From Delta Flight DL3 - Seats 39 A, B, & C

Pin It Don’t you just love New York in the fall?

I am not sure if I will or not, but I can only assume that I will do so – after all – I loved it in the summer.

I am composing this post from 30,000 feet aboard a Delta 747, a flight bound for New York City. Duration? 3 ½ hours.

Did you know that Delta offers free wireless on their flights until January?

Yeah, I didn’t know that either.

Last night I commenced packing for this trip; it was about 8:00. As I started deciding which items were essential and vital, I suddenly felt the incessant desire to have my home ready for Christmas for when I got back. You know, to walk in from my trip and to have that warm Christmassy feeling - to have my house be cozy and welcoming.

I retrieved the decorations I’d stored since Christmas in September and began to place these strategically around the house. From my iPod I began a playlist of Christmas jazz.

It was such a good feeling.

I lit a pumpkin spice candle and allowed its scent to permeate my home as I festooned the house with the customary seasonal adornments. Small white lights burned from the tree and the counters, glossing the room with subdued light as the ornaments and decorations filled my living room and kitchen.

I checked the weather outside; the rain that had been falling from the heavens earlier turned into a medley of tumbling snowflakes. I have to admit that at this point there was a distinct feeling of Christmas which seemed to be alive and well in my home.



I stood on the porch and watched the drifting flakes fall from the darkened skies in the light of the streetlamp. I stood there for several minutes breathing in the cold of the evening.

It was invigorating.

I went back in the house and started to pack for my trip, deciding which items would be important, and which would not. I made sure that I had enough underwear and socks to last for seven days…it’s always nice to have clean underwear when you’re away from home.

I thought of New York.

I thought of my brother and my sister-in-law whom I’d be visiting soon.

I smiled.

I awoke early to a gray sky morning. It was cold and dank. I set out for the airport amidst snow, gray clouds, and gutter slush thrown up from other vehicles on the freeway via my good friend, Julie, who’d willingly braved the elements to get me to the airport.

Aren’t good friends amazing?

At the airport I was privy to a full body scan.

Seriously.

I felt like I was a contestant on one of those game shows where the person is allowed into the glass box full of money which blows all about them and they flail all about trying to snag as much as humanly possible (and looking like a complete buffoon as they do so). Only this great glass box looked far more Star Trekian than the one on The Price is Right.

Having passed my shortwave x-ray (which – as you can read here – gave the viewers to the screens an unabashed view of my all) I moved through the concourse to the right gate, arriving 5 minutes before boarding. The deicing of the wings and exterior of the plane added an extra 15 minutes to our ground time, but I didn’t mind. The Sky Mall magazine kept me entertained with items that made me wonder just how in the world I’ve lived my whole life without them: self cleaning dog lawn mats, insect vacuums, giant cupcake molds, and secret pen video cameras.

Totally James Bondian…yeah, all items.

When I found my seat on the plane, it came to pass that the flight was only about ½ of the way full. As a result, I ended up with three seats to myself. I’m currently stretched out leaning against the airplane wall and writing this blog post with a full can of Minute Maid Cranberry Apple Cocktail and a full cup of ice.

Could life possibly get any better?

Yes it can…I’ll be in NY in just a few hours riding the spidery network of subways to get to my brother’s house.

Life, my friends, is good.

P.S. (Funny to say that in a blog post, isn’t it? However, since it means post script, I suppose it’s appropriate). Since I plan to be in New York for a few days, if you live in the area I’d love to meet you. Please click on the Z-Mail link and shoot me a message. If not, I can always entertain myself in the Big Apple…