Ed walked in our front door last night at about 10:45 PM. He’s not at his best—no surprise there—but he’s home and safe.
Archive for October, 2005
Home Again
Thursday, October 27th, 2005The Importance of Paying Attention
Wednesday, October 26th, 2005C: If you’re going to eavesdrop, at least listen to the whole thing.
B: I tried, but the wall got in my way.
News, but No Contact
Wednesday, October 26th, 2005I managed to get a call through to the hotel where Ed was staying in Cancun. The person I spoke to remembered him, and told me that he’d checked out today and gone to the airport. I called the U. S. Embassy in Mexico City, and they tell me that there are nine or ten flights out of Cancun today. The last one leaves at 4:00 PM. I don’t know where he’ll be sent, but so long as it isn’t New Orleans, I’m happy.
Exsistential Mini-Crisis
Sunday, October 23rd, 2005Over the past month or so, my weight has finally(!) stabilized, and I’m able to eat most of the time, even with things being as stressful as they are at the moment. I have lost about 70 pounds, and I’m starting to get some serious muscle tone, especially in my core. A few months ago, I thought I had hit my “final destination” at a size 2. However, those pants from late July are now distinctly loose about the waist—not wardrobe-malfunction loose, but quite roomy nonetheless. Ever mindful of another potential incident, I decided to try on something smaller. So, I hit the stores and start looking around for a size 1.
There weren’t any.
The next size down is a size 0. I’ve never been than small; not even when I was in college. I started thinking, what the hell is that? Size 0? That means there’s nothing there. And I need a size 0 short, which is less than nothing? I don’t want to be less than nothing! I may not have been healthy or comfortable as a size 16, but at least I had substance. And paying for less than nothing? That’s just stupid. They should pay me to take them.
Needless to say, I left the store without pants. Well, other than the ones I was wearing when I went in. It wasn’t that much of a crisis.
Wilma – 4, Ed – 2
Sunday, October 23rd, 2005Ed has managed to find what may well be the only working phone in Cancun. He wasn’t able to get through to our house, but he did speak to his parents, and his father called me around 2:30. He has survived, but apparently the city did not. He’s heard that the roof is off the airport, and thinks that he may not get home for a week. He has joined up with several other people. Food and water are rationed. His dad did say that it sounds like Ed is keeping his spirits up, at least. I’m hoping that he can get to either the U. S. Embassy or a city with a working airport.
Waiting Game
Sunday, October 23rd, 2005I haven’t heard from Ed since Thursday night. As far as I can remember, I’ve not gone this long without hearing from him since we started dating nine years ago. I know that the power and communications networks are down in Cancun, and that he’ll get in touch—somehow—as soon as possible. That’s what I keep telling myself, but it’s starting to wear thin.
Wilma – 3 2, Ed – 1
Saturday, October 22nd, 2005The good news is that Wilma is now down to a category 3 2. The bad news is that she liked the Mayan Riviera enough to stay awhile. No word yet from Ed, as of about 4:00 PM today. I called his office yesterday to let them know he’s not going to be back as planned. Fortunately, his supervisor is more concerned about his safety than his schedule.
Feliz Halloweeeeen
Friday, October 21st, 2005D: I had a “lost in translation” episode with my boyfriend who speaks only Spanish…I was trying to invite him to go with me to the fright festival at [venue]…but I didn’t know the Spanish word for Halloween. So, I thought if I could describe what goes on there he might just get it…
Me: Oh my…
D: So… in my battered Spanish…I invited him to go with me and the kids to the house for dead people to look at dead people and be scared…
D: Well as it turns out…I didn’t know the words for “haunted” or “ghost” either… so he thought I was inviting him to break into a mortuary. Anyway… in my frustration… I finally hit upon the word fiesta… for festival… and gave the date October 31…Suddenly he got this look on his face of total understanding… big light bulbs… and then doubled over in peals of laughter… finally he looked up at me and tapped my head and said very clearly… “en espanol…Halloweeeeen!”
Wilma – 2, Ed – 1
Thursday, October 20th, 2005I got another email from Ed around 6:45 PM—
Please don’t respond to this email. I won’t get it.. this is pretty much a one shot and then I’ll be unavailable for an undetermined time. The shelter I’m in is pretty sturdy (close to a bunker), and it’s survived cat5s before, but by all accounts this one will get very ugly. There is almost no chance that there will be a flight on Saturday… so I’m playing this one by ear. The people taking care of us are very good at what they do. I’ll be fine.
p.s. I’m keeping a journal of my experiences during this… I’ll let you decide if it’s blog worthy.
Oops. I guess I made a pre-emptive decision here.
UPDATE: Ed managed to borrow a working cell phone and called me from a bunker in Cancun. He’s sharing the space with about eight other people. They’re going to ride out the storm well away from the shore. Apparently water is rationed, but Ed managed to bring some food with him. He told me he’d be incommunicado for a while, possibly until Saturday morning, depending on how fast the storm moves through. I should hear from him as soon as he’s safely out of the shelter, though.
Wilma – 1, Ed – 0
Thursday, October 20th, 2005I had email this morning from Ed that the hotel where he’s staying in Cancun is being evacuated. I haven’t been able to reach him by phone, but I’m sure he’ll call as soon as he gets a chance. If the Reading Public would be so kind as to keep its collective fingers crossed for him, I’d appreciate it.
UPDATE: I had another email from Ed at lunchtime—
Can’t call, no time. I’m starting to understand why some people hate Americans.
CNN: Well, Cozumel and Cancun are screwed… now let’s talk about Florida
Anyway, the bus to *somewhere* is leaving in a minute. I’ll be in touch as I can. Miss you, and I’m hoping the worst of it misses me… but looking at the radar that’s doubtful. Hell, at least it’ll make a good story for the kids I’ll never have.
Tell everyone I love them. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a bus to catch and a storm to ride out.