Every time I fly to Boston- it’s a total cluster.
My
first trip to Boston I was four hours late, because there was a cloud
shaped like a bunny hovering somewhere over the Atlantic.
My
return flight, my plane had issues and I decided to run for president
of the plane since clearly, I was going to end up living on the plane.
My election didn’t go as planned, I blamed a the smear campaign by my
rival who claimed I hogged the only plug at the gate charging my laptop
when it was already at 87%. I didn’t win.
Long story short, eventually I got home.
I
have to admit, I had reservations about traveling to Boston and then
driving two hours to Springfield. History tends to be repetitive and I
had good reasons to be worried. My flight to Boston was fine... there
was a slight hiccup with my connecting flight to Newark but I boarded
the plane with ten minutes before it was scheduled to leave. We got the
Springfield with very little traffic and no issues.
But
Sunday is when the weather changed. Alicia and I left the conference
early, mostly because I was worried I wouldn’t make my 6:50 flight if we
left at 3. So we left at 2 and I was at the airport by 4:45. I joked
with Alicia- I’ll see you later. I was through Airport security and at
my gate by 5:15, with dinner in hand. Perfect. I surfed the net while
I decompressed when I got a email, my connecting flight from Newark to
BWI was delayed by 15 minutes.
Fine.
No big deal.
Seconds later I got another email. My flight from Boston to Newark was delayed until 8:40... CRAP.
I saw the signs. I hopped up, got in line and changed my flight.
I called Alicia and ended up sleeping on her couch.
I
apologize for being a needy guest, since not only would I need her to
pick me up, but I would need a ride back, at 4:30 in the morning.
I also found out my grandmother passed away on the ride back to Alicia’s house. (More on that next blog post)
Monday
morning I got to Boston Logan Airport at 5 am, the flight boarded and
left on time. YAY. Just when it looked like I would be home exactly as
scheduled... I would get home by 9:05 am!
I
got to Newark, found my gate, sat down, looked up at the board and POOF
my flight was delayed. The flight after mine was canceled and a
terrifying word was spoken. SNOW.
SNOW! IN APRIL!!! OH COME ON MOTHER NATURE.
The plane was delayed due to snow and if we didn’t leave soon, Newark had a chance of being snowed in. Sigh
At 8:30 we heard the plane was being de-iced. YAY.
It arrived at 9:58.
We boarded by 10:45.
I landed by 12:20.
At 1 pm I finally walked through my front door.
I was smelly, cranky and exhausted.
Now what does this have to do with writing... well I think the metaphor is clear.
Don’t run for president of the plane if you’re paranoid whenever your laptop drops below 90% battery life.
No,
really. When it comes to writing there might be delays, lIfe might be
in the way. You might not be where you want to be, whether it be
drafted, revised, edited, agented, or published, but as long as you have
a laptop, a plug and an outlet, you’ll be fine. Eventually it’s all
out of your hands. You have to put your trust in someone else. But it
will happen. You’ll get home. You’ll hit the final goal.
