Well.
Soon.
But not quite yet.
I’m sitting in the terminal at SFO waiting to be able to board the plane.
I have a little time.
I have e-mailed my people, checked in, got accountable, and popped my headphones on.
I figured, I’ll blog it out and by the time I finish it with the writing it will be time to hop onto the plane to Vegas.
Then.
Houston.
Then New Orleans.
Yeah.
It’s a lot.
But.
I got a super sweet message from the woman that I am renting a room from in the historic mansion in the Treme district this morning, asking after my travel itinerary and when I would be getting in.
On the Air BnB site check in is for noon.
But.
When I told her that my flight was coming in at 8:40 a.m. she said, hop in a cab and come over, I’ll be here to let you in.
I don’t have to kill a couple of hours wandering around with my luggage!
I’m freaking stoked for that.
Seriously.
Makes up for any weirdo timing with the flights.
And honestly, it’s not a big deal.
I am super lucky I get to go.
I was in the Lyft car on the way to SFO and I was like.
Who is this woman?
And.
Where is she going?
How is it that this is my life?
I am the luckiest girl in the world.
I can’t get over it.
I will add.
My alcoholic mind added, so kind, so sweet, always thinking about me and my welfare, “who is this woman, traveling ALONE.”
Fuck you head.
I am happy traveling alone.
I am good fucking company.
I got the Skull Candy Hesh headphones on bumping some Green Velvet and I am happy as a clam with my company.
“You have done this before,” the woman behind me said in awe, as I kicked off my shoes, pulled off my jacket, set my laptop in the bin, hefted my roll on up to the conveyor belt and waited to be waved through the body screening device, pulling my boarding pass and id out of my bra.
I smiled, “I have done this a few times.”
It’s awful nice that.
Getting to travel.
I felt a bit like a rock star as I surveyed myself in the mirror before leaving the house.
“I love you and I forgive you and you look fucking amazing.”
Stuart Smalley strikes again.
Short flowered mini dress, chambray blue shirt, black leggings, Converse, hot pink mountain of hair, pink glitter rose clip, hoop earrings, a few choice star tattoos peaking out, black sweatshirt, blue jean jacket.
“Nice art,” the security guard said.
“Thanks,” I replied.
I still got the pat down.
I just don’t look like your typical traveler.
And hey.
Whatever.
I’m hella happy to be my glittery, pink, tattooed fucking fabulous self.
Rock star.
No I can’t play an instrument.
(cello once upon a time)
I can’t really sing.
“That hasn’t stopped me,” my friend said with glee as we walked out of the Paul Simon concert.
But.
I can swagger.
And I did just that.
Once I was through the gate, I pulled the earrings out, slipped my watch back on, slid into the Converse, hit the Green Velvet and sashayed down the terminal to my spot at gate number 74, United Airlines to Las Vegas.
And!
This is freaking crazy.
Sitting here, happily charging all my electronic devices, downloading an episode of OITNB (Orange is the New Black) and I look up from my laptop because there is someone staring at me with a baby.
OMG.
It is one of my best friends!
Heading out on a flight too.
We are not going the same place, but crazy.
Serendipity.
Especially since we were just texting early this week about getting together for coffee or doing the deal or whatever we could fucking figure out.
When you have a friend with a kid under two who also happens to be a doctor, well, it’s hard to make plans.
So to see her in front of me?
Fuck yeah.
She’s off to feed the baby then we will get some catch up time until I board my plane.
I have about an hour to go.
Super excited.
I haven’t even left San Francisco and it’s a fabulous trip already.
“Carmen, I love you to the moon and back 100 times,” he said to me, curled up in my lap, “I need to tell you since you’ll be traveling and I’ll be traveling and I need to let you know that you are in my heart.”
Oh my god kid, you’re killing me.
“I love you too, _________, to the moon and back,” he held his hand over my mouth.
“Wait,” his eyes got big, “I love you to the moon and back google plus times!”
Oh.
Fuck kid.
I guess I got trumped.
I don’t even know what that number is.
Is it a number?
Maybe I’ll just go google that.
Heh.
I thought infinity was the biggest number.
Both the boys were sweet and adorable, although loath to leave the house, they typically can sense when stuff is up and added to me traveling, the family is also traveling.
I was thinking about that when I was doing a bit of last minute rearranging with my luggage, is it going to rain, is it not, best to add this, take out that, swap out, and have this extra…that and, god, it’s nice to only have to pack for myself.
I can pack quick and fast and have traveled light and know how to do it and make it work.
And.
There’s my friend.
Off to go catch up.
Then.
Time.
To.
Hit the next leg of the journey.
I’ll see you in New Orleans!
Auntiebubba 