Airplane Buddies

Sorry its been a while folks. I have been busy writing the script for the next chapter in my life.

So here is the first of many "more on that later" updates.

My airplane fun from a few weeks ago began when I was on my way to Orlando. I was seated next to a tall, black gentleman sitting in a nice business suit. I was in the window seat, he sat in the middle. The aisle seat remained empty. As the plane continued to board, we glanced at each other with that, I hope no one else sits here so we can spread out look. As we waited for the "The main cabin door has been closed. Please turn off all cellular phone and electronic devices" announcement, we started chit chatting.

"Off to Orlando?"
"yup."
"Business or are you from there?"
"Business, I just changed jobs and am going dowm for some training."
"Have you been to Orlando before"
"I've taken the Family. We go every year. But on the last trip I decided I was going to Vegas and they could go to Disneyworld."

And so it began. A non-stop conversation on a non-stop flight from DC to Orlando.

I learned how much I enjoyed listening to what goes on in people's lives. And also, how uninterested many people are in others' lives.

Coach Chris got his name when he started a community track club in Northern VA. His son was in middle school at the time and had competed a little bt and done very well. So someone recommended to Coach Chris that he put his son on a youth track team and if there wasnt one in his area, he should start one to get his son some exposure as he got older. Well, now it is a full club that takes kids around the country to compete in track competitions and even the Junior Olympics.

Chris son is a great track athlete, but like your average teenage high schooler, he's a bit lazy, sometimes irresponsible Like the time he left his track shoes behind before a national competition), has a need to be cool (I can't get grades that are too good. I dont want people to think I am a geek.) Is that what its like to be a teenager these days?

The last thing that I found interesting about Chris, is that he was willing to share some personal stuff with me... a complete stranger! HE told me how he had just reunited with his dad over Thanksgiving weekend after several years. He was in tears as he told me about it. I can't remember why he hadn't spoken with his dad. But he was glad to have him back in his life.

My other airplane companion was the first class guy who had never flown first class. He was just as much a kid in a candy store as I was about the whole thing. We spoke about life in general. Why we have accepted it as ok that our kids listen to lyrics with swear words or that talk about "my hoes and my bitches". I am not sure why. The changing society, the changing norms. It used to not be ok to get a divorce. Now no one whinces much when it gets announced. I still whince. It's NOT ok!

That's it for now. I am off to Costa Rica tomorrow for two weeks. I will be doing an intensive spanish course for the time I am there. Should be fun...and warm! Yay!

Until then.

Dr. T