Well I am sitting here on 4th Street in Santa Monica at my brothers apartment packing for my return trip to London. This has been quite a whirlwind visit, in many ways, but I am totally ready to go back.
More precisely, I really really need to get out of here now. :)
I think I haven't been gone long enough to be comfortable coming back here yet. As I predicted, just driving around LA and seeing so many familiar things often made me feel unsettled and strange. I dont feel I belong here, yet its soooo familiar that my mind is confused. London feels a bit distant too....was the past 4 months a dream?
My trip started by flying into LA and then 4 hours later flying to Vegas for RollerCon. Vegas was fun, if a bit overwhelming. It was great to see the massive quantities of rollergirls all in one place...I actually got to meet way more people than I did last year. I also skated a lot. Did some on skates training, some Flamingo Banks scrimmaging, and most importantly played the Team World vs Team USA challenge bout on Fremont Street. And hey....we totally won! I was there for 5 days and was ready to get back to LA.
So then LA. Yeah....bit odd to say the least. On one hand it was good to see people and some of the old haunts, but at the same time there was that unsettled feeling.
And yeah, not going to lie, dealing with the boy that I left behind when I went to London was a big part of that. I don't need to go into details, because if you are close to me you are probably privy to it anyway. Regardless, there were some ups and downs, some fun, some sweetness, feelings both good and bad, but in the end I think there is a sense of transition to a comfortable and healthy place. That's probably how it should have been when I went to London in the first place, but it somehow didn't go that way, and that led to complicated emotions and actions. I feel all cryptic here, but I am torn between the two extremes of airing dirty laundry and sharing nothing beyond a surface level. Just trying to strike a privacy balance and still communicate my state of mind with some context in a blog.
Anyway, I think the trip has been a little cathartic and introspective for me. I guess that's never a bad thing, although not always chock full of fun. And dont get me wrong, I did have fun. Hung with the ACDG girls and a lot of other friends too. Beach bonfires, bar crawls, crazy shenanigans, beach skating, karaoke, shopping, movies, cuddles, Tequila Tuesday, Tiny's, 107, family time, derby practice on a full track, OnDemand TV, Ice Blended Mochas, sushi, driving fast, Old Navy, The Other Room with Ms D and Francisco, numerous quality times with Adam/Joetta/Shane/Scarlene/Bee/Dia/Vodka/Holly/Minnie that crazy gal...
And now it's back to London. Really glad that Francisco (that's wolfsblood to you MySpaz friends) is coming with me from LA. I think having a good friend visit from home will make the transition back a lot easier. Then right after he goes I have the first LRG bout, then the fam comes over for fun times on the continent.
So conclusion: not the easiest trip....not a vacation in the traditional sense....ups and downs....fun times too....ready to go back and continue my new journey. See ya at xmas. Hope its more chill then.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Courtney On The Move – Coming Atcha!
So I am all the sudden getting frantic before a big trip. Only this time it’s not me moving to London, instead it’s me finishing my job here and getting ready to head back to the states for some visit time. I still have mixed feelings about it. I think it’s going to be a bit “odd” to be back in LA, but living in London. Things are very different than when I left. No more Adam…no more Mo…no more apartment or car. Maybe I will feel unsettled and a bit lost. Who knows…
Course it’s probably going to be fun too. I will have no responsibilities, and plenty of time to skate on the beach, party with my girls, flirt with outgoing American men, and chill with my family. And I am starting the whole thing off with RollerCon in Vegas.
So….for those wanting to know, here is the schedule of “Courtney’s Two Months Off Work Extravaganza!” (Brought to you by Microsoft™...but made on a Mac™)
August 8th – August 13th
LAS VEGAS
Wednesday - I fly into LA at 1pm on the 8th, run around getting stuff, then fly to Vegas with Dia Blow at 8pm.
Why? RollerCon…that’s why. Drink, drink, schmooze, talk derby, meet rollergirls, drink, sing karaoke, sleep.
Thursday – on skates workshops at the Imperial Palace, meet more rollergirls, drink water only, eat healthy. Meet up with Team World at 7pm in the lobby of IP for meet and greet…then we head to Flamingo Banks for the pick-up scrimmages…then back to IP to make our shirts for the challenge bout.
