I missed my flight today. It’s for a trip I have been looking forward to, but somehow I just had my timing all wrong.
It’s ironic really. Every time my kids fly, I am hyper aware of what time their flight leaves, planning so diligently to ensure that they get to the airport on time. Hell, I even drop them off earlier after a few close calls. So it is ironic that the one who missed the flight was me.
Why? Because I misread my itinerary. Yes. This editor misread something. Mortifying really. Also, I got stopped at TSA for a bag search. And, to compound things, I thought I had another 45 minutes and stopped to buy a sandwich. So really, I was never making that flight. I just had the time all wrong.
Who am I even?
So, since I have some time to kill while I wait for the next flight (thank you to American Airlines for making the change so easy!), here’s what I did today after missing that flight.
Stared at the gate for way longer than I should
Shock? That doesn’t even begin to describe what I was feeling. I stared at that gate like I could will the airline representative back to the computer as I watched the doors close and the plane pull away. And then I stood there longer like a portal was going to open up and sweep me into my sweet aisle seat.
Obviously, that didn’t happen.
Designed Posters and Social Graphics for Literary Events
I moonlight as a marketing and event manager for a local bookstore, where we are constantly organizing author events. But since this is a small part of my work, it doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. Fortunately, with hours to chill at the airport, a perfect workspace and totally unplanned time, I busted through a lot of work that’s needed attention.
Looking for a literary event in Bangor, Maine, to attend? Check out the events we have coming up hosted by The Briar Patch.
Pretended I was working a lot
Look, I had a prime seat and was a little distracted by my error. So yes, I did do a little pretending.
Fielded way too many calls
Changing who was on the reservations for the fancy dinner I had planned for tonight — my kids are still going and taking a friend. Fielding calls from both kids. Trying to make sense of life. You know, the usual.
Reminisced about the classmate who nearly missed our flight to England in high school
When I was in high school, I went on an epic trip to England with a school group. But just before we left, we learned that one member of our group had an expired passport. In a dramatic turn of events that taught me so much about travel, her mom managed to get her to a passport office with an emergency appointment, get the new passport issued and meet us at the airport, all before we got through security. It was absolutely amazing. And since it was the mid-90s, we didn’t actually know if she was going to make it until she was there.
Years later when I was about to head abroad and discovered my passport was expired, I didn’t break a sweat. I remembered that classmate and that mom and knew just want to do.
Planned a business meeting with my mastermind group for next week
Everyone should have a couple of key advisors to bounce ideas around with. Seriously.
Wrote this blog post
Obviously.
Guess this means I have to stop ribbing my son about the time he missed his train home last year …
