A Mommy Story

I’m in Dallas now, and I can confirm I still hate flying. I tried to play it cool when I got on the plane – sat down, pulled out my knitting, and looked like I did this all the time. Too bad I blew my cover after liftoff, when I started practicing Lamaze breathing (wow, I guess I did finally get to use it), and grabbed the arm of the (amazingly understanding) older gentleman when we were hitting some bumps. Yeah, it was clear at that point that I was a fraidy-cat.

My lamaze breathing and panic continued until we reached cruising altitude and they pulled out the drink cart. At that point I was begging for them to hurry up and get to me. One travel bottle of chardonnay and three Advil later, I felt a little more relaxed. The dynamic duo – advil and alcohol – once again saves the day. I even mostly finished the knitting project I was working on. Anyone going to BlogHer who can loan me a Xanax for the ride home?

Some questions about flying: why is the pilot the one who gives you all sorts of details about your destination? Shouldn’t she be the one focused on flying the plane? Also, what’s up with the contortionist device they call a lavatory? Thanks to the alcohol, I had to pee while on the plane, so I had to maneuver myself into that broom closet. Wait, I think broom closets are bigger.

And Dallas is so far unimpressive. (No offence to anyone who lives here – unless you live in the airport.) It’s 100 degrees outside, for starters, so getting anywhere close to an outside door bakes you slightly. And while Columbus was a free wi-fi area, Dallas charges for the service. It is interesting how every sign in the airport is in both English and Spanish, though. I’m learning a little Spanish while I’m here.

I will repeat the medicinal combo for the second flight today. Maybe it will help me rest a little. Going across two time zones is bound to screw me up, and I’m already tired from getting little sleep the last two nights. I’ll get into San Jose around 6pm, get to the hotel hopefully by 7pm, where everyone will want to hang out. 7pm is 10pm for me, and I’m usually heading for bed by 11pm. If I can just stay up tonight, I’m sure I can get myself on track for pacific time.