Ravings of a Textual Deviant

So, on the way to do the Christmas thing with his family, Ed and I stopped off to get a present for his brother and sister-in-law—a nice bottle of wine.  We got back to the car, whereupon I handed the gift bag and bottle to Ed and said “You know what to do.”

He replied, “Drink the wine, grouse for half an hour, pass out, and pee myself?”

Ed is feeling well enough to get back to the dojo, and last night, he got his orange belt. He also nailed a fellow student—the guy who has one speed, which is “on”—squarely in the crotch. Or, as Ed described it, “He kicked high, I kicked low, and I got to Scotland first.”

I’m not sure which accomplishment makes Ed happier.

So, the other day, Ed gets this email…

Hello. I wanted to let everyone know that I am running a return trip to Cozumel March 12-19, 2006. We will be returning to the Hotel Cozumel and diving with Dive Paradise…Sounds like we could have another spectacular dive trip. Please let me know if you are up for the trip of the year. Let’s get together and get the dive season started with a trip back to Cozumel. The reports are that the reefs are in good shape and most of the hotels will be reopened before the Christmas season. Looking forward to diving with you in Cozumel. Thanks. Later.

[Name]
Training Manager [OMG!!!!!]
[Company] SCUBA Center, Inc.

Ed’s comment was, “I guess the water will still be there, but how much of Atlanti..er..Cozumel?”

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.

I 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.

Ed 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.

I 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.

The 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.

I 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.

I 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.

Tell everyone I love them. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a bus to catch and a storm to ride out.