Winter                          New Moon (cold moon)

4 am came surprisingly early.  A bit bleary eyed I walked down the driveway, too steep apparently for the super shuttle.  As the next hour and a half passed, the driver treated me to a dark and winding tour of the northern and northwestern suburbs as we picked up two other early fliers.  I got to be first!

Checking in and security were fine, almost like days of yore, back when I enjoyed flying.  Over the last few years, especially in airports, I have had occasion to use my anthropological training.  The dark suited male with colorful tie and dress shirt has the tendency to act out dominance behavior.  These latter day masters of the universe strut and fret and have their day upon the stage and then blessedly fade away.

When I worked for the church, I used to fly a lot and I remember the sense of self-importance the whole airport, travel to different cities, meetings with folks in hotel conference rooms gave me.  It was an illusion of course, but like most illusions almost impossible to stumble onto when you’re in the midst of it.

When I got to the hotel, I discovered I was at the wrong one, so I had to drive a bit further.  Geez.  This  is the second time I’ve screwed up hotel reservations here.

Anyhow a nice desk clerk, a woman from spain, got me into a room right away, around 11:00-11:30 so I could take a nap.  Which I needed.]

Got up and have spent an hour so writing on the new novel.  Jen just called, so I’m going over there soon.

The Stock Show folks are every where with livestock trailers, fifth wheelers, cowboy hats and at least one pair of lizard skin cowboy boots.  Leather accessories with silver decor also seem popular.