Itchy Feet

I slept through my alarm this morning, not waking up until around 10:30. Considering I was supposed to be at work at 8:45, it really wasn't going to be happening today. I called in sick (I have sick leave to use before I go, any way), and logged on long enough to find Dex was back in Toronto and gave him a call.

I'm glad I did.

Talking to Dex spurred me to Get Stuff Done. I lugged the giant parcel of books and clothing I'd packed this weekend down to the post office ($50 postage surface mail, ouch - bastards better not lose it, it's got my summer and formal wear in there, except for the emergency LBD), went to the gym for an hour, including half an hour on the recumbant. Also made an appointment for a massage on Thursday since my right shoulder and neck are in scary places right now. Headed back home long enough to get changed into something less sweaty and to grab the bike rims I've had hanging around the closet for the last five years (legacy of the bike mechanic boyfriend) and the quick release I'd inadvertantly acquired from when I last got the bike serviced. Dropped both off at St Kilda Cycles - I ended up donating the rims, since I have neither the time or the patience to find someone who will buy them, not when I'll only get $20 at the most.

After that I went to the arcade off Acland Street, grabbed sushi for a late lunch (it was getting around for 4pm), and then went to the Flight Centre and bought my tickets. It's odd, how blase I'm getting about flights and the large amounts of money they entail. Slapped down the credit card with barely an internal murmer.

I'll be making Kielle's wake. I will need, in the following order, assistance with:

1) Pick up from LAX on the morning of the 21st and a lift out to where I'm catching floorspace.

2) Details on where said floorspace is - [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com], if the offer's still open, I'd greatly appreciate it. Shouldn't be more than two nights, and I have sleeping bag and camping mat. The only demand I tend to make is a shower as soon as I get in, given I'm travelling for 14 hours in a plane. Gah. Email me?

3) Lift from floorspace to wake and back again.

4) Lift out to LAX on the morning of the 23rd. Yes, it's a fly-by visit, but I'll have basically everything I'm taking with me for the two years, and I'm not going to be exactly mobile. There shall be another visit before next October, as I have a return ticket that flies out via LA.

Now for actual details:

Departure: Friday, Oct 21st, 10:25am from Melbourne Airport. Yes, [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] it's not the 7am bastard flight.

Arrival: Friday, Oct 21st 7:30am at LAX. Yes, it's the day that never ends. The person volunteering to collect me can delay pick up for an hour or so - it tends to take a while to clear Customs these days. Also, shall have two backpacks, a carry on bag and a computer bag. I'll be looking at ways to either store the backpacks at LAX or send them on ahead, since I'm capable of packing the carry on with what I need for a couple of days. If I can't, well, may need help.

For the Toronto side of things...

Departure: Sunday, Oct 23rd, 9:20am, from LAX. Massive apologies - it was the only flight they could get me on that didn't cost scary money. If there's hassle getting me there by 8am, I'll cab it.

Arrival: Sunday, Oct 23rd, 5:00pm, Pearson International Airport. Dex, if you're good to meet me, make it around 6pm - I've got New and More Complicated Customs hoops to jump through given the nature of my visa. So it'll take a while for me to clear. If for some unforeseen reason it doesn't, well, I'm a big girl, I can wait. ;) Will need carrying help, tho', given that two backpack situation.


It's an open return ticket, which means I have to use it before a year expires (so, before October 2006), but there shall be plans made accordingly when the time comes. Just need to remember to reschedule the ticket dates, since the travel agent gave me March 2006.

I finished up my hugely productive (and expensive) day with getting a prescription filled - oh, warning to people on the contraceptive pill who take St John's Wort? The Wort counters the Pill. Never thought my current celibacy would come in so handy, not that I rely solely on the Pill, but yeah, explains a couple of things last month - grocery shopping and dumping three bags' worth of stuff off at the St Vincent de Paul's charity shop down the road. Also checked that Sunday the 9th of October will be a good time to dump furniture, and they've said yes. Just need to leave a note in the downstairs neighbour's mailbox about leaving the carpark out the front free so we can load up David's truck. Also moved Phil's mini-fridge inside, since mine's going to charity - it's all cleaned and working nicely, btw, Phil. ;)

Shall be sending emails to various people, given the spate of defriending and journal not-reading, but yeah, wanted to put this all down in one place.

(cross posted to [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] since a lot of the old gang who might not have me friended are reading that one.)

First up, there are comic ficcers who knew Ki who don't have LJs or have them and don't use/read them any more who might not know what's happened and who might want to. Luba Kmetyk came to mind. Can people who are still in touch or who have the L33T skillz and time contact them and let them know? There's a message board set up as a central point for sharing stories and memories and resources - it might be an idea to include the link in any emails sent. And also? Make a comment on the [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] post who you've emailed, so certain people don't get spammed. I already emailed Queen B last night, since I'm pretty sure she's mostly offline these days.

Secondly, Chris is asking for pics of Kielle people might have. Digital copies preferred. We all know how camera-shy she was - I know I don't have any from the Dexcon she attended and I didn't take my camera with me to the karaoke night during Walkabout - but if people have photos who haven't already offered them, please do.

There's been a lot of people reaching out and getting back in touch with each other. It's a good thing, even if the reason is a sad one. I think Ki would have appreciated seeing it.

For me, there's laundry. Much laundry o' doom, since I have the towels and sheets used during GASP to clean. And more packing. I moved the CDs to the case I bought yesterday (note: I have a _lot_ of CDs. Around 300, bought and burned) and packed a box of kitchen stuff, now it's time to move onto the clothes and fill up a couple of those parcels for sending Monday.

There's a possibility I can make the wake. Still ironing out details since it's the day after I get to Toronto, technically.

And for the record? Yes, life's important. Telling people you love them is important. Taking care of yourself and those you care about is important. Reaching out to each other, supporting each other right now? It's important.

Some things don't need pontificating.

We're losing her.

Ki, Chris, all my thoughts with you right now.

Okay, a little while ago I was directing people to Trisha's LJ to donate to the 24 hour mini-comic in honour of [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] who has cancer. Donations can still be made there, and also to [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] who is getting together a quilt.

There's also another way of contributing. All those who used to run with the Subreality crowd, [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] is talking about one last Subreality RR. It would not only be a great treat for Kielle, who was a huge part of the SCRRs, but also a lot of fun in a nostalgic way. *grins* So, get thee to the discussion thread and volunteer your time, your writing ability, and possibly your avatar's bloody death, since there's talk of it being one last Halloween Massacre.