Fear of Almost Flying

I am not, generally speaking, afraid of flying. I don't like it, certainly, and I don't know why anybody would, but I'm not afraid of it. I take it on faith that a machine that heavy somehow stays up in the air and propels itself forward, because I see that it happens all the time, although it defies all logic, as far as I'm concerned. Flying is noisy and cramped and uncomfortable. But I'm not afraid of it.

What I'm afraid of is almost flying. I've reached the point in my preparations where I know there are vital things I've forgotten, but I don't know what they are, and that annoys me, because for some reason I feel that when I'm away from home I have to be prepared for any and every contingency. And then there's security.

Okay, I admit it: I fear airport security. Now, I've only flown once since 9/11, and that was before the big liquids ban, but I've certainly seen my daughters off on a variety of flights, and I was supposed to go to a Bar Mitzvah in Florida a little over a year ago, so I packed and prepared, although we canceled at the last minute because there was a hurricane. But here I am, ready to go, pretty much, and I feel certain that there will be a problem at security (even though I know there won't be.)

What am I afraid of? Oh, I don't know. That they'll throw out all my stuff, my medicines and makeup and electronics. That they'll pull me aside for special screening. That they won't accept my I.D. That my name will be on some list, and I'll end of sitting in a cell someplace instead of being on the plane to DisneyWorld. You know, the same kind of ordinary stuff that everyone thinks about when they fly.

Ahem.

Okay, so in the real world, today did not get off to an auspicious start. I accidentally set my alarm, and it went off on a Saturday morning. Bummer. Then K overslept; I woke her at 7.30 (she ordinarily leaves for her 8.00 class at 7.00.) So I know she was late, but she got up and out of the house in 15 minutes, so she probably got into class by 8.30 at the latest. I only hope she didn't freak out and do something stupid, like have a car accident or fall on her way into the building. But I haven't heard from her, so I guess she's okay.

Had a very terrible day at school yesterday, which perhaps I will share with you on Monday after the meeting with the principal. Yeah, that kind of day.

But I got tons of stuff done this morning, either for the trip or just in general. I have a good little list of what I need to pack last minute and what I need to get done on Tuesday before I leave the house.

I think that's all I'm capable of at the moment. I'll try to write tomorrow.

WATCHING ---- :: ENTRY #1619