The Adventures of Jetboy747

Beauty and the Beast

Even though it’s hideously ugly, I’m pretty excited to be flying on the A380 tomorrow. And I’ve seen it in person, parked at Changi International. Ugly. But Damon’s flown on it and says it’s wonderfully comfortable inside, so that’s enough for me. A nice way to spend ten hours flying to Sydney.

We’re flying to Auckland via Sydney to spend the holidays with Damon’s family. While I’ve spent many a Christmas ‘away’ from home, this is the first one without my family. In truth, I’m excited. It’s not that I won’t miss them. But rather excited about a new chapter. Plus, it’s summer in New Zealand. And again, while I’ve celebrated a number of the holidays without snow, it’ll be nice to have one where my father isn’t drunk by dinner and falling into the Christmas tree.

If I don’t have another chance, I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. (I know they have internet in NZ, but not sure where we’re staying at this point.) But we’re spending New Year in Sydney, so I’ll be back before then, but until, the very best over the holiday season.

Ethel and Me

With Mumbai cancelled, Damon and I have decided to take off to Kuala Lumpur for the weekend. It’s close and cheap, so why not?

Not that I have reason to escape, unlike Damon. He’s swamped at work. Doing whatever it is he does. And a few days away will be relaxing and well deserved for him. Me? I’m, more or less, tagging along. It’s deserved, because we’re a couple. As a couple, we don’t get to spend enough time together, though my schedule allows pretty much anything.

But I still find this island claustrophobic. I’m adjusting to it. But a weekend away sounds good.

I told the elderly clerk at 7-11 about my weekend away. I call her Ethel and she’s my new friend, mainly because I buy everything she suggests: A teddy bear for Children’s charity? Sure. Two bottles of 300 Plus for 4 dollars? Absolutely. Chocolate bars, prawn chips, maxi-pads, bags of ice, everything seems to on special when I’m at the counter and I always agree. Except beer, which is the only reason I go to the place.

The other day, Ethel was impressed with my Paragon Market bag. “I like,” she said. We smiled at each other knowing that neither of us could afford the $100.00 roast beef or $75.00 strawberries on offer, but shopped for the more inexpensive and practical sundries, like ginger and fresh mint, both a dollar. The experience is the same.

Ethel can be fickle and wasn’t overjoyed to hear of my trip to Malaysia. Either that or she didn’t understand what I said. Our friendship is a lot of nodding and giggling. This took time. Ethel is none to friendly with Damon and they’ve known each other for over three years. I seem to have broken the ice rather quickly.

I think Ethel realized that all her weekend promotions would fall on deaf ears. With the Canadian sucker in Malaysia, who is going to buy the teddy bears and bags of powdered mash potatoes in the backroom? In the end, Ethel shrugged. It was as good as, “have a good time.”