$100 per lesson

I just got back from an awesome week at Nags Head with my family. With most vacations you get back saying "now I could use a vacation." But we spent the week with absolutely no agenda. No running around trying to keep a hectic schedule to ensure we get as much activity in as possible and make the best of the trip. We just pooped around between the beach, the pool, the house and the beach. It was truly relaxing.

Getting there was a bit tough. We were traveling on Saturday, September 6th at 8AM. The plan was to drive over to my buddy Jed's house at 5:45 and leave our car there. He would drop us at Islip. That morning though a hurricane had touched down in North Carolina. Hanna. It hit right where we were going, the Outer Banks. I was almost positive our flight would be canceled. Because of this I called Jed and told him to stay in bed. If we were going to be there delayed for any period of time or completely postponed I wanted to have a car to get us out of there. The flight was on schedule but our layover in Philly at 10am was canceled. They put us on a 2PM—nothing lost but a little time in NC. The day definitely could have been worse.

The week was great. By the time we got in Hanna had past and the subsequent weather was practically perfect. My sister has 2 boys; one about 16 months and one 4 and a half. It seemed this trip was different than any past trip we've taken. The focus was entirely on the boys. Most everything we did was for or about the boys. They even taught me a new hobby—Naps.

On my trip back all my R and R was put to the test. Getting home was a two hour drive from the beach house to the Norfolk (which I still have to slow down to pronounce) Airport in Virginia. This is a trip I was rather familiar with because One week earlier I had done it to get Chris and I there. And 3 days earlier I had done the drive twice to get Chris back to the airport so she could return to Long Island for class. Now with the forth time doing the drive, I didn't need directions.

My dad is a very responsible man. It is important to plan out your actions and prepare for the worst. Because I was going to be driving during rush hour on a Friday he had me leave the house about an hour earlier than I typically would. We didn't know what VA traffic would be like. Wise. I discovered, other than the route to Virginia beach, the highways seem rather manageable at 5PM on a Friday.

I enjoy flying. This flight in particular was going to be great. I was flying alone and would have 2 seats to my self. I had bought an extra seat for Christen just incase she decided to stay the entire week. Generally, I find the seats and accommodations comfortable and flying doesn't give me anxiety. I don't fear a crash because I know how reliable plans are and odds and statistics and whatever. I also say a quick little prayer before we take off along the lines of, "Please get me home safe. Unless you don't want to. That's up to you and I trust your opinion."

I got to the airport, returned my car, checked my bag and made it to the gate by about 6PM, two hours before departure. With my time I went hunting for something to read. I had found a magazine that I can't seem to find anywhere—GOOD. It is a magazine just about things that are good. Good for life, good for the environment, good for humanity. It's pretty good. Just as I sit, an announcement is made regarding my flight. "If you are flying flight 1234 to Philadelphia please report to your nearest US Air agent." My flight had been canceled but because I was there so early they were able to get me on an earlier flight.. that was boarding right then and there.

So I jump on the plane at about 6:15. Some guy sits next to me. I had paid for that extra seat but I understand, they were squeezing me on a different flight and because Christen wasn't present her ticket wasn't honored. Fortunately, as we taxi on out to the runway my seat partner sees two open seats and jumps up to sit by himself. I get my own spread after all.

The reason my other flight had been canceled was due to bad weather, which apparently was keeping us from taking off. We sat on the runway for about an hour and a half. The flight finally took off at 8:00. Everyone around me was getting pissed but I had a good (ha) magazine and my itinerary had me leaving at 8 anyway so I was right on time.

We make it to Philly but again the bad weather prevents us from landing. I was scheduled to have 30 minuets to make my way to the connecting flight to Islip. We circle around about 10 times before its clear to come in and I now had 10 minuets. I tightened up my sandals and sprint on over to F32. Make it just on-time.

I get on the plane and the woman walking behind me is bitching, loudly, on her cell phone. "You believe this shit. They better get me a Grey Goose and Tonic as soon as we take off. I'm getting free round trip tickets for this shit. I better sit next to some one who likes to talk or this is gonna be a long flight." I'm thinking if she sits next to me I am changing my prayer.

She doesn't. She sits right in front of me and the poor guy next to her took a beating. Squawk, squawk, squawk, squawk.....

As we took off she fell asleep and things were again turning up. I bought a cup of coffee. It was a dollar which seems silly for a 6oz styrofoam cup but my flight attendant was happy to give me free refills. I really enjoyed it along with a blueberry Nutri-grain Bar I had smuggled on board.

We land safely and I mosey on over to baggage claim. The belt alarm sounds and about 4 bags come out, none of which are mine. Then the belt stops. "If your bag is not here it did not make it on the flight with you"! This has happened to me before. Not a big deal. Obviously when I was put on a different flight my bag was not. It has my address on it and the airport destination. I am positive it will show up at some point this weekend. Whatever.

The trip was over. There were some challenges but for the most part every downside had an up. The lesson of the day was Shit Happens: deal with it or just stay home. Good lesson. I did everything right and things still went wrong. What are you gonna do. The best you can do is plan out your actions and prepare for the worst.

I get in my car which I had left in long-term parking and pull out to the ticket booth. I find the parking ticket in my wallet and hand it to the hispanic attendant. He laughs and says "It's a big one". The electronic display lights up. $98.00. No. "I though it was $4 per day." Apparently it's $14 per day. And I was there for 7 days. Crap. I ask if there was somewhere else I should have parked. He says "Extended Say Parking. That's 12.50 per day."

New lesson for the day. Don't leave your car at the airport.