It came as no surprise to me that I was chosen for the head to toe search at PSP: I wear my medical alert bracelet when I travel, which is made from Spanish silver, and it set off the alarm. I also had on my wrist brace, so that got the bomb-making residue test, along with my shoes.
Whatever.
My AA flight club number worked for the employee at the check-in gate, so cosmic balance seemed to be in full force. Made it to Dallas without a problem sitting next to a woman whose son was a former student and who writes plays for her church. When she shared an idea she's developing for a new Christmas play, I was able to recommend a play from the 1950s that could help her finish her current project. Also, was shown family photos, so life was good.
Dallas, however, got a bit dicey. Due to weather in Philly, we were going to experience a slight delay, airspeak for load the plane, then sit in it until all passengers are hot, hostile, and explosive. Of course, don't turn on the air to exacerbate the problems and add some interest to the pre-existing personality disorders that no amount of medication can contain under the extenuating circumstances.
It's all part of being in the moment.
Amazingly, streams of travelers were boarded during the delay, perhaps as many as several dozen. Once every seat on the plane was filled and the over-head bins bulging from the carry-ons, the "weather" in Philly miraculously cleared ... and we were ready to push away from the gateway.
Three delays, but finally cool air circulating, before we were cleared for take-off, which was mini-delayed once we were in the line for lift-off. In the air, the pilots made up for some of the delay, so we actually landed in Philly a bit over an hour later than scheduled, not too bad in today's world.
I apologized to the couple sitting in the seats with me when the delays accrued and explained that there's an asterisk next to my name: the major carriers know when I buy a ticket and formulate a plan to mess with my mind. Too bad the others flying with me are dragged into my cosmic comedy.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
The Convenience of On-line Check-in
Do other people have these issues or is it I who foul up the computer systems associated with airline travel?
I booked my flight via Travelocity -- which now has "no record" of my reservation, although I have a saved electronic copy and a hard copy, both complete with Travelocity Trip ID and airline confirmation #. After repeatedly trying to log-on to my Travelocity account and being assured that my log-in name and password don't exist, I gave up and enrolled anew.
As I should have known, repeating the process does not solve the current problem, it simply creates a new problem. Now, I am greeted as a "new" customer and still don't have access to my former account although I used the identical info for the new account as for the old. There is no history of my existence within the Travelocity system, even though I've used the site for the past many years to book my flights. But ... I was warmly welcomed via email to the convenience of the Travelocity experience.
Rather than continuing to deal with Travelocity, I decided to use the American Airlines website for check-in! Not. I can access the site, but cannot check-in on-line unless I first sign up for an AA Advantage account, which I finally did. Had the same problem with United on a recent flight, so am also now a member of that flight club, but have never been able to use that functionality and have no miles accrued because the site doesn't accept my membership number!
Before signing up for the service, when I first attempted to use the on-line check-in, I could get to a certain place and then could not finish the process. Now, with the new AA flight club approval, the check-in box allows me to check in on-line, but ... that functionality is not working, so please try back later. And again. And again. And again.
In the past, I've showed up an hour early for the flight and either used a major credit card or stood in line for check-in. Guess that's what I'll be doing again this time because the convenience of on-line check-in doesn't seem to be an option for this traveler at this time!
I booked my flight via Travelocity -- which now has "no record" of my reservation, although I have a saved electronic copy and a hard copy, both complete with Travelocity Trip ID and airline confirmation #. After repeatedly trying to log-on to my Travelocity account and being assured that my log-in name and password don't exist, I gave up and enrolled anew.
As I should have known, repeating the process does not solve the current problem, it simply creates a new problem. Now, I am greeted as a "new" customer and still don't have access to my former account although I used the identical info for the new account as for the old. There is no history of my existence within the Travelocity system, even though I've used the site for the past many years to book my flights. But ... I was warmly welcomed via email to the convenience of the Travelocity experience.
Rather than continuing to deal with Travelocity, I decided to use the American Airlines website for check-in! Not. I can access the site, but cannot check-in on-line unless I first sign up for an AA Advantage account, which I finally did. Had the same problem with United on a recent flight, so am also now a member of that flight club, but have never been able to use that functionality and have no miles accrued because the site doesn't accept my membership number!
Before signing up for the service, when I first attempted to use the on-line check-in, I could get to a certain place and then could not finish the process. Now, with the new AA flight club approval, the check-in box allows me to check in on-line, but ... that functionality is not working, so please try back later. And again. And again. And again.
In the past, I've showed up an hour early for the flight and either used a major credit card or stood in line for check-in. Guess that's what I'll be doing again this time because the convenience of on-line check-in doesn't seem to be an option for this traveler at this time!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
I was abused as a child ...
which is either my reason, my explanation, or my excuse for my bad behavior as an adult.
Recently, I listened to an interview with a person accused of committing serial crimes and was not surprised to hear the "dysfunctional family" defense become the justification for the criminal activity.
Some general personal observations:
(1) you are unique, possessing genetic characteristics, but your own person. Don't adhere yourself to behaviors based on genetics: they give a predisposition toward certain characteristics and behaviors, but it's a lot more than that when it comes to how you turn out!
Also, (2) it is a challenging lesson to learn that family is the blood you carry, but not always the people who support you when you need it. It amazes me how some family members can boast in public to enhance their image, but never follow through in private.
