The Sunday after the Pumpkin Fest (warning - traveling follies & long-ish-story below)
It didn't look like a world
record at the World-renowned festival, but my task of appearing at the 2013
Keene Pumpkin Festival was a success. Filled with smiling good-natured
New England people and families. My plan was perfectly executed.... until
the Sunday morning after.
The arrival was as planned. On Friday, I took care of the dry cleaning via the hotel service in Memphis. Check. I took care of my unmentionables via the hotel laundry room. Check. I even was able to make a brief appearance at the office and get some billing hours in. Check. Priceline a hotel for my arrival in Manchester NH. Check. Priceline a rental car for my arrival in Manchester NH. Check. All goes smoothly at the Memphis airport, and land 25 minutes early in Manchester, about 11pm even after the late arrival at m connecting airport in DC. The Hertz rental car waiting for me after I exited the smaller regional airport doors. The hotel is a leisurely drive 10 minutes away in Londonderry, NH. Check. 4 star hotel? No. But that should be OK. Its quiet, hopefully clean, spacious, and I can sleep, if not well at least on a semi-comfortable bed.
The arrival was as planned. On Friday, I took care of the dry cleaning via the hotel service in Memphis. Check. I took care of my unmentionables via the hotel laundry room. Check. I even was able to make a brief appearance at the office and get some billing hours in. Check. Priceline a hotel for my arrival in Manchester NH. Check. Priceline a rental car for my arrival in Manchester NH. Check. All goes smoothly at the Memphis airport, and land 25 minutes early in Manchester, about 11pm even after the late arrival at m connecting airport in DC. The Hertz rental car waiting for me after I exited the smaller regional airport doors. The hotel is a leisurely drive 10 minutes away in Londonderry, NH. Check. 4 star hotel? No. But that should be OK. Its quiet, hopefully clean, spacious, and I can sleep, if not well at least on a semi-comfortable bed.
It was a success. Clean and surprisingly modern for the Sleep
Inn of Londonderry, NH. Quiet neighbors,
top floor room and a decent TV channel lineup offering. For all of this multi-state travel, I receive
a reasonable 6 hour doze.
The next morning, I go to see an great friend in Walpole NH (far from where I was, not too far from where I was going.) Brunch-but more-Lunch'esque, with a local-hand-crafted Pumpkin Latte, in a perfectly set New England town full of old expanded white barn-style fairly wealthy looking homes, with nay a single traffic light. The main street had about 15 stores and eateries, plus a gas station. A stray Tesla Model S was even a resident there. Very cool town. 63-degree day in the heart of Fall Foliage New Hampshire? Don't mind if I do! Lunch was great with Evelyn and her adorable son who has the cutest dimples (not unlike myself I might add.) Begin my brief drive back down to Keene.
First stop? Starbucks. It needed to be done, don’t judge me. Next, do a little work on the laptop (OK, not all work – some was editing and producing an informational video on how to make fraternity style popcorn – details to follow.) Its still bright out, and I would prefer to see Jack-O-lanterns lit up at dusk/night. 6pm rolls around, time to make my way around town, and park at the E F Lane hotel (the closest parking there without being bused there – AND because I fear you underestimate my sneakiness.). Keep in mind; this medium size city in NH closes down for this event. Street closures everywhere. Almost 15 years under the belt, I’m a black-belt in navigating the black-top of Keene. Now, I'm smack dab in the main (best) part of the fest. Check. Smell that? Its pumpkin pies, corn dogs, apple thingy-ma-giggies, and crazy awesome New England crisp air. Also of note, it could be 20 degrees and sleeting or 65 degrees and mild. This was a great day for this festival.
Selfie in the front of the scaffolding full of pumpkins? Check. Not a great picture, but the point is made. Our Life can change, drastically, and yet I feel our traditions don't necessarily have to. Was it the same for me? Not by any means. Did it feel good to experience the familiarity of a previous time in my life? Absolutely.
Now...after I visit with some ghouls and ghosts, peruse the pumpkin creations, and take a refreshing inhale of New England crisp warmth, time to make way back to the hotel about an hour away. Why? Well my plane leaves at 6am for DC to visit with my sis-in-law Jill and watch her complete a great accomplishment of running the Army Ten Miler @ the Pentagon in Virginia.
Enter the story's main muse.
