Airport Antics

Yesterday was a struggle.

Airports bring out the worst in everyone. This is especially true for me. I’m proud of the fact that I resisted popping off at strangers, but I’m not very proud of some of the thoughts that went through my head.

For one, I’m profoundly impatient. I travel a lot so I've got the security routine down to a science.  When an amateur traveler slows me down they will usually get an eye roll or an earful. No, I’m not normally in a rush to get to my flight. I’m usually just rushing for a beer and to explore the bookstore while I’m half drunk and have lowered spending inhibitions. I never stop and think about how lucky I am to get to fly often.  I also don’t think about how easy it is for me because I’m healthy, mobile, and childless.

The other problem is that I’m a snobby eavesdropper. When you travel alone it’s easy to get wrapped up in conversations you overhear. I constantly find myself listening in, being incredibly judgmental, and wishing I had the power to revoke speaking privileges.

Add unruly children to the mix? I turn into Hate-lin.

Since I started this project I’ve been making an effort to try and steer my thoughts whenever they turn negative, but the second I stepped through the doors at the airport it all seemed to slip away. I tried my best to keep picturing the opening scene from Love Actually but it only made me sad that I was leaving my family.  I just wanted to get back to California and take my mind off missing them. I wanted to get the next eight hours over with as quickly as possible. 

I didn’t think it was going to be an issue so I didn’t come up with a game plan to get me through the day. Clearly I need one for next time.

Or, if this project does what I’m hoping it will do, maybe I won’t be such a jerk by the next time I fly.

Definitely trying. Definitely not perfect.