All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go…
Sorry. The middle-aged lady in me has that 70’s song stuck in my head. I’m out the door tomorrow way too damn early to head to San Francisco. I’ve never been to California, so I’m really excited. I figured if I was making the trip that far, I’d give myself a couple of days to sightsee before I have to focus on business.
I don’t fly well. I think it’s a control issue. If I was able to fly the plane, it might not bother me so much. It didn’t help I had a friend die in a plane crash when I was in high school. I’m not sure it’s an out-and-out phobia. (Can you hear my husband laughing from where you are?) Okay, so it is a phobia. But I can deal. I’ve got a window seat, so I’ll stare out of that and call off every recognizable landmark to whichever poor soul is stuck sitting beside me. For those of you of my age and the same cultural references, can you remember the movie Airplane! and what happens every time the main character sits down and talks about his life story? Yeah, that’s probably what will happen to anyone who has to sit by me.
I’m on my own on Monday. My roommate — Golden Heart YA finalist Kay Cassidy — will be in later that day. And the rest of my friends arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday. But Monday is all me. Would it be odd to say I’m hoping to find the Charmed house? On Tuesday, a few of us are planning to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. 1.6 miles there and 1.6 miles back. When I told my mother about those plans, she didn’t stop laughing for a solid minute. She drove across the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor (Canada) with me, so she knows about my bridge phobia. Hence the laughter. Do you suppose I’ll just talk my friends’ heads off and they’ll just toss me over the railing? 
I have a few things to finish up before I leave. The house needs a quick clean. Last loads of laundry. All sorts of anxiety to be properly worked up. Because tomorrow…
I’m leaving on a jet plane.
Heh… I keep picturing Marge Simpson Screaming LETMEOFFLETMEOFFLETMEOFFLETMEOFF… and you doing that.
Oh well, you’ll be fine. Have Fun in California!
I’m here in one piece! And I’ll have you know I only screamed once.
Actually, the lady sitting next to me was wonderful. An angel sent to watch over me.