The Odyssey of Mattie Agonistes

So, this week is my company's annual meeting -- held in San Diego this year -- and I should be there.  But, I am home.  Here is my story:

I was skeptical I would get out of the CLE Monday with the weather, but the snow seemed to clear Sunday night (mostly) and the flight (Cleveland, Charlotte, San Diego) was NOT cancelled.  So, mindful of the less-than-salted roads, I set off for the airport -- had to park long-term as my sister's driveway was not plowed.  First time I ever used it, but...whatever.  I also decided to pack my winter coat in the suitcase once I arrived at the airport (but I kept my gloves and lock deicer).  While driving, the flight was delayed a bit, then a bit more.  OK; I had some time, and I figured I would try to eat and dined at Bar Symon, supposedly good -- and it was.  I forgot how tasty the rosemary fries are!  Anyways, they kept pushing back the Charlotte flight, and eventually it was pushed back to make me late in Charlotte.  The helpful gate agent was able to get me to O'Hare on a 3PM flight and a similar connection to San Diego.  Fine!

Not a huge fan of the quick hop, but it was smooth.  When I arrived at O'Hare, my flight to SDN was delayed by like three more hours -- to an 11PM departure.  Oi!  And it kept getting delayed -- 11:30, 12, 12:30; 1 AM.  They told us that they couldn't find a flight crew for it; we pointed out this was beyond redeye time and we would need only one person to give us blankets and pillows.  Then the flight was cancelled -- at 1 AM! -- and then there was a mad rush to find a gate agent.  I then decided that going to San Diego tomorrow would be fooling -- I would miss half the meeting and then have to fly home, and I have real work to do.  So I decided to go home.  The gate staff gave a bunch of us some passes to call someone.  I did, and I soon discovered the only open flight was a 4:30 PM one.  But, I could fly standby at 8AM.  By this time, all gate agents were gone, so I broke down, went to the 24/7 Dunkin, got a late dinner, and tried to sleep/read/walk around.  

Morning came and I found a helpful gate agent (to be sure the staff was mostly helpful) and there were indeed seats on the 8AM flight, so I moved myself to that and there was a nice and smooth flight home.  But -- and I expected this -- my suitcase was NOT on the carousel.  No one at American seemed to know where it was, as it had yet to land.  I despair of seeing it again!  Anyways, thankful that I kept my gloves, I took a shivery walk to the long-term lot, where -- mercy of mercies -- the Behemoth started up.  The roads were mostly good; 480 a bit off, 77 beautiful, and you can tell the difference between Parma and other suburbs.  I stopped at Walgreen's to pick up prescriptions and then at Arby's to get the $7.49 box special (pretty good; been a while since I had an Arby's roast beef!).  Then home to eat, shower, change clothes, and brush my teeth.  I was feeling fine now but am quite sleepy though not so tired to plan on watching J!.

All I can say is that was....largely a waste?  I mean, I skipped the meeting, missed a day and a half of real work, spent cash (to be reimbursed but...), stressed myself out, and am out a suitcase full of stuff including my razor (I have a spare but still), some library books, my prayer cards, and some clothes.    I did eat at a place on the list and read all of Rick Atkinson's The British are Coming (quite good, as expected) and started the next, but...sigh.  I do not think I will do this again if there are weather-related travel issues; my ardor for being a good coworker offset by solid practicality.

‘Brain the size of a walnut’: Bessent goes off on Newsom - POLITICO
This is pretty good, and -- as I so often say -- we are blessed to have him on our team.