Merry December!

How is it that nearly 2 months have elapsed since I last attempted to share the details of my so-called life with you, my readership? Did I mention how incredibly unusual my day-to-day existence is?

Point in case: my job has been 'in' Baltimore since May. For December, I'll be commuting to Orlando instead. Last week, I had the opportunity to pick up a trip originating in Phoenix with a friend of mine from training. I left there Saturday morning to meet Greg in Memphis; I ended up hitching a ride on another airline, the first time I've used my travel benefits on a carrier other than my own.

I arrived at the airport fully intending to throw myself on the mercy of the gate agent, as our companies' agreement states that I should have paper passes (generated in Dallas and payroll deducted; allow 5 days for processing, please) in hand. Nevertheless, since the ground employees seemed unaware or unaffected by this policy, I was simply allowed to just get onboard. For free. Ah, seat-of-my-pants sometimes works well.

On the downside, my passage through security would have been embarrassing had I not long ago squelched/shunned any pride with which I may have been born. The Phoenix airport has multiple security checkpoints, one for each terminal. I ended up leaving from a terminal that does not have Southwest service. Consequently, the TSA agent who sent my bags through the x-ray machine told me I was in error because I possessed liquids, gels, and potions. I stated that I was crew. He countered with, "No you're not." I pointed to my wings, saying, "I'm with Southwest." He quickly said, "You're not in uniform." I gestured to my crew badge, denim shirt, navy sweater vest, and polyester khakis and said, "Yes, yes I am." Had not another, more astute colleague of his saved me at that moment by saying, "She's Southwest, and she is in uniform," our verbal sparring might well have lasted hours. I laughed my way to the gate after telling him, "We all look like Catholic school kids." No offense intended.

So my time with my friend April was fun; we hung out for three days and got paid for it. Below is a photo of her (center) and Gigi as we waited in Reno. It was snowing and I wanted to stay. She showed me around her great city, taking me to a reigning horse ranch (where people send their quarterhorses to learn to compete and win money), her favorite sandwich shop ever, and generally making me like Phoenix more than I ever expected I would.


My cat enjoyed her time with my parents between July and November; I think she loves them more than me because they spoiled her so. I've only seen her for a few days in the last month because of my schedule. Greg, I think, has even forgotten my last name. It will get better in January, I tell them both.

Enough with the generic 'Happy Holidays' stuff. Merry Christmas to you all.