Well I arrived safe and sound, but, since I'd found out that my friend Paul had sold his car, I knew there was not going to be a nice friendly pickup at the airport. And getting from JFK to Brooklyn at rush-hour is not a pretty ride however you look at it. So I chanced the subway, which was a big mistake. I waited 45 minutes for the damn train, lugging my laptop and two very heavy suitcases in a subway network which is still anachronistically unfriendly to the handicapped - no way of getting off the platform apart from walking up flights of stairs. Blissfully, though, at least the heat and humidity had relented from its recent heights.

I actually had a nice flight. I sat next to a slightly older gay man from near the Castro and, once we'd identified each other as gay, we relaxed and bitched for half the flight.

Spent a quiet evening having dinner with Paul. Paul's pretty much the oldest friend I have in the States - met him - oh - over ten years ago now, and we've been firm friends for most of the last ten years. I always enjoy his company very much. He's quitting his long-term job next week, so we have a major job change in common too. Well - off to bed. G'night.

San Francisco Airport, Wednesday, 30th June 1999 8.05 a.m.

I'm a lousy traveler - I tend to over worry - will Supershuttle arrive on time - will they arrive on time? Will the airline put my bags on the wrong flight? Not to mention that being six feet five makes flying a cramped experience, at best. Fortunately, this time, I had enough frequent flyer miles to upgrade, so it promises to be not too bad.

I started the morning sitting on my suitcases outside my apartment, waiting patiently for Supershuttle. Of course any normal person would have waited in their apartment, but ya know.... just in case :) There was nobody around on the streets except a couple of street people. I think they must have been gay as they were carrying their belongings in Neiman Marcus carrier bags.

Supershuttle pulled up in time, and the van was already full. Mostly with two fat, friendly New Yorkers with thick accents. Since they were flying American, I presumed they were going on my flight, but it turned out that they were on their way to Hawaii. Their matching Hawaian shirts should have clued me in immediately.

Well I'd better go - the flight is boarding in fifteen minutes and I have to make sure I'mn ready at least ten minutes in advance! Besides, the guy beside me is pretending not to be reading what I'm writing. See you in New York!