Airports...bleh!

I fully expected to be landing in Hawaii right now, but unfortunately I am sitting at home instead. When things go the wrong way at an airport, it usually means a very long day. I was supposed to be on the plane at 5:30pm and taking off at 6:10pm. We boarded a little late because the mechanics needed to fix a light bulb. Yes, a light bulb. No problem! We then board the plane and proceed to sit for about an hour and a half because a computer in the cockpit is having trouble resetting.

After waiting for a long time, Ember casually mentions that her butt doesn't feel good. They show an episode of the Simpsons on the plane to tide the kids over. Of course, it does nothing for the two crying babies sitting immediately behind me. But, I'm not going to complain, I know how it feels and I feel for the parents doing everything they can to calm them down, especially when you have people giving you evil eye looks because we have all been sitting in a plane for an hour or so and baby is cranky. I can remedy it with some aspirin and a pair of headphones and some music.

We are finally deplaned and sent back to gate C7. We go directly to Burger King which is across from the seating area and stand in a long line for a $9 combo meal. You airport bastards! Of course, after I buy the meal we are then directed to come to the podium to pick up some complimentary $10 vouchers for each of us and $150 worth of discounts for the next time we travel. Nice!

We wait for another hour in the seating area after some struggling with the bathroom and carry-ons. Countless announcements of "We are so very sorry, but we don't know what is going on or when you are leaving."

Raven and Ember make conversation with a family sitting next to us at the airport. The man of the family, a middle aged man from Utah, speaks to them in their own language. Fascinating. Of course, he is a pediatrician in St. George on a vacation to Hawaii with his family. I feel bad for them because 1/4 of their vacation is being cut short because of a plane problem.

But after the concluding announcements, everyone is happy. The bad news is the flight is delayed til tomorrow morning. The good news is the airlines is providing free transportation and accommodations at a hotel. They are also giving everyone on the flight a free round-trip ticket. I can live with that.

I bypass the line for the shuttle and hotel vouchers, since I can call my friend, James, to come pick us up and take us back home. Besides, all our clothes is still in the undercarriage of the plane, and I really don't feel like waiting another 3 hours in a very long line. As I leave, I hear the stewardess call for a new line to form with the disabled and families with children...nice timing. Oh well, I do end up waiting outside in humid 100+ degree weather for about 1/2 hour since James gets stuck in traffic. Ember is in tears and I'm sweating like a pig. But that's OK, I can shower, change my clothes, write some blogs, play some Xbox and then sleep in my big comfy bed so I can do it all again tomorrow morning!

Off to Hawaii I go

It's been so long since I've been home. I am so bad at recounting dates and times, I'm thinking maybe 3 to 4 years. It's about time I go back home and see how my family is doing, and show my daughters what Hawaii really is.

I'll be gone for a month. I think that's enough time to catch up on things and develop that very bad sunburn. I'm just getting over that tan line from the last time I was there, time to permanently etch it onto myself.

I leave in a couple days and I still haven't packed. I probably should be doing that right now, but I am a procrastinator. I'll end up stressing out before I go. The house needs cleaning and bills need to be paid, like always. At least I'll have someone here to watch over my house.

Other then that, I should have a good time in Hawaii. I'm going to be a mooch and house hop while I'm there. Anyone have an extra car for me to drive myself around? I'm thinking we should be at the beach every day!