Installment Sei

Chronicles of a City Chap: Capo d'anno

2008 is finally here. If any of you are feeling like me you are thinking -- Where did the time go? How did I get here? Did I do everything I was supposed to do in 2007? Did I follow my resolution?....Hell what WAS my resolution? I am currently in our tour van travelling back to CLIMB HQ and 2008 is going as planned. I documented in my journal all of my resolutions for 2008. And, of course, like every year, I say, "I am going to stick to my resolutions." I can be proud of the fact that I do tend to make resolutions that are obtainable. Yet, as the year progresses and priorities change--so does my attention. So this year I wrote a laundry list of everything that I wanted to accomplish in 2008 and I have decided that I will hold myself inexcusably accountable for the items. I will reflect on my list every couple of weeks. I decided that payday was an appropriate day to be accountable. Money is a center of my 2008 (Loans, debts, goals, savings, my career, relocation...ecc...ecc). So instead of ignoring the Elephant in the room I am going to offer it water and some peanuts. Looking beyond those monetary resolutions I just want to be more accountable this year and I want to be more present in the moment. Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda is a nice song by one of my favorite vocalists but it is not how I want to live my life.

Staying true to this mantra, of sorts, has been quite beneficial to my attitude at work. Since my mind is focused on staying accountable I do not have much room to deal with inconsequential deviations. Nevertheless, God must be conducting his tests of Faith pretty early this year because the start of this year has been a bit of a ride.

I ended the year off being stranded (slight dramatization for effect) in Michigan (MI). MI decided to bring in the New Year with a snowstorm and this storm grounded all flights in/out of the state. NW Airlines has proven to be a flaky airline. When things are good--they are good. When things get rough--they get rough. Let me paint you a picture.

Picture it..... Flint January 1, 2008. A strapping young man with a heart of gold, wisdom of a Sicilian and a smile that melts the hearts of all who are blessed to steal a glimpse rises from a deep slumber to discover that his flight back to IGH has been delayed due to the mystical storm that wrapped the whole city in a duvet of snow. This young man always thinks quick, calm and stays collected at all times. He finds out that the delay is just a backlash of the previous night's storm and that all prior arrangements will be honoured. Now, let us fast-forward a few hours and this innocent bystander discovers his flight has been canceled and that his new departure date is 3 days later!

**The following telephone exchange takes place**
"No..No...wait...what did you say? This can't be true."
"Yes. Mr. Thomas we are sorry. The next available flight is on Thursday."
"No, Miss I need to be in MN, well...actually TODAY, but Tuesday by 10A will do."
"Unfortunately, sir, due to the circumstances the availability on all airlines is minimal to none."
"I appreciate your honesty and your kind disposition but you see I am an Actor. I work for a not-for-profit children's theatre and I have a performance tomorrow night and I NEED to be present. I can not let down my cast. Please look into another city departure."
***He waits. Beads of sweat form on his brow**
"Mr. Thomas we found you a flight out tomorrow @ 1:40P."
"Thank you very much for all your help."

**Tuesday January 2, 2008 - DTW Airport @ the Check-In line @ exactly 1PM. Finally arrive at the Check-In Kiosk @ 1:13P. Kiosk machine reads: CHECK-IN DENIED. TOO CLOSE TO CHECK IN TIME.**

(desperate,breathy and confused) "Ummm...excuse me but I can't check in and I NEED to be on this flight."
"Sir I am sorry but the flight has already given your seat away you can not check in. It locks you out if you don't check in 30 mins before departure [I missed it by 3 mins] I will put you on standby for the next flight at 330P. You should be okay but I cannot guarantee you a seat."
"Okay...well if that is all you can do--Thank you."

**Our hero in this story makes it onto that 330 flight and gets back into IGH with just enough time to get into his tour van and travel to the performance site. The show concludes with as much success as suspected.** END OF STORY.

The rest of my week has been draining. Touring is like going to the gym. Getting into a groove takes some time but eventually you gain a rhythm--unfortunately that rhythm can takes weeks or months to develop but only a few days to destroy. I remembered how to do my job but my body quickly forgot how taxing it was. As we complete our 2 week on the road I seem to be back where I was before the break. I feel refreshed and renewed but as I said at the closing of 2007 my mind is starting to make plans for "what happens next". As it stands my contract is up on March 22. Where did the time go?! I suppose March will be a nice way to end this experience with the dawn of a new season.

Passionately Yours ~ Keone The Kid