Finally Finished:

Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman

Yes, a Merry Christmas to everyone who I did not see on Christmas Day. But you shouldn’t feel left out because I pretty much didn’t see anyone on Christmas Day, except the other cranky people who also spent their holiday flying on UA.

As you might already have guessed, I have a love/hate relationship with United Airlines. On the one hand, every experience I’ve had with them in the past few years has indicated that the company has taken a deep dive downwards. On the other hand, I have a bunch of frequent flyer miles that really need to be used.

Yesterday/today*, I “got up” at 4am to go to the airport, and spent more than 24 hours on the road. Luckily for me, I received my upgrade and spent those lovely 14.5 hours from Chicago to Shanghai in business class, behind a couple that had apparently forgotten that even when 30,000 feet in the air, their baby daughter would probably still like to have her diaper changed when necessary. I say this because it was quite evident from my position as a human being with a working olfactory system that, yes, a diaper change was absolutely necessary.

This coupled with a surprising lack of snacks mid-flight made me incredibly happy to be finally here, showered, and snuggled in bed. I did accomplish a few things, however. For instance, Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs is finally on the finished list. And I finally mailed out a few very belated Christmas cards. Lame, I know.