To pack or not to pack...

Ugh. Today I am packing and unpacking a bag in the same day. And that means laundry and organizing and re-evaluating the need for a traveling girl to have so many clothing items. I mean, my bag is still full of dirty garments from Phoenix and my closet is still full of clean and lovely things. I just got back Tuesday and have had a full work and social calendar so have not had lots of extra time to unpack and launder things. Plus, I was not home during the day to do laundry while working due to massive boulder crushing next door (wish I was kidding). So, today was the day. I unpacked and started to do laundry because I need to pack everything back up for my next adventure that starts at 7am tomorrow. (Note that it is 5:30pm...)

Anyway, as I started to say above before my lovely tangent, I realized just how many clothes I have. I could pack a different suitcase full of clean things and not even unpack the PHX bag. I mean none of my favorites would be packed, but I wouldn't be naked (or in ugly clothes). But, I will do laundry and re-pack the good stuff, the favorites and be a happy (well-dressed) traveler.

While starting this thought process, I also realize I have a love- hate relationship with my suitcase. I love it when I am taking a new adventure and am putting fun, exciting items inside to visit a new land or come home after a wonderful adventure. I hate it when there doesn't seem to be enough space for all the items I just might need during a 3 week trip, or when it's full of dirty items from weeks on the road. I do love that I have leanred to live with just a few items and can literally live out of bags for weeks (my office included). It really makes me think about the number of things I own (and really need for that matter). Is it that I just make do on the road or that I am over-indulged in my home life? Really, I think it's a combo of both. When I travel, I do live without certain comforts of everyday life. It's just part of the deal. And at home, I have all my basic needs met and maybe indulge in some extras. I feel lucky that I can!

Suitcase adventures

Yesterday I flew back from Phoenix after a long week in town. It was a productive week of work on my project and then a fun and busy weekend of helping a friend with hers. I am not sure how much help I offered, but I was there (and it was fun to work on a smaller event).

That said, I had event hangover. I was tired, I was hungry and food and sleep came first as a priority for the day. we slept a little later and took a little longer than I should have for a 1:35pm flight. I was rushing (and way more than normal) with a slow-moving body. But as an elite status member on the airline, I figured I would be okay if I arrived 35 minutes before the flight. Well, I went to check-in and had to check-in with everyone else! (I was flying US Airways on a Monday, so I couldn't get an upgrade. (sad). As someone said (not me), I was seated with the peons.) The screen flashed-- your flight leaves in 40 minutes, see a gate agent. (AHH!). From there, I went to the line, where I had to wait for 7 minutes. (in the meantime, I had a lovely conversation with the man in front of me.) I got to the gate agent and she wasn't even sure if I could check-in for the flight because it was 33 minutes before take-off. She checked me in and told me it was likely my luggage would come in on a later flight. I didn't care. So, I left running toward the gate (because of course it was the furthest gate from the check-in area that it could be). I arrived at the gate, sweating (awesome) and boarded the plane as she was about to call my name (again, awesome). Upon arrival, I had to check in with the baggage folks about my bag. The bag agent (whom I have dealt with before), told me my bag would arrive on my flight and to wait for the last bags to arrive. So, I waited and guess what? It was not on the flight (as I was told in Phoenix). I went back to the bag agent who again, told me it should be on that flight. When I told her it was not, in fact on the carosel, she looked for me (becuase clearly I would make that up). When she confirmed that it was not there, she finally looked up the bag. Turns out, the bag went to Philadelphia. I confirmed it would someday make it back to me in Seattle and went home.

This morning (at 7am), I got a call that the bag would arrive on the 11:35 flight from Phoenix. The bag travled to Philly, then to Austin, TX back to Phoenix and then onto Seattle, where it would be awaiting pick-up. I am glad it will be returned, but kind of wish it had had a better adventure than it did. No vacation inspiration from Philly and Austin (although both are places I have not been and would like to go).