June 26, 2015

The Emotions and Feelings of a Road Warrior

1  comments

Those of us who live on the road have a variety of ups and downs, or at least I do. The other day on a plane I categorized some of the feelings and emotions that hit me on my travels.

ImaginationIn the airport

Superior: when I flip my wrist to use my boarding pass on the Apple Watch.

Embarrassed: when my Watch boarding pass doesn’t work and I have to dig for my phone.

Swift-footed: when there’s no one in the TSA Pre-Check lane and I sail through.

Competitive: when I pick out a traveler in the next security lane to see if I chose the faster line.

Exasperated: when I settle into an airport chair next to a power outlet and unpack all my cords only to discover that the outlet is dead.

Proud: when I walk around the terminal and get my 10k steps instead of sitting on my duff during a layover.

Disappointed: when I fire up the Uber app in baggage claim and discover they’re prohibited in that town.

Abandoned: when everyone else’s hotel shuttle picks up guests and I’m waiting on a bench for another half an hour.

Delighted: when I am browsing an airport shop and discover an orange purse.

Determined: when I march past yummy bakeries and skip the yummy cupcakes.

Addicted: when I promise myself that I’ll just play one more game of solitaire and then I’ll get to work — and 40 minutes later….

Important: when the organization sends a driver to pick me up and my name is on a sign.

Prepared: when TripIt alerts me of a gate change or other travel news.

Annoyed: when I get four travel alerts from TripIt and another three from the airline.

Uneasy: when someone in baggage claim picks a bag off the belt that looks just like mine.

At Peace: when my bag appears on the belt.

Productive: when I dictate instructions to my assistant with Siri as I walk briskly from one gate to another on a tight connection.

Connected: when I have enough time in between flights to call my family for a chat.

Respectful: when World War II veterans on an Honor Flight receive standing ovations from other passengers as they pass by with wheelchairs and walkers.

Unprepared: when I forget to check the weather and I show up in a snowstorm with no coat.

Experienced: when I know to skip the first restroom after we get off the plane and hit the second one to avoid long lines.

Educated: when I devour news on my phone on the go.

Panicked: when I have 4% battery left on my phone and I still need to summon Uber.

Hassled: when I’m hauling two suitcases, one briefcase and my purse through an airport and the phone rings.

Wistful: when I have a layover in Denver and don’t have time to visit my family.

On the plane

Joyous: when a mom warns me that she’s holding seats for three kids under th
e age of 6.

Attentive: when the flight attendant explains instructions to those of us in the exit row.

Jealous: when the pilot says, “Check out the beautiful view on the left” and I’m on the right.

Defiant: when I silently wrestle for the arm rest with a guy in a suit.

Weak: when I lose the battle and end up scrunching my shoulders together the whole flight.

Grateful: when the middle seat remains empty.

Relaxed: when I score an upgrade to first class and settle into the leather seat.

Curious: when I visit the lavatory and ponder the Mile High Club. I mean … How? Why? WHY?

Friendly: when I make small talk with the other people in line for the bathroom.

Dehydrated: when I cut back on beverages before a long flight so I don’t have to potty.

Worried: when the “Fasten Seatbelt” sign comes on while I’m in the lavatory.

Tickled: when the Southwest Airlines flight attendant hands me the peanuts AND a 100-calorie snack pack.

Deprived: when I’m trying to cut calories and have to refuse the snack.

Trapped: when my Watch tells me to stand up and move around on a three-hour flight.

Irritated: when my Watch tells me to stand up and move around and I AM standing!

Unexplainably Excited: when the plane experiences unusual turbulence.

Restless: when the flight lasts more than three hours.

Guilty: when I realize that I forgot to give the trash in my seat back pocket to the flight attendant on her last pass through the cabin.

Accomplished: when I finish a project on the plane.

Amused: when the flight attendants add humor to the safety demonstration.

Uncomfortable: when the plane is stuck on the runway and the air conditioning hasn’t kicked in.

Aunt-Like (Not Quite Maternal): when a cute kid plays peekaboo from the next row.

Pudgy: when the passengers in my row don’t move into the aisle and I have to squeeze by them to go to the bathroom.

Uncommunicative: when a chatterbox who orders three drinks tries to strike up a conversation.

Mortified: when I fall asleep on the plane and wake myself up with a loud snort.

Enthusiastic woman in bathtub with tabletAt the hotel

Desperate: when I beg the hotel staff for a late checkout so I can change into traveling clothes after a presentation.

Special: when the meeting organizer or hotel manager arranges for a little snack tray in my room before I arrive.

Wary: when I arrive late and the cheese or fruit has been sitting at room temperature for hours.

Cheated: when the in-room coffee setup only has decaf or just powdered creamer.

Like a kid: when I have to go to bed at 8 to make up for jet lag.

Sad: when I set my alarm and realize that I have less than six hours before it goes off.

Discombobulated: when I switch time zones for consecutive programs.

Resigned: when my hair won’t cooperate before a presentation.

Sneaky: when I roll out of bed to grab the free breakfast and hope nobody sees me with bed head, eye bags and pillow marks on my cheeks.

Smart: when I remember to hang up my presentation clothes the night before so the wrinkles fall out.

Wrinkled: when I forget and my outfit is, well, wrinkled.

Aged: when the hotel bathroom has a lighted magnifying mirror and I can see every flaw.

Blind: when the hotel bathroom doesn’t have a lighted mirror and I can’t get close enough to the mirror to put on my eye makeup.

Pampered: when there’s a big bathtub and a fluffy robe.

Reclusive: when I have an extra day in a fun town and I spend it working in my room instead of exploring the city.

Homesick: when I’m on the road for more than three days. 

Nerd with MicrophoneAt a program

Organized: when I prepare for a big trip with multiple programs and I carefully prepare a gallon-sized freezer bag for each.

Thrilled: when I find a nerdy somethin’-somethin’ that I can share with you guys.

Loved: when people come to greet me after a session.

Energized: when I am setting up before a presentation and attendees start arriving.

Ravenous: when I’m a luncheon speaker and forgot to ask for my meal before the presentation and have to watch the audience devour their cheesecakes.

Overjoyed: when the A/V guys are prepared and attentive and the Internet connection is blazing fast!

Rushed: when the room is huge and I have to put Nerdy Bingo cards on all the tables before the attendees arrive.

Appreciative: when early arrivals volunteer to help.

Nimble: when I have to cut my program short, and I can adapt the presentation on the fly.

Off Guard: when I add extra customizations to a presentation and forget what is up next.  

On the way home

Elated: when I switch on my phone on touchdown and my hubby’s text comes in that he’s waiting in baggage claim.

Even More Elated: when I see him waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

Spoiled: when my hubby wrestles with my bags and sends me in the house so I can see the kitties.

Ignored: when the cats snub me after a trip.

Ahhhh: when I’m headed home after a long trip and I can quit working and read a book while enjoying an adult beverage.

Excessive: when my posts go on and on and on.

 

 

 


Tags


You may also like

  • {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

    SUBSCRIBE TO GET YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD

    The Little Book of Apps

    If you’re looking for technology to make your life easier, start here! Subscribe to our NerdWords newsletter and get instant access to The Little Book of Apps today.

    Like everyone else, we have to put the small print at the bottom! But in all seriousness, we respect your privacy and won't spam you. Pinky Promise.

    >