Story of the week.....

Well, I've threatened to do this before.   And now I have.   Heaven help up all from the things I might write down in a public forum.   And apologies up front to all who I may, and the many who I certainly will, offend.   The world has seemed to have left it's moorings;   I'll be sure to point out the many ways in which humanity has gone wrong.    

But for today it's just an amusing sidebar after returning home from vacation yesterday.   Let's just say it was one of those days in and out of airports that you'd really like to forget asap.   My morning flight from FortLauderdale to ATLwas unremarkable and on time.    My next leg to return home to CA was looking fine;  but shortly after boarding the captain tells us that there is a mechanical issue, and the 'company' is looking for the replacement part.   After 90 minutes they tell us the nearest missing part is in Minneapolis.   Oops.   30 minutes later we deplane back into the terminal, move gates, and an hour later board another plane which we think is ready to depart.   2 hours later, we're still sitting at the gate, waiting on the catering company to make an appearance, as the pilot won't leave the gate without food/drink for the 5 hour flight.   Needless to say, it was a long day, and roughly 5 hours late, I safely landed in SFO.

But the best part of the day, was the 2 hours sitting gate-side in plane #1.   I was having a very pleasant chat w/ the woman seated next to me, who had the previous day, successfully completed the NY Marathon.  But our conversation was interrupted frequently by the grandmother (my assumption) and granddaughter (Lena) sitting behind us.   Lena was six years old or so by estimation, and was not at all happy with our captivity on the airplane.   It was hot, and she could not get comfortable.   Lena was not happy.  Lena was whining in that six-year-old way that can, of course, get on your nerves.   But Grandma was not being very helpful.   She seemed to lack that warm and fuzzy nurturing aspect we expect all grandma's to have.   The least helpful was the repeated lectures to Lena about how when she whines, she only makes it worse for herself and makes Grandma more aggravated.  When the time came for us to go back into the terminal, Lena was clearly not moving quickly enough to satisfy Grandma.  Now the screaming starts.   "LENA, GO!   GO!  LENA !!     LEEENA!!!"    This of course grabs everybody's attention who's left in the rear of the aircraft.   Grandma is now fairly out of control, and is yanking Lena's arm, pulling her violently up the aisle of the aircraft.     The passengers all sorta take a breath and look at each other in amazement.    I look at my friendly neighbor and remark a little too loudly, "well now we all know why Lena's whining;  Grandmas a bitch !"    

a little laughter is good for the soul..........

Bill