Yes, I Brought The Snow With Me.

Two weeks ago, in an attempt to escape the ever-changing and then cold Milwaukee weather, I traversed to Phoenix to visit my brother. Our plans were to hike the peek formerly known as "Squaw," take in several games of Brewers Spring Training, and hopefully soak up some sun and warm weather. We were able to do all but the latter. You know how at the airport they ask you "have you agreed to take any packages from anyone who you don't know?" Well, I guess when I was asked to bring 5 inches of snow and colder weather than what was forecasted in Milwaukee, I should have said "no." It did, however, fit appropriately in the over-head compartment, and it didn't shift on landing or take-off.

Again, this past weekend, it snowed for the first time in over a month on the first day of Spring in Indianapolis, where I was for a professional conference. I didn't fight it off, I simply told people: Yes, I brought it with me.

I'll share with you some of the experiences from the conference:

During a session titled "Inviting Atheists Into the Campus Spirituality Dialogue," a woman sneezed. Four people turned to her and said "god bless you."

The association has a "Standing Committee on Disability." [italics and bold mine]

I successfully tied both left and right shoelaces while on the up-escalator after my friends said I wouldn't be able to. I finished as the stairs were being compacted.

I ran into an old staff member of mine who I have not communicated with (or so I thought) for 5 years. She told me she still reads my away messages. I feel mildly violated.

When I got to the hotel, I put my keys in my luggage so I wouldn't forget them. I didn't forget them, however, I did forget to remove them from the luggage. And when my luggage didn't appear in the baggage claim, a problem presented itself. I am locked out of my house. I'll have to break in.

I had been dropped off at the airport on Sunday, so I took a taxi home. Fortunately, one of my tenants where home and she let me into the basement. I took a screw-driver and removed the 9 screws that held the hinges to the door that leads up to my apartment. I was in! Pissed at myself, I was going to go and work out to burn off some steam. I grab the spare car key, and realize that I am locked out of the garage

The nice lady in baggage claim said my luggage never made it onto the plane in Indy (I was there two hours before departure, and there were only 10 people on this flight!) It will be delivered by midnight.

If it doesn't come, I have no way to get to work. I don't have my dress shoes. I have no deodorant. I can't shave.


Reading: Human Stain by Phillip Roth
Listening To: A.C. Newman