Author: TC0241

You know I have only ever missed one flight ever in all the times I have flown and with all the places I have been. But it wasn’t going to be this one, not a chance.

The one I did manage to miss was at Atlanta airport though. You learn fast not to leave it too late as the traffic can just stop dead for almost any reason at all. Think the cars just get tired sometimes. I believe of all the people in the US the good folks of Atlanta spend the most on commuting. It might also have something to do with the size of their vehicles. They do like their oversized or extended or special limited edition big rigs. I say this out of envy as I had settled for an 8 seater SUV a long time ago which seemed perfectly adequate for Judi and I. You have to have the third row of seats just in case (we did actually use them once but just once).

Anyway I am supposed to be talking about my flight to Moscow. Ok Arrived 1:30 for a 4pm flight not bad timing. Drag literally 1 Large case, 1 small case, one suit carrier and one Backpack across to the check in desk.

“Where’s you goin” hollers the “Customer Service Rep” and whilst the badge clearly states “I’m here to help” I can only assume from her tone that it’s someone else’s coat she has on. Now given I am 1/3 of the way down the International check in line I would have hoped it would be kind of obvious. Anyway I feign not to understand what she is saying as if I don’t comprehend the language and soon she gets bored and looks for another person to “help”.

Ok no panic lots of time however I have some doubts about the large case. Those plastic bags you fill and suck the air out of are really good but the downside is that you can fit a lot more into a case hence the dead weight I am lugging around. So will I get pinged for excessive baggage?. Well no, the nice girl checks my nice shiny new visa and my local address (not sure why but they always do) asks how many bags I say two and whilst we are waiting for the guy at the counter next  to me to get his off the scale she prints the tags off so I am home free. Fill with mild success I also blag two carry on tags for my small case and backpack. No stopping me now. Off to the scanners. In the background I hear the now familiar “Where’s you goin” which at the world busiest Airport seems to be an unimaginative question. I wonder if anyone has ever said “to get some milk”.

Ok so this bit is a little self indulgent. There I am at the scanner with Nobody in front and Nobody behind…………so how many plastic trays can I use, 1) Jacket, 2) small bottles in clear plastic container,3) jacket, 4) Pc (My present to myself), 5) shoes 6) belt, 7) for my glasses.

Ladies and gentlemen a new personal best.  

Now in my defense in a queue I only use 2 but hey it’s my time. The “security representative” checks my ticket and waves me through and now feeling slightly guilty I stack all of the trays back on the roller so they can wheel them back to the beginning.

So now check my stock of food for the journey. Peanuts, 3 $0.99 bags, a KitKat and a bag dark chocolate M&M’s, ready for anything.  Off to the boarding gate E2 as far as you can go without being on the runway. Not a problem plenty of time. I know from experience I have to hand over my I-94 so as I amble up to the gate the guy picks up the microphone and asks anyone who is travelling without a Russian passport to report to the gate. Fine I am already there so not a problem. He takes my passport, ticket, I-94 says they have changed the plan and do I still want the Exit row, “you bet I do” 10 hours on a flight you want as much room as you can.

Anyway that done I think I will go and get acoffee. turn around and see what is at least 30 people behind me so the luck is still with me. I know boarding for this type of flight will be 40 minutes before takeoff so getting my timing right is critical. Once again I arrive back at the gate just as they finish loading first class and walk straight through on my Zone 2 boarding Breezeway pass. I pass what is still the remnants of the queue of none Russian Passport holders.

Get myself settled until the guy who arrives in a sweat to take the seat behind me is telling anyone who will listen that he will rip the airline a new one as not only did they cancel his earlier flight but as the changed the plan he is no longer in his favorite exit row.

At this point I turn up the volume on my iPod and settle in for a nice flight.

So Friday May 1st and off to Moscow.
Ignoring the fact that yesterday I ended 34 and a half years of continual service and technically stopped working as I need to focus on the tasks in hand. I will comment on stopping work but not right now. Need to make a list, living with Judi you learn a list is a good thing and whilst we might differ on her mantra “everything can be solved with a matrix” I do agree lists are “useful”.

5 minutes later I have what I think is a comprehensive set of items for completion.
Washing
Dish washing
Empty bin in kitchen
Note for Vicky 
Make bed
finish packing
double check flight time
Clean cat litter tray
take picture of Chickadee’s
Take cushions off deck swing
Go to post office 
Leave at 12 noon sharp 

Eric is bugging me (Eric is the cat in case you don’t know) not sure why sometimes it’s a trap sometimes she is actually trying to tell me something. The other evening she bit me although it was my fault. I broke the 8 second rule. You cannot stroke Eric continuously for more than 8 seconds or stroke her when she cannot see your hand. Anyway I broke one of the rules whilst I was watching American Idol and she sank her teeth into the nice soft bit of flesh between my thumb and first finger for my trouble. You would think after 14 years she would be used to me but hey whatever.

So back ot the list, I am ok with running more than one thing at a time so this should be a breeze and I quite quickly get to the Go to post office section and now its “check’ three items three addresses, wallet, phone care keys sunglasses and out the door.
Not until I am half way there that I realize the time, its 9:31 and maybe I should have checked if they are open but too late now it only 10 minutes away.
They are open and I wander in and find the soft pack envelopes stay focused and check everything fits. Ok maybe I should have written the addresses before I put the items inside as it becomes a little difficult but no matter.
So now in the queue. Two people manning the counter and four people in line. Another employee comes to the counter but it is only to taunt us she pretends to call the next person who is me but even though she looks directly at me and says “sir” she is actually beckoning the guy sat down behind me who is waiting for a passport. Ok stay calm lots of time.
Of the two customers one seems to be regailng a life story and just passing the time’ the other wants the actual definition of “next day delivery” which seems obvious to me. ( I have agreat story for a slow blog day about “next day delivery actually not meaning next day”)
Anyway me next and yes I have filled out the International tag for the Canadian package. Not sure if the USPS thinks Canada is international but not taking the chance. So Colorado for the book, Virginia the aircard, Canada the Jewelry. For each one I am asked express, insured, receipt and answer the same “I’m good thanks” I have learnt how to say a negative in a positive way. Hardly ever just say “no” these days. A really neat trick taught me by my American friends.

Ok $7.52 later we are done and yes thanks I will have a nice day and you as well, although I will be moving much further than the counter you will be nailed to for the next 8 hours.

So back to the house, Stay focused do not turn off to check Wolf Camera’s closing down sale. You don’t need whatever it is.
Ok back safe, check the list and have another coffee.  Check Fridge I will be away for two weeks so everything gets thrown.

Time to check email (my own not work’s how cool is that) and Facebook. No time to fill out my new blog site but nobody knows about that yet anyway. Couple of sweet messages one from Sue in Kanata and a couple of addresses I need to save.
A couple of Facebook entries, It take the “How Russian are you” test and it says “not yet” well not a surprise. 
A message pops on the screen “shouldn’t you be on your way by now” it’s Judi,
I reply ” hi good morning babe” and ” I have 12 minutes”  
If you know Judi you know one golden rule you will “Never ever” be late. She is in work and there a little late. One would have thought May day in Moscow would have been a good day to watch a parade. Anyway she is picking up the car stuff so we can start test driving on Sunday which will be interesting to say the least.

Ok car loaded house locked check list again, everything crossed out we are on our way. Sorry “I” am on my way Eric is staying to watch the house. (It’s Ok Vicky will be taking good care of her)

Already wrote more drivel than intended but it’s your choice to read it. However thanks for at least finding it.