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The Hassle of the Holidays

Sunday Nov 21, 2004

Every year as the days grow shorter and the air cooler we as Americans like to huddle close with our loved ones for annual celebrations of life and gratitude. With the improvements in transportation and communications made available in the late 20th century, we as Americans have spread ourselves further and further apart yet have attempted to maintain more connections then ever were possible back in the handwritten letter days. With just a couple days left before I throw all of my dust covered sweaters in a bag and attempt to battle the people of Los Angeles to make my flight to Chicago, I wanted to have a small vent session about the Hassle of the Holidays.

1. Seeing everyone you want to see/Doing everything you want to do:
I made the error of attending college in the same town I grew up in. This means that when returning home I not only have the opportunity to catch up with childhood friends but also have quite a few collegiate folks around too with whom I'd like to spend some qt (quality time). There aren't enough seconds in that four day period that could even come close to giving me the time I require to accomplish all the plans that have potentially been set forth. Conclusion: The Holidays require more time than the time off granted.
2. Travelling Sucks -- BAD
Forget the intense rush hour traffic that I will attempt to thwart on my miserable local roads only secret route to LAX. Forget the hour long security line that I will have to somehow surpass to even have an opportunity to run a 4 minute mile to reach my gate on time. Flying twice almost across the country in a 4 day span with the time and weather changes is DEADILY on the immune system. I am doping myself up on allergy and cold meds before I even step foot on Chicago soil to try to buck this annual illness I seemingly have a knack for catching. Conclusion: Loved ones should move to a warmer climate or a closer place or I need new loved ones (joking of course).
3. Preparations and Recovery
Trying to squeeze all of the peeps in is a job in itself and can't just happen. Thus my weekend has been dedicated to trying to map out each and every moment of my time at home so that I can maximize my time with everyone. This of course has forced me to put off other preps like packing, doing laundry, paying bills, eating, Jeremy time alone....I mean...err....eating. Point being the before and after of a trip often eat into an already busy and stressful time with work and make you exhausted when you finally arrive. But you run on fumes, see everyone and have a great time...and then Sunday comes. And there is the one friend you forgot to call, and your flight is delayed so you might not make your connection, and you feel the throat closing up with slight aches and pain...And you know that when you get home you cant just kick up. You have to unpack, pay those bills, and do those few tasks that you promised yourself you'd take care of while on vacation but ignored the whole time. Before you know it its 12:30am Monday, you're sick, you're wired, and you need to be at work in 7 hours. Conclusion: Sleep on the plane, bring bills along with you, stop whining and enjoy the trip.

When push comes to shove spending time with people you love is always worth the hassle and inconvenience of cross country travels. Eventually you will have the money for a private jet and will be able to skip the whole airport security, rush hour thing, and life will be good. Just pray for no snow with me. Pray...