Sigrid's Wedding and So Forth

Sigrid's wedding actually very nice. During ceremony (performed by so called priestess, actually Sigrid's one time girlfriend at Smith, wearing an emerald gown), discover unexpected Lump in throat and am glad to be wearing sunglasses (very Hot and sunny day for Whidbey Island, glare very bright off of sound) to cover up tears. Sigrid and new husband to go to India despite rock solid advice against such a plan as this is the Monsoon season. (Sigrid, as usual, contrary and says that she's always wanted to see a Monsoon. Grandmother and Sigrid's voices raised over this point, ending with the grandmother saying she won't be surpised if Sigrid gets swept away and Sigrid replying with vehemence, Well, she hopes she does. But everyone on best behavior during wedding.) Reception and dancing in tent set up on property. We are unmolested by Fred's helicopter but one guest leaves by Sea Plane. Take Dave down to the water to watch the plane take off, actually into the sunset. Extremely Romantic. Arrive back to wedding party to find that brother of the groom's hand has swelled up to the size of a canteloupe because of a Bite suffered at the mouth of his cat (he and wife travel with cat(s?) because they can't bear to leave them at home. his wife explains cats get Nervous when traveling. Is this man my brother in law or not? Hope no.) Brother-in-law's brother whisked off by ambulane and party continues without him. Much Champagne drunk and head muzzy in the morning. Spend day showing Dave around. Make him jump into the sound and swim with me. Say, See, it isn't cold at all. Dave turns an alarming shade of blue and we get out of the water. (Thank god.) Depart from Seattle airport last night on the Red Eye. Plane delayed for two and a half hours (the fanciful part of the mind provides reason of the same hundred year old man vomiting in airplane Again, but rational brain knows this is highly unlikely.) Dave able to book seats on same plane as me. When we check in, have panic that maybe David is not Fun to Travel With. (Recall trip taken in extreme youth when told travelmate with shocking honesty, You need to stop Freaking Out. Remember hysteria creeping into voice, undermining point.) But Dave says, Let's go shopping. Discover signs for the Pacific Marketplace on the other side of the security lines and construct elaborate fantasies about what will find. Pacific Market turns out to be a food court and the usual news stand, travel store, and Gifts from Seattle type of shops. After several glasses of wine, (Dave very funny about Cat Bite) go to wait at gate. Gate situated in front of astonishingly irritating contraption, a large machine encased in glass, a ball rolls down a ramp, causing a lever to rise up, which strikes a Tambourine, plucks a miniature banjo, causes a dog to run up a ramp and sniff something, touching his nose to a button that sounds the kind of chimes that are meant to be soothing but that are assuredly not. Glass does nothing to muffle sounds. Am afraid that this contraption is Art. Noises cause a lesion on mood but am determined to be Cheerful. Do not want Dave to think that am Bad to Travel With.