Friday – on skates workshops…..say hi to all the LA rollergirls who are starting to roll into town. Trade pins, stickers, etc…. Make team lineups for challenge bout. 5pm on Fremont Street – TEAM WORLD vs TEAM USA, with me as Team World captain. Kick ass and wipe the concrete with Team USA….watch the other scrimmages….head back to IP. Roller Derby Coaches meet and greet pizza at the IP. Eat, drink, schmooze, drink, talk derby, drink… Back to the room to get ready for the Black and Blue ball. Party hard at the Black and Blue ball. Maybe hit the OG for late night action. Get obnoxious on the strip in our Ball outfits. Sleep.
Saturday/Sunday – drink, sleep by pool, skate, schmooze, drink, etc…
August 13th – August 24th
LOS ANGELES
Back in Hell-A. Party with Joetta and the girls. Tequila Tuesday debauchery. Bar Marmont, Tiny’s, etc… Skate, skate, skate…on the beach and practice with ACDG. BBQ at my mom’s in Topanga. Visit from my dad. Buy a ton of stuff to bring back to the UK. Get a massage on Main Street. Generally feel rich with my UK pounds. Pine for real pints.
Leave on the morning of the 24th. Francisco is coming back to London with me, so we are flying on the same plane.
August 24th – September 12th
LONDON
Saturday/Sunday/Monday – recover from jet lag, get coffee at Coffee Plant, intro London to Francisco. Sunday and Monday are the Notting Hill Carnival, which is supposed to be a bit mental. I live in the heart of it, so we have a security guard posted on our door the whole time. Probably going to have a party with our flat as homebase. At least we don’t have to use the port-a-loo.
Next week and a half – hang out with Francisco and show him the sights. Also…big importante…lead up to the first every London Rollergirls Expo Bout!!!
Saturday the 8th – LRG roller derby descends on London full bore. After party at Big Red…drink, drink, dance, drink, get obnoxious, stagger home.
Sunday the 9th – my mom, her boyfriend, and my brother arrive in London.
Monday – Wednesday – play tour guide for like the 5th time this year. Should be fun though, since my brother has never been to Europe!
September 12th – 19th
FRANCE
Take the eurostar to Paris with the family on the 12th…meet up with two aunts, once uncle, one cousin in Paris. See the sights, play tour guide again, attempt to remember my five years of French. Fail miserably, but with a good accent.
Saturday the 15th – take the train to Angouleme and then drive to farmhouse gite in the Dordogne for relaxing fun times in the French countryside.
SUNDAY THE 16TH – MY BIRTHDAY….GODDAMN I AM OLD!
Wednesday the 19th – Kalon (brother) and I take the train to Amsterdam for relaxing fun times in the canals
September 20th – 24th
AMSTERDAM AND MUNICH
So Kalon and I are meeting Popo and Wen (two friends from Hell-A) in Amsterdam. I have no idea what we are going to get up to. Technically I don’t do drugs, and that’s pretty much one of the reasons people go to Amsterdam, right? I might have to do some cultural stuff….I actually wouldn’t mind seeing some Vermeer and the Anne Frank house.
Then we all head over to Munich for the beginning of Oktoberfest. Kalon has some pals who have family there, so we won’t be tourists on our own. And we are on a table at the big beer hall for the opening day of the festival. Now, unlike with the drugs, I do partake of the beer. I think I need to buy a drindl to wear. That’s my style.
And…finally…after all that craziness, we fly back to London where the boys hang for another day or so before taking off. Then I probably collapse or something. Oh, and hopefully go back to work somewhere.
Sweet.
Then I start planning my xmas vacation. Or maybe a weekend in Barcelona with the flat mate gals in November
Oh! Almost forgot.....
September 29th -- Joetta and her mom arrive in London! More debauchery! Garlic and Shots...SoHo...Big Red...Camden! Bring it!!
Course it’s probably going to be fun too. I will have no responsibilities, and plenty of time to skate on the beach, party with my girls, flirt with outgoing American men, and chill with my family. And I am starting the whole thing off with RollerCon in Vegas.
So….for those wanting to know, here is the schedule of “Courtney’s Two Months Off Work Extravaganza!” (Brought to you by Microsoft™...but made on a Mac™)
August 8th – August 13th
LAS VEGAS
Wednesday - I fly into LA at 1pm on the 8th, run around getting stuff, then fly to Vegas with Dia Blow at 8pm.
