Re-Do!

I promised myself I would try to post weekly. It would have worked if I didn't realize just how much a like people all....ALL THE TIME.  No matter what happens it is a rare occasion you see someone handle it with respect and dignity.  Something that seems to drain from every person when they don't get there way.  I do it too, I am not absolving myself of anything but it definitely makes for a less positive and audience drawing crowd when all I have to write about are adult tantrums.

I tried to sit down a couple of times and write about the people I have come across on the plane.  For those who know me, I can talk to anyone and am comfortable talking about most things.  However, I have found myself enjoying my crowded solitude.  It is during the plane ride I take refuge in my books.

I have come across some fun flight attendants.  In fact on the trip here, meaning from Raleigh to Detroit, two of the flight attendants were delightful!  One had a killer pair of boots!  She was a seasoned flight attendant.  She gave us our own flight safety demonstration, mostly because we were in the exit row, and made sure we were well watered. :-)  The flight attendant that sat in the jump seat was pleasant to talk to after we landed and waited to de-plane.  She was very nice.  But it is rare anymore it seems that they are able or willing to carry on a full conversation.  Very different from 12-15 years ago.  I hear even 10 years seems to be different.

In my attempt to rejuvenate my enthusiasm and possible audience, all two of you and I thank you for that, my "travel companion" will assume the spotlight.  She is Minnie Mouse.  To clarify, she is Nerd Minnie Mouse.  As I learned a few flights ago, she has quite the following outside of her travel life.  Apparently Disney had a collection of items that were sold, I just got Minnie.  She goes with me a lot of places.

Without any further adeu, hhhhheeeerrrreeee's Minnie!

Rain Rain Rain Rain Rain

Sorry!  I didn't get last week's blog up!  It was crazy at work with trying to be in so many places.  This week won't be quite as hectic.  PLUS I found out a friend is actually going to get her book published and that was huge excitement!

The last two weeks I have been in places where it has rained and this week is no different.  I even got an awesome coat for $13 to use!  And where is it?  You got it.  On the coat rack by the door, at home.  Smart move, no?  This week was an inventory of items I forgot and I didn't even have the girls to contend with.  I guess the birthday party fried my brain.

Watching the weather channel this evening shows even more rain....wow...need to ifnd another show. 

If anyone was wondering, no the weather did not affect my travel.  Thank you to all who continue to send uneventful travel vibes!  Although I have seen other's reactions as they have had to endure missing a connection and then loosing their mind.  It simply is not a pleasant sight.  Watching raw, uncontrolled emotion is sickening.  It seems as a mom it is something I hope to instill in my children NOT to do.  Is it infuriating when you miss connections by minutes? Yes, there is no doubt.  Does it help you or the situation by totally loosing your mind?  No.  But why do people continue to do it?  No idea... but I am thinking of writing up something to get a grant to study it.  To see the level of frustrating depending on the airport, the destination and the purpose of travel.  That would be a good white paper....

Down and Up and Down again....

Last weekend was the tipping point for me to decide I will not travel through the Atlanta airport voluntarily anymore.  Seriously! I should not have to reprimand two associates of the airport because they are acting like little kids.  In order to stop them the following phrase came spewing out, "Girls! Girls! You're both pretty!"  Thank you Tina Fey!  I don't even get that fast of a reaction from my own children!  Add watching the gate agents at each of the four gates I entered and exited from, it was obvious they were only going to do what was needed in order to get paid.  Yea for mediocrity!  *shaking head action here*
Then there are times when you get to sit next to the cool person on the plane who cracks the best joke and you find yourself making sure there isn't an air marshal around!  That happened yesterday!  I love it when the person next to me starts the conversation.  It means they actually want to talk.  They want to pass time doing something other than reading a self absorbed magazine article.  Well this gentlemen was tops!  Of course it was easy when the flight attendent faked her smiles and it look like someone was pulling a string or she was some sort of action figure with smile reflex action!  Yes, it was like that!

