Vegas Entry 1

Sunday 1.21.07 12:45 pm
I’m sitting here waiting for my plane to come, and since it’s an extended wait i might as well start telling tales of my trip to Vegas this week. I’m sure everyone is thoroughly excited about this prospect, so I’m starting before i even step foot on an airplane.
This sitting situation comes from the fact that O’Hare Airport in Chicago seems to be iced over, or is being buffeted by wicked winter weather, or some similar thing. So i am sitting here in Traverse City Airport waiting to get this trip started.
Reading is somewhat difficult with the constant voice-over kindly warning me of the current national alert status, and the danger of strangers packing my bags with bombs or guns or machetes or weed whackers.....so, trying to read an odd, little book i picked up called “A Short History of Myth,” is a wee bit more difficult than i had expected - even with earphones crammed into my ears to block out the cellphone users, the loud talkers and the weather channel blaring from the TV in the corner. Other than those mild distractions, Traverse actually has quite a peaceful little airport here.
It’s so quiet and quaint that this barrel of a man who just returned from walking down the terminal to grab some snacks left his bags in the corner while doing so without a worry in the world.
My coworker, George, is sitting a few seats down from me, with his nose buried in a book...I’m impressed with his seeming focus on a book with no headphones. but then again, like i said, it is fairly quiet here. George is an older gentleman who just joined the company. He’s one of those ol’ codgers that weaves a good yarn if given the right prompting. I’ve had minimal contact with him since he came to work but he seems to be quite a good guy with a good bit of life experience under his belt. One small thing about George you might find interesting: he intentionally schedules layovers for himself between connecting flights. Smart man, due to the fact that that gives him time to get from one terminal to another with little stress.....smooth.
Well thats about all I have for now. Our plane has been delayed (hence my 2 hour wait before i even enter a flight-ready tin can that should take me to Chicago) so not a whole lot has happened yet. I called my boss who is already in Vegas and all he said when i made him aware of my imminent delay was, “ I told you your flights would get screwed up with you want through Chicago.” I have two things in reply (here, not on the phone)
One, I didn’t schedule my flight, it was scheduled for me, so an, “I told you so,” really shouldn’t apply here since i have no control over the weather or my flight schedule.
Two, well ok never mind, not sure where my number two went, but i still don’t think an, “I told you so,” was the best response for a boss who in the past has recommended popsicles as a cure for creative burnout. So maybe i shouldn’t be so surprised, but still....
OK, Thats it, thats all i got....for now.....i think.....

Sunday 1.21.07 1:42 pm
More passengers are arriving creating a somewhat noisier atmosphere in the terminal. Also adding to the mild din, and the main reason for this entry is the barrel of a man sitting in the corner that is confident in the safety of his belongings in his absence. I forgot to mention he is of African American descent. This could partially explain his choice of music. I can actually talk about his choice of music due to the fact that he is currently sharing his musical tendencies with the rest of the terminal by way of singing along with the music on his headphones. So all we get is his interpretation of the music he is apparently listening to. maybe someone should tell him this isn’t American Idol...and he isn’t R. Kelly.

Sunday 1.21.07 4:50 pm
Sitting here in O’Hare makes me realize why i am not a city boy. these large lumbering masses barrelling down walk ways, yelling at TVs, and continually staying in motion....they tend to disturb me a little. Just a reminder i don’t belong here.
Here I am nonetheless. On my way to Vegas. Today has become a bit more prolonged and “interesting” than i had expected. People watching while sitting here for the required 3 hours before my flight leaves provieds me with some great people watchign opportunit