Here's the story, morning glories:
This has been the travel day from hell.
I know you probably all have worse stories, but I was a good boy and arrived at the airport well in advance of my flight. Actually, another flight to Atlanta was leaving about half an hour after my arrival, and I attempted to get a seat on it just to guarantee me a cushion on the 30 minutes I was scheduled to have to make my connection once arriving in Atlanta.
Alas, no...the flights were ALL full. The earlier one, mine and the one after mine. Who knew, though, that I'd be sitting there waiting for my flight well after the one after mine had actually departed. My one o'clock flight departed at 3 p.m.! Maintenance issues was the reason. Two hours late. And of course, my Altanta flight to San Francisco departed five minutes after my flight left Columbia.
Fortunately, I was rebooked on a 6:55 p.m. flight to San Francisco. Oh, great! Well....it gave me time to make some phone calls. And it gave me time to eat something. And it gave me time to ponder all the time I was spending in an airport terminal far from home.
My 6:55 p.m. flight was on time...and a bit unusual, as it had an international stew crew! The flight had originated in Mexico City. Nevertheless, the first class service was fine, the food was great, but the sleep opportunities were nil. It was just not feasible for me to nod off for more than a few minutes. Something always awoke me. "Hairspray" was, once again, the inflight movie.
My luggage was waiting for me in baggage claim at SFO when I got there at 9:30 p.m. PST. At 9:40 p.m., I was at a curbside shuttle stop waiting for a shuttle to the east bay. At 10:10 p.m., I finally got one. He seemed reluctant to pick me up, but he had been designated as the "east bay shuttle." I was his only passenger.
I got home at 11:15 p.m.
And here I sit typing. I've been to my office and removed all my packages, presents and whatnot of a personal nature to peruse later in this day. There was quite a haul to bring home.
I've had myself a nice little egg nog toddy...and I'm ready to prostrate myself upon my bed.
Or, at least, lie down for a good night's sleep.
That's the word, hummingbirds! Thanks for all the good wishes, etc.