back to reality (the “My Life as Liz kind..not the Real World: D.C. kind), it got me thinking…Who is this guy singing with Justin Timberlake? I HAD to know who he was. After researching and finding out as much as I could about him ( ALL of which I approve of), I am COMPLETELY SPONSORING everything about this artist. His voice has a Bluesy/Raspy/Blue-Eyed Soul thing going on, very Gavin/Jason Mraz/Ray LaMontagne..you should TOTALLY get on board. My current favorite is a song off of his UnSpoken album called ” Be My Love.” It could easily be one of the MOST ROMANTIC songs I have ever heard.. Well, that’s all I got for now…until next time.