I was trying to delicately balance time with the girls and getting packed when I realized I probably should have already left for the airport (which meant I was 30 minutes behind myself)!  I made it on time and things were fine, until I realized that I was also missing a few of essentials items.  Top of the list, my badge. In the last 4 years this was the first time I didn't have my badge!  I couldn't even remedy it by going back home.  It was 45 minutes till boarding.  Did I mention I love my husband!  He sent it today...should be here tomorrow.  Pray it gets here tomorrow....

Some people shouldn't be allowed to travel....

Tensions were high enough this weekend, but I swear, some people should have to take personality or even psychological tests before they travel.  Now that may exclude me on some days but this weekend was definitely full of characters.

People are driven by emotion.  All my life I have watched people and this is probably the one truth that doctors, scientists and parents understand.  I watched a mutinious group of passengers swarm on gate agents like bees and wasps protecting their nests.  I have seen people cry out in joy upon reunion with loved ones.  Little children scream with delight when the climax moment of greeting their grandparents come to fruition. 

This weekend there were many moments of stupidity.  People continue to be lazy and disconnected from their surroundings which results in missed connections.  Oh, the tears they shed I do not doubt, my  doubt lies what those tears mean.  They are not sorry for what happened, because clearly it was not their fault (my apologies for the dripping scarcasm on your screen).  They are in tears because they are not sure how to get what they want.  This, to me, is disgusting and I loose a bit more faith in my fellow human beings.

However, I was truly honored to sit next to a high ranking Army Reserve officier.  He was kind and gentile in his demeanor.  He genuinely wanted to engage in conversation and he really enjoyed the young girl who sat in the row behind us.  In listening to his stories I learned he had two daughters.  He was a commanding officier of units in three different states.  He had sent many young men and women over to Iraq and Afghanistan and have welcomed them home and others he paid tribute.  What touched me most is he cared. 

I have experienced many different levels of military in the different branches.  This man emulated the very reason we are and continue to be Americans.  He shared his snack.  He shared his conversation.  He shared himself, willingly.  He asked for nothing in return.  He was merely there to do what he knew how....to serve.

I honor all those who serve.  Those who put their lives aside for others.  These come in many different uniforms and some do not wear uniforms.  To all of these, Thank you and God Bless.

How Not to Travel with Babies

No doubt anyone who has been watching the news knows that the drama happening on the ground has also affected air travel.  The last few weeks have been uneventful save a few crazy aerobatic turbulence episodes but still better than what it could have been.  I have some of those posts in the work!  I will get those posted soon!

Yesterday was the epitome of when NOT to travel with babies.  I had trouble with my ears, what did the parents think were going to happen!  Thanks to Lee these poor babies were crying most of the way.  There were three babies on the first leg and one on the second.  Never heard a peep out of the baby on the second one but the older children were hilarious to listen too!  There was definitely lots to see as we passed through the clouds and feel!

This week I am in a different time zone, Central.  It is hard to get the body to adjust to the right zone.  It was a 10pm bed time local time, body time it felt like midnight!  I woke up at 4:45 this morning.  The alarm isn't set to go off until 6am.  It is going to be a strange day!

Hope you are well!  Happy Reservations!

Reservation Success!

Dinner was great!  If you ever make it to Columbus I highly recommend Martini's.  It is fabulous!  It won't break  the bank!  I promise! 

I think I have the hang of how this works.  On the flight tomorrow I will try to finish up one of my posts I started. It will be up this weekend along with some other catch up posts.  With the long weekend, I might be able to catch up!

Please stay seated with your seat belt fastened while the fasten seat belt is lit!  We may experience unexpected turbulence!

Thanks for stopping by!

It only takes one to begin

This is it! The first post of my traveling tales! If you want to know about me, read the profile. For now this will be about the "adventures" of traveling! But I must dash for now! I do not want to be late for dinner reservations!