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Wednesday, June 14 5:30 AM: My phone emits a jocular jingle, rousing me from slumber. I plant my feet on the floor and get with the business of going to work. 5:36 AM: Pants belted. Shirt on. Teeth brushed. Keys and wallet—check, check. I lock the door on my way out. The sun is already up. When did that become a thing this early? 5:45 AM: I arrive at work. I’m the first one there (as always); my sense of discipline shimmies proudly. My co-worker arrives a bit later. 8:13 AM: Our mid-shift support rolls in. She only works until 2. I’m not bitter. I’m not bitter at all. 9:15 AM: Mr. Dubious-Diet orders his regular salad, the one with all the toppings and quadruple the rolls. Hgggggggggggggh. It’s 9:15 in the morning. Please don’t make me do this yet. Please don’t make me do this at all. 2:08 PM: The closers arrive and our mid-shift heads out. I have two hours left at work, and miles after that before I sleep. It’s gonna be a looooooooooooooong day. 3:06 PM: I’m technically scheduled for another hour, but nobody’s coming in and there are four people behind the bar. I clock out early, hoping to get home before the nasty-looking clouds vent their rage.
3:08 PM: That doesn’t happen. 4:03 PM: After kicking back for a bit, I head to the gym. I’m not gonna get much exercise over the next few days; best get it in while I can. The rain has stopped. 5:06 PM: Sweaty and invigorated, I return home. 5:58 PM: Sick of waiting, I opt to head out early. The rain has started again. A short walk later, I hop on the 92 bus towards O’Hare. 6:18 PM: My phone dings—an email. My flight has been delayed from 8:55 to 11:35. Joy of joys. I sacrifice a few cherries to curb my disgruntlement. 7:32 PM: After a lifetime on mass transit, I arrive at O’Hare. 7:48 PM: Did you know that they have these sweet kiosks where you just swipe your passport and you’re checked in for your flight? In under a minute I have my boarding pass. Thank you, technology. You amaze me. 8:04 PM: I pass through security. I silently apologize to everyone around when I have to remove my damp sneakers. 8:23 PM: Finally, after two moving walkways and passage through a neon-lit Willy Wonka wonder tunnel, I trundle up to my gate. Damn, O’Hare is huge. 8:45 PM: My phone dings again--another hour of delay. We should be taxiing to leave right now. Joyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. 9:05 PM: Dinner time, I guess. I grab my suitcase and go hunting. 9:38 PM: This sad wrap of deli turkey and shredded cheese cost $10. It’s fine. I plop down in the food court and read for a bit while I munch away. 10:58 PM: I’ve got a podcast that fits perfectly in the time I have left. My legs grow restless. I tune in and walk laps around the pedway as I wait. 11:45 PM: I grow weary of doing laps around the pedway and head back to the gate. Turns out they’re about to start boarding early. Thanks for telling me, guys. Thursday, June 15 12:00 AM: Dawn of the first day rolls over into dawn of the second day. 12:13 AM: After a half hour of hearing ‘boarding is about to begin,’ boarding actually begins. 12:22 AM: Most people are on the plane, but we’ve been grounded because of lightning. At this point, I expect nothing less. 12:42 AM: We finally lift off. I attempt to doze off, but there are three conversations going on around me. People. Please. 3:20 AM: The plane touches down in Knoxville. My eyelids were closed but I have not slept. I shamble out of the airport into the arms of my parents, toss my stuff in the trunk, and nestle into the backseat. We roll out towards Asheville, and after a short period of conversation I manage to get a little rest. 6:03 AM: We arrive at Warren Wilson College and try to catch some shuteye in the car. I give it a 4/10. Would not recommend. 7:02 AM: We’ve gotten as much rest as we’re going to. Time for breakfast. 7:08 AM: Waffle House. Good. Waitress nice. Eggs and toast and tomatoes. 7:23 AM: As is his way, Dad starts to talk about deep mathematical concepts. I head him off at the pass. 7:48 AM: Sated, we head back to Warren Wilson to register for the weekend. Time to get this shindig started. To be continued...
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