After spending a pleasant final day here in Boston I arrived at the airport in plenty of time for my 4:45 flight to Houston, Texas. The weather has been perfect and there appear to be no obvious delays or problems today, that’s a welcome change given my recent run of delayed flights and even more delayed luggage.
I had already checked in my luggage earlier this morning and blew off the opportunity to jump an earlier flight in preference to spend a relaxed final day in Boston enjoying the city. Upon returning to the airport I had plenty of time to make my way through security avoiding interactions with the oh-so-charming folk of the TSA. Gate 25 is the first one past security, it couldn’t be more convenient. I take a seat near the window where I can plug my laptop into the wall and check my email before the flight. I’ll be in Houston in time for dinner.
“Ladies and gentlemen, flight 383 to Houston will be somewhat delayed due to an equipment problem.” The crackled voice of the gate agent breaks bad news to the gathered crowd who release a collective groan. “We expect the plane to arrive here at around 6:30 to 6:45 whereupon we will do our best to turn it around and have you out of here as fast as we can.”
Shit!
Now I am having a sense of humor failure. I’m sat here in a ferociously air-conditioned airport wondering if I am somehow cursed when it comes to air travel. A quick scan of the airport departures screen shows all flights as on-time, all that is, except mine.
My new arrival time is yet to be confirmed, but the gate attendant who has all the personality of a potato informs me that it will be “Some time after 10 o’clock.”
“After 10 o’clock but before…” I leave the sentence open to he can complete it, but he just stares at me revealing the thought complexity of a goldfish. Eventually he breaks the silence. “Yes sir, sometime after 10 o’clock.”
“But hopefully before Jesus returns?” I respond, but my sarcasm is lost on the gate agent who continues to look vacant.
My thoughts now turn to my luggage. My one nondescript plain black item of luggage that would be small enough to carry on if not for the liquids contained in my toiletry bag, is probably well on it’s way to Mumbai or Mexico by now. I won’t be in the slightest bit surprised if I am left as the lone person standing next to an empty baggage carousel in Houston later tonight.
Yes I know, it could be worse. There are people who will find themselves stuck in Houston tonight after missing connecting flights, but thier misery doesn’t make me feel any better. I’m delayed, I’m always delayed, and no matter how convenient my direct flight is, it’s still inconvenient to be sitting here shivering in an uncomfortable airport lounge chair.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 3, 2007 at 12:18 am
Once, sometime ago, while you were traveling you came across an old (gypsy) woman who was selling flowers, which automatically came with traveling mercies, but you had a limited amount of cash, and you really had your heart set on getting the latest issue of Maxim magazine that had Pamela Anderson on the cover, and so, instead of buying the woman’s flowers you bought the magazine. This woman, being supernaturally plugged in, knew you were contemplating buying the flowers she was selling, but she witnessed you walk across the way to the airport newsstand where you purchased your piece of soft porn, and at that moment she cursed you under her breath, and because she was so spiritually powerful, the curse remains upon you to this day.
So, in the future, remember to say “no” to girly magazines and “yes” to flowers, and it will go well with you.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 3, 2007 at 12:48 am
hahahhaa anthony’s funny… but then if you’re having a sense of humor failure, can you laugh at this joke? :)
i put 5 dollars on your luggage being completely fine.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 3, 2007 at 2:17 am
Oh No! I like the first comment though. Is it true????
Here’s hoping that you are in the air and crossing the Mississippi even as I type this. See you soon.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 3, 2007 at 5:27 am
sorry your travels are unnecessarily eventful – i hope all goes well with your luggage. sad to say i won’t be here for the xangbang after all. my in-laws planned a vacation at the beach, so i’m heading to galveston soon. hopefully i’ll see you at the next one. happy 4th!
Wrote the following comment on Jul 3, 2007 at 11:32 am
there is a tv show here that is a documentary of sorts that deals with Southwest airlines and all the daily interactions between travelers and Southwest Airline employees. It can be quite comical. Hope you made it to Houston.
You made brief mention in my blog today (with a link of course)…. I am such a hater at times, lol.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 3, 2007 at 11:34 am
Hmm sounds like the flight attendant was in complete autopilot. You should have had some fun with him and NLPed him into submission.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 3, 2007 at 7:21 pm
“ferociously air-conditioned airport”
We do that well here in the States, don’t we? Not just airports, but almost any public building. The hotter outside, the colder inside. I think more people wear sweaters here in Houston in the summer (indoors) than they do in the winter.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 3, 2007 at 8:10 pm
You know, I think Anthony is onto something there! He is referring back to a time in a thrift store where I pondered by the first ever Playboy that Pamela Anderson was in (and on the cover of). It was just $1 and I figured that it had an element of historical value being that she is now such a starlett and doesn’t look remotely like the girl she once was. However Anthony warned me off buying it as his wife, Paula, wouldn’t be impressed with a Playboy in her house.
I later searched eBay for the magazine out of interest and cursed my decision not to get it! :-)
Anyway, I made it to Houston and now owe Rachel $5 for her luggage bet.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 3, 2007 at 8:39 pm
So, how much was it worth? Maybe you could view what you lost here by not getting that Playboy as an investment in the age to come, where you will get back 10 to 100 fold return on the sacrifice you made.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 3, 2007 at 8:51 pm
Now that’s deep and meaningful. :-)