Anyone know how to fly this thing?

I've never really traveled for the holidays, and certainly not by myself. So when my folks decided to drive to my sister's house last week, I was pretty nervous about airport conditions. I left for Kansas Sunday morning - 3 days before Christmas.

But I was flying out of Lovefield, the smaller Dallas airport, so I figured I was in for a fairly easy holiday flight. Lovefield mostly flies out Southwest Airlines. I'm flying American - makes it easier to get through check in when you're the only person in line. Sweet!

Once I get through security (maybe 10 minutes later) I begin my trek across the airport, past civilization, past any signs of life, and make my way to the AA terminal...and all 3 of their gates.

After a brisk 1.3 mile walk, I'm at my gate. I have my book, we're scheduled to take off in an hour, I can entertain myself until then.

Wait, our flight is delayed? Yes, the plane was there, but the crew didn't want to take us back to Kansas. Union work must be where it's at. To be able to just toss the keys to the gate attendant and announce, "I'm out!" without getting fired...Nice.

So we were delayed another hour. Ok...no problem. This puts me in to KS around 1pm. I haven't missed much, but the family is gathered waiting on me.

An hour later, the crew who "has agreed to take us" to Kansas arrives and we quickly board. I get settled, I get my book back out, and text my dad - See you soon!

I'm in seat 1A so I'm pretty much in the pilot's lap and can hear everything. Don't ever sit in 1A - you don't want to know.

We were delayed AGAIN once we got on board. Why? Because they can't find the User's Manual. Excuse me...what?

Yes, they've lost the User's Manual and they've sent the maintenance guy to find it or apparently round up a "Flying for Dummies," "So you think you can fly?," or some Cliff Notes version of the manual.

On the various flights I've been on in my life, there's been a few where I've assumed someone was "In Training." But how often to pilots really need to access this manual? Should I be concerned even if they find the manual? What if it's missing a page like Landing 101?

After about an hour of searching, we either gave up or found a suitable solution. Brilliant. I said a few prayers, closed my eyes, and hoped for the best.

Luckily we made it to Kansas, but I'm seriously considering giving up flying for a while.

Saturdays with Stephanie

This past Saturday, Stephanie and I tried a new club/bar. A guy she knew had table service at a swanky club called Clear. (Table Service: He and his friends dropped $300+ just to have a table at the club, add in the requirement to purchase 2-3 overpriced bottles of liquor, and you have a group of idiots with too much money).



We didn't get 5 feet in the door when I was reminded why I don't go to places like that. Girls in "gownless evening straps" as my mom would say, and guys in expensive designers I can't pronounce. Take 2 more steps - some ginormous black guy walks by and grabs me mumbles something and walks off.



Next we find the friend's table. At the table I see a girl we'll call "Tiffany" that I was friends with in high school, who also made my senior year miserable. If you've ever seen the movie Mean Girls, she was the blond ring leader. So unhappy with her life, that she was vicious to every girl especially those she called friends.



Luckily, "Tiffany" and I, without a spoken word, agreed to ignore each other the entire night. Done and done.

"Tiffany" + models + creepy ginormous guy + expensive everything = MB sticks out like a sore thumb

Then the ginormous black guy reappears. Surprise! He's friends with "Tiffany" and the guy who invited us. Wonderful. Not only is he menacing and terrifying, after a 15 minute (forced) conversation he admitted he remembers me from St. Patty's day. Oh God. I met him back in March after the parade on Greenville. He freaked me out then, and he gave me the heebie geebies when it clicked how I knew this guy. I grabbed Stephanie, and we left immediately. *shudders*

Of course I always have a great time when I'm with Stephanie, but I think we need to stick to going out in familiar territory. No more swanky bars, no more creepy guys, no more unwelcomed reunions.

Welcome to my blogspot

I have been posting blogs on MySpace for a while, but not everyone has access. My life is full of adventures everyone should be able to read about, so I've joined blogspot.

If you're new to my blogs - Stay tuned, I promise you'll be entertained!

View my old blogs at myspace.com/mbknight