Well I'm in San Francisco. I like to travel early because it leaves the whole day to deal with problems. If there aren't any problems then you time to unwind at the end of the day. Of course, yesterday there were problems. As travel problems go this wasn't all that bad, but it the worst travel day I have ever had. I guess I should count my blessings.
The day started out fine. The flight from Providence to Chicago was fine. In the boarding area I struck a nice conversation with a woman travel to Palm Beach and on the flight I shared a row (one empty seat) with a Brown University professor. It was in Chicago everything started to go wrong.
My connecting flight on Southwest flew in Chicago Midway. I reached my gate and everything was set to. They lined us up to board, then announced there was gate delay in San Francisco. A half-hour delay turned into an hour, turned into two and half hours. After announcing another hour delay, I decide to set with my computer and watch some video of the 2007 Cartoon Voice Panel from the San Diego ComicCon that friend had given me. No sooner had I set up the computer then again announce boarding.
I get my boarding passes as early as possible, therefore, I am usually in the first group to board. This was no exception. I found my customary seat, Row 20, window seat and settled in. If you have ever flown Southwest, you know there are no assigned seats. So the aisle and window seats fill up and at the end only middle seats are left. This time was wasn't an exception. So with only middle seats left a couple, with the woman being pregnant, came down the aisle. Being the wonderful person I am, I got up to move so they could sit together. They were very grateful. However, now I had to find a new seat. So instead of just climbing over someone, I asked out loud if any one would mind sliding in one seat. All I got were blank stares. I know most of them were praying I didn't sit their row. The only blank stare I didn't get was from the flight attendant, Sharon L. She gave me a nasty look and said some something to affect of, "All the open seats are yours, just pick one!" So I did.
The guy in the aisle seat didn't look pleased, and the cute blonde in the window seat rolled her back towards me. It didn't look like there would much talking on the 5 hour flight.
Well, during the delay at Midway, I had eaten my lunch and had a drink. I had not gone to the bathroom. So about 30 or 45 minutes in the flight, a couple of people started to get up and go to the bathroom. So I figured now was a good time as any (I did have to go). The fasten seatbelt light was still on, but as I said other people had gone. I apologetically woke the guy next me, and started to get up. Miss Sourpuss flight attended glared at me. "The fasten seatbelt light is on , that means you must stay in you seat!" I held my tongue, sat down. I quipped to the guy that I think she had at out for me. I think the agreed with her. Not even a minute later, two more people got up the restrooms. I, some what sarcastically, ask the other FA, "When will the seatbelt light go off so I can go to the bathroom?"
While, I wasn't happy, things settled down. The girl next me, early to mid 20's, took out a nice Nikon SLR and was photographing the clouds and mountains outside the window. At one point she scutched over to take a photo. This was funny, because I had just read an article in Smithsonian about Anne Liebovitz on how she and photographers will go to great lengths to 'get the shot.' I thought had my in to open a conversation. I took out the magazine and mentioned it to her. She was polite, and took the magazine. That was it, no conversation. Too bad.
Finally the announcement came that would be descending into SFO and landing within a half-hour. We had made up about 20-25 minutes on the flight. That was the good news. As we began to descend, I could fell the pressure behind my eyes build. This had happened to once before, 20 years ago. It was the worst pain I have ever felt. While this wasn't as bad, I still doubled over in pain. It felt like I had four needles shooting through my forehead. The stupid bitch, stopped and asked if any thing was wrong. I felt like saying, What the FUCK do you think! But, I didn't. I knew once we landed it would go away. And it did. I should take sinus medication before a flight and I will on the way back.
One last thing, maybe a few. SFO was very easy to navigate, though a bit awkward. I had to go down one level to get my luggage and the back up two more to the train. But it took me right to car rental place. I had reserved a mid-size, but none were available so I got full size. A 2007 Toyota Camry. One of the nice things about renting a car, is that you get drive a different vehicle, most times better than your own. What do I own? You guessed it, 2007 Toyota Camry. Mine has a sunroof.
The Embassy Suites is fine. My friend, Ed, picked me up and we grabbed a bite to eat. Tres Amigos in San Mateo. Good place. We went back to his place. His wife, Andrea, is a great decorator. Between her and Ed their place looked great. Deck out in Tiki. The kids were asleep when got there, so didn't a chance to say Hi. I will post some pictures of apartment later.
On to Wonder Con!
Peace Out.
John
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