As I approach the Sleep Inn, some great expeditious and efficient thoughts come to mind. Get gas now and save time in the morning. Check. Don't eat much and prevent any discomfort in the morning. Check. Get into bed and watch a little TV around 9:30ish PM. Check. All smiles so far.
Wait...did you hear that? It sounds like a family of infant toddlers coming into their room next door. I'm sure they didn't give their children sugar at such a late time of night, its way past their bedtime. Nope. I would be wrong. Are these walls paper-thin? I can hear each family member breathing. Nay. I can hear their stomachs processing the food they just ate. I can hear their thoughts, though not very bright thought processes.
The next morning, I go to see an great friend in Walpole NH (far from where I was, not too far from where I was going.) Brunch-but more-Lunch'esque, with a local-hand-crafted Pumpkin Latte, in a perfectly set New England town full of old expanded white barn-style fairly wealthy looking homes, with nay a single traffic light. The main street had about 15 stores and eateries, plus a gas station. A stray Tesla Model S was even a resident there. Very cool town. 63-degree day in the heart of Fall Foliage New Hampshire? Don't mind if I do! Lunch was great with Evelyn and her adorable son who has the cutest dimples (not unlike myself I might add.) Begin my brief drive back down to Keene.
First stop? Starbucks. It needed to be done, don’t judge me. Next, do a little work on the laptop (OK, not all work – some was editing and producing an informational video on how to make fraternity style popcorn – details to follow.) Its still bright out, and I would prefer to see Jack-O-lanterns lit up at dusk/night. 6pm rolls around, time to make my way around town, and park at the E F Lane hotel (the closest parking there without being bused there – AND because I fear you underestimate my sneakiness.). Keep in mind; this medium size city in NH closes down for this event. Street closures everywhere. Almost 15 years under the belt, I’m a black-belt in navigating the black-top of Keene. Now, I'm smack dab in the main (best) part of the fest. Check. Smell that? Its pumpkin pies, corn dogs, apple thingy-ma-giggies, and crazy awesome New England crisp air. Also of note, it could be 20 degrees and sleeting or 65 degrees and mild. This was a great day for this festival.
Selfie in the front of the scaffolding full of pumpkins? Check. Not a great picture, but the point is made. Our Life can change, drastically, and yet I feel our traditions don't necessarily have to. Was it the same for me? Not by any means. Did it feel good to experience the familiarity of a previous time in my life? Absolutely.
Now...after I visit with some ghouls and ghosts, peruse the pumpkin creations, and take a refreshing inhale of New England crisp warmth, time to make way back to the hotel about an hour away. Why? Well my plane leaves at 6am for DC to visit with my sis-in-law Jill and watch her complete a great accomplishment of running the Army Ten Miler @ the Pentagon in Virginia.
Enter the story's main muse.
As I approach the Sleep Inn, some great expeditious and efficient thoughts come to mind. Get gas now and save time in the morning. Check. Don't eat much and prevent any discomfort in the morning. Check. Get into bed and watch a little TV around 9:30ish PM. Check. All smiles so far.
Wait...did you hear that? It sounds like a family of infant toddlers coming into their room next door. I'm sure they didn't give their children sugar at such a late time of night, its way past their bedtime. Nope. I would be wrong. Are these walls paper-thin? I can hear each family member breathing. Nay. I can hear their stomachs processing the food they just ate. I can hear their thoughts, though not very bright thought processes.
No worries…its beddy-bed
time I’m sure for them. Let me continue
to try and relax, and fall asleep so I can wake up bright and early and be
ready for my flights. Alarm is set at 3:15am;
phone alarm is set at 3:15 as well. I
figure 4-5 hours will be absolutely fine since I have a non-stop flight to DC.
10:49PM
Why are the kids banging on
the wall? Why is the mother NOT telling
her children to stop? Why are they
screaming? (A fun way, not like they were being killed)
10:59PM
After various forms of
indecent language barely audible for them to hear coming out of my mouth, I
decide I cannot take it anymore. I
travel down to the front desk and ask politely & calmly to be moved to a
different room. Unfortunately for the
same reason that I’m here, this hotel and surrounding hotels are booked solid for
the Pumpkin Festival. She says she’ll
call up to their room and ask them to be a little quieter. OK.
