Yesterday, as we taxied for take-off, I reached for the barf bag. I wondered if my seat mates were worried. No need, I just needed something to write on....
In general, I view flying as a necessary evil. I love experiencing new places, I just hate the journey. That concept well applies to many aspects of my life.
But today, as we pulled away from the gate, instead of anxiety, I felt warmth. Part of it was physical, from the glorious sunshine. But I was also reflecting on how nice the airport looked and how busy it was. Lacking the largeness and volume, but it seemed on the activity scale of O'Hare or Hartsfield. Planes pulling out, others turning in.... How I love a good system.
I was also thinking about the fact that this is the first time I've flown by myself in forever - sans child, sans husband. Probably since my trip to San Jose in February 2005. Note to self: check archives.
The cool thing is - I have those archives to check. Granted, I don't write about everything. Much of what I've written about is filtered. Or some experiences never got documented because I was too busy living them. Like pilgrimage, also in February/March 2005. Most of what I write is mundane. Much of it will serve of interest only to me. But every once in a while, through the lens of time, something I've written gains a little more significance.
I just started reading Bold Spirit. I've been excited about reading this book, about a woman who walked across America. In the late 1800s. Why had I never heard of Helga Estby? In her forward, which made me choke up a bit, Sue Armitage addresses this.
...Every day we make decisions about which events are important and which are not. In fact, our historical record begins right now in the present in this daily process of inclusion and omission.
...We expect the already great and famous to do great things, but we easily overlook the achievements of the more humble among us.
...We prefer predictable stories with easily understood motivations; unexpected actions undertaken for uncertain reasons make us uncomfortable.
...People who act too far from their expected norms are embarrassments to those around them.
How much truer is this likely to be when the historical actor is poor and female?
I'm really looking forward to reading the rest of this book.
And back to the plane ride - it was perfect. Beautiful weather in New Orleans. Beautiful weather in DC. And everywhere in between.
I'm adding it to my reading list! Thanks for the recommendation. Hope you are enjoying your trip.
Posted by: kristen at November 4, 2007 11:00 PMIsn't it great to have an archives?? Every now and then someone asks, "Remember when we did that thing, what year was that?" and I can actually look it up. Ah, the beauty of blogging.
Posted by: +mojan. at November 5, 2007 01:57 AM