December 5, 2007 | Filed under: DC! DC! DC!, Good Things Come to Those Who Are Impatient Whiners
I just read Holly’s post and experienced some major flashbacks to the last time I flew to DC, when I wasn’t packed yet and the SuperShuttle guy showed up early and called me every five minutes to see if I was ready yet. Dude, if my phone would stop ringing every three seconds, I might actually manage to put something in my damn suitcase.
When I was ready, still within the 15 minute window of my pick-up time, but not by much, I turned off all the lights, grabbed my purse, laptop bag, and the handle of my suitcase and booked it to the front door.
Have I mentioned it was 3:30 in the morning? And therefore pitch dark in the house? It was.
I ran smack into the dining room wall, just inches from where the dining room opens into the living room, somehow hitting my head before (or perhaps simultaneously) ramming my knee into the same. I was going full force at this point and, I kid you not, I saw stars. Tears instantly sprang to my eyes, but I made myself pull it together and focus on what was important right now: the need to get out the door, pronto. The possibility that I’d just given myself a concussion was just going to have to wait.
I dashed out the front door in time to see the SuperShuttle pulling away as I locked the door behind me. For the second time in two minutes, I was nearly overcome by tears. As I pondered what to do, my phone rang. It was the shuttle driver, informing me that he was leaving to pick up the next customer and then he’d come back. Hmm, yes, nice of you to call after you’ve already left. Thanks for that.
Once my suitcase and I were safely on our way to the airport, under the cloak of darkness and the chatter of the other passengers, I gave in to the tears. The hellish morning, the nearly being left behind, the fact that my head and knee were still throbbing were all just a little too much for my stressed-out, three-hours-of-sleep self. I cursed everyone and everything but mostly I cursed the fact that I had to get on a plane and fly across the country to be in DC. I hate this, I hate this, I hate this. I’ve had these hellish mornings before. They almost always involve getting on a plane to DC. Godfuckingdamnit. None of this would happen if I just fucking lived there. No packing, no SuperShuttle, no frantic dash to the airport, no logistical contortions to cram as many people into my one-week calendar as possible, I could just get up in the morning and ALREADY BE THERE.
And this is why I relish the knowledge that on January 1, I’m going to get up in the morning and already be there, with no return flight planned.
Posted by Daily Tragedies @ 6:15 am | Make a Comment
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Say it ISN’T SO? What? This was funny until I got to the last line. Now I’m not laughing.
December 5th, 2007 at 12:35 pmYay, you get to maim yourself in DC!
December 5th, 2007 at 6:22 pmHa. What da ya know? I almost accepted a job in the greater DC area last week, which would have put me in the exact same situation on the exact same day. I ended up taking a different job, but that would have been ironic, no?
Good for you. DC seems to be the place where you belong. Good luck!
December 5th, 2007 at 7:23 pmShe damages herself enough in Sacramentor or where ever it is you live, God think of what’s gonna happen to you in DC. And what is so great about DC anyway? Well, of course I wish you the best and it does seem to be the place you love so … You’ll owe us some photos.
December 5th, 2007 at 8:36 pmI was thinking about that — the amount of pain I manage to inflict upon myself — and I really don’t think I was this klutzy when I lived in DC. Maybe it’s my advanced age. But perhaps my DC life was generally more exciting, whereas here a good faceplant into the sidewalk is the most interesting thing that happens in a given week.
December 5th, 2007 at 8:58 pmWHA? You can’t just drop a bomb like that and give no details! Well, actually it’s your blog, so you CAN, but you shouldn’t. Spill, girl!
December 6th, 2007 at 3:16 amYay! It’s great to be where you belong. Congratulations!
December 6th, 2007 at 4:59 amAre you serious? You’re moving back? Yay!!! Details, please…
December 7th, 2007 at 4:27 amTalk about leaving us hanging. NOT NICE. I certainly will not be buying you a Welcome To DC Latte when you get here - not if you’re going to treat me like this.
December 8th, 2007 at 7:22 pmHey you never did give us the dish on this DC move! It’s not fair. How’s my whining?
December 11th, 2007 at 7:36 am[...] one thinks I’ve already died. If anything, I’m returning from the dead with my upcoming re-appearance on the East Coast. I think it goes without saying that this birthday is slightly less traumatic than last year, and [...]
December 12th, 2007 at 9:51 am