11:05PM
I make it no secret that I’m
back in the room by letting the door shut behind me, rather than doing the
right thing at such a time at night and closing the door softly. NOW I can hear the mother saying shhhhh! to
the kids (who are still jumping, banging and screaming.)
11:10PM
I have tried every which
way to sleep. On my left side, right
side, back, almost flat with a pillow over my head. Nothing seems to drown out the twin devil
children and Lucifer Parental unit in the room next to me.
11:11PM
Hello, front desk? Either find me another hotel or move them, or
move me, do something please. My trunk
of the rental car seems better for me to be able to sleep right now.
11:13PM
Shhhhhhhh! I can hear from
the room next to me. Maybe…just maybe
they will realize that someone is trying to sleep.
11:15PM
Wait, wait, wait....do you hear
that now??? I’m pretty sure they don’t
get any pornography channels at the hotel.
I’m not watching any. Nothing
going on in my room. ….Oh no. No.
Dammit. That would be the OTHER
room next to me with a rather sprite young couple enjoying a little Adam &
Eve time.
11:16PM
Still going.
11:17PM
Still going.
11:26PM
I assume they are a young
couple. Because, well, I’m not that
young – and I would know my limits.
Bravo to them. But, c’mon people
– I need to sleep! Plus, since I can’t
enjoy the fruits of the vine, it’s only a little torturous too.
11:45PM
Shhhh!!!! I hear
again. The kids are still at it. Next time, I’m paying the Festival Room Rates
at EF Lane Hotel in downtown Keene, NH.
12:40AM
Sunday
Its about this time that I
remember looking the clock – and finally falling asleep (correction, taking a
nap at this point.)
3:15AM
(Alarm Clock) Buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzzz Buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzzz Buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzzz Buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzzz Buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzzz Buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzzz Buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzzz Buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzzz Buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzzz Buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzz buzzzzzzz
(Baron)……..zzzzzzzzzzz.......zzzzzzzzzzzz.........zzzzzzzzzzzzz
4:52AM
I awake, a little. My left eye opens to view the clock. I instantly can tell by the room brightness
that I’m waking up past my expected time.
I can barely see the clock, but in a matter of 2-3 seconds I read
4….5…2. My head pops up almost as fast
as my feet hit the ground. FUCK! Part of me wants to talk to the young couple
to make sure they were on contraceptive to prevent my other neighbor’s
mistake. Part of me wants to take the
alarm clock, turn it to 5AM, and place it next to the family’s wall. Part of me is trying to determine the
probability of making the flight sans shower, or maybe hopefully catching the
7AM flight instead and rushing to see Jill at the finish line. How quickly did I compose those
thoughts? Under a minute, more like 20
seconds. As I stare at myself in the
bathroom mirror, looking neither at my best nor my hair too, I’m determined to
make the 6:00am flight.
4:53AM
Wash the face really quick
to wake myself up a little. Wet the hair
and dry off quickly to remove the hairs standing straight up. Pack up the toiletry bag. Wait, I’m missing something! Oh yeah, GET DRESSED!
4:54AM
Get dressed with the
clothes I laid out the previous night.
Fold and pack the rest of the clothing, toiletry bag, coil up my phone
charger, coil up my laptop charger, do a quick scan around the room to see what
else I’ve forgotten.
4:59AM
I’ve got everything, bag on
top of suitcase, money and credit cards in pocket, car keys in the other
pocket. Head down to the car. Wait for the Elevator? Fuck no.
Stairs.
5:00AM
Bag and suitcase in the
car. I sit in the front seat. I go to remove my phone from my pocket to
place in the front seat. DAMMIT, no
phone!
5:00
and 45 seconds…
Run to my room (thankfully
I kept a room key rather than throwing it out.)
I must have walked into the room like The Terminator. I truly felt my eyes scanning the room like
him. Target: Samsung Galaxy S III. Target located on bathroom sink counter. Come with me if you want to live.
5:01
and few more seconds…
Car is turned on, phone is
with me. This should be simple. No one is gonna be on the roads I need to get
to the airport. I’ll exceed the speed
limit a little and I should be at the airport in 10 minutes. 5:11am is not too bad to make a 6AM flight,
especially out of a small regional airport.
5:04AM
Not bad. Crispy cool air flowing through the cracked
window to help aid in my awakening. No
one on the road, speeding a tiny bit. I
get to the traffic light where I make a left onto the main two-lane road to the
airport. I see a pickup truck from the
other side of the road make a right.
