Of friends, flying, music, books and VIP treatment

It really shouldn't have been that big of a deal for my alarm to go off at 4:01 a.m. today...that's only 20 minutes earlier than it goes off every other day. However, that extra 20 minutes at 4 in the morning is HUGE! It was made worse, of course, by the fact that I didn't get to bed until midnight. Ah, the joys of travel...

I actually thought I'd have to get up a little earlier as I anticipated I should leave around 4:45 to get the car parked and get to the airport, but was extremely thankful to have a friend offer to pick me up at 5 and take me...these are the best kind of friends to have!! It's not just anyone who will also crawl out of bed before 5 and fetch you. These friends deserve treats.

So, after an early morning and two flights, I'm now sitting in Hoover, Alabama. That's right. Alabama. And no, I do not currently have a banjo on my knee. In fact, I'm sitting in a lovely hotel room with a fabulously delicious basket of goodies and full VIP treatment. Oh yeah. I was that person that the driver waits for with the little sign. Nice.

I'm not really the VIP, but I'm VIP adjacent, and apparently, that's just as good! My lovely friend Tasha is a featured author at a very cool event this weekend called Southern Voices. She's the real VIP, but this group covers her and a companion for this trip...I'm delighted she asked me to join her and be part of her VIP world. I could get used to it!

So, I'm lounging in my swanky hotel room awaiting her arrival...listening to the new U2 album streaming on their MySpace page...I LOVE IT!! I can't wait to have it for real and then to see it live and in person on their tour. Give it already!!

One thing I love about flying is listening to music and really having a chance to focus on it. Sometimes I hear a song for what seems like the first time, even though I've listened to it hundreds of times before. Something about having the headphones on, focusing on listening and not being distracted by driving or roaming about the house...you really hear the words and the meaning of the songs. I love that.

The other thing I love about flying is being able to just sit and read. I rarely make time to do that in my life on the ground, so I relish the opportunity. I finished one book (Cancer is a Bitch) and got half-way through another (Second Chance) today.

Okay. Reading on the plane is great. Unless you're reading a book that makes you cry. Then you just feel like an idiot. You can imagine that there were parts of Cancer that brought tears...I was half-way through before I got on the plane, so I was well into the story and knew what was going on...I definitely shed a few tears, but the book was great and I'm so glad I read it! I highly recommend it. Thanks Gail!

The second book is written by Jane Green, an author who I have really enjoyed reading over the years...good Chick Lit. I was expecting a fun, beachy sort of read. Within two minutes, I was totally crying!! Cried through each chapter I read on the flight. Man. It took a lot out of me. I know people were looking at me like I was losing it...even though they could clearly see I was reading and reacting to the words leaping off the pages. I was going to wait to finish reading it on my flight home, but now I'm thinking I'll finish in the confines of my hotel room. Crying on the plane is not interesting.

I think the only time I've cried more on the plane was reading Marley and Me...and that went from equal parts laughing out loud to outright sobbing. I really think people thought I was having a nervous breakdown at that point.

So, my advice to you? Only read things on the plane that won't put you on an emotional rollercoaster. This also goes for watching movies on the plane. I've gotten caught in that trap too.

Well, I've just heard from Tasha, and she is en route to the hotel. I'll sign off now and wish you all a fabulous weekend! Happy flying, reading and musicing (my blog...my word).