The trip finished up without a hitch. I forced myself to sleep on the plane some (I can never sleep on planes) although it was harder with the cold because that annoying angle of airplane seats would make the drainage from my head-cold cause me to cough and choke. I alternated between reading passages from the book and momentarily passing out from exhaustion.
7 hours later I was at Gatwick airport and it was 8:30am. I got through immigration, found the Gatwick express to London Victoria station, took the circle line to South Kensington Station and walked the remaining 1/2 mile to the Chelsea Cloisters—the corporate apartments where I'm staying.
When I finally got up to my room I was at about 38 hours of being "mostly" awake. I crashed hard. This afternoon I got up and at 5 went over to see my friend's new flat.
Now it's time to see if my body will accept the idea of sleeping for the next 7 hours, and if I can slip into this new time-zone. Frankly, I don't think it'll be a problem. Last time I came out here I was fully adapted on the second day. It was my return to L.A. at the end that was a rough adjustment.
Oh, something also nice worth mentioning: it's rather cool here. The temperature is reaching a high of 70F. Much more in my comfort range. I'm going to enjoy these next two weeks!
Posted by Murray Todd Williams at June 24, 2004 10:45 PM