Why? RollerCon…that’s why. Drink, drink, schmooze, talk derby, meet rollergirls, drink, sing karaoke, sleep.
Thursday – on skates workshops at the Imperial Palace, meet more rollergirls, drink water only, eat healthy. Meet up with Team World at 7pm in the lobby of IP for meet and greet…then we head to Flamingo Banks for the pick-up scrimmages…then back to IP to make our shirts for the challenge bout.
Friday – on skates workshops…..say hi to all the LA rollergirls who are starting to roll into town. Trade pins, stickers, etc…. Make team lineups for challenge bout. 5pm on Fremont Street – TEAM WORLD vs TEAM USA, with me as Team World captain. Kick ass and wipe the concrete with Team USA….watch the other scrimmages….head back to IP. Roller Derby Coaches meet and greet pizza at the IP. Eat, drink, schmooze, drink, talk derby, drink… Back to the room to get ready for the Black and Blue ball. Party hard at the Black and Blue ball. Maybe hit the OG for late night action. Get obnoxious on the strip in our Ball outfits. Sleep.
Saturday/Sunday – drink, sleep by pool, skate, schmooze, drink, etc…
August 13th – August 24th
LOS ANGELES
Back in Hell-A. Party with Joetta and the girls. Tequila Tuesday debauchery. Bar Marmont, Tiny’s, etc… Skate, skate, skate…on the beach and practice with ACDG. BBQ at my mom’s in Topanga. Visit from my dad. Buy a ton of stuff to bring back to the UK. Get a massage on Main Street. Generally feel rich with my UK pounds. Pine for real pints.
Leave on the morning of the 24th. Francisco is coming back to London with me, so we are flying on the same plane.
August 24th – September 12th
LONDON
Saturday/Sunday/Monday – recover from jet lag, get coffee at Coffee Plant, intro London to Francisco. Sunday and Monday are the Notting Hill Carnival, which is supposed to be a bit mental. I live in the heart of it, so we have a security guard posted on our door the whole time. Probably going to have a party with our flat as homebase. At least we don’t have to use the port-a-loo.
Next week and a half – hang out with Francisco and show him the sights. Also…big importante…lead up to the first every London Rollergirls Expo Bout!!!
Saturday the 8th – LRG roller derby descends on London full bore. After party at Big Red…drink, drink, dance, drink, get obnoxious, stagger home.
Sunday the 9th – my mom, her boyfriend, and my brother arrive in London.
Monday – Wednesday – play tour guide for like the 5th time this year. Should be fun though, since my brother has never been to Europe!
September 12th – 19th
FRANCE
Take the eurostar to Paris with the family on the 12th…meet up with two aunts, once uncle, one cousin in Paris. See the sights, play tour guide again, attempt to remember my five years of French. Fail miserably, but with a good accent.
Saturday the 15th – take the train to Angouleme and then drive to farmhouse gite in the Dordogne for relaxing fun times in the French countryside.
SUNDAY THE 16TH – MY BIRTHDAY….GODDAMN I AM OLD!
Wednesday the 19th – Kalon (brother) and I take the train to Amsterdam for relaxing fun times in the canals
September 20th – 24th
AMSTERDAM AND MUNICH
So Kalon and I are meeting Popo and Wen (two friends from Hell-A) in Amsterdam. I have no idea what we are going to get up to. Technically I don’t do drugs, and that’s pretty much one of the reasons people go to Amsterdam, right? I might have to do some cultural stuff….I actually wouldn’t mind seeing some Vermeer and the Anne Frank house.
Then we all head over to Munich for the beginning of Oktoberfest. Kalon has some pals who have family there, so we won’t be tourists on our own. And we are on a table at the big beer hall for the opening day of the festival. Now, unlike with the drugs, I do partake of the beer. I think I need to buy a drindl to wear. That’s my style.
And…finally…after all that craziness, we fly back to London where the boys hang for another day or so before taking off. Then I probably collapse or something. Oh, and hopefully go back to work somewhere.
Sweet.
Then I start planning my xmas vacation. Or maybe a weekend in Barcelona with the flat mate gals in November
Oh! Almost forgot.....
September 29th -- Joetta and her mom arrive in London! More debauchery! Garlic and Shots...SoHo...Big Red...Camden! Bring it!!
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