I guess they can’t all be gems.

I guess I had it coming.  My first two travel days on this work trip were letter-perfect.  Empty planes, good seats, early arrivals, rental cars right in the terminals, the whole enchilada.

Not so much yesterday.

After two weeks of extreme cold and snow, Madison did its part to make my exit special by having an actual ice storm the night before I left.  So my day began in 10 degree weather, scraping ice off of every glass surface of my rental car.  And let me tell you, this was tough ice.  Getting it off was like a trip to the gym in terms of effort and calories expended.

Okay, so I made it through that hurdle.  Got to the airport and attempted to check in at the Delta self-serve kiosk.  I’m used to these, so there should have been no problem.  And there wasn’t until the point where I paid to check my excess (that is to say, my ONE) bag.  The machine spit out my receipt and that was that.  No mention of where to actually take my bag.  No attendant behind the counter (although it was marked OPEN).  No clue whatsoever.

Thanks, Delta!  I guess you’re ready when I am because you don’t feel bothered to actually have to DO anything to GET ready, huh?

Next highlight of the day:  The airport security goons broke my CPAP machine.  Thanks, TSA!!

Next:  Horrible coach seat with my knees crammed into the seat above me.  This situation was made extra-special when the woman in front of me leaned her seat back, leaving me without even enough room to hold a book in front of my face.  Thanks, Airbus!

Final insult:  The cab ride to Apria Healthcare (to get the CPAP fixed) and then home was one of those times when you just find yourself in the seventh circle of Hell, LA-traffic-wise.

On the bright side, the machine is working.  I talked the woman in front of me into moving her seat up (I bought her drinks to say thank you), and I got home safe.

So there.