timing is everything

Well, it has been nearly 2 years since I have posted on this thing. So what better time than now to get back into it.

I arrived in Chicago today for our annual work tradeshow which has been in the works - and responsible for many a late night - for the last month or so. It is somewhat of a relief to finally be here but there is plenty of work yet to be done. Imagine having a CD tower (a dated reference, I know) covering every inch of wall in your home. Now imagine you have to fill it with CDs in a giant illogical pile in the middle of the room, placing them in alphabetical order. That is a close representation of what I'll be doing... except with can openers and whisks.

Anyway, around 8:15AM this morning (my scheduled departure time), I'm sitting on the runway at John Wayne Airport in Orange County waiting to depart for Chicago. We have not yet pushed back from the gate when the American Airlines flight attendant comes on the PA and mentions that our delay - at the moment standing at 30 minutes but soon to be an hour plus - is due to poor visibility and 'flow control' at O'Hare. Now this is common when flying to Chicago but on this particular morning I found it quite humorous. 'Flow control' sounded like something I needed to consult my doctor about and possibly get prescribed one of those medications they advertise on TV with side effects more embarrassing and/or harmful than the original issue. I laughed a little bit aloud but everyone around seat 29D didn't find it as hilarious as me.

In addition to that, moments before our flight departed the gate - remember, this is 30-45 minutes after our scheduled departure (ie. takeoff) time - people were just then walking on the plane finding their seats. Considering boarding time, that means those people were 1-1.5 HOURS late for their flight. How is that even possible?! Why would you even go to the airport?! Wouldn't you realize you were leaving your house at the same time your plane was boarding and consider it a lost cause?! I mean, unless they were adding standby passengers last minute this is baffling to me...

And lastly, why is it that women are more attractive in the airport? Do women feel the same way about men? I find myself paying attention to women I would not find remotely attractive in any other atmosphere. I will take this thought to a whole 'nother level in a future post.