Had a wonderful time at the conference. I got to hear interesting, motivating, and passionate speakers; learned some good information; and even met a few new people. And that's a big thing for me because I really stink at the whole meet and mingle thing...
So all went well. Until it was time to go home. And then it all went south.
I had prearranged shuttle service and my pick up was scheduled for 1:00. My flight left at 3:10 so I was already cutting it a little close. So I noticed a disclaimer on my shuttle receipt that said they allowed a 15 minute gap.
So after our final session I planted myself in the lobby to try to catch up on work. I was in the midst of finishing an email that I really needed to get out when I noticed it was about 20 minutes to 1:00. And I wanted to be there waiting at 12:45. So I’m in a panic to get this done before I have to go…I hit the send button and nothing happens. My session had timed out!
The hotel was generous enough to allow 1 hour blocks of internet access. You could get more than that, you just had to sign back in. And I had just hit the one hour mark. GRRRR!
Panicked that I was going to miss my shuttle I grab the laptop and my bag (which is about as big as me) and speed walk to the front of the hotel and finish the email standing – balancing the laptop with my arm and my stomach. The picture of professionalism, right? But at least I got my email out!
So I wait. And wait. No shuttle. So now it’s about 10 after 1:00 and I’m starting to get nervous. So I call the shuttle service and she says the shuttle came by at 1:05. What? I was standing right at the front door… She asked me if I was standing outside, to which I reply no, but I’m right inside the front door, watching all the vehicles that come through. And she says that if I wasn’t standing outside he may not have stopped because he wouldn’t know there was someone to pick up. What? Doesn’t he know that from my reservation? Plus, this is a huge conference – almost everyone is leaving and there have been a steady stream of people outside…so the shuttle should have stopped.
She tells me the next shuttle will come by around 1:35. As that sinks in I decide to step outside, just in case. And the lovely bellman starts to navigate me towards a taxi. No thanks, I’ve got a shuttle scheduled. A shuttle? he asks. The shuttles pick up on the other end of the hotel. THE OTHER END OF THE HOTEL? WHAT? That didn’t make me feel stupid or anything…
So I run, as fast as I can with all my luggage to the elevator, go down a level, and run again across the length of the hotel to this magical and mystical second entrance. And I see the shuttle! Save!
So I jump on. It’s 1:17. I can still make it! I think. Yeah, yeah, it will be fine – I’ll make it!
But we don’t go anywhere. We’re just sitting. We wait. And wait. And wait. The driver is sitting in the front seat, shuffling papers. They must have been really, really important papers because we don’t pull out until 1:37. One. Thirty. Seven.
Now I’m in a panic. In some cities you can get away with getting to the airport a little late but with DC you never know how long it’s going to take to get through that security line. And this was not the day to test it…
And then we stop to pick up someone else.
Oh. My. God. I am so missing my flight!
Unfortunately, she was in a panic too because our flights left at the same time…this is so not looking good for either one of us. And the driver certainly wasn’t in a rush to get us there. He had no concern whatsoever. He was probably thinking we were dumbasses for not being able to navigate the shuttle system…
When we do get to the airport, I jump out before the driver has even had time to put it in park. We’re not at the right airport terminal but I know I can walk myself down there faster than he can drive me. So I grab my luggage and run. Really run. Like full on sprint. In my wedges. I check in, drop my bags and do another sprint to the security line. People were staring. But I made it!
My flights were uneventful. I met a nice guy on business who was interested in the book I was reading. Actually, I don’t think he was that interested in the book – I think he was just a talker but when we landed I gave him the book anyway. It was funny because when he asked me where I was from I told him Oklahoma and he said “Yeah? I was in Austin with a buddy of mine not too long ago.” And then said something about Dallas. I know we both have red dirt, cowboys and twangy accents but I would like to think that he knew Texas and Oklahoma were different states.
I discovered at baggage claim that my bag was missing. My bag with all my favorite shoes! And some of my favorite jewelry, my contacts, my flat iron, and my makeup. Yikes! This is an important bag people! Fortunately, it was delivered today.
And just in time! I had to go to work really ugly today - no makeup, glasses, bad hair. And of course, our Lt. Governor was visiting campus today. Now, I would have talked to him ugly or not but I was glad I could at least put in my contacts before we had that conversation about the importance of our state leadership advocating for TRiO…
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