OK…he’ll be going at the speed limit.
NOPE. Local-yocal who wants to do
some sight seeing at 5am. I contemplated
passing him, but due to my nature of these roads, animals, etc., I choose to
curse him out verbally in my car and prayed that he would NOT be going to the
airport.
5:11AM
I was wrong. He was.
Panic is starting to set in. What
do I do with the rental car? How do I
blow off the rental agent and not go through their return process? Will anyone else be ahead of me?
5:14AM
Enter Rental Car parking
garage. Find the Hertz Return Lane. I’m 10 cars deep. No Agent? What?!
Fuel is fine, I had unlimited miles, car is in the condition I returned
it. Keys on the seat, rental agreement
on the seat, bags out of car, and I start to run.
5:14AM
and 30 seconds
While running, luggage
roller and briefcase in one hand, my phone in the other. Its about a quarter of a mile from the garage
to the terminal. I proceed to check into
the flight with my mobile smart phone, while running and navigating a few
stairs as well. I skip the Seat Change
process, last seat on the plane, check in complete.
5:15AM
ish…
I reach the terminal. I’m relieved that I should make the flight, pending the security line at this small
regional airport. My body temperature
rising, causing a bead(s) of sweat as I enter the TSA security line. Will the TSA think something weird about me,
out of breath, sweating, looking like I’m panicking? Now, I’m panicking thinking about what the
TSA is thinking about me. The line is
almost moving fast enough for me not to be worried.
I get to the TSA person who
checks my driver’s license with my electronic boarding pass. BUZZ, sorry sir, can you try to scan your
boarding pass again? Sure. BUZZZZZ, sir can I see your phone. BUZZZZZZ , sir your boarding pass is not
valid – says you’re on another flight not at this gate/security
checkpoint. “Look, TSA agent, my flight
board in minutes – I’m on this flight.”
Sir, go to the counter. But what
will I do if I miss the flight? Don’t
worry Sir, you can come right back to me without waiting.
5:26AM
Running
back to the counter area in the front of the airport, go right to a
self-service check in, plug the confirmation code I have memorized by now,
print out the boarding pass, and proceed to run back to the security line.
5:29AM
They let me through to the
front of the line. The paper-boarding
pass works. I begin my journey through
the unnecessary process of removing my shoes, belts, watch, money/credit cards,
etc. While waiting to go through the
giant x-ray machine, I look at my “smartphone” that I have been cursing since a
few minutes ago to investigate why it didn’t work before.
I had checked in
properly. But for my flight AT 8:00PM
later that night out of Washington D.C.!
Oops! I did in fact check into
the wrong flight, but on the same day!
5:34AM
I arrive within minutes to
my gate, thoroughly relieved that I made it, in record time, and I would be
able to carry on with my Sunday Plan. I
check in with the gate agent, and ask her politely to see if there were any
seats on the Aisle and closer to the front.
With a smile, she gave me 2C AND also gave me 2C for my flight later
that day. No upgrade cost to Econ
plus. She just helped me smile big and
start my day with a little pep.
5:38AM
After buying some gum and
water at the convenience store, I return the gate.
Huh…that’s odd. They’re not boarding.
5:39AM
(loudspeaker) Ladies and
Gentlemen, US Airways flight #0061 will be delayed in departing from this gate. There is a maintenance issue and they are
checking into it. We are currently
looking at a departure time of 6:40AM.
5:39AM
and 15 seconds
FUCK!
I could have showered! I could have slept in a little more. I could have slowed down and not ran!
I could have showered! I could have slept in a little more. I could have slowed down and not ran!
6:40AM
Boarded. My Sunday Funday will be able to continue
on. I will (and did) be able to see my
Sis-in-law finish a milestone accomplishment, enjoy some lunch with my DC
family, do some laundry, and get right back to the airport to start my business
week back in Memphis. Success!
Some quick take-aways:
Splurge for the closer/better hotel
when in doubt (or tight time-frames.)
If you’re a family full of kids, please
be kind of your neighbors
If you’re a horny young couple, please…well,
be quick at least
Oh, and if there’s something that you
want to do, with in reason…. do it. We’ve
got but only one time to go around in this life. Might as well make the most of it.