(3) I learned at an early age that it's up to me to be the person I am; thus, when all is said and done, either I have made it or I have failed to reach my goals. No one else takes credit, but no one else is to blame.
Thus, grow up, get over it, and accept full responsibility for your own life. Flip Wilson's tag line was "the Devil made me do it." Maybe that will work for you, too?
Recently, I listened to an interview with a person accused of committing serial crimes and was not surprised to hear the "dysfunctional family" defense become the justification for the criminal activity.
Some general personal observations:
(1) you are unique, possessing genetic characteristics, but your own person. Don't adhere yourself to behaviors based on genetics: they give a predisposition toward certain characteristics and behaviors, but it's a lot more than that when it comes to how you turn out!
Also, (2) it is a challenging lesson to learn that family is the blood you carry, but not always the people who support you when you need it. It amazes me how some family members can boast in public to enhance their image, but never follow through in private.
(3) I learned at an early age that it's up to me to be the person I am; thus, when all is said and done, either I have made it or I have failed to reach my goals. No one else takes credit, but no one else is to blame.
Thus, grow up, get over it, and accept full responsibility for your own life. Flip Wilson's tag line was "the Devil made me do it." Maybe that will work for you, too?
Elder Advice
As the birthdays continue to accrue, my in-box receives more encouraging messages from well-intentioned (younger) friends. This one, however, comes eerily upon the recent death of the ascribed author of the words, George Carlin.
What I have learned is that my mother's words haunt me. She told me as she advanced into her 70s that it surprised her each morning when she saw herself in the bathroom mirror and she didn't recognize the old woman who looked back at her. She commented that within herself, she felt the same as she had felt when she was in her 20s: youthful, filled with the joys of life, ready to live for 100 years. It was only when she saw herself in that unguarded morning moment that she realized how many of those years had already passed.
I'm heading toward the middle 60s and beginning to wonder about how many more years are pre-programmed as my life span. I've always been healthy, but have had to adjust my thinking to include the 2 broken arms, the asthma, and the diabetes II that remind me that even healthy peoples' bodies deteriorate over time. I continue to awake each morning and accomplish most of the items on my to-do list, but some of those items require a helping hand -- and there isn't one handy, so I do what I can do and move what I cannot accomplish without help to the bottom of the list.
Re: George's wisdom, it's what I've heard for a lifetime, but the admonitions seem more relevant when there are fewer years ahead than there are behind. I've tacked them on to this posting in case you are the kind of person who needs the list to remind you how life is to be lived, rather than regretted when it comes to a close.
George Carlin's Views on Aging: HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out non-essential numbers: this includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them.'
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop,' and the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with you your entire life is yourself. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, or to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them at every opportunity.
REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
What I have learned is that my mother's words haunt me. She told me as she advanced into her 70s that it surprised her each morning when she saw herself in the bathroom mirror and she didn't recognize the old woman who looked back at her. She commented that within herself, she felt the same as she had felt when she was in her 20s: youthful, filled with the joys of life, ready to live for 100 years. It was only when she saw herself in that unguarded morning moment that she realized how many of those years had already passed.
I'm heading toward the middle 60s and beginning to wonder about how many more years are pre-programmed as my life span. I've always been healthy, but have had to adjust my thinking to include the 2 broken arms, the asthma, and the diabetes II that remind me that even healthy peoples' bodies deteriorate over time. I continue to awake each morning and accomplish most of the items on my to-do list, but some of those items require a helping hand -- and there isn't one handy, so I do what I can do and move what I cannot accomplish without help to the bottom of the list.
Re: George's wisdom, it's what I've heard for a lifetime, but the admonitions seem more relevant when there are fewer years ahead than there are behind. I've tacked them on to this posting in case you are the kind of person who needs the list to remind you how life is to be lived, rather than regretted when it comes to a close.
George Carlin's Views on Aging: HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out non-essential numbers: this includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them.'
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop,' and the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with you your entire life is yourself. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, or to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them at every opportunity.
REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Prune?
Is it correct to use the word "prune" to describe removing every limb from a tree growing in the neighbor's yard, but hanging so far over my fence that it touched the ground? I'm 5'8" and stretched on tippy toes to clip all the smaller branches, then attacked the thicker limbs with a tree saw. The tree is now lopsided, but that can be remedied from the other side of the fence.
Needless to say, I can now see my entire fence, which means the neighbor can also clearly see all of my backyard, but so be it. There is a big pile of limbs that will be taken to the dump for disposal after my vacation as I'm not doing that unpleasant chore today or tomorrow.
George wasn't home when I attacked the tree, but he's a tenant, not the owner, and the property is up for sale, so I doubt he'll care that I "pruned" the very large tree that is also tangled in the overhead wires on the utility poles and scraping the top apartment in the 2-story complex.
If only I could climb . . .
Needless to say, I can now see my entire fence, which means the neighbor can also clearly see all of my backyard, but so be it. There is a big pile of limbs that will be taken to the dump for disposal after my vacation as I'm not doing that unpleasant chore today or tomorrow.
George wasn't home when I attacked the tree, but he's a tenant, not the owner, and the property is up for sale, so I doubt he'll care that I "pruned" the very large tree that is also tangled in the overhead wires on the utility poles and scraping the top apartment in the 2-story complex.
If only I could climb . . .
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