So much to do, there’s plenty on the farm
I’ll sleep when I’m dead
Saturday night I like to raise a little harm
I’ll sleep when I’m dead–Warren Zevon
I am sitting here in the lounge at Narita waiting to board a plane to Hong Kong, for what may be the last time this year, or possibly through early next year too. Am I sad about that? You are damn right I am!
In all probability I should not be making this trip-I have neither the money, nor the time really-however as I told the S.O. when I decided to go: ” Frankly Scarlett, I don’t give a damn.” I was going to do this. I will be in the US soon enough living the mundane and tedious existence that is life in suburban America soon enough. For the good of my mind, my soul, and my desire for excitement-some long overdue steps up and down Lockhart Road are in order.
Now for the record, I offered the S.O. the chance to accompany me -at least 7 times she was invited. I even offered to take her someplace in Japan or anywhere else in Asia. Just so long as we went away and while I have still have the time, I could take a trip. She declined. I think she thought she could guilt me into cancelling the whole thing-not a chance. Or maybe she is giving me a gift of sorts.
Except these kind of gifts…..are not hers to give.
And never will be.
So I am by myself for the next 5 days and I plan to go Hong Kong and sit shiva for a lifestyle I am really going to miss-and one I determined to get back to just as soon as I am able.
People do not understand my fascination with Hong Kong and Singapore. If I could live anywhere in the world-it would be either of those two cities. Of late Hong Kong seems to be winning out on style points- even though Singapore is the better choice- for a whole bunch of reasons. I like them more so than Japan-and I love Japan dearly. Why? Because you are part of the mix when you are in Hong Kong. Japan is the club that, no matter much you try, you can never really join. Hong Kong on the other hand:
It’s just buzzing.It’s chaotic, it’s traffic jammed, it’s packed, it’s busy, it’s bustling, it’s noisy, it’s just happening. The town that doesn’t even blink, let alone sleep. The guy with his t-shirt off, a filthy towel around his shoulders, pushing that ricketty hand-cart with boxes of goods, he’s pushing it across town for HKD$20, fuck your FedEx UPS, this guy’ll take 25 minutes anywhere in Wanchai. The trucks are beeping at 10am, delivering and picking up from a factory or a shop that is next to a shuttered restaurant that’s on the ground floor of a residential apartment building that hosts a massage parlor and a night-club as well. It’s all happening, it’s all here. It’s now… It’s immediate. It’s annoying, it’s a pain in the arse, it’s brilliant, it’s jumping…
Hong Kong is a town you can love because it is continually reminding you that are alive and WHY you are alive. You are not afraid of anything and nothing that can stop you doing what you want. (H/T to E @ L for the quote!)
I won’t, in all probability plow any new ground-just simply make the circuit of my usual hangouts. There to cast a wistful eye upon them, absorb their sights, sounds, and smells- and in so doing try to indelibly burn their memory upon my brain. Copious amounts of alcohol will be consumed. Sleep will be at premium. Blogging may be light. Soul searching will be heavy. Wistful sighs-will be greatly in evidence.
I’ll find my favorite little out of the way book store and spend money I shouldn’t. I’ll walk down the peak and probably over on the trails by Quarry Bay. I’ll also climb the hill and in so doing, plant my flag of victory over the self righteous bastards who thought they had a carte blance to interfere in my life so many years ago. I’m still here you greasy bastards!
But of course the time will fly by way too fast and before you know it I will be right back here-packing out and in the remaining 10 days putting up with all the complications of a trans pacific move. Reality will be back and providing me a straight up debriefing:
Life is not like Burger King pal! You don’t always get it your way! Now get off your ass and get to work!
Ah but for the moment-there is a beer with my name on it. Carpe Diem!
I think I’ve fallen in love with Hong Kong too. It’s such a wonderful place but you feel so absolutely miserable when you have to watch the lit up skyline get smaller and smaller.
I have never been to Hong Kong. One day, I would like to go.
At the same time, out here in suburbia, I do not find my life tedious and mundane. I enjoy the freedom I have to do the things that I want to do, things that I could not do elsewhere.
Life is what you make of it.
Bullnav,
That’s the point. The things I want to do are probably very different than what you want to do. Life is what you make it to be sure-but not every one gets what they want. I need to get rid of my alimony and life will be fine.
I miss the fragant harbour too……to feel its pulse once again…
Ah, to quote Captain Willard:
“Everyone gets everything they want. I wanted a mission, and for my sins they gave me on…”
I hope you get what you want. Hell, I hope I get what I want. Believe me, I know better than anyone all about not getting what you want.
But you move on and make the best of it…remember its the journey and not the destination.
Shit, we need to have a beer…
Skippy, have a beer with me and you’ll get the female version of what bullnav just said. 🙂