SL Diary: Final Thoughts

We’re home and easing back into the daily grind after spending a few days in Wonderland.

I have to admit that it was a tiring trip. Our flight got back in a little past midnight. US Airways provided us with a serviceable experience even if the flight was completely packed. Deplaning at JFK is always an experience because the terminals that haven’t been renovated in many years are rather depressing to walk through. Plus, there’s always the joy of the frantic cell phone use right after passengers are allowed to turn them back on. We hadn’t even gotten off the plane yet when a Chinese man a few rows behind us starts screaming into his phone. All I want to do is get off the plane and instead I have the Manchurian Candidate yelling in my ear. The baggage carousel was everything it always is – expectant faces waiting in anticipation. Sort of like Christmas…in hell.

It was a fun trip all the way around and a fun experience in Vegas. I was glad I was able to connect and play with so many people including people I’d never played with before. There were a couple of people who I was disappointed I did not get to play with but scheduling and time (and my own brain farts) kept me from making those connections – certainly next time for sure (yeah, yeah…that’s what you always say).

As always, the most fun I have are those moments when people are sitting around having great conversation, sharing and comparing their scene experiences with yours. It’s an amazing experience to be able to be so open about what we do and it often makes me feel as free as I’d hoped I would feel when I came out. Having friends is great and reestablishing relationships is wonderful. Making new friends or having mere acquaintances turn into friends is absolutely great. As an aside, I never realized how much fun it was to banter with Dolores and seeing her try to shock me. Come on…I was making 9/11 jokes on 9/11 – little shocks me.

I’m still a little sad that there are certain people who can’t seem to get over the hump of relating with those around them. I really don’t know what to do about this. I’m sure that most if not all of them are not bad people but their inability to be social really hurts them and makes those around them uncomfortable. I don’t think there are folks that are so far gone that they can’t be helped but 99% of the help has to come from within them. If they desire to change, then they have to put in the effort.

Aside from the oases of strangeness, my overall experience in Vegas was extremely positive. The crowd was thinner than last time but made up for it by being extra fun. Look forward to not only the next one but every one from now on.