Date: Sometime before Christmas 2001

So I'm leaving New York City.

On a plane. Back to L.A listening to music again. The new No Doubt Record is in my walkman. It's Hella Good. I love re-invention. I'd decided I'm also obsessed with female singer songwriters. Right now I'm into the new 'solo' album from Nina Persson (Cardigans). It's so simple and sincere. Flying through the air. Clouds and Sun and Pay It Forward is playing on the inflight TV screen on the world's oldest airplane. Would you like the chicken or the beef?

London was so great. Got to spend a few days off to do the Christmas thing. See my friend Claire and the ever increasingly international Kristel. We had an international-off. I won. Got to see a movie. Normal stuff.

Waiting in the airport lounge, eating stale breakfast pastries and watching CNN I was struck by the spectator sport mentality the media have adopted in relation to the war. It reminds me of the Gulf War.. When we watched the whole thing live on television. What was it Bono used to say, in character on stage during the ZooTV tour? "When something serious comes on.. you can just change the channel". I hope we do more than just channel surf through this one. I want to see an end to wars. How idealistic is that?

Home for Christmas. That's where I'm going. I want to hold people I love and take a moment to appreciate how lucky we all are to be alive. The children behind me are kicking my chair. Constantly. The only words the two year old can say are 'ME, ME MEEEE!!' which I find both familiar and rather amusing. Bump! Three more hours to touch down. Back to Gwen Stefani. Rock Steady!