spinning

[chronovore]

Decided to download Google Earth to my iPod, then proceeded to enter my sister's home address in its search function.

The globe spun, slowed, then twisted lazily inward, zooming in on the address nestled in the low California hills, showing the street leading up to it which has been the last leg of so many visits, the driveway I've parked in, and the house where my sister and Lee provide safe harbor against the jetlag and fatigue, plying me effortlessly with coffee, baked treats in the coziest breakfast nook in the world, and endless love and acceptance. I am so overwhelmed with sudden homesickness, it has brought me to the edge of tears. I wonder what exactly is technology enabling, in my case.

Comments

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you're having a rough time of it lately. What with the lack of sleep, mosquitoes, travels...and even if you did have a good birthday, it's still a bit of an emotional mile-marker.

Do you have someplace to go to be still for even a little while? A couple hours? Maybe you need to settle and center.

In any case, have a fluffy bunny.

[chronovore.livejournal.com]

Thanks, gorgeous.

One of the things I like least about Japan, or at least the area where I work, is that it's incredibly crowded. Even in the marginally urban area where I am, there is almost no place to run and hide, even for five minutes.

I don't need it often; there have been only three times in the eight years I've lived here, when I really wanted to just bail. One was reading Doomsday Book by Connie Willis, right about the point where everything turns to utter crap for the protagonist, two was when Obama was successfully inaugurated into office, and three was several years ago, finding out after a long break in communication that one of my friends had just lost his wife to cancer. In each case I was just overwhelmed by emotion, and wanted to be alone so I could blubber unselfconsciously. I found myself running around looking for any space that was even marginally out of the way so I could avert my face from foot and bike and car traffic. I usually end up hunched down behind a wall, or on the non-traffic side of some support pillar, whereas in the US I'd just duck behind a building, down an alley, or go for a walk since nobody walks anymore.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

there is almost no place to run and hide, even for five minutes.

Oh my goodness. Having never lived in a big city urban area, this is pretty much beyond my comprehension. Take care of yourself, somehow.

No wonder you're longing for your sister's house. It's not homesickness so much as a need for some peace! *pat*pat*

[andrewv.livejournal.com]

yeah, the first time Google Street View was added to Japan, I spent probably an hour going around visiting everywhere I visited when I lived in Jiyugaoka. It's absolutely uncanny.

[chronovore.livejournal.com]

It was overwhelming for me yesterday. I'm avoiding the app today.

[professormass.livejournal.com]

Seriously, dude. Get a job at some video game company in Vancouver -- the place is sick with them. EA has a massive office here. Move to Vancouver. Vancouver wants you. Moreover, I want you. And not in the dirty sex way. In the "let us geek together with lurve" way.

[evil-genius.livejournal.com]

Man do I ever hear this loud and clear.