My great friend The Colonel has a saying. Goat-rope. Secret military parlance no doubt. I am not sure what the precise definition is. I suspect it is a connotative sort of word, applicable to a particular state of emotional affairs, rather than a denotative one with a strict dictionary definition.In any event, I got a good dose of it yesterday when my out of state appointments vaporized just as I was about to board a connecting flight in the Atlanta airport. On the first business travel day after a holiday. A dreaded "double Monday". Leaving me at the airport all day to catch my flight back home. I decided to make notes on a (now useless) boarding pass. They include...
As I walk onto the first airplane, the lady flight attendant says "I love your tie and shirt combination". Must wear this combo more often.
Forgetting your laptop power cord is the first sign of the impending darkness.
My mom drank that diet soda years ago. It was the worst thing I ever put in my mouth up to the age of eight. I'll try one. Not improved.
A petite lady with a large suitcase is struggling to put it into the overhead compartment of the airplane. As I fumble with my lap belt to get up and help her, a boy of about fifteen (fully decked out with ipod and baggy tee shirt) leaps from his seat and comes to her aid. Somebody has a good mom and dad out there. There is hope for us yet.
The heavy set older (even than me) fellow in traditional clothes sitting next to me has an itouch screen saver which is a very pretty woman's lips in hot pink lipstick. It really catches your eye.
During dinner at the airport, the Senior Man at the table of four next to me looks over (after a few martinis....my kind of table) and offers me a job based on my outfit. I tell him he can't afford me. I MUST wear this outfit more often.
I cannot believe that I just had a very good meal in an airport restaurant. I must write a piece for The Epic about this place...
On the evening flight home, I fall asleep as soon as I get into my lap belt. I awaken some time later and the woman sitting next to the window on my right asks somewhat plaintively if she can get out to the aisle. Where she heads in the direction of the restroom. I have no idea how long she has been waiting for me to wake up. I think to myself, "that is SOME lady".
Surprising your family by being home two days early. Priceless.
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9 comments:
absolutely loved it. has a very stream-of-consciousness quality to it. was in planes and airports myself yesterday, so identifying with lots of vignettes. esp loved the one about the 15-year-old -- how amazing is that -- and the ending.
As a fellow frequent traveler I love these petite observations. Traveling in style is very difficult these days and one of the things that gets me through it is people watching! I love it. Only in airports can you get such a vast array of people- Glad you had safe travels...
Rashmi, I was so impressed by that teen boy! My notes were more sketchy but I filled in some text for the piece.
DC, it seems that other than on some premium airlines and on some cruise liners traveling with style is virtually extinct. Although it does give us a fine challenge doesn't it?
Thanks ladies for your visits and comments! They mean a tremendous amount to me.
ML
I'm with DC. You've put a bit more of the glamour back into travel with your marvelous observations.
Now I need a photo of the outfit in question.
Easy, thanks! But knowing by now my history of photos....do you REALLY want me to do a photo of the suit?
I'll describe it. Navy blue pin stripe Polo suit [3 button] pale yellow Trywhitt shirt with blue and white stripes, contrasting white French cuffs and collar, pale blue tie with rosettes outlined in yellow. My black Italian loafers.
Well, that isnt too useful a description. Maybe I'll try a photo.
ML
What a fun post. Treat us to you "musings" more often! Interesting side note: the ipod young man with manners. Who'd a thunk it?
Mrs. Scoffs, thanks! I enjoyed the stream of consciousness of it also. And, the young man amazed me too..
ML
Really great piece, I loved reading this. Mindless airport drabble is some of the best thought provoking writing.
D&D, thanks! The martinis helped...
ML
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